Alaina POV
He’s laughing about me punching another Alpha. He's impressed that I stood up for myself? I must be in the twilight zone because this is not how an Alpha acts. I should be getting read the riot act, not being praised and having him laugh at me punching someone. ‘Lunas are quiet, demure, an air of fragility’ is what I grew up being taught, and Alpha Lupin seems to like that I’m not those things.
'Ty, can you get a read on them? Is his Lycan saying anything?'
'If he was in control we would be mated right now, he thought what you did was the hottest thing he has ever seen. I am not sure how Alpha Lupin is able to keep control over Janus right now!'
'Holy shat, who is he? What do you think of them now?'
'I think that you should at least talk to him. Sit in the garden, or the dining hall, you don’t have to be alone, but talk to him!'
Maybe Ty is right. He hasn’t really done anything that most of the Alphas would do. Most would have shoved me up to a wall and marked me right there, Alpha Lupin shook my hand. He invited me to dinner to ‘talk’. Lunas don’t get talked TO they get talked AT, they get ordered and commanded, they don’t get an opinion, and he wants to talk? Maybe Ty is right, what could a short walk do?
“Why don’t we go for a walk out in the garden?”
He looked up, his blue eyes as wide as they could possibly go. I guess I should have expected that reaction, this is a complete 180 from where we were like 10 minutes ago, so I’m not surprised that he has an incredulous look on his face, it’s almost endearing. I am sitting on my bed waiting for an answer, and he’s just staring at me like I might disappear into thin air. I stand up and walk the 20 steps to the door and sit down in front of him, legs crossed.
“Alpha Lupin? Would you like to go for a walk in the garden with me?”
“Uh... um... YEAH!”
He shoots straight up, nearly knocking me over.
“Sorry, I honestly thought you would never want to spend time with me, I guess I am a little over excited. Here” he says while holding his hand out for me to grab.
I take a few seconds, thinking about what accepting his help up may convey to him, when I look into his eyes and see sadness, pain, and then a little hope spread across his lips. I grab his hand and he very gently helps me to my feet. I was half expecting him to pull me into a hug or something, at least he is respectful right now. Who knows what he’s like back at his pack. He could be just like all the rest!
As we descend the 4 flights of stairs, again why no elevator, we don't say much. It isn’t until we reach the main entry that he starts talking to me again.
“May I hold your hand during our walk?”
He’s ASKING to hold my hand? What will he do if I say no? What will he think if I say yes? As if he is reading my mind his voice drops a few octaves and he whispers in my ear.
“It is ok if you say no, and if you say yes, it is just holding hands during a walk, I am not asking you to move in with me.”
Okay, well that just made me weak in the knees. How is it that he was able to do that with just a few words? I furrow my brow while I wring my hands trying to make up my mind when Alpha Lupin opens the massive wooden door, and motioning me to go through first.
“It’s ok Alaina. I don’t want to push you into anything that you are not ready for. I am just grateful that you have agreed to spend some time with me, and over the moon that you suggested a walk. I told you that I just wanted to get to know you, so why don’t we do that? You can go first, and ask any questions you want, I am an open book when to comes to you.”
An open book he says. Let’s see if he’s as fun to play with as Fin used to be! After 18 years I can’t really shock him anymore and it’s getting a little boring. I guess this walk will do one thing, give me some entertainment for a while.
“OK Alpha, let’s start off easy. How old are you?”
“I’m 33, and I would much rather you called me Ashton, or Ash, though.”
33?! HE’S FRACKING 33?! Oh, dear Selene, Moon Goddess, mother, WHY?! I do my best not to freak out, he’s the one that’s supposed to be startled to silence not me, and he’s not even trying!
“And how old are you, Alaina?”
“Um, Well, I just turned 18.”
OK the look on that face is priceless! I thought I was stunned to silence over the age gap, but I think he might faint!
“Are you Ok Ashton?”
“What? Um, yeah, I am just... is the age gap an issue for you?”
What do I say to that? ‘Yeah, it’s a huge issue, you’re 15 years older than me, h3ll three more years and you could be my dad!’ I must have been too quiet because he speaks up again.
“I understand if it is, I know it would be a huge adjustment, and that we are at very different places in our lives, when it comes to what stage we want to be in, but I would really like to try. If this is a really big issue, and you want to reject me, I understand, and if it’s what you want, I will accept the rejection. I honestly had lost hope on finding my fated mate, so I am over the moon to have found you, but you deserve to be happy, so I will accept it and, hopefully, help give you the happiest life you can have.”
Now it’s my turn to stop and gape at him. He is willing to accept a rejection just so I am happy? An Alpha is willing to accept a rejection, the KING just wants me to be happy?
'Alaina, Janus is saying the same things. He doesn’t want us to feel trapped. He doesn’t want to force us into anything. Janus thinks that if they try to push too hard, and we end up relenting because of the pressure, we will just resent them, and neither one wans that. I say keep going with the questions and sort the age thing out later.'
'I don’t know Ty, 15 years is a LOT! Like kind of gross a lot. I’m not sure that is something I CAN get over! We also have that pesky little thing the elders told us about... the inability to reject the chosen queen?'
'Just keep going, you never know, and our elders are just a bunch of really old wolves that don’t know their time is almost up, if it’s something you really want, I think they will help figure it out!'
I look over to Ashton, he’s got his hands in the pockets of his faded jeans, his head hung low staring at the ground, and is kicking the occasional rock down the path. He actually looks rather forlorn, knowing that I am the reason for it does make me feel like an arse. I don’t answer his question, I deflect to a different subject.
“Favourite food?”
“Huh?”
He looks at me straight in the eyes, his eyes look glassy, like he’s about to cry. What is with this guy?
“What’s your favourite food?” I asked softly.
“Oh! Um,” he paused, thinking “totally unoriginal, but poutine”
“What the h3ll is a poutine” I looked at him with one eyebrow raised.
“It’s fries covered in gravy, and cheese curds. You know you have the real deal if the curds squeak between your teeth” he chuckles. “How about you, my dear, what is your...”
He stops dead in his tracks eyes wide, pale, almost like he’s seen a ghost.
“Oh, Alaina I am SO sorry! I am not trying to rush things, it just slipped out” he mumbled so quickly I barely caught it, and I am not even sure if that was just one really long word or if that was actually a sentence.
I walk back to him, place my hand on his forearm, his hands still in his pockets, and gently rub his arm with my thumb.
“Ashton, it’s ok. I do somewhat understand, my mom calls everyone ‘hun’ but it’s only a term of endearment that she uses to show everyone she cares, and a term of endearment is not going to have me walking away all together. Now, if you called me ‘babe’, or ‘sexy’, or something horrendous like that, we would have issues, the conversation would be over. Dear... dear is sweet, its caring, it's not overly domineering. However, I have to say my favourite food would be a pomegranate. Your turn.”
“How do you have your nose pierced? I didn’t notice Tyche with a nose piercing. She’s OK with that?”
I burst out laughing, bend over, stomach holding, laughter.
“It's fake, just something I do to piss off the parents... and every time Cal sees me with it, he looks like he’s about to have an aneurism, Ty has told me that she would NOT be ok with one though”
It was his turn to laugh, shaking his head. He has a really nice laugh!
We walked around the garden, and then around the castle, then along the road that goes up to the castle, Cam. de Mata del Fraile a Barruelo de Santullán. We talked about everything from our favourites to our hates, from food to hobbies, about friends and family, and a little about our countries. He made me laugh so hard when he said that he would likely lose his ‘Canadian Card’ because he hates maple syrup.
Before we knew it the sun was setting and the temperature was quickly cooling off. That’s another myth that has always bothered me. Yes, when we are in our Lycan/ wolf forms we are able to stay warm in some pretty drastic temperatures, when we are in our human form... yeah, we get cold just like humans do! Ashton pulled off his hooded sweater and passed it over to me, as we start to head back.
“Here, you’re looking like you’re about to start shivering any second, you can borrow my bunny hug until you get back to your room.”
“Ashton...”
“Yes?”
“What the bloody h3ll did you just call this thing?” I giggle as I slip it over my head.
Shat this sweater smells good! I wonder what kind of body wash he uses. It smells like the outside, but muskier.
“Um... a bunny hug?”
Oh, my goddess, he’s blushing! I don’t think I have ever seen someone turn quite that shade of red before! Fack he looks adorable when he’s embarrassed and flustered!
“Please explain how a hooded sweater, with a pocket, is a bunny hug?”
“Well, there’s really only one place that calls it that, Saskatchewan, but we just had a new pack member, from out that way, join us and it kind of stuck with me. I normally call it a kangaroo jacket, others call it a hoodie”
“Kangaroo jacket at least fits, sort of...”
I chuckle a little before I furrow my brow and look up at him out of the corner of my eye to see him looking back at me. He has a little lopsided grin, and a twinkle in his eyes. Is he teasing me or is he smiling for another reason? I swear this guy is able to read my thoughts because seconds after I think that he says
“I enjoy listening to your laugh. It is very relaxing, and somewhat soothing, to me.”
UGH the stairs, why with the stairs? I look up them with exasperation, take a long breath in and quickly release it, and start trudging up the stairs with Ashton a few steps behind.
“Why with the lack of elevator? Seriously, my thighs are KILLING me and my arse, I can barely sit down, and we still have DAAAAAAYS here!”
“Well, there is a lot to unpack in that statement” he guffawed “if you would like, I am willing to carry you up the stairs” then quickly puts his hands up in defense “with no strings attached, no thoughts of anything else, literally just helping you up the stairs, so you are able to sit down later” he finishes with a snicker.
I glare at him, thinking about his offer. My arse could really use the break, and so far, he has been the perfect gentleman...
“You know what, I think I will take you up on that offer. It would be nice to be able to get ready for bed without having to brace myself against the walls!”
“Not a problem, happy to help! Now, I leave the choice of position up to you. You can hop up on my back, but your skirt may ride up, or I can carry you in my arms, however that ends up with us being extremely close,” he explained softly, rubbing the back of his neck like he was nervous of my answer.
“I agree with you about the skirt riding up, and I am partial to keeping my arse within my clothing,” at that he looked up at me with a smile and a look that says ‘thank you’.
Ashton climbs up the next two steps and holds his arms out so I can sit in them, presumably so I don’t feel as though he is forcing me to do it. Once in his arms I have this urge to get closer but, thankfully, I have enough willpower not to give in, who knows what he might think about that. Once we get to the top of the stairs Ashton almost looks a little lost.
“Well, we are at the top of the stairs my lady, would you like me to carry you to your door, or put you down here?”
“Thank you, Ashton, I think I can make it from here.”
He gently put me down and rubbed the back of his neck again.
“Well, I had a really nice evening talking with you, and getting to know you better. I hope that you will allow me the pleasure of joining you again?”
“Maybe” was all I managed to get out before I took off to my room.
I opened the door and quickly slammed it behind me, leaning my back against it as though Ashton might try to knock it down. Taking a few deep breaths, I look around the room and notice a black book, with a bright pink sticky note stuck to it, on the edge of my bed.
***Al, things got a little out of hand at dinner and I forgot to give you this. Hope it helps you understand I guess
Callum***
Crap, I really just wanted to go to bed but getting into the competition was paramount!
As I start to get ready to settle in bed and study, I realize I still have his sweater. I should really return it, I don’t really want to though, that’s a problem for another day.
Ashton POV I head back to my room, happier than I have been in a long time. Actually, I don’t even remember being this happy before! 'I can’t believe you were able to get her to suggest a walk!' 'I know! I’m not too sure what changed her mind but I am not going to complain! We have 10 more days to try and win her over, I don’t know if that is enough though.' 'All you can do is your best. As long as she doesn’t outright reject us, we should be ok, at least then we have a chance!' 'Keep your paws crossed man, all of them, because I have a feeling that this is going to be one h3ll of a fight!' 'Yeah, but it’s going to be totally worth it!' 'I sure hope so. I hope that we can both find happiness within each other!' 'Why wouldn’t you?' 'She is really adverse on having a mate, at least not an alpha mate, I don’t know if she would even allow herself to be happy with us.' I can feel Jan thinking about what I just said as I walk int
Alaina POV Someone slipped a note under my door last night with the exact rule that I needed to ensure I can compete this week. They also pointed out that nowhere in the rule book does it state gender, so it should never have been an issue to begin with, but I have a feeling that this will all change very quickly! This will likely be the first and last time a woman is allowed to compete, even if she did have to fight for it! The thing that caught me off guard the most was that whoever left the note, they also put my name on the registration list. I have a feeling that it might be Ashton, which makes me confused. How would he even know, for starters, and why would he be onboard with this? As I am standing in line waiting to find out who I am up against first I hear all the other Alphas whispering. The looks on their faces when I came walking down the hall to line up was priceless though, even Ty was rolling in fits of laughter! As I am leaning against the wall, I can hear yelling.
Ashton POV 'Jan, you’re going to piss them both off!' I couldn’t help but howl in laughter watching Tyche through Jan’s eyes. Confused doesn’t even come close to the look on her face. Wait... Tyche’s eyes... they are purple! 'JAN! What’s with Ty’s eyes?' 'No clue. That would be a good question for an elder or the council.' 'Yeah, yo, by the sounds of it we should get this fight into gear. I think the council is planning on coming down here to detain Ty!' 'Oh, hells no they aren’t! You want a fight that will keep them away? We will show them something spectacular!' 'Don’t go and show off dude, just please, be normal?!' Jan watches Ty for a few more seconds, slowly rolling back over. It seems like her guard is down, so he pushes his back legs out, hoping to slide enough to get under her belly. All he managed to do was give us some awful hay burn and show Ty that we are done playing. Ty pounces on Jan’s back, pulling on his left ear. Jan stands
Alaina POV I quickly shower and get dressed. The sooner we get this over with the better! I make my way down to Ashton’s room. He’s on the same floor but over near the stairs, bloody stairs, I wonder if he will carry me down, I giggle to myself. Walking up to his door I can hear him pacing, I can see his shadow come and go under the door, and I can hear something else... voices... or at least A voice, maybe he’s on the phone? 'He better not be on the phone with another woman!' 'Ty, we are going home to Fin. It’s not our place to get pissy if he’s talking to another woman!' With that Tyche put a block up, she is beyond furious with me. 'That should tell you that you are doing something wrong! As long as you keep doing this, you and I will not have a very good relationship! You aren’t just keeping yourself from being happy with your mate, you are FORCING me to be miserable without mine! YOUR FAULT!' And back behind the block before I can say anything else, but she
Ashton POV Pups. She wanted to get away from me so badly that she was willing to give up her ability to have pups! I had to use the Alpha tone, I couldn’t have anyone coming back and trying to talk to me about it. I couldn't have HER try and talk to me about it in the future. I worded it very carefully, and I hope no one figures out the very obvious loophole! They couldn’t talk about what went on in that particular room, with anyone who did not already know what was going on, or themselves. Since they don’t really know who all knows, it will be difficult to talk about it with anyone. But that means that Alaina could talk to Cal, since he wasn’t in the library and, already knows most of what has gone on. As the council rules over prophecies, they can still talk about any other part of it, I just hope they take what I said at face value, and don’t go investigating. Last thing I really want is for them to call Sade’s and start questioning her. I know that she will say whatever she needs
Alaina POV I have never been so happy to be home as I am right now! There’s a car waiting for us on the tarmac and I just know Fin is there, he wouldn’t miss welcoming me home! I have been looking forward to seeing him since the day I left, we have never been apart for that long before. At the same time, though, I can't get my mind off Ashton. I shake my head, I need to get him out of there, he is at home in Canada, and I am here, there is no reason for me to be thinking about him. I can't have brain space being taken up by him, I need to focus on things here, but I can’t help wondering... what is he doing right now? I would wonder if he was happy, but he gave that up for me, he really had nothing else to give up? Nothing else that mattered to him? Climbing into the car I see that there's no one else here. Disappointment, disdain, annoyance... the list of how I feel at this moment could go on forever, but all the words have the same basic meaning thing. I’m pissed! It's just the driv
September 2003Ashton POVI am flying into Montreal, so that I can head to Blue River pack and start setting up their security. This trip has been weighing on my mind since I made the agreement with Alpha Johnson. It’s always nerve wracking going to another Alpha’s territory, at least for me it is, but to go there to do a job, means that I have to really mind my P’s and Q’s and make sure nothing goes sideways. When I land there’s, a car waiting to take me up to the pack house. It should take about an hour and a half to two hours, give or take, which isn’t too bad. It seems like most of the packs stay about that far from humans. While this is the ‘St. Bruno’ pack they are actually closer to Mont-Tremblant Park. They run the hotel and casino in the area, and to get to their pack house you have to go up one of the hiking trails. I watch as we drive past fields, an apple orchard, and several shopping malls. The area in genera
September 2003 Alaina POV Siobhan has been doing everything she can to get my mind off things. I have been in quite the funk since I got back. I have tried to tell her what happened in Spain, but I can’t. I CAN tell her about everything that Fin has been doing though, and she’s pissed! I have asked her not to say or do anything to Fin, last thing I need is for him to be angry with me. At least once a week Fin tries to get in my pants. I don’t know what else to do to show him that I am not going to sleep with him before his 25th birthday, no matter what he says or does. I hope that it doesn’t take too much longer for him to find his mate, realize that he belongs with her, not me, and then he can leave me alone. H3ll I should have done that, been with my mate! Selene knows what she is doing, and yet I went against her, and against her plan, maybe this is all a punishment. But, I do know that if I were able to fix one mistake, any mistake, in my life it would be not staying with Ashton