I stood up and gave him a small nod, thank you, I smiled, and I meant what I said before, so I’ll try my best to come here every day to talk to you, I added, watching his eyes widen in shock.
Goodbye, I waved at him and smiled wider when I noticed he slowly lifted his hand and gave a tiny, confused wave back.
I started walking toward the exit no longer feeling uneasy about him and left the building, closing the door behind me as quietly as I could, but it still made a loud creaking noise.
I ran over to the house after checking if the coast was clear then entered, my eyes darting around trying to find Axel until my gaze landed on him standing by the stairs talking to the woman and man I ran from earlier.
Frowning, I rushed into the nearest room and peeked out from behind the doorway to eavesdrop.
She is human, Axel, the man said in a sigh.
Really ? I haven’t noticed.
This isn’t a joke. She can’t do anything, the best she can possibly do is give you children ! The woman sounded livid and I frowned.
What is it with everyone so worried about what she can and can’t do ? Why can’t I just have a mate that I love like everyone else without people pointing out her flaws and everything she can’t offer me ! I don’t fucking care and you shouldn’t either !
She can’t even give you pups, can she ? The woman asked bitterly.
No, he answered flatly, but she can hold me when I’m having a rough day, she can look at me in a way that tells me how much I mean to her, she can smile at me and light up any gloomy day, she can lay with me to let me know I’m not alone. So no, she can’t provide what you need, but she can provide what I need.
That doesn’t make her anymore qualified ! Emotional needs aren’t enough for an Alpha ! The woman snapped.
Calm down, honey, there is no need to fight with him. It’s his life, and he became Alpha for a reason. If he wasn’t going to make the right choices, he wouldn’t have passed the trials.
If she means that much to you, where is she ? She scoffed.
She would be with Gabbie if you hadn’t shown up and acted like a- he cut himself off with an angry growl, sighing loudly after, if you weren’t so insensitive, I’d know, he added calmly, though his tone came out harsh and said all the things his words didn’t.
I-I’m right here, I chimed in shyly, stepping into view with a blush as the three of them turned to look at me.
Angelica, he breathed in heavy relief, his features softening, and he didn’t hesitate rushing up and embracing me in a warm, tight hug.
I smiled, squeezing his arms and inhaling the scent from his bare chest, I thought you didn’t want me anymore, I mumbled.
Oh, beautiful, he exhaled, leaning back and cupping my cheek, so I lifted my eyes to meet with his, I was just frustrated. Calix is dangerous. If Gabbie didn’t mind-link me, he would’ve killed you.
I frowned, I’m sorry.
No, you don’t have to apologize. It’s my mother’s fault, he clenched his jaw, glaring over at her as she walked up to us with his father right next to her.
You’re going to choose this over me ? She gasped in offense, reaching out to grab me and I flinched into Axel. He shot his hand up and grabbed her wrist, preventing it from touching me, which earned a small wince from her.
You may be my mother, but if you do not respect my mate, I will banish you, he threatened icily.
John ! She whined, yanking her hand back and rubbing it where the redness had taken over.
Let it go, Hailey. You heard him, the man said, his eyes drilling into Axel’s and they seemed to share a very intense, uncomfortable stare off, rule number six, if an Alpha feels that his or her mate’s life is threatened and/or unsafe, they may take any coarse of action listed : eliminate the threat through death, imprison the threat for life, or banish the threat.
Nobody replied before a shirtless man came running in the room with wide eyes, pointing outside and breathing heavily. The tension in the room thickened in an instant and Axel held me tighter.
Liam, what’s going on ? He asked, but it was quickly regretted.
Hunters are here ! T-They have Gabbie and Whitney ! Shania and Tyler aren’t answering their mind-link either ! I think they found out we were watching them ! He panicked, we gathered the women and children in the basement, but I don’t-
Go. I’ll meet you out there, Axel snarled, turning his attention to his parents as Liam ran away, all I want you to do is watch her, can you handle that ?
Yes, I’ll make sure she’s fine, his father answered. I felt my body being moved and I widened my eyes, feeling Axel’s tingly touch disappear and be replaced with a warm, dull hand on my bicep.
We have to get to the basement, he said, tugging me along by the arm and I frowned, glancing back just in time to see Axel walking out the front door. I turned back ahead and allowed him to tug me down the hall next to the stairs and toward a strange looking door.
We entered and starting descending more stairs. The room was filled with a lot of women and children, so I was very surprised when I saw it was fairly spacious.
I don’t want to go down here, I whispered, pulling my arm and trying to turn back but his grip was too strong. My lungs tightened and I grew lightheaded, my eyes scanning the huge crowd which worsened my panic. There’s so many people…
Please, sir, I can’t- I choked myself silent and the gasp I sucked in after caught his attention because he came to a stop as we neared the bottom. Axel’s mother looked at me with a scoff and continued on, leaving me alone on the staircase with his father.
His expression filled with genuine concern and I shook my head, please don’t make me, I whispered.
He frowned, it’s not safe to leave. I apologize, he stated, scanning my face then looking down the stairs, close your eyes and I’ll guide you to a secluded area, how does that sound ?
I nodded, gripping onto his forearm after he released my bicep and I closed my eyes, relying strictly on his arm to keep me from falling. As we walked, I kept telling myself it was just us and felt myself start calming, only feeling his arm helped me believe it.
Luna ! A familiar voice giggled and I opened my eyes, tugging him to a halt as I turned to see the little boy I met from earlier come running up to me alongside an unfamiliar boy.
Hi ! I smiled uncontrollably, letting go of his forearm and kneeling down to the boy’s level. I opened my arms and they both decided to crash into me, squeezing me in a tiny group hug.
This is Roderick, he was the puppy that knocked you down ! Jayden, I think, giggled, and his friend nodded proudly.
Luna ? I heard someone mutter questioningly, so I lifted my gaze to see everyone around me was staring with furrowed brows. Other mutters started filling the air but they weren’t as audible, making me frown until someone stepped to block my view from the forming crowd of women.
You can take this up with Axel, the Luna will not be taking questions or meetings as of right now, Axel’s father spoke out and I smiled in relief, letting the children in my arms go.
Angelica, a different woman said and I jumped up in surprise, looking around in confusion. A woman with blonde hair stepped past Axel’s father and smiled warmly at me, Diane, remember ?