I look like myself. But more. Better. Confident.
"He really knows you," Lila says quietly. "Like, really, truly knows you. Not who he wants you to be. Who you are." She picks up the necklace, examining the pressed lavender. "And they all see you. The dress from Calder. Lavender from where you met from Tyler. Raw emeralds because you're beautiful without polish from Julian. That's a pack who pays attention."
I touch the jewelry, the notes, the soft fabric. "I didn't even know I could feel this beautiful."
"You always were beautiful. Now you just have armor that feels like being seen." She squeezes my hand. "You're going to walk into that estate and Margaret Ashford is going to see exactly what her son sees. Someone worthy of him. Someone perfect for her pack."
"I'm still terrified."
"Good. That means it matters." Lila grins. "But you're going to be amazing. And if Margaret gives you any grief, you just remember, you're wearing cashmere that her son chose specifically for you because he knows your body and your style and your heart. You hold all the cards."
I laugh despite my nerves. "I don't think it works like that with traditional alpha families."
"Then make it work like that." She starts gathering the rejected clothes from my bed. "Now go show your pack. They're probably dying to see you in this."
I walk back to Calder's apartment still wearing the dress and boots, the cream wrap draped over my shoulders, the lavender necklace at my throat, emerald studs catching the light.
The conversation stops when I enter.
Three pairs of eyes find me, widen, darken with something that makes the bond hum warm and wanting.
Tyler notices the necklace first. His hand goes to his chest, eyes bright. "You're wearing it."
"Of course I'm wearing it." I touch the pressed lavender pendant. "It's perfect."
Julian's gaze is on the earrings. Something fierce and proud crosses his face. "They suit you. Natural beauty."
Calder just stares, taking in the whole picture, his dress, Tyler's necklace, Julian's earrings, all coming together to create something that's completely me. I see pride gleaming in his eyes.
"You all knew," I say, voice thick with emotion. "You planned this together."
"Pack secret," Tyler confirms with that sunrise grin. "We're good at those now."
"You know my size." It's not quite an accusation. More like wonder. "My exact size. How?"
"I pay attention." Calder’s hands settle at my waist over the soft fabric. "I've held you enough times to know your measurements. Watched you dress enough mornings to know your style. Know what you love and what you'd tolerate and what would make you feel like yourself."
"It's all perfect," I whisper. "The dress, the necklace, the earrings. How did you?—"
"I asked Lila what colors bring out your eyes." His thumb brushes my cheek. "She said burgundy or plum. I chose burgundy because it reminded me of autumn. Of the day we met in the greenhouse."
My throat tightens. "And the jewelry?"
"Was our idea," Tyler says softly, touching the lavender pendant where it rests against my collarbone. "Wanted you to have pieces of us. Reminders."
"The lavender from where we met," I say, understanding. "And the emeralds because?—"
"Because you're beautiful without needing to be polished into something you're not," Julian finishes. "Natural. Real. Perfect as you are."
I feel their combined love. They didn't just give me clothes. They gave me pieces of themselves. Pieces of us.
"The notes," I manage.
"Meant every word," Calder says. His forehead touches mine. "You're already worthy. You don't need anything else to prove it. But we wanted you to feel confident. To have armor."
"Armor that feels like being loved," I correct, touching the necklace, the earrings, the soft cashmere.
His smile is small but genuine. "Exactly."
