Chapter 46 Forty Six
Ashira's POV
"No stray thoughts since last night." Aiden said observantly as he looked at me. He was not smiling but a bit of joy is what I read on those golden-brown eyes. He’s relieved and so am I. Who would want some wandering thoughts without consent? Not me.
It is the morning of the day Aiden liked and hated the most.
The peace treaty between our pack and Ravenous pack has expired, that's a favor on his part. And he hates that he'll renew the oath at midnight. If he wanted to be selfish, a war with Elon is suffice for his personal gratification. My respect in him continues to grow whenever he put his pack first in every decision.
"Thanks God." I replied with a bright grin on my face. "Wait, weren't you supposed to be at the Hall? Its a busy day."
He snorted. "Nick was always in-charge when it comes to the treaty with Ravenous." He said lazily as he snaked his arm on my waist, positioning himself behind me.
The sun was exceptionally shining lively today. Its early and the light had perfectly warm on my skin. We just finished eating breakfast and now standing back to chest at the patio, facing the serene greenery of trees and plants in front of us.
"I object to that." said Nick who popped out of nowhere. I moved a little to turn and look at Nick who was grinning from ear to ear.
"That guy," he points his finger at Aiden and I knew from Nick's smile that he's asking for his ass to get kicked any time soon. "started delegating his job to me ever since he met you." He added a loud laugh after his goofy smile.
I turned at Aiden, grinning. I played along with Nick’s teasing but inside, I hope that was true.
Aiden only snorted.
"Really?" I asked, hopeful. And to be honest, it feels good to hear those words from Nick but I hid it behind a low chuckle as Aiden hugged me tighter.
The first time I met Aiden, he was too busy with his duties that I always ached to see him every second. Or to be with him, always. And Nick was right, Aiden was always on my side these days.
"That look," Nick's eyes narrowed at Aiden. "means I need to excuse myself." then laughed as he walks away and like usual, Nick is gone in a blink.
Aiden loosened his embrace and I took that opportunity to turn and look at his face. I’m not letting this topic die down because I witnessed the changes, too.
I get the feeling that I will hate myself if I was the reason behind Aiden’s misdemeanor.
"Was that true?" I asked playfully, trying to cover the slightest accusation that my mind has entertained.
Aiden screwed his eyes shut, looking irritated but the willingness to prolong the conversation was there. Although his jaw kept tightening so I figured he was still irritated somehow.
Maybe on Nick? Or me? I’m not sure but I was willing to take the risk just to hear his answer.
Oh, I hope he does.
When Aiden opened his eyelids, I almost drowned by the shade his eyes. I was stunned. What was he thinking that made me felt struck like this? His thoughts is overwhelming and reflecting in his eyes.
His eyes turned to a darker golden-brown that it was almost copper. It expresses a feeling that I knew every word he would say was hard to utter but he wanted to let it out.
I saw this eyes a couple of times: when he was passionate about something at work, when he was flowing his thoughts to me and when he was under the power of desire and heat.
"I didn’t delegate my duties to my Beta ever since I met you, Ashira. I only did when I can't take my eyes off you since the night that Zeke took you away." he said in a low but deep voice. The tone that had my knees shaking, that voice that melts me.
My mouth dropped open. I knew he took a huge blow from that event but upon knowing how dedicated he was with his title, I didn't think he would react that way up until now.
"I… Don’t d-"
"Don't try and stop me, baby.” his voice softens. He looked me straight through my soul as silence enveloped us. At last, he sighed. “If I know they needed me at the hall, I'll be there. My duty are undemanding these days so don't worry, I'm not lacking on anything."
I pouted and took a step back. I wanted to inch myself away a little because my mind couldn’t function properly when he was that way! I couldn’t argue if he already explained himself like so. Like he said it clearly and that should be final.
"I'm not saying-"
"I just don't wanna leave you alone yet." his interruption made my heartbeat quick and loud. It was a confession! He admitted the reason behind his action and I didn’t think he would include that, uh, in a sudden.
Aiden stepped closer and reached for my cheek. He caressed my soft skin as I melt in his gaze.
"I can't leave you for a long time." he continued in a whisper. Damn, am I getting horny right now? What the heck!?
I swallowed the bump forming on my throat. I feel like my mouth had dried and upon looking at his normally wet lips, I’m more thirsty. I loved times like this with him but I was more comfortable with the grumpy Aiden than... right now.
Because I feel like I would jump on him and fuck him in this broad daylight! Not that we haven’t but I still can’t forget the last time I did that.
My cheeks flared as I remembered that moment and I quickly distract my head to utter any word or else I’ll really jump on him!
"I-I can take care of myself-"
"A potion that made you weak." He stated to prove a point, indirectly opposing my words.
"I drank it myself!" I protested to save myself. Also, Zeke didn’t meant any harm when he offered me to drink the potion. It’s not like that event summed up that I can’t take care of myself!
"Don't make me blame this with idiocy, Ashira."
My face heated with shame and irritation. He didn’t convey that I’m an idiot but what he prefer that lacked enough intelligence is my action!
I knew what he meant but I didn't bother to argue with him on that. True, he may see it that way. An act of idiocy. But for me, that was never the case. I used my fucking mind before making that decision.
"Stop being overprotective, Aiden.” I shook my head “What if there will be another war, huh? You need to fight for the pack, not babysit me."
He snorted and creased his forehead. "I'll finish a war fast and bloody." My mouth dropped open and his face is not helping me recover from what he said. His expression is far from joking! "Then I'll come back to you." he finished his sentence like he didn’t started it with an impossible phrase.
Again, I was lost. I wanted to laugh with his impulsivity. I can't believe of the ideas he got just so to keep me safe!
Like a bomb, something inside my chest exploded colors and rainbows. Suddenly, I was overwhelmed, overjoyed, and filled with an energy I thought I’ll only feel once in my whole life.
I've felt this way before.
When I was finally accepted by my family, overjoyed of the feeling on being a part of Eric and his family.
This feels the same just like then.
The feeling of home again.
My eyes watered and I turn my face to hid it from him. Why should I cry from such a heartwarming words? I don't want him to think I am all messed up inside my head. Thoughts leaking, suddenly crying from being overwhelmed, I'll definitely look like a freak to him.
I chuckled awkwardly to hide my emotions. "But you need to leave me at times." I reminded him. I brushed my eyes before tears fell down.
"Only if I need to.” He held my face with his hands and made me look at him. “But I’ll come back to you.”
I turned to face him and I was welcomed by the sincerest pair of eyes once more. My heart beats abnormally fast and there was no words I could utter. His gaze completely shut my system!
“Hell, this is not the mate bond taking over anymore." he lowered his head and my eyes focused on his parted lips. I looked up to his eyes and found him looking at my lips, too. Uncomfortable by his gaze, I bit my lower lip unconsciously and he brought his eyes back on mine.
“I’ll never leave you even if I'll want to.” he whispered and finally claimed my lips.
I shiver as I closed my eyes, not successful to hold back the tears that I tried to suppress. Aiden groaned when I answered his kiss but it became an abrupt kiss when he felt my tears flowed on his hands and moved away.
“Why are you crying?”
I shook my head fast, wiped my tears and chuckled awkwardly. I silently cursed on myself. Damn you, emotions for breaking me away from my favorite part with him!
“I was just… overwhelmed.” I said. Trying to ease the atmosphere by chuckling but Aiden kept a worried and confused face.
“I should talk with Zynia about your changes.” he said hesitantly. My eyes widened when I get what he meant! He still thought something was wrong with me! He haven’t recover that my thoughts leaked last night and being emotional makes him paranoid even more. Was I too stiff to him?
“I’m fine, Aiden!”
“I didn’t say otherwise. But she knows your abnormality more than I do. I wanted to be sure if this has to do with it.”
I sighed. I know he already planned to talk with Zynia but I’d like to spend more time with him or just make out with him. The thought made me pout.
My expression didn’t escaped his eyes. He reached to me again, held the sides of my waist and looked me in the eyes like he’s trying to read my head.
“You don’t want me to talk with Z?” he guessed and I immediately shook my head ‘no’. “Then?”
I heard my wolf howl inside me! I was touched, no, I feel something deeper than that. His words sounds so true, sincere and freed. It’s like he tries to reach into me deeper every second.
This is the second time he gave me a piece of what he was feeling behind his dark and serious character. And it feels good like the first time. It feels awesome that he can start opening himself to me, being comfortable around me.
I sighed and smiled at him. “You can talk to Zynia now. I’ll just go for a run. My wolf kept ignoring me and I think it needs to loose some energy.”
Aiden narrowed his eyes at me. “What?” I asked.
“I haven’t seen your wolf form.” he stated. I laughed and he catched me inside his embrace. “I’ll talk to Z later. I’ll join you.” I laughed even more. He was right. I haven’t shown my wolf to him and that’s because we didn’t started right and in order.
“Mmmkay.” I mumbled between my grin. “Let’s race to your spot!”
Aiden grinned and took off his shirt fast. Oh, we can’t wait, huh?