HUNTED

Aila was dressed in her silky nightdress in bed when Damon marched into the room, showing off his glorious naked body that she did not mind eying one bit. As soon as his eyes locked with hers, a low growl emanated from his chest. He stalked towards her, climbing onto the bed and crawling to her, so he lay above her. His hips trapped hers beneath him; his forearms lay next to her face, keeping her nice and snug under the covers.

"That wasn't very nice, Aila," He growled. His face was close to hers now, and she could feel the warmth radiating off of him. Aila sighed after feeling his lips on her neck, leaving small kisses trailing down her collarbone and back up to her face. He left a light kiss on her lips before moving on and repeating his kisses on the other side of her neck. Leaving behind a trail of tiny fiery sparks in their wake. 

Aila removed her arms from under the covers and wrapped them around the back of his neck. Damon pulled back and lifted her up from her clinging onto him alone before grabbing her bum and shifting. She now had her legs wrapped around him, and the covers still leaving a thin line of protection between their lower regions. Their lips crashed into each other, and their kiss became passionate; the fatigue they felt immediately swept away. For their desire to mate burnt brighter.

A small moan escaped her lips as she felt his tongue exploring her mouth, sucking on her, making her tremble from underneath his touch causing a small throbbing in between her thighs. Aila couldn't help but grab onto his toned back; her body became heated, ready for him, and she urged him on by raking her nails into his muscles slightly. A low growl erupted between them, and he threw her back down on the bed, his eyes glowing as he ripped the silk bed sheet away.

Damon's hand crawled up her thighs, slowly getting closer to her core; her breathing became short in anticipation until his hand stopped from the sound of his phone going off. He cursed under his breath and met her eyes, his own suddenly back to normal as he looked at her apologetically.

"You can text them back after.." She whispered and bit her lip when he pulled back with an exasperated sigh and reached for his phone on the bedside table closest to the door. 

"I'm sorry, but no one messages me this late unless there is a problem.." 

Aila watched as the screen light from his phone beamed on his face, and his eyes began reading what the message said. 

"Would they not mind-link you.." Aila began but then quietened when she realised it might not be someone from the Silver Crescent Pack.

"It's my dad." He replied and abruptly stood up, pulling some boxers on before placing the phone against his ear. His back was stiff, and his whole demeanour had changed as he began to pace in front of the bed.

"Hey, what do you mean there's been another attack?" Damon began speaking to the man on the other side of the phone call. 

With the mood ruined and the tension radiating off Damon, Aila remembered her phone had a dead battery. She searched for it while casually listening to one side of the conversation:

"How many has that been now?"

"Do you think they are working together?"

"Okay, okay."

Aila plugged her phone in to charge and sat cross-legged on the bed, watching Damon, who now leaned against the high bedpost of the canopy, his hand grasping the wood tightly, his eyes flickering between hers, face hard and unreadable.

"We were attacked last night.. No, no.. a vampire.. yes, a vampire. Look," He palmed his face and rubbed his tired eyes, "we need to get a few things straightened my end. I can't come until that is sorted…"

Damon sighed and looked away from Aila, "And I have my pack to run." He snapped, "I will be there Saturday." He hung up the phone and threw it on the sofa before turning back to Aila. Damon's expression darkened from the conversation, and he climbed onto the bed, resting his back on the mattress, and raised his arm above his head on the pillow. 

Aila scooted over to the side and lay down, sideways, facing him, her elbow keeping her head up as she assessed his features. He sighed and looked at her, "There have been more rogue attacks, but my dad said there was something different about these ones. They haven't attacked his pack but the packs he commands. We are setting up a meeting with other Alphas on Saturday.

"So, when we get up later, I need to speak with the families and organise a burial for the deceased for Friday." He continued.

Aila stroked the side of his face, an action that made him look at her adoringly, "Then I will help you. That's in two days. Tell me what I need to do to help, and then we can leave on Saturday without any issues."

Damon softly grabbed her hand and kissed the back of it before placing their hands on his chest, "Angel, I appreciate you helping. But Saturday, you cannot come. Not yet."

Aila parted her lips to argue, but he continued, "They can only meet you once you have had your coronation."

Her mouth shut together with a huff, and she grumbled, "Well, that's just stupid.."

"I don't think you want to be there anyway. It will be a long discussion with arrogant Alpha's trying to show off how superior they are. Unlike myself, who is used to your… disobedience. They would not act kindly to it and see it more as a challenge."

Aila's lips thinned at his response, "Okay, well, I need to go to these things when I am 'officially' Queen." She air quoted with her fingers, "and I will work on my social etiquette before then." She pouted at the amount of work she still needed to do. 

"Hmm, maybe I should create a schedule for everything I need to learn.."

"I can speak to Charles about that,"

Aila blinked; she didn't realise she spoke out loud. A small smile crept up her lips, and she nodded her head, "Okay."

"Now, come on. We need to sleep. There's a lot to be done before my departure." Damon yawned and reached out to her, rolling her towards him, so her head lay on his chest. Aila made herself comfy, bringing her leg over his and wrapped her arm around him.