Chapter Eleven

Azure was discharged from the infirmary a few days later. No one was the least bit surprised that it was Matthias that helped her back down to her quarters. He hadn't left her side for more than a few hours at the time. The pack rumour mill was working hard, but Azure didn't bother with the gossip. She just felt content that she had someone to lean on.

She found herself on the edge of the white zone, a few pups around her feet, and a couple of the older ones, trying to paint with her. Toby had his easel closest to hers, his eyes a little red. Hawke had given him a talk down for leaving Marlee on her own. From what she had heard from Lucy, the boy had been in tears after Hawke had left and hadn't been able to smile since. She had seen Sascha a couple of times with him, but even that hadn't brought a smile to his face. It had been Drew who had asked her to bring a couple of the kids out, Toby among them. He was grounded for the next month, and only had one free hour each day.

She looked over his shoulder, the shimmering colours on the canvas seeming to dance before her eyes. "Nice Toby. I love the array of colours you've used" The pride was plain to see on his face, as a blush spread over his cheeks.

"Thanks, Azure." She ruffled his hair before moving to a younger pup, who was leaving a trail of bright blue paw prints across the lush green grass. The pup pawed at her. She laughed, kissing him gently on the nose before putting him back down.

Hawke appeared at her side, his approach silent. He stood with his arms crossed against his chest, his ice blue eyes taking in the surrounding mess.

"The paint will wash away. It's an all-natural blend." Her voice squeaked a little, the sheer dominance of the man beside her almost over-whelming.

He nodded, his silence seeming to fill the air around them. "How are you handling your duties? I was concerned you may have taken on too much too soon."

She smoothed her hands over her jeans, straightening the pale pink t-shirt she was wearing. "I like being busy. Gives me less time to get lost in my head." She frowned slightly. "Matthias has been great, it's like when I start to feel a little lost, he appears and makes it better."

Hawke nodded again. "I was thinking about transferring you back. Now that the dance has been and gone, and that your fully recovered it seems like a good time."

"Oh." She didn't say anything else, the tears gathering in her eyes. She turned her head away from him, not willing to appear weak.

He rocked back on his heels slightly, a growl vibrating as a pup froze in the middle of making a break for freedom. The pup returned to the other adults, and was rebuffed, his tail between his legs.

Hawke turned round to look at her, his posture becoming slightly more relaxed. "I think it will do you good to return home. It's become clear that your head isn't really here at the moment."

She didn't say anything her heart breaking on the inside. Matthias and her had become so close in the past few days. Her wolf now danced in delight when they scented him, instead of cowering in terror.

Hawke walked away from Azure, sensing that she wasn't comfortable breaking down in front of him, or the pups. He shifted as he reached the outer edge of the white zone, stashing his clothes in the roots of a tree. He ran along the terrain, growling at the smaller animals to move out of his way. He howled a welcome to the chocolate wolf that joined him, and they raced along the river towards a small secluded waterfall. Riley shifted first, easing himself into the shallow warm water, with Hawke following suit.

"Rumour mills working overtime." Riley raised an eyebrow. "You're splitting up Matthias and Azure?"

Hawke gave him his famous death stare, running his hands through his almost silver hair. "It's only temporary. She behaved in a reckless way. She was only meant to stay here short-term." He sighed. "I need Matthias at the top of his game. He's not when she's around."

"So they need to mate. It settles his wolf, she's happy, packs happy too." Riley gave the facts in a simple no-nonsense way. "Let me tell you that the maternal are gunning for your blood. They were hoping for another mating."

Hawke winced. They were not easy to deal with, especially if they were in a mood. "Fuck. That's going to give me a headache when I get back." He felt a tug along the mating bond, his fiery mate looking for him. "I'd better be getting back. Sienna wants dinner with Walker tonight, and I don't fancy adding him to the list of people I've pissed off."

Azure was in her quarters when Matthias knocked on her door. She had changed into comfy pyjama shorts and an over-sized grey jumper. She was curled up in the sofa when he came in, a bunch of daisies in his hand; and a huge smile on his face. She looked up at him, her hair falling in soft waves around her face, her blue eyes filling with unshed tears.

"Vida mia, what's the matter?" He dropped the daisies and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her onto his lap, cuddling her close. He pressed kisses to her cheek, kissing away the tears that were now falling freely, leaving a salty trail.

She curled herself around him, breathing in the vanilla and musk scent that grounded her. She sighed, the tears drying up as she let herself be comforted by the Matthias, the gentle giant.

He continued to kiss her gently, whispering sweet things. "Shh, Azure. I've got you. I'm not going anywhere my dear. Vida mia, please stop crying."

Azure turned her head to look at him properly. At the same time, Matthias bent his head to kiss her cheek again. Only this time their lips touched. Electric sparks seemed to dance from them. They pulled apart quickly. Azure's eyes widen with shock. They had been taken their developing relationship slowly, each of them making slow baby steps. Matthias dropped her back on the sofa, with a bump before standing and making a bee line for the door. "Matthias…"

He turned on his heels to look at her. The look was pure heat and passion. She stood tentatively, walking over to him with caution. Taking his hand, she placed it on her. His intake of breathe was loud, and it gave her a small amount of confidence. She stood on tip-toes, his height dwarfing her. The air sparked around them, as their lips gently touched.

Matthias was in heaven and hell at the same time. He lips were sweet and soft, but he was damn near wearing a hole in the front of his jeans. He kept his hands on her hips, not trusting himself to move them. She moaned in the back on her throat when he gently nipped at her lower lip, making his hips jerk against hers. She pulled away with a gasp, and a blush spread over his face. "I'm sorry, Vida mía."

Azure tried to smooth the startled look of her face. I'm not a virgin for god sake. Stop acting like a prude Azure. She reached out; wanting to stoke the bulge, but Matthias caught her hand. "Not tonight, Azure. Tonight it's just about the kiss."

The slight relief on her face, made him laugh and he picked her up and sat them on the sofa, her knees either side of his lap. He let his hands run over her hips slightly, trying to keep his self-control in check.

Azure wriggled to get more comfy, placing her hands on his shoulder to bend in to kiss him again. She sighed with delight when he kissed her back, thoughts of leaving and heartbreak forgotten.