Over the following weeks, Anya gradually settled into her routine at the café, and what had once felt unfamiliar slowly became something she could move through with ease and confidence. The early mornings, the steady rhythm of taking orders, preparing drinks, and interacting with customers all began to feel natural to her. Agnes no longer needed to watch over her as closely, and even the busiest hours no longer made her nervous. There was a quiet satisfaction in being able to handle everything on her own, in knowing that she was capable, that she was building something for herself beyond simply depending on others.
When she received her first salary, the feeling surprised her. It was not just about the money, but what it represented. She held the envelope in her hands for a moment longer than necessary, a small smile forming on her lips. It was proof that she could stand on her own, even in a new city, even in a life that was still unfamiliar in many ways.
Caris noticed it immediately.
"You look like you just accomplished something big," she teased lightly as she leaned against the counter after closing.
Anya laughed softly. "It's my first salary," she admitted.
Caris's expression brightened. "That definitely calls for a celebration," she said. "You're not spending your day off staying at home, right?"
Anya hesitated slightly. "I didn't really have plans."
"Good," Caris replied quickly. "Then you're coming out with me."
Anya blinked in surprise, but the warmth in Caris's tone made it difficult to refuse. "Alright," she said with a small nod.
On their shared rest day, they met at one of the larger malls in Central City, the kind filled with bright displays, endless shops, and a constant flow of people. The energy was lively, and for once, Anya allowed herself to simply enjoy it rather than feel overwhelmed.
Caris led the way with ease, clearly familiar with the place. "If you're starting college soon, you're going to need more than just a few outfits," she said, glancing at Anya. "Let's get you something practical first."
They moved from store to store, picking out clothing that balanced comfort and style. Caris had a good eye, selecting simple pieces that could be easily matched, explaining her choices as she went.
"These are basics," she said, holding up a soft-toned top. "You can pair this with almost anything. You don't need complicated outfits. Just things that work."
Anya nodded, appreciating the guidance. "I've never really thought about it this way before."
"That's because you've been too busy surviving," Caris said casually, then softened slightly. "Now you get to live a little."
Anya smiled faintly at that.
Eventually, Caris handed her a dress. "Try this."
Anya glanced at it, slightly unsure. "A dress?"
"Just try it," Caris insisted, nudging her toward the fitting room.
A few minutes later, Anya stepped out, adjusting the hem slightly. The floral dress fell softly around her, light and flattering, the colors complementing her fair skin in a way she had not expected.
Caris's eyes lit up immediately. "Wow," she said, stepping closer. "You look amazing."
Anya blinked, caught off guard. "Really?"
"Yes," Caris said without hesitation. "Your skin tone, your figure… this suits you perfectly."
Before Anya could react, Caris had already taken out her phone and snapped a picture.
"Hey—" Anya started, her cheeks warming.
Caris grinned, showing her the photo. "You should send this to your boyfriend."
Anya shook her head quickly. "I don't have one."
Caris raised an eyebrow. "Really? Because I've seen a guy picking you up after work a few times."
Anya hesitated for a brief moment. "You have?"
Caris nodded. "He's tall, good-looking, and looks like he walked out of a magazine. If he's not your boyfriend, then you should introduce him to me," she added jokingly.
Anya let out a soft laugh, though her cheeks flushed slightly. "We're… close," she admitted. "But we're not there yet."
Caris crossed her arms lightly, studying her. "Then what are you waiting for?"
The question caught Anya off guard.
She looked down at the dress, her fingers brushing lightly over the fabric as she tried to find the right words.
"Honestly," she said slowly, "I don't really know."
Caris tilted her head. "That sounds like you do know, but you're just not saying it."
Anya let out a small breath. "He's… too perfect," she admitted quietly. "And sometimes I feel like I don't deserve that."
The words felt strange to say out loud, but they carried a truth she had been avoiding.
Caris's expression softened slightly, but she shook her head. "You're overthinking," she said firmly. "You don't decide whether you deserve someone. You just decide how you feel."
Anya remained quiet.
"And for the record," Caris continued, her tone lighter but still sincere, "you do attract attention too. I see it every day at the cafe. There are plenty of customers who notice you."
Anya looked up, surprised. "That's not true."
"It is," Caris insisted. "You're just too focused on your work to see it. You're kind, you're easy to talk to, and you don't pretend to be something you're not. That matters more than you think."
Anya felt a small warmth rise in her chest at the words.
"Stop doubting yourself so much," Caris added with a smile. "If you like him, then don't let fear be the reason you hold back."
Anya looked at her reflection again, seeing herself just a little differently than before.
And for the first time, she considered the possibility that maybe, just maybe, she was not as undeserving as she had thought.
*****
After a long stretch of browsing and trying on clothes, Anya and Caris finally decided to take a break and grabbed lunch at a fast food restaurant inside the mall. The place was busy, filled with the constant hum of conversations, the clatter of trays, and the occasional laughter from nearby tables. They found a small table near the corner, away from the main walkway, and settled down with their meals.
Caris took a bite of her fries and leaned back slightly. "I didn't expect shopping to be this exhausting," she said with a laugh.
Anya smiled, unwrapping her burger. "It's more tiring than working at the cafe."
They both laughed softly, the tension of the morning replaced with a light, easy mood.
That was when the atmosphere shifted.
The entrance doors opened, and a group of four young men walked in. They did not speak loudly, nor did they make any obvious commotion, but their presence alone drew attention. Their clothing was different from the usual crowd, darker, more rugged, and there was a certain heaviness in the way they carried themselves that made people instinctively notice them.
Caris was the first to pick up on it.
She paused mid-bite, her gaze drifting past Anya before narrowing slightly. "Anya," she said under her breath, leaning forward just enough to keep her voice low, "don't turn around too quickly, but there's a group of guys staring at us."
Anya's fingers tightened slightly around her drink. "Staring?" she repeated quietly.
Caris nodded subtly. "They've been looking over since they came in."
Anya hesitated for a brief moment before turning her head casually, as if she was just glancing around.
The moment her eyes landed on them, something in her chest tightened.
They were already looking at her.
Not casually. Not out of curiosity.
But with a strange intensity that made her uneasy.
Their expressions were not friendly, and there was a tension in the way they held themselves, as if they were assessing rather than observing.
Anya immediately turned back, her heart beating faster than before. She forced herself to keep her expression calm, not wanting to alarm Caris further.
"Let's just ignore them," she said quietly, picking up her drink again as if nothing was wrong.
Caris nodded, though her posture had stiffened slightly.
For a few moments, they tried to continue eating, but the atmosphere around them had already shifted.
Then one of the men stood up.
Anya felt it before she saw it.
The subtle change in movement. The approaching presence.
Footsteps stopped beside their table.
"Hey," a voice said.
Anya looked up.
The man standing there had a tattoo running along his arm, partially visible beneath his sleeve. His expression carried a faint smirk, but there was nothing friendly about it.
"Wanna hang out together?" he asked, his gaze fixed directly on Anya.
Caris stiffened in front of her.
Anya kept her composure, even though her instincts told her something was off. "Thank you, but no," she replied politely. "We're about to leave after finishing our meal."
The man held her gaze for a second longer before his smirk widened slightly. "Alright," he said, his tone casual but carrying an edge. "Suit yourself."
He turned and walked back to his table but the tension did not leave with him.
The group continued to stare, their low murmurs carrying across the distance even though the words themselves could not be heard.
Anya and Caris exchanged a brief look. Neither of them needed to say anything but both felt it. They finished their food quickly, no longer lingering, and gathered their things before leaving the restaurant.
The moment they stepped outside into the mall, Caris let out a breath she had clearly been holding. "That was so weird," she said, her voice slightly tense. "And honestly a bit intimidating."
Anya nodded, about to respond—
But then she saw them again.
The same four men had exited the restaurant and they were walking in their direction.
Her chest tightened instantly.
"They're following us," she said quietly, her voice no longer steady.
Caris's eyes widened slightly. "What do we do?"
Before Anya could answer, her phone rang.
She glanced at the screen.
Alaric.
Relief flickered through her, and she answered immediately. "Alaric?"
"Where are you?" his voice came through, calm but alert.
"I'm at the mall," she said quickly. "Caris and I just left a fast food restaurant. There's a group of men following us."
There was a brief pause.
Then his tone sharpened. "Stay in the crowd. Don't go anywhere isolated. I'm coming."
The call ended.
Anya drew in a breath, steadying herself before turning to Caris. "Let's stay where there are more people," she said, trying to keep her voice calm.
They moved through the mall, blending into the crowd, pretending to browse as they walked. Anya led them into an apparel store, hoping the presence of other shoppers would deter the men.
But when she glanced toward the entrance—
They were still there.
Standing just outside.
Waiting.
Her fingers tightened around her phone as she quickly sent a message to Alaric, updating him on their exact location.
Minutes felt longer than they should.
Then, suddenly, the atmosphere shifted again.
This time, in a different way.
Anya looked toward the entrance and saw them.
Alaric.
And Leo.
They stood just outside the store, their presence immediately drawing attention, not because they were loud, but because of the quiet authority they carried. The four men noticed them as well, their expressions changing almost instantly.
No words were exchanged.
Only a silent, intense stare.
Something passed between them, something Anya could not understand, but she could feel it in the air.
A moment later, the four men broke eye contact.
And slowly, they stepped back.
Then turned and walked away.
The tension dissolved as quickly as it had appeared.
Leo exhaled lightly, his gaze following the direction the men had gone. "It's been a while since we've had visitors from another wolf pack," he said casually.
Alaric's eyes narrowed slightly. "They probably picked up my scent from Anya," he replied. "Curiosity more than anything."
Inside the store, Anya had seen enough.
When she was certain the men were gone, she stepped out with Caris, her gaze immediately finding Alaric.
"Alaric," she called.
He turned to her at once, his expression softening. "Are you alright?"
She nodded quickly. "I'm fine."
He studied her for a moment longer before relaxing slightly.
"This is Leo," he said, gesturing beside him.
Leo inclined his head politely. "Nice to see you again."
Anya smiled faintly. "Nice to see you too."
She then turned to Caris. "This is my friend, Caris."
Caris blinked, still processing everything that had just happened, but quickly recovered. "Hi," she said, offering a small smile.
Before things could continue, she glanced between Anya and Alaric, then let out a small laugh. "I think I'll end the girls' outing here," she said lightly. "You're in good hands."
Anya looked at her. "Are you sure?"
Caris nodded, though her gaze flicked briefly toward Leo. "Yes."
Leo stepped forward slightly. "I can send you home," he offered calmly. "Just to be safe."
Caris looked surprised for a moment before nodding. "Thank you. I'd appreciate that."
With that, she waved goodbye to Anya and left with Leo.
Once they were gone, Anya and Alaric returned to the car.
As they settled inside, the tension finally began to ease.
"Those men…" Anya said, looking ahead. "They didn't seem like locals. The way they dressed, the way they acted…"
"They weren't," Alaric replied calmly.
She turned to him. "Thank you for coming so quickly."
His gaze softened slightly. "I'll always come for you," he said. "You don't have to worry about that."
Anya felt a quiet warmth settle in her chest. "You always make me feel safe," she said softly.
Alaric started the car, glancing at her briefly. "How was the rest of your shopping?"
Her expression brightened slightly. "Caris was really helpful. I got a few outfits for college."
He nodded. "Next time, I'll come with you."
Anya laughed lightly. "You don't have to."
"I want to," he said simply. "I'll make sure you have everything you need. Clothes, bags, shoes."
She shook her head, smiling. "You're pampering me too much. I'm not materialistic."
"I know," Alaric replied. "But that doesn't change the fact that I want to give you what I can."
Anya looked at him for a moment, her smile softening.
And this time, she didn't argue.