HUNTED-Chapter 327: Among Friends (3)

Aila glanced at Esme feeling guilty that after all of the she-wolf’s help, the pack’s Gamma treated her rudely. But then her attention landed on Chiara, and she understood the little grudge she held against the rogue. It didn’t mean she was right to act in such a way, but Chiara could be scary, and Aila didn’t fancy telling her to treat Esme respectfully.

She needed to get through to her somehow.

Though, looking at Esme, she didn’t seem bothered. Again this made Aila question the life she’d led until recently. She knew parts of Esme’s story through Damon, but there was so much more to the rogue than running away from a pack.

Aila bit her lip as she looked at Ajax, literally kissing the top of Chiara’s trainer until she relented, cheeks red in embarrassment and pulled him to his feet, accepting his embrace. Chiara rested her chin on Ajax’s shoulder. She seemed relaxed though her eyes still scanned the woods for any potential threats and seemingly found one.

The Gamma tensed, eyes turning into an inferno resting on the approaching rogue.

Aila knew there was a way to resolve this but how to bring it up without making it seem like she was butting in and making the pair get along was harder than she thought.

"Oh man, you made up too quickly. I was hoping to see Ajax beg some more," Finn jested, grinning, his eyes twinkling in amusement as the Gamma and shapeshifter pulled apart.

"Finley boy, I know you just want to hear my voice in such a way, but I don’t see you that way. I’ll only beg for my woman." Ajax slipped his arm over Chiara, pulling her tightly against him.

The Gamma seemed both frustrated and somehow reluctantly happy by the action. Aila snorted at Chiara’s eye roll, finding the couple hilarious. It was still a little bizarre to her that they’d come clean about their relationship, but it was good to see them like this in public.

The group continued laying into Ajax and his ways, making Aila’s jaw ache from all the smiling. She was incredibly happy, not just being back in her mate’s arms but because she was surrounded by her pack and the ones she loved. The only thing missing right now was her parents.

But they were held up at the shop and won’t come until morning. Aila knew it was because she mentioned the party, and they didn’t fancy coming to the bonfire. It was understandable. They needed to spend proper time together.

Esme stood to the side a little uncomfortably. How could she not when Chiara was glaring at her every few seconds. Though, they seemed to roll off her.

Aila squeezed Damon’s forearm as she passed him and stood beside Esme. "I’m surprised your bodyguards aren’t here," Aila commented, starting a conversation with her.

"They couldn’t keep up with me," Esme smirked. "I wanted some alone time. They’re like mother hens.." Her smile faltered, eyes darkening more, but she cleared her throat.

"I made a bet with them anyway. If they couldn’t find me in thirty minutes, then they could chill in their rooms," Esme shrugged.

"It sounds to me like you were being nice and gave them the night off.." Aila trailed off, a smile tugging on her lips when she saw Esme look away, a slight blush colouring her cheeks.

Was it so hard for her good intentions to be recognised? Was Esme not used to being told she was nice?

"They were annoying," the she-wolf grumbled before she smirked, nodding in the opposite direction and changing the topic. "Looks like someone is having fun."

Aila followed her gaze to see Harry leaning against a tree, cheekily grinning with two she-wolves in each arm, one stroking his chest and the other lowering her hand to his groin.

"He deserves it." Aila hoped he wouldn’t cause any drama between the she-wolves, though. If they were unmated, it might be okay, but even then, she wasn’t sure if the women would share. They seemed okay now, with a little light touching over his jeans.

Aila looked away. Either way, Harry distracted their attention from her mate.

"Is that the point of this, then?" Esme asked, steering her head to look at Aila. She continued when Aila watched her expectantly. "A distraction?"

She didn’t like that term. "They need this, Es," Aila explained in a mind-link. "The pack has been through a lot. We’ve been through a lot. They need to let off some steam before things get wilder."

Esme watched their surroundings, seemingly intrigued by the pack. "This is a much nicer pack than I thought it would be." She raised her hands, her lips grinning at Aila, about to defend herself and the pack. "Where I grew up.. We didn’t have this.. family mentality. It’s nice..

a little strange for me.. but nice all the same."

"That sucks. But hey, you’re part of the pack now, right? This is your family too." Aila smiled at her, but Esme shook her head.

"No pack wants a rogue joining them, not really. Harry’s different.. he’s worked closely beside you-"

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"So have you. In fact, you worked with Damon as well," Aila interrupted. She was feeling frustrated at the pack and rogue mentality.

"- he’s got a great personality, killer bod and face. I.. hang around vampires," Esme continued, though she was mocking herself.

"You’re always welcome here, Es. I won’t be booting you out of it, so you’re stuck with the ability to mind-link us." Aila placed her hand gently on Esme’s shoulder and felt a slight pinch of her heart at Esme’s slight flinch.

The she-wolf was as hard as nails, but it seemed she still had some healing and growing to do around others. Gabriel seemed to be working his magic with her, though, because the first time she met Esme, she bolted, ready to run to another city.

"Thanks, Aila. I.. just want to say.. even though my debt has been repaid.." Esme flicked her gaze to the stars for a moment, her dark eyes reflecting them, making her look all the more ethereal before she looked back at Aila. "If ever you need me, I will help."

"Isn’t that touching." Chiara stopped by Aila’s other side, crossing her arms.

Aila sighed; she didn’t like hearing her Gamma friend sounding like such a villain right now. Chiara wasn’t. She was upset and needed to release this grudge and anger festering in her like a disease.

Esme tilted her head to the side. "It is, isn’t it?"

And Esme had an attitude that definitely got her into a few fights.

Chiara’s eyes narrowed at her, taking a step forward. "Right, you two." Aila clapped her hands together. She couldn’t take the tension brewing between them. "The arena is that way."

"What?" Chiara scoffed. "That’s not going to help-"

"I didn’t realise the Silver Crescent’s own Gamma was such a chicken," Esme taunted with a growing smirk, eyes twinkling. Definitely got into a few fights.

"Not a chicken.. I don’t see much of a challenge from a scrawny rogue like you," Chiara snapped back. "By all means.. let’s go."

The Gamma marched past them and towards the arena that had been set up, the stands full of crowds shouting already. The ground was a little bloodied, but none had left too injured. Esme grinned, making Aila shake her head at the rogue, who seemed more thrilled than anything to fight in the arena.

"Wait.. please tell me they’re gonna be fighting in bikinis, rolling around in mud!?" Ajax gushed and almost skipped after them.

Aila grabbed his shirt and held him back until she walked up beside him. "Do you really want all those horny werewolves lusting after and undressing your woman with their eyes?"

Ajax’s smile dropped, his face blanching. Aila released him and burst into a giggle as he chased after Chiara, his voice loud as he checked she was keeping her clothes on.

"This will be interesting," Damon commented as he slid his arm over her shoulders and kissed the side of her head.

Aila nodded and hoped this was put a rest to the antagonism between two she-wolves that were more alike than they would admit.