Athindrya

Chapter 19

The sun shone through the gap between the curtains, a ray of golden light, partially blinding Ivy for a moment. She lay staring at the ceiling above her. Her heart rate was quickly rising, and she had barely been awake a few minutes. What was her problem?

You’re nervous you moron! Lilka said, anxious to get started on their picnic plan.

Ivy growled. She was a great huntress, she didn’t get nervous.

Well you’re nervous now, so deal with it, get up and get moving! Lilka screamed, making Ivy’s head hurt.

Grumbling, Ivy swung her legs over the side of the bed. Lilka was right, she needed to get her head in the game. Right now. Ivy could feel her newfound determination anchoring itself inside her. Taking a deep breath, Ivy pushed herself off the bed and headed towards the bathroom.

Half an hour later, Ivy walked out of the bathroom showered and dressed. If this was going to be her first date, then she was going to make an effort. She had chosen some dark and slim trousers, her trusty boots, and a simple plain white t-shirt. Her hair was tied into two small French braids, and she had even applied a tiny bit of mascara she had found in the bathroom.

With one last look in the mirror, Ivy walked out of her room, ready to face Jax or whoever it might be. Surprisingly, there were no guards outside of her door. Looked like Zak had worked his magic there.

Ivy sniffed the air. Azai’s scent wasn’t strong. Good. He’d already gone and wouldn’t see her leaving the pack house. Plus by the time he came back her scent would be long gone.

Sneaking through the pack house to the kitchen, wasn’t hard. The Alpha part was barely and rarely inhabited anyway, and Eleonor and Kiza were on lookout.

Once in the kitchen, Ivy sped round the fridge and cupboards, rounding up anything she could find. The girls had offered to help her with what to bring, but Ivy had decided she needed to do this on her own. She took some bits and bobs, but she also decided to do a little cooking.

By the time she was done, she had filled two picnic baskets with a mountain of food. There was just about enough room to left to fit some water and a blanket to sit on.

Ivy grabbed both baskets and headed off into the woods. Kiza and Zak had told her there was a small lake they used to go to as children and that Azai would know to meet her there. Thanks to the directions given to her, Ivy found the place within fifteen minutes. Zak and Kiza had definitely been right. It was a stunning part of the pack lands.

The lake was surrounded by large plants and the occasional rock. A willow tree stood tall and proud to the right, the branches forming a beautifully secluded tent under the tree. Ivy placed her things under the tree. From inside the branches parted naturally to reveal the lake. From this angle, the mid-morning sun reflected off the water, giving it a sparkling effect.  

Ivy set everything up, with the food on display on the blanket; and the baskets tucked away behind the tree trunk. All she had to do now was wait for Azai to meet her. Hopefully, she had left enough time in advance that he wouldn’t smell her on arrival and just leave.

Ivy waited hours. Maybe she hadn’t thought this quite all the way through. She sat on the bank of the lake, her trousers rolled up and her feet in the cool water.

Her nerves quickly got the best of her again and Lilka had to convince Ivy to stay more than once.

Ivy was beginning to think maybe Azai would never show up when his intoxicating smell hit her. No latter had it done so, that her heart was pounding again. If she didn’t know better, she might have thought the entire world could hear her now.

Calm down. Lilka whispered.

Ivy briskly stood up. She didn’t know what to do with herself and she hated it. Thankfully, she didn’t have to worry about it too long, as she saw Azai’s hands part the curtain of leaves before he was stepping through.

She saw his eyes, take in the food on the floor, before roaming up her body and settling on her face. Never show weakness. She straightened.

“I was afraid you wouldn’t come if you knew it was me.” Her voice came out; quieter than she would have liked.

It seemed as though Azai had picked up on her nerves, because his hard eyes quickly softened. He didn’t say a word as he stepped forward, took Ivy’s hand, and led them both to the ground.

His tender hold on her hand ignited a fire inside her. She knew it was just an innocent touch, but she couldn’t help the blush creeping up her cheeks. If this is how her body reacted to simple hand holding, she was so screwed.

So screwed. Lilka giggled.

Silence lingered in the air. Normally, Ivy had no trouble with long silences, but she was on edge. She felt as though she should say something. But nothing was coming to mind! Why was nothing coming to mind?

Lilka started pushing for control. Ambushed, Ivy could almost feel her own power slipping. But there was no way she would give up control. Who knew what Lilka would do if she were in control? Ivy closed her eyes. She didn’t want Azai to notice her eyes changing.

Lilka only needed a second to slip through Ivy’s barriers and utter the words Ivy couldn’t have said on her own.

“I’m sorry.”

Furious and shocked, Ivy’s eyes snapped open. Lilka had already retreated to the back of her mind and blocked the link.

I'm gonna kill you when you come back. Ivy promised.

When she looked up, Azai’s eyes were so wide, Ivy wondered for a second if he was even blinking. She titled her head, questioning his unmoving stature. As if coming out of a trance, Azai was back.

“Sorry. I just wasn’t expecting you to say sorry. You don’t strike me as someone who apologises often. And I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did.”

Ivy didn’t know what to say. He was right, but part of her just didn’t want him to know just how right he was. He had also apologised himself. What was she supposed to do with that? She was wracking her brain for something to say. Anything.

“Why don’t we just forget it all happened and have some of this amazing looking food?” Azai said, filling the silence. Grateful for the change in subject, Ivy began to relax.

Soon enough, Ivy was completely at ease with Azai. They were talking and laughing, while digging into her picnic food.

Azai took particular liking to her chicken marinated with smoked paprika. She had laughed when he had ended up with slightly red tinted lips thanks to her extra use of paprika. Conversation flowed easily as they talked about anything and everything.

After about an hour and half of stuffing their faces, Ivy and Azai were lying down on the soft grass, with their feet dangling into the water, hands resting on their full bellies.

“So I’m guessing Kiza or Zak told you about this place then?” Azai questioned.

“Yeah. When they heard we had argued, they really wanted to help make things better for us.” Ivy smiled, thinking about how in such a short time she had really gotten close to these people. “Eleonor even got Shane to distract you long enough, so that they could send you my way when the wind changed, and you wouldn’t smell me.”

“Ha. I’m not surprised. Shane is whipped.” Both erupted into laughter.

“Even I could tell Shane was wrapped around Eleonor’s little finger. But she was so sweet, she would never abuse it; too much.” Ivy chuckled.

“You have me wrapped around your finger, you know?” Azai said, turning his head to face Ivy.

“You could’ve had me fooled.” Ivy retorted, a bit of hurt creeping into her voice.

“Do you know how hard it was for me to stay away from you these last few days?” Azai lifted himself onto his elbow so he was looking down into Ivy’s eyes. “If I hadn’t kept my distance, I don’t think I could have controlled Alden.” The sincerity in his voice prompted Ivy to tilt her head, her eyes landing on his loving ones.

“Why?” Her voice was so small, if she didn’t know better, she would’ve thought it hadn’t come from her. Azai’s intense stare never left her as his voice saddened.

“When I was twenty two, I had a mate. Caitlyn. She was my entire world. She was going to be the pack Luna and mine forever. But she didn’t feel the same.” His eyes faltered a second before carrying on. “She had no interest in me or our pack. She… She chose another Alpha. One who wasn’t even her mate. He was stronger and I guess could provide for her better than I ever could. She left so suddenly all she left behind was a note telling me she didn’t love me. I guess the mate bond only goes so far.”

Taking a deep breath, Azai continued.

“After she was gone, Alden went mad. He could feel them, all the time. And when she rejected us, a part of us died. He never came out again. For four years he barely existed.” His expression went from dark and heart-breaking, to adoring and grateful.

“But when you arrived… my world was turned upside down. Not only for me, but for Alden. He resurfaced out of the blue and I was out of practice. I didn’t remember how to control him. That’s why he took out his anger on you. I’m so sorry you had to experience that. I never wanted to hurt you Ivy.”

Damm. She watched as his lips moved to formed her name. Hearing it come from his lips was the most amazing sound she had ever heard. She had never thought someone could make her name sound so alluring. Then again it was coming from incredibly tempting lips.

Focus! She shouted to herself.

“Ivy.” Azai spoke. His voice was deeper and gruff. It did things to her stomach. Heat travelled through her, igniting a pressing warmth between her thighs. Her eyes were locked on his, possibilities running through her head.

Looking at him was the sweetest torture. His lips were framed by an impeccably square jaw. His ebony skin a perfect contrast to her lighter one. Her hands itched to touch his face. To run her hands against his stubble. To have her lips on his. To feel them move under hers. Maybe even his hands cup her face, as he inches closer, his hot breath teasing her.

A low growl interrupted her thoughts.

“Ivy. You’re killing me here.” He pleaded. He was still propped up on his elbow, looking at her, lust in his eyes. “I can smell your want. I’m trying so hard not to kiss you right now.”

An urgency was running through her. She had barely registered what Azai was saying. All she could focus on was how intoxicating Azai smelled, how his body heat was drawing her in, and how just his look was setting her aflame. What came out next surprised her just as much as him.

“Then don’t.” It was as though her breathy response flicked a switch inside of him.

His lips came crashing down on hers. Her earlier little fantasy didn’t even compare to how he really felt. His soft lips enveloped hers, setting the pace; urgent and desperate. She matched his movements, mirroring his need.

Her lips parted slightly and that was all the invitation Azai needed. He slipped his tongue into her mouth. Ivy gasped. His tongue explored, leaving nothing untouched. Suddenly, he was gone, kissing a trail over her face. But her lips missed the heat his brought. Not thinking twice, Ivy grasped Azai’s top with one hand, while the other greedily guided his face back to hers.

Azai wrapped an arm around her waist pulling her closer to him. Her chest was pressed against his. She wiggled her way so that she was flush with Azai. She could feel him straining against her leg. She needed to be closer. Panting she repositioned herself. Azai let out a moan as she moved.

“Ivy if we don’t stop know I don’t think I’ll be able to stop again.” He said, while pressing kisses all around her mouth.

“I don’t want to stop though.” She whispered.

Azai let out a growl. He moved closer, his eyes locked on her lips when all of a sudden, he stopped. His eyes glazed over. Then his hands were around her face, and his lips were on hers. The kiss was slow and tender. His thumb tracing circles on her cheek. When they parted, he wore a disappointed look.

“I would’ve loved to keep that going.” His eyes assured. “But Zak just linked me, reminding me I have my family weekly dinner.” He paused for a second before asking.

“Will you come with me?”