Chapter 2

The next morning, I was woken up by a barrage of group chat notifications.

Someone had turned the betting screenshot into a meme:

[Evelyn bets she can walk through the hotel doors.]

The comments below were a chorus of laughter.

"If she's still the same size she used to be—how much does she weigh now? Is she over the load limit?"

"Does Palais Aurelia have a freight elevator? Don't want her to break the passenger one."

"Elias, don't forget your promise. Before you hug her, you should probably write a will."

Elias finally showed up.

"Don't be ridiculous. I only agreed to a polite, friendly hug."

"And my mate's going to be there too. Evelyn should know her limits."

Clara immediately tagged me.

"Evelyn, don't overthink it."

"Elias just feels sorry that you used to have a crush on him. He's trying to make it up to you."

With one sentence, she'd exposed my old crush on Elias for everyone to laugh at.

Then she sent a photo.

It was my high school uniform—as wide as a burlap sack—with that same piece of paper taped to the back:

[FAILED SHIFT CASE]

Next to it sat a digital scale.

Clara said, "I brought some nostalgic memorabilia with me."

"Evelyn, why don't you put it on again tonight for everyone?"

"And we can see just how much weight you've gained over the years."

The chat flooded with "Support!" emojis.

I stared at that uniform, my fingers going cold.

Five years ago, they'd forced me to stand at the front of the classroom wearing it.

Clara had grabbed a megaphone and led the class in chanting: "Eighteen and still not awakened, overweight, breaking school records!"

I ran out crying.

And Elias had stepped on my wolf tail, laughing:

"Run slower—you're going to bring the building down."

And now, they actually expected me to put it on again.

Clara's call came through quickly: "Are you really coming?"

Her voice dripped with undisguised contempt.

"Evelyn, don't say I didn't warn you."

"Elias's mate now is one of the most beautiful she-wolves around."

I asked calmly, "Did you prepare that uniform?"

"Yeah." She laughed. "Gotta find some entertainment for the reunion, right?"

"You were weaker than the Omegas back then. The only reason anyone bothered with you was because you were good for a laugh."

I smiled too.

"Don't worry. I'll be there."

After hanging up, I saved the recording.

Just then, David pushed the door open and respectfully handed me the black velvet dress.

He also opened his tablet and showed me the screen.

It was the Frostspine Pack's official announcement page for tonight:

[Evelyn Eisenklaue—Our Future Alpha.]

The accompanying photo showed me in a haute couture gown, my expression cool and sharp.

Release time: 8 PM tonight.

The class reunion started at 7:30.

David glanced at the uniform photo in the group chat and laughed in disbelief.

"Miss Eisenklaue, do you want me to send someone to deal with them?"

I turned off my phone and took the dress.

"No. I'll handle this myself."

Half an hour would be more than enough.