Chapter 4 4

Ellen's Aunt arrived today, and she is the spitting image of Ellen, just shorter and Blonde, closer to Lucy's height than Ellen and Axel. She is a quiet woman, observant, but sharp. She has a darkness that she hides well. She makes Astrid uneasy in Lucy's mind. She is a good actress, though. Her whole face lights up when she smiles at you. She helped put Kyle's wolf Arnold to sleep. She said for him to wake up, he would have to force a shift painfully on the next blood moon. If he doesn't, she will have to wake him up or another witch as powerful as her.

She is one of the five pure-blooded Gideon witches still alive. Most pure-blooded witches become dark witches drunk on dark power, shortening their lives. Aunt Bonnie explained to Lucy about Astrid, why she is wild and unruly and that the moon goddess must have favour on her to send Axel to this town without his calm wolf and training. Her life would look very different. She suggests Lucy come to Portland and meet Lanie in the facility. Axel doesn't like that idea. He thinks Lucy should stay with him so that he can keep her safe. Aunt Bonnie tells Axel to come and meet the rest of his family. Maybe after graduation, that could be their first stop.

AXEL

Aunt Bonnie is pissing me off. She is a nice enough lady, but I don't trust her, especially with Lucy. She comes to town and starts telling Lucy what to do. Lucy needs me. I can take care of her. I know Lucy needs answers, but I have this horrible feeling everything is about to go wrong. Liam and Ellen have been helping Lucy train in wolf form, and she is getting stronger, that's for sure, but what if it's not enough. What if Astrid takes over and Lucy, sweet, funny, selfless, Lucy is gone forever. Deep down, I know she isn't my mate, and I don't feel that way about her, but she is my other half. My best friend, my little sister. Even if we are only two months apart, my birthday is next month, and I doubt I'll find my mate right away. I know for a fact we are the only wolves in town. I know the Dark moon pack has territory on the other side of the river, so we stay clear of that area. Even though we don't smell like rogues, we don't have a pack to bail us out either. I know Lucy has alpha blood. Her wolf is big, almost as big as Liam, which is unusual for a female wolf. Even Lunas are much smaller. Which makes me wonder if someone hid her among the humans with no wolves to notice her.

Axel and Ellen's 18th birthday is next week. Ellen and Lucy are planning an epic camping trip up in the mountains. Axel has been so stressed about Lucy's training and keeping Astrid in check, especially after seeing that rogue stuck in wolf form. The girls thought a fun weekend away would be just what the doctor ordered. Lucy was busy baking away when Axel came in for his usual coffee and scone before his shift. He popped his head into the back, looking for Lucy. It was Thursday, and they were set to leave tomorrow, so she was baking extra goodies for their weekend.

"Ax! Hey! Is it almost four already? Geez, time flies when you're birthday baking!" Lucy always made ridiculous jokes when she was hiding something.

"Why are you acting weird?"

"Oh, you know I'm funny naturally. So, you got Sunday off for your birthday. "Lucy reminded him.

"Yes, Luc, I'm all yours for the weekend!"

"Ha-ha, good" Lucy laughed at him.

"It will be a weekend to remember! Maybe you'll find your mate." She whispers giggled.

"I am not counting on it. There are not many wolves around here." He sighed, not wanting to admit he both wanted to find his mate and not find her at the same time.

"Perhaps your mate is human," Lucy answered.

"I hope not," Axel said, looking off in the distance. "I want to be able to connect with her in wolf form. So, she can be part of all of me. I've been with so many human girls, and none of them get me to like the real me."

"Axel, the moon goddess, does not make mistakes. Your mate will be your perfect match. I know it! Now go before you are late for work and Rick comes over here looking for you."

Lucy handed Axel his coffee and scone and shoved him towards the door.

"Alright, fine. Bye, Luc."

"Bye Axel, love you! See you tomorrow!" She shouted. He gave her a salute and walked Across the street. Lucy finished packing up the treats for tomorrow and placed them in the walk-in cooler. Just then, her cell phone rang. That's weird. She thought only Axel called my cell. Unknown caller......

"Hello?" Lucy's shaking voice rang out.

"Hello Lucy, this is Benjamin Bennet. I believe you've been looking for me?" The voice on the other line sounded weathered.

"Yes- My Grandfather is Ben Bennet." Lucy choked out.

"Yes, your mothers father would make me your grandfather, but you maybe call me Alpha Bennet. Don't come looking for me. The pack is not what you want for your life. Just move on. Live your life. We do not want you in ours.

Lucy hung up the phone. She sat on the floor against the long walk-in cooler. I knew they didn't want me, but to hear him actually say it. That was heart-wrenching. Lucy shoved the feelings down and continued cleaning up. She was not about to let some man she never met bring her down.

Axel was so surprised and happy they decided to go camping for his big birthday surprise. He needed a break and to be with his two favourite girls. He never thought he would have a sister, let alone a twin.

They set up the tent and were sitting out watching the stars. It was a clear night. You could hear the rustling of small animals running through the forest and the river rushing in the distance. They laughed and talked about what their mates would be like if they found them right away or if they would be waiting months or years. It was common for wolves to pick a mate if they didn't find theirs in the first few years. They were getting ready for bed when Ellen froze. She didn't know what to do. She felt so strange, like something big was about to happen. One of her gifts as a wolf-witch hybrid, even though she didn't have a wolf yet, was the sense of danger, smell and weather. She never really understood the weather, But Aunt Bonnie said it would come in time.

Axel suddenly shifted into Liam and stood between the tree line and the girls. When a giant chocolate-coloured wolf stood there, frozen eyes locked with Ellen. Ellen whispered something Liam couldn't make out, and then the wolf changed into a beautiful tall man, sandy coloured hair and eyes the colour of honey.

"What the? The man sputtered. How?" Lucy started laughing hysterically.

"Oh, Ellen, that never gets old. She put your wolf to sleep. It's her fear response. He will be awake in a few hours." Lucy explained while tossing this huge, very naked man a pair of shorts. "I'm Lucy!" Lucy made a short wave with her hand. Ellen still didn't move, and Liam shifted back to Axel. Axel turned and put both hands on Ellen's shoulders.

"Ellen, Ellen, can you hear me? "He shook her a little. Ellen shook her head unable to speak right away. After a about a minute, her words came out.

"Mate......... he's, my mate."

"Hi, I'm Maddox." The very tall, beautifully crafted man spoke, not taking his eyes off Ellen. "Where did you come from?" Axel asked him.

"Over the pass and down the river. I was out running when I caught her scent. I ran for miles and miles until the scent got stronger and led me here," Maddox explained. Ellen spoke for the first time.

"What pack are you from?" Maddox paused and almost hesitated when he said death moon pack. All the Color drained from Ellen's face, and she sat down on the ground. The death moon pack was the most dangerous and violent pack in North America. They were known for absorbing packs. They owned almost as much land as the mountain moon pack. She couldn't possibly go with him. But this is who the moon goddess chose for her.

"I can't go with you back to your pack. I need to help my friend with some things." Ellen spoke shakily. Maddox moved closer to Ellen. The Mate pull drew him towards her without realizing they were locked in each other's arms. Maddox leaned down and spoke in Ellen's ear.

"You take all the time you need, my beautiful Mate. I am not going anywhere." Ellen looked up into his eyes, puzzled.

"You don't need to be with your pack? I can sense you are a ranked wolf which means you have duties?"

"I am the beta of my pack; I can take leave when I see fit. Alpha Killian will support my decision to be with my Mate until you can return with me." Maddox explained. Ellen pulled away and hesitated before she spoke again.

"I.... um.... I'm not a wolf. I am a hybrid witch....." Maddox cocked his head and looked at Ellen. You have a wolf. She is just dormant. My wolf Dexter can feel her. That's how I found you.

"No, that's not possible." Ellen panicked.

"My whole life, I was told I have no wolf. I would only possibly get a wolf if my Mate was a wolf and marked me, but they said that was a very slim chance, and my Mate would have to be very powerful." Maddox softened and touched his thumb to Ellen's cheek.

"We will find her and bring her out. Don't you worry a bit, my little witch? Walk with me. Let's talk and get to know each other."

Axel was about to interject when Lucy grabbed him by the arm and pulled him away from them. "Ax, he's, her mate. He won't hurt her. Plus, she is a witch. I think she can handle herself."