07

Ace

« What do you have to talk to Deacon about ? » Gabriel asked as we continued to walk.

Damn. Nosy little fucker.

« None of your business. It’s between me and Deacon. » I said as I moved a branch out of my face.

« You know what I realized. » Gabriel said as he looked at Zane.

Oh good Lord. Do I even want to know ?

« What’s that man ? » Zane asked.

No one cares.

« Not once has Ace referred Deacon as her mate. » Gabriel said as he gave me a pointed look.

My steps faltered a little when he mentioned that but I kept walking.

Well shit. He might be a nosy little fucker but he’s observant.

« You’re right. » Zane said as he gave me the same pointed look. « Not once have I heard her say it. »

« Weird, huh ? » Gabriel said as he gave me a smug smile.

« It is. » Zane agreed nodding.

‘I hate them.’ I said through the link.

‘Don’t worry. Once we find Deacon we can end this quickly.’ Zylen said as she watched Gabriel out of the corner of her eye.

‘You’re making it sound like we are gonna kill them.’ Colby laughed as Zylen winked.

« Why is that Ace ? » Gabriel asked as he stopped walking.

Zane stepped in front of me, which caused me come to a complete stop.

I growled slightly, but he held his ground.

« Why is what ? » I asked trying to keep my anger in control.

« Why have you not referred to Deacon as your mate ? » Zane asked.

« You want to know why ? » I asked getting in his face.

« Please enlighten me. » Gabriel said lowly as he narrowed his eyes at me.

Screw it. Anger is coming out.

« Because Deacon is a cruel person. That’s why. » I spat. « He thought that I would welcome him with open arms when were found out we were each other’s mates. But you know what ? I will not do that. Because he thought he could kill me and take over my pack ! »

Gabriel and Zane both had surprised expressions on their faces.

« So I’m sorry if I don’t want to be mates with someone who thought they could take over my pack and hurt my pack members. So that is why once we find him, I am rejecting his sorry ass ! » I growled.

« B-but you can’t. » Gabriel whispered.

« And why the fuck not ? » I asked.

« He might be mean and cruel, but he’s been through a lot. » Gabriel defended.

« Does it look like I give a flying fuck ? I have too. I lost my parents. I had to rebuild my pack back up from scratch ! » I growled as I stepped closer to him. « Fucking tell me I can’t do something one more time and I will shove your dick so far up your ass, that your future grandchildren will feel it. Uh sorry Zylen. »

She chuckled and waved me off. « No it’s fine. He needs to be put in his place. »

« Wow thanks. » Gabriel mumbled as he looked away.

Zylen shrugged. « You don’t mess with my family. »

« But she isn’t your sister. » Zane said confused.

« Her and Colby are all I have left. » Zylen snapped as she started to walk ahead.

« I don’t get it. » Gabriel said as he watched his mate walk off.

« There are a lot of things that you don’t know about us. » I said as I looked up ahead at Zylen. « And let’s keep it that way. »

I didn’t let them finish and followed Zylen.

We kept silent and walking for about another 30 minutes before I heard some growls.

« Stop. » I said as I listened.

« What ? » Zane asked.

« Growls. » I said softly, but then I smelt it. « Rogues. »

« You girls need to get to safety. » Gabriel said as he scanned the area.

I was about to answer, but I heard a small whimper.

Fuck is that…

‘Deacon.’ Ava whimpered. ‘What do we do ?’

Ah fuck.

I growled, but shot off in the direction.

« Ace ! » Zylen yelled as she ran after me.

« What is she doing ? » Zane yelled as he ran after me as well.

Once I got closer to the rogues, I shifted into my wolf and ran faster.

There I saw it.

Deacon being pinned down by five rogues.

I growled and charged at the rogue that was biting his throat.

‘He might be an asshole and a cruel person, but he still is a human being.’ Ava sighed as I crunched down on the rogue’s throat.

I quickly turned around after I made sure he was dead.

The rogues slowly got off of Deacon and stared at me.

I growled and charged at them.

Two of the rogues split up, but I managed to catch one on the foot.

I bit down harder and threw him against the nearest tree.

One jumped on me and slammed me on the ground.

I was about to grab his paw, but I felt him being removed.

I rolled over and saw Deacon throw the wolf off of me and stand in front of me protectively.

That’s when his patrol showed up and chased the remaining rogues.

I heard bones starting to pop and I looked away as Deacon shifted back.

« You can shift now. » Deacon said as he buttoned up his shorts that he got from behind a tree.

I sat back on my hind legs and gave him the are-you-seriously-that-stupid look.

« What ? » He asked confused as he turned around to look at me.

Oh shit. Don’t look at the abs and hot tattoos. Don’t look at the abs and hot tattoos. Don’t look at the-

Screw it.

I gulped as his arms flexed.

‘Well fuck.’ Ava said.

Luckily Deacon didn’t see me drooling over his body.

« She shifted with her clothes on dumbass. » Colby spoke up and crossed her arms over her chest.

« Oh right. » He said as he grabbed a t-shirt.

I cringed as I realized that it was his shirt.

« It is either this shirt or you don’t shift back. » Deacon growled slightly.