Hidden Away

Chapter 4

Axel POV

I sat there, staring at the screen, a headache starting to form on the front right side of my brain. I’ve been on this video call with Alpha Raymond for over an hour. How could you keep mates apart just because of a disagreement? I understand we haven’t always been compatible, but maybe this is the mood Goddess’s way to help put away all this unnecessary feuding. Our packs have been against each other for generations. 6 generations ago, 2 brothers both wanted to be the alpha of our pack, but usually the responsibility falls to the oldest. The younger brother couldn’t stand it, so he challenged his older brother, who ended up winning fair and square. Usually the result of the challenge is death, but the older brother couldn’t stand to kill his little brother, so he gave him the choice to either submit or leave. Not being able to take the loss, he ended up deciding to leave the pack and started his own. He had a few loyal friends who followed, they’ve grown in size over the generations, but still couldn’t compare to us, the Blue Moon pack. Ever since, we’ve always been on opposing sides with treaties, alliances, we could barely stand to be in the same room together. There was always some kind of situation between our packs every year at the mating ball. This year was no exception, but very surprising when Alpha Raymond’s only daughter turns out to be my beta’s fated mate.

We were all taken by surprise. I figured this is finally our time to put our differences aside and try to get along. But Alpha Raymond was furious and wouldn’t even let them spend any time together to get to know each other. I’ve been going back and forth with him all week to convince him that his only daughter would be safe here. I somewhat understand his fear, but the moon Goddess wouldn’t have paired them together if she didn’t believe in us reuniting.

“I understand your concern, Alpha Raymond, but in the three years that I have been alpha, we haven’t had any mate abuse situations. Besides, my beta would never do something like that, but if he did, I would step in and take care of it. You have my word.” I tried to reassure the alpha. I had been putting a lot of time and effort into convincing Alpha Raymond to let Selena come be with Anthony. Seeing how miserable he is with finally finding his mate, but not being with her was killing me slowly. I can only imagine how much worse it is for him.

I proceeded to tell Alpha Raymond,”and if it makes you more comfortable, you could visit monthly to check in on how she’s doing. I feel the Moon Goddess paired these two to be together for a reason, maybe over time we could visit the possibility of a peace treaty between our packs. I beg of you, Alpha Raymond, please allow Selena to come be with her mate.” I pleaded.

“Fine, you’ve made your case. We will get her all packed up tomorrow and I will escort her to her new pack, we will arrive mid-day Sunday.” He finally agreed.

“Thank you, Alpha Raymond, and one more thing.. please allow my beta to talk to Selena, he has been going crazy not having his mate by his side.” I told the alpha more than asked. This whole ordeal was ridiculous, but I promised Anthony that I would do everything I could to convince Alpha Raymond to let them be together.

“Very well, send me his contact information and I’ll be sure to pass it along.” He agreed.

“Will do, see you both on Sunday.” I said and ended the call.

I sat there with my elbows on the desk and used my hands to massage my temples to relieve the pain. This is the most stressful week I’ve had since becoming alpha, believe it or not. I started training at a young age for alpha, so much of how the pack is runned and our rules is very much ingrained in me. But convincing a rival pack to let mates be together was not something I thought would take so much time and effort.

I sighed as I finally pulled out my phone to forward Anthony’s phone number and email to Alpha Raymond. I stood up from my desk chair, walked around to the front and sat on the edge of the desk as I proceeded to call my beta to let him know. He picked up halfway through the first ring.

“What’s the word, Alpha?” He sounded on edge, which he has been for almost an entire week.

“He’s agreed to move her here, finally. They’ll be arriving mid-day Sunday and he is passing along your number to her, so you should be hearing from her shortly” I answered with a smirk on my face, proud of being able to accomplish this for not only my beta, but my best friend.

“Thanks so much, man! I seriously couldn’t ask for a better best friend.” He said like a weight had just been lifted off his shoulders.

I chuckled,” well that’s true. Just kidding, man, you would do the same thing for me.” We didn’t need to say anything anymore and hung up the call. I noticed the time, it was 4:30, Cody should be getting here soon so we can head out for bowling.

I suddenly heard a giggle coming from somewhere in my office. I stopped in my tracks as I tried to use my wolf hearing to detect where the giggle had come from. Finally I could hear the sound of heavy breathing from behind my desk. I pretended to walk out of the office as I said,” I guess I’ll have to go to glow in the dark bowling by myself, since Cody hasn’t made it yet!”

My desk chair went flying into the filing cabinets behind my desk and made a clunking noise. I stood there with my arms crossed, waiting for him to emerge from under the desk. He slowly came into view with his shaggy dark brown hair hanging slightly over his dark brown eyes, a white shirt with the marvel superheroes, jeans, and his black and white chucks.

I stood there with a disappointed look on my face,” I didn’t even hear or smell you come in that time.” I quickly turned my face into a big toothy grin.

“I was wondering when you were going to notice me, I’ve been here for a while” he said as he smirked.

I laughed,” well I guess I’ll have to not be so comfortable in my own office anymore. I want to go change first, so wait for me downstairs and we’ll head out, okay?”

“Don’t make me come hunt you down again!” He teased as I opened the door for us both to exit my office. He headed towards the elevator while I just had to walk two doors down from my office. I quickly threw on a white v-neck with dark blue jeans and my black and white chucks.

I always looked forward to fridays. I usually made it a habit to get out of the pack house with my little brother at least once a week. Since he’s the second born, he doesn’t have the responsibility of taking over as alpha when he gets older. Not that I’m complaining, but I wish I had had more time to be a kid when I was one. But I more than make up for it now with Cody.

I grabbed my wallet and keys and headed down the stairs. As soon as the elevator doors opened, I saw Cody straight ahead standing in front of mom while she picked at him and tried to fix his clothing. He’s twelve so he’s getting to those teenage years where he defies mom whenever it comes to his appearance. Ah adolescence, how I don’t miss those days.

“You ready?” I eyed him as I approached him and mom,” Hi, Mom. How’s your day been?” I asked her as I gave her a hug and kiss on the cheek.

“It’s been good, except for the fact this one won’t let me get his haircut. It’s starting to affect his eyesight, he keeps running into things!” She complained to me.

“I don’t want to cut it! I want to grow it out like Axel’s! It looks cool.” He quickly interrupted before I had a chance to say anything.

“Aw thanks, little man. We just need to teach you how to tame the mane” I told him and to help ease my mom’s annoyance.,” well don’t wait up mom, we’ll see you later, have a good night” I kissed her again and Cody gave her a hug and kiss as well.

We pulled into the parking lot and pulled into an empty space towards the back of the parking lot. As we entered the building, memories of a couple birthday parties I came to here resurfaced. Once I remembered, I was excited that I was getting to bring Cody here.

We got our shoes and headed over to our lane. Once we sat down and started setting our game up, a skinny girl with blonde hair in a high ponytail rolled her way out over to us.

“Hi there, guys! My name is Haley and I’ll be helping you out with anything you need tonight,” she said then looked over to me and shot me a wink. I quickly glanced over at Cody, but he was too busy trying to figure out how to set up our names on the scoreboard. I looked back to her and shot her my megawatt smile then glanced at the menu quickly.

She wrote down our order and let us know it was still early so it wouldn’t be too long. I eyed her ass as she rolled away, she turned around and caught me staring. Her cheeks pinked and she giggled as she rolled through the door to what I’m assuming is the kitchen.

I was used to the attention. I’m 6’4”, tanned, and muscular with a man bun; girls swooned everywhere I went. I only went after the potential release when I really needed it. I didn’t want to be too tainted when I met my mate.

Ah my mate, I’ve been waiting to find her for 6 years now. That’s a long time for an Alpha to be looking for their mate. The longest I’ve ever heard an Alpha waiting is ten years, and I’m already halfway there. Next year, I’m getting more serious about the hunt. I’m going to start visiting a different country every month after next year's mating ball. Packs from all over the country come to the mating ball, so there is a possibility that she’s somewhere I’ve never been..

“Hey Axel! It’s your turn!” Cody yelled, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Sorry, little man, let’s get this game going!”

Shortly after we started the round, Hayley returned with our food and drinks. She placed her hand on the table and leaned over towards me, showing off her ample cleavage and said,” is there anything else I can get for you boys?” She batted her eyelashes at me with her eyes full of lust. If I wasn’t with Cody, I might’ve had my way with her.

“I think we’ve got everything we need for now, thanks” I gave her a friendly smile.

“We’ll just flag me down if that changes” she winked at me and rolled away.

I won the first round, of course. But Cody is definitely some kind of bowling whiz, he was only twenty pointes behind me. We were halfway through our second game when I looked over at Cody, he looked kind of pale and sweaty. He was holding his stomach when I asked,” hey, bud, are you feeling okay?”

“My stomach was feeling kind of funny earlier… I wanted to come out with you, so I didn’t say anything….”

“Oh buddy, we could have come another day if you weren’t feeling good. Let me pay the bill and we’ll head home, so you can rest.” He nodded and continued to sit there, holding his stomach.

I flagged Hayley down and paid the bill. We changed our shoes and returned them, then headed home. Cody fell asleep in the car on the way home. I mindlinked mom.

Hey, Mom, Cody is feeling sick, so we’re heading home already.

Oh no! Is he okay?? What’s wrong with him??

He doesn’t seem too bad, he said his stomach was hurting earlier, but he didn’t say anything because he wanted us to go out.

Oh! My poor baby! We’ll be safe and I’ll see you two when you get home.

Okay, see you soon.

We arrived at the pack house. I just wanted Cody to rest. I carried him, without waking him, to his room. He was out like a light. I was able to change his clothes while he stayed asleep. I tucked him into bed and kissed his forehead. I turned the light off as I left the room. I hope he’s okay.