Chapter 10: Mazie

10

MAZIE

T he dawn's light crept like a timid intruder across the room, and I blinked awake, feeling a warmth that wasn't just from the sun. Ajax, his arms encircling me in a protective embrace, his breath steady and comforting against my neck. I should've felt safe, wrapped in the strength of his hold, but instead, a cocktail of embarrassment and vulnerability soured in my stomach.

"Good morning, beautiful," he murmured, his voice thick with sleep.

"Morning," I managed to reply, my words getting lost in the sea of sheets that tangled around us.

He must have sensed my unease, because he tightened his grip, pulling me closer. "It's okay, Mazie. It's natural for us...for our kind."

But 'natural' didn't quite ease the prickle of anxiety under my skin, knowing that the whole pack had seen me - raw, naked, exposed – as we'd claimed each other under the moon's watchful eye—multiple times. The thought made my heart thrum a panicked beat.

"Hey, look at me,"Ajax said softly, leaning on one elbow to peer into my hazel eyes. "You're perfect, just as you are. To me, to the pack, you're ours. "

His blue eyes, those deep pools of sincerity, held mine, and something in their depths calmed the swirling storm inside me. He kissed me, a gentle brush of lips that fluttered like butterfly wings against my own, and I couldn't help but succumb to the pull of sleep once more.

When I woke again, the bed was cold beside me. Grogginess clung to the edges of my thoughts, but Ajax's absence sent a chill down my spine. I was not too fond of how my space felt emptier without him, and my body seemed to crave his nearness even in slumber.

Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I reached for my phone on the nightstand. What time was it? But as the screen blinked to life, a text message caught my attention, freezing me mid-stretch.

"I'm watching you."That was all it said, the sender unknown, but the implication was clear as ice. Someone had their eyes on me, not on the admiring glances I was used to as an influencer. This was darker, sinister.

I sat up, hugging the sheet to my chest. My heart raced—a tiny hummingbird trapped in my ribcage. What did they want? Why were they watching? A thousand questions sprinted through my mind, none with answers.

I needed Ajax.

I threw on the nearest shirt—his shirt—that swallowed me in size and scent. It was ridiculous how much comfort it offered me, a shield against the creeping dread the message had instilled.

"Something's wrong."I whispered to myself, rereading the text. An icy thread wove through my veins, and I knew I couldn't ignore this—not alone, not when every instinct screamed that this threat was masked behind pixels and anonymity.

Finding Ajax would be my first step. His presence was a fortress, andhis leadership was the strategy we needed. He would know what to do—he always did.

"Come on, Mazie,"I told my reflection in the mirror, trying to stir up the courage that came so naturally to the celebrated version of me. "You can do this."

With the weight of the unknown on my shoulders, I stepped out to seek the protection only the pack leader and my mate could provide.

I found him on the porch, his silhouette broad and immovable against the midday sun. "Ajax,"I called out, my voice steadier than I felt.

He turned, those piercing blue eyes scanning me for any sign of distress. "Mazie, what's wrong?"he asked, closing the distance between us with swift, purposeful strides.

I held out my phone, the screen illuminating the ominous words that had shattered my sense of safety. "I received this message,"I said, his expression shifting from concern to a steely resolve.

"Let me handle this,"he assured me, taking the device from my trembling fingers. "It's probably nothing. But whatever this is, we'll face it together."

I nodded, feeling the tight coil of anxiety in my stomach loosen ever so slightly at his promise. "Thank you,"I murmured. His thumb brushed the back of my hand, a fleeting touch that spoke volumes of his silent vow to keep me safe.

"Stay close today,"he instructed, his gaze never leaving mine. "I don't want you too far until we figure this out."

"Okay,"I agreed, the word a tiny life raft in a sea of uncertainty.

I excused myself as Ajax melded into his role, dissecting the threat with quiet intensity. The need for familiar faces drew me toward the heart of the pack, where the female umbrae gathered for their morning rituals.

"Hey, girl,"Hope greeted me, her smile genuine despite the worry lines etched around her eyes. She sensed my unease because she wrapped an arm around my shoulders, guiding me to join the circle of women who embodied strength and grace.

"Rough night?"Raylene sneered, not bothering to hide her dislike.

How bitchy of her to throw last night in my face? I thought with a flush.

"Something like that,"I muttered, turning my back on the sour old woman .

"Tell us everything,"Eva urged, ignoring Raylene's bad manners.

And so I did. They had watched the physical coupling and knew what had happened, but I could still tell them how I felt. His touch had unraveled me, piece by piece until I was raw and open—a version of myself I didn't recognize. They listened intently as I confessed my fears about my body, heart, and inexperience.

"I have to admit. It's never been like that in my lifetime. But damn, girl, it was epic,"Hope said softly, her face flushing with heat.

"Isn't it bad form to kiss and tell?"Raylene sneered from her side of the group.

"Everyone saw everything, Raylene. What could I possibly have hidden that wasn't seen?"I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Leave her alone,"Eva snapped at Raylene. "You don't need to be like that."

"Or what?"Raylene laughed, but it wasn't pleasant. "You'll run to alpha?"

Eva's eyes narrowed. "I've seen Mazie fight. She doesn't need Alpha to protect her from the likes of you."

The older woman's face burned with embarrassment as she gathered her knitting and stalked away.

"You didn't have to do that,"I murmured to Eva, horrified that I had caused a scene.

"Yes, she did,"Faith interjected. "If she didn't, I was going to. That old biddy has been mean to you since day one."

In that moment, surrounded by the warmth and kindness of these women, I realized that maybe—just maybe—I was beginning to find my place among the umbrae, among friends.

Thankfully, Hope changed the subject. Soon, laughter and shared stories continued, weaving a feeling of acceptance and belonging that I wrapped around myself like a cloak. But beneath the camaraderie, the text's venomous words still slithered through my thoughts, a dark undercurrent threatening to pull me under, not to mention Raylene's hate, which still didn't sit right with me.

By the time our laughter began to fade, the sun was setting, settling into a comfortable lull that felt like the gentle ebb of a wave after it crashed onto the shore. I plucked at the grass beneath me, my fingers tracing patterns on the earth as if they could draw out my thoughts and lay them bare for all to see.

"Can we just talk about how twisted it is?"Eva suddenly blurted out, her green eyes flashing with a familiar fire. "The way society expects us to be chaste and pure until some magic moment, then suddenly we're supposed to flip a switch and be...experienced.It's like walking a tightrope. I've heard my whole like how our people are sexually charged, and yet as a virgin, I am not supposed to do anything about it."

"Preach,"Hope chimed in, rolling her eyes. "It's a rigged game. You're either a whore or a prude."

I nodded, feeling the weight of those expectations like a heavy cloak I'd been forced to wear for far too long. "I grew up with my foster moms always yelling at me too, 'Keep your dress down. Don't wear tight clothing.'Like my worth was tied up in whether or not I'd been touched,"I said, my voice carrying a bitterness I didn't often let surface.

"Ugh, that's awful,"Faith muttered, plucking at a blade of grass and shredding it between her fingers.

"Before Ajax, I was always the 'good girl,'terrified of stepping wrong. And when I did step... well, you know."I shrugged, the memory of last night's vulnerability creeping back in. "I felt like I was breaking some sacred rule, but also like I was finally taking control. It's confusing as hell."

"Girl, you're telling my life story,"Eva piped up, leaning back on her hands. "Speaking of control, there's something I've meant to get off my chest."Her cheeks flushed a shade that rivaled her hair, and she looked away toward the denseness of the forest.

"Spill it. This is a safe space, right?"Hope encouraged, nudging Eva gently with her shoulder.

"Okay, so... I'm kind of, sort of, really into Devon."Eva's words tumbled out in a rush, her gaze darting around our circle before it landed on me. "And I can't stop thinking about him, but he's so out of my league, and I don't even know if he likes redheads?— "

"First off, you are an absolute catch, and if Devon doesn't see that, he's blind,"I interjected, the protector within me rising to the forefront. "And second, who cares about leagues? If there's one thing being here has taught me, we make our own rules. Do you like him? Go for it."

"Really? You think I should?"Eva asked, her green eyes wide and hopeful.

"Absolutely,"I affirmed with a smile that felt as warm as the sun on our faces. "What's life without a little risk?"

"Look at you, all full of wisdom after that epic claiming last night with Ajax,"Hope teased, but her smirk couldn't hide the glint of approval in her eyes.

"Hey, love might make you do crazy things, but it also makes you brave,"Faith said.

"Yeah,"I added with a grin, "what she said."feeling the bond between us all grow stronger with every shared secret and burst of laughter.

"Brave, huh?"Eva mused, a small smile playing on her lips as she gazed into the distance. It's time I start taking some risks of my own.

"Damn right,"Hope agreed, and we all nodded, a pact forming without words.

"Besides,"I added, "if we're going to face the weirdness of this world, we might as well do it with hearts wide open and claws ready."

"Here's to being brave and to hell with societal expectations,"Eva declared, lifting an imaginary glass.

"To bravery and breaking the mold,"we echoed in unison, our voices weaving together in a chorus of newfound courage.

Our laughter still hung in the air, a fading echo of our shared rebellion against the world's harsh judgments, when I felt the shiver of unease snake its way down my spine. It clawed at our created warmth, a chilling reminder that nothing was right in our little sanctuary. I drew my phone from the pocket of my jeans, the screen lighting up with the message that had been haunting me.

"Hey, so... this is weird,"I began, my voice betraying the tremor of anxiety as I held out the device for them to see. "I got this text this morning, and it freaked me out."

"Let's have a look,"Hope said, her brow furrowing as she read the words on the screen. The others peered over her shoulder, their expressions shifting from curiosity to concern.

"Who is this from?"asked Eva, her voice laced with worry. "Do you know?"

I shook my head, feeling the vulnerability of the unknown. "I have no clue. But it feels... ominous, you know?"

"Have you shown Ajax?"Hope inquired, her protective instincts surfacing like a mama umbra sensing danger to her cub.

"Yeah, this morning. He said he'd take care of it. But I can't help but worry that maybe this is from my old life…"As I thought about Dr. Baker saying I wasn't of sound mind, my words trailed off. Was I making too much of this?

"Not to add fuel to the fire. But Raylene seemed pretty keyed up yesterday,"Hope added quietly, almost to herself, but loud enough for us all to catch the hint of suspicion in her tone.

"Raylene?"I repeated that churning in my gut, making me squirm with unease.

Hope nodded slowly, her gaze distant as if piecing together a puzzle only she could see. "She has always valued the purity of the pack, the inner circle. An outsider coming in, especially one connected to the Alpha... Well, I know she wasn't happy about you being here. What happened last night, that flash of light? That doesn't normally happen. I've read about it, you know, the moon goddess blessing a union.It'sjust wild, is all. I just wouldn't put it past her to stir the pot."

"Are you saying Raylene might be behind this?"Eva asked, her green eyes sharp with alarm.

"I don't know,"Hope admitted, her lips pressing into a thin line. "But Mazie, you're new here. And Raylene can be territorial. She's a bitch on a good day."

"Great,"I muttered, the word tasting bitter. It's just what I needed: potential psycho-stalker messages and pack politics. "

"Look, we don't know anything for sure,"Faith said, squeezing my hand. "But keep your eyes open, okay?"

"I will do that,"I replied, though my mind raced with unsettling thoughts. If Raylene saw me as an intruder, there was no telling what lengths she might go to 'protect'her precious status quo.

"Hey,"Eva said, gently touching my arm to break through my spiraling fears. We've got your back, Mazie. Whatever comes, you're not alone."

"Thanks,"I whispered, grateful for the solidarity. Yet, even surrounded by these fierce and loyal women, I couldn't shake the cold dread settling in my bones. If Raylene was my enemy, I had more than just social media trolls to worry about.

I trudged back to my quarters, the weight of the female umbras' words pressing down on me like a shroud of fog. The security of their support was a lifeline, yet it couldn't entirely dispel the shadow cast by Raylene's unspoken threats. My footsteps echoed in the empty corridor, a stark reminder that for all the warmth I'd found here, I was still an outsider looking in.

As I closed the door behind me, the room's silence wrapped around me like a blanket—a comfort laced with threads of isolation.I sank onto the edge of the bed,my hands shaking ever so slightly as I replayed Hope's warning in my mind. Eyes open. Trust no one. It's not precisely the pack life handbook I'd imagined when Ajax first claimed me as his.

A slight sniffle escaped before I could catch it, and I brushed away an errant tear, berating myself. "Get a grip, Mazie. You've faced down internet trolls with more backbone than Raylene."

But even as I tried to bolster my spirits, the sense of vulnerability clung to me, a persistent whisper reminding me that I was naked without my armor of confidence. In the real world, I was a celebrated influencer, a bastion of body positivity and self-love. In tooth and claw, I was stripped bare, grappling with the primal forces of instinct and rank.

"Tomorrow is another day,"I murmured to the emptiness, a mantra to steady my fraying nerves. Tomorrow, I would face whatever came with the strength of my newfound allies, the female umbra's who had taken me under their protective wing.

And yet, as I lay down, wrapped in blankets that held traces of Ajax's scent, the unease refused to dissipate. It buzzed at the edges of my consciousness, a relentless hum that promised confrontation. With Raylene's frosty gaze etched into my memory, I knew sleep would be a battlefield tonight.

"May the stars keep you safe,"I whispered into the darkness, a plea to any listening gods or spirits. Then, closing my eyes, I willed my mind to quiet. Sometime in the night, Ajax joined me in bed. I'd slept fitfully until his strong arms came around me.

The first rays of dawn crept through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the tangled sheets that had become my makeshift sanctuary. I stretched lazily, feeling every muscle protest the sudden movement. My fingers grazed the tremendous expanse of the bed beside me, a silent testament to Ajax's absence, and a hollow ache spread through my chest.

Shaking off the remnants of a troubled sleep, I rose from the bed, my bare feet touching the wooden floorboards, creaking like old bones. In the quiet of the morning, with a lingering unease coiled in my stomach, I padded toward the window. The world outside was painted in hues of pink and orange, promising a new day, yet my mind was trapped in the twilight zone of fear and longing.

As I drank in the view of the forest that bordered our territory, a soft chime from my phone broke the serenity. The screen lit up with an unread message, its contents a stark contrast to the tranquil dawn: "I see you. "

My breath hitched, and a cold shiver ran down my spine as I reread the words. It wasn't just the message that unnerved me; it was the unknown number, the invisible eyes I could feel prying into my life. I wrapped my arms around myself, seeking comfort in the embrace that couldn't come soon enough.

"Pull it together, Mazie,"I scolded myself, my voice unsteady but resolute. I couldn't let this unseen watcher sense my fear or give them satisfaction.

Clutching the phone like a lifeline, I left the room, my steps quickening as I sought Ajax. I found him in his study, surrounded by papers and the scent of pine and earth that was uniquely his. The sight of him, so strong and focused, eased the tight knot of anxiety in my chest.

"Good morning,"he said, his blue eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart beat. He must have seen the worry etched on my face because his brow furrowed as he asked, "What's wrong?"

Without a word, I handed him the phone, watching his gaze darken as he read the ominous message. "We'll handle this,"he assured me, his voice a low rumble that vibrated with a protective fervor.

"Who would do this?"My question hung in the air, heavy with unspoken fears.

"We'll find out."Ajax's promise was solid, something I could hold onto in the uncertainty that threatened to engulf me.

He rose and enfolded me in his arms, his embrace a fortress against the chaos of my thoughts. In that moment, I allowed myself to lean on his strength, to share the burden of my vulnerability. He kissed me so gently that it felt like my heart might break.

"Thank you,"I whispered, taking solace in the steady beat of his heart against my ear.

"Always, Baby,"he murmured back. "I've got you."

With a resolve bolstered by Ajax's unwavering support, I stepped back, ready to face the day. There were bonds to be forged with the female umbra's, allies to be found amid adversity. As I walked alongside Ajax, determination set in my stride, I knew we would navigate the treacherous waters of pack politics and hidden threats together.

The promise of confrontation loomed large, as did the power of unity. I would not let fear define me, not when I had a pack to call home and a fierce protector at my side.

The sun was high when I made my way to the common area, where laughter and the rich aroma of fresh coffee hung in the air like a promise of normalcy. Ajax had left earlier, saying he was going to town to talk to the police. I worried he might think badly that I hadn't wanted to go along with him. But he didn't say anything, only kissed me and promised things would be okay again.

"Girl, you're looking all kinds of disheveled and satisfied,"Eva teased, her curly red hair bouncing as she leaned across the table to hand me a mug. The steam from the coffee curled up, carrying with it the scent of hazelnuts and a hint of mischief.

"Let's just say there are perks to being mated to an umbra. Especially one who doubles as a personal heater,"I replied, my cheeks heating in a telltale blush.

"Personal heater with benefits, huh?"Faith chimed in, her pigtails swaying as she nudged me with her elbow, a twinkle in her big brown eyes. "Beats my electric blanket," she said.

Laughter bubbled up around the table, and I was swept into their easy camaraderie. It was strange how quickly these women, once strangers, had become confidantes, sisters in spirit if not by blood.

"Speaking of last night,"Hope said, her voice dipping into a conspiratorial whisper, "Tell us Eva… how was... you know?"

"Enlightening."her answer was cryptic, but the knowing look that passed among them needed no further explanation.

"Damn, girl!"Faith blurted out. "Did you hit that?"

Hope swatted at her sister as we all laughed at Eva's expression.

"I didn't get a chance to talk to him,"Eva admitted with a sheepish expression. "However, he was just coming in from a run, and he does have that outdoor shower."

More catcalls and laughing erupted between us girls.

"You cheeky umbra!"Hope admonished. "Did you watch him take a shower? What a creeper! "

Her dancing eyes belayed any censure from her words.

"I didn't mean to!"Eva blurted out hurriedly."But he was there, and then my body froze, and I couldn't move.Let'ssay I'm reevaluating certain societal stigmas attached to women enjoying certain activities,"she ventured, pausing to take a sip of her coffee, savoring the taste and the moment of shared understanding.

"Damn straight,"Hope added, "Why should men have all the fun? We've got just as much right to embrace our primal side."

"Hope advocating for sexual liberation? This is one for the history books,"Faith joked, earning a rare smirk from her elder sister.

"Even a cold fish gets warm when the water heats up,"Hope quipped, and we all dissolved into giggles.

"Speaking of heat,"I said, seizing the moment, "I might need some advice. I got another text message..."

Their laughter faded, replaced by an attentive silence. With a deep breath, I recounted the mysterious message, the words feeling heavier than they looked on the screen.

"Sounds like someone's got their claws out for you,"Eva noted, her expression grave.

"Maybe,"I admitted. "But who?"

"Could be anyone,"Eva mused, her gaze distant, sharp. "However, this doesn't sit right. You've told Ajax, right?"

I nodded. "This morning. He went into town to speak with the police."

"Why aren't you with him?"Raylene asked from across the pathway. I had yet to see her approach. "Maybe somebody is jealous of how quickly the umbra's have taken to you. Outsiders aren't always welcome."

"Outsider?"The word stung more than I cared to admit.

"Raylene, chill,"Faith interjected. "Mazie's one of us now. She and Alpha are not only mates, and the moon goddess blesses them. Spread your hate elsewhere. Right, guys?"

A chorus of affirmations rose around me, buoying my spirits.

"Thanks,"I said, touched by their solidarity. "You guys are the best. I need to watch my back. "

"More like bare your claws,"Eva added with a determined glint in her eyes.

"Or teeth,"Hope suggested, her smile widening. "Nothing says 'back off'like a good old-fashioned growl."

"There's not a one of you I'd be afraid of. Perhaps you should heed the warnings, Mazie,"Raylenestated before turning and leavingus staring dumbly at her departing form.