Astrid blinked a few times as Jinx changed back to her form all his eyes could see was a long neck and an edgy jaw , strong arms wrapped around his body pulling him in for a warm hug he could feel that crazed heart beat was it the heart beat of a hunter after the hunting thrill? Or was it the fear of a person who couldn't see their loved one get hurt? I am not sure but it doesn't matter.
Astrid hugged her back "hey...are you ok?" Jinx only hummed in response burying her head in the crock of his neck taking a long breath which made Astrid shrink a little from the ticklish feeling yet he couldn't budge a muscle in that strong hold which was surprisingly reassuring given his underline rush had calmed down from those turn of events.
"Astrid"
"Hmm...?"
"Let's go to our home..."
Home? Before Astrid could tell her to elaborate something flew past Jinx's back "watch out!" Now generally Jinx would have noticed but she was too distracted to sense it but when she did sense it it was already too late as Astrid pulled Jinx down they both fell in the water with Jinx on top of him, from the side a loud Roar sounded "what the fuck you think your doing with my child young lady?!"
Astrid cursed in his mind Jinx got up helping Astrid stand as well "Are you fine?" Astrid shook his head "I am fine"
"Hey! You freaking lovebirds! Come here both of you now!" Astrid glared in his mother's direction.
"Ma! For heaven's shake! Would quite down a little!? We can hear you just fine!"
"You dare! Come here let me show you!" With that she pinched the ear of the poor wolf making him whimpers as he lept in their direction. Water splashed on their face as Astrid quickly hid behind Jinx but it was too late his mother got down not even afraid to dirty her new dress she pulled him out by the ear and when Jinx tried to hide and protect her baby she was glared at so ferociously which made her turn a blind eye to the assault happening on her dear little future husband! Which earned her a look of disbelief from Astrid ┐('～`;)┌ Don't blame me! I don't know how to handle an angry mother ok?
"Owe! Awee! Mother please! I apologise! My ears are all red please ahh! Please don't pinch them!"
"Now you say sorry! What the heck was that behaviour running off with your lover! I see this old hag is no use to you anymore huh!?"
Jinx coughed awkwardly "That... aunty is my fault... brought Astrid without even asking him"
Ohh boy that ferocious glare that Avatar of rage was locked into its new prey making Jinx explain in a hurry "I did it because there is someone who wants to harm Astrid...the attack today was done by that person."
Maya thought that the attack are a common thing when you have elf with you as the greed to be powerful is common among the beast species but to think that someone was doing it on purpose meant that her son's were in danger her only family was in danger. She released Astrid's ear making Astrid jump few feets away hinding behind Indis while rubbing his swollen ear in salvation.
"Why?"
"That... I can't tell you..."
"It is my son we are talking about."
Jinx sighed "You probably won't believe it nor do I know if I should even tell anyone this...but first let's go to my pack since the day has fallen the night would become a big obstacle as well an advantage to the enemy"
Maya knew how sharp wolves were and how their powers seems to grow supported by the night so she nodded as well. Before going they all washed their faces and limbs with the fresh water Astrid and Indis felt bad seeing a heavily breathing Covy since he was going slow Maya had tormented the poor thing by pulling his fluffy ear even going as far as twisting merciless although Indis couldn't deny that it did work and they got here faster.
Indis took few branches casting a small spell turning it into a pot and bringing it to Covy while Astrid sat by dipping his feet besides his mother staring ahead towards Jinx who was busy washing off blood from clothes and hairs.
Jinx took off her coat and shirt right before their eyes making Maya close her eyes "ohh! Dear your future husbando will be upset if you do that in public" ╮(＾▽＾)╭
For a second Jinx couldn't understand what Maya was saying because most of the time alpha's and omega do roam naked because they don't have enough spiritual power to keep their material clothes in the void at command but then she realised that For female in general they weren't allowed to be topless which she never understood after all we all have chest sure male will never get to use it in their life to feed a life but does that mean there is a difference?
Either way her chest was pretty much flat due to being an alpha and as well known Alpha don't actually have such restrictions but then again she knows someone who would get jealous if she roamed half naked, a faint smile graced her lips as she stole a glance in his direction and their eyes met for a second Astrid's breath was caught in his throat but the next second he looked away as if nothing happened.
"It's fine i always wear some bandages so you can look"
Maya sighed in disappointment "what a bummer i thought I would get to tease you a little " Jinx continued to do her grooming lost in the past memories without knowing a gentle smile placed on her lips Astrid saw it from the corner of his eyes 'whats she smiling about?' he bit his bottom lip in frustration 'none of my business as if I'd get jealous over someone seeing her hard muscles and all! Hump!' unknown to him his tone exactly sounded like jealousy.
Jinx transformed into her beast form giving a ride to Astrid and his mother since Covy refused to take such wild lady on his back she had to do it honestly she couldn't understand what happened between them that Covy was this sacred of Maya the whole walk she only held tightly getting excited over the view but again a lady throwing a well calculated knife in their directions cannot be as simple.
~|~|~|~|~
Upon reaching Jinx's pack.
Jinx put Astrid and his mother down transforming back as they were greeted by a fairly old wolf man. He was wearing a plain black suit with buttons which looked enough elegant to pass as something the nobility wore, his hairs were deep shade of brown colored furr with eyes as black as Covy "Welcome my Lord... welcome honoured guest's....my lord will the guest be staying with us?" Jinx nodded her head as the butler person took the coat from her hand.
The man glanced at them when his eyes met Astrid his face muscles stiffened gradually relaxing as he let out a smile friendly smile"Welcome back home my lord." This situation was rather awkward since Astrid doesn't recognises this person but still he gave a weird smile in return to not appear rude but he didn't had to worry about it since the man turned around glaring at Covy "And what do you think your doing?"
Covy's ear dropped as he hid his tail between his legs taking back his hand fiddling with the red haired elf's ear who was seething in angre like a puffer fish "Nothing~"
The man narrowed his eyes "that's enough fun for today young man. Go talk to your mother she has been waiting for you since this afternoon."
Covy fumbled "But.father!...I want to stay behind! What if the castle is under attack!"
"Pittfff! Good one son but that's not going to work she has made you laddu go now or else you'll never get to eat them~"
Covy really didn't wanted to leave but hearing the magic word he quickly ran off to the home which is apparently present just behind the castle.Indis couldn't believe that his persuar took off when he was standing there how rude! (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ looks like I need to punch his freaking brain out!
The man guided them all inside giving each of them separate room to rest for the night which were in the same hallway not far from the dining hall so they won't get lost. With the rooms being so close Astrid went into his mother's room where Indis was already having an earful of how he has become impudent by locking her up for her own safety apparently ╮(. ❛ ᴗ ❛.)╭well not business gotta stay outa this one~
He slowly wanted to step outside but his back collided with someone "shit!" Before he could fall face first Jinx held him in place looking at him with concern "Are you normally this clumsy or just around me?" Astrid stood straight in attention "umm..a...well are so good at catching people off-guard or is it just with me huh?"
"Hey! Love birds stop it! Stop feeding this free dog food to us single's already ok!? "
Astrid glared at Indis for his remark who only stick his tongue out at him in return. "Stop it you both! Acting like a child! Dear did something happen?" She asked Jinx who stood at the door.
"Cough. Well if it's ok can I ask few questions?"
Maya nodded her head curious at what this beast lord wants to know. Jinx sat on a chair nearby. Astrid and Indis also sat on the sofa sipping the hot tea served on the table brought by the servants. Jinx looked at Maya as if to make sure she could determine weather this what she says is true or not "Miss. May I ask where did you learn to throw knife's?"
Maya was a little confused at this after all she thought it would be about Astrid how he grew up etc... Astrid answered this question for her instead "Mother said that she was natural she had these amazing skills since childhood." Something flicked in those golden eyes barely noticeable "I see." Maya really couldn't understand that reaction "Anything else?" Jinx moved her lips but didn't say anything choosing to just shake her head "Nothing..i shall take my leave have a good rest everyone."
Astrid and Indis talked for a while as Indis told him about Covy and his feelings and the endless complaint on how bad his courting skills are making Astrid laugh which only made Indis more frustrated "hahaha! Ohh! Gosh! Thank God! Jinx isn't like this!" Indis sighed "yeah really~ she is indeed head over heels for you I bet she would definitely suffer when you turn her down"
Astrid couldn't move his body stilled but Indis didn't notice continuously talking about Covy and Astrid as well gave a normal humming response not wanting to dampen his Friends mood.
~|~|~|~|~|~|~
In the morning.
Maya woke up she got down her bed in a frenzy as she looked around her , her blue eyes forcing in and out many times before she stilled completely she walked to the mirror dumfoundly looking at herself she stood there in silence until much time passed and a servant knocked on her door with breakfast in hand the wolf lady stepped inside "miss? The breakfast is ready" Maya snapped out of her daze and ran out of the door leaving behind the puzzled lady.
"Find her! I need to find her!" She kept repeating until she reached a door and started to knock frantically! Inside the giant bedroom two figures were sleeping soundly but the knocking sound woke them up. Astrid tried to move his body disturb by the loud noise but found he couldn't as two strong arms were wrapped around his waist tightly he slowly looked up only to be meet by those golden eyes looking at him fondly "good morning" his eyes went wide as he realised who it was "ohh shit! How did I get here?"
Jinx wanted to say that she carried him here when he fell asleep on the terrace but the knocking increased and the person started to shout "please open the door! Please I beg you! "
Astrid knew that voice well he got scared thinking his mother knew they were together so she came to hunt him down"that's my mother! What should I do!? She would kill me if finds me here like this!" He whispered. Jinx sensed the tension and kissed his forehead easing some of Astrid's tension.
She got up pulling the blanket over his head"stay here i will deal with it ok?" Astrid nodded covering himself with the dark blue sheets. Jinx opend the door only to be greeted by a crying Maya.
Maya hugged her tightly and started to sob uncontrollably "i..i...sob... sniff...I am sorry..am so... sorry....I am sorry please forgive me!" For a second Jinx's eyes sparkled as she clinched her jaw hard balling her hands into a fist before relaxing and pushing her away. Astrid who just heard his mother cry and repeatedly apologize to Jinx got out of bed in a second without any thoughts.
"Ma! " He hugged his mother "mother! Look at me! What happened!?" This was totally different response the lady who only ever shed few tears even on the grave of her late husband was wailing so loudly that it made Astrid shake in fear as he tightened his hold around her face forcing her to look at him.
"Ma! Answer me what happened!? Why are you crying?"
As if his efforts worked his mother stopped staring at him blankly before cupping his cheeks with tears "Astrid.please forgive me." And again she hugged Astrid as if hugging her last hope tears rolling down her cheeks , Astrid also hugged his mother shaking all over with the shock of what was happening.
Jinx stared at the lady in front of her with dry eyes, walking close she brought her warm hand on Astrid's head reassuring the whinny elf who was on the verge of tear as she lifted her hand blue light shooting out and fading over Maya's head putting her to sleep.
Astrid held his mother tightly looking at Jinx with teared eyes "what happened to mother? And why is she apologising to us?" Jinx sighed "she might have remembered something she had forgotten hence this outburst but don't worry she would be just fine."
Astrid nodded his head in agreement before Jinx took Maya and laid her on the bed.
( What happened here would be revealed in the next chapter which would be slightly NSFW CONTENT)
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"often time people apologize when it is already too late now even their regret, grief and apology doesn't count for anything"