They gathered in the cave at the request of Lara, and at her serious tone, Metas didn't question her. He also didn't ask why when she requested he wake up Myranda.
Firstly, Metas was already angry at the lack of goodies in the metal box. Secondly, it pushed his buttons just a little further when he was asked to wake up his mate who desperately needed sleep. Thirdly, Lara had that serious tone about her that meant trouble or something deathly serious, which meant this was not good news.
All of that boiled his blood in the first place, but now to know that Ajax was the one who did something stupid, he was angered even further to where if he could, he'd let steam come from his nose like his friend Vincent would.
"I apologize for waking you, my Luna. Ajax has something to tell you," Lara said with ice in her voice. She didn't look pleased to inform Metas and Myranda of this news, but her loyalty was pledged to Metas -- and Ajax needed to learn from his anger for once instead of letting it control him.
Enough was enough.
"You're really selling me out?" he asked with a quiver in his lips.
"Ajax." Metas stated in warning.
"We found out where Jyriah is..." Ajax started with a wavering smile.
"Good. Where is he?" Myranda asked with drowsiness as she rubbed her eye.
"Uhm... A little girl has him somewhere..." Ajax continued and once more let his voice die off for a pause.
"Where?" Metas asked with a far more authoritative tone than Myranda would have mustered.
"Well... You see..."
"No. Stop." Metas barked and took two steps towards Ajax so that he could glower at him with his two, stunning yellow sapphires for eyes. "Where is he?" the Alpha repeated.
"I don't know...I insulted the little girl by accident and she flew off..." Ajax answered thinly.
"You did what?" Myranda asked and went to advance past Metas, but his large arm stopped her before she got too close.
"...You were angry and then took it out on a little child is what happened. A child who has my pack-brother, and my mate's beloved elder brother. You didn't stop to think for a second - just one second - that helping us find Jyriah was more important than yelling at a child?" Metas asked with a measured tone.
"....I'm so sorry, Alpha. I'm sorry," Ajax simpered downwards to the floor, and grovelled.
"Apologize to your Luna." Metas ordered with a crisp tone.
"Of course.. I'm so sorry, Luna. I'm a fool - and I realized what I cost you...." Ajax said again with trembling words.
"Apologize to Joss." Myranda ordered as she wiped her cheek so a stray tear wouldn't drip from her chin.
Ajax turned like a little crab with his belly flat to the ground and he stayed on the cave's floor as he uttered out again, "I'm sorry." "I'm so sorry, Joss. I understand if you're all mad at me forever..."
"Don't." Joss said and put his hand up to deny Ajax anymore words.
"You and I can meet outside. I fear if Myranda is left with you alone, that she will rip your bones from your body. I merely want a vicious...chat..." Metas spoke evenly, but Alax knew him well enough to hear the malice in his words.
"Metas-" Lara started, but stopped when he addressed her, but did not look towards her.
"I won't kill him. Why do you think I'm refraining from letting Myranda hurt him? I want a chat." Metas repeated and nodded towards the waterfall that had started to glow a lovely golden red.
"Promise me," Lara requested.
Normally, such a thing would warrant a growl or serious rebuking from the leader of the pack. However, Metas never forgot who he truly was, and where he had started from. He wouldn't deny such a request from his best friend. Plus, Ajax was also a bestfriend from childhood. Metas may have been seething and rage may have been filling his chest, but he'd never hurt his childhood friend over a mistake - even if it hurt his mate like this.
"I promise." Metas replied with another short response, but this time he at least acknowledged her eyes to ensure he was telling her the truth.
Without another chance to speak, Metas continued to stalk towards Ajax until the male turned into his wolf-form and leaped through the falling ribbons of water.
Metas shifted into his giant, black wolf form and followed right behind him.
"Your temper has never cost you before, but it will today," Metas said the moment he landed near the edge of the river where Ajax stood.
"Metas - I was angry. I think I've learned my lesson," Ajax tried to convince the massive beast that was leering at him without the warmth of friendship in his eyes.
"Shut up. You didn't slight me, Ajax. You harmed my mate - my future wife to the deepest of her core. Do you not get that? Did you honestly - truly not think to be kind?" Metas asked darkly.
"I was just so pissed off, man..." Ajax replied as though they were having a casual conversation.
"No, no. I'm not speaking to you as a friend. I'm speaking to you as your Alpha. The one who entrusted you to help my cause - and not hurt it. Why did you let your brain be so absent of thought with something so full of meaning?"
'Ooooh, he's so mad - he only talks this poetically when he's really angry. He's going to tear into me - and I deserve it - but - I haven't seen him this mad in a long time, how badly is this going to hurt?' Ajax thought to himself as he circled with Metas as they naturally started to 'dance' in preparation for a one-on-one fight.
"I asked you out here so as to not make your punishment memorable to anyone but you. My fury is held back only by cherished memories. I want you to have an even chance in a battle, as I am not cowardly. You may strike me first if you choose, but if you don't soon, I will begin our bout," Metas informed him with a deadly, calm voice. The kind one only received when they messed around too far and found out the consequences.
"I don't want to fight you, Met--Alpha. I am utterly, deeply, terribly sorry," Ajax went for one last plea - but Metas' shining eyes were devoid of care for his words.
"No, you're not sorry. Not yet. You've never had to be sorry before - but I hope you really are sorry, Ajax. I hope you are so much so that you understand this is more than just a punishment - it's a lesson I want you to never forget. When you let your anger best you, then you lose your intelligence. Last chance. Come at me first, or I will unleash my wrath upon you," Metas said again with that same commanding, deep tone that was out of f's to give.
"I can't..." Ajax replied meekly, but not because of fear. It was from shame. A deep, loathing shame at his actions and his response to such a delicate situation.
"Very well, prepare yourself for a strike, then" Metas warned and lowered her stature as though he were ready to pounce.