"Alpha, may I speak to you for a moment?" Aylin stopped the man who was walking beside her, forcing the others too to stop.
They were already proceeding towards the jungle with Zavid in the lead while Aylin and Azimir walked behind the group.
As soon as Azimir had put forth his desire to find the perpetrators as soon as possible, Zavid volunteered to accompany them. Although he was yet to find out what had happened exactly, he discerned it to be serious and threatening.
Unlike some of the werewolves who had met the group of humans the previous night, this was the first time he was meeting them. So, he was yet to find out how they had ended up in the jungle and eventually became their guests.
Azimir gave Aylin a confused look before he nodded at Zavid and the group let the duo converse peacefully.
It was only when the group was far away from them that Aylin brought up the topic she had in mind. Since the time she had heard the young Alpha's guilt filled tone, she had been unable to stay still and now that they were finally alone, she could not stay silent any longer.
"Since the moment I heard about what happened the previous night, my mind has been restless, Alpha." Aylin started, not beating around the bush and Azimir frowned as soon as she brought the matter up.
"Commander Aylin, are you referring to how my pack members attacked you and your warriors? In that case, I will apologize to you and I will punish them accordingly for disobeying me. You have nothing to worry about and I will make sure that they get what they deserve."
Azimir assured her, his face turning dark as soon as he recalled how the werewolves had attacked the helpless humans, disregarding all his warnings. But it was when one of the wolves attacked Aylin that he lost it completely. His fury was threatening to break out from the shackles and he felt the wolf in him ready to come out.
"No, no, Alpha Azimir. You misunderstood me." Aylin stopped him the instant she noticed his incensed face. His eyes had turned dark in rage and she realized what was happening and what would happen if Azimir did not control his wolf.
"I was not referring to what happened to us. I was speaking about your Beta."
Azimir's rage vanished on hearing her and he frowned slightly, staring at her in puzzlement. "My Beta? What about him?" He was still unsure as to what she was indicating.
"Alpha, I have been unable to get this matter off my mind and pardon me for my insolence. I would like to speak a few words regarding the mishap that happened due to which your Beta is now injured."
This time, Azimir understood her and he pursed his lips, his frown deepening in distress.
"I understand the reason why you feel guilty about what happened. It is impossible to not be in pain to see the ones we care about wounded severely. But it hurts even more when we are the reason behind their wounds." Aylin fixed her eyes on the man in front of her. Not once did she move her gaze away from him even though he was not looking at her.
"But as we all know, it was not intentional. Alpha, you did not inflict the wounds on him deliberately. You were not in your sane mind and I am certain that if you were, you would never have hurt your friend."
"But I cannot stop the guilt that is consuming me. Although it was not intentional, it was I who pushed him to the brink of death. It is because of me that he is in pain and his parents are in anguish." Azimir's voice was barely audible and his vulnerable state made Aylin want to hug him and console him.
"I agree that your Beta is in pain and his parents are in misery on finding their son in this condition. But that does not mean you are at fault." Aylin had never felt this helpless before and she had no idea why she trying to comfort him when she had barely known him for a few hours. All she wanted was for him to let go of his guilt and not condemn himself for what he had done, for what had happened under the influence of the power of the moon.
"Mishap happens on this day in the year of the moon and nobody holds you responsible for what happened. It was not your control, Alpha and I am certain that your friend too would not want to see you in self-reproach."
Azimir stayed quiet as he listened to her intently. Every word she had spoken was the truth. But he could still not let go of the feeling he was having and he still had his head lowered.
"Also, there is a reason why wolves lose control on this day and once you find out the reason, you will understand why the situation turned out this way."
This got Azimir's attention and he raised his head to meet her in the eye. He blinked at her in surprise, waiting for her to explain more. "I do not understand, Commander Aylin. Do you know why wolves lose control on this day?"
"No, I do not." Her answer diminished the curiosity in him. Nevertheless, Azimir continued to stare at her with his eyes now narrowed.
"But I do know there has to be a reason. My heart tells me that there is a secret behind it which nobody knows except the Moon Goddess."
Azimir let out a helpless chuckle, his eyes filled with amusement. "How will we find out the secret? Will the Moon Goddess reveal it to us?"
"I do not know how the secret will be unveiled. But I am sure we will find out the truth when the time is right. The Moon Goddess will never harm her kids. So, Alpha." Aylin took a step forward and held Azimir's hand, startling him by her sudden actions.
"Do not hold yourself at fault for what happened the previous night. Neither your Beta nor the people of Ideni hold you responsible for the mishap. They trust you and love you and they believe you to keep them safe. And I believe you too to do so. You are a great King, worthy of your position, your throne and your power."