This pack was absolutely awesome! A carnival! They were hosting a carnival! Cherry was jumping in her shoes and trying contain her happiness but she was beaming with joy. She couldn't believe that she landed a job here and now she was watching a massive bouncy-castle floating in front of her.

"Cherry," Klaus came up to her in a hurry. "We need to grab a bunch of tables from the basement. Can you help the kids out?"

"Sure," Cherry agreed. "But where's the basement?"

"I'll show you, Cherry," Hailey offered.

Cherry tagged along with Hailey and other students from the Institute also joined them. They walked into the Institute and took the staircase on the right side of the building towards the basement. Cherry was still learning the ins and outs of this school, but hopefully she would be able to memorize it quickly. The school was huge, perhaps she should sketch out a map. Following Hailey down the stairs, the students were eager to play all the games.

Arriving at a storage room, Hailey unlocked the door and there were extra chairs, tables, sheets and any other necessities to host a party outside. Hailey ushered the older students to grab the chairs and take them up the stairs carefully.

"We're going to need more students," Hailey said. "Cody, bring more kids on your way back!"

"Okay!" The boy at the top of the stairs yelled as he held three chairs.

Cherry walked into the room and looked around. The tables were made of wood and metal, so they were bit heavy. Two people were going to have to pick this up together to avoid any accidents.

"Hailey, these are pretty heavy," Cherry said. "I don't think you should pick it up." She glanced behind her and Hailey already held two chairs.

"I'm fine," she said as she walked out of the room.

A few students arrived and huddled around the short teacher taking the chairs from her right away, since the woman was pregnant. More kids rushed down the stairs to help and some of them grabbed the tables. Cherry guided them out the door and made sure none of them slipped. Hailey tried to help too, but everyone just asked her to go back outside and help with something easier like arranging the plates for food.

Left on her own, Cherry moved the cloth from the tables and a bunch of dust flew around her. She couldn't help it when she sneezed over and over again. She had to wipe her nose and her watery eyes.

"Are you down here alone?" Cherry stiffened as she recognized that sultry, low tone.

She glanced over her shoulder and saw Azura leaning against the doorframe in her dark, black clothes. She had her silvery-grey eyes on Cherry and it felt as if she'd melt on the spot. She quickly looked away and clutched onto the cloth on the table. The heart in her chest hammered at an unbelievable rate, she felt like it was going to explode. How was this even possible? She never felt this way before, like she would get on her knees and answer to any command that came from Azura's mouth. Was this really the power of a mating bond? she questioned because that's the only thing capable of such unconditional trust.

"Er- no," she remembered that she needed to answer the question. "Some of the students are helping me down here."

"Really?" Azura said. "Because it looked like they all got distracted by the cotton-candy machine that arrived before I came here."

This was her chance. Cherry turned with a beaming smile. "Cotton-candy machine," she astounded. "That's really cool. We should go see it." She bolted for the door but her arm was caught. Her breath hitched and she saw those cavernous silver eyes looking down on her. The skin on her arm felt as if it was fire from Azura's touch and she couldn't resist feeling it flame throughout her body.

"Cherry," Azura said her name like it was a sinful word never to be uttered in daylight.

She took a step forward in her tough combat boots as Cherry shuffled back in her sneakers. Those eyes raked down Cherry's body and she noticed her moving back. Azura wasn't pleased at all, but she used it to her advantage and pinned Cherry to the table where there was no escape.

Cherry gripped the wooden counter behind her as Azura let her arm go. "Wh- what are you doing?" she couldn't even recognize her own voice that grew timid.

Azura's strong hands brushed against Cherry's waist before she held her down and lifted her onto the table like she was light as a feather. Now, both of them were at the same height and Cherry couldn't avoid this woman's eyes.

"Seeing how you can't even look me in the eye means that you know about the bond," Azura remarked.

Cherry gaped at her. "You- you sensed it too?" she questioned.

"I didn't just sense it," Azura's eyes dropped to Cherry's lips, "I felt it in every single bone in my body."

Cherry's stomach flipped as her body responded to Azura's voice. "I understand how you must feel," she blabbered. "I'm just a new pack member and you probably don't trust me yet. You shouldn't have to trust me, I mean like we just met. So, if you want to take this slow-"

"Slow?"

"Yeah, slow," Cherry mumbled as she realized she said the wrong thing. "Or you don't want to bond at all. I understand completely. I'm a random wolf and-"

"Shhh," Azura hushed her softly. "I need you to take a breath for me."

Cherry followed the instructions and took a shaky breath in before she released it. "I'm sorry," she mumbled.

"You never have to apologize to me," Azura affirmed.

Cherry bit her lip. "Even if I did something wrong?" she asked knowingly that she was setting herself up.

Azura grinned revealing her sharp canine teeth. "I think I can find another punishment that suits you better than an apology," she remarked.

Cherry's heart leaped. "Azura- I-"

"When did you get this?" Azura asked suddenly.

Cherry followed Azura's eyes to the small cherry tattoo on the left side of her chest, it was right above her heart. "Two years ago," she told her as she felt those strong eyes linger on the red cherries and green stem. "Do you like it?" she asked.

A sleek and sensual scent spread through the air over to Cherry and she felt her body soak up the fragrance, like it found the will to live.

Azura faced her with a smile. "Hmm, I want to taste it on your skin," she admitted.

Cherry faced Azura's fierce eyes that spoke their own language in the way the beams of the moon danced over water. They were playful and magical, but there was a mystery yet to be unravelled. Would Cherry be able to understand the layers to this striking warrior? she wondered.

You're disgusting. That insult from her old pack rang in Cherry's ears as she felt her body turn to ice. What was she thinking? Cherry was an exiled wolf who lost everything. She was tarnished and disgraced. How could she think that she had the right to be with someone like Azura?

Suddenly, a warmth wrapped around Cherry like someone put a blanket on her. But she looked up and saw Azura staring at her with kindness.

"Someone really did a number on you," Azura observed.

Cherry recoiled into her shell because she was ashamed to admit it all out loud. "It's nothing," she lied.

"Look at me," Azura commanded gently and Cherry obeyed. "There's a lot you don't know about me and my past too. But I will never hide anything from you nor will I lie to you about it. If you want me to be transparent then I need you to do it too."

Cherry found herself releasing the tension off her heart and nodded. "Okay," she said softly.

Azura ran the back of her fingers along Cherry's cheek. "Now, tell me who hurt you?" she asked.

Cherry parted her lips to confess the truth, when suddenly, they heard voices near the stairs. Some students probably returned to grab more supplies. She knew that they had to move from here otherwise people would get the wrong idea, especially since Azura stood between Cherry's legs holding her hostage. But Azura didn't budge.

"What are you doing?" Cherry whispered quickly. "Move."

"Why?" Azura asked.

"Those kids will see," Cherry said.

Azura shrugged. "Let them," she said. "I don't care."

Cherry's heart skipped a beat. "I do," she retorted and only then Azura stepped back. She hurried off the table as soon as the kids walked into the room.

"Ms. Brighton," Sasha smiled at Cherry and Azura. "We're here to take more tables."

"Oh, yes, of course," Cherry helped the girls all grab an edge of the table and the four girls took it up the stairs together.

A few boys came then too and they grabbed another table to take with them. Azura stood watch behind them as Cherry held the door open. She tried to avoid the eyes that followed her every move. Eventually, the room cleared out from all the kids and Cherry wasn't sure what to do with herself, like always.

Azura came over and leaned on the wall in front of Cherry. "How about we enjoy the carnival today," she offered. "But tonight, let's talk about our mating bond."

"So, you're not ashamed that you got me as your mate?" Cherry asked but regretted it as soon as she opened her mouth.

"What do you mean?" Azura straightened.

"Well, I'm a girl and I'm a new pack wolf," Cherry explained.

Azura failed to see how those two reasons were valid. "Let me ask you this, are you ashamed of me because I'm a woman?" she retorted.

"No, of course not," Cherry said.

"Do you not like that I have a gun on me and five blades?" Azura asked then.

Cherry gaped at her wondering where those blades were hidden on this woman's dark clothing, it was hard to tell. "No, I think that's kinda hot," she admitted.

Azura grinned. "Good," she nodded. "I'm not ashamed that I got a woman as my mate. And I'm definitely not ashamed that she can pull off those shorts."

Cherry gaped at the denim shorts she had on today since it was really hot outside. She didn't think it was a big deal. "But there's a lot you don't know about me, Azura," Cherry said regretfully.

She was sure that once Azura found out the truth then her opinion of her would change. She didn't want to get her hopes up right away, since that's how she ended up being exiled thinking she could trust her family to have her back. Cherry didn't want to mess this up and lose this pack too, especially not when she was falling in love with everyone here.

Azura closed the space between them and tilted Cherry's head back so their eyes could lock. "If our goddess chose you for me, then there's a reason," she said, "and I intend to find out." She leaned closer, so their lips were inches apart. Azura ran her thumb across Cherry's bottom lip releasing it from her own teeth. "Fuck, the things I want to do to you. But I'll hold back just for today."

Cherry wondered how much she'd hold back when they were already about to kiss. "Th- thanks," she mumbled since she couldn't really breathe right now. She's never kissed anyone before. This was all going way too fast for her.

"Come on, let's get you back upstairs safe and sound," Azura put her arm around her waist and directed her out the room.

Cherry climbed up the stairs and it was a lot warmer out here under the blue sky and the sun beaming all over the field. Azura left to help out the kids set up a game near the water-hose. Cherry furrowed her brows since the sun was too bright, she even used her hand over her eyes to block it out. Thank god, she slathered herself in sunscreen before she left home, but she should've grabbed a hat too.

Cherry joined up with Hailey and Klaus who were monitoring the cotton-candy machine. "Can I have one?" she asked.

"Sure," Klaus said. "Do you want blue or pink or both?"

"Both, please," Cherry replied.

Klaus managed to make a ball of fluff onto a stick. "Here you are," he passed it to her.

Cherry tore off a bit of the fluff and put it into her mouth. The sugar burst against her tongue and she smiled at them. "This always hits the spot," she said as she tore some off and gave it to Hailey and then Klaus.

A lot of pups ran up to the counter and Klaus was overwhelmed that Bone had to step in to help. Cherry sat on the bench with the pups as they all ate together. She wondered if this was normal for a pack after being under a lockdown and attacked. Even now, the alpha was sitting at table with his friends and brothers.

"Last time, we had a carnival, we had a race through the bouncy-castles," Hailey said.

"I remember that," Bone said. "Viola won, right?"

"I sure did!" Viola boasted as she joined them too.

"Who lost?" Cherry asked.

"Everyone," Viola said. "I beat all these losers."

"That's offensive," Ryder added.

"You going to be a wuss about it?" Viola crossed her arms.

"A little," Ryder glared at her.

"Fine, let's go again," Viola challenged. "Three obstacles, last one to finish has to jump in the lake." The pack laughed as they heard the challenge, Cherry too.

"Great, the old people are hogging the bouncy-castles again," Jaxx remarked. He was Ender's best friend. Cherry met him at the Institute yesterday.

"Old!" Ryder and Viola yelled at him.

"Yeah, you're old," Jaxx said.

"He's part of the race too," Viola declared. "And I don't plan on taking it easy on you because you're a little pup."

Jaxx smirked at her. "Fine, let's go," he accepted.

"Do you feel proud challenging a kid?" Hunter asked his sister.

"Don't butt in, Hunter," Viola remarked.

"This is going to go exactly like last time," Hailey mumbled as she sat with Cherry.

Cherry chuckled. "Why do I get the feeling this happens every time?" she said.

Bone joined them on the benches. "It still surprises me that no one has lost a limb," he said as he ate the cotton-candy.

"Someone might today," Viola voiced as she glared at Ryder and Jaxx who teamed up.

"How are you and I related?" Hunter remarked.

Viola turned at her brother. "Whose team are you on?" she asked.

"Hunter, tread carefully," Klaus warned.

"I'm on no one's team," Hunter said as he backed away and sat next to his mate.

"Nice save," Ryder said to the beta of the pack.

"Alright, since the boys teamed up, I'm calling in the cavalry," Viola declared. "Azura!"

Cherry glanced across the field and Azura changed out of her gear now and was in a black tank-top revealing the tattoos on her arms with leggings. She had her hands on her hips while she was with a bunch of senior students and Klaus's mate before she heard Viola's call.

"Azura!" Viola shouted again and waved. "We need to kill the boys!"

"Kill us?" Jaxx asked.

Ryder sighed. "She's crazy," he remarked.

"You shouldn't have challenged this one," Vincent joined them.

Azura came up to them. "Who are we killing?" she asked as her eyes glanced at Cherry and she smirked.

Cherry straightened in her seat; Hailey, Bone and Klaus must have noticed because all of their eyes were on her now.

"Them," Viola pointed at Ryder and Jaxx.

"I'm in," Azura said as she crossed her arms. "What's the game?"

"Bouncy-castles," Jaxx told her.

"Alright," Azura cracked her neck scaring the boys. "Can't wait until your guts explode because we're too fast for you."

Ryder groaned. "Having Azura isn't fair," he voiced.

"Why not?" Viola voiced.

"She's practically a machine," Vincent said.

"Don't defend your mate," Viola retorted.

Vincent held his hands up. "Gosh, calm down," he said.

"Let's get this started!" Viola declared as they all walked off to the bouncy-castles.

Hunter, Vincent, Ender, all joined too. Azura held Cherry's eyes for a moment before she strode away with the others.

Hailey squealed in her seat. "Did anyone else notice that?" she asked Klaus and Bone.

"I saw it," Bone said.

"Me too," Klaus said. "What's going on, Cherry?"

Cherry hid her face behind the pink and blue cloud. "I don't know what you're talking about," she groaned.

Hailey clapped her hands together as she grabbed Cherry. "Tell me you and Azura are mates because that's the best news of all time," she declared.

"Nothing's decided yet," Cherry told her.

The three of them shared a look.

"What do you mean?" Klaus asked as he ate more cotton-candy.

Cherry didn't know how to tell him that she was afraid of the past she carried and how ashamed she was of carrying the title of being exiled.

"Cherry just moved here and she needs some time to settle in," Hailey chimed in. "I mean, it's only been like three days."

Klaus was about to ask something but his mate called him over to his table where he saw with this other guy that came at the pack yesterday. Cherry didn't know who he was, but it was a lot more handsome in daylight.

"Hailey, who is that man?" Cherry asked.

"I don't know," Hailey said. "Hunter told me that he tried to kill Gabriel a long time ago."

"Er- okay," Cherry didn't know what to think of that.

"That's Mavros Sokolov," Bone told them. "He's a friend."

"But he did try to kill Gabriel?" Cherry asked.

Bone laughed all of a sudden. "That was a long time ago," he raked his hair and coughed.

"Bone," Hailey stared at the librarian with her big blue eyes. "What are you hiding?"

Bone gaped. "Er- nothing," he mumbled as he searched for help. "Oh, I think King needs me." He rushed to his feet and ran off across the field.

"What was that all about?" Cherry asked.

"He's hiding something," Hailey observed.

Cherry chuckled as they went over to the bouncy-castles to see who won. Once they reached the big group who watched the war between Ryder, Jaxx and Viola, Azura. Cherry leaned onto her toes to see over the others and she saw Azura climbing up the massive ladder made from air and yellow nylon.

"I think the girls are in the lead," Hailey said.

"Only because Viola tripped Ryder and Azura tackled him," Hunter told his mate.

Cherry noticed that the new guy, Mavros joined as well and he was enjoying the sight of Viola beating Ryder.

"Are you really not going to give Azura a chance?" Hailey whispered secretly.

Cherry gaped at her. "What? No, why would you say that?" she astounded.

"Well, you froze up earlier, so I thought-" Hailey stiffened, "and I thought wrong."

Cherry linked her arm with the teacher. "I'm just scared to tell Azura about my past," she admitted.

Hailey patted her hand supportively. "Azura's one of the strongest people I know," she told her. "She'll understand your story, but you need to give her a chance first."

Cherry stared back at the woman running on top of the bridge. "Thanks, Hailey," she said then. "You're so wise."

Hailey rose her chin up proudly. "They don't call me the best teacher for nothing," she boasted making Cherry laugh.

The race ended and since Viola and Azura tackled Ryder in the middle of it, the girls won the game.

"In your face!" Viola exclaimed. "Eat my dust, Drakov!" she clapped hands with Azura who was ecstatic as well.

"Jaxx lost too," Ryder remarked.

"He's a pup, it doesn't count," Azura said.

"Actually, I came in third place," Jaxx pointed out. "Ryder came in last."

"I am so disappointed in you, brother," River remarked.

Cherry still had a hard time telling those twins apart, but she started figuring out that Ryder was the one who smiled from time to time. River had a permanent scowl and his arms crossed too. And it helped that they stuck next to their mates.

"Jump in the lake!" Vincent cheered. "Jump in the lake!"

"What the hell, V!" Ryder exclaimed.

"Jump in the lake!" Everyone began and they all tagged along to see if Ryder would do it. But he did lose the game, so this was the deal. Vincent went up to his mate and offered to hold his clothes as he stripped. They all waited by the lake and Cherry glanced at Azura who was with Gabriel and Sabrina.

Ryder walked up to the dock and groaned how much he regretted this decision. But he ran the last few steps and jumped into the water, that splashed everywhere. Cherry wished she could have done it too, since it was boiling hot outside. That must feel pretty good even though the lake was ice-cold.

"Who wants another round at the bouncy-castles?" Viola asked.

"Let the kids have their turn," Gabriel announced and his sister had to listen.

"But I wanted to use it," Cherry mumbled making Bone laugh since he joined them again.

"You can," Hailey said. "Gabriel just says that so Viola doesn't start another war."

"She's a teacher, right?" Cherry asked.

"Yup," Hailey said before some pups ran up to her.

"None of us know how her students get through class without a war," Bone added.

Ryder got out of the water dripping wet and he was trembling from the cold water. They all laughed at him as he went back to his cabin but dragged his mate back with him who was laughing the loudest.

Cherry finished the last bit of cotton-candy before she joined Jaxx and Ender who wanted to use the bouncy-castle. She played it cool saying she was supervising them, until it looked way too much fun just to sit on the sidelines. Cherry climbed onto the airy balloon and ran up the ladder with Jaxx and Ender with her. A lot of other pups joined them and four or five of fit on the castle together. Cherry slipped down the slide and ended up in the ball-pit with the others, but then Klaus called everyone to eat lunch.

"Come on, kids!" she ushered as she put on her sneakers and helped the other pups find theirs too.

Klaus had taken out the grill to cook up barbecue for everyone. Cherry was quick to help but had a burger while she flipped sausages because she was starving.

"One more burger, please," A red-haired muscular guy came up to her.

Klaus was helping the pups with Bone, so Cherry grabbed the spatula and picked up the patty and placed it on the burger bun.

"Here you go," she smiled at him.

"You must be Cherry, right?" he asked. "I'm Lupin."

"Hi, it's nice to meet you," she shook his hand and she noticed his kind eyes.

"You know, I never thought I'd see Azura lose her cool, but I guess I was wrong," Lupin shared as he grabbed ketchup and put some on the patty.

"Wait, you know about Azura and I?" Cherry put the spatula down and faced him.

"I figured it out when her eyes keep following you," Lupin said as he bit into the burger. "Even now, she's probably staring at us."

Cherry didn't look now, but she peeked over Lupin's shoulder and saw Azura standing with her arms crossed and her silver eyes glaring at Lupin.

"How is she looking over there?" Lupin asked as he leaned against the table.

"Er- intense," Cherry told him.

Lupin smirked. "Do you want me to show you just how intense she can be?" he offered.

Cherry tilted her head. "What do you mean?" she asked.

Lupin held his hand out and he was about to touch her, when suddenly, someone's arm wrapped around Cherry's waist. She looked up and Azura was right next to her. When did she cross the field in that split second? she astounded.

"Azura," Lupin straightened.

"Leave before I shove that burger down your throat," Azura growled.

Cherry's mouth dropped open. "Wait," she tried to calm them down. "Nothing happened."

"Told you she's intense," Lupin grinned at her. "Have fun with this one."

Azura glared at him as he left them. Cherry noticed that everyone was staring at them now and it was blatantly obvious what just happened. She groaned and tried to hide herself by escaping inside the school. The walls were quiet and there weren't any eyes on her in here. The door suddenly opened and Azura stepped inside, but she didn't say anything.

"Azura," Cherry said her name carefully. "Lupin was just having some fun."

Azura still didn't say anything as she closed the space between them and pinned Cherry against the lockers. "Since when did you two get so close?" her tone was low and carnal.

Cherry's body shuddered as she felt Azura's eyes rip off the defences around her. "He was just being friendly," she answered.

"Next time, don't be so gracious with who can touch you," Azura warned.

Cherry bit back her smile as she tried not to notice that Azura was jealous. "You're right," she agreed. "I shouldn't let anyone touch me. So, can you give me some space?"

Azura raised a brow before she stepped back. "It's not funny," she said. "I almost shot Lupin."

Cherry giggled. "I can't help it," she said. "No one has ever been jealous over me."

Azura laid her hand on the locker behind Cherry again. "Get used to it," she said. "I'm possessive just as much as I'm-"

"Intense-" Cherry remarked.

"Is that what Lupin told you?" Azura asked. "That boy-" she cursed under her breath.

Cherry forgot why they were in this building in the first place. "You know everyone saw us outside," she gasped. "They probably think we're mates."

"Good," Azura affirmed.

Cherry gaped at her. "Seriously," she astonished.

Azura chuckled as she dropped her arm. "Let's go outside before the pack thinks we're having sex in here," she said.

"Azura, this is a school!" Cherry gasped as she covered her face that was blushing-red.

They returned back on the field and Cherry grabbed a burger as she sat down with Hailey, Klaus and Bone who were grinning at her. Everyone was grinning at her.

"I am so embarrassed," Cherry stuffed the burger in her mouth.

Hailey laughed. "Don't be," she assured. "Everyone is excited for you two."

"We sure are," Klaus added.

Cherry finished up her food as the teachers gathered around her to ask about the bond. She couldn't take it anymore and grabbed some ice-cream, which added to the sugar rush and then she was ready to go play all the games around the pack. The students from the school joined her along with some teachers and they were so excited to have another librarian on board.

Eventually, the sun started to set and Klaus offered to set up the screen for the pack to watch a movie together before dinner.

"Alright, horror or comedy?" Klaus asked the group.

"Horror!" Some answered.

"Comedy!" The rest said with Cherry.

Lupin stood up. "How about we watch a horror movie and then watch a comedy one," he offered.

"Good idea-" people agreed.

Cherry gathered two chairs, so she could lay her feet up and Hailey was passing around popcorn, which was right up her alley. She grabbed her own bucket and got comfortable on the seat.

"Here," Azura came to her with a blanket.

Cherry accepted it. "Oh, thank you," she smiled at her. "Do you want to watch the movie with me?" Azura grabbed the chair and sat down with her as they shared the blanket too while Klaus put on some movie about a cabin in the woods.

A half an hour into the movie, Cherry realized that she lived in a cabin all by herself in the woods. This movie wasn't the best option to watch while it was getting darker and darker outside.

"Are you scared?" Azura whispered.

Cherry lurched in her seat. "No," she laughed nervously. "No, of course not."

Azura bit back her smile. "Mm-hmm," she wasn't believing her.

"I'm not," Cherry's voice reached a high pitch and she tried to fix it but it wasn't working.

Azura chuckled at her. Cherry forgot that they had plans tonight but she was too scared of the movie that she complete forget that she was nervous. Azura leaned back in the chair as she handed Cherry more popcorn to eat but also ignore the movie too.

However, she knew that she couldn't escape the truth anymore. Cherry would have to give Azura a chance with all her heart and listen to Hailey's advice. Perhaps, things would be different this time. No scorn or shame because of who she was. Exiled or not. Lesbian or not. Cherry was proud of herself and she shouldn't beat herself over it. This was a new chapter in her life after all.

"Azura," she whispered. "Do you want to go on a walk?"

Azura's silver eyes flashed like the crescent moon in the sky. "A walk in the woods?" she whispered back.

Cherry felt a chill down her back. "That's not funny," she said.

Azura got up on her feet and held her hand out. "Did I ever tell you that I know how to kill people?" she said.

Cherry took her hand. "But do you know how to kill a demon?" she asked.

"I doubt it's any different," Azura remarked.

Cherry grasped Azura's hand tightly because she was scared but she tried not to show it. They left the field towards the woods together, but this was just the start to this night. Cherry just hoped that she found the strength to tell Azura the truth about her past once and for all.

To read ahead to Chapter 9, it has already been posted on my Patreon. So, you don't have to wait a whole week again. Become a member today and unlock tons of exclusive chapters on all your favourite characters too.

patreon.com/TheDarkNovelist