Chapter 6

Octavia:

I ran fast. Dashing through the woods, dodging trees. I had to get away. All I could feel was them getter closer. The cold wind nipped at my nose and jostled my fur. As my paws thudded against the snowy ground my heart only races faster. Maybe I should hide? My wolf rejected that thought and pushed to go even faster. But it was no use. He was still there. He was still chasing us. "He's coming for you." "I can't do this anymore, Octavia."

"Octavia."

"Octavia, wake up. Jesus Christ." He sighed heavily and shook my shoulder lightly before shaking it more violently, successfully earning a groan from me.

"That's it. I can't do this anymore. Ajax is coming to deal with you." He sassed. I heard his footsteps leave and the door closed. My mind was all a bit foggy from Samuel yelling at me and that weird dream. Who was I running from?

I snuggle in deeper in my blankets. There was no way Ajax cared enough to come up here and wake me up. No way. I was extremely tired since I had gotten no sleep last night. I probably fell asleep around 3:00am due to my obsessive mind and it's over thinking.

I could feel myself dozing off once more, it was like I was being lifted up into unconsciousness. But then suddenly I heard a door open and the lights flick on. I didn't dare open my eyes just in case it really was Ajax. But something felt strange, I peeked open an eye to see the devil himself right in front of my face. Only I was in the bathroom and he was placing me in the bathtub.

"What the—" I cut myself with a scream as he turned the water on to its coldest setting. I jumped up immediately and practically threw myself out of the tub. "What the hell?!" I yelled wiping the water from my face.

"Good morning to you too, ugly duckling." His face was emotionless, per usual. "You have ten minutes to get ready." He exited the bathroom without another word. Goddess! If I could only punch him right in his smug little face.

"Oh," He said popping his back into the bathroom. "The maid has laid out an outfit for you in the closet. Wear that. We need to look presentable."

I bared my teeth at him and he simply rolled his eyes. Moron. "We need to look presentable" I mocked him in my head. Why must he be so annoying?

I started off by brushing my teeth and washing my face. Then I combed through my slightly damped hair before putting it into two Dutch braids. I head over to my closet to see the outfit that was laid out for me. It was a 3/4 sleeve floral maxi dress, paired with a blush pink floppy hat and block styled heels that wrapped up and around the ankles.

I'll admit that I didn't enjoy seeing the heels but it was decent outfit. I slip into the dress and put on the heels. Once I stand I'm immediately four inches taller than before. It was actually kind of strange for me to be this tall.

I walk back over to the bathroom and put a little heat on my braids to set in the waves that they would create. "Octavia let's go!" Ajax growled out, clearly in a rush.

"Hush! And unbundle your panties!" I say as he enters the bathroom. I take my hair out of the braids and run my fingers through it to make the waves seamless. I pop on some lip balm and turn to find him already staring at me.

"Wow, she's actually a normal she-wolf height." He smirks, as he takes in my appearance. What a jackass. I knew he wasn't going to say anything nice but I didn't expect for him to point out the height difference. It's such a touchy subject for me.

"And here I was thinking you were actually going to compliment me for once," I scoff and placing a hand over my heart, pretending to be hurt.

"Really?" He raises an eyebrow and holds back a chuckle.

"No." My voice falls flat as does my facial expression. I strut past him with my newly found height and back into the closet to grab my hat.

I find him waiting for me at the bedroom door. I roll my eyes as I pass him but his large hand grasped my upper arm and turns me around, suddenly a flash back of last night floats around in my mind.

"I'm only going to say this once, so hear it loud and clear but don't let it go to your head." He growled out. His eyes piercing mine. I swore I forgot how to breathe. "You look stunning." He said calmly before letting go of my arm and walking away.

I was dumbfounded. He was somewhat kind to me? I stood there for a moment as my cheeks turned a bright shade of pink. Maybe he was just trying to ensure my behavior on this trip? I smoothed out my dress and steadied my breathing. I don't want him to know the effect he had on me. My wolf was happy and howling but I hushed her up quickly and closed the door to my room before turning around and going down stairs.

I could hear some commotion coming from the kitchen so I headed that way. I found Ajax along with Samuel laughing. This was the first time that I had actually seen Ajax laugh, like really laugh. His face was turning a light shade of red from being so out of breath.

Samuel glanced and me and gave me a large smile. Ajax quickly sobered up from his laughing and cleared his throat. "Hi Sam." I smile, trying not to make things awkward seeing has I did interrupt their fun.

"What's up, short cake?" He laughed a bit at the teasing nickname he had given me. "Well actually you're not looking all that short today. Did you grow a few inches?" He bursted out laughing at his own antics.

"Hahaha, very funny Samuel." I say in a playfully sarcastic tone. I loved hanging out with Samuel, he was so free and outgoing. Whereas on the other hand Ajax was serious and uptight. Well at least with me he is, he seemed pretty care free a few minutes ago.

"Alright let's go guys," Ajax said standing up from where he was sat. He pulled his suit coat off the back of the chair and put it on. And for the second time today it was like I forgot how to breathe. He looked so unbelievably hot in a suit, I swear I almost lost my pant—No! Stop. I can't think that way. I need to stay focused.

"Here, since you decided to miss breakfast you get a granola bar." Samuel laughed and tossed it to me. He too looked dashing in his suit. Why were these men so handsome? Well I suppose all high ranking wolves would be considered attractive. It's part of the mating process. Higher ranks features are meant to allure and seduce, to ensure they'll always have someone to mate with.

"Octavia, you can't stand here forever." Ajax smirked and turned me around and began leading me to the door. His hand moved down to my lower back has he lead me out of the mansion and to the line of black SUV's. "You better be drooling over me and not Samuel." He growled in my ear.

"What?" I gasped and quickly brought my hand to my mouth to make sure there was no drool hanging around. He darkly chuckled at my actions.

"I wasn't drooling over you," I sent him a glare.

"Sure you weren't." His infamous smirk returned to their respective place on his plump lips and I couldn't help but pout at the fact that he caught me admiring him in his suit.

"Why so many SUV's?" I asked changing the subject quickly even though I already knew the answer. For protection of course.

"For protection. We are going into someone else's territory and for all we know it could be a trap." His mood instantly snapped into the usual boring serious one. I nod my head letting him know that I was paying attention.

"Alpha Black, Luna." A guard came forward and bowed his head respectfully to the both of us. It was a bit strange having someone bow to you. I don't think I'll ever get used to it. "Will Beta Johnson be traveling in the same car as you?"

"No." Ajax responded. I frowned a little bit knowing that the journey to the FireMoon pack would for sure be a long boring one without Sam.

The guard simply nodded and opened the vehicle door for us. Ajax slipped in easily and extended a hand for me to get in as well. Boy, did he have lots of surprises for me today. Why was he being so kind? Why am I complaining? I gratefully took his hand and sat down, leaving some room in between us.

"Thank you," I say as the guard closed door. He looked like he was about to say something before his phone began to ring in his pocket. He answered it.

I sighed, a bit annoyed that I would have to be stuck in a car with him for who knows how long. How long is the ride there exactly? I wanted to ask but I knew it would be rude to interrupt him on the phone.

I began to take in the surroundings and play with the buttons. One controlled the window obviously, the other controlled the air conditioner and heat. I played with the light a little before another button caught my eye. It was one that sat just below the black tinted glass that separated the back seat from the front. I pushed it down and along with it went the glass. Wow, I've never been in a car that had a partition before, seeing as how I didn't have much need to leave my family's pack.

I played with it a few times before Ajax grabbed ahold of my hand and pulled it away. He rose the partition back up and glared at me. I hadn't even noticed he'd finished his phone call.

"Must you touch everything? You're like a child." He snapped. I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms across my chest. This man must be bipolar. One minute he's teasing and having a bit of fun and then next he's acting like a prick.

He sighed heavily once he realized I wasn't going to answer. I didn't care if we didn't speak for this whole car ride. Maybe I could catch up on my sleep.

"Octavia, please promise me you'll behave once we get there." He seemed annoyed, but who am I to care? He doesn't care for me so why should I care for him? This mate bond is driving me insane. I could literally feel it growing stronger as the days pass.

"Yes, Alpha." I say in a monotone voice.

"Don't you dare call me that." He growled out harshly causing me to flinch. He grabbed my chin and forced me to look at him. "You are my mate. My Luna. You will call me Ajax, especially in front of others. Do you understand?"

I nod my head as much as his grip would allow me. His eyes roam over my face. It's like he was studying it. But I couldn't help but stare at his eyes. They captivated me. I could drown in his ocean blue orbs all day. I watched as they moved down to my slightly parted lips. His thumb ran across my bottom lip slowly, causing me to lose my breath for the third time today.

Until today I never really knew if Ajax was even attracted to me. He said I looked stunning. Did he think I was beautiful? Hot? Sexy? Gorgeous? Because I thought he was all of those things and I'm sure that the both of us knew it.

I guess I shouldn't care about what he thought about my appearance. It just hurts to know that he chose me solely for the purpose of ruining my father's life.

He showed no true interest in wanting to be my mate. He just wanted me because of whom my father was. I still don't know the reason has to why they don't get along.

"Ajax, did you only choose me as your mate to get revenge on my father?" I asked quietly, scared he might burst and do something irrational. His hands moved to cup my cheeks and he rested his forehead on mine.

"I don't want to talk about that." He stated firmly. I couldn't help but be disappointed. Even the position we were in, close and a bit intimate, it still felt wrong because I knew that he had only chose me has a plot for revenge and not because he knew me, or loved me, or even wanted me. I was simply a pawn in his little Alpha game.

I pull away from him and move as far away as I could. I shouldn't be feeling this disappointed. It was the stupid mate bond. Once again it was messing with me. I knew better than to raise the standards on this one. He is and always will be a monster. I lean my head against the cool glass of the window and hope he stops staring at me.

He doesn't.

"Octavia, don't be like that. I'm really trying here." He says with the slightest bit of emotion. I glance at him from the corner of my eye. Is he dumb or dumb?

"How are you trying? I barely even know you! You ripped me away from my family just to upset my father and then treated me like trash. I hadn't even spent two minutes with you before you got me put into a minor coma!" I spat out angrily. How could he say he was trying. Maybe he tried a little today, but none of it will make up for the things that he's done and the truths that he is hiding from me now.

He looked away furious. I could tell it was hard for him to bite his tongue on this one bit he was. He pushed farther away from me and pressed his head against the window. I let out a small sigh before doing the same.

I watched as the trees went by in a blur. I imagined myself running through them in wolf form. Racing my brothers, the way we used to do after my first shift. My little sister would sit on the side line and complain constantly about how unfair it was that she couldn't participate. I smiled sadly. I had to stop torturing myself with these memories of my family. It only made it hurt more.

***

"Octavia," He whispered as my shoulder shook slightly. I groaned lowly before hiding my face deeper into this hard rough pillow. Wait... I didn't bring a pillow.

I opened my eyes only to find my head rested in Ajax's lap and the rest of my body curled up on the  seat. I sat up immediately my cheeks flushed.

"I'm sorry," I say quickly, pushing my hair behind my ears. I felt foolish for yelling at him and then somehow ending up sleeping on him.

"What are you apologizing for?" He seemed confused as he raised a quizzical brow at me.

"For sleeping on you?"

His lips rose into a small smirk. "Octavia, how do you think you got from the other side of the car to resting on my lap?" I simply shrugged my shoulders. I could be a bit of reckless sleeper. "You seemed uncomfortable so I moved you." He placed my pink floppy hat on my head just before the guard who had been driving us opened the door.

"Show time." The man said in his deep gruff voice.

Ajax stepped out of the vehicle looking like a god. His movements were swift and smooth. How could a monster like him look so graceful? He buttoned up his jacket before extending his hand to me and helping me out. I thanked him quickly just as Samuel reached us.

"That was the longest nap I've ever taken." Samuel joked. I smiled but it kind of threw me off. Longest? How long was that car ride? "Five hours is practically a nights sleep."

My jaw dropped completely. Five hours? "I was out for five hours?" I whispered harshly to Ajax. "Why didn't you tell me the car ride was that long? When are we going back to the pack?"

"Technically four and half hours and lets discuss this later, ducky. The Alpha's father is approaching." He mumbled into my ear but made it seem as though he was hugging me. Ducky? What the hell? Did he just call me ducky?

"Alpha Black, Beta Johnson! Welcome to the FireMoon pack. How are you both?" He boomed happily. He was an older man, probably even a bit older than my father.

"Alpha Jackson, it is good to see you." Ajax extended his hand for him to shake. "Thank you for having us we're doing well."

The Alpha shook Ajax's hand but his eyes quickly diverted to me, seeing as I was just standing here quietly unannounced. "And who is this wonderful young lady?"

Ajax cleared his throat as he dropped the mans hand. "This is my mate, Octavia."

I bowed my head respectfully, "It's nice to meet you, Alpha Jackson."

"What a wonderful name." He commented. His greying hair was slicked back and he was dressed similar to Samuel and Ajax.

He ushered us inside the pack house where the meeting would take place. I kept my hat on to keep the prying eyes away, I felt my cheeks flush has people began to stop and whisper. They'd stared at me curiously probably trying to figure out who I was. I was actually grateful that the hat covered a good majority of my face. He lead us to his office and explained that his son, the Alpha, will be joining us soon.

The room was pretty large for an office. There was a wall lined with just bookshelves that was over flowing with books. On the opposite side was a seating area and even a coffee machine. In front of us was a large desk that had two chairs in front of it. Behind the desk were large floor to ceiling windows that let it in a tremendous amount of sunlight.

"Dear, are you going to remove your hat? I'm all too curious to see what Alpha Black's mate looks like." The man took a seat in the chair behind the desk and crossed his arms. Ugh, busted. I could sense three pairs of eyes on me, watching as I slowly removed the hat.

I look up at the man and gave him a smile. I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel awkward. Samuel's eyes drifted back to the man but I could still sense Ajax's eyes on my face.

"She's beautiful, as predicted, but I also had my own prediction." His eyes scanned over my face almost has if he were confirming his theory. "There are only so many she-wolves with the name, Octavia. The name does ring a bell in my head and I instantly thought of a pack hours away from here." His voice was stern. No hint of happiness was left on his face. I stole a quick glance at Ajax, to find him with sharp eyes and a clenched jaw.

"The Alpha's name is Octavius. All of his children have names that begin with an O and I did here of story that his eldest daughter went missing."

I take an eager step forward. "You know my father?"

I could barely get the words out before Ajax growled and pulled me back to him. His grip was tight on my upper arm but I didn't care. I wanted to know of my father.

"Ah, so I was correct! How exciting!" He seemed overjoyed once more as he leaned back in the chair casually. This man was strange.

"Please, do you know if my father is okay? My mother? What of my siblings?" I tried to pull free of Ajax's grip but he wouldn't budge. My heart broke as the man shook his head. He knew nothing of the well being of my family?

"All I know is, he's been distant. The rest are not confirmed. People are saying his warriors are being trained harder than before. There are rumors that the Luna shifted into a wolf and lives in the forest amongst the pack lands. Orion is being fit to take the reigns of the pack, your father has been sending out word that it shall happen as soon as he is of age. I have no word of your other siblings, except that they help your mother catch game in the woods from time to time."

In that moment my heart shattered. My father has only thrown himself deeper into work and my mother has supposedly run off and lives in the woods. I couldn't help but cry. I hope that these were truly just rumors. He was going to hold off on giving Orion the reigns until he's twenty-eight, the usual age you give your first born child the reigns is twenty-six.

"I'm sorry I upset you." He said pushing a box of tissues in my direction.

"It is not you who has upset me, thank you." I rip my grip from Ajax's arm and he allows me to grab some tissues and sit on the small sofa on the other side of the room.

Samuel, being a good friend, sits along with me and allows me to rest my head upon his shoulder. The room was oddly silent as we awaited for the man's son to arrive. Ajax hadn't even moved to comfort me in any way. He stood stock still his eyes trained on the man sitting behind the desk. I focus my attention back to Samuel who was rubbing my arm soothingly. He doesn't force me to speak about what just happened, instead he began to tell me the story of how he lost his swimming shorts on his first journey to the lake.

"I was trying so hard to impress this girl and she accidentally saw a little too much of me." I could see his cheeks turn red causing me to laugh even more.

We quieted down once the door knob began to wiggle. Samuel placed my hat back on my head and instructed me to stand by Ajax and behave. He warned me in a small whisper that this man was notorious for trying to steal other people's mates.

Just as I reached Ajax's side the door practically slammed opened. A man about the same height as Ajax strolled through, not even bothering to introduce himself. He walked straight to the desk where his father once sat. He unbuttoned his suit jacket before taking a seat. I could sense his eyes on me for a few moments before they were gone.

"No Cipher today?" He had smooth voice but it wasn't has deep as I imagined.

"No." Ajax responded simply and took hold of my hand catching me off guard. He intertwined our fingers and I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks.

"And who is this and why is she hiding underneath that hat?" I peeked a look at him from underneath my hat. He was handsome, yes, but no where near as handsome as Ajax. His blonde hair was cropped very short on the side and a bit long and tousled at the top.

"This is Octavia, his mate." His father spoke up. I wanted to send him a glare, but I knew that it would only cause trouble for Ajax. I could feel his hand tighten a bit around mine, he was becoming annoyed. These people were a bit invasive, but it was something we're going to have to endure, since we are in their territory.

Ajax removed my hat and pushed a piece of my hair behind my ear. This caught the attention of the man sitting behind the desk. Was Ajax being affectionate to prove a point to the Alpha? Or did he actually feel guilty? It's probably because the man before us is apparently a man whore.

"Well would you look at that?" He smooth voice rang out. "You've managed to find someone very beautiful to tolerate your temper." His wicked smile spread largely across his face. I couldn't help but shiver and move closer to Ajax. He wrapped an arm around me, understanding my discomfort while my wolf relished in the fact that we were so close to our mate.

"How about we skip the small talk and get down to business." Ajax's tone was clipped. He was clearly unhappy about all the unwanted attention I was receiving.

"Or course," He drawled as his hazel eyes met mine. I immediately look away, finding a false interest in my shoes. I wanted nothing more then to exit this room and go back home. Wait, did I just call Ajax's mansion home? I listened quietly as he shuffled through the draws in his desk.

"Review the contract, we can discuss any issues with it tomorrow and if we can't come to an agreement then it was nice meeting you." Ajax handed me my hat and stepped away from me to grab the large packet of papers. I couldn't help but shiver at the absence of his warmth.

"You will be staying in the two rooms at the end of the east wing. My father can show you the way." He added. Two rooms? But there's three of us. I was a bit shocked but tried to hide it as best as I could. "Unless you'd prefer your own room, Octavia?"

Ajax turned around slowly and gave me a stern look as he returned to my side. "No, thank you. That won't be necessary." I decline nicely. Ajax grabs a hold of my hand once more but it wasn't has gentle as the last time.

We follow the Alpha's father out of the office and to our rooms. I would have to share a room with Ajax. Or maybe he would be a gentleman and share a room with Samuel? No. I doubt he would after how possessive he seemed in the office. I could feel my palms begin to sweat but Ajax didn't seem to mind.

I guess I'll have to sleep with the devil himself.

Octavia's dress:

The picture at the top of the chapter:

This is kind of what I picture Cipher to look like! (Marie Avgeropoulos, best known from "The 100" on the CW) Please feel free to picture the characters as you'd like

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