Chapter Five: Stay the Night With Me
Tuesday
Azrael's POV:
It had been a restless night, my wolf, Lex, denied letting me have a moment of peace. He was adamant that I should immediately wake my brothers and head back to Dark Storm. Lex was never one to voice his thoughts much, nor did he talk to me much. Like my brother's wolves, Lex made his presence known when he sensed danger or when he tried taking control if I was fooling around with she-wolves. He wasn't favouring me f*****g other she-wolves that weren't his mate, and often snatched control from me at times.
I knew my brothers had these problems with their wolves as well. However, none of us wanted to confirm it. Finally, our pride got us, especially Ezekiel and Sam.
So here I was now, sitting with my brothers, our parents, our future Beta, Luca, and the current Beta, who was Luca's dad, cranky and sleep-deprived at the Alpha accession meeting at Dark Storm. By the looks on my brother's faces, they too had a rough night, and did not seem to care what the Alpha of White Water pack had to say. We had arrived about three hours ago and were pulled into the meeting, with the discussion running into the fourth hour.
I see Ezekiel lost in his thoughts from the corner of my eye, which was not like him one bit. Despite us being quadruplets, he sought to be more responsible in these situations. I felt terrible for my elder bro at times, so much was expected of him compared to us to be accountable and take charge being the eldest.
‘Bro, you good? You seem kind of lost,’ I said, mind-linking him.
‘ I don't know why but Ace has been antsy since last night. He usually never behaves like this. I can't help but worry if there's some incoming threat, and seeing all these Alphas snuggled up with their Lunas is making him jealous,’ replied Ezekiel over the mind-link.
Well, the feeling was mutual. Lex was pretty much like Ace. If only we had our mate, she would be able to help us and our wolves to calm down. I sighed.
I was brought back to the meeting, my thoughts cut short, when dad started talking;
"May the Alpha Quadruplets rise to their expectations, and help bring more procurement and prosperity to the Dark Storm Pack during their reign, and may the Moon Goddess bless them. The Alpha ceremony will be held on Sunday, and I hope all of you will be able to make it with your Luna and families. Till then, I bid you goodbye".
As soon as father had concluded the meeting, the other Alphas left with him and mom to his office to discuss prospective trade contracts to present to the Supreme Alpha's pack up north, formally known as the Supreme Diamond Pack. The Diamond Moon Pack hardly became allies with packs not from the north. They were known as the strongest and biggest pack in the north, which could make them valuable allies for us, but they seemed adamant on any treaties. They reported to the triplet Lycan Kings of all the lycan/werewolves species.
"Well, I could use a drink!” said Zeke, as we all left the conference room with Luca.
I could defiantly use one or maybe two. As soon as we stepped into the packhouse living room, Aria came running and jumped into my arms. Along with Cassandra and Ivy jumping into Zeke and Sam's arms, I could see Ezekiel roll his eyes and walk ahead with Luca from the corner of my eye.
"Why didn't you tell me you were back. I had to find out by the other she-wolves in training!” said Aria, while trying to suppress annoyance.
"Aria, you know very well I was away and had to report to my dad about the events at Red Crescent, and then we had the Alpha accession meeting. You need to understand that I will be an Alpha soon and I have other duties,” I replied, saying it a little more harshly than I meant to.
I wasn't usually a guy to lose his cool, but with hardly any sleep last night, and having to go through a four hour long meeting, while watching the Alphas and Lunas present snuggle up to one another, hasn't got me in the best of moods.
Aria just looks at me dumbfounded. Feeling bad for my outburst, I peck her lips and put her down, holding her hand while walking in the direction where Luca and Ezekiel went. I see that Zeke and Sam, along with their girls, follow suit. We all ended up in the entertainment room.
Zeke's POV:
After meeting up with the girls in the living room, we all ended up in our entertainment room or man cave, as I liked to call it. My bros had designed this place when we were students back at the academy. Since mom wasn't a big fan of walking in on horny teenage male wolves making out on her sofas in the living room, we would take them to the entertainment room whenever we had our friends over.
Well, it was a tiny house on its own in the packhouse. It was a two-storey place, with the lower storey having four eighty-eight inch TVs, with the latest X-box and PlayStation on the market, surrounded by beanbags and recliners, a couple of arcade-type games in the corner, and a not so mini mini-bar with shelves and shelves of expensive alcohol. The upper story was more of a laid-back area; with a projector and screen, and a large custom u-shaped sectional made for at least twenty people, with a candy dispenser, popcorn machine, and another bar in the corner. There was also a pool table behind the sectional for the occasional games my brothers used to play.
Ivy and Sam were in the corner on one of the recliners making out furiously. Looks like he'll be vanishing in a bit by the way they’re going at it, and him being a horny b*****d. Cassandra was on my lap talking to Aria about their mall trip tomorrow.
Apparently, Aria was adamant about taking Azrael with her. I could tell Azrael was moments away from snapping. Azrael wasn't the type to be forced. He only did what he wanted to do. Aria was getting on his nerves, and I was convinced they would break up anytime now with how things have been with them lately.
Lately, Cassandra has become a nuisance, demanding constant attention, and arguing about the dumbest things. Ivy was none the wiser, she just copied whatever Aria and Cassandra did. I was convinced Sam purposely chose the slow ones to avoid the drama. His relationship was comparatively smoother than ours. We weren't the best boyfriends, but we respected whoever we dated. We were, after all, their future Alphas, and did not want any malice later when we ascended.
Between all four of us, I thought Ezekiel had it best. He never dated, but the number of girls he bedded was way more than us three combined, which I didn't know how well that would sit with our mate once we find her. I was brought out of my thoughts when I heard a loud growl. I saw Luca coming down the stairs fuming, eyes black, with Ezekiel on his heels pissed as well. Sam was nowhere to be seen as I had predicted, he was probably back in his room with his d**k up Ivy's ass or something. I patted Cassandra on her ass to get up, and went towards Ezekiel and Luca with Azrael behind me.
"What's up, bro?" I asked Ezekiel. Before he could reply, Luca spoke with a scowl on his face,
"Han is dead drunk out of her mind at the local pub with unmated wolves swarming around her. Her friends didn't bother to call me."
A low growl left my brothers and I, and we all darted out to go pick her up. But before we could get into the car, Luca turned to us, and said as he sensed our wolves were at bay in a formal tone,
"Alphas, with all due respect, I would like to go pick up my mate by myself. I would like to talk to her alone, and with all of you going there it might attract unnecessary attention,” all while bowing his head. I scowled, I knew Luca was Hannah's mate, but she was our baby sister, so how could he demand to go by himself!
"As much as I disagree with you, Luca, I understand. Bring her back to the packhouse instead of the academy quarters. She is to stay the night here. Let us know when you've picked her up and have her back here,” said Ezekiel, Azrael nodding in agreement.
As much as I disagreed with them, I did not protest. We had to show a united front in front of everyone. Luca nodded, got into his corvette, and speeded off. I knew Hannah would be alright.
Werewolves didn't tend to stay drunk for long, but she was still my baby sister, and the thought of horny wolves around her did not sit well with me. I could only imagine how Luca was composing himself. If it were my mate, she wouldn't even be allowed to go without my brothers or me or a pack warrior. I sighed and went back inside.
Emerald's POV:
It had been over thirty minutes since Axel had called Luca to pick up Hannah. Axel and Ela were sitting with Hannah and I in our booth, while Ian and Jer were busy grinding against two she-wolves they had picked up earlier.
They kept trying to take me to the dance floor, but eventually stopped when Axel threw a threatening look at them. Elijah and Leah had left, probably to complete the mating process. Just the thought was making tears well up in my eyes again.
I tried pushing the idea to the back of my mind by taking care of Hannah. She was slowly recovering. We hardly got buzzed, and would eventually be sobered in an hour or so. Hannah was slowly recovering but was rubbing her temples, trying to soothe her throbbing head.
"Beta Luca just texted me, he’ll be here in the next five minutes,” Hannah shot Axel an angry look. She wasn't happy that Axel had called Luca, and when Hannah received Luca's call, she got an ear full.
Apparently, she's expected to head back to the packhouse as her brothers want a word with her. But, before she could open her mouth to give Axel another scolding, Luca entered, and walked towards us with a deep scowl etching his face. I've hardly ever seen Luca angry, and the sight in front of me told me that I would never want to see him mad ever again.
"As much as I would love to take you over my knee right here and now, your brothers are waiting for you. I expected more from you, Han,” before Hannah could reply, Luca held up his palm, and picked her up bridal style. As soon as Luca took one step away from us, I heard Hannah say,
"I get you’re mad, Luca, you have every right to be, and I take full responsibility. I'll even go back with you and meet my brothers. But Em went through a lot today, and despite her pain, she took care of me. What type of best friend would I be if I abandoned her when she needed me most? So I want her to come along with me to the packhouse, so she and I can have a night to ourselves,” Luca grumbled a bit but agreed. They both then turned to look in my direction.
My face paled. As much as my heart soared at that moment for the love Hannah had for me, I did not want to go to the packhouse.
Leah was the daughter of a prominent pack warrior, and was popular at the academy. I was pretty sure by tomorrow, the pack members would know she had found her mate. But, unfortunately, her mate was none other than my ex-boyfriend. I just didn't want to face anyone. I had already planned on hiding out with my face in a tub of Ben and Jerry's for at least tomorrow, to gather the courage needed before I went back to the academy. Being at the packhouse would not only put me in the spotlight for everyone else to attack me with their harsh words, but I would not have my privacy.
"I don't know what I would do without you, Han, but I'm okay. I'll have to get over it eventually. As much as I would love to spend the entire night with you to do our own thing, you know how I feel about the packhouse,” I said, choosing my words so she would not think I was avoiding her.
"Seriously, love? You can fool everyone, but not me. The first thing that gave you away was that you drank so much. Since when do you even drink, because I don't remember? Secondly...,” replied Hannah, crossing her arms as she snuggled closer to Luca. I just sighed, this girl knew me all too well. She knew I hardly ever drank, this probably being my third time. I wasn't one for parties, drinks, and one-night stands. I thought of giving it one more try, but before I could say anything, Hannah cut me off and said,
"I know you hate it there, fine, I get it. But listen carefully, Emerald Hutton, if you don't come back with me tonight, I'll think you don't consider me your best friend, hell even a friend. I know it's blackmail but please, Em, do this for me. Plus, you'll give me a reason to dodge my brother's wrath quicker,” she said, while trying her best not to smirk.
I just sighed, this girl will honestly drive me insane one day. I saw Luca getting impatient from the corner of my eye, and then suddenly his eyes glazed over. He was probably mind-linking someone.
"Okay, we must go. The Alphas want you back home, Hannah, right now. Emerald, I don't know what happened to you, and I won't ask since it's your private matter, but I think Han is right. Staying alone confined in your room won't help. You should stay over with her tonight. I have some important paperwork to do tonight anyway, so I wouldn't be able to sleep with her,” Hannah frowned at Luca, probably for not telling her that he didn't plan to come to bed with her.
I giggled. That was Hannah for you, she could go from the most loving person in the country, to a wild cat in mere seconds. She probably even forgot that she offered to sleep with me tonight after she heard Luca was already planning to stay up.
Luca was right, probably sulking in my room wasn't going to help, so going with them would be better. I nodded my head. Han jumped out of Luca's arms and hugged me. We went to our friends to let them know we were heading home. We hugged everyone, and thanked them for coming out. Just as Hannah was about to embrace Axel, Luca's arm came around her, pulling her back to him with his head in the crook of her neck.
"Mine,” he said in a low growl. Axel put his hands up in surrender, and started laughing with us. Hannah just kissed Luca while rolling her eyes over his possessiveness, and then we were off.
The packhouse was a forty-five minute drive from the pub, during which Luca would not shut up about how Hannah had broken her curfew, rules, and whatnot. I just rolled my eyes, listening to them bicker.
"Love, you know we care, that's why your brothers and I are upset. I was just scared if you were safe or not,” said Luca, trying to lighten up Hannah's mood. Hannah continued to ignore him, looking out the window.
"Ugh, fine, I'm sorry. I'll try controlling my anger, but you have to compromise with me, my love,” Hannah smiled, whipping her head in Luca's direction and nodding. Then she pecked his lips, and told him she was also sorry.
I was glad they had stopped arguing, it was sort of giving me a headache, but more importantly, Hannah was happy again. I knew they loved each other insanely, and wouldn't stay mad at one another for long.
The rest of the ride went along in comfortable silence, but as we neared the packhouse, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to happen, something life-changing.
We arrived in front of the large spiked black gates, where the guards saw Luca, and immediately opened them for us. We drove down the long driveway that didn't seem to end. Once the car stopped, Luca first helped Hannah out, and then offered his hand for me to get out. As soon I placed my hand in his and got out of the car, I felt a rush of wind, and four bodies pressing against me,
"MINE, MATE!” said four similar voices with a menacing growl. Everything went dark after that.