HUNTED

The pack slowly dispersed from the stands, but as soon as Alpha Damon and Luna Aila dropped to the ground, those who wished to talk to them started to surround them. Finn was immediately by Aila\'s side, along with Tommy and Zeke. 

They were only there as a precaution; Damon already explained this to her and that she needed to get used to the guards. Aila was, after all, royalty as well as being a target for the hunters. 

Before Aila started engaging with pack members who were still yet to make her acquaintance, she noticed Darren slumped up against a tree. He looked at a loss of what to do with himself, his features still sad as he stared into space. Damon caught Aila\'s gaze and followed to where she was looking. His features hardened slightly, and he called Tommy closer to him, "Set Darren up in one of the new houses. Move him out of the packhouse tonight. Only the essentials for now; he can move everything else out tomorrow."

"Alpha." Tommy bowed before heading towards Darren.

Aila\'s attention returned to an elderly couple who praised her for showing mercy when many would have shown none. Aila smiled subtly at them, bidding them a pleasant evening when her brows drew together at another disruption.

"Alright, alright, stud coming through!" Ajax walked through the crowd, his hands raised, "Ow, ask before touching ladies," He winked as he passed some she-wolves who giggled. He then leaned into one, "I know, the world is a cruel place, sweetie." Then he raised his voice again, "Your Luna\'s right-hand man is needed!"

Aila and Damon glanced at each other; she rolled her eyes playfully while Damon raised his brow at the oncoming shapeshifter.

"How can I help you, Ajax?" Aila asked flatly as he smiled at her broadly and stood next to Finn. She turned her head to look at him, but he just placed his hands behind his back and looked ahead like the newly appointed Delta.

"Ajax.." She drawled.

He peaked at her slightly from Finn\'s side profile, still keeping some of his face hidden behind Finn\'s body. 

"Yes, my dear Luna?" He said in a singsong voice; his eyes were lit up in amusement. 

"What are you doing?" 

"Did you not hear me? I\'m your right-hand man. I need to be here protecting you, just like Finnick here."

"It\'s just Finn," Finn murmured as he kept his eyes vigilant on their surroundings. 

Aila pouted her lips and frowned, looking as though she was adding up a complicated calculation in her mind, until she finally replied, "So, this a buy one get one free sort of deal.. I asked for one Delta, but I get two?"

Ajax clapped his hands together and smiled broadly, "Yes! That\'s exactly right, baby! Although I don\'t want to be called Delta." He suddenly pouted. "I\'m more special than that." He winked at Finn, who narrowed his eyes and smacked him hard in the chest.

"Is that so," Aila muttered in amusement, with one side of her lips curled up as she tried to refrain from fully smiling. "Well, let me know when you do work out what you want to be called.."

"You are giving him the option?" Damon\'s deep voice floated across her mind. She looked at his incredulous face with a small smile on her own. 

She shrugged in response, "Why not."

"Well, your king is out of the question," Ajax\' words snapped her attention back to him with wide eyes. Maybe it was too soon giving him options. Damon growled in response to Ajax; the shapeshifter had, after all, unknowingly or well most likely knowingly challenged the Alpha, just for fun and because he can. Aila always protected him from any reprimands from Damon, but she couldn\'t always! 

Aila tilted her head back slightly and pinched the bridge of her nose while she counted to ten. "Obviously, that is out of the question, Ajax." 

Ajax started laughing, "You two are so easy to wind up."

Damon took a step towards him in warning, but Aila touched his arm and shook her head. A deep growl erupted from his chest, but Aila trailed her hand up to his jaw, and his glowing silver orbs flickered down to her. 

"Hello Darius," She whispered through the mind-link, then lifted onto her tiptoes and pecked him on the cheek. Damon\'s bristling form relaxed, and he leaned into her hand more as his eyes shimmered and went back to normal.

She removed her hand as the Alpha and Luna went back to their roles of talking to their pack members. After a few more well wishes, Aila and Damon began making their way towards the mansion with their guards and pack leaders. Ajax whistled a cheery tune from behind them with his hands in his pockets as he gazed at the Gamma, who approached them and congratulated Finn without glancing the shapeshifter\'s way. She then proceeded to walk by his side, who walked next to Aila and Damon.

Aila kept her gaze down as she listened to her boots crunching into the leaves among the earth, as she felt the slight breeze sweep some of her hair across her face. But she didn\'t mind; she felt content. It was then Aila realised it wasn\'t just her feet that could be heard; she glanced at their group and the guards. There were so many of them; she felt like royalty. Oh, snap, I am royalty!

"Did it really take you this long?" Malia remarked in a snarky tone. 

"No, I mean, it\'s just.. it hit me again, you know. We don\'t walk around wearing crowns, fancy outfits, live in a big fancy castle or make royal decrees," Aila replied to her wolf.

"Well, it\'s a bit more casual minus the balls that Damon keeps mentioning. And you live on an estate in a huuuuuge mansion, big enough to be classed as a palace! And soon enough, you might have to make royal decrees."

Aila\'s brows rose to her wolf\'s words. Well, she was right. But it was still odd; maybe in a few years, she would get used to it? If she made it a few years, that is.

"Oi, less of that negative energy, please. We are a Cross, you just whooped everyone\'s ass the other day, and you officially have 500+ pack members behind you."

Damon suddenly slid his hand into hers, gaining her attention. She could feel his emotions of worry radiating off him, but he was well composed as usual. It also indicated that he was listening to her. Damon is so nosey! He narrowed his eyes at her, and she stuck out her tongue to him playfully.

As playful as she had been, it made her a little wary about herself. Aila hadn\'t tried listening to his thoughts yet; was she really self-absorbed? His hand squeezed hers; she looked at him and saw him shake his head. 

Damon then brought her hand up to his lips, and he brushed them so softly she nearly felt her legs buckle both from want and from a flutter of butterflies in her stomach.

"Let\'s have a small celebration for Finn\'s new rank," He mind-linked her.