Chapter 5
The boutique was bathed in soft golden light, reflecting off the rows of white, ivory, and champagne gowns that lined the walls. The air smelled of fresh fabric and expensive perfume, a place meant for joyous occasions, for cherished memories.
I had envisioned this day countless times—standing before the mirror, draped in silk and lace, with my heart racing in anticipation of the moment Damon would see me walking down the aisle.
Now, I knew better.
But I still played my part.
I let the boutique owner guide me to the private fitting area, my fingers tracing the delicate embroidery of the gown I had chosen days ago. The dress was everything I had dreamed of—graceful, timeless, a perfect representation of the woman I had once believed Damon loved.
A woman who still mattered.
“Luna, we have your selection ready,” the boutique assistant said, offering a polite smile.
I nodded, forcing myself to return it. Not for long, I thought. Soon, I would be gone.
I was about to step into the dressing room when the chime of the boutique’s entrance echoed through the space.
Then, I heard his voice.
“Oh, come on, Alina,” Damon’s deep chuckle rolled through the air. “You’ll look good in anything.”
I stilled.
A sick feeling coiled in my stomach.
No.
Not here.
Not now.
Slowly, I turned, my fingers curling into my palm as I took in the scene before me.
Damon strolled in with her draped on his arm.
Alina.
His mistress.
She was dressed to perfection, her long legs on display beneath a fitted dress, her manicured nails resting lightly on Damon’s arm as she laughed at something he whispered.
She shouldn’t be here.
She had no reason to be here.
Yet she walked in like she belonged—like she had every right to be standing beside my mate on what was supposed to be our wedding shopping trip.
Damon’s eyes landed on me, and for a split second, something flickered across his expression.
Then, it was gone, replaced with that easy, careless smirk.
“Didn’t expect to see you here so soon,” he said, his voice light.
I swallowed the anger rising in my throat. “It’s my appointment.”
Alina sighed dramatically, stepping closer as she looked around. “I told Damon we should come. He said you might need help making a decision.”
My jaw tightened. “I already made my decision.”
She tilted her head, her smile too sweet. “Oh? Well, let’s see it.”
I should have ignored her.
I should have walked away.
But instead, I turned, gesturing toward the elegant gown waiting on the display.
Alina’s eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, I thought she would say something.
Then, she laughed.
“This?” she giggled, looking at Damon. “Oh, honey, this is so… plain. You don’t think so?”
Damon barely glanced at the gown before shrugging. “It’s fine, I guess.”
I clenched my fists.
I had spent hours choosing that dress.
It had been everything I wanted—everything I had imagined myself wearing when I walked down the aisle to the man I thought loved me.
But Damon didn’t care.
He never had.
“I think we can do better,” Alina hummed, walking toward another rack.
The boutique assistant hesitated, glancing between us. “Luna—”
“I’ll take this one,” Alina cut in, reaching for a gown—the most extravagant one in the store.
The assistant’s lips parted, clearly unsure of how to proceed.
Because the gown Alina held?
It was one of my choices.
One I had considered before settling on the simpler, more elegant design.
But now, she held it up against her body, twirling as she turned to Damon.
“What do you think?” she asked, batting her lashes.
Damon smirked. “It’s perfect.”
I felt the blow of his words like a slap.
Alina turned back to me, a victorious gleam in her eyes. “Sorry, Luna,” she cooed. “I hope you don’t mind. It’s just… this one suits me so much better.”
This was deliberate.
She had always known what she was doing.
Still, I refused to give her the reaction she wanted.
I exhaled slowly, my face impassive. “It’s just a dress.”
Alina’s lips twitched, disappointed that I didn’t lash out.
But then, she stepped closer.
Too close.
Her shoulder brushed against mine, her perfume overwhelming, suffocating.
And then—she staggered back, letting out a sharp cry.
Damon’s head snapped toward her, his entire body going tense.
“Alina?”
She gasped, clutching her arm. “She—she pushed me!”
I blinked, startled. “What?”
“She used her wolf,” Alina whimpered, trembling. “I felt it.”
A heavy silence filled the room.
Damon’s eyes darkened, his gaze locking onto mine.
My stomach turned.
He believes her.
“Is that true?” he asked, his tone deceptively calm.
I scoffed, unable to stop the bitter laugh that escaped. “Are you seriously asking me that?”
Alina sniffled, playing the perfect victim. “I know I’m not as strong as her. I would never lie about something like this, Damon.”
His expression hardened.
And then, he turned on me.
“Is this what you’ve become?” His voice was low, filled with disgust.
I stared at him. “You think I’d hurt her?”
“She has no reason to lie,” he snapped.
But she does.
She had every reason to lie.
And he knew it.
But still, he stood there. Choosing her.
“She’s just a friend,” Damon said, his words sharp and clipped. “And yet, you can’t even control yourself around her.”
A bitter taste coated my tongue.
Just a friend.
That’s what he called her.
Even after everything.
I exhaled, a deep, steady breath.
“Then let your friend have the dress,” I said, my voice devoid of emotion.
Damon’s brows furrowed. “What?”
I turned away. “I don’t need it.”
I didn’t need any of this.
The dress.
The wedding.
Him.