Chapter Fourteen

“You make it hard not to like you when you say stuff like that,” Alexia admitted in a whisper.

Hayden beamed, but said nothing. After a while, he gestured to the food, “Let’s eat. What movie do you want to watch?” he asked.

“I don’t know anything. I like action movies though. And comedies; because who doesn’t like to laugh?”

Hayden laughed out loud at that and conceded, “Fair point. I should have a comedy somewhere on the laptop.”

Both of them crawled into the bed, and Hayden pulled the tray up with them. They divided the sandwiches among themselves and settled down to eat. After eating, Hayden climbed out of the bed and put the empty tray on the table in the room. Then he picked up the laptop, a thin MacBook and brought it into bed.

“Pick a movie, Alex,” he said, scrolling through his movie folder.

“Ooohhh!” Alexia suddenly yelled, “You have Miss Congeniality. Let’s watch Miss Congeniality, please,” she begged, pushing her bottom lip outward. Hayden flicked it and clicked on Miss Congeniality.

“Miss Congeniality it is, then,” he chuckled.

***

The next morning, Hayden called a meeting with the clan leaders. He sat resplendent in his office with a slight frown on his face. What he was going to tell them was a matter of utmost importance, and he wondered if it was going to sit well with them.

By 10:00am, all the clan leaders were seated in his office, looking at him expectantly.

“I am sure that you must be wondering why I called you in here,” he began.

Malfoy rolled his eyes, “Dramatic doesn’t suit you, Junior Alpha Lockwood,” he commented in his usual dry manner. Everybody groaned.

“Let the boy talk, Malfoy. Why are you like this?”
Thaddius snapped.

“I want us to make a deal, Leaders. Until when my mate and I can solve this problem with the forces of Darkness, there must be absolute cooperation and trust between our clans. Therefore, I propose that each clan leave some of its best warriors with us here; the werewolf clan. Then, each clan will send some of its best warriors to the other clans so that there will be a member of each clan in all the other clans. I think that this will help to maximize our chances against our attackers.”

“I suspect that the modes of attacks they used on each of our clans are different, based on our weaknesses. If we buffer those weaknesses with members of other clans, we stand a better chance at defending ourselves until we find a permanent and lasting solution. What do you have to say about this?” he finally finished.

Everyone stayed silent, ruminating over Hayden’s suggestion. Henry, his father, was the first to speak.

“I think his idea is a good one. To combat those devils bent on annihilating us, we have to work together. Let bygones be bygones. And we have to forgive the Hunters,” he quipped.

Arthur was offended, while the other clan leaders burst into laughter, “What do you mean forgive the Hunters? You all know we never killed any legitimate members of your clans; we only killed the rogues. And you all felt so threatened that you developed an enmity with this, when in reality, we’re the one keeping your clans clean and free of betrayal!” he yelled.

Henry wanted to apologize to Arthur, but Hayden jumped to it, “I apologize for the comment, Arthur. We have to forget all these things and let go of all resentments in order to keep our races alive and conquer the forces threatening us. Please, accept our olive branch,” Hayden pleaded.

Arthur grunted and nodded, “I agree with you. And the benefits of having Hunters with you is that we can actually tell you all of your weaknesses and train you on how to prevent them from being used against you.”

“I guess that’s fair enough,” Thaddius said, “We could use our magic to fortify you, and your territories. Maybe some members of your clans are conduits for magic. That would be the icing on the cake, because we rarely find magic conduits these days.”

Hayden looked at Malfoy, who was the only one that had not agreed with him.

“What do you think about this, Malfoy?” he asked, “What would it be?”

“I agree, but I’m not going to say why,” he replied.

“As long as you agree, it’s all good,” Hayden said.

He took a deep breath, “I think we have all reached an agreement here. As you all plan to leave today, I advise that you gather your clan members and inform them of their…postings. The conference room next door will be available for your use,” he said, addressing all of them.

He sat down and minlinked his dad, “You would be the one to handle this, Dad. And I want you to stay back in the pack house. It remains open. You have to come out of retirement because I can’t do this alone.”

“I had a feeling you might say that. I already discussed it with your mother. We’re staying together. You can count on us,” his father reassured him.

“Thank you, Dad.”

The clan leaders left Hayden’s office one after the other. When Arthur was about to leave, he called him back, “Wait, Arthur, please.”

Arthur paused and turned, “How can I help you, Hayden?”

“I need to ask your permission for something,” he said.

“Let me guess; you want to ask for my permission to allow Alexia to stay here with you, right?” he expressed, smirking.

“I…uh…yes. That is correct. Do I have your consent?” he asked.

“Yes. You do. But you have to ask her first. It’s not my consent that matters, it’s hers,” Arthur advised.

“I understand. Thank you very much, Arthur,” Hayden said, expressing his gratitude.

“You’re welcome, Wolfie Boy. Just take care of my baby girl for me, okay?” he commanded and left the office.

Hayden smiled to himself and reclined in his chair. Now, he had to ask Alexia without freaking her out.

***

After a while, Hayden left his office and descended the stairs. From the ground floor, he quickly made his way to the gym where Alexia was. He opened the basement door and descended the stairs. Music pumped loudly in the gym as Alexia ran on the treadmill. He came to stand beside the treadmill she stood on.

“Hey beautiful,” he greeted. Alexia smiled and stopped the treadmill.

“Hey yourself, Wolfie Boy,” she replied, “How was the meeting?”

“It went fine, thank you. How’s your workout?” he asked.

“Do you really need to ask, Hayden?” she remarked drily.

“I guess I didn’t need to,” he agreed, then paused.

Alexia stepped off the treadmill to sit on a bench near the weightlifting area. She peered into his face.

“You look worried, Hayden. Do you have something to say? Or how did your meeting really go?” she asked, concerned.

Hayden came to sit down beside her, and replied, “The meeting went well, really. Each clan leader agreed to leave some of their best warriors behind and in each other’s clans so we can be more united and have more cohesion. There’s something I have to ask you though.”

“You want me to stay behind with you?” she hinted, smirking.

Hayden threw his hands in the hair in frustration, “What is it with father and daughter reading my mind?! Your dad did the exact same thing when I wanted to ask for his permission!” he cried.

Alexia was guffawing, “Y…y…you tried to as..ss.kk my dad for permission? Wow.”

“I did. It was the proper thing to do,” he said in defence.

Alexia managed to stop laughing, “And what did he say?” she asked.

Hayden drew closer to her on the bench. He brushed a stray lock of hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear, letting his fingers linger.

“He said…” he grabbed one of her hands and moved closer to her.

“That I had his permission…” he put his mouth near her ear.

“As…long as you…accept to stay.” He nuzzled her ear and moved his lips down her cheek.

“I see…” she whispered.

“Mmmhmn,” Hayden made a sound in his throat, and kissed her nose.

Then he stood up and stretched a hand towards her. She took it and he pulled her up to her feet. Then he pulled her again towards him, and she was up flush against him. His first hand was still holding hers, so he held her by the waist with his second hand. It lazily brushed up and down, sending shivers and warmth all through Alexia’s body.

“Will you stay here, at the White Flame pack, with me?” he asked softly.

“What if I don’t want to?” she whispered.

“Then I’ll have no choice but to lock you down here in the gym, forever,” he replied.

“Well, since I don’t want to be down here forever, staring at machines, I guess I’ll stay with you,” she groaned dramatically.

Hayden beamed.

***

As Hayden walked out of the gym and into the hallway, he met with Clara. He swallowed. Here was a confrontation he couldn’t postpone for much longer.

“Hayden,” she said brusquely.

“Clara,” he intoned, just as curt, “We need to talk.”

“We do,” she agreed.