"Why don't we go swimming together? It'd be fun! When the sun is out, the lake is going to feel wonderful." Millie said.
"I'm feeling tense and unsettled. Perhaps going for a swim would be enjoyable." Selena agreed.
"What are you worried about?"
"That there's a chance I'll have to see him during the run," Selena murmured.
Millie was perplexed, and she made a face by pursing her lips into a frown.
"See who?"
"Nothing important; but I will think about it."
Millie rubbed her head as she continued to ponder the meaning of what Selena had said.
"Do you have any plans for the day to go shopping?" Millie said unexpectedly.
"I had the impression that we were going to go swimming."
"That is something that we can do when we are on the pack run. Everyone would be busy mating, and as I don't have a mate and my mother would kill me if I hooked up, I suggest we go swimming instead.'
Selena chuckled at her comment.
"I have never been to a shopping mall," Selena said.
Milli's eyes widened, and it appeared as though she had seen a ghost. She clapped her palm over her mouth, which was open. "You've never been to a mall before, have you?"
Selena gave a little shake of the head.
Millie reached out and held her hand, then murmured, "No, this won't do. You need to find your way into civilised society. Today is the day when we do that."
"But..... I'm not sure whether that's acceptable," Selena whispered, biting her lips. "I mean, the Alpha has permitted me to move about anyplace in the complex, but I am not sure whether I can exit the compound," she said.
That brought home to her how long it had been since she had left the confines of the pack campus for months.
"Don't worry about it. We'll gain Alpha's approval right now, and then I'll help you lose your shopping virginity," Millie sounded determined. She grabbed Selena, who was protesting, and headed toward Cayden's office.
***********
Cayden sat back in his office chair and relaxed, putting his hands on the slacks of his dark grey long-sleeved shirt. He had just finished going over the most recent financial report from beginning to end. After then, he was required to examine the blueprint for the subsequent raid.
The most he got out of it was what he already knew. But it was still necessary for him to understand how those cretins operated. He muttered to himself in an angry tone. What was he failing to see here? He detested the fact that he was in the dark about the details that surrounded this whole affair. He exhaled deeply as he massaged his eyes and squeezed the bridge of his nose. Even if his nerves were not completely taxed, he was feeling the strain of his searches. He was looking everywhere. To protect Selena and everyone else, he needed to finish this.
Hm. He let out a gruff blow from his lips. He wished said mate was by his side right now. The sad irony was that he was doing all this also to keep his mind off of her. But with each increasing moment, it was becoming harder and harder to focus. He finally let himself break yesterday, going into the training facility, but even before then, he broke by seeking her out throughout the week. He had heavily contemplated just going into her room and snatching her up—his wolf always seemed so happy to oblige.
After giving it some more thought, he looked up at the clock on his desk. It's already 1:07 p.m. He got up from his seat and decided he would at least attempt to get some sleep to regain his composure. Either that or he has to go back to some of the Alpha's responsibilities he's been slacking off on.
But neither of those things would occur. At the very least, for the time being.
Cayden twisted his head toward the door as his nose flared in response to the scent that was predominantly on the other side. Before he could rest on his desk, he had to use a little more than a tiny amount of energy to make his wolf relax just enough so that it wouldn't rip open the doors. When Selena knocked on the door for the first time, he responded as gently as he could, "Come on in."
On the other side of the door, Selena could make out Cayden's voice as she took a deep breath. It was reasonable to assume that he immediately recognised her scent the instant she got close.... It was still possible to leave. It wouldn't be hard for her to accomplish it right now. Millie took her by the hand and entered the room before she turned around and bolted.
And there he was, leaning against his desk, his gaze fixed intently on her, with no one else in the room to even provide a minor diversion. She leaned against the door, never once turning her back to him but keeping her eyes on the shoes he was wearing. As the door banged shut inadvertently, it caused her to experience a moment of discomfort.
Selena maintained her silence, showing signs of nervousness as she licked her bottom lip slightly and subtly smelt the air to pick up on his feelings, but she could not get through his placid exterior. He hadn't made even the slightest sound the entire time. And he hadn't moved one inch.
Millie broke the silence by stating, "Sorry for disturbing my Alpha," seeing that neither Cayden nor Selena had anything to add to the conversation.
"Hm?" The sarcastic and cutting tone that Cayden used made Selena want to cringe and run away.
"I wanted to be sure I could take Selena shopping with me, so I am here to ask for your permission."
"Shopping?" The expression on Cayden's face remained the same, but his eyebrows raised themselves.
"You are correct, my Alpha; she has never set foot inside a mall. Can you imagine?"
Cayden's lips twitched ever so slightly, giving the impression that he was attempting to stifle a giggle.
"I am grateful that you came to get my permission rather than going off on your own."
He gave Selena a fleeting look. "Had it not been for that, I would have worried."
Selena turned her head aside and attempted to calm her racing heart. She was certain that he could detect the excitement in her scent.
"I need you to go out and get a sufficient amount of clothing for Selena. And by everything, I mean the bare minimum plus some, the total package. Okay?"
"Are you aware of the amount of money about which you're speaking?" Selena inquired, astonished.
"Yes, I do. But it is something that must be done. Believe it or not, I can pay for it. Therefore, you shouldn't rush out and buy the cheapest items you can find. When they become damaged, replace them with a new one."
Selena objected, arguing that there was no need for it. There was a pile of clothes in her closet that Natasha took over. Most of them were tracksuits, but she also had a formal gown and some risqué items. She decided she did not want to touch them anymore.
"It is my responsibility to provide for and look after the members of my pack. It is impossible to live without the things. So, grab what you need and have a good time doing it."
Millie leaped in excitement. "Oh, don't be concerned; I will buy everything for her, my Alpha."
He gave her a kind grin. "Don't forget to get something for yourself."
" Oh! You are the kindest and sweetest." Millie raved over her crush with the enthusiasm of an adolescent girl.
Cayden let out a muffled laugh. "I have a reputation to maintain."
"Please excuse me, Sweet. He would steal chocolates from a little child." As soon as Max walked into the office, he said.
"Max, shut up. Take them out shopping right now."
"What! me?" Max just remained there motionless, as if he was suddenly told to jump off the cliff.