Chapter: nine

Aylin was taken aback by Ezekiel’s words. She was so stunned that she didn’t know how to react. She took a moment to look into his eyes, searching for any sign of deceit. She found none.

As he let go of her, she quickly wrapped her arms around his neck. A wave of disappointment washed over her through their connection.

“I love you too, Zeke.”

Ezekiel let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. He couldn’t help it—when she didn’t respond immediately, his heart sank.

He felt her shock when he confessed his love, and he was certain she wouldn’t respond. But when she did, relief washed over him. More than relief, actually.

He stood up, lifting Aylin to her feet before pulling back the covers.

“Let’s get some sleep,” he suggested with a smile.

A part of her wanted to take things further, but she decided to let it go for now.

Aylin crawled into bed, moving over to make room for Ezekiel. She turned to face him as he settled into the uncomfortable bed, facing his mate.

He opened his arms to her, and she moved closer to him. She fit perfectly into his arms, as if they were made just for her.

“I’m sorry I didn’t respond sooner,” Aylin broke the silence.

He kissed her forehead, letting her know he wasn’t upset, just surprised. “It’s okay, don’t worry. I know it was a shock, but I wanted to be honest with you.”

“I’m glad you were.” She traced his jawline with her finger, the stubble tickling her skin. A small smile played on his lips as her fingers explored his face.

Suddenly, he pulled her closer, his arm slipping under her. Aylin let out a small squeak as she found herself pressed against his bare chest.

He ran his hand over her back, drawing small circles.

She pressed her nose against him, inhaling his scent. Her body tingled as she took in the intoxicating mix of pine, musk, and cinnamon.

Aylin squeezed her legs together, trying to resist the arousal that his scent stirred in her.

A low rumble made her flinch slightly—being so close to him, she could feel the vibration. “I can smell you,” he murmured. “Behave yourself, princess.”

“Sorry,” she replied, a little embarrassed.

She closed her eyes and quickly fell asleep against the warm body of the man she loved.

***

~“Aylin.”~

~A distant voice calls out to Aylin. Her heart pounds in her chest, but her head feels heavy. The air is thick with a terrible energy.~

~It feels like a heavy weight is pressing down on her; the cold air feels like it’s biting into her skin. It’s pure evil, unlike anything she’s ever felt before.~

~“Come to me.”~

~The woods are dark, everything is shrouded in black. The crunching of leaves under her feet only adds to her fear.~

~Even when she stops to listen for the voice, the only sound she hears is the rustling of leaves under her feet. She holds her arms out in front of her, feeling the small branches scratch her as she runs through the darkness.~

~“I can smell you,” the voice continues. “No matter where you run, I’ll find you.”~

~The ominous words spur Aylin to run faster. Suddenly, everything goes silent. No crunching leaves. No voice.~

~Despite the comforting silence, something inside her urges her to keep moving.~

~Darkness engulfs Aylin. No matter where she looks, it’s as if her eyes are permanently closed.~

~Her heart pounds in her head, and it feels like she’s making no progress. Her body feels like it’s not moving, despite her desperate attempts to run from the mysterious voice.~

~Suddenly, she’s in the air. The wind is knocked out of her as she hits the ground. Rolling onto her back, Aylin clutches her stomach, feeling a deep pain within her.~

~She reaches down and feels the tree root that tripped her.~

~“Damn it!” she groans.~

~“Come out, come out wherever you are!” the voice taunts.~

~Terrified, Aylin scrambles to her feet, still feeling the sting in her stomach from the fall. “Leave me alone!” she yells into the darkness.~

~She runs deeper into the darkness, and suddenly, a pair of strong, muscular arms wrap around her.~

~The sickening smell of blood fills her nostrils. She struggles against her captor, looking up to see a pair of blood-red eyes staring back at her.~

~“You’re mine now!”~

Aylin woke up with a start, screaming. She looked around frantically, clutching the sheets. She took a moment to remember where she was—in a motel room with Ezekiel.

She got out of bed and went to the bathroom, quietly closing the door behind her. She turned on the cold water and splashed her face. Her reflection was a mess: her hair was damp with sweat and there were bags under her eyes.

A knock on the door startled her. “Aylin?”

“I’m okay,” she called back.

“Honey, please open the door,” Ezekiel pleaded.

“Zeke,” she groaned.

“Open it, or I’m kicking it down.”

His threat spurred Aylin into action, and she quickly opened the door. Zeke’s eyes were dark, but they softened when he saw her.

“I’m fine, Zeke, really.”

“You don’t look fine,” he said, touching her cheek. “Oh baby, you’re soaked. What happened?”

“I had a nightmare, that’s all.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

She shook her head, placing her hand over his. She debated whether to tell him the truth or not. “I don’t really remember it.”

He pulled her close, stroking her hair. “It’s over now. You’re here with me.”

Aylin nestled into Ezekiel, feeling a sense of safety wash over her. His arms were a warm shield, promising her protection from any harm.

She knew she should have told Ezekiel her secret, but in that moment, it didn’t seem to matter.

She couldn’t put a face to the voice that haunted her, and she had no idea where she was when she had been running. All she remembered were those terrifying red eyes.

The thought made her skin prickle with unease, but she knew there were bigger things to worry about right now.

Ezekiel cradled her in his arms before gently setting her on the edge of the bed. He rummaged through their bags and pulled out a fresh shirt for her.

He laid the shirt next to her on the bed, then helped her pull it over her head. He rested the back of his hand against her forehead, letting out a sigh of relief. “You don’t have a fever. Thank God.”

“I think I need a shower,” Aylin murmured. She got up shakily and started to cross the room toward the bathroom.

A sudden growl from Ezekiel stopped her in her tracks. She turned to see his black eyes locked on her.

“Tell me what’s wrong!” he demanded.

Aylin clutched her chest, her eyes welling up with tears as fear gripped her. “Zeke,” she whispered.

His expression softened at the sight of her tear-filled eyes. He moved toward her, remorse washing over him. “I’m sorry, honey. I just… I just want you to talk to me.” He took her into his arms, feeling her body tremble against his. “Let’s take that shower.”

He turned on the shower, adjusting the water to the perfect temperature. He stripped down and stepped into the shower, followed by Aylin. The warm water was a welcome relief for both of them.

He took some body wash and lathered up his hands, then started to wash Aylin.

“I can do it myself, Zeke.”

He nudged her gently with his nose, whispering in her ear, “I want to.”

With her back against his chest, he washed her with care. His large hands moved over every inch of her body, drawing soft moans from her lips.

The more his hands explored her body, the more she craved his touch. His rough hands sent tingles across her skin.

Suddenly, his hand moved lower, toward a place she had never been touched before.

“Wait, Zeke,” she whispered, her voice husky.

He kissed her mark, feeling her body shudder against his. As she leaned her head back against his chest, his hand continued its journey downward. “Has no one ever touched you here before?”

His voice in her ear sent a shiver down her spine, making her forget all about her nightmare. She could feel his arousal pressing against her lower back.

“N-no,” she managed to say, her voice rough with heavy breathing.

A heat was building in her core, a searing sensation that seemed to radiate through her bones. His finger found her sensitive spot, rubbing it gently.

Aylin gasped, wrapping her arm around his neck for support.

“Oh, God.” Her moans echoed off the bathroom walls. A deep pressure was building in her stomach, something she couldn’t quite identify.

“That’s my girl,” he cooed in her ear. “Let go, baby. I know you want to.”

His voice, thick with desire, pushed Aylin over the edge. A wave of heat and pleasure washed over her.

His pace quickened slightly, and it was enough to send Aylin spiraling over the edge. She clung to Ezekiel, her legs giving out beneath her.

She dug her nails into his skin, and a loud groan echoed around them. Her knees buckled, and Ezekiel held her close as she came down from her high.

The only sounds she could hear were their heavy breathing and the water hitting the tub.

She turned her head and captured Ezekiel’s lips in a passionate kiss.

He seemed surprised at first, but quickly responded. Their tongues tangled together as their hands roamed freely over each other’s bodies.

He lifted her up, deepening their kiss. He pressed her against the shower wall, moving down to suck and nip at her mark. Aylin gripped his hair tightly.

“Wait.” Aylin paused, not ready to take the next step.

Ezekiel lifted his head, looking into her eyes. “What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Not yet.”

He nodded, understanding. He set her back on her feet, turned off the water, handed her a towel, and stepped out of the shower.

As she dried off, her mind was a whirlwind of emotions. What they had just shared was so intimate, so sweet. It made her feel cherished, like she truly mattered to her mate.

Just the fact that he listened to her made her heart swell with happiness. Inside her head, Kaia was practically dancing with joy.

~“Mate wants us!”~ she screamed in her head.

“Please don’t yell like that,”

“You should have gone all the way!”

“No! I’m not ready!”

Ezekiel chuckled at his mate, seeing her distant look. He knew she was arguing with Kaia.

He took her hand, helping her step out of the tub. She shook off her argument with her wolf. “Let’s get to bed, for real this time,” he teased.

A blush spread across her cheeks.

They climbed back into bed and soon drifted off into a deep sleep.

***

The next day started off uneventfully. They spent most of the morning in the car after breakfast. Aylin stared out the window, watching the trees whip by.

Part of her mind was still on their shower encounter from the early morning hours, while the rest was filled with dread about returning to her old pack.

She shut Kaia out, not wanting to listen to her constant complaints. Neither of them wanted to go back, but they knew it was necessary.

Aylin realized that Ezekiel didn’t want her to go far not just because he didn’t want her to be alone with Ana, but because of the feelings he had for her.

~What’s going to happen when I return? Can I really do this?~ Aylin wondered. ~What will their reaction be when they see me with the Rogue King? This can’t end well.~

~“What will they say?”~ A deep voice echoed in her mind.

“Nothing,” she answered aloud. “I’m just overthinking.”

~“I’d love to confront the person who rejected you.”~

She glanced at her mate. He was staring out the window, fists clenched on his thighs, jaw set tight.

His anger was so palpable, it made Aylin feel queasy. If she concentrated, it seemed like a dark aura was enveloping him.

Yet, the fact that she had been rejected was a burden he carried.

“But you have me now,” she comforted, placing her hand on his clenched fist.

Her touch immediately softened his rigid posture. His gaze remained fixed on the window, but she could sense the lightness in their mental connection.

She uncurled his hand, intertwining her fingers with his, and slid closer to him on the seat.

Closing her eyes, Aylin decided to rest before they reached the Dark Moon Pack.

***

A gentle shake woke Aylin from her sleep. “We’re here, baby,” Ezekiel’s voice whispered.

As they arrived, the men from the other car were already waiting for them. They all radiated an aggressive energy. Even Quill.

With a simple nod, they got out of the car. “Where should I be?” she asked curiously.

“By my side. You’re my mate, my luna, and my queen. We’re equals.”

She nodded in understanding.

Before her stood the familiar old pack house. It hadn’t changed at all, but then again, not much time had passed.

It was still the same four-story, red brick house with the flowering bushes out front. The sound of distant chatter and children’s laughter drifted from the backyard.

Seeing the house again brought back memories that made her heart pound in her chest.

She blocked out the wolves around her, not wanting them to sense her anxiety. It wouldn’t be good for her, and definitely not for the king, who needed to stay alert.

“Deep breaths, Aylin,” Quill’s voice murmured behind her. His words were momentarily comforting.

“Remember to hold your head high, Ay,” Quill advised, reminding her of her new status in the pack. “You’re a luna now. Stand your ground.”

She turned to him and gave a small smile. He understood her tension, but she didn’t take his advice to heart.

Not telling Ezekiel the truth before they left was a mistake, but Aylin was too worried that it would change things between them.

Sensing Aylin’s unease, Quill positioned himself behind her.

When the front door opened, Daemon emerged with Ophelia by his side, his beta, David, and his delta, Jameson, following closely.

They were the only ones who seemed to have changed in the past few weeks. Their hard training was evident in their muscular physiques.

Daemon looked even more attractive than before, if that was possible. His shaggy hair fell over his forehead, and a day-old stubble covered his chiseled chin. The sight made Aylin nervous.

“Alpha Morris!” Ezekiel greeted.

“Alpha Malin!” he responded.

The two groups moved towards each other.

Seeing Ophelia next to Daemon didn’t affect Aylin as it had months ago. Instead, she felt a sense of relief being next to a wolf who loved her and treated her as an equal.

Instinctively, Aylin was about to lower her head in submission.

But remembering Quill’s words, she lifted her head with confidence. Almost instantly, Daemon’s eyes widened, as did those of his companions. His fists clenched at his sides, and his eyes darkened.

“Let’s get down to business.” Ezekiel interrupted Daemon’s trance.

Snapping out of it, he turned his attention to the king. “Of course. This is my luna, Ophelia. My beta, David, and my delta, Jameson.”

They all bowed in submission to the formidable wolf standing before them.

“Pleased to meet you. This is my luna and queen, Aylin. My delta, Quill, and beta, Angus.” Ezekiel casually draped an arm around Aylin’s waist, pulling her closer to him.

He had noticed Daemon’s reaction to seeing her again, but he wasn’t entirely sure why. Daemon’s eyes narrowed at Aylin, making her flinch.

“Please, come inside.”