7. Competing Affections

*Andraste POV*

I watched as Adonis swaggered out of the Great Hall. I still had no idea why I gave in to him so easily.  But as he glanced back once more, the crooked smile, the stormy eyes. Oh yeah, that’s why.

My skin still felt flush by just the mere look he had sent me. I lowered my eyes and by the time I had raised them again he was gone. My heart was beating as fast as the wings of a hummingbird. Sitting down, raising her hands to her chest in the hopes of calming the storm. 

Glancing around I ensured that I was truly alone now. After a second sweep I felt confident that I was indeed alone. Taking a deep breath, I let it all out with one go.  It did nothing to soothe my racing mind. I needed these few moments by myself. The weight of the day was sitting heavy on my shoulders. As more of the families arrived, I could feel each of their losses.  This “gift” Selene had given me came at a heavy cost.  Joy and sorrow were not equally felt.  The heartbreak always hurt me so much more than the joy uplifted me. 

At the same time, the sparks from Adonis coursed through my veins. It sent tingles from my head to my toes with a strong pulse settling in my core. I’d never experienced such a strong attraction.  As a my father’s daughter I’d been raised sheltered with only glimpses into flirtation.  I had mostly lived that part of my life through Ceres’s eyes.  She had far more freedom and used it for both us. I blushed thinking of some of things that girl had told me.

Throw in my everlasting secret crush on Axton, who was suddenly more and more around making it harder to keep it a secret. I would never live it down if Seth found out I had eyes on his best friend and future Delta.

To top it all off, I had been given a position by the king that no she-wolf before me had ever had.  It was only a start but still felt like my wish of being seen as a strong leader was going to come true.

But with all of that warring inside me, I just could not get a grasp on what I actually felt. The last time I felt this overwhelmed was the day my gift first showed itself. Though I still didn’t have my wolf, my gifts had started to develop at an early age with each year getting stronger.  It was my 13th birthday which had fallen on a blood moon. 

Now she’d gone and promised to spend time with the one thing she was the least sure about. Adonis. 

The blood and the loss were tragic but she was raised to know how to handle the outcomes of a battle. What she hadn’t been prepared for was this instant attraction.  Let alone one so strong that even after he’d left, she could still feel the heat of his gaze.

She wanted nothing more than to run to her best friend.  She had never hidden anything from Ceres.  This was so new to her she wished she could get her best friend’s take on it.  But Andraste dare not upset her friend any further. Andraste let out a defeated sigh.  She could always go to her mother. The thought alone had her laughing out loud.

Before she could stop the giggles from erupting she could smell the presence of another.

“Now that is a magical sound.”

“Axton, I thought you had gone home.”

“I’d actually been with your father finishing up some plans for tomorrow to present to the council.  He realized you hadn’t followed us back and was alarmed by the thought of you being alone. It was obvious he was torn between staying with the king and coming to fetch you.  So, I volunteered. It is too dangerous to allow you to walk home unprotected.”

“Wasn’t it you that earlier agreed I can handle my own?” Andraste asked with an eyebrow raised and a smirk playing on her lips.

“That very well may be, but it doesn’t stop those who care for you from worrying.”

Axton continued to approach where Andraste stood. The boy Andraste had known all her life was no longer a boy. Though his steps were soft, the confidence in them was unmistakable.  Once again her heart began to flutter. But unlike with Adonis, this attraction was soft, familiar, and warm.  Not the bright burst of heat she felt with Adonis. Both reactions were exciting and confusing.

She looked down, deflated.  It was obvious that the heat she felt was also felt by Adonis. But Axton she feared would always see her as Seth’s little sister.  Little did she know that was far from what Axton felt.

*Axton POV*

I couldn’t help myself but continue towards her. Her soft scent invaded my senses. I knew that I had no right to her.  She was the daughter of an Alpha and a special one at that. But it didn’t stop me from hoping that maybe the Moon Goddess would smile on me. There were months to go before she turned 18 so I had decided to just keep a close eye on her until then. And maybe, just maybe, she’d see my affection for her.

It was obvious to me that Adonis had his eyes on her as well. But he knew nothing about her. And from what I’ve heard he just enjoyed adding to his count, not actually the woman he bed. I’ve watched Andraste grow from a painfully shy quiet girl to the leader she showed herself to be today. But I knew that was within her. I’ve always known that people underestimated her. But not me.

I wish she’d raise her eyes back up. She has the prettiest eyes. So blue. You could easily get lost swimming in them.

I reached my hand out and cupped her cheek. Her skin is so smooth against my calloused, battle hardened hands.

“Axton?” She raises her face towards mine with the soft whisper of my name. Her eyes are full of questions and something else I can quite pinpoint.  As I continue to just stare at her a blush grows in her cheeks. She says my name again and the way it sounds coming off her lips broke whatever willpower I had left.

Before I could stop myself, I brushed my lips against hers. The warmth spread down to the soles of my feet. Her lips were so soft and plush. I began to think that she was in too much shock as she stood rigidly still. Just as I was getting to pull away, her hand clasped mine that was resting on her cheek. Andraste then leaned her body in towards mine so that her pert nipples every so softly brushed against my chest. Even with the fabric between us I could feel their stiffness. I deepen the kiss, pouring what I have felt so long for her into it. I can feel her holding back but knowing her the way that I did, I knew she had no experience in such matters. I was more than happy to take my time.

I wrap my arm around her waist pulling her in even closer. She relaxes under my touch urging me on. Timidly her other arm comes up around my neck. I flicked my tongue against her closed lips tempting them open for me. I let the tip of it softly prod, coaxing her along this journey. With some hesitation to parts her lips allowing me entrance. I had never tasted anything sweeter.

Without warning she rocks on the balls of her feet launching her into my chest. Our tongues fight for dominance. Gone was the timid, shy Andraste. Here was the Andraste of confidence and power. Her sudden need for more rocked me to my core. I was immediately hard as a rock with her unspoken demand.

I run my hand up her back and grasp a handful of her hair. I pull it ever so slightly to pull her away from my face. She gasps as I start nipping on her now exposed neck. Both her hands were now wrapped around my shoulders, holding on as though she were drowning. I let my free hand explore her arms, lightly brushing my fingertips along her skin.

*****BANG******

*Andraste POV*

Axton and I jumped apart with him having turned so as to shield me from the open entrance. We both looked wildly around looking for the cause of the noise. My body shivered and I could no longer be sure if it was from being frightened or from the loss of his touch.

After a moment we both relaxed looking towards the swinging door. Apparently the wind had picked up and caught it. We looked at each other and the emotions I saw swimming in his eyes must have mirrored mine.

Our hearts were beating wildly. I was craving more of his touch but also so uncertain of what just happened. Plus, the embarrassment of having no idea if I had done any of that right. It was all so foreign to me. I couldn’t get over a sense of guilt as well. I had no obligation to a man I just met, so why did it bother me that I had kissed Axton?

I kissed Axton! I giggled causing Axton to raise an eyebrow questiongly. I had dreamed of this moment for so long. And it was even better than I had imagined.

“I was hoping for more of a reaction than a giggle.” He says to me in that soft, husky voice he had. I blushed.

“And what kind of reaction were you looking for?”

“Well, I had prayed I wasn’t going to get slapped. When that fear passed, permission to do it again.”

That warm ache surfaced through my core again. It wasn’t the sharp jab of heat like with Adonis but a soothing flood of emotions. I leaned into him brushing my lips along his. But then pulled away. His eyes dark with what must only have been lust.

“For tonight, that remains my answer. It is late, and we have much to do tomorrow.”

“Of course Princess, you are right.”

“I think with the moment we just shared, Princess is a little too formal. Plus, growing up you always called me Andraste.”

“I’m a ranked wolf, and you are my leader.”

“Fine, as your leader, if you enjoyed that kiss as much as I did, you’ll continue to call me Andraste. Otherwise, I’ll think it was just for my rank and not for who I am.”

“Andraste.”

I smiled. I couldn’t believe my heart. Axton had feelings for me. Questions began to gnaw at my brain as we began the walk back to my home. How long has he liked me? Why did he wait till now? What am I going to do about Adonis?

“Andraste?”

“Hmm?”

“Where has your mind wandered off to?” He asked me as our shoulders playfully brushed against each other.  No matter how we felt at this moment, we couldn’t be seen holding hands on our walk home.

“I was just wondering, how long have you wanted to kiss me?”

He stops in his tracks and grabs my hands. He turns me around so that I’m facing him. And with all the seriousness that he had when training said “For as long as I can remember.”

I shivered with his words. The longing in me pulling at me to do more. So I didn’t think I just acted. I grabbed the back of his head and crushed my lips to his. He let out a delicious moan enjoying the way I dominated the kiss. But yet his hands remained at his side. I knew in the back of my mind that this was inappropriate out in the middle of the street. But surely everyone else was asleep or at least should be. I was going to continue the risk because he just tasted too damn good.

Finally, once I needed air, I broke away. I turned and continued towards home. He stood right where I left him in a daze. He shook his head and caught up with me, his face flush.

We finished our walk home in a comfortable yet sizzling silence. The way I wanted him and he wanted me hung in the air. Once we reached the front door, Axton reached for my hand. He brought it to his lips and let them linger there for just a moment.

“Goodnight my Andraste. Sleep well and dream of me.”

Before I could respond he sauntered off towards the village once more. I tingle at his parting words. I don’t think I was going to have any choice but to dream of him. And with that I slipped silently into my home.