Chapter 36 Thirty Six
Aiden's POV
"Aiden! Oh my God!"
I watched my mate's friend walked right to me, panicking and hysterical as she grabbed a fistful of her hair. Her eyes dilated, her lips trembling and I hate how my chest heavied and ache and fuck! Something bad did happen!
This is the fucking first time that I felt this way. I can't find my breath, I can't focus my mind, I can't think straight, and I don't know what to do or what the fuck is happening.
For a moment, I was immobile... stunned. And my fucking head is barely holding itself. Was this the mate bond? Is she gone?
No! Fuck no!
I can feel that she's still alive! She has to!
"Where is she?" my voice growled and low. I can't think straight. I can't sense her around and that gave me the urge to punch anyone or shift and bite off heads. Fuck. Where the fuck is she? "Tell me!"
"I don't know! My God! We were just running and I overrun her then I thought she's just behind but she was gone! I'm... I..."
She can't finish her sentence like her tongue was cut, which fucking frustrate the hell out of me more. She stroked her hands on her face, trembling. I can tell she's telling the truth but I can't gather any information with her hysteria state and that makes me desperate more!
Damn it! I need to know what the fuck happened!
Did she run away? But why? I tried making things lighter even after knowing what she is! Is she still scared that I might do something to her so she run away?
Or did someone took her?
Suddenly, I shiver from the thought.
It can't be. Who in their right mind would want to mess with me? No one!
"What happened?" it was Jacob who went after me.
I run fast, even faster than I ever did so reached here first. I can sense Seth running behind us, coming closer. I did not bother answering Jacob. I knew his mate can explain everything to him since it's dawning to me what stunt she's trying to pull.
Jacob went to her mate and looked at me with caution, then Seth finally arrived, stopping at my side.
Again, my Gamma fucking kept something from me. If something bad happens to Ashira, I'm not sure if I can stop myself from blaming him.
I don't have time to chat with them. My wolf is howling inside like he can be heard. He is trying to reach Ashira! And I fucking want to howl right now, too!
"Which way did she go?" I asked, trying to be calm but I can feel myself shaking. Fuck I haven't felt any fear all my fucking life and yet the thought of losing her is making me shrink.
"W-We're running North... To the border. I-I reached first b-but she-"
"Why the fuck were you going that way?!" I didn't mean to startle her but my voice was loud and like thunder. I can't control it. I am furious and wary is eating me whole. I'm a thread away from losing my patience with this shaking kitten friend of Ash.
Going to the border?! What the fuck? I know Ashira have no reason to be anywhere near any exit. We are good. We didn't quarrel, we made up. Considering her state, she wouldn't dare step out of my land but why the fuck!
I narrowed my eyes on Lucianna.
The friend.
Of course.
The friend who hates her childish mate is the one who wanted to run. To escape. And my queen is the one missing now!
For fuck's sake!
My growl was directed to her and I did it on purpose. I was angered, annoyed but definitely not confused. I knew Lucianna is the root of this!
She tugged on Jacob's shirt when I lowly growled to her. Like she can be saved by anyone once I lose it.
My eyes went to Jacob, anger and superiority over him washed through me. He better leash his little kitten or else I would.
"I know." he said, clenching his jaw as he understand my thoughts. Mine clenches more. Yes, pup. Your mate is in deep trouble.
It's either Jacob will handle it or I will.
"We'll find her." Jacob said.
I will. I'll definitely will.
I growled.
A loud and mad growl, too intense that I felt Seth took a step back, knees shaken.
I did not wait and waste any more time. I run passed them, to North. If Ashira was trying to deliver her friend at the North border, she can't be that far. I'll look for her around that area. Maybe then I will sense her presence, becauce fuck, I can't track her!
Her friend said she reached the North first and Ash didn't made it to the border.
Fuck. Then no. She's not at the North.
I halt, miles away from where I was. I felt Seth came and cease on his heels, stopping just beside me.
"Aiden." His voice was almost apologizing. And I know.
I fucking knew that he's aware about Lucianna's escapade plan and that's enough reason that I was reckoning of beating the shit out of him. He is into the plan. He knows what they will do. Yet, fucking yet, he refused to tell me or stopped it.
And I was fucking mad that my own mate tried and hide something for me. Again.
Fucking. Again.
"I'll deal with you later, Sethurias." I growled and run east. Fast. I can't feel my legs, it's as if I was flying. I enhanced my senses more than it already was but I can't catch her scent. I fucking can't sense her aura either!
I'll try the East border where there is a cliff as the ends. If she's taken, which I'm plotting she is, that border was the closest route.
My wolf is trying to take over. He thinks he'll do better at finding Ashira than I am and it angered me more.
'Let me!'
I ignore him.
'Let me out!'
'Shut the fuck up.' I growled back, clarifying that I am most superior than him. That I have it under control. But am I?
I reached east through its edge. I eyed the surroundings and found no one. No guards? I sensed a guard available at a kilometre distance and I cursed under my breath. A loud growl enveloped the silent clearing. I was at the edge of a cliff. This is the east boarder and guards was supposed to have someone posted right where I was standing.
And. There's. Fucking. No. One.
"There's no fucking guards." I snarled when Seth keep up to my speed and stopped behind me.
He eyed the place and nodded. "Something's wrong."
I looked down the steep cliff and strong currents from the river below can be heard.
Something is definitely not right.
I turned to Seth. My jaw clenches, my hand formed into a fist and my eyes turned red. My alpha blood is taking over. Hard.
Harder than before.
"Someone broke in." I growled and opened my portal for every trackers and guards. 'Search the area of every border. Now!'
I can feel Seth flinched as he received the order as well since he was once a tracker. The pack bond was hitting him hard.
"Stay." I snarled at him, cutting him off the order I'd sent. He just nodded, beginning to be eased, but still avoids to look at my eyes.
My eyes shifted at the moon. The clear sky made it's quarter shape brighter. I felt the energy coming from it and it's embracing me like it can understand what I feel. Of how lost I am right now.
Suddenly I was enraged. Worried as fuck. And unsteady. I need Ashira without reason. She can live without a purpose in her own life but she's certainly had one in mine. She's my air. I can't breathe without her. And it's so hard to breathe right now.
I don't know what I'll be once I lost her. I never been uncertain with my life but right now, I feel lost.
Where are you, my Luna?
I closed my eyes and howl loud.
Letting go of my anxiety and fear. Trying to take a grip of myself because I can feel like anytime, I'll lose it.
IT TOOK A lethal hour but there's still no sign of her. Of my mate!
I was sitting on a log, hands on my head and my growls are heard continuously. I am losing it.
Every trackers was scurried inside and outside my territory but still, no sign of Ashira.
And I hate myself even more because I can't sense her. At all. It's like she's shut. Like her presence was concealed.
I am feeling fucking useless.
"Still nothing, Aiden." Nick said to me.
I inhaled hastily that my nostrils flare up and screwed my eyes shut. I haven't felt this frustrated.
Never but now!
"Hey, " Nick tapped my shoulders and I was not sure whether he was consoling me or calming me. "She won't be far. The east ends on the cliff, there will be nowhere to run."
I shoved his arm away from my skin. That fact makes me feel ill more. She can be on my land, still, but we can't find her! I can't find her!
"Are you sure you can't sense her?"
I growled and looked at him with are-you-fucking-kidding-me-look.
"Can't smell, can't sense, I can't fucking reach her mind!" I snapped. I was too demoralized. I can't think of anything else. Of any way. "I feel like she's blocking me but it's more like she's being concealed."
"Is there such a thing?"
"Exactly. There's no such thing." I snarled. The thought kept replaying inside my head after half-hour of searching. I can't reach her and the only way I can think of is that she's blocking me.
I suddenly wondered why. I was trying to think positive but the thought of my mate being a stealer is continuously clouding my head!
"You don't think she's one of the bad kind..." he paused. "Wait, do you?"
I hissed and rubbed my palm on my face. He just blurted out what I was trying to shut off inside my head.
Yes, I am beginning to speculate that way. Though upon thinking that Lucianna planned this from the start, it's adverse of negativity.
Unless she did plan this-
"Don't, Aiden." Nick whispered.
I don't know what Nick was trying to stop. I was not sure if it was me or my thoughts or the actions I was unconsciously planning in my head.
I want to be mad and yes, doubt is eating me. I gave her a chance. I had hope for her and if she did run away from me, if she did betray me, I knew I'll hunt her down.
And I can only think that she had escaped because no scent of unfamiliar wolf was on my land!
But still, I was trying hard to focus my head that she's been taken. She. Was. Just. Taken.
"Alpha! The Rogue was sighted at the western border! Trackers were after him right now." A pack member rushed to us, giving the most sensible information I had for a whole hour.
I didn't think and just run towards the direction. With all my speed and strength.
Above all things I've been thinking of, this is what I was denying. That Rogue. That Rogue with incredible speed of an alpha.
"Hmm. If I can't have a talk with you, I might try to have a talk with your mate. Wait, do you have one?"
Remembering those exact words from that Rogue made my blood boil, my eyes turned deep red and I was about to shift in my wolf when suddenly-
'Aiden! Ash is with me. I found her near the ancestral.'
My feet halted as soil flew all over from my abrupt stop. It was Seth. Ashira was found!
Nick went to me, huffing from trying to amount to my speed. "Aiden, Ashira is-"
"Is she safe?" I cut and when he nodded, I closed my eyes shut.
I feel like I was charged with life again and it took me just now to realize I was drained of it while Ash was gone.
"Are you okay? The Rogue might still be-"
"He's not dumb to stick around. Handle the guards, add more on the east by the cliff. I need to see my mate now."
I never asked for more, I never prayed for anything in my life but now.
I want to see her safe.
Ashira's POV
"She's okay, Aiden."
I heard someone said. I think it's Seth and upon hearing Aiden's name, my mind was activated. That's when I realized that my body was laid flat on a soft mattress and my eyes were closed.
I was unconscious?
I opened my eyes when his smell lingers on my nostrils like an intoxicating and addicting perfume. My forehead knotted as I was blinded by the brightness of the light.
I am home.
A warm large hands held my hand with firmness and protectiveness. The touch instantly went up to my spine and I am sure its Aiden.
"Ash, baby, I'm here." his deep voice clouded my head and it affects my system to run smoothly. Again.
I am safe.
I watched his gaze and he's looking at me with curiosity and worry. My heart warmed up from the sight of his perfect face. I made him worry. No...
"I-I'm okay..." I was trying hard to sound okay but I choke on my own words and cough after.
"Call the pack doctor." Aiden said and tighten his grip on my hand.
"No, I'm-I'm good."
Aiden's jaw clenched and he looked unmoved. His lips are in a flat line as he said, "Seth." which sounded that he insist his command, not bothered by my console.
I looked around and Seth just left, Nick, Ava, Luce and Jacob was at every corner of the room. Watching me.
Nick's hand is on his pocket while he bit the finger of the other. Ava smiled at me, a wary one. Jacob's expression was unreadable and he divert his gaze from me to Lucianna who's on the verge of crying any moment.
She didn't escape. Damn, did I ruined it for her?
I cleared my throat and tried getting on my feet but Aiden stopped me before I could. "Lay down until the doctor arrives."
My mind thinks he's being overprotective but upon thinking that I started this ruckus and that I was the reason behind their worrying expression made me stop myself from rolling my eyes at him.
Instead I looked around again, stayed still, and gave everyone a small smile. "I'm okay, guys."
"What happened, Ash?" It was Lucy who spoke.
"Uh, I guess I tripped somewhere and passed out."
"You're gone for an hour. Even Aiden can't track you-"
"Nick." Aiden said with warning. "She needed rest and I suggest everyone leave the room."
Silence filled the room before they mumbled their agreement and one by one, they were gone.
I caught glimpse of Lucy looking at me with teary eyes and then she smiled, a very little but strongly saying she's sorry smile. I saw Jacob's hands snaked on her back and they went off.
I looked at Aiden and his eyes didn't left mine even though everyone was walking out his room. Instantly, I felt it.
He was trying to flow his emotions to me and I was overwhelmed by it!
Relief. He's letting me feel how relieved he was that I was here, at his side. He held my hand tighter like I'll be gone any second, then he closed his eyes and changed the emotions he's trying to convey.
Furious.
Frustration.
Fear.
That's what he gave me next and I closed my eyes upon feeling every bit of it. It flowed in my veins like river. It felt like dying, like black and white, gray.
I made him feel that? I never thought I could give him any of these emotions. I... I thought he's unmoved, every time. But right now that he's letting me see how he was while I was gone, I felt happy but also sad.
Tears started swelling out of my eyes and when he opened his eyes to look at me with the most gentle gaze I've ever seen him gave me, I cried.
I sat down and throw myself at him, embracing him inside my arms as I cried on his shoulder.
"I'm here now. I'm here." I said in between my sobs and I tighten my clasp around him. I want him to feel it. I want him to know I am here and he didn't need to feel the way he did.
He clutched his hands around me and squeezed me with his strong hands but in a gentle way. He wants to make sure of it, too. He wanted to be sure I am here.
He dipped his head on my neck and inhaled hard, filling his lungs with my scent like he had died without it.
"It's still faint." he mumbles. My tears had died down after long minutes of cuddling and feeling each other. I loosened my arms around him and he did, too to meet my eyes.
"What?" I asked as I sniffed. Oh, God. I never cried like that over mixed emotion of happiness and sorrow. But what is it that faint for him?
"Your scent. Its there but its faint." he said in a low deep voice that I missed so much. I was gone for an hour, like Nick said yet I feel like its a whole one year. I miss him so much.
I knotted my forehead, not able to follow what he was saying. He smiled, understanding my curiousity as he touched my cheek with his palm, wiping off the tears.
"While you're gone, I can't... track you. Your presence, your scent, our bond, its gone. I... I can't find you."
His words cut deep in my chest. He was guilty. He felt useless and frustrated because of that. Because he can't sense me.
I cupped his face with both of my hands and he tilt his head on the side to feel my warmth more.
"It's okay. I'm here."
"Its not me who found you." he mumbles and looked down, avoiding my eyes. I'm not sure but I think I saw a cut of his ego fell.
I sighed and smiled as I tried catching his eyes on me. When I found it, I leaned forward and kissed his lips, catching him off guard. I felt him stopped breathing and he groaned when I moved away to cut the kiss before he could even respond.
"I'm here and that's all that matter now, Aiden."
He looked at me, studying my face while his golden-brown eyes are glinting from the kiss I gave.
I thought he will insist the conversation but when he tilt his head and catch my hand to kiss my palm, I knew we're over it.
"Will you tell me now what happened?" he asked. "Or if you like, we can talk about it tomorrow so you can rest."
"No." I said, almost abruptly. "I'm not tired. And this is important that you needed to hear it now."
His brow furrows and before he could ask, I speak.
"I was taken by Zeke." his body shakes as soon as I utter the word 'taken' and I almost rolled my eyes over his protective reaction. "He did not harm me, I promise. But the reason that you can't smell me at all is because he used a potion and made me drink it-"
"Baby, you lost me at the unfamiliar name. Who the fuck is this Zeke?"
I know that voice he used. I knew he will make the sky fell and the ground shake because Zeke took me and I huffed and slumped on my seat.
"Don't think any violent thoughts, baby," I copied his voice. "You'll be shocked when you hear this so-"
"I'm waiting." he cut.
I rolled my eyes and he raised a brow because of it. Sigh.
Waiting, my ass. I can tell how eager he was to know more.
"Zeke is a rogue."
"A rogue. No harm, huh?" he cut my words again and I kicked him jokingly at the ribs. I was getting annoyed and he just chuckled as he catches my leg and made slow circled on my skin using his thumb.
Argh.
"He's your cousin, Aiden. Zynia and Zeuracious son. So, yes. He didn't harm me."
Aiden stopped chuckling. His thumbs on my legs also halted drawing circles. He looked at me and his lips parted for a while and I can see his confusion envelops with shock.
"He wanted to talk."