by Drea Shane
A blush colored my cheeks at her flattery. Guys were guys. They didn’t care about that kind of thing. “I couldn’t look good without your help. As the only female around, it’s hard to dress my age.”
At first, I worried about how stupid that sounded, but her reply eased my mind.
“Oh, yes, poor thing! Your daddy told me about the situation.”
“It’s definitely given me a bit of a handicap when it comes to anything guys aren’t knowledgeable about.”
Her smile grew again, becoming contagious. There was no stopping the one my own face displayed.
“Don’t worry your pretty little head, sweetie. I’m here for anything you need. I mean it. Anything.”
Her endearments and twang warmed me for the first time since my mom was taken. This was what I missed growing up.
“Listen, sweetie. Give me ten minutes, and we can go over whatever you want. I’ll see you soon!”
The connection blinked off swiftly. Huh. I didn’t know what to expect, but that wasn’t it. Ten minutes? What would happen in ten minutes?
Scrubbing a hand over my face, I mentally regrouped. How had Dad found Lila? She knew about shifters, so was she supernatural too?
He’d always been so insanely overprotective. Why let someone in on our secret now? If she knew, couldn’t he have allowed us to talk sooner? Without Mom, having Lila would’ve been nice.
I wasn’t sure if I should be angry or grateful at this point. After a few minutes of debate, my wolf made sure to assert her opinion—grateful. There were too many other issues at hand to worry about such trivial emotions.
A soft knocking on my door startled me, and I hesitantly moved to answer it. Hopefully, Joe wasn’t on the other side. Our last encounter was embarrassing, and I was too raw to deal with that cluster fuck. We could hash it out tomorrow after my mind sorted through some things.
When I unlocked and opened the door, my eyes widened, sending both eyebrows to my hairline. Great Goddess, it was Lila. Here. In our house. On pack territory.
“Pick your jaw up, sweetie. I’m not a figment of your imagination. Now, come here and give me some sugar. I need a hug.”
Too dazed to form words, I just nodded and did exactly as asked. The moment her arms wrapped around me, everything changed. She was someone important. I had a connection with her.
“It’s such a blessing to finally meet you. We’re going to be the best of friends. Think of me as a long, lost sister. I can’t wait to talk about girl stuff and hot guys.”
Her words unlocked something deep inside. I’d felt them sink into me as if each word hammered in the truths she told.
Once our hug ended, I stepped aside to let her in. I shouldn’t have been surprised when she grabbed a ton of bags and suitcases from the hall. They crowded the entryway in a jumble.
Goddess, was she moving in? Confused didn’t begin to describe this surprising chain of events. Dad had some serious explaining to do. He’d left me so far in the dark, sunshine didn’t exist. Time to see the damn light.
She was slightly taller than me by only an inch or so and had a willowy figure that screamed regal. Somehow, it didn’t quite match her personality; as if she wore a façade. The cutest floral sundress clung to her and stopped just above the knee.
It was glaringly obvious Lila wasn’t human. The subtle glow she radiated was ethereal, otherworldly. I didn’t even know there were other supernatural beings. It made complete sense, but something that never crossed my mind.
I read so many books about shifters and laughed at how wrong they were most of the time. We weren’t immortal, although our lifespans were double that of humans. Silver wouldn’t kill us. The metal was just that—a metal. If beheaded, sure, game over. Tear our jugular out, same.
Now I questioned everything I read about other species. Were vampires real? Zombies? Goddess, I hoped not. If I ever met a vampire that sparkled, my first question would be, ‘Do you shit rainbows as well?’
Did wizards follow the yellow brick road? Ha! I bet witches rode around on their broomsticks!
Ignoring my mental confusion, Lila plopped down on the end of my bed and sighed. I thought about sitting in the desk chair but opted to join her.
I sat, legs crossed over, and my back toward the pillows. Some of the tension I’d been carrying melted away. Lila was a balm to my anxiousness. It felt awesome. Even my wolf was content.
“I’m not a great conversationalist. Beware . . . Just beware. I rely on sarcasm because murder is illegal and it’s the only defense against stupidity. Raised around a pack of males equates to caveman speak. I usually get a lot of grunts or lectures.”
Lila grinned mischievously. “Sarcasm, huh? Do you normally cause a ruckus? I hope so. Those domineering shifters need someone to keep them on their toes.”
Her reply was so unexpected, I broke into a fit of giggles. “Hit the nail on the head. Kind of like the nails sealing that window now.”
I gestured to the latest ‘improvement’ Dad and Joe made. Their actions should’ve still pissed me off. Without the anger and tension warring inside, it was easy to talk about.
She observed the handy work for a minute and then joined me in my hilarity. We laughed our asses off. Tears filled the corners of my eyes, and my stomach muscles worked double time.
Everything about the moment was perfect. This was what I’d needed. For once, I felt nothing but gratefulness toward Dad. I loved Lila already.
“You’re a hoot, girl! I’m glad I have the chance to be here and get to know just how awesome you are!”
That reminded me. “What’s with all the stuff? Where is Dad putting you up for Assembly?”
She made a gesture of pressing the palm of her hand against her forehead. “I’m such a space cadet! Since accommodations are so tight, the Alpha considered me trustworthy enough to stay with you! Sleepover time, sweetie!”
“Awesome. This is a day of firsts. I’ve never had a sleepover, just read about them in books. Just promise me there won’t be any pretend kissing. Joe’s given me enough practice.”
Lila’s grin was wicked. “Set those worries aside, sweetie. You’re in for a treat. We’ve got things to do. Let me just change and use the little ladies’ room.”
“It’s just outside mine. There’s a sign on the door Mom put up many years ago and we’ve never taken it down. Can’t miss it.”
She grabbed a small duffle out of the mess of luggage and slipped out.
Once Lila was gone, I took stock of my own clothing and decided not to change. It was comfortable, and even though I wasn’t sure of sleepover protocol, I doubted she’d like to see me in my underwear. She’d yet to express her sexual preferences, so I could be very wrong. Best to save energy and leave the clothes alone.
I didn’t know why Dad brought Lila here, but I owed him a debt of gratitude. I’d spent too much time acting like a child about feeling so oppressed. My Alpha and the pack were only protecting my role as a future Luna. Their sacrifices made my heart ache. Dad always had the best intentions for me.
I looked around, trying to decide where to put all of Lila’s things. She was obviously going to sleep in the bed with me, but that wasn’t an issue.
This house, being as old as it was, didn’t have the amount of space necessary to live in luxury. Don’t get me wrong, the pack made sure everything was kept-up and clean. The necessary updates were always made, but there weren’t ever any large-scale changes done.
I hadn’t been too worried about it, since I was going to be out of here in a few weeks, anyway. There was, however, this pesky problem of my attraction to Joe. I didn’t really want to stay, but had to admit to myself there was something between us. He was a potential. Both of us knew it—clear as black and white.
My door opened and Lila stepped inside, shutting it, and twisting the lock.
When she turned toward me, I wanted to laugh again. Her shirt said, ‘Got Glitter?’ and had sparkly glitter in all different shades of pink covering the material.
&n
bsp; She paired the quirky shirt with a pair of hot pink leggings. I did let a chuckle escape when I saw the huge scrunched socks she wore. Lila looked like she just stepped out of the 1980’s.
I resisted the urge to comment about her missing friends— ‘Jem and the Holograms.’
Wow. That decade was never my style but was now mainstream. Hopefully, none of the clothes she picked for me would be that trend. I refused to trip down that rabbit hole.
“Bless your heart, that sign on the door your mama put up is adorable. And I feel much better now that I’m comfortable. On to better things. I’m all yours, so let’s get started.”
Her left hand fisted at her hip, showing her exuberant personality. I was instantly smiling, ready for girl talk.
“Thanks. There are tons of questions. I also need something fantastic for tomorrow. It needs to scream sexy, yet sophisticated. Something that my dad would approve of but make the guys drool.”
“Formal wear! Let’s find you that perfect dress. Don’t worry, those boys will be fighting over you when we’re finished. There are plenty of styles that will not offend your daddy but ‘bring all the boys to the yard’.”
She giggled at her saying. I was surprised she used it. It’s popular slang, originating from some pop song.
“Perfect, I can’t wait to find ‘the dress’.”
“Let’s discuss the details. I’ll pull up some ideas on my tablet to show you. We’ll go from there until we’ve found exactly what you want. How about deciding color first? What’s your favorite?”
“Blue,” I replied.
“Hmm. Blue would work if we kept it in a navy or darker blue. It’ll contrast that creamy skin and golden hair of yours. What do you think, sweetie?”
“Yeah, let’s try that.”
“Very good. Give me just a few minutes to grab my tablet and find some styles.”
Before I could move, she’d already pulled a tablet from somewhere in her pile of stuff. She sat closer to me on the bed and lowered her head, focusing as she typed on the screen. My mind wandered while she looked.
I tried to picture what my ideal dress would look like. There were so many choices, but I had no clue what was stylish and not horrendous when it came to an event like this. It wasn’t every day a girl went mate hunting.
My thoughts returned to Joe once again. I was less conflicted about him being a potential. He was undeniably striking in many ways. That domineering attitude once drove me mad. It didn’t bother me the same as before. His tall, dark, and sexy appearance made my wolf howl in excitement. Even the dark stubble looked good on him.
My wolf and I teetered between wanting him and trying to resolve our past. The mixed signals must be giving him whiplash. Gah, I sucked.
Lila popped back up, holding the screen, and grinning like crazy. That took less time than expected. When I focused on her, she began.
“Before I show you options, let me explain a few things. Because you need this right away, we’re limited in choice. Just keep that in mind when I show you what I’ve found. There were three dresses available that I’d recommend. I’ve put them in a comparison tool so you can see them all at once. Here goes.”
This was the moment of truth. I reminded myself to mind my tongue. A good heart ticked inside, but my mouth spewed verbal vomit before my brain agreed. Sort of like running—with scissors. Down the stairs.
She flipped the screen of her tablet facing me. Lila had taste. All three dresses were beautiful.
The first choice was a sleek, satin, navy blue dress. It had a straight neckline that went all the way to the collarbone. Next to the slim picture was another that showed the back.
My mouth dropped open. There was no back. It draped down, and the fabric didn’t appear until just above the tailbone. If my back arched, everyone would have a view of my ass. I wasn’t looking for perverts.
It was sexy, a smidgen too exposed, though. I couldn’t wear a bra with it, so I wasn’t sure what to do about that. I’d no doubt Lila had a solution in mind.
Next, I studied the second choice and liked it at once. The straps were thicker on the shoulders. Velvet material dipped down the valley between my breasts. The empire waist was banded with sequins and lace the same color as the dress.
From there, it flowed loosely to the knees. The color wasn’t blue, but the plum tone combined with the elegant dress was somehow perfection. Best part? I could wear my necklace and it would be the perfect addition.
I knew without a doubt it was the one for me but looked at possibility three. It was lovely, but not the second one. The top was strapless, beaded in a band across the top.
The rest of the gown had no clear shape. It was made of a thin, rayon material, giving it a delicate look. The dress didn’t cling to the skin, so it was more of a tease.
The bottom material was cut in all different lengths so it lay straight, not puffy in any way. This dress reminded me of something I’d find in a magazine, trendy. It screamed, ‘fuckers be hatin’ on me ‘cuz I’m beautiful.’ Yeah, I went there. Pompous people didn’t equal smart people.
No matter, I wanted dress two. Winner, winner, chicken dinner. One-hundred percent fucking perfect.
There was no need to debate, so I let her know. “I’ve picked one. You did a great job finding some beautiful options. I like the second choice.”
The tablet left my line of sight, and her grinning face returned to the screen.
“I just knew that was the one for you, sweetie. The other dresses are very complimentary, regarding your coloring and shape. However, from our brief conversation, and then your daddy’s explanation of what you normally wore, it was a calculated guess.”
The sparkle in her eyes and the cheerful demeanor showed my choice pleased her. It wasn’t hard to return a smile of my own. This was a lot more fun than I expected. Bonus? No need to insult her picks aloud. If one of them worked, I was happy.
After a few minutes of typing, Lila looked up grinning like a loon.
“All done. I ordered it for pickup tomorrow with the credit card your daddy gave me. Should be here in the morning as soon as one of the pack picks it up. The store opens at nine so we’ll have a lot to do before the showing.”
I clapped my hands and bounced up and down. She probably thought I was an idiot but I was too excited to care. My smile was huge.
It took a while, but we finished planning tomorrow’s ensemble. She also helped settle on some clothes for another few days. I was ready to start reading but needed the answers to a couple of questions first.
“So . . . I need some advice and insight.”
She nodded in encouragement. “Alrighty, then. Go on.”
“So . . . this is about guys, specifically romantically. I’m starting to develop strong, umm, feelings for someone I never thought twice about before now,” I hedged. “I’d never dated or kissed a guy until him. I’ve no clue what to do from here. Hormones have given my body the go ahead to re-enact scenes from steamy romances I’ve read. Without my mom, this just isn’t stuff I want to talk about with Dad.”
“Oh! Tell me all about this sexy man. I need details. This is the kind of thing I live for. No, your daddy wouldn’t be the one to talk about this with. You mean a lot to him, and he’s very protective of you.”
I snorted; loudly. I didn’t mean it to come out, but it slipped. Oops. That’s an embarrassing reaction.
I hesitated only a moment before speaking the truth that worried me most about Joe. “He’s slated to take over for him as Alpha of this pack. I don’t want to be stuck here, on Redling territory, for my entire life.”
Lila was grinning like a fool again. Her eyes sparkled with . . . something. She knew more than I did. It should have frustrated me, but I was enjoying our time together too much to call bullshit.
“Don’t let that stop you. Things have a way of working out exactly the way they’re supposed to. The Goddess has a plan for all of us. Have faith in her judgment.”
Lila spoke reverently
of the Goddess, and I wondered why, since she wasn’t a shifter. Few worshipped Selene. She was the embodiment of the moon. Lila was a puzzle that needed solving. I’d figure her out soon.
“Anyways, let’s move on, sweetie. First things first. Do you read sweat romance books or the spicier type?”
As for reading, I preferred horror or mystery books, but I’d read a good share of romances. I never thought those portrayed anything in real life. Books were an escape, a fantasy. Like the type I’d been imagining with Joe. Acting out those scenes in real life wouldn’t be appropriate.
“Both, but I just assumed they weren’t very realistic. Without any direction, it was difficult separating fact from fiction. I understand the mechanics, but these feelings I’m experiencing are new, and I’ve no clue how to handle them.”
“Some romances are unrealistic, you’re correct. Attraction differs from person to person, but some of the feelings are universal. When you’re attracted to someone, there’s a pull to them, physically and mentally. You can’t stop watching them, being close, or feeling butterflies.”
She paused but I didn’t interrupt her. This was valuable information.
“With lust, that’s a little more delicate. It’s the body’s response to attraction and your proximity to each other. Lust makes you want to be as close as possible on a romantic level. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
I swallowed hard. This was where I really needed a girl’s point of view. The mechanics of everything wasn’t the problem. It was this—the overwhelming feelings and emotions I’d been dealing with.
“The way he makes me feel is crazy. It’s a desire to be skin to skin, no hindrance. I wanted him to do very indecent things to me.”
“Sweetie, you definitely need a crash course in romance 101. If you have strong lusty feelings for the shifter when near each other, he’s a potential. Shifters differ than a typical boy-meets-girl romance.”
“My biggest issue with the lack of experience, is how far is too far? When? I understand the relationship progression differs. For example, erotica books vary so much. I’m embarrassed about this, but what if something I read excited me and it’s not normal in real relationships?”
