Chapitre 255: 15. Not A Sinner Nor A Saint.
It was time to go shopping, and I considered myself quite skilled in this department. Not many had any idea that the leader of a resistance, an organization of over three million people, was just walking, looking like any other woman shopping. The press did me a favor by diverting most of our pack's attention towards me, causing them to discuss me.
I would occasionally make brief statements, but I had my method of finding shops that appealed to me. As the press referred me as America's sweetheart, not as Mimi Springcove, it was all good. I had not yet stumbled into any magazines with my face plastered in them, so not so many knew me, or at least I assumed so.
There was no need to visit the big designer stores when there were these indie designer shops available. These were young designers who weren't affiliated with major fashion houses like de La Renta or Cucci. In these shops, one could discover genuine treasures - unique, comfortable, and stylish items.
I knew Damon had no knowledge of these shops, and if he happened to stumble upon one, he would probably scoff and move on without even bothering to see what they had to offer. This was my victory. Naturally, I would purchase some Christmas sweaters for the men, but I also noticed a shop that caught my attention - a dog grooming salon.
I had a list of my preferences, and it would be beneficial for me to visit and assess the place, to see if they had any suitable products for me. After all, variety is the spice of life, especially when one has sensitivities and doesn't want to use the same shampoo for 80 years in a row.
I observed Damon and Mariella walking together, and they made the perfect, adorable couple. The press loved them. Wulfe and the rest of my group were constantly being interviewed by various members of the press, and boy, did they talk. However, this left me free to do my own thing.
Mimosa and Shadow were accompanied by my four companions, as the Salvatores kept Elena and Katherine under control. Perhaps I had emitted a few pheromones to help them relax and trust me. I knew how to ensure some peace for my shopping trip.
The mall was adorned with lights, and every shop window was starting to display Christmas decorations, even though it was Black Friday. The shops took advantage of the occasion to start their Christmas sales. People were milling about, and there were occasionally heated discussions and even some angry faces in certain shops, as individuals almost fought over certain products.
Of course, the shops were clever and only had a limited quantity of very cheap items, with a larger selection of slightly more expensive alternatives, as the cheaper ones quickly sold out. I wasn't interested in electrical appliances or children's toys. I was focused on finding these indie shops, which rarely participated in Black Friday or any other major commercial events.
They had their own shoppers, and sometimes these shops were almost like pop-up shops. I had just spotted the perfect shop for myself—a fairly large indie shop for women, and specifically for smaller women like me. I wasn't sure if they had suitable clothes for Mariella or even wolves, maybe Elena or Katherine, since they were taller than me. But for me, it was just perfect.
First, I walked to a nearby coffee shop. I ordered a black coffee to go and sat down in an aisle, letting my pretender side have fun while observing everyone around me. I spotted Mariella and Damon on the floor above, thanks to the large amount of glass in the building. They were going into designer shops, and to my surprise, there were a bunch of reporters and sales clerks with them.
Mariella seemed a bit tense, and Damon appeared upset about something. I wondered if they had a minor incident with the clerks, but I wasn't paying much attention.
As I sat there, Wulfe suddenly appeared and sat next to me. He took my half-full cup of coffee and greedily took a sip.
I raised an eyebrow and sarcastically said, "You do have your own credit card, you know. You can go and buy yourself whatever coffee you want."
Wulfe calmly replied, "Yours is the best. That's just how things are. Now, my unicorn, I can sense that you have a plan that you're not going to share with Damon. Do you want me to dig it out, or will you tell me?"
I pointed towards the indie shop in the corner and said, "What do you see over there? That corner shop?"
Wulfe barely glanced over and said, "It's just a clothes store, not a well-known brand. It looks a bit sketchy, if you ask me."
I smiled and replied, "You know, there are a lot of young talented designers out there, but big fashion houses don't easily give them a chance. You have to know the right people to get into those big houses, right? Now, these indie designers, oh, they sell their pieces at affordable prices but the quality is great. Damon has no idea and he would just walk by, scoffing at them without even bothering to go in. But I'm curious. I like to explore many shops, and that's how I found them. So that little shop, which may seem like a thrift store, is my treasure trove. It's specifically for petite girls, like me. Sometimes Japanese visitors shop there too since they tend to be petite. These are the shops where I find hidden gems."
Wulfe looked at me and the shop, then said, "Alright, I'm ready. Show me. And remember, I have my own card, so I might buy something for you too."
He finished his coffee, stood up, and offered his hand to me.
As we walked in, he remarked, "Do you realize that if the press notices you shopping there, these shops might get an influx of customers and catch the attention of designer houses? I heard they would love nothing more than to serve you and offer you their latest designs."
I rolled my eyes and replied, "Did you know that on my first shopping trip with Damon... well, never mind that? But he was the one who took me to De La Renta's and Cucci's, and many other big designer houses. I used kids' clothes back then, as you know how small I was."
Wulfe asked me, "Come on, what happened? What did he do to you? I can tell by the marks on his body that he had a wild morning, and you were a part of it. But tell me."
We were just about to enter that indie shop when numbers four and two, who had been walking ahead of us to ensure our safety, spotted us. I turned to Wulfe and said, "We went to the mall. Damon was my bodyguard. Well, I didn't really think twice as I continued on my way. I was a spry, carefree, eager thing enough to reach a few floors up before Damon even secured the first floor. He got irritated and pulled me into the shadows, teasing me. With just one finger, he gave me my first orgasm. Sure, I had experimented with myself as a human, but that explosion was something else."
Wulfe burst into laughter, wiping his eyes. He looked around, seeing the clothes, dresses, shirts, pants, even.
He chuckled. "I have to admit, Salvatore can be quite inventive with his punishments. But yeah, this shop... I understand what you mean."
Suddenly, Number Two's silky voice came from right behind me, causing me to almost jump. "Oh, baby, do I need to punish you again? But it seems you've stumbled upon a treasure trove. Now, here's what we're going to do: you and Boy Wonder will leave this place and let us do the shopping. Wulfe, keep her safe. Or else, I might just have to punish both of you."
He looked heatedly at Wulfe, who simply smirked.
I rolled my eyes and replied, "I think there's enough for me to buy here too. There's no need to get rid of me. I'm not some little girl to be ordered around."
Number four spoke calmly, but with steel in his voice, "Little girl, shoo. Go find us another shop to explore. We've just given this information to the Salvatores, so all of your little shops will be raided soon enough."
I rolled my eyes, finding it hard to believe, but I reluctantly agreed. It was time to visit the grooming salon and see if I could discover anything new.
Wulfe told me, "Go ahead, go wherever you want. I'll be shopping with the boys here, and maybe I'll catch up with you later."
Number two remarked to Wulfe, "That's a good choice, so I won't have to punish you."
I walked away, the sound of my footsteps blending with the bustling noise of the mall filled with shoppers. It was overwhelming, with humans wearing strong perfumes and other scents that bothered my sensitive nose.
As I made my way to the grooming salon, I noticed number one and Mariella exiting the elevator, heading towards an indie shop surrounded by a horde of reporters.
Fine, let them enjoy themselves. Sometimes I grew tired of the Salvatores barging in, taking over everything, and pushing me aside, but this was still my life.
I calmly entered the grooming salon and was amazed by the wide range of products inside. In my human days, I had used basic dog shampoos and such, but this place was like a large store with multiple aisles. There were even signs indicating products specifically for certain breeds.
I smiled slightly as I walked down an aisle dedicated to huskies, dalmatians, and other short-haired breeds. Each product had a description stating its purpose, and there was a list of ingredients and potential allergens nearby. It would take some time, but I was curious to see if I could find something suitable here.
I reached into my purse and pulled out a printed list of ingredients that I couldn't tolerate, as well as another list of ingredients that weren't great for me but could be somewhat acceptable in small amounts. Oh, this was going to be an interesting experience.
As I was browsing through the first shelf, a softly spoken male voice asked me from behind, "May I help you?"
I turned around, holding my lists, and replied, "Well, I'm not quite sure. You see, I am..."
He raised his hands and exclaimed, "America's sweetheart! Oh my gosh, I've seen documentaries about you in the past few weeks. But how may I assist you? Do you have a pet or someone?"
I smiled, although I was a bit annoyed in my mind. It had been weeks, after all. I responded to the blonde-haired young man in a stylish outfit consisting of a light grey shirt, apron, and black slacks. I guessed that he was one of the groomers.
"Well, I am looking for products for myself. As you may know, I am a hybrid, mostly felines with a few canines, and then whatever else I can find. However, I have extremely sensitive skin. I have a list of what my skin can't handle, as well as a few things that I can tolerate in small doses. I had found a conditioner for poodles in the past, so I am just exploring. It gets a bit boring to wash oneself with the same product for the past 80 years or so."
He smiled and suggested, "Come on, let's go and input your information into our system. It will determine your breed and recommend suitable products. If we don't have anything available right now, we can create some for you."
He led me toward the checkout area, where a computer was located. I handed him my lists, and he scanned them into the system. Soon, the display lit up, and he tapped a few buttons.
"Just a moment. Well, I might be stepping out of bounds here, but would you like to have a bath and some pampering? If we find suitable products for you, we have some free slots. You can transform into whatever shape you desire. We've had shifters who have always enjoyed this." He smiled politely.
I said to him, "Sure, I have some time, but let me check if a few of my pack members would like to be pampered as well."
He nodded and asked if we could take a photo together. I agreed, and we snapped a picture. Suddenly, I felt like a celebrity. It was my reality; I was a freaking celebrity.
In my mind, I reached out to Mimosa and said, "Hey Mimosa, how about we treat ourselves to some pampering? Are you free? Bring Shadow too. I'm on the first floor at the grooming salon, and the owner wants to give us a free pampering treatment. I'm looking for shampoo for myself, so you might find something for the two of you as well."
Mimosa exclaimed, "Oh my god, we're on our way! I love being pampered and having a good wash and grooming session. Shadow is up for it, too. Did you inform the pack leader?"
I replied, "Nope, and I don't plan to either."
Mimosa chuckled and suggested, "You're such a troublemaker, but alright, should I let him know?"
I responded, "If you must, but I'm not sure if they'll have time to wash all of us. If you tell him, he'll want to be washed too, along with the other Salvatores and Mariella."
Mimosa just laughed and said, "We have plenty of time, and it'll do wonders for the grooming salon's reputation. I'll tell him."
Suddenly, the clerk interjected, "Oh, we have some matches! It seems the computer has categorized you as an Afghan Hound, and we have at least 16 shampoos, 33 conditioners, and 45 other products for you. Shall we go and take a look?"
I nodded and felt genuinely happy. Soon, Damon, Mariella, Wulfe, Mimosa, and Shadow walked in. Damon came over, kissed me passionately, and introduced himself as my fiancé, pack leader, and mate to the clerk.
While the clerk explained the suitable products for me, Damon said to me, "Baby, you and the girls should transform into your feline form. You take snow leopard form. Mariella can go as a clouded leopard, and the wolves can remain in their own forms. Go and enjoy your pampering while I shop for products for all of us."
I nodded and changed into my snow leopard form. From the back area, where the grooming stations were located, five women emerged. The clerk, who was actually the owner, explained who we were to them and instructed one of the women to assist Damon. The rest of them would wash and groom us.
I overheard Damon giving detailed instructions on what needed to be done for each of us. For example, Mimosa needed de-shedding because she had too much undercoat, Mariella's fur lacked luster, and my thick, coarse fur, as Damon stroked me, felt oily and dirty, probably because I had a lot of fun in my snow leopard form outside.
The owner successfully negotiated a few products with Damon, who was impressed by the selection. After the owner gathered five different shampoos, two conditioners, and a few other items, he led me to a station. The owner helped me into the bathtub and wet my fur. I noticed that Mimosa and Shadow were enthusiastically chatting while Mariella remained silent, her feline form already wet and being washed.
This experience was actually quite enjoyable. The owner's grip was gentle yet firm, and no one had ever washed my feline forms before. It was a new and luxurious experience for me, as I had always enjoyed a bed bath.
The owner tutted to himself while trying to remove the greasiness from my coat. It took about five washes and a few more rounds with the conditioner.
Mariella, Mimosa, and Shadow also received blow-drying treatments. Shadow's herbal scent was now much cleaner, and her fur was brushed as well. I could see a significant amount of undercoat being brushed out, resembling little clouds floating in the air. The women groomed and brushed them in a brisk yet gentle manner.
I enjoyed listening to Mimosa's entertaining comments, as she pointed out areas where she was still itching, indicating that there was trapped fur. Shadow also had a lot of fur coming out during the brushing session. Meanwhile, Salvatores and Wulfe were still discussing products with the saleslady.
She had mentioned that they could manufacture custom blends, opening up a whole new section of possibilities. Soon, it was time for smelling tests, and Damon, being my protector, knew which scents to use and which to avoid. I also overheard the press coming in, and Numbers Ten and Nine were providing them with statements about what it's like to live as a shapeshifter capable of taking over 30 forms.
After obtaining permission from the owner, we allowed the press to come in and take pictures of us being groomed. The sight of Mimosa was particularly impressive, and the herbal scent of Shadow was also noticed. Mariella had just had her ears plucked, causing them to be slightly sideways, but I maintained my posture and enjoyed the warm blow-drying and brushing.
There was a lot of coat coming off me as well. I wasn't sure how this would affect my cold tolerance, but then again, I wasn't planning on going outside in my feline forms.
In my mind, I smiled as Damon made a statement, suggesting that they might do this again and that the whole pack would be involved next time. Of course, he had to show off his lion form with wings. This caused the owner to step away momentarily to study Damon, as he pondered how to wash the wings.
Charles shared a story about the first time he was washed, which revealed his violet color. The owner confidently stated that he could make it even shinier and brighter. Damon's mane was greasy, and his fur was dry and dirty. However, now was not the time to wash him, considering he was a huge lion and it would take a while to clean him up. But someday, he would be washed.
As I finally stepped out from the grooming area, I smelled like a meadow of flowers. My fur was shiny, and soft, and my coloring had improved. My supernatural status as a magical feline was evident in the glimmering sheen of my fur, which seemed to have a golden and silvery hue, resembling glitter.
It had been a delightful experience, and I noticed several bags full of bottles in the hands of the Salvatores, indicating they had done some shopping.
Damon stroked me and suggested, "Why don't you transform into your human form? There's no need to dirty up your fur. It's almost time to go home, don't you think?"
I obliged and took my human form, responding, "Well, we still have some time. I want to do a bit of Christmas shopping first."
Mariella, who had also transformed into her human form, said to Damon, "That's a great idea! Maybe we can find some new lights for our trees and some new baubles and decorations."
Damon nodded and said to me, "Lead the way, baby. Let's shop together and see what we can find."
This time, I refrained from rolling my eyes. Oh, how I wanted to, but I tried to suppress my irritation, not wanting to give Damon any ammunition against me. Perhaps this would be a good opportunity to use my pheromones a bit too.
I soon stumbled upon a large shop filled with all things Christmas, ranging from baubles to sweaters. Oh my god, the men's section had an amazing selection with so many choices and colors. Each man could have their own unique style.
Mimosa noticed this and approached me in her human form, exclaiming, "Oh my god, these are exactly what I've been looking for. I want to try them on. They're perfect."
I nodded and decided to check out the lights. Of course, there were pack members scattered about, buying various items. I found 15 different sets of lights that caught my eye. Some were larger, while others were smaller. However, my attention was soon drawn to a shop across the mall, so I headed over to the checkout counter. I purchased my sweaters, baubles, lights, and garlands before moving on to another shop.
This time, it was an indie shop specializing in baby clothes. They had the most adorable boxes, each containing five onesies, three shirts, three pairs of pants, little shoes or slippers, four hats, a few jumpsuits, and several other items. Each box was unique, as they were designed by individuals who were not widely known and had not created many of these clothes. The boxes were categorized as boys, girls, or unisex. I ended up buying 20 of each.
And I had planned to buy a huge pile of separate clothes when Damon walked in.
He wrapped himself around me, looking around, and put his hands over my belly, whispering, "Soon enough, my love. Soon enough. What have you bought?"
I replied, "Sets of clothes. I was planning to have some separate ones. Look at these adorable little dresses."
I pointed at the dresses, and he took one box, read it, and said, "We have so much fun opening these and seeing what's inside. Of course, we'll have to wash them and then put them into storage." His voice was firm but dreamy.
I knew we would have a fun time opening those boxes. There were also a lot of baby clothes in there. He led me out of the shop as two and four stepped in to speak with the manager.
I guessed they were going to buy the whole damn shop or at least a lot of clothes. So there was no point in me selecting just a few here and there. I had already bought my boxes, though, and Damon had already teleported them to the house while I exited the shop.
He said to me, "Now, baby, it's time to head home, have a meal, and then... who knows? Maybe you'll call me to look at something in some room and you'll be just about to go to the bath or spa."
His voice was now possessive and seductive. He truly owned me. It was time to leave the hustle and bustle of this huge shopping mall behind us, go back to our Christmas castle, and start building yet another Christmas.
I had no idea what kind of Christmas it would be. Maybe it would be magical, perfect, or maybe something unexpected would happen. One can never know, but that's what makes life worth living for.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone