HUNTED

After dozing off and staying in bed with Damon, both sleeping and tumbling around in the sheets, the pair finally left the bedroom the following day fully satisfied. No one interrupted them, leaving the Alpha and Luna to some peace and quiet, which they knew would end soon. Today they were leaving Gabriel\'s penthouse and returning to Silver Thorn to their pack.

Aila found out that the seer reported a premonition to Damon that Aila would be crowned Alpha Queen at the next full moon. This was in three weeks, which was quite abrupt considering there was a ritual she had to heed to on the day of the full moon. This was then followed by a royal ceremony the next day where Alphas and Lunas from other packs would attend to greet their new sovereign.

Aila sighed and rolled out of bed, leaving Damon and his hotness in the bed. She had a quick shower and managed to find another top that wasn\'t ripped to go with her jeans and some heeled ankle boots. 

"Nairi would be proud.. No more joggers and hoodies?" Malia jested sleepily, followed by a long yawn. It seemed her wolf was still waking up, but Aila felt fresh even with a few tender muscles after her time with Damon.. Aila rolled her eyes in response to her wolf\'s remark as she towel-dried her hair and returned to the bedroom again, stopping when she couldn\'t find her mate.

Hmmm, she left him naked in bed. Did he need to answer another phone call? Aila dropped the towel and ruffled her hair a bit before walking towards the bedroom door. But as she reached for the doorknob, a pair of muscular arms wrapped around her waist and was pulled back into a chiselled, naked body. His musky scent and warmth relaxed Aila\'s tensed body, and she tilted her head to the side for Damon to lean his head into her neck.

"Where are you going?" He asked huskily; his nose trailed down her neck as he left a few kisses.

Aila placed her hands atop his, "I was looking for you," She whispered, already feeling her body waking up to his featherlight touches.

"Hmmm, you found me. Now, what should we do?" He hummed into her neck, one of his hands slipped under her jeans, and he began to stroke her ever so lightly atop her underwear. Aila leaned her head back against his chest as pleasure rippled through her body, her nipples hardening against her bra.

"You are insatiable," She breathed. Damon chuckled, and with his other hand, he turned her head, meeting her lips with his own, his tongue dipping in immediately. Aila felt her willpower begin to crumble away. But Damon pulled back and chuckled again; he removed his hand from her jeans and slapped her ass.

"I think it\'s you who is ravenous," He replied and began walking away. Aila turned around and watched his finely sculpted ass disappear behind the bathroom door.

"Only for you, Alpha," She purred and shook her head before escaping into the hallway after hearing his steps coming for her. Aila giggled as she skipped away from the door, smiling back at Damon, who only revealed his torso, the rest of his body hidden behind the door as he watched her get further away from him. She saw his eyes glow and his smile turn into one of mischievousness; he mouthed, \'Later.\'

Aila bit her lip and saw his face darken, and a growl escaped his lips. His hand clenched onto the door frame before he retreated inside and closed the door behind him. Aila chuckled to herself and walked down the stairs, making her way to the dining room. They needed to leave, and if she re-entered that bed with him, they would definitely miss saying their farewells to Chase and Sariah.

Aila stopped just before entering the dining room; there was another presence, one she was familiar with but not familiar enough to let her guard down. She spun around and was faced with the maid Esme. Like before, she seemed pretty skittish, her eyes glancing towards the door and back on Aila.

"Hello Esme," Aila was the first to speak, and her voice seemed to calm the wolf, to which she was glad. Damon had told her previously about Esme\'s story, and she wanted to do more for her, but it was better she worked under Gabriel until they could help.

Esme bowed her head, "Good morning, Luna," Esme\'s quiet voice barely reached Aila\'s ears. She glanced at the door again, so Aila walked closer to the rogue, gesturing for her to walk along the corridor. Esme quietly followed behind her. Aila frowned at the notion and slowed her steps, so they walked side by side, taking the she-wolf by surprise.

"Does Gabriel not know that you are here?" Aila murmured, still keeping her voice low. She was unsure of his location, but he might very well be in the dining room from how Esme was acting. Or she was scared that the others would see her; again, Aila found it understandable. Esme needed to stay hidden.

Esme shook her head, "No. I\'m meant to be off for the week. But I wanted to see you before you go."

Aila tilted her head to the side. Why does she want to see me?

"I heard.." Esme gulped and looked down, "that things happened to you with that hunter.. If you ever want to talk about things.. You know.. things you can\'t talk to your mate or your friends about… You can speak to me. I mean.. I hear it\'s easier to talk to a stranger.. and I am a girl that helps .. a girl who you know.. well, I guess you already know-"

Aila pulled Esme into a hug, halting the girl\'s babbling speech. The girl\'s tense body began to shake, then relaxed in her arms, and she clung to the back of Aila\'s shirt. Aila felt tears spring to her eyes, it was not her sadness that made her tearful but the strength it took for Esme to come forwards and speak to her about such things. She hoped to help the she-wolf as quickly as possible, but for now, she would be in Gabriel\'s capable hands.

She trusted the vampire with one of her own. Even if she did not know Esme well, already as an Alpha Princess, she thought of the she-wolf as her own. "Thank you, I will reach out if I need to, and I hope you would consider doing the same. I will listen no matter what, big or small." Aila pulled away and stared into Esme\'s dark brown eyes. "Keep in touch with me. I\'d like to know how you are doing. Plus, it\'s gotta be boring hanging with vamps all the time." She winked.

Esme smiled gently and nodded her head. "I would like that. Oh, and they\'re not that bad.." She trailed off as a blush spread across her cheeks. Aila blinked in surprise. Did she like someone? The sound of footsteps snapped the girls out of their thoughts; Aila turned her head and saw Damon descending the stairs. Aila dropped her hands, her attention on her mate, and when she looked back to say farewell to Esme, she stood there alone. 

Aila turned her head around, looking for the she-wolf, but like magic, she had disappeared.

"Spooky," Malia said with a shiver. Aila shook her head; there was nothing spooky about it. Esme must be good at hiding. Aila\'s heart pinched at the idea of it, but Damon\'s approach slowly made her heart flutter in happiness.

Damon put his arm over her shoulder and started leading her towards the dining room. "I thought your stomach would be complaining by now. What are you doing out here?" He muttered, but she could tell he already knew from Esme\'s light lingering scent.

"Nothing really," Aila murmured as she glanced around for Esme still. She was glad to stay in touch with her; she would get her number from Gabriel.