Page 36 of Twisted Mates

“Well, how else would you explain it? Why would someone follow me like that? It doesn’t make any sense. I’m no one special. I?—”

“No one special?” Xander interrupts, his voice rising. “There’s so many things wrong with that sentence, but let’s start with the objective thing first. As far as anyone else knows, you are the future queen of our pack. No one else knows that Kai has disappeared or that there’s anything weird about your bond. So yeah, I’d say you are something special.”

My brows furrow as I wring my hands at my waist. “I didn’t think of it that way. But regardless, I’m going out. It’s the middle of the day and I’m not going alone. Not to mention, I’m probably going to end up moving back home anyway, so...”

“I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”

“Why? My parents have security, and they are capable of taking care of me.”

“Because the future king is MIA, and we don’t need the kingdom jumping to conclusions. This isn’t only about you. When word gets out, I’ll be suspect number one—the shifter with the biggest loss because of Kai’s new bond. It doesn’t matter that I don’t want the crown; people will suspect me immediately. I know it’s unfair to ask of you, but I need you to lay low until we find him.”

He’s right. But I have to admit—I am a little pissed and a little more hurt that he still hasn’t said the words I want him to say.

I want you to stay here... with me, Alexia.OrI don’t regret what happened last night.

“Fine,” I say, my tone clipped. “I get it. I’ll stay. But I’m still going shopping today. I need to get out of the house.”

“Just promise you won’t let Carrington wander off without you. And stay alert, all right?”

“Yeah,” I mutter. “I’ll see you later.”

I push off the doorframe and head back toward the stairs. How is it possible that just last night, I was in his bed, coming apart all over his hand? And now, he’s treating me like I’m some kind of annoying family obligation, and he won’t even take a second totalkto me about what happened between us.

Granted, I could broach the subject myself, but I don’t know if I could stand to actually hear him say he wants to pretend it never happened. That single thought eats away at me. It runs through my head as I follow my best friend out the door and while we are driving to the shops in the center of town. Carrington and I have walked through half a dozen stores. She spends money, and I hyperfixate on the shit show that’s become my life.

She pulls me into a high-end boutique with racks full of frilly party dresses. It’s more her style than mine, but I humor her as she rummages through the racks.

“You should try something on. A sexy dress has a way of cheering a girl up,” she says.

“I don’t know. I don’t really feel much like trying on clothes. The full moon is coming, and I always feel a little out of sorts right before the shift.” I don’t bother mentioning that getting rejected sort of puts a damper on your self-esteem. It won’t do any good.

“Come on, Alexia. I promise it’ll make you feel better,” she says, her signature persuasive tone creeping into her voice.

“Fine, fine,” I say, stepping up next to her and flipping through the other end of the rack where my size is. Carrington and I are builtcompletelydifferent, so sharing clothes has never been an option.

She chuckles. “I knew you wouldn’t be able to pass up these dresses. They’re too cute.”

She’s right. This place does have some nice clothes, and I find several things to try on. When we head back to the fitting area, the attendant places us on opposite ends.

“Show me anything that looks good!” Carrington demands as we close the doors.

“I will,” I say, hanging everything up and getting undressed.

After stepping out and showing each other two dresses, one of which I hated, but both she was adorable in, I’ve had just about enough. I had to take my bra off for this last one because it was a halter top. With the size of my boobs, I should’ve known that wasn’t going to work. Grumbling to myself, I pull it over my head, ready to be finished with this shopping trip. I hang it back on the hanger and stare at the next dress, trying to decide whether or not I even want to attempt it.

I decide I’m done. Time to put my clothes back on and drag Carrington out of here and back home. Now where did my socks go? With one look at the floor, I jump out of my skin when I notice a pair of combat boot-clad feet standing directly outside my door.

“What the fuck?” I say, never one to mince my words or shy away from asking someone what in hell they’re doing in my space. And this feels inappropriate.

They don’t answer. And when I lift my eyes, I’m horrified to see their head turned so they’re looking through the tiny crack... right at me in nothing but my thong underwear. I can tell by the build and the way he’s standing it’s a man. Since he has a sweatshirt on, the hood pulled down low over his face, I can’t seeanything at all, but I know he can see me. Even without seeing his eyes, I can feel his gaze boring into my bare skin. There’s no telling how long he’d been standing there staring at me while I stood there, nearly nude, debating my next move.

Grabbing a random piece of clothing off a hanger, I hold it against my body. “What the hell, dude? What are you doing?!” I yell. At that, the asshole finally moves away from the door and vacates the area. “Excuse me! Can someone please get a good look at the creep leaving the dressing room right now?”

No one answers but Carrington’s muffled voice from the other side of the room. “What did you say?”

I ignore her and hastily throw on my clothes. Ripping the door open, I sprint down the corridor of dressing rooms and out into the main shopping area. People carry on with their business like they didn’t see a suspicious man creeping around. To be honest, the only person looking out of sorts here is me. And I’ve caught the eye of a sales associate. “Do you need help?” she asks, tilting her head to the side so her slick black ponytail sways behind her.

“No.” I turn back to the dressing room and tap on Carrington’s door. “I’m ready to go.”

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