Chapter 21 

I never expected shopping to be nerve-wracking. But then again, I had never stepped foot inside shops like 

these before. 

The boutiques Rylan took us to were nestled in the heart of Frostbane’s upscale district. They were 

glass-fronted stores with gold-lettered signs, shimmering displays, and mannequins that looked more like 

royalty than plastic figures. 

“Come on, it’s not a crime to splurge once in a while,” Alexandra chirped as we entered the first boutique. 

The scent of lavender and new fabric hit my nose, and everything, from the silk curtains to the polished marble floor, screamed money. 

I hesitated just past the entrance. I folded my arms awkwardly. 

Rylan noticed. “What’s wrong?” he asked and tilted his head. 

I looked down at my worn sneakers and shrugged. “I don’t belong in a place like this.” 

He narrowed his eyes and stepped closer. “Lisa, last time you went shopping, you bought a baggy hoodie 

and leggings two sizes too big because you didn’t want to spend too much.” 

I flushed. “They were comfortable.” 

“And you deserve better,” he said firmly. “Today, you’re going to find a dress that makes you feel powerful 

and beautiful. No holding back. I’ll make sure of it.” 

He sounded so sure, it was hard not to believe him. 

Meanwhile, Alexandra was already slipping into one dress after another like she owned the store. The employees buzzed around her, bringing gowns, adjusting hemlines, gushing over her style. She thrived in this kind of setting. She was confident, graceful and unbothered. 

I hovered near the racks, fingers brushing across sequins, velvets, and silks. The price tags made my 

stomach tighten. 

“Try this one,” Rylan suddenly said, appearing at my side. 

He held up a red dress. It was unlike anything I had ever worn. The fabric shimmered slightly in the light. It was a deep crimson that looked like liquid fire. It had a sweetheart neckline, delicate off-shoulder straps, and a flowing skirt with a high slit up one side. It was elegant and bold; everything I wasn’t used to. 

“I…” I stared at it, intimidated. 

Rylan smiled. “You’ll look incredible. Trust me.” 

With trembling hands, I took it from him and walked toward the fitting rooms. 

Inside, I took a deep breath and started undressing, trying to calm the butterflies in my stomach. 

That’s when I heard it. 

A soft shift. Breathing. From the stall beside me. 

+25 Points 

I froze, half-dressed, goosebumps rising on my skin. Slowly, I turned my head and my breath caught in my 

throat. 

There, barely hidden behind the curtain, stood a man. He wore dark sunglasses, and a scar curved just below his lip. His presence was silent but heavy, and he wasn’t supposed to be there. 

He smiled slightly, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Lisa Hart,” he said quietly. 

I stumbled back, clutching the dress to my chest. “Who….who are you?!” 

But before I could scream or move again, he stepped back into the shadows and disappeared through the 

rear exit of the fitting area. 

My heart raced as I yanked my clothes back on. My fingers were fumbling with the buttons. I practically 

burst out of the dressing room, eyes darting wildly. 

“Lisa?” Rylan was already approaching me. His expression changed the second he saw my face. “What 

happened?” 

I grabbed his arm. “There was a man. In the dressing area. He knew my name….he had a scar on his lip. He was there, Rylan. I swear.” 

His eyes darkened. “Where?” 

I pointed back, and he strode quickly toward the exit the man had used. I waited, chest heaving, as he returned a few minutes later, shaking his head. 

“He’s gone,” he said tightly. “Vanished.” 

1 

I ran a hand through my hair, still trembling. “He knew me. I have never seen him before, but he knew me.” 

“You don’t have to worry,” Rylan said. “From now on, I’ll stand right outside the dressing area. No one will 

get near you again.” 

His voice was a growl now, protective and fierce. 

I nodded slowly and took the dress again. “Okay. I’ll try it on.” 

With him standing guard outside, I finally slipped into the gown. The silk hugged my curves, flowing down like melted wine. The slit revealed just enough leg to be daring, and the neckline made my collarbones 

look like carved marble. 

When I stepped out, Rylan’s eyes widened, and a low whistle escaped him. 

“Wow,” he said. “Lisa… you look stunning.” 

I bit my lip. “Are you just saying that?” 

“No,” he said firmly, taking a step closer. “You look like a goddess. That red… it suits you. It’s powerful. Like 

you.” 

My cheeks flushed, but before I could respond, Alexandra finally emerged from her stall in a dramatic 

black and gold gown. 

“There you are,” she said. Then her eyes lit up as she saw me. “Oh. My. Goddess.” 

“What?” 

You look amazing! Rylan, say something poetic before I start crying.” 

“She already heard my thoughts,” he said, smirking. 

Alexandra turned to the nearest attendant. “We’re buying that one. Full stop.” 

As she flitted away to arrange the purchase, Rylan leaned close to me. 

“I’ll check the security footage,” he said quietly. “We’ll find out who that man was.” 

I nodded. I felt comforted by his presence. 

We were taken to the security room tucked away in the back of the boutique. The manager looked 

nervous as she typed rapidly and pulled up the footage. 

“There,” Alexandra said, pointing at the screen. “That’s the moment he approached Lisa.” 

The video played. It showed me stepping out of the dressing room, looking confused. Then the man walked into frame. He was tall with broad shoulders and he was wearing dark clothing. Sunglasses 

covered half his face, and a cap shadowed the rest. He moved like he belonged. 

“He’s hiding his face,” Rylan muttered while narrowing his eyes. 

The man reached out to touch my arm. I flinched on screen. Alexandra leaned in. “He said something to 

her. Can we get audio?” 

The manager shook her head. “Sorry, our system doesn’t record sound.” 

Rylan cursed under his breath. 

We watched the rest. He turned quickly and left, melting into the crowd. No distinctive features. No license plate. Nothing. 

“He knew there were cameras,” Rylan said. “This was planned.” 

A chill crept down my spine. 

We left the boutique with a new sense of unease. The air outside felt heavier now. The evening sun was casting long shadows on the pavement. We were heading toward the car. Rylan was just a step ahead of me, when…. 

A hand clamped over my mouth. 

A sharp blade pressed against my throat. 

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sapte 21 

My scream died in my throat. 

Everything froze. 

The cold steel pressed harder against my skin. My breath hitched. 

25 Paints 

“Don’t move, little wolf,” a rough voice growled in my ear. His scent; earthy and unfamiliar, triggered my wolf, Sierra, who stirred with sudden alarm. 

Rylan! I screamed in my mind. 

“Let her go!” Rylan’s voice boomed through the air, filled with fury. 

The grip on me tightened. The stranger shifted, using me as a shield, keeping the blade dangerously close to my throat. Rylan stood just a few feet away. His fists were clenched, eyes blazing with fury and his wolf barely restrained. 

“I’ll slit her throat before you can blink,” the man warned.