Riaz’s Point Of View
My heart thumped wildly against my chest as I felt his hands around my waist. I dug my fingers in his hair as I got on his lap subconsciously. His hands traveled up my back as he pushed his tongue in my mouth. My legs felt jello. He kissed me passionately and dominantly. I gasped when I felt his hand on my bare back.
Our chest heaved heavily as we tried to catch our breaths. His hand was still trailing my back. I looked into his eyes and I felt shy. I hid my face in his shoulder and he chuckled.
“Still shy, huh?”
I can tell he’s smirking teasingly. I hit his shoulder, “stop,”
“Stop,” he mimicked and I twisted his ear.
“Ow ow. Okay okay, I’m sorry.”
I let him go and raised my head. I couldn’t meet his eyes. He held my face in place so our eyes could meet. “Riaz…” He called softly.
“Hm?”
“I have something…”
“Are you guys done in there?” Dandelion questioned from outside. I turned to the door and sighed. I turned back to Ace and he smiled at me.
“We should go and join them.” He said and I pouted. He had something to tell me. When will he have the chance to tell me? He stood up with me and let me down gently. I adjusted his hair and he smiled.
“It was… ruffled.” I said and he leaned in.
“Who ruffled it?”
I hit his chest and he laughed lightly. He planted a quick kiss on my lips, taking me aback.
“I have something to tell you. I’ll tell you later.”
“Okay.” He nodded and took my hand and walked to the door. He opened the door.
“Took you long enough. What were you two doing in there?” Dandelion huffed. I turned right and saw Alexa.
“Alexa!”
I rushed to her and embraced her tightly.
“Hey, kiddo.”
“I’m no more a kid. I’m nineteen.”
She laughed and ruffled my hair. “You celebrated your birthday without us.” She said and I smiled apologetically.
“I’m still mad at you for leaving without saying anything. We were all worried. Ace almost went crazy. He was really worried.”
I turned to Ace and he looked away shyly.
“I’m sorry, Alexa. I was just…”
“I understand.”
I smiled appreciatively and she hugged me again. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
I let her go and went to Akira. I stood in front of him and bowed. “I’m so sorry, Alpha.”
I peeked at his face and found him staring down at me expressionlessly. I gulped. Am I in trouble?
“Up.”
I straightened my back and what he did next surprised me. He hugged me. I hugged him back and he patted my back.
“I’m just glad you’re okay.” He said and I smiled. He let me go and ruffled my hair. “Your hair has grown so much longer. I thought you didn’t like your long hair.”
I shook my head. “I prefer my hair long. It was stupid of me to cut it.”
He smiled and turned to Ace. “Don’t we have things to talk about?” He said to him.
“Things like?”
“Like how you left the pack without my permission? How you missed my wedding?”
“Technically, you didn’t miss the wedding, Ace. It didn’t even happen.” Alexa said as she came to join us. I turned to Akira in confusion.
“What happened?”
“Alice showed up.” Xena said and Ace and I gasped simultaneously.
“That girl is back?” Ace asked in disbelief.
“Wow, I guess she’s really popular.” Alexa said as she linked her arm with Akira. “Long story short, she showed up injured and your alpha here, rushed to save her. Leaving me on the alter.”
Ace threw Akira a glare. “Not cool.”
“Who are you to talk?” Xena taunted. “Whose reason was it that Riaz left the pack?”
Ace cleared his throat. “That… that is different.”
I scoffed. “It isn’t. I can now see why you two are best friends.”
“Come on, Riaz.” Ace said and I rolled my eyes. I sighted Dandelion and Clover having a conversation. Devan was not in the area.
“Where’s Devan?”
“He left a few minutes before you came out.” Dandelion said.
“I think he went that way.” Clover said and I nodded.
“I’ll be back in a minute.” I said to Akira and he nodded.
I glanced at Ace and he nodded. I left the rest to look for Devan. He’s probably splitting woods. I went to his workshop and like I guessed, he was there.
“Devan?”
He split the last wood and turned to me. “What are you doing here?” He questioned breathlessly.
“Catch your breath.” He let down his axe and went in the shop to drink water. He let down the cup and sat on the bench.
“Come sit.”
I went ahead to sit beside him. “What are you doing alone here?”
“I have to work, don’t I?”
“You should take a day off sometimes. Don’t work yourself to death.”
He chuckled. “If I don’t work, I die.”
I shook my head and looked ahead.
“Are you going to leave?” He asked after some minutes of silence.
I turned to him. “I might not leave Red Orleans but-”
“But you’ll leave here.”
I bowed my head and nodded.
“I have to. I realized my mother is still alive. Well, not necessarily alive but..”
“I get it.”
“She lost everything. If I can’t give her a family again, I have to get back her land. Her people.”
He smiled. “You sound grown-up all of a sudden.”
“Why is everyone saying that? I’m grown-up.”
He chuckled. “Whatever you say. You know getting back Red Orleans wouldn’t be easy.”
I nodded. “I know but I’m still willing to try.”
“I’ll help you.”
“Huh?”
“I know it’s impossible to have your heart. Your heart has always been with Ace…”
“Devan…”
“No, let me talk. I feel like I’m going to explode if I don’t. Maybe if I had been bolder with my feelings, just maybe if I had taken a step toward you, it would have made a difference but I didn’t. Your heart is with Ace. You’re leaving with him.”
“Devan, I..”
“I’m not blaming you. All I want to say is to assure you that I’m always here for you. Whatever path you want to tread after this, I’m ready to support and fight with you. Whatever challenge you want to face, I’m ready to face them with you. You know where to find me when you need me.”
I held his hand and he smiled. “Thank you.”
He nodded.
“There you guys are!” I turned forward and saw Dandelion and the others approaching. I smiled and waved at them. These wonderful people.
They are more than friends.
They are family.