If Only (BxB)

Siblings day out

“Ash, I’m tired” I mutter begrudgingly as I struggle to hold the overflowing amount of shopping bags in my hands. But Ashlyn was still bursting with energy as she pulled me towards another high-end store in the district, “Don’t be such a killjoy Irvy, it’s rare for me to spend my day off with you. We’re going to shop till we drop!” Ashlyn proclaimed enthusiastically while dragging me who was already beyond exhausted, her brown eyes glittering with excitement.

Ashlyn had barged into my room this morning and insisted that I go out on a run together with her. Now it would’ve been fine if that was all but she obviously had other plans for me. She very artfully tricked me into going shopping with her and things have been going downhill since then. She demanded I try a total of twenty-seven outfits and model for her.

“Oh goddess that outfit is absolutely hideous”

“You look like a grandma on weed, TWIRL!”

“No no no! Over my dead body! you’re so not wearing that”

“What’s the f**k? That a Pennywise costume?”

“You look like a Weasley headed for the Yule Ball”

I almost fainted on the spot, Ashlyn’s a completely different person when it comes to fashion. Over the influx of Ashlyn’s ruthless remarks, even the saleswoman had to stop her flattery midway and glanced at me with unconcealed sympathy in her eyes.

After the intense modelling session, only five outfits made the cut, and we were now heading towards some sort of salon that Ashlyn frequented, apparently, she was preparing for Gayle and my birthday tomorrow.

Despite our birthdays being two days apart, I had insisted that my birthday be celebrated on the same day as Gayle’s. With my status as the Luna of the pack, it was mandatory for me to throw a celebratory banquet of sorts, but my social anxiety flared at the thought of me being in the limelight and I decided to celebrate both my and my mate’s birthday together. Besides, I considered Gayle to be more important than me anyway.

Pristine marble walls entered my vision as soon as I stepped into the salon, there were sinks, stylish chairs and several such items typical to a hairdresser's infront of me.

“Hey there Ashlyn”

A gorgeous woman who looked like she was in her late twenties strode towards us with a smile on her face. She possessed wavy Black hair and Black eyes, her scent indicated that she was a human. She greeted Ashlyn with a kiss on her cheek. “What can I do for you sweetheart?”

“Maya, this is my brother Irving. Irving this is Maya” Ashlyn gestured back and forth as she introduced us. We politely nodded at each other.

“Maya this is your latest project, work your magic on him”

I froze at Ashlyn’s words, “Ash, what’re you doing?”.

Ashlyn rolled her eyes at me as she commented sarcastically, “Wasting my time answering stupid questions. What do you think I’m doing, you’re in desperate need of some self-care. All you’ve been doing in the last few years is taking care of Gayle, it’s time you indulge yourself a little”

With that said, Ashlyn and Maya began discussing the details of my treatment which completely went over my head.

“My, look at those dark circles! You are in awful need of some beauty sleep hon”, Maya remarked as she studied my face in the mirror.

I couldn’t agree more, but the sleepless nights weren’t exactly my fault. Gayle cheated on me again last night and the pain deprived me of getting proper rest.

“You have such beautiful black hair, the mole near your eyebrow is even more prominent on such pale skin, but the dimpled chin adds a certain manliness to your otherwise delicate features. Handsome and pretty at the same time, if only your face was well taken care of…” Maya kept mumbling to herself as she earnestly scrutinized my face. “Don’t worry hon, by the time I’m done with you, you won’t be able to recognize yourself.”

Boy I hope she meant that in a good way.

What followed next was Maya busying herself with my face and hair. I had to admit that it was the most relaxed I felt in the last few years, I should’ve done this sooner.

True to her words, by the time Maya was done I could barely believe that it was me in the mirror. My face was glowing and my skin was as soft as a baby’s, it was almost like I shed an old layer of skin. Not to mention, my curls felt so soft I couldn’t stop touching them.

Ashlyn just stood there, intently staring at me with an expectant look in her eyes. “…I guess it’s not bad” I murmur quietly.

“I knew it!” Ashlyn exclaimed happily, “Thanks Maya, I knew I could count on you.” Ashlyn said as she kissed Maya’s cheek.

Exiting from the salon, we leisurely made our way back home. The sun had already begun to set, painting the sky in a dazzling shade of Orange. With the mid-Autumn breeze gently caressing my face, I couldn’t help but momentarily forget all my worries.

“Oh right, Irving did you finish preparing a gift for Alpha Gayle?” Ashlyn turned to question me, breaking the peaceful silence.

“Yup”, I always prepared Gayle’s gift a month before his birthday. The last few times I tried gifting him something, he always threw it into the trash… just like my feelings.

However, last year he actually accepted the cufflinks I got from an upcoming Swiss designer. It was a pair that I had requested to be custom-made in the color of our eyes. I was so glad that I placed an order for them to arrive every year a month before Gayle’s birthday. But considering how things were going now, I wonder if I can give those to him.

My stomach growled loudly from hunger and heat rushed to my face as I heard Ashlyn giggling.

It can’t be helped, I only had a Bagel for breakfast. “Let’s grab something to eat before we go back home” Ashlyn proposed while googling an eatery closest to us.

We were quickly led towards a quaint café away from the main street. The soft jazz playing in the background along with the peaceful vibes it exuded, made people let down their guards and relax.

I got myself a Chicken sandwich and an Espresso while Ashlyn scarfed down her BLT. The bittersweet taste of coffee refreshed my soul and I let out a sigh full of content. Even the chicken sandwich felt heavenly at the moment, it’s been so long since I ate anything that had meat in it.

Because Gayle is vegetarian, he doesn’t let me cook anything with meat in it. I had initially found it funny for a werewolf to abstain from meat, but the joke died down the moment I realized even I had to give up everything that required meat in it, even if I loved it to death.

Ashlyn excused herself to the washroom and I unhurriedly drank my coffee.

“Excuse me, are you sitting here alone?”, an unknown voice called out to me. It belonged to a handsome man sporting shoulder length chestnut brown hair with red highlights, his gray eyes gazed fixedly at me.

“No, not really” I reply timidly.

“Oh… My name’s Spencer and your face is totally my type, if you don’t mind, can I get your number?”

Startled I struggle to reply, “Um no… I don’t think I can-”

“Why not? You won’t know unless you try it. I promise you won’t regret it” he winked playfully while leaning closer to me.

“No it’s just that I… I already have someone so…” I trailed off. His gaze fell hearing my words, “Bummer. I really liked you though…”. He suddenly felt around his pockets and shoved a card into my hand, leaving with the words, “Gimme a call when you breakup alright?”.

When Ashlyn returned, I was still blankly staring at the card in my hand. I tucked it away into my pocket the moment Ashlyn inquired about it.

The walk back home was uneventful and we arrived in no time. I was already yearning for my beloved bed and couldn’t wait to slam face first into it. But apparently, a day of peace was too much to ask for.

Standing next to my house was Gayle with a gloomy air about him. He glared at me before heading in our direction.