'I'm not lost,' Kayden growled softly, but the anger was dying from her voice as her silver eyes closed to let him lick her.
She ignored his words about Luna, shutting her away. Even looking at her sister made her blood boil, counteracting with the calming effect Jay had on her, easing her pain. Kayden wanted that pain to stop, wanted it to fade away. She lay under his leg, blood soaked and depressed, feeling the anger wash away as Jay stood over her, replaced with loneliness and an emptiness in her heart.
He moved around so he could see, ignoring Luna's attempts to shield him for the proceedings. He could see the tiny white wolf begin to relax under Jay's care, then stiffen at Luna's words.
She's still rejecting her sister, still throwing her pain and hate at her.
A rustle in the leaves behind them had Xael turning, his head cocked to listen. Raven black hair whipped between two trees and Xael whispered to Luna he'd be back before stepped away from the wolves, following Ashlin's not so stealthy trail.
"You aren't good at this," he mused as he caught up to her in moments, his eye's tight with emotions still swirling about Luna but his body relaxed around Ash.
"No I'm not," she shrugged, "I just wanted to make sure Kayden was alright."
He looked back in the direction of the wolves, "I'm not sure. It's like she started remembering a bunch of memories she repressed. The little wolf is very confused, and very angry."
Ash held up her now healed arm that had been bleeding earlier, "I know. She got quite the mouthful of my skin. I'm just glad Luna got involved. She really cares about Kayden, she should be able to break through that anger."
That would be the case if Kayden wasn't angry at Luna. And if Luna was herself right now.
Ash sensed something was off, her brows knitting together, "What is it Xael?"
~
He hadn't meant for them to wander off, but she was his closest friend, and once he started talking, everything flooded out. They walked in a lazy circle around the entire town, staying to the trees. It was the first time in weeks either of them had gotten to let everything out about their partners, leaning on one another for support.
"I think you do doubt her," Ash replied to Xael's issues, "Because you have only known each other for such a short period of time, and you jumped into such a big relationship...now both of you are truly scared that it will fall apart, that you made a mistake that can't be repaired. Luna is more sure of herself because its her nature, but deep down that poor girl is probably just as terrified that you will leave her, and you are that she will leave you."
"What if she gets bored of me?" he asked, his voice strained, "Or realizes I'm not right for her."
"Didn't she explain that she only picks one mate...for life? That pretty much states she'll never get bored of you. And just because you aren't a wolf doesn't make you wrong for her. I didn't chose Braxton based on his blood."
"Speaking of Braxton, how are you two?"
Ashlin went into details, avoiding talking about the other day in the creek and what she'd done to the village. They had been doing so well most of the trip, and then the hiccups started again in the last half week.
Xael broke into a grin as the witch squeaked out that her man had also said he loved her.
"And you said it back?" he asked, pulling her into a friendly hug.
Xael knew her fears of men and rejection. For years Xael had a front row seat to Ash's emotional rollar coaster after Elijah had broken her. And he could see how much good Braxton was doing for her.
"No," she whispered, suprising him, "I...couldn't."
She isn't ready. Ash won't know...until she knows.
"That's okay," he replied, "Somethings take time. I'm just glad to hear you'e happy Ash. Someone in this group deserves a slice of pure happiness, no strings attached."
"You have that too," she hip-checked him playfully, "Just with lots of strings...and they are a tangled mess."
Ahead of them, the inn loomed on their right, children playing and screaming in the grassy area beside it. Both of them could see Braxton leaning against one wall, looking exhausted.
"I think my slice of happiness needs a break," Ash smiled, adoration pouring from her voice, "Thank you Xael. It was nice talking to someone."
"Anytime," he kissed her head, "What are friend's for?"
They wandered out of the trees, and while Xael got caught up with the children, Ash strolled over to her man, arm's quickly wrapping around his neck as she fell into his open arm's, kissing him lovingly.
"I'm sorry I left you with them," she purred, kissing him deeply, "Let me go get you a drink, and relieve you from these kids. See? Xael has it covered now."
Already, Emilia was on his shoulders and the other kids were chasing him around as he mock ran, staying just a few steps ahead of them. As Ashlin slipped inside, Xael took the quick minute to walk up to Braxton.
"Hey," he nodded, bouncing Emilia so she squealed in glee, "Thank you Brax."
At the questioning man's stare Xael continued, "I've known Ash for close to seven years now, and she's never trusted someone like she trusts you. She adores you, man. Whatever you are doing, just keep it up. I didn't think she'd ever get over Elijah, not after the way he strung her along, made her fall in love with him, and then tore her heart to shreds. Ash...she's been broken for close to a decade now, and I've never seen her with another man. Until she met you.
She told me you loved her. That you said it. The smile on her face when she told me that...thank you Braxton."
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