CHAPTER 19

A/N: So this pic up top is Taylor Kistch who is Playing SOLOMON.

AYLA

I groan as soon I was conscious. I have to stop waking up like this. My throat felt tight and sore. I coughed into my hands as I opened my eyes slowly. Everything was blurry for a moment till they went into focus.

I frowned...I was in a tent. Why the hell am I in a tent? I sit up and look around. I sniff it and it still smelled of Blood Moon Pack. I crawl out and my eyes widen. I wasn't in the blood moon pack area anymore, and neither was anyone else. We were in the woods. Tents were everywhere. There were little fires here there with people sitting around it, talking while others were doing other work. The males were carrying in logs and some of the females were pitching up more tents. What is going on?

That was when I remember. The fire. My house was on fire. The pack was on fire. I instantly panick. Milo.

I frantically crawled out of the tent and stood up. I stumbled slightly because I was still dizzy.

"Milo!" I shouted. Some people were looking at me. My heart was beating fast. I ran around and yelled, "Milo!"

Fear made it's home inside me. He has to be okay. I heard a giggle from behind me. I whip around and see Solomon sitting next to Milo while he was picking flowers.

I sprinted to them, "Milo!" I yelled out. He looked up at me and smiled, "Mama!" He shouted in joy. He ran to me with flowers in his hands. I fell to my knees and caught him in my arms. I hold him tight and inhaled his scent, "Oh my boy. My baby." I grab a hold of his shoulders and pulled him back, "Are you okay?"

He smiles and nods his head, "Papa took care of me. He protected me, Ma."

I looked behind my Son and saw Solomon standing there watching us. I nodded towards him and said breathlessly, "Thank you, Solomon."

He nods his head, "No need to thank me. It's my job to protect my son."

"Look Ma! I got you flowers because I wanted you to feel better."

I smiled at him and kissed his cheek, "Thank you Baba. They are beautiful."

He kisses me on the cheek and points to Lily, Zay's little girl, "I'm gonna play with Lily now."

I smiled and nodded my head, "Okay, Milo. Be careful." He runs off to go play with his cousin.

Solomon was gone. I saw him up a head talking to a very grumpy looking old lady. She was shouting at him and waving her arms around, but he just stood there quietly and calmy just staring at her. He turned and caught me watching. He gave me a smirk and winked his eye. My eyes widen and I felt my cheeks burn. I quickly stand up and walk away.

***

Later on in the day, I was assigned to go get water from the near by river. As I walked with a bucket and a strainer I heard footsteps behind me.

I turned around and rolled my eyes. It was Solomon walking with two buckets. He smirked at me when I saw him.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Getting water. What are you doing?" He asked.

I lifted the bucket, "Getting water."

I bend down towards the river and filled the bucket up, I then start to strain it to try and cleanse it a little better.

"Why have you been avoiding me all day?" Solomon asks.

Without looking at him, I replied, "Maybe it's because I don't like you."

"Ouch." Solomon held his chest, as if I actually hurt him.

He leaned in and said, "I think it's because you're jealous."

I scoffed, "Jealous of what?"

"Mrs Berry."

I raised a brow in confusion.

Solomon smiled, "The old lady that was yelling at me early this morning."

I shrug my shoulders, "You're so right Solomon. I am jealous of an old lady." My voice dripping in sarcasm.

As Solomon filled a bucket with water he said, "I couldn't deny our connection anymore. I don't know what to say, she's my type. Me and Mrs Berry just click."

I rolled my eyes, "Loud and psycho? That's your type?"

Solomon shrugs, "It's what I'm used to, isn't it?"

"Then I am very confident you will have a full and happy life together." I said without even caring. I just want to get this bucket and go.

"I am sure we would have a happy life...but there's a problem. There's another woman. She's a little younger, not as pretty as Mrs Berry of course," He is so immature. He is obviously talking about me. Man, he is so annoying.

"She sounds far too intelligant to waste her time with someone like you." I said with a snarkiness in my voice.

Solomon chuckles, "Well I remember we were quite close. I courageoulsy saved her from a fire and she clung to me as if her life depended on it. Oh yes, it was a long long time ago."

It was yesterday. I rolled my eyes and scoffed, "Are you seriously the hero of every story you tell?"

Solomon smirked, "That's because I am very brave and courageous and handsome...and...handsome. That's why I will save you from drowning next."

I frowned, "Drowning?"

My eyes widen when he pushes me into the river. I screamed as I fell. I surfaced from the cold liquid and see Solomon swimming next to me.

"You asshole!" I screamed at him. He swims towards me and grabs a hold of me.

"Don't worry! I will save you, Ayla!" He picks up me in the water. I try to fight his grip, but he was holding me too. I didn't realize how close his face was to mine till I looked up. His deep navy eyes staring right at me. His eyes flickered from my eyes to my lips.

"You're not as smooth as you think you are," I said.

He smiles cheekily at me, "That's because I've been a little bit distracted."

I rolled my eyes, "I guess pushing me into a river can be rather distracting."

He raises his brows innocently, "It wasn't me. The river pulled you in. These are very unpredictable waters, ya know."

I shove his face away from mine and he lets me go with a little laugh. I make my way towards the bank, "You're an idiot." I said,

"So are you." He says playfully. I couldn't help, but laugh a little and shake my head. Solomon always knew how to made me laugh.

I get up from the river and squeeze my shirt of water. Solomon comes and does and same. This felt like old times when we would have banter with each other. We would be sarcastic. And I admit, it felt good joking around with him again. But we used to joke around before he hurt me. We used to be exactly like this and yet he still had a way of inflicting pain on me. Who's to say it won't happen again?

This made my joyous feeling dissipate straight away. I can't get attached to him. I can't let myself feel things for him. I instantly close myself off. I pick up the bucket full of water. "We should go back."

Solomon's smile disappears instantly. He leans back and stares at my face. And then he reluctantly nodded his head, "Okay, Ayla." He sighed.

He picked up the two buckets and started to walk.

"Well isn't this such a beautiful sight." Both me and Solomon froze. We turned around and saw a man standing there. By the smell of him, he's a rogue.

His eyes flickered to me, "Well you're quite a looker, aren't you sweetheart." He says with a smile.

Solomon puts the buckets down and steps in front of me, "What do you want rogue?"

The man smiled, but it was not the friendly kind, "I want her. You see, a certain Alpha wants her back. He is paying anyone a reward for her to be taken to him. And I kinda need the money so...I'll just take her and be on my way."

Solomon smirks, "There's a certain flaw in that plan."

The rogue's brow raised, "And what flaw is that?"

Solomon stood up straight and growled, "You're going to have to get through me first." Solomon shifted and lunges for the rogue. I stood back and saw Solomon fighting hard. My heart hurt from the speed it was beating.

I shouted in fright as I was suddenly tackled from behind by another rogue, "Hello sweetheart." He snarls. I growl and kick him off me. He laughs without humor, "Oh this will be fun."

He lunges for me, but I move out of the way. He growls in frustration. He shifts into his wolf and was ready to attack. Shit. I couldn't shift yet. My wolf was extremely weak. He lunges for me and tackles me to the ground. He scratched my shoulder, making me yelp. I close my eyes ready for him to consume his prey. But before he could, he was ripped off me.

Solomon stood there breathing heavily. His eyes wild. He helps me up and cups my face, "Are you okay?" I didn't say anything. I just stood there wide eyed. We were almost killed AGAIN!

Solomon shakes me softly to get my attention, "Ayla! Are you okay?" I nod my head silently.

I can't believe we just got attacked by rogues. A glimpse of skin however, sidetrack me from my rushing thoughts. Solomon's shirt was ripped revealing his skin. Something catches my attention. A tattoo. I moved the material out of the way and my breath hitched and my heart stopped.

Ayla

It was my name. My name was printed on his chest.

"When did you get this?" I asked breathlessly

"Five years ago. The day after you left." My eyes widen. He's had this for five years.

"Why?" I asked. I looked up and saw him staring at me softly. He hated me...no...he loathed me then. Why would he do this? I was so confused.

"Because I wanted to remind myself that the cost of my sins was that I lost the one good thing I had in my life."

I stepped away from him like he burnt me. I looked away. I couldn't look at him. I shook my head and took another step as he took a step forward,

"Ayla." He said.

I shook my head at him. I pick up the bucket, "I-I have to get the water back to the p-pack." I turned around and then I ran.

SOLOMON

I made sure to follow closely behind Ayla back to the camp. She didn't want to be around me right now, I respect that, but when it comes to her safety I don't care.

When we finally arrived, she wanders off with the water while I head straight for Zander Giant tent. I step through the drapes and see he was sitting at the table mumbling something with Noah.

As I walk towards them I called, "Xander."

He turns to me at my entering.

I stop in front of the table, "Ayla and I were attacked at the river."

I had Xander and Noahs full attention now. "What happened?" He growls.

"A group of rogue's attacked us."

Xander's eyes widen in anger, "Rogue's? What the hell are rogues doing getting involved in our war! We defeated them!"

"Kendrick's put a bounty on Ayla's"

Noah sighs and shakes his head, "This just keeps getting bloody worse now doesn't it."

"We'll get more guards to circle around the area for now and then if it gets worse-"

I slam my hands on the wooden table and shout, "That's my good enough!"

Xander instantly stands up and growls lowly at me, "Watch your behaviour Solomon. I'm still your Alpha."

I stand up straight and growl, "This is about Ayla, my mate. I am going to do everything to ensure that she comes out of this ALIVE."

Xander bends down, "And I am trying to do the same. But you need to remember that I am responsible for this WHOLE pack. I need to be thinking of everyone."

"Then let me be her guard. I will be personally responsible for her and Milo."

Xander sits back down and leans back. His eyes roam over the objects on his table as he thinks. Eventually he slowly nods his head, "You can be her and Milo's guard. They are under your protection."

I nod my head, "Thank you Xander." I turn and leave the tent.