Amaya's Storm (Book One)
Chapter Nine

-Amaya’s POV-

Jax had been bothering me since Jo left, throwing things at me or just making noises incessantly. When I got off the phone with Daniel he looked at me expectantly as if he didn’t just hear every word Daniel said. “What?”

“Well? What did Daniel say?” He motioned with his hands as if that would make me tell him.

I gave him a confused look, “You just heard everything he said. Why do I have to repeat everything?”

“It would be rude to listen in,” he shrugged.

“Since when did you worry about being rude?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Okay. All right. Yes I listened in. Is Aaron serious about you mating anyone other than Fox?” He responded with narrowed eyes.

I growled, “Apparently, and of course he’s at the top of the list of ‘acceptable’ mates,” I rolled my eyes.

“I regret inviting him to the feast. I’ll kick his ass if you want me to, Little Duck. Just say the word.”

I laughed, “So you’re my attack dog now?”

“What is it with you overgrown lizards and calling us wolves dogs?” He asked, sounding quite offended.

I laughed harder, causing my side to hurt, “Overgrown lizards?” I laughed louder, “At least a dog has more in common with a wolf than a lizard does with a dragon.”

“Bullshit! I rescind my offer to kick his ass,” he said before jumping up from his spot on my bed.

“That’s fine because I can kick his ass myself, and probably do a better job of it than you,” I said, smiling up at him.

“You’re the worst. You know that? Just the absolute worst.”

I grinned, “Oh yeah, but you wouldn’t have me any other way.”

He finally relented and gave me a smile, “I really wouldn’t,” he grabbed my face with both hands and kissed my forehead. “Rest up, Little Duck. We’re partying hard tonight.”

“Okay. Get out and let me sleep then,” I said, gently shoving him. He put his hands up in surrender and walked out of my room.

I woke up some time later feeling much better than I did yesterday, and a bit better than I did before my nap. Checking the time, I saw I only had a few hours to get ready for the feast. I was definitely not as woozy or shaky on my feet as I was even just this morning. I stripped and took the dressing off my wounds to check them. They were almost healed. I couldn’t shift yet, but I would be fine to move around for the night. I got ready after my shower and headed downstairs.

Jo and Charlie were the first ones to see me. Jo’s hand went to her mouth and Charlie’s eyes got misty. I raised an eyebrow, “Sweetie, you look just like your mother the first time she came to visit,” I smiled as Jo embraced me in a motherly hug.

“How do you feel?” Charlie asked.

“Better. Thank you,” I said, stepping out of Jo’s embrace with a small smile fixed to my lips.

We headed to the feast which was being held under a huge pavilion. It was already filled with Jax’s pack mates. The smell of food wafted over to me causing my stomach to growl. Jax laughed, “One of the pack members has a catering business. We always hire him when we have one of these. Their food is so good.” We waited for pack members to get their food and get seated before getting our own food.

Several of the older pack members came up to tell me how much I reminded them of my mom. By the time we got our food, Aaron showed up, fashionably late. “Good evening. I’m so sorry for my tardiness. I was dealing with some things in my clan.”

Charlie got up and gave him a firm handshake, “Not a problem, Aaron. Why don’t you go get yourself a plate of food and join us.”

Aaron glanced at me before he went to grab his plate. Once he turned his back Jax made kissy faces at him. I elbowed him hard in the ribs, “Would you act like an adult for once, please.”

He scoffed, “Me? Never. How boring would that be?”

I glared at him but didn’t get to use my snappy comeback as Aaron made it back to the table. Niamh sent out a wave of overwhelming dominance at him and I hoped it wouldn’t get picked up by the wolves at the table. Aaron coughed and pulled on his tie, “I understand.”

“Do you?” I asked him with narrowed eyes. He nodded, “Good.”

Niamh stopped sending out at least the overwhelming dominance. Jax looked between us, “What just happened?”

Aaron cleared his throat, “Niamh made herself clear on the stance of my proposal and showed I’m not as dominant as her, so even if she did agree, I wouldn’t be able to help-”

“Control,” I interrupted.

“Help,” he insisted, “Amaya when Niamh takes over-”

“If she takes over, which she won’t, because of my training and special relationship with her,” I said, giving him a pointed look.

Aaron sighed but put his hands up in surrender. “Yeah that’s the best course of action, Aaron,” Jax said with a chuckle, “Hey overgrown lizard, hurry up and finish eating so we can go dance.”

He poked me in the arm, side, and side of the head as if pestering me would help me eat faster. I gathered some food on my fork and slowly lifted it to my mouth. Jax groaned, “That’s what you get for annoying me and calling me an overgrown lizard.”

“Alexander leave the girl alone, for goddess’ sake, she’s injured,” Jo said in an attempt to get her son to act the way he should as a prince.

“But Mom-” he started but was silenced by a glare from Jo.

“‘Overgrown lizard’ is he serious?” Aaron asked me.

“He thinks it’s a good insult,” I said with a smile.

Aaron snorted, “Sure it is! Why wouldn’t it be?” Jax said.

“The accuracy leaves something to be desired, Prince,” I said, rolling my eyes.

“I still say it’s better than when you people call us dogs.”

“Of course you would say that. At least mine’s accurate. You have more in common with a dog than I do with a fucking lizard,” I flicked him on the ear as I got up, “Come on you wanted to dance, so let’s dance.”

When we reached the dance floor the band started playing a slower song. We danced along until Aaron came over, “May I cut in?”

Jax looked at me for confirmation before allowing Aaron to take his spot, “If you’re hoping to give me a sales pitch Aaron, you can save your breath.”

“I will always hold out hope you might one day say yes to my proposal and will flirt with you endlessly so you know the offer still stands. However, you are not interested so I won’t press you nor will I allow anyone in the Fire Clan to pressure you.”

I nodded my head, “Thank you Aaron. You will replace your mate one day, and it will be amazing when you do.”

“I’ve been thinking about touring the clans to look for her. I’m not getting any younger after all,” he said with a sadness creeping into his eyes.

“Aaron, you’re still young. You’ll live longer than most. You have plenty of time so long as you have patience.”

I felt Niamh reach out for Aaron’s dragon, attempting to comfort him. “See our dragons do like each other,” Aaron said with a flirtatious smile.

I rolled my eyes, “Uh huh. Niamh is just doing her job as queen, giving comfort to those who need it.” He leaned in, “Don’t push it Aaron.”

He chuckled, “Can’t blame a guy for trying.”

The rest of the night passed quickly. I danced with several of Jax’s pack members before the night ended. Jax walked me to my room with his arm slung around my shoulder, “Did you have a good time Little Duck?”

“I did. You guys know how to throw a party,” I said with a smile.

“Yeah we do,” he wrapped me in a tight hug, “Get some rest Little Duck. Tomorrow’s going to be a big day.”