Lilly's POV
I slipped on Mary's pants and they fit like a glove: Well now I know my new size. I'm going to need new clothes before this transition is complete. I looked over my shoulder at Leo who was grinning at me as he out his shoes on.
"We can go shopping at the mall after breakfast" I looked over at him and thought for a moment I haven't been working and cannot afford to buy a whole new wardrobe I smiled: Well ya know, I actually have a few dresses at the house, as well as some sweat pants I can pick up.
He gave me a stern look with his brows knitted together and held the expression as he spoke: I'm bonded to you, your problems are my problems. I respect your desire to be independent but you have to let me take care of you sometimes.
I gave him a look of amused irritation and told him: It'll be fine. I can take care of myself.
"I didn't ask if it will be fine, that's not how this works, like I said your problems are my problems and you're going to let me take care of you in this way that I can take care of you. Because that is what partners do. This time his eyes shifted and I knew it was an argument I wasn't going to win. I gave him a smile walked into his arms as I said: Thank you for taking care of me. He kissed my forehead in response before I added: Can we also bring Anna? I think this would be the perfect bonding experience.
He smiled at me and once again nodded.
We walked down stairs together hand in hand as the house finally began to awaken and he twirled me around as we walked into the kitchen. Meera had just finished cooking the 10 pounds of bacon and was starting to crack the eggs as I started prepping potatoes and Anna was cutting up the other vegetables that I wanted to use for breakfast.
Claire walked in and shock spread across her face: Luna no! You don't have to cook, that is my job… here let me.
She tried to reach for my spatula but I pulled it away: Claire, you will have every opportunity to cook and clean but today you must sit. I gave her a wink and she just blinked at me confused: I would however like some coffee. I looked over at Leo and nodded my head towards Claire who was moving towards the espresso machine. Leo ran over grabbing Claire by the shoulders and leading her to the table, whispering in her ear as he sat her at the table: I got this Mama bear, you just sit and rest.
Claire sat looking dejected and upset. I watched as every order I gave the staff seemed to hurt her. My heart hurt knowing she was upset so I had Meera and Mary take over as I pulled a chair up next to Claire, she looked nervous like she was about to be fired: Claire? I really love to cook, and I think families who cook together tend to be closer don't you? Claire nodded to me as I looked up to see Leo setting down a cup of coffee that I then slid over to Claire before reaching up to take the cup he had intended for himself, I gave him a smile and he turned back around to go make himself a cup.
I looked back to Claire who had pursed her lips trying not to laugh at what had just happened, I smiled at her before taking her hands in mine. I looked into her eyes and said: Claire you raised my mate and its because of you that he's so loving and kind. Your job is head housekeeper yes, but its also mother and eventually grandmother. Claire's eyes widened and a hint of smile teased on her lips as she tried to contain her excitement and I saw in the corner of my eye, Leo stop mid sip of his coffee, his cup lowering slowly as a grin as big as the Cheshire cat appeared on his face. I continued while trying not to look at Leo: The point is, at the very least, call my Lilly and think of me as family if you have it in your heart to do so. Also, I love to cook so at least once in a while you will have to let me.
Claire's eyes filled with tears, she pulled me into a tight hug and started to weep lightly on my shoulder. I held her there for several minutes before Leo walked over and broke up the scene leaning down and kissing the top of my head and then hers. I jumped up and said: Now for potatoes!
I made hash browns and Texas style omelets with avocado slices on top. I asked Leo to call the pack for breakfast and he mind linked everyone in the house to come down for breakfast.
We sat with everyone around the table and once again I was filled with joy watching these people who I was now miraculously considering to be family. We finished breakfast and I started on dishes but Leo snaked an arm around my waist and lifted me up. He said there was no way his Luna would be a "Dish Wench" and he threw me over his shoulder and carried me out to the car. He had apparently mind linked Anna to come with because she was waiting in the car with a bog smile on her face. Anna had long straight chestnut brown hair and dark blue eyes, she was pale and you could tell she was younger then she appeared maybe 25 when she looked early 30's. I hadn't yet asked about her life but I could tell something bad had happened to her, she had bent over to get something while we were making breakfast and her shirt slid up her back, I looked away quickly to not embarrass her but I could see the scars on her back.
I jumped into the passenger side: Thanks for coming with me Anna! I hate shopping alone.
"Thanks a lot, I see how it is?" Leo said as he slid into the driver seat grinning at me. Anna laughed and replied: Well I'm not sure how much help I can be but I appreciate the invitation. I looked over at Leo and smiled.
We made our way to the mall and we ended up going to about 5 different stores, I asked Leo if I could add a few things for Anna as well, it looked as though someone, probably Dom, had bought her clothes and it was the bare minimum. I had her trying on clothes with me as we went so "I don't feel alone" and then I would take the ones she liked hiding them in the hoard of clothes that Leo wanted me to get.
My head started to hurt and I started to feel so hungry it made me nauseous and asked Leo to get me a Ginger Ale at the food court while I tried on one more set of clothes. I walked out of the dressing room to look in the big mirror while Anna was trying on one more outfit as well. I saw a woman behind me staring, I turned around to see her and she instantly started talking to me: Oh I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to startle you, I just thought that dress is so pretty, I was wondering where you found it?
"Oh no problem, and thanks, I can show you once I'm change" The woman was beautiful with dark hair and beautiful green eyes, she had beautiful olive skin and there was something about her that just seemed so familiar but I could'nt place it at all. I brought her to the rack where I found the dress and we chatted for a few minutes. "My name is Angelus by the way, whats your name?" I looked at her again still wondering where I had seen her before. I told her my name and we ended up exchanging information. Anna walked up and I introduced her to Angelus who seemed to get very uncomfortable, so much so that when Anna extended her hand to greet her, she just smiled and said: Well I should be going, it was so nice meeting you Lilly and you as well Anna. She turned and left before we could even reply.
"Im not the only one who thinks that's odd right?" I looked at Anna in confusion but Anna's eyes were narrowed in at the back of the woman as she ran out of the door. Anna responded: Whats odd is the fact that she was a Werewolf and yet didn't identify herself or her pack.
My mouth parted in shock and I asked: How could you possibly know that? Anna didn't take her eyes off the door that Angelus had walked out of as if she was waiting for her to reappear as she replied to me: Werewolves have a different aura than humans do if that makes sense and also their resting heart rate is faster than a humans.
I was somewhat lost in thought at the entire exchange as well as what Anna had said when Leo found us again: Here baby, lets go. He handed me my drink and I sipped on it slowly while he paid and then all the way to the car. As we were driving home I started to tell Leo what had happened but only made it till the part where Angelus had been watching me in the mirror when I started having a shooting pain in my eyes, I grabbed my head and doubled over in pain, my eyes tightly shut as I screamed out. This was so much worse then the night before, the pain in my eyes radiated towards the back of my scull, it was blinding pain,so much so that I could hear Leo and Anna trying to talk to me and talking to each other but couldn't even make out what they were saying. I tried to open my eyes but all the colors were wrong as if I was looking through a thermal lense and everything was different shades of hot and cold. I started to feel like I had drank one too many tequila shots and the room was spinning and then everything went dark around me.
I woke up laying on the bed but I want sure whose bed, I felt it dip and I opened my eyes to see a strange woman sitting next to me. I pulled my upper body away from her slightly worried I had been kidnapped but she rose her hands and shushed me: Sh sh sh its okay Luna, my name is Cheryl, I'm Gregs wife, I used to be human like you were, so Alpha Sinclair asked me to come see you. I relaxed a little especially now that I recognized Leo's room and Anna who was sleeping in the chair beside the bed: So? Is this what you experienced? The way that she looked at me said it all and I didnt give her a chance to respond before adding: Then whats wrong with me? Why does it feel like my entire face is in a vice, and where the fuck is Leo?
I realized I was yelling when Anna jumped awake, I felt anger surge through me like I had never felt before as I waited for Cheryl to respond. I saw Cheryl flinch and lean back in her chair as she quickly replied: I'm so sorry that you're in pain Luna, the Alpha is trying to get in touch with other packs to see if anyone else has a human turned Werewolf, to compare notes so to speak. I did feel discomfort when I turned but it was no where near what you're experiencing so I suggested that I stay here while he called. I can get him for you.
I shook my head and even though I did feel guilty for making her scared I just didnt have it in me to make it right, right now. I'll have to make it up to her later, just today and tomorrow till the full moon and then hopefully this will be over. I laid with my eyes closed as Anna held my hand to comfort me as we waited for Leo. The door opened and slammed shut: SERIOUSLY? I screamed at whoever it was.
"I… I'm sorry" I opened my eyes and I saw Leo although he was flashing from red and orange to normal making me dizzy: Ugh, I'm sorry, I feel so sick and my brain hurts, everything is flashing from normal to different colors making me dizzy and sick and I feel like my entire mouth hurts as if I spent the entire day in a dentists chair without novocaine. Leo I just want it to stop… please… make it stop. Tears came streaming out of my closed eyes as a sobbed. He was at my side instantly holding me I heard Anna whispered "Feel better Luna" as she let go of my hand, I assumed Leo gestured for her to leave so I just told her "Thank you" as I hear the door open and a quick "No problem" Before it closed again. I couldn't see him but I felt his tears fall down my arm as his chest shook. It was killing him seeing me this way and yet I knew it wasn't possible for me to hold it together even for him. I continued to sob in his arms till I fell back asleep.