Alpha's love
Unexpected

Aria's body still ached with pain from her experience with Eric, even after a week. And yet, she secretly wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. Her bond with Marcus had grown stronger after the attack, when he had saved her and then after she woke up and he was there. The whole time she had been sleeping in the pack house he had sat right next to her through it all, holding her hand and talking to her, at least that's what Eve had told her. She and Marcus had even shared a kiss or two...or maybe ten throughout the week and Eve had continued to look the other way as they slipped into the woods to shift and run together. Although Aria tried to ignore it, shifting was growing more and more dangerous around Marcus. Their wolves wanted to mate and they made it very very clear. Aria couldn't ignore the heat that raced through her as she thought about making love to Marcus but she knew that right now, they had to focus on their packs. Now that they knew Eric was after both of them, making it clear after he had known he was taking Marcus's mate, they had both signed a peace treaty and their packs were building a hut right on the border between the two of their properties to use as meeting places. They both had agreed that taking Eric and his pack of rouges out was a top priority, before he could gather his forces into an army and attack the two. Now, standing at the party that Aria had organized to officially swear in Eve as her beta, a smile formed on her face. A bonfire warmed the air and created a happy environment as her and Marcus's wolves mingled amongst each other shaking hands and tipping heads. Aria had expected the packs to be more on edge with each other, but they had been quite welcoming as they saw that it would benefit both of their alphas, it helped that her and Marcus were mates to of course. Eve slipped up beside Aria calling her attention as her eyes sparkled with joy and excitement.

"Alpha, I am beyond joyful that you have appointed me to Beta. Of course, I know that this job is a lot to handle but I wanted to assure you once again that I am more than capable of handling it." Eve's smile grew larger as Aria let out a chuckle, "Eve, I know you are more than capable of handling this. You've been running things very nicely around here while I have had to handle outside pack business, and I can trust you." Eve beamed before wrapping her arms around Aria, squeezing her tight. Aria laughed before squeezing Eve back. A small growl behind her made her let go and she rolled her eyes at Eve, smelling her mate behind her. Eve let out a squeal, "oops, I'd better go mingle," and with that she scurried off sending a wolfish smile back at Aria as she turned around. Marcus frowned a little at Eve's retreating figure before turning to Aria, "I don't like it when other people touch you, Aria, your MINE" he growled pulling Aria towards him. Aria bit her lip trying to keep from laughing at his ridiculous antics, "Marcus, she's a good friend, my beta, straight, and a girl, I'm 100 percent sure she's not interested in me." Marcus shrugged as he bent down towards Aria, his lips kissing the tip of her nose, "I know, my wolf just gets possessive over you. With good judgement as well, considering your the prettiest wolf to walk this planet," he murmured his eyes darkening as she licked her lips. "Marcus...." she whispered tilting her head towards his. His eyes darkened even more as she whispered his name, "tell me what you want, Aria," he whispered his voice low. Aria tugged on his shirt and he complied, eagerly tilting his head down to meet hers in a deep kiss. She let him take control of the kiss, his tongue pushing into her mouth, tasting her. A low moan sounded in her throat as she pulled herself closer to him, and he growled in return deepening the kiss. She was the first to break their kiss, taking in a deep breath as he pressed his forehead against hers his hot breath fanning her face. She grinned up at him before stepping away, "as much as I would love to continue, I have to swear in Eve, Marcus." She smiled again as he frowned squeezing her hand, "can't your beta wait," he mumbled and Aria patted his cheek laughing at his childishness. "Duty calls Marcus, you know that," and then she turned and made her way up onto the deck clearing her throat to address their packs.

"It is with great pleasure that I have gathered you here tonight to officially swear in my good friend, colleague, and beta, Eve!" Aria grinned as both packs gathered around the edge of the porch, hooting and hollering as Eve walked up the stage a large smile on her face. Milean howled with delight in her head, singing her approval. Aria drew a claw across her palm drawing a small line of blood, watching as Eve did the same, then they shook hands both of their wolves dancing in their eyes as Eve's wolf bowed down to Aria's showing submission and taking the position next to her side as Beta. Aria clapped her friend on the back, "Well, now its official!" Already she could feel the bond between them growing stronger as their blood bond took place. And then warning howls sounded from far away. Aria's head immediately flew up as she and all the other wolves looked towards the sound. The howl sounded again this time, even more urgent and Aria knew it was not coming from one of her pack members. Marcus flew by her, his big black wolf streaking across the yard as he raced for his pack house, his pack members racing after him. Aria forced herself to ignore the urge to run after him turning to address her pack members as a shot of adrenaline raced through her. "Five of you, go now with Alpha Marcus. The rest of you gather the elderly and children in the pack house. Off-duty scouts go to your posts and see if you can understand what is going on. Howl if you see anything suspicious, most likely its Eric and he'll be out for blood, GO!" Her pack members raced off to fulfill their duties and Aria turned to Eve taking a deep breath to calm herself, ''Eve, please go to Marcus's house and see what is going on. We have a mind link and I trust you with my life, I would go but I must stay here in case of an attack." Eve nodded curtly, her face grim and serious as she yanked her dress down to her ankles and shifted into her lean brown wolf, bounding away in the direction that Marcus had gone. Aria's hand shook as she gripped onto the railing, closing her eyes for a second as she sent a silent plea to the moon goddess. Please, don't take him from me, she whispered before turning and jogging into the pack house where the elderly were being made comfortable on her couches, coaxing the children to play quietly on the floor. She took a moment to admire the adorable little boys and girls in front of her, a pang in her chest reminding her that she would have that with Marcus someday and was struck with the realization that she and Marcus had yet to discuss their lives in the future. They couldn't do this forever, run back and forth between their two packs, not being able to go to one another if their packs were endangered for fear that theirs would be attacked if they left. We'll have to talk about that Aria muttered to herself and Milean snorted in agreement, pacing anxiously as she worried about their mate. Her pack members who had gathered the elderly and children gathered around her waiting for their next orders. Aria shook her head to clear her thoughts, "Prepare for war, whatever made on of Marcus's...Alpha Marcus's scouts howl might be coming for us as well." Her pack members dipped their heads, some of the mates hugging each other tightly and whispering soothing words to one another. Aria turned away unable to watch and perked up as Eve's voice rang in her head, Alpha...its Eric. He, well he's at Marcus's pack house.

WELL WHAT DOES HE WANT! Aria shrieked in her head as Eve died off. He's......he's challenged Alpha Marcus for the pack.