Chapter 11 Stress Reliever

Anna May

She missed him. She misses him so much it hurts. Why was she so drawn to him? She had only known him for a few days and yet she longed for him. It was as if a part of her soul has left with him. Was it the same for him? She glared at the tub of pistachio ice cream before her. Does she want him to feel the same about her? Yes, I do. Wanted him to miss her as much as she misses him.

She stabbed her spoon in her ice cream with a bit of force and continued to eat. Last she heard from him was before she turned in for the evening. He checked if she was home, safe --if she had dinner and if she was in their bedroom.

Their bedroom. She shivered at the thought, squirming in her chair, remembering their hot kisses. Damn, it was amazing.

She never knew it was mind-numbing with the right person. A kiss was forced on her before and it was disgusting. With Alexander, it was heaven. And that was the main reason why she raided the kitchen in the middle of the night. She couldn't sleep. She wanted more of him.

"I knew you'd be here." She shrieked --almost fell out of her chair from fright.

"Jesus, Lex! You scared me. I didn't hear you come in." Her heart was hammering and her eyes followed her graceful movements. She went to the fridge to grab a box of cheesecake and a tub of ice cream.

"Yeah. Yeah. You were busy dreaming about my brother." She wiggled her eyebrows playfully, her clear gray eyes amused.

"I was not!" -Yes, I am.-

"You are. Your lips were swollen from his kisses." Alexie grinned. Teasing her. She stuffed her mouth with cheesecake to avoid replying. "I like you for my brother, Anna." She sighed. Her friend won't give up.

"This is really strange. I miss him so much. It's like I couldn't breathe without him." Admitting it finally took a chunk of the burden from her heart. There was no one else to confide in. She trusted Alexandria and she was the only person who understood.

"I know the feeling. It's what I feel too when my husband is far from me. It means your soul is connected to my brother. Do you believe in soulmates?" Anna gaped at her. Was she for real?

"I...I don't know. I didn't grow up in a great family structure. It's just me and my younger sisters. My mother died when I was thirteen. I don't know where my father is, he left us when my youngest sister was just a baby." She confessed. Alexis reached out to squeeze her hand to comfort her

"My brother has fallen for you, Anna. It's love at first sight. Believe me, when I say, he will never leave you. You are his soulmate. I know it." She shrugged her shoulders trying to look nonchalant --deep inside she wanted to believe her. Hope had blossomed. -I had fallen for her brother, too.-

"So, you were a beauty queen, huh?" She asked. Curious about the incident at the office. She knew questions will come. It was okay though. She can keep Alexie in her confidence and her past was hardly a state secret. Only buried.

"It's a long story." She shrugged.

"I am not going anywhere, Anna. Besides, I know you couldn't sleep as well. Let's do our work from home tomorrow or today." She took a deep breath and hope she will feel the same after she told her of her past.

___________

Alexie

Her lips curve, remembering Baxter's face this morning. He found them sprawled on the kitchen floor with various boxes of cakes and tubs of ice cream.

Fast asleep. She thought they almost gave him a heart attack.

Her night was fun even though her mate was away. However...

She sobered, recalling Anna's story. Her luna had been through a lot. She will ask Michael's help to track the bastard who had sexually assaulted Anna and killed her friend. The man surely used his influence to sweep the case under the rug.

Squinting her eyes at her Luna, she could see stress and tension lining her ramrod straight back and shoulders. She had been working nonstop for five hours --was trying to distract herself from speculating about her brother. That idiot has not called yet. Anna kept glancing at her phone. Well, her mate Michael has not called as well, which was unusual. They must be busy.

What she and Anna needed was to go out and unwind. And she has a perfect impromptu itinerary for today.

"Hey, Anna. Let's go out. I need to buy something from the supermarket." She tried to look innocent when she focused on her. She will never agree if she told her. She looked skeptical for a few seconds then she nodded.

"Yeah, I think I need a break. My eyes hurt." She got up gingerly and stretched her stiff muscles. "Where are we going, Lex?"

"We will visit a friend at 5th Avenue and then we buy some things." Technically, it was not a lie. Their stylist was a friend of her mom's.

"Oh, okay. Do I need to change clothes?" Damn! She looked stunning in her black jeans and a cropped top. Her brother would be drooling if he saw her like this.

"You look fine." She walked towards the front door and looked behind her, amused when Anna whistled. "What?"

"You look so sexy in your cut-off shorts, Lex. Nice cheeks. I bet Michael would drool when he sees you." She giggled. -You have no idea.- Her mate would slap her ass. She shivered in arousal at the thought. Ever since her last heat, she knew something has changed in her body. Goddess, she hoped this was it.

"We will take the Ferrari," she announced excitedly. Anna ran towards the car, riding shotgun. Their security team scrambled to follow them in black SUVs. She mind-linked the head of the group, informing them where they were going.

"Do we need that many bodyguards, Alexie?" She asked, puzzled.

"Yes. My brother and my husband will surround us with a hundred more if they could get away with it." She shook her head. Sometimes they were over the top with their protectiveness. She really can't blame them, the enemies were everywhere and could use them against the kingdom. More of insurance. And her husband and brother have a lot of adversaries. From the past and the present. Anna was the most important person in the Lycan kingdom. The dynasty will fall if they lose her.

___________

Anna May

"Why are we here, Lex?" She gaped at the sign in front of her. New York City's shopping district. All the luxurious brands she could imagine.

She remembered this place. She used to have photoshoots here when she was the reigning Ms. Universe.

"We are going to shop until we drop!" She was clapping her hands in excitement. Like a child let loose at the candy store.

She loved her friend but she was too much. Towing her from the car and dismissing her reluctance. She wanted to refuse to be moved from the safety of the car, regardless, Alexie was too strong. Physically. And she was so damn persuasive.

"Alexie, I don't have funds!" She hissed. Embarrassed. Flushing a deep red.

"Please, Anna. I will take care of it or rather my brother will. Help me celebrate. I think I'm pregnant. And you are the only person I want to celebrate it with."

Shit! She was using all the tricks in the book. Puppy eyes, pouty lips, and eyelash batting. To top it off she informed her of her pregnancy. Great! How could she refused and upset a pregnant woman? She took a deep breath. She could do this.

"Ok, Lex. But you will not be buying me unnecessary things." Her mischievous friend grinned and pulled her inside Versace --a very stylish lady was waiting for them.

"Hi, Elise!" Alexie waved. Smiling broadly.

"Mrs. Marini. It has been a long time."The lady kissed both her cheeks then she turned towards Anna and gave a curious and tentative smile. She glanced back at Alexie, expecting to be introduced.

"Yeah. Been busy in Italy with my mother. By the way, this is Anna, my brother's future wife. Anna, this is Elise, our stylist." It took her a while to recover from Alexie's introduction. However, she was shocked when Elise curtsied before her. Eyes downcast.

"Mio Regina, it's an honor." The fabulous stylist, a woman in her late 20's kissed her cheeks reverently. She doesn't know how to respond. This was insane. Was this an Italian thing?

"Lex?" She muttered. Still hesitant about this trip.

"Aw, come on. Loosen up, dear. Let's try on some of the collections." She followed her and Elise to peruse the clothes elegantly displayed and listened to Alexie rapping off her shopping list for the day.

Her phone vibrated in her pocket. She inwardly frowned glancing at the screen. Oh shit! It was from Alexander. She fumbled to answer it.

"Hi." Why was she breathless?

"Where are you now, baby girl?" She loved hearing his deep and raspy voice. It made her shiver deliciously all the time.

"I am with your sister, Xander. On 5th Avenue. Are you coming home?" She blushed. Didn't mean to sound so clingy. He was not even her boyfriend yet. Or was he? He chuckled. His voice was husky.

"How I wish, mio angelo. I miss you." God! How can he say that to her? She blushed even more.

"I miss you too, Alexander," she admitted shyly. He groaned, as if in agony. "Are you ok?"

"No. I miss you so much. I am almost done here. I'll see you on Saturday, my love. Buy anything you fancy, ok? I hate to cut this short, I just wanted to hear your voice but I have to go now." He sounded so sad.

"Take care, Xander. I will wait for you."

"You better, baby girl. Drop the call now." She didn't have a choice and she hit end call. -I'll see you soon my love.-

***

"Alexie, I swear if we enter another establishment I am going to scream." She laughed at her, draping her arm over her shoulders. She sighed heavily.

She didn't mean to be a bitch. They had spent huge amounts on this shopping spree. They have been to Versace, Prada, Gucci, Hermes, Dior, Cartier, and all the big names in fashion. The Ferrari and the SUVs were filled to the brim with boxes and shopping bags.

"This is the last one, dear. We need a lot of pairs of sexy lingerie." Great! Victoria's Secret. Notice the sarcasm? This was the last place she wanted to be. It brought back unwanted memories.

Ok, this was the last store. She had to suck it up and endure; hurriedly picking up some nice lace pieces and pairs of undergarments as well as nightwears, robes, and peignoir, she followed her two companions.

They entered an expensive portion of the store and heard Elise gasped behind her. She turned around to see what was wrong.

There, on a well-lighted wall was her full body picture in a silver laced ensemble, with white wings and her Ms. Universe crown. Shit! Shit! Shit! She didn't expect this. It had been three years.

"Goddess! My brother will have a heart attack if he sees this. You look like a fantasy angel. Stunning!" Alexie stared in awe at the picture.

The manager approached them right away, giddy with the thought of an actual model of VS was gracing the store. Attendants lined up to take pictures with her, it has become overwhelming. This was what she was trying to avoid. She doesn't want that vile man to know she had returned to New York City.

"Lex, do you think we can go now? I don't feel well." She fretted when she saw how pale she was. She pulled her from the crowd, calling their security.

"Let's get out of here. I will have our purchases delivered. Don't worry I will have that photo removed by tomorrow." She and Elise held her because she was so weak to walk by herself. The security team surrounded them until they reached their car.

Instead of driving the Ferrari, Alexie guided her to the back of the SUV to avoid people taking pictures of her. Fuck! She will be on every social media platform by the end of the day.

___________