Chapter 49 Forty Nine
Aiden’s POV
‘Aiden.’
I was about to walk down the to the basement when Nick reached my mind. The tone in my Beta’s voice made me halt my steps, he’s troubled about something and it sounded important to me.
‘Any problem?’ I asked, jumping to the point. Nick have this side where he kept taking the long road before saying what the problem is. And I know there’s a problem.
‘I need you at the hall. Are you available right now?’
See what I mean? I sighed and looked down the stairs. The talk with Zynia could wait.
‘I’ll be there.’
I turned and went to where my truck was parked, sliding on the driver’s seat and switching the engine on.
‘There’s some change of plans. I’m needed at work. I’ll talk to Z once I got back.’ I mind-linked Ashira so she would know where I’ll be.
‘Is everything all right?’ she asked.
‘I don’t know yet but if there is, I’m sure its a minor trouble.’
Well, from the way Nick called on me, it’s nothing major. If it is, I’m sure he will be hell-bent on telling me what the problem could be.
Which he didn’t.
‘Okay, take care.’
I called on to Seth as I drove, checking if he’s around and he confirmed he does. I can’t left Ashira alone and though Seth always got trap with my mate’s troublesome behaviour at time, he’s the most trusted person for her protection.
I reached the Hall fast and Nick was already standing in front of the building as I turned the engine off.
“What seems to be the problem?” I headed inside the Hall and he walked beside me.
“It’s the Ravenous pack.” he answered. I stopped walking and gave him the look.
What is it this time?
Nick gave me an ‘I-know-right-look’ and I sighed, continued walking to my office as this conversation needed privacy.
I sat on my chair and Nick started talking the moment the door was closed. “No one in that rotten pack has coordinated with us. They won’t answer to our call, they won’t let our shifters to enter their territory to converse. Something was off.”
The peace treaty between our packs has been lifted today, and Elon was being stubborn already. Though I would say that this is the first time they barred us off before a contract renewal. Which is not usual, at all.
“Station some watchers around their land, observe their movements from a safe distance.”
“I’ll arrange it immediately. But our members can’t get too close or else it will look to them that we’re spying.”
I smirked. “We are.”
If Elon is involved, I’ll definitely break every rules. If not for my pack, I would’ve provoked him so he could start a war for me to finish.
Nick sighed and scratched the back of his head. “I know. But it will look that we want to start a war.”
I turned my chair and looked at the wall. My eyes lingered on my father’s portrait with my mother beside him.
Silence enveloped my office as my thoughts wandered far. Too far that I don’t know what I was thinking of, or how deep I slumber with the hatred memories of the past.
This picture made me strong since the first day I sat on this chair, since the day I acquire this position and gripped the responsibility to look after the pack.
“Maybe we should,” I said before thinking and earned a loud hiss from my beta. I laughed upon realizing I had said it out loud.
“Aiden,” Nick warned. “That’s not an option.”
I knew he got a point, its his job to be on point. But a war with Elon has been on the top of my choices ever since I could remember. Though I knew I shouldn’t.
That makes it hard to fought inside.
“I was kidding, nerd. Just let Elon with his old tiring ways, we can’t read his stupid plans but still be prepared for the worst.”
Even without the unusual movement in Ravenous pack from the past renewal ceremony, I set up the pack and prepare for any possible attack. It has yet to come, but I won’t let our guard down.
One thing my father had thought me was this: Never close one eye if the enemy has stepped your land. It does not matter if its just a toe, never trust the owner of the foot.
I turned around and faced Nick, eyeing him briefly, he nods his head as response to my command.
Sighing, I straighten on my chair and slammed my palm weakly on the wooden table.
“Since I’m here, I’ll sign and study the important documents.” I looked at the pile of papers above my desk.
“Okay. Arrangement were made to confer the renewal at the Ruins, is that where you still prefer the meeting to take place?”
I nodded.
That’s been the place we held the same ceremony since it started anyway. The very place that this war has started and there we try and bury that bloody past by the bond of peace treaty of our packs.
Irony at its finest.
“I’ll leave you then.” Nick excused himself and I busied myself with the piled works, tossing insignificant reports to my wait list and focusing on the essentials.
I finished my works but stayed at my office for a while.
“You’re still here?”
I didn’t bother to turn and look at Nick. He placed a thin layer of papers on my desk and I checked it out.
“What’s this for?”
“Financial reports for the advanced training of our packs’ pup shifters.” he recited.
I raised my brow and scanned the documents. There’s overall half a hundred of pups who signed up for the advance training and I smiled upon seeing my pack evolving better.
“They are not done for the basic training, right?”
“Yes, but some pups are good and ready for the next stage. Lucrias arranged the list personally.”
“Hmm.” I signed the paper after reading it thoroughly. “I’m done for today.” I said as I gave him the paper he asked for me to sign.
“Give me a lift. I’ll just hand this downstairs.”
I nodded, picking up the key to my vehicle.
“I’ll wait in the truck.”
I looked at my wristwatch and found that its late. I don’t feel the hunger yet which made me realize that my head was occupied with thoughts I shouldn’t entertain.
“You’re aura makes me cringe. What’s up?” Nick said as he slide inside the truck. I ignored him and started the engine, driving back to The Ancestral.
“You’re still thinking of starting a war with Elon, huh?”
I knew Nick won’t let the conversation just close if I ignore him. He’s so nosy and does not have the ability to let any topic he like to slide.
I sighed and shrugged, not minding to respond. But yes, that’s the thought. That’s always been the thought.
Nick sighed. “You’re this way every year, Aiden.”
I chuckled. “I’m not acting on it. Chill.”
“Still, you’re freaking me out!”
I laughed. “Can’t help with your fear. Sorry.”
Nick kept blabbering his opinions and thoughts and I kept my eyes on the road. Practically blocking him inside my head. I know what to do, and what not. Those are just wild thoughts, I don’t need him to try and stop something I wouldn’t do in the first place.
I step on the break as I parked roughly in front of my house.
“Goodness, I almost hit my head.” Nick complained.
“You’ll heal.” I said cockily.
Upon walking out of the truck, I caught Ashira’s scent quickly. It’s faint, just the mate bond letting me smell her.
She’s at our room, safe and hidden inside the four corners of the wolf-proof room.
‘Ash.’ I called into her inside my head. ‘I’m home.’
I looked up and watched the huge glass window at our bedroom, witnessed her peaking through the thick glass, checking if I had arrived truthfully.
‘Are you hungry? I’ll be down in a sec.’
‘No, don’t bother. I’ll just talk with Z for a bit then I’ll be upstairs.’
I saw her nodded to me so I started my way inside the house.
“I can smell food.” Nick sniffed the air and run towards the kitchen. “Hey, Seth, where you’ve been.”
“Patrol. I stayed after.” I heard Seth answered then the two started eating.
I walked down the basement, hearing two heartbeats of my visitors in peace.
Zynia got even better and I can hear it from the way her heart beats. It’s not weak, and I can’t distinguish which was Zeke and hers by now.
I made Aurea took a leave while my rogue traveller stays at the house. I have to, otherwise its not too long before she caught their scent.
Three knocks and I opened the door to their room once I reached it. Zeke was laying comfortably on his bed while Zynia sat on a chair, scribbling through her notes, a journal perhaps.
“Alpha Aiden.” she greeted me, slowly placing down the pen. Zeke took a glance at us but just that, so I ignored him.
“How are you feeling? Are they feeding you right?” I asked, grabbing a chair and sitting right in front of her in a safe distance.
“They do, they do.” she chuckled. “Your Gamma is kind to us-”
“Rude.” Zeke interrupts. My forehead creased with his comment. True, Seth talks properly, more serious than Nick but I can’t see him rude towards Z.
“Don’t be like that, Zeke. He’s probably just protective of his Luna,” she smiled. Oh, he acted rude towards my ‘cousin’. I would, too.
Plus, I get what they meant, it’s not Seth’s job to be over-friendly with them. He probably see them as a threat until now. They are still rogues without any bond with our pack.
Zeke might not harm any of us, yes, because we’re under the blood oath. But Zynia was not.
“I know you have questions, Alpha Aiden. I could see it clear into your eyes. Confused. Seeking. You came for my aid, and I’m willing to help.” Zynia smiled at me, gently.
I sighed and looked up, gathering every thoughts, every question that I came here for. It’s getting late and soon the moon would rise through the darkness.
No more time should be wasted.
“I worry about her.” I started. “Last night, I heard her mind without her intention. Her thoughts seems to leak to me and Seth but she’s completely unaware of it. We’re in the same room with Nick that time but he didn’t heard it. It lasted for only a few minutes and she managed to barred her mind but I can’t let that slip easily. I need answers.”
Zynia blinked twice, she looked taken aback of what she heard. “Where is she now? Can you ask her to come down-”
“No, she hates the smell. She said your scent is suffocating and it didn’t faded the way you said it would be.”
Zynia gasped, her hand flew to her mouth as shock drew all over her face.
“What is it? Tell me, Zynia.”
Without blinking, her expression didn’t change as she dropped her hands. “Oh my, Alpha Aiden, she-”
‘AIDEN! ELON HAS STARTED A WAR!’
I almost jumped when Nick alarmed me inside my head. I stood up, making Zynia stop her words.
“I’ll be back. Ravenous has started a war.” I said and walked out of the room.
“Ohhh! Finally! It’s been ages since I tastes some blood.” I heard Zeke said but I ignored him. I’ll let Z take care of her son.
‘Is this another of Elon’s scheme?’ I asked as I stride up the staircase in my inhuman speed. I almost bumped on Nick at the front door, his eyes was wide open, his mind connecting to our fighters, too.
“No, Aiden. They are at every border and bought all of their fighters. They are definitely not here for the renewal ceremony.”
I growled, agitated but celebrating inside. Adrenaline, thrill and thirst enveloped my every being. My wolf howls inside, he’s been waiting for this day to come just like the way I do.
I commanded the council heads, giving their designated task but one: Elon is mine to kill. Finally, the end of his fucking bloodline.