All throughout the time I had my haircut, Queen Luna Annabelle stayed behind me. Looking at how my hair was cut, almost like she was guarding that nothing goes wrong with my haircut. It was the first time someone did this for me in my whole life that I was having mixed feelings. I was touched for her care for me for a simple haircut procedure, but I also felt uncomfortable, not sure how to accept this kind of attention.
I have always longed to be loved by a mother, a father, or a family. I sometimes felt grateful that my stepfather kept me even when my mother died. At times, he would try and make an effort to be a better stepfather, buying meat, any nutritious food, or any of my favorites. But that would only happen at least two to three times a year, the rest of the year would be a cycle of starvation, abuse or neglect.
I loved my haircut. It made me look cute and fresh, as if I had no problem at all in my whole life. My problem was when they would not give me back my bonnet which was what I used to cover my scars. Queen Luna Annabelle emphasized that it would cover my hair, which would defeat the main purpose of the haircut.
"You know sweetie, you shouldn't be embarrassed of anything a part of you, even the scars, these are what made you who you are. These maybe the reason why the Goddess made you the significant half of the future King Alpha. It's the symbol of your strength, courage and beauty within that you may not have even discovered." Queen Luna said while letting me face the mirror, standing behind me and embracing me from behind.
At that moment, I was starting to believe in myself, to have the courage and strength to be the future leader of the Dark Midnight Pack. The destined one to lead beside the King of all Alphas.
I looked at the mirror, meeting her eyes, feeling the warmth and strength shared by her body. Here is one, beautiful person who believes in me. Believing in my power, in my ability to lead the pack she led for a long time. Aside from Kaylee, this was one person who sincerely believed in me.
I felt tears starting to flow from my eyes and I turned to hug her tightly. Not just to feel her presence even more but to try and hide how emotional I have become because of her sincerity towards me.
After my haircut, we wondered around the shops. The Queen Luna kept asking me to buy whatever I wanted but I was not that comfortable with asking her for anything material. I was content with her care and belief in me.
We went to a garments shop, and I stood on one side as she chose tank tops, shorts, jeans, sweatshirts, sweatpants, letting the salesladies carry everything then she signals me to come over.
It may be embarrassing but my heart was jumping in glee as I guessed, the clothes she chose were for me.
We were led to a private fitting area and all the clothes were hanged on one side for me to fit. My eyes were round as saucers when I realized that everything the Queen Luna has chosen were all for me. I felt a pinch of happiness in my heart, but I was also reluctant to try everything out. Isn't this taking advantage of a relationship?
I looked at the first pair of tops and short jeans handed to me by the saleslady, then looked at everything that was hanged. I was truly reluctant to try on everything, truly felt like I was taking advantage of the Queen Luna's goodness.
"Try those on sweetie. Think of it as an early bridal gift. Don't worry, I am taking this off Damon's account." The Queen Luna winked at me. Still reluctant, I was about to turn and go to the fitting cubicle when I smelled my most favorite scent and paused, looking at the Queen Luna.
"What sweetie?"
"He's here." I said, feeling my cheeks get hot at once. It has been this morning that I last saw him, and I now realized, I was missing him.
"Whose here?" She said, trying not to sniff too much as the saleslady assisting us was human.
I looked at her, in my excitement, I immediately let the Queen Luna know that I smelled Damon's scent. And I knew, it would take three more minutes before she could scent him.
The Queen Luna looked at the saleslady. "Please wait outside."
After the saleslady goes out, the Queen Luna faces me. "Is it Damon?"
I nodded.
"How did you know he's here?"
I reluctantly looked at the Queen Luna. Why does it feel like this was a very big deal?
"I smelled his scent." I notice her sniffing. "Now I smell him too." Then her gaze seems to blank out. I knew she was mind-linking somebody.
"Is his scent stronger now?" She asks me.
It has been getting stronger but now, it seemed to be fading. "No. It's fading."
She spaces out again. Then asks. "What about now."
I knew now they were testing how strong my smelling scent is. "Faint."
"But you can still smell him." It was a statement, not a question and I nodded.
"Faint."
"But still there?"
"Yes."
She mind-links again. "How about now?"
"Nothing." She mind-links again.
Then she goes to the door. Calling for the saleslady to tag and pack up everything except the purple tank top and shorts that covered half my legs. As everything was getting packed, the Queen Luna takes out a thin scarf from at least ten more scarfs mixed in with the clothes. It looked so fine in the softest cream color, and it was obviously made for fashion than for warmth.
She tells me to get in the fitting cubicle and change into the purple top and short jeans. I do as she says without saying anything as she seems to be preoccupied. Perhaps with how I scented out her son in advance before she did?
When I get out of the fitting cubicle, she immediately leads me to a whole-body mirror.
I gasp as I see myself wearing the tank top and short jeans. I have never worn new clothes before and I gasped because for the first time ever, I looked good in my eyes. Or perhaps because I was still blushing, anticipating Damon's arrival...
The Queen Luna ties the scarf around my neck, completely covering the scars and I smile at her through the mirror, my appreciation of her intention truly evident. She proceeds to show me how to tie the scarf in different ways, so it won't look like I'm covering up something to other people.
When she was done, I couldn't help myself but hug her tightly just as I have done at the hairdresser salon.
That was how Damon saw us when he got in.
"Is everything alright?"
"Just having our mother-daughter moment. Have you settled everything yet?"
So, Damon really did to pay for everything? Are mates supposed to do that even if they weren't living together?
I look at Damon to see if it was okay with him that his mother had him pay for my clothes and found him looking at me, physical attraction strongly evident in his eyes. His eyes changed colors from the normally gray color to green as he looks at me all over.
Then the Queen Luna clears her throat. "It looks like you love what you paid for." She says, jokingly at her son.
Damon clears his throat as well. "You can get more of those if you want." He said in a husky voice, looking at me in the eye.
I blushed even more. Loving the way, he was looking at me despite the discomfort of showing too much skin.
"Damon said you were going to talk about your "Terrors-to Protectors" activities, so I told him to come by so we can start talking here while we rest our feet and have some snacks.
The Queen Luna explained as she goes out the fitting room, followed by me and by Damon, who gentlemanly held the door open for us. As I was about to pass him, he took hold of the bag where I placed the clothes I wore earlier and my backpack, whispering in my ear. "I'll take that sweetheart."
My heart! Please stop beating so fast! And my wolf! Stop jumping alright?
Goddess! This side of Damon was so different. I could almost feel myself getting hot all over as I go near the Queen Luna and link my right arm to her left arm. Can she feel hot I am feeling? And how fast my heart is beating?
Marvy! Stop it please! You'll embarrass me. Keep calm, okay. Our mate will think we were only playing hard to get last night.