CHAPTER 151 Why Do You Smell Like A Lycan?

"Come on, let's try this store," Lily suggested, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she pulled Kasia into a boutique overflowing with colorful garments.

Kasia couldn't help but smile as she browsed the racks, selecting pieces she'd never dreamed of wearing before. The normalcy of the moment brought a sense of comfort, something that had been sorely lacking in her life since her parents' deaths.

"I've never really had the chance to do normal things like this, you know?" Kasia confided in Lily as they sat down on a plush bench, laden with clothes to try on. "Ever since my parents died, it's just been... surviving, and then I joined them, but I still felt like I was struggling. I don't know why I am talking about this now."

Lily's face softened, her gaze full of understanding. "I'm so sorry, Kasia. What happened to your parents?"

Kasia took a deep breath, feeling the familiar ache in her chest. "We were foragers, living off the land. One day, Lana and I went out to gather supplies, and we got lost. It took us hours to find our way back home. But when we did..." Her voice trembled, and she blinked back tears.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked. It's okay. We don't have to talk about this," Lily apologized.

"No, it's fine," Kasia reassured Lily, wiping the tears from her face. She wanted to tell her. Maybe if she finally told someone about it, she would feel better. "Our livestock were spooked, running amok. The door to our house was ripped off its hinges. I went in first. There was blood everywhere. Arm on the counter... I covered Lana's eyes so she wouldn't see what had become of our parents."

Lily reached out, pulling Kasia into a tight embrace. "I'm so, so sorry, Kasia. No one should have to go through that."

"Thank you," she whispered, taking solace in Lily's warmth. "It's just-I can't help but feel responsible."

"Kasia, listen to me," Lily said firmly, holding the younger woman by her shoulders. "None of this is your fault. If you were there, you would have died alongside your parents, and you would not have been there to take care of Lana."

"I lost my parents too," Lily shared quietly, her voice thick with emotion. "My stepparents murdered them. It took time, but eventually, the pain does fade. Not entirely, but enough to keep going."

Kasia sniffled, feeling a rush of gratitude for Lily's empathy and understanding. "I'm sorry for ruining the mood," she said, attempting a weak smile.

"Hey, you didn't ruin anything," Lily assured her, giving Kasia's hand a reassuring squeeze. "Now, let's do something to cheer both of us up. I think it's time we got your nails and hair done. When Ethan sees you with your new wardrobe and hair, he won't be able to keep his hands off you."

Kasia blushed at the mention of Ethan but nodded in agreement. The two women left the boutique with bags in hand, finding themselves at an upscale nail salon. As they settled into the plush chairs, Kasia felt a sense of normalcy that had been missing from her life for so long.

As the manicurist began working on Kasia's nails, she couldn't help but overhear a conversation between two women nearby. They spoke excitedly about the upcoming summer solstice, gossiping about how they were planning to pursue Ethan.

"I heard he prefers brunettes," one whispered eagerly.

"Well, I just dyed my hair last week," the other replied with a sly grin.

"Can you believe they're already planning to pursue the Alpha King?" The manicurist muttered to Kasia as she worked on her nails.

"It's all anyone can talk about nowadays," Kasia replied, rolling her eyes as she played along.

"Well, I, for one, am determined to catch his eye at the summer solstice celebration." Another woman chimed in from a nearby chair.

Anger flared within Kasia, her hands clenching into fists as she struggled to maintain her composure. She was aware that many women desired Ethan, but hearing these women openly discuss their intentions toward him ignited a possessive fury within her.

"Hey, it's okay," Deva whispered soothingly, sensing Kasia's distress. "You know where Ethan's heart lies. Don't let them get to you."

Kasia took a deep breath, forcing herself to relax. She focused on the rhythmic sensation of the manicurist filing her nails, allowing the sound to drown out the voices around her.

After finishing her nail and hair appointments, Kasia felt refreshed and rejuvenated. Lily noticed her lighter mood and smiled. "You look stunning, Kasia! Ethan is going to be speechless when he sees you."

"Thank you," Kasia replied, blushing slightly at the compliment.

"Let's grab something to eat before we head back, okay?" Lily suggested, and Kasia nodded in agreement.

As they stepped out of the salon, laughter and chatter from the city filled their ears. The sun began to dip towards the horizon, casting a warm glow over the streets. They had just started discussing where to eat when a black car abruptly pulled up in front of them.

Before either woman could react, strong hands reached out and yanked them into the vehicle. Kasia's heart raced as adrenaline surged through her veins. She instinctively moved into a defensive position, preparing to fight off their attacker.

"Whoa there!" A familiar voice rang out, followed by hearty laughter. Relief washed over Kasia as she recognized Milo's mischievous grin. "Luna Lily, it seems you need to work on your defense. You're a little rusty."

"Milo, what the hell? That was not funny!" Lily snapped, her pulse still racing from the sudden ambush.

"Aw, come on. I couldn't resist," Milo chuckled, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement. "Besides, you both reacted pretty well, considering." He playfully nudged Lily, who rolled her eyes but couldn't help smirking.

However, Kasia remained tense and alert. This unexpected meeting brought back unpleasant memories of her last encounter with Milo. As Milo continued laughing, he suddenly froze, catching Kasia's scent. His expression changed from playful to serious in an instant as he turned to face her.

"Kasia?!" He exclaimed. "Why do you smell like a Lycan?"