Chapter 006

[Apple]

This is my second morning waking up in Crescent City and it feels like I’ve already been here a year.

Monday I quit my old life. Tuesday was a nightmare.

Today is Wednesday. The day I try my hand at being a Rental Luna for the biggest pack on the West Coast.

I’m expecting the Beta to arrive by 7:30. That gives me just enough time for a quick run, shower, and breakfast before heading out.

I’ve only just gotten out of the shower when I hear a loud banging on the door. Throwing a t-shirt haphazardly over my wet, naked body and wrapping my long damp hair in a towel, I rush to open it before my roommates wake up. I haven’t met any of them yet, and this is not how I want to make my first impression.

“Um, hello,” I open the door and find a handsome young werewolf with long blonde hair braided off of his face, warm brown eyes, and a genuine smile.

“Ms. LeRoux?” His voice is a question, when I nod his smile widens. “I’m Beta Randolph Forrester. I’m here to take you to work.”

I turn around to look at the hanging clock. “You’re 25 minutes early.”

The young man standing on the front porch blushes at my state of undress and averts his eyes. “I’m sorry, Luna, but I wanted to make sure you arrived at the company on time. 7:30 would have been too late.”

Oh. Why didn’t Sylvester warn me? What was the point in having me arrange a later time with his Beta when he’s going to show up whenever he wants?

“Um,” I gesture toward the worn-down couch in the center of the living room. “Why don’t you come in and sit down while I grab something quick to eat and…”

“No time,” he grabs my hand and pulls me through the door with enough force that my towel falls to the ground. “We need to get going right now! We have so many stops to make before you’re ready and…”

“Hold up,” I snag my hand out of his grip. “Can’t I at least grab my purse, some shoes, and a pair of panties!”

His face grows even redder as he averts his gaze to my toes. “You have 5 minutes, but then be in the car or I’ve been instructed to carry you out if necessary.”

Not wanting to make a fuss, I do the best I can to throw on underwear, pants, and flip-flops. I have just grabbed my purse when the door begins shaking with the force of his fist.

Not wanting to risk the Beta’s wrath, I race down the stairs and into the hall. The beta expecting me to follow, is already heading around the corner and down the stairs. Out of breath, I race after him.

When I reach the bottom of the stairs, the Beta is waiting there, his hands crossed over his chest.

“Luna,” he nods, holding the door open for me.

“Um, thank you,” I look sheepishly at the Beta whose face is unreadable as he leads the way to the car he has parked out front. It is a nice car, a fine black sedan polished to a shine, not unlike the one the Alpha had driven me home in the night before.

When I reach to open the passenger side door, the Beta moves into place blocking me.

“A Luna NEVER opens her own door,” he insists. “And she always sits in the back.”

“That’s…” I’m about to protest when he shakes his head again.

“That’s the way it is, Luna.” He opens the back door. Taking a deep breath, I try to adjust my thinking as I take my seat. This is all so new to me and werewolf culture is complicated.

“Now please don’t take this the wrong way,” he takes a deep breath as we pull up to our next stop. “But we need to do something about the way you look. I can’t bring you into work looking inappropriate. It will make both myself and the Alpha look negligent of your needs.”

Looking down at myself, I can see his point. I’m wearing borrowed clothing that is two sizes too big and my hair looks like it’s been through a tornado.

“Okay,” I agree meekly, my voice small.

His whole face lights up at my easy acquiescence. “Don’t worry, you’ll like this stylist. I’ve known her for years. She is very talented and very discreet.”

When we get to the salon we are greeted by a middle-aged witch with a bright streak of silver in her coal-black hair. She looks me up and down with a discerning eye.

Beta Rudy clasps his hands as he looks down at his watch. “What can you do in 30 minutes?”

“Pray to the Moon Goddess for protection,” she snorts. “Give me 45 and I’ll make her shine for you.”

“I’ll be back, Luna,” he apologizes, looking over his shoulder at the cold-eyed witch with the hyper-critical gaze. “I’ll have to make this next stop without you.”

As soon as he is gone, she grabs my arm and leads me to a chair.

“Let’s see what kind of magic we can manage with this hair of yours,” she begins to gently detangle my curls with her fingertips.

After asking a few more questions about my preferences and personal style and with deft hands my hair is washed, dried, snipped, and covered with some product that smells delightfully of roses and makes my hair feel like silk.

She then takes me to another room full of clothes, shoes, makeup, and accessories. As soon as she finishes my makeup, she hands me a pair of dangerously high stiletto heels. I’ve never worn heels a day in my life and here I am, expected to parade around in these?

“Are we ready to go," Beta Rudy peers in to see me fully dressed and nods, pleased? "Good. That's better. Let's go the Alpha is waiting."

Moving on shaky legs I trip on the hem of my elegant slacks, tumbling face-first towards the hard ground below.

It is a close thing, but Beta Rudy’s supernaturally fast reflexes allow him to catch me right before I hit the cement.

“I’m sorry,” my heart is racing. “I knew it!” I cry. “I can’t do this!”