Waiting For Her (The Alphas Young Mate)

Five | The Agreement.

POV | Ace

I looked to my angel seeing her fret from the words the Elder had just spoken... 'Who would say that to a f*cking kid'  Xerxes roared inside me. Turning to me with tears in her eyes Aliah squeaked "Death?" Falling to my knees I opened my arms, she immediately ran into them accepting the embrace. Her tiny arms circling around my neck while I rubbed her back in soothing circles "I'm not going to let anything happen to you Angel, I promise" I whispered in her ear feeling her breathing begin to calm as I spoke, I briefly locked eyes with Stone, who right now, I wanted to crush into a million pieces... as did Xerxes as a growl escaped me upon seeing his face. 

Looking towards the Elders I stood with Aliah in my arms "Is there anything we can do to ensure her safety?" They looked on at Aliah and I with gazes unreadable "A mate I see.... one is known to be stronger when with their mate... Perhaps your presence is enough..." I clenched my jaw taking in their words spoken in a riddle. If I could take anything from what they just said, it was that Aliah was safest if she stayed with me. I looked over to Stone knowing his gaze would already be filled with anger as the same thought would have crossed his mind, it was evident the fight between us wasn't going to be over any time soon. 

Standing tall I bowed my head to the Elders "Thank you for your time" They too bowed in respect before retreating to the depths of the cavern, without a second though I turned on my heel heading for the exit. I was not going to let my Angel be stuff in this place a moment longer than she had to. As I stepped out a fresh breeze hit my skin bringing me relief from the stuffy cavern, I looked down entranced seeing Aliah's hair flowing freely in the wind. Freedom... that's what my Angel deserved, and that's what I was going to give her. Stuck in a trance I noticed her eyes looking up to me, a smile pulling on her lips as she reached up placing her hand gently on my skin "Thank you.." She whispered out lightly, I lifted my hand placing it over hers. I wanted to tell her never to thank me for protecting her, that she deserved this and so much more... But no words came out, yet she looked on at me with a knowing smile as if reading my thoughts. 

It didn't take longer before I could hear footsteps behind me, it was evident that they belonged to none other than Stone as he carried himself heavier than the others. Letting out a sigh I turned to him briefly before continuing on down the path, I half expected him to yell out at me to stop or demand I give him Aliah. Instead he kept quiet, walking at a steady pace behind me. I felt Aliah shuffle in my arms to look over my shoulder at him, her glance only lasted a second before she hid her face in my neck. I could only imagine what she must be feeling, if she grasped the conversation that went on with the Elders then she would know her father tried to take her wolf from her. She may be young, but she held a maturity that others her age did not. I felt her cling to me tighter, only making my assumption ring true. 

It wasn't long before we had all made our way to the car, we all remained silent taking our seats as we did earlier. Father began to drive towards the pack house, the air was thick from the unspoken words. Stone lied... plain and simple. I looked down at Aliah as she too sat silent, playing with her fingers she sighed "Why did you lie Father..." My body tensed hearing her weak voice, yet I admired her bold words. 

"Not now child" He spoke lowly, keeping his eyes focused out the window. I watched her brows crease in worry as she continued to play with her hands "Do I scare you... like I scare Mother" Her voice coming out weak, reaching down I placed my hand between hers, stopping her from picking at her skin. She welcomed it instantly, wrapping her small hands around my fingers "Aliah..." Stone sighed.

"Please tell me.." She squeaked out turning to him, shaking his head he shut his eyes and growled "Yes, I'm scared everyday Aliah..." Her hands trembled against mine at his tone, I smelt her tears as they began to fill her eyes. I protectively pulled her closer to me, glaring at Him. Feeling my gaze he turned to me before looking down to Aliah, his face softening like it did earlier when he saw her upset. Reaching over he placed a hand on her knee "Child... you've got it wrong, I'm scared that I won't find you in time when you disappear again... The thought of losing you is what scares me" 

Aliah kept her head low, staring down at our connected hands. Her Father's words left hanging in the air as she didn't respond, a moment passed before Aliah looked up to me "Ace..." I smiled down at her "...what are the chances of you surviving if your wolf was taken from you?" My smile faltered, Aliah had definitely caught on to why Father and I were beyond mad at Stone... yes he may have feared for her life, but If that was true then why would he happily agree to let her endure such a process? A Process that would essentially kill her anyway. I felt no need to answer my angel, she already knew. Instead I looked up to Stone feeling my eyes go black as Xerxes surfaced, a growl escaping me as he pulled Aliah into our lap. 

"Mine" Xerxes growled, hiding her in our chest. Stone's eyes too went black as his wolf Loki Surfaced "Give me my daughter" He growled, stopping the car Father turned to us, his voice booming "Not in front of the little one" Calming myself I pulled Xerxes back in before looking down to Aliah, her hands were tightly gripped onto my shirt as she hid her face. Fathers hands stayed clenched on the steering wheel as he drove the rest of the way, once at the pack house I immediately jumped out of the car with Aliah still in my grip. Callex and Stone followed closely, wanting the one thing I wasn't going to give up.

Stepping into the pack house Father turned to Stone "Care to Explain Alpha Stone?" His eyes zeroed in on Stone "I wasn’t lying Alpha Black, I am worried for her..." I growled not believing his words, father eyed me as if telling me to be quiet as he continued "You we’re planning to take her wolf, correct? You say you care, yet you were practically setting her up for death" Stone stood straight as his bones cracked as if his wolf, Loki, was trying to come forward "Exercising a wolf from a child, who hasn’t yet bonded with them, leads to a higher chance for survival. That’s why I did what I did, you heard what they said it’s only going to get stronger" Father gave him a small nod showing understanding, the anger in me surfaced thinking of them being in agreement "I’m not letting you take my mate from me..." The growl rumbled in my chest as I spoke, it was clear to everyone here I was ready to fight for my Mate. 

Turning to Aliah and I, Stone looked between us "I understand" The sincerity in his voice was evident, for the first time I gave him a smile. Despite Aliah being his daughter, he knew what a mate meant to a wolf, and knew I would take care of her. Stepping up father and Stone showed the compromise Alphas must make for their packs "There’s nothing else we can do but ensure she gains the strength she needs to survive" Father started to which Stone nodded as he added "For now she will stay with me, with her family and her pack" My chest pulled tight, a burning sensation ran through me at the thought of her leaving to continue her life elsewhere. I stood forward letting myself be known as I spoke "I'm in line to be Alpha, this pack soon will inevitably be mine, and therefore Aliah's. It’s only fair she grows with both" I saw my father smile at me from the side as I looked on at Stone waiting for a response, his eyes fell to Aliah for what seemed like minutes before he sighed in defeat "Then let’s settle on an agreement... until she is of age"

I gave Aliah a final hug, placing a gentle kiss on her head. Xerxes stirred within me not wanting to let go, I fought the urge releasing her from my grip. “I’ll see you soon Angel” she smiled brightly up at me before stepping into the car. I looked to Stone with a nod, the Agreement had been made. Aliah was to live as normal with her pack during the week, on weekends when work was light she was to be with me. If anything was to come up, we agreed it was safest for her to be by my side to Subdue the voice that called for her. The smaller details were to be worked out in time as she aged, I was broken from my thoughts as father stood beside me “We have work to do son” 

I watched Aliah through the window as the car pulled away, Xerxes whimpered within me knowing there was no point in fighting right now... She's coming back... I hummed in the back of mind trying to calm down. I had just found my mate and I've had to let her go, all in the space of 5 hours. My knees went weak beneath me as I fell to the ground, wanting nothing more than to run after her... but I couldn't. Kane and Col were by my side within the second, each holding my shoulder as I crumbled "She's gone.." I whispered out. 

POV | Aliah 

Walking into the house I began making my way up the stairs only for father to call out "Aliah?" I turned to him with a smile "Yes Father?" Stepping closer to me he ran a hand through my hair "I know tonight wasn't an experience you would have hoped for, but please understand I did this in good faith" I frowned remembering the things I had found out tonight, but I met someone who believed me despite her...Regaining myself I looked up to him again "Everything happens for a reason Father" He gave me a flat smile, yet the pain he held was evident in his features. I chose to ignore it pulling him into a hug "I love you Dad" 

I felt him relax as he let out a breath "I love you too child, now get to bed, it's late" I rolled my eyes at him before continuing up the stairs, running into my room I shut the door quietly before getting ready for bed. Slipping under the covers I laid on my side looking out to the moon, my dream was real... it was really real. Maybe I'm a psychic! I giggled at my thoughts pulling the covers tighter to my body.... Aliah... I opened my eyes looking to my door before her voice rang through my ears again... Aliah come ... pushing the covers back I stood walking to my window, pressing my hands against the glass I glanced around seeing nothing... come... I gasped hearing the voice echo in the distance.

Running to my door I pressed my ear against the wood, the house had grown silent meaning everyone had gone to bed. Opening my door I quietly slipped out making my way down the stairs, her voice continuing to ring in my ears.... This way... I turned my attention from the front door to the back upon hearing her, sliding it open I stepped out feeling a cool breeze on my skin. I began walking straight ahead following her voice as she hummed. It wasn't long before I was walking through the tallest trees that surrounded our home, ducking under branches and stepping over stones. I continued to follow her voice. 

My legs began to tremble as I continued to walk, the sky beginning to lighten being my only indication that It had been hours since I left. Pausing I glanced around trying to find her voice as it grew weak... rest here Aliah... was all I heard before everything went black. 

...His coming...