chapter 138
Tori's POV:
After a day of rest, I felt completely recovered from the allergic reaction to those morning-after pills.
Dr. Matthew recommended only that I stick to bland foods for the next couple of days.
I sat at the kitchen counter, flipping through the elegant cream-colored invitation to Olivia Sullivan's birthday celebration.
I still couldn't believe I'd been included on the guest list. What do you even buy for someone of her status? A woman who'd likely received every luxury gift imaginable over her long life.
Whatever I chose would probably pale in comparison to what other guests would bring, but showing up empty-handed wasn't an option either.
The silver embossed lettering caught the light as I examined it.
Just at the moment, my phone buzzed beside me. Morgan's name flashed on the screen.
"Hey, feeling better?" Her voice was bright and cheerful.
"Much better," I replied, setting the invitation down. "I was just about to call you."
"Aww, did you miss me that much?" Morgan teased, her smile evident in her voice.
I rolled my eyes despite the small smile tugging at my lips. "Don't flatter yourself. I actually have a problem I need help with."
"Hit me."
"I received an invitation to Olivia Sullivan's birthday celebration, and I have absolutely no idea what to get her."
Morgan gasped. "No way! I was literally calling to ask if you wanted to go shopping. Talk about perfect timing."
"So we're going shopping today. Meet me at Howling Plaza in an hour?"
"Okay, I'll be there."
After hanging up, I took a quick shower and changed into jeans and a light sweater.
I was eager to get out after being cooped up for days. Just as I finished getting ready, my phone chimed with a text from Jack:
The car is ready whenever you are, Miss Sullivan.
Jack dropped me off at the main entrance to Howling Plaza.
The upscale shopping center was bustling with activity, wolves of all ranks browsing the boutiques and enjoying the sunny day.
I spotted Morgan waving at me from outside the Moon Leaf Café, two cups in her hands.
"Special healing tea," she announced, handing me the larger cup. "Matthew said it would help restore your energy after... you know."
The tea had a pleasant herbal scent with hints of lavender and mint. I took a grateful sip, feeling its warmth spread through me.
"So," Morgan wiggled her eyebrows suggestively as we started walking. "You look different. That certain glow about you... seems like you and our Frost King Alpha are getting along quite well behind closed doors, aren't you?"
I nearly choked on my tea, heat rushing to my face. "Morgan!"
"What?" She laughed, nudging my shoulder. "Don't even try to deny it. Besides, why else would someone need those morning-after pills that caused all that trouble? "
She continued.
"And you two are practically attached at the hip now. Well, attached somewhere—"
"I'm leaving," I threatened, my face burning.
Morgan grabbed my arm, still giggling. "Okay, okay, I'll stop. But seriously, I've never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you."
I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my lips. "Let's just focus on shopping, okay?"
We spent the next hour browsing through stores.
Finally, in a small artisan shop, I found a hand-carved wooden box inlaid with silver moon phases. It was beautiful but still within my budget from the settlement money I'd received after being cleared of charges.
"This is perfect," I murmured, running my fingers over the smooth surface.
The shopkeeper wrapped it carefully in silver paper with a delicate ribbon.
As we left the store, my stomach growled audibly.
"Lunch time," Morgan declared. "There's a nice place just around the corner."
We were headed toward the restaurant when a commotion caught my attention. A woman's voice, sharp with fury, cut through the ambient noise of the plaza.
"I'll kill you, you bitch! How dare you steal my mate!"
Morgan and I exchanged glances before hurrying toward the sound.
In a small courtyard outside an upscale restaurant, a well-dressed woman was being physically restrained as she tried to attack another woman cowering on the ground.
With a jolt, I recognized my mother, Hannah- her face contorted with rage. Alexander Price stood between her and the woman on the ground, his expression thunderous.
"Hannah, stop it!" Alexander's voice was low but commanding. "You're making a scene."
"A scene?" Hannah's laugh was borderline hysterical. "You're worried about a scene when I catch you with her?"
The woman on the ground was sobbing, her blonde hair falling over her face. Alexander turned to help her up, his touch gentle, concerned. The tenderness in his eyes made Hannah's fury spike visibly.
"Is this how you repay me, Alexander?" Hannah's voice cracked with emotion. "After everything I've done for you? Taking care of your home, your daughters, your social obligations while you—"
"While I what, Hannah?" Alexander's voice had gone dangerously quiet. "Work myself to exhaustion to maintain the lifestyle you demand? Look the other way when you gamble away thousands? "
Hannah's face paled. "You swore you'd never see her again. You promised me when you asked me to be your mate—"
"I promised many things," Alexander interrupted, helping the blonde woman to her feet. "But I never promised to be miserable forever."
The female raised her head, and I caught my breath.
Though older now, with fine lines around her eyes and mouth, there was no mistaking her resemblance to photos I'd seen of Alexander's first wife - Fiona and Mia's mother.
Hannah lunged forward again, but this time Alexander caught her wrist. "Enough."
"Let go of me!" Hannah twisted in his grip.
The crack of Alexander's palm against Hannah's cheek silenced the entire courtyard.
My mother staggered back, her hand flying to her face in shock. Alexander had never struck her.
"I said enough." His voice was ice.
Alexander turned away from Hannah, gently placing his arm around the blonde woman's shoulders. "Come on, Serena. I'm taking you to the hospital."
The woman leaned into him, trembling as he guided her toward the parking lot. Alexander didn't spare Hannah another glance as they walked away.
Hannah stood frozen, her hand still pressed against her reddened cheek. Her eyes, filled with hatred and humiliation, followed them until they disappeared from sight.
The murderous look on her face sent a chill down my spine.
"Should we... should we go somewhere else?" Morgan whispered beside me.