Zira-โI first connected with you when you woke up this morning and knew something was off and felt the mate pull, but didnโt know where it was coming from, so I just observed. Since Axton didnโt interact with you until later, I thought I had been mistaken. When he arrived at the party, the first moment you laid eyes on him, I had sensed it. I know you felt something too, but probably didnโt know what it was.โ Asta responded.โYou are telling me I need to be careful with our mate?โ I asked as I tried to wrap my head around the fact Axton was my mate. My mate!โI know it must seem ridiculous, but he is your biggest threat.โโHow?โโAxtonโs wolf is too powerful for you to manage in your current state. You canโt let him mark you and complete the mate bond. Until you can shift, or we find a way to strengthen our bond, you will likely die if you let him.โโWhy only until after I am able to shift, or our bond becomes stronger? If I canโt handle his wolf, wonโt I still have a chance of dying
Zira-An instant later Axton noticeably relaxed. Tension dissipated from his body, causing his shoulders to sag and his muscles to soften under my touch. Given how much he relaxed, I was a little surprised he didnโt collapse.โYou really think so?โ Axton asked as he turned slightly, pulling his arm from me and then grabbing my wrists in his hands.โI do.โ I beamed up at him.Axton's thumb rubbed against my wrist, just below the jade and his eyes focused intently on me. โWould you be willing to let me take the jade to have the robe replaced with a chain? I didnโt realize until earlier that you always wear it, but instead of wearing it around your neck, you placed it on your wrist.โThe idea of anyone messing with my jade didnโt sit well with me. Axton apparently caught on to my hesitation. Before I could give him an answer, he made another suggestion.โIf you want, I can have someone connect it to the diamond necklace.โChewing on my lower lip, I glanced down at the jade. It wasnโt tha
Zira-โNo.โ Axton chuckled as he should his head. โDonโt believe everything you read in books. Silver isnโt going to kill us. If we get shot by a silver bullet, it could potentially kill us, but so can a regular bullet.โThat made me think about the other deadly thing I heard and wondered if it was real. โWhat about wolfsbane? Is that deadly to our kind or is it a myth?โโWhere did you hear that? Or is it something you read in a book?โโI overheard Trenton mention it.โโYou shouldnโt believe anything you hear coming out of his mouth.โ Axton chuckled again. โWolfsbane is technically a myth, at least in the sense you heard.โ He picked up his water glass and took another drink before continuing. โIn fact, the plant that is known as wolfsbane is poisonous to everyone, including humans. The plant has been known throughout history to be used as a poison for various situations.โโThen why does it have a popular connection with werewolves?โโBecause people have a strange imagination. They mad
Zira-โThe worst part is she doesnโt even know what he has done for her. Since she is the reason he is the way, he is now, she should be the one taking care of him.โ The first maid spoke, and I was fairly sure she rolled her eyes.โDonโt let Alpha hear you say that unless you want to lose your job.โ A different maid commented. โEven if she is the reason he is laid up in bed.โโI donโt know how Alpha managed to hide having a pint and a half of blood drawn every day for two weeks.โ A housekeeper scoffed. โI mean, is she that stupid that she didnโt know that her medicine was his blood?โI couldnโt believe what I was hearing. I didnโt care that they were insulting me, because honestly, I was feeling rather foolish at the moment. I do remember having a bloody aftertaste in my mouth like I was sucking on a penny or something, but when I was drinking the medicine, I didnโt taste any blood. I just thought the blood taste was a side effect of the medicine.โI guess the guy who was drawing the
Zira-Feeling embarrassed for being caught, I dropped my gaze to the ground, while clasping my hands and rubbing them together nervously. Slowly making my way toward Axton, watching my feet move one foot in front of the other, I racked my mind on how to explain what I was doing. When I stopped beside his bed, I suddenly remembered I wasnโt the one who should be nervous.Axton was the one who lied and hid that he was sick from me. Lifting my gaze to look at Axton, I saw he had fallen back asleep, with tension written across his forehead. Instead of being upset with him for hiding from me, I lowered to the bed and sat beside him. Placing my hand on his forehead, my heart twisted at feeling how hot he was.Pulling my hand back, I slunk off the bed and into the bathroom, where I retrieved a clean towel and soaked it with cold water. After ringing out the excess water, I returned to his side. Before placing the now folded wet cloth on his forehead, I massaged my thumb against the stress li
Axton-For three days I felt trapped. I was aware of the time and everything around me. I could sense Zira and everything she did or said. It was like I was awake, but I wasnโt. In suspended amination or even a vegetative state, but a hundred percent aware.Aside from the few words I spoke shortly after Zira came into my room, I couldnโt speak or move of my own accord, except for the occasional time, but more as a reflex than anything. Before Zira came into my room, it was much worse. I didnโt even want Zira to see me the way I was but having her beside me made my situation worth it.Maybe I was selfish, but I enjoyed every second she took care of me. I did feel a little bad because occasionally I would open my eyes and see her lying on the bed in an uncomfortable position. Much how she was now.No longer unable to move, I turned my head to the side, to gaze upon Ziraโs sleeping face. She had her head resting on her arms, which were folding over each other on my bed. A bit of drool es
Axton-โI wanted to celebrate your birthday. I had been looking forward to it for months. Also, if I hadnโt shown up to that party, I might have killed Trenton if I heard he laid his hands on you.โFor months before her eighteenth birthday, I had dreamed up various scenarios of her learning that I was her mate. If not for the age difference between us, I would be ecstatic to be her mate and wouldnโt let the chance slip me by. I knew I was likely the only one who had an issue with the age gap, but I couldnโt look past it. Especially after learning some of the things she experienced in my absence. Zira is just so innocent and young, and she hasn't even begun to live her life. The last thing I wanted was to tie her down to a mate bond or a relationship. If she were with me, she would have certain obligations as my Queen and the Queen of werewolves.During these last two weeks, I have seen the kind of person she is. Zira has some healing to do as she is still broken inside, but her inner
Zira-โWhere are we going?โ I asked for probably the tenth time since we left the house.โYouโll know when we get there.โ Axton responded with the same words that he had spoken every time I asked.Sighing, I slouched in the back seat of the Rolls-Royce. It wasnโt that I needed to know where we were going, but I was concerned whether Axton could handle it. He had still been weak a few hours ago. Now, he looked like he usually did, but he had hidden his deteriorated health from me before, so for all I knew, he was hiding it again.Glancing out the window, I chewed on my lower lip and wished I had at least put on something a little more formal. Axton was dressed in an expensive suit and looked as if he had walked off the front cover of a men's formal wear magazine. Whereas I was wearing a pair of blue jeans, a purple and black blouse, and my hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail.I thought I should change into something else when I exited my room, but Axton didnโt give me a chance. He
Zira-I donโt know why I didnโt sense him prior to his arrival, but I was happy to see him. Perhaps it was because of the level of drama or the fact that I was in a lot of pain. Thinking of my pain, I dipped my chin to hopefully hide my injuries. I didnโt know how extensive they were, but if Jeremy could notice the moment he saw me, Axton would too.โAxton Heath!โ The principal shouted as he rushed toward Axton. โWhat brings you here? Are you here for Allie? She mentioned that Trenton would be picking her up, but if he is busy, I guess he would ask his uncle. Why donโt you take a seat? Do you want something to drink? I hope you donโt mind, but we are still dealing with an issue, but I promise I will make it quick.โI didnโt see Axtonโs expression, but I heard Jeremy scoff and mutter under his breath. โIdiot.โโOh? What is the problem?โ The sarcasm was thick in Axtonโs voice, and it took me a lot of effort not to look up at him.โA student injured your nephewโs girlfriend, and it refus
Zira-When the principal hung up the phone, he turned his attention to me and the others. โNow that is settled, I want everyone to tell me what happened and why you were fighting in the cafeteria.โSammy, Leo, and Linda all started talking at the same time. I stayed quiet because I didnโt see the point in explaining anything. It was clear the principal had something against me. Also, based on his reaction to Leo and Sammy, I doubted he would believe anything I said.He did seem to sympathize with Allie, as he brought a chair for her to sit on. I was the one with blood dripping from my mouth and struggling to stand, but he didnโt care. If not for Sammy, I donโt know how I would manage to keep upright.โHow are you feeling?โ The principal asked Allie. โDo I need to call the school nurse?โโNo, I am fine.โ Allie smiled sweetly at the principal, and it kind of looked as if she was flirting with him. โTrenton will pick me up in a bit to take me to the hospital.โโThatโs good.โ The principa
Zira-I tried to rack my brain for how to defuse the situation, but nothing came to mind. Everyone was either insulting me or insulting the alternative students in general. Some even continued to make insults about Axton. That was my biggest issue, but I felt as if this was getting out of hand.โLinda, it is fine. Just help me up.โ Allie told the girl.Linda stopped worrying about Sammy and gave her attention to Allie. She attempted to help Allie to her feet, along with another female student. With two people to help her, she almost got to her feet but then dropped to the ground again.โYou need to apologize!โ Linda redirected her attention to me while the other girl comforted Allie.โI wonโt apologize for something I didnโt do.โ I shrugged and wondered why no one could see how fake Allieโs tears were now.The tears Allie had shed earlier had dried up, but her sobs were louder and more realistic, except for the absence of tears. My focus was on Allie, so when Linda pushed me, I didnโt
Zira-โZira, I didnโt know you started at Acadia. How have you been? I havenโt seen you since your birthday.โ Allie moved toward me, with his voice coming out as a sweet melody.I was bewildered by the sudden change for a moment, and I even thought she was genuine. The way she smiled, spoke, and even wrapped her arms around me when she stopped in front of me almost made me believe she was truly happy to see me. I didnโt return her hug but just stood there in shock.โIt is so good to see you.โ Allie spoke loud enough for almost everyone in the cafeteria to hear.Murmurs moved through the rooms in waves, with some commenting on how Allie was hugging an Alt kid. Some admired Allieโs sweetness and how she was the best person at the school. A few also commented that they didnโt know why Allie was treating me like this, considering everything I did.I donโt know what I did, but I had a feeling that Allie might have spread a few rumors about me. Since I didnโt know what was going on and I wa
Zira-The following day, I felt as if I was dragging my feet. I spent most of the night trying to figure out the moonstone, but I didnโt get anywhere with it. I even attempted to have Asta come out and see if I could shift, but no, it didnโt work.The only thing I could figure out was that I could sense Axton wherever he was. Even now, while at school, I could sense Axton at home. I could also sense when he was near and able to get an idea of the distance or even the location, as long as I had been to the location before. I only figured that out because after Axton dropped me off at school, he had stopped at the mall, which I had sensed.It was a little weird, but cool as well. Aside from that, I could sense his emotions to a certain extent. Either his emotions were too complicated, or I could only get a glimpse of what he was feeling. I didnโt know what other connection I would have with Axton, but I felt closer to him now, with the ring.Axton wasnโt the only thing the moonstone aff
Zira-โIโm listening.โ I encouraged as I took a sip of my sparkling grape juice.โWhen I was younger, I was in a car accident with my parents. It was your mother who saved me, but she didnโt get there in time to save my parents. Her blood brought me from the brink of death, and all it took was a small drop. She had told me what her blood meant when she gave it to me, but I didnโt remember until the day that I felt her calling for help.โโWhat did it mean for her to give you her blood?โ I leaned forward, placing my glass down, as I became intrigued with the story.โI donโt know all the details, but her blood healed me. Afterward, I owed her a blood debt that would connect me to her until the day I repaid it.โ Axton continued.Without realizing I had done it, I wrapped my hand over my jade and nearly jumped when I heard Astaโs voice. โThis sounds familiar.โAlthough I focused on Axton as he spoke of the bittersweet memories of the accident, I focused on Asta as well. I started to notice
Zira-โWhat is all this?โ I asked as I entered the room further.โI thought we could celebrate.โ Axton moved to pull a chair out and motioned with his hand for me to sit down. โI want you to have the full experience of being married, and today certainly calls for a celebration.โ Axton held up his hand, with only the finger that had his ring extended.Sitting in the chair, I smiled faintly from the mixed feelings I was getting from him. Not based on his expression, but I literally felt them. I didnโt understand why I was feeling them until I looked at the ring on my hand, which seemed to be a little brighter than before.โHave you felt anything strange since I put the ring on you?โ I asked Axton as he took the seat opposite me.โI wouldnโt say I felt anything strange or out of the ordinary, why should I?โ Axton frowned as he looked at his hand.I thought about telling him what I felt, but I didnโt fully understand it yet. Aside from that, I didnโt want him to think I could essentially
Zira-โThat was so awesome!โ Jasmine screamed with excitement, completely oblivious to the numerous heads turned in our direction.โI just donโt like it when others treat people like that.โ I patted her back, although I felt uncomfortable as she invaded my space.โWell, I think that was absolutely amazing. Do you think they will follow through and leave the school?โ Jasmine pulled back, and I caught a glimmer of hope in her eyes.โIf she doesnโt, I will make sure she does.โ Axton commented as he pulled me to his side and tucked me under his arm.โHow will you do that?โ Jasmine looked up at Axton, and I didnโt like the admiration I saw in her eyes.โDonโt worry about that. Just know that the moment she messed with Zira, I already planned to make it difficult for her to stay.โ Axtonโs grip on me tightened, giving me a sense of reassurance.โWe should probably head home.โ I told Jasmine, when she continued to look at him the way she was.โOkay. Well, I need to head home anyway. This turn
Zira-Feeling more confident, I returned my attention to Alex. โI would like to buy them. There is no need to take them out for me to look at them. I am already sure I want to buy them.โโWell, would you at least want to try the ring on? If it doesnโt fit, I can make an adjustment.โ Alex said as he opened the case and pulled the box the rings were in, out of the case.โNo.โ I shook my head. โThese will be wedding rings for me and my husband. So, he might be wanting to put the ring on me himself. Since he will need to try it on as well, if they donโt fit, I can bring them in to have them resized.โ It suddenly occurred to me they might not give that service, but before I could double-check, Alex grinned and spoke.โNot a problem.โ He held the rings carefully in his hands, as if they were precious. Granted, they were, but I didnโt think the rings had the same meaning to him as they did to me.โWe can try them on now.โ Axtonโs voice rang out.Although I knew he was in the store, his voice