"Why me?" Max inquired, completely baffled.
"Selena and Millie, go get ready. You can wait for Max on the porch, and he will come get you," Cayden ordered.
The women gave a collective nod before leaving without argument.
"Because you are the only one who can safely get her back," Said Cayden after some reflection.
"I can't keep her tucked up here at the pack house; Selena has already lived a life like that. But being out in the big city makes me uncomfortable. Keep your eyes open."
"Do you believe there could be some trouble?" Max asked.
"I don't want to take any chances at this point. I don't suppose Hawk has had much time to do anything, but there's no need for us to be careless. If he does something, it will be done that is deceptive. More of a scare technique, to be honest. At least... for the time being."
"Gotcha."
"And don't say anything to them, either. Selena is not stupid. It means a lot to me to see her laughing and having a good time. In her life, she hasn't had too many chances to do that kind of thing,"Cayden remarked.
"Cayden, it's only a matter of time before it happens. Hawk will engage in some activity, and you will be required to—"
"I am aware of that. I can't help but worry."
"Boy, aren't you just full of clichés this morning?"
"And you're full of shit, as usual. Go get the car."
Max was perspiring heavily while standing amid the lingerie area while carrying stacks of frilly things. Max's blood pressure was increasing along with his humiliation because of the things that Selena and Millie were placing on the pile. He wasn't meant to be here in the middle of the frilly lace world. Something was dangling up there with small hooks on the back of it. It appeared to be some kind of torture device from the Middle Ages. He shook his head and looked outside.
He witnessed something that caused his heart to stop beating, his shoulders to slump, and his stomach to churn. The curses of his existence, the bane of his life, the never-ending pains in his ass... His sisters.
"Oh no, dear god, no. Anything else them... anyone else but them,"Max whispered while flushing. "Just kill me now, Luna, and please, please." He chanted.
Maya and Anna both stood there with their mouths slightly open and their eyes wide as they stared at their 6" 5 brother.
Maya flashed a smile and nudged Anna.
"Oh wow, who would have thought?" As Maya moved closer to him, she joked.
"Want some help in choosing a bra, brother?" She teased.
"Oh goodness," Max murmured. The huge, fearless warrior who was second in charge really considered letting go of an arm full of lacey things and running for the exit. However, he could not, since he had committed to his Alpha that he would safeguard Selena. "I'm going to kill Cayden."
"Oh, I think that black lace pantyhose that wrap around the legs would look absolutely stunning on him?" Anna observed Max and eventually stood in front of him.
"Though you will need a bigger size, it won't fit that big ass of yours."
Max murmured to himself, "Going to kill Cayden slowly, painfully."
"Oh! What about a teddy made of pink fabric?" Anna stated.
"Don't start. I really mean it!" Max frantically glanced in all directions. "There is a reason I am here."
"Really? Are you a secret cross dresser, Max?" Anna grinned.
"No! You should know better than to assume that is what I am, Anna. Shouldn't you get your toenails waxed, your teeth whitened, your eyebrows shaped, or something else?"
"Have your toenails waxed?" Anna let out a snort. "You did well."
"He's hopeless," Maya shrugged.
"I am going to kill Cayden..." Max gave a low hissing sound beneath his breath.
Selena was walking towards Max with a couple more items. She gave Max and the two girls her undivided attention as she listened in on their talk. She couldn't help but let out a chuckle.
"Are you serious, Max? You want me to wax your toenails?" Maya teased.
"Selena," Max stared at her, and he gave off the impression that he was relieved. "These two are my younger sisters. This is Maya, and the one standing there is Anna."
Anna questioned, "Who is the other one? No wonder you are still single."
"Yeah, well, look who's talking," Max retorted.
Anna gave a grimace. "If my mate is anything like you, then I'd like to stay single. Thank you very much," she said.
"He'll thank his lucky stars," Max grumbled.
"Yes, I heard that!" Anna let out an audible gasp and then smacked Max on the shoulder.
"It's nice to meet you two. Max never told me he had sisters," Selena remarked.
Maya rolled her eyes as she said, "I can just imagine. He often forgets about us."
"You were away. What was the point of talking about you troublemakers?" Max exclaimed as he threw all the lingerie into Millie's arms, who had just arrived. She waved at Anna and Maya from behind the pile.
"That makes sense," Maya said.
"We are at college and have been staying away from the pack. We are spending the week here for spring break."
"Wow! College." Selena murmured.
In her earlier packs, with a few notable exceptions, college attendance was strictly off limits for everyone.
"Selena, it's a pleasure to meet you. I have heard a lot about you."
"Which suggests they had been gossiping." Max huffed.
"Max, did you just mention that you wanted a bra that matched the thong you are wearing?" Because of the volume, a few elderly ladies turned their attention to Max.
"Well, I guess I should kill both of you rather than Cayden."
"Please excuse me. Max, you've been giving such threats for the last several years. Do something better.,"Anna replied.
Selena couldn't help but laugh at the three of them. She could not imagine a connection like theirs, yet she would have to have one.
"Okay, I give up. Just put an end to it, thanks.,"Max implored.
Anna turned to Selena. "He has improved significantly over the years. It doesn't take him nearly as long to give up now, which is a good thing. I suppose that qualifies him as someone who can be trained."
"It's wonderful that your brother cares about you as much as he does. To clear the air, I do like him." Selena added.
"Definitely, and we care deeply about him as well. He would cut the head off of any guy who looked at us unfavourably. That doesn't absolve him of the responsibility of being brought down a notch or two."
Max said, "Which is something that they do... regularly. Selena? It won't be long till lunch. Are you done here? We really ought to eat."
"Oh, are you going to treat us to lunch?" Anna asked.
Max paid the cashier as he was making his way to the register, "WE are going to have lunch... I have no clue why you girls are here."
"Max!" Selena gave a little shake of the head. She then turned around to face Anna and Maya, saying, "Would you be interested in joining us for lunch?"
Max sighed and muttered, "And there goes my hunger."
"We'd love to," Anna answered. "We'll follow your car... but where?"
Max offered "The Vitto."
"Cayden won't mind?" Selena asked sceptically.
"Oh, course not. They're not his sisters."
"No, I mean, me eating out?"
Anna and Maya looked puzzled.
"Nah, he won't mind. Come on." Max.
assisted them all in making their way back to the van while keeping a watchful
eye out for anyone who could act suspiciously.
Selena looked around the small Italian restaurant. It.
Was cosy and inviting. The rustic wood.
The furniture was covered by a checked tablecloth. Soft music played from the hidden.
Speakers. She was looking at the menu when she got the whiff of a familiar scent.
"Cayden! It's good to see you. I didn't know you were joining us for lunch." Maya and Anna squealed.