"What the hell is he doing here?" Selena was thinking.
"Because I was in town, I decided it would be fun to eat lunch with you all. How did you like shopping?" Cayden asked, while sitting in a chair.
"Oh, it went well. Max could get a lovely thong and bra for himself."
After a little teasing from Anna, both sisters burst out laughing.
Max received a look of confusion from Cayden.
"Ignore them. My sisters are monsters, I beg you." Max gave a groan.
"How about you? Did you end up with what you were looking for?" When Cayden spoke to Selena, she was so startled that she almost dropped her menu.
"Me? Yeah, I got exactly what I was looking for." Selena squeaked.
She wasn't used to being normal and doing mundane things with Cayden. She had spent most of their time naked and pinned to his cock. Both willingly and unwillingly. She shook her head to dispel the image. This wasn't the right time.
"Oh, get a grip! You had this planned, didn't you?" Max let out a low grunt. "Damn, what a day."
Selena listened intently to understand what was being said.
"Oh Max, I'm sorry to tell you this, but maybe this is the only option for you to end your single status." Maya made a playful comment.
"Don't force me to go to the unmated orgy," Max pleaded.
"Orgy?" Anna and Maya shared a chuckle together.
"I mean mating ball, party, getting in the pants ceremony, whatever. I am not interested." Max cribbed. All the girls were rolling with laughter.
"How is that a bad thing? You are going to end up with either a mate or a floozie in your bed. It's a win-win situation." Cayden sighed.
"Why don't you go to that miserable ball and get yourself a mate?" Max insisted.
Cayden's face clouded.
"I can't."
Selena maintained her gaze on the chequered pattern of the tablecloth as though it were the most intriguing thing she had ever seen.
"Yeah, Cayden, why aren't you going? After all, we require a Lune." Anna stated.
Selena's wolf snarled inside her. "How could he even consider the possibility of another? Make him yours!" She let out a hiss.
Max grinned.
"I think I need to keep a closer check on what's going on inside that head of yours."
Cayden admonished Max, saying, "You keep the hell out of my damn life."
"Yes, almighty Alpha, who is far too cowardly to accept his mate." Cayden heard Max's words in his head.
"Max!!"
"Alright, okay," Max chuckled. "Couldn't resist. You take the girls back. I am going to Fullers."
Anna and Maya grumbled. "Not again."
"What exactly are Fullers?" Selena asked.
Maya sighed and said with a grunt, "You won't have to ask that question once we've been there for several hours."
"What on earth does he find to stare at for such a lengthy period?" Anna quipped.
"Everything!" the gang shouted, and Selena giggled.
"It is a store that sells home improvement and hardware items. These days, Max is all into interior decorating." Cayden offered an explanation.
"Max, you really surprised me. I did not know you had other hobbies." Selena laughed.
Cayden could not suppress the sigh that started in his chest and made its way out. "Oh my gosh, it's almost like having a drug addiction. Look at him."
"Being an interior designer was my lifelong dream," Max sighed.
"I find it endearing that he takes pleasure in something,"Selena stated.
"Well, thanks for lunch. We must be heading back. Have to prepare for the pack run tonight." Maya said with a smile.
"Oh yeah! I have never gone to one." Anna, who was most definitely the younger of the two, stated.
"Ladies, you may not leave your rooms tonight," Max warned.
Anna responded to him by pulling a face. "We are adults. There is no need for you to act like a protective brother."
Maya sprang to her feet and said, "Ah yes, we really need to be getting along..."
Selena simply laughed. She often wished she had a stronger bond with her own siblings.
"All right, let's put an end to this arguing; it's time to get going." Cayden ordered. "Continue to stick together."
"Why are you being so careful?" Maya asked.
"That's all because of my dad," Selena said.
"Oh, right, I've heard that he's a horrible man." Maya expressed her concern.
Selena did not know how much Max's sisters knew about her circumstances, but she kept her mouth shut about it anyhow. She did not want them to feel sorry for her.
"Maya and Anna, can I join you for the pack run today?" Selena suddenly asked, aware of the sharp intake of Cayden's breath.
"Oh, so you finally agree?" Millie said excitedly.
"Yeah, I am curious about it. I have never been in a pack run."
"You are going to love it! It's so much fun!" Maya, Anna and Millie kept talking about the pack until they reached home.
The trip home did not involve any exciting events. Nobody was hiding around the next bend in the path, preparing to attack them, and nobody was trailing them too closely. Cayden could calm down after they had returned to their own turf. It was safe for his pack, and it was safe for his mate. They followed Anna and Maya to their home, which belonged to their family. After they were safely inside, Cayden drove them back to their house.
"We're going to have a meeting," Cayden said as Max pulled in behind him.
"Selena? You can go to your room."
"Why?" she spoke.
Cayden raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, why?"
"It's about my dad, right? Has he done something again? Why have you been excluding me from your plans? I told you I wanted to help."
"You have already done enough, Selena," Cayden said as they walked inside.
"Sweetheart, I don't know what to tell you," Max said, as he walked beside Selena.
" We just got an invitation for your half-brother's meeting...."
"And you people didn't tell me?" Selena stopped and glared at Cayden.
Cayden closed his eyes and warned Max through the mind link.
"I had this feeling of danger, that's all. I don't want to put you in further danger. That is why I didn't tell you... nothing more."
"But I want to help!" Selena was adamant.
"Let her help, Cayden." Natasha's voice sent a chill down Selena's spine, and she turned to face the girl.
"I am sure she'll be useful." She grinned at Selena.
Selena had been avoiding Natasha like the plague. It was difficult to forget and forgive all that had happened.
"All good, in fifteen minutes we will meet in the conference room," Cayden issued an order before leaving for his room.
"Are you looking forward to the run we have tonight?" Natasha asked Selena.
Selena was taken aback because Natasha was already aware of it.
"Yeah, I think." A brusque response came back from Selena, and she pondered how to escape Natasha's company.
"Why don't you want to be my friend?"
"Why do you want to be mine?" Selena fired back.
"You're new and don't know anyone. I'm starting over. It would make sense for us to have each other's backs."
Selena turned and looked at Natasha. She couldn't understand what Natasha wanted.
"Are you apprehensive about being in Cayden's presence, as I understand it?" Natasha remarked, almost as if she could read her thinking.
Selena blinked, uncertain of how to respond to the question.
Natasha said to Selena as she had a firm grip on Natasha's arm, "I'll make sure he stays away from you. And keep your distance from him. Avoid making eye contact and don't give him permission to touch you."
Selena tore her arm out from her hold. Natasha temporarily hid her face by covering her eyes. The tenderness returned to her face as she opened them up. She greeted Selena with a kind smile and a gentle tap on the shoulder.
"I mean, us girls have to look out for each other, right?"
"I guess..." Selena was beyond confused. A lump of fear formed at the back of her throat. Was Cayden going to touch her again? She wanted to ask Natasha why she mentioned that, but before she could, the black-haired woman spoke again.
"I'll try to find you during the run tonight." Natasha walked down the corridor.
Selena gave a little shake of her head and then looked. Something was weird with the woman. In fact, it looked like something was off with everyone.