"You have such a handsome mate," the little apprentice giggled.
"There's a veil on his face. Why would you say he's handsome when you didn't see his face?"
"His stature, aura, and physique say it all; he'll have a handsome face."
"Do you live around here?"
"Yes, I do. I work here as an apprentice and have my jewelry shop very soon."
"That's great. Can you lean in a bit?"
"Okay, my lady."
"Will you please take me round the market?"
"Wouldn't your mate be angered? You shouldn't offend him."
"He won't be offended. Let's go before they find out we're no longer here."
They passed from behind the screen and along the sections to the back door.
When they got out, they ran hand in hand, like pups that escaped their mother's watchful eyes.
Charlotte took a bag of coins from Joe as she followed the apprentice.
"Where should we go first?"
"How about you get a portrait? You look stunning."
They went to a painter. He was pleased to have Charlotte as his muse.
They paid him and told him they'd come back for it.
They stopped at a pottery shop afterward.
"Look at that! Isn't that great?" Charlotte screamed excitedly as she spotted a pot with a half-moon and stars etched on it.
"It's just a pot," the apprentice chuckled. Deep down, she pitied Charlotte. Nobles didn't get the chance to live their lives. They have to be elegant, straight-faced, and mannered all the time. They couldn't go out whenever they wanted.
"You can have the pot; no one will stop you from buying it," she said fondly. Though they were about the same age, Charlotte looked younger with her childlike excitement and curiosity.
She was like the morning sun in autumn with her bright smile and gold silk dress. Nobles in such dress would have to complement the dress by acting all noble and regal to impress people, but she wasn't making any effort to impress anyone; she didn't need to.
The apprentice carried the pot as Charlotte skipped lightly in front of her when she saw that the flowing dress was restricting her movement. She raised them with her hands and cut across the market.
"What a pretty young werewolf. Take this crown of flowers."
"Thank you, ma'am," she said as she placed the flowers on her head.
Lamps and candlesticks flickered at the shops, and Charlotte took in the loveliness of the bustling scenery.
She soon began to shiver as the winter night breeze set in, but she suddenly felt a fur cloak on her shoulders. She turned back but didn't see anyone.
"Who was it?"
"The young noble at the shop, your mate."
It didn't take much time for Alpha Aurelius to track Charlotte. He saw her at the painter's shop. She looked like an ethereal being that came out of a painting as she sat still on the stool, the golden light of the candles softly illuminating her face.
She was having fun without him around, and he realized he was genuinely caging her too much. She needed her freedom, too; she deserved to explore wherever she wanted. Unlike the noble ladies who received training all their lives, she deserved to be happy. She visited many more shops and had fun. She bought roasted meat for herself and Ella.
"I think we should head back now," Charlotte said.
She knew Aurelius must be lurking around, so they walked back to the jewelry shop, the apprentice's hands filled with their takings from shopping.
They saw Aurelius leaning on the shop's wall, and her heart skipped, not out of fear but of admiration and appreciation. He was too good to be accurate; sometimes, she doubted if she was his mate.
"Did you enjoy yourself?"
"Yes, I did."
"Let's head back now," he muttered softly.
"I must apologize to the man for dashing away with his apprentice. Wait a bit, please."
She could mitigate the apprentice's punishment with a plea and a hundred shekels, but the apprentice was still scolded.
"Omega Joe will take all these with you to your quarters."
"What are those?"
"Blankets and cloaks."
Ella shrieked as the duo of Charlotte and Joe entered with the heap of goods in their hands.
"Did you go to buy the whole market?"
Charlotte grinned as Joe bowed and apologized to them.
"Let me see all that I bought. I hope he took the pearls I chose. Oh my, he did, and the painting, too! Look at all these dresses. They look so pretty." Charlotte kept talking to herself.
"The alpha king is fond of you," Ella gasped as she saw the diamond necklace.
"You think?"
"Why don't you confront him? How long will you play clueless?"
"He must have his reason for not telling me."
"No one tells their mate that. They both sense it."
"Why don't I sense it?"
"You're practically not a werewolf, presently."
"But that shouldn't affect anything, right?"
"I don't know."
Charlotte sighed and continued to admire the things she got.
"I wanted to buy a bird but didn't know where to keep it. I feel bad."
"Speaking of feeling bad, you didn't react to what the wizard said. Aren't you bothered at all?"
"I'll be fine without my powers. I'm doing fine right now. I'll write, get more money and freedom, and live however I please. My werewolf abilities shouldn't stop me from doing whatever I want."
"Don't talk this way. You'll be the Alpha Queen, the Luna."
"I don't want to be the Alpha Queen. I just want to be me. Leave me alone." Charlotte grunted, and Ella sighed.
It was two days to the tour. Ella set to meet the king privately; it was her chance to stay in contact with Charlotte. Aurelius scanned the little werewolf before him from his throne. Looking down at her from the throne made her look smaller.
"Long live our source," she hailed with a deep bow.
"What brings you here?"
"It is a private matter, Your Majesty."
Alpha Aurelius already guessed that the private matter was about Charlotte. They both entered his garden, and he motioned to his guards to stay far away.
"Is Charlotte fine? Is she in pain anywhere? Is she safe?"
"Yes, my king, your mate is fine."
"My mate?"
"Charlotte may be dumb and naive, but I know better, my king. Charlotte is your mate."
"Why did you come to tell me this?"
"When you travel, you won't be able to hover above her like you do here. Omega Joe, your guard looking after a mere maid would rouse attention. Wouldn't it be nice to have someone who would blend into society better and keep your mate safe? Someone very passionate about her wellbeing."
"And that is you, right?"
"Yes, my king."
"That is not an issue at all."
"That is great. Charlotte will be so happy to hear this."
He had someone find out about her but discovered she wasn't from any pack in any of the five states. She looked like a Fristia werewolf, so he wondered how that could be possible.
"What pack are you from?"
"They're extinct, and I can't remember the name."
"Who are your parents?"
"I'm an orphan, my king."
"How did you get into the palace?"
"I was sold as a slave into the palace."
This was all different from what she told Charlotte.
What was the lie? What was the truth? What could Ella be hiding?
"I will take my leave now, Your Majesty."
He waved his hand, motioning to her that she could leave. It now made sense to him why they couldn't get any information about her. He was relieved; he could trust her with Charlotte. She seems to care about her a lot.
Aurelius strolled around the castle after he left the garden. Gamma Thorne was training some pups on the training ground. Thorne seemed to be distracted lately. For some reason, he seemed happier and eager to leave his duty these days.
Gamma Thorne spotted the alpha king and ordered the pups to continue training before sprinting to where the king stood.
"Long live our source."
Alpha Aurelius grunted in response.
"Your majesty, your humble subject has a little favor to ask for from the king, and he would be glad if the king sheds his light of benevolence upon him."
"Ask away." He rolled his eyes; despite Thorne's imposing stature, he had such politeness that would make one cringe. He was his gamma for a while now, but he still adhered to formality and maintained decorum, unlike his loud beta, Kaden.
"Can you add a particular maid to your train of maids as you go for this tour?" He whispered. His sincere eyes blinked rapidly as he bit on his lips.
Alpha Aurelius nodded in pity; what a waste of stature. One would think he was as stern and fierce as his facial expression, but alas, he's a big, soft werewolf.
"Who is that?"
"Omega, Ella."
Aurelius furrowed his brow as he heard the name. That was Charlotte's acclaimed sister, the maid who came to see him this afternoon. So she also had her reason; what a scheming little omega, he thought as he chuckled aloud.
"Your mate beat you to it."
"She did?"
"Oh my, you got an interesting one." Aurelius chuckled.
"I think you've got a very nice mate, too, my king." Gamma Thorne whispered.