Chosen

Chapter Nine

  Axel had been back for a few days now and I was adjusting to his presence again. In fact, everyone was adjusting to him being back. According to some of the staff and the few pack members I had met before he was different. Whatever training he had gone to do with his father had hardened him a bit. But, I suspected it would happen. You don't go away for two months to train and come back the same person you left as.
   Sighing, I dropped the book and stared out the window. It was raining so I was stuck inside. Alice and Cat had drilled into me how a queen had to behave. I wanted to go dance in the rain and splash through the puddles. Something that was often denied to me when I was a child. Alice had drilled it in my head over and over, I couldn't run around in the rain. It was not proper behavior. I tipped my head back and sighed. I was bored. Cat was busy with Blake doing God knows what. I stood up and decided to go find Axel. I had a few questions that he may be able to answer. As I was walking I bumped into someone, tumbling to the ground.
"Oh! I'm sorry!"
     The man rushed to help me to my feet, and I sighed. That would probably leave a bruise. I was still pretty delicate. I blushed and sighed. My ribs were fine, which was good since they were still healing from being broken when I lived in Rivermist.
"C-can you t-take m-me to A-Axel?"
"Of course, my queen. Follow me."
   The man grabbed my hand and started pulling me towards Axels office. I was shocked he was touching me and couldn't seem to gather my thoughts. I still barely had any idea how the matebond between Axel and I worked. A growl alerted me to someone else's presence in the hall. My head snapped to the direction of the sound and I relaxed when I saw it was Axel.
"Ian. Let go of my mate."
"I was just bringing her to you, brother."
"And you have delivered her to me. Now... let go. You're frightening her."
    Axel snarled as his eyes shifted to gold and the man let go. Axel held out a hand for me and I slowly walked over, placing my trembling hand in his. He pulled me against him and buried his nose in my hair, inhaling. I couldn't help the giggle that escaped my lips when he did that.
"Thank you for your help, Ian."
"Anytime, little queen."
   Ian nodded at me and left. I looked up at Axel, who was looking at me confused.
"I... um... Cat is busy and it's raining. I finished my book and I have nothing to do."
"I suppose now is as good a time as any. Cat told me you had questions she didn't want to answer. Come, let's go to my office."
   I eagerly followed him down the hall and into his office. He locked the door and I sat in a chair, waiting for him to take a seat. Axel walked to the window and shrugged from his jacket, revealing the white dress shirt that clung to his abs and arms. I blushed a deep scarlet and bit my lip, quickly looking away from him. He chuckled and sat down.
"You don't need to be embarrassed, Addy. You can look all you want."
   He leaned forward and pulled my lip from my bottom teeth. I giggled and looked at him. I forgot that biting my lip was something that bothered him.
"Alright, little one. Your questions?"
"When you touch me... I feel these... sparks... why?"
     His eyes widened and he stared at me for a moment. I guess I wasn't supposed to feel those. He was clearly shocked by my question.
"I.... you're not ready for that yet, little one. You'll find out soon."
   I nodded and took a minute to let what he said sink in.
"Um..... Cat said we would have to finish the mating process for the bond between us to be more... permanent..."
"Yes. But I won't mate with you until you go into heat after the acceptance ceremony."
"Heat?"
"Err.... has no one explained anything to you?"
"Your mother and Cat refused to explain much and wouldn't let me read the books that would." 
    He sighed and shook his head.
"They've kept you sheltered. My sweet, innocent little mate. Heat happens once a month. It's a painful process. It's what allows your body to bear pups. The only thing that makes Heat easier is the touch of your mate."
"When is my acceptance ceremony?"
"When is your next heat?" 
   He asked, walking over and cupping my chin. I leaned into his touch with a gasp as he brushed his lips against mine. I wanted to get closer to him, needing to feel him. He groaned and pulled away, closing his eyes and running a hand through his hair as the door opened.
"Mother..."
"You know you can't mate with her until the ceremony."
"When is her next heat, mother?"
"You mean her first heat? She hasn't had a heat yet. She'll most likely go into heat on the full moon. The ceremony should be scheduled for three days from now."
    Axel nodded and Blake appeared. He bowed his head slightly and looked at Axel. I could see the frustration on Axels face. Axel snarled and I jumped startled. However, I felt myself dampen between my legs and my body respond to the sound. Axel inhaled and his eyes flashed gold.
"If you don't want me mating her now, I suggest you take her out of this room. Her heat will be in three days. Blake and I will set the ceremony."
   Cat came in and drug me out, I looked at Axel confused and equally as frustrated. The door slammed and I was drug down the hall to my room.
"Cat... why did I have to leave?"
"Because it's hard for Axels wolf not to mate you and complete the mating process."
"Oh. Do I have to stay here until the ceremony?"
"Im afraid so. Don't worry. The ceremony is soon. You'll be okay."