Page 14 of His Impossible Elf Mate
Axel was usually reticent about his family outside of his brothers, so I took that nugget of information to discuss it with Dakota and Jasper at a later date. I wanted to know everything about Axel, just not at the expense of his happiness. His expression had soured at the brief mention of his uncle and father, so I knew there were issues there.
“I feel honored to be allowed into their sanctuary.”
He beamed at me. “It should be set up for us and we should get it to ourselves.” His smile turned sheepish. “Just be prepared for the kids to be nosy.”
I tried to reassure him with a squeeze of his hand. Axel’s need for touch was charming. “I will. Children are a joy. I don’t mind if they watch us.”
Following Axel, I entered the compound within a compound. It wasn’t an area I had much of a reason to visit before. Usually the omegas with beta children came to the clinic for treatment. I was sure as a mated male, the alpha doctor, Aldrin, had permission to enter this area frequently. However, it would be better for most to be seen at the clinic where the correct facilities were held.
The building was rather nondescript. Functional. Utilitarian at first glance, until, that was, you moved closer and could look inside. The interior was so colorful; it was an assault for the eyes. Every wall was a different color than the last, all of them covered in murals or art clearly drawn by children. It was so endearing. Every surface of an otherwise plain building showcased the love the shifters had for their young.
We passed many rooms, and though Axel explained the purpose of each, all I could focus on was his fine form. He was dressed in denim, showcasing his lean form. Tight black jeans wrapped around his long legs. He wore a black long-sleeved denim shirt over a band tee he had explained the name of, but I had forgotten.
Next to him, my forest green linen tunic and matching leggings were boring.
“Axel, would you assist me with buying more human-like clothing? I fear I stand out in a bad way, not just with the hair and ears, but the way I dress. Blending in more would be useful, would it not?”
His smile was wry. “It would. We don’t even have to leave the compound to update your wardrobe a little. If you come to my office tomorrow, me and Dalton, my assistant, can do some online shopping with you.”
“Thank you. I have gems and gold to pay,” I said softly, aware that these things could be costly and it was rumored the pack was not wealthy. They were just coming out of a time of hardship. Blake’s leadership had done much, not just for the morale of the pack, but for its finances.
“That won’t be a problem.” Axel smiled easily. “The council is covering your expenses here. That includes a stipend for clothing. I think it is a payment for the services you are all providing by trying to find out what caused the beta sickness.”
“Ah, well, it would be… nice to fit in better. Perhaps I should cut my hair?”
“What?” Axel rounded on me. “Absolutely not!” he cried angrily. His objection was amusing as much as it flattered my vanity. I would have hated to cut my hair. He taught a tendril and gave it a playful yank. “I love your hair. It’s so silky.”
Goddess, I wanted to pull him close to me, to claim his mouth with another kiss. Since our last date, hewas all I could think of, his taste, his touch, the feel of his skin under my fingers.
“Thank you.” I could feel a blush heating my cheeks.
He paused next to a door. “We’re here.”
The room we entered had slick wooden floors set up in lanes like the video Axel showed me. There were racks of brightly colored balls and stark white pins standing at the end waiting to be knocked down. Above each section was an electronic scoreboard.
“Come on, you’ve got to wear special shoes.”
With efficient movements that suggested he had done this many times before, Axel got me into the ridiculous shoes for the bowling alley and demonstrated how to hold then roll the ball down the lane. It was clear he was attempting to take it easy on me. He just forgot I was a being who had been alive for many hundreds of human years.
“You’re a natural!” he exclaimed after I managed another strike.
“We’re evenly matched.”
“Hmm, I’ve been taking it easy on you,” he admitted, rubbing a hand over the back of his neck as he surveyed the scoreboard. I couldn’t resist my smile. “It’s time the kid gloves come off!” I didn’t understand the saying. Human idioms were difficult to pick up, but I understood the implication.
“Shall we make a wager?” I suggested.
“A bet?”
“Yes. Should I win, I would like you in my bed for the night.”
Axel’s throat bobbed as he swallowed heavily. “And if I win…”
“What would you like, dear one?”
“I… I’m not sure yet.”
That did not appear to be the entire truth. Though I wanted to push, I decided to let Axel tell me when he was ready. He was suddenly skittish. Had I been too forward?
