Chapter Twenty-three

“Tell me, Hayden. What was she like?” asked Alexia.

Hayden sighed and smiled wistfully, “She’s like your…exact opposite, but not so opposite. You have the same…resilient spirit. Other than that, you’re not the same. At all.”

“Helena had short blond hair. It reached just past her ears, yet she always complained whenever the breeze blew it into her face. Her eyes were very green. It made her gaze look so intimidating, yet they softened so well when she smiled.”

“She never wore jeans. She preferred dresses, yoga pants and my t-shirts. I had to beg her to learn how to fight. She had werewolf strength, of course, but she never used it. Helena was so…peaceful. She was a perfect Luna. All the cubs liked her very much. The packhouse was always full. Everyone, I mean everyone liked her.”

Alexia smiled and reached for his hand, “She sounds like a very delightful person. I kinda wish I met her,” she said.

Hayden returned the smile, “She would have liked you too. Your cynical personality perfectly balances her sunshine attitude. She balanced me.”

“How…how did she die?” Alexia asked.

A dark cloud came over his face and he stared blankly at the sea again. The wind howled around them as if sensing his mood.

“She went out one day with her friends from the pack and some of the neighbouring packs and they were attacked on their way back home. I could feel her pain as she was tortured for…for three days. On the fourth day, my heart stopped when I felt our mate bond snap. She was killed, just like that,” growled Hayden.

“I’m very sorry. I am so sorry,” Alexia repeated as she squeezed his hand.

“I am sure humans could not have overpowered them. Even if she didn’t fight, she was with other werewolves who could fight to defend her and themselves,” his voice broke as a tear dropped down his face, “They were attacked by supernaturals, I know it. It could have been vampires, or warlocks or Hunters. When I find the people who killed her, I will…”

He broke down in tears and buried his face in his hands. Alexia stood up, and pulled him up with her. She used the pads of her thumbs to clean his tears, “Don’t cry, please,” she pleaded softly as she hugged him. He put his arms around her and squeezed.

***

Alexia was lost in thought as she and Hayden walked home through the hidden path. The sun had almost set, and the rays were a deep orange colour. Hayden held her hand and he was swinging it between them.

“What’s on your mind, Alex? Care to share?” he said. His mood had improved significantly.

“Oh…what? Nothing. I’m just thinking about…random stuff,” she replied.

“Well, tell me about the random stuff, I want to know,” he insisted.

“Okay. I was thinking that it could not have been the Hunters who killed Helena. We always recognize power when we come across it. She carries your power as a Luna. We would never kill anyone who has power. It’s a little strange,” Alexia explained.

“Well, it doesn’t matter. When I find them, they are going to pay!” he growled. Alexia brushed her thumb over his knuckles and he relaxed.

“Let’s make a bet. We would run home now, and the loser has to do whatever the winner wants,” Hayden proposed.

Alexia cocked her head, “I like that idea very much. It would be fun making you do stuff for me,” she smirked.

“I think it would be the other way around, but okay,” he replied, “On my mark, set, go!”

He and Alexia took off in a sprint. They ran neck on neck until the backyard of the packhouse came into view. With a last spur of energy, Alexia surpassed Hayden, but he stretched out and grabbed her hand. The force of their momentum sent them sprawling on the grass. They burst into laughter.

When the laughter died out, Alexia noticed their position. She was straddling him, and her hands were on his chest. Awareness simmered between them. Hayden brought his hand up to her thigh, and her hand moved to his face. They jumped off each other when Ace came out of the back door.

“The backyard is not for mating purposes. Get a room you filthy people!” he teased.

“Fine,” Hayden said. He turned to his mate, “Alexia, let’s go upstairs.”

He pulled her along and they walked into the house, racing up the stairs. As soon as they entered the room, Hayden shut the door, and pushed her back to it. He caged her with his arm, held her face with the other hand and slammed his lips onto hers. He was not gentle.

Their lips moved together in tandem, taking and giving. Her limp hands came up to cradle his face, and his other hand came down to her waist. He slipped his hand up and down and under her cardigan.

His touch sent sparks flying as her skin burned everywhere he touched her. They could not get enough of each other as they kissed, touched and stroked. Alexia broke the kiss to gasp for air, but Hayden recaptured her lips.

“Jump,” Hayden said into her mouth.

She leaped and Hayden caught her, cupping her ass cheeks with his hands. He carried her to the bed and climbed it, with her attached to his front. Her hands were laced around his neck and her legs were wrapped tightly around his waist.

Alexia brought her hands under his t-shirt and Hayden moaned as her hands ran over his chest, abdomen and over his shoulders. She took off his shirt and her hands continued her exploration. Her hands strayed to the waistband of his sweatpants and he jumped back.

Her pupils were dilated and her lips were red and swollen, “Why did you stop?” she asked hoarsely.

“Dangerous territory, Alex. Your hands move past there and I won’t be able to control myself,” he replied.

“Oh,” she said and blushed.

“You’re too cute,” he said and pecked her again.

“I’m tired. I want to sleep,” he suddenly yawned. He laid beside her, and draped his hand over her waist, holding her in place. Soon, he was snoring softly.

Alexia started to doze too, but there was still a thought niggling in her mind. Clara’s eyes looked hauntingly familiar.

“Where have I seen those eyes before?” was the last thought on her mind before she fell asleep.

***

Hayden woke up later at night feeling content. However, he was hungry so he disentangled himself from Alexia’s embrace and went down to get a snack.

He was taken aback when the common room was totally dark. He became more alert as his ears pricked and tried to listen for any sound. His eyes could not see anything except shadows and highlights but muscle memory guided him to the snack bar. As soon as he turned his back to the room, he felt someone behind him. He swivelled and threw a punch.

“Ow,” yelped a female voice. A pinprick of light was turned on and the person shone it in her face, “It’s just me, Clara. Why did you throw a wild punch?”

“I didn’t know who it was. Better safe than sorry. Anyway, what are you doing down here at this hour?” enquired Hayden.

Her voice turned into a low, seductive purr, “I was waiting for you. I wanted to…comfort you. I know what today is to you, so I want to be the shoulder…you cry on.” She moved closer to him and started trailing her hands over his bare chest.

Her hand trailed lower and lower until it reached the waistband of his trousers.

Her hands tried to enter his trousers but he grabbed her hand, “I have told you before, Clara. There will never be anything between us anymore. Stop all this!” he snapped.

She ignored him and continued. She tiptoed and placed a kiss below his earlobe and a shiver ran through his body. She whispered, “Nobody knows your body like I do. No one can make you hard the way I do. Let me pleasure you.”

Hayden grabbed both her upper arms and shoved him away from his body, “Stay away from me, Clara!” he yelled.

Suddenly, all the lights came on. Alexia was standing near the light switches with her arms crossed and a sour expression on her face, “You heard the man, Clara. Stay away from him.”

Clara was wearing a one-piece silk negligee that was low-cut to show off her breasts, and barely reached mid-thigh. She tossed her hair and looked at Alexia arrogantly, “And what if I don’t want to?”

“Then I’ll make you!” she growled and moved towards her angrily. She yanked on Clara’s hair and used it to move her head. She brought her face close to hers, “This is just a warning, you dumb bitch. The next time I see you with, or near Hayden, I will show you why I am the best young Hunter in the whole clan, Okay?” she whispered menacingly.

Clara’s eyes were hard, but she was humiliated. She nodded tightly because her hair was still in Alexia’s grip.

“Good,” Alexia replied and let go of her hair. Clara scurried away, swiping at bitter tears.

Hayden grabbed his mate by the waist and pulled her close until their torsos were touching, “That was hot,” he breathed.

“Really?” Alexia giggled.

“Yeah. You really put her in her place,” he responded.

“I’m glad I did,” she whispered. Hayden smiled and placed his lips on hers.