Chapter Three

A late night and an early morning.

After a quick facilities break at the service station we are back on the motorway in no time.

Mav kept looking at me through the rear view mirror every now and again, just checking my hands aren’t reaching for the door. He denied it when I told him my wolf wasn’t as on edge having been fed, but he drove in the slow lane nonetheless. Ricardo and Blake were quiet, they were clearly mind-linking one another. I already couldn’t mind-link the lycans, now I can’t even mind-link another werewolf. I closed my eyes, tiredness taking over me and I give in, hoping at least by the time I wake up we should be pulling up to the Royal Santos Lycan pack.

“Aida?” I hear Queen Lorrel call my name. Where was I?

“Hhmm?” I respond still half asleep.

“Sshh Mother don’t wake her!” Ricardo hushes.

“What happened?”

“If I tell you, you have to promise not to mind-link Lance?” Is he carrying me? I’m being walked up some stairs but I’m too exhausted to battle the call to return back to sleep in order to open my eyes.

“Ric, you’re worrying me! Why does she smell different?” A slight growl leaves the Lycan Queen’s mouth.

“Her Father has passed away…”

Lorrel cuts him off with a gasp but he hasn’t told the half of it.

“She got into an argument with the Luna about how her mother died. She shifted whilst pregnant to save Aida…” He lowers his voice even more so.

Another gasp quickly follows.

“The Luna lunged for Aida who couldn’t shift.”

“She couldn’t shift?” Lorrel checks what Ricardo just told her.

“Yes, and to make matters worse she made herself rogue.” Ricardo growls at the end.

“She couldn’t shift, why?”

“I’m not sure. Her wolf had a wobble in the car and nearly caused a car crash on the motorway. My guards are already asking me about a rogue being on the grounds.”

“Goddess! Lance needs to mark her.”

“No Mother, it will give the Alpha’s an excuse to rise against us.”

“She belongs to Lance…they are fated.” Lorrel firmly replies as if that settles the argument.

“Even so, she has less than a month until she is eighteen. For a few weeks, I’m sure we can think of an alternative.”

“Is this why Brennan, Emmett and Jake are here?” Lorrel asks as we enter Lance’s bedroom, I suppose now also my bedroom for the foreseeable future.

“Yes without Axel too, I need more eyes on Aida. Where are they?”

“I set them up in some of the guest rooms near your quarters.”

I am laid down on the bed and tucked in before the back of Lorrel’s hand strokes my cheek.

“She couldn’t shift?”

“No. Do you think I should send her off training with Uncle?” Ricardo seeks his mother’s advice.

“No I think we won’t have the time now. Let’s sort the rogue issue first.”

I hear them leave and close the door behind them. Exhausted, I reach for Lance’s pillow which has his scent vaguely lingering on it still and I give into sleep.

…….

“Goddess, forgive me!” I hear my Mum’s plea to the moon goddess just as my death takes me.

My eyes flash open, greeted by the small rays of morning sunshine trying to seep through the blackout long drapes. Of course I was sweating, my body just starting to cool down from my nightmare. I’d have to strip the bed sheets and change the bedding as soon as I got up. But I couldn’t get up!

Orphan!

That’s what keeps ringing through my mind. I was now an orphan. Parent-less, pack-less. I refused to be a victim, a charity case that the Lycan royal family took pity on. I didn’t plan to return to the Sagar pack after training anyway so this now seals that fate. Although the realisation that Caleb and his parents will have nothing to do with me now does sting.

I strip the bed and jump into the shower before going on the hunt for fresh bedding when I hear talking coming from the kitchen. Investigating on the noise further, I peak in to find three of Blake’s brothers sitting at the kitchen island drinking coffee. How rude am I, I don’t even know their names. The thought of having to remember seven names in one greeting was quite overwhelming.

“Morning Aida!” I’m assuming the eldest calls out to me.

“Morning.” I hesitantly reply walking into the kitchen. The three of them sniff the air, taking in my scent. Has it changed that dramatically already?

“I thought you were going back home?” I ask making small talk as I switch on the kettle.

“We were home but got called back…” The eldest replies.

“Yes…someone decided to turn rogue.” I think the second eldest smirks at me.

“It’s not like I planned it. Wait…please tell me you aren’t joining Aida Watch?” I moan out loud.

“Highly ungrateful Aida…do you know how important our daily lives are, what we are missing right now?” The third born brother cheekily teases me.

“Your hand is not your girlfriend Jake!” The second eldest quips back tossing a packet of bacon at him.

“Put some food on!”

“Piss off Emmett.” Jake replies giving both Lycans his middle finger.

Okay so I know Emmett and Jake now, but still not the eldest. Who is watching me intently right now. His eyes flickering to that of his wolf.

“Ignore them Aida…I’m Brennan by the way. We owe Ric and Lance a few favours so happy to help out where we can.” He smiles warmly at me which puts me slightly more at ease.

“You won’t notice we are here!” Emmett chimes. I doubt that!

I look at Jake, who is frozen as he stares at the large oven cooker with the packet of bacon in his hand.

“What’s the matter?” I whisper to him.

“I’m not sure how to turn it on!” His puppy dog eyes look at me and I sigh rolling my eyes. I grab the bacon from him and turn on the grill.

“Thanks Aida, you’re the best!” He kisses me on my cheek before squeezing me tightly. The Lycan was a complete flirt and I had been completely manipulated into cooking bacon for them. I had a feeling I was secretly going to enjoy their banter.