Pausing for half a second to gather himself, in an attempt to not explode, didn't exactly work.
His hands had gathered, clasped below his chin, attempting to control the tone of his voice.
"Yes, you did"!
Alexander looked appalled as he rebutted Julius's accusations.
"No, I didn't"!
I was clear that Alexander couldn't see the similarities or what he had done.
Julius knew he had to break it down for him.
"When you brought her here to live with us, you didn't ask me, nor tell me anything. She just showed up with you. Suddenly, she was living here under OUR protection. It brought a sense of danger to us and our home. Those men come sniffing around OUR club. You brought it into the club. Then, you took her to the club".
He looked to Ayla, "Not that I mind you going to the club. I don't care that you live here either. Actually, a lot of good has come from you showing up. This has nothing to do with you. Please don't take any of this personally".
It was hard not to take it personally, but she nodded so he could continue.
He went back to addressing Alexander.
"You took her there knowing what was going on. You took that mess to our club. YOU were acting independent about the apartment, the club, and OUR futures".
Alexander felt about as big as an ant.
He knew that Julius was right.
It wasn't often that the two disagreed or had an argument.
Actually, it never happened, but Julius was clearly letting him slide on this because of Ayla.
Not just that, his friend had been picking up his slack.
He wasn't fulfilling his duties in their businesses or friendship lately, and not one word had been spoken.
His best friend was being a best friend and pushing forward and being a true boss, not just at the Club, but with everything.
Julius was less than a speck of a thought while he was thinking of only Ayla.
"What do we do now" Alexander asked.
"Move forward" Julius answered.
Ayla didn't expect to hear that from either of them.
After what was said, and the anger present, these two were bound to fight.
Surely, she would at least be kicked out, or the two men would go their separate ways.
She couldn't stop her mouth from uttering words.
"I'm sorry, what"?
Both men looked at her, waiting for her to say more.
The room was silent.
After it was clear that they were all waiting for her to speak, she added more.
"That can't be it. You two are mad at each other. Neither of you did what was best for the other. Can you really just let it go, especially after putting each other in potential danger"?
Alexander's knowing grin crossed his face.
He knew why she was having a hard time grasping what was happening.
"That's not what you're hearing. We didn't cross or harm each other. We forgot to talk to each other. It isn't that we actually have a problem with what the other person did. For the most part, his plan is genius..." he was interrupted.
Julius could be heard saying, "Aww, thanks, bud".
Alexander rolled his eyes.
"No problem. I would have said it earlier, but I was just mad that I wasn't a part of making it. Planning is always my favorite part, and I just felt left out. Though I have to say, it's better than feeling like the two of you are ganging up on me" he finished, lifting an eyebrow toward Ayla.
"Don't look at me. That was your own fault. Handcuffs, really" she said.
Having personal experience with being on the receiving end of Ayla's lessons, Julius chimed in.
"I have to agree, her teaming up with you against me made me want to crawl under a rock. It was like mom and dad were grounding me for missing curfew".
Ayla and Alexander looked at each other, then looked at him, confused.
He shook his head.
"When I didn't come home from the club that night in a 'timely' manner. The one I went running in wolf form with Dominic on".
"OOOHHH" they said in unison and started laughing.
Now that she understood what was happening between the two a bit more, she was relaxed.
"Speaking of the club, and Dominic. What positions did you decide they would fill" she asked, like she knew anything.
Alexander was all ears.
"Actually, I'm curious too".
"Short and to the point, I tested Phoenix and Raphael, they are young and decent looking. With some assistance and what they already know, I feel like they will be good bartenders. The other two can put their muscles, skill of hiding, and spotting danger to assist the bouncers. Tonight, will be their trial run, as long as you agree".
Alexander looked at him questionably.
"Can I change anything if I don't? It sounds like the plan is already in motion. Not like I disagree anyway".
It was like Alexander knew what was coming.
At that point, he was starting to think he was psychic.
He looked at Julius with a knowing glare that told him he knew what was coming.
"So, does that mean now I get to go to the club"?
Both men looked at her as if she had lost her mind.
"Are you crazy" Julius blurted before he could stop himself, "We have a fortress here for you, and you just want to walk into danger like it's nothing. WHY are we even trying"?
Suddenly, he was aware of what his friend had been dealing with.
She didn't care what was going on around her.
It was like she sought out danger.
All Alexander could do was stifle a laugh with his hand over his mouth, trying to hide it.
"You're trying because you care about me. Plus, you're building me a team to keep me safe, outside of this place you call a fortress. Is it really fair to keep me locked up? There are six of you watching over me. I don't really need you to do that, and I thank you. If I have to run away again, I will" she said as she crossed her arms like a child.
For not wanting to be a princess, she was sure acting like one in that moment.
Alexander looked at his friend, waiting for his response.
"Is this what you've been dealing with will I've been handling the messes outside of here"?
Alexander nodded his head.
Julius spoke without thinking.
"Man, she's good, but wow".
He wasn't about to tell him it wasn't like that all the time.
Not when he was getting sympathy.
Ayla was getting irritated.
"Hey, I'm right here" she said, swatting Alexander's shoulder as she continued, "and no, I'm not always like this. Majority of the time, he thoroughly appreciates my company" she finished, adding a knowing smirk.
Alexander was trying to get himself under control because he needed to speak up for Ayla.
"Regardless of all that, Ayla is right. It isn't fair to keep her locked up because someone might try something".
Julius was shocked.
"Look at you all pussy whipped" he laughed, "All she has to do is say she wants it and it happens. Do you understand that the last time she managed to convince you to take her to the club, it was a disaster".
Alexander thought about it.
"Was it? I seem to recall that we were fine. Plus, you found your dad, your wolf, and now you have a team behind us. None of that would have happened if she hadn't convinced me to take her to the club".
Ayla looked at him, and he knew why.
Those were her ideas, and he stole them.
He simply kissed her forehead to thank her, but had no intentions of telling his friend she helped.
It seemed to calm her eyes that were ready to make every thought spill from her lips.
Julius had no choice but to agree, though.
"Fine".
Julius knew there was no point in arguing.
There was also the point that Alexander was right.
Nothing bad actually happened, not that time anyway.
Ayla knew the look of defeat when she saw it, and she saw it often.
She jumped up off the couch, excited, and squealed.
"YAY, this is the best day ever"!
She couldn't contain her excitement as she bolted over and hugged Julius's neck for granting her permission to go to the club.
It wasn't that she needed it.
He enjoyed the warm feeling that swept over him from her hugs, and this time was no different.
Either way, she was dead set on going to the club.
At least he knew she was going this time.
The fact that he agreed made everything seem right.
Ayla didn't feel like she was going to make Alexander or Julius mad by going.
Plus, she felt like a part of their team while they decided on whether it was okay for her to go.
No, she didn't really say anything while they talked about it, but she was there.
She started to feel at home.
Safe.
Now, it was time to go to the club and see the team in action.
Hopefully, sometimes, you should be careful what you wish for.
Ayla was excited, but nervous.
Would they manage to have an easy night, or would it be filled with disaster, yet again?
This time, they had several trained people on her side, so it had to be better, right?
Now that Ayla and the guys, all the guys, were ready, they made their way down the street.
Alexander, Julius, Dominic, Mason, Phoenix, and Raphael all wore the same basic black tight shirt with dark blue jeans and black boots.
It wasn't unusual for the four newcomers to wear a uniform, but this was slightly different for them.
They were unsure if they really liked it yet, or if they really knew how to move in the new pants, but they would figure it out.
Whether they were ready or not, they followed the leader, who currently appeared to be the young Ayla in a dark knee-length, summer dress and white shoes.
Her dress was a bit nicer than usual, but still her typical style.
She had her hair pulled up in a loose ponytail, allowing her neck to be on full display, her collar bones popping in the most sultry way.
The oddest part was that she was clueless about it all.
She looked amazing, as it showed her figure beautifully, and Phoenix, Raphael, and Julius did their best not to stare.
All of them walked behind her, watching her ponytail swing as she walked happily, attempting to pick up her scent.
She was technically unmated and fierce, which was driving their wolves to be, well, wolves.
At that time, none of them could smell her or Alexander, and they couldn't figure out why.
Before they knew it, they were at the club, and all of the young wolves minus Julius were smiling.
Ayla was emitting pure joy as she walked through the front doors, and the music soaked into her.
How had she let so much pass her by while just surviving?
From that moment forward, no matter what, she decided she was going to start living.
She grabbed Alexander's hand and dragged him to the middle of the dance floor.
In no time at all, she had him dancing, and all the cares in the world washed away from the two of them.
Ayla didn't care who was there or who was watching.
Though, she probably she have.