Chapter Twenty
880 Words
The all too familiar dark hair and blue eyes stood before her after being escorted into the main house, always so confident but somehow seemed frazzled. He seemed almost nervous as his long slender fingers toyed with one another in front of the young Alpha female "Aerly" he acknowledged.
"That's Alpha" Darius growled in defence.
"It's okay, Darius" Aerly gave a smile to the large man who stood stoic like a soldier "I know him" her slender arms folded over her chest as she turned to the tall man before them "Hello Niko."
"So you're Alpha now?" he couldn't seem to help himself ask "I remember when you told me how you were happy not to be apart of a pack."
"I came to seek out my family. A wolf had come and taken over my families pack I had to claim it back" Aerly explained simply as she began leading him further into the house "Are you okay? Lilah can you get Niko a glass of water" she asked the teen who was following closely behind them.
"I'm not okay" his usual playful nature had been diminished right before her eyes.
"My family?" She couldn't hide the worry as she asked.
"No..."
Aerly's eyes shifted to Darius who still remained by the door none of the pack knew of her mate. She let out a heavy sigh "Raiden..." the word barely came out a whisper.
"We haven't heard from him in a week" Niko continued.
"Who?" Lilah asked as she returned with a large glass of water.
"Raiden" Aerly replied but she couldn't bring herself to face Lilah's concerned face.
"He has been calling me every day to inform me of his movements but it's been a week and I haven't heard from him—"
"Maybe he is just busy," Aerly said even she knew it sounded stupid but it was more to comfort herself than anything.
"To busy to contact me? His second in command?" Niko sighed shaking his head "I came here because you're his mate, Aerly. Doesn't this worry you? Haven't you felt anything?"
"Excuse us" Aerly spoke towards the others in the room who quickly left leaving Niko and Aerly alone. The silver-eyed Alpha sighed as she slumped down onto one of the single-seated chair "we don't have a strong bond, Niko. You know that, If you're here wondering if I can find him the answer is no. I denied him."
"You're still his mate, Aerly" Niko slumped down into the seat across from her "Look, I think I know where he is and that's really why I am here... I am backed by the Sanctuary warriors and Apollo's pack but like I said Aerly you're his mate. If something has happened he needs—"
"I can't feel him, Niko!" Aerly shouted more in frustration than anything. She had turned him away yes because she wasn't ready but it weakened their bond and with that, she now held some regret especially if he was hurt "I can't contact him or feel if he's in pain. I didn't accept things between us, I wasn't ready... I don't know if I ever will—"
"This isn't about whether you're ready!" He shouted back rising from his seat "this is about your mate, my Alpha possibly in danger. I'm not here for your piss poor excuses for denying him and turning him away. I'm here because I want to save him and I want you to help me!" He stood over her his eyes so focused on her it felt like his stare could start burning into her flesh.
"I just told you I couldn't and how dare you to come in here speaking to me like that," she said with a growl.
"I will speak to you any way I please if you're going to act like this. Crying to me about how you aren't ready. I don't care if you're ready my Alpha needs you" Niko snarled as he stood over her. His body tense as though ready to shift at any moment.
"Calm down" Lilah suddenly interrupted the pair as she entered the room "everyone can hear you two shouting."
"Whatever" Niko shook his head "clearly this was a mistake" Niko turned away heading for the door.
"I will help you" Aerly suddenly spoke her silver eyes staring out the sitting room window. Both Lilah and Niko stared in shock at her sudden response.
"You will?" Niko couldn't help himself but confirm. His Alpha's mate had proven to be quite a stubborn, pig-headed one.
"Yes.." Aerly's demeanour softened suddenly her mind was clearly on Raiden "I'm aware my reasonings have been selfish.." Aerly turned to the pair who stood close to the doorway "when I said I wasn't ready it wasn't me saying I wouldn't help. Raiden is my mate, of course, I will help. So where do you think he is?"
Niko held a look of relief as he faced the Alpha Female "With his cousin, Julian, he was next on Raiden's list."
"Julian?" Aerly slowly gave a nod "well you're in luck we were already planning to attack his pack. I believe he also has my grandparents."
"Well then, I guess we have a lot to go over" Niko spoke straightening himself up, Attempting to get rid of the nervousness he was feeling.
"Seems that way, come on. Let's get to work. Looks like we will need to be moving up our plans of attack."
- Writer
