Coincidences

Preparations

It was early morning with the streams of dawn weaving between trees. Amilya was jogging through the woods near the same paths the night patrol took. She had gone to find Leon who she was told had been on night patrol, but the man would always slip from her fingers. Letting out a deep sigh, she made her way to the barracks.

She heard the quiet chatter of the night patrol wolves within who had clearly just come off their rotation. The scent of toasted pecans and brown sugar brushed at her nose beneath the scent of steaming water and sweat. Swallowing thickly, Amilya looked down at her body. She was only in a sport bra and shorts, having wanted to find Leon like that. In a way, show him and tell him that she wanted to bear herself to him both literally and figuratively. That she didn't want to hide parts of herself anymore.

"Hey man, as your friend I have to tell you, you look like shit. You have got to stop running yourself ragged."

Amilya wasn't able to stop a small whimper from falling from her lips knowing that it was Greg speaking to Leon; being one of the man's best friends. His hair was light brown with hazel eyes, a handsome jawline and a bit of a jokester. He was loyal and kind and a very good fighter.

"I'm fine," Leon grunted, Amilya shutting her eyes tightly. He even sounded tired.

Heaving in a giant breath, with her heart pounding behind her ribs, Amilya walked into the side room of the barracks. Some of the wolves in there look droopy eyed (likely new recruits) while the older patrol wolves still looked all bushy tailed; clearly used to the night patrol. She tried to ignore the stilted talk when she walked past several of the wolves who were changing, walking up on Leon's back. Greg's eyes snapped up to her from where he was sitting on a bench, gaping, his hazel eyes going huge and round.

"What the hell is with you? I said I'm fine," Leon said, seeming to notice the weird look on his friend's face.

"He'll be fine once I apologize for being a bitch first," Amilya said quietly. Leon shot up off the bench that was across from Greg where he had been changing clothes slowly, whirling around to face her. His eyes blew wide, gazing over every piece of revealed skin. Amilya swallowed tightly, daring herself to not look or touch the scars on her body. She didn't dare. Forcing herself to roll her shoulders back, which very much wanted to curl in to hide herself, Amilya took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry, Leon," Amilya said softly, Leon's eyes snapping up to her face, "I shouldn't have threatened to leave. Even when I was angry. I don't want to leave the pack or my family or you. I'd never want to lose you, any of you, again. I was just so... upset. I'm sorry for making you think that or that you'd be forced to choose."

Leon opened and closed his mouth a few times before carding his fingers through his dark brown hair.

"Kai means the world to me, Leon. I've protected him and the others for so many years that any threat to them has my hackles raise. Even from my family. The things that were said that night had me seeing red. Once I calmed down, and spoke to Kai whose awake now, I knew I had gone too far."

Leon closed his eyes, taking a breath, slowly nodding.

"What happened that night wasn't just a fault with you, Amilya. All of us should have known better. We could have avoided this whole thing if we just... but it's too late for what ifs now. I'm glad Kai's awake! I had no idea. I'll need to see Carver too."

"He looks like shit, but I spoke a little with him too," Amilya said, "he'd probably really like to see you."

Amilya's dark black eyes looked over her handsome mate, just as equally soaking in his beautiful form. His green eyes looked less lifeless now, Amilya looking away from them when their gazes met.