Chapter 5 My Mother's Concern

Raija's pov

"There aren't many individuals like me in this place or you for that matter," Axel commented as our groceries were being rung up. Side-eyeing him I smiled and tilted my head toward the clerk who was currently awaiting payment. Thankfully, she was ignoring his words and looked bored of her job. Nearing Axel after handing the cashier a few bills I mumbled quietly, "No, there isn't so take your own advice and don't mention it among the populace." His eyes narrowed as he nodded briskly. I collected my change while he grabbed the bags. Walking back to my truck, Axel elbowed my side. Giving him a berating glance he smiled as he raised the bags he carried.

"I will pay you back but where do you want these?"

Pointing to the truck bed he obliged. Watching him I realized the wolfman was pretty handy. Getting situated on the driver's side I put my hand to my chest. My heart was a jackhammer in my chest.

"Yours too eh?" He commented as he buckled himself. Raising my brow at him, I noticed he was rubbing his chest too.

"About your comment in there Axel. There are others like us in this town. Most of the wolfmen work at the steel foundry and the witches reside with their own. There is another coven that doesn't mesh with my mother's as they choose to dabble in the black aspect of witchcraft." Axel listened to me and nodded his head.

"I assume these other wolfmen are members of the pack that is in this area and it would be wise for me to stay clear of them. I kinda enjoy being alive," he said firmly. Laughing lightly I nodded as I made my way to my mom's store.

"Where are you headed now?"

Grinning, I told him I had to get Wolfsbane at my mother's shop and my list of orders to refill. Glancing over at Axel I wonder if the wolfsbane would bother him.

"Does wolfsbane work?"

Axel shrugged his broad shoulders.

"Wouldn't know I've never seen that stuff."

Weird for a wolfman to not be knowledgeable on potentially damaging elements.

"How old are you?" Giving me a charming grin he answered 26.

"And how old were you when you lost your pack?" His smile faded as he growled 21. My mouth fell open as I stared at him.

"You've been living in a cave for five years!"

Pointing to the red light, Axel grimaced and I swiftly slammed on my brakes.

"Yes sweetheart, I have stayed at the cave through four winters and was eyeing your home to move into," he said firmly. Shaking my head I huffed.

"It's mine now and I have the deed to the house along with three acres," I told him firmly. Axel only rolled his eyes at me. Seeing Alpha Daniel strolling down the sidewalk toward my mother's store I gritted my teeth.

"Hide Now!" Axel looked inside the truck cab and asked, "Where?!"

Lifting my right arm and debating my decision I told him to duck down on my lap. Axel chuckled and plopped his head down on my thighs. I looked down at him grinning up at me and cursed.

"Your head is heavy," I commented while I waved at Daniel who had waved first.

"This is comfy, I enjoy your lap, mate," Axel sighed happily. Shaking my head, I giggled at the absurdity of the situation.

Why did I care if he was seen?

Once I parked I glanced back down at the rugged man being perfectly content.

"I am going to exit quickly before the Alpha sees you," I warned, then added," Stay down!"

Rolling up the automatic windows, I scooted quickly from my vehicle and slammed the door as Alpha Daniel approached.

"Good morning Raija, I came to see if your mom had any of that ointment on hand. The boys got roughed up chasing off a few wolves last night." I grinned slightly trying to look inconspicuous as I nodded.

"She had some when I left last night," I replied with a yawn. I was feeling unbalanced yet again and watched Daniel glance over at my truck curiously. Stepping in front of him I tried getting him to head into the holistic store. He held up his hand and glanced down at me.

"I will be there in just a moment. Your mother is waving for you."

I looked into the store window to see her gesturing for me. Feeling frustrated and overwhelmed I looked back at Daniel heading toward my truck and headed to my mother pounding on the glass window.

"I'm coming, mom!"

Opening the door and hearing the bell chime I went to my mom.

"How was your night all by your lonesome? Did the full moon bring you any visions?"

Laughing, I responded, "It definitely brought me something."

"Who is in your truck?" She questioned and I turned quickly to the view of Alpha Daniel at my driver's side window speaking with Axel.

Think Raija, I consciously muse. Waving my hand dismissively in the air I come up with the lie.

"Oh that…that's just a handyman that is going to help me with repairs in exchange for dinner," I said solemnly. My mother's keen eyes narrowed at me.

"I don't think it's safe for you to be with some strange man in your home alone dear. Go get him so I can be introduced and see if he's safe."

Exhaling deeply I reluctantly go back outside and walk up to Alpha Daniel and Axel laughing with each other.

"Excuse me sirs, my mother wants to meet with my handyman," I said sternly as I stared hard at Axel. Daniel chuckled and shook his head.

"I can vouch for him, he's just searching for a pack to join after all but seriously if you need a pack mine is a great choice." Axel nodded and told him that he would prefer to have his own.

"Understandable but you can't remain packless for very long or that dreaded R-word will become attached to your name and cause you to go insane." I swallowed uncomfortably and glanced at Axel. Was he already insane and that's why he keeps saying that I am his mate? Shaking off my unease I gesture for him to follow me.

"I told my mom that you are doing repairs for me," I whispered. He smiled down at me and sighed.

"I got that from your cute stare, mate."

"Don't call me that, my mother knows about wolves and mates," I groaned.

"Relax, I will behave, little mate," he answers, accentuating the T. He then added, "I got that Alpha fellow convinced that I'm just a wolf looking for a pack to join, how hard could your mother be?"

My heartbeat was racing yet again as we entered my mom's domain. When her eyes landed on Axel, I heard her disgusted exhale of air. Axel approached her with his hand raised in greetings when Simona froze him in his footsteps.

"NO RAIJA! Ditch this man immediately!"

I opened my mouth and floundered with my words. I knew she was powerful but to freeze the poor man was too much.

"He is helping me, mom!" I watched in horror as she went to the front of Axel and studied him closely.

"He is a wolf and a rogue to boot! Not only No, but hell no child!"

Feeling like I was being scolded like a ten-year-old, I moped in my spot. I tried to reason with myself why I should be defending the man. Huffing, I nodded toward my mother.

"He was blunt with me about his past and aren't you the one that insists that us witches work together with the wolves?" Simona's eyes lowered as she crossed her arms.

"Help yes but not the kind of help he desires from you!" My heart started racing again as I headed behind the counter to collect what I had stopped there for.

"Wolfsbane?" She questioned me.

"Yes mother, it seems that I have a problem that must be dealt with. Are there orders?" My mom patted my cheek when she walked past me and into her office. When she returned she was holding the list I needed.

"Can you unfreeze him before a human comes in?" She smirked and said, "Promise me that you will leave it in the forest and not get enamored…oh and I need those supplies for the weekend." Glancing over at Axel I nodded.

"You know I'm not a dog person, mom!" She grinned slightly and waved her hand causing Axel to stumble a little and look around the room.

"Come on big guy we are leaving," I mumbled softly as I grabbed the bag of Wolfsbane and list.

"It was nice meeting you," He said with a look of confusion.

"Bye, mom!"

"Do what I said, child, and complete your rituals!" Waving goodbye to my mother, I pushed Axel out of the door that Daniel was holding open. Axel looked over his shoulder at me and laughed. Daniel told us both farewell.

"Tell me I did well, sweetheart!" shaking my head I frowned in response.

"You were frozen while I was told firmly to dump you where I found you. Since you stumbled across me I guess not doing what she requested won't be an issue," I groaned in exasperation.

"Your mother sounds awful."

Unlocking my truck, I felt my mother's eyes on me and I knew instantly that she had used some spell on me. Cursing I sped down the road while the wolfman sitting next to me held on to the oh-shit handle. He didn't say anything as I drove faster out of town and I glanced at him in appreciation for it. Until he opens his mouth and asks, "So…are we still having dinner?"