Chapter Thirteen

Kalin

I staggered out of my bedroom, the bundle of blankets in my arms hindering my vision. But I knew my way through my hut and could avoid bumping into the walls.

“What are you doing?” Alena’s voice came from somewhere in front of me.

I dropped the blankets, my gaze meeting Alena’s. “I’m relocating to the dungeon and taking extra cushioning for Axe.”

Alena stared at me with narrowed eyes, her head tilted, brown hair cascading over her shoulders. Her blue blouse crumpled beneath her folded arms.

Before she went into a rant, I jumped in. “You once told me when you first met Enre, it was as if lightning had struck you. Everything else blurred in comparison. That’s Axe for me. Yeah, he’s a Russian, but our wolves have claimed each other. It’s a blessing from the Moon Goddess, and she doesn’t care about different wulfkin packs or what countries we’re from. I would rather die than never be with him again.” My words were fast, rolling over one another.

Alena’s mouth opened, but I kept going.

“How can I sleep when he’s in prison, cold and starving? If he didn’t carry out his alpha’s orders, he would have died. Did you know the Varlac Tsar killed his parents? And—”

“Enough, Kalin. You don’t need to convince me. I saw it in your eyes when you stared at each other. That you’re mates is undeniable.”

Warmth hit my core. I climbed over the mound of linens and grabbed Alena’s arm. “Really? Then why did Enre lock him up? Axe could help us against the Russians. He’s threatened no wulfkin in Romania.”

“But his mere presence does, whether it’s under the command of his alpha or not.”

A punch might as well have collided with my chest. “He’s not a danger. The Varlac Tsar would murder him for failing his mission. And the only reason he didn’t run away earlier is because of me.” I paused, my mind spinning. “Your father took Enre in, so why can’t Enre do the same?”

Alena sighed and scooped up the blankets. “Because he has the whole pack to worry about and trusting a Russian wulfkin could be deadly. If he makes the wrong decision and it backfires, all our lives are at risk.”

“But—”

She reached over and set a hand on my arm, her touch soft and warm. “Over time, he will see Axe as an asset to our pack. Especially if war is coming.” Her voice shook, and not once had I considered how the news would impact the rest of the wulfkin. Alena and the twins . . . My throat choked up.

My legs buckled under me, and I fell to my knees on the fabric. “What if we can’t defeat the Russians?”

Alena crouched next to me, pushing a loose strand of hair off my cheek. “Let’s not panic yet. Enre is sending a scouting pack into Russia and he’s heading to Hungary to visit Marcin. If the Varlac Emperor of Europe joins us, we’ll stand a fighting chance.” Her painful smile hurt to look at, reminding me of her agony whenever she watched her angels sleeping.

“I encountered a witch, Natalya, in the castle, and her spell was powerful. So I asked her about your family curse.” I paused, my mouth drying. “She said something about the spell being done with a demonic force and . . . She says there’s no cure.”

Alena nodded, but her gaze deepened.

“But, apparently, there are two sects of charodeykas in Russia,” I went on. “Oh, and there might be a secret one living here in the Transylvanian woods, in Hoia Baciu forest. Can you believe that? Right under our noses. We can search for them, and—”

“Maybe you’re right. I mean, my granddad did say he thought the witch came from Romania, so that would make sense. First, let’s deal with the bigger problem at hand, then we put together a search party.” Alena hugged me. “Thank you.” She climbed to her feet and flicked dust from the linens off her jeans. “Now, instead of moving to the dungeon, how about I speak to Enre about allowing Axe to move into your room?”

Her words didn’t sink in at first, and I sat there, frozen, as if the gears of my brain weren’t moving fast enough. A grin spread across my face, and I got to my feet. “You’d do that?” Before she responded, I leaped forward and wrapped my arms around her waist.

She laughed and nudged me back. “No guarantees. Don’t get your hopes up.”

I hugged her again.

“I remember back when I thought I’d lost Enre, thinking my father had killed him,” she said. “I was ready to die alongside him. I don’t know what our future holds, but for now, let’s cherish what we have.”

Euphoria engulfed me, even as I trembled from the terror of an imminent war. Alena was right. Until we had all the facts, I’d enjoy the special moments. Like Axe moving in with me.

• • •

Axe slouched on a pile of furs on the ground, studying the boxes stuffed with my clothes in a corner. A tower of books stood nearby, but no other furniture. Most wulfkin slept huddled together, but Lenuţa and I shared a room alone. With her injuries still not healed, she rested in the main house close to the pack medic, and while she complained about it, she loved the constant attention and all the food she could eat. It also meant Axe and I could be together in this room.

“So what do you think?” I turned to Axe. His leg was still bandaged, but the wounds on his face and neck were almost healed.

“Well, it sure does smell delicious in here. Like candy.” He winked, and I swooned on the spot. A smile danced on his lips. The air grew thick with tenderness, and warmth embraced my soul.

I nudged him aside and plopped down next to him.

He slid a hand along my lower back. “If it weren’t for you, I’d be dead by now. I almost lost you. But I won’t make that mistake again. I’ll defend you with my life.”

To hear such words from a wulfkin as proud and strong as Axe left me jittery.

“Enre trusted me enough to take me out of the dungeon. He hasn’t killed me.” Axe paused, his gaze drifting somewhere behind me. “My old alpha doesn’t care about anyone but himself. He’d kill first and not bother to bury the body. Not even one of his own. I should have left that place long ago.”

I leaned against Axe, sailing a hand across his stomach, hugging him. “Perhaps the Moon Goddess didn’t mean for you to leave until after we met.” Glancing up at him, I studied how the crease in his brow unfurled. How his delicious grin widened when he looked down at me. His arm tightened around my back.

“I think so. And I’ll do what it takes to show Enre I’m on his side, including teaching his wulfkin how to win in combat.”

I couldn’t stop bad things from happening around the world, but I could grow stronger, to protect my own pack and those I loved. “Will you teach me as well?”

He got up, breaking free of my hold, and crossed the room to close the door. Then he turned and faced me with amber eyes. “My priority is properly claiming you as my soul mate.”

I chewed on my bottom lip, adoring where he was going with this. I shut the blinds, closing out light and prying busybodies. Yeah, the other wulfkin would know what we were doing, but I didn’t care. Hell, the entire pack heard Enre and Alena most nights.

Axe crawled across the furs and over me as if he were a wild wolf. Muscles rippled across his shoulders and arms. I wanted to kiss him and his square jaw, full lips, and rugged facial growth. My heart beat faster. Beneath his piercing stare, something vulnerable lay. Despite the tough-guy persona, he had to feel the agony of losing his home and friends and joining a new pack that hadn’t yet accepted him. But they would. I’d make it my mission to make sure they did.

“You’re incredible and beautiful and all mine.” When he spoke, his raspy voice sent a shock wave of desire through me.

Before I could find a response, he kissed me with passion and hunger. I curled into his arms. His tongue pressed against the seam of my lips, and I gasped a shaky, shallow breath. His hands worked their way down my body. I closed my eyes, and behind my eyelids were explosions of bright light.

“Kalin,” he whispered, prolonging my name. “I adore everything about you. You’re independent, strong, and caring. And sexy as hell. As long as you’re by my side, everyone who stands in our way can go fuck themselves.” His eyes searched mine, and in that moment, his company, his kiss, his love gave me the strength to believe I could take on the world.

He planted a kiss on my cheek. “But tonight is about us, not our troubles. I’m going to drive you crazy, then stop, and do it over again.”

My pulse fluttered. “Is that a promise?” I snaked my fingers up his hard chest and then along his collarbone, clasping the back of his strong neck. No one had ever made me feel so alive, so wonderful, so adored. This was happiness. While the pack’s battles were just beginning, with Axe by my side, I felt stronger, braver.

Our lips locked. His intoxicating scent put me in a heady trance. The apex between my thighs shivered in anticipation as I recalled his passion and strength back in the castle. My cheeks heated when I recalled his skillful tongue.

“I always keep my word,” he growled in my ear, and I giggled. A day earlier, when I’d thought I’d lost Axe, I swore I’d never smile again. Laughing in his company now was beyond liberating. Whatever fate sent our way could wait for another day, because we’d face it together.