Filed to story: Tangled in Moonlight Unshifted Novel by Lenaleia
***
The city is huge.
Compared to the much smaller human city of White Peakwell, you can’t really compare them. They’re different worlds.
I step out of the car, my heart racing as I take it all in. Skyscrapers tower overhead, their glass facades glinting in the sunlight. The sidewalks are packed with people, all rushing to their destinations, their chatter and laughter mingling with the sound of traffic.
It’s overwhelming, the sheer size and energy of it all. I’m used to the quiet, the solitude of my little town. Here, everything is bigger, louder, more vibrant.
I glance over at Rowan, who’s walking beside me, his eyes scanning the crowd. He seems at ease, comfortable in this urban jungle. I envy his confidence.
“This way,” he says, guiding me towards a large department store. Its windows are filled with mannequins dressed in the latest fashions, and I can’t help but stare as we pass by.
Inside, the store is even more impressive. The floors are polished marble, the ceilings high and adorned with glittering chandeliers. The air is perfumed with the scent of expensive cosmetics and leather goods.
I feel out of place in my simple jeans and tshirt, even with the brand names on their labels something I’d found excessive, but I’m learning that Clayton doesn’t know the meaning of frugalbut Rowan doesn’t seem to notice. He’s too busy keeping an eye on our surroundings, his gaze sharp and alert.
We make our way through the aisles, and I steal glances at Rowan. He’s different now, more relaxed. and easygoing. During my heat, he had struggled with his own attraction to me, his eyes dark with desire.
But now, there’s none of that tension between us. He’s just Rowan, warm and friendly, a steady presence at my side. If I didn’t already know, I never would have suspected him to be the beta of Clayton’s pack.
I appreciate his company, especially in a place like this. The crowds make me nervous, the constant movement and noise setting my nerves on edge. But with Rowan here, I feel safer, more grounded.
Shifters are everywhere, mingling with humans. I’d noticed in White Peak and Cedarwood that they never looked twice at me, accepting me as just another human.
Now, they glance toward me and scent the air as I pass.
Is it the presence of Rowan, or is it me?
They can smell your power, Selene says, calm as ever. You no longer smell human.
Damn. That’s going to make hiding a lot harder.
Rather than hiding, it would be more prudent to get stronger so you don’t need to hide.
Well, she’s not wrong.
I loiter in the clothing section, running my fingers over the soft fabrics, trying to appear casual. My eyes dart around, searching for the electronics department.
It’s a challenge, blending in here. The shoppers move with a sense of purpose, their footsteps brisk and their gazes focused. I, on the other hand, feel like a fish out of water. I’ve stopped looking at more than one item after looking at the price tag.
He seems to sense my unease. “Don’t worry about it,” he says. “Clayton said to take care of you.”
Easy for him to say. I feel like every dollar comes with invisible strings and hopes I don’t want to be responsible for.
Still, I go through a few more shirts, trying to find some cheap items, wondering how I’m going to distract Rowan so I can buy a burner.
Weaving through the racks of clothing, the scent of new fabric mingles with perfumes wafting from the cosmetics counter. I’m honestly surprised so many shifters are in here; it’s an assault on my nose, and my sense of smell has never been strong for a shifter.
I catch a glimpse of the electronics section, and my heart skips a beat. Rows upon rows of gleaming gadgets, from smartphones to laptops to tablets, all displayed with the same reverence as fine art.
I have to get over there.
Rowan seems to sense my distraction, his brows furrowing as he follows my gaze. “See something vou like?”
I shake my head quickly, forcing a smile. “Just window shopping.”
He chuckles, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Well, don’t let me stop you. Go ahead and take a look. I don’t think you have a computer in the apartment. Maybe a laptop? Tablet?”
My pulse quickens as I nod, trying to appear nonchalant as I break away from him and wander toward the electronics section. My steps are slow, measured, as if I’m just casually browsing.
But inside, my mind is racing.
As I approach the displays, my eyes are immediately drawn to the smartphones. Sleek, cutting edge models, each more advanced than the last. My fingers itch to pick one up, to feel the weight of it in my hand.
But I can’t just grab one and go. That would be too obvious, too suspicious. I need to be smarter than that.
Why not tell him you need to buy some sensitive things you don’t want him around for? Selene asks.
It isn’t that I hadn’t thought of thatbut the electronics section is far from someplace that sells menstrual products.
“What’s wrong?” Rowan asks, and I realize with a start that I’m scowling in his direction.
Oops. “Nothing, I just-“I nibble on my thumbnail, trying my best to look a little distraught. “I need some things, but I didn’t think you’d be following me the entire time, so…”
Rowan smiles in relief, thinking he understands. “It’s fine. You can get anything you want. Clayton can afford it. He’s obnoxiously loaded.”
I was worried my acting was too much, but I guess it’s not enough. I wrinkle my nose and shift from foot to foot. After a moment, I start rubbing one arm, as if I’m beyond uncomfortable with my request.
I was never a very whiny teenager, but I’m trying to channel one anyway.
“Oh, no, it’s not that
Personal”
it’s expensive, butyou know.
“Personal… Oh. Oh.” Rowan’s furrowed brow clears as he looks me over. “It’s fine. I have younger sisters.”
I stare at Rowan in exasperation, giving up my shy act as I settle my hands on my hips.
This guy really has no clue.
“Well, I don’t have any brothers who follow me around when I’m buying stuff for my period,” I say, channeling my inner dramatic teenager, instead. We all have one. Somewhere. Right?
It’s embarrassing, but I have a goal.
Rowan clears his throat. “Oh, I see. That would be…” His words trail off, and he looks conflicted.
We stand there for a few moments, locked in an uncomfortable silence. I raise an eyebrow, challenging him to just let me have this bit of privacy, holding strong to that young adolescent defiance as Selene hums her approval in my head. He holds my gaze for a beat before letting out a resigned sigh.
I fight from letting triumph show on my face as he looks to the ceiling, mouthing something I can’t quite catch.
Reaching into his back pocket, Rowan pulls out a sleek black wallet and thumbs through it. He peels off a few bills and hands them to me. “Here, get what you need. I’ll wait by the entrance. Let me know if you need more. I’m here to help.”
I take the cash, relief flooding through me. “Thanks.” I feel guilty using a man’s money when I have no interest in sticking around the way he wants, but- well, desperate times.
He nods once, already turning to leave. “Just don’t go far. And be quick about it.”
As Rowan walks away, I catch the faint sound of hist mutterings. Something about the store being wellguarded, so it should be okay. I shake my head, tucking the money into my pocket. At least he’s finally giving me some space.
With one last glance over my shoulder to make sure he’s really leaving me alone, I head toward the personal products section to make it all believable.
I quickly grab a few tampons and pads, trying not to linger too long on any one brand or box. It’s not like I really need them right now, but the act sells the story. I toss in a couple of shirts from the clearance rack, too -might as well make this little detour worthwhile.
With my basket in hand, I make my way back toward the electronics section, keeping an eye out for Rowan. The coast is clear, so I beeline for the phone accessories. Burner phones are easy enough to find, and I grab one along with a prepaid card to activate it later.
My heart is pounding as I make my purchase, the cashier giving me a friendly smile that I return with a tightlipped one of my own. I have to resist the urge to look over my shoulder, worried that Rowan might reappear at any moment.
Once the transaction is complete, I hurry off to the bathroom, clutching the bag close to my body. The restroom is blessedly empty, and I duck into the largest stall, locking it behind me.
Selene hums her approval in my mind.
Ripping open the packaging for the burner phone and stuffing the plastic and cardboard into the trash makes me feel a little like a shoplifter, even though I already bought the things. I slip the phone itself into my pocket, along with the prepaid card.
Are you ready? Selene asks.
I take a deep breath, steadying myself. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
He’s waiting by the entrance, just as he said he would be, and I offer him a small wave as I approach. “All set,” I announce, keeping my voice light.
Rowan nods, falling into step beside me as we exit the store. “We should get groceries next, if you’re missing anything you like or need. Clayton wasn’t sure what to stock your fridge with.”