Chapter 9: Axel

Cinnamon and strawberry.

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Every time I blink, I see her. That creature. That… that thing. Staring up at me with those brown eyes, trying to seduce me into forgetting how evil the humans are.

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I will never forget, not after what they took from me during the war.

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“Axel!” Ryker cries, ushering me into a seedy bar, “He’s in here!”

Those are the only three words Ryker has said to me since the Olivia incident. I fear she’s getting into his head the way she has gotten into Hunter’s.

Goddess, I might shoot myself. Or her. Anyone that keeps me from seeing my pack care for a human.

I rush in after him, staring around the run-down bar. My eyes catch Talon’s white hair within seconds.

He’s out of place here. Too prim and proper even while he’s passed out at the bar table.

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Ryker and I rush to his side. I have to push away an alarming number of empty glasses blocking his thin face.

When I press a hand to his pale forehead, it’s cold. Too cold.

“Ryker, find his jeep,” I instruct, my heart nearly pounding out of my chest.

Ryker nods and rushes outside. Just then, a bartender comes over and looks down at Talon, shaking his head, “The boy drank half the bar’s whiskey, again. He’s lucky no one else was here to see him.”

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My blood runs cold. All that whiskey in one night?

“I had to stop him before he killed himself,” the bartender continues, as if he’s done the most heroic thing ever. But this fact only worsens my worry.

I lift Talon over my shoulder, and my pack brother doesn’t even shake. The only reason I haven’t lost my shit yet is cause I can feel he’s alive through the bond.

Barely.

Breathe, Axel. You can handle this. You can handle anything for your boys.

I turn my energy towards the bartender, letting anger take over, “Don’t say a word of this to anyone, or the next time you see Talon Darlington, it’ll be in court.”

He drains of colour, and he scurries back into the staff room.

People may be scared of me, but they fear the Darlington’s power a million times more.

I rush out, hoping to see Ryker with Talon’s jeep, but my shoulders deflate when I find him looking just as lost as I feel.

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“Where the hell did he park it?” Ryker hisses.

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“Talon. Where’s your fucking car, man?” I rasp, but he doesn't move.

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I squeeze his lean frame, feeling more ribcage than flesh, and shudder. What the hell is he doing to himself?

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Ryker whips his blonde hair my way, “We could just forget about it? Right? The Darlingtons will get him a new one.”

“No, his parents wouldn’t get him anything if they trace Talon’s car back to this area.” I gesture to the run-down street, with its bar and hookers and sketchy gang packs, a terrible look for the High-class Darlingtons.

If Talon’s parents find out he has been coming here and getting black-out drunk for the past three years, they'll cut off his inheritance and force him to mate some CEO’s daughter to keep up appearances.

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I can’t let that happen.

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He’s been a pain in my ass, but he’s still mine. All the boys are, and I'll protect them till the day I die. Or, till the day their nonsense kills me.

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“Talon!” I spit again, shaking him a little, but I don’t even get him to murmur.

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Ryker wipes sweat off Talon’s brow, “Fuck Tally, are you trying to kill yourself?”

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I set my jaw. The answer Talon might give to that question terrifies the fuck out of me.

“You boys looking for something?” A gravelled voice calls out.

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Their familiar pinewood scent stings my nostrils, forcing a low growl out of me. Ryker lets out a little, “Shit.”

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We turn slowly and face the square-faced leader of the Blood Fang pack. A pack constantly trying to overrun me and my boys.

The three Blood Fang Betas stand behind their Alpha, Everest, like he’s a god.

It’s such bullcrap. I would never allow my boys to stand behind me like they’re dogs. I’m too proud of them to treat them that way.

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“Everest.” I greet coldly.

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“Axel motherfucking Parker.” His grin is dark, “ It’s always a displeasure to run into you.”

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“Trust me, talking to you isn’t exactly what we do for fun either.” Ryker retorts.

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One of Everest’s betas growls, “Don’t talk to us, orphan bitch. Maybe if you had real parents, you’d have manners.”

I snarl at him. How dare he disrespect my pack brother to my face?

Ryker rests a hand on my shoulder, and it’s the only thing that calms me down.

He smirks at them in that unbothered way of his, but I know it’s a mask for how hurt he is.

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“What? Don't like when I speak? “ He hums, “Funny, Clarissa loves it when I use my mouth.”

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A growl rips from the three Blood Fang Betas. Their pack has been trying to mate Clarissa since forever. The only reason she hasn't agreed is because she’s obsessed with Ryker’s dick.

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“Setlle down boys.” Everest instructs, strangely calm, “We’re not here to argue with these Crestridge fuckers. We’re actually here to show them this.”

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He dangles the keys to Talon’s jeep, and my heart lurches.

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“Looking for this, Parker? Or should I give it to the drunkard resting on your shoulder?”

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Oh fucking hell.