Raija's pov Ignoring my mother standing off to the side. I looked up at Axel and said quietly, "I am sorry I lashed out at you earlier. I'm not upset about you marking me and I know you did it for my safety."He smiled brilliantly at me and said," I will always have your back, sweetheart."Holding his hand in mine I turned to my mom with a stoic glance and explained to her that I was just waiting for our food order. "I also went to the bank and discovered that you took all of my things. Very presumptuous of you, mom," I huffed. Simona fanned surprise by gasping in shock.I knew it was because the diner was full of outsiders giving me an upper hand."Oh goodness dear, I did it to save the shop, sales have been slow and I needed to pay bills. It is your inheritance after all," she quipped. Glaring at her I could see our food bags coming and scooted from the booth to stand. "Our order has arrived, so good day Mother! Just so you know I am getting my things back from you shortly, you ca
Raija's pov Grabbing the crystals I required I stuffed them in my back pockets and turned to Axel."Are you ready? We should head out because it's getting crowded on the main street," he asserted as he peeked out the window. Nodding, I told Sawyer that we would return once I completed my rituals. The cat meowed and curled up on the bed. I went to open the door but Axel shouted, "Don't open that!"Raising my brow I glanced at him and asked," Why?"He rushed over, peered out the peephole, and growled." That old male witch and both twin Alphas are approaching. Your mom must have told them we were here. Why does your mother hate you so much?"Frowning at that I shrugged. I only knew for certain that she hated my human father."Mark me!""What!?" Axel stuck his wrist in my face."Give me your bite so our wolves can communicate with each other. We are mates and our wolves can talk with each other telepathically. For safety measures," he stressed. Filled with uncertainty I cupped his wris
Raija's pov I pulled Axel's borrowed flannel tighter around myself due to the cooler fall weather. I didn't run hot like Axel and was shivering.Seeing the ferris wheel lit up in the distance I concluded that we were north of Worthington and a few miles from Alpha Daniel's pack house. Nick was further up ahead and had wandered into the yard of a farmer's home. I could make out his human silhouette near a clothesline pulling off articles of clothing and putting them on. Rolling my eyes at his thievery I rushed to the log fence and made a sound to capture his attention. "Shhhhhh!" He called back and I narrowed my eyes to see two hound dogs sniffing around his legs.He headed to my side wearing a hoodie sweatshirt and holding up a pair of baggy pants at the sides of his hips."My dad is sending his guard Scott, the prick, to come get us. He will be heading down 413th Street," he said casually.Glancing around I groaned as the dogs wagged their tails at us."Are we close to that street?"
Raija's pov That evening I stayed up most of the night learning about Sawyer. A female relative from many centuries ago was heartbroken due to Sawyer's refusal to wed and she along with others cursed the poor man to be gifted to each female descendant as payback. They didn't treat him well either since he endured mange, fleas, and other feline ailments. He also said that I was a sorceress and he would teach me how to use my powerful gifts bestowed upon me by the Moon Goddess herself. Feeling overwhelmed I finally fell asleep from exhaustion and when I woke the next morning Sawyer was curled up sleeping at my side. "He is still behaving like a cat," Rinn chortled in my head.Scooting from the mattress Sawyer stretched and rolled over to continue sleeping. I wanted to see Axel. Hoping that he had improved over the night.Alpha Daniel had warned me last night that rogue wolves were unpredictable and shouldn't be trusted. Scoffing at that I made my way to the infirmary.I was his mate a
Raija's pov Heading outside with Sawyer the thought of there being any issues never came to my mind.Probably because I was only focusing on my mate. So when we both stumbled upon Jarrod Johnson snooping through the field picking flowers I was unprepared. Luckily Sawyer quickly raised his hands and froze the old bastard in place. Jarrod was slumped over with his hands on some yarrow."Go back and inform the Alpha that there are trespassers on his land. I don't know what he wants to do with him," Sawyer said firmly. "You sure are a bossy little fella," I mumbled sourly as I jogged back to the pack house. Calling out for Daniel, Nick came to stand on the landing of the stairs shaking his head."He is at the foundry, what's up?""Sawyer and I found a trespasser and need to know what to do with him," I growled. Cocking his brow, he asked me if I knew who it was.Nodding, I said Jarrod. Shuddering Nick hurried down the stairs and then proceeded to rub his chin in thought."The old fucker
Axel's pov "That's not a very professional thing to say, I am appalled, ma'am. If you weren't beneficial to Daniel's pack I would rip out your tongue and lower jaw," I growled and looked at Raija as I opened the door. Watching her slip out I told her to meet me outside the infirmary.Upset by what Elizabeth had said I stood there fuming momentarily."She is so wrong, Raija is very special and that comes directly from the Moon Goddess herself," Cota growled in my head. Still, what Elizabeth said about Raija's mother made my skin crawl. We would have to face that evil woman eventually."And get your mate's belongings back!" My wolf growled, making me nod.Exiting the infirmary I could see Raija walking around like she was a bit irate. She was glancing around looking disturbed with her arms crossed. Smiling, I went up behind her and lifted her bridal style making her shriek into the cool air."Relax little mate, I will carry you around," I said laughing."Put me down you great ox! I ca
Raija's pov The closer we traveled to Worthington the more apprehensive I felt. Even though my mom had been terrible to me she was still my mother and I was worried about her. "Why do you think she would work with the Serpent Breath Coven?" I asked my wolf, Rinn. She just whimpered in my mind and said," I'm not sure dear but some things are not always what they appear to be." Scrunching my nose at her cryptic words I glanced at the scenery that passed us by. All I knew for certain was that I was being searched for but for what reason I was unaware. "Hey mate, are you doing okay? Your thoughts are all over the place," Axel mumbled softly. Giving him a grin that didn't meet my eyes I said," Yeah I just have a lot of questions that I wish I had answers for regarding my mom's bizarre behavior." Nick glanced at us through the rearview mirror and growled," One of you could have rode in the front so I don't appear like an Uber." Chuckling, Axel told him he wasn't letting me sit in the b
Raija's pov On the drive back to the pack house I sat in the back seat with the tote of books. Axel was in the front chatting with Nick while I opened Simona's journal/diary and started skimming through her entries. I found one written about Anita being pregnant and scared about the child she carried. I became engrossed in what Simona had written. Anita didn't want Atticus to know that she was having his child. She was also having a difficult pregnancy due to being only a partial witch and carrying a powerful warlock's child which was me. Simona, who was still enraged with Atticus for sleeping with her best friend, listened to what Anita wanted. Due to Simona's anger and her jealousy, she readily consents to help her hide the baby from the warlock for payback. Once I was born Anita was having trouble handling me. I had powers even as an infant and she sought out Simona for help. Simona suggested that she get rid of her humanity. She insisted that if it was removed she would be better
Raija’s povAxel had been correct about the Worthington residents believing that the entire town had suffered a mass hysteria event. I had been hearing the rumors since the grand opening of my holistic store. Knowing the true cause of the missing residents I pretended to be as shocked as they all were. Calling my shop Natural Remedies I was giddy with excitement on its opening day and seeing old Pete waving at me from across the street. I was glad the older man had returned and hadn't been murdered.Heavily pregnant I was restocking the shelves days later on a fine spring morning and in jovial spirits. Atlas and Lucas had entered and were searching for some of my handmade protection rings.“More? Didn't you come just yesterday and grab ten? Aren't you supposed to be in school today at the pack house?”Looking sheepishly at me, my son nodded and said, “Yeah but we're selling them there and making money for the pack. The classroom got out early so I went to my practice with Atlas.” E
Raija’s povFeeling irritated after the conversation with my male relatives, I approached Axel with a fake smile.“What is going on with the odd fellows?”Shaking my head I told Axel it was just a dispute between the two and he nodded.“Well, sweetheart, we have a bit of a dilemma. Half of the pack wants to stay here while the other wants to go back. They miss having seasons,” he said with a sigh. Glancing over at the pack members busy doing chores on my dad's property I raised my brow.“I want to reopen the store I own. I liked doing it but then again I really dislike snow,” I muttered biting my lip.“Who will be the Alpha here?”Axel suggested Nick and Wyatt.“I know them both and they are decent. Are you saying that we take the members that wish to return and make it our very own pack?”Nodding my head Axel smiled and kissed me.Staring into my eyes he said, “ You should rename it so we all have a fresh start.”Grinning slightly I suggested that we be called the Lugh Light Pack and
Raija’s povAxel lifted me and twirled me around in the frigid night air smiling joyfully. My blanket was loosened and I squealed as the movement caused the coldness to touch my bare flesh.“Oops! I forgot that you're still in the buff,” he chuckled then planted a kiss on my lips.Kissing him back I smiled against his mouth and suggested that we head home. He placed me back into the vehicle and hurried to the driver's side. As he drove I thought about how my life had changed so drastically over the past several months and rubbed my eyes.“So grim reapers, elves, and vampires exist?”Side-eyeing me with a smirk, Axel nodded.“Yep, and a whole variety of other things as well. I'm not sure of Bigfoot or the Loch Ness monster because I haven't seen them but I have the others,” he replied. “Simona kept me closeted so I was only ever aware of the werewolves. I didn't even know Sawyer was a werecat. It all makes me feel inadequate as a witch,” I muttered sourly.“But you have the knowledge
Raija’s povI glanced back to try and see who was aiming at me and saw the shadow of a man with a rifle. Before I moved another dark mass approached and backhanded the fellow causing the shot to fire up into the air.“Let's go, Rinn!”Rinn jumped down the cliff and was buried neck-deep in the snow which started to move underneath her.“Brilliant wolf, you started an avalanche,” I cursed.“Don't worry I am in complete control. Don't distract me,” she growled and leaped through the moving snow toward a Stony ledge. Diving under it she scanned the area and bound out to the cluster of fir trees unaffected by the raging white wave. Tucked against the trees Rinn was panting heavily. Hearing a howl coming from below her strength renewed. “Was that Cota?” Pffting me she said sarcastically, “Who else would it be silly.”“Don't be a bitch, Rinn!”Chortling, she raced down the cliff. We paused at a precarious drop-off that caused her to whine and pace along the edge.“I've told Cota that you
Raija’s povAxel rushed through the forest with Nick at his heels. “Is Stephanie still at our house?”Nodding his head Axel told me she was the one who told them we had been taken by the demon.Biting my lower lip I laid my cheek against his flannel shirt enjoying his warmth and safety.“Were you hurt by that freak?” He asked gazing down at me briefly.“I don't know what happened. I was unconscious,” I stammered, causing him to grunt. After a few more curious looks from him, he grew silent and continued traversing through the thick woods and up the incline. “I only ask because you were strapped down with leather straps, no pants with claw marks down your legs, and smelled strongly of sulfur,” he admitted. My eyes began to tear as I buried my face in his shirt.“I don't remember,” I murmured.“Is Simona still alive?” I questioned with a sniffle.“Yeah, she was helping that demon get to safety,” he responded bitterly. “When we get to the compound I'm taking you straight to the infir
Raija’s pov“Breakfast is hot and ready!” Sara announced before eyeing the three of us looking grim.“Did someone die?”Atticus smiled and approached her saying, “No my dear, just pack issues.”Looking up at Axel my heart hurt. “If anything happens to him or Lucas my heart would be devastated,” I told Rinn and she whimpered in response. “We met by accident and now look at how far we have come,” I said solemnly as I looked up at Axel smiling at me.“Glad I met you Raija, you're the best thing that has ever happened to me, even though you made me wear a skirt,” he chuckled and pulled me into his embrace. Running his fingers through my hair and tucking it behind my ears he gazed at me compassionately.“I can't believe that I only wanted you in order to get my pack back. Now I'm an Alpha yet my pack is elsewhere,” he sighed.Grinning slightly I said, “They're safe and will return once the threat is dealt with. How is Worthington? Are there any humans left or is it all abandoned now?”Sh
Raija’s povAfter our wolf mating, I fell asleep with Rinn cuddled up next to Cota. Our bond intensified when we joined and I felt so much contentment with him by my side that I shared some of my magic with him. Grinning slightly I figured that I would ask Atticus what Axel would be capable of and Sawyer to teach him once I discovered if he had indeed gained some of my life magic.Feeling my mate stretching I shifted into my human form and did the same.“Are you feeling alright? You're not injured? The floor isn't very comfortable,” he said, leaning over my face.Smiling up at him I pulled him closer and gave him a soft kiss.“I feel incredible, Axel and so does Rinn.”“I was concerned about you getting rug burns,” he teased.“Ha ha, Mister. I don't think wolves get rug burns,” I giggled as I stood and glanced out at the window to see the sun peeking out.“Did we sleep for an entire day?”Axel nodded, “Yep, it appears so.”“I want my dad to check on Lucas and make sure my grandfather
Raija’s povWe raced to the fence separating our pack lands. Axel had to shift and lift Stephanie over the fence and I scrambled underneath. Panting heavily I heard the howling getting closer and eyed my mate.“They won't come on this land. If they do, I'm battling them both,” he growled forcefully. “I will help,” Rinn asserted and I grinned slightly and told her I agreed with her. Shaking his head, Axel glanced down at us.“No Raija, you and Rinn will watch over Stephanie and keep her protected. I'm much stronger now that I have you,” he said firmly. Glancing back over at the Shadow Moon Pack lands I saw two pairs of red glowing eyes approaching within dark inky wolf shapes and gritted my teeth.“They aren't normal wolves any longer!”I started chanting as they got closer. I hoped that I could weaken whatever force was driving them to us. Nothing I said seemed to stop their progression.“Protect Stephanie,” Axel growled as he shifted into Cota. The two black wolves jumped the fen
Raija’s povShifting once again I was shocked to have the necklace dangling from Rinn’s neck like a collar. My grandfather must have used his magic to allow for it to remain during my transformations.Following Cota down a steep path through the hillside I was surprised that he went directly to the place where the dead were. Scanning the people I frowned seeing they were mostly lower witches and showed no sign of visible injuries or cause of their death. I just knew that Zelos fed from them, sucking the life force from them to regenerate himself. Sickened from the thought I looked around for Axel.“He is searching for any signs of Nick,” Rinn informed me. Traveling away from the horrid smell I spied a shiny object in the snow. Seeing it was a tourmaline ring I had Nick wear I searched for Axel and just told him I found it with a thought. “Where are you?” he responded.“Northeast by the trees. The ring is Nick's’ and must have fallen off when he shifted. Seeing a pile of discarded cl