I walk behind Ajay, letting the words sink in. I know we look like a dysfunctional pack
right now. It seems that the wolves have a problem with Ajay, but before the whole Mark mate situation and Ajay and I become an item, we were the perfect pack. I always have had tons of respect for Ajay. He looks after all of us, keeps us safe, and is a significant Alpha. Lost in my thoughts, I trip over a nearby branch falling to the ground. Ajay laughs.
"You are klutz," he says, picking me up in his arms.
I rest my head on his shoulder.
I whisper, "I am sorry."
He doesn't say anything and sets me back down, steadying me to my feet.
I need to know if he is mad at me, if he is still mine, and if he still wants me. I crave his
touch and action. Grabbing his hand, I walk beside him.
He looks at me.
"Kiss me."
"Kiss you, like Chetan did this morning?" he asks.
"No, as you do, I want your lips on me."
"Zare, I am not a good sharer. If the Mark mate pull is too much for you to overcome,
then we shouldn't be together," he states.
"It won't happen again. Even though Chetan is my Mark mate, I have deep feelings for
you, Honestly, I felt more in love kissing you."
"You have not to want him to be with him Zara, and you do."
"Not half as much as I want you."
Ajay takes a deep breath. "Zare, you kiss him again, and we are done."
"I won't."
He brings his lips to mine, kissing me softly.
"Get a doghouse, you two," Dev says.
We all three burst out laughing. With the drama this morning, Ajay must have
remembered we didn't have breakfast. He collects some wild berries and morel mushrooms and passes them out to everyone. We have finally made it to the crossing bridge, and Chetan and Kiara were already waiting for us.
Kiara is probably distraught with me. I wouldn't blame her. I am upset with myself.
Ajay is still holding my hand when we walk up to the pair. They are sitting on the
ground, cuddling up to each other.
"There are probably only a few miles left to the cemetery. I need you guys to be alert;
some zombies could have wandered from the graveyard," Ajay says.
Seeing blood on the ground, I realize my neck is bleeding again.
"You must have lost stitches. I will redo it tonight," Ajay says.
"She shouldn't have come, her wolf will heal it, but she needs rest'' Chetan" speaks.
"Let's not start this," Ajay warns.
"Start what? Saying my opinion?" Chetan snaps.
"If your opinion includes my girlfriend, then keep it to yourself," Ajay retorts.
"Girlfriend?" Chetan echoes.
Looking down at the ground, I see a lot more blood than I was prepared to see. My legs
grow weak, and my stomach feels sick. My body is warm, and my head is spinning. Seeing black, everything goes dark, and that's the last thing I remember.
Hearing leaves crunching and the sounds of busy animals rushing through the woods, I
realize we are still on the way to the cemetery, or so I think.
"We're almost there?" I ask.
"You are weak, baby girl," Chetan says.
Why am I in Chetan's arms? His touch doesn't feel like Ajay's, and just by the touch, I
should have known the difference if I wasn't already out of it.
"Where's Ajay?" I frantically look around for him.
"He has to lead the pack, so he put me in charge of holding and protecting you," he
states.
Nodding, I understand Ajay has to take care of the others.
"Luckily, there were only three zombies, so the others took care of them fairly easily,"
Chetan says.
"Wait, I was out for that long?"
"Yep, and running a fever."
"I am glad you guys were able to handle it."
"She's awake?" I hear Ajay's voice and his feet rushing towards us.
"Yes, she just woke up," Chetan replies.
"Give her to me and let your arms rest."
"I am fine."
"I think Kiara is getting antsy for you."
"I can walk," I speak up.
"No, you're too weak, and I can't have you falling and injuring yourself more," Ajay
says.
He pulls me into an embrace, and I feel more comfortable entering his arms. He kisses
the top of my head. We rush back to lead the pack.
"I hate leaving you with Chetan, but I am the strongest wolf and had to fight the zombies.
Dev gets distracted too easily to watch my whole world," Ajay rubs my cheek.
Aww, Ajay is too sweet.
"I am sorry."
"Don't be, babe, it's my fault. I should have been Alpha and looked past the puppy eyes
and left you at the camp. You were too injured to fight," Ajay sighs.
Nestling my head deeper into his chest, I feel so safe in his arms. I know Ajay would
never let anything happen to me. As his girlfriend, but also as my Alpha. I trust him with my life.
"Shit! What's that?" Ajay's head jerks up. "Zombie just above that tree line!" Trying to look up, I become dizzy again.
"Just stay down, Adagyudi," he says, placing a hand on my head. "Dev, I want you to
stay with Zare."
Once again, I feel other hands-on me, unfamiliar ones at that.
"You okay, Zare?" Dev asks.
I nod.
"There is only one; they should be fine."
Hearing the growling and the hissing sounds, I know the battle has started. I see ripped
flesh, blood is everywhere and the smell of zombie decay fills my nose, and I see the pack has won. Smelling smoke, I know my suspicions were right.
Dev starts singing Howl, Little Wolf. It was a lullaby all the pack knows from our
mothers', a childhood memory singing us to sleep.
"Howl little wolf to the bright full moon. Run, little wolf, for the battle begins soon."
With sharp teeth, one little bite wolf wins the fight. Howl, little wolf with all your might." He pauses.
"I miss my mom singing me that song, when the world was so simple." He rubs my cheek with his hand, and I smile at his friendly touch.
Dev may seem inappropriate sometimes, but he was just a fun, go-lucky person. He doesbring joy to the pack.