Different than othersTalia found her first experience of shopping for clothes overwhelming.Dresses, tops, shorts, pants, skirts, shoes, hats, boots, jackets, cardigans. Everything looked good and she didn’t dare make any requests.Bryn took Talia’s measurements and determined the right size for her undergarments, so Talia only needed to pick style and color from the catalog that Isi brought. Talia picked a conservative style in light tan color, and Isi slipped into the pile white, black, and blue undergarments of the same type.Bryn was expertly removing clothes from Talia and putting new ones on, and Isi would go out to get the right size or color when needed.When Isi came out of the dressing room the second time, she changed the sign on the door to ‘Closed’ and locked the door, so that new customers don’t come. The two of them were committed to serving Talia, convinced that would please Luciano.“This green dress goes great with your hair!”, Isi exclaimed.“This silvery top is cu
A heavy sleeperTalia was sleeping, and she was not sure what she was dreaming of, but she knew it was pleasant, and she didn’t want to wake up.There was a tickle on her forehead and her eyebrows twitched in a feeble attempt to remove the source of that subtle sensation.The tickle moved over her temple, and settled on her cheek, expanding into something warm and cozy and Talia leaned her head in that direction.She took a deep breath and smiled as the scent of the forest and dark chocolate entered her system.It was novel, yet familiar, and definitely relaxing.Talia’s smile froze when she heard a deep chuckle.“You are a heavy sleeper.”Talia’s eyes snapped open, and she met Luciano’s unfathomable blue eyes.She swallowed hard. Oh, God! The warm and cozy thing on her cheek was his palm!Why the heck was she sleeping on his palm as a pillow!?No, no… wrong question!“Why are you in my room?”, Talia croaked before ducking under the cover completely.Luciano thought that she was adora
Clothes make a womanLuciano arranged the underwear in the drawer and turned to his right.He blinked a few times at the sight of Talia who was wrapped in a towel, staring at him without moving a muscle.The white fluffy towel with yellow designs at its edges was wide enough to cover Talia from her chest to just below her private areas, like a super-short mini dress.Talia gripped the towel with both hands until her knuckles turned white, unknowingly pushing her breasts higher and making her cleavage stand out more, and Luciano was not sure where to look first.He really wanted to yank that towel out of the way.Luciano smirked and spoke in a deep voice, “Talia, are you here to seduce me?”Talia’s face exploded in blush and Luciano’s sly smile increased when he saw that even her ears were red.Will she pass out? He would give her mouth-to-mouth anytime.Talia clutched the towel tighter. “Clothes… I didn’t get… I need… clothes…”, she struggled to speak coherently. Alpha Luciano was to
Drive to the human townTalia observed the scene between Luciano and Cassie, and she was not sure what to think. Why did Alpha Luciano treat Cassie coldly? Did they have an argument? Or maybe Cassie offended him somehow.Just based on the last minute, if Talia didn’t witness the scene in the kitchen of Cassie clinging to Luciano’s arm, Talia would think that Luciano doesn’t like Cassie. But if he doesn’t like her, why would he allow her to stay in the packhouse and call herself his Luna? And the way Cassie looked at Luciano definitely insinuated intimacy that goes beyond holding his hand.It didn’t make sense.This solidified Talia’s opinion that Alpha Luciano is extremely unstable.In a way, it made Talia feel better because now Talia knew that she was not the only one to be treated inconsistently by Alpha Luciano.If Talia was not so terrified of him, she would recommend him to see a psychiatrist because his behavior can’t be normal.Everyone around Alpha Luciano is on pins and need
Drive to the townTalia observed the scene between Luciano and Cassie, and she was not sure what to think. Why did Alpha Luciano treat Cassie coldly? Did they have an argument? Or maybe Cassie offended him somehow.Just based on the last minute, if Talia didn’t witness the scene in the kitchen of Cassie clinging to Luciano’s arm, Talia would think that Luciano doesn’t like Cassie. But if he doesn’t like her, why would he allow her to stay in the packhouse and call herself his Luna? And the way Cassie looked at Luciano definitely insinuated intimacy that goes beyond holding his hand.It didn’t make sense.This solidified Talia’s opinion that Alpha Luciano is extremely unstable.In a way, it made Talia feel better because now Talia knew that she was not the only one to be treated inconsistently by Alpha Luciano.If Talia was not so terrified of him, she would recommend him to see a psychiatrist because his behavior can’t be normal.Everyone around Alpha Luciano is on pins and needles wh
Mrs BlakeLuciano glanced at Talia to confirm that she didn’t react when the man called him ‘Mr. Blake’, and Luciano took that as her approval. Yup, she definitely didn’t mind using his last name.There was a time when werewolves didn’t have last names. Even in modern times, they identify themselves by the first name, pack they belong to, and their position.However, since they are coexisting with humans, each werewolf family has a surname. It helps them blend in.Of course, prominent werewolf families are an exception, because their last name also signifies status, and the surname Blake is like royalty in the society of werewolves from the time before Luciano’s grand-grandfather.When Travis was setting up Talia’s appointment with the nutritionist, he asked Luciano what surname to use because Talia told him that she doesn’t have one when he was writing down her personal information. Actually, the lack of Talia’s background went beyond just her last name and it told Travis how neglect
The BlakesLuciano spoke coldly to the doctor across the table. “Because of our relationship with this hospital, we came here first. To say that I’m disappointed is an understatement. When we return home, my dear wife and I will reconsider our future donations.”“That… That…”, Dr. Jones felt that her soul might leave her body. “Please, reconsider, Mr. Blake. This was just the first appointment for us to get comfortable with each other.” She saw that Luciano’s expression turned icy and she quickly corrected herself, “I mean… for me and Mrs. Blake to get to know each other. The next appointment will be more specific and tailored to her needs.”Ignoring Dr. Jones’s excuses, Luciano took Talia’s hand in his and closed his eyes while savoring the delightful sparks he craved for.His thumb caressed Talia’s knuckles once, twice, and then he lifted her hand and kissed the back of her palm.Talia was still recuperating from the shock of Luciano labeling her as his wife, and then he called her
Negotiating with the demonTalia was sitting in a booth of a fancy steakhouse, next to Luciano, and pinching herself secretly under the table, to confirm this was not a dream.She would never imagine that she will find herself in a place like this, with Alpha Luciano.The steakhouse had dimmed lights and a wooden interior that gave a feel of a hunter’s lodge. The walls were decorated with big photos of humans with guns and animals they hunted, and the chandeliers were made out of antlers.The local radio station played country music and it all looked like a different dimension from the modern world outside which was made out of concrete and metal.A waiter took their orders for drinks and left two menus on the table.Talia was on the second page when her mind drifted to earlier that morning.After the hospital, Talia thought that Luciano will drive them back to the packhouse of the Dark Howlers pack, or maybe go to wherever Luciano needs to go, but he parked the car in a public parkin