For three years, I’d dressed like a mouse. Darrell’s friends constantly made snide comments about how I “didn’t look like Luna material.” They weren’t wrong – I’d been hiding, playing small, trying not to take up space.
Fuck that.
Inside the boutique, I selected a black cocktail dress that hugged every curve. The price tag made the saleswoman’s eyes widen, but I didn’t flinch.
“I’ll also need shoes to match.”
She led me to a locked display case. “These just arrived yesterday. Louboutin limited edition – only two pairs.”
The shoes were stunning. Midnight blue with a subtle shimmer, they’d cost most people’s annual salary.
“I’ll take them.”
As she wrapped my purchases, I wandered to the jewelry section. A delicate platinum bracelet caught my eye – perfect for Emily.
The Hawthorne pack hall buzzed with conversation when I arrived. Crystal chandeliers cast warm light over the gathered wolves, all dressed in their finest. I’d beaten most of the crowd here.
Emily spotted me immediately and rushed over, her face lighting up.
“Sable! You look absolutely stunning.” She pulled me into a tight hug.
I handed her the jewelry box. “A little something for your new adventure.”
Her eyes filled with tears when she opened it. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
We chatted about her mate and new pack for a few minutes. The conversation felt easy, natural. For a moment, I almost forgot about the mess waiting for me at home.
Then the room fell silent.
I turned toward the entrance and felt my heart stop. Darrell stood in the doorway, his arm casually draped around a woman I recognized instantly.
Camila Ross.
She was beautiful in that effortless way some women possessed. Golden hair fell in perfect waves over her shoulders, and her emerald eyes sparkled as she whispered something in Darrell’s ear. Her deep blue dress showcased her generous cleavage, and she moved with the confidence of someone who’d never doubted her place in the world.
But what made my blood freeze wasn’t her beauty.
It was the shoes.
Identical blue Louboutin heels. The same limited edition pair I was wearing.
Darrell’s eyes found mine across the room. His face went ashen, then flushed red. He jerked his arm away from Camila so quickly she stumbled.
“Sable.” His voice cracked slightly. “What are you doing here? Who invited you?”
The panic in his tone was unmistakable. Around us, conversations resumed in hushed whispers.
I forced a bright smile. “It’s Emily’s farewell party and she’s my friend – why wouldn’t I come to support a friend?”
“You should have told me you were coming.” His eyes darted between me and Camila. “I thought you didn’t like these kinds of events.”
Translation: You weren’t supposed to be here while I parade my real girlfriend around.
His gaze swept the room, silently demanding to know who had dared invite me. I noticed Emily shrink back, avoiding his stare.
Camila glided over with a smile that never reached her eyes. “You must be Sable Crawford. I’m Camila Ross. I’m sure Darrell’s mentioned me.”
Actually, he barely has. “Nice to meet you.”
“Has anyone ever told you we look alike?” Camila’s laugh tinkled like broken glass. “It’s quite striking, really.”
Darrell’s jaw clenched. Our resemblance was his dirty little secret.
“Oh my god!” Camila’s gaze dropped to our feet. “We’re wearing the same shoes! These are the Louboutin limited edition, aren’t they? There are only two pairs in the world.”
The room held its breath.
I looked directly at Darrell, then back at Camila with innocent eyes. “How coincidental. Though I don’t really see the resemblance between us – I’m prettier.”
Someone gasped. Darrell looked like he wanted to disappear.
That’s when Lisa Morrison decided to strike.
“Those have to be knockoffs.” Her voice cut through the silence like a blade. “Sable’s just a small-town doctor. There’s no way she can afford real Louboutins. Each pair costs thirty thousand dollars.”
“Exactly,” Jennifer chimed in. “That’s more than she makes in a year. The fakes these days are so convincing though.”
Every eye in the room fixed on me. Even Darrell looked uncomfortable, his expression clearly doubtful.
“Look at that confidence,” Ryan laughed. “An orphan with no family background trying to compete with beta bloodlines. Pathetic.”
“Fake designer goods to match her fake identity,” Lisa added with vicious glee. “And she thinks she can be our Luna? Delusional.”
Camila put on her most concerned expression. “Sable, you don’t need to buy counterfeits to fit in. Darrell isn’t the type to care about material things anyway.”
The implication hung heavy – unlike you, shallow gold-digger.
Darrell stepped closer, his voice low and harsh. “What the hell are you trying to prove? We’ll discuss this at home.”
“Do you think they’re fake too?” I asked him directly.
He said nothing. His silence was answer enough.
Emily tried to intervene. “Maybe we should just-“
“I should change my shoes?” I interrupted, looking straight at Darrell.
“That would be best,” he muttered. “Everyone’s watching. This is embarrassing.”
Camila moved closer with false sympathy. “Really, Sable, you should change them. Fake leather will give you blisters, and I’d hate for you to be uncomfortable.”
“Fake? You seem awfully certain about that.” My voice stayed level. “What makes you so sure only someone like you deserves the real thing?”
“I didn’t mean-“
“What did you mean then? First you ‘worry’ about my feet, then insist they’re counterfeit. You just want everyone to know yours are real and mine are fake, right?”
Darrell immediately jumped to her defense. “Enough, Sable! Camila was trying to help. Why are you being so hostile?”
Camila waved her hand graciously. “It’s fine, Relly. Don’t get upset. She’s probably just having a bad day.”
Relly. The pet name hit like a physical blow. They had inside jokes, shared history, intimate nicknames.
Someone suggested drinking games to break the tension. Camila laughed and joined in immediately, the perfect party guest.
I retreated to a corner with a glass of wine. Darrell followed.
“If you don’t have money, don’t buy fakes,” he hissed. “You embarrassed me tonight.”
“After three years together, don’t you know what kind of person I am?”
I pulled the receipt from my purse. “Moonridge Luxury Boutique. Purchased today at 3 PM. Thirty thousand dollars. Here’s my bank statement.”
His expression shifted instantly, embarrassment replacing anger. “Where did you get thirty thousand dollars? You’re just a doctor. And Why didn’t you show this earlier?”
“Didn’t feel like it.”
He opened his mouth to press further, but someone called out, “Come on, we’re starting a new round!”
The interruption gave me the perfect excuse to walk away without answering his questions.
“I’m sorry,” he mumbled after a pause. “I was wrong to doubt you.”
I walked away without responding and joined the drinking game. But when I looked up after my turn, I found Darrell staring at Camila with raw longing as Marcus and Thomas pressured her to drink more. His expression held worry and something deeper – genuine love.
When she reached for her fourth drink, he shot up and snatched the glass away.
“You’re on your period,” he snapped. “You can’t drink this much. Do you want to make yourself sick?”
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