Ava led me to the garage, where a fleet of cars had been packed. She selected a red sports car with an open roof, and we got in. She turned the ignition and zoomed off.
Laughter filled the car as we sped along the smooth path. I soon found out that Ava wasn't the best driver, and I was on the edge of my seat, clutching the door handle for support.
She must have had a track record, because pack members scampered in a hurry when they noticed it was Ava behind the wheels.
I pray to the Goddess to let me survive the ride because, the way it is going, I might die young with my virginity still intact. I looked to my sides and saw Ava giggling; she was the only one having a good time on this crazy ride.
"Woo!!! I love this shit!" Ava screamed into the air as we sped down the highway. Other drivers were looking at her in disgust, trying to ignore the crazy lady.
She was blasting her favorite band on the radio, and she tried to sing along with them with her horrible voice. She had me laughing and crying because my ears were bleeding.
"Ava, if we want to make it back to our mates in one piece, I suggest you slow down." I called over the loud music. She was going way over 140 km/h. It will not be long before we get stopped for over speeding.
She listened to me and reduced her speed, and we continued the ride. After several minutes of intense noise, the car came to a reckless stop in a parking lot. And we exited the car.
"Fear not, for your days of suffering have ended. "Behold, your savior has arrived." She gestured to herself, and I looked at her in confusion. "You have been cooped up too long in that pack. So today I am going to show you the best part of Hampshire. "The Street Life!" Her eyes shone with mischief.
We started down the road, until the smell of people and food became strong. We soon got to a very busy street filled with people of different walks of life: human, werewolf, and vampire alike.
The traders were shouting, trying to advertise their goods in attractive ways, each in a bid to outshine the other by calling out to people.
Ava dragged me towards a stand and said, "Ava!" I haven't seen you for a long time. "How have you been?" The man behind the stand, a middle-aged man with a receding hairline, called out to her.
She smiled as she took a potato chip and tossed it into her mouth. "I have been so busy that I haven't had time to satisfy my cravings." She replied as she munched on the fried goodies.
"I came to show my friend the beauty of street food, so here we are."
"No problem. But don't take too long to visit. You know that without you, I would be out of business." Ava merely laughed at his comment. "The usual?"
"Yes. But make it two servings."
The man set to work, frying the chips and fish, while we waited on the bench close to him, sipping the smoothies Ava got from a nearby vendor. The scent of fish and potatoes filled the air, and I sniffed greedily, my mouth watering, salivating at what was to come.
The man entertained us with stories of his military days, while his hands worked at great speed, frying the potatoes and fish. Times passed, and before long, it was ready.
We received the dish, served in a paper towel, with thanks, and I opened it. The fish were nicely browned and perfectly done. The chips were a delightful golden brown.
I took a bite of the fish, and it was like a burst of heaven. The fish was crispy on the outside, but moist and soft on the inside, melting into my mouth like butter. The chips were also crispy and delicious.
And so we went on from stands to stands, tasting all that the streets of Hampshire had to offer. After filling ourselves to the neck, we sat in the car, munching on some cookies, while waiting for our food to digest.
"I'm sorry about the comment my mate made earlier. He had no idea the Alpha had gotten a mate. He had tried to stop him from seeing Sophia, but to no avail. I'm just glad you are finally here." Ava broke the silence.
"It is no problem, Ava. Sophia isn't the problem anymore. She has been dealt with and we are cool."
"I'm glad you aren't angry. But you said Sophia isn't the problem anymore, so who is?"
"Richard's mom." I replied in a flat voice. I haven't even made any progress in my Operation: Win My Mate's Mother. "She doesn't like me."
"What?! Richard's mom? Like the former Luna? I don't think so."
Her eyes were almost bulging out of their sockets as she screamed. "That is impossible; the former Luna has been nothing but kind to everyone. Are you sure?"
I guess I'm the only one she hates. "She has a problem with my skin color." I said, pointing to my face. "It didn't help that people thought I was a whore, and I may or may not have called her a fool."
A gasp could be heard from Ava, her hands to her mouth: "Bella!" She scolded me. "Just give it time, tho; she will warm up to you."
"I hope so."
"I think we should go get the dress now. It is getting late." She said, as she checked the wrist watch on her pale hand. "I also have to get Jake from his grandmother's house."
"Jake? Who is Jake?" I haven't heard of anyone called Jake since I moved here. I need to start keeping abreast with the pack. In fact, from tomorrow on, I will start learning about them.
"Didn't you know? Jake is my son. He is about three years old now. I have missed him so much," she said with longing. Her eyes sparkled, full of love for her son.
"What?! I had no idea. You don't look like you have birthed a human being! You still look so young and fit! You don't even look a day over 20."
Her cheeks turned the color of ripe tomatoes as she flushed red, blushing. "I actually turned 26 last year. But I will accept 20. Thank you."
The car sped over the highway with music blasting from its speakers as I leaned back on the chair, relaxing and enjoying the wind on my face.
The car swerved dangerously before packing in front of a plaza. She led me to a small shop, where the words W&C Fashion World were boldly splattered on the entrance.
We bent our tall frames and entered the place. There was an elderly woman, bent by age, at the door, as if she was already expecting us. Besides her, there were young males and females attending to customers.
The outside may have looked small, but it was deceiving. The inside was big, divided into sections filled with clothes of any kind. According to Ava, it was the pack's store, one of the ways we bring in revenues, and judging from the scent, they were all werewolves.
"Luna," the woman said, bowing her frail frame in front of me. "It is an honor to be graced with your presence. Please, you can both make yourself comfortable while we go get the dress." She directed us to a private dressing room, and we got comfortable on the sofa, while the girls brought a tray of biscuits and drinks.
I couldn't stomach anything again after the hearty meal I had, so I had to reject it. after reassuring her for the 100th time that it wasn't because I hated it. Although Ava took a bite to humor her.
After shuffling through the rack, she came out holding a hanger. It was a long white dress with off-the-shoulder lace around the bodice. The girl behind her was also holding a white dress. She gave it to me, and I went inside the dressing room and changed.
I came out, holding the dress. It was a perfect fit for me. It fits my skin like a second skin, although it was a little too tight at the back. My ass was suffocating in there. "Hmm... This is nice, but I think it is too tight at the butt, or what do you think?"
"You are right, Ava. And from the look of things, the others would be tight around that same area." I commented, eyeing the other dress the girls were holding up. "Is there a way to get a custom dress made for me before the ceremony?"
"Yes, Luna. Is there any particular style you want it sewn to?"
"Yes, I think I would go with this dress I have on. You should sew it exactly like this style."
"Yes Luna." I was made to endure the prick of their needles as they took my measurement.
"Thank you for your time. I think that will be all, or what do you say, Ava?" Ava was giggling at her phone while sipping the bottle of soda.
"I think there is still time for a little shopping. You are about to be mated, so you need to get something enticing and seductive." I tensed up when I saw a sly grin on her face. With the way she was excited about it, I believe the shopping will be to her benefit.
"Alright, if you say so." I resigned myself to fate.