HUNTED

{ True redemption is seized when you accept the future consequences for your past mistakes. ~ Unknown.}

Aila walked out of the packhouse with Damon by her side, feeling better after their lovemaking. It certainly boosted her mood after seeing Hollie's parents, her own parents and then seeing Darren and making a decision on whether to end his life or not. However, their expressions were masked, taking on the roles of Alpha and Luna. The only way Aila knew Damon was still relishing in their early evening activities was through the bond. 

Now, they had showered and changed; Aila still wore what she chose earlier that day while Damon had to change out of his bloodstained clothes. Now he looked even more dashing in a black shirt, jeans and shoes, his sleeves rolled up and the top two buttons undone, revealing his chiselled chest.

"Stop thinking about our Alpha. We need to focus on the next task. Otherwise, you will be doing it again in the woods somewhere," Malia chastised.

The woods..

"Oh my goddess, I am putting ideas in your head now," Malia continued to jest.

"Don't act like I'm the only one here thinking all of this.. we are one of the same, Malia," Aila replied with a smirk. That shut her wolf up, who was acting all high and mighty.

Aila glanced to the side and saw Damon's smirk slowly dropping; he was facing ahead as they continued to walk towards the woods. Her mate was being sneaky again and listening to her thoughts; this time, it wasn't just her being caught but her wolf. 

Aila turned her head forwards once more, keeping her pace even next to Damon's. She looked behind her at the warriors trailing behind them with Darren chained up and barely shuffling his feet along the earth as his head hung down. Further behind their small group, she saw Finn, Ajax and Chiara. 

The shapeshifter looked a lot better than he did earlier; Aila could see clearly from where she walked that he was already annoying Chiara. She grimaced at that thought but narrowed her eyes slightly after seeing her put up with him. He put his arm around her shoulder and was talking about how she saved him earlier and looked after him; the Gamma didn't immediately shrug his arm off. Aila knew how quick that girl was, so it seemed the pair might be getting closer.

A smile formed on her lips, but she glanced at Finn so Chiara would not catch onto her thoughts. Her smile broadened more when she saw Finn's nervousness and how handsome he looked in a suit, minus a tie. Pride swelled in her, but she couldn't let it show until after the night was over. Instead, she mind-linked Finn as she turned back to face the front, "You will be fine."

"I think it's meant to be the other way around.." Finn chuckled.

"What is?" Aila queried as she eyed the stands coming into view and the pack already crowding, ready and waiting on her and Alpha Damon. 

"I'm meant to be worrying about you. I am your soon to be Delta," He continued. Aila refrained from grinning, but she rolled her eyes.

"But, we are friends first, Finn. Of course, I will worry about you too." Came her response before she climbed the stands meant for her and Damon. 

Beta Kane and Nairi were already seated near the two throne-like seats that were empty, waiting for Damon and Aila to sit at them. Aila immediately pulled Nairi into a hug and looked at the pair of them, Nairi was radiant, and Kane still looked tired and a little pale, but compared to the last time she saw him, he had significantly improved. His hair at least went back to their usual golden locks. Aila and Kane curtly nodded at each other before Damon clasped his hand with Kane's and slapping him lightly on the back.

Aila turned to face the crowd and felt her legs feel like jelly suddenly. There were a lot of fricken people. Damon reached out and held her hand, pulling her gently to his side as he mind-linked her, "Do what you came here to do. You were born to be this pack's Luna for a reason. You are a leader. Now show them that."

Aila gulped and felt her chest and stomach warm up by Damon's encouraging words. Tilting her chin slightly higher, she stepped forwards and gazed among the crowd of pack members, embracing her nerves and fear before pushing them to the back of her mind. With her single step forwards, the pack hushed their murmuring and sat down, letting her 'take the floor as it were. 

Aila looked back down at Darren, who kneeled on the ground, his head still lowered with two remaining guards by his sides. She was doing the right thing, she reminded herself. 

"Thank you for coming out at such short notice. I know times are tough at the moment with such incredible losses to this pack, and so I will not keep you too long. We are here tonight for two reasons. I was given a choice to decide Delta Darren Johnson's fate, and here it is. After interrogating him and looking into the events on Saturday, I hereby strip Darren from his pack leader role as Delta." Darren kept his head lowered, his body tense waiting for the rest of her speech. 

"He will NOT be exiled as a rogue, and he will NOT be killed either." Her words caused the crowd to murmur among themselves, but Aila kept her eyes fixed on Darren, who raised his head immediately with shock filling his features. 

"He will be given a second chance. Everyone makes mistakes-"

"His mistake was fatal!" Someone shouted in the crowd.

"Yeah!"

A woman stood up in the crowd, letting her presence known as she pointed at Darren, "My son is dead because of him! A rogue killed him!"

Aila raised her hand, and their shouts and pleas for Darren's death silenced immediately. She felt a surge of power flourish through her. She felt powerful standing before them, and with one hand gestured, a crowd of 500+ werewolves hushed instantly.

"I understand-"

"How!?"

Aila clenched her teeth and spoke from the heart, "I understand. I truly do! I lost my best friend," Her voice cracked, but she took a deep breath in and held her own, "I know how it feels to want revenge. BUT, but.." Her hands stayed in front of her, keeping the peace with her pack, "Darren was not the cause for the rogues attacking. He helped the pack and killed many that day." The crowd watched her intently, their faces relaxed, their anger diminishing from their faces as they listened to their Luna. 

"I know that Darren loves this pack, and he will prove to me.. NO. He will prove to YOU," She gestured at the crowd, "that he deserves to be here."

At her words, each member of the pack started thumping their chests with their fist. Their faces were intense as they gazed at their Luna. They approved of her decision, and she felt relieved. The sound reverberated through her chest, making her heart pound to the rhythm. 

She glanced down at the teary-eyed ex-Delta, who was looking at her strangely. Aila tilted her head slightly. Oh, he was thankful for not being killed nor exiled. She gave a single nod to the guards by his sides, and they removed the silver chains around his hands. 

"Do not make me regret my decision," She mind-linked Darren sternly.

Darren bared his neck, then, with his head still down, he backed away to the side of the crowd.

"Now, to fill the spot of the Delta role.." Aila's eyes went straight to Finn. "I have chosen Finn Sol."

Damon now came forwards, "Does anyone wish to challenge Delta Finn?"

The crowd was quiet as Aila searched it for anyone wanting to fight her friend. But seconds ticked by, and nobody came forwards. 

"Then let us proceed with the ritual," Damon continued.

Aila sat down at the throne-like chair, which was gold and had black cushioning. She watched as Finn had to cut his hand and put the sign of the goddess on his forehead with his blood as he recited the vows of the Delta role. It was quite a sight to see, and she felt herself swelling with pride again. 

As soon as he stood up, the beautiful moment was interrupted.

"Woooh!!!!" Aila snapped her eyes to Ajax, who ran to Finn's side, and they chest bumped each other. Aila stilled, worried about the pack's interpretation of their shapeshifter friend. But then she saw Ajax' and Finn's childlike faces, and she couldn't help but burst into a fit of giggles, which was soon followed by the pack.