Chapter 27 #2
She nodded, that same soft smile on her lips.
“We look forward to maintaining a good relationship with the Bloodfire Phoenix Pack—despite everything. Don’t worry about Alistair, dear.
He’s just sore because his daughter is heartbroken.
I always knew Lexia couldn’t be with Aiden.
We didn’t know who the luna was—your pack kept that under wraps.
But I knew you were there. Maybe Aiden hadn’t met you yet.
Maybe you were too young for his wolf to recognize you.
I warned Lexia not to get attached. Warned Alistair too.
But they’re both so stubborn. Still…” She looked at me kindly.
“I don’t hold it against you, Luna Rose.
It’s just the way of your pack. Give my family time to adjust.”
The use of my title made my cheeks burn. But inside, I felt something shift—relief. Maybe things wouldn’t fall apart between the packs after all.
Back in the hotel room, I showered and changed into charcoal gray dress pants and a peach silk camisole I wore under a tailored gray blazer.
As I did my makeup, Aiden sat on the bed, rattling off things he wanted me to find out—like if Ava’s pack supported land conservation.
We couldn’t align with anyone who had a different agenda.
There was a moment—just a brief, breathless one—where I walked around in only my camisole, and I felt Aiden’s gaze shift, darken. His voice even changed, lower, a little rougher. When I turned around, he looked away quickly.
I didn’t say anything. I focused on my hair, trying to wrestle it into a sleek high ponytail, but my curls weren’t cooperating. Frustrated, I caved and called Diego for help.
"Your hair looks pretty down," Aiden said casually from where he was sprawled across my bed, completely at ease. He was leaning against the headboard, thumbing through the first chapter of “The Count of Monte Cristo”. I stared at him as he snorted and muttered, “This dude is seriously stupid if he doesn’t pick up on how much this Danglars guy doesn’t like him.”
I couldn’t even focus on his literary critique. Diego was tugging my hair into a tight, slicked-back ponytail, and all I could think about was how strange it felt to hear Aiden comment on my appearance. As if...he found me attractive?
“What?” he asked, defensive now, flipping to another page. “This seems like a really crappy read.”
With an exaggerated sigh, he tossed the book on my nightstand just as Diego finished my hair.
“Since you’re going for a more casual look, just wear the earrings and tennis bracelet,” Diego advised before quietly slipping out of the room.
I followed his suggestion, but the bracelet clasp refused to cooperate. I held it up to Aiden silently, hoping he’d understand.
“Ready to try your hand at pack diplomacy?” he teased as he helped me clasp the bracelet around my wrist.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I laughed, meeting his eyes and almost losing myself in the warm depth of them.
His hand settled gently on the small of my back while we stepped out into the hallway.
I kept reminding myself none of this was real. It was just...proximity. We weren’t really a team. This wasn’t a forever thing—it was temporary. A duty. He’d been forced into it. But even knowing that, I couldn’t help but enjoy it while it lasted.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. I sat taking notes, documenting every key point that came up—problems like funding, job shortages, even healthcare for werewolves.
My chest swelled with pride every time Aiden contributed something intelligent to the discussion.
I noticed Ava wasn’t in the conference hall, though Alpha Ron was.
By the time we broke for lunch, my head was spinning.
“So many policies and new legislations that could mean bad news for us,” I murmured, feeling a little overwhelmed.
“It’s a lot your first time,” Aiden said sympathetically. “I was confused too when I started. Dad left me tons of notes and explanations.” His hand was at the small of my back again as he steered me toward the dining area. “You don’t have to stay for the second half. It can get tedious.”
I blinked up at him. “Are you kidding me? I’m not missing this.”
Determined, I made my way to Ava’s table and sat beside her for lunch.
“You weren’t at the conference?” I asked, trying to keep my voice neutral.
She looked up guiltily from her salad. “Yeah...my alpha tired me out last night.”
My cheeks burned. I had a feeling I knew what she meant.
“I figured it’d be bad form to fall asleep during the session. So I went down to the pool instead.”
“Well, I took some notes. I can share if you’d like,” I offered.
Ava gave a half-shrug, clearly indifferent. “Ron handles all that. I work more with orphanages and families in our pack. Politics really isn’t my scene.”
“I heard you have a fantastic warrior training program,” I ventured carefully, thanking the waiter as he set down my salad.
By the time the day came to an end, I felt like my brain had been put through a blender.
“Tomorrow we get divided into working groups,” the host announced as everyone stood.
Aiden stood as well, removing his navy blazer. My gaze betrayed me, skimming over the way his dress shirt fit his shoulders, the glint of silver cufflinks at his wrists.
“I need a run,” he announced, and I heard a few alphas murmur their agreement. Then he looked at me. “Do you want to go out back to the grounds, or would you rather stay in your room?”
Like I could ever say no to seeing his wolf.
An hour later, I was curled up on the back lawn of the hotel, the designated area where the alphas and lunas could run or relax. I’d changed into a dark navy sundress, thin spaghetti straps leaving my arms bare. Aiden’s wolf trotted toward me, brushing up against my legs and licking my skin.
“Oh, he really adores you,” Ava laughed behind me. I turned around, startled to find her standing there in nothing but a terry cloth robe.
“There was no point in wearing clothes when I’m just going to shift,” she explained with a grin.
Then Ron appeared, casually wrapping his arms around her waist. He was also in a robe.
Aiden had walked down wearing a T-shirt and shorts, slipping into the woods quietly to shift out of sight.
Probably for my benefit more than his own, I realized now.
Ron pressed a kiss to Ava’s cheek before disappearing into the trees.
“You can’t shift yet, can you?” Ava asked softly when she came to stand beside me.
Aiden—Aiden’s wolf—who had been basking under my hand while I scratched behind his ear, suddenly went still.
“I… I’m part human,” I admitted, not really seeing the point in pretending. They’d figure it out soon enough when I didn’t shift.
“Oh. That explains a lot,” Ava said gently, waving goodbye before heading after Ron into the woods.
I tilted my head. What explains a lot? I glanced toward Aiden, confused, but he clearly understood what Ava meant. He nuzzled his nose into my hand one last time before stepping behind me and nudging my back.
He wanted me to get up.
When I stood, he nudged the side of my thigh more insistently. He wanted me to run with him.
I had done it before, back when I was younger—running in the woods with Dad and Aunt Hilda. It had been exhilarating, but now didn’t feel like the best time. He probably wanted to sprint through the trees and blow off some steam after a long day. I couldn’t keep up.
“I don’t think I could keep up with you,” I laughed, stumbling a little as he gave me another strong nudge.
Aiden wasn’t taking no for an answer. Next thing I knew, I had set my book down and followed him into the woods. The wind played through my hair, cool against my sweaty skin as we ran together, my lungs burning in the best way.
I stopped to catch my breath and let out a light laugh. “You don’t have to stop for me. Go on.”
But Aiden stayed close, circling around me like a sentinel. He wouldn’t leave me alone out here. He dipped his head and licked my ankles affectionately, making me giggle again.
“You’re so much nicer in wolf form,” I teased, scratching behind his ear.
He gave me a gentle nudge again, coaxing me to keep going.
About half an hour later, I trudged back into the clearing. Aiden lopped off to continue his run, and Ava came to sit beside me, still in her robe, looking absolutely glowing.
“That was amazing!” she said, tilting her head back with a pleased sigh.
“What did you mean earlier?” I asked quickly, still wondering. “When you said… that explains a lot after I told you I was part human?”
“Oh.” Ava laughed. “Don’t worry. It’s just—you didn’t smell like your mate.”
I blinked. “Smell like my mate?”
“Well, after mating, scents change. Alphas scent their mates almost immediately. You start smelling like each other—it’s a whole thing. Yours hasn’t changed at all. You haven’t been marked or scented.”
I stared at her, stunned, as she went on.
“You guys don’t seem all that touchy either. But I guess you haven’t turned yet, and it’s still new. Being part human might make you more reserved.”
“I’m reserved?” I echoed. I really needed to stop repeating everything she said.
“Yeah, you look like you’re going to faint every time your alpha touches you.” Ava laughed. “Like a blushing maiden.”
I gawked at her.
Her expression shifted. “Oh my God. You are a blushing maiden. You haven’t slept with him, have you?”
“Oh, we have!” I said, way too fast and way too high-pitched.
“Rose…” Ava lowered her voice, gentle now. “It’s okay if you haven’t. No one’s judging you. Honestly, Alpha Aiden must have nerves of steel. He always looks like he wants to eat you.”
“We’ve had sex!” I repeated, this time way too loud.
Then I turned—and saw him.
Aiden. Fully dressed, standing just a few feet away.
Yeah. He definitely heard everything.
Fantastic.