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**Chapter 3: A New Maddy**
"OMG, I'm so excited!" Audrey squealed for what felt like the millionth time.
"I can't believe you're going to Crystal Peak Pack—the most powerful pack ever, filled with amazing wolves and a ton of hot guys," she said, her voice dreamy.
"Why are you so excited? I'm starting to think *you* got the invite," I teased, raising an eyebrow.
"Why *wouldn't* I be excited? Who wouldn't want to go there? It's everyone's dream!" she exclaimed.
I rolled my eyes. *Why does everyone keep saying that?* I thought. Crystal Peak didn't seem *that* great to me.
Today had been exhausting. Shopping with my mom was a nightmare—I could barely feel my legs, my arms ached, and my head throbbed. "Are you even listening?" I asked, noticing Audrey was still rambling. Guess we're both guilty of being terrible listeners.
"Sorry, what were you saying?" she asked, finally looking at me.
"Nothing, just talking to myself as usual," I huffed.
"Okay, I'm listening now," she promised, leaning forward. "So, what are you gonna wear?"
I groaned. "If you'd been listening, you'd know about my trip to hell with Mom this afternoon. It was awful. She kept picking out clothes like she robbed a bank or something. And get this—she wants me to throw out my *old* clothes. My beautiful, precious clothes!"
Audrey smirked. "Well, we're starting a new session, and school starts Monday. It's our last year of high school. Dressing better could be life-changing. Who knows, you might finally get a boyfriend." She winked, trying to calm me down.
"Don't remind me about school," I grumbled, tossing a pillow at her. "You know how much I hate it. The only things that'll make my life better are shifting into a full wolf by February and graduating."
"Hold up," Audrey said, raising her hands in defense. "Don't forget your New Year's goals. Remember what was at the top of the list?"
I groaned, rolling onto my bed. "Yeah, telling Damon how I feel." Damon's my other best friend, and we've been inseparable since kindergarten. I've had a massive crush on him since junior high, but I'm terrified of ruining our friendship. What if he doesn't feel the same?
"Come on, don't beat yourself up," Audrey said, her voice softening. "It'll be okay. He might even be your mate."
The thought of Damon as my mate lifted my spirits. I smiled, watching Audrey apply mascara. It suited her perfectly, but then again, everything did. With her long brown hair, sapphire eyes, olive skin, and model-like figure, Audrey was gorgeous.
"You look beautiful," I told her.
"Aww, thanks! So do you," she replied. "But you need to work on yourself. Like, *really* work on yourself. Lose a little weight, start dressing better. That's the only way Damon will stop seeing you as his 'bro' and start seeing you as a girl."
"Yeah, you're right," I said quietly.
"I'm always right," she teased, grinning.
"So, what are you wearing for school on Monday?" she asked, diving back into her favorite topic.
"Seriously? We still have tomorrow. Let me recover!" I whined, trying to dodge the question.
"No way. I want the whole school to notice you the moment you step in," she declared.
"For good reasons, I hope," I muttered, staring at the ceiling.
"Of course! Don't you trust me?" she asked, smirking.
"Nope," I joked.
"Haha, laugh all you want. You know you can't live without me," she shot back.
She picked up a silk dress from the pile of clothes Mom had bought. "I love this. Try it on."
"No way," I said, sitting up.
"Why? It's beautiful," Audrey insisted, holding it up.
"It looks so uncomfortable," I complained.
"Just try it, Maddy. It's a dress, not torture," she said, rolling her eyes. "Don't be such a drama queen."
"Easy for you to say. My body's not used to this kind of torment," I muttered.
"Put the dress on," she ordered, thrusting it toward me.
"Bossy Audrey activated," I teased, heading to the bathroom. I hate changing in front of anyone, even her.
"You done yet?" she called after a few minutes.
"No! This dress is so tight," I groaned, wrestling with the fabric. *Maybe I really should start working out,* I thought, adding "lose weight" to my mental list of goals.
Finally, I emerged, feeling like I'd survived a battle. "Done," I panted.
"Damn, babe, you're on fire!" Audrey gasped. "You look amazing."
"Really?" I asked, skeptical.
"Yes! Look in the mirror," she urged.
"Wait!" she shrieked before I could move. I braced for the worst, expecting her to laugh.
"I want to put some makeup on you first. Sit," she ordered.
"Why do I need makeup?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
"I want to see if my makeup classes paid off," she said, avoiding my gaze.
Before I could protest, she was dusting powder on my face. "Are you done yet? My butt's going numb," I whined after what felt like forever.
"Relax, it's only been thirty minutes. Don't be such a crybaby," she said.
"Do you even know what you're doing?" I asked.
"Of course. Don't doubt me," she replied confidently.
"Can I at least look in the mirror?" I pleaded.
"No, you'll ruin the surprise," she insisted.
"It's no surprise I'll look like a clown," I muttered.
Audrey stopped and glared at me. "Maddy, shut up. How do you expect anyone to treat you right when you don't even treat yourself right? You don't believe you're worth it. Have a little self-confidence, okay?"
Her words hit hard. "You're the best," I said, my eyes stinging.
"Don't ruin my makeup with your tears," she warned, smiling.
Audrey's more than a friend—she's like a twin, closer to me than my actual sister, Catherina. I don't know what I'd do without her.
"Okay, I'm done," she said, stepping back. "Now look in the mirror."
I turned, half-expecting a disaster. But the girl staring back was… different. *Damn, I'm a woman,* I thought. Audrey had curled my sandy blonde hair, and her makeup skills made my blue eyes pop. The look was subtle but stunning, like I'd been touched by a celebrity makeup artist.
"Wow," I whispered.
"Amazing, right?" Audrey said, tearing up.
"Now you're making *me* cry," I said, shushing her.
"Don't shush me," she whined, laughing. "Look at you, acting all grown up, worried about your makeup."
I blushed. She was right—I *did* feel grown up. And I was ready to start acting like it.
"Now, what do *I* wear?" Audrey mused, turning to the clothes pile.
"Why are *you* getting dressed up? Where are you going?" I asked, suspicious.
"Where are *we* going," she corrected, emphasizing "we." "We're going out, and before you beg, cry, or make excuses, you're not getting out of this. It's a new year, which means a new Maddy."
I rolled my eyes. "You've been saying that for two weeks. Don't you get tired?"
"You're one to talk," she shot back. "I'll keep saying it until you listen."
She picked up a dress. "What do you think of this one?"
"Nah, go with the blue one. It's annoying, just like you," I teased.
"Well, thank you," she said, grinning. Then she held up a pair of heels that looked like torture devices. "Now wear these."
"What are *those*?" I glared at her.
"Just wear them. They're only three—or maybe four—inches," she said, glancing at them uncertainly.
"*Just* three inches?" I nearly screamed.
"Ladies, what's with the screaming?" Mom asked, appearing at my door.
"Oh my gosh," she gasped, staring at me.
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