Chapter 38 Just Being Girls

(Hope POV)

It feels really good just to hang out with a girl. I've been around men lately and I definitely loved the change in company. After the "attack", we headed to the village. I was given instructions to go to the bank first.

Alicia was given her advance and her new credit card while I was given a bank account and a card as well. I looked at the amount deposited into my account and my jaw dropped. I was now a multi-millionaire. I asked if I could open an account for my parents and deposit money from my account and the manager set it up in less than an hour. My parents are now millionaires too. I also added a little extra to Alicia's account as a starting bonus so she wouldn't need to think about money when working for me. I told Oliver if he or David ever needed money, they can come to me. Oliver smiled and thanked me for my generosity. He said he's well paid and his mother has a business here in the village. I told him I want to meet his mother. He laughed and said I already have. I have?

I know I scared the people at the mansion and hurt that she-wolf and I felt bad, but I don't want things like that to ever happen again. I asked Alicia if that was the first time someone physically hurt her and when she answered no, I knew that display of mine, however wrong it was, could at least halt some of the abuse going on within the pack. Oliver told me he suspected mistreatment going on, he just couldn't find enough evidence to pinpoint a certain wolf. Oliver told Alicia she can now defend herself if another wolf tries to attack her. She nodded with her head down, but I saw that glint in her eye.

Armed with our new found riches, Alicia and I fluttered from shop to shop, buying whatever we wanted.

Alicia is like me, comfortable in jeans or shorts and a pair of sneakers. She's just a couple of inches shorter than me and has brown curly hair. She has hazel colored eyes and freckles over her cheeks and the bridge of her nose. She doesn't wear too much make-up, well, that was because she couldn't afford cosmetics. Although she does have money now, a little gloss and mascara was all she bought at the cosmetics shop we went to, but she did buy a lot of this apple scented body wash. No wonder she has that apple scent I like.

Alicia asked if we could make a stop at the appliance store. She bought a TV, a refrigerator and a microwave for her mother and brother. She was about to buy a washer and dryer when Oliver said her mom and brother are welcome to use the laundry room at the Trusted Home. She smiled knowing her family can visit her in her new place any time they wanted.

We also went to the furniture shop. She picked out two beds and a dining table. I pitched in and bought her family a sofa set. I asked her where they stayed before they moved to their new house. She said they all stayed in the servant's quarters and there was no TV or any recreational area. I looked at Oliver and told him to go back to the appliance center and get TVs for the staff's quarters. He grumbled something, but he went anyway.

I brought her to the hardware store to meet Henry, the son of the owner and he practically fell in love with Alicia. Alicia was blushing to the roots of her hair everytime Henry gave her a compliment. While we were chatting about the festival, a man came in the shop.

He smelled like burnt toast, but instead of him creeping me out, I felt I could trust him. "Listen to your body..." When I took a nap with Alexander a while ago, the Moon Goddess told me to listen to my body. "You will know when and how to act if you listen to your body. This will create a harmonious relationship between mind and body."

The man kept looking at Alicia with longing in his eyes. He was a big man, maybe in his late 40's or early 50's. Just as big as Mark and just as scary looking. He was dressed in hunting gear and had a red cap on. It looked like he was trying to gain the courage to talk to Alicia, but probably decided against it. He ended up buying fish bait and hurriedly left the hardware store. Before he went out the door, he bowed at me and gave me a slight smile. I looked at the others who were oblivious. I guess that was for me.

"The festival officially starts the day after tomorrow at sunset. Luna Hope, will you and Alicia be here? Luna Hope?" Henry was trying to get my attention. I didn't notice I was actually staring at the back of the man who was walking quickly into the forest behind Angela's Diner.

"Oh, Sorry. What was that? I spaced out a second there."

"Will you and Alicia be at the opening of the festival the day after tomorrow? The carnival is already starting to set up." He points at the big open space at the edge of all the shops. A stage was already up and I can see some rides being set up around the stage.

"Of course. This will be my first time to spend Alexander's birthday. I didn't even know it's his birthday."

"I heard it's going to be a big celebration this year because of you Luna." Henry smiled. "Will you be watching the pageant?"

"Pageant?"

"Miss Dark Moon. Alpha is usually one of the judges. It is his birthday after all. Elle, the girl at Big Mama Angela's diner won last year."

"I know Elle. Yes, won't miss it for the world." I smile. "And speaking of Angela's Diner, I'm hungry. Henry, do you have some free time to grab a snack with us or do you need to man the store?"

"Luna, it will be Henry's honor to have a snack with you girls." Henry's dad Oscar yells before Henry could answer me. Oscar apparently, was listening to us talk.

"Thanks Oscar. I'll bring him back as soon as possible."

"It's okay, Luna. I've been telling Henry to make friends. He's terribly shy. It'll be good for him to make friends with you Luna, an honor even. Go son, have some fun." Henry takes off his hardware apron and follows us to Angela's Diner.

"Luna Hope, back so soon. Ah, and you brought my boy again." Oliver gives Big Mama Angela a kiss on the cheek.

"Mama Angela is your mom?" I look at the both of them. "Now, I see the family resemblance. My bad." I laugh.

"I was a sexy lookin' thing back in the day." She winks at me. "I see Henry is with you. Finally, you're off making some friends. Alicia Thomas, it's so good to see you wearing something else than your uniform."

"Mama, she's Luna's new lady-in-waiting. She is now part of The Trusted."

"Congratulations my dear! We should celebrate." Mama Angela gives Alicia a warm hug. "Well, you sit right there and I'll get you a big plate. You're all skin and bones. Oliver baby, don't you feed your people at the mansion?"

"Of course, Mama. But you know the hierarchy among wolves. Sometimes some push their weight around the mansion when we aren't looking." Oliver shakes his head.

"I'll see to it that the staff gets an increase in wages and a Christmas bonus." I told him. "I'm also going to see if I can build better staff quarters, one with better amenities so there isn't any animosity among ranks." I look through the menu even though I know what I want.

"Mama Angela, cheeseburgers, fries, and pie for all of us. Oliver what about you?" I ask Oliver. I know he gets steak whenever he's here.

"My mother knows what I want. Mama, can you put some cheese and bacon on their fries. My treat to celebrate Alicia's promotion." Oliver gives Big Mama Angela a pat on her shoulder.

"Sure thing, honey. I'll have Elle bring out your orders." She goes behind the counter to the kitchen.

"I need to go to the restroom." Alicia stands up and excuses herself. I watch her walk to the area of the restrooms. Behind her the man in the red cap!