The Mute Luna

Chapter 3: Shopping

'Why do we have to do this?' Carter wrote as someone wrapped a tape measure around her waist. 'I hate dresses.'

Joey, who was watching Carter get measured so the people at the dress shop could create her dress, smiled when he read what she wrote. He was getting a tux from a nearby shop and didn't have to get fit for anything at all. 

“It'll be fine, Cart.” He reassured her. “You'll look beautiful as always.”

Carter huffed pointedly at him and he laughed.

The workers paid no mind to either of them as they took more measurements and started comparing colors to Carter's skin tone. They muttered to each other quietly, agreeing on this and arguing over that. Carter ignored them and looked around.

Though Carter hated dress shopping, she did like the store. It was a famous store in her pack because almost every girl always bought their dresses there and for a good price. Plus, it was cozy. The walls were painted a faint purple color with long silver curtains swaying in the breeze of the large open, glass windows. The floor was covered by soft white carpet and small wooden stages, where outfits were modeled by mannequins. Racks of dresses sat in rows in front of full length mirrors.

It all just felt like some kind of fairy tale room and it comforted Carter's almost fried nerves. She just closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to take her mind off the ball. They would be leaving in a few days and soon, she would be meeting her mate, her true love. She was still very worried but one thought did comfort her. At least she wouldn't go into heat. 

Heat was when a female had found her mate but hadn't been marked in two weeks. If she had not, unbearable pain would overwhelm her and the only way to make the pain leave was physically mating with her mate. But if she was rejected by her mate, she would not be marked and still not go into heat.

At least Carter wouldn't go through that. She would be rejected and though it would hurt, she would be able to move on with her life and just forget anything about mates. No more talk of them, no more worrying. She would be fine on her own. Her eyes opened and she looked at Joey, who had fallen asleep with his arms crossed. The only thing that terrified her more than the ball was Joey's mate. When he found her, would he forget all about Carter? She knew the effects of the mate bond and it would always cause Joey to think only of his mate, do whatever she said and be everything for her, not Carter. 

Tears pooled in her eyes as she thought of losing her one and only friend. Joey had been there for her through it all. He protected her from bullies, he stayed her friend, he didn't mind that she was mute or cared about what she had done. One time, he told her he could imagine what her voice sounded like. No one but her father had ever really heard her speak and even if they did, they had forgotten her voice since then. But Joey said he could imagine it, hear it in his head even. So every time she wrote on her white board to speak, he heard her voice in his head as he read. It had made her cry.

“Well, we have everything we need so the dress will be finished in two days and delivered by mail.” A worker smiled at her kindly and Carter nodded. She didn't want to see what the dress looked like anyway until it was done. She hopped off the small stage she stood on and went over to Joey, who was now snoring softly. 

A small smile formed on her lips when she saw him grin in his sleep. She would miss that. She poked him several times in the forehead before his eyes fluttered open and he grunted loudly. ''What, what?'' He sat up. Carter covered her mouth and shook with silent laughter. It was always funny to startle Joey because he either freaked out or made weird noises. 

She grabbed her white board next to him and wrote. 'Time to go. I get the dress in two days.'

“Two days?” He asked. “Wow, that's fast.” He still sounded sleepy and tired as he rubbed his eyes. Carter could feel his pain over the boring afternoon.

They both went out of the store and walked around further into the mall, Joey talking mindlessly about skateboards. Carter didn't hear most of what he said. Her mind was too heavily focused on the ball and mates. One worry was gone thankfully, she would be rejected and have it done. But what about Joey? He was sure to leave as soon as he found his mate and even if he stayed with his pack, he would forget Carter easily. 

The thought brought tears to her eyes again but she blinked them away and wrapped her arm around Joey's waist, him doing the same with her. The feel of his arms made old memories of them flood into her brain and made her smile. She would always have him in her memories, the good ones with laughter and smiling. They went to the large food court full of tables and people. Joey sat at a small round table and Carter sat next to him. 

“So,” Joey said. His tone made her instantly nervous again. He sounded nervous too and edgy. Was this when he was going to tell her he was leaving her for his soon to be mate? Panic overwhelmed her but she kept a blank face and just stared at him, waiting. Joey took a deep breath and began.

“Don't act like I'm telling you goodbye. I can see it all over your face. Well, I kind of saw it when your dad told us. You looked at me and were all scared. Did you really think I was going to leave you, Cart?” He said boldly. The panic in her numbed and she was mostly just shocked that Joey had been able to read her so easily, though he always knew her better than herself. She managed an embarrassed nod as her face burned red.

He sighed  and moved his chair over to hers, wrapping his arms around her in the process. “This isn't going to be the end of our friendship, Cart. Just because we find our mates doesn't mean we forget everything we have. We just fall in love.” Again that wistful voice ripped through Carter as he spoke, not making her feel any better. 

“I won't forget you.” He whispered looking in her eyes. She looked away. He'd forget her. Everyone always did at one point. Her father was the Alpha so he forgot her many times because of work, many people in her pack had forgotten her long ago, and now her best friend was going to forget her as well. 

Joey knew her too well. “I'm not going to leave you, okay? You're my best friend, like my sister, my family. I can't forget you, Carter. Besides, maybe I won't meet my mate. Maybe I'll reject her. Maybe I'll meet her, like her and we'll live with her. But if she doesn't like you, I don't like her. Okay? I'd never forget you. Ever.” 

She didn't answer. Joey grinned and leaned into her face. “Carter. Carter.” He whined in a high pitched voice. Carter couldn't fight off a smile and silently giggled. 

'Okay, okay!' she wrote on her white board to please him. She did feel better. Maybe everything would be okay. Maybe Joey's mate would be really nice and Carter could make a few friends. 

There are too many maybes in this world. She thought, shaking her head.