~Aithne pov~
The weather was beautiful this time of year. The autumn leaves slowly drifting to the ground as a cool, dry draft dance in the air. Signally winter was near.
The windowsill where I sat gave a perfect view of the sun's glow as she rose to her full potential.
The fresh morning air breezes across my skin, calming my overactive mind while still processing what happened the night before.
There was a different type of serenity and peace that came from watching that orange sun glow. It gave me a sense of strength in handling the following.
“Do you resent me still? Even after the outcome?”
I ignored the soft-spoken voice of my mother as she once again tried one of her many attempts at speaking with me.
“You can’t ignore her forever. I understand your predicament with her, but she won’t go away until you at least acknowledge her.” Oille mutters softly.
I tsk. “Oh sweet Oille, my dear mother won’t ever leave me alone for long. She is as persistent as a military recruiter.”
An inner sigh was all I got before she faded away. Never staying for long. Though Owen did tell me, that was normal, as our bond was still fragile and mingling.
I was more than okay with it. It still freaked me out to have someone talking to you in your head.
“.. aithne did you hear me?” my mother spoke hesitantly.
I sighed heavily. “Do you know the meaning of resent, Amanda? The feeling of bitterness or indignation at a person, circumstance, or action.”
She hesitated in answering. “....yes I did, but thank you for the recap, but that still doesn't answer my question.”
“Do you think I resent you? Do you think I have a good reason for it?”
The silence that followed my question was loud and telling.
“Is that the only reason you're here, Amanda?” I was over this little show.
She cleared her throat. “Ahem. No, I came here to tell you to be ready within the hour. The alphas are coming to pick you up to register your.... new status.”
Owen and Darius are coming? Why didn't they tell me? “Is that all?” I asked again
“..yes,” she spoke, her voice low.
“You may leave then.”
She sniffled as walks out of the room, which was the only indication I got that she was crying. I couldn't see as my front still faced the window seal.
“Do you always have to be sooo…..” Oille started but trailed off.
“So what?” I replied, my eyebrow raised.
“Nothing.”
That’s what I thought. “Mmm, bye, Oille.”
“Goodbye, for now, my little fire.”
I wanted to sit by the window seal for a bit longer. Not quite ready to face the day.
But I, unfortunately, did not have that luxury, as time was a concept only known to man, and I had places to be.
I sighed again, got up from the windowsill, and went to the closet. “What to wear….”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Now tell me again why I- Hmmmm.” I started but was promptly cut off as Owen raced over a speed bump like a teenager with no fucking will to live.
“Who the fuck let you drive?!” Darius grinds out through clenched teeth clutching onto the oh-shit bars for dear life
“What I’m saying,” I mumble, really starting to fear for my life.
Unfortunately, Owen heard us both.
“Fuck you both. I’m an excellent driver!” Owen shouted out over the roaring wind as all four windows were rolled down.
“Excellent, my ass!” I shout back, “Oh my God! Owen!” This bastard just swerved into oncoming traffic.
“Pull over!! Pull the fuck over! you done your fucking done!” I snap. Over cum for fear of my life. Shifting was safer than his driving at this point.
“No, it wasn’t” Oille said
“Fuck.Off.” I growl
That bastard just laughed, adding fuel to the fire, stuttering out between laughs that we were almost there and I was a baby. Baby, my ass! Fucking bastard
“Give me the keys. Now!” Darius growls out once we reach our destination. His hand outstretched to Owen.
But as I was learning, Owen decided to be well Owen and dismissed Darius with a wave of his hand and walked past him. “Y'all are being dramatic. We made it and on time.”
I shake my head at this crazy bastard. “Owen, whoever gave you your license needs to be put in jail, my guy.”
The cheeky grin he gave me told me all I needed to know. “ it took three tries with three different test people thingy, and the last one was a great fuck. Before I found my destined, of course.”
“Test people thingy? Really?” Darius asked. A what-the-fuck look on his face. But Darius was ignored.
I wanted to roll my eyes and call him some derogatory name, but my curiosity got the better of me. “What's it like?” I ask, “finding your fated mate?”
Owen pauses. His eyes went soft as if going down memory lane. “ a mind-numbing smell hits you, then the whole world stops. And suddenly, it's you and them outside of time and space.”
“That's oddly beautiful,” I say sincerely. At the same time, Darius opens his big fat mouth and says some utter bullshit.
“You are one cockwhipped some of bitch. What happened to your balls Owen.”
Owens's eyes harden, and a fire dances in his eyes. “There down your mom's throat bitch. Oh, wait.....”
A look passes over Darius' face before it goes blank. He doesn't say anything after that and stocks away.
I stood there, shocked. Cause what the fuck. Who knew Owen was a fucking savage.
I suck in my teeth. “..... let's get inside before I'm late.” Owen doesn't say anything and walks ahead.
“Wow, Owen really said you go below the belt. I go straight to hell.” Oille said, popping up out of nowhere.
I fight back a laugh. “Oille, don't talk to me.”
I speed walk and catch up to Owen at the entrance of the reg- whatever office something. I could honestly care less.
“Umm, it may not be my place yet but is everything okay between you and Darius?”
“You're right. It's not your place.” Owen snapped but paused for a while and, after sighing, answered. “Darius is slightly bitter that I found my destined, and he hasn't.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Just bitter?”
“He's a bit jealous and tends to show it by making unpleasant comments.”
“Owen, he's a rude bastard. We all know there is no need to try and spare me from that truth. I learned it firsthand.”
Owen stopped and turned to me. A look of guilt and sadness appeared in his eyes. “I'm sorry about what he did to you. I wasn't there. I had no idea he would even go that far.”
“Owen.” I sighed. I placed my hand on his shoulder and looked him directly in the eye. “I don't blame you. Nor do I hold any anger towards you for what happened. You weren't there, and it wasn't you who did it.”
“Thank you.”
“No need.” I smiled tentatively. “Let's head inside and get this over with.
“It's an exciting day! Most either dread or love when this day comes.” Owen's joy was audible. Clearly, he was looking forward to this.
“Yeah, let's....” I murmured, far less excited than him, but I wasn't willing to have another heart-to-heart, so I kept my mouth shut and walked inside.
~~~~~~~~~
“You're a total manwhore, you know that, right?” I said to Darius.
Darius rolled his eyes. “Last time I checked, it wasn't a crime.”
“Oh, but it is.” I looked at him. “You're a crime against women. You did not need to flirt with the receptionist.”
I know it's childish to go back and forth with him, but I can't help it. The very existence of that man irritates me.
Darius raised a brow. Catching on to what I was doing. “And if I am?” The challenge in his voice was unmistakable.
I sucked my teeth and looked at the nearest wall trying to find something interesting about it to distract the building's urge to punch him.
But luck wasn't on my side because Darius didn't know how to shut the fuck up.
“ you need to get over– this petty vendetta of yours. I was following orders.”
My head whipped to him. Rage fills my veins as a rumbling growl tumbles out. “Following order?! Following orders! What are you, the elders bitch!!”
“Enough!” Owen's voice ranged with power. Silencing us both. “Not here and certainly not now.”
My jaw locked as rage tinted my vision red. The urge to fight the command was intense, but I respected Owen. He was the first alpha, after all.
He has shown nothing but kindness and developing loyalty like no other before. I already trusted him with life.
But the rage towards Darius was so intense. There was something about him that set off alarming bells in me.
White hot fury dances in my veins. My attempts to starve it off were failing. A slight panic buzz in the back of my head, the thought of losing control.
“Breath, Aithne, breath.” Oille's voice broke through. “Do not panic. I've got you.”
“I-”
“Breath.” oille commanded. “Calm your mind first.”
That's exactly what I did.
I took a deep breath and tried to calm my mind. Learning into oille strength.
“Sorry.” I mumbled. Feeling embarrassed after.
“Nothing to be sorry about, my little fire. You are learning.”
I said nothing after being content to remain silent and ignore the two alphas around me.
“Okay, they're ready for you in the back, doll. Just walk right through that door.” the receptionist spoke.
“Thanks.” I stood and made my way to the door. “Ummm, what do you think you're doing?”
“What does it look like? Going with you.” Owen said it was the simplest thing in the world. Except it wasn't.
“Umm, no, you guys stay out here. I can handle this part by myself.”
But I was ignored, and both alphas pushed past me and made their way inside the door.
“Pricks.” I rolled my eyes and walked inside after them. After starting one too many battles today, I decided to leave this one in the dust.
~~~~~~~~~
“That was anticlimactic for no reason,” I said after walking back to the back room of the reg- whatever place, door thingy— whatever.
“Yeah, a little bit. But this calls for a celebration!!” Owen boom.
“Yeah, no, I'm good, Owen.”
“We need booze and girls and food! Lots and lots of food.” Owen continued, completely ignoring what I said.
“Owen, the girl said no leave her be.” exasperated, Darius injected.
I was shocked. I expected him to skull the whole time as he did in the back room when I filled out a ridiculous amount of paperwork.
He is the definition of hot and cold. I'm not making it my problem right now.
“There will be no party, Owen. I will rip your balls off if you attempt one.”
“Hmmm, sure.” was the only reply I got back from him.
“No, no, no, I will not….” I started, ready to dive into an argument, when something stopped me. “ What's that smell?”
God, it was indescribable, but God did it. Oh my God, it invaded my entire senses.
It blankets my body. It was incredible. I had to have it. I needed it. Now.
“Find him.” Oille growled softly. Overcome with instincts just as I was.
I knew my eyes were glowing when I lifted my head, searching for that smell. When I found it, the whole world stopped.
My world stopped when I saw him. He was beautiful. Pale smooth skin with soft, Rosy cheeks. Black curly hair rested just above his cheekbones. A softly heart-shaped yet defined jaw that complemented his cherry red plumped lips.
He was perfect, and all mine.
I don’t remember walking up to him, just that I was looking at him one moment and then rubbing my nose in the curve of his neck the next.
“Look up.” I urged softly. “Look up.”
God, when he did, his eyes took my breath away. Pools of icy blue swept me away.
I smiled. “Hello, little one.”
And he fainted.
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