Next, I stepped onto the platform in the short, black corset dress Kylie had tied me into like a medieval princess. As soon as I was in full view, the guys froze, their phones lowering in unison as if choreographed. Their jaws might as well have been on the floor.

Kylie grinned with triumph, twirling her finger in the air. “Yes! This is it—the dress! Spin for me, slowly.”

I rolled my eyes but did as she asked, giving a slow turn. The black satin skirt swished around my thighs, and I caught a glimpse of the corset ribbons running up my back in the mirror. The snug fit made my posture better, and the sweetheart neckline emphasized muscles I hadn’t noticed before.

Kylie clapped her hands together, eyes gleaming. “You don’t even realize how good you look right now. This one’s the dress.”

A chorus of reactions erupted from the guys.

“Holy shit.”
“Damn.”
“Oh, hell no,” Leo growled. “Absolutely out of the question.”

Kylie cackled, clearly enjoying herself as she grabbed my arm and dragged me to the mirror. “Ignore your brother,” she whispered. “He’s just mad the guys have eyes. Look at you—you’re killing it.”

I glanced at myself, realizing she was right. I did look good. And, for the first time, I actually felt good in one of these stupid dresses.

“Next!” Leo barked, glaring at the guys, who were still staring.

Devin was the first to recover, laughing under his breath. “Face it, Leo. You’re going to have to get used to this. She’s not your little sister anymore. She’s officially hot.”

Leo shot him a glare so deadly that even Devin flinched.

Aaron smirked. “Sam’s right. Every guy at the ball is going to lose his mind. Prepare yourself.”

Leo turned on them, smacking Devin upside the head with a growl. “Stop talking.”

“Ha! You owe me lunch,” Kylie whispered in my ear, giddy with satisfaction. She gave me a nudge toward the dressing room before Leo could lunge at any of his friends.

At this point, they were laughing so hard they nearly fell over each other, Leo included. It was strange seeing him like this—relaxed, even if slightly murderous. I rolled my eyes as I ducked into the changing room, leaving them to their chaos.

After I changed back into my clothes, I found the group waiting for me near the entrance of the store. “Where’s the dress? I need to pay for it,” I asked Kylie, glancing around for the garment bag.

She grinned slyly. “Already taken care of. Happy birthday, Selene.”

She handed the bags over to Devin, who saluted dramatically before slinging them over his shoulder.

Kylie hooked her arm in mine with a wicked grin. “Now, let’s go get you some sexy shoes to match that dress.”

She threw a pointed look at Leo, daring him to argue. He just rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath, but followed us toward the shoe store without complaint.

We were almost there when a familiar, high-pitched screech echoed through the mall.

“Babes! What are you doing here? You hate the mall! You never want to go shopping with me!”

Stacey’s shrill voice cut through the bustling crowd, turning more than a few heads. My stomach dropped as she tottered toward us, teetering dangerously on her absurdly high heels.

Her outfit was as impractical as always—a neon-pink tube skirt that looked ready to snap if she moved too fast, paired with a tiny crop top that barely covered her. Behind her trailed her usual entourage—Marnie and Jeanie—who struggled under the weight of a mountain of shopping bags. Stacey clearly had no intention of carrying anything herself.

The twins, Aaron and Ryan, were positioned in the middle of our group, acting as an unintentional barrier. Stacey didn’t seem to care. She shoved past Ethan, Devin, and Leo, barking insults as she went.

“Move, you big oafs!” She sneered, trying to squeeze between them. The guys exchanged amused glances but didn’t budge an inch, forcing her to wriggle awkwardly through the small gaps.

“You should have called me,” Stacey whined, finally reaching the twins. She hooked her arm through Ryan’s, batting her fake eyelashes at him. “I totally would have come with you. Instead, I’m stuck with them.” She jerked her thumb toward Marnie and Jeanie, who shot her matching glares.

Ryan gave her a tight smile. “Sorry, we’re actually on our way out.”

Stacey pouted, undeterred. “I got something special for you both,” she purred, her voice dripping with forced sweetness. She leaned in closer, her manic grin making my skin crawl.

Ryan and Aaron exchanged a silent look, clearly trying to figure out how to make a clean escape.

Kylie and I hung back a few feet, hoping to stay invisible. The last thing I needed was Stacey noticing me and deciding to turn her wrath my way. But luck was not on my side.

Just as the guys tried to steer the conversation to an end, Stacey’s eyes landed on me. Her expression morphed from fake sweetness to something closer to pure venom.

“Well, well, well.” Her lips twisted into a malicious smile. “What are you doing here, Selene?”

Before I could answer, Kylie stepped up, blocking part of Stacey’s view with a smug grin. “Shopping, obviously. We’re almost done, too, so you’re welcome to keep walking.”

Stacey ignored her, zeroing in on me like a predator spotting prey. “Funny,” she said, her voice saccharine sweet. “I didn’t know you hung out with the future Alphas and their little posse.”

The air grew thick with tension as Stacey’s gaze flicked between the twins and me. She looked like she was mentally calculating how much damage she could do—and how quickly.

Aaron, sensing the shift, took a small step closer to me, his arm brushing mine protectively. “We’re not obligated to explain anything to you, Stacey.”

Stacey’s smile faltered, but only for a moment. “Of course not,” she said, batting her lashes. “I just think it’s... interesting. You never bring me along for trips like this.” She shot me a glare so sharp it could cut glass.

Ryan crossed his arms, his expression hardening. “That’s because we don’t owe you anything, Stacey.”