Rouges

"You two look much better!" Father says as we enter his office.

"Let's get down to business then." Aaron says as he takes a seat across from my father. I take the other seat across from him. "Why did they attack?" Aaron asks and father looks to me.

"They want Lilly." Father says.

"Like Hell!" Aaron yells. I see father clench his jaw... he is not a fan of strong language... at least it wasn't an outright curse or he probably would have said something.

"Its true." I say and Aaron turns to me "they were trying to take me to their leader... they called him Alpha." Aaron laughs.

"Rouges don't have an Alpha! It's not possible!" He says.

"That's what I always thought too but they were organized. It is worth looking in to." Father says. "Can you look into your records Aaron... see what you can find?"

"Of course Mason but... I don't think she should come see me again... it's too dangerous." Aaron says.

"SHE! Is right here and SHE can make her own decisions!" I yell.

"Lilly he is right." Father says. "They want you. The best way to avoid that is to keep you here."

"A prisoner again? That is your plan?" I ask standing up. "You saw how well that worked last time... so unless you want half your warriors guarding me and one sleeping in my room I suggest you two come up with another plan."

"That is not happening." Aaron says obviously not liking the idea of someone in my room.

"We don't have the manpower to protect a unwilling person." Father says "we need to find something you'll agree to or this will never work." I sit back down.

"I'm listening." I say

"How about 2 guards." Aaron suggests. "One from your pack one from mine. That way you'll have direct contact with me should anything happen."

"I can accept that." Father says.

"Are these guards going to control where I go or what I do?" I ask.

"No" father says.

"I'd like to see them try." Aaron laughs.

"But if you want to leave the pack boundaries you need to tell me." Father says.

"And if you come to my territory let me know ahead of time and I'll meet you half way to escort you." Aaron adds.

"I guess that will work." I say "I don't want someone boring. Make sure you're guy has a personality Aaron!"

"Will do... my pick is on their way... should be here soon." Aaron says.

We continue to talk a while. I tell Aaron the whole story about the wreck. Father suggests new patrol patterns having the packs work together. As we wrap things up the sun has already set.

"Aaron why don't you stay the night... I'd hate to have to go on a rescue mission for you next." Father suggests as we stand at the front door.

"I can handle myself Mason." Aaron starts then pauses looking around. He sighs. "But I guess it better safe than sorry. I'd love to stay."

"Dinner is out in the kitchen... you guys go. Eat. I have some more work to do." Father says and then walks back to his office.

We stand in the entryway without speaking. The silence was broken by a familiar voice.

"Lilly!" Brayden yells as he runs in for a hug. "They said they were coming here so I had to come. Is your dad around? I hope not. I was so excited to see you! The offer still stands if you ever want to drop Ari you know. He snores really loud! You should..."

"Brayden!" Aaron yells stopping the boy. I can't help but laugh.

"Good to see you too Brayden." I say and he smiles.

"What are you doin' here Bray?" Aaron asks.

"They said you needed a guard for Lilly so I volunteered!" The boy responds.

"Brayden." Aaron says

"Fine I..." he starts.

"I brought him." A female voice says.

"Ahhhh... Lilly meet EV your new guard." Aaron introduces her.

"Nice to meet you EV." I say.

"You too Alpha! This guy refused to have a male warrior as your guard so they sent me as the strongest female." She says.

"Anyway!" Aaron breaks in trying to change the subject. "Why did you bring Bray?" EV just shrugs.

"Pup wanted to come... didn't see the harm... you're here after all." She reasons.

Alpha Aaron's POV

EV showed up as requested. It's true I didn't want a male guard but hearing her say it it sounds ridiculous. And of course she would bring Brayden! I thought I might get to spend some time with Lilly but that can't happen now!

"And you didn't think to ask me?" I ask frustrated with her. She shrugs again.

"Chill Alpha! He wanted to see her! He was worried! He's your responsibility so suck it up!" EV says. She has always called me on my crap. She is one of the few people who know everything about me... she is Clayton's sister so she hung around us a lot and saw more than she should.

"Fine." I say and turn away from her. "I'm with her now so why don't you just take a walk... get the lay of the land and all. I'll let you know if I need you."

"Yes Alpha!" EV says with a playful salute and a laugh. I roll my eyes as she leaves.

"I like her!" Lilly says once she is gone.

"I thought you might. She is Clayton's sister. I've known her forever." I tell her.

"Hay Bray!" Lilly says grabbing the boys shoulders. "Most of the pups your age hang out in the rec room... why don't you go have some fun!" She points down a hallway. "Its the last doorway down that hall. You'll hear them long before you get there. Just follow the smell of popcorn."

"I wanted to hang with you!" He says.

"We will buddy. We'll join you for a movie later. Your Alpha and I haven't eaten so its gonna be kinda boring. Just a bunch of talking. You'll have more fun there." Lilly says. Man this girl is good read my mind.

"Ok then... I guess... see ya later!" Brayden runs off down the hall.

"Come on Aaron... I'm starving!" Lilly says and walks off toward the kitchen.

Lilly's POV

I lead Aaron to the kitchen. The pack had already eaten and a couple of omega girls were cleaning up.

"Hay Stephanie, Daphne." I say as we enter. "Why don't you guys head out. I'm starving so we'll eat and get the rest of this cleaned up!"

"Are you sure Lilly?" Steph asks

"Yea Steph go home... give lil Dom a hug for me." I say. She works hard and deserves a night with her pup.

"Thank you Lilly!" They say and scurry out. I hear a deep chuckle behind me.

"You amaze me!" Aaron says.

"Why thank you... but you know you are helping me clean this up?!" I say poking him in the chest.

"Hay we still got 4 weeks until I can call you my girl so I'm not sure I am required to help. We are only friends after all." He says.

"Maybe not... but I guess that means I am not "required" to share the last of the brisket!" I say taking the platter of meat.

"I give! I give! Don't starve me Lilly! I'm skin and bones here!" He pleads dropping to his knees. I laugh. I can't believe how different he is when the pack isn't around. It's like he takes off the Alpha mask and can be himself.

"So you will help?" I ask.

"Well all you had to do is ask!" He says jumping up in one swift movement taking the platter. I grab two plates and he dishes the meat. I add some veggies and toss them in the microwave.

Ding! The timer goes off and we take our plates.

"So what do you think about this whole rouge Alpha thing?" I ask him. Aaron turns to me with his Alpha mask back in place.

"I don't know if its possible he's a Alpha....but I will kill him when I find him." He says ending our playful mood.

"Sorry I brought it up." I say touching his hand to calm him.

"Its fine." He says with a smile. "You are safe now and we have time to learn about each other... come on we need to get this cleaned up."

He takes the plates and we walk back into the kitchen. I box up the leftovers and put them in the fridge as Aaron rinses the dishes and loads the washer.

After he loads it he fills the sink with water.

"What are you doing?" I ask as he squirts some soap in the sink making bubbles.

"Washing dishes... I thought that was obvious?!" He says

"Well duh! But why are you doing it by hand? We have a dish washer." I respond.

"Yea... and I filled it. Now I'm going to wash the rest... I'm not going to just sit and wait for it to get done." He says.

"Why not?" I ask.

"Its a waste of time!... man you're lazy!" He teases me with a grin.

"I am not!... I just hate dishes.. set me loose on the living room and I'm good cleaning like there's no tomorrow. Put on a little swing and dance my way through it." I say and spin around.

"Swing music?!" He asks.

"Yea! Got a problem with that?!" I throw back. He reaches in his pocket and pulls out his phone.

"No no nothing like that!" Aaron says. A symphony of horns and drums spring from his phone. "My mom called it her happy music. I played DJ for her when I was little. Changing out the records. Dropping the needle. All while she cleaned and cooked and laughed dancing around the house." He set his phone down in the window by the sink and took my hand spinning me around then he tosses me a towel with a smile. "I'll wash you dry." I watch him as he scrubs a pan tapping his foot to the beat.

"My momma loved it too... I think they would have liked each other." I say.

"Probably." He responds and starts humming happily.

We finish the dishes just listening to the music. As I put away the last dish Aaron stops the music.

"We should probably meet up with Brayden... you did promise." He says.

"Yea let's go." I say. As we head for the door Carson stops us.

"Hay lil Alpha... mind if I talk to Aaron for a little bit?" He asks.

"Sure Carson." I say then turn to Aaron. "I'll meet you in the rec room."

ALPHA AARON'S POV

The Beta asks to speak to me and Lilly leaves.

"Come on Aaron let's talk outside." Beta Carson says. He leads the way out a back door. We stand in a small field that looks like the place pups play sports.

"What do you want Beta?" I ask, frustrated that he took me away.

"I want to know how long you are going to keep this up pup!" He says angrily.

What the? Why is he so mad? And where does he get off calling ME pup?!

"Keep what up Beta?!" I say trying to keep a cool head.

"When are you going to grow up Aaron!?" Beta Carson yells.