Chapter 6 Unwanted Visitors

Raija's pov

"Sure Axel but I am not eating the meat."

My thoughts were on my mother and what Alpha Daniel had said so I missed the laughter in his eyes. The mention of a Rogue Wolf caused me to worry. Could Axel Rathbone be an insane rogue wolf? Glancing at my passenger I don't have the impression that he's nuts. Huffing in annoyance over my thoughts I drove faster to my cottage.

"Um, although we have long lifespans neither of us is immortal…maybe you should keep within the speed limit?!"

Seeing the speedometer hovering well over eighty. I clenched my teeth and slowed down.

"Is this about your mom?" Axel asked. Nodding, I side-eyed him.

"Are you a crazy rogue wolf?"

His eyes crinkled and his lip curled in a satirical way.

"Yes and no. I haven't been without a pack long enough, but…"

Narrowing my eyes, I asked," But… But what?" Chuckling, Axel grinned slightly.

"If I don't claim my mate it's possible for me to become a raving lunatic."

Does he honestly believe that I would forfeit becoming a supreme witch to be his mate!? Concentrating on the road, I shook my head over his response. I looked back at him again and noticed that his arms were crossed over his chest and his eyes were closed. The seat was once again in the reclined position.

"I feel your eyes on me mate," he muttered with a smirk.

"You are already insane, Mister Rathbone. My eyes are nowhere on your person!"

Axel's eyes peeked at me and it caused me to laugh nervously. How could he have felt my eyes looking at him? I only knew Alpha Daniel and his Luna Breanna and wasn't around other werewolves nor did I know much about their behavior or gifts. My mom Simona was more familiar having dealt with the pack by herself for years while I was left to make supplies and watch the store. Getting my very own place had given me a bit of freedom from her overprotectiveness. Maybe I was being foolish venturing off on my own? Spacing off in my thoughts the conversation between the wolfman and me was forgotten as I drove down the asphalt. Shifting in my seat, I felt a shiver of unease. The wards of my home had been altered. Gritting my teeth I pressed down on the gas pedal and sped up down the highway. Axel's eyes opened, feeling the increase in speed.

"What is going on, lead foot?"

"Something happened at my home and I want to get there quickly…I hope Sawyer is alright," I said in concern.

"Tom is a very resourceful feline."

I side-eyed him and said, "How do you know Sawyer's full name?" Alex smiled at me.

"He told me. Very original name, Tom Sawyer."

Slowing down to make my turn on the gravel road, I was feeling reckless. I raced up the incline as my eyes widened at seeing my front door wide open hanging precariously by one hinge.

"Son of a bitch!" I cursed remorsefully.

Skidding the truck to a stop, Axel was out of the truck before me. I spied something unnerving hanging from the center of the broken door frame and ran to hold his arm to stop him from walking underneath it.

"Stop! That's a witch's hex and must not be crossed. Step to the side and I will unravel it," I asserted. I stepped onto my porch and untied the twine that held up the twisted sticks wrapped up in rabbit gut and fur.

"This is black magic and not a good sign," I groaned. Axel grunted and walked into my home like he owned the place.

"I know who the culprits are. They left a message."

I narrowed my eyes as I carried the hex object out to my firepit and tossed it into the cold ash. I would need to burn it to purify the dark magic. Afterward, I rushed into my home and immediately felt devastated. Everything was destroyed in my living room. My boxes were torn open and the contents strewn about.

"Sawyer! Here kitty, kitty!" I called out in a panic. Looking where Axel stood and over his shoulder I saw the angry words written on my wall, GET OUT. The words made my stomach drop but instead of instilling fear, they made me angry.

"I need to find my cat," I mumbled with bitterness. Turning Axel nodded and went into the other rooms of my small cottage calling out for Tom. I bent down to sift through the contents that covered the wood floor.

"All of my supplies that were in glass decanters are broken and mixed with the others," I muttered sourly. Hearing heavy footsteps and purring, I glanced up to see Axel holding Sawyer and stroking his black fur.

"The twin Alphas and a witch from a snake-related coven did this," he said firmly. Cocking my brow I asked how he knew that.

"Your feline is pals with my wolf Cota and gave him the information. Oh, and the rest of your home is untouched, the only mess is out here," he said casually as he placed Sawyer on the floor. My mouth fell as Sawyer sauntered himself over to my lap and purred.

"Such a traitor," I scolded but was glad that he was alright.

"So the Serpent Breath Coven is working with the Shadow Moon pack," I muttered, scratching Sawyer's ears.

"Yeah, that's what Tom told my wolf Cota." My eyes narrowed as I surveyed the destruction they had left.

"Where do you keep your cleaning supplies? I feel like this is partially my fault since those alphas saw me outside of your home last night."

I glared up at Axel and shook my head.

"I'm certain it's because I have encroached on what they feel is their land and if that coven is involved, it is because of who my mother is. Oh, the broom is in the closet in the kitchen there, nevermind I will get it."

Standing up, I brushed the scattered herbs off my rear and went to the closet. I got the broom and dustpan. As I was preparing to start sweeping Axel grabbed it from my hands and told me to collect what I intended to keep. I thanked the wolfman as I canvassed the mess and retrieved what was still usable. Side-eyeing Axel lifting the dustpan, I frowned seeing his wrapped injured hand. Stepping up to him I took the rubbish-filled dustpan and broom from his hands.

"I should check on your hand and see if it needs more ointment."

His eyes softened as he gazed down at me and my heart started to race. When his hand rose to cup my cheek I stepped back getting pressed up against the wall. My eyes widened when he placed both his large hands on either side and his face neared mine.

"Your thoughtfulness of my injury is compassionate. Yet it is also disheartening that my touch causes you repulsion." Swallowing nervously, I lowered my shocked eyes and shook my head.

"I don't find you repulsive, just unsettling, Axel. You are very forward and I'm unaccustomed to strangers invading my private space," I mumbled firmly as I brushed underneath his arm to dump the dustpan and angle the broom against the door frame. I heard him shout as I scurried to my bathroom down the short hallway.

"I'm going to grab the bags from your truck after I sweep up the rest of this mess!"

My heart was racing.

Was he going to kiss me?

I went to grab the ointment and realized that my hand was shaking. Breathing in deeply I closed my eyes and centered myself. I will not allow that man to corrupt me! Grinning slightly after muttering those words I snatched the ointment and went back into the living room. Axel was sweeping up the remainder of the mess and I watched him while he worked. His large built frame filled the small space but helped him sweep quickly. He had a nice look and my cheeks reddened remembering him in the nude. Seeing me smiling at him he chuckled. Looking up at his face I got caught ogling him.

"You think I would make a decent housewife," he chided. I giggled and nodded, making Axel laugh heartily.

"I'm about finished with the floor and can take this out to your trash if you would hold your door open." I grabbed several of the broken boxes and used my hip to prop open the door as Axel carried the remainder.

"Thanks, Wolfman, you are a pretty handy guy," I said as he passed me. His smile was contagious. I felt his amber eyes twinkle at me as I directed him to the trash bin in the rear of the cottage.

"Are you going to toss that in your hands?"

I gripped the cardboard and shook my head.

"I'm going to use it to burn that hex in my firepit." Looking surprised, Axel raised his hand and I eyed him oddly.

"You look as if you are about to topple over, little mate. I can carry those to your firepit!" He grabbed the bundle and I gritted my teeth.

"I am capable, sir!" He gazed at me over his shoulder.

"Perhaps but it is a moot point now," he grinned slyly, holding up the boxes in one hand. Huffing, I told him to follow me. Walking toward my front where the fire pit was, my skin started to tingle. The fine hairs on my flesh rose in caution. Narrowing my eyes I scanned the terrain and felt like I was being watched. Convincing myself it was due to what happened to my home I continued down the stone path.