26. A Heated Kiss
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The semi-finals of the pack games kicked off two days after the arrival of every other qualified pack to mine. I took pride in the fact that my arena was so much bigger than the one at Black Fur and I've worked closely with Larisa to provide entertainment for the games. So far, It has been fun.
But for the millionth time that day, my eyes scanned the arena in search of Aurelia. She was all I could think about these days. Unfortunately, I rarely get to see her anywhere except in my dreams.
"Well, there she is," Lex said to me right in time for Aurelia to step into the arena in the same dueling leather she had that made me twitch in my pants-
Larisa snorted beside me, cutting my train of thought, "There's no way she would survive dueling with Tara."
Tara was from my pack and she was a strong warrior with muscles in all the right places even though she wasn't bulky. Perhaps I'd have agreed with Larisa if I hadn't seen Aurelia defeat opponents who were bigger and stronger than Tara.
"She will," I said to Larisa whose eyes cut to mine. I'd made the mistake of doubting Aurelia's skills at the beginning of the game but I knew better now even though I didn't want my pack to lose any aspects of the game to Black Fur. "She's stronger than she looks." "I'd prefer you don't sing her praises, Raid. Please." Larisa hissed into my mind yet she maintained her bright smile.
I ignored her and focused on Aurelia's duel after sighting Tristan who was sitting with other Alphas a few sections from where I was sitting with Larisa. Watching Aurelia's games helped me learn some of her tactics and I must say, she was impressive. Initially, I wondered how she managed to become such a skilled warrior but after seeing Tristan's interest in her, I got my answer.
"H-how... She d-didn't just-" Larisa struggled with her words as she watched Aurelia prove me right.
Within a few minutes, Aurelia has Tara in a chokehold and on her back. During the previous rounds of Pack Games, I've seen warriors kill their opponents in the dueling field without giving them a chance to tap out but Aurelia had not killed anyone despite having won most of her duels.
Larisa was shocked beyond words when Tara tapped out, making Aurelia the winner. Although Tara delivered a number of hits on Aurelia, she still wasn't a match for the new woman Aurelia had become.
The next game was called Tug Of War and while participants lined up, my eyes were on Aurelia as she left the field. She had this smile on, causing my heart to flutter momentarily. Despite her presence in my pack, I still haven't been able to get her alone. The thoughts of her keep me up most nights and when I do get to sleep, I dream of the days we were married.
Gosh, I need to have a lengthy discussion with her... I need to find a way to keep her here when the games come to an end.
"Less talk, more action, Raiden." Lex scoffed into my mind. "Quit wasting time and grow some balls."
"You think it's easy?" I threw that question at my wolf, oblivious to the activities occurring around me. Even Larisa's hands on me couldn't distract me neither was I affected by the holes her eyes were burning into the side of my face.
"I know it's not supposed to be this hard. Who am I kidding? None of this should have happened if you treated her like a decent person... If you weren't hung up on a childish love that had ceased existing-"
"Okay! I heard you loud and clear, Lex." I snapped before my wolf could rub my mistakes in my face any more than he had already done these past few weeks. "I'll approach her after today's games."
"Oh, your balls are finally growing," Lex grumbled but he stopped being a pain in the ass for the rest of the game.
I tried to pay attention to the games
and to Larisa who was being a bit touchy... a lot more than usual but I didn't complain or detach until the games ended for the day. I and other Alphas descended from the high section, joining the warriors and other participants on the field to congratulate those who had won but we didn't forget to acknowledge the others.
"Now is the time." Lex reminded me after I dismissed everyone.
My eyes found Aurelia among the warriors without much effort. I waited till she was alone before making an attempt to approach her. I inhaled sharply with every step I took toward her, my heart beating rapidly like I'd been racing. "Aurelia," I called her mindlessly but nervously.
Her shoulders tensed and her head
snapped to me, her eyes were wide with shock as they darted around. It was at that moment that I realized had made another mistake. Of course, she didn't want to be called Aurelia. After all, she had been living a fie in her new pack.
"Can we talk?" I asked quickly as I didn't want to miss this opportunity. "We've nothing to talk about." She muttered through tight lips.
I took a step closer, "We do, Aurelia and-"
"Don't ever call me that and stay the hell away from me." She seethed, taking two steps backward to create more distance between us.
Before I could think of what to say to her, I was yanked backward and came face to face with Larisa who stared at me with raw mischief in her eyes. Not now, please. I pleaded in my mind.
But Larisa chimed affectionately,
acting like she didn't notice Aurelia, and without hesitation, she tiptoed, pressed her lips against mine in a heated kiss that had me frozen for a few minutes, and by the time she broke the unexpected kiss, Aurelia was gone.