Married To The Billionaire Alpha King-Chapter 34 - we’re not done

34

~Elara’s POV

"Well," Lira said, her voice dripping sugar and poison, "who let the pauper into a place like this?"

My chest tightened. I swallowed hard and stared at a spot behind her head, anywhere but her eyes.

She tilted her head, the fake innocence in her eyes sharper than any blade. "Did you... Get lost? Or are you trying to window‑shop clothes you can’t even spell?"

Her voice carried across the boutique so loudly that two attendants actually turned. My stomach tightened instantly. Janae stepped forward so fast her braids swung behind her.

"What is wrong with you?" Janae snapped, every word sharp and bright.

I touched her wrist before she could move closer. "Janae. Stop." My voice trembled a little. "Please."

Lira’s smirk grew as if my fear was entertainment.

"Look at you," she said, letting her eyes travel from my face down to my shoes. "All soft and chubby and shaking. Tell me... does your reflection ever apologize for looking back?"

The words hit harder than I expected. My chest squeezed. My eyes burned immediately, the way they always did when someone hit the one insecurity I never hid well.

But I kept my mouth shut, because if I opened it, my voice would break open in front of her.

Janae’s voice rose again. "Elara, she’s literally...."

I squeezed her hand tightly. "Please. Not here." It came out barely above a whisper.

Lira folded her arms, enjoying every second.

"Anyway," she continued, "enjoy this little fantasy while it lasts. Alpha Darlon will get tired of you soon."

My heart stumbled at that. Actually stumbled.

She took a slow step closer. Her perfume, strong and citrusy, wrapped around me like something meant to choke.

"You do know I’m the one he wanted, right?" she said lightly, like she was discussing the weather.

I swallowed hard.

She leaned in more. "We already planned dinner tonight. Just the two of us. He probably didn’t tell you because..." She tapped her chin as if searching for the right insult. "Why would he? No man wants to break his toy too early."

That one hurt, sharp and humiliating. It felt like someone pushed something heavy straight into my chest.

Her smile widened when she saw the tears gathering in my eyes. She lifted her bag, swung it over her shoulder, and walked away like she’d won a game she invented.

Janae grabbed my shoulders the moment Lira disappeared between the aisles.

"Elara, don’t cry. Please don’t cry," she whispered, her voice soft but frantic. "She’s bluffing. She has to be bluffing."

I blinked hard, one tear slipping out anyway. Janae cupped my cheek gently, forcing me to look at her.

"Elara... look at me," she whispered. "You’re okay. She’s just trying to break you."

But my chest still felt tight... because a part of me feared Lira might not be lying at all.

I tried. I really did.

But my eyes were stinging. A dull ache pressed behind them, and my chest felt tight, like someone had cinched a belt around my ribs and refused to loosen it. I pressed my palms to my thighs, trying to keep myself grounded.

"I’m fine," I whispered, even though my voice was trembling like a leaf in a storm. "Let’s just... look around."

Janae exhaled sharply, a sound somewhere between relief and exasperation, then nodded firmly. "Okay. But if she talks to you again, I swear... I’ll throw a shoe at her. I don’t care if it’s designer."

I forced a small smile and followed her deeper into the boutique. I ran my fingers gently over a silky dress, trying to focus on the smooth texture instead of the heavy lump in my throat that wanted to make me cry.

Janae was unstoppable. She flitted from rack to rack like a hummingbird, grabbing anything that sparkled or shimmered. "Elara, try this. And this. Oh my god, this one is giving serious expensive girlfriend energy."

She shoved a tight red dress into my hands, the fabric clinging in ways that made my stomach twist. "Janae... I can’t wear this. It’s... too body-hugging, and remember that I’m fat."

"And?" Her brow rose. "Girl, you’re pretty. Wear the dress."

I shook my head, words barely forming. "No. I... I don’t want people staring at me like that."

"They’ll stare because you look good, and I want Alpha Darlon’s eyes on you alone," Janae said casually, like it was obvious.

I didn’t reply. Compliments had never been comfortable. They always made me shrink instead of lift. My fingers fidgeted with the edge of the dress I was holding.

The cart between us was already half-filled. Dresses, blouses, trousers, skirts that looked impossible to move in, yet somehow, she insisted I could.

"Okay," she said, pointing at a metallic silver dress. "Try this one first. It’s giving moonlight goddess vibes."

I hesitated. "It’s... really shiny. I don’t know if..."

"Girl, it’s not about knowing. It’s about feeling it. Trust me."

I followed her to the changing room, my palms sweaty as I unzipped the dress. The fabric was cool, soft, and heavier than it looked. I stepped in slowly, careful not to tear anything, and tugged it over my shoulders.

"Whoa," Janae gasped from outside the curtain. "Elara... you look insane. Like, stop. Seriously. Mirror. Now."

I peeked out and froze. The dress clung to my body in ways I wasn’t used to. It highlighted curves I usually tried to hide and made my legs look longer, my waist smaller. I didn’t know whether to feel proud or terrified.

"You... you actually look amazing," Janae said, her voice full of awe. "Alpha Darlon won’t even recognize his Luna in this. He’ll be stuck staring."

I swallowed, heart thudding, and ducked back behind the curtain. "I... I don’t know if I can pull this off," I whispered.

"You can, and you will," she said firmly. "Now take off that one, we’re moving to the next."

The next was a deep red bodycon dress, satin and dangerously tight. My stomach knotted, but Janae shoved it into my hands. "You’re not backing down now. Come on. Try it. Trust me."

I changed again, trying not to make too much noise. When I stepped out, Janae practically jumped. "Oh my god. Elara, look at you. Look at your legs. The color. You glow."

"I don’t... I don’t feel like it’s me," I muttered, tugging slightly at the sides of the dress.

"That’s the point!" Janae said. "It’s supposed to feel like magic. It’s supposed to make you look like someone different. But good difference. The biggest difference."

Next came a pastel blue jumpsuit with a plunging neckline. I grimaced at first, thinking it would be too bold. But Janae insisted I try it. I struggled a little with the zipper at the back, grumbling under my breath, and when I finally looked in the mirror, I had to admit it hugged my body perfectly.

"See?" Janae clapped her hands. "Now we’re talking. You’re learning, slowly but surely."

Shoes were next. Heels taller than I’d ever worn. I wobbled when I first stood in them, gripping the chair for support. Janae didn’t let me off easy. "Walk. Seriously. Walk. You need to own it. Pretend Alpha Darlon is watching."

I took tentative steps, heart hammering in my chest. Each click of the heels on the marble floor made my stomach flip, but Janae’s encouraging nod kept me going.

Then came bags, sleek leather clutches, and big structured totes. I held them awkwardly, unsure how to pose naturally. Janae coached me. "Raise it a little. Tilt your shoulder. Yes, exactly like that. You’re doing great."

Finally, jewelry. Sparkling necklaces, rings that slid over my fingers easily, bracelets that jingled softly when I moved.

At one point, I whispered, almost embarrassed. "Janae... maybe we should stop. What if we’re overspending?"

She blinked at me, that little smirk twitching at her lips. "You think this is enough? Absolutely not."

I exhaled softly, the tension in my chest still there, but her energy was infectious.

Janae didn’t sigh. She didn’t slow down. She just grabbed another pair of shoes, tossed them into the cart, and muttered, "We’re not done."