an Everlasting Pursuit

forty three

I gritted my teeth as a wave of unease lurched in my stomach. My back tensed, my hand clutching onto Piper's wrist with more pressure than necessary. Through the foggy, tipsy turmoil of my mind, the visiting Alpha's voice seemed to sober me and spur my confidence.

"Cat got your tongue?" Blake mused.

Lifting my gaze, I met the black eyes of the Alpha. "My tongue is perfectly free, thank you."

His lips quirked, leaning close to me. "Well, maybe you could show me just exactly what that tongue of yours could do."

I recoiled from him, a scoff leaving my mouth. "That is going to be a no."

He didn't seem fazed, his hand coming to rest on my waist. "It didn't sound like one until now. Care to change your mind, little human?"

I released Piper's arm to push the damn Alpha's hand from my body. "That's disgusting."

"What? Your Alpha can have his fun with you, and I can't?" He laughed loudly, retrieving his arms with innocence.

My nose wrinkled, hyperaware of my mixed scent again. I took a step back, closer to Piper, who's hand settled on my lower back.

Rolling my eyes, I lazily blinked up at him. "Because that is totally what happened."

His grin dropped slightly, an annoyed glare passing over his features. It made me grin, happy to agitate him. He probably wasn't used to being so shot down.

"You are an unmarked, pretty, fertile human living in a wolf pack. You are a teasing little lamb here. I am surprised no-one has taken the opportunity." He shrugged.

I grimaced. "Taken the opportunity? Ever heard of consent?"

My dismissal of his actions and words was enough for him to drop his grin and growl at me.

"Let me teach you a thing or two about respect, human." He spat.

His arm came out to grab my own, just as Piper went to pull me back. His other hand came to grab Piper's free arm, and she snarled at him. Stuck at a crossroads with his grimy hands on both of us, it didn't take long for another growl to fill the room. My eyes snapped to the side, my head spinning with the action. I closed my eyes to catch my bearings, the wine brain becoming way too strong.

"If you were a smart man, Blake, you would know to let go of something that is not yours." Asra's voice was deadly as he made his way to stand beside Piper.

Blake's eyes flickered between us, but he seemed to have the brain capacity to realise the situation was escalating. He released Piper first, his fingers and eyes lingering on my skin a while longer. I pulled my hand back, rubbing at the red marks his careless grabbing made. Wolves were always so strong. It made me think of Mya and how she said she had to treat me like a baby in case I broke.

"I seem to have misunderstood the situation." Blake cleared his throat, levelling his gaze with Asra. "Excuse me, I am going for a walk to clear my mind."

I smirked at his retreating figure, still cradling my hand to my body. I was glad for the sympathetic part of my brain being asleep; the wine proving a good comrade tonight.

"Piper, why don't you take Ailia to bed," Asra murmured, his body tense as he stared out of the door.

Piper was quick to respond, looping her hand through my elbow before pulling me out of the room. I aimlessly followed, more than happy to go back to my room and away from all the drama.

Wolves were so dramatic.

It made my head hurt.

Finally landing in my room, I sighed in relief as the welcoming softness of my bed greeted me. My back instantly ached at the sight, my feet dying to be rid of its confinements and feel the brush of soft cotton against my skin.