Chapter 29: Chapter Twenty-Nine

Claire

The ride to the pack house felt like a blur. Claire didn't remember pulling out of the parking lot or the sharp turn into their driveway. The lycan was so close. She could see the spit flying from his mouth, and his red eyes reminded her of a demon.

She rubbed her eyes as they parked in the front yard of the pack house and noticed Axel's mother standing on the porch. When Axel stepped out, she raced down the steps and met him on the walkway. She cupped her palms around his face and examined him.

He'd already healed for the most part, which Claire learned was a normal werewolf ability. Grace's gaze shifted toward Claire, and she examined her as well. "Are you two okay?"

"We're fine, Mom," Axel said.

Claire watched the caring, loving look on her face and felt sad for a brief moment. She didn't have that growing up, and knowing Grace would be her future mother-in-law warmed her heart.

"When Kerry called, I was worried sick," she said, curling her arm around Claire's shoulder and ushering her into the house. The smell of something sweet hit Claire's nose. "I made you some cookies, dear," she said. "I know you don't have the meat diet like the rest of us, and plus, Axel indulges in something sweet every now and again. They are on the island." She turned toward Axel. "Your dad wants to speak with you in the conference room."

Axel gave Claire a gaze before walking down the long hallway to meet his dad. Claire went with Grace to the kitchen and sat on one of the barstools, snagging a cookie from the plate in the middle of the island.

It melted in her mouth.

Grace stood on the opposite side, her palms flat against the surface. "Are you really okay, Claire?" she asked. "I can't imagine, not being brought up in this world, coming in contact with a lycan. Kerry said he was close to getting you. You can tell me."

Claire swallowed another bite of her cookie and bit back the unshed tears in her eyes. She had been scared. For a brief moment, she thought she may die, or worse, be turned into one of those things.

"It scared me," Claire said around another bite. "But deep down, I knew Axel would save me, or maybe that was hoping," she chuckled.

Grace gave her a soft smile. "He will always come to save you, dear. It's part of being a mate."

Claire nodded.

She tucked a loose ringlet behind her ear. "That's something else I want to talk to you about. Since you weren't raised in a pack, I want to offer you help. Help with the duties of becoming a luna, being mated to an alpha, and the jobs of being in a pack. If you want me to, of course."

"I would love that," Claire said. "I have no idea what I'm doing."

She chuckled. "I understand." She glanced at the clock on the stove. "I better get to bed. You eat all the cookies you want. I'll see you tomorrow when you get home from school."

She left Claire in the silence of the kitchen, and Claire let out a shaky breath. It was the first moment she had to herself since the incident, and those unshed tears raced down her cheeks.

She didn't dare make a sound as she cried silently. Part of her hated the weakness, but she knew that she needed it. She needed to let go of her emotions.

The sound of Axel's heavy footsteps neared, so she wiped her cheeks and grabbed her third cookie.

Axel stopped beside her and picked up a cookie, devouring it in one gulp. His dark eyes met hers, and she knew he knew. "Are you okay? Did my mother upset you?"

She shook her head, and a hiccupped cry left her.

Axel snaked his arm around her waist and helped her off the barstool, ushering her upstairs. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears, blocking out whatever Axel whispered to her.

He shoved open his bedroom door and helped her sit down, bending at his knees. He braced his palms against her knees. "Claire, baby, are you okay?"

She chuckled. "I’m so sorry. I feel like an idiot for crying. I'm just … tonight was crazy. I don't think I had time to process the lycan before now, and it just scared me."

Axel pushed her hair from her forehead and leaned up to kiss it. "I understand," he whispered. "What do you need? More cookies? Some milk? Water? A hot shower?"

"I need a shower," she whispered, trying to stand. He patted her shoulder to keep her there and walked to his shower. She heard the shower turn on, and then Axel came back out, offering her his hand.

She took it and walked into the bathroom. He handed her a towel and washcloth. "Here. I'll be waiting for you when you get out. Take your time. Shower until it turns cold if you want."

"Won't your mom get mad you're in the room with me?"

He winked. "Like I said, what she doesn't know won't hurt her."

Claire smiled and locked herself in the bathroom. Her nerves felt frazzled, so when she stripped out of her clothes and stepped underneath the warm stream, she let out a long sigh.

She washed and shampooed her air and scrubbed her skin—hoping to scrub away everything bad from the day—and stepped out into the foggy bathroom. She wrapped her towel around her, realizing she hadn't brought any clothes into the bathroom with her.

Biting her lip, she opened the door and glanced out through the crack. Axel laid on his bed, staring at the ceiling as if in deep thought. He sat up on his elbows and glanced over at her. "I forgot my clothes."

"Oh," he said, swinging his feet down to the floor. He turned his back. "Go ahead."

Claire tiptoed over and grabbed some clothes she'd brought with her from her apartment but stopped at the door. "Axel?"

He turned his head but didn't fully turn around. "Hmm?"

"Your mother is going to help me learn how to be a luna," she said softly. "Do you think I'll make a good one?"

Axel turned to face her, his dark brows pulled down. "Of course, I do, Claire. My mother will teach you everything that you need to know. You have years to work on it," he chuckled, his gaze lowered to the curve of her breast in her towel. "Maybe you should get dressed. My wolf is begging for me to undo that towel."

Claire felt her cheeks turn a deep red. She'd once loathed the idea of Axel touching her, but in that moment, she didn't think anything would feel better than Axels' callused hands on her skin.

She swallowed, debating on asking him to kiss her worries away, but the truth was she felt scared about moving forward with him. Claire had never been touched by a guy in that way; besides a kiss from her first little boyfriend in junior high, she'd never experienced it.

Axel's fingers curled into a fist. Clearly, her presence half-naked taunted him. Lowering her gaze, she shoved open the bathroom door and closed her eyes. Claire knew it would happen when the time was right.

She put on her pajama shorts and a long T-shirt, drying her hair with the heavy white towel before walking back out into the bedroom.

Axel seemed less relaxed than before as if he'd had an argument with himself. When her eyes met his, she felt the sizzle of his gaze down to her toes. "I—kiss me," she whispered.

He took two large steps and pinned her against the bathroom door, sliding one hand around the nape of her neck and the other around her waist. He pressed his warm mouth against hers, startling the gasp right out of her. All her stress leaked from her body and evaporated into thin air.

His strong hands held her tight, making her feel safe and wanted. The rhythm of his tongue asking permission to enter made Claire's knees go weak. She tangled her fingers into his hair and tugged.

She didn't know if it was the heroic way he saved her or the thought of becoming his luna, but Claire felt undone. Everything about him, at this moment, felt picture perfect.

Axel wedged his thigh between hers and dominated the kiss like nothing she'd ever dreamed of before. It left her a puddle in the middle of the room. When he pulled away, he cursed beneath his breath and rested his forehead against hers, chuckling almost humorlessly. "You taste good," he whispered, tucking her damp hair behind her ear.

She smiled but didn't move, or want him to. "Ditto."

Axel placed both palms on the door beside her head and shoved away, with reluctance. "I'm sorry I left you unprotected today."

"You didn't know," she said.

"I'm the future alpha. I need to better prepare for a trap."

Claire stared at his face. "What did your dad talk to you about?"

Axel scratched the back of his neck. "Nothing important—"

"Was it about what happened?" she asked, grabbing her elbow, and crossing her arm over her stomach. "Did he make you feel like that?"

Axel closed his eyes. "He has high expectations for me."

"I understand," she said, stepping forward. "But you're new, and this is a lot to take on. Don't beat yourself up," Claire said. "You realized and saved me. I don't hold the wait against you."

He chuckled. "Even though I deserve it for everything I put you through."

"Water under the bridge, Alpha."

Axel stopped his attempt at kissing Claire again, and shortly after, Claire realized why. "Axel Davers, you better not be impregnating our future luna before you mark her," his mother's voice came from the outside of the door.

Claire covered her mouth with her palm to stifle her laugh.

"Our clothes are on, Mother. I was just checking on her. I'll be out in a minute," he said.

When he turned to look at her, red coated his cheeks. "Way to ruin the moment, Grace," he mumbled.

Claire smiled. "It's a parent's job to make sure you don't impregnate your luna too early, Axel."

He cupped her cheek. "My dad is coming to campus tomorrow to scope everything himself."

Claire nodded when she noticed her phone vibrate from the bed. She walked over and opened a text from Aunt Demetria.

Your dad is dropping by for a visit tomorrow afternoon. Bring your sleeping bag. We're having a sleepover.

Claire showed the text to Axel, and he smiled. "Am I invited?"

Claire chuckled. "Aunt Demetria is not traditional."

He smirked. "I think she's turning into my favorite person. Maybe we can pry some details about your family tree out of her?"

"Axel Davers!" Grace yelled.

He grumbled and reached forward to kiss her cheek. "Goodnight, Luna."