Chapter 31

Ashira's POV

"Where'd he go?" Seth asked. I'm still seated on the bench garden and Aiden just left to pick the journals Nick was talking about.

"To Titus. Did you know that he's dead?"

Seth nodded and took a seat next to me. "Yeah. Aiden had planned to do that after finding out about you. Nick confirmed it today."

My stare went far and blank. I can't forget why Titus did what he'd done. I understand his pain for losing his mate. Though I had hoped he has other ways to have himself killed so I'll have a chance to confess about being a stealer myself.

Anyway, so far the situation has eased and I shouldn't bother with it.

"Are you two...good?" Seth asked hesitantly.

I nodded and turned my head to him with a tiny smile but my eyes are sure sparkling.

"Great." he sighed. "That's good news. I thought for a while that Aiden would prolong his rage. I did think he will forgive but not this fast." he grinned and leaned on the backrest.

"Me too. Though I still hope to find more answers to prove I'm his."

Seth nodded but didn't utter a word. I'm glad that Aiden accepts me now but I can't stop myself from wanting answers about myself and how can I prove I'm not a bad kind. Even though I can't see it's use now.

We decided to head inside when cool breeze of wind started gushing. Christmas has gone by but I did not felt it's essence because of the turn of events.

"And he grabbed my neck, choking the hell out of me before he throws me out of the house like I'm a cotton ball! He's heartless!"

Seth was telling me what Aiden did to him and I knew I shouldn't, but I chuckled.

"Yeah, right. And the mate is heartless, too." he rolled his eyes but grinned when my chuckles become laughter.

"I can't help it! Your expression is far from what the emotion should be!" I laughed and slapped him on his shoulder.

"Aw! Hey, I'm not a rock!"

"Ohh! I thought you're a cottonball!" I laughed hard when his jaw dropped and rolled his eyes with disbelief.

"Hope I'm not interrupting."

We both glanced at the door and Aiden stood there with a gloomy expression shadowing on his face.

Oh, boy. He looks so yummy. I know it's not what I should be thinking right now with that dark face he had but... He just screams perfection even in simple clothes.

He stands at the door and his golden-brown eyes were deep as his lips were formed in a flat line.

I can sense a feeling but not anger coming from him though it's somehow relevant to that.

Oh! Is he jealous?

But with Seth? That's odd! Seth have a mate!

Seth shifted his weight and I know he's adding distance with our already distant expense. I rolled my eyes upon realizing that Seth is being cautious and Aiden was -I assume- jealous.

None of us spoke and Aiden walked closer to us. Stopping right in front of me. He held out his hand and I looked at Seth, who's I think halted his breath, before reaching Aiden's palm.

"Go get the chest on my car." he ordered Seth as he pulled me up, encircling his arms on my waist after.

Seth stood up, almost quickly and Aiden put his other hand on my waist, making me face him.

He seems like he missed me so much though he's just gone for some minutes.

"You're so cozy with my Gamma." he whispered, bending down his head. "I don't like it."

My breath hitched when his lips met mine and gave me a deep, short kiss. I smiled when he pulled away and I was met by the most mesmerizing golden-brown eyes.

"Are you jealous, Alpha?" I teased and he snorted, didn't say a word, and just claimed my lips again. A longer kiss this time.

My insides are churning, already feeling the heat which impossible to suppress.

He pulled away again before I could deepen the kiss more, leaving my lips red and moist.

"You like me jealous." he whispered with a smirk. I flushed when I realized that my emotional barrier has leaked some of my feelings, flowing to him freely.

"I don't!" I said and he chuckled.

Aiden tightened his grip on my waist and I groaned when I felt his manhood on my belly.

Oh, dear. He's aroused.

"Hm, you blocked fast." he smirked, referring to my emotional barrier and I flushed even more. Why is he teasing me? "I knew one way to break that barriers of yours. The setting is distracting though," He leaned and his lips touched my ear. "In my bed."

I can't disagree with that. While we're mating, I hold no control over myself. I'm too drowned to even think of raising my walls. Giving him complete access with my feelings.

Every hair in my body was raised when his hot breath touched the skin of my neck. His voice is sexy, raspy, and inviting. I felt the craving to jump on him. I cleared my throat, trying to waive the feeling.

He chuckled upon feeling my body stiffened. He looked so handsome. His face was shining and his happiness surged everywhere.

Not a moment after, Seth walked inside the house again, holding a box on his hands.

"Here it is."

I turned to Seth and he's holding an old tiny chest. He walked closer to us as he settles the rusty metallic box on the table.

Now that I've noticed the chest, I assumed that Titus never faced us with this. Only old books which I believe was-I figured-fake back then.

"We'll read this. If anyone noticed something strange or useful, we'll discuss it."

"Alright!" Seth sat down on a chair, ready to start digging when Aiden spoke again.

"Not here. In my office. Au might be here any time soon."

Seth sighed and smiled at me as he stood up and picked the small chest. Okay. I see another Nick attitude for a second. A lesser complainant at that.

"Alriiight." he stormed out and headed on a room at the end of the hallway which I think was Aiden's office.

I never been in his office but I believe it's one of the prohibited room Au was talking about. I mean, prohibited to others. Me on the other hand, can.

"Listen," Aiden turned and held my palms. "Whatever you read in there, either good or bad, you tell me."

"Of course." I said, half frowning. That's what we should do, right? Why am I having a special lesson about this?

He cupped my cheeks and placed his forehead in mine.

"No secrets from now on." he whispered. For a moment, I was crept with my conscience and guilt rushed to my veins with those simple words.

Honesty. That's what he want between us and I deprived him of that the moment we met.

But now, I know I won't. I marked his words in my head.

I can only manage a nod, my words eaten by his scent. He smiled and kissed my forehead before grabbing my hand and pulling me to where his office is.

I watched his wide, sexy back and smiled to myself.

I can't ask for more.

***

Entry #7

Today is not like the other. I found out that our new Luna had peculiarity in her wolf and I killed the man at risk for her. Poisoned him.

Z confessed to me what she's been keeping from my Alpha and it's strange that I want to uphold her secret. We talked for hours while Alpha Z was out for work and I need to list down things that a stealer could do per how she said:

•She can bare a pup of any wolf. Aside from her mate.

•She can heal rapidly like an Alpha's.

•Z can't explain how her libido always calls for her mate everytime they're together and she believed its because of her abnormality.

•She does not know how to steal a mate though and I believed. Again, strangely. But I do.

•Her peculiarity can't be smelt but once she met the eyes of a mateless wolf, she's exposed.

•She said Alpha Z is the only one who can smell the link through her. That's how she recognize their bond as true and fated.

Right now, I'm helping her find answers about herself. She knew less and I want to help her gain more. But how can I do that? I'm old and rusty. I know none other stealer than Z.

Till again.

Josephine

I stared at the old letter. Some of what she shared is within the range of my knowledge aside from healing fast. Can I heal fast like an Alpha's? I haven't tried that yet.

"You can read this next." I handed Aiden the paper when I saw him land another to the table, finishing it. The paper contains information about stealer and I'm making him read tit because I guarantee it's true since some of it is what I found out from experience.

He grabbed and read the paper, frowning at the process.

"You can heal quick?" he asked and I shrugged.

"Haven't tried it?"

"The last time I was hurt was during the mapping. But a magical red cloth was wrapped around the wound since the knife used contained silver."

He nodded and gaze at the paper again. Oh, I thought he finished it.

"Can't be smelt?" he asked again.

I nodded but Seth is kind enough to butt in and answer in my place.

"That's true. When Ash first met Titus, he had his head bowed down and started acting weird only when he saw her."

Aiden nodded slowly but his jaw clenched. He's somehow...irritated. But I don't know if I see it right or I'm overthinking.

"This is helpful. Lets can read more." he smiled after he said the words and frowned from the shade that turned his eyes into.

He looked playful and almost smirking.

He does look cute, I won't deny that. But still I wonder why. My eyes shifted on his front -all of a sudden- and I can't stop praising how huge his bulk is.

The feeling of it inside-

Come on, Ash!

I waived the thought before I could surge an aroused scent in his office while Seth is with us.

Again, from experience, I can tell the journals of Josephine include facts.

Will I let it surge when we're alone then?

Ugh!

'Are you feeling horny right now?'

My eyes widened and I flushed when Aiden asked that question inside my head. His voice is teasing but seductive. My jaw dropped and I squinted my eyes. Can he read minds? I really can't tell.

'I'm with you. Is your libido raging right now?'

He smirked and his eyes are sparkling like he's so amused with how red and got my cheeks are burning!

How can he tease me in this situation though? Seth's here for fuck's sake.

Fuck.

Oh.

I like to do that now.

I formed my lips in a flat line and ignored his question, rolling my eyes on the process. That earned a low chuckle from Aiden.

Ugh. I can't lose my focus now. I might drown with his perfect laugh! It's music to me!

'We'll discuss journal number seven later. I believe we had to be alone for it.'

I flushed even more. I knew what he meant! Now I regret handing him the paper. I should've just read some important parts of it.

I looked down and cleared my throat as I opened another journal. Completely ignoring him and the jerk he is kept chuckling lowly.

I saw Seth leaving glances to us but continues reading.

After a few more minutes...

"Hey! I think we have something!" Seth exclaimed with wide eyes while looking at the paper he's holding.

I put down the paper I'm reading and gave half of my attention to him since the other half was already diverted to Aiden and his bulging pants.

I wonder if he's hard right now or it is just huge.

I cleared my throat again and shake the thought. What am I turning into? A pleasure sucker? Because I seem to be a dirty-minded bitch right now.

Ugh.

"Hear this, 'On the twelfth New Moon of the year, an unexpected happened to Z. She's not recognized as a stealer by the mateless wolf member of our pack. We held her coronation as Luna today and she survived the risk of being uncovered.' The letter goes on but the rest are irrelevant."

12th new moon? That sounds like I can be invisible to the grieving wolf, right? Or was it every new moon? That's disturbing but useful.

I looked at Aiden and his eyes were already on me. I can't pinpoint the emotion I saw in his face but I think I saw sadness and awe.

But why?

"12th new moon? Does that mean Ash can live like a normal wolf during new moon or just on the twelfth?"

I looked back to Seth when he utter the thoughts I also had in mind. I can't be grateful enough to him. He's too hands-on with my case despite finding his mate recently. Doesn't he feel the same 'sexual-calls' that I've been feeling? Or how about Ava? I'm gonna ask her about this.

"We need to find more. Something related to that information. Keep looking." Aiden said and Seth scrambled to the papers, settling his eyes on one again.

Sadly, we didn't find more information about the new moon.

"Here's something from journal #30: 'Though Z has mated with Alpha Z completely, another trial was made for her to face when her abnormality leaked. An Alpha from a pack on the West learned about her peculiarity, and she was taken. Alpha Z saved her but she said something that shocked us both. Even though she completed the mating process with her true mate, she said she felt she's almost taken. Deeply, taken.' I don't get that part though. I only shared it because it's intriguing." Seth grinned afterward, moving his eyes back to the chest to look for his next read.

I, on the other hand, has paled.

Eric once said that I need to find my mate so my wolf won't be tricked. Because I may be stolen, too. That I needed to complete the mating with Aiden so my wolf's loyalty will be his and I won't be snatched.

But upon what Seth said, Zynia was almost taken. Was it her control that weakens or it's still possible that I may be snatched by another wolf?

I looked at Aiden and his forehead is knotted while his jaw clenched. He looked disturbed, uneasy. And I know he understood that something is bothering me. Maybe he's waiting for me to tell it to him. But I can't find the right words.

I got intimidated with his eyes fast when he glanced at me.

The crease in his forehead disappeared when his eyes looked at me

I glanced down at the paper in my hand when Aiden walked closer. He sat on the armrest of the chair I'm sitting in and I felt his palm placed on my shoulder.

"What is it?" he said in a low, almost commanding voice. I knew he's annoyed.

I gulped and straighten my back when his grip tightened, not in a violent way. It sent an incredible longing on my part. On my pelvis.

"No secrets." he reminded me when I took a while to answer.

I nodded slowly and didn't try to look up to him.

"Is later okay?" I whispered. He can hear me, I'm sure.

I thought I'll hear some words from him next but I didn't. He just sat there and continue reading a piece of Josephine's journal. And his silence bothered me. Is he angry? I'll tell it later anyway.

However, our distance is enough to distract me from reading the paper in my hand. And that thumb that draws circles on my shoulder bone just added diversion.

Maybe he's not angry. Or maybe he is, because what he's doing is torturing my insides right now. I fucking want him.

The search goes on and we didn't find anything else than we already know. Yet, exploring a piece of that past was not a bad experience. At all.

It turns out that Josephine is a good friend and advisor of Zynia. A very good friend.

"Au's probably preparing dinner." Aiden said after we finished exploring the journals. It helped. A lot. Though further questions were also left for us after.

"I'll clean the mess." I offered and stood up to gather the old papers everywhere.

Seth stretched his body and let a yawn. "Can I go home for now, Aiden?" he asked. I'm sure he's missing Ava now. I'll remind myself with a talk about raging libido once I see Ava again.

Aiden nodded. "Come back tomorrow morning. You can bring your mate. I need to talk to her, too."

I looked at him with questioning eyes. About what?

"Aye! Just don't scare her. I already talked to her about this." Seth sighed and I'm more curious of what's going on.

Seth left and I finished putting the letters inside the chest. Turning to Aiden with the small box in my hands.

"What was that?" I asked, placing the aged chest on his office desk. Aiden walked to me and placed his hand on my waist, pulling me closer.

"She knew about you. I'll personally explain the consequences of leaking it to others." he then leaned and kissed my shoulder. I immediately shiver.

Oh hot damn. This heat again!

"Uh, " I cleared my throat. Suddenly, my mouth had dried and I exactly know why. "Like killing her?"

He looked at me and nodded, biting his lips. I had the urge to bite those red perfect lips for him.

Ugh. Ashira, get yourself together.

"Dont scare her, please."

He smirked and pulled me closer. My chest is against his and I can feel that rock hard bulge on his pants again.

Now I'm sure he's aroused. It's poking on my belly!

"I won't. Though I can't promise she won't be scared." he smiled and the tips of our nose touched when he pulled me more. His hands are on my waist and his gripping on my skin in a sensual way that I might orgasm any moment.

Aiden's right though, he have this natural aura around him that intimidates people. Even me, sometimes.

"So when will you tell me about what's bothering you earlier?" he whispered, alluring me. Oh God. If he asked me right now to kiss him, I'll happily obey!

I cleared my throat, distracted with his closeness, with his hard manhood, with his scent.

"I'm waiting."

"I heard it with my Dad before. He said, " I don't know if I'll continue the words.

Should I? I think Aiden will be furious. I don't think I can-

Oh stop! No secrets, remember? Stop hesitating now! The least I could do is, to be honest after all the secrets I kept from him.

"He said?"

"A stealer can be stolen."

He pushed his head away from mine to catch my gaze. His forehead is frowning, and I can see confusion in his golden-brown eyes.

And the way his jaw clenched told me I have a lot of explanation to do.

_________

Guys! Typhoon hit our city. We have no power for a day and a half so I apologize if this is not enough for an update. I promised to make it up to you guys. On the next one.

;)