A few hours later, after a bit more cuddling and talking, some breakfast, and a visit to the doctor, Micah and Ashlyn were in the front of Micahs grey BMW i8, Ash had picked this over the bike on account of her lack of balance and the movie style lift up doors. They were going to Meadowhall to get the paints that Ashlyn wanted, and by the sounds of it pretty much anything else. Micah had already bought her a laptop and tablet and a camera, but had assumed she would have a phone. He planned to buy her a new one. He also said she needed actual clothes, not the half clothes that Chris or Beth had picked out for her. Ash had tried to wear a crop top this morning, Micah had sat at her bedroom door and refused to move until she changed her top, because no one else would see her dressed like that. He went as far as to pull out a chunky knitted sweater and try to get her to put that on. Ash thought it was cute, she could feel that he was being half playful with her, but he genuinely didn't want her to show off that much skin in public, the pack would understand their position, not push Micah and respect Ash but the public wouldn't know and might try to flirt or stare too much. In the end she put on a vest top over a pair of denim shorts that came to her knees, then raided Micahs closet for a shirt, this seemed to please him more than covering up even.

It was a long drive, Ashlyn dozed off for parts of it, surrounded by Micahs scent she felt relaxed and comfortable. Pulling into a parking spot in-front of the shopping centre, Ashlyn looked over at Micah, slightly overwhelmed and unsure of herself now. She bit on her bottom lip nervously, Micah gave her a smile “its ok Ash, everything’s going to be fine. You don't have to go in if you don't want, or we can try it and see, whenever you want to leave, you just have to say and we go, I swear. I’ll keep you safe no matter what” he rubbed her arm softly, knowing the contact would calm her and reassure her. Eventually Ash nodded, “ok, lets go” she mumbled. 

They spent a several hours together wondering around the shops. Micah took Ashlyn into most of the clothes shops, she picked out new dresses, tops and pants to supplement her wardrobe, it gave Micah a better idea of her style. She picked out more pyjamas, and underwear, there hadn’t been much bought for her, the girls figured she would rather get her own. They visited lush and picked a full collection of toiletries. Micah introduced her to Victoria’s Secret where she bought yet more underwear, she was a little conscious of the cost but Micah didn't seem to care, Ash was shy about letting him see her underwear, Micah was sure she would look amazing in whatever she picked out, but he did slip in some sexier lingerie that he wanted to see her in when she was comfortable showing him. He took her into Ann summers, again letting her pick out what she wanted. Ashlyn was bright red as she looked at the sex toys. She couldn't even tell you what half of the things were for. Luckily Micah seemed to know what she needed. He picked out a Lush, a wand vibrator and a set of butt plugs, Ashlyn was staring at the metal ones with gems, princess plugs as they are often known and Micah could smell her arousal again. He selected several types of lube and quickly paid. Ashlyn had ran out to wait outside the door at the earliest opportunity. They had a lunch of pizza at a gorgeous pizza place before setting out to find the art store. Ashlyn spent half an hour in here alone, she easily doubled the amount of art supplies she already had at home and grinned sheepishly at Micah when he found yet more pencils and pens in her basket. Micah demanded a kiss in recompense for carrying all these things when she had them at home, Ash giggled softly but complied, giving him a soft peck on the lips. Next they found the book shop. Again Ash was in her element here. Quickly picking books from the shelves, the rest of the Harry Potter books for instance. Micah noticed there was a lot of fantasy and sci-fi in the pile she was creating. She was looking over the tarot cards and spirituality books, but Micah whispered in her ear “I know a better place” she smiled up at him, gods he loved that, he felt like he would move mountains to make this girl smile or laugh. She had him wrapped around her finger and she didn't even know it. Micah stroked down her back as they walked over to the counter, making Ash shiver and lean into him. Micah lead the way to a store that sold crystals and tarot card and incense. Ashlyn wondered around the store once before making any decisions on what to buy. She picked up a deck of tarot cards and a couple of books. Some crystals and a pendulum.

With their purchases complete, Micah took Ashlyn’s hand, taking her back to the car. She was yawning now and dragging her feet a little. Micah could feel her exhaustion through their slowly growing bond as she leant her head against him. They got in the car and Ash immediately curled up in her seat. Her eyes closed. Micah covered her with a new blanket they had bought today, checking that her seatbelt was fastened. 

The drive home was quiet, but that didn't bother Micah, he was near his mate and he could feel their bond growing stronger. She was happy and getting healthy and the world was well. As he pulled up home, he carefully pulled Ash from her seat and carried her up to his attic suite. Laying her on her bed with the blanket still over her. He slowly removed her shoes before kissing her head and running down to the car once more to grab the shopping. He silently deposited that in Ash’s room room before pulling the door shut. He knew he would hear when Ash woke. Pulling out his laptop he sat in the lounge and set about some of the work for the pack he needed to catch up on.

An hour later, 5pm, when Ash finally woke up, she could hear voices out in the lounge. She slowly slipped from her bed and padded over to the door, she could hear Micah, and she thought she could hear Rowan, but she wasn't sure about the third man. She needed the bathroom though, so she had no choice but to interrupt. Quietly slipping from her room, she tried to head next door without being noticed but Micah called her over. Blushing she shook her head and continued on her way. After using the bathroom and splashing water on her face she sat at his side, laying her head on his shoulder. Micah introduced her to Xavier, who waved and smiled. The men continued their conversation, it didn't make sense to Ash. Eventually she got up and grabbed everyone a cold drink. Kissing Micahs cheek she said “I’m gunna go and unpack my stuff. I’ll be in my room working on your picture after that”. She smiled shyly as she walked away to the sound of Micah excitedly showing off the photo of her sketch. 

After dinner in the dining hall with the rest of the pack house, Micah and Ashlyn were back in their rooms. They took turns to get showers in Micahs bathroom, Ashlyn used some of the new products that Micah had bought her from lush. She darted back into her room and put on some of the new pyjamas, pulling her hair into braids. She was debating getting into her bed or going next door to Micah when there was a knock on the door “Can I come in?” Micah called softly through the door. Ashlyn opened it with a shy smile, stepping back to let him in. Without any further discussion, they climbed into her bed and curled up, Micah as usual was only wearing boxers, and Ashlyn a vest top and shorts. Micahs hands slipping under her top again. Ashlyn decided at that moment that she would build up the confidence to sleep in a crop top or sports bra soon.