Chapter 5: Thunderstorm

Aria’s laughter was long and joyous. She hadn’t felt this like in so long; it made her feel alive again. She laughed at her twin’s antics; Andrew was currently James, and he was playfully challenging Convel, Caiden’s wolf. The poor fool didn’t know whether to take James’ challenge seriously, causing Convel to lose and reinstate another round to ‘reclaim’ his future title. It hurt her to laugh, but she was glad she felt safe enough to do so.

‘You look better than when you first arrived,’ Alpha Cyril said as he took a seat beside her. Aria beamed at him, moving her legs so he could sit closer.

‘It feels good to laugh again,’ she said. Alpha Cyril was kind enough to offer protection when they arrived at his border. Caiden was absolutely delighted to see them; he hadn’t seen them since the Thunderstorm-Blood Moon alliance broke seven years ago.

‘Here,’ Alpha Cyril handed Aria a bowl of soup. She smiled sadly at it, remembering their arrival. Cyril was worried about Aria’s her injuries, malnourishment and her abuse. He had her see his best physician, Doctor Zander Stewart, to check her over. It was a good thing he did; her injuries weren’t healed in the timeframe Dr Jamison said and in Aria’s malnourish form, not only was it going to take longer but she could have contracted a sexual disease. She was advised to stay for a week, and while she thoroughly disagreed, she was outvoted. Aria doesn’t regret staying; Cyril had done a marvellous job hiding them from Alpha Jack, and she reconnected with a childhood friend. But, she hopes her new x-rays showed she was healed enough to travel.

‘Thank you, Alpha Cyril,’ Aria said.

‘Go back to calling me Uncle Cyril, my dear.’

‘You are alpha of a foreign pack; I have to respect your title.’

‘I cannot believe your diplomatic already. I remember when you use to run around naked after your bath.’

‘And that’s embarrassing,’ Aria drawled. Cyril and Aria chuckled at the memory, growing sad as the pair of them reminiscence the better times.

‘Thank you for doing this, Cyril. I know we’re putting your pack in danger by being here,’ she said.

‘…Maybe so, but for Sierra and Killian’s pups, I would hide you from the warriors if I had too.’

‘Cyril…’

‘You forget, Aria, Sierra and Killian were my friends for the longest time. I would do anything to protect you and Drew,’ Cyril said.

‘…thank you, Uncle,’ she whispered. Cyril brightened and nudged her shoulder.

‘See? That’s better, isn’t it?’

‘Oh, shut up.’

Cyril let out a loud belly laugh, drawing Convel and James’ attention. Both ran over and dropped into play arch with wagging their tales, tongues flopping out of their mouths. Cyril pulled out a tennis ball, throwing it to the other side of the yard. Both wolves stumbled after it.

‘Are they wolves or domestic’s?’ Aria asked, and Cyril snorted.

‘Ready for your test? Zander is ready whenever you are,’ he said after a while. Aria hummed with a mouthful of soup, holding up a finger as she tipped the bowl back.

‘I’ll tell Laura you like her soup.’

Aria chuckled as lowered the dish to her lap and said, ‘You can tell her she makes the best food in this or any universe.’

‘Oh, and my cooking isn’t even up to par?’

Aria made a show of stroking her chin with the fakest, thoughtful expression she could muster and said, ‘Hmm, how to put this delicately?’ Cyril slapped his knee as the boys returned, Convel strutting proudly with the ball as Andrew panted behind him.

‘Phew, it’s nice to hear you're joking again,’ Cyril said as he stood, holding out his elbow for Aria to take. ‘Aria is getting her x-rays redone. You two hooligans coming?’ Convel yapped as James ran to their bag and changing behind a tree. Convel shifted where he stood, wearing the warrior training shorts designed to adapt when the wearer changed forms. When Aria asked how that was possible, Caiden said the magicians imbue each fibre with a spell to allow the human to trades places with their wolves and not be naked in their sanctuary or when they change back. Andrew was excited to get a pair, so he didn’t have to hide behind a tree when he shifts. Aria merely rolled her eyes when he mentioned that, but she didn’t help but want a pair herself.

‘It’s been a week already?’ Caiden asked, and Aria nodded. ‘You sure you can’t stay longer?’

‘As much as I want to, Cay, we can’t. Alpha Jack is bearing down on us, and I don’t want to get Thunderstorm in trouble,’ Aria replied.

‘But—’

‘I am sorry, my son. I afraid Aria is right. Jack is relentless in finding the twins; he’ll find them here sooner or later,’ Cyril interrupted.

‘And we don’t want to be the cause of a war,’ Andrew added as he walked up.

‘But Zander still has to give the okay?’

‘Yes, but—’

‘If he says no, you’ll stay, right?’

‘No,’ Aria said firmly, and Caiden growing elation quickly soured. ‘Whether he gives me the all clear or not, we will be going today.’

‘But…’

‘Cay, we’ve stayed long enough,’ Andrew said.

‘Said the man who wanted to stay,’ Aria coughed.

‘For you to heal, you ungrateful bitch.’

‘Why, thank you.’

The men stopped on their walk to the doctor’s office, gazing at Aria with a mix of confusion and surprise.

‘Pardon?’ Cyril asked, and Aria smirked.

‘When taken literally, the first meaning to the word ‘bitch’ is a female dog, wolf—’

‘Oh, sweet goddess,’ Andrew cursed.

‘—fox or otter, and since I am a female wolf, I am classified as a bitch.’

Caiden and Cyril glanced at each other before returning their attention to her as if she’s gone mad.

‘Maybe I should get Zander to do a PET scan,’ Cyril muttered.

‘Please, ask him. Otherwise, I’m going to listen to that for the rest of my life,’ Andrew said. Aria laughed as Cyril continued the walk to Zander, the three pups bickering over Aria’s humour for the word. Cyril simply shook his head and let them banter, knowing that Caiden will lose his friends today one way or another.

‘Alpha,’ Zander greeted when they arrived. ‘Miss Knight.’

‘We don’t get a greeting? How rude.’ Andrew muttered, smiling slyly at the doctor.

‘Miss Knight, would you mind if removed your brother’s tongue? He’s insolent again,’ Zander asked. Andrew went to defend himself but froze mid-syllable at Aria’s next words.

‘Sure, but try not to mark his face too much. He needs that to look pretty for his mate.’ Caiden burst out laughing as Andrew threw up his hands. Cyril and Zander shared a smile at the younglings comedy, Cyril rolling his eyes as his son laughs himself to the floor.

‘Oh, come on, Caiden, it wasn’t that funny,’ Andrew muttered, grumpily situating himself against the wall.

‘Miss Knight, if you hop onto the bed, please?’ Zander asked, and Andrew scoffed.

‘Be quiet now, brother,’ Aria quickly said.

‘I hadn’t said anything yet,’ Andrew exclaimed.

‘You were thinking about it.’

‘…bitch.’

‘Thank you.’

‘…this is definitely going to become a thing, isn’t it?’

‘Yep.’

‘Doc, could you do a PET scan of her brain? Please? I need to know if she’s cognitively impaired,’ Andrew said.

‘I’m surprised you know what that means,’ Caiden said, and Andrew gaped at him.

‘Now, listen here, you—’

‘Alright, the machine is ready. If you are not Miss Knight, wait in the hall,’ Zander rudely interjected. Cyril chuckled as he steers a worked up Andrew out of the room, Caiden not far behind him.

‘You put up with that?’ Zander asked, jabbing his thumb towards the door where they could still hear Andrew and Caiden bickering.

‘My life is never boring; I’ll tell you that much.’

‘Bless you, child,’ Zander squeezed her shoulder and stood the protective panel. ‘Now, take an even breath…and hold.’ Aria heard a bussing sound and a click. Aria exhaled and sat up once Zander removed the camera.

‘You can wait in the hall with the rest of your entourage; I’ll be out in a few minutes.’

‘Thank you, Dr Zander.’

‘Happy you assist you, Miss Knight,’ Zander said with a bow, offering his hand like he would for a dance. Aria, placing her hand in his, was helped down from the bed and escorted to the door.

‘You give her the royal treatment but regard me with only respect?’ Caiden asked.

‘Miss Knight is an absolute joy to be around. You are alpha-blood. Respect is an obligation,’ Zander replied, adding emphasis on ‘joy’ before he wandered off. Aria cracked a smile as Andrew burst into laughter.

‘You got told,’ Aria teased, and Caiden stuck out his tongue. Aria placed her hand over her ribs as Andrew continued their banter. While tender and sore, her ribs were undoubtedly better than when they first arrived. She knew they hadn’t healed, not completely, but she was hoping they were healed enough for them to leave. Aria glanced up at Cyril when he placed a hand on her shoulder, picking up on her saddening mood. The banter slowly came to a stop as Caiden and Andrew picked up on it too, shuffling closer to Aria to whisper.

‘Do you really have to go?’ Caiden asked, and Aria nodded. ‘But I just got you guys back. I don’t want to lose you again.’

‘We’ll stay in touch, Cay, that we promise,’ Andrew said.

‘We’ll call you when we reach White Warriors anyway,’ Aria added before turning to Cyril. ‘Did you call them to let them know we were coming?’

‘Yes, and I’ll give Alpha Declan another call when you leave,’ Cyril said.

‘Why can’t we drive them?’ Caiden asked.

‘Because Thunderstorm cannot be seen helping us. It’ll be easier if we just went on foot,’ Aria replied.

‘But that’s a week’s travel at least, longer still if you don’t take the direct path and through nomad’s land with both rogues and humans.’

‘We understand the risks, Cay, but that is what we are doing.’

‘Do not worry, my son, I have seen what a Knight’s fury can do…its beautiful and terrifying all at once,’ Cyril said, his expression both awed and wistful. Aria smiled as Andrew scoffed, Caiden pretending to gag by sticking his finger in his mouth. ‘Anyway, let’s just be thankful that her shoulder healed the first night here.’

‘Wow, the mood quickly changed,’ Zander said. Andrew and Caiden jumped at the unexpected approach. Aria rolled her eyes as she stood, standing with the doctor as he attached the image to the lightbox and turned it on.

‘Alright, Miss Knight, this here, here and here are your fractured ribs. These nearly healed, providing you give them another two or three days. However, your healing abilities are naturally slow and getting slower. I suspect your rejection may have something to do with it. Tell me, have you had any of the other symptoms?’

‘Which ones? There’s like a hundred,’ Caiden said, and Aria held up a hand.

‘No, I haven’t. Did you get those sexual diseases results back?’

‘Not yet, but I am testing for the major STDs so it may take a while.’

Aria nodded, stroking her chin before asking the tough question, ‘With my body as it is, can Andrew and I leave for White Warrior’s today?’

‘…I wouldn’t recommend it, but yes, you could make the journey. You would have to be careful, though. Something as minor as a scratch could easily get infected.’

‘I understand.’

‘Ari, maybe we should stay a bit longer?’ Andrew said, and Aria shook her head.

‘No. I bowed my head because A, you all ganged up on me when I was first checked out and B, the journey from Blood Moon to here was agonisingly painful. I said I give it a week, but then we’re leaving.’

‘Ari,’ Caiden pleaded.

‘We’re going, Caiden. That’s final.’

‘And you’re well aware that you could damage your ribs again?’ Zander asked, and Aria nodded. Cyril sighed, rubbing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose.

‘Aria, I do not think it’s a good idea,’ he said.

‘Uncle, you said it yourself. Alpha Jack is relentless in finding us, and we all know he has a short temper,’ Aria said.

‘No kidding,’ Sapphire muttered and yawned.

‘Morning, sleepyhead.’

‘Ugh, don’t remind me.’

‘Go back to sleep, Saph. We’ll be leaving today so get plenty of rest.’

‘Oh, good. Say goodbye for me and wake me when we’re there,’ Sapphire said before drifting back to sleep. Sapphire had become accustomed to staying awake while Aria slept and was often awake while her host was conscious; she got very little sleep. She was glad to feel safe enough to sleep during the day.

‘Caiden, have the pack assembled in the front yard. We’ll give Aria and Andrew a proper send-off,’ Cyril said. Caiden sighed and trudged off, head down and shoulders slumped.

‘If you’re going to go, then I’ll need you to watch Aria carefully over the next week, Andrew. I will forward my findings and the future test results to Doctor Ethan Hall, but you’ll need to keep track of rejection symptoms until you get there,’ Zander said.

‘I will, Doctor,’ Andrew replied.

‘Then travel safely, and hopefully, I get to see you soon, Miss Knight,’ Zander said, directing the farewells to Aria alone.

‘Unbelievable,’ Andrew muttered as he turned and left. Zander smirked, nodding at both Cyril and Aria and disappearing again. Aria retook Cyril’s arm when he offered, guiding her back towards the guest room.

‘You know, you could stay for another two days, let your ribs heal,’ Cyril said casually.

‘Uncle,’ Aria said as they stopped outside the bedroom.

‘Alright,’ he sighed, squeezing her hands and turning to leave. ‘I’ll get Laura and met you out front.’ Aria nodded, her heart sinking with each step he took. She sighed and entered the room, finding Andrew packing their things. He paused when he saw her expression and smiled sadly as he understood her problem.

‘You want to stay.’

‘Of course, I want to stay, but I wouldn’t live with myself if Blood Moon came after Thunderstorm,’ Aria replied as she sat on the bed.

‘When we get new phones, we’ll call Uncle Cyril and get their numbers,’

‘Do you one better, I’ll hand them to you now,’ Caiden said. He handed a folded paper to Andrew, and Aria smiled as he placed it in the bag. ‘Please, don’t go.’

‘Caiden—’

‘Please? I don’t want either of you to leave,’ Caiden interrupted Aria.

‘Cay, what’s wrong? You don’t usually act like this…from what I can remember,’ Andrew said, and Aria slapped his arm.

‘What’s bothering you, Caiden?’ Aria rephrased as she stood. Caiden looked away, a slight blush coating his cheeks. Deciding to just go for it, he moved closer to Aria, tilting her head and kissing her. Andrew was frozen as Aria released a startled moan, her eyes closing on instinct. Even Sapphire woke from her sleep, startled. When Caiden finally pulled back, Sapphire growled in warning as Aria gently push against his chest. Caiden respected her wish and retreated.

‘I know I’m not your mate or you mine, but I’ve loved you since we were pups…so much so that I wish we were mates,’ he said. Aria and Andrew were frozen, staring at each other in bewilderment while Caiden had a sudden interest in the floor.

Finally, Aria said, ‘Caiden, I love you too but not in that way. You have a mate out there, Cay. You—’

‘I know, and I know I don’t stand a chance with you. I knew deep down you wouldn’t be my mate, but I let myself fall for you anyway.’

‘I’m sorry, Caiden.’

‘I wished I was your Knight in shining armour,’ Caiden said. Aria chuckled at his attempt to ease the tension.

‘You’ll find her, Cay,’ she said.

‘Or him, I’m bisexual, you know.’

‘Damn, mad,’ both Caiden and Aria jumped at Andrew’s voice. ‘You two are making me horny.’

‘Andrew,’ both exclaimed, blushing to the roots of their hair.

‘What? It was getting mushy,’ Andrew said before turning serious. ‘But seriously, touch her like that again, and I’ll tear you a one, you hear me?’

‘Read you loud and clear, Colonel,’ Caiden saluted Andrew and quickly left.

‘Caiden,’ Aria called, but when he didn’t return, she faced her brother. ‘You could have been a little more sensitive with him.’

‘He shouldn’t have done it though, A. He could be rejected because of this.’

‘It’s a kiss. Sex, I can understand, but a kiss?’

‘If Chase kissed a girl, met you and told you about it; how would you feel?’

‘I’d feel hurt, yes but I wouldn’t reject him,’ Aria replied, and Andrew sighed frustratedly.

‘I’m asking the wrong woman here.’

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

‘You’re too—I don’t know—too understanding, I think.’

‘And that’s a bad thing?’

‘No, but—’

‘Then what is it?’ Aria asked. ‘Andrew?’

‘I can’t explain it…I feel protective of you, but I am also jealous.’

‘Jealous? Whatever for?’

‘I don’t know; it’s like the feeling isn’t my own. It’s like I’m jealous for Chase and I feel like I should be possessive of him as well. I don’t know,’ Andrew said, and Aria frowned.

‘And if it was reversed?’

‘I feel like it would be the same. Why?’

‘You’re bisexual, right?’

‘Yeah?’

‘Do you find Chase attractive?’ Aria asked. Andrew was completely dumbfounded, but he couldn't help his blush for the life of him. ‘Andrew?’

‘…Yes. I even have a crush on him, and that hasn’t changed since you two found out were mates. That hasn’t changed,’ he mumbled, looking away in embarrassment. Aria smiled and decided to throw him a bone.

‘You can breathe, Drew. Sapphire and I are…strangely okay with it.’

‘Seriously?’

‘Yeah, but one question…you don’t feel like that with me?’

‘As in…sexually?’ At her nod, he immediately added, ‘Aria, our bond close but not that close.’

‘Good. Did you finish packing?

‘Whiplash much? And yes.’

‘Oh, I have questions, but they can be for later. I want to get on the road as soon as possible.’

‘I’m going to get grilled soon, aren’t I?’

‘Oh, yeah.’

‘…I’m a dead man,’ he joked, and Aria laughed sarcastically. He shouldered their bag with a chuckle, following her out with a hand on the small of her back. She smiled, leaning into his side. She stopped suddenly when a sharp pain entered her chest, Sapphire whimpering in her sleep.

‘A?’ Andrew said. His was voice muffled and distant to Aria’s ears, but the pain left as soon as it came. Andrew was still worried as she touched where the pain hit her; it was directly over her heart.

‘Perhaps we should stay,’ he whispered, and Aria shook her head.

‘No, we’re leaving,’ she replied. She walked ahead, leaving Andrew to frown after her. He sighed and followed her to the front yard. He smiled as she took in the house, remembering as many details as she can. Andrew shook his head, heading towards Caiden and his parents. Laura enveloping him in a hug as soon as he was in reach.

‘Be safe, the pair of you,’ she whispered.

‘We will,’ he replied. Laura released him and hugged Aria, whispering into her ear too. Andrew turned to Cyril and Caiden, Cyril hugging him next and patting his back.

‘Get her there safely,’ he said.

‘Promise,’ he whispered, holding Caiden’s gaze as he said it. Caiden exhaled heavily, nodding in thanks before replacing his father.

‘I'm sorry, man. For my behaviour before,’ Andrew said.

‘It’s fine. I told Dad about it and asked if I could have time off to search for my mate. He said it was a fine idea. Now I need to get approval from the academy,’ Caiden replied.

‘When do you go back?’

‘Two weeks. I’ll put in notice when I return.’

‘Good, but maybe not right away, yeah?’

‘Oh, hell no,’ Caiden and Andrew laughed and hugged each other one more time. Andrew moved to mingle with the pack, spotting Aria doing the same on the other side of the yard. They met in the middle after a full circle, both smiling sadly. They didn’t say anything more, Andrew shifted behind a tree and James stood beside her. She straddled his back, Caiden handing her their bag.

‘The escort will take you as far as the border; be careful from there,’ he whispered.

‘Always,’ Aria promised. She looked to said escort, nodding her head as she gripped James’ fur. She shouted goodbye before James leapt into a run, following the chaperons until they left them far behind and travelled further into unclaimed territory.