Chapter 17 Seventeen
'Someone is nervous.' I growled to my wolf as she teased me. She has been doing that for a while now. I was blocking my emotions and only she can feel me, not letting Aiden notice my uneasiness.
We're inside his black GMC Hummer EV along with Nick and Seth. Ava couldn't come with us because Seth's parents wanted to bond with her, I tried forcing her but decided to let her go.
Nick was driving while Seth was in the seat next to him. Aiden and I sat on the back, my arm encircled with him as his hand was rested on my legs.
It took me a great effort to block my feelings and arguing with my wolf, trying hard for Aiden to not take notice that I'm nervous.
We arrived at the first house and were greeted by a woman in her late twenties. There are dark circles below her swollen eyes. She must've been crying this whole time.
"Alpha." she bowed her head down, giving respect to Aiden as she saw him. Her eyes turned to me and inhaled. She bowed her head once she figured that Aiden's claim can be smelt on me. She bowed the same to Nick and Seth.
We were welcomed inside her house and I noticed a fading scent of her dead mate in it.
They didn't have a child.
"I offer my condolences, Mira." Aiden started. Mira bowed her head to him before low sobs came from her. I felt sad for her and I stood up to give her a tight hug. I can feel my tears started burning the sides of my eyes as I felt her emotions. I rubbed my hand on her back, trying to console her as her cries slowly stopped.
"I'm sorry, Alpha. My husband's death was really painful. I don't know what to do with my life now." she said between suppressed cries.
I figured that my wolf's abnormality can only be known by the opposite sex. I started easing my panic as I thought that the fighters who died are probably all male.
"I'm sorry for your loss." I whispered and she looked at me and gave me a weak smile.
"John's death will be honored for his bravery. He's a great fighter that our pack will retain. The pack will take care of you on John's behalf."
Mira repeatedly thanked us between her sniffs and sobs.
I just had my mate and I don't know what to feel when I'll lose Aiden. I understand Mira's words when she said she doesn't know what to do with her life anymore. Just thinking I'll be on her shoes also give me the same thoughts.
"Luna." Mira said to me that shocked me at first before realizing that she acknowledged me and my position in her Alpha's side. "Thank you for your comforts. I'm so grateful."
I smiled and held her hand. "I hope the best for your heart's recovery. I'll be here for you was you needed someone to talk to." I assured her and I'm true to my words. I feel like I can run to her once she needed me. Aiden's pack beginned to embrace me as soon as Aiden claimed me. Now that I'm being revealed to the pack's eyes, I feel more like a part of it. My wolf can feel the surging fire to protect this pack and that must be the influence of Aiden being the Alpha.
So this was what a Luna feels.
"An introduction party will be held for Luna Ashira on the night of Christmas. Everyone from the pack is invited to come." It was Nick who spoke. I was amazed of how formal he was now that we're out. He even called me Luna.
"I won't miss the chance of it, Luna, Alpha." she said.
We took off after a few words from Aiden and Nick.
Once inside the car, headed to the next family to attend, I can't stop thinking of how painful they must be experiencing right now for their loss.
"You did well." Aiden whispered to my ears, complimenting what I did with Mira. I didn't do that because I'm obliged to, but because that was what I think was right to do at that moment. She had no one now. Her mate died and they didn't produce a pup.
"She's alone now." I murmured.
Aiden held my head and bring it to rest on his shoulder, kissing my hair.
"She have us. The pack will be there for her."
"Yes but," I sighed as I felt another wave of sorrow strikes my chest. What I meant was she was literally alone, Mira will wake up without her mate on her side and her day will continue the same. Yes, the pack was family. But its different when it comes to mate. "What will happen to her now?"
"The pack won't abandon her. We'll take care if her needs that was once provided by her mate."
"What pack was she from?"
If she was born here at the Prime, it won't be too lonely because her family will be there for her but if she was like me who came from other pack, then its a different story.
"She came from the Crescent Moon pack of the East."
That was so far.
"She got no family in blood here."
"In cases like Mira, they are permitted to go back to their old pack but only if she wishes to."
"What usually happens with wolf's that lost their mate?"
In Regal pack, the she-wolves who lost their mate are given a task or activity to keep them occupied. That was why our pack have female fighters as well. Male wolves in the other hand already got roles for the pack from the moment they were born. The only issue I was worried in was when it comes to the females.
"Some end up like Aurea. They'll have their own work for the pack, to give them responsibility was like giving them piece of life." I nodded. That's the same with our pack.
"Do you make them fighters too?"
"Some. If they wanted. Some chose to serve for the pack." Like Aurea, I guess.
"What about the others?"
"The others go to their old pack, to where their families are. Some had intimate relationship with wolf of the opposite sex who also lost their mates. Finding comfort with each loss."
"And the rest?"
Aiden didn't spoke immediately and move his eyes to the window, watching the trees we're passing by.
"The rest go rogue."
I paled with that information. My old pack have no cases like that. Alpha David made sure that his wolf stays with his pack.
Well, Alpha David mostly done that because he can't have more wolf to lose. Pack's believed to strength in numbers. I guess Aiden doesn't think the same or his pack was just great in numbers that he didn't mind to lose few.
"You're letting them?" I asked, curious.
He shrugged and looked back at me. "I never tolerate traitors. Once they decides to go, I let them."
"But makes sure they will never go back." Driving Nick joined our conversation, I hissed when Aiden growled at him. I quickly understood what he meant.
"You're killing them?!"
I saw Seth shifted uncomfortably into his seat as Nick also stiffened. That's when I realized that Aiden's low growl are focused on Nick.
I instantly put my palm on his chest and tried snatching his eyes away from Nick's nervous back.
"Hey, " I said softly. "I just wanna know. You don't need to be angry with Nick."
He looked at me and his eyes softened when he saw how close my face to his is. I felt the guy's loosened and found ease when Aiden shifted his mood real quick.
'Thank me later.' I said to both of them through our link. Seth chuckled lowly and Nick just sighed and continued driving.
I don't know why Aiden won't want me to know his ways as an Alpha. It's not like I'm against of killing, death or anything. If someone can be harmful, death was the easiest resolve. It's his pack though, it's his rule. I won't try and change that or hate it unless it's unreasonable.
And rogues have the blood of a traitor. That's every pack's view.
Aiden leaned his back and pulled me with him, dropping me on his hard chest.
I started feeling my heat trying to arise but I controlled it, remembering Aiden's words from earlier. I can't risk my aroused scent to be smelt around the car or else he might snap again.
The conversation died from there. I didn't bother talking about it again as Aiden already calmed his nerves.
We attend to four more homes and it's a variety of mourning wives, children, and parents. One of the dead wolves was young and hadn't found its mate yet. That made me feel sour. I was grateful I had found Aiden and did not have to experience the same. But a part of me also feared that losing him felt better than founding him before losing him.
"Are we going home now?" I asked, we're inside the car again and it's already past afternoon. It's almost dark outside.
"We got one more to go." Aiden said as he massaged his temple. I murmured an okay as I closed my eyes. What we're doing was easy but it's pretty exhausting.
"Don't forget to talk to Titus first about removing him in the council. And properly." Nick said to Aiden, looking at him at the rearview mirror.
Aiden nodded and I guessed we're done with the mourning families. They must need something to discuss with this Titus and we're passing by before heading home. An Alpha sure was busy with his duties and I can tell that today. No wonder he often come home late and rarely early.
We stopped at a house where every lights are open. It's almost dark. There's a few cars parked outside. I think the Titus guy have a guest.
"Jeron and Lucrias is here." Nick announced as he unbuckled his seatbelt. I looked at the house and recognized three wolf scent. There must be three of them inside.
"Seth, stay with Ashira in the car. We'll go first and I'll tell you once we're done with our talk." Aiden said as he opened the car door. I was clueless at first and realize I'm not coming with him inside.
Aiden turned to me and kissed my head. "Seth will know when you two can follow us inside." He said before sliding out of the car.
I watched the both of Aiden and Nick walked towards the house and sighed once they entered the front door.
Seth looked at me in the back when he heard me sigh.
"You okay?" he asked. I noticed Seth was not as formal than the usual Gamma I know. The same goes for Nick. They're too carefree with their actions towards Aiden and even me.
I nodded and shifted on my seat, leaning in to be closer to him.
"Were you and Aiden close?" I asked.
"Oh." he laughed. "Yeah. Me, Nick and him grew up together since our fathers are close with each other too." he said and grinned at me. So Nick and Seth inherited their ranks by blood. "Why'd you ask?"
I shrugged and moved back to my seat. "I just thought you're different from the other Beta and Gamma I saw." I said. I never seen Eric reacts the same way they do.
He chuckled and turned to look at me. "Its all the same with every pack. You just haven't seen it because it mostly happens when there was no audience. In your case, you're our Luna. We can refrain formality with Aiden in front of you. Wait, what would you like me to call you?"
"Uh, just Ashira. I'm not used to being called with a title."
My wolf huffed with my answer. She pretty liked to be praised to. I nagged at her in my mind.
"You'll get used to it. I'll only call you Luna when we have audience, then. I had to ask since Aiden's mother..." he stopped talking. Hesitant of what to add next.
"What? You can tell me. I know some things about her."
"Ohhkay. Well, Luna Tina never allowed my father call her in a first name basis. She insisted control and respect anywhere. Nick's father can't even joke around Alpha James when Luna Tina was around." He shrugged. "Some are like that, too."
I understand his words perfectly. I'm glad Aiden didn't took after his mother's behavior though. Plus, Luna Tina have her right to act that way since thats the custom in packs and its rank.
"How old is the three of you?" i asked, prolonging the conversation. Its better than to stare at nowhere though.
"You don't know Aiden's age yet?" He looked surprised and his tone didn't hide it.
"Uh, we haven't had the get to know each other talk." I grinned, slightly embarrassed but hide it behind my smile.
"Oh. Well, I'm surprised Aiden had accepted a mate. No offense." He raised his brows and I nodded. "Nick and I never thought he'll take the mate bond seriously."
I do, too. The first time I saw him, he's mixed with ridiculous emotions. I can don't want to even recall those days.
"Well, I'm 22, same as Nick. Aiden was a year older and turned 23 last August. Nick and I both had the title last year when we reached the age of turn over. Have you heard that Aiden was young when he took over the pack?"
I figured Seth was telling me all the details he like to share and I'm right to know with. I was listening attentively, interested with knowing more about Aiden.
I nodded as answer to his question.
"Yeah. He was 15 when he became an Alpha. My father was with him the entire time, guiding him with his duties though he didn't really need the help. He's too smart and strong that the pack accepted him without any doubts considering his age. Nick and I was with him at those times, training under our fathers."
I nodded again. Remembering what Aiden had gone through always made a flinch of pain in my chest as my wolf howl its cries.
Seth didn't talked more and I decided to change the subject.
"Why didn't we go inside with them?" I said as I looked at the house again. I can't hear them inside or see their shadows through the windows. I figured that Titus guy had an office inside which was wolf proof, as I liked to call it.
"They had to talk with Titus' removal from the council."
"What is he?"
"Titus is the head of the guards. Aiden will talk to him formally to step down his position. Not that Aiden needed to but Nick convinced him."
I bet Aiden just wanted to take Titus off his seat without a proper talk. Well, he can do that though it will be better if he listened to Nick.
"What did he do?"
"Well, the reason five of our wolf died from the attack was because of his negligence. He was distracted that he's unable to fight the rogue despite the power bested on him by his position in the council."
I frowned, not following with Seth's explanation.
"I don't understand. Why was he distracted?"
"Well his-" Seth paused, I figured Aiden or Nick might've been sending him a message. "Its our cue. Let's go."
I frowned more. Why am I needed inside if its a talk about pack positions? I can't see the need for my presence inside.
"Why do we need to join them then? Its pack issue."
Seth was already outside the car and he opened my door and held his hand out.
I reached to it and moved out of the car.
"Titus's mate, Sharma, died along the others. That's the reason that he was unable to fight back. And also why you are needed inside. Come."
With that being heard, every blood drained my body. I felt my feet stopped and stuck on the ground.
I thought we're done. I thought I'm safe since every mateless wolf I encountered today were females. I never thought...
"Hey, we should go. Aiden was having a short meeting with Lucri and Jeron. Titus is alone in the living room now. Aiden said we can start giving our condolences."
DAMN.