The Alpha King's Mistress Chapter 54: Girls' Day Out

**Florence**

Waking up, I felt this gaping void in me. It had been days since Nicholas and I had been together, and I'd been barely holding it together with work. Thank the stars it was Saturday now.

I figured he wouldn't show up, like usual, but my heart was still clueless, still hurting like crazy.

"Good morning to me," I grumbled, hauling myself out of bed.

A quick shower jolted my senses, and I shuffled to the kitchen to fix myself a much-needed coffee. Saturday was a break from work, but I had no clue what to do. Maybe just knock out and sleep the day away.

As I sipped the steaming brew, the persistent knock at the door jolted me from my thoughts. Frowning, I approached the door and turned the knob, the creaking hinge echoed in the house.

Standing there, bathed in the morning light, was Layla and Gayle.

And there they were—Layla beaming in her floral dress and beach hat, while Gayle looked like she'd rather be anywhere else. Her outfit screamed business casual, a crisp white shirt tucked into tailored black shorts. The contrast between the two couldn't have been more apparent if it tried.

"Hey there, Florence! Gosh, you look like a mess!" Layla chirped, pushing past me and breezing into the house as if she owned the place.

“Good morning,” Gayle said, offering a faint nod before glancing around the room.

"Layla, what brings you here? And Gayle, didn't expect to see you,"

I headed towards the kitchen, rummaging through cabinets to rustle up some food I could offer, “I've got some cereal and coffee if you're hungry. I'm sorry but I had no energy to cook something today" I called out.

Layla winked playfully. "Nah, we're not here for cereals, Florence. We're here to whisk you away for a girls' day out!"

My eyebrows shot up in surprise. "A girls' day out? You two?"

Gayle offered a small smile softening her features. "Yeah, we thought it would be nice to spend some time together. You know a break since we heard you've started your work in the flower shop"

"A beach day, huh?"

Layla's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Exactly! So, hurry up and grab some clothes. We're gonna have a blast!"

“But—" I began but Layla cut me off.

“No, buts! Go, go, we need to get going”

I shake my head with a grin, amused at the burst of energy Layla had early in the morning. When I reached my room, I threw open the closet, pondering over what to pack. I just picked a breezy dress and a swimsuit and found throwing them into the bag.

Back in the living room, Gayle turned to me, "Ready to hit the road?"

“Yup,” I replied and grabbed my bag.

“Oh my gosh! I am so excited!” Layla exclaimed, rushing to the car.

As we cruised down the road, the windows were down and the wind was tousling our hair. It was Gayle who was our driver for today while Layla was in the passenger seat, busy taking pictures. I extended my hand outside, feeling the cold breeze.

"Layla, what made you suddenly consider inviting me for this girl's day out?" I asked, curiously.

Layla turned to me, letting out a giggle. "Just trying to score brownie points with the future Luna."

Baffled, I furrowed my brow. "The good side of Luna? Layla, I'm not your Luna," I chuckled.

She merely shrugged, brushing off my comment with a laugh. "Doesn't matter," she continued, her tone shifting unexpectedly. "Plus, someone's gotta keep an eye out for Nicholas's mistresses, right?"

My heart skipped a beat at the mention of him but I just brushed it off, “You are too devoted”

Layla laughed, "Only to you"

I turned to Gayle, “Do you also know?”

Gayle sighed, looking at me apologetically, “Yeah, well the Alpha told me when I was ordered to bring you to the cabin. I'm sorry I didn't know you are…you know our Luna”

I shake my head, “Nah, like I said I am not”

Gayle just glanced at me looking like she had something to say but maybe thought it better not to say it.

Soon, we hit the beach Layla had taken me to weeks before. I immediately noticed the yacht docked near the shore. We all came down, instantly feeling and smelling the scent of the ocean. As soon as our feet touched the soft sand, Layla grabbed my hand, pulling me along. As we stepped onto the sand, the salty breeze and warm sun felt instantly calming.

“Let's go!” Layla exclaimed.

I laughed at her, kicking off my shoes, feeling the grains of sand between our toes. Just as we were lost in our giggles, Gayle's voice cut through, "Hey, Layla, don't forget your bags!" she called out.

Layla turned around, "Oops! Right, our stuff,"

As we approached our bags, my heart skipped a beat as I caught sight of Clifford, strolling towards us with a pair of sunglasses perched on his nose.

“Clifford?”

“What are you doing here?!” Layla blurted out.

“Easy, easy,” he sighed, forcing a cheerful tone. “Just tagging along. You can get pretty hyped, you know?”

Layla folded her arms, “Oh, please! Like I'd accidentally toss Florence overboard—”

Clifford cut her off, “You can be pretty intense, Layla.”

“I am not—”

“You totally can,” Gayle chimed in, earning a glare from Layla.

I chuckled, choosing to ignore Layla's banter about why Clifford tagged along. It's probably best to stop hoping that Nicholas actually cared about me.

“Whatever, you guys,” Layla grumbled, strutting toward the yacht.

I was about to follow her when Clifford appeared on my side, grabbing my bag, “Let me take these”

“Thank you,” I said, giving my bag to him.

Gayle quickly joined my side after handing her bag to Clifford, “Let’s go. I am sure Layla was sulking there”

“For sure” I replied and we walked towards the yacht with Clifford behind us.