My Marked Luna (Apphia and Nicholas) novel Chapter 59

**Apphia POV**

…

The streets are alive with the joyful hum of people going about their day. Children’s laughter echoes from nearby parks, where they chase after brightly colored kites and play games that seem to stretch the limits of their imagination. Everyone around me is dressed in elegant attire, their outfits perfectly tailored, reflecting a sense of style and sophistication. The cars gliding past are sleek and shiny, each one a testament to wealth—brand new and glistening under the sun. It’s a scene that radiates happiness and tranquility, and I can’t help but smile at the vibrancy surrounding me.

As we approach the largest mall I’ve ever laid eyes on, I’m struck by its towering glass façade that sparkles like a jewel in the sunlight. Each floor seems to reach for the sky, and the sheer scale of it leaves me in awe. My pack’s mall was impressive, but this one is a whole different level of grandeur. I find myself gazing around, my eyes wide with wonder, like a child stepping into a world of endless possibilities.

Victoria, with her infectious enthusiasm, leads me to her favorite stores, her excitement palpable. Within a matter of hours, Drake and Cedric are weighed down with an array of shopping bags filled with clothes and accessories that Victoria insists I absolutely need. Each item seems to carry a hefty price tag, especially the jewelry, and I can’t help but wonder how the card hasn’t been declined yet!

“I think we’ve gotten enough,” I say, my voice tinged with nervousness as I glance at the overflowing bags.

“Oh no, we still need to hit up Victoria’s Secret! It’s my absolute favorite now that I’m getting some,” she winks mischievously.

A wave of guilt washes over me at the thought of spending so much of Nicholas’ money. Victoria even splurged on the latest mobile phone and a sleek laptop for me! Just then, I hear Drake chuckle beside me, and I can’t help but pout in response.

“She’s worried about the money we’re spending,” he says to Victoria, and I watch as realization dawns on her pretty redhead features. She bursts into laughter, shaking her head.

“Babe, we could buy the entire mall and still not make a dent in his bank account. Nicholas is a freaking billionaire,” she explains, her tone light and teasing. My mouth falls open in shock; I knew the royal family was wealthy, but this was beyond anything I’d imagined!

“Now, off to Victoria’s Secret!” she exclaims, grabbing my wrist and pulling me along.

“Oh, my goddess,” I whisper as I take in the array of fabrics before me, lifting a particularly daring piece to show Victoria.

It’s no wonder Drake and Cedric opted out of this store. I clutch a red ensemble, bewildered. “How does one even wear this, and when?!”

Victoria laughs, walking over to me and placing her hands on my shoulders. “You can wear it when you and Nicholas, you know, do it,” she winks, and heat floods my cheeks as I finally grasp the implication. The thought of intimacy still sends shivers of fear down my spine. Noticing my sudden shift in mood, Victoria’s expression softens.

“I’m sorry if I—”

“No, it’s just that I was lost in my thoughts,” I quickly interject.

“Wait, you guys haven’t mated yet?” she asks, her surprise evident.

“No,” I reply, feeling a twinge of embarrassment.

“Oh, that’s some serious restraint on his part, huh? I bet he’s struggling,” she says, a playful smirk dancing on her lips.

“What does that mean?” I ask, genuinely curious.

“Well, when werewolves find their mates, they usually mate almost immediately. And since Nicholas is an alpha, his urges for you must be ten times stronger than a normal lycan. He must be using every ounce of restraint to not just, you know, take you,” she laughs, shaking her head as if it’s the most amusing thing in the world. He had already waited a month because I was oblivious to our bond, and even after discovering it, I still made him wait. I can’t help but wonder if he resents having a mate like me.

“I want to mate with him, but I’m a little scared,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. Victoria’s eyes soften, though she doesn’t fully understand my fears.

“Well, it’s going to be amazing. He’s your mate, and I’ll be there to help you through the whole thing,” she assures me, her smirk turning into a warm smile.

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