Chapter 472
Lanie
Why Iâd thought taking a pair of cranky twins shopping for clothes and shoes was going to be a
good idea the day after an all-night party, I could never know, but I was definitely cursing myself for
it within the first half an hour. Not only did Alaina and Isaac complain and literally drag their feet as
we went from shop to shop, we couldnât make it more than a few feet down the sidewalk without
being stopped.
Iâd thought people would be curious about and want to meet Stella, of course, but I hadnât quite
counted on how many people wanted the chance to get close to their new Luna. Sure, Iâd
technically been the Luna before we left, but it had been for such a short time, and thereâd been all
that mess and confusion with the assigned mating. Gabriela had been the Luna for Xander after his
father gave over the leadership to him, and the pack had been used to her.
Well, now they had me. I hadnât realized how exhausting it would be to smile and engage with
everyone from the people passing on the street to the cashiers and sales staff in the shops, to other
customersâ¦by the time we got out of the final store and were heading toward the ice cream shop
where Iâd promised my cranky twins weâd get a treat, my face ached from forcing the smiles.
âCome on, you two. Settle down or else weâre going right back to the house, and itâll be nothing but
broccoli for you both.â I scolded, but there wasnât much force in my words; I wanted ice cream, too.
We found a booth toward the back and, fortunately, once we ordered our giant ice cream sundaes
with all the extra toppingsâ¦people left us alone in peace. The twins dug in right away, but Stella
only nibbled at hers.
âYouâve been quiet all day. Was it too much for you, little star?â I kept my voice quiet, but the twins
were so busy gobbling their sweet treat that they didnât seem to be paying much attention to us.
She shook her head and licked the tip of her spoon. Sheâd chosen, not her usual vanilla or
chocolate, but the more exotic black cherry chocolate alongside a scoop of butter pecan. Not a
combination I thought Iâd enjoy. I couldnât tell if she was, either.
âPeople have been so nice. Itâs just weird to feel them watching me all the time. Even if theyâre not
talking to me,â she said, then shrugged and dug her spoon deep into the ice cream. She took a bite
and smiled. âYum!â
She looked like an adult, but there was still so much childish joy in her that I had to smile back. I
waved my spoon at her. âYou didnât get the chance to buy many new clothes.â
The twins had been so irritable that Iâd had to keep my focus on them while leaving Stella to
purchase her own items. Most of our packages had been sent on to the house so we didnât have to
carry them, but she had a few bags at her side. I leaned to take a peek into one, but it was so close
to her that I couldnât see what was in it.
âDid you at least pick out some pretty things? Whatever you got, it has to be better than wearing
your old motherâs stuff.â
We both laughed, but our chuckles were a little strained. Stella looked the same age as me, if not
maybe even a couple of years older. We were similar in size, but she was taller. My clothes didnât fit
her the same way.
âIâm still deciding on my style,â she told me. âI guess Iâm trying to figure out who I want to be.â
Something in those words rang a little off to me. I studied her face. âNobody says that what you
picked out today has to be it forever, Stella. Youâre allowed to discover your own preferences.â
âItâs just that I grew up so fast,â she said in a low voice, not meeting my eyes. âI didnât have time to
learn about how to dress or style my hair or do my makeup or anything like that. Donât girls usually
do all that with their friends or sisters?â
At that, my heart panged. My sister and I were only a year-ish apart in ageâ¦and it had been so long
since weâd been able to hang out and do our hair and nailsâ¦I missed her.
âIâm going to have to invite your Auntie Selena to come over. She was always a lot more into
fashion and makeup than I was.â My heart panged again.
Stella smiled. âThat sounds like it would be fun.â
A figure appeared at the side of the table. The young woman could barely string a sentence
together as she stumbled over her greeting to Stella. She was clearly overwhelmed at meeting a
Celestial. I was proud of Stella, though. She handled the girlâs obvious star-struckness with poise
and calm.
There was something shadowed in her expression, though. A sadness there I hated to see and
wished I could take away.
âIâm fine, Mama,â she assured me, even though I hadnât said a word. âJust learning exactly what itâs
like when people find out what I am, thatâs all.â
I wanted to believe thatâs all it was.