“Good, cause that’s only gotten worse.”
“What has, your honesty?”
“No, me saying what I want. Tends to get a guy slapped more often than not.”
“Oh, really? What am I going to slap you for?” Aura smirked, since she doubted his mouth would get him in trouble with her. She enjoyed it too much.
“I don’t know. I haven’t started talking yet.” He grinned and kissed her again, the metal wall behind her actually scooping her up slowly so that she was level with him.
“I like it when you talk dirty.” She said as she pulled him in closer and kissed him harder. “I might slap you if you don’t.”
That made him laugh louder as he held her where she was, his kisses clearly making up for lost time, though he didn’t push things any further than that for a very long time.
After making out for several hours they finally emerged just after sunset. They both were pretty reserved about being together, even though their hands and their lips were pretty adventurous. They held hands as they started to take a walk around the complex, but she stopped short suddenly when she saw Nick off in the distance talking to the Heartborn.
Nick was the very image of an Alpha in his power, with two low-profile Guardsmen behind him and his arms folded over his chest as he spoke to the other wolves, who were obviously not Ironborn. The Heartborn witch was standing just behind him, watching the conversation through the strands of hair that had fallen into her face, one hand playing idly with the purple pendant on a gold chain around her neck.
Ziem stopped next to her, but he tugged on her hand to bring her attention back to him as he saw what she was looking at. “Don’t give him the satisfaction. They’ve been going at it all week, those two.”
She looked over at Ziem and she squeezed his hand. “It’s just…how can he trust her? Of all the people.”
“I dunno.” He said with a shrug. “I’ve never met a witch personally. Never intend to. She’s too close for my tastes as it is.”
Aura looped her arm with Ziem’s and she leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Are you sure about this? About being with me?”
“How many times are you gonna ask me that? Just give me a number so I can start counting down.”
“Ummm…twenty…one.”
“Good. You’ve got twenty left. Use ‘em wisely.” He grinned at her and kept walking, trying to get them out of sight of Nick and Zara.
She walked along with Ziem without hesitating, but she looked back at Nick once more, and her heart broke a little bit more at the sight of him with Zara. Aura never wanted to hurt him, but she was convinced that the witch with the violet eyes wanted exactly that.
Nick saw her look, partially because even at that distance, Zara could feel Aura’s anxiety over being near him, her chaos of emotions over the sight of him. He could feel a shadow of it through Zara, through the bond that she had taken on in his service. He knew that he could listen further, but he shied away from doing so. He didn’t want to hear every innermost thought that Aura was having about him right now, let alone any thoughts about Ziem that he knew for certain he didn’t want to hear.
They seem content. He said as he tried to keep even his silent voice flat and emotionless on the subject.
Zara watched Aura and Ziem for a moment longer, just because the war inside of Aura was that delicious. She had strings of emotions tied to several different relationships throughout the compound, and it was a satisfying burst of energy that Zara loved. After a moment, though, she looked back at Nick, her expression gentle. But you don’t.
I’m an Alpha. I’m not supposed to be content.
About Aura, I mean.
He glared at her a little for that as he faced away. It was supposed to be the two of us against the world. Should I be content already so quickly after that’s changed?
She was quiet for a moment as she walked slightly closer to him. Don’t be offended. Zara asked in a way that was gentle and obviously concerned. But do you think she really loved you?
Yes, I do.
Even though she’s with that other wolf now?
You’re one to talk. You were with the Council last month. You’re here now.
She laughed and shook her head slowly. I was surviving with the Council. I wasn’t in love with it.
What Aura and I had or didn’t have is none of your concern. You’re here to help me work with the other Alphas, not to give me romantic advice.
Zara nodded and backed away slightly. I didn’t mean to offend. I’m just concerned for you.
He walked with her for a while in silence, looking over many of the newcomers in tents and makeshift huts. Just the fact that he was walking side by side with a Heartborn was enough to make many of them look at him with a healthy helping of fear. His legend was growing quickly. He was the Alpha who made friends with Shadowborn and Heartborn, who had a Lightborn at his command as well. What about them, Zara? What are they concerned about?
Zara opened up the connection between the two of them so that he could hear the thoughts of the people around him clearly. While she wouldn’t have been able to do it as well on her own, he had a connection to all of them as their Alpha that allowed for her to hear
