Chapter 4 Enlightened Ride Into Town

Raija's pov

Side-eyeing my passenger as I continued down the gravel road, I noticed that he had adjusted the seat so he was lying back. My eyes stared at his bare feet up his legs and lingered on his tan firm abs and dusky nipples. Blushing over my brazen wandering eyes I cleared my throat.

He is dressed in only a pair of dirt-stained blue jeans!

"You know no shirt, no shoes, no service is a rule at the grocery store?"

Axel glanced over at me with a frown and huffed in annoyance.

"Could you stop by a clothing store and I can give you my sizes so you can purchase something for me?" He mumbled as he felt around the back pockets of his jeans. Cursing he looked irate.

"My wallet is in the cave I sleep in."

I gaped at him in awe. What an entirely wild man!

"I've got money and can get you a T-shirt and a pair of cheap shoes," I replied in exasperation causing him to smile at me.

Turning my attention back to the road I berated myself for being overly accommodating.

After driving in silence for fifty miles, I heard Axel make an odd sound and roll down his window. My hair began to whip around me as I drove.

"Are you hot? I can turn on the air conditioner?"

Panting he growls, "Your scent is making my jeans tight."

Narrowing my eyes at him, I glance down to his lap to see his manliness straining to break free.

"GROSS! Have some self-control over yourself," I snapped. Axel rolled his eyes and focused on the scenery we passed.

Shaking my head at the odd-perverted man, I brushed my hair behind my ears as I continued down the dirt road. After driving a further twenty miles, Axel shot up to a sitting position, shifting the seat upright.

"We are entering another pack's lands!"

"Yes, these are Alpha Daniel's pack lands. They are the Black Storm pack," I explained stoically. Axel seemed nervous and was gritting his teeth.

"I didn't realize that another wolf pack resided so closely to mine," he said firmly. Narrowing my eyes I glanced at him.

"You don't have a pack, isn't that what you told me?"

He shook his head and sighed.

"I'm an Alpha without my pack. Those two bastards Seth and Steven fought me for it when I was younger and took it from me. It was mine after my father, the original Alpha passed. I was young, arrogant and they took advantage of my ignorance!"

Wolf politics confused me and I didn't respond to his outburst but did mention that Alpha Daniel was a decent guy and was close to my mother and me. Crossing his arms over his bare chest, Axel Rathbone looked vulnerable. He was grumbling about how he would have liked a heads-up about entering another pack.

"I sincerely apologize for not informing you. I thought all you wolfmen stuck together," I barked, interrupting his tirade. His amber eyes centered on me and he gave me an insincere smile.

"No mate, this Alpha could kill me for being a rogue and entering his territory." My eyes widened at him as I closed my mouth.

"Well, I…I um, I don't believe that Alpha Daniel would do that, and stop calling me mate," I sputtered. Axel rolled his eyes and sat back in his seat letting the wind blow his hair out of his face.

Assuming we were done conversing I concentrated on the highway I was now traveling on.

"The town is just up ahead. Um, what size shoes do you wear and shirt?" I questioned painfully. Axel wiggled his toes and grinned.

"A size thirteen shoe and XL tee please." I glanced at him and said, "Okay.'

"You know what they say about men with large feet…," he chuckled.

His statement hung in the air between us. I shook my head and sighed.

"Nope, sorry I don't have a clue, Axel," I muttered sourly as I sped up to pass a couple of elderly people out for a pleasure drive.

"Damn woman, you are too innocent," he growled sourly, causing me to roll my eyes.

"I have to remain pure so I can complete my rituals to become a Supreme Witch like my mother so sorry, not sorry," I replied coldly and felt his eyes on me.

"So you won't let me mate and mark you until you become this witchy person?"

Gritting my teeth I side-eyed him and nodded my head.

"I know nothing about you Axel except that you're a dog that feels that I'm your mate. I'm still a virgin and will only lay with a man once I've accomplished my goals and am in love," I said in exasperation. Axel bit his bottom lip and looked at me ardently.

"Well, I suppose we could get to know one another and I can help you with that witch supreme thing. You are my mate and I will mark and breed with you," he muttered very disingenuously.

"Thanks, I guess, but I don't need help nor am I willing to mate with you or any other man at this time of my life."

Axel curled his lip and grunted.

"You will need my help if those two alphas continue to snoop around your property!" Shaking my head I laughed.

"I'm going to my mother's shop to get Wolfsbane, that should nip their curiosity in the bud!"

He side-eyed me with a scowl on his face. Tough titties, I thought. I was not his mate no matter what he felt. I rubbed my chest feeling an odd pain above my heart.

As we entered the small town of Worthington I continued down to the clothing shop at the corner. Parking, I told Axel to stay. He rested his elbow on the rolled-down window and asked, "Where else would I possibly wander off to?" Rolling my eyes I exited and went into the clothing store. Pete, the store clerk greeted me. I knew every store owner in the town since my mom and I ran a holistic store too.

"What are you looking for, dear?" He asked kindly. Debating on whether or not I should ask, I paused.

"You wouldn't happen to have a pair of men's shoes size 13 on hand?" Pete eyed me oddly then chuckled.

"That is a big size and not very common. Let me check in the back where I have some spare inventory." I smiled, nodded, and thanked him as I headed toward the t-shirt rack. Grabbing an extra large I heard Pete talking from the back.

"Your mother is out of that muscle rub you make!"

"I'm going to stop there after I go to the grocery store and will get the list for restocking. I still haven't unpacked all my things but should be finished by the weekend," I replied. Pete came out holding a pair of white sneakers.

"I only have these," he said firmly.

"I will take them." He nodded and went to his register. As I approached I grabbed a pair of crew socks and put them along with the shirt on the counter. Ringing up the total, I was surprised when he didn't question me for the odd purchases. I paid with my card, grabbed the plastic bag, and waved farewell. Pete just smiled and waved back at me. I went to my truck and tossed the bag at Axel.

"Hurry and put them on, the grocery store is down the block." Rummaging through the sack, Axel lifted the graphic t-shirt and eyed me sternly.

"Me sarcastic…Never?" He read the words printed across the shirt.

"You want me to wear this?" I grinned smugly in response.

"Beggars can't be choosers and if you want me to buy you meat you'll have to pick it out yourself because I know nothing about it," I asserted.

"You could taste me. I'm a decent piece of flesh," he stated boldly. Looking at him blandly I laughed sarcastically.

"I believe that you would taste foul, sir!"

Hearing him huff made me grin to myself. Getting behind the wheel and starting my truck I watched as he slipped the shirt on after ripping off the price tag with his teeth. It did look ridiculous on him but what else was I to do?

"Hope the shoes work."

Axel pulled them out next and the socks fell on his lap.

"Don't wear socks," he grumbled and stuffed them back into the plastic bag.

"I haven't worn shoes in ages, um…Could you lace them for me?" I eyed him at the red light.

"I will after I pull into the parking lot," I replied. I berated myself again for being too nice. I parked and opened my door. When I got to the passenger side Alex had both of his feet sticking out. Looking down at his shoes on the wrong feet I bit my lip and looked up at him.

"Put them on the correct feet and I will tie them for you!" He lowered his head and switched shoes, correcting the error. I leaned over and double-tied them.

"Thank you," he said sincerely. I could feel his embarrassment. Instead of acknowledging it I simply nodded.

"Come on bud, let me get you some food," I said with a kind smile. Staring down at me as he stood, his eyes twinkled.

"May I store my meat in your box?"

Raising my brow I nodded, and said, "Yeah you can put your meat in my refrigerator. I'd hate for your meat to spoil."

Narrowing my eyes at him when I noticed he was dying of laughter. Not understanding why he was laughing I shook my head and waved for him to follow me.

"I would make sure you were so hot," he snorted, bringing a frown to my face.

"Behave wolfman!"

Alex's eyes widened and he glanced around in a panic.

"Will you just stop announcing what I am!"

Curling my lip I nodded and continued entering the grocery store with Axel on my heels. Living amongst the humans I often forgot they were unaware of the cryptids in their mists. Glancing back at Axel I told him to grab a cart.

"I need to go to the hardware section to grab some screen spline then I can get you some meat," I sighed. Grinning, Axel replied," Sounds like a plan sweetheart. Maybe you will allow me to prepare the meal tonight?"

"Sure Axel, but I don't eat meat."

Smirking, he nodded, "You will enjoy my meat, guaranteed!"

Covering my eyes, I shook my head at the people who were near and overhearing his nonsense. Heading to the hardware section, I grinned hearing the cart Axel was pushing and clinking behind me.