Chapter 3

I wandered through the back streets away from the multitude of boutiques that lined the main roads of the pack’s village. Despite having been ordered to find something nice to wear while visiting packs were present I couldn’t bring myself to enter any of the chic window shops that lined the market area of the village. So instead, I settled for schlepping flowers to the festival grounds while doing my best to stay out of sight. As I was carrying my third basket laden with lilies, daisies, and tulips Darrien caught up to me.

“Em,” he called. I did my best to pretend I hadn’t heard and kept walking toward the garland makers' booth. I heard him jog to catch up with me and felt his grip on my shoulders. I stopped walking, still, I refused to look at my adoptive brother.

“Emilia, please, we need to talk.” He stated as he tried to take the basket from me.

“I have nothing to say, Darrien,” I replied. I refused to relinquish my grasp on the handles. “I’m working.”

“Yeah, I can see that; and Willow found me on the training grounds to tell me she’d ordered you to buy something decent to wear while the pack has guests.” Darrien finally wrested the basket from my clutch, he balanced it on one of his shoulders. “Emi, she said if you don’t then I won’t be able to finish my training as a warrior.”

My hands balled into fists, that devil woman. She knew the reason Darrien saved as much of his wages as possible was because he was training to be a warrior. The warrior exam was expensive, as were the items the warriors needed to take the exam. Becoming a warrior was his best chance at moving up in the pack and his only hope of creating a better life for his parents. Otherwise, he would have simply made his life as comfortable as possible, much like all the others in our position. It was notoriously difficult and expensive to move up within the pack, the reason why only the most determined and frugal were able to succeed.

“Please Emi, I can’t go back until I present you to her with at least a week’s worth of clothes and a dress for the festival.” My eyes widened at his final statement. That much was going to cost at least two weeks wages, and I’d be lucky if it only cost me that much.

“That’s completely unreasonable! How can she order me to spend that much money?” I all but wailed. I felt near hysteria at the threat looming over me.

“We represent the pack Emi, you know that. If you’re running around in rags it makes it look like we don’t manage our resources and abuse those in a lower class. It’ll create conflict for the Alpha.” Darrien sighed. “I’ll help you deliver these and then we can go. I’ll even help you pay for it.”

“No, you won’t,” I responded as I fell into step with him. “Your exam is more important than my problems. I will stay another month if I have to and work here until I have enough to get out.”

“Em-“ he began. I cut him off with a motion of my hand. We arrived at the garland booth and dropped off the basket. I collected the needed signature before departing, sans basket. I followed Darrien to a small boutique tucked into the corner of the village center square. I glanced at the sign that hung above the door from an 1800s-style bracket. It read Lykfos. I froze, I could feel the blood drain from my face. There was no way I could afford a week’s worth of clothing from a place like this. I stopped a few feet from the door, Darrien paused when he sensed I was no longer following him.

“Let’s go somewhere cheaper,” I said softly when he looked back at me over his shoulder. Darrien shook his head in response, opened the door, and gestured for me to go inside. I can work extra to make up for it. I’ve been working for this pack since I was four years old, what’s another month or two….. I trudged over to the shop entrance and muttered, “fine, you win.”

I stepped into the eclectic shop, Darrien on my heels. I glanced around nervously, everything was so tidy and expensive looking. I was afraid to touch anything due to my abysmal state. I settled for allowing my eyes to rake over the items on display. There were multitudes of trendy items for sale, all well out of my price range.

“Darrien!” A voice called, I turned my attention to the shop owner, Ava. A grin graced Darrien’s features as he turned to greet the petite woman. “You came after all, and you even managed to convince your sister!”

“As promised,” Darrien replied, his eyes sparkled as he spoke to Ava. She approached him coyly, leaning into his personal space as they spoke. It was plain to see the two were smitten with the way he angled his shoulders to protectively hover over the small she-wolf. “Let’s see you work your magic.”

Ava laughed lightly and offered a wink before sauntering off. I watched Darrien, my eyebrow lifted inquisitively. I crossed my arms as he turned to face me, “and how long has this been going on?”

“Just a few weeks,” He replied sheepishly as he ran his hand through his shaggy hair. “Look Emi, Ava was visiting the training grounds and overheard what Willow said to me. She says they have some stuff from last season that she could give you at a discount.”

“That’s right,” Ava called, toting armfuls of clothes from the rear storage room. “These are all from last season, so I can’t sell them full price anyways. Now, Darrien, my father said to meet him back at the training grounds; Emilia and I will be fine here.”

Darrien nodded and leaned over to offer Ava a small peck on the cheek before he turned to ruffle my hair. “I’ll be off then, see you later Em.”

Disgruntled I brushed my now messy auburn hair from my face. I could feel myself glowering at my adoptive brother. I hardly believed he would dare leave me with Ava, to try on clothes no less. I knew I would have to steel my resolve in order to not walk out of the shop with everything she would try to persuade me to buy. He must have sensed my displeasure with the arrangement. Darrien paused before pulling the door open and softly added, “Take care of her for me Ava.”

“Of course!” She replied brightly, set the plethora of clothes down, and shooed Darrien out the door with a sweet smile. The jingle of the shop’s bell resonated through the space as the door closed behind Darrien, sealing my fate. Once my brother was gone she turned back to me, “Let’s get started.”