His Oblivious Mate

Chapter 9 : Shopping

"Anywayyy the wiiind blows" they sang the last chords of Bohemian Rhapsody in unison. Cass was driving, Athena in the passenger seat beside her. Cathy had the whole back seat to her self. She discovered that Cass and Athena loved the music of Abba and Queen as much as she does. The drive into the city flew by while they sang at the top of their lungs. She could see the city limits approaching. She remembers growing up in this city. The happy times with parents. She suddenly felt melancholy creep into her heart. She missed them. She was pulled from her thoughts by Cass "Are you okay Cathy?". She blinked away the tears that were threatening to fall and smiled. "Yes, I am" she reassured her. They entered the city and made their way to the closest mall. Parking in the underground parking garage, Cass locked the car. They opted using the stairs instead of the elevator, which Cathy was secretly greatful for. She hated elevators. The feeling of going up or down in a small metal box freaked her out.

Cass and Athena dragged her from clothing store to clothing store. She had to admit that they had great fashion sense. They selected a few winter's outfits for her, a pair of knee high winter boots that was lined with polar fleece, and a long, wine red coat. She tried it all on, and it fit like it was made especially for her. She paid for it, and they visited the next shop. She squealed when she saw the shop had an array of winter onesie pajamas. She picked one that looked like a panda, and then selected another one that looked like a brown bear, laughing at herself. Cass and Athena rolled their eyes. "We came for lingerie, not cute pajamas" Athena chuckled. Cathy stuck her tongue out at her. "These are so warm and comfortable" she defended her choice, holding the garments against her chest. Cass persuaded her to buy three sets of lacy underwear, and in a moment of weakness, she gave in. She selected a red and black set, a white set and a green set that almost matched her eyes.

They put the bags of clothing in the car, and then visited a hardware store where she got a few cans of white paint, tints, rollers and brushes. Then they helped her buy groceries. She made sure to get enough food so that the city won't be seeing her again soon. After stowing it all in the car, they went up the stairs again, chatting and laughing.

They walked into the beauty salon, and were ushered to a room where they undressed and wrapped in towels, they lay down on the massage tables. For the next hour, the massueses, rubbed and massaged their neck, back and leg muscles. Cathy groaned in satisfaction. This was the closest to heaven she has ever been.

After the massages, they went for facials. Cathy almost fell asleep as the somatologist worked th moisturizer onto her face. "Hey Cathy, we are getting waxed after this" Athena said. "Why? It is winter, I don't have a boyfriend and waxing is going to hurt" she said, arching her eyebrows quizically at the other two girls. "Because we are ladies, and ladies sometimes need to get waxed" Cass answered. Cathy continued to argue, she didn't feel like going through that pain, but in the end they dragged her with them and she capitulated.

"Oh geez, dear mother of pearl!!" she yelled as the esthetician yanked a wax strip from her leg. "A-friggen-ha, please stop". Cass and Athena were laughing their heads off, but Cass at least held her hand. "Don't break my hand" Cass gasped as another strip came off. "I really don't like you girls at this moment" Cathy said, her eyes watering. "I have a perfectly good razor at home, why did I let you talk me into this" she wondered out loud. "Hang in there, almost done... with the legs" Athena teased her, with a glint in her eyes.

She thought she would get the chance to make fun of them when it was their turn, but they each got their legs and armpits waxed without even pulling a face. "What kind of waxing sorcery is this?" Cathy asked astonished. "We are used to it by now. But the first few times, Athena swore like a sailor" Cass answered. "I did not.. wait, yes, yes I did" Athena laughed. "Well, I am not doing that, ever again" Cathy said, chuckling.

They finished off the pampering with a manicure and pedicure. Athena chose red nail polish, Cass chose blue, and Cathy a light pastel green. "I actually enjoyed this" she remarked, as they waited for the polish to dry. "Even the waxing?" Cass asked teasingly. "Except the waxing" she said.

As they walked out into the mall, Athena glanced at her watch. "We still have plenty of time, shall we have our hair done?" she asked. "Goodness knows when we will come to the city again. Let's do it" Cass exclaimed. Cathy nodded and they shared a conspiratorial grin, before looking for a hair salon. Two hours later, they walked out, looking like completely different people. "I really needed that" Cass sighed contentedly. "Now, let's eat!".

They decided on pizza. Waiting for their order, the conversation turned to men. "So Cathy, have you ever had a boyfriend? Or husband? Or girlfriend?" Athena asked. Cathy laughed "No. I was too busy studying and perfecting my craft to notice men. And then my parents died and I focussed on sculpting to keep my mind busy" she answered. "So you never had a boyfriend?" Cass asked, her mouth hanging open. "I mean, you are beautiful and funny and kind". "Nope. Never" Cathy answered as their pizza arrived. "How about you, Cass?" she asked, as she put a slice of pizza on her plate. "I had a boyfriend, but he cheated on me" she answered. "He is stupid" Cathy declared. "And you Athena?". "My mate, I mean man, is with Caleb. He is like the overseer of the commune. They are away on business" Athena answered. "Oh. When are they coming back" Cathy asked, not missing the slight sadness on Athena's face. Athena perked up. "They should be home the day after tomorrow" she answered, the sadness replaced with exitement. "You really love him, don't you" Cathy stated. "He is my other half. He treats me like a queen. He really listens to me and understand what I am saying, even when I am quiet" Athena said, smiling. "And it doesn't hurt that I find him sexy as sin" she winked.

"Cass, Caleb returned. Timothy wants his mate back home A.S.A.P. But don't tell Athena, he wants to surprise her" Duncan spoke to Cass through mindlink. "Are you okay Cass?" Cathy asked, a worried expression on her face. "Uhm, yes, I am. Why?" she answered. "Well, you looked spaced out for a moment there, Cass answered. "I am fine, just tired. I think I feel a migraine coming on" she fibbed. That would get them to leave without asking questions.

Athena drove back. Cass was lying on the back seat, and Cathy was staring out the passenger side window, watching the scenery without really seeing anything. She felt a little worn out, and closed her eyes. She woke with a start when the car stopped at her cabin. The girls helped her carry her bags inside. "Would you like some hot chocolate?" she invited them to stay a while. "Not tonight, it is getting late and my head hurts" Cass declined. "I just want to get home and take some meds". "No worries. Thank you for today. It was amazing. And I hope you feel better soon Cass" she said, as she walked them to the car. "Goodnight Cathy, sleep well. We will talk soon" Athena said as she got into the driver's seat. "Night Cathy" Cass said, closing the passenger door. She waved as they drove off, and then went inside to unpack the shopping bags.

Athena parked the car in the garage. "What is going on Cass? Wolves don't get migraines" she asked, as she switched off the ignition. "You will see" Cass answered cryptically, getting out. Athena frowned and got out. Before she could close the door, she was pulled into a pair of strong arms. "Damn, I missed you, mate" Timothy spoke against her hair, before claiming her lips in a passionate kiss. She kissed him back, matching his passion, pouring all her emotions into the kiss. They broke apart, and he laid his forehead against hers. "You are more beautiful each time I see you" he whispered. "I missed you Tim" she whispered back. He scooped her into his arms, walking towards the pack house, saying with a wicked grin " I am going to show you just how much I missed you".

Cass entered the pack house, going to Duncan's study. Caleb was in the office. He looked at her when she entered. He took her hand, brought it to his face, sniffing. Then his brown eyes turned golden and he asked "Who were you with Cass?". She pulled her hand back and answered puzzled "With a friend, her name is Cathy" she answered. "Where is she?" he asked, urgency in his voice. "We dropped her off at her cabin. She bought old man Johnson's place. Why?" she asked, still not understanding his reaction. "I think she is my mate" he said.