Aiden’s hand tightened on my waist and her eyes focused on it before looking back at me.
“That’s the scent of our kind. Remember it so when you met one, you’ll know one.” she smiled at me. “It’s annoying, isn’t it?”
I bit my lip and nodded slowly. Aiden turned his eyes on me again and I looked up at his eyes. It seems like he understand what was happening but I still nod at him to assure that I’m okay.
“It was nice to finally meet you, Luna. Thank you for helping us to reach Alpha Aiden. I owe my life to you.” she bowed her head and I immediately panicked upon her showed respect towards me.
“I-It’s fine, uh, Zynia. Please. Drop the courtesy.”
She did. She smiled at me and I returned it to her, my cheeks are burning from slight embarrassment.
“A-Are you well?”
“Yes, I am. Thank you for making this possible for me.”
I shook my head fast. “No, uh, Aiden decides to help you. I didn’t do anything at all but to tell him your case.”
She smiled but I know she still feel like I’m the one who made Aiden agree to this. I let it go.
Zynia looks young for her age. I bet she’s on her late forties but there’s no sign of lines on her forehead, just a few wrinkles on her eyes which was only visible when she’s smiling.
“Are you… fine now?” I asked when silence enveloped us.
I looked at Zeke’s side and he was watching me so I diverted my eyes to Nick who’s sipping on a drink while sitting on the round table at the corner.
“Much better than before. Thank you.”
I figured that she won’t stop thanking me just yet so I let it go and nodded. “That’s good.”
Her eyes were stuck at me while smiling for a while. She blinked twice and chuckle after realizing it. “I’m sorry if I stare too much. I just can’t believe that you’re a stealer and Alpha Aiden’s mate.”
I paled.
“What are you trying to imply?” Aiden questioned ahead of me. I can sense a rising anger on his voice that made my hand flew to his chest like that would calm him.
Zynia chuckled Aiden’s reaction. “I don’t mean anything bad, I’m sorry. I just can’t stop thinking that your blood attracts stealer like magnets.” she laughed but I can’t see the humor in her phrase.
I looked up at Aiden and I saw how his jaw clenched.
“I don’t mean anything, really.” Zynia added.
“If you dare tell anyone about this, I’ll kill you.” Aiden warned in a low deep voice and through gritted teeth. I clutched on his shirt, tugging on it slightly.
The last thing I want to happen here was for them to fight. Or for Aiden to lose control. I know he only have a little.
I thought Zynia would be scared but she chuckled. I bit my lip upon getting nervous with her tranquility and Aiden’s advancing irritation.
“No. No. I’d rather die than to betray my kind, Alpha Aiden. I’m sorry if my remark sounded threatening.” she then turned to me. “I’m sorry.”
I shook my head and speak before Aiden does. “It’s okay. I know everything seems like a history repeating itself.”
She nodded and its silence that snatch a minute or two around us.
“I know you got questions.” Zynia talked again. “Why don’t we ask the boys to give us a moment so we can talk in… peace?” she looked at the three men.
Zeke and Nick started moving but Aiden kept still beside me. I looked at him and found his eyes locked on me again.
“I’ll stay.” Aiden announced.
Zynia chuckled. “Alright. I understand now that possessiveness runs in your blood.”
I smiled. That means Alpha Zeuracious and Aiden are both possessive when it comes to their mate, huh?
I bit the insides of my cheek to suppress myself on smiling wide upon thinking how cute that is.
I crinkled my nose once more when I catch Zynia’s scent once more. Ugh. How many minutes left for this to last? No wonder stealers are rare. They must’ve killed each other if this scent kept lingering around us. I meant ‘we’.
Aiden guided me to sit on a chair and I did. I watched him pulled another seat so he can sit beside me.
“What do you want to know, darling?” Zynia asked once we settled infront of her. She smiled when I almost got lost with my thoughts. What should I ask? Where should I start?
I looked at Aiden and I’m almost asking for help on where to start. He sighed and kissed my forehead, snaking his arm on the small of my back before turning to Zynia.
“You could start by telling us more about being a stealer. I’m sure questions will follow then.” Aiden said. I nodded slowly, agreeing to his suggestion. My mind are mixed with thoughts that I couldn’t think where to start, what to ask or how to even speak.
Zynia nodded as well. She looked away from us, probably thinking of what to share. Does that mean she knew a lot about us?
“This abnormality is not the same for every stealer, for each had a gift and it varies. Were you aware of yours, Luna?” she directed the question at me.
I was already lost when she said we have different gifts. Do I have one? I can’t recall finding out what was mine. Or did I just didn’t notice?
I slowly shook my head in the end.
“Well, how old are you now?”
“E-Eighteen.” I answered briefly. She nodded and put her hands together on her lap.
“I discovered mine when I was a year older than you. I was nineteen when I found out than my reflexes changed. I became faster than anyone but Zeus. Well, I almost outrun him one time during a race but he was faster by half a lap. Speed became my gift.”
I started wondering mine. What’s my gift? I had tried running when I was helping Lucianna’s attempted escapade but she outrun me so I’m sure its not speed.
“What other gifts could there be?” Aiden asked.
“Hmm,” she paused to think. “Jorhia was gifted with manipulation. Though I’m not well-knowledgeable of how that works. But she’s good at manipulating the minds of anyone she’s talking with. She mustered it on Zeuracious and the pack members.”
Oh well. I’m sure I’m not good at manipulating anyone either. It was so hard to even persuade Aiden.
When I didn’t say anything and seems drowned with my thoughts, Zynia spoke again.
“Well, there’s a lot more and you’ve just turned so maybe it’s yet to come.”
I nodded but I can’t stop thinking about this ‘gift’.
“It’s also natural for us to heal fast but since my gift was speed, it made my healing process different. I could control it. Though not anymore.”
Aiden snapped his head to Zynia. “What do you mean?”
She smiled while looking at Aiden. “Being a stealer is not forever. Once you had your firstborn, the gift will be passed to the heir.” she turned to me. “Then you’ll be just a normal wolf.”