Chapter Seven: Hard-headed

Beta Aaron was in the hospital wing of the very large house. He didn’t expect that his “bro” of an entire life could have almost killed him, even if he was that bothered about his sister’s choice of mate.

There’s something wrong. This is not like him at all. What are you trying to tell us, bro? I know you better than that. To think it was just because… Ahhh… I need to talk to him…

“Beta! You can’t get up yet!” An alarmed nurse said as she rushed into the room.

Aaron was in the middle of removing the IV line from his arm while holding himself upright beside the bed.

“I’m sorry, but I need to do something important, Elsa, and I can’t do it while I’m here.”

“What the… BETA! What in the Goddess’ name are you doing!?” A tired and upset V yelled at his friend, rushing into the hospital room and holding the upset man up in an effort to bring him back to bed.

“V, NO! I need to go. I need to talk to him. I know there’s a reason why he’s doing this, and I need to figure out what it is!”

“Aaron, Sit. Down. NOW!”

As soon as she heard the Alpha’s tone, the nurse let go of the Beta and rushed out of the room. Both men waited for her to excuse herself and quietly closed the door behind her.

“M left today, A. I had to suspend him from his duties.”

“What!? V, you can’t possibly believe that…”

“Yes, like you, I also believe he has other reasons for all these ‘dramatics’, and I think I know what that is. If I’m right, I can understand his motives, but I can’t accept his behavior. And, I’m sorry, bro, but I can’t inform you about the particular Denar issue either. It’s not my place to tell.”

Aaron sighed, then jumped off the bed while pulling the needle from his arm. He ignored the small trail of blood spurting from his vein as he grabbed his clothes from the nearby bedside table. As he started taking off the patient’s gown that he was wearing, he realized that someone had brought his shirt from M’s apartment and had placed it among his other garments.

“I’m going back to my room. My mate needs me with her.”

“You need to heal, bro.”

“I’ll heal in my room. I told Di I won’t leave her all alone, and I don’t plan on breaking that promise even when I’m wounded.”

“She will kill you for this. You do know that, right?”

Aaron put his clothes on, not caring to check on the long and thick gauze patches on his chest. In silence, V and he walked out of his hospital, and just as they got to the elevators, the doors slid open…

And there was Diwa, looking down at baby James.

The kid insisted on walking by Aunty Di’s side because he said he’s a big boy now. Behind them, Siel was carrying baby Rose, who still wanted to be a baby even if her twin brother said otherwise.

All four adults’ gazes met. They were so surprised, it took them a while to speak… “Hello, ladies,” finally greeted V, breaking the awkward silence.

“A! What the hell! What are you doing out of the hospital?!” Di demanded, rushing out of the elevator as the rest of her companions followed her. “You’re deeply wounded and in recovery!”

“I was going back to the apartment, lambchop. I was worried about you.”

“Are you CRAZY?! You were worried ABOUT ME?! You’ve got FOUR GIGANTIC claw slashes on YOUR CHEST!”

“These are just scratches, Di… And you’re alone while your brother just got suspended. I know you need me, and I promised I’d be there for you, alright.”

“YOU IDIOT, do you want to DIE?! And Alexia said you even CHALLENGED MY BROTHER to… and now you’re thinking ABOUT ME… why… WHY are you… doing this…”

Di was running out of fuel to keep her anger going. Aaron took that slight pause as a chance to embrace his very emotional mate close to his heart. The moment his arms completely enclosed her, he heard her sob.

He also felt her tears wetting his shirt…

“Where were you supposed to be going. Elena?” V asked his mate in a whisper.

“On our way to visit him. She’s been so worried she didn’t even want dinner. The only thing I could do to cheer her up a little bit was to suggest that we visit Aaron.”

“Come on, let’s leave them alone,” V decided while taking James in his arms. “Are you guys hungry?”

“Yes!” The two babies happily screamed and the Alpha led his family to the dining room, giving Di and Aaron some needed privacy.

“Come on, A,” Di said, using both her hands to wipe away her tears. “If you don’t want to stay in the hospital, I’ll take care of you.”

They went back into the elevator, which luckily just opened its doors right then.

“Di, Alpha told me that M left…” Aaron said while hugging her again, keeping her near him.

“He’s such an idiot! I knew he would get into trouble if he continued with his weird behavior,” snapped Diwa, feeling the tears returning. “I’m sorry, A, I really don’t wanna talk about him right now.”

“Ok then, we don’t have to talk about him. But if you change your mind, I’m here, ok?” He assured her while kissing her softly.

She smiled against his chest after the kiss, then noticed a small red smear on his shirt… And it was growing!

“Aaron!” she exclaimed. “You’re BLEEDING!”

“Oh, that’s nothing, lemon pie. Don’t worry, I’ve had worse wounds than that.”

“Damn it, A! Why do you have to be so hardheaded?!” She cried out both in worry and anger. “You’re going straight to bed after a quick dinner, and no buts!”

“Oh, that sounds good, except for the no butts part,” He crooned with a smirk. “Are you COMING with me?”

Diwa almost laughed at what she just heard but forced herself to look serious, even severely irritated. “I’d hit you if you weren’t bleeding already.”

He heartily laughed at her comeback, making the red spot grow even bigger, and adding to Di’s concern.

* * *

His first phone call was to a male subordinate…

“How is she?” He asked, concern lacing his voice.

“She’s fine, Sir. Currently, she is with her mate since he insisted on going back to his apartment.”

Typical! So hardheaded… Just like her who’s so stubborn…

“Keep updating me even if I don’t make a call. And use this number. I’ve already suspended my other mobile provider temporarily.”

“Of course, Sir. Please expect a regular email as per your request.”

“Thank you. Looking forward to hearing from either you or your wife. Goodbye.”

His next call was to his secret contact…

“I’ve told him everything, and he’s very happy. He believes the Goddess is now back on his side and is guiding everything he does.”

“Good, and allow him to do what he thinks should be done. At this point, I don’t think he’ll change his mind in the slightest.”

“Look, I can still try…”

“For how many years have you tried? Do you think I haven’t done anything to resolve this? And what have our efforts brought us?”

Silence from the other line…

“I thought so. Just update me as usual. And the only thing I can promise you right now is that you will survive. I’m sorry.”

“You don’t need to apologize. Your family is the victim here. I was just hoping… Never mind. I really do thank you for this.”

“You’re welcome. Goodbye for now.”

As soon as the call ends, he looked at the long-haired woman who was slinking towards him with her naturally seductive walk.

“Everything is in order in this safe house, husband. It actually brings back so many memories…”

“I’m sorry for opening any wounds, wife. But this move is absolutely necessary to…”

“Say no more, my love. All will be well with me once you’ve ‘fed’ me. All this has left me INTENSELY ‘hungry’…”

The fire was back in the Gamma’s eyes, “Your wish is my command, my queen.”

* * *

Di made some quick sandwiches for dinner with whatever ingredients the Beta had in his fridge. After all, the idea wasn’t to impress him but to get them fed.

“Here. Eat,” Di ordered Aaron. He sat with his back against his king-size bed’s leather-lined headboard, his chest’s bandages on display, which Di had already replaced with new ones.

“Oh, wow! They’re good!” He gushed as he took a bite. “And all this from what’s left in the icebox? Boy, you’re one talented lady!”

“Are you making fun of me? What kind of idiot could possibly ruin a sandwich?”

“You don’t wanna know. Please, stop asking me that and take what I said as a compliment, alright, pecan pie?”

“Agh, fine… ok! You’re welcome,” she said, faking annoyance while trying so hard to hide her smile.

I think this is a good moment to ask her about the ritual. Can you manage to do that without getting us killed? Onyx asked Aaron after a few more bites of the sandwich.

I didn’t expect M to allow Lyon to partly come out, Onyx, ok? I’m sorry, I didn’t think we were in that big a danger back then. But now, please trust me. I know I can handle her…

Suuuure, Aaron… Here’s me hoping for the best but expecting the worse…

“Uh… Di… I wanted to talk to you… about something… “

“What about?” She said, still halfway through her sandwich.

“About us being mates…”

Diwa froze for a second. She placed the rest of her sandwich on the plate and put it aside, then turned to face her mate directly.

“Did he convince you to leave me, A?”

Aaron almost choked on the last of his food. “WHAT!? Woman, are you crazy? Even if he could have killed me, I’d still have found a way to get back to you.” Di’s face beamed with a slight smile. “Then what do you wanna talk about?”

He moved closer to her, not without pain, and took her hands on his as he slightly grimaced. “Di, I want for us to have our marks. I want everybody to know that you’re my mate… That you’re mine, and for all to finally know that I am only yours.”

Her eyes shone bright, especially at the last part of his speech…

MINE! Opal repeated in her head.

MINE! She also echoed internally.

Di got closer to him too, putting her hand on his cheek then kissed him deeply. After that, she gave a silent yes by just nodding.

Aaron almost felt like leaping with joy, if not for his wounds. “Yes? Really?! You REALLY want it!?”

“Of course, I do. I never thought I would mark anyone, even more, to be marked by someone special. The fact that you asked… A, I really love you and trust you, but I’m happy that… you see us like that.”

“Caramel cone, you’re my mate, ok? I don’t need anyone else, if that’s what you’re thinking. And I’m so excited that you said yes! The full moon is in a few days, we can do it then, as our tradition requires.”

“Excited, huh?” Diwa asked with a smirk.

“With you… Always,” he affirmed, amazed at how fast he grew hard with just a small naughty smile from her. “In more ways than one, my yummy milkshake.”

Di followed her mate’s gaze to see him tenting his blanket, “I see… so it’s THAT kind of EXCITED. But you can’t strain yourself, so I will have to… help you a little bit.”

“Oh, please, do… me. I mean, yes, go ahead and assist me, my love,” he faltered as she moved her hands to his chest, bypassing his bandages and softly kissing the uninjured parts.

Aaron sighed deeply as she kept trailing her fingers in a downward path, stopping right before slipping her hand into his silken black pajama pants. His moans abruptly ended with a whimper as Diwa pulled away from him, swiftly standing beside his bed.

He groaned in impatience and tried to grab her…

Intense pain suddenly shot through his chest due to his sudden movement. He couldn’t hide the pained expression on his face from his very observant mate, who had a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“Hmmm… you know what?” Diwa stated in a decided tone. “I have your painkillers, thanks to Alexia giving it to me before they left. But you’re already feeling too excited to keep still. I should make sure that you won’t move even when you’ve already taken your meds and when I… Well…”

Aaron gave her a puzzled look. “What are you on about, candy cane?”

“Do you mind if I take some rope from your closet? I found them a while back when you were on Beta duties.”

“Of course, I don’t mind. Take whatever you… huh? Rope? What for?”

“I told you, to make sure you don’t move and open your wounds again,” she whispered while looking down at him, sending shivers down A’s body. “I’m tying you down, love.”

Damn! Roleplay… and I thought she was not into that…

“Oh no… please, mistress… don’t check my walk-in closet!” He whined, giving many Emmy Award winners a run for their money. “I don’t want you to tie me up…”

She smiled, getting the hint and following through with a seductive but bossy voice, “Oh, you don’t want that? Too bad, because I certainly will make sure that you can’t fight me.”

A few minutes later, she returned with thick cotton rope, leather cuffs, and even a nine-tails whip. She didn’t care, he was hers now, and those were going to be part of her fun. And of course, she will avoid his chest… Until he heals, of course.

“So, I see you’ve been bad, slave, keeping all this in here. Since I found your ‘stash’, I will use them on you as punishment. I do hope you’ve thought of a safe word already because you might need it.”

Damn it, I’m definitely the luckiest man in the world.

“Yes, mistress. But I’d rather you choose the safe word. I’ve been so bad, even I don’t deserve that honor.”

“Good, let’s get started then.”

About a couple of hours, and a few rounds later, they slept peacefully, both wrapped in each other’s arms and with satisfied smiles on their faces. If they only knew what was happening somewhere else at around the same time, they probably wouldn’t be this content or reassured…

* * *

Kaiden Raij stood 6’4” tall. His ebony pupils scanned his surroundings, as the members of the small rogue pack arrived, a few at a time, at their agreed-upon venue in another spot in the forest, a hundred miles away from the Silvercrest Packhouse properties.

The wind blew through his jet black, longish hair, and his almost naked body allowed his “pack” to see his still muscular and fit physique, remnants of his warrior days at Silvercrest. This included the four deep and thick scars that crossed his chest.

Much thinner now, due to a rogue lifestyle, he had still vowed to stay strong, agile, and flexible, waiting for the day he could get “his” mate back. Such mate, in his mind, was Diwa Denar, the girl he had been obsessed with for about twelve years… And counting.

Kaiden was sure that Diwa was his mate since he was a teenager. So convinced he was, that, when he came of age, and a sweet, small and thin girl, Claire, came at him and said the word, “Mate,” he immediately blurted out the rejection words, severing the bond with her.

I, Kaiden Raij of the Silvercrest Pack, reject you, Claire Collins of Silvercrest, as my mate!

He felt the physical pain that this action caused, but it didn’t matter to him. Nor did he care that said girl disappeared from the pack, along with her family, never to be heard of again.

The moon Goddess made a mistake, he thought, every time the memory came back to his mind.

For him, there was, and always would be, only Diwa… the baby sister of the Silvercrest’s Gamma.

“My friends! Brothers, sisters! We’re meeting today because our goal is close. The day in which I’ll finally acquire the only Luna meant for our small Pack! My legitimate mate has arrived at the Silvercrest Packhouse, and we’re almost ready for the day when we take her back! "

The crowd of around two hundred rogues cheered eagerly and lustily!

“Their fake Beta, who stole the position meant for me, has now decided to take my mate as well! And not satisfied with that, he’s showing her off as a trophy in front of my face in their Packhouse. She has accepted this, blinded, because he has my position! But now, I’m ready to claim both the Beta rank and my mate, and when that day comes, I’ll win a place for you all, as part of the Pack!

The small crowd yelled affirmatively once more. None gave any attention to Kaizen’s friend and collaborator, Brenner, who was standing a few steps behind, slightly moving his head side to side in disapproval.

What the hell, bro? Can you even hear what you’re saying?

But it seemed that the thwarted obsessed admirer of Diwa Denar will never give his Second a chance to change his mind. He continued his speech with fervor…

“Now that her brother has left the Packhouse, and her mate is in the hospital, we’re ready to attack. Start preparations! Their next bonfire celebration, during this coming New Year, will be the last day Aaron Keizer sees the light of that fire!”

Behind Bren’s back, his mobile was currently on a call… and the call’s listener was hearing everything…

Every. Damned. Thing.