Chapter 2

I couldn’t help it. My temper raised as my carefully contained aura slipped out. I was the daughter of royalty. Even without Waylon, I was more powerful than both of them. However, since I have been on my own since I was 9 years old, I didnt always control it well. The shock expression on Axel’s face was evident.

It only lasted a second but the damage was done. Walking back to my desk, I sat down. Axel had his hands on my desk as he leaned over it.

“How?”

“How what?” I was going to lie my way out of this. “ I have no idea what you are talking about.” There was a wave of pleasure shoot through me. Waylon was having a great conversation. 

“I felt your aura!”

“I don’t know what you mean. How could I have a powerful aura? Nothing I have will affect a beta.” He didnt fully buy it but Waylon walked back in. 

Axel immediatly straightened back up.Waylon looked at us suspiciously before talking. “We must go. I have decided that you will need to visit my pack and see the land. You will have a better feel for what I would like that way. We fly out tomorrow.” My jaw dropped open.

“See you tomorrow, Ms. Peterson.” Axel said with an arrogent smile.  Waylon didnt give me a chance to respond as they exited my office. 

The clock chimed 2pm. My mouth was hanging open. I have missed lunch and my stomach let me know it. I needed to speak with Nova. She will understand. Grabbing my phone, I hit speed dial 2.

“Charlotte?”

“I need you.” I wasnt sure how to feel.

“Oh no! Go to Madison’s cafe. I assume you havent ate?”

“No.”

“Okay. Be there in 5.” Click! Nova has always been there for me. 

Grabbing my briefcase, I walked out of my office and down to the lobby. I could smell Waylon. He was speaking to Mr. Simpson. I didnt need to look at them to know he was looking in my direction. Walking as quickly as I could, I went outside into the sunshine to flag down a taxi. Thankfully, there was one waiting so I was able to get in quickly. As we drove off, I was Waylon and Axel exiting my office building. His eyes met mine. I knew he could feel my hurt and determination. I couldnt feel anything from him. 

It wasnt until we pulled up to the cafe that I relaxed. Nova was getting seated at a table that was right off the street. The sun will feel good on my face. 

“Thank you.” I told the driver as I paid him and got out. “Nova!” I waved as I walked up to the table. 

“Girl! What happened?” She saw my coffee stain. Taking my jacket off, my white silk shirt was on full display. It was cuffed sleeve and buttoned down. I was blessed in the boob and ass area so I was always worried about cleavage. 

I told her everything. From spilling my coffee, being late for the meeting, finding Waylon and Axel’s threat. Even the slip of my aura. Nova knew of my past. She was also the daughter of an alpha. She was running from her own personal hell. That’s why we bonded these last few years so good. We watched out for each other. 

“Holy fuck.” She said as our salads got placed in front of us. 

“Yup, I’m fucked.” 

“I’m trying not to laugh. I mean, I understand what this means but he could be your night in shinning armor!”

“Or he could be my downfall.”

I smelled him before I saw him. My fork hung midair as my body stiffened up. “I would like to think I’m charming.” Waylon said as he walked up to our table. Slowly, we both looked up to him.

“You left before I could give you details.” Waylon slide a piece of paper in front of me. 

Putting my fork down, I straighten up. It took me a minute to realize that he could see down my shirt. 

“I would hate for you to be late, twice in a 24 hour period.” 

“It seemed you were already preoccupied with Jasmine. I wouldn’t think you would notice.” This sarcasm was think. I didnt care if I offended him. 

His lip twitched. “I dont believe I have met you.” Waylon looked at Nova. 

“No, we haven’t met before.” I had to smile at her bitchy side. 

“Name is Waylon Jenkins.” 

“I’m aware.”

Waylon got closer to Nova and pushed his aura out at her. It affected her but near like I think he wanted it to. “Nova Gibs.” 

Standing up, he smiled. “Nice to meet you.”

“Pleasure is all yours.” She smiled at him. I could barely contain my laughter. 

He was getting angry. “Waylon, relax. Axel treated me the same way and you know it.” 

His eyes landed on me as he studied me. “See you tomorrow...Charlotte.” I watched him walk off. Damn, I wanted to bite that ass.

“Earth to Charlotte.” Nova snapped her fingers in front of my face. 

“Sorry!” 

“Come on. Let’s get you home and packed. “

“You are enjoying this too much.” I rolled my eyes at her as we stood up. Tossing my jacket over my shoulder, we walked the rest of the way home. I was only a few blocks and I needed to fresh air. 

By the time we made it home, my feet were yelling in protest. “Home sweet home.” I said as we walked in the lobby. There were police cars around, which caught me off guard

“John?” I asked out loud. 

“Oh good! You two are okay!” John rushed forward and hugged us both. 

“What is going on?” 

“Two men hit me in the head and knocked me out. They went up to your condo and trashed it.” We both looked at each other in horror. 

“We need to ask you a few questions.” The police officer said. “Why don’t you go pack a bag? Your condo is a crime scene and you cannot stay there tonight.”

“Wonderful.” We were escorted to our condo. There was yellow caution tape blocking it off. An office lifted it up for us to go in. There were more officers taking pictures and dusting for prints. 

“We will need your prints to rule out the obvious.” I nodded numbly as we walked into our bedrooms. After packing a suitcase and my toiletries, I went back out to the livingroom. Nova hadnt returned yet. 

“Are you aware of anyone following you?” The detective asked.

“No, why do you ask that?”

“This is a 40 unit condo. Only your’s was broken into.” 

Damn. “I’m sorry. I’m a little shaken right now.”

Was it my past or Nova’s? Most likely it was Nova’s. I was nine when I ran away. I was presumed dead. Nova ran away just five years ago from her dad and ex. 

“Its okay. We will be in touch.”

“I am leaving on a business trip tomorrow. I should be back in a week.”

“Keep your phone on.” He handed me a business card and walked away. 

Nova was extremely pale as she walked out of her room. She shook her head at me to tell me not to ask.

“Let’s go get a hotel room.”

“Okay.” I knew we would not be back. We both packed what clothes we could in a single suitcase. Everything else is going to be left behind. 

Our taxi ride was quiet. We chose a bightly lit hotel with alot of traffic. Hopefully, whoever it was would stay away. All that was left was a room with a king size bed. 

“Which side do you want?” Nova tried to make a joke.

“I’ll take the left.” I put my stuff down. “Tell me.”

Nova pulled out a picture. It was her and someone I assumed was her ex. Her face was crossed out. “This was in my shoes.” 

“I’ve never asked but now I am. What is your story?”

Nova sighed. Her usually perfect blonde hair was sticking out of every direction. Freckles covered her face. The baby blue eyes were filled with tears as so started talking. 

“You know I am the daughter of an Alpha. Alpha James Kennedy of the Broken Arrow Pack.” I gasped as that. They are known for their cruel punishments and treatments of their members. “When I turned 18. I had one year to find my mate. Obviously I didnt, and he arranged a mate for me. He chose his top warrior and truly evil man. He would punch me, kick and all the above. The night of what was suppose to be our mating ceremony, my mom managed to get me out of there. Dad found out and killed her for it. I’m 25 now so ive been on the run for how long? Those firt few years was hard. Living off the land. He found me once and almost got me but I managed to escape.That was the night I got drunk and well, you found me.”  

Damn. “He found you again.”

“Yeah. I’ll have to leave to keep you safe. I’ll sell my business. That will be easy to do. My lawyer can do that.”

“I’m not leaving you. We are in this together. Come with me to Canada. We can hide out there.”

“I dont know. Waylon isn’t going to want me around after how I treated him.”

“Leave Waylon to me.” 

“I dont know.”

“You are coming and that’s final.” I said firmly. “Dont make me pull out my aura!” I was technically joking but I’d do it in a heart beat. 

Thankfully, Nova smiled and nodded. “Okay.”

  “Ready to go?” I asked the next morning. We were both showered and ready to start our next journey. After I completed this project, I would tell my boss that I am working remotely or he could fire me. We both had a decent savings that we could start over somewhere.

“Yeah. Ready as I’ll ever be.” Nova looked great in her black slacks and blue silk button down shirt. She was 5’8” of solid muscle. Even though I was toned and could handle my own, she was body goals. 

“Our taxi is here.” We grabbed our bags ans headed towards the front of the hotel. My head was on a swivel. The anxiety I was feeling was overwhelming. The whole ride to the private airport was uncomfortable. Nova was so worried we would get attacked or Waylon would deny her passage. Her legs wouldn’t stop bouncing. 

By the time we made it to the airport, her body was full on shaking. “Relax.” I said.

“I can’t! I think I’m having a panic attack!” She whispered. 

I could sew Axel and Waylon standing there. We couldn’t afford her breaking down right now. “I’m sorry for this.” I said. Pushing my full aura in her, “I command you to relax.” So low the driver couldnt hear.

I watched her shutter but her body instantly did as I said. Her breathing evened out and her face got aome color in it. “Thank you.” She whispered.

I fet good about that decision for about two minutes. As soon as she opened the door to the taxi, I knew we were going to have some explaining to do. I just hope Waylon allowed her on the plan. 

Axel got on the plane as we walked up. “Can I help you?” Waylon asked Nova. Damn, he smelled so good.

“She is assisting me on this project. I-”

“What is that smell?” Nova had her nose in the air. It was like she couldn’t hear us.

“Shit.” I knew what was happening. Waylon frowned as Nova ran up the stairs. He grabbed her suit case and we chased after her.

“Mate” she said breathlessly. When we finally caught up, Axel was standing directly in front of her.

“Mate.”