Aiden chuckled and pulled me for another heart warming embrace.
“My beautiful mess you are.”
We both chuckled as I enjoy his hug.
I feel like a huge round stone was lifted from my chest and there’s nothing I could be thankful for.
Downstairs at the kitchen, Nick and Seth was already seated. Au was not around but I can smell her faint scent. I’m guessing she just left.
“Oh! Good morning Luna!” Nick grinned at me and I smiled back.
There’s something on his grin, it’s somewhat teasing and I’m not sure if it’s for me or for Aiden. I shrugged my observations and walked towards the table.
“Goodmorning.”
Aiden pulled a chair for me and, he took the vacant one beside me as I sat on carefully.
“He didn’t beat you up, did he?” Nick said as he wiggled his brows.
I flushed from Nick’s question. Which beating does he meant exactly? It didn’t slipped my mind that his phrase has double meaning. Uh, right?
Oh, God. My mind is polluted!
Aiden growled lowly, averting my attention to him, I waited but he didn’t say a word as he put food on his plate. Wow. He sure can eat. His plate is a feast!
“Uhm.” Should I even answer? Nick is too innocent and naive. Maybe he’s talking about actual beating.
Seth spoke, quick for my rescue. Bless you, Seth!
“Here, eat this.” he shoved a huge portion of pancake into Nick’s mouth which he did eat. “Your questions are for a virgin.” he mumbled after.
“Ahm hat abgrghn!” Nick protested but I can barely understood what he said. His mouth was full and his cheeks are swelling as he tries to chew the pancake in his mouth. I chuckled as I watched the two of them. Aw! This Beta is too childish.
“Gross! Don’t speak when your mouth is full! Where’s your manners?” Seth smirked as he teased him. “Aw!” he held his legs with a frown and my wild guess was Nick kicked him under the table, not saying a word but chewing fast as his eyes narrowed on Seth.
I looked at Aiden, curious of his reaction. His eyes were closed while his fingers was scratching on his temple. He looked irritated but the edge of his lips were raised. Happy and annoyed? His expression is confusing.
I cleared my throat and held my breath before looking away when he opened his eyes, catching mine. I gulped and grab some food, started eating it quietly as I can.
Damn. His gaze does give me discomfort.
It’s still early, around 7 in the morning. This is the time that Aiden goes to the pack building to work. I wonder why they are still here.
Well he’s the Alpha, maybe he need not to be on time.
“Im not working today.” Aiden suddenly said like he just read my mind. How can he do that? Am I flowing my emotions? No, I don’t. He’s reading mind?
Before I could utter and ask something foolish , I figured that he’s talking to Nick, the Beta who’s now agitated because he’ll do all the work with his Alpha’s absence.
Uh, childish Nick is on.
“What?! You can’t, Aiden! There’s a lot of work to do! We need to work on the budget for New Year and next year and the rogues-” Nick stopped abruptly and looked at me like he hesitated to continue his words. What is it? What’s with the rogues?
Aiden cleared his throat, shifting uncomfortably on his seat and he got every eyes in the table plastered on him. And mine is squinted with question.
Uh, What’s happening?
“Its okay. She needs to know anyway.”
What? What is it that I need to know?
I looked at Nick again and its his turn to clear his throat. Suddenly, the air around the table was thin.
“Well, yeah, we need to track the rogues to find, uhm, Zynia.”
My eyes widened upon hearing her name. Zynia! The stealer! She’s- what- alive?!
“Zynia?!” Seth and I chorused and we looked at each other with knowing looks.
Zynia was the stealer from Titus’s story. But he said she’s gone. And treachery alone was punishable by death.
So how would they find her?
Seth recovered first and turned to Aiden. “She’s dead, isn’t she?”
Nick shake his head and Aiden sipped on his bottle before speaking.
“She’s alive and occasionally visits Michael. We’ll track her and fish more information about, uh,” he looked at me, pausing a bit which add desperation on my part.
“your kind.”
I gulped from his gaze but I set it aside to focus on what he said. But damn, why is it that everytime he look at me, I’m suddenly hot all over?
“I’ll come with you!” Seth exclaimed. His expression is like a wolf wiggling his tails and I can only imagine how excited he was. Nick sighed and covered his ears, deafened from Seth’s holler.
I suddenly thought Seth and Ava is a match. Both of them can bleed an ear from their voice alone.
“That won’t happen. You’re needed beside Ashira at all costs.” Aiden said, almost hissing. Nick nodded as he agreed with Aiden’s statement.
If that’s the case then…
“Can I come?” I asked, hopeful. If I can come then Seth will come, too.
Plus, I wanted to meet the other stealer as well. To know how she is right now. Or what she knows that may be a help… for me.
Everyone went silent. I can hear Nick’s feet stomping nonstop under the table, is he nervous? Seth is waiting for an answer like I am. And Aiden… well, he’s still unreadable but I think he’s thinking.
“Not a chance.” Aiden said after a long pause. I sighed. I expect this answer but I still hoped he’ll allow me to join them.
It’s about my abnormality. Of course I’ll be interested.
“I’m sorry Ash…” Nick smiled apologetically.
I nodded slowly, focusing my eyes on my plate. Ah. I’m not hungry anymore.
“Most of the rogues had already lost their mates. We’re not after blood, and if they will be after you, I can’t promise I won’t kill them.” Aiden explained with his usual stern voice.
“And battles will only slow us down.” Nick added. I nodded slowly again, understanding what they meant.