HUNTED

Damon and Aila finally arrived in the dining room, where half the food had already been eaten. The room was loud and rowdy as per usual with the group, except for Gabriel and Kane, who looked like the more \'mature\' adults out of them. Granted, Gabriel was like a trillion years old.

"Was history not your forte by any chance?" Gabriel\'s voice floated in her mind. Aila refrained from giggling by his \'death glare\' and ignored him as soon as she saw her food and sat down next to Finn.

After eating their breakfast and spending their last morning together, it was finally time for the group to depart and two of the members going their separate ways. Aila felt herself becoming more and more nervous as she watched Chase and Sariah throwing their bags into an SUV provided, of course, by Gabriel. Aila waited patiently as Chase, Finn, and Ajax said their farewells with their \'manly\' handshakes and pats on the back before caving in and just group hugging instead.

Aila felt warmth flourish her chest by the scene before her. Chase was a hunter, and now he was accepted as a friend by Ajax and Finn. Aila glanced to the side at Gabriel, wondering how he felt about it all. After all, Gabriel had been in the compound the longest..

Gabriel arched his brow at the scene. "Children," He muttered under his breath before clasping Chase\'s forearm and patting Chase\'s shoulder. "Stay safe, human," Gabriel said, then pulled him closer and whispered in his ear for everyone to hear, "And if you betray us, I will greet you with death." He pulled away and smiled.

"Well, that went better than I expected.." Malia muttered with a whistle.

Chase smiled lazily in return, unaffected by the vampire\'s threat and nodded his head at Kane and Damon before lastly standing in front of Aila. The pair stared at each other for a moment before Chase wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin above her head, closing his eyes while ignoring Damon\'s warning growl and tapping foot. Aila gritted her teeth together and clenched her eyes shut.

"You better be careful," She mumbled into his chest.

"I will. Don\'t worry, Aila. I know these people like the back of my hand. When it\'s safe, I\'ll be in touch," Chase replied and squeezed his arms around her before relaxing them and leaving a chaste kiss on the top of her head. Aila let go and watched as he turned away and climbed into the car without looking back. She sighed as worry gnawed at her chest.

"You have seriously turned into a mama bear about that boy.." Malia snickered. "You keep forgetting whose son he is and the reputation he has among hunters and creatures."

Aila knew that, but she couldn\'t help it. Maybe when she hears from him next, she will calm down. At least he had Sariah with him. Aila heard about how the girl was like a ninja and could drive like she was in Fast and Furious. From the sounds of it, the pair of them were quite impressive hunters, and they were now on the creature\'s side.

Her eyes flickered to the side of the car, and she looked away with a small smile at the sight. Finn had Sariah trapped between his body and the vehicle as he whispered into her ear, and she smiled up at him. Aila did not want to intrude and did not focus on their conversation, but he kissed her cheek, and their clasped hands released as he walked away from her. Sariah waved at the group with a smile and climbed into the car.

Damon wrapped his arms around Aila from behind, and they watched as the car drove off into the distance. "Hmm, I don\'t like his smell on you," Damon said, breaking the spell of her sadness as she chuckled at him. "I\'m serious," He continued and held her tighter.

"When are you two leaving?" Gabriel deadpanned. "You keep giving me a headache with all this.. PDA."

Damon burst into laughter, thoroughly enjoying Gabriel\'s annoyance. Aila\'s face flushed in return, remembering the vampire catching them the previous day walking from the library.

"Don\'t worry, we\'re going," Kane chuckled with them and opened the door to their car, climbing into the driver\'s seat with a wave of his hand. Aila knew the Beta wanted to get back to his mate and be out of vampire territory ASAP, and he already had the car packed with their belongings.

Finn and Ajax strolled up to Gabriel, looking a little nervous about what to do next. Gabriel held his hand out to Ajax first, but the shapeshifter shook his head. "Oh, come here, you dinosaur!" He pulled him into a hug and patted his back. Aila giggled at Gabriel\'s shocked features.

"Dinosaur?" He spat, then smiled and huffed when Finn also hugged him. The pair then ran towards the car, calling out \'shotgun\' and fighting over the seat.

Damon sighed and raked his hand through his hair before shaking hands with Gabriel. "We will see you at the ceremony?" Damon asked him; Gabriel slapped his hand atop his.

"Of course, I would not miss it. I do not mind putting up with a bunch of cocky Alpha\'s for one night," Gabriel smiled, and Damon patted his hand before turning away and pulling Ajax and Finn apart, bristling with rage at how his car might be ruined from their childish behaviour.

Gabriel stepped towards Aila and bent down, gently grabbing her hand and leaving a kiss on her knuckles. Aila bit her tongue as he stared at her for a moment longer than necessary, her brows drew together, but the vampire smiled gently. A genuine smile, unlike his previous snarky ones. 

He straightened up, holding her hand still. "I know you are one brave and reckless woman, Aila Cross.. But try not to get into too much trouble before the ceremony. You will be a Queen soon."

Aila looked to the side, "I think I\'m more stupid than brave, but don\'t worry, there won\'t be enough time between now and the ceremony to get into too much mischief."

Gabriel chuckled and released her hand. "I\'m a trillion years old, Aila. I know the difference between bravery and stupidity. Don\'t doubt yourself." He patted her head and suddenly disappeared.

"He\'s a wise old man.." Maila murmured as Aila began to turn away. She halted after something in the corner of her eye caught her attention. Aila looked in the direction of a busy street crowded with people rushing to their destination.

And like some crazy film in slow motion, Aila stared at a man dressed in a suit, his white hair falling across his chest, gazing back at her with a smirk plastered on his handsome features. Aila took a step forward, but he vanished from sight. Aila glanced in a few directions for Cassius, but she knew he was gone.

Aila released her breath and climbed into the backseat of the car until she sat in between Ajax and Finn, who failed at acquiring the front passenger seat. She looked out the back window, her mind still thinking of Cassius before she settled down and crossed her arms. She had a feeling that she would be seeing the vampire soon.