Claimed by My Bully Alpha (by Anna Kendra) novel Chapter 168

2/2

Claimed by My Bully Alpha

Chapter 168

“Caleb might know what she’d like,” I mumbled to myself, pacing back and forth in my room. I had planned to ask him later, maybe after dinner, and sneak in the fact that I was ready to join school. The thought of going to school felt like diving headfirst into cold water, but Caroline had been relentless about it.

“It’ll be good for you, she’d said a million times. Maybe she was right. Maybe it was time I stopped hiding.

Just as I was rehearsing how to approach Caleb without sounding desperate, Caroline barged into my room, her face glowing like the sun on a winter morning. “Aurora! Mom and I are going dress shopping, and you’re coming with us,” she declared, not leaving room for arguments.

“Dress shopping? For what?” I asked, though I already knew the answer. Her birthday was a week away, and she was probably planning her outfit for the party I hadn’t figured out yet.

“For my birthday, duh.” Caroline rolled her eyes but then softened. “Come on, it’ll be fun. And besides, you’ve never met my mom. It’s about time.”

Meeting her mom felt like walking into a lion’s den. I’d heard enough whispers to know she didn’t like me. She thought I was the reason Caroline wasn’t Luna. As if I’d planned any of this. Still, I couldn’t say no. Caroline’s excitement was contagious, and despite my nerves, I didn’t want to disappoint her.

*Alright, fine. But if she glares at me, I’m blaming you,” I said, trying to lighten the mood.

Caroline laughed, grabbing my arm and dragging me toward the door. “Oh, she’ll glare, alright. But don’t worry. I’ll make sure she doesn’t eat you alive.”

As we walked to her car, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was walking into a battlefield disguised as a boutique. But for Caroline, I’d face it. I just hoped Caleb would have some ideas later because I had no clue how to make this birthday unforgettable.

“I don’t know, Caroline,” I said, hesitating as I shifted my weight from one foot to the other. I saw the car in the distance, and a woman standing beside it, tapping her feet impatiently. But even from this far, I couldn’t help but shiver at the aura she gave off.

“Are you sure it’ll be okay for me to tag along? I mean, what if I’m just… intruding or something?” I hated how unsure I sounded, but I couldn’t help it. The thought of being the odd one out, third–wheeling Caroline’s plans, made me second–guess everything.

Caroline didn’t even blink before responding, her tone breezy and full of that natural confidence she always seemed to have. “Aurora, seriously? You’re not intruding. Trust me, it’s not just us, anyway. Maya’s coming too.” She said it like it was supposed to make everything better, but it only left me with more questions.

“Maya?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “Why is she coming?” Not that I had anything against Maya–I loved her to bits. But she wasn’t exactly someone I’d peg as a dress–shopping enthusiast.

“Because her and my mom are, like, best friends,” Caroline explained with a wave of her hand, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. “And honestly, thank God for that. It means I won’t have to go through the endless racks of dresses on my own. Do you have any idea how boring that is?” She rolled her eyes dramatically before nudging me with her elbow.

“So, you see, it’s not just you. Maya and I’ll both be there, and you’ll make it even better. Problem solved. No need to overthink this.”

I let out a slow breath, still feeling a little unsure but unwilling to argue any further. “Okay,” I said finally, the word dragging out of me like I’d just made the toughest decision of my life. “I’ll come. But if it gets too crazy, don’t blame me if I suddenly disappear into the nearest coffee shop.”

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify