Chapter 18

The boutique was very high end and I immediately felt out of place. A gorgeous, tall blonde in heels gave us a greeting in a sing song voice before turning around and laying eyes on us. “Welcome to Thorntons’ how can I help youuuuu.” Dragging out the word you as it went from a cheerful greeting to that of disgust halfway through.

Beta Lucas charged right in like a bull, knocking her shoulder with his. “Candy, good to see you. Working at the boutique, moving up in the world.” The sarcasm in his voice so thick you could taste it.

“Candice!” She corrected with a snarl. “I’ve always had an eye for fashion. Unlike some.” She ran her eyes up and down each one of us. “So, it’s only natural I would become a styling consultant at the nicest place in town. Which begs the question, why are you here?”

Willow stepped up, chest forward and proud. “Alpha Colton has chosen a second mate and wishes to spoil his beauty with the finest goods you have to offer.” Willow boosted.

“They are so weird.” I told Laila.

“I think they are fucking with her.” She said.

Sure enough, Beta Lucas chimed in with a fake snobby accent. “Your finest wears for malady.”

It took everything in me not to bust out laughing. They were being completely ridiculous.

Candice gave me a nasty look, once again eyeing me from top to bottom. “Your shoes have holes in them. I doubt Alpha Colton cares to spend his money on the likes of you.”

Beta Lucas quickly pulled out his cell phone. Hitting a number on speed dial and putting it on speaker. It only rang once before Alpha Colton picked up.

“Yes?” He asked. His tone back to ice cold.

“Some gal at Thorntons named Candy being a bitch.” Beta Lucas said bluntly.

Willow snorted holding back a laugh.

“What seems to be the problem, Candy.” Alpha Colton asked.

“It’s Candice.” She replied in a snotty tone. No sooner did the words leave her mouth then she whimpered and twisted in pain.

“Candy!” Alpha Colton raised his voice. “What is the problem here. I know you’re not disrespecting my Beta and by association me.”

“No Alpha.” She said quickly, squirming.

“Good to hear.” Alpha Colton said before hanging up.

Candy took in a big breath like the pain was gone. Looking at the floor with her neck bared to Beta Lucas. “What can I help you with today?” She said quietly.

“Seems you forgot your place for minute. See that it doesn’t happen again.” Beta Lucas said pushing past her to the round circular leather couch in the corner. He patted the cushion signaling for Willow and I to join him.

“It won’t Beta.” She assured him. Looking at my feet she asked, “What would you like to look at?”

Willow looked at me and I just shrugged. “You’re the stylist, what do you have that will look amazing on her?”

Candy looked up at me through her eyebrows and a soft smile spread across her face. “We just got in a beautiful royal blue dress no one has seen yet.” She disappeared into the back.

When she reappeared holding a hanger in one hand, the dress draped over the other. A familiar scent hitting my nose before the figure behind her walked out.

Sitting between Beta Lucas and Willow, I could hear them both growling deep in their chests when he appeared.

“Well, well. Alpha Colton has chosen a new mate.” He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw me. “No! This is some kind of sick joke.”

“I’m afraid not.” Beta Lucas said plainly.

Blaine lunged towards me, but Beta Lucas stopped him with a hand around his neck. “You touch her and you’re fucking dead. I will take great pleasure in ending your days myself. No one will stop Colton or I this time.” He growled.

Before I knew what was happening both Beta Lucas and Willow had placed themselves between Blaine and I. Seeing Beta Lucas toe to toe with Blaine wasn’t surprising, as they matched each other in size and build. What was shocking was Willow standing between us, she was half their size but didn’t waver.

The silent standoff lasted for what felt like a lifetime. Time had stopped as everyone stood frozen. Laila and I had no idea what to do so we just sat there watching.

Eventually Candy broke the silence. “Luna, this way please.” She gestured towards me to follow her.

“Luna?” Laila asked me.

“Your guess is as good as mine, but I want out of this room.” I told her.

Blaine growled at the word and me as I passed him. While Beta Lucas had a big mischievous smile on his face.

Willow pushed past Blaine making sure to put her boney shoulder into him on the way by. She happily rushed to catch up with us.

Candy hung the dress up in one of the large fitting rooms before baring her neck to me and leaving.

“What was that about?” I whispered to Willow.

“What was what about?” She asked.

“What does Luna mean?” I asked her.

“Oh! The Alpha’s mate is called the Luna. Alpha Colton did a blood binding on you which means if someday you two decide to be mates you would be our Luna. We know that you’re not the Luna, but I didn’t correct her just because it pissed of Blaine.” She beamed.

Laila had been mostly quiet this whole time finally spoke up. “I want to talk to him.” She told me.

“Talk to who?” I asked.

“Blaine.”