Chapter 18 Get In Loser, We're Going Shopping
1271words
My eyes slowly fluttered open from the most peaceful sleep I had ever experienced. As I stretched, I felt warm, and my heart felt full. I considered going back to sleep. As I became more conscious, the realization came that I was not in my bedroom. The details of the stressful night before started to come together like a puzzle. My eyes scanned the room, and the scent of sandalwood and peppermint filled the air. I felt my wolf's excitement at the scent, and it instantly made me wet.
As if getting locked up in the Midnight Pack's cages weren't bad enough for hooking up with Alpha Jaxon, I carelessly did it a second time. What was wrong with me? Fuck, I just needed to get out of here and go home.
As I got up, my bare feet touched the luxurious shaggy carpet. Then I noticed a red cardboard box filled with the most beautiful moonflowers I had ever seen. Moonflowers had been my favorite since I was a kid. They were magical—how they would light up under the moon. I walked closer to the box at the other side of my bed and stopped in my tracks. There must have been at least 30 moonflowers inside. I spotted a white note tucked within the flowers and pulled it out.
"Adeline,
You looked too beautiful to wake. I'd love to have dinner with you tonight, if you'd let me.
PS. Happy Birthday
Yours,
Jaxon"
I felt warmth rise as I read the note, and my heartbeat quickened. Alpha Jaxon may have been less cruel than I expected, maybe even a little pleasant, but being around him would only bring me more trouble.
I needed a cold shower as I relived the details from last night, shocked that I even had the courage to kiss him to begin with. I blamed my wild actions on the wine from the night before; that must have been it, I reassured myself. The cold water felt nice against my skin, as if I was washing away my sins.
As I turned off the water, pounding came at the door. Was the Alpha back already? I quickly wrapped a towel around my body and went to the door.
When I opened the tall wooden door, a familiar face greeted me with a huge smile. "Jeez, Adeline—what a hello!" she laughed out loud, looking me up and down.
"Sophia! I wasn't expecting you—actually, I wasn't expecting anyone. Come in before someone sees me like this," I giggled as I closed the door behind us.
"Care to explain why my brother has the biggest smile I've ever seen plastered on his face, and why your room smells just like him?" She cocked an eyebrow and chuckled.
My wolf was delighted to know Alpha Jaxon was happy and it was probably because of me. "You're certainly a straight shooter—no time for pleasantries, huh? Well, I can confirm that I successfully abstained from sleeping with your brother. I'm still trying to piece together how he even ended up here. I woke up beside that box..." I pointed over to the bed. The red cardboard box was huge. I wasn't sure how I didn't knock it off the bed in my sleep.
Her footsteps paused as she walked over and picked up a moonflower, smiling. "You know, moonflowers were always my mom's favorite. She used to tell Jax and me stories about how they guided mates to each other with the help of the moon."
She stopped for a moment and looked up at me with the twinkling mischief she usually had in her eyes. "If my brother sent these, he must really care about you... but how do you feel about him?"
How did I feel about him? I wasn't exactly sure. He did things to me and my wolf I couldn't explain. I missed him now that he wasn't here, but I also resented him. I really needed to get out of here before this became even messier.
"I-I'm not exactly sure," I answered, lowering my gaze to the white shaggy carpet beneath my feet. "He's a complicated guy, Sophia, and he comes with some baggage—a red-haired bitch." Shocked those words escaped my lips, I added, "He's about to become my Alpha, and he's mated. It was sweet of him to keep me at the pack house for the night, but I really think it's time for me to go home. It's my birthday, and I haven't even seen my family yet."
I felt her excitement rise and crash just as quickly. "No chance. We both still need a dress for the coronation. So hurry up and get dressed. We're going to need all day for what I have planned!"
I felt like Sophia had something up her sleeve, but I couldn't figure out this master plan of hers. "You mean that YOU need a dress, but since I'm such a great friend who may have a little bit of a shopping problem, I'm willing to tag along," I teased, sticking my tongue out at her playfully.
"Except that I literally have nothing to wear. My dress from last night is more of a, let's say, napkin now," I said sarcastically. "I also should really call my parents if I'm not going straight home."
She tossed her hair over her shoulder and said, "Done and done!" She handed me a phone wrapped in a beautiful black and gold case and scurried out of the room. She was a woman on a mission.
I carefully dialed my mom's number and held the phone to my ear, not sure what exactly I would say about my whereabouts.
"Hello?" a delicate voice answered.
"Hi, Mom! It's me. I just wanted to tell you I'll be out most of the day. I'm going shopping with a friend. I'll see you tonight, though," I tried to sound calm.
"ADELINE! Where have you been? The wolves in Silver Shadow said they saw you escorted out by guards last night. Your father and I have been worried sick," distress laced her voice. I felt guilty for putting my family through this.
I switched to my bravest face and replied, "Mom, I'm fine. I'll explain everything when I'm home. I just wanted to tell you I'm safe and should be home in a few hours. Any news on the ranking announcement?" I subtly tried to change the subject.
I heard a sigh on the other end. "Not yet, sweetheart. But whatever happens—we'll face it together as a family. We're Taylors!" My mom's positivity always comforted me. She was one of the most remarkable women I knew.
I heard the doorknob turn, knowing Sophia would be pushing through any moment. "Alright, Mom, I really gotta go. The mall waits for no wolf! I love you," and I quickly ended the call.
Sophia strolled in, holding up a beautiful black sweater crop top, jeans, and a pair of black Converse. "We're locked and loaded, Addy. Go get dressed—I don't have all day to wait!" she teased.
"Converse? Okay, Sophia, who's your source? Are you my mate? There's no way that's an accident—you brought my favorite shoes," I laughed.
Her laugh met mine as she shook her head. "Definitely not your mate, you perv. Hmm, let's say more like your soul sister."
I walked back into the bathroom and got dressed into the clothes Sophia had brought me. I thought about how I was really starting to bond with her. I felt sad I would be leaving in a few hours and probably wouldn't speak to her again.
