I notice Zare running off to be alone. I know it's starting to bother her, seeing Chetan with Kiara. I know Chetan is struggling not to touch her. I can sense his feelings when he's around Zare. The whole pack can sense each other's feelings, if only they would tap into. They are wrapped into themselves. Zare gets nervous around Chetan, her body goes tense.
Lately, it's been small motions he gives her, grabbing her hand, wrapping her up in a hug. I see the way he looks at her, he is already in love with her, and so am I.
My feet move towards the tree. I have so many questions, but I know it's wise not to ask many. I should not have started talking with the tree; it's a horrible, nasty habit, and I hate it.
Once again, I sense my taste buds dancing as I take a bite from an apple in my hand.
"Ajay, what's your question today?" The evil tree hums.
"Just looking for a riddle."
"Very well, send your problem back to where it came from, and less stress you'll be under."
"Zare, where did she come from? Navi's pack. I would never. "
The tree laughs.
"Your clues don't even make sense. Are you playing tricks on me?"
The tree chuckles again until his face is gone.
It was nightfall before I reached the pack. Chetan and Dev sit at the picnic table eating. The girls were gone. Hopefully, the boys know where they scattered off to.
"Where are Zare and Kiara?"
" Picking wild berries," Dev answers me.
I nod.
"They should be okay. I did a zombie run before they left," Dev says.
"Still spying on our future?" Chetan asks
"Chetan, not sure if you figured this out, but I don't answer to you."
He laughs. "Whatever."
"Let's stay positive, boys," Dev says, looking at both of us.
I glare at Chetan before stepping into the trailer. I feel we are moments before Chetan and I face off.
Soon, I find myself sitting by the fire. I detect some tension between Kiara and Chetan. She sits with Zare, and Chetan has made eye contact with her once.
"Alpha, Zare, and I wish to clean in the river."
"I don't know girls, it's night."
"Please, Ajay?"
I look at Zare's puppy eyes. It really is only a few miles away, I mean, I would be there in moments.
"I'll go with," Dev says, and Chetan pulls him back down by his shirt.
"I'm giving you exactly 20 minutes, and then I'm coming to look for you."
They nod and take off laughing.
"I see the way you look at Zare."
"And?" I smirk at him. He wasted no time interrogating me.
"I'm only going to warn you once to stay away from my mate."
"Chetan, if you're not going to act on your feelings, I'm going to act on mine."
"Why don't you find your own mate? Oh wait, you can't, she's dead."
"Grow up, Chetan."
"Look at you, flirting with someone who belongs to me."
I took a deep breath, feeling very aggravated. "Then leave Kiara."
"Mind your own business, Ajay."
I stand up to leave. "I need to exit before you are picking yourself off the floor."
"Do it, Ajay," Chetan screams.
"Knock it off, guys," Dev says, standing up.
I step into Chetan's face. "Act on your feelings, or Zare will be mine."
I feel his hand hitting my lip, pain in my face was overwhelming, and I feel the blood leaking onto my shirt.
I kind of lean back, but I don't fall to the ground. I pick up my fist and bring it to Chetan's face. I hold him up by his shirt. This way, I can hit him twice before he falls down.
"Damn it knock it off," Dev grabs me by the arm.
Chetan gets back up, tackling me to the ground. And then there are so many hits being thrown, honestly, I don't know who got in the most.
"Hey, hey, guys, break it up," I hear Zare rushing up.
She tries to get between us, and that's when I heard her cry and fall to the ground.
"Chetan, what the hell?"
"I am sorry, I didn't mean to."
He helps her to her feet, holding her close to his chest ."I am sorry, baby."
She doesn't have the reaction I thought she would; she doesn't nestle her head into his chest. She actually looks really uncomfortable. But I believe it's because Kiara was there.
"Please put me down."
Then she rushes into my arms. I don't mind. I wrap her in a hug, and I see the hurt and anger in Chetan's face.