9: Triple Mocha

Celeste's POV

I woke, tingling with sparks and jostling. I blinked several times before opening my eyes. My sight was blurry from sleep but I could make out Xavier's form as he carried me. I didn't care where we were going as long as I could stay this comfortable. I snuggled further into his hold, he chuckled. "Good morning sleeping beauty." Good morning. Morning. . Last night. . . Last night was beautiful. Not only did Xavier show me an incredible view but he also gave me a bit of insight to himself. I'm desperately trying not to push him away but internally I still feel a bit unsure. This safety, this comfort feels almost unreal. Like any day it will be ripped away from me.

'You don't know them yet. Not truly,' Ancillary spoke in regards to my thoughts. I agree.

I'm glad Ancillary is back, those few days without her felt so alone. I kept internally trying to reach her, calling out with no response. I've been shifting for a few years now; I've grown used to her company.

"Good morning," I mumbled into his bare chest. His bare chest. . . My eyes quickly widened. I assessed myself, quickly looking down to see I was in Xavier's shirt. It was dangerously high up my thighs and I quickly tugged it down, nearly pushing myself out of Xavier's hold.

"Careful, little one." I blushed at the pet name and my actions.

"Sorry," I mumbled.

"Is this. . okay?" His voice was hesitant and smaller than usual. My heart swelled at his uncertainty and care. "I'd rather you not walk around like this but I can clear the packhouse instead?" Was he worried about people seeing me with only a large shirt on? We're werewolves. . .

"This is fine," to confirm my words I leaned into his chest, letting myself relax as much as I could.

"Well if it isn't the love birds!" Zay's voice immediately made me blush the very second we entered the pack house. "Where have you two been?" She teased further by wiggling her eyebrows. I swear I would turn into a cherry. When I caught her eye, she winked!

"We enjoyed the night under the stars but get your head out of the gutter," Xavier assured. "Now if you'll excuse us, I'm sure Celeste would love to change before I bring her to you for a checkup." I rose my brow. A checkup? I feel great?

'Be careful,' Ancillary warned. My heart felt unsure at her warning but my mind and gut agreed, one could never be too careful. Never. Just when you think your world is most at ease it can be ripped away.

'Run!' his panicked voice rang in my memory. 'Get out of here!' I shook off the memory I didn't want.

When Xavier set me down in front of my bedroom door, I yanked the shirt down the best I could. Oh Goddess, he saw me naked this morning didn't he? I may be a werewolf but he's. . . He's Xavier! Six pack, insanely tall, arms thicker than my neck, tan skin I wouldn't mind. . . Goddess! What's gotten into me?

"Thank you for last night," I quickly whispered before disappearing into my room. I quickly hopped in the shower, scrubbing away as if my thoughts would also go down the drain. When I got out of the shower, I could still see Xavier's shadow under my door. . .

"So Celeste, do you know your preferred style?" I shrug, looking around at the quickly growing number of people in the town. We were approaching the towns shopping district, just off of the town square Zay had said. I can't remember the last time I was around so many people. I tug the sleeves of my borrowed sweater I took from Xavier's closet. I had formed a bad habit of sneaking into his room when he was in his office to take the occasional shirt or jacket. He knows of course. I know he knows. And we both say nothing. "Celeste?" I blink, looking at Josh.

"He was asking if you have a preferred style?" I glance to Zay, who had softly repeated the question. She tends to speak softly to me. It's nice.

"I like the long sleeve tops, but only if they're soft." She nodded.

"And pants?" Josh's voice was naturally higher than most male wolves I'd met but was still of a lower note.

"I don't like jeans." never had. "i think i like how skirts look?" they turned their heads at my unsurity. "I like the airy feeling. . ." My continued unsuirty made a small blush rise to my cheeks.

"Let's go to Jessie's Closet," Zay suggested. My eyebrows scrunched together at the idea of going into some random persons closet. A directed point from Josh made me realize it was the name of a little boutique. "It's the packs only thrift store, I like it a lot. It's more like a consignment store but it carries a little of everything." I nod along as we enter the beige shop.

The inside is anything but. Bright colors splash the walls with silly designs painted in patterns. Racks, one after the other, grace most of the floor plan; leaving room for three registers and a section for shoes. Signs label the store with "knit" "Tee's" "denim" as well as slightly bigger signs reading "Masculine" and "Feminine."

"We'll start with the shirts and maybe dresses? If you'd like. Do you prefer the more masculine style shirts or is it just Xavier's?" The blush hit full force as Zay wacked Josh upside the head.

I stumbled over my words, "I uh- It's just- I uh"

"Celeste, let's just go up and down the aisles and see what sticks out. We can always narrow it down later." I nodded as Josh stumbled in his apologies. For what felt like hours we sifted through the racks of the store. I ended up with an assortment of shirts, skirts, and things I was told are called 'rompers.' On Zay's insistence of the coming cold, she held onto some pants and jackets for me. The person at the register, not Jessie, seemed more than pleased with our large purchase. Their eyes only widened further when Zay informed them it would need to be charged to the pack house. She asked for it all to be packed and set aside, saying someone would come to grab them soon. I felt bad leaving the purchased bags in the store but the person working didn't seem to mind one bit.

Next we headed to a store for only shoes, Josh insisting I get some boots for the coming cold and some tennis shoes for training. My eyes widened at the word. "Xavier has already spoken with Jake and I about getting you into training now that you're feeling better." On top of the lessons I was going to be taking? Can I handle that much?

'Of course you can,' Ancillary insisted. 'You can do anything.' I thanked her for her encouragement.

"Have you had any training before?"

I nodded, "A little but not enough to really count for much."

"Nonsense," Zay said factually. "Some is better than none, especially having lived life as a rogue." I gave her a kind smile. "Do you want to go get some coffee?" I scrunch my nose. My few days at this pack, I had been eating more food than I had tried in my last ten years of life. Some I liked, some more than others, while others I loathed entirely. Xavier let me sip his coffee this morning and it was gross. Bitter and acidic. "Not a fan?" I shook my head.

"Okay, but have you ever tried a triple mocha?" I raised a brow towards Josh. "I will take that as a no with the assumption that Xavier probably gave you black coffee?" Coffee can be made in other ways? "Come on," he said, linking our arms, "I'll show you the life." I was taken to a little restaurant that seemed to only sell coffees and teas. I was a little embarrassed at how long it was taking to read the menu so I got Josh's recommended triple mocha. "So!" Josh grinned while Zay rolled her eyes in his direction. "What do you think?" I hesitated in bringing the straw to my lips, although the drink did look delicious. Swirls of chocolate decorated the clear cup filled with a coffee lighter than Xavier's had been. There was a pile of white on top covered in chocolate shavings. The first sip hit my tongue and. . . Oh My Goddess. Josh and Zay chuckled, obviously seeing my wide eyes filled with glee. I drank maybe half of it before Zay told me to slow down.

"You don't want to get a stomach ache," she warned.

"Thanks," I mumbled, kind of embarrassed at my actions. "How long have you been a pack healer, Zay?"

"Since I was a teen," she informed, taking a sip of her own drink. Her drink was frozen, she said 'pumpkin spice' when she had ordered. I couldn't imagine drinking something that tastes like a pumpkin. "I knew it was what I wanted to do since I was a kid. I was always there to patch up Jared and Xavier when they got hurt and I felt it was my calling." That's sweet. I don't think I've ever felt a 'calling' of any sort. Being here feels right though. Xavier feels right.

'Don't trust so quickly,' Ancillary warns again. I nod, my smile faltering.

"You okay?" Josh asks. My mind flashes to images of the past. Images of the other kids who would hurt me, abuse me. Images of a boy I once thought to be a friend. I don't respond immediately. I push my drink away.

"Can we go back to the pack house now?" I don't feel very social anymore. "I'm sorry," I give them both a half smile. "I'm really tired," I lie.