Alexandria
"Alexa." A distant voice cooed trying to wake me but the problem was that I didn't want to. I felt safe in this wonderful tingly warmth covering me and that was enough to keep my fuzzy mind at ease. Cuddling into this feeling I couldn't help but want to be closer to the warmth.
"I think she's waking." Another voice spoke sounding relieved.
I felt a light touch of tingles pat my cheek as a smooth deep voice spoke once again reassuring me, "I've got you Little Mouse, I won't let anything hurt you."
Hurt me? Is something going to hurt me? Wait I know that waffle fucking voice!
Then it all came back to me. The fight with Aden and the snap in the woods. Someone was definitely watching us. We got to run, we have to get out of here.
My heartbeat quickened and I finally became aware of my surroundings. The tingles I felt wrapped around me like arms...Aden's arms. He was holding onto me calming down my racing heart.
My head still fuzzy I slowly opened my eyes to be greeted by worried stormy grey eyes. I felt frozen in place captivated by his eyes not wanting to break away from the safe feeling they gave me. I could stay like this forever letting all my worries and fears wash away.
Unfortunately, feet shuffling next to us broke our intense gaze bring me back to reality. Fear coursed through my body once again putting me on high alert. "W-what happened? Where a-are we?"
"We are still in the garden, you fainted Al." My head snapped to the voice that just spoke and to my luck it was Nolan. He had a fatherly look of worry written all over his face as he got down to my leave.
Feeling confused I looked at both of them and questioned, "how long was I out?"
"Only for five to two minutes tops," Aden was the one to speak now still holding onto me like his life depended on it. "Those minutes felt like hours." He mumbled under his breath that I almost didn't hear.
Still confused I looked to Nolan, "how did Nolan get here so fast?"
"Aden told me that you seemed to scared to be out of the house after your run in the woods and thought that I should guard the garden since you are most comfortable with me." Nolans worry lines softened as he saw me visibly relax.
The realisation that I was safe washed over me like a big comforting wave. Aden had believed my worry about being followed and took action to protect me. He knew I could have just overreacted but he took that step to make me comfortable. This news caused my heart to skip a beat as I started at my mate in wonder.
"I thought someone was watching us like when I was being watched by the waterfall," I confessed feeling stupid for freaking out in the first place. "I didn't know it was you, I couldn't even get a whiff of your scent. Is something wrong with me?"
Both Aden and Nolan broke out in laughter. Getting mad that they were both laughing at me I shoved at Aden to let go of me even if his arms felt like heaven on earth but he just held on tighter and calmed his laughter a little. With a cheeky grin, he apologised quietly to me.
"What was so funny?" I couldn't help but pout madly at them.
Nolan got up from his crouched position sighing deeply. "Well I guess now is better than never to give you a little history lesson on Hunters."
Nolan held out a hand to me to help me up probably noticing my discomfort from being on the floor. Aden let me go so I could take Nolan's hand as he pulled me up off the floor. I still felt a little dizzy but Aden was back by my side holding my elbow up to stabilise me.
"Maybe we should sit by the water fountain before you fall down again." Aden joked lightly but I could tell he was worried about me which I couldn't deny put a little smile on my face.
Both of them lead me back to the water fountain. I sat with Aden on one side of me and Nolan standing up in front of us. I felt safe with these two men with me but my wolf wasn't which put me on edge. I think Aden noticed because he placed his hand on my back and started to rub along my spin up and down soothing the tension my wolf was causing. Which I mentally thanked him for before giving all my attention to Nolan.
"I feel like I need to start at the beginning of the werewolf hunters and how they came to be." Nolan paused and I nodded to him to continue so he knew I was listening. "I don't know if you know this already but a true hunter isn't just a random human that decided they wanted to kill all wolves. Yes, there are human hunters but so rare since they really don't have the capabilities to take on the tasks. I come from a long line of true hunters and you are probably wondering what the difference from a true hunter and a human hunter is." There are different types of hunters? Starting to get intrigued I find myself giving Nolan all my attention now.
"What you need to know is that the first hunters were children of werewolves which yes indeed makes them wolves but not quit. The first hunters are werewolves that never turned and it is said that they grew jealous of werewolves causing them to want to hunt them all down. At the start it was out of jealousy but slowly as they had children of their own they felt that it was their duty to kill all werewolves may they be good or bad. Most hunters don't believe that their ancestors were werewolves as their beliefs on how impure wolves were and the thought of having werewolf blood in their veins was unspeakable. They believe they were created by God to rid the world of the evil that wolves were."
"What makes us different from humans is that even though we don't have a wolf in us we have some abilities. We are stronger than the average human, faster and have a higher metabolism. We are the perfect match to take out werewolves compared to normal humans." I never knew any of this...maybe that's why hunters always have the upper hand because we are so oblivious to the fact that they are more than just human.
"What about the scent thing?"
"Well, that one comes down to evolution. As we continued to hunt wolves the hunters' geans evolved to be able to mask their scent. Don't get me wrong not every werewolf that doesn't have a wolf in them will become a hunter but it is really rare for them not to become one though. Without a wolf in us, we feel like something is missing. A hole in our soul that the wolf is supposed to fill. The need to fill whole drives us hunters to do what we do."
I was shocked by how little I knew about hunters and that they were way more dangerous than we were lead to believe. The information dumped on me was a lot to prosses but it made me trust my hunter all the more. Getting a little curious I quickly ask, "show me."
"What?"
"Turn on your scent."
"Oh." He smirked and just like that I smelt his all to familiar scent waft into my nose.
"Wow no wonder why Aden convinced his father to let you into the pack. With that type of information of understanding hunters, we could stay clear of how dangerous they really can be. I was always lead to believe you all were just human." I admitted my lack of knowledge.
"Well ever since we let Nolan into our pack we have had no deaths by hunters and it's saved us all heartbreak." Aden now spoke up grabbing my attention now.
Smirking I got up and punched Nolan on the shoulder lightly. "You are cooler than I originally thought."
Nolan rubbed his shoulder faking being in pain, "ow, I thought I was already cool."
Shaking my head laughing I turned to Aden. "Can we go back to the house I am kind of done with being out here? Plus on top of that, you owe me a favour."
Aden lifts an eyebrow suggestively with a little smirk playing on the corners of his lips in answer before getting up. My heart raced a little at the thought of what he was suggesting with his playful gaze but quickly was steadied by my wolfs fear of the idea.
-
Sitting on the couch of our room I flicked through channels on the tv as Aden did some of his work on his laptop. I couldn't find anything interesting to watch except for one particular thing. Aden.
I couldn't stop stealing glances of him as his beautiful face worked through multiple different emotions. Most being stressed as his brows furrowed in confusion. Rarely did I see him make a happy look on his face as he did his work but no matter the face he made he still looked like an angel sent from the waffle gods themselves.
When we got back to the house a few hours ago he asked what the favour was but I told him to just catch up on work because it wasn't time yet. Well, I actually just brought up the favour because I wanted out of the garden since being outside for that long was still itching at my skin.
I did have some idea of what favour I wanted to ask of Aden but I'd have to wait if I didn't want to deal with the pack. Plus I had to text Lydia about it so she didn't wreak my plans.
Lost in thought not realising I was still staring, Aden's eyes looked up from his laptop catching me. A little smirk played on his lips knowing he caught me. Without a word, he closed his laptop placing it on his bed before getting up and made his way to me.
I couldn't help but gulp frozen on the couch just watching him. He sat on the other side of the couch laying his leg across the couch so his feet were touching me. The tingles unfroze me washing me with a calm feeling that I have come to long for more and more. Everything about him intoxicated me with a want and need that was so hard to run from. With him getting this close to me time and time again I felt as if all my will power was being pulled away from me.
Luckily my wolf was stronger willed and still not comfortable with him lending me some of her will power to push his feet off of me. "Get your stinky feet of me you grot," I joked but something deep down in me felt a scene of loss wanting him to put his feet back where they were.
Ignoring my grossed out face he just sat there and watched me watching him. What was he doing?
I could feel my wolf growlingly getting uncomfortable as he continued to not make an attempt to saying anything. I had the same itching feeling wanting to know what game he was playing. I was becoming more self-conscious and finally blurted. "Why are you looking at me like that!?"
"I don't know." Aden shrugged with a cheeky smile plastered on his face. "Why are you?"
Court off guard I stumbled on my words. "I wasn't...I mean I was just...um I-"
"Don't worry I know I am just so irresistible." Aden mocked pretending to flip his nonexcited long hair.
I couldn't help but blush like mad while shuffling in my seat embarrassed. Noticing my discomfort Aden spoke up again. "In all seriousness, I was just trying to find some excuse to get my mind off of my work." He paused rubbing the back of his neck. "A pack north from here has called us two days ago having a big rouge problem and another pack from the west is having a hunter problem. I know we have plenty of warriors to send off to help those packs in need to keep the alliance strong but I have a lot of young inexperienced warriors at the moment. Yes, these small jobs would be perfect for their training but if I do that I will have to make sure they have experienced older warriors with them to get the job done right. Which leaves our defences weaker from any unexpected attacks." Aden stopped to let out a small frustrated groan before finishing. "On top of that, the elder wolves are on my back about having a mating ceremony. They think I can't run the pack in the shadow of my father efficiently."
I sat shocked not expecting him to be so open to me this fast. We went from not talking to each other for days even weeks to talking to each other normally with a day or two. As he rubbed his face with his hands visibly spent I knew I had to say something to take his mind of off it and understand what really was his role in this pack so that I may help him in the future.
"How does it work?"
"What?" Aden removed his hand from his face confused.
"Being Alpha when you aren't yet?" This question has been nagging me from the start and especially when he admitted that he didn't mind not officially being Alpha. From what it sounded like it seemed he has all the responsibility just not the title. "You obviously love this pack and would do everything to protect it but you said you had no intention in mating me which will take longer for you to become Alpha. Everyone has told me how bad of an Alpha your father is so why would you not try to make things work with me?"
I think my question took Aden off guard but he didn't make any attempt to doge it like I thought he would. "A title is just that, a title. I don't need it to keep this pack on top. I'm not saying that I don't want it because fuck it would make my job a whole lot easier."
Aden relaxed into the couch further looking way less stressed then he just did a few seconds ago. I could tell that making conversation with him was helping even if it is about what a stressful job he has. Maybe talking to him helps him in a way that he helps my nerves when I talk to him.
"So how does one become an Alpha without being Alpha?"
"What are you trying to take the job?" Aden joked which I rolled my eyes attempting to not let a smile grow on my face. Thankfully Aden didn't stop with the joke and actually answered my burning question. "I simply have the pack report to me, even the current beta. I do all the paperwork, reply to emails, answer calls and so on. I do everything the Alpha is supposed to do making me the puppet master."
I knew Aden was dedicated to this pack but not this dedicated. I couldn't help but have so many questions for him. "So what does the Alpha do if you pretty much do everything? Do other packs know? Does everyone in your pack know? "
"Aren't we the curious cat today little mouse?" Aden teased before answering my questions. "I hate working with my father let alone be in the same room as him so I work closely with his Beta. Don't get me wrong Ryan works as my Beta but Henry just makes sure my father stays in line when I need him to be. My father doesn't really do Alpha duties but be the face of this pack. I get Henry to make my father make calls with scrips or a loose idea what to say and when we need to make meetings with other packs I get Henry to give him a rundown of what to say. I made sure this is the way it is so other packs don't see us as weak and unreliable. Only my closest pack members know any of this because if the whole pack knew they would be second-guessing my judgement."
When Aden was done explaining he sighed sounding exhausted like he has been doing this his whole life. All I wanted to do was give him a massage to help him unwind but I knew better than to touch him. His touch was a drug.
"How long have you been doing this?"
"Only Moon Goddess knows how long." He turned his head to me smiling but I knew that smile was fake.
"How long?" I asked again really wanting to know how long he has been having to do this for.
"You aren't going to let this one go are you?" I just stared are him in answer which thankfully he did. "When my mother was murdered by rogues because of my foolish father he became a vengeful Alpha. He didn't attempt growing this pack but to destroy it in some hope at getting vengeance for his mate. For years I grew up watching him bring this pack down to the ground until one day he just gave up and became silent."
"At that time I was old enough at the age of sixteen to be able to understand the basics of how to run a pack. With the help of Henry, Ryan and Lion I found myself running things from behind the scene. It took a while to bring the pack back where it used to be but I got there in the end." Aden puffed out his chest proudly which he should be. In his situation, he did everything he could for his pack and I couldn't help but be proud of him myself.
My first judgment of Max was completely demolished knowing now what he had put this pack and Aden through. It was hard to see Max in that way but really I know first hand how losing your mate can be on a wolf. My father being one example.
"Are you okay little mouse, did I share too much too fast?" Aden asked worried suddenly seeming closer than he was a few minutes ago.
Shaking my head unable to take the frown off my face I answered. "No, I swear I'm fine I just didn't realise how much work you have put into this pack. While you were running a pack I was drowning my sorrows with waffles contributing nothing to my pack."
"Don't say that." Aden frowned unhappily with what I said. "You brought joy to your pack that's what you contributed. Your Alpha spoke so highly of you and how much joy would be gone when you left. Heck, he has called me multiple times wanting to check up on you."
"Really?" I couldn't help the smile that took over my face finding out how much they have been worried about me. Moon Gods, I miss them.
He nodded in answer before pulling out his phone to check the time. "It's six-thirty! Why hasn't anyone come to tell us that we are missing dinner? If we leave now we can catch dinner before it is all gone."
Aden started to get up but I jumped up pulling at his arm before he could walk away. "I told Lydia that we won't be having dinner tonight."
"Oh did you?" Aden lifted his eyebrow before looking down at my hands that were holding him back. Quickly I let go and kept them at my sides. "And why wouldn't we be having dinner?"
"Because you owe me a favour."
Aden took a step closer to me suggestively causing an unfamiliar feeling to bubble up inside of me that I tried to suppress quickly. I could sense my wolf trying to suppress the feelings as well but she seemed more terrified by them than anything else.
"And what would that be?"
---
Well, I was supposed to update this three days ago but the chapter was too long so I had to heavily edit it. Since I basically have the next chapter done hopefully that should be up in the next week or two but I can't make any promises though.
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and the rest that are to come.
-Kiki