Page 9 of A Silent Prodigy for the Lycan Princess

They truly like each other. I hope the Moon Goddess isn’t so cruel as to rip them apart. But you never know her plan.

Jazz’s words have done the deal, though, and Marilou grabs the dress. Her eyes light up when she sees it. “Thank you, Tori.”

“Try it on,” I encourage her, laughing when she scurries to the bathroom, suddenly looking really excited. Jazz follows her to help while I stay with Tori.

“What are you going to wear, Tori?” I ask.

“I don’t know,” she mutters. “I feel like it doesn’t matter.”

Her words confuse me. “Why are you saying that? You love dressing up, and girl, you are always killing it! I am actually counting on you for my hairstyle. I need some new ideas.”

My words make Tori smile, but only momentarily so. “I don’t know, Auri,” she says. “I… I don’t feel like it. I feel like I am not really an eye-catcher to anyone.”

“But you are!” I say, sitting up straighter now. “You look fantastic in almost anything.”

Tori stays silent while I get up and approach her, taking her face between my hands to make her look up at me. “What’s wrong, Tori?”

To my shock, tears glisten in her eyes. “Be honest,” she whispers. “Am I shallow?”

I stare at her. “What?”

“I know I am naïve sometimes, and I don’t understand everything. And, sometimes, I say stupid things that might hurt someone. But am I shallow? Am I just a pretty girl with nothing going on behind my façade?” she asks.

I furrow my brows. “Who said that?” I huff. I know this isn’t something she came up with. Someone had to have told her that!

“It’s true, isn’t it?” she asks quietly.

“No, Tori! You are incredibly kind and generous. You have been my best friend ever since we were babies. You have been nothing but supportive of me and always had my back.”

“But, I am not into training and sports,” she says. “I don’t like much of the things you others like.”

“And?” I ask. “We share plenty of stuff, don’t we? Just think about our movie nights. Marilou loves romance movies like you do, and Jazz likes to dress up and try new outfits with you. And I like that I can talk to you about anything, even about guys.”

“Really?” she asks hopefully.

“Of course. I am so happy to have you as my friend,” I say. “You are never jealous.”

Tori giggles. “I am jealous sometimes,” she admits. “Because you have legs to kill for and the perfect body.”

“Well, I envy you for being so cute,” I say. “Remember that one time I dressed up in a cute fairy dress for Halloween? It was a disaster.”

Tori smiles, hugging me tightly. “Thanks, Auri.”

“You don’t want to tell me who said that?” I push carefully.

Tori shakes her head. “I… I am okay,” she admits. “It’s just important that my friends and family like me. That’s all that matters.”

I hear the door to the bathroom creak slightly, and soon, Marilou’s and Jazz’s laughter reaches us. Tori moves away from me, pretending like nothing happened and that she wasn’t just crying. Marilou looks amazing in Tori’s dress. While she isn’t as curvy as Tori, it still hugs her body nicely, and it definitely is a change from what she normally wears. Terry will find it amazing.

“Look at that hot bitch,” Jazz says, smacking Marilou’s ass.

“Don’t flirt with her, or your mate will get jealous,” I tease.

Jazz grins. “Ari herself is such a flirt. She will survive me complimenting one of my besties.”

Jazz met her mate, Aryanna, during her eighteenth birthday party, almost a year ago. Aryanna is Liam’s beta and was instantly head over heels for our wild and brave Jazz, with her ebony skin and her witchcraft.

“Are you curious to meet your mate?” Marilou asks me. “I, for one, am terrified.”