Chapter 10
Nym
Preston and I only had the clothes on our backs and our meager business proposal packed in a portfolio when we arrived at Cael’s mansion, and now suddenly we were expected to stay.
We had nothing, and at this time, no way to get anywhere, unless we were going to call an Uber. Though I doubted that Dain’s security team would let a car through the front drive. “We’re stuck,” I said.
As soon as Dain had left, I went straight to the connecting sitting room to find Preston. He was in his room, making himself at home.
“Yeah, but isn’t it great? Have you ever felt a bed so soft?”
I was in Preston’s room now. It was much like mine, although his color scheme was gold and silver, whereas mine was more green and red. Both were decorated for the holidays, including festive sheets and a personal Christmas tree in the corner.
I hadn’t explored much of my room, too caught up in talking to Dain.
“This is insane,” I said.
“It is. So…” Preston sat up from where he lay on the bed and gave me his full attention. “That guard, the one that escorted us to our rooms, is that the baby daddy?”
I nodded.
“It’s fate,” Preston said. “How crazy is that!” That was not the response I was expecting from my jaded friend.
I rolled my eyes. “You, of all people, believe in that?”
“I do for you, not for myself. And hey, your dad didn’t throw us out right away, so things are looking in our favor. Let me at that baby daddy of yours, I’ll tell him what’s what. He can’t just—”
“It was all a misunderstanding. He never meant to leave me. He came back.”
Preston bolted off the bed. “He didn’t? And do we believe him?”
I nodded. “I think I do. He thought I left. Apparently, the guard told him that I left, but the guard told me that Dain left. It’s a mess.”
“I’ll say. Let me at that guard. Sounds like he fucked things up for both of you.”
“I have a feeling he won’t be working for Dain much longer.” I didn’t think Dain would kill him. But then again, what did I know about Dain?
There was a knock at the door, and then it opened. A lady wearing a flowy pink dress came in, pulling with her a rack of clothing. A second rack followed the first, they were connected like some sort of fashion train.
“Hi there, I’m Cynthia! Cael called me as soon as you two met with him and told me to come right over with a new wardrobe for the two of you.”
“What?” I said. It was the only word that came to mind. The idea was so incredulous. Cael just had someone on demand that would outfit us with new clothes? An entire wardrobe? This was insanity.
She handed us both bags. “In there you’ll find any toiletry items you might need.
Toothbrush, toothpaste, et cetera. The bathrooms are stocked with the best kinds of shampoos and conditioners.
But if you need anything different, just let me know and I’ll have that ordered for you, okay?
Also, if either of you need aftershave, cologne, just let me know the brands and I can go get it. Anything you need, we’re here for you.”
“What?” I said again. I could only stare at the lady. Her smile was wide, her eyes kind.
“Well, you’ll be staying here for a while, and Cael doesn’t want you going back to that dreadful apartment.”
“But our clothes…”
“Pick out what you like. Cael gave me an estimate on the sizes. He’s usually spot on. Sometimes I think that man is magic.” She laughed as if it was the most normal thing in the world for her to arrive and outfit two omegas. And maybe it was. My father was quite the philanderer.
“Ooh, shopping,” Preston said.
“Exactly! Now, Nym, if you’re having dinner with Mr. Dain tonight, then might I recommend these slacks I set aside for you and this lovely sweater?
It’s a little festive, but not overwhelming.
And if there’s anything you like or don’t like, let me know, and when I come back with the next round, I can change it up for your tastes. ”
“Next round?” I said. At least now I was forming different words. Preston was already flipping through each of the outfits, picking out what he wanted.
“Well, this isn’t enough clothes to last you forever. You’ll take everything once you get yourself settled, obviously.”
“Obviously,” I said, as if it was totally normal to get a whole new wardrobe.
“This is absolutely fabulous,” Preston said. “You have excellent taste.”
She smiled. “Thank you. Now, should we get this young man ready for his date?”
“How does everyone know about this?” I said.
“They don’t,” she said. “It’s just between you and me and Dain, and also Cael. And the household manager, since Dain had to book the dining hall. Do you have any specific foods you don’t like? Cael wasn’t able to find any allergies for either one of you, just a sweet tooth.”
“How was he able to find anything?”
“Oh, he has his ways.” The lady raised her eyebrows suggestively and laughed.
Of course he did.
Preston continued going through the racks of clothes, pulling things off and tossing them on the bed.
“These are ones I’ll keep,” he said. “We have very different styles, you and I, so I don’t imagine there’ll be a lot of overlap. I’ll make a pile for you to try on as well.”
“Goody,” I said.
Preston tended to wear jeans that were just a little snug, whereas I preferred to be able to breathe.
Before I knew it, the two of them had me dressed in the slacks and sweater that Preston picked out. Then suddenly we were in the monstrous bathroom. I was sitting on a stool looking at the mirror while Preston ran his fingers through my hair, putting some sort of gel and spritzing me with cologne.
“Now the scent isn’t overwhelming. Obviously, you want your natural scent to come through. This is designed for shifters. Isn’t that fascinating?” she said.
“Indeed. Oh my gosh. I’ve seen this before.” Preston’s eyes got so wide they practically popped out of his head. “I’m never leaving this place. This stuff costs like $1,000 a bottle.”
“It does. Cael has expensive tastes.”
Just great. Another thing I would never be able to repay him for.
“I’m fine just being me,” I said. Except… Dain had met me first when I was very much not myself. Was he expecting someone more fancy than me?
“You are just you. You’ll just have some nicer clothes now. They don’t change who you are, sweetie. Now I also put some omega vitamins in your bag, because I understand you’re expecting. Tomorrow, we’ll want you to meet with the physician.”
“There’s a physician?”
“Of course. Cael has one on retainer. They come right out to the mansion.”
Of course he did. I truly was living in another world.
Then before I knew it, I was dressed and being escorted down to the dining hall toward Dain.
How was this my life now?