The Luna's of North Haven

Chapter Two Elena

“Hello! You must be Kim and Nick, I’m Elena! Are you ready to get started?” I said, smiling

They nodded and we got right to work. As I snapped photos of a newly mated couple I couldn’t help but feel a little bit of jealousy. Every picture I took captured their love for each other.   

We took a short break and Kim came over to me while Nick used the restroom. “Excuse me, Elena. How would you feel about switching this up a bit?

“I’m sorry, what?” I said confused.

“I just found out I was pregnant this morning and have been thinking of a way to tell Nick, could we do something like this?” She showed me a picture on her phone of a couple standing back to back holding signs that said something cute about each other but on the girls, she wrote “I’m pregnant” and the very next image was of them facing each other and his reaction to the sign.

“I love it! It’s perfect!!!” I said.

I went and found the prop chalkboards and came back to find Nick and Kim waiting patiently. I explained what we were doing and they both got on board with it. I took the before pictures with their backs together and then had them turn toward each other. I perfectly captured Nick's expression of him realizing he would be a dad! After a few belly pictures, they said goodbye and headed on their way.

I sat and sighed. “When would I get that?” I turned 19 a month ago and still hadn’t found my mate. All wolves shift for the first time on their 18th birthday and go on to find their mate pretty quickly. Me on the other hand, not so much. My biggest problem is that I didn’t care much for socializing with people. Part of me was also scared to find a mate because I’d always been way more attracted to females. What if my mate wasn’t what I wanted?! 

The other part of me didn’t care because I just wanted to feel like I belonged. Just then I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. I got up to go see where Lillian was. She was passed out on the couch in her office. I rolled my eyes and walked back to the cash register to check my phone.

Bestie: Hey, you and I are going to the club tonight.

Me: Okay!

Bestie: My boss just yelled at me for sleeping on the job. Oops.

Me: My boss IS sleeping on the job!

Bestie: Damn. That sucks.

Me: it’s whatever. So my house or yours?

Bestie: definitely yours! I don’t think we want to get ready in my tiny ass room.

Me: alright! So be at my house at 5?

Bestie: See ya then!   

I put my phone away and glanced at the clock. It was 5 minutes after 10:00. The next session was late and I almost canceled their appointment when the came through the door in a whirlwind. The family consisted of two little boys, mom, and dad.

The two boys screamed and cried as their mom tried to get them to cooperate. Their mom was getting frustrated quickly, and the dad was standing to the side watching his wife struggle. I sighed and then put on a happy face. I quickly got them positioned the best I could and snapped their photos. The quicker I got this over with the quicker they would be gone.

I looked at the photos as they were leaving and knew lots of editing would be needed to make this work.

I looked at the clock and realized it was only 11:30. I had some time to kill before my last scheduled appointment came in at noon. I sat down behind the counter, pulled out my laptop, and began editing the photo's from my first session this morning.

As I saved my work the door chimed and someone walked in. "Hello! Welcome to Lil's Studio!" I didn't look up from my laptop but as the person neared my I could smell that he or she was a werewolf. I looked up and made eye contact with a tall, handsome man that I'd never seen before.

He growled a low growl and I quickly looked away. The feeling of uneasiness I felt this morning was back. "Is Lillian here?"

My brain was telling me to get out of here. If he was out to get Lillian I couldn't tell him she was here but I also didn't want to make it seem like I was alone. "Um. Yeah, I can go get her if you need to speak to her?" I said quietly.

"No. Just tell her John stopped by." I could feel him staring at me but I did not dare to look up at him again. The door chimed and I sighed when I realized he had left.

"Well, that wasn't f*****g terrifying?!" I muttered out loud.

"What was terrifying?" Lillian said from behind me.

I jumped when I heard her voice. "Oh, um some guy named John was just here asking about you. He made me feel uneasy."

"He has that effect on people." She said stretching and yawning.

“Have a good nap??” I asked.

She rolled her eyes at me and walked away. I glanced at the clock and realized it was almost 1:00 PM. I watched as Lillian set up for the group she had coming in.

The group being a local high school baseball team, started to trickle in and when all of the group arrived I helped arrange everyone and took a couple of photos. 

“Alright, Lillian. Looks like there are a bunch of good photos here. Is it okay if I leave for the day?!” I asked

She looked at me and shrugged. “Whatever! But you will be coming in on Sunday morning to make up the time you missed today. These pictures will need some editing" She said giving me her best fake grin.

“Sure thing!” I said returning her fake smile with one of my own. I turned and walked away. "What a bitch." I muttered as I got to work cleaning my set.

When I finally got done I collected my things, I went out to my car and headed home. I drove the roundabout way so I could take in the scenery of the colorful trees. Before I knew it I was pulling in the driveway. I sat there for a moment thinking about how I even made it home in one piece since I didn't remember much of the drive. I shut the car off, got out, and noticed my mom's car was gone. I rolled my eyes and sighed. She was always working.