Ivy’s POV
"Just one more store," Nancy pleaded, her hazel eyes wide with that puppy-dog look I could never resist. "Please? I promise this is the last one."
I laughed, shaking my head at her enthusiasm. We’d been shopping for three hours already, moving from boutique to boutique in the pack’s commercial district like we were on some kind of mission.
"Fine, but I’m starving. Food after this, or I might start eyeing the mannequins as potential snacks."
Nancy giggled, pulling me by the hand into an upscale dress shop I didn’t recognize. "It wasn’t here when I left," I murmured, taking in the elegant displays and soft lighting.
"Alpha Cody approved it last year. The owner is from the Silverleaf Pack—you know, the ones famous for their textiles? She makes everything herself."
I followed Nancy through the racks of clothing, impressed by the craftsmanship. Each piece looked meticulously designed, with intricate details that spoke of hours of dedicated work.
"So what exactly are we shopping for?" I asked, running my fingers along a midnight blue evening gown. "You’ve been suspiciously vague about why we need all these bags."
Nancy bit her lip, clearly hiding something. "Just… stuff. For… reasons."
I raised an eyebrow. "Very specific."
"Oh look!" She suddenly darted toward a display near the back wall. "These are perfect!"
I trailed behind her, watching as she excitedly examined a collection of cocktail dresses. My father’s warning from breakfast echoed in my mind: Don’t let Nancy drag you to too many stores. She tends to get… enthusiastic.
Now I understood his knowing smile.
"What do you think about this one?" Nancy held up a simple black dress against her body.
I shook my head immediately. "No. Black washes you out."
My eyes caught a flash of gold on the adjacent rack. I reached over and pulled out a knee-length dress with a subtle shimmer to the fabric. The material was soft but structured, with a sweetheart neckline and delicate cap sleeves.
"Try this one," I suggested, holding it out to her. "The gold will bring out the honey tones in your hair and complement your skin."
Nancy’s eyes widened. "It’s gorgeous, but…" she checked the price tag and winced. "Way too expensive."
"Just try it on," I insisted, pushing the dress into her hands. "Humor me."
With a reluctant nod, Nancy disappeared into a fitting room. I browsed nearby, knowing the dress would be perfect. In my first life, I’d developed an eye for fashion that matched people to their ideal colors and styles. It was a small talent, but one I was glad to have retained.
"Ivy?" Nancy’s uncertain voice called from behind the curtain. "I’m not sure about this."
"Come out and let me see."
The curtain pulled back slowly, and Nancy stepped out, her hands fidgeting nervously with the skirt of the dress.
I caught my breath. The golden fabric caught the light with every movement, creating the illusion that she was glowing from within. The color brought warmth to her complexion and made her hazel eyes sparkle with amber highlights I’d never noticed before.
"You look beautiful," I said softly, genuine admiration in my voice.
"You think so?" She turned toward the mirror, her expression uncertain.
"I know so. It was made for you."
A slow smile spread across her face as she studied her reflection. "Maybe you’re right. It does look—"
"What do you think you’re doing?"
The harsh voice cut through our moment like a knife. I turned to see a tall redhead stalking toward us, her eyes fixed on Nancy with naked hostility. Two other she-wolves flanked her, their expressions equally unpleasant.
I recognized her immediately—Chelsea Collins, one of the higher-ranking unmated females in my father’s pack. In my first life, she’d been a constant thorn in my side, always jockeying for position and attention.
"I saw that dress first," Chelsea snapped, stopping inches from Nancy. "Take it off."
Nancy’s smile vanished, her shoulders hunching as she took an instinctive step back. "I—I was just trying it on."
Chelsea’s eyes narrowed as she deliberately released her dominant aura, pressing it against Nancy’s wolf. It was a cheap intimidation tactic, one used by wolves who relied on rank rather than character to get their way.
"Did I stutter? Take. It. Off."
I felt Nancy’s wolf, Julia, whimper in response, automatically submitting to the stronger aura. The fear in my friend’s eyes as she retreated another step ignited something primal inside me.
Killian stirred, her rage feeding mine. She threatens what’s ours.
"The dress isn’t even in your size," I observed casually, stepping between them. I kept my voice light, but I could feel the dangerous edge underneath it. "And gold isn’t your color."
Chelsea’s eyes flicked to me, narrowing as recognition dawned. "Well, look who finally decided to grace us with her presence. The prodigal daughter returns."
I smiled, letting just a hint of Killian bleed into my expression. "Hello, Chelsea. Still throwing your weight around, I see."
Her nostrils flared as she tried to sense my rank, my power. I kept my aura tightly leashed, giving her nothing.
"This doesn’t concern you," she snapped. "This is between me and your little… friend."
"Actually," I said, picking up the discarded hanger from the bench, "it concerns the dress. Which Nancy found first."
"Do you have any idea who I am now?" Chelsea hissed, stepping closer. "My father is a senior warrior. I’m practically beta material."
I tilted my head, studying her with deliberate calm. "And that entitles you to bully others?"
Her aura expanded again, stronger this time, trying to force submission. Behind me, Nancy’s breathing quickened with distress.
"Look," I sighed, keeping my voice reasonable. "If Nancy doesn’t want the dress anymore, I’ll buy it for myself. Problem solved."
Chelsea’s face flushed almost as red as her hair. "You don’t get to waltz back here and start making decisions. You abandoned this pack."
Something in me shifted, a cold anger settling into my bones. I’d died because I let people like Chelsea push me around, make me doubt myself. Never again.
"Nancy," I said without taking my eyes off Chelsea, "take the dress off if you don’t want it. But not because she’s demanding it."
I felt rather than saw Nancy retreat to the fitting room, the curtain sliding shut behind her.
"You’ve made an enemy today," Chelsea whispered, her eyes glittering with malice.
"No," I corrected her quietly. "I’ve simply recognized one."
The silence stretched between us, taut and dangerous, until Nancy emerged from the fitting room, the golden dress folded neatly in her hands.
"I don’t want it," she said softly, holding it out to me.
I took the dress and held Chelsea’s gaze for one more beat before turning away. "Let’s go, Nancy. I need that food I was promised."
We paid for our purchases—I bought the dress despite Nancy’s protests—and left the shop without looking back. Once outside, Nancy exhaled shakily.
"I’m so sorry about that. Chelsea’s been impossible ever since she started dating Jason from the warrior class."
I shook my head, fury still simmering beneath my controlled exterior. "Don’t apologize for her behavior."
"But I should have stood up to her. I just—" Nancy’s voice broke, her hands trembling slightly. "Her aura is so strong, and Julia just automatically submits. I hate it."
The raw frustration in her voice broke through my anger, replacing it with protective determination. I stopped walking, turning to face her fully.
"Nancy—"
But the words died in my throat as Killian suddenly surged forward, too powerful to contain. My vision blurred, and I felt the distinct shift as my wolf took control.
"Little one," Killian spoke through me, her voice deeper and more resonant than mine. She reached out, cupping Nancy’s cheek with gentle firmness. "No harm will come to you while we are here."
Nancy’s eyes widened, her wolf responding instinctively to the powerful Alpha before her. "Killian?"
"Yes, little one." Killian stepped closer, her movements fluid and regal as she scent-marked Nancy, claiming her as pack, as protected. "Tell us why the females in this pack behave with such dishonor."
Nancy swallowed hard, her voice small. "It’s been this way since Luna Grace left. There’s no… there’s no female authority to keep things in balance. Alpha Cody tries, but it’s not the same."
Killian nodded slowly, her golden eyes—my eyes, but not—scanning the area around us. "A pack without proper leadership descends into chaos. This will be addressed."
I felt Killian reaching out, mind-linking directly with my father’s wolf. Thorne. Your pack structure has fractured. The she-wolves prey upon the weak without consequence.
I couldn’t hear Thorne’s response, but Killian’s satisfaction rippled through me.
"Come," Killian said to Nancy, her voice gentler now. "We will protect what is ours."
Then, as quickly as she had emerged, Killian retreated, leaving me gasping slightly as control returned to me. Nancy was staring at me, a mixture of awe and concern on her face.
"Are you okay?" she whispered.
I nodded, taking a deep breath. "I’m fine. I’m sorry about that—Killian doesn’t usually take over like that."
"Don’t apologize," Nancy said, echoing my earlier words with a small smile. "That was… actually amazing. I’ve never seen an Alpha wolf emerge so smoothly before."
I managed a weak laugh. "Smooth isn’t how I’d describe it."
"Well, it was impressive." She looped her arm through mine, her confidence visibly restored by Killian’s protection. "So, about that food you mentioned?"
I allowed her to lead me toward the pack’s dining hall, still processing what had happened. Killian’s anger had been justified, but her emergence was troubling. I needed better control.
The pack hierarchy is broken, Killian growled within me. There is no discipline among the females.
I know, I responded silently. We’ll deal with it.
As we walked, I glanced down at the shopping bag holding the golden dress. It was beautiful—too beautiful to waste on whatever ordinary occasion Nancy had been shopping for.
"So are you going to tell me what all this shopping was really for?" I asked, bumping her shoulder playfully.
Her smile turned sly. "Nope. Still a surprise."
I rolled my eyes but didn’t press further. Whatever it was, I knew we would have an interesting conversation with my father tonight.