The Savior of the Wolves

A Secret Crush

~ Bailey's POV ~

I’ve tried not to be overly obvious as I watched Aiden training this morning. Leaning up against the brick exterior of the dining hall, I pretend to look through my bag.

With my head still tilted downward, I cut my eyes up to watch him. It’s so hard not to stare. He is absolutely gorgeous. It’s even worse that his muscles are exaggerated more than normal while he’s training. Sweat glistens on his face and neck.

“Ugh. It’s killing me.”

His short hair, with its slight waves as the wind tussles the longer front of his hair causing most every girl to watch. He shakes his head sometimes to the side to clear the soft waves from his forehead, and I can’t help but notice how it resembles his wolf. 

I can’t remember a day that I didn’t know Aiden. Our families just go back that far, so is it that ridiculous to believe that I have a chance? I’m the beta’s daughter after all, so there’s no one here of higher rank. Well, other than the Alpha family of course. So, there’s no competition for him. I would be the likely choice if he doesn’t find a fem. 

It’s not like I’m selfish...I want our pack to be strong, it’s just if there aren’t any female nobles, why not me? I guess I’m a bit numb to the idea of him finding a fem since we haven’t seen any in so many years...aside from his sister.

We finished school together...the same year even, and now everyone just lives for our pack. Used to be, some delta wolves would come of age and request to travel and leave the pack for a while. The request was always granted. This isn’t a prison after all. But now, everyone stays. We all have a job to do. But, given the fear out there, the danger in venturing out alone, no one would dare leave now anyway. For their safety...or the safety of the pack. We’re all needed here. Every single one of us. 

I memorized the strength in his face, one more time, before closing my bag and walking in the other direction of the training grounds.

After Shelly and I finished working at the school, we headed to the dining hall. She gave me a look as the doors closed behind us. I couldn’t help but look around for him, but Aiden wasn’t there tonight. Shelly needs to keep her eyes and her opinion to herself.

I robotically picked up my supper and we sat amongst our childhood friends already engrossed in stories of their own. I listened as she talked but I was distracted mostly, thinking of where Aiden could be.

I tried not to rush her while she ate and made small talk, but my mind was somewhere else entirely. The second she was finished, I quickly suggested that we walk a bit. Life seemed almost normal as other young pack members waved or made small talk as we passed them on the sidewalks that linked the buildings. The sidewalk was full of bustling feet and the woods, just yards away, gave almost a shielded feel to the grounds. But that was the furthest from the truth. This canopy had the most beautiful pines, nestled tightly and woven with an occasional hardwood tree.

After walking the grounds casually for a while, there was still no Aiden in sight. I needed to get home anyway, so I suggested that we hang out in the common room of the first floor at the main house. I’m in the beta family, we have suites on the second floor so it’s not uncommon for me to be hanging out there. Just not Shelley. She lives on the outskirts of the house gardens with other delta wolves.

We had sat next to one another, still engrossed in discussion as luck have it, it wasn’t long before I saw Aiden hurrying down the stairs. He made taking steps look romantic. Every move of his is strong and graceful. Other females turned to watch him pass and I stared at them with my disapproval. We are all as close as family here, but Aiden is off-limits. I thought I’d made that pretty clear years ago. I know I can’t stake a claim to him, but they are the private detail’s daughters that reside on the third floor...there is no way in hell that he would be interested in them. Not over me. No way!

It bothered me a little that Aiden politely said “Hi” to each and every one of them as he passed by them. Did he not see how they reacted to him? The slightest politeness gave them hope. I just saw half of them blush behind his back. 

I mean, I know that he’s just being nice. He is typically very quiet...serious...studious even and he’s not the kind to flirt...EVER...so he’s definitely just being nice. I just get sick of seeing them all try so hard. Like he gave them some hope with his natural politeness.

None of us really understand the hierarchy of the Alpha family. What we do understand is that he can’t imprint on any of us...it’s impossible. But...could he learn to love one of us? If there’s no one else? He shouldn’t have to spend his entire life alone just because the scourges killed off most of the female nobles. What if they killed his fem? Then, he’d have to find a normal mate like the rest of us. Right?

I can’t be the only one wondering that. I don’t wish it on him, of course not, I just think that so many of us will live that life and be perfectly happy. Why not Aiden? 

I heard the elders talk. None of them would blame him if he married a regular wolf. They even suspected that his brother might do that in the next few years if he didn’t find his mate. 

So, that would mean Aiden might follow suit soon thereafter. 

All I have to do is wait...and God he’s worth the wait.

“Anything good in the journals today?” I asked as he looked up and smiled at me. 

“Nothing new,” he said looking disappointed. 

“Can I help?”

“Not really,” he huffed.

“Is everything okay?” I asked. He looked unusually bothered. His eyes seemed to go back and forth. What was he looking for? He seemed on edge and that was out of character for him. 

“Of course it is,” he said with another forced smile as his finger subconsciously tapped on the side of his leg. 

Just as I was about to stand and loop my arm into his, he made an adjustment to his current course. As he began to head towards the main door to the Alpha suites, where I’m not permitted, he looked to the side at the window. 

He lingered there for a minute before turning back my way. “Shelly, it’s late. Do you need a detail back to your house?”

My eyes followed his gaze. The security lights were already illuminating the front of the house. He was right.

“It didn’t realize it was so late,” Shelly answered in shock, turning her wrist up to look at her watch. “s**t, Mom’s going to kill me,” she finished with a grimace on her face.

Aiden, being the great leader that he is, said, “Hold on.”

He walked to a room and peeked his head partially in, “Guys, do you mind seeing Shelly home.”

Confirmations fled from the room as five of the security detail walked out.

Shelly clearly felt embarrassed but rushed with them out the front door.

I was pleased that I suddenly had Aiden to myself. That was rare these days, no matter how hard I tried lately.

I was taking a breath to ask him to sit with me a while, but fate would have it that the door to his suites opened before I could even speak. 

There stood our Luna. 

She is so beautiful. But more than that, she is elegant and strong. She has long hair that looks white with a silver accent. Just like the part of Aiden’s wolf. She’s tall and trim with the most captivating eyes. Her eyes are the same as Aiden’s...a light bluish gray. She’s the most beautiful wolf I’ve ever seen...aside from Aiden.

She looked like she regretted disturbing us. She had such a gentle way with everything. 

She began walking towards us briskly, “I’m sorry to interrupt,” she said, smiling at me, then her eyes diverted to Aiden, “but your father wants you in the conference room. He said it’s urgent.”

Then just like that, Aiden’s mouth formed a smile that made my wolf breathe heavily for the both of us, “I’ll see you later.”