Chapter 1
Alpha Daxon
I love the deep, unbreakable bond Shia shares with her brother; a bond that’s unmistakable. Though her relationship with her mother remains distant, it’s filled with a private, underlying love. I have to remember that she lost Shia as a child with the probability of never seeing her again.
For the first time in many years, I feel like I’m part of a pack again. This is what I’ve been missing. I spin Shia in my arms as we dance next to the fire out in the forest. For someone who is tired, she is still smiling. Even Alfred has been enjoying himself.
Tomorrow is a new day, and one we will face together. A howl in the distance makes me alert. Sawyer comes up to me and pats my shoulder.
“They are going on a run. Do you want to join them?” When was the last time Ghost ran free? “I’ll stay next to Shia.”
“Can I watch you?” Shia bites her bottom lip and heat rises in her cheeks.
In the past, stripping off and changing was never an issue, but with several humans amongst us, I feel conscious. I notice all the others are slightly further into the forest before changing, so I take Shia’s hand.
I reach the treeline where the others are all hanging about in wolf form. With one last kiss, I take my clothes off and let Ghost out. We stare at Shia, who runs her fingers through the fur on Ghost’s head. A collective howl fills the air.
“I’ll see you when you come back.” She kisses Ghost’s head and steps back.
With a final, lingering look at my mate, I launch myself into the air, following the others who have already disappeared into the distance. The feeling is incredible; a wave of warmth washes over me. As Ghost races, the soft, yielding earth feels alive beneath our paws, the rich scent of pine and damp earth swirls around us as we race. We soon catch up with the others and there is some play fighting and tumbling between some of them. These wolves must be able to mind link each other. Since humans discovered us, some of us have lost this. It is no wonder why there is some animosity between us. Werewolves are forgetting who we really are. We still need this.
I spend about an hour running with the group, then the need to get back to my mate becomes imperative. When I return, I change and put my clothes back on. My heart feels refreshed getting back to my roots.
The fire is dying down and Shia is sitting with a blanket around her, and Sawyer next to her. “Hey,” I say as I come back.
When she looks up at me, her smile is so bright it feels like sunshine warming me from the inside out. Am I a believer in the Moon Goddess? Our discovery shattered my faith, because humans set out to kill us all and she did nothing. But now... Now I believe she has a grand purpose for us all, a destiny larger than anything we’ve ever imagined.
I take her hand and pull her up into my arms. It is late, and I’m surprised to see Alfred still chatting to others. He stands on seeing me and gives a quick goodbye to the others.
“Mm, you smell of grass and pine.” Shia lays her head against my chest, her eyes closing.
I pick her up in my arms and Anna walks us back to the car. Once I have placed Shia down, Anna rests her hand on my arm. “Thank you for coming into my daughter’s life when she needed someone the most.” She glances down at Shia, who has fallen asleep. “I didn’t want to say anything in front of her before, but I’m afraid for her.”
I close the door gently. “I will always be there to protect her.” My wolf grumbles at her.
“There will be times you won’t be, but she is strong. I lost my husband the day of the attack. We never found out who did it. When I could do things and think for myself, he had already made the decision to protect me and Shia. It took me a while to come to terms with things, but he made me promise never to come into the city. He said that as long as Leroy knew I was dead, then he wouldn’t hurt Shia. It was payback for Leroy losing his wife. He had to blame someone because she was having an affair with a werewolf.”
I lean against the car. “His wife was having an affair with a werewolf?”
So that is why he hated werewolves so much. Anna goes on to say she believes they were mates, and he worked at the factory. That is why she was there that day, but Leroy followed her and found them together. Now it all makes sense.
“He’s in jail now, and they will keep him there forever. I’ll make sure of it.” Damn, I wish I could rip his head off and not have to worry about him anymore.
“I’ve been living with Stenson since he took me in. He brought up Sawyer. This life I have here, I wouldn’t change it now, even if Shia wanted me to come home. This is my home.” She smiles and touches my cheek. “Your love for her is clear, a love that any mate would be proud to share. With all the changes happening in the world, I have faith in your abilities to leave a lasting positive impact and make a difference in the lives of others. Look after her.”
“Shia is my world.” I smile and say goodnight.
In the car, I pull Shia onto my lap, and she snuggles into me. My wolf enjoyed her touch on his head tonight. Despite only their second encounter, he felt a powerful connection, a tangible hum vibrating between them, like a powerful current. Once she undergoes the transformation and they mate, her wolf will solidify the unbreakable bond between them.
Once we are back, I carry a sleeping Shia upstairs to bed, slipping her shoes off and tucking her in. I head to shower and wash my hair. When I climb into the bed I lay on my side watching her sleep. My wolf sits happy that she has agreed to be our mate. I tug her in close to me. A heavy, smoky fragrance, smelling of charred wood and embers, permeated her hair and clothes. But I love it as it takes me back to my childhood. I don’t know how long I had been asleep, but I feel Shia moving next to me.
“Daxon!” she pouts as I open my eyes. “You let me fall asleep in my clothes and I stink of smoke.” The morning light filters in through the window.
“You were too beautiful to wake up. And I happen to enjoy the way you smell.” I pull her back in and growl at her. “Fine, I’ll take your clothes off, but I can’t guarantee you sleep.” I tease her as I lick over her faded mark. It is morning anyway.
She laughs and then hits me. “I need to use the bathroom, so I’ll grab a shower and wash my hair while I am there.”
I lie back and tuck my hands behind my head. Once I hear the shower running, I smile and climb out of bed. I dress and go downstairs where the housemaid is busy cooking something up. She has said nothing to me since the first night I was here, so I question her.
“Do you stay inside the house?”
“I have a section at the far end. Mr. Van Vernon wanted me available at any time. He used to keep funny hours before he got ill. He was a kind man.” She looks down at the floor. “I’ve noticed Miss Vernon doesn’t require my services the same as him. Are you thinking of getting rid of me?” She fiddles with her apron.
“That is not up to me, but I don’t see why she would. You still serve a purpose for her, and she trusts you.” The last thing I need is someone trying to poison her.
“Thank you Alpha Daxon.” She finishes up making some food just as Shia walks in. “Good morning Miss Vernon.”
“Mrs. Grant. I don’t want you to feel uneasy with Daxon’s presence, but things are tense outside, and I need his support close by. Perhaps it’s already become clear to you, but Daxon’s relationship with me surpasses that of a simple bodyguard; he’s much more than that to me.” Shia glances up at me, her cheeks flushing pink, and a shy smile plays on her lips. “You are important to me, and I trust you. You practically brought me up.”
“Shia. You forget that I have been around your father, and I am not fearful of werewolves if that is what you are worried about. I’d rather have a bunch of hot-blooded werewolves around me than some grumpy men.” She winks and smiles.
It puts me and Shia at ease. She hugs her and thanks her before taking a seat next to me. Conversation flows and Mrs. Grant relaxes now she knows she isn’t about to get thrown out. Once we have finished eating, Shia gathers her things and takes my hand.
“Ready to face the world?” I say as Alfred pulls up outside her building.
“Nope.” She takes a deep breath.
I step out of the car first and there are a few reporters waiting. So when Shia climbs out of the car, they all rush towards us.
“Miss Van Vernon, is it true that Leroy Pearson attempted to kill your mother?” One asks first.
“How long have you and the president been working together? Is Sawyer your real brother?” Another one pushes closer.
One of them shoves a microphone in her face. “Miss Van Vernon, what will happen to the rival companies? Will your acquaintance, Mr. Whitlock, now step up and work alongside you?”
“Back off.” I stand in front of Shia.
She rests her hand on my arm and steps next to me. “The president wants to join forces with me, as I am willing to help with the funding. As for my brother, yes, he is my full brother, and my mother survived the attack because werewolves came to her aid. They were the ones to heal her, and one of the many reasons why we should work together.”
“What about Mr. Whitlock? Will you rekindle your power couple’s status?”
I notice Shia tensing up, and I can feel myself puffing out my chest in a defensive reaction to the mention of another man’s name. Shia is mine. I grit my teeth together and restrain myself from grabbing the reporter.
“There is no rekindling. What we had was five years ago, and it was a mere fling, nothing serious. Now, if you excuse me, I have work to do.” Shia holds her head up high and walks off.
My eyes burned into the reporter as I turned and strode after Shia, fury propelling my steps. My thoughts are a chaotic storm, and my heart hammers against my ribs. I need to know about this ex-boyfriend and any threat he poses.
