Leila

I stood beside Xander, sending waves of support through our bond. This decision was difficult for him to make but it was the right one.


Due to my powers and Marenza's skills, healing has been a rapid process for everyone here. The food issue was getting better because everyone was pulling their weight and the general crowd looked a lot better than they did a few days ago although malnourished looks couldn't disappear in a matter of weeks.

'Good morning," Xander greeted and the small sounds seized.

'Antonio is dead." The pack froze, their disbelief clear on their face and so was their hope and relief.


'I know that it's too soon to ask this but there's no need to be overly cautious or scared. Things will only get better from now on."

It started from a sniffle, it was easy to hear the sound coming from my right in the silence. Soon, the air was filled with crying and wailing from the pack, words of gratitude were also in the mix.


'No," Xander sighed and fell on his knees stunning the pack again. They fell silent.

'I'm the one to apologize. I left you to suffer under Antonio for far too long." Vision became blurry for me at his speech, I wasn't expecting him to do this.

'Alpha!!! You mustn't kneel to us!!" Most people screamed, recovering from their shock. The others fell to their knees, their forehead hitting the floor with sounds of disapproval.

I didn't know how to feel at the moment. I didn't hold a grudge against the pack neither did I want to avenge myself for how I was treated in the past. It was just weird seeing this same people act like this towards my mate. Strange because this is how they have always been.

Maybe it's because I'm his mate now.

A refreshing breeze danced across my skin and played with my hair for a bit. Then the emotions I've been waiting to feel since Antonio breathed his last hit me like a whiplash.

My heart swelled with relief. I felt myself relax from the immense peace I was filling. I closed my eyes, keeping the sudden tears in them from falling. I could finally feel it. Hope.

'I have every gut feeling and instinct telling me that was the goddess," Lea sniffed, going through the exact emotional trip I was experiencing.

'Yeah?" I suspected as much, there was nothing natural about that breeze. Funny because it's been windy all day.

'Yeah."

Opening my eyes to meet Xander's probing gaze. He must be confused; the bond was telling him I was feeling nothing but positive emotions but the tears in my eyes made him doubt it. In this moment staring into his concerned gaze, nothing existed except the both of us, the pack stood watching and there was background noise.

I gave him a small affirmative nod. I'm good.

Sighing in relief he turned away and the noise from the pack bled into my ears.

'I have listened to your voices," Xander said, his voice firm and strong without him having to shout.

'I have found a new family. A pack that has accepted me and trusted me with the responsibility of being their alpha. In essence, I can't stay here, so I'm offering you a choice. It's open to anyone who has had their first shift. You can either follow me or stay. I'll support you."

'And if we haven't had our first shift?" The boy was young. He was nervous, it showed in the slight step back he took when everyone stared at him but, he looked at Xander.

I watched Xander notice the ability he had.

'Your parents or guardian would have to give their consent in person for you to leave."

He nodded and ducked his head once Xander looked away.

'What if we decide to stay or go with you but change our mind later on?" Someone else asked. The boy had given them courage.

'My arms and pack will always be open to anyone with good intensions, I will never take away your choice to choose."

Pride surged through me as I watched my mate.

'I want that boy." Lea suddenly chimed up, still focused on the boy. He's wolf was very much present but he wasn't matured enough to show itself.

'You sound disgusting Lea."

'I don't! I sound intrigue."

'It actually sounded disturbing to me," Xander said through the bond, a little smirk dancing at the corners of his lips as he answered another question.

'Traitor!" Lea let out a mock horrified gasps.

Smiling, I listened to Xander laughing and Lea trying to defend herself in my head.

Hope was a really good feeling.

****

'How are you feeling?" I asked once we were alone. Xander dragged me towards his ever warm body, there was no objection on my part. Gently, he placed his forehead on mine.

'Foolish. I was worrying over nothing and just making a fuss."

'You were just being a good alpha and worrying about your pack," I ran my hand up his arm, giving him periodic squeezes. 'There's nothing foolish about worrying, it just makes you a good leader."

'You're too good for me."

I laughed, 'I strongly doubt that."

Pulling back, I stretched and placed a small kiss on his cheek.

'Lower."

'Xander, we're not exactly inside." I looked around, my face getting flushed.

'And you're not exactly shy," he whispered on my lips. 'Now, kiss me."

I gave in with a moan, caressing his lips with my tongue. A little chill went through my body at the thought of what he did with his tongue last night.

Nipping his lower lips, I pulled back with a pout. 'Kiss me back."

'Hmm."

Huffing, I tugged on his shirt, pulling him closer. Kissing him harder as I unconsciously rubbed my body against his.

'Xander…" I moaned when he still refused to open his mouth. The way my body reacted to his refusal surprised me; I was giddy and getting wetter by the minute.

'Open your mouth…"

I lunged, shoving my tongue into his mouth as gently as I could in the moment. His taste, his scent, the weight of his tongue on mine as he stole control of the kiss from me and changed the pace to a harder one left me breathless.

He pulled back with obvious effort, his pupils dilated and his breath as rugged as mine.