HUNTED

The following days were filled with pack duties; Damon and Aila had been non-stop, the only time to themselves was gone midnight, and by then, they only had time to snuggle in bed before exhaustion took them away to sleep. The burial was arranged, and the pack leaders held meetings to discuss their next course of action for the missing children, the pack's protection, the hunters, and the new werewolves they created.

However, their meetings were never long enough, abruptly finishing with Damon and Aila called to a new issue or discussing over the phone with other Alphas about possible leads on the children. Aila occasionally wondered if the tips were fake. 

She discussed it with her mate after the fourth time in one day, they had left with thirty pack members to search for them in some new land or town. Damon agreed the leads weren't helpful, but what else could they do? They couldn't not follow it, in case it did lead somewhere.

Two evenings before the pack's burial, Aila received a phone call from Hollie's parents. They decided to hold a small funeral for her very last minute the following day. They were able to organise it so quickly due to her body not being found. 

So, a day before the pack's burial, Aila found herself sitting in a church and listening to the prayers for Hollie's soul to rest in peace. It was another reminder of how much her world had changed; she not only lost her best friend but one of the main ties keeping her linked to her old human self.

With a heavy heart, though, Aila did not stay long after the funeral and wished Hollie's parents a teary farewell. The longer she stayed there, the longer she believed she was putting everyone in danger by her presence. Aila would not put it past the hunters to crash a funeral to kidnap her, even if she did have twenty warriors patrolling a perimeter of where she was. 

She spoke to her own parents more briefly before she left. Mandy's worried expression never left her face as she watched Aila climb into her black SUV, followed by Tommy, Jake, Zeke and Finn. Ajax was in his shapeshifter form patrolling somewhere. 

Aila didn't know what animal he was, at one point she saw him as a big black bird, and then another a black dog, she only knew the dog was him because he still had his emerald, green eyes. There was a lot of muscle with her, but she wasn't taking any chances now. Not until the hunters were dealt with.

After Aila was sped away from the area, their car fell in line with other black SUV's, keeping the Luna in the middle of them. Her outlook had been bleak, even as she re-entered her estate, and fell into the loving arms of her mate. Aila happily stayed there for a while as his unexpected greeting warmed her heart. Damon had back-to-back calls with Alpha's, and she knew the last Alpha he had a meeting with was his father, so she did not expect to see him until the evening.

That was not the last time she wore black, not that she wore many other colours anyway, but the dress she wore to Hollie's funeral was replaced the next day with a black pantsuit and cami top with pointed heels for the pack's burial. Much like the day before, she felt the heavy burden and sorrow of the lives lost from the other day. What made it more challenging, though, was the bond between not just her and Damon but with the pack. She felt their overwhelming emotions hit her like a tidal wave.

Aila only hoped that now she was marked and mated with Damon, she was at least alleviating some of the pack's load on his shoulders. He squeezed her hand in a silent thanks as he finished his speech, a newer one than what was previously said five days prior at the burial of the thirteen. There were now twenty freshly dug graves in line with the previous graves under the trees near a clearing in the woods. 

Aila scanned the rows of pack members circling them and set her eyes on the Gamma. The pack leaders stood off to the other side of the Alpha and Luna, so she expected to see Chiara with them, but her lips pursed together when her eyes landed on the two figures standing by her side. Between the couple, Aila could tell where Chiara got her looks from, with her stunning face nearly matching her mother's, but her deep blue eyes the same as her fathers. Yet, the difference was, her eyes were not filled with tears; they were left with nothing but emptiness.

It was then Aila realised she had been staring at the Gamma, and her eyes quickly moved on after feeling her friend's eyes were also trained on her, unwavering. Unfortunately, her own flickered to Darren's, who looked as though he had not slept in days, yet he still dressed up smartly and looked on with sorrow-filled eyes. Shaking her head internally, Aila glanced to the far end, looking at the trees instead until the service had finished. 

This time she walked by her Alpha's side, hand in hand as they led their pack to the mansion; some followed them, and others left to their houses. Aila soon found herself again in the grand room with the piano, this time the patio doors left open with multiple tables and chairs for the many pack members. She never thought her house would fit 500+ pack members, so she was glad for the marquis as well. The weather had stayed gloomy for both days, matching the grief-stricken atmosphere. 

Aila stood by Damon's side, with Finn and Ajax nearby; she convinced Finn there was no need to be on guard when most of the pack was surrounding them. But as she sipped on her the cooling glass of white wine, she left her mate's side and found Chiara, immediately pulling her into a hug. Chiara's stiff form relaxed after the first awkward five seconds, and she patted Aila on the back as though she was comforting her.

"How are you feeling?" Aila asked in a mind-link as she pulled back to look at her.

Chiara shrugged, "I don't really know, A. Uncomfortable." Her eyes flickered around the room and landed on her parents again. 

"You don't have to be here if you don't want to, you know that, right?" Aila replied with concern filling her features.

Chiara smiled gently, on that did not reach her eyes, "I have to, for them."

She tilted her chin in her parent's direction, and Aila followed it. 

"How have they been?" 

"It's just hard. Because Lydia was a bitch, one that tried to kill me, caused the deaths of many, not just this time but before and.." She released a breath, "And the death of Xander.. But, she is still their daughter.. you know?" 

Aila nodded her head. "I understand. It must be hard. She was also your sister.." She peered at her friend and wished she hadn't brought it up. The Gamma's face darkened, and a slight growl ripped through her lips.

"She hasn't been my sister for years.." Although her voice was strong through the mind-link, Aila could see in the depths of her blue eyes a snippet of sadness washing over, but she composed herself once more, and she cleared her throat. "If you will excuse me, Luna. I need to get some fresh air," She muttered aloud and escaped through one of the patio doors.

Not long after the Gamma left the room, Aila saw Ajax part crowds swiftly to follow behind her. Aila's brows furrowed; she hoped the shapeshifter would escape unscathed. Otherwise, that was another grave she would be digging.

Malia snickered. "I don't think now is the right time for such jokes!"

"Hmm, now is the perfect time, especially when you see two of your friends.. completely opposite to each other, interact. I just hope Ajax doesn't say anything stupid.." Aila sipped from her glass, her eyes still trained on the open patio doors, ignoring one of the servants who passed by with a silver tray full of finger foods.

"When does Ajax ever say anything that isn't stupid.." Malia smirked.

"He has his moments, though.. Maybe she will be good for him," Aila replied to her wolf pensively as she thought back to the times Ajax comforted her and the sorrow on his face when he mentioned a possible past love.

Malia read her mind and replied, "You know what they say.. Opposites attract.."

Aila's brows drew together, and she snapped out of her daze from her wolf's comment. "Since when did you speak to anyone other than me?"

"I have been watching you your whole life, you know! I hear phrases!" Malia huffed and went back into the depths of Aila's mind just as a pair of arms slithered around her, and an earthy, woodsy scent filled her nostrils. She sagged into her mate with a sigh as he kissed her neck.

"Everything okay?" Damon's deep voice rumbled through her. 

She nodded her head. "Ajax has gone to comfort Chiara," She mind-linked him. 

Damon pulled back and rounded her with wide eyes, a sly smile curving his lips. "Are you telling me I'll finally be rid of the shapeshifter!?" He replied, making Aila shake her head and slap on the chest.

Maybe she should check in on them if she hadn't seen him in ten minutes?