Green: Raging Vortex

"Aries you have a minute?" Zephyr asked as I kept my focus on the screen.

"Yeah." I replied as I managed to dodge his character's attack with a block. I mentally sighed in relief as I moved the tempo of the fight in my favor within a few minutes.

Zephyr remained quiet as his gaze never left the screen as well. The clicking of our controllers was reverberating through the room for a few minutes before a groan escaped Zephyr's lips as his character takes a massive hit from mine. I grinned as I started to continued my assault on his character.

"Aries..." Zephyr spoke once more.

"Yeah." I absent mindedly replied.

"Have you decided on how many kids you're going to have with Blake?"

The query caught me off guard as Zephyr was in mid combo when his character strike with deadly accuracy and dealt a massive chunk of damage on my character. The screen flashed the defeated animation and I slowly looked at him. Zephyr had the look of surprise as he didn't expect me to be stunned by his question.

"Wh-what?" I croaked a question as Zephyr turned to look at me before turning to look at his side with a tint of a blush in his cheeks.

"Kids... If you plan to have one." Zephyr ran his hand over his nape as he averted his gaze at me.

I already placed the controller on the table in front of us before raising a confused brow.

"Why are you asking this now?" I asked.

"I was curious... Now that everything seems going well with you and him as well as your fathers..." Zephyr trails off as he buried his reddened face over his palms. "... And I was planning to , uhm, wanted to have a few with Frank as well."

My eyes widen in surprise before pausing to think about it. Blake and I never talked that far yet. Even with our constant urges, we haven't talked about doing the mating yet. Alone having kids... But it was a curious yet interesting query that piqued my interest.

"Didn't know you are thinking that ahead." I mused as I returned my gaze at the screen. "But I guess its normal..."

Zephyr chuckled lightly as he was pinning my character in a corner or that he found my statement amusing. I grinned as I turned the tables as I saw an opening and viciously stunned his character as I followed up with a deadly 1-2-3 combo!

"Damn, you got me there." Zephyr chuckled.

"That's what you get from getting too cocky..." I smirked.

Zephyr whistled then grabbed a can of soda at the table and took a quick swig of its carbonated coldness. He placed the controller down and leaned back.

"Honestly, I gave it a thought back then when you said I would be dotting parent at my kids and it got me thinking..." He sighed. "... Maybe I might be. And having a couple of pups running around wouldn't be bad. I already have a great mate and the packs seems promisingly going ahead in a great future. I have it great and I'm not complaining."

I smiled at him as I placed my controller down as well.

"So you're adopting?" I asked.

He turns to look at me and smiled.

"Maybe. We haven't discussed the full details yet." He looks at the screen and grinned. "Whatever decision we come up to I'm sure well be happy nonetheless. We're going to love them either way."

I nodded in agreement.

Zephyr looked at me with a glint of mischief in his lips.

"Well, you should get going... The packs not going to merge with you two not being mated yet." Zephyr jests making my cheeks flare up. He let out a hard chuckle at my reaction as he slaps his hand over his leg. "You're reaction is priceless, Aries. Don't tell me you feel embarrassed thinking about that? We're all grown men here, sooner or later you two are going to hit the hay and actually do some loving." His eyebrows raised as eyes showed a glint of mischief.

I really could feel my cheeks heat up this time. I buried my face in my palms and grunted.

A light chuckle escaped Zephyr's chest.

"I don't need this from you too." I groaned. "Mother and Klamira already are too much for me already."

I heaved heavily at the recent memory of the two older women talking freely about my mating with Blake in the open. Around the pack. In front of me!

"Come on, Aries. I know you already had plans on asking him the question already." Zephyr stated.

I groaned again.

"I do but it isn't easy..." I hummed. "Blake's a complex guy. Our relationship is kinda complex."

"What's complex about your relation with him?" Zephyr raised a brow at me. "You're mates. It's not complicated on what goes next knowing that fact."

I paused and think about his words. I know that we're mates. Mated Werewolves were known and expected to end up together. But it felt different with what Blake and I have. I know I love him and by Blake's own actions, I assume he has the same feelings towards me as I am for him. It should be an easy way street. And yet I feel, something that we haven't reached in our relationship yet that's missing.

I leaned back on the seat and gave a sigh.

Blake was a handful through out our relationship. I sometimes think I am the only one putting effort on making this work. But I also know that's not all true. Blake did strive to change his view about our pairings. He did made small but significant leaps into opening up.

Blake is a complex man.

He is strong-willed yet arrogant.

Passionate yet temperament.

His mood changes in a whim like an untamed flame.

A wolf that is the opposite of mine.

We are so different in views and beliefs that we always clash in the littlest of things.

I wonder sometimes why we were paired in first place. Klamira says that the Moon Goddess does not make mistakes. It is either destiny that we end up loving each other or a lesson we need to learn to save us from ourselves. The choices we make along the way shapes the future that we want to see.

I closed my eyes and think of Blake.

His fierce, red eyes always strike me as both a warning and an enticement. A vicious beast that will rip my throat out or the challenge of something to tame as I dance against the fury of his fire.

I highly doubt Blake and I won't end up together.

I can't think of a future that we aren't a couple. I don't want our fathers to run the packs after they got together. They don't deserve it.

What they deserve is to spent as much time to make up the years that they wasted and strengthen their bonds as mates.

But...

I don't think we are not ready yet to have a kid yet. Thinking about Zephyr wanting a couple of pups with Frank is admirable and I suppose I envy them for being sure about themselves and their future.

Blake and I need to sort out things before we can have our very own pups in the future.

Zephyr's phone rang and his face lit upon seeing the sender's name. I smile internally knowing it's Frank on the line.

"Mind if I take this?" He points at his phone. I chuckled and waved him to go on as I stand up and started to walk towards the open pantry to grab a glass of water. "Hey mate..." He cheerfully greet the person on the other line.

I was almost halfway when I felt a chill ran my spine as a murderous intent envelope the room. A low, vicious growl echoed behind me that made me quickly turn to ready myself for an attack. Zephyr's safety came first to my mind as I was turning. Clearly thinking a million possibilities how an intruder managed to slip pass our guards.

But when I finally look at the direction of the miasma of bloodlust, my eyes shot out in surprise.

Zephyr was sitting on the sofa with his phone in his hand over his ear as he was gripping it so tightly. His eyes already shifted to his wolf's and a visible view of his canines flashing between his gritted teeth.

Sweat ran down my skin as Zephyr is drenched in bloodlust as he growled.

"Where. Is. My. Mate?!" He demanded.

"Zephyr who's that on the line?" I asked but my question fell into deaf ears as Zephyr free hand is clawing through the fabric of the seat as he is trying to control what little self control he has left.

"Answer ME!!!" He barked as he stands up and turning his heels towards the door. "Don't you DARE lay a finger on him!"

I quickly grabbed his wrist to stop him from doing something crazy and hurt himself or others in his rage. Especially, since I don't know what's going on at the moment.

"Zephyr, Stop!" I barked.

Zephyr stopped and glared at me with a growl as I was taken a back. But I pulled together to glare back at him with my Alpha growl, trying to reign him in so we can at least talk.

But Zephyr fought back as he pulled his arm away my hold.

I grabbed his shoulder as he was about to reach out to the door.

"Zephyr, calm down." I sternly spoke, trying to be as reasonable as I can be. I clearly assume that Frank is in deep trouble for why Zephyr is acting this way but he needs to calm down and talk before he does something stupid. "Let's talk this out first."

I grabbed his shoulder firmly, apply pressure but not hurting him, as he tried to shove me away but I held on. Imposing my Alpha presence as I can manage so he won't lash out.

"Tell me what's wrong, Zephyr. So I can help."

"Frank's... In danger." He replied painfully through gritted teeth as his eyes darting towards the room looking for a place to run out of. "He's going to die if I don't leave now."

My eyes widen at his words. Frank's in danger? What about Blake?

A million scenarios ran through my mind and I also started to panic. A slight fidget from Zephyr, brought me back as I instinctively held him in place.

I can't be like this right now. I need to reign this emotion before we both go out like wild wolves.

I looked at my Beta and saw how worried and anxious his eyes were as he keeps looking at the door and the windows with labored breath.

"Frank..." Zephyr murmured like a beaten pup, his voice laced with concern. "I... I need to find him..."

I grabbed his other shoulder and sat down so we see eye to eye.

"Zephyr... We'll find Frank alright." I spoke as he turned to look at me as if he doesn't believe me.

"Aries... My mate's in danger..." His voice trembled through his cold statement. "We are... I'm wasting time here! I need to look for him now!"

"Zephyr! I know." I sternly replied. "I know you're scared. I'm scared too. But we need to calm down and think. Frank will be in a lot of trouble if you go out lashing on things you don't know."

He looked at his phone with trembling hands and saw that it was still on. Whoever is on the line is still listening to us.

"Who's on the line, Zephyr?"

"I don't.. Frank is..."

"Zephyr! Who's on the line?!" I spoke a bit authoritative as I saw him panicking again. He calmed down slightly as he shook his head.

"I-I don't know..." He replied as he gripped the phone tighter. "I was expecting to hear Frank's voice when he answered..."

I raised a brow and reach out my hand for his phone. Zephyr reluctantly handed me his phone when mother and the others rushed over with Klamira in tow.

"What happened here?" Mother asked as everyone looked over at Zephyr and me. My Beta seemed agitated. I signaled the others to my side as Klamira and Sera approached my mother.

I requested them to hold Zephyr for a moment before I looked at the phone and slowly placed it over my ear.

Standing up I could clearly hear a man chuckling...

"Speak. I am not in the mood." I growled and the man behind the line just laughed in return.

"I assume you're Alpha Aries..." The man jests.

I remained quiet through seethed teeth. I never heard this man's voice before so I cannot narrow down the suspects... Was it a rival pack? To take Frank down was either their plan or they're just winging it. I need to draw more from this person if I need to find answers.

"Who's asking?" I growled.

"Tsk. Tsk. You are not in the position to make any demands here." The man grinned. "Though this wolf with us isn't with your pack, I assume from the previous person's reaction that this is his little mate."

I scowled as I started to walk towards the window as my mother was looking worriedly at me.

"If you're a werewolf, you know what happens when you dare hurt somebody's mate." I warned.

"There's it again, Alpha. You are in no position giving out treats as well." The man devilishly replied. "Unless you want this boy get beaten up than he already is."

My eyes shot wide at his words as my hands balled into a fist. Now I know why Zephyr wanted to hurry.

"What are you're demands?" I asked coldly.

"Well, you're quite smart for an Alpha. You get straight to the point." The man chuckled. "I like that. Though you're not the wolf we're after. It's quite odd that I never heard of you before. Alpha Aries... Not much details here as well."

I remained quiet. It seems this guy's quite the talker.

"Well, if you want the little wolf to live..."

"It's in your best interest you keep him alive..." I interjected through gritted teeth. A short pause followed before he came back on the line.

"My, my. That's going to cause you..." The man spitefully responded as a bellow of pain echoed through the line. I clearly know it was Frank's voice.

"Mate!" Zephyr's ears perked as everyone else' as they turned at my direction.

Zephyr started to trash the people holding him and in a few tries pushed them to the floor as he glares at my direction. Instantly, my Beta dashes towards my direction with canines barred. He leaped into the air, midway as he lunges at me.

I quickly ducked to the side and landed a hard knee on his stomach. Knocking him unconscious immediately. I motioned the others to help him up and bring him to the infirmary.

I didn't want this to happen.

But I must keep Zephyr from doing something stupid and hurt himself. Frank's not going to forgive me for that.

I placed the phone back to my ear as they started to carry my Beta out.

"It seems someone got angsty." He chuckled devilishly as I gritted my teeth. Anymore remarks and Frank might get hurt further. And I don't want that.

"Let's get this over with..." I gritted my teeth.

"Oh, Alpha wants to hurry... Just like Lance' son can't help himself..." He laughs hard but a nerve snapped as I hear him mention Blake. My grip on the phone tighten and I pray to the Goddess they didn't do what I'm already thinking. Damn it Blake! "... Coming to my turf and attacking us! Ha! What does he think when he tried to spy with his little Beta in tow. Death is what is." He triumphantly proclaimed.

By this time, I'm quite sure my eyes had gone full wolf. The sliver of control I have left is diminishing by the minute this guy speaks. Slow cracks started to appear over the phone's case as I urged the will to not break it into pieces within my grasps.

"What happened to him..." I asked with a tone so cold that you could mistake me for a serial killer. "Tell me what happened to Lance' son?"

The man behind the line seemed oblivious from the murderous tone I am giving off right now.

If I were Blake right now, I would have snapped. But I have enough self control that I wanted to draw this man into believing that I don't care. But that things I'm planning to do to him when I see him brought a sinister grin to my lips.

"Funny on how you want to know?" The man asked.

"I just want to." I state. "If you want me to deliver a message to Lance, I might as well know how to deliver it with intensity on his son's demise."

The man chuckled behind the line. The taste of the lie on my tongue was horrendous but I had to.

"Ah... You had gripes with their pack I see."

"Yeah." I lied.

"I like you but I can't trust you right away." He smirked and I just gritted my teeth as my inner wolf wanted to claw out and lash out towards the direction where Blake was. "It would so foolish of me if I let my guard down right?"

I scowled.

"What do you want me to do then?" I grimaced at my answer. This guy is dragging this conversation far too long.

He laughed devilishly before pausing.

"Come alone..."