Chapter 3

We sit around the fire. I pull out my bottle of rum, taking a big swig. The burn feels so nice. Being buzzed is the only thing keeping Zare's face from my mind.

Ajay walks over, snatching the bottle from my hand. My hand shook with force.

I stand up. I feel the heat coming to my face. I feel my hand tightly forming into a fist.

"What the hell Ajay?" I yell. I step into his face. I am ready to fight. I have no problem showing Alpha that I am not one to fuck with.

"Chetan, I said enough with the liquor." He barks at me.

"Just fuck off Ajay." I shove him back.

He walks into my face. "You wanna hit me Chetan? Take out your anger? Huh? The rum isn't working, Zare is still not here and you're losing yourself, get a grip man."

"Then be an Alpha Ajay and get her back, demand Zare return, and kill the vampires."

"Chetan let Zare learn her lesson, the pack can't keep coming to save her. Let her want us back, and to be part of this pack. Let her be grateful she has us to protect her. Let her find her place and she'll start to behave."

I let out a deep breath. "So this is one of your punishments?"

"No, I am letting Zare learn the benefits of being part of a pack, especially this pack, because I care about all of you, but I can only do so much and Zare needs a wake-up call."

"And what if they hurt her?"

Ajay eyes me. I feel his hand on my shoulder. "I don't think Ash would let that happen."

I turn to leave. I know Ajay has some valid points, but I feel so lost. I don't want to rely on a vampire to keep Zare safe. I want to protect her.

******

I wake to an empty spot next to me. Every morning it hurts, and it never gets any easier. I get up, rubbing my eyes. I move towards the fire and see Ajay and Aanya cuddling. He kisses her head. I smile, feeling happy for her, they are working their problems out.

I see Dev walk out of the trailer, he throws me a sweet tea. I catch it in midair.

"Thanks, dude."

I run my fingers through my hair. Taking my seat on the log, I sat next to Dev's girl Riya. She lays her head on my shoulder. I smile, kissing her gently on the head.

"Dyani, Enola, and Aponi are coming today," Ajay tells me.

I nod. "Cool," I say while drinking tea.

Dyani, Enola, and Aponi are an all girl pack. They reside by the vampire cave. Dyani is a firecracker. She has a loud mouth and loves to party. I actually think she'll be a good mate for Smoke. She was my love interest before Kiara. I guess she was a good time, but we both knew that sex was all we were good at.

I stand up from the log, hearing the girls approach. I don't need to get mixed up with Dyani right now.