Chapter 36 Shopping

Chapter 36 Shopping
Two days later,

Nova finished her second lap around the property. Rune had been busy in the last few days, and they only managed to have breakfast together before he locked himself in his study. She offered to help a few times, but he refused, which annoyed her a lot. She still couldn’t understand why he couldn’t fully let her in and trust her with some of his burdens.

She sighed, heading back inside. Her wrist had almost fully healed, and she didn’t need the bandages anymore. It surprised her that she quickly recovered, but her body was surprisingly healthier than before.

She was surprised to find Cassian and Maple already in the living room, with Rune looking ready to leave.

“Did something happen? Why are you all here?” She asked, wiping sweat from her forehead.

Cassian stepped closer, staring at her intently before smiling. “It’s good to see you fully healed, Nova. We were so worried. We tried visiting, but Rune didn’t let us get close to the house. I’m sorry for what happened. We should have—“

“It’s fine, Cassian.” She patted his shoulders reassuringly. 

The beta let out a breath, and she waved at Maple, whose worry also seemed to ease.

“Are you going somewhere?”

“Cassian and I are doing patrols around the pack,” Rune explained. “Consider this your day off. Maple is here to keep you company.”

Nova raised an eyebrow. “I don’t need a babysitter.” She glanced at Maple with an apologetic smile. “No offense.”

Maple waved her off easily. “None taken.”

Rune wasn’t backing down. Though he had warned his pack members after displaying the bodies of the three men to pass the message, he still couldn’t relax, leaving Nova alone and unprotected.

“You might not need one, but I’m not leaving you alone. God knows where you’d wander off to next.”

Nova’s frown deepened at the jab. 

He continued, ignoring her expression. “You two can go wherever you want. Just stay out of secluded areas.”

With that, he and Cassian headed out.

Nova turned to Maple, who was already holding up a credit card with a mischievous grin. “How about we go shopping?”

Nova’s mood brightened instantly. “I love that idea. Give me ten minutes to change.”

Thirty minutes later, they stood in front of the mall, watching people stream in and out of the entrance. Nova twirled Rune’s black card between her fingers, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. 

It had been far too long since she’d gone shopping, and she intended to make up for lost time, even if her closet at home was already starting to resemble a boutique.

They linked arms and practically skipped inside.

The mall was even more impressive up close, sprawling and elegant. The name above the entrance caught her attention. It was the same chain where she’d bought her engagement dress, which felt like a lifetime ago.

“Does Rune own this building too?” She glanced at Maple.

“No, Cassian does. He has a chain of shopping malls all over the country.”

Nova’s jaw dropped. Cassian was that rich? She should have suspected it. Rune was a business tycoon, so it made sense that his second-in-command wasn’t exactly struggling.

She shot Maple a skeptical look. “Please don’t tell me you secretly own a conglomerate too.”

Maple laughed. “Not yet. No.”

“Thank goodness. I was starting to think I was the only broke one in this group.”

Maple arched a brow. “Oh, I’m not broke. I don’t have a conglomerate, but I do run a successful home interior business. My employees handle most of it while I spend time with my mate and sons.”

Nova’s smile faltered. She really needed to step up her game.

They wandered through several shops, picking up clothes and makeup. Nova was actually starting to enjoy herself when Maple casually dropped a bomb.

“I need new lingerie. I’m sure Leo is bored with my old ones already.” 

Nova felt heat creep up her neck. “Is that something you should be saying out loud? People here have great hearing, you know?”

Maple waved her hand dismissively. “Sex isn’t something to be embarrassed about around here. It’s practically encouraged.” She gave Nova a pointed look. “You should get some, too. I bet Rune would lose his mind if he saw you in something lacy.”

Nova’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. She doubted they’d ever reach that point. Their relationship was a constant cycle — fights, tension, brief moments of peace, then another fight. Rinse and repeat. Even though they were okay right now, something told her the peace would not last long.

She glanced away. “I wouldn’t count on it. He doesn’t strike me as the romantic type.”

Maple shook her head firmly. “You’re wrong. He’s hard on you sometimes, but he clearly cares. Werewolves are naturally romantic with their mates. Once the bond is fully complete, you won’t be able to keep your hands off each other. It’s a whole different level of passion.”

She paused, catching the flush spreading across Nova’s cheeks. A slow smirk crept onto her face. “I’m buying it for you. You’ll thank me later.”

Before Nova could protest, Maple darted off, returning with a bag of packaged sexy, lacy underwear. Nova rolled her eyes before accepting them. Recalling how bold Rune was steadily growing lately, perhaps she might actually need them, but she wasn't betting on it.

After that embarrassing stop, they moved on to safer territory — getting their nails done.

Mova enjoyed the nail session the most and made sure to get long, dark nails that tapered into sharp points. 

When they finished, she held her hands up, admiring them in the light. “Perfect. Now I can scratch back too.”

This made Maple chuckle.

As they gathered their things to leave, a familiar voice stopped them.

“Luna? Maple?”

They turned to find Winnifred approaching, a warm smile on her face. The omega looked different from the last time Nova had seen her at the pack house. More at ease.

“Winnifred, how are you?” Nova greeted.

“I’m doing well, thanks to you.” Winnifred’s eyes shone with genuine gratitude. “I work here now. Sales rep.”

Nova smiled. “That's good. I’m proud of you.”

“I never got the chance to properly thank you for what you did. Things have already started changing. We are being given more opportunities around the pack.”

Nova felt warmth bloom in her chest. “You deserved it. All of you did. I hope no one has given you any problems. Tell me, I’ll deal with them.”

Winnifred smiled. “No one has bothered us because we are no longer afraid to fight back. Quinn got the karma she deserved. She fractured both wrists and doesn’t show her face in the pack house much.”

The news deleted her.

“And that mate of yours?”

“Finally rejected him. I don’t need the extra baggage.” Winnifred reached out and squeezed her hand. “Thank you. Really.”

After a few more kind words, they parted ways, and Maple shot Nova an impressed look.

“Look at you, making a difference.”

Nova shrugged, but she couldn’t hide her smile.