{ Realise deeply that the present moment is all you ever have ~ Unknown}

**

"Let's have a small celebration for Finn's new rank," He mind-linked her.

Aila immediately smiled, liking that idea a lot. They had another burial so close to their last one, coming up in two days. It would be nice to have a little joy in the packhouse; so far, Aila didn't have that many good memories of the place. A lot of it was filled with death.

"I'd like that," She whispered aloud as they made it to the patio doors of the packhouse. The guards began spreading out and surveying the area. As Kane and Nairi began to step inside, Damon pulled them all into a mind-link.

"Pack leaders, I think we should give a warm welcome to the new Delta. We think it is only right that we have a little celebration!" Nairi clapped her hands at his words, and Kane stroked her back gently, looking at her adoringly.

"I will get the drinks!" Nairi squealed and rushed towards the kitchen.

The group followed inside, and after setting up, they were all in the living room with some music on at a low volume as they all chatted away, joked and messed around. Even Gamma Chiara smiled and became excited with Nairi over silly things. By the end of it, they all had quite a bit to drink, showcasing the drunk versions of themselves.

Aila was a giggling mess along with Nairi. Chiara became competitive and spoke more animatedly. She even played 'twister' with Ajax, who, of course, was more than happy to play with her. His words exactly were, "I don't mind our bodies getting close, hot and sweaty." But what shocked the group more was that she slapped him hard on the face but still wished to play with him.

Finn, Damon and Kane were all standing, looking serious and only smiling when Aila and Nairi tried to get them to smile and loosen up. But, for them, they were still on guard, only drinking a few beverages. Damon never let his gaze wander from Aila for too long, even while he spoke. She and Nairi were on the floor whispering to each other, giggling as they passed a bottle of wine between them.

Damon could feel the buzz of alcohol through the bond, along with desire, every time their eyes met. He waited another five minutes, congratulating Finn once again before he bent down and slid his arms around his mate, picking her up, so she rested against his chest.

"I forgot how much of a lightweight you are," He whispered into her hair and kissed her gently.

"Wha-"She giggled, "No, shhh wolf, I am talking." Aila peeked up at him then pouted, "How do you know I am a lightweight?"

Damon glanced at her with a knowing look, one she knew meant he was hiding something. She clenched her eyes closed and tried to listen to his thoughts through the bond. It felt like a golden rubber that she tried to prod at with her mind, but as soon as she did, it felt fuzzy and caused her a sharp, throbbing pain in her head.

"Ow," She rubbed at her head.

Damon chuckled, "Serves you right for drinking so much. The little perks from the bond don't work as well when you are drunk. And because you drank so much, it definitely won't work."

Aila pouted, "Fine." She crossed her arms against her chest while Damon continued to carry her up the stairs towards their room.

"How come you aren't drunk?" Aila looked back up at his 'Greek God' like features and found herself sighing.

Damon smirked. "Because I'm not a lightweight, and I only had a bottle of whiskey."

"A bottle!?" Aila whisper-shouted as she looked around, hoping she didn't wake anyone.

Wait, is there anyone in their rooms?

"Yes, angel. Like I said, I'm not a lightweight. If you haven't noticed, I am a big man," He smirked again.

Aila snorted. "Oh, I know you are a big man! But I'm not complaining," She purred as she began making circular motions on the area of his chest, exposing skin. Damon hissed at the touch.

"We can't do anything, angel," He grumbled as he kicked the door open to their room.

"What, what you mean!?" Aila huffed and began squirming in his hold.

"Aila, jeese, let me put you on the bed at least!"

"Why? You're not going to do anything with me! I'm here, ready, baby! Take me!" Aila slapped his chest, earning a slight growl back from him. A growl that made her feel even hotter for him. With a sultry look behind her eyes, she bit her lip as she gazed at him, sliding her hands around his neck and pushing her breasts against his chest.

Damon's groan turned into a growl, and she watched Darius come back to the edges of his striking eyes, glimmering as his deep, majestic voice came through, as she felt Damon's claws pierce her skin slightly. "Aila, do NOT tempt us. You are too drunk."

She pouted. "No, I'm not, Darius. Damon, both of you.. I want you."

Damon closed his eyes and released a sharp breath. "No. I will not take advantage of you."

Aila felt Malia growl this time, and it erupted through her chest. She also wanted something out of tonight. Damon opened his eyes and stared into her glowing ones. "NO, Malia."

Aila gripped into his hair more and started trailing kisses up the side of his neck. She felt feverish with want, and she knew she was dripping wet now. A small smile crept up her face as she continued to kiss him fervently on the neck and leading to his soft lips. Immediately their lips parted, and her tongue gained entry. Her fingers were gripping roughly in his tousled hair, and she felt him moan again before pulling away.

"I'm giving you permission," Aila tried again as she whispered, searching his eyes. But she saw his stubbornness and knew he wouldn't budge. On realisation, she narrowed her eyes.

"Aila... Come on, let me put you down, and we can go to sleep," His voice was almost commanding; there was a slight warning in his tone like he knew she was about to do something stupid. Maybe he still had access to the bond?

"No! No! No!" She groaned, "I want you, you want me. There's.. there's no issue here.."

"Aila, baby. You can't hear it. But you are slurring."

She didn't listen to him and began pounding at his chest like an annoyed kid. Why didn't he get it!? Aila knew how she sounded, but she wanted to make her point across. So, she slipped out of his hold purposely and fell to the ground.

What she didn't anticipate was her hitting her head and blacking out instantly.

"SHIT!" Damon was furious. All his little mate had to do was let him put her to bed. But, instead, she had it in her head that she should do it herself and then try and something with him again. He could feel her need like a tidal wave hitting him and his fricken dick. But he couldn't, it wasn't right, she would have passed out as soon as she got into bed. But no, she stubbornly refused.

"Let's punish her tomorrow," Came Darius' immediate response. Damon gently picked her up and placed her on her side of the bed, and he sighed while removing her boots.

"No, she needed to let loose. I don't know when we will have fun like this next," Damon replied sadly as he gazed back at his beauty of a mate that started to snore lightly.