Scarlett's POV

I spent the rest of the evening hanging out at the orphanage. I just wanted to go somewhere that I didn't feel as if everyone around me was judging me. I wanted to go somewhere I felt like I temporarily belonged.

The kids had shown me all the new things they got while out on their shopping trip. I was bummed I didn't get to go with them since I was out cold, but it didn't seem to dull their spirit one bit. They were all so excited just to simply own something that was theirs and didn't come three generations passed down. It made my eyes water more than a little. The older kids also showed me the laptops the pack budgeted for since many of them expressed interest in going to college as well. I was more than impressed by all that Riley had done in such a short period of time. But, then, the sun gave way to the moon and it was soon bedtime for all the kids. And that meant it was time for me to go home.

I somberly reminisced over the loud breakfasts I shared growing up as I cooked a very silent one the next morning. I wasn't sure where Xander was. He was up really late doing who knows what. I was already asleep by the time he came to bed and he awoke before me. My only indication that he'd been in the bed was that his side was warm and smelled like him this morning. I was too preoccupied with the fact that I actually slept last night to focus too much on his absence.

I had just taken my last bite of omelet when I sensed Riley, Raven, and Peyton approaching. They knocked for approximately two seconds before swinging the door open with a loud, "Helloooo? Anyone awake??" I just shook my head with a small smile and swiveled on the barstool I was perched on to meet their gaze.

"Oh, good! You're up! We have fun news!" Peyton exclaimed. "We're going shopping!" she chirped with an excited clap. I groaned before rubbing my eyes with my thumb and index finger. Shopping is was got me into the prior situation I had been in - if you wanted to get technical.

"I'm not in a shopping mood today, but thanks for the invite," I spoke, hoping the lame excuse would work. I should've known I wouldn't be so lucky.

"Pssh, whatever. You're going with us and that's final. Your wardrobe is so sad it makes me cry when I walk in there. It needs some serious TLC and we're going to restock it today. Get some shoes and your coat on and let's go. Alpha Harrington already gave us his credit card for you," Riley said, pulling out said card and doing a little dance with it in between her hands.

"Uh, just...give me a second," I murmured before hopping off the stool and quickly moving past them towards the front door. I bolted out and sensed my way to where Xander was hiding out - likely because he didn't want to face my wrath he knew was now waiting for him. Jerk.

I pinpointed his location down to his office and threw the door open. I ignored the other men's questioning gazes thrown back and forth between Xander and me.

"If I didn't want to go shopping with you, I sure and hell don't want to go shopping with the girls," I growled out, unable to keep the irritation I felt from seeping into my voice.

"Scarlett," he started, but my wolf and I released a quiet mixture between a growl and a huff as I crossed my arms over my chest and glared at him. He chuckled at the response before pushing himself out of his hulking desk chair and making his way to me.

"The women have been to this particular mall hundreds of times. They've never seen anyone from the Sablefur pack there. Ever. I promise you, it's going to be-"

"If you say fine, I'm going to..." I trailed off, only loud enough for him to hear. He smiled. Those damn dimples that made my knees quiver made an appearance.

"Fine," he finished with a husky laugh. "There're a few representatives from a neighboring pack that we're allies with coming to fix some treaty documents that were improperly filed on their end. They alerted our pack registrar that they would be traveling here out of courtesy since it was their mistake. However, with our current situation, I tried to call and let them know we would just send someone to them. They didn't see our email in time and were already on their way. They're going to be here in a couple of hours. Therefore, you're going shopping with the girls today," he explained calmly. My stomach did that little flutter thing I'd heard Jackie talk about before. It wasn't as intense as when he showed me the Council-like bedroom, but it was a close second.

He'd made accommodations for me without me even asking; without even having been told to. I wasn't sure what to say back to him. I still didn't like the idea, but I understood it now. I sighed - partially out of resignation, but partially....well, as I stared at his beautiful face, I didn't want to admit that it was also partially in admiration.

"Scarlett, sweetheart, you're going to be safe. I promise. And I don't take that lightly. If I could go with you, I would. I wouldn't even let you go if I thought there was an inkling of a chance something could happen to you," he insisted. I wasn't sure if I even caught the rest of what he had said after he called me sweetheart.

Sweetheart. The word just kept replaying over and over in my head. I'd never been called a term of endearment ever before. With Eric, it was always 'mistake' or 'unwanted'. Most often he called me 'mateless' and that one stung the most. Xander called me sweetheart.

Whereas Eric's nicknames made the skin on my back sear with phantom pain, Xander's made my tummy flutter with butterflies. I swallowed thickly before finally nodding, realizing I probably looked like a weirdo just standing there staring at him, one hand on my tummy and the other on my back.

"Okay," I whispered so softly I wasn't sure he even heard it. My gaze momentarily flitted down to his lips as my tongue dashed out to wet my own before I met his eyes again. The corner of his mouth quirked up just a tick. He brazenly stepped forward, his hand coming up to rest against my cheek as he simultaneously leaned down and pressed his lips against my own. The kiss only lasted a few seconds, but it felt so much longer. Xander pulled away first but stayed close enough that his lips were grazing my own as he spoke again.

"Use my card. Get whatever you want. No exceptions. I mean it," he mumbled before pecking my bottom lip a final time and sending me on my way with a charming smile. I was so entranced by the smile, I'd forgotten to put up even a little bit of a fight before just nodding and sauntering back to our place. The girls were waiting around patiently, all three of their faces pulling into knowing smiles as I got closer and their noses raised into the air. Thankfully, they kept their comments to themselves. Kissing Xander was already overwhelming enough as is, I didn't need anyone questioning me about it or - heaven forbid - teasing me about it, too.

I quickly dressed and we got going. We met up with the rest of the entire entourage of people that were accompanying us - which included my four female guards, the four male guards originally assigned to me, plus Jade, and Jackie - as we exited the main front doors of the pack house. I watched the scenery zoom by for what felt like ever, but was really only a couple of hours before we finally slowed our speed and pulled into the parking area of a massive shopping center. It was a cluster of big malls in one area. Supposedly, this was the place to shop.

Entering the mall, I was slammed with what felt like a brick wall of adrenaline. There were too many smells, too many noises, too many people. They were moving around me too quickly. My neck felt like it was going to break as my face snapped in every single direction. I couldn't find a way to get my back against a wall. I felt too exposed. The last time I had gone shopping without an entire escort of Elder Council members was before Eric. I was fourteen years old and my boobs had grown too big to contain within the built-in bras of the worn-down tank tops I was given as hand-me-downs.

Right now, with the way my heart was racing, my face flushing, and my chest tightening as the panic gripped me, I'd be okay if I didn't do this again for another seven years. That much I knew.

"Scarlett," Jackie's calm voice murmured right next to me, but I barely heard it through the white noise that was growing louder and louder.

"Scarlett," she husked out, harsher this time, effectively cutting through the fog in my brain. I glanced to the side to take in her soft and concerned gaze. "It's okay. Remember what Xander said? You're safe," she reassured me.

Sweetheart. The word rang through my head again as my wolf thumped her tail in my mind. I swallowed my thickened saliva before breathing deeply and nodding a few times. I cleared my throat and continued forward on shaky legs. Our ascent towards the first store was painfully slow as I found it hard to let even a single passing stranger by without a brief glance. Eventually, though, we made it there. Jackie knew me well. I'd been dreaming about this place since I was sixteen and caught a glimpse of the alpha's daughter of the pack I was housed at sporting the cutest workout outfit through the orphanage's dingey window. Any time I had internet access - which wasn't often - I would look up their clothing. When Jackie and I got close, it was something we started doing together.

"I don't know what lemons have to do with working out," Jackie started. 

"But damn if I care," I finished our favorite saying as we sauntered into the store's entrance. I released a sigh of contentment as I gazed around, just taking it all in - and for a positive reason. Everyone else fanned out - well, except for my four girls who stayed close by me, alert the whole time. I walked along the outer perimeter of the store, feeling the material of the butter-soft leggings between my fingers. I heard the human sales associate approaching from behind and turned to meet her stare.

"Would you like to try a pair on?" she asked with a friendly smile. I hesitated for a second. The price tag winked at me under the bright studio lighting of the store and my eyes widened for a moment.

"Uh," my breath caught in my throat, "I don't think so-"

"Yes, she will. I'm around a size six. I think with her hips and booty she's either a six or an eight. Why don't we grab both just in case?" Peyton suggested from a few feet away, walking fast towards me. I sighed, seeing the look of determination on her face and knowing she wasn't going to give up this battle.

"Perfect! Here are both those sizes, let's get you that dressing room! Anything else you want to snag before we head back there?" the girl asked.

"I grabbed some stuff I thought would look cute on her," Raven said as she waddled up from behind us, her arms full of hangers causing my eyes to widen comically. All of the women practically forced me into the dressing room with all the clothing items in tow. I went with the bigger pair of leggings first and they fit like a glove. My jaw dropped until my mouth was slightly agape as I ran my hands down the fronts of my thighs and around to my backside in a sweeping circular motion. The material felt incredible against my marred skin. So comfortable.

I slipped off everything I had on top and grabbed one of the neutral-colored bras and full-length hoodies. I skipped the cropped ones completely for obvious reasons. I slipped it all on before zipping the black jacket up. The bra, even though just a measly sports bra, was more supportive than any meager thing I had ever owned. It took the weight of my boobs off of my shoulders for once and made me feel like I could actually go for a decent training session. The material of the jacket felt identical to that of the pants and caressed the particularly painful patches of skin on my back. I wanted this in every color.

I was never one who particularly liked shopping. No matter the age. Growing up, there was never any money for even the essentials, which meant you got whatever you got when it came to things like clothing. Even when I was old enough to get a job within the pack at 16, that money almost always went to buying more groceries for the home I was staying in or helping with the bills to keep our utilities on. Most packs didn't care if we had hot water during the middle of winter or not. And then, when Eric came into the picture, I had less than nothing. He controlled every single cent. I wasn't allowed to have a bank account. Nothing was ever in my name. He ensured that he exerted complete control over every aspect of my life.

"Well? What's taking so long? Let us see!" came Jackie's inpatient demand. I sniffled quietly before wiping away the brief tear that had trailed down my cheek. I steeled my exterior, making sure I looked put together. Opening the door, there was a collective gasp followed by a couple of squeals.

"Damn I have got to start training with you," Riley exclaimed with a big smile.

"You're buying all of this. No questions asked," Peyton stated with finality before turning on her heels and disappearing. I furrowed my brows before turning back into the stall to try on the rest of the clothing. I ended up liking everything I tried on, but left the more revealing items untouched.

Leaving the dressing area, I came face to face with a bag-riddled Peyton looking like she was waiting on us.

"What...?" I asked.

"Oh, this is all yours. Various items in your sizes in different styles and colors. By the look you gave, I could tell there was going to be a major fight at the cash register so I just went ahead and got them for you. We can move on to the next store," she finished with a cheeky smile. I pursed my lips at her cleverness before huffing in annoyance. Damn her and her intuition.

The rest of the stores pretty much went the same way. Apparently, no one was here to shop for anything. They were solely interested in assisting me in expanding my wardrobe. It had been about two hours and I'd accumulated a variety of clothing items besides just the athletic wear from the first store. I now had dresses, blouses, jeans, shoes, and heels despite my abundant protests against them.

"Okay, Raven is ready to call it a day so this can be our final stop. I think it's the best closer for the trip," Riley giggled mischievously. I quirked my eyebrow upwards in question as I stared up at the sign that read La Perla.

"Do we have to do this? Seriously?" One of the male guards groaned as two of them joined in his sentiments. Though Maximus didn't seem to share their feelings as his hand slid around Jade's waist and a smug smile made its way to his lips.

"You want a future heir for this pack? Shut up," Riley shot back. Future heir? Her words didn't make sense to me until I'd truly taken a look around and realized we were in a lingerie store. My cheeks instantly felt like they were on fire and I wished the ground would just swallow me whole.

"C'mon honey-buns, we've got 15 days to seal the deal. It starts with getting comfortable with the idea of it. Start picking stuff you like out, I'm going to start over there," Riley said before wandering to the left side of the store. I blew a raspberry with my cheeks before surveying the various scantily clad mannequins on display. One in the far corner caught my eye. It had on a pretty, all-white silk material nightgown. The straps were thin and the V in the front was way too low cut to be considered comfortable - I mean seriously. If you wore this thing to bed, you were going to wake up with at least one boob outside the gown, if not both. There was a cheeky slit up the left thigh, too. It was pretty - if it wouldn't have exposed....everything I was insecure about.

But, then again, being naked while we mated was going to do that too, so...

I glanced around again at some of the racier pieces on display and wondered if I would ever be able to feel sexy in my own skin. Whether I was stark naked or prancing around in one of these barely-there pieces of lace scrap fabric. Feeling that rebellious nature rise up inside of me, I suddenly whisked through the rack of white silk nightgowns in front of me. Finding what I believed would be my size, I snatched it into my hand. I quickly walked towards a racy red bra and panty set that were completely see-through mesh except where the most intimate areas needed to be covered in which there were patches of opaque lace. I picked both pieces up along with the matching garter belt as well.

I continued on, grabbing anything and everything that caught my eye and suited my fancy. My arms were full and I needed a basket after just a mere twenty minutes. Riley glanced at me over her shoulder and giggled before giving me an approving thumbs up. I bit the inside of my cheek, about to suggest we check out, when I smelled it.

Or rather him. 

**The next couple of chapters are what I know you guys have been waiting for!! Stay tuned!**