Athindrya

Chapter 14

Ivy followed Azai back through the garden and into the pack house. She didn’t mind walking next to Azai, in fact there was something rather comforting about it. However, she couldn’t help the awkwardness she felt when others in the pack house lowered their head and tilted their necks as they passed by.

She wasn’t one for showing her weaknesses or insecurities, so she made eye contact with every single one of them. Or at least tried to. Lots of them avoided her gaze, probably due to her close proximity to their Alpha. There were some though, who held a sort of disdain in their eyes.

Was it because they still thought she was a rogue? Well at least that told her all she needed to know about how this pack operated. The silence they walked in, spread to those they passed by. Conversations stopped, just to make way to submission. It was beginning to get a tad annoying.

After what seemed like forever, Azai opened the front door and stepped out into the light of day. Pack life was buzzing. Ivy could see all the inhabitants going about their merry way. All the paths were brimming with life, people walking in and out of their houses, shops and restaurants filling up, and pups scampering around, enjoying the sunshine.

Ivy was still as she watched the mundane lives. She hadn’t noticed before, but the pack house was on a slightly elevated part of the territory, a great vantage point. From below the few steps, leading to the main path, Azai held his hand out for her to hold. Ivy’s heart tightened, and she would’ve sworn she felt butterflies in her stomach.

Slowly, she guided her hand towards his, uncertainty radiating from her. Her hand seemed so small in comparison to his. Would he want to hold hands the whole time? Ivy couldn’t even keep up with all her worries. But the second her hand touched his, all those thoughts, fears and worries vanished.

She was enveloped in the warmth and comfort his touch created. Just as his hand closed over hers, his hold on her heart strengthened a little. Lilka howled in glee as she watched the two connect. Ivy looked down to see the two shades of skin intertwining in such a beautiful way.

Lilka’s voice rang out. If you stand there like an i***t for much longer, he’ll start to think we’re some sort of statue freak. Being shocked out of her stupor by the ever compassionate Lilka, Ivy stepped down, using his hand for support. She avoided his gaze at all costs, not willing to take the risk of falling into his deep, dark eyes.

Once she was safely on the ground, she removed her hand from his. Though she didn’t miss the flash of Lilka’s hurt mirrored in Azai’s eyes. Azai recovered quickly, coughing slightly, and shoving his hands in his pockets. They began to walk down the path, an awkward silence lingering around them.

They walked for a while, the silence becoming like a third presence. They walked through the weaving streets, eyes staring ahead. Ivy had grown used to the pointed stares and the submission sent in their direction. Or rather she had quickly learnt to ignore them. The pair kept to the path, zigzagging aimlessly.

Out of nowhere, Azai cleared his throat.

“So, um, Ivy. What pack were you from?”

Ivy cringed at his question. She didn’t normally have an issue with lying. Stupid mate bond.

“You wouldn’t want to know. It doesn’t even matter what pack I was born in. They rejected me, so they aren’t my family anymore.” Technically. Technically, she wasn’t lying.

Ivy heard Azai’s sharp intake of breath. His reaction wasn’t surprising. Wolves were pack animals, even rogues eventually grouped together. It was rare that a rogue travelled alone, let alone wanted it to stay that way. Choosing to move past his reaction, she kept walking, trying to make it seems as though she were limping.

The quiet, tense atmosphere followed them as they made their way towards the edge of the clearing. The buildings thinned as they neared the tree line. The stone path slowly merging into a dirt trail. The trees surrounded them, the strong smell of pine filling Ivy’s nostrils. She smiled to herself. Who knew pine could be so comforting.

Maybe it has something to do with the big hunk of man walking next to us. The same man whose scent, just so happens to have an element of pine.

Immediately, Ivy shook her head pushing Lilka to the back of her mind. She needed to concentrate; and she couldn’t do that with Lilka distracting truths. LIES!

“Why don’t you ask me something? You can ask me anything you want.” Azai’s voice broke the silence.

Ivy stopped. She looked up at him; their height difference seemed to suddenly smack her in the face. She felt so small, yet oddly so strong in his presence. Blinking her mind clear she kept moving. Azai sighed before catching up to her. They stayed silent, while their footsteps were the only noise.

“Why did you try and force me to stay?” Ivy suddenly blurted out. Her eyes widened as she realised what she had just spoken.

It wasn’t just her who was surprised, Azai had stopped dead in his tracts, now just looking at her.

“Why don’t we sit down for a bit? You can rest your leg, and I can answer your question properly.” The nervousness in his voice did not go unnoticed.

A couple of metres ahead was a fallen tree. Azai sat down, his back leaning on the moss covered trunk. He motioned for Ivy to sit beside him. This time she didn’t refuse. She lowered herself down, letting her back rest on the thick layer of cushiony moss. Azai cleared his throat.

“Ok. Well, since you’re my mate I guess there’s no point in hiding it. You’re my second chance mate.”

Barely had Azai spoken the words, that Lilka was already growling like crazy. There was no need to be psychic to know she did not like the sound of another female mated to Azai. Ivy wasn’t too keen on the idea either. But that was something for another time. Instead she stayed quiet while Azai continued.

“I don’t think you want to hear all the details and I don’t particularly fancy talking about them right now.” At this he lifted his eyes and looked directly into Ivy’s. “But know that if you do want to, I’ll tell you everything. All you have to do is say the word.”

I swear, if that b***h did anything to hurt him, I’ll tear her to shreds. Lilka almost shouted.

Ivy couldn’t tear her eyes away from Azai’s sad, sincere gaze. Whatever had happened between them, it was for him to choose the time to tell her. She might not like him but… Lilka’s cough sounded, interrupting her thoughts. She glared internally at the wolf, making it a point for her to hear her next words.

No matter how much I dislike him, I respect his space and time.

Lilka grunted in response, withdrawing to the back of Ivy’s mind, clearly sulking.

Ivy returned her attention to the man sitting next to her. He was looking at her half expectantly. She decided it was maybe time to change topic. Keeping her voice steady and monotone, she spoke.

“It’s your turn to ask me something.” Azai’s surprise was swiftly masked.

“What’s your favourite colour?”

Ivy’s eyebrow raised. What kind of pointless question was that?

“Tell you what. Let’s play twenty questions. No really serious questions, and that way there’s an end in sight for you.” She was pleasantly surprised by his suggestion.

“Green.” Was her response. To both. “My turn. What’s your favourite food?”

The pair exchanged questions, one after the other. The tension in the air slowly lifted, leaving them with only the presence of one another. If she weren’t who she was, Ivy might even say she was beginning to like this moment in time.

Suddenly Azai’s eyes glazed over. He was communicating with someone. He soon came back to the now. It wasn’t a surprise to Ivy when his frustrated expression faced her.

“I’ve just been informed by my Gamma that there is an urgent need for me back at the pack house. I’m really sorry Ivy but we’re going to have to continue this later.”

Ivy’s heart clenched in disappointment. All she could do was nod, her eyes avoiding his. Out of nowhere his slender fingers were around her chin, lifting her gaze to his. His eyes bore into hers, a silent promise gleaming in them.

“I need to rush back. Can you get yourself back?” Ivy nodded. “Great. I’ll see you soon.” Quick hesitation flickered through his eyes before it was replaced with determination. Quick as a flash Azai pressed his lips to her forehead, as soon as it happened it was gone. Azai sent her one last lingering look before speeding off towards the pack house.

Ivy was left dumbfounded, sitting with her fingers grazing the spot Azai’s lips just were.