The sharp bite of the tree dug into my back, the uneven ground poking at my tailbone. The air was whooshing in my lungs, my heart racing for me to breathe. Spots clouded my vision as I worked through the panic.

It was nothing I haven't gone through before, I reminded myself.

Warm, rough hands grabbed my own, pulling them from my face. The buzzing sensations set my blood on fire, and not in the bad way. They were surprisingly gentle as they pulled my hands into one of theirs, the other pushing my chin up against the tree.

"Ailia..." Asra murmured.

I cringed at the way his voice floated through my ears, a promise of sweetness. "Please don't... I didn't mean to upset you."

"Ailia..." He repeated, drawing my eyes up to his face.

The blue was swirling with emotions I couldn't decipher. I had never seen emotions like that before and wondered what they meant. I was used to pity, or anger, or confusion but this... seemed... strange. His eyebrows were furrowed, his lips in a small pout as his narrowed eyes studied me.

I exhaled the built-up breath, calming my racing heart. His thumb caressed my upper cheek as he watched me silently. With the comforting warmth of his skin and the gentle swirls of blue night skies in his eyes, I felt my mind start to relax. My shoulders sagged, my head falling further into his hand to seek out his comfort. His magic truly worked wonders.

"Ailia, are you with me?" His soft voice rumbled my ears.

I nodded, shakily whispering a yes. His thumb stopped its circling but he didn't pull his hand away. His shoulders seemed to relax, a loud sigh escaping him as he dropped his head.

"I didn't expect this," He murmured.

"Sorry, I didn't expect to do this again..." I began but he shook his head.

"It's not that... It's just... this." He grunted.

I cocked my head in confusion. His hand fell from my face as though I had burned him, standing to his full height. I pulled my knees closer to my body again as he towered over me, feeling exposed and minimal in comparison.

"I don't understand," I whispered.

He growled, running a hand over his face. "You weren't supposed to be here. This wasn't supposed to happen."

I frowned, not understanding the sudden mood change. By the way he seemed to grow more frustrated, I couldn't help but wonder if his words had a double meaning. He growled again, pulling at the hair at the side of his head. I shrunk further into the tree, trying to make myself look less threatening as he seemed to lose his temper.

"What were you doing out here?" He growled.

I jumped slightly, looking back up into his eyes. They had darkened, the slight confusion vanished as anger took its place.

"I-I-I don't want to be there," I whispered.

"Why?" He snapped.

"I don't belong." I mumbled, looking back to my shoes.

It fell silent. I could feel his eyes burning into my skull as I stayed submissively on the floor. Eventually he exhaled and started pacing, arms crossed as he fell deep into thought. I watched his bare feet as they chucked up leaves and debris in their path. How his strong legs tensed and rippled with the movement. I only now caught onto the fact he was shirtless, just a pair of shorts low on his hips.

"You're right." He mumbled.

"What?" I wondered, taking in a shaky breath.

He had stopped, his eyes boring back into my skull. "I said you are right."

I licked my lips, nervously running my hands down my arms. "About what?"

"You don't belong here."

I flinched as though he had slapped me. I never thought anyone would actually say it, the thoughts being secluded to my own mind.

"What?" I breathed.

He snorted, shaking his head. He widened his stance, crossing his arms to look more threatening. I cringed, clenching my jaw as he hovered over me to intimidate me.

"You said you don't belong and you are right." He repeated. "You are a human in the world of shifters. Why would the Moon Goddess pair a wolf like me with a weakling like you?"

I recoiled, my hands grabbing at the dirt beside me. "I..."

"You can't even answer that because you know it's true. You are not matched to be mine..." He chuckled darkly. "Do you know what is out there?"

I shook my head, remaining silent as he reprimanded me. Every man was the same. Dominance, dominance, dominance.

Everyone else was better than me.

"It's rogue territory. No-man's land." He replied. "No pack owns that land, a strip between neighbours that spar as freedom. Some rogues are fine, still sane enough to know not to attack another wolf. But some are not, and will kill anything that they feel threatened by. Humans are just a tasty treat. They love to hunt your kind. Chase you until you tire, make you feel safe and then tear you limb from limb."

A small gasp escaped my throat as he leaned over me, his hand pushing into the bark.

"If the rogues don't get to you first, the men will. Before the dark parts of your mind will take over." His eyes were dark and terrifying as he watched me like a predator. "So, tell me, little flower, is it worth the risk of your freedom?"

Despite the nickname, I shuddered at the dark meanings that left his mouth. I would succumb, fall victim to it but I couldn't. Whilst he awaited his answer, I built up the reinforcements in my mind. Blocking those parts of my mind away, I shut my emotions down. Box after box, breath after breath, I stored them away to not be reached ever again.

With a numbness I had grown accustomed to, I pushed myself to my feet. I was rather unsteady, but the change had the Alpha step away, confusion taking over his taunting.

"Thank you for the factual story," I replied, levelling my gaze with his. "But I have my fair share of nightmares, there's nothing a little chase can do to hurt me."

Shock graced his features for a moment before the hard stare slid back into place. He leaned into my personal space, trying to intimidate me even more, but I was stone. I could take a beating; I could take a reprimand as simple as turning the kettle on.

"Chase? It'll be more than a chase, Flower, it'll be a hunt." He breathed, his face inches from mine. "You'll end up running in circles looking for something you cannot have."

I could feel his lips brush my nose, his breath warming my skin. It soothed my body, rushing through my veins and spurring on the fight.

I had a feeling we weren't talking much about the rogues anymore.

"How jaded," I murmured.

His eyes searched mine, looking for a flicker of emotion. Darius would often do the same, giving up when he would find nothing. Men like that, men like Darius, loved a reaction. It seemed to spur them on, edge them to the brink of insanity so they could fight with a cause.

Asra was no different. He wanted me to crack, me to leave so that he could live his life in peace. In his world, I was a burden. I was a soul-destined person that was meant to be his. There was no chemistry other than fate-destined tales. It was biology, humans and shifters shouldn't be together. He was right on that one. I didn't want to be his Luna and he didn't want someone like me by his side.

He had Piper for that, and I had... myself.

I was just a chemical reaction in his brain that wanted me near. Something that called to his instinct to have me because I was meant to be. He would feel that way for along time, from what Eve told me. Even if I died, a part of him would always be tied to me. If only he could just let me move on, and let me leave.

But here was better than out there, it seemed. Not that he needed to know that.

I cocked my head before glancing over my shoulder to the apparently invisible border. "Sounds like a good game. My husband always did like games."

His nostrils flared and I noted the slight twinge of... jealousy? Yes, definitely jealous. I recognised that look anywhere. If I ever spoke to another man alone, Darius would go all protective. Possessive arm holding, tight grip and shifting movements. Loud laughter and glaring eyes would bore into me, nostrils flaring and jaw tightening as I was dragged away. Reprimanded for being such a slut when I was being friendly.

"Husband?" He growled.

"You think this isn't the first time I've ever been threatened?" I mused, levelling my gaze with his once more. "You're going to have to dig a little deeper if you are trying to be rid of me."

His teeth pulled back and I flinched at the sight. It made him smirk but I couldn't help but be worried about the glinting canines that took the place of four of his human teeth.

"I don't think it'll be that hard," He quipped.

"Better get a list going, Alpha. This little chase could last quite a while." I smirked.

His cheeks hollowed as he fought for another response. "You will never be mine, Ailia. I do not have any use for you. You living here is just a thorn in my side. I will keep you close for the pack's benefit but I do not need you. You will just be running around looking for a reason, for a purpose to keep living here. It'll only be a matter of days before you wilt and get hunted by the rogues, round and around again."

I licked my lips, clearing my throat as I took a step forward. "How intriguing.... A pursuit."

He recoiled, more affected by what I said than he thought he would be. With a grin, I side-stepped him and walked back the way I came. I had no idea where I was going, but whenever I would wander back in Evermore, I would often find myself on the right path. He didn't follow me as I left and I did not turn back to see what I had left behind either.

If it was a challenge he wanted, then it was a challenge he would get.

I would make this pursuit everlasting.

************

Yes knock that alpha down a notch Ailia baby
I love that woman heh

Question of the day;
Do you have a favourite flower? If so, any special reason?