Logan Chapter 140

-Emory-

Being out in public again is more stressful than I thought it would be. I’m back in my “incognito” clothes, and Hammer is lurking somewhere behind me, but I still keep checking over my shoulder for anyone looking too intently in my direction. Twice, I get between someone and the product they’re looking for on a shelf and nearly give myself another panic attack. After the second time, Hammer casually passes me and tells me to calm down, that I’m making everyone around me twitchy with my obvious anxiety. I try a few deep breaths.

I can’t have a public freakout again. It was sheer luck that the last one didn’t end up on the internet, and I’m in a much bigger mall today than I was. I mostly picked the locations for today to annoy Hammer as much as possible, and it feels a little silly now to pretend to be grocery shopping when we both know I have no idea what’s needed when it comes to cooking. I’m mostly picking up my comfort foods- frozen waffles, instant noodles, and other random junk foods. Logan would shake his head about all of it, but I don’t know if I could hold myself together trying to check produce and all of my surroundings at the same time.

Gradually, I start to remember that I can shift and defend myself if I absolutely need to. My human body might be weak and slow, but my wolf knows what to do with herself. I’m not helpless. I have my wolf and Hammer both to protect me. The three of us are a team. Hammer might be my tormentor when it comes to working on my fitness and self-defense at home, but he would never let me get so much as a hangnail anywhere else. Briefly, I wish I had waited until the weekend for this outing. With Logan by my side, I always feel invincible. We’d be like a team of superheroes together. I pull my shoulders back and stand taller. I am Luna. I’m the heart and strength of the Úlfur pack, and I belong wherever I choose to be. I pick up some of my favorite chocolates as a little treat for finally coming into myself.

Admittedly, my confidence falters for a moment when a lady shoulder-checks me as we pass one another in an aisle. I hear Hammer growl under his breath as he starts moving my way, but I wave him down. I’m sure the lady just didn’t see me. She’s dressed similar to how I am- jeans, nondescript shirt, low-effort ponytail. She has a pair of chunky booties on rather than spike heels like mine, but not all of us are addicts. I give up the hope that she was distracted rather than rude when her eyes narrow at me under her stupid perfect eyebrows.

“You’re the ginger gold digger, aintcha? Hard to recognize ya with ya clothes on. Ya couldn’t let Logan find somebody who wouldn’t embarrass him? You and ya gossip bitch friend have ruined his life. I’ll never know what he sees in you.” Her little ski-slope nose crinkles up like she’s smelled something nasty, and the expression draws attention to the narrow placement of her big brown eyes.

Suddenly, it’s obvious that she’s been putting an awful lot of money into her face. Lash extensions, fillers, botox, and all of it can’t fix her personality. Realizing that I make Logan a thousand times happier than she ever could with her tight abs and implants frees me from her opinion in a way that I’ve never experienced before. I’m not better than this woman, but she’s not better than me, either. “It’s a good thing that I ain’t married to you, then huh? Somehow, Logan isn’t as embarrassed to be seen with me as he would be with you. Might have somethin’ to do with my personality.” I go with my sweetest Southern. I learned well from Mama that you can say whatever needs to be said, and if your tone is nice enough you can avoid a shouting match like any proper lady would. I go in for the kill. “Bless your heart, darlin’, don’t you have any friends to tell you that the expression you got on your face right now ruins the effect of all the work you’ve had done? You’re gonna crease your botox, sweetie.”

Her nose and eyebrows immediately smooth out as she tries to feel what expression she was making, and she starts a reply with “Stupid bitch-” but I’m done here.

I give her one more sweet smile and nod over her shoulder. “Now, ‘scuse me. I’ve got some shoppin’ to do. Take care, now.” It might be a little childish, but I bump shoulders with her as I squeeze past her to go to another aisle. I try to ignore Hammer’s laughter as I pretend to look at some dresses.

No matter how dumb and over-dramatic that confrontation was, it’s the first time in a very long time that I’ve stood up for myself with a stranger. I’ll take the victory. I am Luna, hear me roar. I’m plenty strong enough to lead a pack with Logan, and they’re better off because of my efforts. No one else’s opinions are worth my time.