HUNTED

Aila's eyes returned to normal once her anger diminished. Finn handed her another champagne glass which she gratefully took and gulped down half the contents. After speaking with those arrogant Alpha's, she was in need of some air. 

She strolled towards the patio doors, her arms folded, with her glass in hand as she smiled and greeted pack members until someone blocked her path. Aila halted, then smiled genuinely when she saw Gabriel standing before her, looking dashing in a black suit, shirt and tie. He smirked at her and bowed before offering his hand.

"May I have this dance, your highness?" He asked, his eyes boring into hers.

"Of course," Aila replied, placing her glass on a side table and putting her hand in his. Gabriel led her back towards the dance floor before placing his hand on her back and pulling her a little too close towards him. But she did not complain as he began to sweep her across the floor. Many stood to the sides and watched the spectacle of the Vampire King and Alpha Queen dancing harmoniously.

"You look stunning, by the way," Gabriel said quietly as he released her waist and spun her around, stopping her so she faced away from him. Aila blinked and tensed at the change of steps and movements, she had not been taught this, but Gabriel led her well for her to follow. One hand snaked around her waist, and the other hand reached out to hers, interlacing their fingers as he lowered his head close to her ear.

"But I prefer you in black or red," He murmured, causing Aila to shiver at their close proximity. Aila gulped, keeping her gaze ahead as her heart pounded against her chest. 

Finn stood off to the side, watching Aila from afar with Ajax standing next to him for once behaving. The Delta presumed it was because many Alphas and Lunas could easily beat him up and question Aila as to why there was a shapeshifter at such an event. But then again, Aila was dancing with a vampire, their sworn enemy, in front of everyone.

"Where is Aila?"

"She's dancing with Gabriel," Finn replied instantly before frowning at the familiar voice; he turned his head to the side and inhaled sharply at the white-haired vampire standing by his side wearing a black suit and tie with a white shirt. Finn whipped his head back to where Aila was dancing and stepped forwards, but Gabriel placed his hand on his chest and shook his head.

Finn gaped at the vampire and tried to move again, but Gabriel snapped in his mind, "Do not do anything foolish."

Aila searched the hall without moving her head. Where was Damon? She reached out with her mind then stopped when the vampire's fingers dug into her waist more, easily bruising her.

"You cut your hair.." Aila whispered.

"Do you not like it?" He asked as Aila's gaze locked with Gabriel's from across the hall. 

"Did you think I would not notice, Cassius?" She asked instead of answering as he turned her around to face him again. Cassius smiled as he tightened his grip on her hand and waist after she tried to pull away.

"Is there something wrong with me attending your coronation and congratulating you?" He queried instead. His gaze lowered to her lips before snapping back to her eyes as he continued with their waltz.

"I will allow it.." She began and almost smirked when she saw surprise flash across his features. "But only if you behave yourself."

Cassius chuckled and leaned his face closer to hers; Aila strained her neck back from him. "That will be hard. But for you, Aila.." He trailed off then whispered in her mind. "I'll do anything."

"You say that Cass, but-"

"You're not a damsel in distress, Aila. I left you in my brother's hands and what happened, happened," Cassius snapped back instantly, already reading where her thoughts were running to. He looked frustrated, and she swore the red flecks in his eyes shone for a moment. "I was not in Chester until you returned from that wretched place," He spat in disgust.

"Aila, be careful. He acts like he won't hurt you, but he's still the strongest being on earth," Malia whispered. Her wolf felt uncomfortable and kept her voice low, knowing that Cassius could hear her.

Cassius glared at her, and Aila rolled her eyes. The song was slowly coming to an end, and Cassius slowed their steps and released her waist, raising his hand to her cheek, but as he did, the vampire grinned at the sudden hand snatching his away. "I'll thank you to take your hands off my mate," Damon growled lowly.

Aila's stomach flipped at the sight of her Alpha intervening without attacking the vampire. He must have heard her comment about letting Cassius stay if he didn't do anything or read the situation through their bond. Cassius stepped back with his hands raised, a smirk now plastered on his features. Aila glanced around at the sudden quietness of the room, and she found herself becoming angry.

She argued with those men who claimed it was impossible to work together with vampires, and now Cassius, who looked like Gabriel, was causing a scene.  Aila sighed and glared at the vampire who now bowed in front of them. "Your mate is so lovely. I merely forgot myself for a second. I apologise," Cassius replied sweetly, stepping back before turning away and walking towards the bar.

"Why are you letting him stay?" Damon mind-linked her, his gaze was still following the vampire, but Aila gained his attention again as she cupped his cheeks in her hands and kissed him sweetly on the lips.

"Because he won't do anything. There are too many werewolves in this room, and Gabriel is just as strong as him. It would be a losing battle," Aila calmly mind-linked back and began to walk back towards the patio, away from the room full of eyes following her every move. She kept her head held high and ignored everyone, even though she wanted to speak to Gabriel, but it would only cause more drama. She wasn't sure who was aware that there were actually two vampire kings, but it would be best to keep the spotlight off her vampire guests.

Damon clasped her hand, gaining her attention once more as she turned her head to look at him. He looked apologetic, and she pouted in response. "I can't wait to have you all to myself again. When does this ceremony malarky usually end?" Aila mind-linked him. 

Damon chuckled and caressed her cheek, "We could sneak off when everyone gets too drunk?" He smirked.

"Deal! I will make sure the champagne is flowing!" She replied aloud and sighed after he kissed her forehead and followed his father out of the room.

"Aila, I'm so sorry! I was-"

Aila held her hand up, halting Finn's apology. She spun around to face him and patted his shoulder, "You did well to stay out of it," She mind-linked him. "Where is Gabriel?"

"He stalked off after Cassius," Finn replied as he searched the room for the vampires. Aila placed her hand on the temple of her head, feeling a little overwhelmed. Finn frowned and put his hand on her lower back, guiding her towards the patio doors. "Did you want some air?" Aila nodded, thankful to her Delta, who could read her without reading her mind like some. 

The gardens were lit up with only a few people outside smoking or drinking. Aila walked to the side where the lighting did not reach and leaned against the wall, the surface cooling her skin down. She tilted her head back and closed her eyes, comforted by the shadows of the night.

"You are doing much better than you think."

Aila snapped her lids open and glanced at the newcomer who stepped out onto the patio. Finn eyed him suspiciously, stepping in front of Aila, but she waved her hand, and the Delta backed away, letting the man come closer to her. She pushed off the wall and held her hand out for him to take. The man smiled but placed a champagne flute in her hand instead. "Please, relax, and have a drink."

Aila looked at the glass in her hand and shrugged, leaning back against the wall once more. There was something about this man that she felt comfortable being around him. She eyed him, wondering if she had met him before, but his looks, though handsome, didn't stand out in her mind. He towered over her, dressed in all black, his stylishly messy black hair fell over his forehead, his crystal blue eyes shone incredibly bright. No, she would have remembered a man with such looks.

"What is your name?" She finally asked after taking a sip from her drink and openly scrutinising his looks. It was then she realised he had been staring at her face, taking in every detail as though he might forget it. It was unnerving; the last time someone looked at her in such a way, he was a vampire twin in love with her ancestor.

"I did not mean to stare. I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable; that was not my intent." The man said and began stepping away from her. Aila's brows drew together, and she reached out to stop him, but he lithely moved out of her hand's grasp. "We will meet again, Aila Cross."

He smiled again, walking towards the patio door with his hands in his pockets. Aila suddenly stopped following him as the lighting from inside the house shone on his face, revealing red specks on his crystal blue eyes.

"Wait! What is your name!?" Her mind was reeling. She was talking to a vampire, a pureblood? His eyes..

"Davian."

And within a split second, he disappeared.