Page 42 of It All Started with a Bite

“Why exactly are you here, Mother?” Samuel asked coolly.

“To take care of our new luna’s induction into supernatural society.” Victoria scanned my outfit and frowned. “You were right, Pearl. We can’t have her running around in off-the-rack suits.” She checked her watch while Pearl swished her tail with a smug expression. “Come along, Abigail. We’re going shopping.”

“What?” I blinked. “But—I’m in the middle of work!”

“I’m sure Hawthorne & Associates won’t mind if its CEO’s luna took a leave of absence for pack reasons.” Victoria gave the room and Samuel a small smile edged with pure steel.

Samuel opened his mouth to protest.

His employees gazed at him beseechingly.

He hesitated before giving me an apologetic glance. “You should go with her,” he said reluctantly. “Dorothy will catch you up on the case.”

Traitor.

14

Shopping with Wolves (and One Judgmental Cat)

Victoria pulledup outside a private boutique in downtown Amberford and parked her Mercedes smoothly in a spot reserved for the clientele. I stared warily at the stylish frontage.

It looked like it catered exclusively to people who wiped their noses with hundred-dollar bills.

“Are you sure about this?” I said nervously. “I feel like my credit card might spontaneously combust just from being in the vicinity of this place.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Victoria said briskly. “The pack pays for luna-related expenses.”

I stared. This was my first time hearing this.

“Including designer clothes?” I asked suspiciously.

“Especially designer clothes.” Victoria frowned. “You represent the Hawthorne pack. You need to look the part, not just at work but in day-to-day life and at social engagements.”

I was beginning to think this sounded like a good deal bar the social engagement aspect until Pearl spoke.

“We can’t have you looking like you’re of common stock,” the cat said disdainfully from the back seat.

Bo, who’d been forced to ride in the rear with her, made gagging noises.

I narrowed my eyes at Pearl in the mirror. “That taxidermy place isn’t far from here.”

The cat hissed. Victoria sighed.

We got out of the car and crossed the sidewalk. A discreet sign above the boutique’s door intimated that its name was Moonlight Couture. A bell tinkled when we entered. I was hit by the smell of blank checks and what I was beginning to recognize as the distinctive bouquet of the supernatural.

I looked around nervously.

The place reminded me of the cover of a home interior magazine. The kind featuring a snake milker who hit it big and was now living the millionaire life somewhere exotic.

A willowy blonde with a scent similar to Mrs. Chen and Didi materialized from between racks of clothing that probably cost more than my annual salary. Her expression brightened.

“Victoria.” She came over and air-kissed the Hawthorne matriarch’s cheeks. “And Pearl, darling. How divine to see you both.” She pecked the cat on the head.

Bo and I both curled our lips.

Her gaze landed on me and widened slightly. Even Bo got a once-over.

“Claudette, this is Abigail West.” Victoria hesitated for a fraction of a second. “She’s Samuel’s mate.”

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