Axel's pov "I'm going to go put your clothes in the dryer," Raija announced as she scurried off. My eyes followed after her."She announced that you are her protector!" Cota howled in my mind bringing a smile to my face. Catching movement in my peripherals, I watch Sawyer saunter through the living room and down the hall."Tom says he is going to bed…our mate's bed," My wolf growled. Narrowing my eyes at the feline, I huff and start collecting the tools I used to fix her door to put back in the toolbox."Raija considers him a security blanket so I must allow their special bond to continue." With my hands full I head downstairs and see Raija shaking out my damp jeans so they won't wrinkle in the dryer. After putting the tools away I watched as she scurried past me and rushed up the stairs. "What do you think is bothering her now?" I asked my wolf.Cota whined, "I don't know, I do not know how a woman's mind works." Rolling my eyes, I went back upstairs and to the kitchen to see her
Raija's pov Hearing Axel call me his mate once again was beginning to make me feel exuberant. As I watched him under my lowered lashes my hand went instinctively over my racing heart.Mom said HELL NO! Pressing my lips firmly together I went to fill two bowls of oatmeal and place the buttered toast on plates. Settling himself at my table I brought Axel's breakfast to him and mine. Sitting down across from him I dug into my bowl. Glancing over at him I put the spoon into my mouth and raised my brow at him staring over my shoulder toward my front window."What are you staring at?" Axel raised his finger and pointed at whatever he was looking at. Turning my head I saw the colorful sparkle glimmering outside of the window. The sun had risen enough to catch it and the multiple prisms were cascading colors through the window. Sliding my chair back I went to open my front door and as I was about to step onto my porch I saw the black chalk rune marks. Pulling my foot back I leaned out to s
Raija's pov "Can you swim?" I nodded as I laid my cheek against Axel's firm warm chest. My eyes adjusted to the darkness while Axel's glowed, lighting the path through the rugged narrow space. I heard him grimace and suggested that he let me walk so he didn't scrape his arms against the cave walls."I'm fine, little mate, and am only trying to remember which is the correct path to take. The Alphas could have someone at the back exit," he scowled. Frowning, I blurted," Or they could be starting a fire there as well, keeping us trapped." His lip curled as we started descending further through the cave system. Hearing running water, I turned in his arms to see a waterfall raging dangerously down the rock wall."Hold your breath and wrap your arms around my neck. Do not let go! I'm going to dive into the pool and let the current take us outside to the river." Panicking, I was about to tell him I'd need to inhale again once we broke the surface of the water below but he had jumped down be
Raija's pov Getting slowly out of the truck bed I walked past the back window and glanced at Axel with sorrow-filled eyes. Pressing my hand on my aching heart I heard my mother's shrill voice breaking the moment."Oh My God, Raija, Tell Daniel thanks for finding her!!!!"Feeling uncomfortable with her abnormal display of affection I tried pulling away only to have her grip me harder.I was fully embraced by my mother weeping over me. "I'm fine, Mom! I just got assaulted by the other coven!" Simona pulled me back to scrutinize me with narrowed eyes."You were missing for two days! Daniel was certain that that rogue had something to do with your absence, now Come along before you cause more problems for the wolves of the Black Storm Pack," she said sourly. Glancing back at the truck speeding away caused my disposition to falter further. My stomach hurt and it felt like I was going to vomit. Thinking about Axel I felt my heart hurting and my soul felt like it was ripping apart. Damn
Axel's pov Watching Raija getting smaller the further we drove away made my heart hurt. I had grown fond of my tiny mate in our brief time together. I hoped I wasn't being overly confident in Daniel's friendship. I hadn't been completely honest with him about my past.When the truck turned onto a dirt road I peered out at the thick evergreens that covered the terrain. The Black Mountain peaks could be seen through the space between the branches. Traveling further into the forest and turning several more times the truck skidded to a stop before a large resort-looking building."This is impressive," I said honestly and the two men in front agreed."You're going to be taken to the Alpha's office for him to question you and decide your fate," one of them growled. Not giving either man a difficult time I simply nodded and followed their instructions. Glancing around I got the sense that this pack was very dedicated to their Alpha and very powerful. We headed into the large building that w
Raija's povAfter tossing and turning the entire night. I sat up in the daybed confused about where I was and why I dreamt about a large tan wolf. Rubbing my eyes I hiss hearing my mom tapping on my door."Wake up! The shop opens in thirty minutes," she said firmly. Getting dressed in a zombie-like state I shuffled toward the bathroom and unbraided my hair. I wasn't a morning person nor a people person but I didn't want to retaliate. My mother would simply have me drink some coffee made of mushrooms and I would be fine.Entering the tiny kitchen Simona already had a cup prepared and handed it to me."You know Raija, the early bird gets the worm!"Curling my lip I replied, "And they can keep it, worms are disgusting."While I was sipping on the warm drink my mother decided that it was the perfect time to remind me of my "date" for that evening."The Johnson's son will be here at six to pick you up tonight, I will choose an outfit for you." Glaring back at her I swallowed uncomfortably
Raija's povWatching my mother answer the telephone and give me the "eye" I frowned. I grabbed my new cell phone, added my mom's number, and stuffed it into my purse. I would have it in case there was a need for me to dial 911. "Brock is out front!""I will go out back and down the metal stairs in the alleyway," I muttered. Smiling, she told me she would watch me through the window. Not creepy at all, Mom!Taking my time going down the stairs I inhaled deeply as I turned the corner of the building and saw the back of my date. Brock was wearing black jeans and a gray dress shirt. "Hey, I'm here," I said rather bitterly. Once he turned I swallowed uncomfortably. Brock Johnson had changed and didn't look at all like the lanky dork I remembered from school. His hair was black and nicely styled making his green eyes pop. Still, I wasn't enamored, oh hell no, I felt a shiver go down my backbone in alert. I wondered if what Alpha Daniel had said was true about his family joining the other
Axel's povWatching Raija take her cell phone from her purse and hand it to me made me feel giddy. Her sitting next to me was giving me joy by basking in her scent. It was intoxicating."Give me the number Alpha," I asked as I readied a new contact in her phone. I typed my name as Mate snickering as I did. After entering the digits Daniel gave me I handed the cell phone back to Raija. Brushing her fingers with mine caused me to grit my teeth from the intense desire that coursed through me. I hoped she never discovered how easily she made me swoon. I'd willingly become a puppy for her, even beg and roll over. "On your back begging for her to climb on top!" Cota huffed wanting our mate.Raija saw what I had written and shook her head."I have to change that, my mom could see that and throw a fit.""If you must Raija, but it is true, you are my mate," I said huskily. Her eyes met mine and she grinned."I remember you wearing a skirt, Axel…did you?" Growing uncomfortable and seeing Dani