Chapter 33- Scaring off Potential Suitors

Hi everyone, still, no feedback on my potential story? Interesting…

Anyways, enjoy this story and I probably won't update until after the fourth of July because I'm going to be busy and probably procrastinating.

Enjoy this chapter!

Max

Fang was a lost cause. We tried everything to get him to shift. We put him in all these dangerous situations that would make his instinct kick in but he just ended up with a bruised rib, a sprained ankle, a minor concussion and a few cuts. We even tried getting Angel to control his mind to shift but it seemed like that part of him was blocked off.

His sisters on the other hand, were naturals. As soon as we explained the feeling (reaching deep inside your soul and seeing what was there before feeling it take over you) they mimicked it perfectly. Nudge could become a hummingbird and could maintain being a butterfly for about two seconds before being exhausted and Ella could shift into a white Arabian horse and a small meerkat. They couldn't do much else but I get it, being a Cardinal was exhausting even though I've shifted all my life. I could only imagine how it would be for them.

I could tell Fang was getting frustrated with all of this though. He looked flustered every time I asked him to try. Of course, I would be too if I was asked to put my life in danger to do something I deemed useless. He thinks being a shifter is useless!

So when Ella and Nudge asked if we could go shopping today, Fang basically pushed me into the taxi and sent us to Fifth Street. We knew that we couldn't afford it but Ella and Nudge were begging to see the clothes. We didn't have much money so I didn't understand why they wanted to be tempted into buying things we couldn't afford. Sometimes Kate, Holden, Star, or Ratchet came back with a couple twenties that I didn't know where they got it from. I could hardly complain. Iggy and Fang got a job at a fast food place called McDonalds and would sneak us back some food after their shift. I bussed tables at the Autumnal Star on Tuesdays, Thursdays and weekends from 12 to 8pm. I got paid minimal wage but I got tipped fairly often so it wasn't like we were starving. Still, supporting 12 people was tricky but we all pitched in. Angel even did a couple of "magic" tricks in the park to make some money.

Anyways, Nudge and Ella were adapting to 21st century life pretty quickly, they liked the pants and shorts and the soft cotton and polyester shifts. It got so far that they drew out designs for shirts and dresses they wanted for mom to make for them. I was fine with the 2 tank tops, 2 pairs of shorts and a light jacket Sam gave me but Nudge and Ella designed clothes for all of us so that we didn't have to "repeat outfits" and do laundry every day. I guess if you think about it in the long run, we would be saving a lot of quarters from the laundro-mat but buying all the fabric, thread and needles for this took up all my tips and half my pay-check. I guess the little princesses weren't used to being tight on money. They did help mom with sewing so I guess it was okay. Soon, all of us were sporting "hip, new designs by the up and coming designers Nudge and Ella Jansen". They were… good, I guess. I got more looks from strangers at the café, much to mine and Fang's annoyance. He made sure to kiss me or hug me tightly- possessively- when he noticed it. I wouldn't be surprised if Nudge and Ella sold their designs.

"Do I have to?" I asked grumpily inside the taxi. It was going to be a girl's day. That is- Nudge, Ella, Angel, and me. Star and Kate were off doing… something.

"Of course," Nudge said brightly, "It's going to be fun! You're so pretty that you look good in practically anything. You have to try everything on. And plus, Fang said that we needed a chaperone…"

I didn't pay much attention after that. Nudge and Ella saw me as an older sister now almost. It was nice most of the time but times like these I wish Nudge and Ella were less comfortable around me. Nudge can talk your ear off and Ella was sweet but she had a little filter problem. She didn't know what offended/ embarrassed people.

Angel noticed my bored expression and squeezed my hand. It'll be fun, she whispered into my mind. I rolled my eyes.

Let's get this over with, I thought back, sourly.

"Oh, so this is the mall," Ella breathes, enraptured. She stared at the glass walkway above us and the people walking to a forth. They all wore name-brand clothes in a kaleidoscope of colors, unlike our slightly washed-out, pale clothing. They were like bright paradise birds, flitting to and fro in a canopy of starry lights and perfumed airs. Nudge ran to the nearest store. Louis Vuitton - the glowing sign above greeted us. It was high-class, the price tags with multiples zeros, the bags all silver-clasps and glitter. Leather, sating, silk and three-inch heels. Jeez. How can someone be this presumptuous?

Nudge began chatting away with a salesperson who looked disdainfully at her clothes but warmed up to her because she matched her 100 mph chatter. Ella was gushing over a hand-bag. I prodded Angel towards Ella, "I need to take a breather."

I shook my head and wandered out the shop into the mall. It was too… synthetic. Artificial, metallic, cold. This was really, really uncomfortable for me. I hated the smell of this place, overwhelmingly thick and sweet and musky. It smelled like rich people.

"Hey, Max!" a male voice called. I didn't turn. He didn't mean me, right? Max is a common male name in this century. That's until I felt a rough hand on my shoulder.

I whirled around and almost smacked the person in the face until his hand gripped my other wrist. I came face to face with a brown-haired, green-eyed guy.

Sam.

Dammit, I thought I lost him.

"Oh thank god it's you!" Sam breathed, smiling, "Max, we have to talk."

"Talk," I command, retrieving my hands. He tried to gesture for me to sit in a nearby lounging area but I stayed put.

"Okay," he sighs, happy with the opportunity anyways, "Max, I can't stop thinking about you. I see you everywhere. I think I might be in love with you."

He moves to cup my face in his hand and I step away. He looks confused.

"Please, come back Max," he pleads. I shuddered when I saw the hope in his eyes and heard the patheticness of his tone.

I was about to shake my head but then I saw it. The slight glint in his eyes. He's not going to leave me alone. Or… he's not going to leave human Max alone. But what about shifter Max?

"Fine," I smirk, "I'll tell my friends I'm leaving and I'll meet you outside in 5 minutes."

Sam beams, thinking that he'd won.

I told the three of them that I was going to step out for some food and I was going to let them enjoy themselves. Discreetly, I also told Angel that if any of them were tempted into buying anything, she should mind-control them back to the park. There is no way we're blowing $5000 on a stupid Gucci handbag.

I think Angel sensed that I was going to do something potentially stupid.

Five minutes later, I found myself out in the parking lot with Sam who kept trying to hold my hand.

"So where's lover boy?" he asked while wistfully at me. I scoffed, what did he want to hear? That I left Fang? That Fang left me? I didn't grace that with an answer.

"Right," he shuffled awkwardly.

"Come on, I need to show you something," I stalk off in the direction of the nearest park and I hear him silently trail after me.

"What is it? What is it?" I hear him call.

"You'll see when we get to the park," I answer him dismissively.

"What are we doing here?" he asks as soon as we find the cover of trees.

I put on my best pouty face. It's show time.

I turn my eyes to him, slowly. He looks startled. "I haven't been too honest with you, Sam," I tell him, slowly, channeling "kicked puppy" into my voice.

"W-what do you mean, princess?" Ugh, that stupid nickname again.

"I mean, I haven't told you everything about me."

"What, are you secretly a man?" he joked, but there's a hint of alarm in his green eyes, "Married? Vegan? Do you own ninety cats?"

"No," I say impatiently then quickly put the mask on again, "It'll be better if I show you."

I closed my eyes. I think a wolf should do for this. I felt the strange humming feeling, like my whole spirit was rearranging itself. My body elongated, my face did too, gray fur covered my body and my eyes glowed yellow.

Sam screamed like a girl. I almost laughed but switched back quickly. I tried my best to look hurt, "Sam, is something wrong?"

"You-you're a- you're a were-wolf?" he asks incredulously. I frowned, was that what humans called that?

"Yes, yes I am," I growl out and he flinches, "Is there something wrong?"

"Um, no, Max," he stutters out, "But I should get going. You know how JJ is, right?"

"Are you leaving me?" I asked 'angrily'.

He looks terrified, "N-no, I think that you and Fang belong together. Have you told him about this?"

"Of course."

"O-kay...," I could hear those rusty gears in his head turning furiously to think of an excuse never to see me again, "I'm moving- I'm moving to M-Mexico. And long distance never works. I'm sorry, princess. I-I'll miss you."

"Okay," I grin and move to hug him and he flinches.

"I- I better get going."

He scurries off out of the forest and away from me. I breathe out a sigh and smirk. That went better than expected.

Now I just need to hurry back to Ella and Nudge before they spend all our savings.