Chapter 4

He grabbed onto me so quick I didn’t have time to react. Next thing I knew I was sitting on his lap and he was holding me. I slowly wrapped my arms around his neck and put my face into his neck.

As soon as his scent hit me, my whole body relaxed into his arms. We sat there for what felt like forever before he said something.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself after you told me you trusted me.” He whispered to me.

“It’s okay, I like it here.” I whispered back at him.

He hugged me tighter, “Azura?”

I leaned back to look at him. “Yes?”

He brushed his thumb across my chin looking deep into my eyes. “Please don’t leave me. I know I haven’t been the kindest person to anyone in years. I’m not the perfect mate but please don’t ever go. I don’t know what I would do.”

I smiled, “I’m not going anywhere. You’re mine.”

I then leaned in and kissed him. Once I felt him relax and kiss me back, I deepened the kiss. I have no idea what had come over me, but I started attacking him with kisses.

I let out a soft moan and he let out a soft growl. We both were hungry for each other.

Once we finished we sat there breathing heavily for a few minutes.

“I’m sorry I don’t know what came over me.” I blushed.

“You have nothing to be sorry for Azura. I’ve been wanting to kiss you since I first locked eyes with you and realized you were my mate.” He smiled at me.

He brushed my chin with his thumb again and I leaned my head into his hand.

A knock on the door startled me and I jumped up out of his lap.

“Come in!” I yelled.

Both our fathers walked into the room and Lyall stood up to be next to me again.

My father gave Lyall a death stare when he saw him come closer to me.

“Well I’m glad you kids kissed and made up.” Arthur laughed.

“Is everything alright?” My dad asked concerned.

“Everything is fine. He’s calmed down now.” I smiled up at Lyall.

He was much taller than me, over a foot taller than me standing at 6’4”. I was a whooping 5’2” so pretty much everyone was taller than me. Even my twin younger brothers were taller than me!

“Everyone is worried and wondering where you two are at. We should go back to the ballroom and officially announce you two together.” My father stated.

I looked up at Lyall, “You ready to face everyone else with me?”

Lyall smiled down at me, “I’m ready to face the world as long as I have you by my side.” He then leaned down and kissed my forehead.

I smiled back at him and blushed, “Then let’s do it!”

My father and Arthur went ahead of usto go make the announcement, giving us time to prepare ourselves to face everyone.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize for everything that has happened and for the wait. Arthur and I would like to proudly announce that my daughter, Azura, and his son, Lyall, have been blessed by the Moon Goddess herself to be mated together. Please welcome back, Lyall Greyback and Azura Dunstan!”

Everyone in the room started clapping.

I looked up at Lyall and smiled, “I’m right by your side. We got this.”

We both took a deep breath and walked out into the ballroom. Everyone was clapping and cheering as we entered the room. You could see some people had concerned looks on them but still clapped out of respect.

I didn’t blame anyone for being concerned. Lyall doesn’t have the best reputation amongst all of the wolves. I didn’t care though, he was my mate. From here on out I will defend and be by his side, no matter what.

I was his and he was mine. Nothing could change that. I would die to protect him just as I would my own family.

We made our way up to the stage holding hands and smiling. Once we got up on stage I sensed anger. I looked over at Lyall and he was smiling at me so I knew it wasn’t him. As I looked around the room to see who I was getting this feeling from out of the corner of my eye I saw Ayala storming her way towards us.

Before I had the chance to react she had pounced on me and started hitting me.

“You bitch! He’s mine! You can’t have him!” Ayala screamed as she was hitting me.

I blocked as best as I could so she wouldn’t scratch at my face. She did manage to nick me a few times before she was ripped off of me and thrown across the stage.

Lyall let out an angry growl warning Ayala not to make any sudden moves. She cowered in the corner knowing she would regret it more if she tried anything else.

Lyall then came and helped me up

“Are you okay?!” Lyall asked.

“I’m fine. Stay calm. Let me deal with her.” I said as I fixed my dress.

I then looked over at Ayala still cowering in the corner and made my way to her. Everyone was dead silent watching the events that was happening in front of them.

Once I was in front of Ayala I forced her to stand back up and face me.

“After the years of torture you have put me through for reasons I don’t even know! We used to be friends and then once day you just hated me. I have done NOTHING to you!” I screamed at her.

Ayala started to cry but didn’t say a word.

“NOW you have nothing to say after you attacked me at my own party?” I yelled.

She continued to cry and not say a word.

“If you EVER attack me or even think of torturing me and my friends again. I WILL make you regret it.” I screamed and then slapped her across the face as hard as I could.

Everyone in the room gasped.

I have never been one to lash out or even raise my voice to anyone. Yet I just did both in front of every pack alpha and their families that were here.

Ayala grabbed her face and looked at me in shock. She then ran out of the ballroom crying. Her mother looked at me and gave me a nod. She knew one day her daughter would get what she had coming to her. She then left to go find her daughter.

I took a few breaths before turning towards the stage to make my way back there. Lyall and our fathers stood there shocked at what they just witnessed me do.

I don’t understand what came over me. I’m not one to choose violence over communication. But I guess everyone had their breaking point and what Ayala did to me was what broke me.

I walked over to Lyall and our fathers.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.” I felt embarrassed I had lashed out like that in front of everyone. It wasn’t like me at all.

Lyall took me into my his arms and held me right.

“What she did was horrible and wrong. From what I can tell she’s jealous you are my mate. I’ve known for years she has had a crush on me but I’ve never given her any of my attention.”

I had no clue Ayala liked Lyall. We haven’t spoken in years other than when she would talk down to me and my friends. Even if I knew she did there’s nothing I could do since he is rightfully my mate. Her feelings mean nothing anymore.

I hugged Lyall back, I was glad he didn’t look down on me for lashing out at Ayala. Then again I guess he’s not one to judge anyone for overreacting when things upset you. His reputation is all about lashing out and being cruel.

I walked over to the microphone, “I apologize for my outburst and everything that has happened so far tonight. I know this isn’t usually how a coming of age party goes but none of us can change what has happened tonight.”

I looked over at Lyall and smiled. He smiled back and made his way over by me.

“Let’s not let the craziness that has happened so far stop us from celebrating Azura coming of age and also finding her mate. I know I am especially glad to be here tonight because I got to meet my mate finally. Let’s continue to celebrate and enjoy the rest of the evening! Thank you all for coming.” Lyall finished off for me.

I hugged him when he finished and then pulled him down towards the dance floor. I wasn’t going to let everything that’s happened ruin our night.