Devoured By Flames

Chapter 3~ Cedar and Books

~Azula~

The scent that came from him was mouth-watering, he smelled of Cedar and books, though his words were harsh, causing her to take a step back a soft whimper escaping her as her wolf spoke,

“What has gotten into him? Isn’t he our mate? Doesn’t he want us?”

Though she had to bite back a growl when he said he wished to see us dead. Fur bristling as she sized up this man, but yet he had looked nearly pained to say such a thing,

“It’s better this way” she honestly told Seraphina.

“Maybe if things weren’t so insanely complicated between us due to the uncertainty and unclear meaning of the prophecy then we could have had each other. Or maybe when this is finally over … We might have a chance.”

“He will certainly have to earn that chance after what he has said to us.”

“That my dear wolf, I wholeheartedly agree on.”

The loud snapping of rearranging bones cut their internal conversation short and now it was her turn to be in awe of his wolf. The massive red beast towered above her, his pelt looked as if it was born from the flames of hell itself, seeking to devour and consume. Golden eyes are a sharp yet beautiful contrast to the red fur. Muscles rippled underneath his coat as he shifted his weight to throw back his head in a mighty howl.

No, she didn’t forgive him, but she knew this was something greater than both of them deciding to set aside transgressions as she joined him. Starting their first run, giving her head a shake as she took off, not taking long to get used to her new form, padded paws striking against the earth, throwing up dead leaves behind her as she weaved through trees.

She felt … free, like a bird in a cage that had been clipped of its wings and they had finally grown them back and were allowed to fly. Soaring over a decaying log landing elegantly as a flash of red caught her attention, he was easily catching up with her, a snort escaping her in wolf form as she playfully nipped at him. Happily, but surprised he allowed it, though looked slightly annoyed.

“He says mean things, but he is already struggling to resist us,” Seraphina purred.

“Remember that’s simply the mate bonds doing, don’t get your hopes up, I heard he was an Omega turned Alpha, he challenged him and won but then he killed all the warriors that refused to bow to him.” All rumors of course….

“Oh, that’s hot,” her wolf cooed suggestively. Her ears twitched to the side to see the scattered pack now running with them.

“Not really, and that’s concerning, why would you find that attractive?”

“What’s actually more concerning is that you don’t find that attractive, if we have pups, we can count on him being able to protect them.”

She nearly chuckled to herself before she realized she was in wolf form and could do no such thing. “Seraphina, we can protect our pups.”

They honestly didn’t need a man to do that job, but it did sound ... nice. Finally, they reached the lake, and she was allowed to catch her breath, though her mate seemed fine.

Azula caught him watching her with curiosity as the other wolves joined them pairing up and going to drink water or lay off together. She held his gaze for a moment longer before moving off to the edge of the water looking at her reflection before she allowed herself to drink. Finding a spot close to him to settle, she hated the feeling of wanting to be close but, what she hated more was when he ignored her and went to lay with his pack.

“He is just a great Alpha.” Seraphina tried to defend him,

“Well, he is a terrible mate,” she said tiredly to her wolf. She was met with silence, at least she didn’t try arguing it. “Let’s rest we have a long trip tomorrow.” Yes, yes they did. “Goodnight Seraphina”

“Goodnight Azula.”

And with that, she was finally able to drift off to sleep with her pack underneath the night sky.

She had woken up early to find his pack gone and the pack she resided in was leaving as well. Deciding not to waste any time she moved to a hollow tree making sure the clothes remained where they had been left. Shifting back for the first time was painful but once it was completed, she quickly threw on the spare clothes and made her way back to the packhouse.

It was bittersweet, she was free but, in a way, she felt like she was leaving everything she had ever known or loved behind.

“We can visit” Seraphina assured her.

“I know I know,” she stated as she stripped the clothes off to take the world's quickest shower, brushing her teeth before drying off and pulling on jeans, simple combat boots, and a white t-shirt. Casually throwing her hair into a quick and messy French braid. She had wanted to pack but when she exited the bathroom she had seen her mom had already done that, men casually collecting her things and moving them off.

“Mother I could have packed,” she said gently,

“I’m aware I just wanted to help you,” though she noticed the woman’s voice wavered moving forward to cup her face “I will return to you mother.” She replied gently brushing her mom's blonde hair from her face “and when you do I hope you can forgive me, my dear.”

Azula opened her mouth to question what her mother meant though the words became caught in her throat as her mate entered.

“Leave us,” He commanded the room as they all obeyed. Leaving her alone with him. The soft click of the door rendered her speechless.

She shivered at his hungry gaze, this was the complete opposite from last night, he stalked forward as she found her back was now against the wall. His hands rested on either side of her face as he lowered his face to hers. “Little Flame” he whispered in a deep silky voice. “My name is Azula” she corrected him, he growled before speaking “your name is whatever I want it to be!”

She had to keep herself from laughing “well I can give you a name suggestion at least” she purred playing into his game cupping his chin teasingly “let’s start with, ‘not yours’” but as soon as the words left her mouth … she regretted them. For the room erupted in flames.