Raija's povThe officer returned to my window with my documents and a speeding ticket in his hand. I signed for it and watched as the officer returned to his vehicle after telling me to slow it down."See it ended without incident," I asserted to Axel in the back seat."Just get to the inn I have my wallet and can check us in and please no more speeding," Axel replied sourly. I caught Sawyer nodding his head in agreement in my peripherals. Exhaling deeply I slowly made my way back onto the highway and continued at a reasonable speed toward our destination. "Was that cop from the twins pack?" I asked the grumpy creature in the back.Axel's eyes met mine in the rearview mirror as he huffed out, "Yeah."Rolling my eyes at his surly attitude I reduced my speed as I entered Worthington. Barriers were up along the main street. "The Halloween parade and fair are starting today, I think we should attend," I said chipperly. "All the witches and werewolves in this quaint town will be there as
Raija's pov Ignoring my mother standing off to the side. I looked up at Axel and said quietly, "I am sorry I lashed out at you earlier. I'm not upset about you marking me and I know you did it for my safety."He smiled brilliantly at me and said," I will always have your back, sweetheart."Holding his hand in mine I turned to my mom with a stoic glance and explained to her that I was just waiting for our food order. "I also went to the bank and discovered that you took all of my things. Very presumptuous of you, mom," I huffed. Simona fanned surprise by gasping in shock.I knew it was because the diner was full of outsiders giving me an upper hand."Oh goodness dear, I did it to save the shop, sales have been slow and I needed to pay bills. It is your inheritance after all," she quipped. Glaring at her I could see our food bags coming and scooted from the booth to stand. "Our order has arrived, so good day Mother! Just so you know I am getting my things back from you shortly, you ca
Raija's pov Grabbing the crystals I required I stuffed them in my back pockets and turned to Axel."Are you ready? We should head out because it's getting crowded on the main street," he asserted as he peeked out the window. Nodding, I told Sawyer that we would return once I completed my rituals. The cat meowed and curled up on the bed. I went to open the door but Axel shouted, "Don't open that!"Raising my brow I glanced at him and asked," Why?"He rushed over, peered out the peephole, and growled." That old male witch and both twin Alphas are approaching. Your mom must have told them we were here. Why does your mother hate you so much?"Frowning at that I shrugged. I only knew for certain that she hated my human father."Mark me!""What!?" Axel stuck his wrist in my face."Give me your bite so our wolves can communicate with each other. We are mates and our wolves can talk with each other telepathically. For safety measures," he stressed. Filled with uncertainty I cupped his wris
Raija's pov I pulled Axel's borrowed flannel tighter around myself due to the cooler fall weather. I didn't run hot like Axel and was shivering.Seeing the ferris wheel lit up in the distance I concluded that we were north of Worthington and a few miles from Alpha Daniel's pack house. Nick was further up ahead and had wandered into the yard of a farmer's home. I could make out his human silhouette near a clothesline pulling off articles of clothing and putting them on. Rolling my eyes at his thievery I rushed to the log fence and made a sound to capture his attention. "Shhhhhh!" He called back and I narrowed my eyes to see two hound dogs sniffing around his legs.He headed to my side wearing a hoodie sweatshirt and holding up a pair of baggy pants at the sides of his hips."My dad is sending his guard Scott, the prick, to come get us. He will be heading down 413th Street," he said casually.Glancing around I groaned as the dogs wagged their tails at us."Are we close to that street?"
Raija's pov That evening I stayed up most of the night learning about Sawyer. A female relative from many centuries ago was heartbroken due to Sawyer's refusal to wed and she along with others cursed the poor man to be gifted to each female descendant as payback. They didn't treat him well either since he endured mange, fleas, and other feline ailments. He also said that I was a sorceress and he would teach me how to use my powerful gifts bestowed upon me by the Moon Goddess herself. Feeling overwhelmed I finally fell asleep from exhaustion and when I woke the next morning Sawyer was curled up sleeping at my side. "He is still behaving like a cat," Rinn chortled in my head.Scooting from the mattress Sawyer stretched and rolled over to continue sleeping. I wanted to see Axel. Hoping that he had improved over the night.Alpha Daniel had warned me last night that rogue wolves were unpredictable and shouldn't be trusted. Scoffing at that I made my way to the infirmary.I was his mate a
Raija's pov Heading outside with Sawyer the thought of there being any issues never came to my mind.Probably because I was only focusing on my mate. So when we both stumbled upon Jarrod Johnson snooping through the field picking flowers I was unprepared. Luckily Sawyer quickly raised his hands and froze the old bastard in place. Jarrod was slumped over with his hands on some yarrow."Go back and inform the Alpha that there are trespassers on his land. I don't know what he wants to do with him," Sawyer said firmly. "You sure are a bossy little fella," I mumbled sourly as I jogged back to the pack house. Calling out for Daniel, Nick came to stand on the landing of the stairs shaking his head."He is at the foundry, what's up?""Sawyer and I found a trespasser and need to know what to do with him," I growled. Cocking his brow, he asked me if I knew who it was.Nodding, I said Jarrod. Shuddering Nick hurried down the stairs and then proceeded to rub his chin in thought."The old fucker
Axel's pov "That's not a very professional thing to say, I am appalled, ma'am. If you weren't beneficial to Daniel's pack I would rip out your tongue and lower jaw," I growled and looked at Raija as I opened the door. Watching her slip out I told her to meet me outside the infirmary.Upset by what Elizabeth had said I stood there fuming momentarily."She is so wrong, Raija is very special and that comes directly from the Moon Goddess herself," Cota growled in my head. Still, what Elizabeth said about Raija's mother made my skin crawl. We would have to face that evil woman eventually."And get your mate's belongings back!" My wolf growled, making me nod.Exiting the infirmary I could see Raija walking around like she was a bit irate. She was glancing around looking disturbed with her arms crossed. Smiling, I went up behind her and lifted her bridal style making her shriek into the cool air."Relax little mate, I will carry you around," I said laughing."Put me down you great ox! I ca
Raija's pov The closer we traveled to Worthington the more apprehensive I felt. Even though my mom had been terrible to me she was still my mother and I was worried about her. "Why do you think she would work with the Serpent Breath Coven?" I asked my wolf, Rinn. She just whimpered in my mind and said," I'm not sure dear but some things are not always what they appear to be." Scrunching my nose at her cryptic words I glanced at the scenery that passed us by. All I knew for certain was that I was being searched for but for what reason I was unaware. "Hey mate, are you doing okay? Your thoughts are all over the place," Axel mumbled softly. Giving him a grin that didn't meet my eyes I said," Yeah I just have a lot of questions that I wish I had answers for regarding my mom's bizarre behavior." Nick glanced at us through the rearview mirror and growled," One of you could have rode in the front so I don't appear like an Uber." Chuckling, Axel told him he wasn't letting me sit in the b