Savior of the Wolves

Bailey’s POV

I’ve tried not to be overly obvious as I watched Aiden train this morning. Leaning up against the brick exterior of the dining hall, I pretended to look through my bag.

With my head still tilted downward, I cut my eyes up to watch him. It was so hard not to stare. He was absolutely gorgeous. It was even worse that his muscles were exaggerated more than normal while he trained. Sweat glistened on his face and neck and I wanted to taste him.

“Ugh. It’s killing me.”

His hair had been tossed about by the wind causing every girl to watch. He shook his head to the side to clear the slickened black waves from his forehead, and I couldn’t help but notice how that motion resembled his wolf.

My wolf felt out of sorts lately. It was growing especially bothersome that all the girls watched him now as if they thought they had a chance in hell over me.

That was laughable.

I have known him my entire life. We even finished school together. I was the Zeta’s daughter after all. My father is his war general. There was no lupa here of higher rank than me. I would be the likely choice if he didn’t find a fem.

We needed our pack strong. I was the strongest.

I thought I made it clear. He’s off-limits. If one more girl tried to get his attention, they would succumb to an unfortunate sparring accident.

I would make their life hell.

Life here is hard enough. We used to have freedom. Used to be if a wolf came of age and requested to travel and leave the pack for a while, it was granted. Now, no one left. Everyone settled into hiding out here. I didn’t see why we weren’t out there trying to find the scourges and killing them.

But one day, when Aiden chooses me for a mate, I would finally be able to tolerate this place. I won’t have to do just any job they hand me. I’ll be important.

I memorized the strength in his face, one more time, before closing my bag and walking in the other direction of the training grounds.

After Shelly and I finished working at the school, we headed to the dining hall. She gave me a look like she felt sorry for me as the doors closed behind us. I couldn’t help but look around for him, but Aiden wasn’t there. Shelly needed to keep her eyes and her pity to herself.

I robotically picked up my supper and we sat amongst our childhood friends already engrossed in stories of their own. I listened as she talked but I was distracted mostly, thinking of where Aiden could be.

I tried to rush her while she ate. Goddess, she eats slower than a mouse. I made small talk to kill time, but my mind was somewhere else entirely. The second she was finished I quickly suggested a walk.

Life seemed almost normal as other young pack members waved or made small talk as we passed them on the sidewalks that linked the buildings. The woods, just yards away, created a canopy with the most beautiful pines and hardwood that gave us a shielded feel as we walked along the grounds. But that was the furthest from the truth. My age group was too young to have witnessed the war we’ve been brought up to fear. It almost felt like a spooky story to keep us from misbehaving.

After walking the grounds casually for a while, there was still no sign of Aiden.We detoured back home.

Being in the Zeta family, we had suites on the second floor of the Alpha main house. So, it’s not uncommon for me to be hanging out there in the common area. Just not Shelley. She lived across the house gardens with the other beta wolves. She salivated for an opportunity to hang out at the main house, so I suggested it. I would have her to wait with me…until Aiden finally showed.

We had just sat next to one another, still engrossed in discussion, as luck would have it and I saw Aiden hurrying down the stairs.

He made taking steps look romantic. Every move of his was strong and graceful.

Other females turned to watch him pass and I stared at them with my unspoken warning. I’m starting to wonder if my threats need action. We weren’t supposed to fight amongst each other, but accidents happened.

I saw their whispers and blushed cheeks and my anger only grew.

Are they that stupid? They are the private detail’s daughters that reside on the third floor...there is no way in hell that he would be interested in them. Not over me. Never!

It pissed me off even further when politely said “Hi” to every one of them as he passed by them. Did he not see how they reacted to him? The slightest politeness gave them hope. I just saw half of them swoon behind his back.

I mean, I know that he’s just being nice. He was typically very quiet, serious...studious even and he was not the kind to flirt. EVER. So, he’s definitely just being nice. I just got sick of seeing them all try so hard. Like he gave them some hope with his natural politeness.

None of us really understood the hierarchy of the Alpha family. We did know that he couldn’t imprint on any of us. That was impossible. But could he learn to love one of us? If there’s no one else? He shouldn’t have to spend his entire life alone just because the scourges killed off most of the female nobles. What if they killed his fem? Then, he’d have to find a normal mate like the rest of us. Right?

I couldn’t be the only one wondering that.

I heard the elders talk. None of them would blame him if he married a lupa, They even suspected that Josh might do that in the next few years if he didn’t find his mate.

So, that would mean Aiden might follow suit soon thereafter.

All I had to do was wait...and he’s worth the wait.

“Anything good in the journals today?” I asked as he looked up and smiled at me.

“Nothing new,” he said looking disappointed.

“Can I help?”

“Not really,” he huffed.

“Is everything okay?” I asked. He looked unusually bothered. His eyes seemed to go back and forth. What was he looking for? He seemed on edge and that was out of character for him.

“Of course it is,” he said with another forced smile as his finger subconsciously tapped on the side of his leg.

Just as I was about to stand and loop my arm into his, he altered his intended course. As he began to head toward the main door to the Alpha suites, where I’m not permitted, he looked to the side at the window.

He slowed his stride and turned back my way.

“Shelly, it’s late. Do you need a detail back to your house?”

My eyes followed his gaze. The security lights were already illuminating the front of the house. He was right.

“I didn’t realize it was so late,” Shelly answered in shock, turning her wrist up to look at her watch. “Shit, Mom’s going to kill me,” she finished with a grimace on her face.

Aiden, being the great leader that he was, said, “Hold on.”

He walked to a room and peeked his head partially in, “Guys, do you mind seeing Shelly home.”

Confirmations fled from the room as five of the security detail walked out.

Shelly was clearly embarrassed but rushed with them out the front door.

I was pleased that I suddenly had Aiden to myself. That was rare these days, no matter how hard I tried.

I was taking a breath to ask him to sit with me a while, but fate would have it that the door to his suites opened before I could even speak.

There stood our Luna.

She was so beautiful. But more than that, she was elegant and strong. She had long hair that looked white with a pearlescent sheen. Just like that part of Aiden’s wolf. She was tall and trim with the most captivating eyes. Her eyes are the same as Aiden’s...a light bluish gray. She’s the most beautiful wolf I’ve ever seen...aside from Aiden.

She looked like she regretted disturbing us. She had such a gentle way with everything.

She walked toward us briskly, “I’m sorry to interrupt,” she said, smiling at me, then her eyes diverted to Aiden, “but your father wants you in the conference room. He said it’s urgent.”

Aiden reached out to his mom and held her. I could almost feel his warmth myself.

“Goodnight Mom,” he said letting the embrace go.

“Goodnight son,” she said.

He began to walk quickly away so I yelled out, “Goodnight Aiden.”

“Um, goodnight,” he replied over his shoulder without making eye contact with me.