HUNTED

Gabriel released her chin and smirked before looking away. Aila snapped out of the daze she was in and parted her lips from how close they were.

Aila hissed and clasped her hand on her mark. It burned to the point that it felt like an iron stick had been placed in a fire before burning her skin. Her shoulders hunched forwards, and she became increasingly aware of the mate bond as tears filled her eyes and she gasped.

"Get ready, then you can call your mate," Gabriel snapped before pointing her towards another door. "We'll be downstairs when you are ready. I'll order some food for you-"

"I'm not hungry. I think my wolf ate a bunch of deer.." Aila interrupted in a low voice. Her mark had calmed down, but Gabriel's icy gaze made her trail off.

"Your injury is not yet healed. I can still smell your blood. Clean it, have a shower or a bath, then come down," He ordered before turning away, leaving no room for complaint. Not that she would complain about showering, she wanted to remove the dirt and blood under her nails and wherever else it was, along with relaxing her muscles.

Plus, she didn't want to keep walking around wearing nothing but Gabriel's shirt. Aila grimaced, thinking about him seeing her body but pushed the thoughts away as she entered the luxurious bathroom meant for a king. The décor was of black and gold this time, the lighting appearing to be some sort of 'mood lighting'. Sighing, she walked up to the counter and stared at herself in the mirror. 

She nearly didn't recognise herself. Gabriel said she'd been feral for two days, yet the wild look behind her eyes made her think she had been gone for much longer. The dark circles and hollow cheekbones, along with the dirt and blood covering almost all inches of her body and white, matted hair. She looked awful! Aila sagged and looked around the large bathroom.

Not only was the tub fit for five people as it sunk into the ground, with jets on the side for a jacuzzi, but the shower also had two showerheads meant for two people, along with the waterfall shower in the middle. Was this Gabriel's place? Where the hell was she?

After stripping and figuring out what button did what for the shower, she finally stood under one of the shower heads and had the longest shower she had probably had in her life. Well, except for the times she was with Damon in the shower. Her core clenched at the memory, and the bond tugged at her, urging her to go back to him.

Sighing, she let the heated water pelt down on her skin, rinsing away the dirt and blood and relaxing her tight muscles. Once she was clean, she checked out the stab wound on her back and was happy to see it had at least crusted over like a scab. Though, she hoped it wouldn't scar. It was ugly. Not only was there the circular mark from the knife twisted in her back but also a cut going along her lower back.

She quickly got changed and checked herself in the mirror again. Maybe she should eat; it looked like she hadn't in days. With that thought, she left the bathroom in her black attire, feeling more comfortable than Gabriel's shirt, and reached for the door. 

As soon as she opened it, her eyes widened. Aila stood at the top of a transparent staircase with glass on one side, presumably to stop someone completely falling off the side. The view from where she stood looked down upon one huge luxurious space that went around a corner she could not see.

The décor was still white and black, with mainly floor-to-ceiling windows on one side showcasing that spectacular view of the city. A city, she presumed, was Chester?

"Yes, you are in Chester." Gabriel's voice echoed through her mind and her head whipped to the side after feeling someone's gaze on her. The vampire stood waiting at the bottom of the stairs for her. Aila gingerly walked down the steps, her body still tired but a lot better after her shower.

"I want to call Damon," She whispered and watched Gabriel's gaze harden.

"Once you've eaten, Aila," Gabriel whispered back, and she could tell he was staring at her mark. It made the area burn even more under his cool gaze.

Once she made it to the bottom step, Gabriel stepped back and walked her towards one of the many couches. These ones were set in the far corner, near the floor-to-ceiling windows, but before she sat down, her gaze landed on a figure standing stiff and looking out the window, alert.

"Finn?"

He snapped his head around, and she watched as a relieved smile brightens his face while he marched towards her and pulled her into a hug. Aila blinked from the shock, her arms still resting by her sides, but after a few seconds, she put her arms around his broad shoulders.

"Aila, thank the goddess you're okay.. After you collapsed and I couldn't mind-link you.." He pulled back and scratched the stubble on his jaw, "I didn't know what to think.." He searched her eyes, "I am the worst Delta in the history of-"

Aila pulled him back in for a hug, "You're the best Delta I could ask for." She pulled back and grinned after seeing his cheeks flush red. It was cute.

Gabriel rolled his eyes. "Werewolves.." He muttered and slumped down on the sofa crossing his ankle over his other knee and resting his arm against the back of the white leather couch.

"Hey, Gabe.. I never asked.. how do you know what you look like if you can't see yourself in the mirror?" Finn retorted.

"Oh!"

Aila turned around and rolled her eyes with a giggle when she saw Ajax saunter from the bar behind the couch Gabriel sat at. 

"I refuse to reply to a boys remark," Gabriel replied dryly as Aila and Ajax' eyes met, and the shapeshifter stilled on the spot.

"Aila.." He raised his hands and approached her slowly, "I know you like to flirt with me.. but trying to literally eat me.. it takes it a liiiiiittle too far.."

Aila's brows drew together, and she tilted her head to the side, "I tried to eat you?"

Ajax slumped down on the other end of the sofa, a good three seats in between the vampire and shifter. "Baby, you tried to devour me. Your wolf is one vicious bit-"

Finn growled. Ajax held his hands up. "I didn't mean it as an insult. Aila, doll," His face became serious as he raked his hand through his stylishly messy dark locks, "it's good to have you back."

Aila shook her head, "Honestly, the last thing I remember now is telling you to rest. Thanks for bringing me back guys," Her eyes darted from Gabriel's stoic expression to Finn and Ajax' wolfish smile before landing on someone she did not actually expect to see.