Trip to the capital

Emma’s POV
With Sam now healing I am very aware that she and Rosie had left with the clothes on their backs nothing more, and my clothing situation isn’t much better. Especially underwear, I blush as I think of all the times Peter has literally shredded my undies in the heat of desire, but I didn’t have that many pairs with me, so the knicker situation is becoming urgent, unless I want to go commando.

Today I am going to the capital with Jess, Fel and Sarah, so I can get some clothes, bond with my in-laws and pick something for my Luna ceremony on the full moon. Sarah is joining us at my insistence, because Fel is still being a bit off with me, and Jess had mentioned that she need to go and get some stuff for the pack hospital.

I walk down into the main hall dressed in a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and walking boots. Not ideal, but the best I could do for the ride to the capital. Better add riding gear to my list I think to myself.

Sarah is already waiting for me, dressed for a ride, and a couple of minutes later Jess enters. The final member of our party, Fel, arrives with her brother in tow.

‘Hey darling, hey Felicia,’ I greet them. Peter hands me a purse. I look inside and it is filled with small golden tokens.

‘Errrr, what’s this?’ I ask him.

‘Money for your shopping kitten,’ he tells me.

‘I don’t know what any of this is worth. I won’t know if I am being ripped off. Hell I don’t even know if this is a lot or hardly anything.’

He smiles indulgently at me, and I know instantly that the contents of the purse equals a lot.

‘I am sure the ladies will help you, and if you need anymore just head to the bank, I have set up an account for you, all that is needed is a drop of blood to complete it. I want you to get everything you want, spend whatever you need, I have plenty.’

I heft the purse and put it in my shoulder bag. I give Peter a kiss, ‘Thank you, I have a feeling you have given me too much.’

‘Just spoil yourself, and little Rosie,’ he says. ‘Speaking of who, I have a date with that little hellion in the pool, and then we are going to ice biscuits. Now bugger off and enjoy yourself’

‘Later honey,’ and I turn to the girls, with a laugh. ‘Shall we ladies, it looks like my generous fella is funding a shopping spree.’

We run outside and mount our rides. We are all riding to make me feel better, although it seems to make sense for carrying our purchases home too.
…
The capital is a two-gate ride way, and that takes us a couple of hours. I enjoy the way the scenery changes each time we travel through one. The first one is the one that I entered the Whitewater area through, and the second gate is one topped with a crown.

The capital is a medieval wet dream, it is a circular walled city, built on a hill with a fort on the top of the hill, and buildings cascading out and down from the central point until they crash against the wall. When I look carefully I can see that the current wall is actually the third one, the city growing like a tree, the wall forming stone rings that mark it’s growth.

The gate spits us out about 2-miles from the wall, and I admire the quaint old world charm, it reminds me of some of the walled cities and fortresses I have visited over the years.

Guards nod us through the gates, and Jess turns to me.

‘Em, is it okay if I steal Sarah for a while, I need some help with organising the medical supplies,’ she asks me.

Damn you Jess, I think, there is no way I can refuse the request, even if it does leave me alone with Fel.

‘Sure no problem,’ I smile at her. ‘Where will we meet up?’

‘How about Costa by Suzi’s boutique?’

I look questioningly at Fel, while thinking chain coffee shops really do get everywhere. Fel gives a nod.

‘Okay,’ I reply. ‘See you in an hour?’

‘Make it 90-minutes.’ And with that we separate into two groups.
…
Fel and I ride along the surprisingly wide road as far as the second wall. Just past it she leads me to a stable.

‘We will leave the horses here,’ she tells me. ‘Riding closer to the main shopping area is not practical, most of it is pedestrianised like a human shopping mall anyway.’

A groom comes out and helps us dismount

*Do I pay him now or when we collect the horses, do I need to get a receipt, how much should this cost?*

For a moment I think Fel is not going to help me out, I am totally lost, I imagine if you dropped me in Peru and gave me a bag of cash and no guidance I would feel the same… and you would probably find a Costa there too.

Fel laughs and gestures for me to give her the money.

*Thanks Fel, I appreciate it.*

*You and me still need to sort somethings out, but watching you is struggle… I would have to be heartless… Now get your ass over here, you need to learn this.*

I careful observe the transaction, the stabling is 4 gold, each little bar has marks on it indicating how many gold it is… looking at them they could be broken down like a chocolate bar along the marks.

The groom then gives Fel a couple of coloured braid cords, each with matching metallic charms on the end. Matching ones were put on the horses. What a clever receipt method I think, guessing the charms indicate the stable.

Once we have finished at the stable Fel takes me to the bank. One drop of blood later and I have my own bank card, very similar and recognisable to the one I already have.

‘There is a really cute puppy clothes shop,’ Fel tells me. ‘on the way to Costa, then we can have a chat while we wait for the others.’

I double take, puppy clothes, ohhhh, kids’ clothes. I nod and almost jogging to keep up with her, sometimes I hate that I am so short.

The shop is full to bursting with brightly coloured clothes designed for children, and while I feel that I am spending more than I would in the human realm here I have nothing to compare about, and following Fel’s advice this seems to be a good place to shop.

Leggings, vests, knickers, all-in-ones, little dresses and tights, in yellows, blues, pinks and greens. I buy an adorable princess dress in ivory that will do for any formal events.

‘Urgh, Fel, how the hell are we getting this lot back?’ I ask.

Fel turns to the smiling assistant. ‘How much? And we want this lot delivered to the Whitewater packhouse before night fall.’

‘That will be 125 gold, ma’am,’ the clerk responds

‘I don’t think so, 90 max,’ Fel shoots back. Oh great, I think. I am dreadful at haggling. ‘And it better be gift wrapped too.’

The two women negotiate, and settle on 103 gold, including delivery, but no gift wrap.

Fel picks up our coffees in Costa and we settle down to wait for Sarah and Jess.

‘Soooo,’ Felicia starts. ‘I am just going to cut to it… Are you going to run off and hurt my brother again?’

‘Fel, Felicia, I don’t know how I can convince you, but I have no intention of ever leaving Peter…’ I am struggling for words.

I open my link to Fel and let her feel my emotions as I say ‘I love him, but I can’t explain how but I love the pack even more… I won’t leave him, unless he hurts them… and it would destroy me.’

‘Shit,’ her eyes are wide with shock. ‘I don’t even know how to take that… did the Goddess send you to Peter, or to the pack…’

Before I can formulate an answer, I see Jess and Sarah entering the café.

‘I guess if you want to take this further, we better talk another time.’

Her eyes narrow thoughtfully, ‘Yeah I guess so.’

I wave the others over. They smile at me and collect their drinks before joining us.

‘Did you get everything you need?’ I ask.

‘Yep everything ordered and being delivered,’ Jess answers. ‘So what do you still need to get?’

‘Clothes for me,’ I say, then I start to blush. ‘Especially underwear… are all werewolves so… hard on undies?’

‘Well none of us are mated, Em, but yeah, in my experience, wolfmen like to shred clothing’ Sarah laughs, the others joining in.

‘And I need something for the Luna ceremony…’

‘Awesome,’ Fel grins at me. ‘I know just the place.’