Aila shook her thoughts off after the others caught up to them, and they continued with their day of shopping. By the end of it, Aila’s feet were hurting, and her stomach was growling. They spent the whole day shopping and didn’t stop since to eat or sit down. She didn’t know how Ajax and Finn kept up or not showing their own boredom when the girls went into a store to buy makeup. 

“Gamma Chiara-” Aila mind-linked, but the Gamma cut her off, “Just Chiara. Please, I’d like to think of us as friends after going through the same exhausting experience!”

Aila giggled in reply and stopped when Nairi looked over suspiciously at the pair of them before continuing with their shopping. She forgot what she was going to ask the Gamma and ended up trudging through the rest of the day at the back of the group. 

Aila and Chiara felt like naughty school children every time Nairi told them off and to try something on. Aila swore by the end of the day she was bruised from how much she tried on from all the outfits Nairi kept throwing her way. 

After their day of shopping, they returned to the mansion. They all dispersed to their own rooms with the many shopping bags in tow. Aila still held six bags even though she already had plenty of clothes in the wardrobe- all from Nairi ordering her to buy them. 

Next time, she would send Nairi by herself; that way, she didn’t need to deal with the hassle of such daunting tasks. Although she was exhausted, she enjoyed herself with the group, even with the crazy story about the Gattoni sisters. 

As soon as she made it to her room, she dropped the bags and collapsed on the bed face down. She giggled to herself at the idea that she now had enough clothes to have an outfit each day for a month. This was without them buying dresses for balls and ceremonies that the pack held. Grabbing a pillow, she placed it above her head, taking comfort in the darkness and the soft sheets. The only thing she needed now was Damon.

Hmm, where is he?

The last she saw him was from their kiss in the morning, then he ran off as something urgent appeared to show up. She hoped he was okay.

“Aila, move your ass!” 

Hmm, maybe she shouldn’t wonder where her beloved mate is..

“Come eat. Now,” Damon demanded through the mind-link.

Aila rolled onto her back, a mischievous smile on her lips, “Nah, I’m okay.”

“What are you doing?” Malia perked up at her disobedience. 

“Aila..” He growled in return. His voice sent a carnal ripple through her body and down to her core.

“Yes?” She replied breathlessly. 

“Get down here now, or I will help you come down,” He growled his ultimatum. 

“Hmmm,” She placed her hand on her chin as though he was there in the room, “It would help me move. I’m afraid Nairi has worn me out, and I am out for the night now. Thank you!”

“Aila! I am not-“

Aila shut off the mind-link, something she found out was only an Alpha and Luna could do. 

“What are you doing? You know he will come for you..” Malia said sceptically. 

“I know,” Aila smiled at the thought. 

Her wolf moaned, “Really!? Remember the part in the books where it said Alpha’s could punish their mates..”

“He won’t do that.”

Malia moaned and grumbled as she began pacing in her mind; all the while, Aila kept her hands behind her head and looked up at the ceiling with her legs crossed.

A grin formed on her face as she heard the loud footsteps of Alpha Damon coming down the hallway. A low growl vibrated through the walls and straight to Aila’s core; she licked her lips in anticipation, then composed herself and closed her eyes. She was looking forward to seeing him, she didn’t know if it was the bond or if it was her, but she didn’t mind ‘rattling his cage’ to get a stir out of him. 

“I’m not sure teasing him was a good idea.. Well, I hope you’re happy.. I’ll see you on the other side…” Malia whispered.

“Really? You’re such a drama queen..”

“Am I!? I th-“

The door swung open and hit the wall with a loud thud. Aila opened her eyes to see all 6ft4 of Damon in the doorway, his chest heaving, jaw tight, nostrils flaring and fists by his sides as his eyes flickered between shining and staying at their normal gorgeous silver. Another growl escaped his lips as their eyes met; she felt herself become wet from looking at him alone. 

Damon stormed towards her, picking her up easily and slammed her against the wall roughly. His fingers dug into her jacket as he brought his face close to hers. Aila’s chest rose and fell with his now as she stared back at him. 

Before he could say anything else, Aila leaned forwards and smacked her lips onto his. His eyes went wide from shock but automatically closed as he relaxed his hands on her arms. She slid her hands up his muscular arms and through to his wavy hair, earning an appreciative growl vibrating through his chest. 

His tongue came forwards, and she opened her lips, letting him dominate her mouth. Their tongues met, almost fighting the other for control, but soon she relented after feeling him lean into her, his leg parting hers open. His hands were leaning against the wall by her head now as they continued to kiss. He ripped his lips away from hers, leaving them both gasping as they looked at each other.

“Aila”, He growled her name, his anger rising to the surface again. His hand snaked around her neck, the grip tight but not tight enough to restrict her breathing or leave a bruise. 

“Hi,” She breathed, causing him to frown in disbelief.

“HI?! You made me come all this way.. to say hello?” He asked incredulously, his grip on her throat tightening slightly. 

“Yep. I missed you and wanted to say hi without any onlookers,” She replied, not bothered at all by his hand; she was actually a little turned on by it. 

Oh gosh, was there something wrong with her? 

He removed his hand and brought his face closer to hers again, but this time he gently placed his rough hands on her smooth cheeks, stroking them simultaneously as he glanced between her eyes, “You could have asked for me without the dramatics.”

“I’m not the one that came up here all guns blazing because I didn’t want to come to dinner..” She pouted then quickly continued when she saw his eyes burning into hers again, “I am tired, though. Nairi can seriously shop!”

Damon’s eyes crinkled from a smile he was trying to hold back before he inhaled deeply and stepped away from her on the wall; he grabbed her hand and tugged her slightly towards the door. “Having something to eat will do you some good,” His deep voice made her internally smile.

But instead of following him, Aila planted her feet and refused to move, causing him to turn around with an annoyed expression on his face. She looked him up and down, and only just this second realised he wasn’t in any gym gear or shorts. But wore jeans, smart shoes and a button-down black shirt, the sleeves rolled up slightly, revealing his thick arms beneath. The top two buttons were undone, exposing a part of his muscular chest. 

“Enjoying the view?” He smirked; she rolled her eyes but was happy to see his temper diminishing. 

“Does everyone dress up normally?” She asked nervously.

His face softened before replying, “We can wear tracksuits if you want?”

“No! Let me put something else on, and then I’ll come down,” She replied excitedly as she began searching through the bags for something smarter to wear. Today it seemed, she really wanted to wear clothes other than her workout gear. 

Damon ended up waiting for her even though she suggested he should go down and see to the others. Aila walked back out of the bathroom, wearing a black dress that was fit snuggly on her upper body and flowed out down to her knees. She put on a pair of pumps and then placed her hand in Damon’s outstretched one. But instead of them strolling through the halls, Damon yanked her forwards and slung her over his shoulder.

“What are you doing!?” She screeched while placing her hand on her bottom. The skirt wasn’t short, but he was racing through the halls like he was only carrying flowers, causing the dress to ride up slightly.

He smacked her bottom before gliding his hand up her bare thigh, causing her to inhale sharply by the tingling sensation.

“I told you I would help you come down to dinner,” He chuckled.

“That’s not helping!” She slapped at his hand and felt his growl vibrate through him.

“Next time, princess, just call me like a normal person.”

“Oh, there won’t be a next time, Mr!” She started kicking again before he smacked her on the cheeks again. 

Damon laughed at her reply, “You know, I’m quite happy you chose this dress.”

He suddenly dropped her down, so she stood in front of him before the kitchen. He pulled her towards him and cupped her bum before lowering his lips to her ear, “Not only do you look sexy, but I now have easy access…”

Aila gasped and looked up at him, her eyes wide as she took in his devilish grin. 

She gulped before receiving a long kiss on the lips and his hand intertwined with hers as he began pulling her gently towards the dining room.