Chapter Twelve
Azure brushed her fingers of her lips, the tingling sensation still fresh in her mind even though the kiss had been over a week ago. They had stayed wrapped around each other all night, sharing soft kisses, nips and smiles. She hadn't the heart to tell him she was going home. She couldn't bear to be the one who would mar his breath-taking beauty with a frown or worse, tears.
Matthias had gone to a meeting the next morning, leaving her with bruised lips and a love bite on her collar-bone. She'd tried to cover it with concealer, but like the man who had left it; it was stubborn and hard to ignore. It hadn't taken long to pack her bags; she hadn't brought much with her. The hardest part was trying to leave without anyone seeing. The packs rumour mill always worked over drive when anything affecting the lieutenants happened.
The drive home for Azure was fall of angst and made dangerous by the tears that refused to stop falling. Her cell buzzed in the background but she ignored it, needing to concentrate on the muddy terrain. She arrived back in one piece to a welcome party of one, Cooper. His copper eyes skimmed over her, taking in the red nose, messy hair and hastily put together outfit. "You're quarters are all cleaned and ready for you. I'll give you an hour to settle back in, than I would like to see you in my office." He didn't help with her bags, as she pulled them out of the car, dumping them on the ground. He walked away leaving her to struggle.
She fought as far as to the entrance of the quarters all the wolves shared before a passing pack mate picked them up without even asking. Todd. She smiled at him, but it didn't meet her eyes.
"Azure, you look like shit." He wasn't one to pull any punches with her.
She sighed and opened the door to her quarters, immediately missing the rainbow of cushions and paintings the pups at the main den had made her to liven up her room there. "I know. It's everything at the moment. I think Hawke's mad at me. I can't sleep, and something happened with Matthias."
Since her unexpected out-burst the other wolves had left her alone. She thanked them with small smiles when they passed, but the joys of being able in brood alone and in peace soon took their toll. Azure found it hard to concentrate on even the easiest of tasks, her thoughts wandering to dark pools of chocolate that seemed to radiate heat and passion. She sighed; anything and everything she did reminded her of Matthias. He hadn't even tried to contact her. Although he couldn't be to blame: she was the one who had snuck out with-out even a goodbye. She had hoped that he would follow. Come rushing into her room with his chest bare and his hair messy, swooping her off her feet and carrying her off with him.
The imagery made her laugh. How far they had come in such a short while, she pondered.
Cooper paced his office, staring at the report in his hand, but not really reading it. Under Hawke's instructions, he had deterred Matthias from finding out the Azure was back down with him, but it had gone against his nature as a Lieutenant to help those in need. His friend had been a wreck. He eyes looked lifeless and he appeared to not have slept for weeks. When they had spoken, all Matthias did was mutter darkly in Spanish, ending the comme call hurriedly when he had found out Azure wasn't with Cooper. He sighed, running his hands over his short hair. He slipped out of his office and into the next room. Grace was sleeping; her naked back a sensual invitation. But sex wasn't on his mind tonight. He needed the comfort of his mate, the smell of pack to ground him. He cuddled her close, cradling her against his chest, breathing in deep the smell of her hair, tart, sweet apricots and promises. He sighed again. I sure as hell hope Hawke knows what he's doing.
Azure watched the children play, ignoring the other adults as they tried to get her to join their conversation. Insomnia and guilt ridden crying periods had robbed her eyes of their usual spark, her hair of its shine, and her body of the small curves that she had. Being without Matthias was torture, but duty to the alpha came first. She tried to choke down a small sandwich, but her stomach tensed and repulsed at the idea. She let out a small sob, stifling it with her hand. Warm arms suddenly surrounded her and she turned around with a squeal, making everyone's heads turn in her direction. Her brother stood behind her, "Good to have you back sis."
She had avoided her family, afraid of their prying eyes and what they would see. She should have known that they wouldn't have stayed away forever. Her brother, Gorman, although every called him by his last name, Little, did the protective older brother thing very well. "It's good to be back." She looked up at him. The whole family looked alike. They all had the same light blonde hair and blue eyes. Little, was 5'8 and lean and not stocky. The entire family were sub-missive's and it was reflected in their build. Her father worked as a mechanic and her mother in the nursery. She had Little, as her older brother, and one younger brother Sky. They had both decided to train as teachers.
She leaned into his accepting the hug. "How are Mum and Dad?"
He smiled. "Both good, although mum was being too worry about you. She's making dinner tonight." He bared his teeth jokingly. "I've been given strict instructions to drag you to it, regardless of your plans to wallow in self-pity."
With that he picked up over his shoulder, spoke to the maternal who was in charge, who couldn't help but laugh at the display of sibling affection and strode off with her kicking and shouting, much to the amusement of all the passing pack mates and pups.
"You look like hell. Sit and eat before you kneel over, Azure." Her father's kind words made her grimace. He always told her she was pretty, so she must look bad. She slipped into her seat, wrapping the thick black cardigan round her for warmth; as a shiver ran through her. Her mum entered the room holding what looked like half a pig.
"Here you are my darling girl." Her Mum hugged her tightly, after setting down the hug tray, and took her usual seat. "Sky, stop picking from the potato tray and bring them in so everyone can have some." Sky entered with a goofy grin on his face, and his mouth full of roasted potatoes.
Her Dad shook his head in mock horror. "Anyone would have thought we'd have dragged you lot up."
Azure dug into the food with gusto. The pork was succulent and juicy, potatoes crisp and the vegetables green and sweet tasting. "This is amazing Mum." She wiped her chin with a napkin. "What have you guys been up to since I've been gone."
Her Mum took a deep drink of her wine before replying. "Well, I've helped the pups organise costumes for the summer festival coming up. I had to make sure no every little girl turned up as butterfly." They laughed.
She caught her Dads eye. He was looking at her strangely. "What?"
He held his beer bottle and took a shallow sip. "I don't want you to get funny, Azure, but I've heard some rumours flying around." He held up his hand when she made to interrupt him. "Now let me finish. I've heard some rumours. If they are true, I would like to meet Matthias before anything else happens." He raised his eyebrow at her, letting her know she could now speak.
She played with her dress. "Something was going on, but Hawke sent me away." She sighed blinking away the tears. "We're not in the mating dance or anything like that. We were just enjoying each other's company.
Her father nodded. "We'll leave it at that then. But if he comes sniffing, I shall be having words." He waved his fork in the air menacingly, causing gravy to spill on the table and her Mum to tut.
