Chapter 34

Ashira's POV

"You're crazy, Luce." I shook my head in disbelief. What has gotten into her? Escaping a mate, and an Alpha at that is simply not possible.

"I'll be more crazy being with Jacob, Ashi! Please!"

I never saw Lucy like this... broken. Or lost. I can hardly tell. Her eyes has puffed just from the bits of tears and I can say she's been crying a lot to have such sensitive eyes.

I'm not sure if I must help her but a part of me pity her. I don't want to see her like this. Never.

"How do you plan this exactly? I'm not agreeing with your idea but I'm curious how you'll pull this off." I said, calmly. Im trying to digest the situation. Avoiding to decide hastily or this could be worse. But it can be better, too. Oh, god. This will sure explode my head.

"Youre not agreeing yet."her voice is full of hope. "You won't do much, Ash. All I ask is someone to cover for me. Even Harley won't back me up." she whined and kicked her feet in the air. She looks so devastated, frustrated.

"Harley?" I asked, trying to keep up with the conversation.

"His Gamma!"

"Oh. No wonder he don't support the idea, Luce. It's crazy. I won't favor it either." I commented. It's true. I'm not trying to favor her. Her mate is an Alpha and I won't stand a chance with him. If he is Aiden, then I might but Jacob looks tough and hard to kid around.

She rolled his eyes to me then looked at me again with those hopeful pair.of eyes. Sigh. Lucy is being Lucy again. No one can break her thoughts, let alone her decisions.

"Come on, Ash. This is the first time I've ever set my foot outside his land, hell, outside his house! I can't stay with him! I needed space between us."

"That space will also torture you, Luce. One way or the other, you'll suffer. And he will find you."

"I know that but at least he'll suffer, too! Please Ashi! I have no one in his pack and now I have you here. You're my only hope."

Her face is red. I can tell that her frustration is up on the ledge, yet I can't decide. But I want to. But again, what may happen to her?

'I can hear you, guys.'

I jumped when I heard Seth inside my had. Shit. I forgot that we're on a normal room. I didn't expect that we'll be talking about something private like this. What if someone else is out there?

'Is anybody outside right now?'

'Nah. Everyone went to the pack building. Harley even. Both of you are under my custody until lunch.'

'That's good. Please keep this between us.' And I hope Seth still trust me enough to keep a secret again with me.

"Ash! Come on! I hope you're thinking of backing me up with that silence." Luce interjected when I'm on a long pause. Heck. This is sheer pressure.

'Always. But please don't consider helping your friend.'

I sighed when Seth answer me. Though his opinion is, once again, opposite of what I am thinking. Or what my mind is entertaining.

I looked at Luce. She's not looking at me and stares at the blank canvass on the wall. She's waiting for me to speak, letting me decide. She is trying to pursue me but she still let me choose.

"I'm thinking but I'm not sure with your idea. You might face consequences for this, and you'll get me in trouble."

"Who cares? You love trouble. Please, Ashiii!"

Ugh. I did lived like nothing matters but ever since I'm placed in my stealer-situation, it's hard to say that I'm still the same rule-breaking, rebellious and all fun girl.

After what I encountered, all those problems and pain, I can't love the trouble back because trouble seems too attached to me now.

"Plus, I assure you that this plan is smooth and you won't be in danger. Promise." she added.

I frowned. What the hell is her plan?

"What is it, exactly?"

"Okay. So I need to be with you. Alone. And-" her eyes are all excited to share what she got in mind.

"I can't be alone. Aiden won't let me be alone. Seth always comes with me."

"Who's Seth?" she fired back.

"Aiden's third-in-command."

She rolled her eyes.

"Ugh. Gamma's are untrustworthy, Ash. We need to be alone. Just the two of us." Okay. I think Harley did ruin every Gamma ideals for her.

"Seth's nothing like your Harley. Believe me. And like I said, it's impossible to be alone."

She paused for a second. I'm sure she's trying to think of some ways to redirect the plan and shove Seth away from it but when she frowned, I knew she got none.

Well, give it to Luce. She loves her ideas. She loves planning. But she never sets an after plan. No plan B, C or so forth.

"Well, do you think we can talk with this Seth?" she asks and I smiled at her and nodded.

'No way I'll agree.' Seth hardly differed.

I sighed. I'll deal with him later because I can't talk to the both of them, whining, and at the same time.

"We can talk to him. But he have his own head, Luce, he'll decide for himself." I said.

"Ugh! This is frustrating! This is not how I imagined myself once I found him!"

Her face was sad, angered but the tears that flow in her eyes told me how blue she is.

Never have I ever saw Luce like this. Between the two of us, I'm the lifeless one and she's all lively and joy. I'm the mind and she's the body. We're a perfect match of friends. There's no loophole when we're together. She's strong physically and I'm weak. She's deciding things hastily while I love to plan and organize things.

Though I kinda become like her around Aiden. Just letting the fate flow after unplanned decisions.

Maybe this is what the mate bond does. It messes up our system.

"Okay, let's hear the plan." I said. Seriously willing to consider her plan.

She sniffs and sat straight. She cleared her throat and waved her hands like fan over her face.

"Well, if there's no way we can be alone, I guess we could try talking with your protector. Though he needed to agree."

"And? What if Seth agree? What's your plan?"

"If he agrees, then we need to lie with our mates. Something like we'll bond tonight or girl's night out, that sorts."

"That sounds easy. Where's the tough part?"

She smirks. "Thats the thing. There will be no tough parts. Once they let us go, you'll escort me at the border, and poof! I'll be far away before that jerk found out."

I snorted. She's always so easy-going. It's not like she can get out of what hell she was trying to escape and feel no difficulties. That's too ideal and unreal.

"That's crazy. They will ask us where you are." I pointed out one flaw.

"And who said you knew?" she immediately responds. For a while, I'm convinced that she thought well about this. "That's where I need you as a cover. You'll say I had taken off when you're at the bathroom or you thought I was at the bathroom. Then I'm gone." she even clapped her hands in the air, producing a popping sound. "He won't blame you at all. Jacob knew from the first place that I want out with our bond. He knew I'm itching to run away from the first place. Why do you think he can't let me off his eyes? It's not because he love me, silly. It's because I might run away and our bond will burden his duties."

I felt like a needle just poked on my chest. Bleeding me inside. I feel pained from her words. It's as if she mirrored every ache that she suffers.

How could Jacob do that? Aiden plays push and pull with me but at the end of the day, he always make me feel flustered and even with no clear words, I knew how he feels. I sense it. And I believed it.

"You can just reject him, Luce." I suggested instead. "What if harm comes your way once you wander?"

Please, let her see through the light!

"I'm doing this because my wolf is being stubborn and her knees always turn Jell-O whenever that jerk touches me! And you need not to worry about my safety, Ash, I can protect myself. You know that."

I sighed. I'm left with words to console her or make her think another way but I'll still try since I'll help her still in the end.

"I know you're strong, a great fighter, but it's dangerous out there, Luce. Where will you go? If you went back to Regal, he'll find you still."

"I'm not going back there. Mom will freak out and might send me back herself. I have somewhere to go and I can't leak that information to you or else they'll grip you tight for it. It's better that you don't know where I'll go next."

I decided not to speak. I'm out of reasonings anyway. And I'll help her either way. But I guess it's worth trying.

"Well? Are you in?" she asked, impatient of my silence.

I sighed. Is there really no way to straighten her head?

"I'm not sure." I bit my lip and study her face. He expression turned a shade darker on insisting on it. And I know she won't be moved by my words.

"Come on. You know how I am. This is not what I dreamt of, Ash. If I don't hate Jacob, I won't do this."

I knew that about her. I perfectly knew that. She's been looking forward to finding her mate and I can't imagine how her world fell when she faced this nightmare.

'Ash. It's a big 'NO' for me.'

I sighed hard from Seth's opposition. Of course he would. But Luce is my friend. I'm an outsider from my previous pack and she stayed beside me throughout.

'She needs me. I need to help her, Seth.'

'No, no, Aiden will kill me.'

'Not him, Jacob will. But we won't be blamed here. Plus, I think that guy is a jerk.'

I got no response from Seth's end so I figured that he's trying to think about this as hard as I did.

"Fine. I'll talk to Seth." I said to Luce and her eyes grew wide and I saw it beamed just like the first time she saw me today.

She's pure joy. Grateful and happy.

"You in? Oh my God!" she squeezed and I laughed from her weird noise.

"I am. But! Make sure you won't be in danger. Whatever is with you and Jacob, I'm trying to save you from it. So if this will bring you harm-"

"I won't! I won't! I promise!" she jumped herself on me and tightly hugged me, making me yelp a bit. "Oh, Ash! Thank you! I will never forget this! You're such a lifesaver!"

"That's exaggerated." I laughed. Oh god, what have I gotten myself into?

"I am. I know. Always." She tighten her hug and let go of me so I would be welcome by her glinting eyes. Heck, how can I take back my words if she's this happy?

"Come! Led me to your kitchen. We'll cook those beasts some food."

***

Having a friend is like having a matchsticks. You need it, you can use it, but it can also set you on fire. Fire of different ways.

And I believe, I'm in the fire of unsettlement right now. I kept shifting on my seat. Its getting late and the guys will be here anytime soon. Then we will begin our short stage play and that makes me fucking nervous.

We're done cooking, well, Luce mostly did the job but I helped her out so yeah, we're done cooking and settled ourselves as we talked to Seth.

"That won't happen. Nah-uh." he shook his finger and looked at us like we have three heads in each shoulder.

"Come on, Gamma. Follow your Luna's command." Luce teased with a grin and I sighed from how she keeps mocking him.

"The name is Seth, Luna. And your Gamma won't back you up so what made you think I will?" Seth fired back. He is definitely irritated with Lucy and that's given, she had that power to annoy anybody.

Luce turned to me. Her grin is still there and her eyes shines so bright, not feared of Seth disagreeing to us.

"He got a temper. You sure he's not the Alpha?" she laughs and I almost did, too. I just shook my head and Seth snorted that earned my glance on his way.

"Well, talk to him. I need to peak on the dessert." Luce said, excusing herself as she run back to the kitchen.

"Ash, tell me you're not considering her plan." Seth said, hissing.

I pursed my lips and looked away. Afraid to meet his gaze because I know I'll disappoint him again this time.. "Well..."

"Damn it." he murmured under his breath. "Aiden won't agree. He won't let you out of this house." I frowned from his words. Then he whispered: "At least not yet. Come on. Does your friend even know that you're-"

I moved fast and my hands slapped on his mouth before he could finish his words. My eyes are wide and I can't believe he almost slipped that part.

"Sshh!"

He jerked my hand away from his face and looked at me with once again, disbelief.

"You could be in trouble! What are you even thinking? Where did you two plan to go, huh?" he whispers.

"I... The Tavern." Okay. Suddenly, my answer made no sense. Why did I agree to go to a pub? And why am I only realizing it now?

"No! That's a foul idea. It's always crowded with wolf and who knows! Someone might had lost their mate and drowning himself in alcohol over there!"

Shit. I can't believe I forgot myself through this process of helping Luce on saving herself from her mate. How could I be careless to forgot about my own dilemma?

Seth sighed when he saw my flustered look. He shook his head and leaned back.

"If you want me in, take a different route. I don't care what harm your friend wants for herself, Ash. My sole role is to protect you and keep you away from harm." he said.

I swallowed the lump built on my throat and I knew Seth is right. I completely agrees with him.

"She won't be in danger, puppy!" Lucy shouted from the kitchen.

I hissed. I hope she didn't focus her hearing to us throughout the conversation.

"Eavesdropping is bad, Luna!" Seth shouted back, still irritated.

Roar of laughter from Lucy came from the kitchen. Seth looks at me and shook his head then sighed.

Oh, God. Can you please help me glue my friend's mouth for now?

"I'm backing you up. Not her. But if you're really into this, your safety comes first." he said with finality.

I nodded. Slowly. Somehow the thought that he'll be there, to support my decision again, is a huge relief. Because I'm doing this for Luce and it's either Seth is in or he'll be out.

"I'll change the place. This will happen, Seth, I wanted to help her. She wants out, she wants space. And I believe that Jacob deserves to lose her."

"He will find her. I can smell him on her. He claimed her."

"He will. But not too fast. They haven't completed the mating, I'm sure you knew."

He looked at me intently, serious. I thought for a while that he'll yell at me and tell me I'm crazy just like how Cruz does but he didn't... He just sighed and shook his head again.

"Fine. She needs her space then she will have a bit of it."

I jumped. "Thank you! I owe you one!" I smiled from ear to ear and he shook his head again but with a small smile this time.

"I'm counting, and it's not one."

I grinned. Oh well, I guess I would be filed of debt. Luce came back with her apple pie and I knew she heard Seth's decision.

"When do you think the guys will be back?" she asked.

I looked at my wristwatch. "Half an hour, I guess." then I turned to Seth. "What's gonna happen to that treaty anyway?"

"Nothing much. They'll do a blood oath, then sign the agreement."

"And that's it?"

I'm not familiar with how peace treaty works. I knew most of pack jobs and duties but this is not in Eric's book. I guess, it's for the Alpha's eyes only.

"Yeah. The one that break the oath will face death. Instant death." he added. Actually, he added a confusion inside me.

"And how will that happen? War?"

"The blood will mix on their veins like their own, but once they betray the other, it will act as a poison."

Oh. That's... Magical. I guess..

"What if Aiden found out about the plan and he won't tell Jacob about it? What will happen to their oath?" I'm curious and suddenly threatened? I don't want Aiden to be in danger. An instant death is not a joke and I hate even thinking about it.

"You'll tell him?!" Luce blurted out with wide eyes.

"Of course not! I'm saying 'what if'!" I said and rolled my eyes then looked at Seth, waiting for his words.

"Hush, Ladies. The blood oath's curse only works on the treaty that both party agreed on. It's only to prevent war." Seth explained.

I sighed in relief. Whoa. I'm glad it's just like that otherwise I'll throw Lucr away and be out of her insane plan.

"They're on their way back." Luce announced and she shifted on her sit.

I tried using my senses and I don't sense anyone coming. I noticed it somehow, that my senses are blurred, or barred. I'm not sure but it's like that.

"How'd you know?" I asked, confused. I really can't sense anything.

She scoffed. "Jacob." she answered pointing on her head.

Oh. They're not near yet. I thought they could sense them and I can't.

"If I'm on your shoes, I'll think twice before helping your friend." Seth said to me and that made me frown. What does that mean?

"Why would you say that?!" Luce yelled.

I felt my ears went deaf from how loud Luce screamed. Damn it. It almost felt like tinnitus.

"If Jacob is as bad as you claim, why would he update his whereabouts to you?" he fired back.

I turned to Luce and she looked she'll explode any fucking second.

"He said 'I'm on my way back, make sure you're not on anyone's lap this time, bitch.' And if that include on your vocabulary on update, puppy, then it's not on mine."

Seth was silenced. Taken aback with the information. Me, on the other hand, frowned.

"Why would he say that, Luce?" I said in a low voice. But it's full of disbelief. Full of disgust and pain.

"He's a jerk, that's why. I keep asking myself the same question."

Although she answered like it's normal, I knew its not.

"I won't be shocked. You cheated on him-" Luce cut Seth mid-sentence.

"I almost! And don't you dare go there, pup! You have no idea who cheated who between us."

There's a deadly tension surrounding us right now and my eyes grew tired from changing glances to Seth and Luce.

I cleared my throat. Stand between their lightning stare.

"Enough of this. Both of you can't be seen with those killer gazes or else Aiden will figure that we're up to something."

Both sighed but none of them spoke. Damn. This two can't work as a team.

I sensed rumbling of car engines coming closer. And I felt nervous all of a sudden.

I breathe in and out as I tried composing myself and I prayed I will before they reached here.

"They're here." Seth said and hissed. Trying to calm himself.

"Act cool." I said.

***

We're around the table. Aiden's arms snaked around my waist. As usual.

We just finished eating and everyone scrambled on their own, doing their thing.

"You're getting better with your cooking." Aiden whispered to my ears. I knew he's teasing me but his hot breath sent shivers down my spine. I'm amused on how fast my body can betray me. I'm so responsive to his every move, his scent, his voice.

He squeezed on my thigh and I almost lost it. Damn! I cleared my throat and try to stop my mouth from drying.

"Its mostly Lucy's work and now I'm sure you're mocking me." I whispered back.

He chuckled a little and I felt the vibrates on his chest flow on me. Damn. He's making fun of me and yet I'm engrossed by it.

"Then I guess I'll taste some from you on my bed." he continued flirting with me in a soft whisper and it's killing me!

I don't know how to respond. All I can think right now is how fast my core reacts and my fluids soaked my panties down there.

Ugh.

Some of Shadow pack's men stands outside, puffing cigars with Nick and some sat on the living room. The table was left of me and Aiden with Luce and Jacob on the other end.

Watching Jacob and Luce exchanging deadly glares helped me be distracted from my raging libido. Luce kept eating her dessert, and Jacob was sipping on his drink but their eyes are glued to each other.

I wondered if they are mind linking.

"Can I share a room with Ash tonight, Aiden?" Lucy turned to us as she asked Aiden comfortably like she and him are close. Oh, well. She's always carefree like this.

I heard a low growl from Aiden and I'm sure it's not from anger but sounds more like a whine.

What's he whining for? I replayed Lucy's question and there's nothing to be irritated in. Aside from-

Oh, not sleeping with me tonight?

Damn. He's a handful.

I distracted myself and figured that Luce has started the play. I needed to be in the game.

I looked at Aiden with hopeful eyes, hoping he will agree and his gaze softens quickly. I knew I have my own effect on him and it guilt me that I'm using it now in this situation.

He turned to Luce and arched his lips. "Of course." he simply answered.

Luce gleamed.

"Yey!"

"I'm not allowing it." Jacob interferes and Luce slumped her shoulders as she sharply turned to him. "You'll sleep with me tonight." he growled. There's finality in his voice but my friend is not buying it.

I frown and turned to Aiden who just shrugged but his eyes are smiling, entertained with Jacob and Luce's quarrel. Also, delighted that I'll be with him tonight. On his bed. I quiver more.

"I don't want to! Why are you always depriving me of my happiness!?"

I saw Jacob's lips formed a flat line. He's surely getting on his edge so I decided to butt in.

"We need not to sleepover but will you let us bond some more?" I asked in a most humble way I can. But...

Jacob, aloofly, turned to me. His face still stern and I can sense his annoyance. Which I'm not sure to whom it was directed. I hope not to me though.

I absentmindedly leaned on Aiden's chest, fear crept to me but not too much like I how I felt with Aiden.

Jacob spoke after a long while studying me and my friend. "Just inside the ancestral and it's okay. Otherwise-"

"Come on, Jacob! Don't tell me you want to join our girl talk!"

"No one leaves the house." Aiden firmly said and I was shocked from how he sounds. When I looked at him, his golden-brown eyes was dark as he was looking at Lucy.

Uh-oh.

He don't want me out. This is where Seth is right. So damn right.

I held his arms and squeezed it a little, though it's hard to do because of his thick biceps with my tiny hands. I'm trying to shift his attention to me. I needed to play with Luce in this or else saving her would be a failure.

"How about you lend us your spot?" I asked him with the sweetest voice I can come up with.

I thought he won't buy it. But then, he closed his eyes and inhaled before turning his gaze to me. This time, his eyes are wary and I can tell from how it looks that he's worried about me, and there's a bit of... fear?

"What spot?" Luce asked.

She's frowning at me and I'm sure she's confused of the change of place. We talked to be at a tavern or some sort where we could do a play where we can lost her. But considering my situation, that won't happen.

Seth is right. It's too dangerous to be exposed. For now. It will wound the pack and some might remember the tragedy. They may be scared. They may hate me. And I know it's easy for them to judge hastily considering what they've gone through.

"If that's where you'll go then it won't be a problem." Aiden said to me, ignoring Lucy's question.

At first he looks at me seriously but then he smiled before turning his eyes to Luce.

I decided to answer my friend's question.

"It's a safe place. No one dare to step on his spot. I'm sure Jacob won't... disagree. Considering that, uh, no one would be there but us."

I saw Jacob's jaw tightened and I prayed that he finally agrees with the idea or else I would lose control over keeping a straight face while lying in front of two Alpha's.

This is nerve-wrecking.

At last, Jacob sighed. "Fine. But bring Harley with you." he said to Luce who quickly rolled her eyes on him.

"Your Gamma is no fun! I suggests for him to stay." she sounds so childish that my jaw tightened.

"He don't need fun to guard you." he said in a low but hard voice. I saw Luce kicked under the table, frustrated of him.

"Well, I need fun! And if you insist on letting him join us, then I want the sleepover!"

'Your friend acts like a brat.' Aiden said inside my head and I felt his lips on my shoulders. Instantly, I was up in the air. I'm so high on him!

I turned to Aiden when he stops planting a soft wet kiss on my skin and he smiled at me.

'She's not like that at all. Believe me.'

He smiled and shook his head, amused and far from believing my words. I chuckled. Damn, it's like we have our own worlds. I turned to the couple who's exchanging deadly stares again and pursed my lips.

I felt entertained with their argument. I find it cute. Jacob is intimidating but seeing that Luce is not affected by it is so fun to watch.

Though I hoped Luce felt the same and too bad she felt the opposite.

"Then have that sleepover." Jacob said at last. The side of his lips arched as he crossed his arms on his chest, challenging Lucy who's near on exploding any time soon.

I thought she will throw a bomb at her mate but her face turned red and instead of yelling at his face, her eyes softens, almost crying but with anger.

"I hate you." she said in a low voice as she gritted her teeth with somewhat disgust. She stood up and walked away, heading outside the house.

I watched Jacob's expression as he watched Lucy from walking away. I'm not sure but I saw a glint of pain in his eyes though he kept a straight and stern face.

This one is a handful too. A hard way handful.

Jacob turned to me and sighed as he shook his head before looking past my shoulder, to Aiden.

"Will Seth be with her?" he asked Aiden and nodded on my way.

"Yeah." Aiden simply responded.

He moved his gaze away and nodded slowly. "Tell her I'll be here when she comes back." he said in a low voice and his eyes snapped a look at me.

I nodded and smiled. "I will."

***

"Oh, God! I can't believe he took the bait!"

Luce didn't stop laughing and smiling like crazy as we walk to Aiden's spot. Or should I say, our spot.

Going back to this place sends a lot of memories on my head. This is where we first make up without hurting each other with words or actions. This is where I felt how deep I'm drowning into him.

"He seemed serious about you though." I said carefully. Lucy snorted and looked away like she hated what I just said.

"Don't be deceived. He can play well and smooth with this game. I never win with him but now." then she looked at me, her eyes are sad but she managed to beam and grin.

"God! I missed you!" then she jumped on me and hugged me right like her eyes are not sad seconds before.