Page 35 of Malek

Axel had been thinking about it for a while, and even though he might decide to tell his siblings the truth about Malek, he wasn’t ready to share that with his mum. Mostly because there was a fifty-fifty chance she would have him committed, or something equally as dramatic.

He wasn’t even sure how she would take Axel moving out. She’d literally had a cow when Alfie informed her he was going to uni in Nottingham.

She’d tried her best to convince him to stay, especially since he’d also got into University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan, but in the end, his younger brother had put his foot down and gone off.

Axel wasn’t sure how his mum would react when she found out that not only was he moving out, but he was also getting married in the next few weeks. He hoped well, because even though he wished his brothers would be around for moral support, they would be at work when Axel got in.

When they turned into his street, it was a weekday, so thankfully there was parking space on their road. Axel showed Malek where to park and when he had, and turned off the ignition, he glanced his way.

“Ready?” Malek asked.

“Yup, let’s do this.”

Axel opened his door and walked around to meet Malek. He put his hand in Malek’s and squeezed. Then opened the small gate that led up the path to their front door.

Theirs was a semi-detached, they’d moved in there after their dad died when their mum decided without his income it would be better if they downsized. Axel looked at it and realised it wasn’t home anymore. Now, his home was with Malek.

They made it to the front door, and he didn’t bother knocking, he simply let himself in, and called out.

His mum poked her head out of the kitchen, and when she saw him, she ran up and gave him a huge hug “Oh love, you’re home.”

“Hey mum,” Axel said, returning the hug.

When his mum finally let him go, she looked Malek up and down, “Why, son, he’s a handsome fella, ain’t he?”

Malek stepped forward, arm outstretched and his mum took it, “Malek,” he introduced himself, “Pleasure to meet you, Mrs Baines.”

“Lovely to meet you too. Please call me Sharon.”

Sharon glanced at Axel, “Why don’t you get us some tea, love, while I get to know your Malek here.”

With that said, Sharon focused on his mate, leading him to the reception room, the house wasn’t huge, so Axel heard his mum say, “Malek, that’s a distinctive name.”

Axel shrugged. He was sure Malek could hold his own, but he still tapped his feet as he waited for the kettle to boil. He probably shouldn’t leave them alone together for too long.

Nineteen

Malek

Axel’s mother led Malek into the reception room and took told him to take a seat. Before he could even look around the room, she said, “So, you’re the reason my son stayed up there longer than he would have.”

Malek smiled, but wasn’t sure it was actually a question, so he didn’t reply. He figured she had something to say to him if she had separated him from his mate—which his wolf didn’t like—but he was behaving.

“My son is in love with you, I can see it in his eyes. Never good at hiding his emotions, my Axel,” Sharon said, “Hope you love my boy, ‘cause he was, well, devastated when Matt announced he was getting married. And I reckon he loves you more than he ever loved him. Never brought anyone home to meet me before.”

Well, she was direct, he would give her that. And Malek loved hearing how Sharon could see how his mate felt. Not that he doubted it for a mument, but it was still nice to hear. And he didn’t hate hearing that Axel had never brought anyone home to meet his family. He would be the only one.

“I’m not one of them mothers who gets overprotective of their sons. Well I am, but I have nothing to worry about with you, I reckon. You keep looking to the kitchen, reckon that’s enough to tell me how you feel. I know it’s not because I make you nervous, I reckon not much does.”

Malek acknowledged the last part with a nod, before answering her question. “He’s my life,” he said simply.

“I believe you, lad,” Sharon said.

That was the last thing she said before Axel came in to join them, looking back and forth between them nervously.

Before Malek could soothe Axel, Sharon spoke, “I like this one,” she said, nodding in Malek’s direction.

Malek watched as his mate’s shoulders came down from around his ears, and heard the sigh he released.