Her Safe Place

Edited✅

King Axel Pierce

“Welcome, King Axel.” I was greeted by Alpha Andrews. I nodded my head, acknowledging his bow. Alpha Andrew’s was under the assumption that I was just visiting. I truly had more pressing matters to deal with than just a visit. “This is my mate, Luna Jane Andrews.”

“King Axel,” she greeted with a bow. I nodded again.

“We are so thankful you could come visit.” Alpha Andrews said. He smiled brightly, “we would love for you to look around our pack. We have training beginning soon. I’m sure our trainers would love to receive your input.” It seems Alpha Andrews had jumped straight to the mindless flattery.

“I would first like to speak with you. We have some matters of business to attend to.” I said.

“Of course. Before we begin the talk with business, we have a lunch prepared for you.” Alpha Andrews said, pointing towards the house behind him.

“I am flattered, but we must discuss this business first.” I said. I hadn’t truly wanted to stay. I would not be able to endure the mindless prattle of a lunch.

“Of course.” I knew he wouldn’t deny me. He was trying to be on my good side, he wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize that. “Please follow me.” Alpha Andrews turned to his mate. “Jane, I will be taking the king to my office. Please have everyone begin with their training, we will have lunch after our meeting.”

Luna Andrews nodded, “would you like me to join you after I excuse everyone?”

“Yes.” Luna Andrew nodded once more before she turned towards the group of pack members. Alpha Andrews led me towards the pack house. We walked up a flight of stairs and into an office.

“What may I do for you?” Alpha Andrews asked.

“I had a couple of guards visit your pack a few days prior. They were turned away at the boundary line.” I said, keeping my head held high. Confidence was a major thing when talking with an alpha with an ego.

“Yes, we had some wolves pass by. They were rejected entrance due to the fact that I had no knowledge they were coming. I didn’t know if they were truly from you or from a rogue pack.” Alpha Andrews said just as the door opened. I turned only to acknowledge the person who stepped inside.

Luna Andrews stepped inside.

“What would you suggest I do so that the next time I send guards, they aren’t sent away?” I asked, curious what his answer would be.

“Perhaps you could send me a message or a letter. I wouldn’t want to allow rogues into my land.” Alpha Andrews said. It seemed Alpha Andrews had a bigger ego than I had initially thought. That could make things more difficult.

“And you couldn’t have just smelt their scent?” I asked, “perhaps the uniforms? All guards are only allowed to wear their own uniforms. We have magic placed over the uniforms for this.”

I knew Alpha Andrews had no reply. The worry on his face told me everything I needed to know.

Before Alpha Andrews could reply, the door opened and a small child came running in. The small child giggled as he ran.

“Xander,” Luna Andrews said, stopping the little boy. “What are you doing?”

“Layla was chasing me,” the small child said, smiling.

“Where is Layla?” Luna Andrews asked, her voice taking on an edge.

“She stopped when I ran in here. She said she couldn’t come into daddy's office.”

the little boy looked a little confused by his last sentence. “Why can’t Layla come into Daddy’s office?”

“Layla, please come in.” Luna Andrews called out, ignoring the little boy's question. “Xander, why don’t you go back to your tutor? You still have lessons to complete.” Xander ran from the room just as a woman stepped into the room. Her brown hair was pulled back into a braid that rested against her back. Her eyes were turned to the ground. I couldn’t see her face. One thing was made clear as my wolf yelped for her.

‘Mate! Mate!’ He repeated over and over. I was frozen in shock for a moment. I had found her. She was here, standing in front of me. I didn’t notice Luna Andrews approaching my mate until her hand landed swiftly on my mate’s face. My mate fell to the ground due to the force. I was broken from my shocked state and growled.

“Excuse me, your highness. My stepdaughter has no manners and doesn’t seem to understand the littlest of assignments.” Luna Andrews sent a bone chilling glare towards my mate. My wolf growled at the show of disrespect.

My mate still hadn’t looked up from the floor. She was silent. Luna Andrews moved towards my mate, she spoke harshly. “I told you to stay away from Xander and to stay in your room. I don’t need you to be a bad example on him.” She raised her hand again and landed another hit on my mate. I moved into action.

I stepped in front of my mate, shielding her from her attacker. “No more.” I was so angry and my wolf was so on edge, I couldn’t say much more than that.

“My king, please forgive her stupidity. She is just a lowly human.” Luna Andrews said. My wolf growled at the insult thrown at his mate.

I could smell that my mate was human, however, she knew of this world, that made this easier.

“Who is she?” I asked.

“My stepdaughter.” Luna Andrews said. “She was such a failure her mother left her. My husband and I took her in and take care of her.” I thought I heard a small scoff from behind me. Luna Andrews sent another glare at my mate.

“I believe we are done here,” I said. “Alpha Andrews, I will be sending guards here in the near future. I suggest you don’t send them off again.” Alpha Andrews nodded. I turned around and crouched down to my mate. I held out my hands. She flinched back.

“Your highness, you shouldn’t worry yourself with her. She shouldn’t even be within your presence.” I growled out a warning.

“She is my mate and I will be taking her with me back to my pack.” I said.

“But-“

One sharp glare cut off any objection either of the Andrews would’ve made. I turned back to my mate, keeping my hands held out for her.

She stared at my hand for a moment before glancing up at me. One look into her eyes had the world freezing. My hand reached out without my knowledge and I touched her cheek. Almost as if it was a direct response, she tilted her head into my palm.

“My king,” I growled as the trance was broken between my mate and I. She immediately turned her head and looked at the ground, a blush strolling across her cheeks. “This can’t be possible. She is just a lowly human. She doesn’t deserve to be in your presence.”

I growled again.

“She is my mate.” I replied. Mates were the exception to every rule. You didn’t argue with mates. Every law was powerless against the argument of mates. “I will be taking her with me back to my pack. As of now, she is no longer part of your pack.” I said. My voice was strong and confident. I turned back to my mate. “Lets go.” My tone softened from the harsh one I had used against her stepmother.

My mate nodded and tried to stand. One look at her pained expression had my heart racing. I swiftly picked her up into my arms. A small squeak escaped her as she grabbed onto my neck. I chuckled quietly before moving out of the office and back down the stairs. My beta, Vince Donavan, waited by the car. His eyes asked a silent question as he noticed the girl in my arms.

“Your highness,” he said, bowing. He held the door open while I placed my mate into the car.

“My mate,” I whispered. Vince’s eyes widened slightly, but he kept his face fairly neutral. I climbed in behind my mate and sat next to her. I noticed she hadn’t buckled her seatbelt, so I reached across her body. She flinched. I paused. “I’m just going to grab your seatbelt. I want you to be safe.” She only nodded, her eyes wide as they watched my every move. I pulled the seatbelt across her body and buckled it in.