The Crimson Alpha

Chapter 3: Shopping Trip

~Seth's P. O. V.~

I had to keep my composure around Mabel's family. Even by wolf standards, we don't sell our daughters off to other alphas. I couldn't believe Alpha Eustace was making a deal for a woman who was clearly younger than he was. Tch. I wanted to tear him apart here, but the other humans were around. And there are only 4 Alpha ranks compared to the 10 humans.

He will not get away with making our mate cry. Did you see her eyes? My wolf, Blake, paced in my head.

I saw. The sadness, the anger, the hatred. And a wish to be free. He growled in response. I don't blame him, this is as much as his mate as she is mine. It's more common now to have a human mate than before. I know my pack will accept her as their new luna, but will she accept us as her new family? What will her reaction be when I tell her who I really am?

"It's outrageous!" Her father slammed his fist on the table. The temper on him is astounding.

"It is something that we have talked about for years, Jackson." Another human stood to defend himself. I think his name is Nick Riviara. Not a human I deal with on a daily basis. "You knew about this. We never kept it a secret." I was a bit confused.

"They are my employees, Nick! And you are taking them from me!" Ah. That. Jackson doesn't have a good reputation with his employees.

"On the contrary, they are leaving you." This was no surprise to anyone in this room, except Jackson. "But you knew that. We kept telling you to treat them better." He pulls out a large file. "Customer complaints, employee complaints, s****l harassment reports." Interesting. I never knew Jackson was a playboy. I wonder how Sylvia is taking this? I looked at her and saw her wipe a tear away before straightening her posture. Poor woman didn't even know. "You should be criminally charged with that last one. You forced yourself on a young woman, no older than your daughter, just a month ago." Nick slammed the file down. I beg your pardon?

"She is not my daughter after today." This earned him a full-on slap from Sylvia.

"We are getting a divorce, Jackson." She stood and walked to the door. Turning around to face the room as a whole. "I apologize for my husband's behavior. And my abrupt leave." She looked at Jackson, "I will be talking to my father, Jackson. You will lose everything." She opened the door and stormed out. I looked at Roxy, who gave me the same concern. Sylvia re-entered the room for a final thought, "I'll be taking Seth later to talk about Mabel's future, without you." Slamming the door again, she exited the office.Suddenly, the air became still as Jackson looked at me with fury and hostility. I looked back at him. I had no remorse for what I did. I gave his daughter a better future, a better home and, most of all, I will give her all the love this world has to offer.

He stood from his seat, "You think this is funny, don't you? Seeing my family leave me, my company falling apart. You just had to challenge Eustace for my daughter." I will not deny that I do somewhat find his situation amusing. But if this human thinks he can make me submit to him, he's got another thing coming.

"As I have heard, Jackson Lennon, you just denounced Mabel as your daughter. This is not parents' love, this isn't even right." I stood from my chair and glared at him. He was a few inches shorter than I am. "You sold her off to a man who is twice her age. You are not fit to be her father." Blake continued to pace and growl inside my mind, I know he is itching to kill someone. "In fact, you are no longer her legal guardian. Not after that announcement. What Sylvia and Mabel Lennon do is no longer your concern. You are excused from this meeting. Seeing that you got your wealth from your wife and your position from your wife." The others, well, except Eustace, all nodded in agreement. 12 votes for dismissal, 1 vote against. Not including Jackson himself. With rage in his eyes, he left the meeting room.

"Well, if everything is concluded here, gentlemen and ladies, then please enjoy the rest of your afternoon." Estace stood and calmly left the room first. I sat back down and looked at where Mabel was sitting. She looked so frightened right now. Before I could get up and go to her, Roxy flew out of the room and pulled her into a hug. If Roxy was part of my pack, I would consider her a sister. She took Mabel's hand and both left. Mabel looked back at me with worry. I only smiled and gave her the okay to go with Roxy. The door closed, leaving myself and the others. The humans filed out before too long and Alpha Cory took a seat next to me.

"That was an interesting meeting." He pulled the files over and began reading the complaints. "I had never imagined that Jackson would have done that to his own flesh and blood."

Scoffing, "I know. We're the beasts, yet here was a human treating his daughter like a f*****g prize. How is that right?" I asked this wiser Alpha.

"I do not know. You, however, can rest assured, that The Pearl Moon pack will stay allies with The Crimson Moon pack." He held out his hand and I shook it.

"Do you know what my enemies are starting to call me?" I laughed a little bit.

"I have. You are a ruthless Alpha when it comes to war, Seth. That's a good thing. It shows you are not weak." He looked at me smiling.

~Luna Roxy's P. O. V.~

I couldn't believe that monster of a human Mabel grew up with. And he f*****g raised her? How could he do that? I wanted to punch him so hard that even his mother would be hurt. Rose was equally as angry, she kept pacing my mind as this terrible man threw insult after insult at his own family. But then he had the absolute balls to try to talk to Seth the way he did. I knew Seth wouldn't take such blatant disrespect. I also knew that we were surrounded by humans. Mabel was already stressed enough with this deal of theirs. I am glad to see that Seth found his luna. She's only, like what, 6 years younger than me?

"Mabel, darling." I pulled her closer to me.

"H-Hey!" Her face turned red. It was the cutest thing ever.

"When is your birthday? How old are you? What do you like to eat? Your favorite color? Oh, I know, your favorite brand of clothing?" It was nice to have a gal pal the same rank as I am. Even if she is still human. I wonder what her wolf will look like when she makes the change.

"Uh..." Oh, the poor thing, she can't even answer. "Please.." Her voice sounded strained. "Breath." I looked down and I was holding her head tightly. Whoops.

"Oh, sorry." I let her go so she could breathe.

"It's alright." She cleared her throat, "My birthday was a couple of days ago. On the 14th." The 14th of August, huh. She's a Leo. I thought they had more fights in them. I blame her upbringing. "As for food, I have always loved food from Norway. Fiskesuppe is a pescitarian's dream dish. As for color, I haven't given much thought to that. I guess it would have to be..." She tilted her head slightly, "Peachy orange. It's a graceful color." Yeah, like my grandmother. Peach is a color that old people wear. I guess she's got an older soul? I don't know. "My favorite brand of clothing, though. I don't really know any. All of mine have been tailored to me by my maids. What brands are there?"

"Not yet, you still haven't answered my second question." I winked at her.

"Oh, um..." She looked down as she tried to remember it. "I'm 19." Oh, pleasantly surprised by this, she's only 5 years younger than I am. And 3 for Mr. Seth Lakeland. Dimitri was Seth's friend before he was killed. I miss my husband. I made it my life's mission to find who killed him and take their lives myself.

"Well, I am 24 and a fashion master. Darling, we have so much to teach you." I hoped she and I would become good friends. Because of my personality, most female wolves tend to stay away from me.

"Well, I am looking forward to it." Her face turned red. "W-What is Seth like?" Oh? Is she attracted to him? I hope so.

"He's a very kind man. He is also a very strong leader." I have to be careful of what I say, she doesn't know about us. "He owns hotels and rents out yachts. I should mention that he loves his foxes. He has 3 of them. I think their names were Olive, like Olive Oil from Poppeye The Sailor Man. Vixen and Tibettan."

"He owns foxes?" Her eyes lit up with excitement. "I've never had a pet before. I hope I meet them." Oh, honey, I am sure you will. "Foxes are like my favorite animal. The bright orange ones especially. They just look so adorable." I smiled, knowing that I could open her shell a little. Her display earlier had me a little on edge. Yet, here she is, squealing like a kid at Christmas.

"Ma'am." My driver looked back at us. "We're approaching Junction Mall. Would you like an escort?" He asked me.

"Not today, Carson. I have a friend here who needs me." He parked the limo just outside the mall area. I opened the door and pulled Mabel towards me. "Welcome, Mabel. To the best shopping center in the world." I heard her gasp at how huge this mall was. Nearly 20 floors of pure awesome lay beyond those doors. I took her hand and led her inside. The fountain in the middle was on, spouting at least 5 feet of water in the air. The koi fish in the pond beneath it were being fed by the tourists and shoppers. I watched my charge as she looked around this massive hang out area. People were leaving with tons of bags from many designers. She was enthralled.

"I have never been to a mall before. Let alone outside my house." This had me concerned. Her parents kept her away from everyone? No, her father did. "It is a little intimidating, to be honest." I hooked my arm around hers.

"You'll be alright. I am here with you." Smiling at her and marking this as her first shopping trip. I am so stealing her when she is ready to be stolen for girly stuff. I love her already.

"Where to first, Roxy?" I beamed a smile when she used my name.

"You need a make-over." I led her to a boutique called Candella's Way. It was a formal boutique with a lot of rustic dresses mixed in.

"Hello, ladies. How can I help?" A petite girl came over.

"Well, I have this lovely young lady with me. She needs a new dress." The girl smiled and started pulling down dress after dress. Accessories, make-up kits to go with said dresses and shoes. I had to laugh at Mabel's expense a little. I paid for them all and we hit more stores. She found out that she loves little trinkets of foxes, cats and other smaller creatures. Then, we went to a pet shop. Her eyes went straight to the old dog. Her eyes sparkled.

~Mabel's P. O. V.~

Oh, my god. This poor dog. She was so old. I really wanted to take her with me. I read her name on the kennel door. "Laila. Age 9. Her breed is a what?" I had trouble pronouncing it.

"She is a Shiba Inu." Roxy came behind me and looked at her. "Do you know how to care for a dog?" I shook my head. "Then, how about we get some assistance with her." Roxy went up to the counter of the store. "Hello."

"Hello. What can I do for you fine ladies?" Oh, damn. Another flirt.

"She wants to adopt that Shiba Inu, but isn't very knowledgeable about their care." The sore cashier began telling us how a Shiba needs to eat, what shots she hasn't had yet, what her exercise should be. And about how to groom her. I wrote everything down in the notebook I brought with me. Space was no issue. I was asked if I could take on a challenge of a dog and I nodded. He handed me a leash.

"Are you going to keep her name?" Roxy asked. Rename her? Why?

"Of course. Laila is a beautiful name." The door opened and Laila came out with her tail between her legs and her ears down. Oh, the poor baby. She must have been in that kennel for a while. I crouched down and held out my hand for her to sniff. She let me gently pet her. "It's okay, Laila. I am going to give you a home." The cashier handed me some treats. I placed them down on the ground, signaling that I was trustful. She slowly ate what was there. I held out my arms as I sat on the floor. It took a bit, but she came to me and laid in my lap. I slowly got up with her, making sure she was okay. "Welcome home, Laila." I kissed her head.

"Well, with that, I hope you ladies have a wonderful evening." When he said that, the announcement over the intercom went off.

"Junction Mall will be closing in 10 minutes. Make sure you have all of your purchases with you. Have a good night." Did we spend hours here already? I looked at the clock and it read 9 in the evening. We left at like 5, didn't we? 4 hours of shopping. Roxy helped me with all of the bags and some of Laila's new things too. The limo was still parked where we left it. Roxy knocked on the door.

The driver got out and opened the doors for us. "A dog, miss?"

"Her name is Laila." I smiled at him and got in the car. "She is a little cutie."

"Her first pet." Roxy got in with me and sat next to me. Petting Laila. "Carson, take her to Knight's Palace. She is staying at that hotel with Seth." He nodded and closed the doors. Laila was starting to sleep in my arms. She must have felt safe here. "She is a beautiful dog." Roxy petted her head too. "I wonder what her story is." I don't care about that. She is with me now and I will love her forever.

"Whatever it was, she must have been scared by them." We both just smiled at this old girl as we drove to the hotel.

Roxy and I were bringing up all of the bags from our shopping trip. I must admit I had a really good time today. The bellhop tried to question me about Laila but was soon put down by Roxy, saying that I was a friend of the owners. I guess that was true, but I hated lying. He helped with carrying the bags. The room I am staying in was a floor beneath the penthouse. I wasn't going to complain though. For once, I was making decisions on my own and I am very grateful to Roxy and Seth. They freed me from my cage. Roxy gave me a hug good night and told me that she would be back tomorrow to make sure I was okay. I wanted to be her friend, but is it too soon to assume it? Or am I just reading into things? I will ask that later. For now, I put away my clothes and made sure that Laila's water and food were ready for her. I fluffed out her pillow and put on her new collar.

"Welcome home, Laila." She sniffed her bed before deeming it worthy of her. Doing that circle thing I heard dogs do before she laid down on it. She deserved a home. I am just happy it's with me. A knock on my door had Laila up in seconds as she crawled beneath my bed. Who is wanting me now? I made sure Laila was okay before going to open the door. When I did, my knees almost gave out. Mr. Sexy is standing at the door.

"Mabel." He smiled. Oh, that smile had my heart pumping fast. I could feel my cheeks burning red.

"Mr. Lakeland." I curtsied to him.

"Just wanted to see how you were doing. Today was tough." He took my hand and kissed it. I could feel the beads of sweat starting to drip off me. A tray dropping had us both look at where it came from. A butler was staring at us with a wide-spread smile. Before we could do anything, he was off and running. It was rather amusing. Seth and I ended up laughing. "Can't stop the gossip, might as well have fun with it."

"To answer your question, I am actually happy. Rox and I had a good time and I bought my first pet." He tried to look for Laila, but when he didn't spot her, he gave me a confused look.

"She hiding. Laila is a Shiba Inu." I gleamed happily.

"A dog? You like dogs?" He grinned.

"Love them." I answered.