Beneath the Stars

Chapter 4

I watched my father as his eyes stayed rooted on my mom a noticeable softness to his gaze. My mother shifted uncomfortably at the attention, before meeting his gaze anger evident. I took a step towards Axel, instinctively searching for his comfort, I knew shit was about to hit the fan.

My mother was a quiet and reserved person until a switch went off and she became terrifying. " How dare you speak my name." She spat out, my father visibly flinched at the venom in her tone. " You left, your mate and your daughter for this life. A life of blood and chaos" she growled. My father gulped seeming to judge his words before speaking. " Amanda I left because it was clear the rogues were targeting me and therefore targeting my family." He cautiously responded.

I watched my mother calculate her next words. " You're dead to me" she said power lacing each word. My father stiffened at her tone, eyes shining from unshed tears as he watched my mom trounce away, his gaze longing. He sighed turning towards me. " Lily you're just a beautiful as I imagined." He smiled slowly. " Don't expect a better response from me" I shrugged and walked off, Axel hot on my tail.

Axels arm shot out grabbing my wrist forcing me to stop. " Did you have to be so mean?" He questioned. The arrogance in his tone igniting a fire in my stomach. " My mother struggled for 21 years because that man left and took his money with him. She worked two jobs just to pay the bills, keep food on the table and clothes on my back. If that man thinks he can just walk back into our lives and pretend like it's all sunshine and rainbows, then he can go fuck himself" I choked out.

My eyes felt heavy as every emotion finally hit. The revelation that the wolf inside me had always been there, that my mom had lied about who I was and that my father seemed to decide he wanted back in on my life. The world started to spin my mind shutting down trying to escape from the overwhelming flood of thoughts. Finally the world went black.

Yawning I began to stretch, my whole body contracting before it relaxed a moan leaving my lips as I felt some tension release. " What I wouldn't do to make that sound come out of you" sitting straight up I made eye contact with Axel's amused eyes. Groaning I laid back down staring vacantly at the ceiling attempting to take my mind of things. " Is there any chance you're going to leave me alone" I murmured knowing he'd hear me. " Nope" he responded laughing. It was worth a try. Sighing I rubbed my head a dull ache arising by my temples.

The sound of the door clicking open reverted my attention back from the ceiling. My mother's slender figure stalked through the doorway attempting to be silent. " Oh thank god you're awake" she said rushing over. " I know how much this day has destroyed you, but you don't have to go around fainting" I groaned a typical Amanda response. " You're right mom I was being over dramatic about my existence being a lie" hurt crossed her features briefly before she hid it. " I'm sorry I shouldn't snap at you, I'm more angry at my sperm donor." I responded. Calling the man who helped conceive me father seemed wildly inappropriate given the circumstances but I had no clue what his name was.

" Yes, seeing Richard took me on a trip down to memory lane" I though I saw a glimpse of a smile cross my mother lips but it was gone just as quickly. Nodding I shifted so I was able to hug her, her familiar scent soothing. " I'll leave you two alone, I think there's some words that need to be said" she announced before seeing herself out.

My mother was right. I needed to actually speak to Axel instead of yelling, running or punching. Although all three seemed better than a civilized conversation. "Axel, I want to be your mate" I said confidently. A look of surprise and happiness spread across Axel's face before he launched over to my side. " But, we do things my way, that means dates, being girlfriend and boyfriend. It means learning how to live and love each other and not just jumping into because we are mates." I didn't want to be difficult but accepting someone as my lover for the rest of my life seemed daunting. His head began nodding furiously as he beamed from ear to ear. " I completely understand and respect your decision, I'll have a guest room made up for you" he responded.

" I was so scared you were going to reject me" he mumbled so softly I almost didn't hear it. " My wolf felt how distant you were to us and thought you were preparing to leave us" he said saddened. " Your wolf was absolutely correct" he turned to me eyes widened. " I was going to reject you, after seeing what my father put my mother through after to claiming to be mates. It seemed like the concept of mates was stupid if he could leave my mother and me so easily. But the more I thought about it. The more childish it seemed to base my own life decisions on others" I responded happy at the maturity to my tone.

" I will never treat you the way your father treated your mother and you. I will love you and our future pups to the end of time and I can't wait to give you everything I have and more" I felt butterflies in my stomach at his words. " I expect nothing less Axel" the way his name rolled of my tongue made me shiver.

After the doctor made his way in and deemed me fit to leave, we silently walked out the doors a comfortable silence enveloping us. I felt confident on my decision to give Axel a chance as angry as I was at being marked, I knew he was a good man and deserved nothing less than a chance. My wolf purred at the idea of being around her mate, she already adored him.

Arriving at the Axels house, Axel finally broke the silence. " I had the room across from my bedroom made up for you. I hope that works, if not I could put you on another floor?" He questioned, I couldn't help how I felt at his kindness. He understood that for us to work he had to be understanding. " The bedroom across the hall seems perfect". " I know it seems sudden but I have an alpha from another pack coming for dinner before we meet to discuss some matters tomorrow. Would you be up for joining us?" He asked hope lingering in his eyes. " Sure, give me the afternoon to adjust to everything and I'll get changed and meet you downstairs at 6:30" I responded giving him a small smile. Axel nodded before taking my hand and kissing it.

Scampering up the stairs to my new room I quickly shut the door behind me, clutching at my racing heart. The mate bond was strong and every time I looked at Axel all I felt was love, but the more human side of me cautioned against falling so quickly. Damn mating bond I grumbled as I grabbed a towel heading for my second shower of the day.