Page 101 of Losing My Siren Luna

“Oh my goodness. You look so pretty with black hair, Luna,” Yasmin gushes for the tenth time. “It makes your green eyes pop even more.”

“It’s itchy,” I grumble, scratching at the back of my head. “Why do you even have this sort of thing?”

Yasmin shrugs, pulling the hood of her shawl over her head as we pass a couple of guards on the road to town. “When you are inthatline of work, wigs are sometimes needed. Men have different preferences,” she blushes.

“Oh,” I suddenly have the urge to wash my hair when we get back home. I don’t mean to judge or think too deeply of the subject, but the thought of some random man performing those acts in such close proximity to an accessory I’m currently wearing I find mildly disturbing. I hope she washed it afterward.

“Does your mate have many preferences too? Does he get the urge to imagine you as a raven-haired beauty to get him going?” Cedric asks teasingly, making me gasp. I’m embarrassed just hearing that question.

“No,” Yasmin slaps Cedric’s arm. “I just didn’t want to toss them. Wigs are not cheap. I spent a lot of money on getting them.”

“I’m sure the money washard-earned,” Cedric snorts.

“You think you’re funny, huh?” Yasmin glares at him, “I can shave you bald in your sleep and make your hair into a beautiful wig.”

“That would really be ahard-earnedwig,” he chuckles with a wink. “Your mate might not approve of that.”

“Oh, just my mate?” Yasmin smirks. “Might someone else’s mate not approve as well?”

“Well, I don’t think Ela’s mate would care much,” Cedric feigned ignorance. “I’m sure he’s funded a wig or two of yours.”

“Hey,” I snapped, Val growling in warning through me. I don’t want me or my husband's former acts to be brought into their conversation.

"Sorry," Cedric smiled apologetically at me. "Distateful joke. I take it back."

“Quit playing stupid,” Yasmin slaps his arm again, ignoring the comment about my husband. “What is going on with you and the Gamma?”

I've been eager to ask this too. My minor anger at his teasing and crude jokes is momentarily forgotten while I eagerly wait to hear his answer.

Cedric looked hesitant and the most awkward I have ever seen him. He’s staring down the path like he’s desperate for a distraction to pop out and draw attention away from him.

“Nothing is going on,” Cedric sighs. “You are correct in assuming he’s mymate,” Cedric spits the word out like a curse. “He felt it the same as I when we first met. A then told me at length afterward when the Alpha left us alone about why he didn’t trust sirens and wanted to mark me, but would not let me do the same until he felt he could trust me. I told him he could mark a rock and forget it. That’s it.”

“That’s it?” Yasmin looked up at him in disbelief. “He follows you around like a puppy.”

“More like a fly,” Cedric groans. “It’s just the bond that makes him. I haven’t had a pleasant conversation with him yet. Actually, I avoid responding or listening to him at all costs.”

Meldec’s comments on the beach weeks ago come to mind. “Do you think he still feels the same? I mean, about not trusting you?”

“I don’t know nor do I care,” Cedric scoffs. “I don’t need his trust just like I don’t need his acceptance. To make such an arrogant, bigoted statement based on rumors and ignorant opinions, then demand for my trust anyway, is reason enough to not concern myself with him in any way.”

“What if he regrets what he said and how he acted?” I asked.

Cedric purses his lips to the side of his face, then grimaces, his eyes narrowing more and more the longer he thinks of his answer. “I don’t think people change. He may feel sorry because of the fractured bond, but his ideas have likely not changed.”

I pulled my brows down, contemplating his reply. “You don’t think feeling sorry would cause the person to maybe change their perspective?”

“I don’t, no. Prejudices are hard to break.”

“Maybe,” Yasmin said, “but I do think life-altering events can change a person. Look at the Alpha.”

“What do you mean?” Cedric looked down at her with confusion, as did I.

“You both don’t know this, but he was once cold and distant, never truly happy. He carried the grief of war and was untrusting and guarded. He was also wary of races outside the ones he could command. When he met the Luna, though,” her voice lifted as a smile spread on her face. “He’s a completely different person. His whole world seemed to change, to revolve around her. He even allowed for you to stay here, Cedric. I know the Alpha of the past would have tossed you back into the sea without hesitation. Probably with a few fish hooks lodged through your limbs and lip.”

“That’s so rude,” Cedric scoffs.

“Oh, and telling me my wigs werehard-earnedisn’t?”