HUNTED

That evening Aila and Damon settled down early and done something extra ordinarily normal. They cuddled in bed while watching a movie on Webflix; there was no 'Webflix and chill', just cuddles. Something both of them seemed to enjoy that much more than trying to jump each other's bones. There was a simplicity there that comforted them, as though they were your average, everyday couple having a Friday night in. 

But that was not the case because, in the morning, their little bubble of tranquillity and normalcy popped. Aila stood at the double doors to the mansion's entrance and watched as Damon threw his bag into one of the middle SUV's lined up, ready for their exit. It was early in the morning, nearing 6am, before the pack's training schedule, and the sun already shone brightly on them, making Aila's hair that much more luminous. 

Aila leaned into the doorframe, her arms crossed over; the black crop top and shorts she wore showed off her toned stomach and arms, along with the tan she now had that also made her eyes and hair pop that much more. Damon returned to her and immediately pulled her into an embrace; he leaned his head down and inhaled deeply, taking in her scent. She did the same but smelled his chest and snuggled her head into it more.

His arms tightened around her, and his hug was almost bone-crushing, but Aila didn't mind; if anything, it was more comforting. The next thing she knew, Damon lifted her up, and he now held her by the bottom. She wrapped her legs around his waist, and he pushed her up against the wall.

Aila relaxed her arms around his neck and looked down into his swirling silver orbs, and hid a smile. Damon was dressed in a very expensive suit, making him look that much more dashing and suave. Only his hair and stubble, along with his dark eyes, were the only things identifying him as wild and dangerous. Heck, he was dangerous just by looking sexy in those clothes. But what made her bite her bottom lip and eyes crinkle was the fact that he didn't care about putting wrinkles in his designer suit from hugging her. 

Damon flickered his eyes between hers, "Keep me updated at all times. If I don't hear from you, I will turn my car around and return. I'm not joking, Aila."

"I will, don't worry. I love you," Aila blurted out. He stilled, and her eyes widened at what she just said. It came out so naturally to her, but now she felt panicked. 

SHIT

Her heart raced against her chest, and she felt her hands become slightly clammy. Although she had past relationships before, this was actually the first time she had said those words. Guys had whispered those words to her, and at the time, she only smiled back or awkwardly responded. Now, it was her turn to feel embarrassed. But, surprisingly, she didn't feel ashamed. It felt right to have said 'I love you' because she meant it. 

Damon's face split into a full-fledged smile, as though her words made him the happiest man alive. It was quite a sight, and she couldn't help but smile back at him. Her smile quickly fell when he closed the small distance between their faces, and his lips crashed into hers, immediately deepening the kiss and biting on her lower lip. One of his hands went up through her hair and tilted her how he wanted her, she moaned, and his tongue slipped in, making her moan that much more by his sensual attack of the mouth. Her hands went through his hair, tugging on the ends, making him growl into her. 

He pulled back, and the pair were left gasping as they looked at each other. Aila wanted nothing more than for him to carry her back into the house, away from the cars and for them to make love all day and night. The partial mark on her neck itched and almost throbbed at the idea. She felt the tug on her stomach yanking on her to follow through with it. Aila knew that if she continued, then there was a high chance that Damon would arrive late to his dad's pack. Yet a small part of her also knew he had his duties as the Alpha King to be punctual. 

The mate bond was such an odd feeling, but as soon as she was marked and they mated, she knew the overbearing sense of almost being in pain from not being by Damon's side at all times would fade away. But she wouldn't know until it was made official. 

"I'll be back soon. And when I am, I'll show you how much I love you," Damon replied, his voice husky and filled with desire. He let her down gently and left another kiss on her lips, smacking her on the bottom before turning around and climbing smoothly into the car. 

Aila was left reeling with what just happened. Did he just say he loved her back?

"Yes, and why wouldn't he? You're fricken soul mates.. jeesh sometimes, Aila, I swear you and me are not on the same wavelength.." Malia mocked her. Aila was still too stunned to reply and watched with a heavy heart as her mate's car drove further away from her. The moment it left the gates, she sunk back into the wall, her eyes still not leaving where he was.

They loved each other..

She said she loved him..

He said.. Well, she knew what he meant. Aila felt her cheeks burn at the thought. She jumped on the spot when Ajax and Finn sprung into her sight. They laughed after seeing her shocked features, her hand on her racing heart, "Do that again, and I'll smack the pair of you."

"You know, I thought werewolves were meant to have good hearing?" Ajax smirked.

"It's not our fault you were looking off into the distance all starry-eyed.. Mates," Finn rolled his eyes.

Aila narrowed her eyes at them and turned around, "Come on, I want to go see my mum before meeting with Hollie."

"It's a bit early.." Ajax began but saw the direction Aila was going.

All three of them found themselves in the kitchen in their usual spot on the kitchen island with piles of cooked food on their plate. Chiara sauntered in and eyed the food with an arched eyebrow, "Are we going on a marathon?"

"Need to make sure we are fit and ready for anything later," Ajax said while still eating his food.

"And you need all of this for that?" Chiara said, her eyes lit up in amusement. 

Ajax nodded his head, and much to Aila's shock, Chiara continued making light conversation with him, "I know we can eat through whatever we want because we burn thousands of calories a day.. But aren't you worried about getting fat?"

Her question was directed at Ajax. He gulped his food down and smiled, "Nope, I may be a shapeshifter, but I have the same thing going for me." He stood up and lifted his t-shirt up, revealing a lean body and a six-pack of abdominal muscles. Chiara rolled her eyes and turned away from him, making a coffee as Aila smacked him over the head.

"What? She asked, and I showed what she was missing out on.." Ajax winked. 

Chiara turned around and sipped from her coffee, her eyes unwavering as she looked directly at Ajax. When she was done, she said, "Ajax, if I wanted to see your body, I would have asked you. There's no bullshit with me. Now, if you excuse me, I have work to do." 

She began walking away before calling over her shoulder, "We'll leave here at 12:30."

Aila glanced at Ajax with a smirk.

"I think I'm in love.." Ajax raked his hand through his hair while he continued to stare at the spot Chiara left. 

Finn snorted, "Love? More like you want a challenge, and Gamma Chiara is that for you. Don't go chasing her, AJ. I don't want to be attending your funeral next!" Finn jested, but he looked concerned for his friend, as though Chiara would cause him some serious harm.

Ajax didn't pay any attention to what Finn said as he sighed and looked down at his food. Aila continued to watch him out of the corner of her eye, noticing his mood shift once again to something much darker. She could almost see the conflict behind his beautiful green eyes as they flickered back and forth while he played with some scrambled egg on his plate. 

It was now, she was sure he had been in love before, and although he flirted and joked with Chiara, she had a hunch that his feelings towards Chiara were actually quite real. Love? Maybe not so much, lust? Yes. But that was something she was not going to get involved in.