Page 56 of Challenged Mate
I stared at the granite countertop and murmured, “Maybe.”
“Our mothers were friends. Did you know that?”
My head snapped up. Axel glanced over his shoulder, and his gaze alternated between me and the food.
“I… I had no idea.”
“I didn’t think so. You know your mother was slated to become the Mother Goddess, right?”
“Yes.”
“Well, my mother was her second-hand. Her protector, if you will. At least, she was before she met my father. Then she left the coven.”
“And my mother died.”
His eyes grew sad. “Eventually, yes. But not before she had you.”
At least there’s that, I guess.
But, for some unknown reason, I couldn’t shake the thought that my birth caused her eventual death.
“Do you know anything about her?”
“Very little,” he said apologetically. “Asher told me you don’t know much either. If you want, we can reach out to our coven contacts to try and learn more.”
My blood warmed as I heard Asher’s name, but it cooled when I registered Axel’s offer.
“No, thanks. I’m not ready for that… not yet.”
“Asher said as much.” Axel turned back to the stove.
Thank the Mother.
Otherwise, he’d see the heat rising in my cheeks as I continue to think about this brother while my future mate stood before me.
“He didn’t want to go through with winning, you know.”
I stiffened. “What?”
Axel kept his back to me. He tossed several tortillas on a plate and put them in the microwave to warm up.
“Asher called me the day of the final game. He told me about his promise to you. He and I tried to figure out a way to not win the games while still stopping the Coastal Pack.”
He shook his head as he continued, each sentence threatening to be my undoing, “Asher’s always been selfless. I think he would’ve let himself be killed to make sure he kept his promise to you. But he wouldn’t risk Chase.”
Selfless enough to let his fated mate be with his twin brother…
“Why are you telling me this?”
Axel didn’t answer immediately. He opened the cabinet to his left and withdrew two plates. The microwave beeped. He took the tortillas and put them on the island. Then, he grabbed the pan of chicken and vegetables, placing it on an oven mitt on the island.
He began assembling a fajita when he finally answered, “I don’t know the details, but I know something happened with you and Asher. He wasn’t himself this past week. I tried to ask him about it, but he didn’t tell me anything. But I want you to know Asher regrets what happened. I hope, with time, you won’t hold it against him.”
I pressed my lips together as question after question raced through my mind.
If Axel knew the truth about me and Asher, what would he do?
Would he give us his blessing?
