Page 14 of Axes & Nos
“Because you are alone amongst a bunch of shifters and you should have someone on your side. That’s why.” I declare, giving Chase a warning glare. He’ll scare her into running far far away from me without ever giving me a chance.
“Nice try, he wasn’t about to say that. Typical hot man, thinking he can hide things from me. Alia, why is he protective of me? Remember you promised to tell me the truth now.” Myra gives me my own warning glare, that says I better keep my mouth shut.
Great, now Alia is going to fuck everything up. We will never see Myra’s boobs at this rate. Do something!Maybe it won’t be so bad, give her a chance to explain.
“That’s a little complicated, and you would need to understand what we are first before I explain that part. This isn’t me trying to lie to you, this is me making sure you understand one part of us first before jumping into deeper water.“ Alia puts her hands out pleadingly at Myra, asking her friend for understanding. I pace back and forth, knowing that once she knows everything she’s going to run. I’m going to lose her before I even have a chance to have her. My tiger whines inside my head.
“Will you settle the fuck down?” Chase growls out and I growl right back at him not giving a single shit if I piss him off.
“Both of you knock it off, you’re going to scare her and then I’m going to have to kick both of your asses.” Alia growls back and we both take a step back with our hands up in surrender.Alia’s animal might be small, but she doesn’t take any shit when she’s changed.
“Wow, you must be something big and predatory or poisonous for them to back off that quickly. Let me guess, you’re a wolf or maybe a lion? Yeah, I’d bet you are lioness. That would fit your personality.” I cover my laugh by clearing my throat. I get an elbow to my ribs from Chase and a dirty look from Alia before she turns back to Myra.
“No, not a lion. They just love me too much to hurt me when I’m changed and I’d take advantage of that.” Alia explains gently.
“She’s right, Chase couldn’t hurt her because he’s, her mate. It would be like trying to hurt himself. It can’t be done for our kind.” I add, trying to emphasize the meaning behind being a mate to one of us hoping she’ll understand how important she is to me eventually.
“But you’re not her mate. Right? Or can there be more than one mate?” Myra asks, her forehead wrinkling in confusion. Damn she’s fucking cute even when she’s confused.
“No, I’m not her mate. I’ve never heard of anyone having two mates. It’s possible I guess, but we know our mate by scent. I couldn’t hurt her because she’s my brother’s mate. I refuse to admit I love her in any capacity. I wouldn’t want her to get a big head. Her ego is big enough already.” I respond with a teasing smile at her, but she doesn’t return my smile, instead she frowns back at me.
“So let me get this straight. If a woman smells right then suddenly, you’re compelled to what, love her? What if she doesn’t feel the same way? Do you force her to be your mate anyway? Alia, blink twice if you’re not with Chase on your own free will.” Myra looks at Alia with her eyes wide open like she’s waiting for Alia to blink. Alia laughs in response pushing Myra’s shoulder.
“Oh my God! Stop! No, nothing like that. We’re both shifters so we both knew as soon as we scented each other. Don’t give me that look. Think of it like smelling a man who has your favorite cologne on, but only you can smell it. That’s what it’s like for us.” Alia explains simply.
“What about humans? Can humans be your mates? Well obviously, not yours but your kind. Shifters, I mean shifters. Can shifters have human mates?” She’s asking Alia, but her gaze flickers in my direction for a split second. Does she feel it? Does she feel the thread that binds us as mates?
“Yes, shifters can have human mates.” Alia replies simply which is probably best. Explaining to her what happens once the human agrees to become a shifter's mate could cause her to run. That’s a bridge that can wait to be crossed once she understands everything about us. I’m a patient hunter, I can wait.
Don’t want to wait. Want to claim her now. Fucking pussy!My tiger growls out inside my head. If he wants Myra as our mate he’ll have to learn patience too. Otherwise, we will be alone for the rest of our fucking lives, and I know he doesn’t want that. Does he?
No, I don’t want us to be alone for the rest of our lives.He grumbles, clearly unhappy with the matter, but he’ll survive.
“I feel like that answer wasn’t complete. Alia, you promised.” Myra demands, crossing her arms over her chest. The action causes her perfect breasts to thrust forward, and I can’t help gazing at them. God, she’s so fucking beautiful, even when she’s annoyed.
“I promised I would explain what we are, before we got into the deep water. Human mates are very deep-water Myra. It’s a delicate and complicated subject that isn’t lightly talked about. Ask me anything about what we are, and I will answer honestly, I swear. Then we can talk about human mates. Deal?” Alia begs,trying to avoid a subject that could send her running from me once she knows she’s, my mate. I’m grateful for her efforts.
“Fine, no discussion about human mates. Then tell me why he’s so protective of me. And don’t give me, it’s complicated Myra bullshit.” Myra sasses with her hands on her hips, pointing right at me. I feel like a deer in the headlights and look towards Alia for help.
“Don’t you want to know how often we have to change? Or maybe if we have magical powers? Or maybe what our animals are? Yeah, that’s a good one to start with. She thinks you’re a lioness Alia, tell her what you really are. You’re going to get a kick out of this Myra.” I offer helpfully and Myra narrows her eyes at me shaking her head. Alia gives me a look that says I’m a dumbass for trying to distract Myra.
“Fine. What are you, Alia?” Myra deadpans, while staring me down, her eyes narrowed little slits. Alia startles, not expecting the question.
“Do I have to tell her? She’s going to be so disappointed after thinking I’m a badass lioness.” Alia whines as she stomps her foot like a five-year-old. I give her a ‘tell her’ look while Chase is trying to hide his laughter behind his hand. Asshole.
“You’re just delaying the inevitable." Chase smarts with a laugh.
“What do you mean I’ll be disappointed? Now my curiosity has peaked. What are you?” Myra demands with a quirk of her lips like she’s trying to hold back her own smile.
“Damn it Dax! This is all your fault.” Alia yells before she whispers what her animal is so low I barely hear her with my shifter hearing. “I’m a raccoon.”
“What did you say?” Myra asks, a grin plastered on her face. I’m pretty sure she heard her, but she wants Alia to say it again. My girl has spunk and I fucking love it.
“I’m a raccoon. There I said it. Are you happy? I’m not a badass lioness; I’m a fucking raccoon shifter. I have really sharp teeth and claws and I’m bigger than a real raccoon by a lot.” Alia defends as Myra purses her lips to keep from laughing at her friend.
“So, you’re all fluffy, cuddly, bandit looking raccoons? Cute.” Myra smirks at all of us.
“Oh no, we’re not raccoons. Think bigger, whiter, and with more stripes.” Chase taunts his teeth creating a sharper smile. Myra’s eyes go wide as she looks between us and Alia in fear and I smack my brother in the back of his head.