Chapter Twelve

Alexia's hands were on Hayden’s warm, broad chest. She could feel his heartbeat under her hands which were immobilized by his large warm hands. Warmth exuded from his wide body which caged her against the wall. Her senses were assaulted by his proximity, and she could barely think straight. She raised her head to look him directly in the eye. His intense gaze made her knees go weak.

However, she stared at him defiantly, “You wanted me to hear you out, so talk.”

“I don’t want to talk. I just want to stay here and gaze into your eyes all day long. Maybe forever. Did you know you have flecks of blue in your irises? They’re in the innermost part of your irises, just before your pupils,” he said softly.

Alexia was short for words, “I…I…didn’t know that…'' she started sputtering then recovered, “Don’t sweet-talk me, Wolfie Boy! Tell me what you want to tell me. I need to continue my workout session.”

Hayden continued to stroke her hands and look into her eyes. After a while, she looked away. She released one of her hands to pull her chin back, so she was looking at him again, “Alex, I am sorry. I know I hurt you. Your mum explained what happened to me. I was trapped in a helpless…situation. Clara has been with me since my first mate died. I couldn’t just…do away with her like that, but at the same time, I should have made sure not to hurt you because you are my priority now. Forgive me?” he pleaded in a husky voice.

The hand on her chin had migrated to the side of her face and was now leisurely stroking her cheek and her hair. She spoke in a low voice, looking away, “You really don’t have to apologize. I…I was just being silly. I understand the situation you’re in. I’m sorry for making such a fuss about it.”

Hayden pulled her face back so they could have eye contact again, “I could have made you feel less uncomfortable. I could have handled the situation better. I hurt you. And I am sorry, okay? Please forgive me. I will rectify the situation with Clara as soon as possible,” he promised.

Alexia’s eyes searched his blue eyes, but found nothing but sincerity and apology in them. She gave him a small smile, “It’s okay. I forgive you,” she said.

Hayden heaved a sigh of relief. He released her other hand, and he put both arms around her waist, dropping his forehead to hers in an intimate embrace. His eyes fluttered close. Having nowhere to put her awkwardly hanging arms, she placed them on his biceps and closed her eyes too. She could feel the warm plume of his breath over her face every few seconds.

Then, he opened his eyes and asked in a quiet voice, “C…can I kiss you?”

Alexia’s eyes snapped open as her heart skipped a beat. Her gaze flickered to his lips briefly. She looked back up again and he was still staring expectantly at her, waiting for her reply. She gave a very miniscule nod.
Hayden’s warm lips landed on hers gently, and all coherent thoughts abandoned her.

His lips were firm, but gentle as they slowly teased and coaxed her mouth. He tilted his head and slanted his mouth over hers. That action deepened the kiss, and both of them made sounds of pleasure in their throats. Alexia’s hands moved up to circle his neck, and Hayden’s arms drew her tighter and up against him, closing the gap between the two of them.

They broke the kiss when they both ran out of air. Alexia suddenly felt shy and tried to pull away, but Hayden didn’t release her.

Rather, he turned her until she had her back to his front and nuzzled her neck, right under her ear. He whispered, “I am simply not going to let you go because you feel shy, or embarrassed,” he whispered, sending shivers down her spine.

“Much as I like this position with you, Hayden, I would like to get back to my workout,” she said, chuckling.

“How about we workout together?” Hayden suggested.

Alexia struggled in his hold and he released her. She turned to face him, “Really?”

“Yeah,” repeated Hayden, “Let us workout together.”

Alexia shrugged and went back to her battle ropes. Hayden took up the second pair of battle ropes beside her.

***

After Arthur left the gym, he called a meeting of all the clan leaders and they met in the sick bay, by Henry’s bed.
Henry was now much better.

His wounds were almost healed, and he had regained his pallor. However, the pack doctor insisted that he stay for one more day to make sure that he gets enough rest and his wounds are fully healed.

“Why this meeting, Arthur?” Malfoy asked drily.

Thaddius swatted him on the upside of the head. “Be polite. He’s having a rough time,” he growled.

“I wasn’t the one who asked his daughter to walk off on half-moon night,” he argued.

Thaddius was about to snap his fingers and electrocute him, when Arthur raised his hand, “It’s okay, Warlock. There’s no need for that.”

“Then why are you here?” Henry interjected.

“My daughter came back this morning with Hayden. From what Alexia told my wife, they were attacked and kidnapped, but managed to escape together this morning.”

Everybody heaved sighs of relief. The prophecy could still be fulfilled, as long as none of them die.

Thaddius asked a question, “Did Alexia accept Hayden as her mate?” he asked thoughtfully.

The Head Hunter nodded in the affirmative, “She told me herself. She said she had no choice, but I think that the time they spent with each other in captivity sparked something between them. Something a little more than attraction,” he answered.

“Well, that is wonderful. Are they still spending time together?” Henry inquired.

“Yes. They’re in the gym together,” Arthur responded.

“That’s good,” Henry said.

Malfoy rolled his eyes, “I am less concerned by all that. I just want them to get their shit together and save us all.”
It
This time, Thaddius snapped his fingers and nobody stopped him. Malfoy buzzed and shook as electricity coursed through his body.

***

“That was a nice workout. It has been a while since I exercised like that. I feel sore, in a good way,” Alexia commented, smiling, as she and Hayden walked out of the basement, covered in sweat.

“I agree. I know that feeling. And I must say, you’re stronger that you look,” Hayden said in an impressed voice.

“My father trained me. And he pushed me to the limit. That, and my burning desire to prove to the Council of Hunters that being a girl doesn’t disqualify me from being a hunter. I was the only girl in years to have the Hunter gene, yet they didn’t want me to be a hunter. I had to prove them wrong, so I worked hard; day in, day out,” she explained as they walked up the stairs.

Hayden nodded in understanding, “I totally understand where you’re coming from, and I respect that,” he said.

“Thank you,” replied Alexia.

After reaching the Alpha’s landing, she continued up the stairs, but his voice stopped her.

“You can use my room. You don’t need to go all the way up there. Besides, your mum locked the room. She isn’t there. She and my mum are having a discussion. My mum mind linked me while we were in the gym,” Hayden clarified.

Alexia shrugged and followed him to his bedroom. When she entered the bedroom, she was engulfed in his scent, his very essence. Shivers danced up and down her spine. She sat on the bed. It was firm and bouncy, just how she liked beds.

“So, you can take your bath in there,” Hayden said, pointing to a door opposite the bed, “And when you’re done, you can sleep in the bed, or watch a movie on the laptop. I’ll be right with you; I need to see Ace.”

“No problem. Thank you,” Alexia smiled.

He reciprocated the smile, and before she could blink, he grabbed her chin and pecked her on the lips. Then he turned and exited the room. Alexia touched her lips with her fingers, as she walked mindlessly into the bathroom

After taking her bath, Alexia exited the bathroom wrapped in a big white towel. Her hair was loose, and slightly damp. She had nothing to wear, so she rummaged around his wardrobe and selected one of his T-shirts. She put it on, and the soft fabric dropped down to her mid-thighs. Exhausted, she climbed into bed and slept off as soon as her head hit the fluffy pillow.

***

She stood over the corpse dumped at the entrance of the building in the middle of the forest. Her partner handed a ringing phone to her. “It’s our informant at the pack,” he said.

She collected the phone and put it to her ears. She uttered just a single word, “Speak.”

“The Alpha and his mate escaped. They’re at the packhouse already,” said the voice over the phone.

“I know. Proceed as planned,” she said gruffly and gave the phone back to her partner.

“What do we do now?” her partner asked.

“We begin Phase Two,” she simply replied.

She crossed over the corpse and walked into the house.