Four nights later,
Agitation grew within the pack after the fourth night came, and no attack from the Legion of Sages followed. It created doubt in the hearts of many, as they wondered if Lucius was even going to attack. No one slept as they anticipated the attack throughout the night, only to be proven wrong twice.
Aaron had nothing to tell the pack; he had known that Lucius was not a man of his word, and this was to be expected. It didn’t mean he wouldn’t attack, but he wanted to play with them first, stretch their patience, and see how far it would go.
Zera didn’t care that Lucius didn’t attack; she saw it as an opportunity to train Lionel. She had seen him battle Aaron days ago and thought he could do better with a little training. Though she didn’t get the chance immediately, she got it the next day and has trained with him since.
She set out as soon as the day broke and has been at it since. She didn’t see them losing to Lucius despite his advantage, and he also wanted to think like her.
“This came for you.” Hulvey said that and handed a letter over to Aaron as he stepped out of his house.
Just like the first letter they received from Lucius the other day, this came in as infuriating as possible.
You’ve missed me too much, and I’ve missed you, too. Things happened that shortened our journey and made us halt the procession. I would like you to know that I am a man of my word and not a coward who runs from a fight like you’re already thinking. I will visit the Dominio Pack tonight and keep to my word. I heard you’re gathering the packs together at your estate from the mouth of the alpha of justice right before I snuffed the life out of him. I am glad you have gathered them together; that way, I wouldn’t have to go around killing them one by one. This would make my work much faster and more fun! Do not miss me too much; I will come with my legions tonight, and the strongest pack will get to see tomorrow’s shift. Your biggest fan, Lucius.
“Is that from him?” Alpha Kol asked, and Aaron lifted his head and found him standing there. He probably came to talk but kept silent after seeing Aaron holding onto the letter.
“Yes, it is.” Aaron said that and handed the letter to him.
He took it and silently read through it. When he finished, his hand lowered.
“What did you come to say?” Aaron asked.
“I came to speak about the shift, but if Lucius plans to attack tonight, then it doesn’t matter. I will inform the rest to be ready.” He handed the letter back to Aaron and walked away.
The news of the change went around the pack estate in under an hour of the arrival of the letter. And everyone prepared themselves for the night ahead.
“Daddy,” Aaron heard, and, turning around, he found Zion in the arms of Sesi. He smiled and stepped towards them. “You look worried.” Zion pointed out as he took him in his hand.
“It’s nothing,” he told the little boy, masking his worried face with a smile.
“You won’t tell me because I am a child, right?” he asked. He was much smarter than his age, for sure.
For once, he wanted to be like Zera and be optimistic about the outcome of the war ahead of them tonight. “It’s not; it is because this is nothing.”
Zion wrapped his arms around his neck while he carried him away.
“Hey, I didn’t tell you this before, but I fancy you more than I let on, and if I get back, I would like to ask you out on a former date. Do not tell me what your answer will be yet; I would want to hear it in person.” Damor said before sending the voicemail.
“Is that Carolina?” Ivan asked, and Damor turned around to him, startled by his undetected movement.
“What the fuck, man?” he yelled. “Do not sneak up on me, and who I talk to is none of your business.”
“Judging by how defensive you have gotten, I will take it as a yes.” He continued, not even caring about what Damor just said or apologising.
Damor’s eyes narrowed at him. “What do you want?”
“How’s it like?” he asked.
This made Damor’s eyes narrow even more. “How is what like, asshole?” he asked.
“Being with someone. I want to know what it’s like.”
Damor’s eyes narrowed further, and at this point, his eyes were almost shut, but his face soon straightened after realising he was genuinely asking him.
“Why would you want to know?”
“This might as well be our very last night alive; I might die a virgin, but I want to know what it feels like, at least.”
The look of pity flashed in Damor’s eyes, but it didn’t stay. “Well, it’s like oneness, getting your needs met.”
“I have no idea what you mean.”
“Wow, I can’t explain it another way.” He threw his hands up in surrender.
“Then do a better job.”
“We all took sex education class.” Damor slammed.
“I barely remember much of anything I did in high school.” Ivan said it blankly.
Damor exhaled, “Fine, the feeling during those times depends.”
“On what?”
“Whether you like the person.”
“Why would you want to be intimate with someone you don’t like? Why would you want to share such an intimate moment and experience with just anyone?”
Damor hesitated, wanting to find the right words to respond with. “Sometimes you just need a release, and that’s all that matters, not whether you like the person. Your flesh has needs that should be fulfilled. Sometimes the one you like isn’t close by, so you have to make do with whoever is available.”
“Weird concept, but I follow.”
“If you like that person, it’s a different feeling. Well, you still get the same satisfaction, but there is a connection, understanding, and completeness. That is what I believe Aaron feels whenever he’s with Zera during those intimate times. I think he is the better person to answer these questions.”
“You’re my twin brother,” Ivan emphasised his reasons for coming to him.
Damor groaned, “Fine, then when you don’t like that person, perhaps a one-night stand, you focus solely on your needs and getting them met.”
“They are not that important, then?”
“They are, just not as much as they would be if there were feelings involved.”
“How do you feel when you’re with Carolina, then?” He raised a brow. “Is she just another fling or someone important?”
“I love Carolina,” Damor blurted out before he could stop himself. “I love her.” He repeated it, his emotions showing now more than the first time. “But I’m scared.”
“About what?”
“That I might not make it back to her; this coming war is unpredictable, and having faced a sage at the company the past week, I do not think I will make it against them.” He pressed his lips together, and when he released them, they quivered. He got up and turned to face the window. “I might never see Carolina again.”
“You’ve grown soft,” was all Ivan said. He got up, and he walked away to the door.
A scowl appeared on Damor’s face as he turned to Ivan. “And you have grown cold-hearted. I do not like you very much.”
“You never liked me, so that doesn’t affect me either way.” Ivan said it nonchalantly. “And you’re not dying tonight.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because I am still the wise one of this pack, and I can tell who and who will make it.” He answered and took hold of the doorknob. “You’re not one of those we lose, Damor, so stop fretting.”
Damor exhaled in relief at Ivan’s confirmation. “What about you? Do you make it past tonight?”
Ivan remained silent and opened the door. “A wise one doesn’t predict his own fate; only others.”
Before he could move, Damor spoke again. “I never got to say this, but I am sorry for your loss with Xoe.”
Ivan didn’t answer; he just nodded his head and shut the door.