Chapter 14

Everything happened so fast. Seth runs upstairs with inhuman speed and barge into Ava's room.

I was about to follow after him when Aiden stopped me, he held my waist tight that I'm steadied in my feet. I looked up at his face and he shook his head twice.

"They're mates. He won't harm her." Aiden assures me.

I heard Ava's scream but not entirely from pain, pleasure is mixed in it. Seth must have claimed her the moment he came upon her. A faint scent of blood lingers in my nose, then I know I was right. Seth claimed Ava.

Aiden and I kept standing for minutes. Nick is now on the couch again, scrolling through his phone like nothing was happening. Aurea keeps preparing the table. I guess I'm the only one who is bothered by the sudden event.

"Does he have a mate?" I whispered to Aiden and nod my head towards Nick's direction.

Aiden chuckled and kissed my temple. "Luck is not yet on his side, baby." there's a mocking tone in his voice that made Nick narrowed his eyes on us.

"I can hear you." Nick snorted.

Aiden's chuckle raises as he looked at Nick who rolled his eyes at us.

"I don't need a mate yet. I'm too busy with you, darling." Nick said giving Aiden a wink that made Aiden growl. I laughed because of that.

"Hey, Seth!" Nick shouted while looking upstairs.

"Stop hiding under your mate's skirt! Don't waste the food prepared for you!"

I chuckled when I heard Seth's growl from upstairs.

I'm happy for Ava. My invitation helped her somehow. She found her mate because she stayed. She wouldn't need to wait another year to meet Seth.

"Let's eat first." Aiden whispered and pushed my lower back closer to the table. "Nick." he called.

He pulled a chair for me then he sat next to mine, placing a hand on my thigh.

Aiden's gesture always flutter my heart. Sometimes I think he's doing it unconsciously because it already seemed a part of him. Though he did it a few times to prove that I am his.

Suddenly, I remembered Lucy and what she's facing right now with her mate, Alpha Jacob. Aiden is good to me regardless of our first encounter and thinking that my best friend suffers from that guy troubles me.

"What's wrong?" Aiden asked, he probably sensed my feelings. Ugh, I always forgot how this mate bond works. I should be careful on what I'll feel or else I'll worry him.

I shook my head. "I just remembered something."

He examined me, almost waiting for me to add more words in my mouth.

I sighed and looked away. I'm not going to say anything but I recalled a thought.

"Uhm, a question." He raised an eyebrow to me, waiting for it. I saw Nick sat down on the chair in front of us. "Uh, how would one know if their mate is cheating on them?"

Aiden narrowed his eyes on me. Not following with the question.

It is Aurea who answered.

"A wolf will never cheat once it meet it's mate."

But Lucy said she feels it. Was that just an intuition? I opened my mouth to speak but Nick did before I can utter a word.

"Still possible though. For an Alpha." Nick shrugged, his focus is on his food.

Then it's true! Cheating can be sensed by it's mate! Lucy's mate is Alpha Jacob. He's an Alpha. I wonder why Alpha can cheat on their mates though the other wolves can't.

"Why?" I asked, focusing on Nick.

He gulped the food on his mouth, shrugging. "An Alpha solely had complete control with their wolf. Once they put their claim, they can escape the anguish from the heat. So cheating is possible for them after it." Nick explained.

Luce did mentioned that Jacob claimed her, not missing the part that it's in a harsh way. I felt bad for Lucy even more. I hope I can be with her right now.

I noticed Aiden gaped Nick as his eyes narrowed on him. Nick saw that and his expression was dubious.

"What?" He asked. His mouth was filled of food again.

"Those information are what you should keep for yourself." Aiden said in a deep voice.

I understand quickly what Aiden meant. He's worried that my concern is related with my relationship with him. It's understandable that he think that way since I asked out of the blue. I can sense his uneasiness with the flow of conversation.

"It's true though." Nick's answer made Aiden hissed. I instantly placed my palm on his chest.

"Its not about me. I'm talking about my friend." I assured him. He sighed, not entirely uneased. I turned to Nick again since he is the one which happened to have a slippery tongue around the table.

"Whoa. Your friend is mated with an Alpha, too?" Nick exclaimed with disbelief and amusement. I frowned at him and ignored what he said.

"My friend says she can feel her mate cheating. How can she 'feel' it?" I turned to Aiden, pointing my question to him.

I'm really curious on Lucy's words though Im lacking when it comes to this topic. Mates are the least of my interest before, but now it became the center of me. Well, my world suddenly revolve around Aiden.

Nick looked at Aiden, waiting for him to answer. Aiden though is looking at me like I'm asking something I shouldn't. As if he hates the subject.

"When a mated Alpha have sex with other girl, his mate will be in pain." Aiden finally answer but hesitation is evident in his voice.

It took me a while to absorb his words but when I did, my heart aches for Lucy. I don't know what kind of pain she is having but with all the crying that I heard, the pain must be enough to make her suffer.

My eyes saddened but I felt my anger rises within me. I already loathe Lucy's mate.

"I won't cheat on you, Ashira." It was Aiden that snapped me out of my senses. I quickly shook my head when I realized what he was thinking and what feeling I might flowed to him.

"No. Its my friend."

"Which Alpha was your friend's mate? Im not aware any wolf from the North can do that aside from Aiden." Nick said again, unmindful of his own words.

Aiden growled at Nick loud. "You're getting to my fucking nerves!" He snarled at him that made Nick's jaw dropped. I wanted to laugh from his face but I suppressed it and just stroke my hand on Aiden's back, trying to calm him. He moved his hand from my thigh to my back, grabbing to my waist tight.

"I'm... Sorry? Wait, what did I do?"

Argh. Nick. You really want a piece of Aiden's anger right now.

"You're trying to ruin Alpha Aiden's image, Beta."

We all looked to grinning Seth who's walking near the table. I noticed Ava hiding on his back. I'm not used with the cheerful Ava looking so timid concealing herself behind Seth. Though I know she's just embarrassed.

"Oh." Nick sings. He turned to Aiden who still giving him a deadly stare. "I'll stop talking now." he said and smiled sheepishly. A low trembling growl is still heard from Aiden.

"You better." said Seth. Then he grabbed a chair beside me for Ava and sat next to her. "Damn. I missed your cooking, Au!" He said to Aurea who still denied eating with us.

I saw Aiden and Nick eat so I knew that they're both a heavy eater but Seth... Damn. He's a monster. I won't be shocked if he'll finish all the food in just a few minutes. He sure looks famished.

Everyone started eating and talking at the table. Aurea left to do something at the back while Nick and Aiden kept on talking. And we'll, Seth is still eating.

I felt a hand tugged on my shirt and it was Ava's. I turned to her and smiled when I saw her cheeks blushed.

Seth's claim is marked on her neck and it's still fresh.

"Thank you for making me stay longer. I owe you." she said, almost a whisper. I smiled at her and held his hand, gently tapping it.

"I'm glad you found your mate, Ava." I said and her eyes started beaming again.

"I'm glad too." I can feel her heart is still fluttering. She looks so cute!

Now, she will stay in the Prime pack forever. It's great to think I'll have a friend here.

"Seth." It was Aiden who took our attention. His voice is stern so Seth almost choked when he called him.

Seth almost finish half of the food served. He took a big gulp of water before responding to Aiden.

"Alpha." he said, suddenly acting formal with Aiden.

A short pause came and I figured they may be talking through their minds because Seth's expression turned attentively listening to Aiden.

I proved myself right when Seth nodded and looked at me, giving me a warm smile.

"Ashira." Aiden called me. His palm pressed to my back stroked in up and down motion. "Seth will be with you every time I'm away. He'll protect you. So when you need somewhere to go, drag him along with you."

I know that Gamma is the protector of Luna. That sets the relationship between Seth and me from now on. I understand it but a part of me is uneasy to have a guard every time.

"But-" I was about to protest when Aiden cut my words.

"This is for your safety and for my peace of mind, Ashira." he explained like he can read my mind.

"And my loyalty also stands with you now, Luna." Seth said in a gentle voice. "So if you want something to keep a secret with Alpha Aiden, I'll zip my mouth." he winked and that made me grin.

Somehow, that made me believe him and eased my doubts. I didn't let any argument to preside. I know my secret will be safe with me but if I'll have more that I'll keep from Aiden, it's good to have Seth as the keeper.

I have no choice since he'll be with me the entire time Aiden is away.

"Can you come with me tomorrow?" Aiden asked. I looked at him, frowning.

"At the pack building?"

He shook his head slowly.

"The rogue that attacked killed six of our members. I need to attend to the families they left behind. I need you with me."

Blood left my face and my mind started panicking. I know that will be one of my responsibility once I become the Prime's Luna but I never thought this through. Sympathizing with the mourning loved ones of the deceased wolves narrows the chance of my abnormality to be exposed.

I felt Aiden's hand gripped on my side lightly, making me snapped on my thoughts. I tried blocking my emotions but it's too late for that. He already felt my tension.

"Are you nervous?" he asked bothered by my reaction.

I swallowed the huge lump on my throat.

"I'm not. I'm just..." I paused. Everyone around the table is looking at me, waiting for my words though I don't know what to add with my sentence. "I'm... Surprised." I suppressed to sound unsure and I'm glad it worked.

"That's your fault." Nick said pointing at Aiden. Aiden snapped his head to him and frowned.

"What are you talking about?"

"You didn't reveal her to the pack that Ashira might felt unwanted. Why would she be surprised if she hasn't feel that way?" Nick continued giving Aiden a blaming tone. I'm grateful with Nick's credulity, that helped me distract Aiden from my outcome.

Aiden snarled again making Nick shut his mouth. He looked at me with wary eyes and pulled my body close to his.

'You do feel that way?'

I almost jumped when he mind linked me. His gaze is stern and concerning. I swallowed another lump, ready to lie to him for the first time.

'Yes.'

He sighed and looked down. I felt bad when his emotions gushed through me. He felt a heavy guilt right now.

"Conduct an introduction ceremony soon." Aiden ordered Nick who quickly cheered up from the news. Seth just grinned since his mouth is full of foods.

I was shocked from the sudden change of events. This is not what I expected! An introduction right now, this can be bad.

"At last! When?"

"The day after tomorrow." Aiden looked at me like asking for a permission.

"That's Christmas." I said. Trying to postpone their plans. I'm not yet completed the process of mating! My wolf needed it! If not, the stealer in me will be tricked and all my feelings for Aiden might fade when I got stolen!

"I'm sure the pack will be happy to have a Luna as a Christmas gift." Aiden said with finality. He then leaned and kissed the side of my head, inhaling on my scent.

Seth suddenly stood up and bowed his head to me. "It will be a great gift for the pack, my Luna." he said and I was left with no more room for argument. I just smiled to him and he went back to his seat. "But I'm stuck with the rogue. When did the attack happen?"

The conversation was immediately changed and I was left with troubled mind. I tried keeping up with the chatter, blocking any thoughts that might send emotions that might flow through Aiden.

THE night ended with few talks after eating. Nick will sleep on one of the guestroom and Seth decides to sleep with Ava's room. Aurea also went home after Ava and I helped her cleaned up the dishes.

I was left with Aiden as we walked upstairs. His hand barely left my back or my waist the whole time. I don't mind though. I've started getting used with his gestures. What played my mind are the events that arise for tomorrow and Christmas.

"You'll sleep with me tonight, Ashira." he whispered to my ear as we stopped in front of his door.

I nodded at him. My mind was immediately filled with playful thoughts that I got preoccupied, not able to speak. I tried wiping aside every ideas that might led me to panicking or feeling anxious.

I knew I can't escape my fate. I'll just hope everything will turn out right tomorrow. To hope that no male wolf has lost its mate from the rogue attack to prevent my abnormality to be exposed.

His touch helped me ease my mind as dirty scenes started to build inside my head. My cheeks grew hotter each second.

He chuckled and I blushed upon thinking that he might have sensed my reaction. I wanted to curse the bond for making my feelings flow to him but I'm too grateful with it to even hate it.

We reached his room and my lungs are rapidly filled with his scent. It's so sweet and delicious that I'm starting to feel my heat rising high. Forgetting anything else because of his addictive aroma.

Aiden walked me to his bed, not taking his hand on my back. The fabric I am wearing is not useful against the warmth of his palm. My breathing heavied as I lay down on his bed, him following beside me right after my back pressed to the soft mattress.

"Your emotions are not good over my repression." he whispered in my ear as he rested his arm on my waist, tugging his body closer to mine.

I felt my blood went up to my cheeks as his words hit me. I'm not yet used to blocking my feelings so it's surging through him like water.

"Damn." he whispered again in my ears. This time, he grabbed my waist tight while his teeth are gritting. He sounds like having a hard time right now with a thin patience left.

"What..." I murmured. My question turned out husky and sexy. I bit my lip as my cheeks burned more.

He chuckled and let out a loud sigh then gave space between us, enough for him to watch my face close. I looked at his eyes and it's golden brown color turned a shade darker. I've seen it a lot during moments like this.

I figured that when his eyes turned like that, he's getting aroused. I have proof and proved myself because right now, I can feel his hard member on my hips, poking. I blushed more.

"Don't look so tempting right now..." his voice is soft and low that I felt my heart flutter just by hearing it. I bit my lower lip again, not knowing what to reply.

"I'm...not." I said, biting down on my lip. My breathe hitches as my mind is distracted by his hard rod hiding under his pants.

He groaned and I looked at him starting at my bitten lip. I let go of it and the next thing I knew was his lips crashed against mine, kissing me deeply.