Athindrya

Chapter 9

AZAI

The pack house office needed a change, Azai thought to himself. He was bored of looking at the same décor all the time. Maybe just a jumble around was enough to satisfy him.

Deciding he had spent enough time in the office for one day, Azai got up. Walking out of his office he locked the door behind him.

Walking down the flight of stairs, that led downstairs, he wandered into the kitchen ready to make himself a quick bite to eat before he let Alden out for a run.

His head was in the fridge, rummaging for leftovers to put in his sandwich, when the distinctive high pitched giggle of Hailey and her little friends. Urgh not now. Azai tipped his head back in frustration.

That girl had been hanging around him for years now. She was relentless. It annoyed him to no end. When they were younger, they’d enjoyed a few nights together, but then he’d met Caitlyn. No one had mattered after that. Hailey just didn’t know when to give up.

Azai was perfectly still as he hoped they would walk straight past the kitchen. No such luck. The four girls strolled into the room. The second Hailey’s eyes homed in on Azai, she swayed her hips over to him.

She practically draped herself over him. The feeling disgusted him. All he wanted was to just push her off, but he knew he had to keep up the façade for all pack members. So he just gave her a tight smile before he detangled himself from her tight grip. He grabbed the half made sandwich from the counter and sped out the room.

He veered straight to the back of the pack house, nearing the edge of the forest. He shoved the rest of his sandwich in his mouth as he stripped. He left his clothes in a neat pile next to the same rock he always used. Soon after he felt his bones snap. They reconstructed themselves to fit his wolf form. He could feel the fur pushing through his skin, covering him. His claws elongated out of his fingers, scratching at the damp earth underneath his paws.

Once fully shifted, he stretched himself out delighting in the feeling of the forest. He was a large wolf, his Alpha status having a little something to do with that. He was black with a light grey face and chest that morphed back into his black fur. It was a smooth transition from both colours, making him look more regal.

He took off into the thicket. He zigzagged through the tall pine trees. After his little encounter with Hailey he needed to have the stroke of the breeze in his fur. He rushed faster, pushing himself to quicken the pace.

He ran, until he reached his favourite spot. The tall, ever growing trees seemed to spread out, allowing him passage. His paws left the cool earth and landed on the warm sand. The place where forest met coastline. It was the most picturesque spot he could think of. The sun was reflecting off the waves giving the water a shinning look.

Azai walked along the sand where the waves ebbed and flowed. The water lapped at his paws, the smell of the ocean swiftly reached his nose. He sat on the sand starring out into the horizon. It was so peaceful. One day he would bring his pups here and watch them play in the waves, just as he did when he was young.

His tranquil moment was short lived though.

Alpha there has been a breach of the border. A young female rogue.

Hmm. What does she want?

Shelter Alpha, and a place to heal, from what she has said.

Keep an eye on her Jax. We don’t know her. Do not let her out of your sight. Bring her to the pack hospital, get her treated and bring her to the pack house where I’ll have a word with her.

Yes Alpha.

Typical, he thought. He’d escaped his office troubles just to be faced with something new. He didn’t trust this female rogue one bit. Rogues didn’t usually travel alone. They may not belong to a pack, but there was safety in numbers. If this girl was alone it could be a trap. In that case he would kill her himself. Nothing would harm his pack. Not while he was Alpha.

Knowing he had to turn back and leave his little piece of heaven, he walked back towards the forest. This time he didn’t run. He took his time returning to the pack house. He observed the birds and the wildlife existing around him. Eventually he arrived next to the rock where he had left his clothes. He shifted back into his human form readying himself for the meeting with the rogue female.

He walked back into the pack house careful to avoid the cackling quartet of girls. He made a beeline for his room, where he could take a nice hot shower.

He walked out of his adjoining bathroom, towel around his waist. Sat on his bed was Shane.

“What the hell man?”

“Nice shower?” Shane mocked.

Deciding Shane wasn’t worth an answer, Azai walked right past him to get dressed.

“Lovely to see you too.” Shane shouted, as he laughed to himself.

Once clothed, Azai joined his Beta in the room.

“What do you want?” Shane was his best friend, but sometimes that bastard really pushed it.

“We really need to discuss this Luna thing.” All previous playfulness was gone from Shane’s voice.

Azai knew exactly what his friend was referring to but was definitely not in the mood to discuss it now. He had other things to deal with rather than deal with Shane’s excessive comments on his relationship status.

“Azai. You’ve got to listen to me. The pack is worried. You’re 26 and don’t have a Luna. It almost doesn’t matter at this point who it is. It’s not like Caitlyn…”

At the mention of that name Azai sprang into action, pinning Shane to the floor.

“I told you. You are never to speak of her!” He was shouting in Shane’s face, using his Alpha tone. He was gripping Shane so hard the skin turned white.

“Alright man, I’m sorry.” Shane bared his neck to calm the Alpha down. At the display of submission, Azai released his friend.

“This is what I’m talking about Az. The pack is already nervous enough, and if you were to accidentally show them that…” The rest of the sentence hanging in the air like a warning.

Azai knew deep down Shane was right. An Alpha needed a Luna. A pack needed a Luna. And here he was, Lunaless.

Azai stalked out of his room, not bothering to look if Shane left or not. He was ready to let out his anger on the rogue.

The room she was in was on the other side of the pack house. Jax had briefed him on the girl’s state, and her minimalist talking. Well he was going to change that.

He stalked towards the door of the room when he stopped dead in his tracks. It was a scent he didn’t recognise but that couldn’t have mattered less. It enchanted him. The scent was sweet and mixed with jasmine. Why had he not smelt that before? He knew everyone in his pack, and no one had this scent.

He followed the charming fragrance to the door Jax had told him the rogue was being kept. s**t. That was all he could think as he swung the door open and his wolf spoke up for the first time in years.

MATE.

He was stunned still. The girl he had been ready to kill earlier was his f*****g mate? That wasn’t possible. Something had to be wrong there.

Out of nowhere Alden took over. Azai had not had to fight Alden for control in years and was desperately out of practice. Alden was in control now. He was across the room in a flash. The owner of the wonderful scent staring right at him.

A small inaudible growl of contentment escaped his lips. His eyes danced over the woman in between his arms. Her raven hair was tied in two plaits with the ends curling up. Whisps of her hair were loose around her face. So she had curly hair, he thought. He wondered how soft it would feel when let loose. She had gorgeously tanned skin, accentuating her bright blue eyes even more. They reminded him of the sea. So vast and calming with a sense of danger in them.

His gaze lowered to her full lips. Oh how he needed to kiss them, suck on her lower lip, make her gasp. His gaze lingered on her mouth before settling on the space under her ear. Her skin was tight and enticing. He could picture sinking his teeth and marking her. Then the world would know she was his.

Suddenly there was the strong force of her hands pushing his arms away. Alden turned around and growled. He did not like his mate leaving his side. Azai took advantage of the situation, and regained control, pushing Alden to the back of his mind.

Behave.

She is our mate I will claim her. Aden’s furious voice filled his head.

Azai forced himself to put on a normal voice as he told the girl to take a seat next to him on the bed. She made no effort to move towards him. Did she not feel the mate bond? Was he finally going insane?

He attempted to talk to her but just as Jax had said, she didn’t say much. Though she did tell him her name. Ivy. He was desperate to try it out, but it wasn’t the time.

She told him how she ended up in his pack and to say he was relieved was an understatement. She wasn’t really a rogue if she was attacked by some. This was excellent news. She could be accepted into the pack as their Luna.

She didn’t smell of a ranked wolf, but she clearly was strong if she escaped rogues. In his excitement, he told her she would stay and become his future Luna. Obviously, they couldn’t do the ceremony when she was injured, so that would have to wait, but…

His thoughts were interrupted by her falling to the ground. He rushed across the room catching her seconds before she hit the floor. Sparks were going off everywhere she touched him. The feeling of completeness didn’t last long as she practically leapt out of his hold and uttered a sentence, he wouldn’t wish on anyone.

“I can’t be yours.”