HUNTED

Although Aila was still feeling a little odd from the short conversation she had with Hollie, the atmosphere in the living room right now was something that easily distracted her. Even though Chiara has made it abundantly clear that she does not wish to get involved with anyone, hell, she's attacked people for just looking at her. Ajax still stood in front of her,  flirting with her. 

He was either the bravest man she knew OR the most foolish.

"It's Gamma Chiara to you," The Gamma took another step towards Ajax, her face looking deadly and her aura emanating a cold hostility. 

Ajax, not paying attention to the vibes Chiara was emitting, sauntered towards her, putting on his killer smile, and grabbed her hand, shocking everyone, including the Gamma, who tensed up by his action. Ajax leaned down and kissed the top of her hand, his eyes not leaving hers and said in a sultry voice, "Well, Gamma.. I'll follow you anywhere."

Chiara snatched her hand away, her face darkening, replacing the look of shock as though she finally found her senses again, and slapped him across the face. The sound was loud in the silent, tense room. 

She pointed her finger at him and said menacingly, "Touch me again, and I'll cut off your balls." 

"Darling, if you wanted me to strip, you only had to ask," He winked.

Chiara narrowed her eyes and stormed out of the room.

"I think she likes me.. What do you think, Aila?" Ajax turned to face her, a cheeky smile on his face.

"I think you're going to lose your balls," Aila replied drily before shaking her head at him. She was beginning to wonder if the shapeshifter really did lose his mind in that cell. 

Ajax plopped down next to Aila, his eyes wild with excitement, "I do like a challenge."

"Seriously, Ajax. I'd drop it," Nairi spoke hesitantly, as though she wanted to say more but dropped it and looked down at her drink, taking a tentative sip. 

"Just because our loved ones are dead doesn't mean we shouldn't love again," Ajax spoke to no one in particular as he looked down, playing with his hair. "That would be a tragic life," He muttered.

"We?" Aila asked, scrutinising his face. The face that always smiled and looked as though there was no care in the world had darkened. Even in their darkest moments inside the hunter's base camp, Ajax was their annoying light, keeping their spirits lifted. Yet right now, Aila frowned at how much sorrow filled his green eyes. But like the flick of a switch, his usual smile replaced his suffering. It was as though he placed a mask on his face, covering the pain within. 

"Fancy putting a film on? I got the butler to order us some popcorn," He feigned ignorance to her question, ignoring it and changing the subject.

"Actually, I thought I'd go for a run," Aila replied, deciding to drop it for now. She did not want to push him if he didn't want to talk about it.

"Then I'll join you," Ajax jumped up from the sofa.

"Me too, if you'll have me?" Nairi asked meekly.

Aila and Ajax laughed at her silly question. "Of course, you can come. It's a free country. Plus, it would be nice to run with another she-wolf. It's too quiet with Ajax," Aila said as she pulled herself up from the sofa.

"I'm just checking!" Nairi exclaimed.

All three of them started to walk towards the patio door. "You know, I think I might speak to my mum about that," Aila trailed off, speaking her thoughts aloud.

"About what?" Nairi asked.

"To see if there is a spell to get Ajax into a mind-link with us," Aila said, looking up at Ajax as he opened the patio door for them.

The pair looked at her, their eyes wide. Ajax came forward and placed a hand on her shoulder, "Look, I know I have a sexy voice, but you are taken now.."

"Ajax-"

"Shh, shh. I'm sorry, Aila. But it's just not meant to be.." He turned around and sauntered off.

Aila looked at Nairi, speechless at the shameless shapeshifter. Nairi burst into a fit of giggles until a man's scream rang through the mansion, stilling all three of them. 

"I think that's Darren.." Aila muttered.

Alpha Damon's deep voice came through a mind-link, telling them not to worry. Aila knew he only spoke to the pack members in the house. Everyone else was in their own homes now. 

"I think Alpha Damon and Beta Kane will be a while," Nairi added.

Ajax looked at them confused, "Was that Darren then?"

Aila threw her hands up, "This is what I mean! Right! After I meet with Hollie on Saturday, we are going to see my mum."

Ajax took a step back, "I don't know how I feel about that.. Witches.. spells.." He moved his fingers in front of him, acting spooked.

One look from Aila, and the shapeshifter shut his mouth and raised his hands in surrender. She then continued walking towards the forest, watching as the sun began to set and the day slowly faded into night. As she approached the first few trees, she hid behind one to remove her clothes, putting them in a bag she started to leave there. 

Aila felt Malia beginning to pace in her mind, her patience thinning as Aila removed her underwear. Within the next second, her wolf ripped through her skin, and Aila was looking down her snout at her enormous white furry paws. Aila happily let Malia take the reins. While she instantly sprinted off into the darkening woods, Aila took that time to think through her friend's odd behaviour. 

However, after another five minutes of her brain overheating from thinking so much, she gave up and enjoyed her wolf's happiness at being set loose. Aila had an odd sense that something ominous was to befall them very soon, so little moments like this, running through the woods chasing after a panther and tackling down a red wolf, was something to treasure. And when she was back in the mansion, she would cherish her moments with Damon because although he was only going away for the weekend, she dreaded being without him.

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