Chapter 3 Persistent Wolfman

Raija pov

The smell of a wet dog filled the air of my home.

I opened my eyes as I lay on my bed. The sun's rays were casting muted rainbow colors to illuminate my cream-colored walls as they shined through my hanging crystals.

"Here kitty, kitty," I called out, not seeing my cat lying down near my feet. Sitting up and glancing out my bedroom window I furrowed my brow.

That annoying man from the previous night was standing outside with his bare back to me.

Do all werewolves like to be naked? Exhaling deeply, I rose from my bed and grabbed my robe.

Walking barefoot to my front door, I continued calling out for my cat. Seeing the living room blinds awkwardly bent, and my still packed boxes in the middle of the room, I hissed.

Moving the boxes and then the blinds I could see the window screen was torn in. I cursed knowing my cat had to have escaped outside. It wasn't the first time since I had moved here.

Gritting my teeth, I unbolted my door to see Axel wiping black fur from his face. He continued sputtering and spitting out black fur causing me to pause.

"Did you eat my cat?"

Axel shook his head briskly and waved at a nearby ash tree.

"That horrid little beast is in that tree and it scratched me up," he replied, holding out his bloody-scratched hand to me. I grinned slightly at the look of exasperation he gave me.

"You shouldn't antagonize my furry friend because he likes to fight with strangers." I frowned, “Come inside and I will put some homemade ointment on it.”

That surprised him and the shock showed in his eyes that were narrowed at me. I side-eyed him and raised my finger in his direction.

"No funny business, Mister," I said firmly and Axel laughed. It caused me to lighten up a bit as I opened my door for him to walk past me into my domain.

This is the first time I‘ve let a werewolf walk into my place, I think. Feeling a bit of unease, I watched him carefully as I directed him to sit at my small kitchen table.

"Please sit there while I get the medication," I mumbled in annoyance.

He was glancing around my small kitchen and fiddling with the drying herbs I had strung up on my rack. He crumbled several and glanced over at me with a guilty look on his rugged face.

"Just sit, sir, and keep your paws off my things," I stated more firmly as I pulled out one of my wooden chairs which was too small for his immense size.

Pointing at it, he huffed out at me, "Call me Axel."

Rolling my eyes as I turned away from him, I hurried to my bathroom to search by packed boxes for the ointment. When I returned, not more than a minute later, Axel was rummaging through my refrigerator.

"OK Axel, now what are you doing? You are an insufferable person."

Axel side-eyed me and muttered, "There isn't any meat in your fridge."

Giving him a blank look, I exhaled deeply to gather my sanity. "I don't consume the flesh of animals," I informed him and almost laughed at the strange look that came across his features.

"So you are like a fairy princess and frolic with the wildlife," he chuckled.

"If you don't want your injuries tended to you are more than welcome to leave Axel! I've got lots of unpacking yet to finish!" I snapped in annoyance.

His mouth went in a straight line as he made his way back to my table and grunted as he sat. My chair creaked under his weight and he laid his hand on my table with a heavy thud. Lifting his hand into my own, I examined the wound more closely. Turning his large hand, I side-eyed him.

"These look like puncture wounds from a large toothed animal and not my cat," I mumbled softly.

The next second I almost screamed as Axel grunted and pulled me into his lap.

"You smell very nice," he said seductively then proceeded to nuzzle my neck. Gritting my molars, I pushed myself off and ended up squirting the ointment all over his bare chest. Mortified, I wiped it off with my fingers and looked sternly at him. I blushed and his eyes danced in merriment.

"If you're well enough to play games, you don't need my aid. Please leave Axel. I don't appreciate you pawing me like that," I stressed firmly. His humor faded and was replaced by agitation.

"You are mine, Raija, and I will have you," he growled roughly. I stepped back and rolled my eyes.

"You're not my type, sir. I don't like dogs as I am a cat person," I retorted.

When he stood up I shrunk back further. This man was dangerously huge and handsome, but I refused to give in to his nonsense. I watched him rub his eyes and exhale deeply.

"I um, I am sorry for being so forward. I'm an Alpha and I used to get what I wanted. I have little to no patience," he said through gritted teeth.

“Can you continue? It hurts.” Tilting my head I gave him a dull look.

"Fine, I will tend to your injury but then you can leave here. I must finish unpacking and finish with my rituals," I responded. Before I stepped closer, I lifted my brows.

"May I?"

He nodded and proceeded to lift his arm out to me. Once again I took his hand in mine and started spreading the medicine on his wounds.

"Both Alphas from the Shadow Moon Pack were here last night snooping around. It would be wise for you to get better protection…they don't like humans," he sighed.

Closing my eyes I frowned then glanced up at him.

"I'm half human, my mother is the supreme witch of the Raven's Wing Coven," I snapped. “And I am also practicing with the goal of the supreme witch, so, I don’t need your protection, I can protect myself.”

Rolling his amber eyes, the look of doubt shined in his features. He didn’t say anything arrogant again under my glare. Good.

Narrowing my eyes I went to my kitchen cupboard for some gauze and wrapped up his hand and wrist. I heard from my mother that werewolves are strong, and their wounds can heal quickly, but apparently, Axel didn't heal. Could it be why he insisted on claiming me?

"Give it a day before you remove the bandage, then wash it. The injuries will be healed," I asserted before going to my door and opening it up for him to leave.

Having lots of work yet to do, I ushered him out of my home. Axel examined the wrapping and appeared impressed with my work. He headed toward the open door and turned before exiting.

"I will keep watching your home whether you want me to or not, Raija. Also, be leery of two dark-haired men who appear the same in looks. Their names are Seth and Steven and they are not to be trusted." Axel nodded his head and his unruly hair fell into his eyes.

Rather than push it back with his fingers he shook his head and left it a mess. I watched my cat saunter in and brush himself against Axel's calf. He chuckled and walked outside.

He never gets close to strangers like this! Especially dogs!

Feeling betrayed by my feline I quickly shut the door in exasperation. Shaking my head at my cat, I lifted him into the air when he returned inside.

"Don't get too friendly with that wolfman, Sawyer. There is no way I would give up my magic for that man," I swore. I had to remain innocent in all manner of life and even if I desired to be claimed it would have dire consequences for me. I needed to finish all of my rituals as a pure woman to gain all my powers. Sawyer meows loudly back at me so I set him down and went to get him a bowl of his kibbles. Glancing down at him I shook my head.

"I'm going to have to head into town to get more screen spline to fix the window you broke out of," I huffed. Half of my day wasted to take care of that," I mused. I then figured that I could purchase motion lights and stop at my mother's holistic shop to get Wolfsbane and orders.

"I can kill multiple birds in one trip," I mumbled determinedly as I hurried to get dressed. Grabbing my keys I locked up the house and went to my truck. As I drove down the gravel road I saw Axel walking up ahead. He glanced over at me and I slowly braked. Rolling down my side window I asked him if he wanted a ride

"Where are you going alone?" Axel asked loudly. I shouldn’t doubt his determination to protect me from other werewolves, I think with a smirk.

"To town to get some supplies," I replied. I watched him contemplating momentarily and running his fingers through his messy mane.

"Alright, I will join you, Um could you stop at a grocery store so I can get some meat? I hate hunting," he muttered. Sighing at myself I reluctantly nodded and watched him open my door and hop inside. He glanced at me and grinned.

"For someone that doesn't want me around you sure are accommodating."

"Yeah, well don't think it's because I like you, I'm just kind-hearted. Buckle up flea bag," I answered sourly and started driving and kicking up a nice dust trail behind the truck.