Page 54 of Challenged Mate
Thirteen
Axel Wolfstan wastall like his brother, with an eye color to match. But his features were his own.
A rugged jawline and high cheekbones made him undeniably handsome. His hair was the same midnight hue as his sister’s. Matching stubble coated the bottom half of his face.
Clearly, he and Asher were fraternal twins.
The sun ducked under a cloud. I blinked as my eyes adjusted to the change. When they did, I saw Axel’s lips were quirked in a kind, if not a little awkward, smile. That’s when I realized I was staring.
The sound of Kayla’s approach drew my attention, and I made a point to keep my eyes on her as she threw herself into her brother’s arms.
“I didn’t know you guys were back!”
Axel caught her with ease and the siblings shared a warm embrace. “We got in late last night. I didn’t want to wake you.”
Kayla stepped back and swatted her brother’s arm. “Well, you should have. I missed you guys. Where’s Asher?”
Just hearing his name made my heart ache.
“Sleeping,” Axel replied. “The trip was particularly hard on him.”
Concern filled Kayla’s voice, and my chest tightened with the same emotion. “Why? Is he sick? Should I go check on him?”
“No. All he needs is rest, then he’ll be good as new.” Axel reassured her, then returned his attention to me. “Enough about my over-zealous brother. It is an honor to meet you, Blair Hemmings. I apologize for not introducing myself before leaving pack lands, but time was of the essence. I hope you were not offended.”
I stared at the handsome shifter… my future mate. Words stuck in my throat.
Axel sounded sincere, and his demeanor was easygoing and kind.
It was a struggle to remember all the reasons I had to be angry with him.
When I didn’t respond to the alpha’s apology, Chase stepped in. “You’ll have to excuse Blair. We’ve been sparring for over an hour, and she’s taken quite the beating.” He moved to my side and nudged me playfully. The gesture freed me from my stupor.
“Yeah,” I managed to mumble. “It’s been a rough morning.”
It’d been a roughnight.
Thanks to your brother…
“Understandable.” Axel smiled. “You look like you could use a break. Would you care to join me for lunch? I’ve heard so much about you. I’m eager to see if you live up to all the hype.” He chuckled.
Chase and Kayla joined in.
The best I could do was offer a weak smile.
“Sure,” I replied. The way I saw it, I really didn’t have a choice.
If I refused, I’d offend him. And our relationship would have a rocky start—rockier than our forced mating created in the first place.
Besides, I would need to speak with him eventually. Best to get it over with.
The alpha’s home was warmer than I’d expected for a bachelor’s pad. Instead of sleek black furniture with modern end tables and empty walls, the living room was filled with elegant maroon couches, adorned with gold fringed pillows. Heavy, dark oak end tables and a matching coffee table sat on fancy Persian rugs and expensive-looking art hung on the walls.
Seeing me take in the unexpected décor, Axel shared that the home once belonged to his parents, and he and his siblings hadn’t changed anything since their death.
After expressing my condolences, Axel had led me to the kitchen and asked me to sit. I watched as he prepared lunch. I’d expected something easy like cold cut sandwiches, but Axel retrieved a sauté pan from the cabinet on his side of the island and poured olive oil over the surface. Then, he turned on the heat and added pre-sliced chicken strips to the oil.
“Hope you like fajitas.”
