CHAPTER 50: IS EVERYTHING OKAY?

Rhea stepped out of the changing room, the curtain sweeping aside like she was making a grand stage entrance. She wore a soft cream-colored blouse tucked into high-waisted black jeans that hugged her curves just right, her hair falling loosely over her shoulders. She gave a playful twirl, the fabric catching the light, then bent one knee and tipped her head to the side like a smug princess presenting herself to her court.

Tavian and Jason were sprawled on a nearby couch surrounded by shopping bags.They clapped dramatically, grinning like she had just walked a runway.

"So?" Rhea asked, one hand on her hip. "How’s this one? Good, right?"

Both omegas lifted their thumbs in unison, that universal it’s-perfect gesture, nodding like they were under a spell.

Her eyes flicked toward Ellie, who stood leaning against a mirror near the entrance, arms crossed, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. He mirrored the same thumbs-up. "Looks good on you," he said simply.

Rhea frowned, skeptical. "You’ve said that about every outfit I’ve tried on. Now I don’t even know if you’re all lying to get me out of here."

Jason straightened quickly. "We’re not lying! It’s just... everything looks good on you."

"Exactly," Tavian added. "You could wear a sack and still make it look fashionable." Jason nodded in firm agreement.

Rhea’s lips curved into a teasing grin. "Now that you put it that way, it makes sense. I guess everything about me is perfect, huh?"

Jason’s face went red; Tavian laughed awkwardly. Ellie just sighed and muttered under his breath, "Great, she’s found a mirror that talks back."

"Alright," Rhea declared, stretching her arms. "Since everything apparently looks amazing on me, there’s no point trying more. Just pack them all up."

"I second that," Ellie said immediately, already signaling for the store attendant. It was clear he’d been waiting for those words all along.

The attendant hurried over to gather the chosen clothes, while Ellie turned to the two omegas. "You two want anything?"

Both froze, wide-eyed. "We... can? Jason asked hesitantly.

Ellie shrugged. "You’re already here. Might as well get something for yourselves."

Excitement lit their faces instantly. Jason darted toward a display and held up a short white crop top with a silver moon emblem stitched across the front. It glittered faintly under the lights.

"You’ve been eyeing that since we walked in," Ellie teased, one eyebrow raised.

Jason flushed crimson. "I...I just thought it looked nice," he stammered, clutching the fabric like it was evidence of a crime.

Rhea glanced between the two of them, a small knowing smile tugging at her lips. Is it just my imagination, she thought, or does Jason have a tiny crush on our dear Beta?

Outside the mall, the afternoon sun cast sharp reflections off the glass walls, glinting against the piles of shopping bags in everyone’s hands. Even Ellie wasn’t spared; despite not buying a single thing for himself, he was juggling half of Rhea’s load.

Perfect, he thought sourly. From Beta to pack mule in one afternoon.

He let out a quiet grunt as he fumbled with the car keys, finally managing to pop open the trunk. The lid resisted, creaking slightly before rising halfway. "Hold it up," he muttered, propping it with one hand and glaring at the heap of glossy bags threatening to slide.

Rhea, Tavian, and Jason obediently stepped forward to drop their share into the trunk. Rhea tossed hers in last, wiping her hands with a satisfied grin before striding to the front passenger seat like she owned the car. Jason and Tavian exchanged a look and slipped into the back, their giggles barely suppressed.

Ellie exhaled heavily, finally letting the trunk close with a thud. He circled around the car, already imagining the relief of sitting down, then paused mid-step. His head tilted slightly, nostrils flaring.

Rhea frowned, watching him through the half-open window. "Ellie?" she called.

He didn’t respond at first. His eyes swept the parking lot, scanning the rows of cars and the steady stream of people. The faint buzz of the city faded into the background as he focused on something unseen, his brow knitting deeper.

Tavian and Jason noticed, stiffening in the back seat. They followed his gaze, but saw nothing unusual, just shoppers, the faint hum of traffic, and a couple arguing over a receipt.

Ellie lingered, sniffing again, his expression sharpening for a moment before it softened into a frown.

"Is everything okay?" Rhea asked, leaning slightly out of her seat.

He hesitated, eyes still locked in that same direction. Then, with a faint shake of his head, he muttered, "I guess it’s nothing."

He slid into the driver’s seat and closed the door firmly.

Rhea studied him, her brow creased. "You sure you’re alright?"

"Yeah," he said, forcing a small smile. "Nothing you need to worry about."

Rhea leaned back, still watching him from the corner of her eye as he started the engine. The soft purr filled the silence, and the car eased out of the lot.

But as they merged onto the road, Ellie’s gaze kept flicking toward the side mirror. His eyes lingered there longer than necessary.

Rhea noticed, her fingers drumming lightly against her thigh. What exactly is he looking for? she wondered, unease prickling at her chest.

From the back seat, Tavian and Jason exchanged quick, uncertain glances. The lively energy that had filled the car minutes ago had shifted, gone quiet, tense. They didn’t understand how the atmosphere had changed so suddenly, but they could feel it.

Both found themselves sneaking glances out the rear window, trying to spot whatever might have caught the Beta’s attention. When they saw nothing, their eyes flicked back to Ellie, curiosity and worry mixing in their expressions. Whatever he had smelled back at the mall clearly wasn’t sitting right with him, and that thought made neither of them comfortable.

Rhea’s voice came again, soft but edged with concern. "Ellie, are you sure everything’s okay?"

"Yeah... everything’s fine," he replied quickly. His tone was flat, distracted.

Rhea studied him, watching how his grip tightened slightly on the steering wheel, eyes still flicking to the mirrors every few seconds. Why do I find that hard to believe? she thought, leaning back in her seat, her gaze lingering on the tense line of his jaw.