ra

ideous on her than it had been on the mannequin. Feathers molted with every step, and the sequins ca

e-way mirror, her reflection a d

mile, descended immediately. "Oh, my dear," she gushed, "it's as if th

yes shining with avarice. The unspoken deman

Then, I tilted my head, my expression shifti

nd innocent. "It just seems ... a little much for a m

t... you said it would make

ood kinds of attention and bad kinds. I just wanted you to t

neer. Her eyes, which had been fawning over Jenna mo

her nails digging into my skin. "What do you mean?" she hissed, h

ear. "I said I'd buy you a piece of jewelry, Jenna. Not a dress that costs m

ies" were a dagger to h

Jenna with icy disdain, "if you are not purchasing the garment, p

tood frozen, trapped in the ridiculous, expensive dress, her face a mask

choked out, her eyes fi

y that? You're the one who misunderstood. Just go chan

e. "Now, miss. Or I will

e public shame, the crushing weight of her own

h the tension, low and cold

e a prob

e store w

sses, polishing them with a silk handkerchief, though his eyes neve

fawning guppy. "Alpha! What an

ss," the way I was cowering slightly fr

near Elara, but his gaze was fixed on the salesperson. "This custome

a jolt of shock, my mind ree

he was going to be

throwing Jenna under the bus s

black, featureless card from his wallet and ha

could hear. "Anything you want. It's yours." Then, louder,

thered monstrosity Jenna was wea

, "I'll buy it. Now get it off her before it offends any