Chapter 9

Everything was blurry and most of what I can remember is crying on Aiden's shoulder while he hugged me tightly in his arms.

I'm too emotional after hearing what happened to his parents and the pack. I can feel his pain while he hugged me close to him. I can feel his pain and the hardships he had after taking over the pack at a young age.

The story about Alpha Zeuracious and the stealer also worries me but I set that aside when I heard about Alpha James and Luna Tina.

Aiden's character while he's trying to comfort me is what I least expected of him. He's too soft and thoughtful of me right now that he seems like a different person. An attitude that I haven't seen from an Alpha.

It must because I'm his mate that he can show me a different side of him. That might be also the reason why I can feel what he had felt. Despite the claim not happening between us, the bond is too strong to let those memories flow to me.

Next thing I knew, he was carrying me bride-style as we headed upstairs. My sobs had calm but my eyes are still wet from the tears. My nose is probably red from how harsh I was wiping it before. I'm not conscious of how I look right now, not having enough emotion to care for myself when I was too full of his sorrows.

He gently put me in the bed and I noticed that I'm not in my room. Everywhere in here smells like Aiden.

I'm in his room.

"Why am I here?" I asked trying to sit down but he stopped me before I can.

"Stay still." He said and lay beside me. He lay on his side then reached his hand to my cheek. Gently caressing the part where the tears were. His eyes are intensely looking at mine. "Why are those tears never stopped coming?" he complained in a whisper.

I giggled at his words. I did not notice that my tears are continuously flowing.

My heart felt light around him suddenly. A part of me pitied him still but the other part praises him for being strong and brave during those times of loss.

"I'm just too sad." I admit. His eyes softened as he purses his lips, trying to halt a smile.

"You're weird," he said, giving me a weak smile.

"It's all in the past. You don't have to cry over it."

"But you're involved! Blame the mate bond for making me feel how you did." I snorted wiping my nose again.

He paused for a moment, shocked, before speaking again.

"You're supposed to have those feelings once I marked you."

What? It's my turn to freeze. Aiden was referring to the claim but I was bothered by his words. I wanted to slap my face for not knowing enough about mates and how the bond works!

"Then why am I encountering this now? You haven't claimed me yet."

We're looking at each other with a questioning look. Does this have something to do about me being a stealer?

If it is, then I'm providing inklings for what I am. I can't risk what I am to him, not now that I'd learned that a stealer caused a war in his past!

"You're weirder than I thought then." I thought he was serious but when a smile formed on his lips, I eased myself and smiled back.

I let go of the topic and changed it to something else. Avoiding to feel nervous while this close to him, I'm afraid he might feel it.

"Why are you home early anyway? Don't you have work to do?"

He's an Alpha so he must be busy but here he is. I don't think he has something planned for today.

"I decided to spend time with you. I'd like to know you more."

A warm hand touches my heart with what he said. Did he just put me first before his own pack?

"What's the change of heart?" I whispered, tugging on his shirt and playing the fabric with my fingers. Just the other day he doesn't want me. And now he's acting like this?

Instead of answering me, he pulled me close to him, burying my face on his chest as his arm snaked around my waist. He smelled my hair and I can hear his heart beating faster.

My own heartbeat deafening me as well. I felt thousands of electricity run down my spine as the hair all over my body rise. Damn. I loved how this feels.

In the end, he did not answer my question.

"You smell so damn good."

I gulped from how my blood went up to my cheeks at his comment. I pressed my face more to his chest, inhaling his scent.

"You, too." I said.

His arm tightened its hold on my waist as a low whimper escaped my lips. He groaned because of that.

If he feels this affected towards me then why won't he claim me?

I suddenly thought about the words I heard from him.

'I won't let you mess on my head.'

That's what he said to me earlier. But what does that mean?

Is he scared of my effects on him? Is he scared to let me in his heart too deep?

I can't let go of the thought that his father was liked that with his mother. Is that the root of this?

I wanted to ask but I can't find the courage to do so. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to go down that subject. Yet.

"What do you like to know about me?" I whispered, pushing him away from me and readying myself for the talk but he did not move a bit. If anything, his hug even tightened. "Are we gonna talk like this?"

He chuckled a little as he nuzzled on my hair. "I want to, " then he pulled away, finally giving us some space. "but this position will make it harder for me to control myself."

I blushed when wild ideas run on my head, he smirked at my reaction.

"You're done crying now?"

I snorted with the way his tone and facial expression as he questioned me. He is laughing at me! Did I amuse him by being a crybaby over his family's tale?

"Stop teasing me!" I pushed him away further because the distance between us didn't get justice at all.

Aiden's laugh filled the room that made me froze for a bit, recording the moment in my mind. His first ever laugh with me.

I hit his chest with my palm, my face is already red from embarrassment yet he won't stop laughing.

"Tell me when you'll stop." I said and rolled my eyes as I get on my feet, leaving him on his bed. I'm not angry, okay? I just can't contain the embarrassment I am feeling.

"Okay. I'll stop, I'm sorry." He grabbed my wrist to stop me from walking away.

I turned to look at him and I saw his pursed lips from biting the inside of his cheek. Argh! How can this guy have different faces? He looks so childish now, it irritates me.

"Where were we?"

I was about to tell him off when my stomach growled. I closed my eyes shut as blood started rising up my cheeks again. Damn it! Why did he have to be with me when I'm being ridiculously embarrassing?

"Okay, we're hungry." He said chuckling.

He stood up and pushed me out of the room, towards the kitchen.

I cannot argue with him after what he just heard. Damn. Can any of this be more awkward as it is?

"What will you cook for me?" he asked. Oh no! I don't know how to cook!

"I'm the one who's hungry!" I said and that was supposed to sound like complaining but it turned out defensive.

We stopped when we reached the kitchen, his hands are still on my shoulders where he grabbed to push me.

"Hmm... Aurea's not lying then." he said then let go of me before walking passed me straight to the refrigerator, grabbing a few stuff in there.

"About what?" I curiously asked as I sat down on the chair. It looks like he's gonna cook something for me and that's better than him knowing I don't know how to cook.

"She said you can't cook."

All my hopes of not being found slapped me in the face. Aurea!!! Why did she have to report everything to Aiden!?

My face felt like burning and damn him for looks enjoying the moment!

"I guess you don't need a 'talk' to know me more, huh?" I rolled my eyes and slumped on the chair. I'll remember to have a talk with Aurea.

"It's okay if you can't cook, Ashira." he said. I just snorted and put my head on the table. I can't argue anymore, I'm famished. I'll remember not to cry too much, it's making me hungry.

Aiden started prepping the food and I'm amazed by how fast his hands were. We're both busy when the doorbell rang.

"I'll go get it." I jumped and started running to the entrance.

"Wait!" a loud growl from Aiden made me stop followed by his inhuman speed. In a blink, he's in front of me.

His eyes are dark and he seems upset. Who's at the door?

"I'll get it. Stay here." his voice is deep and intimidating, I froze.

His change of manner confused me. I tried smelling the air if the guest is someone I know.

Wait.

It's Nick!

I can smell him! He is the visitor! But why did Aiden reacted that way?

I wonder how Nick is! The last time I saw him was the other night from the mapping ball.

I decided to walk to the door, careful of my steps.

"You're forbidden to be here." Aiden's voice was scary. He sounded angry and irritated. Don't tell me its still because of the dance?

I stepped even closer and saw Nick standing outside the door.

"You turned off your phone, man. I can't reach your mind, too. What else would I do?" Nick scratched the back of his head as he said that.

"I'll kill you-"

"Hey, Nick!"

I stand beside Aiden when I showed myself. Aiden's voice was starting to sound serious so I had to butt in.

"Luna." He slightly bowed at me. I almost chuckled from his acknowledgment when he used to call me 'River girl'.

"I told you to stay inside." Aiden growled to me in a deep voice. His arm snaked on my waist and pulled me closer to him. It didn't escape me that he was trying to send a message to Nick that I am his.

"Why? Its Nick. I knew him." Then I leaned to his ear and whispered, "And you are with me so I'm not scared of being in heat." It's true anyway. He can make my heat go away by kissing me or holding me. I've tried it.

So if he worries that I'll be around any guy because of my heat then it'll be okay now because he's with me.

Nick cleared his throat that made me grin and Aiden just pulled me closer to him, gripping my waist tightly.

"We'll talk about that later." He whispered back to me.

"You're dismissed." Aiden said to Nick, not looking his way. His gaze is focused on me entirely.

"But you are needed in the pack building, Alpha." Nick complained. He reminds me again of how whiny he was when we met at the river.

I look up to Aiden when he growled and I saw his jaw clenched. What's the hold-up? He should go now if they needed their Alpha.

"I'm off today." There's finality on his voice. Nick sighed and shook his head.

I put my hand on Aiden's chest as I examined his face. I think I'm the one holding him up, the reason he won't go.

"It's okay. You can go. I can finish your cooking." I interrupted as I look at his eyes, trying to send a message. I don't want to stop him from his responsibility. It's always the pack that comes first.

"You can't cook." Aiden blurted out that made my eyes wide. What the hell!? I was trying to help and he just told his Beta that I can't cook?

"You can't?" A surprised Nick said. I rolled my eyes at Aiden. Damn. I regret saying those words to spare him.

I was about to burst in shame but I alter it with anger.

"Just go do your job or else I'll never talk to you again!" I shouted with my nose flaring. I walked out of Aiden's shock face and Nick's suppressed smile.

I don't know if my threat will work but that just came out and I'm not planning on taking it back now.

I went to the kitchen and saw the food on the stove. It's on simmer but I don't know how to cook that recipe. Heck, I don't even know what recipe is that.

My body jumped when I felt Aiden behind me. I knew it was him even without looking back, I can smell him.

"I'll finish cooking this then I'll go." He whispered on my ears that made me shiver.

"Just teach me how and I'll finish this. Your pack needs you, Aiden." I did not move when he snaked his arms on my waist. This stance is becoming his hobby and I'm starting to like it.

"Our pack." He corrected. "I will hold your introduction ceremony soon. They will know you are their Luna." He pressed his lips on my shoulder after saying that.

"But you haven't claimed me yet." It will be weird to introduce me to the pack as his mate when his scent won't linger on me at least.

"I will never introduce you without my claim. You are too beautiful to show off unmarked."

I'm beyond happy. My wolf was assured at last that he accepts me. I was too. I thought he would never accept me from the way he reacted but it took him less than a day to change his mind.

With the reason for his resistance still unknown to me, I decided to let it go. When the time is right, he will open up to me. And I will have the right to ask him anything I wanted to know.

"Okay." Was all I can say. But a lot of words wanted to come out.

He taught me how to finish the meal before he headed out. Nick stayed outside the whole time and I thought it was rude of Aiden to not welcome his Beta inside though I assumed he is either jealous or overprotective of me.

Today didn't start well but it ends just right for me.

Nick's POV

"Rogues attacked the west border and few of our wolf died." I reported to Aiden. We are reaching the pack building where the other members with a position in the pack await.

"How many Rogues?"

"Five as the report says." The Rogues got nerve considering their number but the reason for the attack was unknown.

"Did our wolves killed every one of them?"

"They manage to kill four but they said one of them is incredibly strong. That one Rogue killed six of ours."

Aiden snapped his head to look at me. Surprise registered his face and that's the exact reaction I had when I heard it.

"Even I can't believe it." I said, shaking my head.

"Where's Titus?" He groaned. Aiden asked referring to the head of the guards, Titus is older than us in his early thirties.

"He's at the pack building now, healing at the clinic but slowly."

"How can he live when all his men died fighting?" Aiden growled.

Leaders must die protecting the pack and its members. That is what Aiden believed in. He always leads that way and we never questioned him. It may sound harsh but that's how it should work.

"He lost his mate on the fight, Aiden. Don't be too hard on him."

"Sharma?!" I nodded in response. Aiden growled as his body start to shake. He never liked it when pack members die without a war. Let alone killed by Rogues.

Sharma came from the Shadow pack, one of the strongest She-Wolf fighter and the mate of Titus.

We are now walking inside the pack building, headed to Aiden's office where the others await.

"Sharma was killed after killing two Rogues, Alpha Aiden. Right in front of Titus." I started calling him Alpha because we are inside the pack building.

Aiden sighed as his eyes turned red, his Alpha blood taking over. He might know how Titus is going through. He found his mate now and I can only imagine how losing one might felt.

We got inside the office and enter another door to the assembly room. Everyone was on their designated chair with wary eyes.

Aiden sat on his chair and I sat on his left.

"Alpha." everyone including me bowed to Aiden who's jaw tightly clenched. His eye color didn't change that only means he is angry.

"We are disturbed by the strong Rogue, Alpha Aiden. He single-handedly killed six of my fighters." says the head of fighters, Kael.

"It's unusual for a Rogue to have such power. He got no pack, its impossible he got Alpha blood. His power is incredible for his kind." Jeron, the head of the Trackers said next.

Everyone spoke in a chorus, making unnecessary noise inside the room.

Aiden was growling the entire time. I don't know if he is listening to their comments, which sounded more than whines.

"Silence!" He yelled with a deep growl that made everyone shut their mouths. "We need not be wary with a lone wolf." He growled at everyone at the table, irritated by how they acted.

"Titus will not be punished but he'll be replaced. Aero will be the new head of the guards. We'll tighten the security in every border, make sure enough trackers will take the post, Jeron."

"Yes, Alpha." Jeron obeys, bowing to Aiden.

"Gather the pups ages 15 and train them hard," Aiden said to Lucrias, the head of training and development. "We'll multiple the number of guards at every border once they are ready."

"Yes, Alpha Aiden." Lucrias said.

"And anyone who's tail tucked between their legs, afraid with this Rogue, will be punished. I will not repeat myself."

With that as his final words, Aiden stood up and went out of the room. Everyone followed after him. Aiden sat on the table in his office as he watched everyone walking out of the door, giving low bows to him.

I closed the door when everyone was out.

"Nick, call Seth," Aiden said. He is talking about his third-in-command, the Gamma of the pack. "Tell him to return to the land."

"He's on a mission of gathering information about Ravenous pack, Aiden." I informed him.

"I know!" He growled at me. Damn, why am I taking the blow of his anger? "He is my third-in-command! Now that I have my Luna, he should start doing his job to protect his Luna!"

The tragedy from the Ravenous pack might trigger him. I don't want to believe it but I think...

Aiden is afraid. He fears losing his mate in the hands of Rogues.

"I'll call him right away." I assured him. I guess I'll send someone else to finish the job that Seth will be abandoned soon.

"Prepare the funeral of the fallen wolves. I'll personally send my condolences to their family."

I nodded.

"I'll be with Ashira until Seth comes back. I will keep my portal open so reach to me if needed. Remember to inform me first when that Rogue set foot on my land."

"I can guard Ashira until Seth comes back, Aiden. The pack needs your presence right now." How could he think of locking himself with his mate in this situation? Rogues mocked the pack, killing some of our members yet he chose to stay home?

"I'm not letting you near her so what made you think you can guard her?"

His growl is directed to me. My wolf let out a whimper, acknowledging its Alpha.

He is jealous and that's evident ever since he found out her mate is the one I'm dancing with. I understand that. But the pack needs their Alpha now.

"The pack comes first, Aiden." I reminded him. Trying to make him balance the situation and not to focus on his mate alone.

He growled at me more. "I'm not choosing her over the pack!"

He stormed out of the office as he said that.

I let out a deep breath of relief once he was gone.

Damn.

"How deep will you drown, Aiden." I said even without his presence.

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