"Natalia..."
"We kissed, Axton. And you have been cold ever since. I hate how I keep feeling on edge. If you do not feel anything for me, why did you bring me here? Why did you want me here at all costs? Am I payment for some debt my father took?"
Alpha Axton struggled to keep his calm, his thumb and middle finger massaging his forehead.
"Natalia. I do not want to put a tag on you and I because of one kiss. It is normal to get caught in the moment."
"Get caught in the moment, Axton? Then what about bringing me here? What about all of these? Were you just caught in the moment oo? Do you regret bringing me? Is that why you want to lock me up?"
"Natalia, stop. I brought you here because I need you. I still do. Do not say things you do not know."
She stood, watching him, her breath ragged as her chest heaved. Tears stood in her eyes, and he found himself propelled towards her, the alpha male in him standing behind and seeing just what kind of effect a mate bond had on him.
He slowly dabbed his thumbs under her eyes to get rid of the tears that stood there, then took a step back.
Her hand held his black cloak, however, as she tried to keep him in place.
"Why are you trying to make things hard?" She asked, her brows furrowed.
"Everything about our bond is hard, Natalia." He found himself being truthful for the first time. "I find it hard not to lose control."
"What does...losing control mean?"
He shrugged. "Probably, a lot more of what happened in the carriage."
"Then, I do not mind, Axton. Lose control." She moved closer, her hands cupping his face delicately. His eyes searched hers in that intimate moment, his heart beat faster than he needed right now.
"It is not that easy." He backed away from her, gently keeping her hands on her sides. "Get ready. I will come by later."
He walked away from her slowly, and bolted out as soon as he got to the door.
Natalia felt a little more at ease than she felt in the beginning. He was opening up, and to her, it was a major milestone for someone whose scarce facial expressions she needed to rely on in order to get to understand him better.
"Miss?" The omega was back, and this time she looked a little better than she did the first time.
"Yes?"
"I will help you get dressed."
Natalia nodded, excitement surging in her chest.
"How are the preparations going?" Alpha Axton asked as he stood in front of the mirror, examining his features. No traces of the ailment he had suffering on his body for ten years was there.
"It is all done, Alpha. Everyone is waiting for you. By the way, do you intend to come with miss?"
Alpha Axton nodded.
"We prepared a place for her beside you. Also, extra clothes if you need to shift. It is exactly the same as this one. Ceremonies like this can get hectic."
Aloha Axton nodded again, then waved him away.
He wore the long black and gold coat the beta had gotten, with the trousers that were slacked upwards, but slimmer from his knee down.
Alpha Axton wore the family ring, one that was handed to him by his father and to them by their fathers before them. He had not worn it ever since the curse and his fingers welcomed the familiar coldness of the gold.
Natalia was ready by the time Alpha Axton came to her, and together, looking like the perfect pair, they went to the ceremony.
The ceremony was a big one, with more food than Natalia could count, and more dancers and music than she could focus on. Her seat was right next to Alpha Axton's and it made her giddy to the stomach.
He helped her to her seat, then took his, before their arrival was announced. Slowly everyone came to pay a small tribute to him, welcome him and congratulate him on his return. Even the omega who attacked him was soon bowing respectfully.
Alpha Axton only gave him a small smile and waved him away.
The ceremony went into full swing, with loud drums and music. At first, everyone was hesitant to dance or show much happiness, but when Beta Scott walked into the stage, they knew they had to.
Before long, their dance did not feel as forced anymore, and the square exploded with a happiness alpha Axton had never been responsible for bringing to the pack.
"Natalia," Axton said, leaning towards her. "I want to get some fresh air, you can join in the dances and have a meal if you want. I will have someone look after you, and I will be back."
She nodded, and lifted her head, then kissed his cheek. "Be safe."
He nodded, a little flustered, then signaled to his beta. He wanted to take some air as a wolf, not human.
He walked with his beta to a place a little far from the vibrance of the ceremony. It was not like him to move from the public when he wanted to shift, but Natalia was present and he did not want her losing her mind.
"Take care of her." He said as he watched her stand up from the seat, and walked cautiously towards the dance floor.
"You have my word."
Alpha Axton turned away from his view of Natalia, and shifted to his elegant black wolf.
"Wow. The Alpha's shifting is always so majestic."
Natalia raised her brows to the remark, and turned to the man who was serving food and swaying his head lightly to the beat. "What do you mean? Shifting? Alpha?"
"Yes, over there." He pointed to where beta Scott gave a final bow, and Natalia watched as the black wolf bounded off into the woods.
"Wait...that wolf..." She started to say, but could not find the words to complete it.
"That's Alpha Axton. He is very..well. But whenever he shifts to his wolf, it is always so majestic to see."
"Axton...is of the werefolk?"
The man laughed. "He is also the leader of this pack. And the strongest leader of all packs. Of course, he is a werewolf."