Chapter 30

Downstairs at the kitchen, Nick and Seth was already seated. Au was not around but I can smell her faint scent. I'm guessing she just left.

"Oh! Good morning Luna!" Nick grinned at me and I smiled back.

There's something on his grin, it's somewhat teasing and I'm not sure if it's for me or for Aiden. I shrugged my observations and walked towards the table.

"Goodmorning."

Aiden pulled a chair for me and, he took the vacant one beside me as I sat on carefully.

"He didn't beat you up, did he?" Nick said as he wiggled his brows.

I flushed from Nick's question. Which beating does he meant exactly? It didn't slipped my mind that his phrase has double meaning. Uh, right?

Oh, God. My mind is polluted!

Aiden growled lowly, averting my attention to him, I waited but he didn't say a word as he put food on his plate. Wow. He sure can eat. His plate is a feast!

"Uhm." Should I even answer? Nick is too innocent and naive. Maybe he's talking about actual beating.

Seth spoke, quick for my rescue. Bless you, Seth!

"Here, eat this." he shoved a huge portion of pancake into Nick's mouth which he did eat. "Your questions are for a virgin." he mumbled after.

"Ahm hat abgrghn!" Nick protested but I can barely understood what he said. His mouth was full and his cheeks are swelling as he tries to chew the pancake in his mouth. I chuckled as I watched the two of them. Aw! This Beta is too childish.

"Gross! Don't speak when your mouth is full! Where's your manners?" Seth smirked as he teased him. "Aw!" he held his legs with a frown and my wild guess was Nick kicked him under the table, not saying a word but chewing fast as his eyes narrowed on Seth.

I looked at Aiden, curious of his reaction. His eyes were closed while his fingers was scratching on his temple. He looked irritated but the edge of his lips were raised. Happy and annoyed? His expression is confusing.

I cleared my throat and held my breath before looking away when he opened his eyes, catching mine. I gulped and grab some food, started eating it quietly as I can.

Damn. His gaze does give me discomfort.

It's still early, around 7 in the morning. This is the time that Aiden goes to the pack building to work. I wonder why they are still here.

Well he's the Alpha, maybe he need not to be on time.

"Im not working today." Aiden suddenly said like he just read my mind. How can he do that? Am I flowing my emotions? No, I don't. He's reading mind?

Before I could utter and ask something foolish , I figured that he's talking to Nick, the Beta who's now agitated because he'll do all the work with his Alpha's absence.

Uh, childish Nick is on.

"What?! You can't, Aiden! There's a lot of work to do! We need to work on the budget for New Year and next year and the rogues-" Nick stopped abruptly and looked at me like he hesitated to continue his words. What is it? What's with the rogues?

Aiden cleared his throat, shifting uncomfortably on his seat and he got every eyes in the table plastered on him. And mine is squinted with question.

Uh, What's happening?

"Its okay. She needs to know anyway."

What? What is it that I need to know?

I looked at Nick again and its his turn to clear his throat. Suddenly, the air around the table was thin.

"Well, yeah, we need to track the rogues to find, uhm, Zynia."

My eyes widened upon hearing her name. Zynia! The stealer! She's- what- alive?!

"Zynia?!" Seth and I chorused and we looked at each other with knowing looks.

Zynia was the stealer from Titus's story. But he said she's gone. And treachery alone was punishable by death.

So how would they find her?

Seth recovered first and turned to Aiden. "She's dead, isn't she?"

Nick shake his head and Aiden sipped on his bottle before speaking.

"She's alive and occasionally visits Michael. We'll track her and fish more information about, uh," he looked at me, pausing a bit which add desperation on my part.

"your kind."

I gulped from his gaze but I set it aside to focus on what he said. But damn, why is it that everytime he look at me, I'm suddenly hot all over?

"I'll come with you!" Seth exclaimed. His expression is like a wolf wiggling his tails and I can only imagine how excited he was. Nick sighed and covered his ears, deafened from Seth's holler.

I suddenly thought Seth and Ava is a match. Both of them can bleed an ear from their voice alone.

"That won't happen. You're needed beside Ashira at all costs." Aiden said, almost hissing. Nick nodded as he agreed with Aiden's statement.

If that's the case then...

"Can I come?" I asked, hopeful. If I can come then Seth will come, too.

Plus, I wanted to meet the other stealer as well. To know how she is right now. Or what she knows that may be a help... for me.

Everyone went silent. I can hear Nick's feet stomping nonstop under the table, is he nervous? Seth is waiting for an answer like I am. And Aiden...well, he's still unreadable but I think he's thinking.

"Not a chance." Aiden said after a long pause. I sighed. I expect this answer but I still hoped he'll allow me to join them.

It's about my abnormality. Of course I'll be interested.

"I'm sorry Ash..." Nick smiled apologetically.

I nodded slowly, focusing my eyes on my plate. Ah. I'm not hungry anymore.

"Most of the rogues had already lost their mates. We're not after blood, and if they will be after you, I can't promise I won't kill them." Aiden explained with his usual stern voice.

"And battles will only slow us down." Nick added. I nodded slowly again, understanding what they meant.

Okay. So basically, I'm a burden is I come along.

Seth and I exchanged looks. He gave me a weak smile.

'It's okay. At least you're safe. They'll tell us what they will find anyway.' He said through our mind link.

I nodded to him and continued eating after.

Seth is right. Aiden will tell me what information they can gather from Zynia. I hate to be in between a battle anyway. Specially if the root will be me.

Just the thought of Rogues running after me give me goosebumps.

Coming along is not a good idea. Yet, I'm eager to belong.

We finished eating and Aiden leaned on his chair, and rested his arm on my chair. I stiffened when I felt his skin touched my exposed nape.

I tried to suppress the heat that started to built inside me. No. No. No. You can't be seduced! Not now, Ash.

So later is okay?

Ugh.

I brushed the thought away. Just a night of pleasure and here I am swooning over him. I felt like I wanted more, like another round with him on the bed.

Damn. I'm not myself.

Nick and Seth was talking about something I can't focus what is. My mind is clouded with Aiden's presence like we're alone in the kitchen.

I want him to touch me but I'm too shy to took the initiative. And once again, like he can read my mind, his arm snaked on my waist and leaned down to whisper in my ear. I almost moan when his breath tingles my skin but decided to just close my eyes shut.

Keep it together Ashira. Resist the temptation!

My God! I can't.

"Come with me to the garden." Aiden whispered and his hand on my waist gripped tighter. His favorite move. For a moment, I felt his feeling. It flowed to me like he did not intend to. Accidentally.

He tries to fought the temptation as well. Just like me, he's too aroused.

"Okay..." I almost whisper.

In the garden. In the garden. Will we do it in the garden? Oh damn! That's too wild! It's making me excited then quickly ashamed that I am!

We walked and Aiden's hand rested on my lower back. I kept biting my lip to halt the heat and I'm glad to succeed.

We reached the garden without throwing myself to him and I'm beyond thankful I didn't do something like that. I'm not used with these wild thoughts but it kept coming!

Aiden sat on the bench with the view of the greens and flowers in front of us. He leaned and put his arm comfortably on the backrest.

I gulped when I noticed how bulky his arms was. His biceps is visible and I wonder if he work out to maintain such a great shape.

I sat on the other side of the bench where his fingertips touching just on my shoulder. I intentionally left some distance between us. Because if I won't, I don't think I can hold myself anymore.

Aiden turned to me and I tried hard not to look at him. I can feel his hot gaze and I'm sure he has a frown on his forehead. One thing I learned about him, he hates distance between our bodies.

Oh damn, no more wild thoughts! Please! I don't want to be turned on for him to smell the scent of arousal from me!

I won't be shock if he does jump on me and do me in his garden once I gave off the scent.

"Come closer." Aiden whispered and he tugged on my arm, gently pulling me closer to him.

I did not protest. I let him pull me closer. Soon enough my arm was on his chest and his arm rested on my shoulder and the backrest of the bench. He placed his other hand in my legs and I liked how possessive it felt.

I flushed from how intimate he is with me right now. I can feel no boundaries between us now. It seemed that he lowered his walls and is comfortable with me unlike before.

Is this what sex does?

Girl, it's the mate bond perhaps? Half of my mind argued.

It's still sex though.

I can feel Aiden's breath on my face, he's too close. He is silent and so am I. The chirps of bird and gushes of wind enveloped us as we continued watching the Ancestral garden. It is beautiful. At peace. But having Aiden beside me right now makes it perfect.

I wonder if he felt the same.

When I'm almost deaf from prolonging pause between us, I cleared my throat and decided to speak first.

"Uhm... Why are we here?" I asked, trying to ignore his thumb as it keeps making circles on my leg. Damn. I'm ticklish but I resist to quiver.

He turned his head to me and I stiffened, not trying to met his hot gaze or I'll burn with his golden brown flame.

"For a nice talk. With you." he whispered in a low voice that makes my spine shake. His lips are almost touching my ear and I can only imagine how close his face is.

I nodded slowly. Afraid to turn and look at him because our lips might met. I wanted to kiss him but since he wanted to talk, I'll set it aside. I want a nice talk with him too.

"You can ask anything. I'll ask back." he spoke again when a long pause came from me.

I chuckled, excited with his proposition. Oh I have a lot to ask.

"Okay. You should ask

first and I'll answer, then it's my turn." I said, enticed with joy. A lot of question was running on my head and I can't wait to ask them because I knew Aiden hold the answers.

"Like a game?" he asked, I can hear from his voice that he's smiling. I'm tempted to see his face but if we kiss right now, which I'm positive we will one out eyes met, then a talk won't arise. I'm sure of it.

I nodded with a grin. "Like a game." I slowly leaned my head on his chest and I closed my eyes at how it felt.

I never knew that leaning on someone's chest can make me feel like home.

He exhaled happily, almost excited. I haven't seen this side of Aiden. He seemed outgoing, carefree. Peaceful. "Alright. How did you know you're a stealer?"

He pressed his lips above my head, sniffing on my hair. I groaned from the gesture. How can he do that? I mean, how can he make me feel so loved with his actions? It's overwhelming and I'm like grateful enough that I'd want to have sex with him to offer my thanks.

Really. How can he do that?

"Through the mapping." I answered. I kept blocking my emotions and halt the images forming inside my head. It's disturbing. Too disturbing. Yet, I'm entertaining the thought.

Aiden snorted and I felt his palm on my shoulder. He gently squeezed there and I wondered why. "Your answer is too short." he complained.

I chuckled. Ohh. So that's why. I bit my lip and enjoyed the feeling of his touch. "Doesnt matter." I respond to his complaint.

"It's my turn. How was the famous stealer alive?"

"Well... Zeuracious let her escape. Zynia is not the bad kind, Jorhia is."

"Jorhia? Is that the other Luna?" he nodded. "She's a stealer, too? I thought her name was Violet?"

Okay. This is confusing. I thought the ancient process of detecting the true mate was used because Luna Violet -who I think is what Aiden was calling Jorhia- is the fated one of Alph Zeuracious?

Damn. My mind is messy, it's more confusing.

"Thats a third. Stop cheating." I felt him grinning and I flushed. Oh, I forgot about the 'game'. Now I hate how I proposed it.

I gulped and bit the inside of my cheek, a bit embarrassed. "Okay. Sorry. What's your question?"

Aiden's shoulder trembled from his muted laughter and I blushed even more.

Damn though. All I could think is how sexy his soft laughs is.

"Tell me what happened on your mapping." he asked. His arm left my shoulder and found it's place to it's favorite spot. He pulled me closer as I felt his palm on my midriff.

This is distracting.

I frowned, leading myself back to the conversation. "Thats not a question, more like an order."

He snorted. "Fine. Allow me rephrase." I chuckled. "Can you tell me what happened during your mapping?"

I slightly sighed, the mapping felt like it happened yesterday. I still feel the fear I had on that day.

"Uhm, it's for she-wolf so try to keep up. When I cut my palm on the map-"

"Cut your palm?" he interrupts. I nodded slowly on his chest and bury my head on it even more. His palm on my chest squeezed a bit and my discomfort was immediately lifted.

"Yes. The map requires a drop of blood to locate our mate, then the part where the mate resides will glow. You don't know?" he shook his head. I can figure. It's mainly for women, outside the range of interest of the men. Though I thought he'll know since he is an Alpha.

"Well, once I did, the Prime pack glowed ad that's how I knew I'll find my mate at your land. Which happened to be you." I smiled and I felt him sighed quietly. I'm not sure but it sounds like a relieved one. "But after a minute, the whole map was glinting. I was confused by it and what it meant but the enchantress called out that I'm a stealer, giving me the knowledge of what I am."

"Then?"

"Thats your third. You sure don't know how this game works." I rolled my eyes.

"Im used in earning answers." I'm sure he is grinning right now.

"Whatever. My turn. Who's Jorhia?"

Aiden shifted on his seat and I moved with him. His hand on my leg moved to entertwin with his other hand. Hugging my frame closer before responding.

"She's a bad kind. She came to Ravenous pack with the name Violet and obviously that's not her real name. Zynia is not the only stealer in that story, Jorhia is too. That's a truth that was kept to everyone, uh, for safety measures."

"Safety for what exactly?"

"Thats a second. I thought I'm the one who cant play this game?" he is teasing me again but I'm not affected!

I want to know. I never heard of it. Of that fact that Vio-Jorhia was a stealer too! So who's the true mate?

"Ugh!" I pulled away from him and my eyes immediately met his gaze.

I felt my chest heaved as I was overwhelmed with how he looked at me. His gaze is soft, drowning. I cleared my throat, diverting my attention to our topic.

"Change of rules, follow ups are allowed." I managed to say.

He chuckled and his finger scratched on his temple.

"Bossy."

"Come on!" I can't wait. Our conversation is intriguing that I can't wait another minute to hear it. What's the purpose of keeping Jorhia a secret? It's something about stealers, everyone should know.

"Fine. What happened was unusual. Stealers are rare and two within a decade was less expected. Everyone thought Zynia was the fraud because Jorhia came later. Though Zynia was younger, but no one knew that. Jorhia faked not just her name but her age as well. She had mastered the art of deception, well-prepared of how to use her abnormality or how she can manipulate her chosen target by being a stealer. She's a danger. She managed to snatch Zeuracious from Zynia, the true mate. Did you know that they mated with other men?" I nodded and bit my lips.

Zynia was the true mate. And she's alive. This is some revelation. When Aiden said Jorhia mastered deceiving, then I can understand why he feared knowing that I'm a stealer.

"The process is ancient. Jorhia was confident that she's the true mate, her manipulation urged Zynia to agree with the process. But thats a dumb move for Zynia. She knew she is a stealer, she'll definitely get pregnant." he pursed his lips, watching my reaction as my lips parted with disbelief.

How can Zynia agree to that? That's absurd. Shes a stealer. She shouldn't have agreed.

"As I said, Jorhia was well-prepared. She managed to delay her pregnancy. We don't know how she did it but the fact that she have that ability is threat enough. A risk that must be kept so stealers of the future won't be educated of the power they possess."

I nodded slowly, absorbing everything he had said. My mind flew somewhere and stayed quiet for a while.

To be aware of what stealers can do is dangerous. Well, for ones who has a negative motive. But Aiden shared it to me, can I assume that he trust me enough that he don't see me as a threat?

"You're telling it to me now." I stated. His eyes stuck on mine for a while, studying my thoughts. He shook his head after before looking away as he spoke.

"You're different." he sighed and looked at my eyes, as once gain, I'm met by the most mesmerizing eyes. "I don't care if it's the bond talking but I knew you are not a bad kind."

I felt like a hand caress my chest when his words delivered an overwhelming warmth on my chest. I was silent for a moment, taken aback with his confession.

He trusts me. He believed in me. Sincerely.

The thought made butterflies in my stomach flutter and I'm in awe. I looked down and bit my lower lip, relishing how it felt. How he made me feel.

"Hey." He placed his palm on the back of mine and I looked at his dazzling eyes again. He gave me a small smile when he examined my eyes like darting through my soul. "Its my turn." he said after.

I chuckled lowly and nodded my head. I love this side of him and I'm glad he's opening himself to me.

"Im all ears." I whispered with a smile.

His smile widened and I was surprised with his next move. He held my face with both of his hands and leaned closer so his face was an inched away. My breath hitched from how close our lips are. He sniffed, filling his lungs with my scent.

"Can you forgive me?" he said as he breathed out.

I was stunned for a moment. What's he apologizing for? And was this closeness necessary? It's so distracting that all I wanted was to smash my lips with his inviting one.

I want to taste his kiss again.

Holy mother of wolves, Ash! The guy is apologizing! Shove your libido awaaay!

I gulped. "What for?" I whispered. I'm not sure if I said the words right though. I felt like it came out as a mumble. I swear I can't breath right now!

My chest is beating so fast, it's deafening! My hearts' sound won over the chirps of the bird and the cool gushes of the wind.

"I doubted you, made you cry, hurt you even. I know I should've asked first but I act otherwise and it haunt me still. I regret my actions, and I... I hope you can forgive me."

The strongest Alpha of the North is asking for forgiveness... to me. He's notorious with his tough image and seeing him right now makes me think that's he's normal. He is perfect, but has his own share of flaws. And I loved seeing that right now. He's being Aiden in front of me.

I smiled and rested my forehead on his, feeling my affection for him rise. He closed his eyes when the tips of our nose touched and my smile widened when I realized my affect on him.

We react the same and it joyed me.

"Your reaction was natural and I understand." I whispered. "I was hurt, yes, but it's in the past now. I hated how you doubt me though. But actually, I prepared for the worst. I thought you'll kill me the moment you found out." I tried to lighten the atmosphere by chuckling but he moved his had away, shocked.

"What? I'll never do that. Not to you." he exclaimed yet his expression is still calm, cool.

Oh. My mate is so refined. I'm falling deep!

"I know. It's just a wild thought. I'm a fan of worse case scenarios but I'm glad you didn't." I grinned. That's true though. It's best to wait for the worst. I always have that phrase as my mantra. It keeps me going. Even as a child, as an outsider of the pack, and even now that I'm not normal. Thinking of the worst always helped.

He pulled me closer to his chest and embraced me inside his arms. I groaned when his hug tightened and he quickly loosen it a bit, letting me catch my breath.

"Baby." he sighed. "You need to know that I can't push myself away from you. I failed the first try and I'll continue to disappoint if I'll do it again. And the thought of you, dead? Its already killing me. I would never gone down to that even if it's the last resort."

I smiled. Another confession coming from Aiden. All I could feel was warmth. Warmth from his body, and warmth from his words. Oh God.

It dawned on me that he sure cant be far from me. He indeed tried but I always saw him come back. Sometimes agitated and annoying but still, he yearned my presence like how I did.

"I thought you will reject me. I was anxious." I hugged him tight. I can feel him moving away from me any moment and I don't want him to see my face.

He sighed and didn't moved away. "Ash, I'll never leave you even if I'll want to. Being away from you is impossible for me."

He planted a kiss on my hair as I was overwhelmed by his words. I feel the same towards him and knowing he can't tolerate being away from me, warms my heart to fulfillness.

I looked up at him, slightly arching my back giving enough distance to watch his face.

Oh, how I love this perfection.

"I don't know if you'll believe me, Aiden but I love you." The last words came as a whisper. I gulped the lump on my throat when his lips parted. Did it shock him? I've said the words before but right now is more serious, sincere. Even myself felt the intensity of my own words. It hits straight to my heart and I'm convinced it did to him the same.

"I love-"

He groaned and grabbed my nape, pulling my face closer. I screwed my eyes shut when I felt his lips on mine. He nibbled my lower lip gently as I encircled my arms around his neck. Damn, I realized that this is what I've been waiting for. His kiss.

The kiss is just solemn and quick. He didn't deepened it and pulled away to look at me, leaving my lips red and moist.

He pressed his forehead on mine and my eyes were still shut. Still feeling his kiss on my lips.

"I love you most." he said in a whisper. I smiled and I felt him moved closer again for another kiss.

"Ohh damn, SPG."

Our heads turned to the house when we heard Nick's voice. His face is knotted like he's disgusted with the sight of Aiden and me kissing.

Why is this jerk aways popping out when we're into it? Ugh!

Aiden hissed and pulled me on his chest, almost hiding me. I smiled from his protective gesture. Oh please, Aiden! Stop making my heart flutter more!

"What do you want, Nick?" he gave him a low growl and I chuckled. He hates being interrupted. Well, so am I!

"Well, I need to go to the pack building-"

"What am I, your mother? Go! You don't need to inform me." he snapped. I rested my palm on his chiseled stomach. Enjoying his hard body while letting him work on shooing his Beta.

"Grumpy. That's not what I came here for. I'm reminding the journals Titus had talked about. I'm hoping you might want to do that one since you've filed me with everything." I chuckled. I can imagine Nick rolling his eyes right now.

Journals? Titus's grandmother, Josephine's journals?

Aiden hissed and sighed after. "Fine. Go away."

"You should bring Ash, too. And fucking stop blocking your portal just to have a kiss!"

Aiden growled and I heard steps stumping away. Oh, Nick is running away!

"Goodbye, lovers!" I heard him shout and I chuckled when he reached far away.

Aiden loosened his embrace and I looked up at him. His forehead is knotted and I can see that he's still annoyed with Nick's interruption.

"What's with Josephine's journal?" I asked.

His eyes squinted.

"Josephine?"

"Um, Titus's grandma."

"Oh. Uh, well." he cleared his throat and then sighed. He shifted on his seat and I moved away a little bit. "I want to be honest with you but I have issues with interfering with my decisions." he started. I frowned.

Duh, I knew that.

"Oh. Um, it's not my thing to butt in so I don't think we have a problem with that part."

He looked at me, reluctant. Okay. Something's not right and I wonder what it is.

"Titus is dead." he informed.

My jaw dropped, slowly absorbing his words. Titus is dead?

It's not like I don't want him dead. I imagined to kill him myself when I learned that he betrayed our deal. But... It's too sudden. It's not even a 24 hours.

"How?" I managed to say.

Aiden leaned closer and locked his eyes to mine, like I'll move them away from his gaze.

"I ordered Nick to kill him." My jaw was hanged open. Okay, wait. What?

Titus aided Aiden with the knowledge of my abnormality. What pushes him to kill him? I can't see the reason.

Before I could ask, Aiden held my hand and my gaze went down to it.

"I need to. He knew what you are. He can use it against me to lure my enemies if he'll want to. And you being a stealer can't be leaked. It's a great risk. I need to avoid that from happening. Titus is aware of the consequences of knowing your abnormality however he let me learned that he knew."

But why? He's that loyal to Aiden? I know he's his Alph but to accept the calling of death, that's odd.

"He wished to be dead. Titus wants to join his mate on the other side. He... He used his awareness so he may face my consequences."

I screwed my eyes tight.

Damn. The power of mate bond and it's effects. I can't imagine how painful he must be suffering.

With that, I felt bad about Titus but can only hope he found his peace.

_________

Shoutout to Hiyaroy! Lol hope you like this chapter. Was it long enough?