HUNTED

After ordering their drinks and some food at the bar, they sat down at a table next to the window. The bar they sat in had that typical bar-like smell; a mixture of stale ales and beers, polish, and cleaning solution to hide the age of spilt alcohol over the years. The music playing was from an old jukebox, adding to the charm of such a place. The only other bars Aila had ever been to would be back at the student bars and clubs; even then, the smell was the same but covered with sweat, but the décor was more of a modern finish, unlike this place.

Aila was content though, it was away from everything happening, and it felt nice to be in a slightly busy bar. She sat comfortably in silence as she people watched; their spot was the perfect location to do so. Whether that was from the near-empty streets outside or some regulars in the bar who asked the barmaid personal questions only a regular would ask about. 

Aila continued to look outside the window and watched as a mother and child holding hands came into view and darted across the road, reaching a man who the mother kissed; she presumed was the father or father figure. They were an adorable family. 

Aila's mood darkened, and the guys watched her in concern. She sighed, then glanced back at Ajax and Finn before taking a sip through a straw from her fizzy drink. She stared at the table as she slurped on her drink, getting lost once again in her own thoughts.

Her parents, the Alpha King and Queen, were so loving towards her and each other from what she remembered. As a child, she would sometimes sit and watch them happily, smile when they smiled, laugh when they laughed, even if she did not understand why they laughed. Little Aila was happy because they were happy. 

Even then, she was unaware of her full potential. Or so she thought? Who knew? There were parts of her memories missing. She wondered if it was her witchy mum's doing by putting a spell on her or if her mind could not handle such painful memories and blocked it out. If she was there at her parents' death, or if she was the one at fault, she would not want to remember such gruesome scenes. 

Her parents… Who left her a kingdom to run…

Lydia's words suddenly came back to her, "Your so-called future Luna just ran out on a pack meeting when things got tough."

Even with the set-up from Lydia and Darren, who she suspected was working together for this exact scenario, Lydia was right. One sentence from Darren about her parents and she fled the scene. A leader, a Luna, A QUEEN would never do that. She scoffed at herself.

"What happened in the meeting?" Aila jumped slightly by the sudden interruption of her reverie. She looked to the side to see Finn eying her with concern. 

"You were doing so well. The pack were behind you, they still are.. but.. what did Darren say?" Finn probed; she glanced at him, released the straw from her lips, and sat back in her chair. 

"He mentioned something about my parents.."

Finn and Ajax waited patiently while Aila put her thoughts and words together. 

"He said it was my fault they're dead." 

Aila's head snapped to the side when she heard a glass break. In Finn's hand was the glass he was drinking from; he accidentally broke it. He opened his palm to let the shards, liquid, and blood fall onto the table. Finn wiped them off as though they were crumbs and gestured for Aila to continue. 

"Erm," Aila looked away from Finn's slightly bloodied hand. So much blood.. The image was as clear as day; the blue dress she wore was covered in blood. Aila shook her head and continued, "Apparently, I was there.. But I don't remember, or so I thought. I've only had a few distorted memories coming back to me."

"The first showed a body on the ground in the hallway.. The second.. I don't really remember. But there was so much blood on me," Aila looked at her palms as though the warm liquid was still there on her hands.

"That's nonsense," Finn spat. Aila looked at him in surprise.

"Your parents' death was not your fault. Whether you were there or not.. You were a child, Aila.." His face had hardened, and he clenched his fist together again, scoffing at the idea.

"I know, I think.. It's just.. what I saw," Aila sighed. She felt so drained, and it wasn't just from the sparring session with Damon.

Ajax reached his hand out and gently rubbed hers on the table, "Whatever happens, me and Finn are here for you."

"Thanks, guys. I'm sorry about all this mess," she replied and coolly removed her hand away from Ajax's, smoothly grabbing her straw as a means to why she pulled away from his gesture. However, the small action made Ajax scowl and look at Aila like a hurt puppy. Aila grimaced on seeing his handsome, usually cheerful face look at her with such hurt.

"I know you mean well, but you have to be more careful. I don't want you to lose your hand," Aila stated.

Finn burst out laughing from the shock written all over Ajax's face.

"Come on, you know I'd never actually make a move on you.. For one thing, my charms would be too overbearing for you, and you wouldn't be able to resist me.. I'd feel bad for Damon."

Aila arched her eyebrow, "Is that so?" she muttered drily. 

"And I don't go after anyone who is already taken," All jest was gone from his face as he looked at her genuinely, "I do have some morals, you know." He cracked a smile.

"Aaaand he's back," Malia chuckled. 

The food arrived then, and they dug in immediately. Ajax and Finn ordered two burger meals, whereas Aila wasn't very hungry and only nibbled on her own chicken burger. The waitress also cleared up the broken glass and looked at Finn questionably. 

Aila's phone buzzed again, and she saw another message from Hollie. Instead of opening it, though, she faced her phone down and looked glumly at the remaining fries on her plate. 

"What else is wrong?" Finn mind-linked her while he devoured the last of his burger; his mouth filled up like a raccoon stuffing food in its cheeks.

"I miss doing stuff like this. Chilling without any worries. This past month has felt like six months. Everything that has happened.. Everything I am about to take on.."

"Enough," Ajax slammed his girly cocktail down. Aila and Finn jumped in surprise. "Oops, I didn't mean for it to be so dramatic."

"Now he worries about being too dramatic?" Finn muttered under his breath, making Aila's lips twitch as she held back a smile. 

"We took you out of that place so you can cheer up and have fun.. Waitress!" He waved her over, "Darling, what's fun around here? And still open?"

The brunette waitress blushed under Ajax's gaze and pinpointed a few places.

"Excellent! An escape room it is!"