Chapter 39

Ashira's POV

I'm staring far to nothing with a knotted forehead. My attention for Seth who's doing some 'playful' back and forth steps beside me was lesser than my thoughts.

"I don't get it, why can't I go with them?" I seemed like a child throwing tantrums but Seth didn't respond. "Hey!" He still ignored me. "Can you please halt your steps?" He didn't. "Seth!"

I grabbed on his elbow to stop him from walking. I'm sure my nose was flaring right now because I'm starting to be fuming mad from my thoughts and Seth's unconcerned behavior.

Seth was not bothered at all!

The last thing I'd like to feel was this. To be frustrated and confuse. A lot of questions kept lingering inside my head and I'm dying that I'm a mile away from gaining a solution. Or more like, what I wanted to have.

"Ash, both of us can't go, okay?" He said, stomping his feet as he talks. "I was born to watch over you. To be at your side, you know that."

I huffed.

"And you're okay with that? Come on! We can't just sit here and wait for them to come back. I'll be dead curious!" My voice slightly squealed from preventing me to scream aloud. Though I knew Aiden won't hear me. He was with Nick at his office right now.

Seth sighed and slumped on a chair nearby. Leaning in so he could whisper his words.

"Why are you even bugging me? Just go straight to Aiden and tell him you want to be dragged along." Seth irritably scoffed.

"You think I haven't tried that?"

I did! All I got was a hard 'No' and an Alpha's growl! Ugh. It's so hard to break Aiden's decision that I wished to rather please him in bed because I bet that would be easier!

Damn it! Aiden and Nick will be meeting Zeke later tonight. Since Zeke didn't tell what time he'd like to meet, Nick suggested being at the same place at the same time they first met him. It an almost midnight time.

And I can't fucking go.

There are only a few hours ls left yet I still haven't convinced Aiden to let me leave with them. And I need to be there! I wanted to know more, to ask about Zeke's mother, to meet her!

"What made you think he'll favor me if he hadn't to you, Ash? Just drop it."

I feel the back of my ears burned because I'm so frustrated right now and Seth was not helping at all! I slumped on a couch next to Seth and crossed my arms above my heaving chest.

No, I cannot drop this.

"I'll sneak around, then. I wanted to ask Zeke a lot of things and I want to be there!"

Seth tilt his head with a hiss and massaged the side of his temple. "Ash," he said, sounding annoyed. "Why are you so after the trouble?"

"I'm not, Gamma! If only Aiden tag me along then I won't think of-"

'Yeah, mate. Why are you so after the trouble?'

Said a baritone voice inside my link portal.

It's Aiden!

I jumped from my seat and gasped when I heard Aiden's voice inside my head. The way he said 'mate' sounds like the tip of his tongue touches the bitterness he's probably feeling.

Oh, shit. Did he finished talking with Nick at his office?!

"What is it?" Seth curiously eyed me as my eyes stayed wide from the shock.

Fucking hell.

I grabbed a handful of my hair and then close my eyes. "Aiden," I whispered and pointed at my head. "He heard us."

Seth formed his lips a perfect 'O' which matched his eyes as well.

"Now you're far from getting any." He said then laughed which earned a flying throw pillow from me. How can this guy laugh at my situation? And fuck him for being right.

Now, the chances and options I have are gone.

I heard heavy thumps on the floor and my eyes screwed a hard shut.

Oh, no, no, no!

"Ooohh! He's coming. I'm out of here." In just a blink, Seth's presence was faint as he was gone.

I bet Seth used his inhumane speed because he was gone before I could speak a word. Coward!

It didn't take a while when Aiden's huge figure popped out on the entrance of the living room where I was nervously seated.

He looked around, avoiding my eyes, as he fixes something on his wristwatch. Again, he's avoiding my eyes. Intentionally.

One thing I learned about him, if he won't look me in the eyes after being away, even for a few minutes, he's mad!

My heart keeps beating loud and fast. I took a couple of gulps when his steps started to direct right at me.

Oh, God. I never thought any man could look good while adjusting a fucking wrist watch as he does right now!

What a fucking demi-god.

He stopped walking right when he's a meter away from me. My heart keeps beating loud, even louder. Aiden scratched his nape before meeting my eyes as he sighs, licking his lower lip after. Shit falling from heaven, that made my heart flutter even more.

The way his eyes seems emotionless and mad made my knees weak.

Am I in trouble? Because right now, it feels like it!

"You'll sneak on me?" he asked in a very stern and low voice. My system started working on an alibi but I can't think of any. The damn heartbeat doesn't help, too! His tone screams of irritation and disbelief.

Probably on what I said!

I gulped.

"I-"

"You'll defy me?" he cut my words and started walking towards me. My body moved on its own and leaned on the seat, my eyes are not breaking their contact from his and the only thing that bugs me right now are the gazes that he's giving me.

Aiden leaned and leveled his face with mine, making my breath hitched. "I don't like to be defied, Ashira." He said in a low whisper which almost sounded like a threat...

Oh, no. This is one of the moments that I instantly regret speaking my mind loud.

I felt his breath on my face and it smelled like mint and shaving cream... Heck, he smells so good.

Before I give in to the temptation which he delivers -well, unintentionally- I narrowed my eyes at him and straighten my back.

Now our faces are so close that our lips might meet if one of us moves.

Holy mother of God.

"I only obey with a reason, Aiden. Why can't I come? You know how much this means to me." I want to clap and praise myself because my voice didn't stutter. Though I'm not sure if it sounds stern because it feels like I'm pleading.

He looked at my eyes for a while. Studying me. I looked back the same to him and after a short while, he moved back, standing straight in front of me again.

I started breathing again, not knowing that I halt my breath.

"You'll stay here so I'm sure that you are safe. You can't argue about that, Ashira."

His voice was not authoritarian or mad. If so, I heard it as soft and sincere. Calming.

Suddenly, Seth's words popped into my head.

'Aiden looked like he's being eaten by darkness...' his voice echoed in my head and the images it brought are unpleasant, dreadful.

My lips formed a flat line. If this is what he meant, if my safety is what will keep him an inch away from that darkness, then he's probably right.

I can't argue about it.

I kept silent. I don't know what to say and yes, I still loved to tag along but I can't risk another turmoil that I may face-if any.

"If this rogue is telling the truth, I'll need him to do a blood pact. If he betrays me, then he'll taste his poison first. Nick and I agreed that if the meeting goes well, I'll help Zynia with whatever I can. She will be cured here in my land and by then, you'll have the chance to talk to her. Ask her everything."

My eyes glittered from happiness and hope! I'm looking up to him and he gave me a side smile, joyed by my euphoric reaction.

I was touched by his words. Though he indirectly said it, I get that he cares for me.

I guess what happened the other night made a huge bump to him.

"I-I'll stay here, then." I stutter. I closed my eyes and sigh. "Please be safe..." I said in a whisper and looked up to his face again.

His lips formed a small smile. "Always." He said and leaned down to press his lips on my head. My eyes closed from the gesture. "You should spend some time with your friend. They are planning to head back to their land tomorrow."

Aiden sat beside me as he said those words. I'm more focused on how he placed his hand on my back and his body heat next to mine.

I exhaled.

I haven't seen Lucianna yesterday and today, all day. Apart from not being allowed to work myself up -even when I'm totally fine-, Aiden also told me that my friend was under some sort of punishment from her mate.

"Is she okay?" I asked, referring to Lucy. I turned my head to look at him because he's leaning on the back slat.

"She is. Don't worry." His eyes look through my soul. And it's so weird that I always experience it from him. "Jacob won't hurt her. She's his mate."

I doubt it. If Jacob hasn't gave her any pain then Lucy shouldn't act that way. Even escaping fate like what she tried to.

"Physically not, maybe." I debated.

Aiden chuckled softly. "The brat was still underdeveloped when his mate were involved. He'll come to learn the right way."

I'd like to negate but I just shrugged and said nothing. I was about to tease him with how he acted with me but his last phrase was right. Even Aiden started to learn having me.

Maybe it's really hard for powerful wolves to have someone as their mate. It's like having another half of something you never thought you'll ever need. And the process of accepting it was just hard for them and their great prides.

"Aiden?"

I looked at the door where Nick popped out. He tilts his head as a signal that it's time for them to run. When his eyes met mine, he smiled sheepishly before nodding at Aiden then left just as fast as his entrance.

"I need to go," Aiden said, straightening up. "Don't put yourself in trouble." Then he leaned in, closing the gap between our lips, and kiss me.

It's a short, deep kiss but I already felt like I was drowned. Holy-! I really can't control this fucking heat.

He was gone before I could utter a word. Leaving me breathless and wanting. I sighed when the wind whooshes off, dragging my hair to my face.

It's so hard to be left behind by him. Even for just a while.

I started praying for a peaceful talk to happen tonight.

Nick's POV

It was dark, quiet, and chilling at the clearing where we first ran after the rude rogue. I was standing behind Aiden and the rogue which has a name-Zeke-was standing across us.

I kept telling Aiden that we should've brought some wolf fighters but he denied my suggestion.

I don't know if he's bragging about his strength or he's trusting the rogue. Either way, I'm option-less but to risk my life again.

Part of the job, it is. But still felt like hell.

"He got no companion with him," I whispered. Whew! That's a relief!

"I'm true to my words, Beta." The rogue said in a loud voice. I looked at him and he just smirked.

Okay. This guy definitely looked a lot like Aiden. About seventy-percent for sure.

I just scoffed and Zeke laughed.

Hm, maybe sixty-percent now because he seems insane and far from stern and strict attitude.

The rogue started walking closer to us.

"Stay where-"

I didn't get the chance to finish the sentence because Aiden put his hand up, stopping me from speaking.

He's letting the rogue do his ways.

I watched him walk closer to the rogue as well. I exhaled a huge breath and followed the leader. A stubborn Alpha. Damn it.

We came to a stop for just a meter away. Aiden kept looking at the rogue while the other kept smiling at him, glancing my way and back to Aiden again. His smile is pretentious. It never reached his eyes.

"I believe your mate told you what I want."

The rogue's voice sounded rude and the way he smirked didn't prove any innocence with it.

"You harmed my mate?."

Zeke laughed hard that it echoed through the woods. I sighed. I won't be surprised if any trackers around come here to inspect.

"I didn't. I have no problem with her to harm her, Aiden. Or Alpha Aiden, was it?" He looked at me sarcastically. "Or maybe I should start calling you 'cousin'?"

I growled. The nerve of this rogue!

Aiden chuckled coolly, making me snap my eyes at him in question. What's funny?

"Don't get too comfortable now, rogue." Aiden said, half smiling.

Zeke laughed. "Okay. I can't afford to piss you off again, Aiden. I'll get straight with my business and that's asking for some of your blood."

Aiden tilted his head and winced.

"I didn't hear any plead."

I almost laugh. Oh now I get it, Aiden was not letting the rogue get under his skin. He's playing along. Though I'm not sure how far he can.

The rogue's jaw tightened and his eyes pierced through Aiden like he's going to attack. I prepared myself for a possible strike but nothing came.

Zeke's built relaxed as he bowed his head, looking down at the ground.

"Please lend me your blood. Mother needed it fast so she could recover from Jorhia's curse." He said in a low voice.

My face makes a 'whoa' look from how fast he pleaded. Maybe this thing is real, huh? Zynia is ill. And it's true.

"Hm," was Aiden's short response.

Zeke squinted his eyes at Aiden. His brows met as confusion hits his expression.

"Will you help or not? Because if it's a no, you need to tell me so I could slash your neck for some drops of your blood."

Aiden growled inwardly but it seems like he controlled it.

I'm not really sure on what Aiden was thinking but I can assume that he's considering the rogue more than enough.

"Brave." I can hear Aiden smirking from his voice. "But since you'll end up dead, a fight won't be necessary. I'm willing to help because you returned my mate safe to me" Aiden crosses his arms "but under one condition."

There was a slight silence. I can hear the rogue's heartbeat and it's not nervous about any of what was going on.

"What condition?"

"I need you to bring Zynia here on my land. Cure her here or however you want, but it happens here. It has to be at my territory."

Zeke's jaw dropped as he stares at Aiden. He was thinking, I can tell.

Aiden wanted Ashira to meet Zynia but he can't risk the exposure of Ash's abnormality. So it happens here, at his land.

"No. No. That's not possible. Mother is too weak to travel." He looked at me and back at Aiden but he got no reaction from us.

Zeke studied our face and I kept a steady one. I knee Aiden won't let this be negotiated. He never does when it involves Ashira.

"Everything's already planned, isn't it?" the rogue assumed.

No one answered him instantly. We let him think about it because that's the only way Aiden will help him and his mother.

There was a huge tension in the air that it almost made me suffocated. The two alpha blood kept staring at each other like a lion to it's prey.

"We are to arrange the transportation that is best suited to your mother's condition. As well as the facility and accommodation while she's staying at The Prime." I butted in when I felt like there are lightning and thunder between their exchanged gazes.

Zeke's eyes pierced to mine for a moment before he looked back to Aiden.

"How can I trust that Mother will be safe in your territory? Some of your people who witnessed what happened ages ago were still here. Alive. She might be harmed."

We foresaw this but he got no options to choose.

"A drop of my blood may give rise to a curse that may harm me. Still, I'll lend you some." Aiden answered with a low voice, proving a point. "This is not about trust, rogue. From the start, we knew that trust was preposterous between us."

I observed the rogue's reaction and I knew he's backing down. He's finally realizing that there is no way that he can push his own conditions.

"Fine." Zeke said at last, throwing a glance at me like he's not comfortable with how the talk was moving into. "Then here's my condition-"

What a rude guy.

"You're already lucky that our Alpha agrees with what you need, favors are too much to be included with that privilege." I said, feeling proud on how my voice sounded.

My eyes squinted when the rogue smirked. What is this guy smirking about?

"I got no pack but I'm not dumb, Beta." He said to me, smirking. Then he turned to Aiden as he washed the smirk off his face. "I know you want something from us. You need us, too."

"I need no one." Aiden said firmly through gritted teeth.

The rogue made a funny face and acted like thinking.

"Really? I thought the reason you want my mother in your premises was to know more about her abnormality..." the rogue even put his fingers on his chin, completing his act of dumbed sarcasm.

"Oh well." He threw his hands in the air. "Maybe I got it wrong that your mate was a stealer and you needed more insights about it." His smile widened but his eyes screams dead seriousness.

I can hear low growls coming from Aiden's chest and I took a step back in case he loses his cool and shift here.

The rogue kept spouting nonsense and Aiden kept shaking lightly.

"Ashira, was it? Such a pretty na-"

In one swift move, Aiden was strangling the rogue. Aiden's body was shaking and I'm sure he was on the edge of shifting. He's losing control.

Ohhhkay. That's the farthest of his control can go? Awesome! It upgraded!

"What. Do. You. Want." Aiden said, emphasizing each words that made my nape hairs shot up.

Oh. I didn't expect that. I never thought that Aiden will say that. Was he allowing the rogue to get under his pants?

Oh well, I got to trust him.

Zeke, the rogue, looked at Aiden's eyes as if he's not bothered with Aiden's hands around his neck. This guy is so rude, he's asking for death to come for him.

The two exchanged gazes for a while. Aiden sighed loudly that his exhale came out as a growl. He pushed Zeke back as he lets go of his neck, making the rogue cough a bit.

Oh wow. That's some control points for Aiden. If this happens before, Zeke must be dead by now. Already cold and rigid.

"What's your condition?" Aiden asked. The authority in his voice was still there and evidently piercing through his listener.

"Mother will stay here together with me, I needed to be here to ensure her safety. And second, her presence in your pack must be confidential, I don't want anyone attacking my mother while she's weak." then he chuckled. "It's not too much to be choked, right?"

I sighed. Why is this guy kept pissing Aiden off? I'm the one getting scared for him.

Aiden tilt his head on my side.

'Give me the knife.' He said in my head.

I nodded and walked closer to him. The rogue watched my moves, eyeing the item I have in my hand as I gave it to Aiden.

"What's the knife for? Wait, is that silver?"

I didn't bother answering him. Neither did Aiden.

"Can anyone explain what's happening?" Zeke said, confused. "Whoa." He took a step back when Aiden pointed the knife at him.

"Fucking calm down. Enter a blood pact with me so we can seal this deal." Aiden said with the slightest irritation left.

"Oh. Damn, you shook my world there for a minute." Zeke laughed. "I'm not gonna betray you so I'm cool with it." He reached for the knife and cut his palm with it. "Damn, that stings."

I chuckled. Aiden grabbed the knife from him and made a cut on his own palm.

I walked between them to start the ritual.

"Benedicat et lunae, quo ambo sanguis eorum sicut manibusque praecisis venis esse contractum. A grave qua morte esset pactum in sacrificiis tuis arguam te et conteram eum qui primus."

"Oh, Bloody. My blood is draining, just get this done." The rogue whined, his face kept wincing.

I'm used to this kind of reaction when sliced by the silver knife.

Wounds from silver will delay the wolf's healing ability by fifty percent. It's pretty weird to experience getting cut by it.

"Give your swear so this will be over."

Zeke rolled his eyes and widened it to Aiden, urging him to speak first.

Aiden sighed exhaustedly.

I'm real amazed with how he handle the rogue's behavior. Considering the amount of patience he has, this situation is as far as my imagination can get.

"I swear to keep my words, without an ounce of betrayal today and to the future. If so, death will come for me." Aiden recited and his voice sounds so bored.

I looked at the rogue and waited for his turn.

"I swear the same."

My jaw dropped with his answer. Aiden also popped a glance at him from his answer.

"What? I know nothing on how this fuck works." He snapped at us, shrugging.

Aiden sighed again and looked at me with tired look. "That'll do." He said.

"In sanguine foedus movebit." I said and held both of their wrists, drawing it closer.

When their wounded palm touched, both of the men winced from the pain sent by the bond.

"All set." I said, handing a red cloth for them to wrap their wounds for faster healing.

"No need for that." Aiden said to me. I just shrugged because I know he heals whenever he wanted to, I also noticed how his wounds started healing via his own demand.

Damn it, being an Alpha have a lot of benefits. I envy the fast healing. Though a beta can heal faster than normal, Alpha's can order their own body to cure itself. On spot.

That's so fascinating.

I looked at Zeke when I noticed that he's not reaching the cloth in my hand.

"Hey, take this or you'll die from blood loss."

He arched his brow at me and smirked. "I don't need that either." He said and rose his hand up, showing his healing wound.

My jaw dropped. "How can you do that?"

'Can he order his body around like an Alpha's?' I asked Aiden in my mind, amazed with what I had witnessed. Aiden scoffed and gave me a 'whatever' look.

"Simple. Mother was a stealer and I got some of her gifts." Zeke shrugged.

"Gifts? Are you a stealer, too?" I asked again. I know I look like a nerd right now, thirsty for information. But hell, this is amazing!

Zeke alternative looks at me and Aiden before he smiled like a winner.

"You'll find out more. Soon." He smirked. "So, when will you pick us up? And don't forget the secreted transport."

Aiden looked at me. His eyes are bothered but I can't guess which was it. Is it from not hearing Zeke's confirmation if he's a stealer? Or from the info that stealers and their 'gifts' can be inherited?

"Give us a map to your direction and we'll be there before the sun rises. I'll personally handpick my people so to keep confidentiality. Nick, lend him a pen and paper."

I did what he asked and handed the rogue what he needed.

My brows furrowed with Zeke's expression. He looked in awe and disbelief, almost a funny face.

"What?" I snapped at him. He reached for the pen and paper but his jaw was still half-dropped.

"You always have a pen and paper with you?"

I rolled my eyes. "I'm a boy-scout."

"Oh!"

"No, dumbass! I'm prepared because this was already planned!"

Zeke laughed and started scribbling on the pen.

'Do I look like a fool? Why's this rogue kept making fun of me?'

'Because you are.'

I scowled and just crossed my arms as my beta wolf slumped inside, embarrassed of me.

What the fuck.

Even my wolf was ashamed of me!

"Done!" The rogue handed me back the paper and I studied it. Hmm, this is not that far. "I suggests that you better bring the most trustworthy wolf slave in your pack." He said to Aiden and it seems to me that he's picking a fight again.

Did he just call us wolf slave?!

Aiden's jaw tightened. "I don't need your suggestion."

"Hm, it was just an advice from one cousin to another. No offense." Zeke laughed. "I'll get going." His face turned from a laughing one to an aserious mode. "See you before the sun rises."

He immediately shifted and ran fast east. It's not too long before Aiden and I was alone at the clearing.

"Have you decided who's picking them up?" I asked.

Aiden looked at me and turn around to start walking back to The Ancestral. I followed him right away.

He sighed, his eyes were focused straight on the road.

"You and Seth will be enough since that rogue wants to be at his mother's aid. I'm thinking of tagging Jeron but the confidentiality was keeping me off that plan."

I squinted my eyes as I absorbed his words.

So... me and Seth...

"Just the two of us?!"

Aiden looked at me with furrowed brows. Probably from the way I shouted and hell, who won't be-

"Don't get me started with your whines, Nick." He warned.

I wanted to whine more! But hell, okay, I won't! I'll just explode all my complaints to Seth!!!

"Inform Seth and drive the truck tomorrow. I'll go on ahead."

He didn't let me speak any more as he dashed away.

Oh, God damned life of mine.