Borrowed Dress

“Hold still.” Tessa’s hand was surprisingly steady as she lined my eyes with a pencil. “I promise I won’t stab you.”

“That’s not as reassuring as you think it is.” But I held still anyway, sitting on her desk chair while she worked.

Tessa had been my roommate since freshman year and somehow, miraculously, had become my actual friend. She was an art major with purple streaks in her black hair. She knew I was broke. She knew I worked constantly. She didn’t know about the wolf thing. Humans didn’t know about any of that.

“Done.” She stepped back, admiring her work. “Okay, you look hot. Like, actually hot.”

“I look the same.”

“You look like you’re not about to fall asleep standing up for once.” She turned me toward the mirror. “See?”

I barely recognized myself. Tessa had done something to my eyes that made them look bigger, brighter. She’d put color on my cheeks and lips. Nothing dramatic, but enough to make me look alive instead of exhausted.

“It’s too much,” I said automatically.

“It’s perfect. Now put on the dress.”

The dress hung on her closet door. Simple, black, nothing fancy. Tessa had worn it to some formal event last year.

I changed in the bathroom, tugging the dress into place. It fit okay. Not great, but okay. The fabric wasn’t expensive and you could tell if you knew what to look for. Which everyone at this gala would.

“Stop overthinking.” Tessa appeared behind me. “You look beautiful. Seriously.”

“I look like I’m wearing a borrowed dress to an event I can’t afford.”

“You ARE wearing a borrowed dress to an event you can’t afford. So what?” She squeezed my shoulders. “You earned your spot at this school. You work harder than anyone I know. You deserve to be at this stupid gala just as much as those trust fund babies.”

I wanted to believe her. I really did.

“Why are you even going?” Tessa asked.

“They sent an email to all scholarship students. Strongly suggesting we attend.” I sat down to put on the heels she’d lent me too. Black, simple, only slightly scuffed. “One of the girls in my bio class missed last year’s gala because she was sick. Her scholarship got cut by twenty percent the next semester.”

Tessa’s expression darkened. “Are you serious?”

“Dead serious. They called it budget adjustments. But we all knew.” I grabbed my coat. “So yeah. I’m going.”

“Well, at least try to have some fun.”

“Trust me. I know exactly how things work around here.” I headed for the door. “I’ll be back late.”

The walk to University Hall took fifteen minutes. The November air was cold, and I wished I’d brought a better coat. But I didn’t have a better coat. This was it.

As I got closer, I saw other students heading in the same direction. All dressed up. The difference between them and me was immediately obvious. Their dresses were designed. Their shoes were new. They walked in groups, laughing and confident.

I walked alone, trying not to trip in Tessa’s heels.

University Hall had been transformed. Ice sculptures flanked the entrance, lit from below with blue lights. Through the open doors, I could see chandeliers and flowers and what looked like an actual champagne fountain.

This was not my world, everything was different from the normal I’m used to.

I showed my student ID at the door. The woman checking them gave my outfit a quick scan, her lip curling slightly. Then she waved me through.

Inside was worse. The hall had been decorated like something out of a movie. Round tables with white tablecloths. Candles everywhere. A string quartet playing classical music in the corner. And people. So many people. All of them dressed like they’d stepped out of a fashion magazine.

I spotted Madison Blackthorn immediately. She wore a gold dress that probably cost more than my entire year’s tuition. She saw me looking and her eyes narrowed. Then she said something to her friends and they all looked at me. Laughed.

I looked away quickly and moved toward the back of the room. Being invisible. That was the goal.

“Excuse me.” A woman in a catering uniform approached. “Are you staff?”

“No, I’m a student.”

“Oh. Sorry. You just looked…” She trailed off, clearly embarrassed.

“Actually,” I said quickly, “do you need help? I could serve or something.”

The woman looked relieved. “Would you? We’re short-staffed tonight.”

“Sure. No problem.”

She handed me a tray of champagne glasses. At least now I had a purpose. A reason to be here.

I circulated through the crowd, offering drinks. Most people took them without even looking at me. I was furniture. Exactly what I wanted.

A ripple went through the crowd near the entrance. People are turning, attention shifting.

The Valor family had arrived.

I’d seen pictures. Everyone knew what they looked like. But seeing them in person was different.

Thaddeus Valor entered first. Tall, commanding, silver streaking his dark hair at the temples. Behind him came a younger guy. Early twenties, dark hair, easy smile. That must be Damien.

Then the crowd shifted again and I saw him.

Lycian Valor.

I’d seen him on campus before. From a distance. But this was different. He wore a black suit that probably cost more than a car. Sharp jawline. Broad shoulders.

And cold. There was something cold about him. Controlled.

He moved into the room and people parted for him automatically. A group of girls immediately gravitated in his direction. Madison appeared at his side, touching his arm. His expression didn’t change. Still polite. Still distant.

I realized I was staring and forced myself to look away. Back to the tray. Back to being invisible.

That was Lycian Valor. The future Alpha of one of the most powerful wolf packs in the country.

And me? I was the girl serving drinks in a borrowed dress and shoe.

Our worlds didn’t overlap. Not even close.