Axel's pov.........
I don't usually cry infact I can't remember the last time I cried but at this moment I could not help it. My two best friends were in their situations because of me and I was completely helpless about it but crying was not going to help me,I needed to be strong because I was the Alpha Lord.
I wiped my tears,took a deep breath and stared at Alia who just came downstairs and had examined Selena "do you know what is wrong with her?"
Alia shook her head "unfortunately not,she is not responding to any treatment". I stared at Selena,what exactly was wrong with her,if the moon goddess was down and out of commission then many things were going to go wrong and after what happened to Hunter and those innocent vampires,I was sure our previous enemies were rising and Selena was the only person capable of sending them back to where they came from.
"I can walk on my own Mark so stop treating me like a cripple" I heard Hunter say,he was coming downstairs and Mark was directly behind him to help him in case he slipped or collapsed.
I stood up and rubbed my temples frowning "please Hunter stop making this harder for yourself and us,you are supposed to be upstairs in your room resting"
He frowned "seriously Axel am.......... His voice trailed off when he saw Selena's unconscious body on the couch, he walked up to her seat and sat beside her "Selena" but she did not reply "what happened to her?" He asked no one in particular
"She just entered the house and collapsed" Sydney explained
"Am sorry Hunter" I apologized because I felt it was the right thing to do. He gritted his teeth "this is all your fault"
"I know and that is why am apologizing"
He stood up and glared at me "apologizing won't solve anything Axel"
"I know that but if there was anything I could do then I won't hesitate to do it"
"Yeah right,she is only in this mess because of your selfishness Axel"
I frowned already getting annoyed "she is also at fault you know, she is only in this condition because she did what she thought was right"
"Enough" He brought up his fist to hit me but it never landed instead he dropped it by his side and shook in fury while I stood there completely shocked. In my whole life of knowing Hunter, we have never argued and he has never gotten mad at me to the extent of raising his voice or hands at me,"Hunter......... I began to say but he raised his hands as a signal for me to keep quiet and that is exactly what I did, "that's enough now Axel" he rubbed his temples and I became worried "you should get some rest,you are not well"
"Don't pretend like you care" he staggered and when I attempted to help him,he pushed me away abruptly "if you really cared about me and Selena like you claim you do then she won't be in this condition"
My shoulder sagged "I know Hunter,I really do"
He shook his head "no you don't, you are so proud and you only care about yourself Axel, you are selfish"
"Yes I know am selfish but I promise to fix all this"
"Don't" he yelled pointing a finger at me "don't promise things you are not serious about doing,I just despise you so much Axel"
He swayed as he headed upstairs using the bars to support himself,he suddenly fell and but as Jude and Mark ran to help him he snapped at them "I don't need your help, any of you". He got up but then collapsed and as everyone else went to help him,I slumped beside Selena's couch and just then I felt a hand on my shoulder and I turned to see Sydney "Axel are you alright?"
I sniffed,my throat was completely dried "he said he hates me,Hunter hates me"
"Hunter doesn't hate you,he only said that out of anger" Sue defended and I shook my head "I've done so many terrible things in my life but he has never lashed out on me and he has never told me that he hates me"
"Its probably the wolfsbane making him talk like that but am sure he didn't mean it Axel" Julia assured me but they did not understand anything and there was no use trying to make them understand so i stood up.
"Where are you going to?" Sia asked
"I need to be alone for a while" and I left.
**************************
The next morning I went to check on Hunter hoping that he had cooled down and was no longer angry with me. I entered his room to see Alia talking to him,he was sitted on his bed and when he sighted me,he turned away almost immediately like he had not seen me,that only meant he was still annoyed with me
Alia stood up and bowed to me "Good morning my lord"
I nodded "Good morning Alia" I faced Hunter "how are you feeling?"
He looked at Alia like he didn't even hear or see me "tell him am fine and he can stop pretending like he cares"
It felt like someone had stabbed with a knife and I suddenly had difficulty breathing. Alia frowned "his your best friend Hunter"
"So........
"you should show him respect,don't forget he is also your Alpha"
Hunter raised his brows "oh". He came down from his bed and walked up to me and then he bowed " am so sorry my lord for talking to you in that manner"
I took some steps back completely shocked and just then he put his hands together in a pleading manner "please can you leave Alpha Axel". I nodded and left but I could hear them arguing.
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Hunter's pov.........
It's been three days now and Axel has not come out of his room,he has not eaten or drank anything either and although no one has blamed me,they knew Axel was behaving like that because of me. maybe I was too harsh on him but what could I have done he was really at fault for the condition Selena was in. Sydney told me that when she knocked on his door to give him his breakfast he did not answer and she was worried and I wouldn't lie I was also getting worried it was unlike Axel to behave in such manner so I took his food and opened his door(he gave Selena and me spare keys to his room). I gasped when I entered his room cause everywhere was in a mess and Axel was sleeping on the floor because he was heaving heavily. I dropped the food on the table and knelt beside him "Axel wake up" I said lightly slapping his face
"Uh....uh....leave me alone"
"Axel get up its me Hunter"
He opened his eyes and rubbed my face "is this really you Hunter,am not dreaming?"
"No am here"
He hugged me tightly "do you still hate me?"
"I never hated you"
He shook his head "no you did,you told me"
"I only said that out of anger, I could never hate you Axel you're my best friend"
"So you have forgiven me then?"
"Yes Axel I have forgiven you"
He hugged me again "am so sorry". I felt terrible for the way I had treated him,it was simply unfair " am sorry Axel for saying all those horrible things to you,I should never have said those things to you no matter how angry I was with you"
He shook his head "you were right Hunter I am really selfish but believe me when i say I love you and Selena very much and I can't prioritize you guys for anything"
"I know". Just then there was a loud knock on the door "Hunter.....Axel the both of you should come out the Queen is awake" we heard Sydney say and we quickly rushed to the room Selena was in to see her sitting on the bed discussing something with Sue and Mark. When she saw us,she came down and walked up to us,she suddenly slumped but Axel was quick enough to catch her before she fell "do be careful" he said worried
She studied the both of us "why do the both of you look so pale?"
I shook my head "it's nothing,come sit down you are still weak". We sat down Selena in between me and Axel " do you remember anything?" I asked her
"Not really,all I remember is looking for a way to solve Axel's mate problem"
Axel bowed his head "am so sorry Selena,you are only in this condition because of me"
"Its not your fault Axel so don't blame yourself and besides am fine now"
I suddenly felt a painful and burning sensation in my body and I knew it was the wolfsbane getting to my heart,the drugs have done their best and now it was time for me to go. Am just so glad that I got to see and speak with Selena before I finally died. Selena took Axel's hands but immediately she took my hand,she dropped it and she looked at me worried "Hunter what's wrong,you are shaking?"
I stood up and stumbled towards the door, my head was hurting and it seemed like the room was spinning
"Someone please hold him down and put him on the bed" I heard Selena say but I quickly left the room. If I stayed then Selena would try to heal me and she was not strong enough to do that yet.
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Axel's pov........
"His going to die if we don't stop him" Selena explained. We ran downstairs to see Hunter heading towards the door,was he seriously planning to go outside in that condition
"Hunter please stop,Selena can help you" I pleaded
He stopped in front of the door,his hands on the doorknob "that's the problem Axel, I can't let her do it,she just woke up and she is still recovering"
Selena shook her head "am okay Hunter really"
"No you are not,you are only saying that so I would agree"
"Look Hunter if you don't let Selena heal you now then the wolfsbane will definitely get to your heart" Sue stated
"Listen to her Hunter,you will die" Alia pleaded tears in her eyes. He frowned "you guys need to understand that am ready to die than let someone else get hurt because of me". But immediately he opened the door,his eyes rolled up to his head and he collapsed. Mark and Jude quickly carried him to the couch and Selena knelt beside him "I'll have to hurry,the wolfsbane is almost in his heart". She put her hands on his chest and began whispering some things,just then a bright light shone on Hunter's chest and when the light went dim,Selena sighed "am done"
I raised my brows "really,then why is he not waking up?"
She stood up from the couch "I don't know,his suppose to wake up unless.....unless......
Alia slumped beside the couch and shook her head "that's not possible,Hunter please wake up" but Hunter did not even bulge, Julia and Sydney went to help her up but she refused "his not dead". I walked up to her and helped her up letting her weep on my body "his not dead Axel,tell them his not dead". I suddenly saw Hunter eyes flutter and it was then I realized I had been holding my breath and I sighed in relief "his alive Alia you're right" I gave her to Julia and went to kneel beside Hunter "Hunter wake up". His eyes opened and it shined yellow before it became blue then he turned his head and looked at him "Axel"
"Glad you are okay bro". He got up and Alia jumped on him hugging him tightly "I told them you were alive"
"Yeah" he looked at Selena who was wiping a year from her eyes "thank you" and she nodded. Everyone took their turns hugging him and then they all left leaving only me,Selena Hunter and Alia who refused to leave his side
"Alia can you maybe give us a minute?" Hunter requested,she nodded reluctantly and left. Selena suddenly stumbled but used the couch to support herself
"Hey,you're sure you are okay?" I asked genuinely worried
"Yeah just a little fuzzy, well I should be going now"
"You can stay here you know that right"
"Yes I do Hunter but I have so many things to take care of, while I was gone some of our enemies we defeated came back"
I frowned "it was one of them that poisoned Hunter right?"
"Yes"
"Do you have any idea on who could have done it?"
"Unfortunately not"
"Axel does,he says it was a vampire"
"I didn't say it was a vampire Hunter,I just said i had a hunch it was them"
Selena shrugged "it is possible that it is the vampires responsible for the attack, they might be back for revenge after all you lied to them that you had killed their beloved princess"
I buffed "if it's really them then they are no match for us"
Selena smiled "you might be right but if they have form alliances with others then am sorry to say you are no match for them" and she disappeared leaving me and Hunter to meditate on what she just said.
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Sydney's pov.......
The men had left the house for work and we the ladies were alone at home with the servants,we sat in the garden with cups of coffee but Alia kept tapping her mug and she was not smiling
"Alia" I called and she suddenly snapped out of her deep thoughts "yeah"
"Is your coffee to hot for you?"
"No,not at all" she sipped from it
"Then what is the problem?". Julia dropped her own mug and stared at her "did you and Hunter have an argument?"
Alia suddenly frowned "why will ask such a ridiculous question,I never argue with Hunter"
"Sorry then". There was complete silence before Alia sighed "am pregnant". I smiled widely "that's great news but why do you look so sad about it?
Julia,Sia and Alia stared at each other and it seemed like they were communicating with their eyes,I looked at Sue who looked equally as confused as I was. Just then Sia decided to speak up "Axel and Hunter both had terrible pasts involving their parents"
I became confused "okay.....what does that have to do with Alia's unborn child"
"Hunter doesn't want a baby... Alia suddenly blurted out.......just talking about his parents gives him the creeps"
Sue frowned "did he tell you that he doesn't want a child"
"Yes,The day we became mates he told me he was not in a hurry to be a dad"
"That was a long time ago Alia,how do you know he doesn't want a baby now"
"What of if he is not ready yet"
Sia sighed "you have to speak with him first,Mark will be thrilled if I told him we were gonna have a baby"
"That is Mark Sia,this is Hunter they are two completely different people"
I folded my arms "so what do you wanna do,terminate the baby" and she glared at me "I would never do that to an innocent soul"
"Don't get mad at me,you have no choice but to talk to him about it"
"Okay then I will talk to him"
Julia nodded "and since that is sorted out let's talk about another issue we have here"
"And that is....
"your relationship with Axel". I dropped my mug on the table "well he hasn't said any word of pure hatred towards me for a while now"
"And he has he shown you any form of affection"
"Not yet,but we are walking towards it"
"So you are saying your relationship with him is neither good nor bad" Sia asked
"Well yes if you put it that way"
"So you don't have this.... Alia asked showing me a black tattoo on her neck it was shaped like a heart "when did you get another tattoo Alia?"
She frowned "it's not a tattoo,it's called a mate mark,the male usually bites the female to show that he has accepted her as his mate"
I rose my nose in disgust "why does the female have to go through such painful experience to prove that she has been accepted". Sia touched her arm smiling and I was pretty sure that's where her mate mark was " it's not painful,it's more like a sweet burning sensation". I raised my brows "how exactly did you get marked,Mark is not even a supernatural". She frowned "did I ever say only supernatural males can mark their mates.....anyway as I was saying,it helps strengthen the bond between you and your mate like if anything happens to you then your mate will feel it". I looked at Sue who shrugged "don't look at me,I don't have a mate yet and so I have not been marked". Julia touched her neck dreamily "I've not been marked yet but it would be nice if Jude would mark me"
Alia grumbled "not again Julia,I thought we have been through this"
"What,is it my fault I find him charming"
"But we have explained times without numbers that we supernaturals do not do love and Jude doesn't even love you"
"Now! but he will love me later"
"No he won't you are not his mate and what if he finds his mate then what will you do" Sia argued
"If there is another girl then she would have to go" she demonstrated by drawing her thumb through her neck and bringing out her tongue from the corner of her lips. "Julia" Alia scolded but Julia ignored her "and who told you guys that am not his mate". Sue used her palm to slap her forehead "because the both of you have been staying here together for a while and if you were mates then it would have been discovered by now"
Julia pouted "and what of if he is one of those rare supernatural creatures that get to choose their mates". Sue snapped her fingers in front of Julia's face "snap out of wonderland Alice,Jude can never be yours,you two just don't belong together". Julia rolled her eyes "well we just have to see about that and why have you guys suddenly taken the spotlight out of Sydney....now Sydney as I was saying before I got interrupted....... The mark serves as a clear warning to those sex thirsty single males that that particular female is already claimed". That means if I was not marked by Axel very soon I was going to be an attraction for other males "do you and Sue usually get approached" She smiled "I don't get approached because I tell everyone that Jude is my mate"
"Is Jude aware of that". She shrugged "not really". I rolled my eyes and looked at Sue "how about you" suddenly Alia,Sia and Julia started laughing and I became confused "what's so funny". Alia stopped laughing and answered me "who in his right sense would want to take Sue as a mate,she will probably break all his bones" and she continued laughing again, Julia coughed "every male in our community is scared of her, maybe her mate will be a foreign guy that is if he even agrees to accept that tiger"I could not help but laugh also. Sue folded her arms "you guys can laugh as much as you like but am going to find my mate one day" and that sent Sia over the edge as she fell and doubled over laughing loudly, her whole body shaking "am....am.....so..sorry.......but..I..can't...help..it" she said almost out of breath and Sue raised her brows "really Sia,really".
I stopped laughing "but seriously I need to get Axel to mark me"
Julia grinned "you are right and you have to do it fast"
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Axel's pov.........
"So Axel have you marked her?" Mark suddenly asked. Me,Jude,Hunter and Mark were sitted in my office (Now don't think because we were werewolves we didn't work, our lives were far from boring)I was one of the most successful man in the whole of London although most business tycoons think am a normal human but if only they knew. Normal humans were also employed in my company and also supernaturals in case of anything and now because there was nothing to do and we were idle Mark decided to use this as an opportunity to bring up the issue of Sydney. I glared at me and Hunter flipped him off as he chuckled "ignore him Axel but seriously have you marked her". I grumbled under my breath.
"well I'll take that as a no" Jude stated,he slapped his forehead and shook his head "are you insane Axel,why the hell have you not marked her"
"Because she stays in my house doesn't mean I have accepted her so tell me Jude why will I mark her"
Hunter studied me "so you are trying to say you don't give a damn if any other male go after her?". I clenched my fists under the table "no one will dare". Mark smirked "Ohh they will whether you are the Alpha Lord or not cause a female that is not marked only means she is free"
)'you know that hunter of yours is right') Sabastien suddenly said.
'and what have you been up to'
('nothing,I just had a time out,miss me').
I scoffed 'Never,I can never miss you'
(' i know you are lying so I won't bother arguing with you so we are on the issue on why you have not marked Sydney yet').
'I don't have your time Sabastien'. I bit my lips and faced the others " yes I really don't care if she is gone after her". Jude smiled suspiciously "well I think Sydney is pretty and and needs a man in her life and I happen to be a single guy"
('oh..ho...I seriously love that guy he is officially my second best that is after Hunter')
i clenched my fist and fought the urge to rip out his head,Hunter cleared his throat "em..Jude I think its better you keep shut,you are too young to die you know". Jude glanced at me and his smile got wilder "what?he just said he doesn't care if she is gone after,he should be grateful it's his friend that is taking her, you know I could pity him and share her one night in my room and the other night in his room,with those slender legs am sure she would be good in bed"
('i think Hunter has a competition now').
"Am going to kill him Sabastien"
('ohh no you are not going to cause that poor shape shifter any harm').
"Jude" I screamed and in less than a second I had him pinned to the wall,I was furious but I kept my cool,Hunter and Mark immediately stood up and Jude smirked 'does he think am joking with him'
('ohh so you wanna talk to me now,on this one I support Jude if you don't want that beautiful princess then do keep it in mind that someone else does if only I was not stuck in your body.....').
'Then what would you have done'
('that happens to be my business not yours Axel').
i turned to face Jude who was still smirking "what is the problem Axel?not happy with the idea of sharing your mate if you won't appreciate her and even mark her then let someone do it for you"
"That's enough" and I punched the wall "next time I promise it will be your face". Jude kept smiling and it was really pissing me off " I'll be sure to keep that in mind but I was only messing with your head Buddy"
"I know that and you won't want to do that again..... Buddy"
('now you have proven that you really love that vampire princess').
'i don't like her Sabas,I just don't like someone touching my property'
its only someone you like ('that you can consider your property Axel and I love it when you call me Sabas,it make me feel superior to you').
'I really don't have time for your blabbering Sabastien'. Hunter sighed relieved "thank goddess, I thought there was going to be exchange of blows". I glanced at him "there is going to be if he does that again"
"Wow what an interesting scene,I don't always get to watch such drama on the moon" Selena appeared right next to Mark who yelped and rubbed his temples when he saw it was only her "my queen please give us a warning next time". She giggled and faced me "so what's going on". I released my grip on Jude and put my hands in my pocket, "I'll tell you what's going on my queen.... Jude started to say and I really wished I had knocked him unconscious....... Axel is been a jealous Alpha". I glared at him "no am not"
"Of course you are"
"I can't be having such childish argument with you Jude" I cleared my throat "so why the visit Selena"
"This is very important and has to be discussed with everyone". She snapped her fingers and we appeared in the main room were the ladies were sitted and as expected they were terrified. Sydney's glass fell from her hand,Alia spilled the coffee in her mouth,Julia leaped out of her chair but Sia was not that lucky,she fell down with her butt groaning in pain "please my queen give us a warning next time". Mark went and helped her up "that's exactly what I told her"
"And like I said it won't happen again".
Hunter shook his head "no you didn't". She rolled her eyes "whatever". I sat down and everyone else did same "so now will you tell us why you came here". She brought out some papers from her pocket and Sydney raised her brows "what are those"
"Tickets"
"For........
"well I have booked you all a vacation to Hawaii " Sia gasped "Hawaii,but it's full of humans"
"I know I just think you guys need a supernatural break"
"Thank you my queen we......
"no one is going anyway" I said with a lot of authority. Selena stared at me "why not"
"Cause its too dangerous for both us and the humans"
"No Axel it's better for you guys to leave"
"You just want us to run away from our enemies admit the truth"
"Well yes, even with an army of werewolves you can't still defeat them"
"So you think a vacation will completely save us"
"No but it will give you enough time to figure something out". I shook my head "you are nuts Selena" then I faced Hunter "and why aren't you saying anything"
"what do you want me to say". Selena frowned "yes say something Hunter it's obvious you are the only one who is capable of saying something reasonable,you are the only best friend he has". Why was she getting worked up over such a minor issue "I don't know what you are trying to imply by saying such nonsense Selena but I have made my final decision and that is no one is leaving". Selena got up and barged out of the house,myself and Hunter went after her only to see her sitting on the chair outside her head in her laps
"what really is the problem Selena" Hunter asked. She looked at us and bit her fingers "nothing". We sat beside her and I sighed "there is no need to lie to us cause I know that whenever you bite your fingers it means you are nervous about something". She rubbed her hands over her face "Drakas is back". There was a long silence and I glanced at Hunter who was pale,now think of the baddest strongest villain you know well Drakas was ten times of more evil than that person, no one knew what kind of supernatural he was but he always called himself a god and he and Hunter shared a long history "how do you know"
"He sent me a message"
"What...what did the message say" Hunter asked finally finding his voice. Selena gulped and looked at us,fear in her eyes "he wants you Hunter to come back to him or else......... The three of us knew exactly what Drakas was capable of and it was not good at all.