After a brief argument over who was going to drive one of Thane's many expensive sports cars, Ares climbed into the driver's seat, smiling victoriously.

Gwen was grumbling as she got into the passenger seat. "Fine, but I'm driving for the ride back."

I climbed into the backseat, admiring the red leather seats that contrasted beautifully against the sleek, black exterior.

I may have to convince Cain to get me one of these, Ares muttered in appreciation when the car started without the engine making any sound besides a soft murmur.

"Tell him to get me one too, while he's at it," Gwen chipped in, laughing as she ran her hand over the leather. "Onyx, you know Thane would get you whatever car you want, right? You should totally take advantage of that."

"I... um," I scratch my head, embarrassed. "I, uh, don't know how to drive. You know, what with being rogue and all."

"Wait, but you've been to human towns before? How'd you get there?" Gwen inquired, turning around in her seat to look at me as Ares drove out of Thane's territory, listening to the online GPS' directions.

"My friend Grey always drove us," I answered.

"Oooh, your friend huh?" Gwen asked as she wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

God, Gwen. Not everyone thinks about mating 24/7, Ares rolled her eyes.

"Oh come on! Onyx, you're telling me you've never had hot rogue sex with this Grey guy?"Gwen insisted.

My cheeks burned. "No, Gwendolyn, gosh. It was never like that."

Her eyebrow raised as her mouth quirked to the side. "What, is he some kind of gremlin?" She asked.

I laughed, "No, he's pretty attractive. Very muscular, seems like your type actually," I subtly allude to her attraction to Leo.

She snorts. "Well, if he ever decides to rejoin civilization, you give him my number. Not everyone is opposed to hot rogue sex."

For fuck's sake, Gwen, Ares chastises her, but I can see her smile.

"I'm just saying," Gwen defends herself and putting her hands up. "Were you born a rogue?" She asks a minute later.

"No," I surprise myself by answering. "I was born into a pack. It, ah, didn't work out."

Thane says you've been rogue for a long time, Ares points out. How old were you when you left your pack?

I could feel this turning into an interrogation, so I decide to shut it down. "Young. Hey, how much longer until we get there?"

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Neither Gwen nor Ares brought up the rogue thing for the rest of the ride, and I could feel the knot in my stomach loosen by the time we pulled into the parking lot.

"Okay, Ares. Quick reminder: No knives, no breaking a guy's hand for talking to you, and absolutely no showing your half cut out tongue to anyone to freak them out when they try talking to you," Gwen instructs as Ares rolls her eyes. "Do not roll your eyes at me, ma'am, you have done all of those things before."

"Onyx, you seem like a normal human being unlike the grinch over here, so I'm assuming I don't need to tell you how to act in public?" Gwen asked, and Ares flipped her off. I will say in her civilian clothes, which consisted of leggings, an oversized black hoodie, and running shoes, she looked much less threatening. If it weren't for the large scar that ran down her eyebrow to the bottom of her cheek and her one white eyeball, she would actually fit in fine in human society. She even wore her long, white-ish hair down, not pulled back or braided.

"I can handle myself, thank you, Gwendolyn," I laughed.

"However, I do have one mandatory job for you," Gwen stated, and I raised an eyebrow. "You have to help me pick out clothes for Ares since there's no chance she chooses anything for herself."

Ares scowled. Hello? I'm right here. And I don't need more clothes.

Gwen scoffed, "Oh honey, I've seen your closet, and you are in serious need of a fashion intervention."

Ares just glared at her as we stepped into the mall. Her nose crinkled.

Humans smell weird, she said after noticing the curious look on my face. My sense of smell must not be as advanced as hers, because I had no idea what she was talking about.

Gwen dragged us inside of an upscale clothing store, and immediately started tearing through the racks, sometimes pulling off an article of clothing and keeping it, and other times gagging and putting it back.

Gwen was fully in control as she flew through the store, sometimes putting stuff in my arms, sometimes in Ares' which was always met with a scowl and string of swear words.

I tried picking something out for myself, but Gwen slapped it out of my hands and said, "That is so last season, Onyx, how could you?" with a mortified expression on her face.

After I could barely hold everything she handed me, she told a sales associate to open three of the largest fitting rooms they have. The lady smiled largely, no doubt with dollar signs in her eyes.

Gwen shoved Ares into one, and Ares angrily said, I am the Blood Luna, you cannot force me into these ridiculous garments!

"Blah blah blah, pull rank on someone who cares, Ares," Gwen rolled her eyes as she closed the door to Ares' changing room in her face. "Oh, and don't forget to show me everything you try on, hot stuff! Can't wait!"

I could hear Ares punch the wall angrily in the dressing room, which sent Gwen and I into ab-splitting laughter.

I went into the dressing room, looking at the garments Gwen picked out for me, and I must say, she had impeccable taste. The one thing that surprised me was a low-cut, tight gown with blue stones decorating the bodice.

I decided to save that one for last, instead putting on a two piece set, a blue skirt and matching cropped tank top. When I was dressed, I went out into the hallway with the other dressing rooms, and soon after, Gwen and Ares both stepped out.

Gwen was wearing tight black leather pants, and a form-fitting red top that laced up in the front. My mouth dropped when I saw Ares.

Gwen had put her in a short black mini dress. Classic, simple. Ares' face was one of disgust.

Gwen, under what circumstance would I ever wear this? Ares said, repulsed.

Gwen shrugged. "You never know," She grinned wickedly, and before anyone knew what was happening, she pulled out her cellphone and snapped a quick picture. "I think Cain would appreciate it, that's for sure."

Ares snarled, Gwendolyn Parker, I will tear your throat out if you send that to him.

Gwen titled her head to the side, "How would you do that, when I'm already safe in my dressing room?" She quickly bolted back into the room, locking the door behind her.

Ares swore at her before looking at me. You look lovely, Onyx, she said, a small smile on her face, and my mouth went dry. I certainly never expected a compliment from her.

She turned around ready to go back into her dressing room, and I mindlinked her, Luna, for what it's worth... I think you look beautiful in the dress.

I appreciate the compliment, Onyx, but let's be honest, my scars make it almost impossible for me to look anything but monstrous in clothes like these, she quietly responded from behind her dressing room door.

Back in my own room, I pensively thought as I got into the next outfit. I've never once thought you look monstrous, I admit to her. The scars are badass, and so are you.

Ares didn't respond, nor did I expect her to. It did, however surprise me, for I never considered that the Blood Luna may have insecurities. Everything about her seemed so confident, so self-assured, I just assumed she knew how amazing she was.

We continued trying on outfits, and Ares gradually looked less uncomfortable with each mini fashion show.

Gwen's control freak-ness made her style immaculate for all of us, and I didn't even want to know how she accurately guessed sizes for all of us.

I got to the last outfit, the gown. I couldn't deny that it was gorgeous, one of the most beautiful articles of clothing I've ever seen. The price tag, however, knocked the wind out of me.

I went out into the hallway, where Gwen and Ares were already waiting, in dresses of their own. Gwen wore a simple, sexy dark green gown, and Ares a deep red, the color of blood.

"Wow, Onyx," Gwen's eyes bulged out of her head. "I don't suppose Thane is willing to share you with me?"

I laughed. "No, I don't think he'd go for that. Why'd you choose a gown for me anyways? This is way too fancy to actually wear to anything."

Your mating ceremony, Ares answered, looking at my gown. The Lunas of Blue Moon wear blue gowns for when their mating bond is complete, it's tradition.

"How do you know that?" I asked Ares in surprise.

Cain told me about some of the different pack's mating traditions when we were preparing for our own, Ares said, and her eyes got a faraway look in them.

"Well," Gwen interjected. "Thane told me to make sure you got an appropriate gown for it before we left."

I smiled softly, trying not to think about the odds I never get to wear the dress.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

We paid for the clothing, and went to a few other stores and repeated the process. "Gwen," I whined. "This is far more exhausting than any training. Please tell me we're all done here."

"One more stop!" Gwen pleaded before dragging us into... a lingerie store.

"You've got to be joking," I groaned, and Ares made a noise in agreement.

"Oh come on, you guys," Gwen pouted. "You both have mates, this is like, the most fun part of having a mate!"

Ares scoffed. Oh? And am I to be under the assumption that you won't be purchasing anything for your little Beta boyfriend?

Gwen tilted her head to the side. "Don't be ridiculous, Ares. There's no way he'd fit into any of the panties or bras here."

I giggled, but Ares just rolled her eyes. Gwen, you since you seem to think you know best what Onyx and I should wear, why don't you just pick out our items for us and we can sit down and watch the bags? Ares suggested, and I nodded way too excitedly.

Gwen sighed. "Fine. It's a blessing and a curse to be the least fashion-challenged out of you lot."

Ares and I sat down on a nearby couch while Gwen sifted through all of the items, having two salespersons following her and collecting things as she went along.

Ares groaned when Gwen held up a lingerie set that didn't even look like there was enough fabric to be put on a body. Gwen just smirked and threw it into what I assumed was the Ares pile, based on her reaction.

Finally, we paid and left the store, and began walking out to the parking lot.

"Well hello, ladies," A male voice spoke from behind us. Immediately, the three of us turned around.

It's just a human, Ares spoke, unbothered, and her and Gwen turned back around.

"You interested, cutie?" The man, no older than 25 said. He wasn't the ugliest guy I had ever seen, but definitely not comparable to my mate.

"Definitely not," I muttered, turning back around, and Gwen laughed.

The guy continued to walk behind us, and Gwen angrily turned back around. "Fuck off, ugly. We're tens, you're a clear 2, maybe 3 at best. Do the math yourself, yeah?" She gave a patronizing smile.

The guy swore, and lunged at Gwen. My adrenaline pumping, I jumped in front of her and swung at the man, punching him right along his cheekbone. I could hear some of his teeth shattering in his mouth. Oops, I hadn't realized humans were quite so delicate.

The guy stared up at me, crumpled on the ground in confusion. "What the hell?" He asked, teeth falling out of his mouth, along with a stream of blood.

"No means no, douchebag," I hissed, and bent down to smack his jaw one more time, just to make sure he got the message.

I went back to join Gwen and Ares, both of whom were grinning from ear to ear at me. We were almost to the car, and kept walking.

"What'd I tell ya?" Gwen said as she climbed into the front seat of the car. "Negative male energy everywhere."