Spots

Chapter 6

**

"We need to talk."

Young Aria knew by the look in his eyes that his words meant trouble. Even though she herself ran from the situation earlier in the day, his emotionless eyes stung her heart.

"I didn't come here looking for a mate; I came here because I need to learn to be an alpha. Not to be rude, but this doesn't really seem to add up. Why would the fates put together two alphas? Everybody knows alphas don't get along with each other. Not to mention that you're just a girl, what even are you? 14? What are you even doing here at a camp meant to train men to take on alpha positions?"

"I'm sixteen." The rebuke was small and pitiful, and Aria inwardly cringed before clearing her throat and trying again. "I'm sixteen, and I'm going to be the next alpha of Star Creek. But I agree, the fates did make a mistake." Her sharp words seemed to make him flinch, and she struggled not to care.

"Star Creek is training an alpha? Alpha Caine isn't well?" Mason seemed interested in the information that was common knowledge to any clan cat that kept themselves informed.

"His wife was killed. By rogues. What, do you live under a rock?" Aria bristled in the blatant disregard for her clan leader's wellness. Clans typically kept up good communications and relations, so everybody was saddened to hear of her luna's murder.

"Rogues.. They can be pretty wily, huh?"

"Wily?! They're flea-bitten miscreants that get off on hurting innocents, and you're fooling yourself if you think they're not. Trust me, I used to give them the benefit of the doubt. I took in the bastard that killed my luna. He was starving, and hurt, and I just wanted to help.. But he tricked me" Aria trailed off and her eyes glazed over with regret. "So yeah, I agree. Two alphas don't mix, and I can't afford to be distracted."

"Good, then we're agreed. Nice meeting you, Aria."

Mason stood and let himself out of her cabin, closing the door behind him, and Aria remained in her chair. Her legs shook so much that she knew they wouldn't be able to carry her- to her bed or after him, she wasn't sure.

**

The steps creaked as Aria descended the stairs into her rickety old basement. They called it a dungeon, but in reality it just had a couple of cells in the corner. Boxes of childhood memories and random items lay scattered about just like any normal basement. Star Creek didn't have many enemies, and they didn't typically keep people locked away like animals. But then again, they didn't typically get rogues, and she'd learned her lesson about them long ago.

"Mason? Uh, I mean Alpha?"

"Just call me Mason, Ary. It's not like we're strangers."

Aria cringed at the pet-name he'd given her. "No, because that would be too easy" she muttered. "I brought food."

Mason's eyes twinkled in amusement and his lips pulled into a crooked smirk. "Cookies? Does that really count as food?"

"Look, if you don't want any-"

"No, I do! Please." Mason spoke quickly and reached through the bars towards the plate. Aria smirked to herself and brought it over so that he could reach. She sat in front of him and watched as he slowly munched and his eyes widened in amazement. "Oh. My. Gods. These cookies are magical!" Aria giggled softly as he moaned in delight and grabbed two more.

"I make them all the time, the kids love them." Aria trailed off when she saw Mason stiffen at her words. "Is something wrong?"

"Kids. You said it early, too. Gods, Aria, I know that we aren't together, but were you really able to just forget about me? Forget you had a mate out there and just move on?" Mason's words were harsh and spoken with a bitterness that surprised Aria.