From Rejected Luna To Lycan Queen (Eloise and Edward) novel Chapter 5

ELOISE.

Hearing the name “Lockwood” usually made me feel small. It made me feel like an unwanted person, but today, things felt different.

“Okay. It's time that they see the daughter they threw away isn't garbage anymore.” I said.

The King nodded, looking pleased. “I'll pick you up at seven later today. You need to get enough rest before then. And please dress well, if you're going to be seen with me, you need to look the part. My card will handle everything you need.”

He handed me a sleek golden card. “Buy everything you need.”

I took the card. I had left the Pack with nothing to my name, so I wasn't going to say no. Besides, I was going to cure a curse that no one could fix. I deserved a little payment.

He assigned an assistant named Fania to drive me around, and then he went into his own room.

Once he was gone, I took the longest shower of my life. I scrubbed away the dirt and the smell of the hospital, I slept in a very soft bef that felt like home.

When I woke up hours later, I felt like a new person. I reached for the phone that Fania had given to me. It was some minutes past four. I needed to get to the shopping quickly.

My mind went through the events that happened the night before. I couldn't believe that this was my new reality, but I didn't mind. My good mood vanished immediately I unlocked the phone, the screen was filled with notifications.

Fuck. I had forgotten to change my phone number.

The Lockwoods were blowing up my phone. I opened the messages, my thumb hovering over the screen.

First was a text from my father. “Where are you? You represent this family. Get back here before you embarrass us.”

Then one from my brother, Antonio. “Stop acting like a child, Eloise, and come home.”

Then another from my brother Julian. “You ungrateful brat. Summer is worried sick because of you. Come back this instant and apologize to her.”

And finally, a message from Summer herself. The imposter who stole my identity and my life.

“Ellie, are you okay? We are all so scared for you. Please come home, we can fix this.”

I stared at the screen. In the past, I would have replied instantly. I would have begged for their forgiveness even though I did nothing wrong. I would have typed out long epistles trying to explain myself.

But today, I just read them. I wasn't going to say anything. I wasn't going to type a single word. Let the read receipt show up on their phones so they know I saw their messages and didn't care.

It felt good.

I tossed the phone onto the bed and stretched. The weather was calm. I had a grand dinner to attend with the most powerful and ruthless wolf I'm the whole world, and I needed a dress that would make their jaws drop.

I called Fania. “Hey. Can you bring the car around? I need to go to the mall for some dress shopping.”

“Sure, ma'am,” she replied.

Thirty minutes later, I stood in front of the city’s most expensive boutique. It was a place where high-ranking wolves from wealthy packs shopped.

I walked in with my head held high. I started hearing whispers. I knew this was going to happen, but I was going to try my best not to be bothered by it.

“What is she even doing here? Does she not have any shame?”

“Low-key, I pity here. She should be the one in the shoes of Lady Summer now.”

“Look at her, she thinks and walks like she's better than everybody else.”

I ignored the comments and headed to the lady behind the counter.

“Hey, I need to get a dress for a dinner.”

“Welcome to our boutique, ma'am. These are the newest styles from the capital,” she said, stretching her hands to some gowns that were set aside in a different rack.

I walked through the racks, my fingers trailing over the expensive silk and velvet. Then I saw it. A champagne colored gown that sparkled under the lights, it was simple but elegant.

“I want to try that one,” I said, pointing to the dress.

The attendant nodded and went to take it down. But just as her hand touched the fabric, a shrill voice rang from the entrance.

“Wait, I want that one.”

My blood went cold. I knew that voice.

I turned around slowly, and of course, it was Summer, and walking behind her like a loyal guard dog was my brother, Julian.

Summer was dressed perfectly as always. She looked like the perfect Luna-in-training. When she saw me, she stopped dead in her tracks.

“Eloise?” Her eyes went wide. “Oh my Goddess!! Ellie, is that you?”

She rushed forward, her face twisting into a look of pure concern. “Where have you been? We have been so worried about you. You saw our messages, didn't you? Why didn't you reply? Mom has been crying all night.” But we both knew that was a lie.

I really didn't understand the show she was trying to put on.

She reached out to hug me, her hands aiming for my shoulders. But my instinct took over; I didn't want her scent or fake warmth around me.

I shoved her away. Hard.

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