Secrets between Friends

The boutique carried the warm scent of perfume and new fabric.

Rows of elegant dresses lined the walls of the room.

Flora stood in front of a mirror on the raised fitting platform, staring at her reflection.

The white dress hugged perfectly over her body. 

From her waist, flowing down effortlessly to the floor.

To anyone else, it would have looked beautiful.

But to Flora, it felt like a costume.

Like she was wrapping a lie in a beautiful dress

Behind her, Lily leaned against a chair, watching with an amused smile.

“You have to admit,” Lily said, crossing her arms, “you look incredible.”

Flora forced a small smile.

“Thanks.”

The saleswoman moved around her, adjusting the fabric carefully.

“This one is perfect for a ceremony,” the woman said warmly. “its very elegant and powerful.”

Flora swallowed.

Powerful.

That was not how she felt. In fact she felt quite the opposite…helpless.

Lily tilted her head, studying her friend’s reflection.

“You’re getting married,” she teased lightly. “You’re supposed to look excited.”

Flora let out a quiet laugh.

“I am excited.”

The words felt strange leaving her mouth.

Because she wasn’t excited.

Lies have short lifespans, Flora.

Marcus’s voice still echoed in her mind.

She looked away from the mirror, her face darkening.

“Maybe I should try another one,” she murmured.

Lily stood up immediately.

“Oh no, don’t start that,” she said, walking over. “This one is gorgeous.”

She stepped onto the platform beside Flora and adjusted the edge slightly.

“You and Ryan are going to look amazing together.”

Flora nodded absently.

Lily stepped back, admiring the dress again.

“You know,” she said casually, “the ceremony is going to be huge.”

Flora blinked.

“Huge?”

Lily nodded.

“My dad doesn’t do small celebrations.”

Flora stiffened slightly at the mention of Marcus.

Lily continued cheerfully.

“The entire pack will be there. Elders, warriors, guest pack members as well…everyone.”

Flora’s stomach sank.

Everyone.

They'll be watching and celebrating a lie…

The saleswoman stepped away for a moment to grab another dress from a nearby rack.

Lily sat back down in the chair.

Flora slowly stepped off the platform and then, as she moved toward the dressing room, Lily spoke again.

“So…”

Flora paused.

Something about Lily’s tone had changed.

Flora glanced over her shoulder.

“Yes?”

Lily rested her chin in her hand.

“Are you happy?”

Flora froze.

The question hung between them.

She hadn’t expected that.

Happy.

Was she?

No

 Of course she wasn't.. but she couldn't tell Lily.

If she did, Lily would press to know why and…

Flora forced another small smile.

“Of course I am.”

Lily didn’t respond right away.

She just watched her.

Flora turned quickly and slipped into the dressing room before the silence could grow heavier.

Inside, she closed the curtain and leaned against the wall.

Her heart was beating too fast.

She carefully removed the dress and hung it back on the hook.

She closed her eyes briefly.

“I can do this,” she whispered to herself.

“You already started the lie. You just have to finish it.”

Flora stood up and quickly changed back into her clothes.

When she stepped out again, Lily was still sitting there.

Flora forced a casual smile as she approached.

“So,” she said lightly, “what do you think?”

Lily didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, she patted the seat beside her.

“Sit with me for a minute.”

Flora hesitated.

Then she sat down slowly.

Lily turned slightly toward her.

“Flora,” she said gently.

Flora’s chest tightened.

“Yeah?”

Lily’s expression was serious now.

“I need to ask you something.”

Flora felt her pulse quickening already.

“Okay…”

Lily studied her carefully.

“You know you can tell me anything, right?”

Flora nodded automatically.

“Of course.”

“I mean it,” Lily continued softly. “We’ve been best friends since we were kids.”

Flora forced a small laugh.

“I know.”

Lily leaned forward slightly.

“If something is wrong… you can tell me.”

Flora’s stomach twisted.

“Nothing’s wrong.”

Lily’s gaze didn’t waver.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

Lily was silent for a moment.

Then she asked quietly:

“Are you hiding something from me?”

Flora’s breath caught.

Her mind went completely blank.

For a moment…just a moment..she almost told her.

The words rose to the surface of her throat.

Lily… the baby isn’t Ryan’s.

But the consequences slammed into her mind instantly.

The ceremony.

Ryan. Marcus.

And worst of all—

Lily herself.

Her best friend would discover that Flora had slept with her father.

The friendship would be destroyed forever.

Flora swallowed hard, then she forced a smile.

“There’s nothing to hide.”

Lily watched her carefully.

For a second Flora thought she might press further.

But instead Lily slowly nodded.

“Okay.”

The answer sounded accepting, enough for Flora at least.

By the time they left the boutique, the afternoon sun was already beginning to fade.

Lily carried a small bag with the dress Flora had chosen.

“You’re going to look amazing,” Lily said as they stepped onto the sidewalk.

Flora smiled faintly.

“I hope so.”

They began walking toward the parking lot.

Lily’s phone rang suddenly.

She glanced at the screen.

“It’s Ryan.”

Flora felt her stomach tighten.

Lily answered.

“Hey.”

There was a short pause as Ryan spoke on the other end.

“Oh really?” Lily said.

Flora glanced at her.

“What?”

Lily covered the phone briefly.

“He says my dad wants to see him later.”

Flora’s blood ran cold.

Marcus.

“Okay,” Lily said to the phone again. “We’ll see you later.”

She hung up.

“What does your dad want with Ryan?” Flora asked carefully.

Lily shrugged.

“Im not sure. But, Ryan thinks it’s about the ceremony.”

Flora forced a nod, but her mind was already racing.

Marcus wanting to see Ryan could not be good.

He knew it was his child. Could it be what he wanted to tell Ryan?

Flora barely heard anything Lily said.

Her thoughts were spinning.

That night, Flora sat alone in her bedroom.

The house was quiet.

Her mother had already gone to bed.

Flora sat on the edge of her mattress, staring at the floor.

Lily’s words replayed in her mind.

Are you hiding something from me?

Flora whispered softly into the empty room.

“Yes.”

But it was too late now.

The lie had grown too big and far too dangerous.

Her phone buzzed suddenly on the bed beside her.

Flora frowned and picked it up.

Unknown number.

She stared at the screen.

It was probably spam.

She almost ignored it.

Then the phone buzzed again.

And just like that, her curiosity won.

She opened the message.

The words on the screen made her heart slam violently against her ribs.

“I know Ryan Carter isn’t the father of your baby.”

Flora’s hands began to shake.

Her mind raced instantly.

Who?

Who could possibly know that?

Her phone buzzed again.

Another message appeared.

“You might want to think carefully about that mating ceremony.”

Flora stared at the phone in horror.

Someone knew.