Page 13 of Axes & Nos

“Welcome back to the land of the living beautiful.” He says with a warm greeting smile.

Chapter Seven

Dax

“Oh, thank god you’re awake. These two idiots were about to make me lose my shit. That one thought you were dying.” Alia grouses while pointing at me.

“To be fair, I’ve never seen anyone faint before. I mean I’ve knocked people out before, but never seen someone just faint like that. Or is it called swooning? Whatever it was it’s scary as fuck to watch happen. I think I’m traumatized for life now.” I argue back as Chase points at me nodding in agreement.

“What he said.” Chase says in agreement.

“Holy shit! Myra, you’ve made them agree on something. Quick, take a picture and mark the date on the calendar. It may never happen again. I need this documented.” Alia jokes as she helps a laughing Myra out of the bed of the truck. It was the best we could do in a rush when she fainted.

“Maybe we should ring the church bells and contact the media. Something like this probably won’t come around for at least another millennia or two. By then they will be ghosts and getting photographic evidence will be impossible.” Myra giggled out and I couldn’t help the smile that touched my lips.

“Hey, we agree on things. Don’t we?” Chase grumbles defensively while hitting me in my chest.

“Yeah, we totally agree on things and stuff all the time. You just don’t see us when it happens. Isn’t that right Chase?” I attempt to back up my brother, but I’m totally lying and Alia’s eyes narrow on me knowingly.

“Don’t listen to them Myra. Lies. Both of you are full of nothing but lies. You can’t even agree on who’s truck to take to work every day. Or what time you need to leave for work for that matter. Everything is an argument between you two.” Alia scolds as she walks Myra over to the passenger seat of her truck and has her sit down.

“What about you? Will you lie to me now Alia?” Myra asks the question so softly I almost miss it. Alia looks over at me and Chase for support, but we both just shrug at a loss as to what to say to her.

“Oh Myra, no, I will never lie to you. Ask me anything and I will give you nothing but the truth.” Alia declares while hugging Myra tight to her body.

“But you have lied to me. Haven’t you Alia? Omitting the truth is the same as lying, isn’t that what you always tell me?” Myra says sadly.

“Only because it’s against the rules to tell anyone. It’s especially against the rules to tell...” Alia hesitates, looking over at me and Chase like she’s looking for guidance from us.

“To tell a human. Was that what you were going to say? It’s against the rules to tell a human. Yeah, I kind of figured that out. But I’m your best friend Alia, we tell each other everything. You know all about...well you know everything about me.” Myra whispers, and my interest is peaked. What could Alia know about her that she doesn’t want anyone else to know about? Maybe Myra isn’t the sweet innocent woman I think she is. The curious kitty in me wants to know all her secrets, as does the man in me.

What does Alia know that we don’t? She’s our mate, we should know everything about her.We will. In time, we will know everything about her. Be patient, she’s been through something and will need time.

Blech, patience is my least favorite word!It will be worth it, I promise. She’s like a thorny rose bush, watching it bloom is the best part.

“Yes, Myra. It’s against the rules to tell humans we exist. If the human world knew about us, they would want to dissect us, to study us, and to use us for their own means. We stay in hiding to keep ourselves safe. Please don’t take it personally.” Alia begs, tears in her eyes and Chase moves to comfort her.

“Don’t take it personally?! Are you serious right now? I tell you everything and you what, only tell me the superficial, the most basic information? That seems rather one-sided for best friends. Was I even your best friend? Or was I just some human pet you kept around for entertainment?” Myra sobs out her voice catching at the end. The need to comfort her is overpowering, but I know right now she won’t accept it. She’s hurt and angry at all of us right now.

“What? No, it was nothing like that. You are my best friend Myra, for now and for always.” Alia pleads with her, tears streaming down her face.

“Did you laugh behind my back at how stupid I was for never figuring it out? You and Chase, your mate. Which I now realize he didn’t mean like the Aussies mean mate, but rather like an animal means a mate. Because that’s what you all are isn’t it, animals?” Myra barely whispers the accusation, looking directly at each of us, none of us can deny it, and we all nod slowly at her. My gut aches with the pain that is etched on both of their faces. I want to take away the hurt, but I know this is something they have to work out between themselves.

“No, never have I ever laughed behind your back Myra. Why would you ever think that? This isn’t some joke we play on people. This wasn’t about hiding something from you; this is about protecting everyone I love and care for. My parents, my brothers, and Chase, even his dipshit brother. If the world knew we existed, what do you think would happen? Huh?” Alia is hurt and angry with Myra’s accusations. Though I understand her feelings, I don’t like her anger being directed at Myra. A growl rumbles up my throat, and all eyes turn to me.

She can’t talk to our mate like that. It’s not her fault she’s human. We could change that. We should change that.No, we shouldn’t asshole. She’s perfect just as she is, there is nothing that needs to be changed about her.

“Keep that shit under control.” Chase growls back at me.

“Sorry, it’s not me, it's him. He doesn’t like the conflict between them. He’s a bit protective.” I apologize, knowing Chase’s own instincts are riled up for Alia.

“I would never hurt any of you, especially Alia. Your secrets are safe with me, I promise. There is no need to get your dander up over little ole me. No need to get all protective, the person least likely to tell anyone your secrets, right here.” Myra points her two thumbs directly at herself with a weak smile on her lips, causing all of us to laugh. It releases some of the tension in the air, calming my tiger.

“Oh, Dax’s animal isn’t being protective of us, his animal is being protective of you.” Chase practically crows like he knows everything.

“Protective of me? Why would he be protective of me? He barely knows me. He’s your brother and Alia’s what... mate in-law. Is that a thing?” Myra asks, scrunching up her nose with the question. Damn she’s so fucking cute, even when she’s completely wrong.

“No. There is no such thing as a mate in-law. He’ll be her brother-in-law once we get married, but until then he’s just my dumbass brother to her. He’s protective of you because...” Chase starts to tell her everything, and I interrupt him before he can spill the beans. We haven’t even explained shifters to her yet, explaining the fact that she’s my mate will only make matters worse.