CHAPTER 3

ANNA

“What the hell?”

The words slipped out before I could catch them, my gaze darting from Liam to Tyler, then to Kyle, and finally settling on Henry.

Their faces were a mosaic of determination and mischief, their eyes gleaming with an intensity that told me they weren’t joking.

The Winterveil quadruplets—those infamous heartthrobs from the rival pack—were dead serious about this insane proposal.

But no way in the world was I about to entangle myself with them, fake or otherwise. My heart still ached from Ryder’s betrayal, and the last thing I needed was to dive into another whirlwind of drama.

“I’m not interested,” I muttered, turning on my heel toward the door, my bare feet sinking into the plush carpet.

The thought of escaping this surreal hotel room was my only lifeline.

“You haven’t heard the catch yet,” Henry called out, his voice a warm undertone that halted me mid-step. His brow furrowed, a hint of curiosity flickering in his hazel eyes.

“And I don’t want to hear it!” I snapped, my voice sharper than intended, echoing off the walls. The raw edge of my emotions was still too fresh.

Before I could reach for the doorknob, Liam’s hand clamped around my arm, his grip firm yet tinged with a surprising gentleness.

His claws grazed my skin, sending a jolt of pain through me, and I winced.

“I think you should listen to our proposal first,” he said, his tone a velvet command, leaving no room for argument. In that moment, I realized I was at their mercy—trapped by their presence and the power they exuded.

I had no choice but to hear out whatever twisted scheme brewed in their collective mind.

Liam released me, stepping back with a nod as if granting me space to process.

“First things first,” he began, his voice smooth and calculated.

“We’re going to provide everything you need for the duration of our agreement—clothes, accessories, whatever it takes to pull this off.”

“As much as we’re not exactly smitten with you,” Kyle interjected with a playful smirk, leaning against the wall with an air of nonchalance, “you’ll also have exclusive access to some… let’s call it, memorable company, if you catch my drift.”

I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms tightly over my chest. “I’ll pass,” I said flatly, my voice dripping with sarcasm. The idea of any intimacy with them sent a shiver of discomfort down my spine.

“But most importantly,” Tyler cut in, his dark eyes locking onto mine with a spark of intrigue, “you’ll get a chance to get back at that jerk of an ex, Ryder. Imagine the look on his face when he sees you with us.”

That last part snagged my attention like a hook in a fish’s mouth. The thought of Ryder squirming, his smug confidence shattered, ignited a fire in my chest.

There was nothing I craved more than to serve him a taste of the humiliation he’d inflicted on me. But how could I make it work? My mind raced, weighing the possibilities.

“It’ll be perfect, Anna,” Tyler continued, his voice lowering conspiratorially as he stepped closer.

“Ryder despises us—thinks we outshine him at everything. If he sees you with us, laughing, flirting, he’ll lose his mind. It’s a guaranteed distraction.”

I couldn’t deny the allure of his words. The image of Ryder’s face contorting with jealousy painted a deliciously satisfying picture.

It wasn’t a bad deal, not really—revenge served on a silver platter. But two burning questions lingered: how did they know about my breakup with Ryder, and what did they stand to gain from this fake dating charade?

“So, my ex, Ryder,” I started, my voice cautious as I met Tyler’s gaze. “How do you even know about us?”

Kyle chuckled, a rich sound that filled the room.

“Gossip spreads like wildfire around here, Anna. But seriously, did you ever think he truly cared? The guy’s a walking ego trip.”

“That’s enough,” Tyler interjected, shooting Kyle a sidelong glance before turning back to me.

“Let’s just say we’ve got our sources. When he sees us together at the game tonight, he’ll be too rattled to focus. We’ll capitalize on that distraction to clinch the hockey tournament.

And trust us, we’ll make him extra jealous. It’s a win-win—revenge for you, victory for us.”

I mulled it over, my mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. What they were asking was monumental—essentially handing them the Intercollegiate Hockey Championship Trophy on a golden platter by betraying my school.

The stakes were sky-high, and under normal circumstances, I’d have rejected it outright. But then, the faces of every classmate who’d mocked me flashed through my memory—years of whispered taunts, cruel laughter, and relentless bullying echoed in my mind. Willow-Hills High hadn’t earned my loyalty, not after the way they’d turned a blind eye to my pain. Ryder’s betrayal was the final straw.

They weren’t worth it. My school wasn’t worth my integrity. A surge of defiance coursed through me, and I made my decision.

“Deal,” I nodded, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside.

“But I want every single word of it in writing. No loopholes.”

Liam grunted, a hint of amusement in his tone.

“We’re the heirs to the throne of the richest pack in the country, not cheapskates. You don’t have to worry about the money.”

“I don’t care about your money,” I shot back, my chin lifting defiantly.

“I want the duration of our agreement written and signed. I don’t want any lasting ties to the four of you after this is over.”

“Fair enough,” Liam shrugged, his lips twitching into a half-smile.

“We’ll get it in writing and signed. You’ll have your contract.”

“But don’t forget,” Tyler added, his voice carrying a subtle edge, “the deal ends when we leave Willow-Hills.”

I should have caught the warning in his words, the faint undercurrent of something unspoken, but my mind was too consumed with the vision of Ryder’s shocked face.

After all, they were here just for the tournament. Once the finals ended tonight, they’d likely linger a few days before returning to their pack.

I’d never see them again. It seemed like a fair trade in my books—a chance to reclaim my dignity without long-term consequences.

“I know,” I nodded, my resolve firm. “I just want it signed.”

“We’ll arrange for that,” Tyler concluded, his tone final.

“Good.” I stood, ready to leave, but Kyle’s hand gently caught my wrist, his touch surprisingly light.

“You’ll need a makeover,” he said, his eyes traveling down my frame with a critical yet not unkind assessment.

“No way we’re strolling around school with you looking like… well, like this.”

“There’s nothing wrong with my dressing,” I frowned, pulling my arm back slightly, a defensive edge to my voice.

“There’s everything wrong with it!” they chorused in unison, their laughter ringing out like a playful symphony.

I grunted, clearly displeased by their teasing, but there was no backing out now. Liam pulled out his phone and made a quick call, his voice low and authoritative. A few minutes later, the door opened, and a stylish woman with a cascade of auburn hair entered the room. Liam handed her a gleaming golden credit card, then turned to me with a grin.

“This is your stylist, Dianne”he explained, his eyes twinkling. “She’s going to work her magic to make you look less like… the old you.”

I scoffed at his cheeky remark, and he blew me a playful kiss.

“See you tonight, love,” he added with a wink.

Dianne motioned for me to follow her, and I complied, my curiosity piqued despite my reservations.

As we passed the bartender’s counter, I scanned the room for Louisa, but she was gone. She must have found her way home, I reasoned, a pang of gratitude warming me for her earlier support.

Our first stop was a chic hairstylist’s salon, its windows adorned with vibrant floral displays. I watched from a plush velvet chair as Violet conferred with the head stylist, their whispers punctuated by occasional laughter.

After a moment, they led me to a private section, where the air hummed with the scent of hair products and the soft hum of a dryer.

For the next four hours, I sat through a transformation that felt like a rebirth. My auburn hair, once a simple cascade, was dyed a rich, glossy black, its strands now smooth and lustrous, falling in soft waves across my shoulders.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, awestruck. Why had I never considered this before? The new me gazed back, confident and striking.

Next, Dianne whisked me away to an upscale mall, its glass ceilings reflecting the afternoon light. For two hours, she scrutinized every dress with the precision of an art curator, holding fabrics against the light, debating colors, and occasionally consulting me with a raised eyebrow.

It was a long, exhausting process, and I dozed off in a cushioned chair while she deliberated.

When I awoke, she presented a selection of outfits—each more breathtaking than the last—paired with matching shoes and designer bags.

Apparently, she didn’t trust my sense of combination, and I couldn’t argue with the results.

By the time we finished, the sun was dipping low, casting golden hues across the sky. Dianne ordered an Uber, and I thanked her warmly before climbing in, exhaustion settling into my bones.

The car ride home was a blur, the city lights streaking past as I leaned against the window.

It was evening when I arrived, the cool air greeting me as I stepped out. For the next hour, I offloaded the boxes from the Uber, each one a treasure trove of clothes, shoes, and designer bags.

Dianne had meticulously paired everything, her attention to detail evident in every fold. The last box, lighter than the rest, piqued my curiosity.

When I opened it, I gasped—inside lay a stunning collection of diamond jewelry, each piece sparkling like captured starlight. Necklaces, earrings, and bracelets gleamed, their brilliance a stark contrast to my usual simplicity.

I giggled, excitement bubbling up as I imagined the transformation awaiting me. Tonight, at the game, I wouldn’t be the nerdy Anna everyone at Willow-Hills High knew—the girl in oversized sweaters and long skirts.

I’d be someone new, someone who could hold her head high. The thought of Ryder’s jaw dropping, of Enid’s smug smile faltering, fueled my anticipation. Everything was changing tonight, and for the first time in days, I felt a flicker of hope.

As I unpacked, my phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number: “Ready for the spotlight, Anna? - T”

I frowned, realizing it must be Tyler. My fingers hesitated over the reply, but a smile crept onto my lips. Let the games begin.