```ruby
# frozen_string_literal: true

module Spree
  def self.solidus_version
    "2.9.0.alpha"
  end

  def self.solidus_gem_version
    Gem::Version.new(solidus_version)
  end
end
```

Add VERSION constant to please gem-release
user
```ruby
# frozen_string_literal: true

module Spree
  VERSION = "2.9.0.alpha"

  def self.solidus_version
    VERSION
  end

  def self.solidus_gem_version
    Gem::Version.new(solidus_version)
  end
end
```
assistant