Chapter 10

*****Dani's POV*****

After what seriously could have been considered one of the best moments of my life in the worlds best bathtub, Francis helped me brush my teeth and freshen up some more with deodorants and sprays before she did as she had offered, and blow dried my hair leaving it both voluminous and curly - two things I didn't think my hair could ever be.

I had never felt this... dare I say pretty? In my whole entire life and it was simply down to Francis and her serious hair magic!

My hair was usually just worn down straight or shoved up in a basic bun or ponytail... exciting I know.

"There you go... absolutely gorgeous after a quick clean up... I can only imagine what you've been through before you got here but if you ever need anything please do not hesitate to ask me... but I must be going now, Axel is on his way back and he won't be long." Francis smiles big at me in the mirror, before embracing me in a quick hug.

I flinched at the sudden embrace, before relaxing almost instantly knowing she meant no harm... I watched as she gave me a somewhat sad expression followed by a smile.

She was one of the very few people I had met in my lifetime who was so full of kindness and that meant every word they said. I felt I could tell her my whole life story and that she would listen and care... however I wouldn't ever dare to do that, my life isn't her burden to carry... but the thought was nice nonetheless to consider her a somewhat friend here.

After Francis had helped me back over to the bed, she said her final goodbyes before exiting the room and leaving me in the silence of what was now night time judging by the navy sky outside of the window and golden lights shining above the balcony.

I seriously need to explore this place properly when my feet heal...

I couldn't help but be thankful for this strange yet magical day... I was even thankful for the boxer shorts and oversized shirt that Axel had given me for after my bath which as you can guess, smelled out of this world.

I was growing fearful of going back to sleep just by the off chance that I could wake up and find myself back with my dreaded father...

Just on that note, the bedroom door swung open revealing Axel both shirtless and sweaty, holding a large paper bag in his hand - knocking the air from my lungs just by the sight of him.

Woah!

I noticed instantly that his eyes seemed to be normal again which put me at ease... as I next couldn't help my eyes from roaming further across his fully tattoo covered neck, chest, arms and down his VERY toned torso.

His physique definitely was in shape, I almost felt embarrassed for myself as I couldn't quite fathom why someone like him would want to spend time with someone like me.

During our silence, I notice he was also staring back at me, his mouth agape too like a deer in headlights...

"You're... I mean you were beautiful before but now... you're breathtaking." He states, I too feeling the exact same way about him but not confident enough to admit it out loud.

"Did Francis do your hair like that? I know she used to do my Moms hair when I was younger..." He questions, moving closer to look at me in what seemed to be complete awe?

"Y-Yeah..." I reply, again growing increasingly shy in his presence, with my face probably as bright as a tomato from his compliments by now.

"It looks great... do you feel better?" He then asks, sitting on the end of the bed, as his sweat still glistened before me under the bedroom lights causing me to gulp as I guiltily trailed my eyes down his torso yet again...

"Uhh... yeah... yeah I feel great... your uh... bathtub is amazing..." I stutter out like a giddy teenager, embarrassing myself further since not only can he read my thoughts, but he can now quite clearly see my wondering eyes.

Your bathtub is amazing... did I quite literally just say that to him? I'm an idiot!

"I'm glad you enjoyed it... I'm going to dive in for a quick shower but I brought you dinner... why don't you find something to watch whilst you eat?" He questions, reaching into the paper bag to retrieve a different type of pasta than the one I had earlier along with a side of fries and a cola this time.

Pasta is my life line I swear...

My mouth waters at the rich smell when he pops off the lid - handing me a nearby bed tray to sit my food on top of. I soon realise I could practically eat a horse with how hungry I was at this point... I wasn't used to getting loads of food in one day so I guess my body was used to the longer gaps in between meals.

On the mention of watching the TV, I couldn't help but glance around the room in search of one... maybe he has a laptop or something instead and that's what he means?

I watch as he chuckles, shaking his head before going to retrieve a remote from the opposite bedside table. With one click, an incredibly large flatscreen TV starts to rise out of, what I believed to be, a regular cabinet on the wall before.

Ok cool!

"It's like magic..." He throws me a wink, causing a smile to tug at my lips.

He switches on the TV and hands me the remote to browse for myself.

"I won't be too long... then we can talk." He nods, as I instinctively nod back as a response before he heads into the bathroom, leaving the door slightly ajar.

I turn up the volume, noticing that the same news channel I had seen from before was playing again...

"Countrywide packs prepare for the Kings inspection for the first time in over sixteen years... reports confirm that subjects are both stuck between excitement and fear of... what seems to be... the proper return of our King..."

My eyes widen, as I shove a fork full of pasta into my mouth (the taste as expected being incredible again).

I wonder what that news announcement was fully about...

As the man on the news next goes on about weather announcements, expecting a wave of heat and sun over the approaching weeks, I decide to change the channel by curiously clicking the button on the remote showcasing a person stick figure as the symbol.

Surprisingly enough, the little person button popped up a screen showing Netflix, Youtube, Disney Plus and lots of other, what seemed to be, 'human' channels.

This just gets better!

I decided to stick on Gossip Girl, a show I watched religiously with Lily back home that seemed to bring me a great deal of comfort.

It wasn't long after I had finished my dinner before Axel exited the bathroom in nothing but a pair of black boxers and a towel rolled around his shoulders and neck.

Lucky I wasn't still eating or I believe I would have choked on the food... how can someone look like that seriously!

"I see you found the human channels..." He laughs out, turning to look at the television screen.

I nod and offer a small smile back, my cheeks heating up again on command as usual.

"I'm going to pause it for five minutes because we need to talk..." He explains, walking over to take the remote from me and doing just that.

Why did I feel nervous now?

"Don't be nervous... It's just to let you know that I won't be sleeping in here with you tonight... I need to control my wolf as best I can and I don't think that would be possible with us sharing a bed... I will only be two doors down the hall though in the spare room so I'll hear you if you need anything." He states, looking at me to ensure that I'm listening.

"Plus I don't think you would feel comfortable with us sleeping in the same bed so soon..." He concludes, as I nod in agreement.

He's right and I'm glad he's like this... I really did appreciate his kindness so far... despite how crazy this day has been.

"What... happened to you earlier are you feeling better?" I question, remembering the full incident with his eyes changing colour and the growling... he seemed like a completely different person.

I watch as he scratches the back of his neck, his jaw clenching for a brief moment before he sighs.

"My wolf... he was wanting to come fully out to meet you since you are his mate and all...but I can't allow for that to happen yet because you haven't been... well you haven't been what we call 'marked' yet and if he sees that you aren't marked he will instinctively take it upon himself to mark you forcefully..." Axel speaks slowly, as I begin to fidget with my hands from the intensity of the conversation.

"What is marking?" I ask gently, feeling on edge slightly from the intense look now coating his features.

"A mark is the bonding of our souls... there are two stages to the mating process and the first stage is a bite to your neck which represents me marking you as my own... the second stage involves the bonding of our bodies becoming one with each other..." He tries to word it as best as possible, as my eyes widen.

He means sex...

"Oh..." I whisper out, as he nods slowly.

"I will try my best to give you as much time as you need... for a normal werewolf couple, the full mating process is usually complete by the end of the first day... but with you being a human with a difficult past... I need to be patient because I really don't want to hurt you... as for my eyes turning red, that's due to my demon side. The man you seen with the colour changing eyes I'm guessing his turned a sort of gold colour yes?" He questions.

"Yes..." I state as he nods before continuing-

"The colour changing eyes is a wolf thing... but mine go red due to me having a demon side." He explains again.

"Is this all real..." I breathe out, feeling extremely overwhelmed with this whole day, regardless of how much I have actually enjoyed parts of it.

"It is love... I know it's a lot but this world is a dangerous place... I myself, am known to be dangerous... but for you, I can only promise to try and be a better person and I need you to understand that I am a man with an extremely bad temper with a very dark past... it won't always be sunshine and rainbows being with me... I have killed people in the past and won't hesitate to kill again in the future... but one thing I will promise is your safety for as long as you're with me." Axel watches me carefully, waiting for my reaction as I remain blank, trying my best to absorb everything he was saying.

I try to steady my breathing, trying desperately to understand this new world.

"Anything... is better than back home." I exhale finally, looking up and into his eyes as he offers me a smirk... leaning in closer.

"I'll take care of you..." He confirms, now only inches away from my face...

When his large soft lips finally connect with my own sending shock waves throughout my body with an unimaginable feeling of pure content...

This man... has me weak In one day...