21

Give him a break, Axel, he deserves a bit of leniency for helping heal her, she chimed in, rubbing my shoulder and giving it a tight squeeze.
He averted his attention to us and stiffened, our eyes locked immediately and my smile widened. He looked much more attractive than he did before, which I didn’t think was possible, and I found myself already walking up to him.
What… he exhaled, shock covered his features and he raised his hands to cup my face. I placed my hands over his and continued to smile up at him in admiration, purely lovestruck with just how much more real he was now that I’m seeing him with both eyes.
He’s changed my life more than he will ever realize and I owe everything to him. He’s all I’ve dreamed of as a little girl plus more.
Th-Thank you, I said quietly, blushing ferociously at the sound of my voice and looking down in embarrassment.
I was surprised I was actually able to speak, but for it to be completely different than the girls I’ve met here is absolutely mortifying. They had deep, authoritative, slightly raspy voices, while mine is quiet and soft. He will never want me to speak again for sounding so powerless compared to them.
I disappointed him.
I was taken by more surprise was when he suddenly pulled me into his chest and slid his arms down from my face and around my back, hugging me tightly then pressing his face into my hair, inhaling deeply.
You sound so beautiful, oh my god… he groaned, squeezing me tighter and my worry vanished up until Wayne interrupted.
There is also something you should know before you become too committed, Alpha…
He released me with a low growl and Wayne signaled him over, the two of them retracting themselves from the circle we once had and standing as far as the room would let them.
She’s incapable of bearing children, Alpha, he said quietly as though he didn’t want me to hear and Axel clenched his jaw.
I’m not rejecting her, he replied in a harsh, yet hushed, tone, even if she was, it’d be her choice. I would never just expect her to carry my pup, Wayne, I do not own her.
B-But sir, you need a child-we’ll need a future Alpha. Your mate is supposed to provide children for you and the pack ! He yelled in a whisper.
She’s my highest priority, not my selfish needs. I understand your concerns but I’ll figure it out, and if you ever say she’s supposed to do anything again, he paused, shooting his hand out and grabbing a fistful of the collar on his shirt, yanking him up to his level and making his eyes widen.
I couldn’t hear what was said and my frown deepened, watching him release a pale, horrified Wayne with an annoyed expression and another growl.
Nervousness caused goosebumps to trail down my arms and I swallowed to ease the burn in my throat, looking over at Gabbie just as she looked at me.
She must’ve caught the discomfort I was feeling because she closed the distance between us with a huge hug, Axel, bro, chill dude, seriously. You’re freaking her the hell out.
Before anyone had time to respond, a loud noise echoed through the room and a red light began flashing. I jumped further into Gabbie, clenching onto her then flinching when the door flung open and in ran Blaine.
Alpha ! The hunters escaped from the cell ! He said frantically.
That’s it ! He snarled, his sliver eyes flashing a darker shade, I’m going after them myself since you guys want to be incompetent ! He shoved past Blaine on his way out of the room, sending him into the threshold of the doorway and a strange heat flushed me.
He’s extremely quick to hurt others just for my protection…
Why do I like it ?
Is it wrong that I like it ?
I invited him when I saw that they were leaving, Carly chimed in, smiling warmly, and he turned his attention to her before his gaze finally landed on me for the first time.
I froze, knowing those piercing yellow eyes from anywhere. Come to think of it, he looked nearly identical to Axel, except he gave off bad vibes that made me very uneasy.
My my, who is this beauty ? He smirked, stepping closer and making me flinch by bringing his fingers up to my hairline, his fingertips outlining my face and brushing away the hair to reveal more of it. My heart raced as he reached my jaw and ended beneath my chin, using his index finger to push it up so we were looking straight on and I instantly felt paralyzed with fear.
He has a small scar over his bottom lip. He also has a huge scar starting on his left cheek and ending an inch over his right eyebrow. The wound crossed the bridge of his nose, it looked like it ran deep and was excruciating. The damaged tissue was even sunken in, appearing pale compared to the rest of his olive complexion. It created a slit in his eyebrow where hair didn’t appear to grow because of it.
The scar emphasized the intimidation behind his seemingly dead eyes, the yellow in his irises also swirled with a cold, murderous glint that Axel’s silver ones didn’t have.
Don’t touch her !
I broke out of my trance only to realize his face was much closer than before, our noses brushing over one another just as his hand was knocked off my chin and he was shoved back by none other than Gabbie herself.
You’ve never cared about who I played with, Gabs, what’s your deal ? He scoffed, turning to glare at her and receiving nothing but silence before he came to a quick realization, unless… he trailed off, turning to look back at me as a massive grin suddenly overtook his partially scarred lips, she’s Axel’s.
Don’t, Calix ! Just leave ! If he returns to find you here, he will finish what was started years ago, but if he finds out you were also going after his mate… you’ll be wishing he’d finish it, she growled, shoving against his chest and he shot her a death glare that made me shiver, goosebumps tickling my skin out of terror.
The silence was tense and she fearlessly got up in his face, her next words coming out laced with venom.
And we both know he’ll have you in submission within the first minute-hell, maybe even give you a new scar to add to the collection of all your other failures.
I was fully expecting him to attack her judging by the pure rage in his eyes, yet he only clenched his jaw and snapped his gaze to mine. It felt like he was silently saying something, then he turned and walked off with a final glare toward her.
Well, that wasn’t unnerving…
Ugh ! You’re such a bitch ! Carly wailed, running after him and calling out his name.
Whitney breathed a sigh a relief, rubbing Gabbie’s arm who was now visibly shaking and slightly pale. I frowned, approaching her and rubbing her other arm to try to soothe her.
I’m so sorry, you weren’t supposed to ever meet him, she said shakily, flashing me a sorrowful look, he’s such a manipulative, arrogant, sadistic, hateful, selfish man.
Let’s go play a game or something, we can make a bunch of snacks. Let’s just forget he even exists, Whitney suggested cautiously and Gabbie nervously grinned, nodding ferociously then grabbing our arms and dragging us down the hall.
Dibs on my room ! Gabbie cheered, forgetting all about previous events, and continuing to drag us down the hallway until we entered a gorgeous bedroom on the end.
I’ll grab snacks ! You two find something, she released us then twirled around and left the room without stopping once.
She has a lot of energy, though she still looks pretty shaken up. I wonder what that Calix man has done to make her so uneasy.
So you seem fairly comfortable here already, Whitney spoke, tearing my gaze from the door to her. I nodded and she took my hand, pulling me onto the bed with her.
They haven’t given me any reason not to be, and gave me every reason to be.
H-How do I-I express my liking t-toward someone ? I stuttered nervously, keeping my tone low out of embarrassment and my cheeks filled with heat.