Chapter Thirty-Five
Today is the day of the meeting. I trust Axe but I'm nervous.
How will his pack react to seeing him after so long?
Will they obey him given he stopped being the alpha years ago?
But then I think of Brian and Dash. They are both on his side and they are the three leaders.
The pack has to do what they say. I feel better about it knowing the three leaders accept me.
But then I wonder about Axe's father, Manson.
Manson was the alpha. If he doesn't agree with Axe's decision, could Manson actually take back the reign? Hierarchy is a bitch.
The day starts off normally with Axe and I eating breakfast. There's a surprise in the middle of us talking. The front door opens and Dash rushes in, looking frenzied.
“I met my mate,” Dash lets out heavily.
“Congratulations,” Axe says. Instead of saying thank you, Dash stands there with an unreadable look. “Isn't that good news?”
“She's human,” Dash divulges.
“Fucking hell.” Axe sighs. “Listen, you need to have a relationship with her and have the ultimate trust with this woman before you tell her what we are.”
“Wait, isn't revealing ourselves to humans a big no-no?” I frown.
“Yes, but I'm not going to dare ask him to leave his mate. This meeting will show a new future for this pack. I'll take care of it,” Axe says.
Shit. Are we putting too much on Axe's plate?
“Thank you, Axe. I only met her this morning. She works at The Grail Cafe. Don't worry, though, I know how to play this. Slow and steady wins the race, right?” Dash adds lightness to the situation.
“Well, congratulations Dash. I'm glad for you.” I smile.
“Thanks, Elora.” Dash smiles. “You'll definitely be the first friend of mine she meets.”
“Really?” Not only am I surprised that he would let me meet her first, but he just called me his friend. I can't stop my smile.
“Something tells me you click with humans more than us.”
“True,” I say.
“I know how to go about this but let me ask, do you think you could have a life with this woman without her knowing you're a wolf?” Axe questions.
“I could hide it for a while, but eventually it would come out, right?”
“Okay. Back to today's events, the meeting has been set?” Axe inquires.
“Yes, six o'clock.”
“Everyone has been informed?”
Dash nods professionally. “The word is out. Brian will ensure everyone of age is there.”
“Thank you, Dash. You'll start the meeting like we discussed?”
“According to the plan.” Dash leaves shortly after.
“Everyone of age?” I ask, confused.
“Only kids who have shifted can attend. So, twelve or thirteen up. Some meetings are too mature for children so during a pack meeting, a few of the elderly women open their homes and create a fun bonding day for them,” Axe explains.
“Oh, that's good then.”
This meeting may lead to violence so children not being there is smart. I never knew about bonding days during meetings since I always stayed home as a kid. I've never even been to a meeting.
“Do you have plans for Joel?” I ask.
“Are you worried for him?” The lines of Axe's forehead crease.
“No, it's just, he's been missing for a few days.”
“Why haven't you told me?” Axe frowns.
“You told me to tell you if he did something. Since he's gone, I figured that'd be a good thing.”
“That mutt doesn't get to run off without his punishment. I'll have Brian track him down.” Axe stands up and kisses me intently. “I have a lot to do today, so why don't you spend the day relaxing?”
“Okay, I'll watch some movies.”
Axe spends the day in his office and Dash makes another appearance and joins him in there.
I try to pay attention to the movies but the meeting is a daunting thought.
It stays in my mind all day. I have so many concerns.
Even though Axe will take care of everything, I've never overthought something so much in my life.
There's a knock on the door before it opens and Brian walks in.
“Elora, is Axe here?” He stops in the doorway of the living room.
“He's in his office with Dash.”
“I've still got to check up on things for the meeting but I just wanted to let Axe know I tracked down Joel.”
“Oh, where was he?” I ask, trying to hide my interest.
“He was just at his house, moping about,” Brian says. “Why's Joel so important to Axe anyway?”
“Axe didn't tell you?” I frown. I guess only Axe, Dash and Carson know.
“No.”
“Joel... is my mate. He rejected me,” I say softly. I absolutely hate the word rejection.
“Oh shit.” Brian grimaces. “Sorry for your... loss, I guess.”
“Don't be. Axe is a million times better.”
“As long as you're happy, that's all that matters.”
“Thank you. You haven't met your mate yet. You're getting older, it's surprising,” I make an assumption. He sits down in the armchair, clearly going to tell me about himself.
“Yeah, actually I don't mind. I've wanted to travel around to other packs to find her but I couldn't leave Dash here on his own. But now that Axe is alpha again, I'll ask him for some time off when things calm down. Perk while I'm single is, I can have anyone I want in the meantime.”
“Everyone except Carson,” I add sassily.
He groans. “Not you too. Carson and I are just friends.”
“I know.” I chuckle.
“Besides, no woman is worth Axe's wrath. That's something I'd never risk.” Brian shivers as if he's got something gruesome on his mind.
“They were mostly rumours, weren't they?” My voice wavers.
“Elora, some of those stories were true. I just hope you won't see it tonight,” Brian says pointedly.
“You think he will lose control?” Way to make my stomach flutter.
“It's a possibility. He hasn't been the alpha for seven years so this night will be a bombshell.” Brian sighs then stands up and leans closer to me. “Don't worry, the soldiers are prepared in case something happens.”
“Those soldiers will die if they don't respect Axe's commands,” I whisper.
“It'll be fine. It's probably the elders that'll have a problem with his new way. But they'll die soon enough anyway,” Brian ends with dark humour.
“Aren't you a positive one?”
“Someone has to be.” Brian grins. “I got to go. Let Axe know I tracked Joel down.”
“Wait.” I stand up and go close to him so Axe doesn't overhear. “Do you know what punishments Axe is dishing out?”
“No one knows.”