Kaida took her words as a compliment, "Still as feisty as ever." She remarked, casually walking over toward Emerald.
Emerald took two steps back, "Don't fuck with me. I'm going to tell the Luna you're back-"
"Oh? And here I thought you were supposed to be my future beta." She broadened her lips into a wide grin, as she took wider steps towards her.
Emerald stuttered, "I-I can never accept a reckless alpha like you!" she kept backing away, unaware of the staircase behind her.
"So fight me! Let's see whose stronger between us-!" Her words trailed off, as she backed away into the staircase, losing her balance, and nearly falling over.
Kaida swiftly wrapped her arm around Emerald's waist, pulling her closer, until the only thing separating them were their noses. Kaida's other hand snaked to her face and captured her chin.
"Emy, I've told you, the only fighting I'm interested in is on my bed, with you under me, writhing in pleasure from my touch." She spoke sensually, whilst her thumb circled under her chin.
"But since you're so feisty, maybe I'll let you get on top and ride-"
*Slap*
Before Kaida could get another word in, Emerald landed a tight slap across her face. She slipped out of Kaida's grip, slightly panting for breath, her face reddened like a tomato.
"Disgusting! I hate you! So much!" She cursed, with her fingers balled into two tight fists.
Kaida rolled her tongue around her mouth, "That stings Emy-"
"Ugh! Just get out and wash up! You're dead if anyone else catches that scent on you!" She spat out, then furiously marched down the staircase, swinging her hips every which way.
Kaida couldn't help but think that Emy looked cute while making a fuss. But she knew she was right, she had soaked in the river before coming into the packhouse, and changed into some spare clothes she hid in the woods. But, the stench of the powder wasn't something she could easily wash off.
She took her advice and dashed into her room and took a long shower.
Afterwards, she changed into dark grey sweat pants, and a light grey sweatshirt, then quietly slipped out of her bedroom.
The packhouse was quiet, which was granted, considering her father had forced most of the residents to move, leaving just his family, the beta's family, the gamma's family and some powerful warriors.
Casually, she walked past Emerald, who was busy sparing in the training room downstairs, and headed for the bedrooms downstairs.
As though she knew which she was headed for, she went into one of the rooms and shut the door behind her. A sigh of relief escaped her lips when she cast her gaze at the bookshelf. Kaida approached the shelf and pulled back on the lamp perched on the wall, which caused the shelf to part in two.
She pulled out her phone from her pants naturally and went through the passage, that led to an underground tunnel.
Her footsteps resounded across the tunnel walls as she headed to the distant source of light at the end. She followed the light which led to an old door, which looked like it would fall apart anytime soon.
"I hope I don't stink." she inhaled deeply, then exhaled sharply, before gently tugging on the handle and opening the door.
As soon as she opened the door, she was welcomed by a familiar scent, she traced the scent to the man sitting on the tiny bed in the underground room.
His black hair cascaded down to his elbows, framing a pale face with deep-set eyes. His pale skin and chapped lips hinted at exhaustion, while stress lines formed under his eyes and creases on his forehead.
Yet, amidst the fatigue, his bright blue eyes sparked with undeniable vitality, illuminating like beacons in the dimly lit room.
And when his gaze met hers he curled his lips into a smile.
"You snuck out again." He noted.
She quietly shut the door behind her and dashed to hug him. "Kian, I can't begin to tell you how much I missed you this past three years!" She spat out, her arms wrapped around his neck.
Kian rested his palm on the back of her head and gently patted it, "I missed you-wait a minute. Kaida, what is this smell?" His tone turned stern.
She pulled away, "W-What smell?" She feigned ignorance, nervously scratching the side of her neck.
Kian folded his arms across his chest and sighed, "I really thought the rumours were false. But I can tell they're not. You reek of women, multiple women."
Kaida inwardly sighed in relief, she was afraid that Kian had caught on to what she had been up to.
"Oh loosen up Kian, I'm still young, I'm allowed to explore a bit." She huffed, sitting at the edge of the bed. "And besides, how did you hear about it all the way down here?"
"The servers would gossip while they thought I was asleep. Apparently, you were quite busy during your self isolation training, and I'm not talking about training." He called her out.
"I'm a healthy strong Alpha, what's so wrong with getting some action- ouch!" She yelped, when Kian pulled on her ear.
"You want to know what's so wrong? Stringing all these people along, it's never a good idea to play with people's emotions." He lectured, while pulling on her ear.
Kaida lightly tapped on his thin wrist, "Okay! Okay! I get it! I'll think about it!"
"Kaida-"
"Alright! I'll try!"
"Kaida-"
She huffed, "Fine! I won't be reckless! I promise you!"
Kian grinned and let go of her ear. "You're going to be eighteen in two weeks."
Kaida sighed, ready to hear him bring up the issue of her settling down with a mate, just like every one else had been doing ever since she returned from her isolation training.
Kian reached for her hand, and asked her gently, "So tell me, what would you like as a birthday present from me?"
She blinked twice. "A birthday present?"
"Of course!" He ruffled her hair slightly, "It's your birthday after all."
His words sharply reminded Kaida that turning eighteen meant getting her wolf and her birthday. But she had been so focused on getting her wolf, becoming a full fledged alpha and finding her 'mate' that she forgot something so simple.
A laugh escaped her mouth.
"That's right it is my birthday." She remarked. "Well, for a birthday gift, there's just one thing I want from you Kian." She said, her tone serious.
Kian huffed, "I thought we agreed to forget about it."
Kaida shook her head. "We said we'd talk about it once I got back. Kian, you know what I want more than anything." She exhaled sharply and relaxed her shoulders, then cast her straightforward gaze at him as she announced her wish.
"I want to free from this prison!"