CHAPTER ELEVEN
1273 Words
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“So you're telling me that Evan's father—the King, I mean the Alpha King—not only freed you of all charges but also made a request for you to protect his son?” Stella asked.
I nodded.
“But it doesn't make any sense,” Stella said.
Well… it didn’t. And that was exactly what scared me.
It was Saturday morning. We were lying in my room, me sprawled lazily across the bed while Stella flipped through a clothes magazine with full concentration. I had pleaded with her—or maybe I had just convinced myself—to give my dressing a chance. If I wanted to change, then it had to start from how I looked. And as expected, Stella had taken that as a personal mission.
She had gone through one magazine after another in just minutes, selecting tens of outfits—each one classier than the last. At this point, I was starting to think this was a terrible idea.
I watched as she marked yet another outfit with a red marker.
I frowned.
“Don't you think this is too much?”
“Oh sweetie, you have no idea how long I’ve dreamed of doing this. Don’t you dare back down now.”
Yeah… I was already planning my escape.
“So about what you said—your desire to get stronger—I think you should start by actually understanding werewolves and their power,” Stella said, now rummaging through my closet like she owned it.
I rolled my eyes.
“I already know about werewolves and their power. School exists, you know.”
“Yeah, but not everything,” Stella shot back. Then she suddenly paused… and slowly turned to me with a look that screamed caught you. In her hand was a short red strawberry gown.
My heart dropped.
Gosh… I thought I hid that well.
“I’m seriously not wearing that,” I said immediately.
“Damn, Anna, what is this doing here?” Stella asked, raising a brow like I had betrayed her for years.
I rolled my eyes dramatically.
“Last year’s birthday gift from Mom. And before you start—no. I’m not wearing it.”
“Oh sweetie,” Stella said, her tone instantly shifting, “if you’re serious about changing—about being respected—then yes, you are.”
She turned back to the dress, practically glowing.
“Christ, I cannot believe you’ve been hiding this. This is criminal. Anna, you broke my heart,” she added, clutching the dress like a victim.
I sighed deeply.
This. Was. A bad idea.
“Can I change my mind now?” I asked, sitting up with a hopeful look.
She glared.
“No.”
I dropped back onto the bed with a groan.
Damn it. I really did this to myself. It’s not like changing my clothes is compulsory… right? Even if I wanted to change… did it have to be this extreme?
“Fine. Let’s just get it over with,” I muttered.
Stella chuckled and walked over, placing her hands on my shoulders.
“Don’t say it like that. No one’s forcing you—you begged me for this. And you were right to.”
“Nope. I was not right. And I did not beg you,” I shot back.
“Yes, you did,” Stella said instantly. “You said—‘Stella, I think I need to change my dressing,’” she mimicked in a ridiculous high-pitched voice.
I stared at her.
“That was not begging.”
“It was to me. Now get up and wear this.”
I groaned.
Well… it wouldn’t kill me. Probably.
I stood up.
Few minutes later.
I stood in front of the mirror, staring at someone who didn’t feel like me. The red off-shoulder gown hugged my body perfectly, stopping just above my knee.
“Oh hell no.”
“Oh hell yes,” Stella said behind me. “Girl, you look amazing.”
“I look like a slut,” I muttered.
“Excuse me?” Stella snapped, pointing at herself, offended.
“Sorry.” I winced. She was wearing a white top and extremely short jean shorts—yeah… that probably hit a nerve.
“I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just… this looks—”
“Beautiful,” Stella cut in smoothly.
I glanced down at my exposed thighs.
“It’s too short.”
“It’s just above your knee,” Stella said, already annoyed.
“It’s too exposing.”
She groaned.
“It’s an off-shoulder dress, Anna. That’s literally the point. Now can we go?”
I sighed.
“Okay… let’s go.”
“Good. Because I was two seconds away from tying you up and dragging you to the car,” Stella said flatly.
I laughed.
Yeah… she absolutely would.
Right then, Emma burst into the room, slightly out of breath.
“Damn, was I late?”
“Yes,” Stella answered immediately, hands on her hips.
Emma’s eyes landed on me—and widened.
“Damn, girl… you look hot.”
“All this shape hiding under those baggy clothes? I’m offended,” she added dramatically.
I rolled my eyes.
Yeah… Emma and Stella were a dangerous combination.
Still… I couldn’t help it. I was grateful for them.
“So what next?” I asked, already mentally tired.
“To the salon!” they both yelled.
Few minutes in the salon.
“Holy hell,” Emma whispered.
“You look amazing!” Stella exclaimed.
I stared at my reflection, stunned.
This… was me?
My straight brown hair now fell in soft waves, fuller, darker. My glasses were gone, replaced with contact lenses. My eyebrows—actually shaped.
I looked… different.
Better.
“Transformation successful. What do you think?” Stella asked, practically vibrating with excitement.
I tilted my head slightly, studying myself.
“I rock.”
“That’s my girl!” Stella yelled.
“Go girl!” Emma added.
“What next?” I asked, a strange excitement building inside me.
Maybe… this wouldn’t be so bad.
“We attend the Moonshade party.”
“Party?” I frowned instantly.
“I don’t need a party. I want to get stronger.”
“Oh sweetie,” Stella said, already amused, “the Moonshade party is where strength shows. It’s held every full moon. Every werewolf is at peak power. There are fights, challenges… dominance displays. That’s where the strongest get recognized.”
“So basically,” Emma added, “it’s where you actually see what you’ve only been reading about.”
I rolled my eyes.
“I already know about werewolves.”
Emma crossed her arms.
“Have you ever seen one fight?”
…Okay. Fair.
I shook my head.
“Exactly. Now shut up and follow us,” Stella said, ruffling my hair.
“Don’t—don’t you dare ruin my hair!” I snapped, pushing her hand away.
Soon, we arrived at the party venue.
I stared at the tall, rusting brown gate in front of us. It looked like it could collapse any second. The surroundings weren’t any better—old, dull, almost abandoned.
This was where powerful werewolves partied?
I turned to Stella and Emma.
“This… is where the party is happening?”
Stella smiled.
“Nope.”
Before I could react, she pushed the gate open and pulled me inside.
And just like that—
Everything changed.
Lights. Music. Energy.
Life.
“This,” Stella said, grinning, “is where the party is happening.”
“Oh. My. God.”
- Writer
