Alx's P.O.V.

Different day.

Different meeting.

Same issues.

The elders still don't like Shayla being present during meetings. And they're furious that I let her sit in my Luna's place. 

I'm itching to tell them.

I'm itching to tell them so badly. 

But I still haven't been able to get any alone time with her. And I know she still wants this to be kept amongst ourselves for now.

I'm getting worse. 

I need her. But I don't want to rush her. 

Fuck, I'm pushing my luck.

Having Shayla sit beside me is helping more than I thought it would. But the difference is made abundantly clear when she isn't beside me. It's so much harder for me to concentrate. I'm more easily angered. And Eric isn't helping at all. Like this meeting. Chris wasn't needed. No Chris. No Shayla.  But he is expected in the next meeting. So, I guess I have something to look forward to. 

-

Finally, this meeting is coming to a close.

Shayla's lovely scent hits me. 

She's a bit early.

But I'm not complaining.

"Nicky's doing really well. Those two boys that were hassling her have been ordered to make friends with her. And to my surprise, they get along quite well. Spending time with people closer to her age is helping her out a lot." I hear Will explain as they walk down the hall. 

Why is he here?

Where is Chris?

"That's good to hear." Shayla reply

"You know, she's still asking to hang out with Shadow. I'm still a little grumpy that you stole my title in one afternoon."

Shayla laughs. "I could never steal your title. You'll always be the cool uncle in her eyes."

"Please, you could steel half the hearts of half the town if they half the chance." Earning him a growl from Eric.

If only they gave her half the chance.

"Uh, hah." Not believing him. Walking into the room, she greets me with a smile and a wave. As she always does.

"Alpha." Will greeting me with a nod. 

"Morning Will. Where is Chris?"

"Oh. Um. The Chef needed his help with some things. So, he asked me to escort Shayla here. I do apologise for being early. But we had a race. And she's a lot faster than I thought she would be. The Beta should be here shortly." Will.

"You had a race?"

Shayla tilts her head at my tone. 

"Yeah." His face falling. "We didn't do it through town. Just on the outskirts of it. She never left my sight, Alpha." trying to reinsure me. "It was my idea, Alpha." thinking that she might get into trouble.

"I know it was." Putting him at ease. "You may leave."

"Umm-" he starts.

"Your Beta or your Alpha?" Shayla cuts him off as she sits. 

"You're right." moving to leave. "Wait." looking at her confused. "Why are you sitting there?" pointing his finger at her.

"Because it's where I've been told to sit." tilting her head at him. 

"In the Luna's-"

"Leave." cutting him off.

He needs no further encouragement.

"Did you really have a race with him?"

"Yes. I didn't see any harm in it. Sorry." Looking down a bit as she apologises.

I don't want her to be sorry. 

I'm not reprimanding you, Shayla.

"Was it fun?"

"Honestly, yeah. Been a while since I ran just for the hell of it. It was quite refreshing." nodding slightly.

She enjoyed it. I don't know whether to like or dislike that.

But one thing's for sore, I'll be looking forward to when we can run together. 

"Morning." Chris greeting me with a nod. "Where's Will?"

"I told him to leave."

"Fair enough." sitting as he goes through his papers. 

"Chris?" Shayla askes knowing we still have a few minutes before the next meeting.

"Yeah?" still busy with his papers. 

"What's your wolf's name?" bringing him to a stand-still.

"Steve." he answers plainly returning to his papers. 

Shayla's drawn back by his answer. "You wolf's name is Steve?" needing confirmation. Why?

"Yes."

"Is he anything like Steve?"

"Somewhat."

"Who's Steve?" I ask merely curious. 

Shayla just looks down. Knowing that she isn't the one that should answer.

"Steve was the friend that I lost, Alx." Chris matter-of-factly answers. 

Oh.

"But he was more of a big brother to us. Always knowing what to say. And when to say it. He got us out of some trouble. And got into trouble with us too." Shayla trying to lighten things up. 

"And like family, he died." 

Shit. I thought he was getting better.

"There's only three of us left now."

Sighing, Shayla rubs the back of her neck. At a loss for words. 

There's only three of them left?

All the others are gone?

"How can a family think that not dyeing is an achievement?" "With what our family's been through. That's pretty much how it is."

What else have they been through?

"Well. One thing we do know is that ain't nothing getting to aunt Elva. She'll probably outlive us both." Shayla trying to see the brighter side. 

Chris laughs. "Yeah, she probably will." Nodding. "Crazy aunt Elva." Shaking his head. "Probably still shooting everything that moves."

"Probably. But she started an animal haven."

"She always had a soft spot for animals."

"Humans not so much."

"Crazy aunt Elva?" razing my eyebrows at them.

"Don't worry, she hasn't killed anyone." Shayla.

"Yet." Chris.

"She's too nice. Badly harm, yes. Kill, no."

"I don't know..." trailing off "Remember that time we were staying with her?"

"And she almost shot the mailman because he came a day early?"

"Yeah. Shit, that was funny." a smile appearing on his face.

"Poor guy. He was just doing his job."

"He was probably scared shitless."

"So were we."

"We were so well behaved from that point on." laughing

"Yeah," joining him. 

So that's their aunt Elva? Doesn't exactly make me want to meet her.

But it's nice to see them laughing. Despite the reason.