Rivals for Luna's Mate

Chapter 4: Captive Mate

I wandered around my room, the morning hours passing by, and there was no sign of Axel since our last encounter. Although I was curious, I remembered the old saying about curiosity killed the cat.

I don't know what prompted me to ascend to the upper floor, where his room was, but I did. Slowly climbing the stairs, I noticed Axel lying on his bed. His right arm rested beneath the pillow, and he faced away from me. The sheet covered him up to his belly button, just revealing the tattoos on his chest and stomach.

Axel's looks went beyond handsome, he had a kind of beauty. His black hair was neatly cut, framing his face. He slept soundly, appearing so peaceful. Xavier always grew angry if I didn't satisfy him enough. With Axel, I assumed that his life revolved around constant s****l encounters, surrounded by eager young women.

If I could somehow make Axel trust me enough, maybe I could find a way to escape. Evading his attention was my goal, a strategy to stay out of trouble.

I closed the door cautiously, determined not to act on my impulses. I planned to maintain my distance, as Axel's disrespectful and indifferent demeanor made me indifferent to whether he'd be angry about my silence.

I would rather starve than dine with him, let alone love him.

The house seemed serene. The boys were likely either asleep or engaged in their training routine. At Xavier's house, the group usually stayed up late, engaging in activities like drinking, smoking, and playing pool.

Life out here felt like a future of misery. I needed to find an escape route.

"You reek of being a rogue." Abruptly, a strong man seized me, flinging me against the wall before I could grasp the situation. Dizziness overwhelmed me.

"I'm under Alpha Axel's custody," My statement held some truth, but despite his claim of me being his mate, I felt more like a captive. I couldn't utter those words aloud – Axel's mate.

"Then why were you wandering?" The man yanked my hair and shoved me forward, stoking my anger, yet I suppressed it, unsure how long I could keep quiet. "Who allowed you to roam free from your prison?"

"I allowed myself," I retorted, aware that my defiance might cost me dearly. He propelled me down the hallway with forceful aggression, and I braced myself for what would come next.

"Yes, but what were you seeking?" I was thrown into a dim room containing a bed, a dresser, and a TV. He pushed me until I stumbled and fell onto the bed. His hand tightened around my throat, triggering fear. I struggled to release his grip to catch my breath.

"No, stop!" I shouted, attempting to grab, scratch, or do anything to defend myself against his assault.

"You damn w***e, shut your mouth!" His voice boomed as he pinned me against the bed. Our clothes were the only barrier between us. I racked my brain for escape strategies, but none seemed to work. He was undoubtedly much stronger than me. "You could be my girl, you know. You're too pretty to stay locked up."

"Don't touch me!" This was unacceptable, not here or anywhere else. His hand was creeping towards my pants, prompting me to draw my knees up in an attempt to escape. But he positioned himself between my legs, immobilizing me.

"Here, you're not the one making requests," His rage painted his face red. My scream was so piercing that it hurt my own ears. His irritation was evident. He was about to inflict harm. "You should've stayed in your cell where you belong."

"I'm sorry," I struggled to catch my breath. He covered my mouth with his hand, my attempts to scream only made me cry harder, which seemed to please him even more. The door came off its hinges, crashing into the wall. The man's grip loosened with a rough growl, and I saw Axel by the doorway.

"Silas!" Axel seized him by the neck and hurled him against the wall. I feigned indifference while trying to regain my composure, adjusting my disheveled clothing. It would have been so easy for someone to exploit the situation. "What the hell were you thinking?!" Axel's voice rang out, charged with anger.

"She... she... but why?" Silas appeared baffled. Perhaps Axel had permitted him, allowing him to take advantage of girls or prisoners. "She's just a girl!"

"She's my girl, you piece of trash!" Axel yanked him away from the wall and delivered another blow. Silas's eyes had never looked so terrified. Axel was a source of fear for many, there was no avoiding that fact. He threw Silas to the ground and turned to me, finding me still catching my breath. His expression seemed sorrowful and gentle, yet I suspected his anger would follow.

Axel encircled me with his arms, his biceps holding me tightly against his chest. Even though I hadn't resisted, I didn't wish to be near Silas. I sensed Axel carrying me through the corridors.

"Why didn't you tell him? Why didn't you speak the truth?" Axel's anger flared immediately, yet he handled me carefully. He waited for my response, growing more impatient with each passing moment of silence. "He would have stopped if you told him you're my mate!"

"Because I am not your mate!" I exclaimed.

Perhaps I was, perhaps I wasn't. I was uncertain what to believe anymore. If being here kept me safer than with Xavier, I could endure it. Axel threw me onto the ground, resting his hands on his hips. Lack of sleep seemed to have worn him out, and my presence appeared to add to his fatigue.

"Yes, you damn well are!" His frustration was palpable. "I won't force my mark on you, but my pack will always recognize your position here! Silas won't dare touch you again!"

"You're acting as if I wanted it! I was stuck in this place with countless men I didn't know, and some of them wanted to use or harm me. I don't want any of you!"

"Maybe you did!" Axel turned and struck a part of the wall with his fist. I had no basis for comparison. I didn't desire it, but it was inevitable. I didn't want him to witness that crying rendered me feeble and lacking control.

"Let's face the reality," my anger was evident, yet I hoped he would understand and empathize. "Don't get me wrong, Alpha, you're an attractive guy. I don't care who you date. Do whatever you want. I just want to be left alone. You don't need me."

Axel responded, "I can't make that happen," as we made our way back to my room. He maintained a distance from me. This time, he aimed to ensure I didn't leave the premises and remained indoors. "You're not leaving this property, and Xavier won't lay a hand on you again. No one will touch you anymore."

"You can't rescue me!" My anger welled up, and I felt close to tears. "This is the life I was born into, and I won't escape it!"

"I'll give it my best shot." I halted abruptly at the sound of Axel's agitated voice. His frustration was palpable. "I'll do whatever it takes to protect you."

"Why all the shouting?" A stunning young woman emerged from the adjacent room. Despite being in her pajamas, her hair and makeup were impeccable. "It's almost six in the morning, for goodness' sake."

I hadn't realized other girls lived here. I hadn't encountered any since my arrival.

"I—" I struggled to find words, as she seemed to accuse me while simultaneously feigning indifference. Axel appeared reluctant to upset her, an unusual shift from his usual behavior with women.

Axel gave her a rude gesture and rolled his eyes. "Meet my sister, Shavi," he introduced. They shared a similar height and appearance.

"What on earth are you two arguing about at this hour?" Shavi exclaimed, surveying me from head to toe. It was evident I hadn't made a favorable impression. "Who's this?" Her reaction conveyed genuine surprise, puzzling me. Shavi's response suggested that Axel wasn't the type to engage with women regularly or have them frequent the house. "This can't be real."

"This is my mate, Sienna," Axel interjected to halt her. He likely intended to explain the situation, but Shavi interrupted him by jumping up and down and clapping like a child.

"Really?! Finally! When's the big day? I'm so thrilled! Axel's jerk phase might finally end!"

Embarrassment flushed my face, and my body trembled. Since I wouldn't be getting married, there was no significant day to look forward to.

"Shavi, that's enough," Axel intervened, clearing his throat as if she'd been talking excessively. While Shavi toyed with the ends of my hair, he turned his attention away from Axel and beamed. I did my best to avoid looking at Axel.

"You're gorgeous, and my brother better not screw this up. He's been a real pain ever since he lost his mate. Let's go grab something to eat." She put her arm around my shoulders, and together, we left Axel behind.

So he had a mate before… But what happened? Where is she now?