Chapter 55: An S-Rank Brat
The mall was exactly as overwhelming as Sarael had expected, and she had expected quite a lot. Now she was inside, and every direction offered something new.
A store selling nothing but socks. A kiosk advertising phone cases in colors she didn’t know had names. And a woman at a counter offering free perfume samples.
It had everything.
Anastasia grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward a clothing store before Sarael could drift toward the perfume counter.
"Rule number two."
Anastasia said, her voice taking on the tone of someone who’d done this before, even if she hadn’t.
"If we’re doing this, we have to at least try things on."
"Is it mandatory?"
"No, but it’s fun. Same thing."
The store was bright and white and filled with racks of fabric in every texture Sarael had ever observed from a distance. Anastasia was already flipping through a rack of dresses, her earlier awkwardness fading as she focused on the task.
"What kind of clothes do you even like?"
Anastasia asked.
"I don’t know. I’ve only worn what I’ve seen in magazines that my husband looked at."
Anastasia paused mid-reach for a floral blouse.
"That’s... actually kind of sad."
"Is it?"
"Kind of. You’re a person, not just a wife. You should have clothes you picked because you liked them, not because someone else stared at a magazine page too long."
Sarael considered this. The concept wasn’t entirely foreign; she’d chosen the floral dress she was currently wearing, even if it was copied from a mannequin.
But Anastasia’s point lingered. She’d never picked something just because it pleased her. There had always been Ronan’s preferences, Ronan’s gaze, Ronan’s needs.
And... she was honestly fine with that.
"I don’t mind. What he likes, I like."
"Really?"
"Mhm."
"Huh... you’re sure you don’t want to wear something you like?"
Sarael pondered the question until an idea popped into her head, making a bright smile spread across her face.
"Can you help me pick out what men usually like women to wear?"
"Well... I guess I can do that."
✧ ✦ ✧
"Y’know, even if I don’t totally buy your origin story, you’re still way too beautiful to be just human."
Anastasia crossed her arms as they lingered in the clothing store. They’d already spent twenty minutes there, making Sarael try on outfit after outfit Anastasia had picked specifically to cater to the so‑called male gaze.
In truth, she had no idea what she was doing.
"Do you think he’ll like it?"
"I think he’ll like anything you wear, honestly."
"That’s not helpful..."
Sarael said, though her tone was more curious than frustrated.
"I want specifics."
Anastasia sighed and pulled another dress off the rack. This one was deep blue, simple, with a neckline that wasn’t too high or too low. She held it up against Sarael’s frame and tilted her head.
"Maybe this one—"
"—You two ladies lost?"
Anastasia stiffened as a hand landed on her shoulder. She turned and came face-to-face with someone she absolutely did not want to see.
S-rank Kevin Reid. Blonde hair, golden eyes, and far too handsome for his own good. She’d first met him back when her father was still in the association, during a training camp for future hunters.
"You..."
Anastasia glared at him. Kevin took a half-step back, though not nearly far enough for her liking.
"Relax, I don’t have anything planned."
He gave a short laugh, then glanced past her and noticed Sarael, dressed in the outfit Anastasia had chosen for her.
Predictably, he let out a whistle that could only be described as flirtatious.
"Didn’t know you had a friend, Anna."
Sarael’s expression soured the moment the whistle left his lips. Her brown eyes narrowed with a coldness that didn’t match the floral dress she was wearing.
"Anna, who is this?"
"Kevin... S-Rank, and a massive pain in my ass..."
Kevin placed a hand over his chest in mock offense.
"That’s harsh. I prefer ’charming acquaintance.’"
"You literally just whistled at a married woman. That’s not charming."
Kevin’s golden eyes flicked toward Sarael, then back to Anastasia.
"Married? Her?"
"Yes."
Sarael said. The single word came out clipped, and carrying just enough weight to make Kevin’s smirk falter for half a second.
He recovered quickly.
"Well, my apologies. Didn’t see a ring."
"It’s complicated."
"Isn’t everything?"
He leaned against a nearby rack of dresses, clearly settling in for a conversation neither woman wanted. His gaze lingered on Sarael a moment too long, taking in the bite mark on her neck.
"You’re not a hunter, are you?"
He asked Sarael.
"I’d remember someone like you."
"Remember?"
"Hard not to with a figure like that. What brings you to this part of the city? Shopping trip?"
"...Something like that."
Sarael’s tone was getting lower. And Anastasia noticed the shadows near her feet beginning to stir, subtle enough that no one else would catch it, but definitely moving.
She’d seen what those shadows could do. She’d spent two hours failing to land a single hit on them.
"Kevin, don’t you have somewhere to be?"
"Not really, it’s my day off." He grinned. "Figured I’d swing by the mall, see if anything interesting was happening. Looks like I was right."
"We were just leaving."
Anastasia grabbed Sarael’s wrist and started pulling her toward the exit. But Kevin stepped sideways, blocking their path with the casual ease of someone who was used to getting in people’s way.
"Come on, don’t be like that. I haven’t seen you in years, Anna. Catch me up. How’s your dad? Still retired? Still refusing to take Association calls?"
"My father’s business is his own."
"And your business? Last I heard, you were still trying to break into A-Rank. How’s that going?"
Anastasia’s jaw tightened. She’d been stuck at the ceiling of C-Rank for two years now. It was the whole reason her father had finally swallowed his pride and hired outside help.
"It’s going fine."
"Fine? That’s it?"
Kevin tilted his head, golden eyes gleaming with something that wasn’t quite malice but was nowhere near friendly.
"You know, if you ever want real training, the Association has programs. Even if your dad retired, they still have a spot for you."
"I’m not interested, Kevin."
Anastasia tried to slip past him, but he braced an arm out, blocking their way.
"Where do you think you’re going? Don’t forget you still owe me—"
"Enough."
Another voice cut through his, sharp and clean. Sarael’s face lit up the instant she heard it.
"Ro—I mean husband!"
She corrected herself, remembering that she shouldn’t use his name lightly in public.
"Husband, who...?"
Kevin turned to see who had spoken.
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