Sakura's P.O.V
"It feels so nice to simply lay here with you," I say to Seth. We lay on his bed and watch T.V. He runs his fingers through my hair and I snuggle into him.
"A break from responsibilities is nice," he agrees. His room was at least twice as big as mine and Soren's. His bed held both of us with plenty of leftover space.
His T.V is as wide as our wall and his bathroom is a separate room in itself. His room is remarkably clean, not at all like the stereotypical room for a man.
"I have to say you are a very clean man," Seth's chuckle rumbles through my body like thunder in a storm. "My mom was always strict on cleanliness. She would never tolerate a single piece of furniture out of place,"
"She sounds like a lovely lady," I giggle. "She can be, other times she's a devil. But I know she does means well and loves me. I'd love for you to meet her. " his last words make my eyes bulge.
"Slow down cowboy. There need to be a few more dates before that happens. And don't pull the same crap you did with Kate and the others, " I warn him. "I was forced into that. Speaking of another date, I think I may have one planned, "
"Already?" that was quick.
"Yep, I want to take you on a tour of the entire pack. There is more than this area and I would love for you to see it. Ranor was planning to take you and Soren anyways so it is a prime opportunity. "
"I didn't think the alpha would have so much free time on his hands," Seth gives me a questioning look. "I know you two didn't come off on the best start but he is kind and always takes time out of his day to show new pack members around,"
"That sounds familiar, " I hum. I can tell Seth is confused once more, so I elaborate. "How was your date with Soren? " his eyebrows lift in recognition.
"It was... an experience, " he vaguely answers. I cock my eyebrow, hoping for a better response. When he doesn't give me one, I speak up.
"Meaning what exactly?" he looks away in thought. "Meaning, you may be right and there could be more to her. I also want you to keep an open mind toward Ranor. " It was an easy request. One I had no trouble complying with.
"Okay," we continue to relax and I wonder how our next date will go.
Soren's P.O.V
Asher and I continue to lay together as I patiently wait for him to speak up. "I hate that you saw me like that, " he finally says. I don't say anything as I wait for him to finish. "I hate feeling weak and vulnerable. I hate that people can walk over me because I'm an omega. Alpha doesn't allow it but there are a few who think they're exceptions," he grits his teeth.
"I'm not strong or buff like the other guys are. I don't like to work out I like to draw. I'm scrawny and shy. The others are big and outspoken.
I hate that I'm the odd one and I hate that I'm telling you this because you're either going to pity me or think I'm pathetic, " he goes silent again so I take the opportunity to speak up.
"Let's not assume what I am going to feel. I don't pity you nor do I think you're pathetic. Everybody struggles in life. You either deal with it or do something about it. That's how I see it. Sometimes people don't have to luxury of deciding.
Asher this doesn't define you. I don't think any less of you either. To me, you are the nice guy I found under a tree with a secretive sketchbook," This makes him laugh. Only a little bit. "If you want to stop being bullied then do something about it. It seems the only person who pities you here is yourself." He doesn't say anything and we continue to lay in silence.
"If you are going to spew all of your dirty insecurities it's only fair if I do the same," this catches his attention.
"I don't like caring for people. I don't think it makes you weak but I do feel like it is a weakness. When I feel that I am starting to care, I push people away. When I am with Laurence I feel safe. As if nothing in the world can happen. And for some reason when I am with you, It's as if the world doesn't exist.
I hate that I feel this way about you despite knowing you for less than 48 hours. I don't know what it is about you that makes me feel this way and I am scared. I don't know why I am telling you this at all," I internally laugh at my sappy confession.
If any of my siblings heard this. My wolf feels strongly for this man and I can't help but feel the same. But I can't comprehend what it is exactly that I feel.
Asher doesn't say anything but I can see his neck flush red. A smile plasters itself on my face. Another thing I cannot comprehend. Why is it that the smallest things he does affect me? It was utterly infuriating.
I close my eyes and breath in his scent. Grass and flowers. How calming.
Sakura's P.O.V
Seth, Soren, Ranor, and I go deeper into the forest as we begin our tour. "I apologize for not being around more often," Ranor says. "It's okay. Laurence and Seth have been great hosts. We understand that you have a lot on your plate. I can't imagine running an entire pack is easy."
He tosses me a thankful look.
Ranor and Seth lead us deeper into the forest and show us the mini villages that reside in the pack and the many scenic views the territory provided. "How about I show Sakura the flower bed over in the west and you can show Soren the deer and doe," It is apparent that Seth is trying to get the both of us alone. Ranor also catches on and nods his head.
Seth takes my hand and we head off. "What did you say about a flower bed?" I smirk. He looks back at me with an amused expression. "Don't make fun of me. Besides, I wasn't joking. The variety of flowers here is beautiful."
"You're making me a little jealous," I tease. "What can I say? The flowers and I simply share a bond that can't be comprehended," I giggle at his foolishness.
The trees disappear and are replaced by a multitude of flowers. There were daisies, roses, lilies, orchids, begonia, dandelions, and more. If you named a flower it would be here.
My jaw drops as I can't believe what I am looking at. It spread for miles.
"Oh my god, Seth. This is...I can't," it wasn't hard to please me but it was hard to shock me. I have been all over the world and have never seen anything like this. Ever.
"I thought you might like it," he smiles. He leads me deeper in. I take careful steps, making sure to not squash any of the flowers. It was almost like a dance.
There were sections in the middle of the field of flowers. One of them had a basket with a lid covering it in the center.
"Are you taking me on a picnic?" I ask Seth. He nods his head. "This place is well-known. It is often used for picnics. Hence the patches of grass,"
"Thank you, this is the best surprise ever," I lean up to kiss him. He holds me and we spend a few blissful seconds holding one another
"I am glad you like it," He sits me down and takes the lid off the basket.
He opens the basket to reveal sandwiches, fruit, and multiple drinks.
We spend our time playing with each other and enjoying our lunch. Everything was going perfect until I caught a familiar scent. Not too long after, Seth catches the same one. He stands up and puts a protective arm around me.
"Stay behind me," he demands. The smell of rouges is strong. There were at least a dozen. They were quickly approaching and would be here soon. "I mind-linked Ranor to let him know. Back up should be here soon. He says he and Soren have encountered a few rouges of their own.
They spotted at least twenty," Holy moon goddess. If there were at least a dozen coming at us and more over there then this was about to be a real problem. We needed to talk with Ela quickly. If things keep escalating like this people are going to get hurt.
"Seth, I can fight," he doesn't look back at me when he responds. "I know, but I would rather you didn't. I don't need you getting hurt," the rouges appear from the trees and rush toward us. There were fifteen of them. They circle us and slowly close in.
When they are close enough, one of them pounces at us. Seth punches the wolf in its jaw. It whimpers and another attacks us. One comes up from behind me. I duck and punch its throat. Seth turns his back to face me. I can see the worry in his eyes.
"I'm fine. Don't turn your back on them," as soon as I finish my sentence, a wolf jumps on Seth's back. Before Seth can fall onto me, I move to the side. Seth falls to the ground and I kick the wolf off his back, but not before it digs its massive claws into his back.
I don't worry about it too much knowing that I can heal him when we get back. The wolves back up and circle us once more. I pick Seth up. "Are you okay?" the wounds are deep. He nods his head with gritted teeth. Instead of attacking one at a time like before, they all start attacking at the same time.
With Seth's injured arm, this is going to be challenging. I dodge one wolf and punch another. I kick another in its jaw. One of the rouges bites down on my arm. Seth forces its jaw open and breaks it. I wince at the action. "Don't you ever fucking touch her again," he says menacingly. "Not a great time to turn me on," I duck under another rouge's attack.
Seth gives me a boyish grin. "We can handle that later," I blush at the thought but quickly shake my head to focus. Seth and I fight back to back. "Trust me and don't get distracted if I get hurt." Seth goes rigid but nods anyways. "This was not how this date was supposed to go,"
Soren's P.O.V
"He seems to be happy," Ranor says without looking at me. "If he makes Sakura happy then that's all that matters," We continue to walk in silence. We stop at a distance and crouch behind the trees and undergrowth. "There," he points. A herd of deer and doe walk around munching on grass. I smile at the sight but the expression soon fades away when I remember that the pack eats these deer.
We sit and watch the deer graze. After an hour or so I get bored. I stand up to leave, but the deer beat me to it. My instincts start to stir. I produce a deep growl. These mangy rouges will not let up. "They are approaching quickly. More than ten." Ranor says.
These rouges weren't disguised or cloaked. They could be seen, unlike the first rouge we encountered. Why were they suddenly getting gustier?
Ranor quickly grabs my hand and dashes off. "Why are we running?" I ask. "There are too many for me to fight alone," I scrunch my face. "Okay, well you're missing one detail. The fact that you aren't alone."
We reach a tree with a split in between it. I could barely fit in it much less Ranor. "Your fighting is mediocre at best. You will only hinder me," I scoff at the insult. "Excuse me?" he throws me into the tree. The bark cuts through my skin and my hair tangles in the tree. Ranor makes haste and squeezes into the tree. He ends up making the split wider.
We are cramped in the tree. His chest suffocates me. "Ranor, you are far too big. You are going to kill me." His smug face looks down at me. "Am I?" I growl. "All you men are pigs."
There is no wiggle room. I move my head to the side to get some air. Five minutes later, multiple wolves pass us by. Drool hangs from their mouth and their panting is loud. One rouge lags behind the others. She halts and comes toward the tree we are smushed in. She sniffs around and starts to bark. Her savage teeth are rotten and her breath reeks of death.
"Disgusting," Ranor says with disdain. The rouge starts to split the tree in two. At this rate, she was going to attract the rest of them. "I already notified the rest of the pack help will be here in a few minutes. My pack is handling the rest of the rouges. Stay back." The rouge splits the tree in half.
The moment her head comes through the tree, it makes contact with my foot. It flies back with a whimper. I step out of the tree or what remains of it. "My hero," I sarcastically say to Ranor over my shoulder.
He stands in shock for a moment until he snaps out of it. The rouge gets up and snarls. It jumps at Ranor but doesn't get a chance to harm him because Ranor quickly knocks her out by hitting the back of her neck.
I can tell he is mind-linking as Ranor's eyes drift off. "Seth says he and Sakura have encountered over a dozen rouges," he growls. "How the hell did so many get in?" He punches a tree, making a hole in it.
"They could use our back-up. Let's go," I say. Ranor puts his arm in front of me. I look up at him with an annoyed expression. "This better not have anything to do with you two," I growl and slap his hand away. "Don't blame Sakura and me for your lack of security and apparent inability to handle rouges." I know the statement isn't fair, especially since we know about the increasing rouges and the fact that they are getting help from a witch.
Ranor would be incompetent not to suspect Sakura and me. I track Sakura's scent and make my way toward her.
Sakura's P.O.V
We knock out all but five rouges before I hear Ranor and Soren approach. Ranor comes in dashing and takes out two wolves. Soren leaves him to handle the rouges and heads toward me. "Your arm..." she comments.
"Is fine. You know who I am," I smirk and cast aside her worries. "I know, but we have other problems on our hands. Too many." she frowns. I turn back to Seth and see him and Ranor talking.
"We need to talk to Ela today,"