Chapter 23
Aiden's POV
I opened the door just when Nick's car stopped abruptly in front of my house. I growled as my irritation has risen but try to see reason. I clearly told him I'm off with my duties tonight, delegating everything to him. And him interrupting right now must mean something or else I'll break his neck next.
I asked for this one night and not even an hour after I gave my instructions and here he is. Rushing out of his car and almost tripped as he run closer to me.
"Be sure this is important, Beta." I growled as I warned him. He is huffing as he breath that made him look exhausted though he ride a car. How can he be this tired after riding a damn car?!
I heard the shower upstairs and figured my Ashira was preparing herself. The image of her naked body inside my bathroom gave me the urge to slam the door to Nick's face and gallop upstairs, to where she is.
But Nick worries me, halting my urges to knock him down and that made me growl again. I swear I'll kill Nick if he came for nothing.
"You shouldn't complete the mating yet, Aiden!" he exclaimed with a low voice, looking around to make sure no one heard him before catching his breath again.
My eyes squinted as my lips parted with disbelief. What the fuck did he just say? I was disturbed by him to hear this? And what right does he have to stop me from claiming my mate?
"You-!"
"Wait! Let me talk!" he cut me just when I was ready to burst. My lips went flat as I crossed my arms in my chest. "Titus came to me after you left. I forgot we need to meet with-"
I growled that made him stop talking. What nonsense is he spouting! And why am I listening to this while my mate is cold upstairs without my embrace?
"I don't care about him! We'll talk about this tomorrow." I held the door frame and about to close the door but he stopped it with his hand.
This time, I snarled at him. "What the fuck is your problem!?"
"He said Ashira is a stealer." he huffed.
I did not absorbed his words fast but when I did, I looked at him with disbelief. Confusion and anger started creating up my spine. My eyes squinted as I looked at him, trying to hear his joke next but none was heard. He nodded at me like he's trying to persuade me from believing.
"I know it sounds crazy but keep your dick in your pants for now and listen."
'Kill your beta. I knew my mate is mine.' my wolf is not taking the information easily. He is walking back and forth inside my head as he growl every step. I can feel his anger but not to our mate. Only to Nick's news. I can't trust my wolf.
All he think of his swaying dick everytime he sees Ashira.
But I felt outraged by it. She'll tell me if she is what Nick said she is, right? Unless she is lying to me?
If she's a stealer then there's a chance that she's tricking my wolf. And me.
I growled inwardly with the thought. My wolf is trying to stop me from thinking odd with our mate but no, I dont succumb to anyone without a fight. I can't ignore the possibilities. And I won't let this go easily. I need to know she's my true mate or else I'll be blinded by the bond.
I won't be tricked and be laughed at by other packs like what happened to Zeuracious.
I'm the Alpha of the strongest pack in the North and our pack has lined second as the strongest pack in the continent. There's no way I'll think of anything else than my pack's honor.
I growled with the thought. Because damn, I already prioritize Ashira more than my pack.
"We don't know anything yet. But I suspect Titus is right. He lost his mate and he have the capability to recognize a stealer. He even told me Seth knew about this."
"Seth? My Gamma, Seth?"
My body trembles and I'm on my edge of losing it. I know I shouldn't decide hastily. I should talk to Ashira first. But hearing all of this now, it seems to connect.
"I don't know if it's true. Seth left the Hall with his mate after you left and I hadn't had the chance to talk to him about this. But what's bothering me is how he handled the guards at the border."
I'm barely with Nick as he talk. My mind is clouded by anger and confusion. I'm also starting to feel the betrayal added with my rage.
Every fucking thing connects with Nick's reports.
Seth volunteered to handle managing the guard's shift for tonight. And of course I let him, not suspicious at all because he have the right to be in-charge with that. Yet the outcome is what Nick and I talked in my office today.
He looked at me like we think the same thought. I hissed and run my hands on my head. Damn it. Damn it.
"He assigned most of the mate less male wolf in the border tonight. Dubious, right?"
It all connects and my suspicion just grew worst. I have a dreadful idea running in my head right now.
My mate is a stealer and my third-in-command is trying to cover for her!
"Aiden," Nick looked at me, his voice is trying to snap me out of my rabid thoughts. "Its better to talk with Ash. We're not sure if its true yet. Seth wouldn't hide such important thing to you without a reason, you know that."
I closed my eyes tight, not letting his words in my head. All I think right now is how I hate to be lied to, to be betrayed.
And if my mate is a fucking stealer, then it'll only make everything worse.
"Ask her first, Aiden."
I no longer hold my control. All I want is to be furious, to know the truth, to ask her but I doubt I can in the nicest way. I'm feeling the opposite. Right now, I feel like I wanted to kill somebody.
'She's our mate! Listen to me!'
I growled loud, ignoring my wolf and rushed upstairs.
"Don't do anything yiu'll regret!" he said but my steps are fast, ignoring his words.
"Aiden!"
Nick yelled my name, stopping me but I won't. I demand the truth and I'll have it by hook or by crook.
Nick's POV
Everything happened so fast. I can't believe what I heard from Titus but I can't let it go without telling Aiden.
I sighed nervously of what he will do next but I hope Ash is not a stealer. And I pray to Moon Goddess that if she is, don't let Aiden hurt her.
Aiden was furious and he looked as if he's ready to draw blood when I told him. It's not impossible that Titus is right.
Ashira's our pack's Luna now. He's not insane to make things up, no one wants to mess with Aiden's head, to the extent of involving his mate.
I knew what Aiden will do when he told me I'll take it for tonight. He'll take her full by completing the mating process and that's okay IF Ashira is not a stealer.
Because if she is one, and if she is tricking Aiden, then the mating will complicate things between the mate bond.
If she is a stealer and she's tricking us into believing she is the mate of Aiden, then Aiden's wolf will be blinded by her. Making it impossible for Aiden to let her go in the future.
If she is his true mate then nothing will be complicated.
I was walking back and forth, nervous of what will Aiden do. He rushed upstairs and I can't hear anything because his room has resistance for wolf senses. I can't hear them, or feel them, or even mind link Ashi or Aiden.
I wanted to rush upstairs and barge in the room but I can't. Aiden is still my Alpha and his superiority is too great to be fought by his own Beta. It's nature call, and I cant bend his rules even if I wanted to.
But Im worried with Ashira. And that's all I can do now. To worry for her.
However, I prayed and believed that Aiden wont do anything to her. No, its impossible that he will hurt her. What if she really is his mate? He'll go nuts if he ever lose control and end her own mate's life.
Though everything is an IF. And that's what make this hard. Because we have no precise knowledge about Ash.
I tried reaching Seth but he can't be reached through our mind link. I bet he's freeing the wolf inside his pants right now, blocking anyone in his mind unconsciously. His phone is ringing but he's not answering my calls and that frustrates the hell out of me.
I'd like to get some answers from him. He's been with Ashi since we attended to the mourning families and that include Titus. He's been with her when they symphatized for his loss.
Now that I think about it, both Seth and Ashi were alone with Titus that time.
Another IF flashed my mind. If Ashira was really a stealer then how did they convince Titus to keep it from us?
I can't give myself any answers like this. I'll call Seth's phone until his ears burst from the rings than to burst my own head from thinking.
Seth's POV
"Your phone is ringing again..." Ava said in a soft voice. I groaned from irritation as I held my head up from devouring her neck. What does Nick wanted?
He's been trying to go through my mind for a while now and I've been blocking him because I am having my time with my mate.
Hell, he needed a mate. How can he miss me so fast when we're together a while ago? He's like a fucked up ex-girlfriend!
Ava pushed me, I was mounted above her, ready to experience another mind blowing pleasure yet she thinks of my ringing phone.
"Just answer it!"
I growled and reached for my phone, itching to throw it out the window though decided to pick up the call.
"What!" I snapped. It's Nick like I guessed.
"Thanks for picking up, asshole! Can you just pull your pants up and come at the ancestral? Now!"
I groaned. How did he know I have my pants down right now?
"Give Aiden and Ash a break for tonight and go beat yourself!"
I was about to turn off the call when he spoke again.
"We found out that Ashira was a stealer! Now come down here now!"
My eyes widened. Fuck. How did he knew? Oh no.
"Does Aiden know?" I said and grabbed my clothes at the floor, not bothering to wear it because I decided to run in my wolf. I need to get there fast.
"Yes, fucker! And from your reaction, you know it too! Just come here!"
I tossed my phone and stormed out of my room. Ava already heard our conversation so no need to tell her where I'm headed. I immediately shift on my wolf, carrying my clothes in my mouth.
Damn. I hope Ash is alright. If Aiden knew, then I can only imagine how things are there right now.
Ashira's POV
I slumped in the floor as loud sobs was heard from me. My wrists are aching from Aiden's rough grip and I can't look up at him.
His power still make me submit to him that even if I'll try to rebel to him, it will be impossible to fight back to his powerful Alpha. Also, I have no guts to even try.
He is mad. All I can feel is his wrath and nothing else. He does not even care that I'm crying my eyes out down here. I received nothing but his low long growls that I can't interpret the meaning is.
'Is he doubting us?' my wolf whined and cried inside me. Hurt of how he treated us. I know I'll ask too much if I'd want him to ask me properly. I have no choice but to understand. To accept this. I knew this day will come and I tried my best to prevent this but I can't run from my fate for long.
I am a stealer. I don't want to but I can't change it. I don't know how and that's because there's no escaping this abnormality.
"Who. Are. You."
His voice made my hairs raise not from pleasure that I had before but from fear. It's not him I fear solely. I fear to answer the questions he'll ask because I know I don't have every answer to it.
I decided to get myself together. I stopped crying and tried to ignore my wolf from her pain. I winced everytime she groaned inside me but I have to be strong.
I have no one but myself to believe. And if he wasn't going to, then I'll handle the rejection from him that awaits.
My tears stopped flowing and I straighten my back as I kneeled on the floor. This is the best I could do since my legs are still shaking. His wrath is diffusing every corner of the room.
He grabbed my jaw hard when I took a while to answer. He made me look at his golden-brown eyes which now three shades darker. I shivered.
"Who are you?" his voice escaped through his gritted teeth as he clenched harder on my jaw.
"You know who I am." I whispered, I intend to sound strong but it came out a low weak whisper. He frowned as he looked at his hand on my jaw. I took my time to stare at his face, feeling like it will be the last time I'll be this close to him.
"Dont get cocky with me." he abruptly looked back at my eyes, almost making me jump. He let go of my jaw, almost throwing me away like he's disgusted with how his hand touched me.
Another wave of pain strikes me on my chest. I winced with how my wolf rolls as she whimper.
"Are you my mate?" he almost spat the words.
I can't believe I'll actually hear this doubtful tone in his voice. Yes, he is asking but it didn't hide what he truly feels.
He already distrust me.
I almost laugh that turned into a smirk. Why bother ask if his reactions already showed how he think.
"I am." I said with dry tears and a smirk was plastered on my face. I watched as his eyes turned deep red, a loud growl echoed the room. But no, I didn't flinch.
Little by little I gathered myself. The trembling I'm feeling from his intimidating superiority slowly reduced. I don't know how, but I bet it's because my wolf is now a Luna and enough tostrengthen herself against our Alpha.
Once again, he grabbed my jaw. Harder. I groaned from the pain but I did not winced this time. Instead, I meet his flaring eyes. Not backing down.
"What? You don't believe me? Then don't, Aiden." I want to clap from how my voice came out as I liked to. I did not regret what I had said. If he don't believe me, I won't force him to.
He growled inwardly and I thought I pushed him at his edge but he loosened his grab on my jaw, letting his arm fell on his side.
"How could I believe you? You hide what you are to me. And tricking is what your kind is skilled to do."
"I'm not like that!"
"Really? You're not deceiving me? Then how come I found out what you are from others when it had to come from you?!"
Okay. He clearly think I'm tricking him huh?
This is making me sick. I found my mate to be tied of the bond. Not like how he think of me right now.
"I'm not deceiving you!"
"How would you prove that?" he spat.
I silenced from his question. One of which I fear I won't have answers to.
This is useless. This talk will only lead for more pain and aches for the both of us.
"I will if I knew how. But I don't. So if you won't believe me, then I'll just go back to my pack."
I turned my back at him, ready to go. Ready to leave him and just suffer the consequences after. I heard it felt like losing a life once away with your mate and I'm ready to face that than this.
He grabbed my elbow and hastily turned me to face him. His grip is still rough. Hard.
"You are not going anywhere!"
"Then what? I don't have any answer for your questions, Aiden! It's not like I wished to have this abnormality!"
His lips went flat as he watched my eyes. I have nothing to hide from him.
"You kept it from me!" he growled. His eyed are still red, but his voice somewhat changes.
His words pinched my chest, making my wolf blame me for not telling him sooner.
"I got no choice."
His nose flared and his eyes squinted.
"No choice? I've been with you since I saw you, Ashira! Dont give me that crap now!"
My visions blurred but I suppress my tears. I knew Im wrong in that part but I have my reasons. And one of them is what is happening right now.
"And what? If I told you before, won't you react the same? Dont fool yourself, Aiden."
"And you dont made a fool of me now?" The side of his lips raised as sarcasm lingered his tone. "You are not going anywhere."
He walked passed me and I followed his figure as he opened the door.
"You dont need to believe me! Just let me go!"
He stopped walking. I waited for him to turn and look at me but he kept his back on me.
"You are not allowed to leave this room until I said so.."
My jaw dropped.
"What?! You can't lock me here!" He continued walking out of the room. Not uttering any more words.
"Aiden!" He didn't turn to look at me. I run to the door but he moved fast and closed it, almost making me hit the hard door.
I banged on the door as I heard locks outside.
"Aiden!"
