She beams as she articulates her aspirations for the women, her eyes shimmering with the same fervour as Josie’s. She provides me with several recommendations on interacting with the girls, underscoring the importance of patience and seeking consent wherever feasible to empower them in their lives and choices.
“Regardless, today I intend to take some of the girls on a shopping excursion,” she remarked with a shrug. “A component of our role is to instill confidence in individuals regarding their self-worth. Additionally, social outings facilitate a sense of normalcy and provide anticipation.”
We arrive on the third floor, where a group of women congregates in the expansive recreational space. Upon encountering Celina, the girls hastily approach her, each bowing enthusiastically. Included among the girls is Nalani, the Amethyst wolf I encountered yesterday. She gestures shyly at me, her cheeks reddening as I return the smile and wave.
“Guess who bestowed upon me his black card?” Celina raises her eyebrows, the girls brimming with enthusiasm. “Alpha Javier will be facilitating today’s shopping excursion!”
Celina divides the girls into two groups of ten and assigns them to a vehicle operated by the three authorised male guards: William, Hayden, and Cory. The girls appear at ease with the guards, engaging in jest and laughter with them as we enter the mall. Nalani appears somewhat infatuated with William, yet maintains her distance, walking silently beside me with her gaze lowered to evade any eye contact with others.
“May I take your hand?” I enquire, extending my palm towards her, aiming to enhance her comfort.
“It is acceptable,” she smiles bashfully. “You need not-”
“I am indifferent,” I respond, recalling the several occasions when Jadi soothed me merely by grasping my hand. “At times, we all require a companion to provide reassurance and a sense of security.”
Nalani hesitantly places her hand in mine, her hands slightly moist and trembling. I experience a slight discomfort in my heart. What must her life have entailed for her to exhibit such timidity in a shopping mall, fearful of making eye contact with others?
Celina guides us inside a quaint boutique featuring exquisite summer gowns in the window display, directing the girls to select a dress apiece.
“You are all exceptionally beautiful young women,” she remarks to the group. “However, you must experience it for yourselves. I cannot perpetually be the one to convey this. Therefore, select a dress and discover for yourselves the extent of your perfection.”
A number of the girls appear anxious, although Celina provides a comforting grin.
“I have requested the boutique owner to secure the establishment for our exclusive use during our visit. It is only the two of us, so please feel at ease. You are safe with me.”
A few anxious smiles persist as the females disperse, browsing through the myriad of gowns on the racks and occupying the fitting rooms. Celina gets a speaker provided by one of the guards and plays music for a short fashion show including the females.
Nalani clutches me, appearing apprehensive about selecting an outfit.
“What type of dress do you prefer?” I enquire. “Would you prefer a lengthy option or a brief one? With sleeves or without sleeves?”
She glows a vivid red and shakes her head. “I am uncertain… I have never possessed an attractive dress before,” she responds softly, pinching her lower lip. “I was a housekeeping omega,” she replies with a shrug. “Due to my perceived unattractiveness, I was relegated to the role of a servant omega, dedicating the majority of my life to cleaning and cooking for the Alpha packhouse.”
“Auctions?” I enquire, arching my eyebrow at her.
She affirms with a nod. “All girls were reared in the omega house and subsequently auctioned by the Alpha upon reaching 18. We would repudiate our mates to prevent any bond from obstructing our responsibilities… No one desired to purchase me, so Alpha Nicolas retained me as a servant…” She appears to wish to elaborate further but bites her lip again and gestures dismissively. “I apologise. That was an imprudent remark. Please disregard my statement.”
I cradle her cheeks; Nalani flinches and tenses slightly at the abrupt gesture but relaxes upon meeting my gaze.
“You are not unattractive, and I will never disregard you.”
Her eyes get unfocused, yet she attempts to suppress her emotions with a grin. “There is no need to articulate that. I am aware that I am not the most attractive wolf.”
I express indifference. “I am not deceiving you when I assert that you are not unattractive. I have encountered true ugliness; for instance, my sister is quite unappealing. However, you are one of the most exquisite individuals I have ever encountered.”
She attempts to conceal her tears by wiping her eyes, although she is unsuccessful. I examine her physique as she regains her composure, observing her broad hips and robust thighs, before taking her hand and leading her to another rack of clothes. Nalani observes silently as I sift through garments until I extract a petite pink dress that highlights the waist and widens at the hips.
