Chapter 37: New Clothes
**Avery**
This all still feels like a dream. Did I once fantasize about what it would be like to be alone with The Trio? Yes, as had most of the females in our tribe and I am sure countless other ones too. But when they kept constantly tormenting me, I began to see their ugliness. I need to hear them say it, so I stop walking and turn to them, “Are you only being nice to me because you think that I am your mate?”
Conner looks at me with one of his eyes and one of Caleb’s, “Avery, I never wanted to do half of the things to you that we have done. I felt bad leaving you in that forest and that's why I barely interacted with you after that day. Before our Grand Ceremony, I was serious about wanting to be your friend. I was raised to be a better man than I have been. I have been nice to you because I wanted to be. Now that you are my mate, I want to do everything right.”
A slight breeze began to blow, Clint reached over to tuck my hair behind my ears. I blinked several times to prevent myself from flinching. He quickly braided my hair before his eyes met mine. One eye was his color and the other was Carter’s, “Avery, I have called you so many hateful names and I have treated you worse than a dog, but I was serious about trying to be your friend. I even loaned you my shirt, but that put you in danger. I am so sorry. I didn't think how the other girls would react. They were toys to me and me using them that way nearly got my first female friend killed. I hate myself for it. Carter had been thinking of taking a mate, so we became your friend to learn how to treat girls. I never considered that you could be that mate that we were trying to be better for. So no, I am not being nice just because you are my mate. You are owed it, plus I want to.”
Cassius pulls me flush against his hard body. One of his large hands cradles my lower back sending sparks up and down my spine. His other hand cups my face as he looks at me with one of his blue eyes and one of Asher’s red ones, “Avery, I am an asshole. I saw you as the nanny. I don't need a nanny. I wanted my mate. I did everything I could to make you run. But you were bound by duty. Mr. Chen made me see that. I wasn't treating you as a future king should and that's why I tried your Friendship 101 class.” He chuckles before he continues, “I failed that course because I didn't notice that you weren't home the night Jessica and her friends nearly killed you. I was a shit friend and I still am because they have yet to be brought to justice, but they will. You are my mate. When a dragon knows, he knows. When you have your Grand Ceremony, you will know too. Just know that I will always be an asshole, but I will try not to be one to you. Now that you are my mate, no other women will ever come before you.”
I bit my lip at his heartfelt confession. His lips ghosted over mine before they pressed a featherlight kiss to my forehead. I put my hand on his heart and felt its rhythm meet mine. Regina was right. We are where we were meant to be, it just took a lot of pain and torment to get here. “Thank you, Cassius and Asher,” I said as I looked at him before I turned to look at the other two guys, “Thank you, all of you.”
Cassius’s big hand smacked my ass and I let out a squeal as I jumped. “Get in there and wow us,” he commanded. I stood there stunned as I rubbed my ass. He looked down briefly before he raised his eyes to meet mine, “Shit! Sorry.”
I looked at the other guys and they shrugged. I wonder if this is a football thing. Do guys go around smacking each other on the ass? Regina laughs with me and it tickles, but it feels so good to laugh. Right now I am happy and I think that I have forgotten what it was like to be happy.
Once we were inside the boutique, we split up. I went to the lingerie section to try and figure out what size bra I would need. I grabbed a few because I have no clue and Regina informed me that it was a human thing so her being a dragon can't help with this. As I was going into the dressing room, each guy handed me a pile of clothes. There is no way that I will let them get me all of this. I don't care if money doesn't matter to them because it matters to me. I won't ever take what I didn't earn. Yes, Conner said it was their treat, but I have never taken advantage of anyone and I won't start now!
I originally kept the articles of clothing that they gave me separately, but I liked how some looked together. I don't know how long I spent sorting through the piles, but I did manage to find enough to work for a week or two. I managed to find some bras too. They were cute and didn't look childish like the ones I had at home. I look like a woman. I no longer look like the walking dead, and I don't feel like it either. I hear Regina, “Avery, we have always been different but that is what made us beautiful. Just now, everyone will see it. Our mates already do and it appears that they had for longer than they cared to admit. We have a bright future ahead, I just know it!” I hope she's right, but something still feels unsettling and it isn't just nerves because I have no clue how to date, much less how to mate.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
