by M. K. Harper
That small slip was more damning than she realizes. I think Dax is truly seeing the real Allana for the first time, and even the hateful person he caught a glimpse of doesn’t begin to touch the surface of what I suspect is hiding beneath the layers of make-up and fake tan. I stay silent, knowing she’ll bury herself on her own without any help from me. I refuse to let her use me as an excuse for any consequences her actions may reap. Maybe not today, but when she finally does snap, it won’t be anything I’ve have to relay to Dax. He’ll figure it out firsthand so she can’t say I influenced him in any way. Allana stumbles her way through a half-ass departure, cranking those fake tears all the way back up to sheer devastation level. Dax watches her leave, an uneasy look on his face.
“Let’s get out of here early. Whatcha say?” Dax squats down beside me and tucks a piece of hair behind my ear. “I think we’ve dealt with enough bullshit to warrant dipping out.”
“I think, that’s the best idea you’ve had all day. Let’s blow this joint,” I stand, so eager to get the hell out of there I almost knock him over. If I thought eyes were on me earlier, it’s ten times worse now. We’ve basically been a live soap opera for these drama starved assholes all lunch hour and I’m over being the topic of discussion today. Dax steadies himself and laughs.
“Slow your roll, speed demon,” he smiles down at me. “I’ve gotta grab some test from my classroom that need to be graded, lock up and then stop by the front office and let them know I need to leave. You go call your mom and have her let the school know that you’re okay to sign yourself out early. We don’t need them calling her because you’ve skipped class with no explanation. That’d scare her to death. I’ll meet you out in the staff parking lot after, okay?”
“You’re such an adult,” I snicker at him but secretly love that he thought about how my mom would be effected if the school randomly called to let her know I was absent from class. He shrugs shyly.
“Will you walk her outside when she’s done, Chevy?” Dax looks at my best friend who’s been silent for so long I forgot he was even there. Chevy salutes him and I fight back a grin. Shaking his head at us, he makes his way towards his classroom. I don’t miss the eyes of several girls tracking his movement, but I can’t blame them. He’s a breathtaking kind of beautiful. As long as it’s just looky and no touchy. Only I get that privilege, and what a lucky bitch that makes me.
Chapter 19
Ten minutes later, Chev leaves me at the edge of the teacher parking lot when we spot Dax leaning against a sleek black Range Rover. Since when the hell does a teacher’s salary afford that kind of luxury?! He looks damn good though in his navy fitted slacks and light grey button up. The pair of aviators resting on his face only enhance the already perfect package.
“Um....” I stop in front of the car, taking it all in. I’m pretty sure he can tell what I’m thinking, but I don’t want to be a rude ass and just blurt it out. Based on the smirk he’s wearing, he’s definitely aware of my struggle.
“Hop in,” he says, walking to the driver’s side. Doing as he says, I hop in the passenger side. I wait patiently for him to explain as we pull out of the school, knowing he’ll put me out of my misery sooner or later and sate my curiosity.
“Where are we headed?” I look over at him, admiring the way his left arm holds the steering wheel loosely and his right rests against the middle console. How can something as simple as driving be considered sexy? But it seems just about anything Dax does lights little fires beneath my skin, heating me up and making me squirm.
“I thought we’d head to my parents’ a little early,” he takes a quick look at me. I’m sure the panic stricken look I’m wearing is very flattering.
“What?!” I shriek, causing us both to wince. “Uh, no. Nope. I’m supposed to have five hours and forty-two more minutes to prepare for this. My clothes aren’t even nice, Dax! I probably smell like shitty, mystery cafeteria food and teenage angst. I need a pencil skirt to go with this cardigan, stat!” I’m breathing heavily, my eyesight a little fuzzy. Dax has managed to pull the car off onto the shoulder of the road at some point during my mental breakdown. He opens his door and walks around to the passenger side, the textbook picture of cool and calm. My door opens and his arm reaches across me and unbuckles my seatbelt. He twists me around so I’m facing him, my legs hanging out the door. Nudging his way between them, he presses against me so that there’s not an inch of space between us. Taking my face in his hands tenderly, he forces me to look at him.
“Do I have your attention now?” His voice slides over me like silk. I almost laugh. Well played, Wolf Man.
“If it was your intention to distract me with your body, then job well done,” I reply, my voice a little to breathless. A full blown smile lights up his face.
“Baby...” his hand grips the back of my neck in a sweet but possessive way. “There’s absolutely no reason for you to be nervous, at least not to this extent. A little nerves are okay. I get it, this is a big moment. But these people you’re about to meet are going to be your family and they’re going to love everything about you. Just like when I met your mom. It felt natural, a familiarity that you only feel with someone you’ve known for years. I promise it’ll be the same way for you. Can you trust me enough to believe that?” That soft vulnerability in his eyes is nearly my undoing. My hands move up and wrap around his wrists, those comforting hands still holding my face. I lean against one and close my eyes.
“I trust you with everything, Dax. You’re the first thing I think about when I wake up, the last thing that flutters through my mind before I fall asleep and every second between. I don’t think there’s a moment of my day that isn’t spent thinking of you. I miss you when you’re not there and even when you are, but I can’t reach out and touch you. You’ve consumed me in a week. One week, Dax. It terrifies me that I feel this way in such a short amount of time, but I couldn’t change it even if I wanted to. I don’t, though. I want this, I want you. So yes, Dax, I trust you. Even if I still don’t know your middle name,” I smile and crack my eyes open. The relief and joy on Dax’s face is something I commit to memory. A sight that is sure to bring a smile to my face even on the worst of days.
“You don’t know what it means to me to hear you say that...” his voice breaks with emotion and I pull him closer. I press my face against his chest and inhale that familiar scent that is specific to Dax. Mint and spice.
“Does that mean you’ve made a decision about the bonding ceremony?” he hesitantly asks.
“It means I know which way I’m heavily leaning.” I smile up at him, knowing damn well I’ve already made the choice to go forward with it. I can feel him exhale, the weight of it so heavy I’m certain he’s been holding his breath since he laid it all out for me last night.
“Let’s go meet your future in-laws.” He smacks a kiss on my forehead playfully before fastening me back in and returning to his side. I push down the panic wanting to bubble up with his words, refusing to give them any head space. He’s right, these will be my future in-laws one day. Maybe not next week, or even next year, but I know in my heart it’s gonna happen. Dax veers back on the road, taking my hand in his.
“Elias.” I give him a confused look. “My middle name, it’s Elias.”
“Daxton Elias Bardot,” I say quietly under my breath and smile. “Mine is Linden Elodie Britton. I used to think my name sounded like London Bridge....Linden Britton. I swore the little kids’ song was about me. I was too small to understand all the words but that’s what my ears heard. I remember coming home from school one day, telling my dad all about the song that someone made just for me. Him and mom laughed their asses off.” I smile at the memory. These little glimpses I get from before are bittersweet. I’m so grateful to have them, but it also makes my chest ache, knowing that who he was is just a big gaping hole now.
“He called me London Bridge after that. It was our thing....until it wasn’t anymore.” I fight back the wave of grief that’s trying to drow
n me. Grief is a fickle bitch like that. I’ve always mourned the father I had for the first six years, but not having an explanation, hell...not even remotely considering there was one that was justifiable, helped stave off that pain. It eventually morphed into anger, then utter hatred as the years passed and his cruelty progressed. But now I have an explanation and I’m not sure if I should be thankful for that or just sad. It’s a heartbreaking realization to know that he’s not really the monster he’s played so perfectly, he’s just sick. Dax squeezes my hand and I slap on a fake smile that I’m sure he can see right through.
“So,” he starts, sensing my need for a subject change. “There’s a few things I should probably tell you before we get there.” My grip on his hand tightens, not quite sure where this is headed. Dax clears his throat and tightens his hold on the steering wheel.
“My father is the Alpha of our pack.” He delivers the revelation with zero finesse. Just blurts it out like a hooker in a confessional, pouring her heart out. I blink at him. Then blink again.
“Do you know what an Alpha is, babe?” he asks cautiously, probably wondering why I keep blinking at him like I’m trying to deliver some twitchy version of morse code. Do I know what an Alpha is...psshh.
“I watched all of the Twilight movies, thank you very much.” I cross my arms and tilt my chin up, refusing to feel ashamed for that proclamation. His deep laugh echoes through the car and doesn’t stop for nearly two whole minutes. I fucking timed it.
“Shit babe, you gotta warn me if you’re about to say something that funny. I almost wrecked the car,” he says, still sputtering a laugh here and there and wiping tears from his eyes. I groan, knowing he just needs to get it all out.
“Seriously, though,” he says once he’s pulled himself together. “My father leads our pack, and one day that duty will belong to me. How do you feel about that, Linny?” I can tell he’s nervous about my answer, but truthfully, I don’t know how to feel. I don’t know enough about pack life or the dynamic of how everything works just yet to fully understand what that’ll mean for Dax, and indirectly, me.
“Honestly, I’m not sure,” I answer, trying to choose my words carefully. “I’d never ask you to choose me over your pack, if that’s what you’re worried about. So, I guess the short answer would be that we’ll just figure it out as we go. I’ll give you the long one when I know more about what exactly you being Alpha entails. Regardless, it isn’t going to change how I feel about you.” I shrug, not really seeing why he’d be worried. Was I shocked to find out Papa Wolf is the head motherfucker in charge? Sure. But at this point, nothing can really top finding out you’re half-wolf and your boyfriend can actually turn into one. After that, everything else sort of pales in comparison. Dax looks over at me reverently, pure adoration filling his eyes. His mouth opens and my heart start to race as I wait to hear what he’s about to say.
“The pack, it’s um, well off. We invested in the right companies years ago and the payoff was more than triple what we put in. Pack members get a one time stipend when they graduate, something to help them establish themselves. I used mine to invest in a start up company, gaining forty-nine percent of the company since it was such a risk. I didn’t want any control, and since investing, the company has done so well that the founder has actually been able to buy back a portion and I now only own thirty-five percent. It’s still a massive profit for me. I don’t have to teach another day in my life if I don’t want to. That’s how I got the Range Rover. I know it must’ve been a bit perplexing, but you never have to feel like anything is off the table for discussion with us, including finances. I’ve already added you to my bank account, your card should be here any day. Whatever I have, it’s yours now too, Linny.” I don’t think that’s what he was originally going to say, but this was just as shocking. I think my jaw may be on the floor. I want to tell him no, that I don’t want him for his money and using it would make me feel that way, but the look he’s giving me tells me that declining isn’t really an option.
The crunch of gravel pulls me out of my shock and my eyes dart out the window. The open land is full of lush, dark green grass. I smile, thinking that must be the exact shade Dax was referring to when he told me it was his favorite color. A two story log cabin comes into view a second later. Black planter boxes line the first floor windows with pink and yellow flowers cascading over them. It’s absolutely stunning, like something from a book. I wipe my sweaty palms against my jeans, that earlier doubt trying to creep back in. One look at Dax and I can tell he’s practically bursting with excitement. My fears fall back, his excitement bubbling over to me and taking their place. I need to meet the two people who created this perfect man sitting next to me, a lopsided grin making him appear more boyish than normal. I want all the details. When he took his first steps, if he ever peed the bed, when he lost his first tooth. Every last bit, and all those answers are waiting just inside the house he grew up in.
“Ready?” Dax whips open my door and extends his hand. He smiles, and I feel it everywhere, like a balm. I grin back and place my hand in his.
“More than ready.”
Chapter 20
We don’t make it five feet before the front door blows open and a tiny tornado comes barreling down the steps. The blur moves so fast I can’t quite make out what it is until it comes to a screeching halt inches away from crashing into us. Ah! Child. Jury was still out, could’ve been a large dog.
“Uncle D!” The blonde hair, blue eyed little boy squeals with excitement as Dax lifts him in the air and slings him over his shoulder and starts to tickle him relentlessly. The laughter that comes out of his tiny body has me grinning like a love sick puppy and my ovaries swooning at the sight of Dax treating him so affectionately.
“Say Uncle!” Dax yells over his giggles.
“Uncle! Uncle!” He throws in the towel immediately. Dax spins him around as fast as he can before finally setting his feet back on the ground. They both wobble with dizziness and eventually crash on the grass in a heap, laughing the entire time. My heart somehow manages to swell with even more love for Daxton Bardot. Yep, not even gonna try to mentally deny using that word.
“Don’t you ever forget who the reigning tickle champ is, little dude.” Dax ruffles the little boy’s hair.
“I think your old age is finally catching up to you. It usually takes at least three Uncles before you’ll stop tickling me,” the pint sized heartthrob jabs back. My eyebrows rise in amusement.
“Oh, really?” Dax props himself up on one elbow, looking like he’s preparing to exchange playground insults with a child. As if just now realizing I’m there, the kid is focused on me, eyes wide.
“Who is that, Uncle D?” he whispers. “I call dibs!” he blurts out before Dax can even respond. A laugh bubbles out of me as he stares at the little boy with narrowed eyes.
“That’s Linden. My mate.” He emphasizes that last part and the poor kid groans like he’s just had his entire bucket of Halloween candy taken and eaten right in front of him. Dax shakes his head and hops up. The little boy follows suit and I make my way closer to them.
“Linden, this is Caulder. Caulder, meet Linden.” Dax introduces me to the sweet little spitfire that has already claimed a chunk of my heart in mere minutes. I squat down and give him my hand to shake.
"It’s nice to meet you, Caulder.” He surprises the hell out of me when he turns my hand over and presses his lips to the back of it.
“The pleasure is all mine, Lindy,” he says, and I choke on a laugh that’s somewhere between shocked an amused. “You might be these big oafs wolf-mate, but you’re my soulmate.” He gives Dax a smug grin and I’m so taken with this tiny terror that I can’t even form words, I just sit there grinning at him.
“Mom!” Dax yells, snagging my attention. “Caulder’s trying to steal my mate!” He gives the kid a smug grin of his own and I can’t help but give him a ‘really?’ look. Apparently he’s going there.
“Tattletale,” Caulder murmurs
just as the door opens and two more people make their way down the stairs to join us.
“Linden!” The raven haired woman calls out as they approach.
“Hi,” I barely squeak out before she pulls me into a bone crushing hug. “Sweet girl.” Her voice cracks, and I know without looking that there are tears in her eyes. Her hand strokes through my hair and I have to fight to tamp down my own emotions. Dax was right. It doesn’t feel uncomfortable at all. It feels like coming home after you’ve been away for far too long. I hadn’t really been a participant in the hug thus far, but the need to wrap my arms around her is overwhelming. I squeeze her just as tightly, each of us saying a million things without ever opening our mouths. I catch Dax’s watery eyes over her shoulder and my tears break free, a sweet release marking this moment that I know has changed my life in ways I don’t even realize yet. When she finally pulls back, we just stare at each other for a long while. Her eyes match Dax’s and I find myself drawn to them but I still notice how young she looks. Aside from a few laugh lines, her and Dax could almost pass for siblings.
“I’m Beaxtrix,” she finally speaks. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to finally meet you.”
“You too,” I reply softly, too overcome with emotion to put my thoughts into words. The man standing behind her steps forward and my eyes widen at the size of him.
“Well, ain’t much to ‘er son.” He gives Dax a look, but his words are full of humor and I know that’s his equivalent of the soul soothing hug Beatrix just gave me.
