Word Count: 2622

~Aesira

I wake to the sound of something hitting the window.

At first, I ignore it, draping my arm over my eyes. I'm so warm and cozy, the morning sun grazing over my skin.

Yet something continues to strike the window, over and over. Tap, tap, tap. It's too maddening to ignore any longer.

I sit up on my elbows, looking around. It takes a few moments to remember that I'm in Everin's mothers cottage, in the bedroom upstairs.

Looking around the room, I stiffen at the sight of the hulking, half-dressed male in bed next to me. Thankfully, he's wearing pants, but his shirtless form is well on display.

Memories of last night strikes me straight in the temple. Groaning softly under my breath, I my forehead as if it might banish all my mistakes.

I got too caught up in him. I shouldn't have let that happen.

He shifts in his sleep, exhaling softly. He really does look beautiful in his sleep, all relaxed and unburdened of the constant tension he carries around. His hair is messy from the way my fingers moved through it last night, and his lips are still slightly swollen from kissing me so intensely.

I slip from bed quietly as something taps the window again, rebounding off.

Looking down, I realise I'm completely naked. Cursing silently under my breath, I grab a robe from the hook on the bathroom door, draping it over my shoulders before I approach the window.

Something flies at the window again, smacking against the glass. It's a tiny stone, which plummets back to the male two stories down holding a handful of them in his palm.

My heart feels as though it has plummeted into my stomach.

A single glance at Everin tells me he's still asleep. I dash past the bed and out the door, racing down the stairs.

The grass is covered in dew as I rush outside, circling the house and into the backyard. He stands there, dropping his handful of stones onto the ground in front of him.

I approach him sternly, my fingers balled up into fists.

"Lennox, how are you here right now?" I hiss.

I can't believe he is here right now. I can't believe he is even in this pack...he should be dead for even trying.

If Everin saw him...

"I followed you," he exclaims uneasily, wringing his hands together in front of him.

"You...wait, what?"

"Followed you. Here." He points to the ground in front of him. "I tracked the servants who left this morning, figured they were coming you."

I sink my head into my hands, the horror of this settling over me. Lennox used to be so level-headed, where his brother was more excitable. He would never have taken a risk like this, even for someone he cares about. That's something Lincoln would do.

"Why come here? Do you even understand how dangerous this is?" I gesture back at the house, where an Alpha is sleeping.

An Alpha, who will surely kill him the moment he's seen.

He regards me anxiously, appearing so much younger than the last time I saw him. Out of his soldier's uniform, he looks barely older than the boy Lincoln introduced me all those years ago.

"I was asked to come here, by your father," he explains.

I wince. Shit.

"Asked, or forced?"

"He's paying me," he explains tensely. "He got me passage over the border and now I'm here."

I tip my head back to the sky, silently cursing my luck.

My father is wicked in ways that cannot be conceived. He has sent a young, innocent boy over the border, likely as a way to punish me. He knew about Lincoln, and in some way, must have known about Lennox.

"The fact that father even knew to contact you is disturbing," I mutter. "You are in serious danger, okay? You need to go home."

Lennox looks at the house nervously. He's frightened and clearly doesn't want to be here, but the thought of returning to my father without the answers he needs is probably a more terrifying prospect than being caught by Everin.

"He wants to know what is taking you so long," he says.
 
I prop my hands on my hips, angered at my father's audacity to ask what he is already aware of. "Males here don't mark their wives, only their mates."

Lennox's eyes drop to my neck. I hope he doesn't notice the slight bruising on my skin from Everin's overzealous biting.

Those marks, unfortunately, have nothing to do with a true bonding mark.

"He tells you that you need to do this." His eyes drop lower, over my robed form. "Time is of the essence."

I fold my arms over my chest, suddenly aware of my nakedness beneath the thin fabric. If Lennox knew what I allowed Everin to do to me last night, he wouldn't forgive me.

He might even return to father and tell him.

"I've tried, it's not going to happen," I exclaim. "Not unless father can figure out a way to simulate a mate bond so I can trick him."
 
Lennox's brows furrow. "I'm afraid that if you don't succeed in this, he's going to hurt you."

That might have troubled me years ago, but I've learnt that even good behaviour is punished in my father's household. I know that if I fail here, there would be no place for me in my father's life.

Even if I succeed, I won't be going back.

"I won't fail, so we have nothing to worry about." I step forward, resting my hand tenderly on his shoulder before giving him a little push. "Now go, before Everin wakes."

It's already late morning, and with the servant and the guard bustling downstairs, it won't be long until Everin wakes and comes searching for me.

Lennox makes to go, but he pauses.

"What is he like?"

"Who?" I ask impatiently.

"Alpha Everin."

I sigh through my nose. I don't know what kind of explanation will satisfy him, or that will properly encapsulate a male like the Everin.
 
"He's..." I swallow thickly. "He's not a good person, Lennox. He imprisoned your brother, and he's caused so many issues back home."

Something dark flickers in Lennox's eyes. "Does he hurt you?"

Flashes of last night appear unbidden in my mind. Everin on his knees before me, Everin looming over me, his head between my legs. For a moment, I can practically feel the same pleasure licking up my spine.

"No." I tuck my hair behind my ear, hoping my cheeks aren't burning. "I'm his wife. That wouldn't be a good look."

And Everin wouldn't lay a hand on me. He never did, even when he hated me.

"So you're safe here?" He doesn't sound like he believes me, and why should he? He's heard all the terrible things about Everin as I had.

"For now." I twist the tie of my robe absently. "I manage, so don't worry about me. Worry about your brother."

He nods determinedly, straightening his shoulders. He looks so tired. This hasn't been easy on him, and I hate my father for making him endure this and the loss of his brother.

"Are you going to get him out?"

"Yes, very soon," I assure him. "Go back home, and he'll come to you."

He pauses, tensing his jaw.

"Aesira..."

I sigh frustratingly, knowing the every moment he remains here is a risk. "What Lennox?"

A deep and sudden sadness shudders over his face. "I need him back. I'm not coping without him."

I rub his arm comfortingly. "I'm going to get him free, okay? You can trust me."

I've always intended to free Lincoln, but this reminds me of just how important it is I go through with it. The possible consequences on me don't matter when someone good and deserving like Lennox needs his brother back.

I can't let myself get distracted by Everin. There is so much more at stake.

"Just don't get yourself killed trying to save him," he adds. "I love him but...it's not worth you getting hurt if it's too much of a risk."

"It won't be a risk because I have a plan." A plan that is contingent on Everin continuing to feel generous after last night.

Lennox grimaces. "Just..."

"Just what?"

"When you get him out, don't get back with him. Just let him go." He watches me warily.

I flinch. "Lennox—"

"I mean it. You're too good for him." He smiles gently before backing away. "Stay safe."

I watch him go, walking with his head bowed and his hands in his pockets into the woods. I can only hope he'll make it back safely across the border.

If anything happened to him...

Shaking the thought from my head, I turn back to the house. I'm tired, even after my dreamless sleep, and I'm deeply angry at my father.

How dare he put Lennox in danger over a matter he should have considered long before he sent his own daughter into the predator's den. How dare he use Lennox to send me a message.

I hate him.

I make it back around the side of the house, jolting to a stop at the figure leaning against exterior wall.

"Fuck," I say bluntly.

Everin straightens, a deceptively impassive expression on his face. He's still shirtless, hair mussed from sleep. Seeing him would send a thrill through me if I weren't so suddenly terrified for Lennox.

"Done with you covert meeting?" He tilts his head.

I cross my arms over my chest. "Well it wasn't exactly covert considering you were clearly watching."

He just stares at me, eyes darkening.

"How much did you hear?" I ask meekly.

"Nothing, unfortunately." A muscle in his jaw feathers. "I saw some kid walking into the forest and figured I remembered him from somewhere. Realised fairly quick that he's your lover from your fathers pack, and when you weren't up in the room, I made the assumption that you were out here with him."

"It's not what you think," I begin carefully.

His eyes narrow slightly, and suddenly, he's so much bigger, so much more terrifying than I remember. He could snap Lennox's neck without a single ounce of effort.

"What do I think, Aesira?" He murmurs darkly, his voice like a caress of death against my skin.

"He was just checking up on me." I pause. "He cares about me."

I said the wrong thing. I know immediately as Everin makes to move past me. I quickly slide in front of him, knowing I'm putting myself in danger by inserting myself right into his path.

But this is a male who chased me through the woods last night. He has had ample opportunity to do away with me.

"Don't," I plead.

He looks down at me, almost pityingly. "Don't what?"

"Hurt him," I insist. "He did nothing wrong."

"You're my wife, Aesira," he growls softly, like the title bears any real meaning.

"He didn't touch me, okay? I mean it when I said he was checking up on me." I almost choke on my words. He's not going to listen to me — he's going to go after Lennox anyway. "He's gone now. I told him to go home."

"He won't make it back across my border."

"I have faith that he will."

His lips press into a thin line, and he brushes past me.

I cry out, bracing my myself against the side of the building. I lift my leg, like I'm favouring it, reaching down to massage my leg.

I'm not actually in any real pain, but it's all I can think of in the moment.

To my shock, it works. Everin immediately turns at the sound of my agony, coming to my side to grab me.

"Are you okay?" He wraps my arm over his shoulder, letting me lean my weight against him. "I've got you."

"My leg is acting up again," I hiss through my teeth, my pulse thumping in my ears.

Admittedly, I'm surprised Everin came to dote on me. I thought he would leave me cowering in pain while he stalked after Lennox.

It's...confronting, to know my comfort is more important to him than his own revenge.

"Here." He sweeps me up into my arms. I wince, just for show.

He carries me back inside, setting me down on the couch. He even drapes a blanket over my bare legs, not minding that my feet are covered in grass.

"We should see someone about this." He looks down at the outline of my leg beneath the blanket.

"It's fine. I just need to stretch it more," I murmur, looking away.

He crouches before me, suddenly solemn. Lennox's appearance here seems entirely forgotten.

"About last night—"

"No." I shake my head finally. "I don't want to talk about it."

"I'll forget what you told me, about your fathers plan," he says quickly, brow furrowing. This has been weighing on him. "It was wrong of me—"

"No, you should do something to stop the attack. You have every right to protect your armouries." I hold his gaze. "And fuck him."

He frowns. "Him?"

"My father." I nestle deeper into the cushions of the couch. "Fuck him."

Startled, Everin watches me quietly for a prolonged moment. I'm not about to explain my anger to him — it would only open up more questions about why Lennox was here.

Instead of pressing for more information, he only nods slowly.

"Alright."

"I want something in return." I sit up. "A night out and away from the manor."

This is the perfect time to engage my plan. Everin feels guilty about using my need for release against me last night, and I'm more than happy to take advantage of that.

He eyes me warily. "Is that not what this is?"
 
"A want a night in the village, alone. I want to explore, to feel free, even if it's just for a moment," I say quickly, eagerly. "I don't know what my future brings anymore. If your opinion of me changes, which it may very well do, I want to have had at least one night to myself."

"The village is too dangerous," he murmurs.

"We'll let matters calm first, of course." I wave my hand, like it's all decided. "And I'll take a guard."

"Let's just see how my address to the village goes, okay?" He sighs. "I should leave for that shortly."

I lean forward. "Can I come?"

"No, you're safer here." He rises. "A servant and a guard arrived earlier this morning. They'll take care of you."

The thought of being alone here for several days sounds maddening, but at least Everin won't be here to tempt me again.

We can't allow last night to be repeated, regardless of how good it felt.

"Fine," I mutter begrudgingly.

"I hope to hear from them that you weren't sneaking a male into your room from the forest while I'm gone." He gives me a sharply look. "Do I make myself clear."

I glare up at him. "Yes sir."

He flicks my nose, and when I swat him away with a giggle, he heads upstairs to change. I watch him go, knowing that the longer I'm around him, the less certain my future becomes.

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