Chapter 12
Lisa’s POV
The morning air was cool and fresh, the kind that made me feel a little more awake than usual. I stood on the front steps of the Frostbane mansion. I was still unsure if I was really doing this.
Shopping.
It sounded silly, but after everything I had been through, going out into town for something as simple as
buying clothes felt… strange and foreign.
Alexandra stood beside me. She was cheerful as ever, twirling the keys around her fingers. “Come on, Lisa.
You need clothes, don’t you?” she said, smiling brightly. “Unless you want to keep borrowing mine forever.”
I gave her a small smile. “I guess not.”
“Then let’s go,” she said and looped her arm through mine like we were best friends already.
The ride into town was smooth. The roads were lined with trees and open fields that stretched under the
morning sun. But as we neared the town center, I noticed how busy it was. The streets were alive with
people walking, laughing, haggling with hawkers. Colorful stalls lined the sidewalks, selling fresh fruits,
handmade jewelry, and trinkets.
I looked out the window. “It’s so busy…”
“This is normal,” Alexandra said. “The Frostbane town is always full of life. You should come here more
often.”
I didn’t answer. I wasn’t sure if I would ever feel truly free enough to enjoy all this. Not when I was still
running from my past.
Soon, we reached a different part of town-one that looked nothing like the busy market street. The
buildings were cleaner and the signs more elegant. People dressed in sleek clothes walked in and out of
high-end stores. It was quiet, polished, and expensive-looking.
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat as Alexandra got out of the car.
She looked at me. “What’s wrong?”
I glanced out at the shopfronts. “Maybe… we should go somewhere else.”
She blinked. “Why?”
“These shops look really expensive,” I said quietly. “I don’t think I need anything from here. We can find something cheaper-”
Alexandra cut me off with a soft laugh. “Lisa, don’t worry about the price. Rylan said you can choose whatever you want.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but before I could say anything else, she had already stepped out and came
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around to open my door.
“Come on,” she said, grabbing my hand. “You’ll love it.”
I let her pull me out, my heart pounding. I wasn’t used to this kind of treatment; being offered fancy clothes and luxury like I belonged to it.
+25 Points
We walked together to one of the stores, and my eyes immediately caught the shop’s name engraved on a polished stone sign: Elira’s Silks.
“Wait,” I said, pausing at the door. “I don’t want silk. I need everyday clothes.”
Alexandra grinned. “This place sells everything. Not just gowns. They have casual clothes, loungewear,
sleepwear, and even everyday underwear. Really good stuff.”
“Underwear?” I repeated.
She laughed. “Yes. Very comfortable and high-quality. I always shop here.”
I nodded slowly. “Oh yes. I really, really need underwear.”
We both burst out laughing as we stepped into the shop.
The inside was just as fancy as the outside. Everything sparkled. The floors were polished marble, and soft music played in the background. It smelled like roses and sandalwood. Racks of clothing were neatly arranged. Dresses of all colors shimmered under the soft lights.
A well-dressed woman near the counter greeted us with a polite smile. “Welcome to Elira’s Silks. Can I
help you with anything?”
“Yes,” I said, stepping forward. “Where’s the section for feminine underwear?”
The woman gestured with her hand. “Upstairs, toward the right.”
“Thank you.”
As I turned to go, something shifted.
Something inside me.
A strange, tight pull in my chest.
Like my heart was being squeezed.
I froze.
My eyes flicked to the side-toward a tall mirror that stood at the end of the hallway.
And that’s when I saw him.
Kael.
Standing by the men’s section, facing the mirror.
His head turned slowly, eyes locking with mine.
I couldn’t breathe.
My mouth went dry.
What… what was he doing here?
Why was he here?
+25 Points
I couldn’t move. I felt like the world had frozen. My feet were glued to the ground. My chest heaved as
panic began to rise.
Sierra growled inside my head. Her voice was full of panic. “We need to leave, Lisa. Now. He’ll tell the others. They’ll come for us. We can’t go back. Not ever.”
“Lisa?” Alexandra’s voice came from beside me. “What’s wrong?”
I couldn’t even answer.
I just turned.
And ran.
I bolted for the door, my breath sharp and shaky.
Behind me, I heard a familiar voice call out. “Lisa! Wait-!”
I didn’t stop.
He had no right to say my name.
He had no right to look at me like that.
Not after what he had done.
I shoved past a couple entering the store and burst onto the sidewalk. My heart thundered as I ran through the street, weaving past carts and startled shoppers. I didn’t care how many people stared.
I needed to get away.
I ran and ran until I found a narrow alley and slipped behind a fruit vendor’s stand, crouching low and trying
to catch my breath.
Tears stung my eyes, but I refused to cry.
Not for him.
Never again.
Moments later, I saw Kael rush past the alley, scanning the crowd.
Right behind him was Roxanne.
Roxanne.
My stomach turned.
So they had come here together.
Of all the places, why here?
There were plenty of shops in the Nightshade territory.
They must’ve known I was here.
Were they spying on me?
Trying to drag me back?
No. I shook my head. I couldn’t let that happen.
I wouldn’t go back.
Not to the pain. Not to the humiliation. Not to being treated like trash.
I waited in silence, crouched in the shadows. A few more moments passed before I saw Alexandra
walking quickly in the same direction, clearly searching for me.
I swallowed hard.
I had to move now.
Points
$25 Points
I crept out from behind the stall and made my way back to the car. I spotted Jared-Rylan’s Beta-waiting
by the vehicle.
I rushed over, trying to keep my voice calm. “Jared, can I borrow your phone, please?”
He frowned. “Where’s Alexandra?”
“She’s still inside, settling the payment,” I lied, trying to sound casual.
He nodded and handed me his phone.
I quickly dialed Alexandra’s number.
She picked up immediately. “Lisa? What happened? Why did you run like that?”
“Please,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “Come back to the car. I’ll explain everything. I just… I need to
leave. Please,”
There was a pause. Then she said softly, “Alright. I’m coming.”
I handed the phone back to Jared.
He studied me carefully. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes,” I lied. “Everything’s fine.”
A few minutes later, Alexandra came back, her eyes full of concern. “Lisa-”
“Let’s just get out of here,” I said quickly. “Please, tell Jared to start the car.”
She gave a short nod and got in. Jared started the engine and pulled away from the shop.
As the car turned the corner, I caught sight of Kael and Roxanne returning toward the boutique.
I ducked down low in my seat, heart racing.
+25 Points
Alexandra noticed. “What is it with that man?” she asked. “He knew you. He was chasing after you.”
I stared at the floor of the car. “He’s… my ex.”
Her eyes widened slightly, but she didn’t interrupt.
“I don’t ever want to see him again,” I whispered. “He’s not a good person. He hurt me.”
Alexandra reached over and gently squeezed my hand. “You don’t have to explain, Lisa. If you don’t want to see him, then you won’t.”
The car sped down the road, finally leaving that part of town behind. When I was sure we were far enough, I sat up slowly and leaned against the seat, exhaling deeply.
My chest still hurt.
But I felt… safe.
For now.
“I’m sorry,” I said quietly. “I didn’t mean to ruin everything.”
“You didn’t ruin anything,” Alexandra replied gently. “Do you want to try shopping somewhere else? There
are other stores.”
I shook my head. “Maybe another day. I’m not in the mood anymore.”
She nodded. “Okay. Let’s go home then.”
I turned to look out the window, watching as the trees blurred past us.
My hands curled into fists on my lap.
Kael was here.
He had seen me.
But I wasn’t the same girl he had rejected and humiliated.
Not anymore.
And I was never going back.
