Tempted By my Evil Lycan Stepbrother novel Chapter 24

Chapter 24: Who Made Out With You?

Riley’s POV

“What are they talking about?” Odin asked with a frown, clearly confused.

I grabbed his wrist and started walking toward the door. “Let’s just go.”

Camila burst out laughing behind me. “Yeah, run away. It’s not like you can afford anything in here anyway.”

“Riley?” Odin asked again. “What’s going on?”

I stopped and took a deep breath. “Okay… I asked the staff for the cheapest stuff they had. Because everything here is crazy expensive and… I don’t have that kind of money.”

His eyes widened a bit, clearly surprised.

That usual wave of shame hit me for a split second,

But just as quickly, I shoved it down.

Why should I be embarrassed for not having money? Not everyone was born with a silver spoon. I had a loving mom and a childhood full of warmth. That was more than enough.

I steadied myself and met his gaze. “You know where I’m from. My family lived paycheck to paycheck. I’m just a small-town girl. I was poor… I still am.”

His expression softened instantly. “Of course I know. You’re still the same Riley Monroe I met ten years ago. I’m sorry-I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

A quiet sigh of relief escaped me. He got it. That’s all I needed. I knew Odin was different.

“Ugh,” Camila clicked her tongue. “Only you two could make poverty sound like a good thing. Disgusting.”

Layla curled her lips. “At least you’re an Alpha’s son, right? I know a bunch of Lycan girls who are totally into you. Why would you hang with her anyway?”

Odin turned to them, his voice cool and sharp. “Not everyone judges people by bloodline and status. I happen to like Riley. And I’m not interested in some shallow little princesses,”

My heart skipped a beat. Then it completely lost its rhythm.

Did…did he just say he liked me?!

r

Camila’s face turned a red with anger. “Shallow?! God you and Riley are both so pathetic. They shouldn’t have even let you two in here.”

“Yeah, get out,” Layla snapped. “We don’t want to shop with two tramps.”

“Who the hell are you calling a tramp?” I snapped, stepping forward.

They could say whatever they wanted about me, but they wanted to drag Odin into this? Absolutely not.

“You can’t even afford a sock in here. Obviously, you are the tramp.”

“Who said my little sister was a tramp?” came a third voice from behind.

I spun around.

Ezra was standing at the entrance, Danica clinging to his arm like a decorative leech.

Are you fucking kidding me right now?

ye out with you

+25 BONUS

Did this guy put a tracker on me or something?!

“E-Ezra!”

Camila squealed like she was auditioning for a soap opera. Her whole face lit up with awkward excitement. “Wh-what are you doing here?”

“Shopping with my girlfriend,” he said lazily, tightening his grip on Danica’s waist. Then his eyes flicked to me. “Didn’t expect to run into my sweet little stepsis.”

“We were just leaving,” I said quickly, very eager to leave.

“But you haven’t bought anything yet,” he pointed out.

“Because she can’t afford it!” Layla chimed in with a snort. “She probably came in here trying to impress her date, then panicked the second she saw the price tags. Honestly, Ezra, I feel bad for you. Having a stepsister like this is so embarrassing.”

Ezra raised a brow.

“That’s impossible,” he said smoothly, eyes still on me. “Riley, didn’t my father just give you an unlimited black card last night? Told you to buy whatever you want?”

I frowned.

What the hell was he talking about?

“Impossible!” Layla gasped. “Even we don’t have black cards!”

“Oh, it’s totally true,” Ezra smiled. “My father spoils her. She’s got jewelry, yachts, handbags, even a few purebred horses. Honestly, I’m a little jealous myself.”

Camila and Layla looked like their brains were overheating from jealousy.

But I knew Ezra was full of crap.

King Soren was kind to me, sure, but he never gave me a dime. Neither did my mom. I made my own money from healing as Veilwalker, and I was saving every penny for something important.

“Then why did she act like she’s broke?” Camila challenged, her voice rising.

I didn’t even have to answer. Ezra cut in smoothly, “She forgot her card arkome today.”

He reached into his pocket, pulled out a black card, and held it out to me.

“Go on. Take it.”

The way those girls were staring at me-like they were going to combust from sheer envy-was almost hilarious. Even Danica looked like she was going to bite someone.

But this obviously wasn’t my card.

If Ezra was offering money, I wasn’t gonna argue with that.

“Thanks.” I quickly snatched it and slid it into my pocket.

“Go buy your clothes now,” Ezra turned to Danica with a smile. “And babe, didn’t you want to check out the new arrivals?” Lignored them and went straight to the racks. I picked out a few sets of athletic clothes and ducked into the fitting room.

Okay, I’ll admit it. These crazily expensive brands knew what they were doing. Even a simple sports dress made my waist look snatched and my legs look super long. The built-in sports bra pushed my chest up in all the right ways.

Everyone else turned to look too.

Camila and Layla’s jaws dropped like two stunned hens. Danica, on the other hand, looked like she’d just swallowed a whole lemon.

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