Chapter Eight

I wake up completely refreshed. I go do my whole morning routine. I put on this cute baby blue capri pants suit with a white tank top and my white keds. Then pull my hair up into a messy bun. I head down all the stairs to the front entrance of the palace where my driver is waiting for me. I hop into the suv and we drive off into town.

Jacob pulls up in front of the bakery. Katie has already gotten a table inside. I join her. The waitress comes over to take our orders. I get a london fog and with a blueberry donut. Katie orders a caramel cappuccino and a onion bagel. I don't see how she can eat that, yuck. I see her keep glancing at me like there is something she wants to say. What is it?

"Do you think things are moving kind of fast with Caleb?" she asks.

Yes, my mom and I had this same discussion last night. We are hoping it slows down after I move in there. But I can't lie, it does have me worried.

"I'm worried too, Erica."

Here comes the waitress with our food.

"That was quick."

Yes, it looks delicious. We eat and talk. Is there any clothing item you are specifically looking for today?

"No, I'm just going to look around and see if there is anything I like. What about you?"

I think I want to look at some sundresses. We finish eating, pay and leave. We walk across the road to a clothing store that we both have had great luck finding clothes we like. As we enter the store clerk greets us. I head over to the dresses and Katie starts looking at some shorts. I see so many cute dresses. I pick out a couple in my size. Then go to the fitting room. I holler to Katie. Are you nearby?

"I just got in the fitting room next to you."

Great I want you to see these dresses. I want to know what you think. I step out of the room and so does she.

"Erica that is very pretty. I love the color. What do you think of these shorts and top?"

They are very cute together. We go back in to change again. I step out.

"That dress is a little short."

I thought so too. I like those capris and tank top. We go in and try on our last ones.

"Oh, that dress is just lovely."

Thank you. I think I'll get these two dresses. Those capris and shirt you have on look very nice. We go back in to put our clothes back on. Katie speaks up from the other room.

"Erica, do you want to get some cute night gowns to wear after you move into Caleb's palace. I'm sure he would like them, hehehe."

You are so bad, Katie. But it wouldn't hurt to have a few cute chemise. So we leave the fitting rooms and go over to the lingerie section. Oh, this purple one is beautiful and it comes with a matching robe.

"How about some crotchless panties?"

Katie, NO. I really don't want to give him the wrong idea about me. These nightgowns are pushing it. Remember I'm still a virgin. You can get them for you.

"No, we are over here shopping for you. How about this lacey black chemise. It has a matching robe too."

That is pretty. Do they have it in my size.

"Yes, right here."

Great I'm going to get both of them. We carry our items over to the clerk and she starts ringing them up. Looks like we have been successful shopping today. We leave the store and Joseph takes my bags to the suv. As we are walking down the sidewalk Katie says.

"Erica you are engaged now. There is a formal dress shop on the next block. Let's go try on some dresses."

Ok that will be fun, maybe I can get an idea about what I want my dress to look like.

We enter the dress shop and immediately a sales lady meets us at the door. She knows who I am and has definitely has heard the news of my engagement.

"I will be your personal assistant while you are shopping with us today. Do you have any thoughts about what you would like?"

No, I haven't got a clue. I would like to just look around and if something catches my eye, I'll let you know. Katie starts looking through racks of dresses covered in jewels, pearls, and sequins. I come across a simple strapless mermaid gown with a sweetheart neckline. It's very plain but elegant. I pull it to the side and keep looking. Then another catches my eye. It's a lacey mermaid gown with a halter top that crosses in the front and hangs a little loose in the back. These two are the only ones that I really liked. Katie came over with several princess wedding gowns that had elaborate stitching. So, I called for the assistant that I was ready to try some of these on. I tried on the three that Katie found for me. One was gorgeous on me and I did really like it. But it was so heavy and hot. It made my legs sweat. Katie grabbed one that she had found for me to try on after I didn't like it and went in a fitting room. She stepped out the same time I did with the halter topped one I had found on. She looked beautiful. The princess gown really looked good on her.

"Erica you look beautiful that dress is a show stopper on you."

Thank you, do you really like it that much?

"Yes".

I have one more to try on. I put on the plain strapless gown and looked in the mirror before I stepped out. It fit me like a dream and hugged my curves perfectly. It was the most comfortable dress I have ever worn. I stepped out the fitting room. Katie and the assistant's mouths were both hanging open. At the same time, they both said.

"That's the dress".

It really was. It wasn't lavish and expensive like you would expect a future Luna to wear on her wedding day but that didn't matter to me. I'll take it. If I change my mind about it later it isn't like I spent a lot on it. Katie grabbed me hugging me screaming.

"We found your wedding dress the first place we looked".

I hope my mother isn't mad that I didn't do this with her. I told Katie we would come back looking for her a maid of honor dress another time. I was tired. She agreed. I pay for the dress and we leave. We walk back down the sidewalk toward the vehicles. Katie gets in hers and I wave goodbye. Joseph take my dress bag and places it in the back of the suv.

I fill a tightness around my waist. Someone had ahold of me. And a knife to my throat. Jacob and Joseph jumped into action pulling their guns. A woman's voice says.

"If you come any closer, I will kill her."

She is pulling me backwards toward a little car. Another woman swings the door open. Another black suv comes flying up and blocks the little car in and four men I've never seen jump out. One shoots the woman that had ahold of me in the back of the head. Another shoots the woman driving the car. They tell me to go. I run to Jacob and Joseph. I jump in the backseat of my suv and we speed off. They get on the radio alerting the village police of what has happened and that four unknown men killed two witches that trued to kidnap me. I was shaking like a leaf. I've never had a knife to my neck before.

"Are you ok, Ms. Taylor?" Joseph asked

Yes, I think so. I'm just shaken up. We get back to the palace and my mom comes running out to me.

"My sweet girl. Are you ok? We heard what happened."

I'm fine, mom. Just a little shaken up. Some of the staff start carrying my new clothes bags and a long dress bag into the palace.

"Dear did you find you another ball gown you liked".

Not exactly I said. Mom come to my room I'll show you. Before she got to my room, I had quickly put the dress on. She knocked, come in I said. She opened the door and I could see the tears welling up in her eyes.

"You are beautiful Erica. I didn't know you were already thinking about getting a wedding gown, I would have gone with you."

It's fine mom. We hadn't planned on it. Katie suggested us going to try some on and then there it was the perfect dress. I don't even need to have it altered. It's really perfect. My mom stepped back and looked at me.

"You still need a veil, shoes, and jewelry to go with it."

I was thinking my pearls would look good with it.

"Let's get you some new pearls to have for your wedding day if you don't mind", she said.

I nodded yes.

"Get changed dinner will be ready soon. I'm so glad you are ok."

As I came out of my room this intoxicating aroma hit me like a truck. I headed down the stairs to the dining hall as the aroma got stronger and stronger. I stepped through the doorway to find Caleb sitting at the table beside my father in pleasant conversation. He looked over at me.

"I thought you were on your way" he said with a smile.

Yes, what brings you by.

"Your father asked me over for dinner tonight to make some arrangements".

Oh, I said. I try to hold back the urgency within me to throw myself at him. I hope I'm not coming off to cold toward him. My mother was sitting there quiet and not looking very pleased. My brother arrived just as the staff was bringing dinner in. It is one of my favorites, pot roast with yeast rolls. We finished our meal and Caleb looked at me and asked.

"May we be excused".

My father nodded. We exited the room into the hall. We walked down the hall to a sitting room and went over to the couch. I sat down beside him as he took my hands in his.

"I'm sorry to surprise you this evening. It was a last-minute decision to talk to your parents about when you would come to live with my family."

It's ok. Now you have seen me in my everyday clothes and no makeup.

"Erica you still look beautiful to me. I'm sorry everything is being so rushed. When I found out you are my true mate, I just can't be away from you. I worry all the time."

I'm ok. You don't need to worry.

"After what happened today, I do need to worry."

How did you know about what happened today? Did my father tell you.

"No, I have my guards watching you too. They were the ones that shot the witches. Erica, I need you with me. That is why I had to come discuss the arrangements of your move. I also heard you found a wedding gown."

I did.

"I'm sorry for having my people keep an eye on you. I just like to make sure you are safe. You are my packs future Luna."

I understand. I also miss you like crazy when we are apart. I guess it's the whole mate thing.

"Yes, it is. I wanted to tell you that after your graduation we are prepared for you to move into the Blue Moon packs palace. You will have your own quarters including bedroom, luxury bathroom, and a sitting area. You should be quite comfortable. You will not be restrained to your quarters. You can move throughout the palace freely. We want you to become accustom to your new surroundings. You will also have your own servant. She will assist you in any way you need."

That is very generous of your family, Thank you.

"I must depart for the night, Goodnight Erica"

Goodnight Caleb. Then we shared a long-heated kiss. His breath changed, growing deeper and intense. Then he pulled away.

"See you soon."

I tossed and turned all night. Thinking about Caleb saying I would be coming to live with his family after my graduation. But he didn't say how soon after I graduate. His packs palace is beautiful and everyone there was so friendly to me. I am still nervous, new town, new pack, new rules, and new life.