Axel was waiting in the kitchen with a hot steaming mug of coffee and some freshly made pancakes when she came downstairs. “You did all this? It’s not even light outside.” She helped herself to a pancake as she slid into the chair at the table.
“Yes, I’ve made a stack of them to take with us. I’m sure O’Malley and Hannah will be glad for some food when they land.” He glanced up at her and flashed her a smile. She looked perfect, dressed in casual jeans and a warm jacket, with her hair pulled back into a ponytail.
“Did they go on a budget flight where you don’t get any food?” Jenessa closed her eyes as the buttery warmth of the food filled her mouth. “You should make pancakes for a living.”
Axel gave a short laugh, his eyes straying to the kitchen clock hung on the wall. “We need to get going.”
“Okay.” She slurped her coffee down and grabbed a couple more pancakes. “I can eat them on the way.”
Axel grinned. “I’ve won the heart of the woman I love.”
Jenessa stopped eating, her mouth full of pancakes. He turned away and busied himself wrapping the rest of the food to keep it warm. The words had just slipped out of his mouth but that didn’t mean they were not true. Of course, it was too soon for Jenessa to reciprocate that love. He just hoped one day she might. He focused on the food he’d prepared, hoping he hadn’t scared Jenessa with his admission of love. Even if he could take the words back, he wouldn’t since they were the truth.
“What can I do to help?” Jenessa asked as she finished her coffee and stood up looking more alert as the sugar and caffeine threaded its way through her veins.
“Can you grab the Thermos?” He pointed to the flask, which stood next to the sink.
“Sure.” Jenessa came around the kitchen and grabbed the Thermos, while he hitched the backpack onto his shoulder.
“Okay. Let’s go.” She nodded and followed him out of the house.
Axel took a moment to look around and extend his shifter senses out as far as possible. Even after last night and their encounter with Owen, which had turned out to be completely innocent, he wasn’t ready to let his guard down. If Jenessa’s dad was going to come to Cougar Ridge to stay with his mom, Axel needed to know they were safe.
“What’s wrong?” Jenessa asked when he stopped halfway to his beaten-up old truck.
“Nothing.” He half-turned to face her. “I’m just being extra careful.”
“I like to be extra careful.” She looked around, although there was little to see except empty yards and dark windows. No one else was up at this hour. Even the shifters who were up late at night were in their beds. “Careful keeps us safe.”
“Once we find Tyler, we’ll figure out a way to make sure we are all safe again.” Axel didn’t make promises lightly, but somehow, he would make sure that this was brought to a conclusion that meant they could all get on with their lives.
That depends on what exactly Tyler stole and if it can be returned, his cougar said sleepily.
The driver’s door creaked as Axel opened it and got inside. He’d been happy with the vehicle when he bought it, but he hadn’t expected to be driving his affluent mate around in the heap of junk. He cast a sidelong glance her way as she hauled herself into the passenger seat, with its worn-out seat.
“I’m good to go.” Jenessa looked up at him after buckling her seatbelt. If she had any thoughts about his truck, she kept them to herself.
“Then let’s go.” He turned the key and the engine rumbled into life. After he’d sold his beloved bike, he’d spent most of the money on things to make his mom’s life easier, before buying the truck. Axel had then spent a couple of months stripping the engine down and rebuilding it with parts he’d salvaged from the scrapyard in Bear Bluff. The guy there had let him have the parts in return for a few hours of labor. The arrangement had worked well for them both.
“The engine purrs almost as nicely as your cougar.” Jenessa turned to look at Axel. “I grew up around dismantled engines. My dad was always taking something apart and putting it back together. He took great pride in his work.” She smoothed her fingers across the polished dashboard. “The same kind of pride you take in your work.”
“Your dad liked to rebuild engines?” Axel asked as he flicked on the headlights and drove away from his mom’s house. It would be light in a couple of hours and O’Malley and Hannah had to be back by first light or they would be stranded.
His cougar chuckled. How do you think Jenessa is going to react when she finds out that O’Malley is flying home on the back of a dragon?
Axel winced. Do you think we should keep it to ourselves?
Kelos did tell you to keep his secret under pain of certain fiery death. His cougar relented. But I think he’ll be okay with you telling Jenessa, since there should be no secrets between mates.
Maybe I should have asked him before he left. Axel shuffled uneasily in his seat. It was too late now, unless he ditched Jenessa and went to pick up O’Malley and Hannah by himself, he was going to have to go through with it.
I think you should have thought this through before you got her out of bed so early. His cougar closed his eyes, still chuckling to himself.
Hey, if I go up in a ball of dragon fire, so do you, Axel reminded him.
“Are you okay? You seem preoccupied,” Jenessa asked as they drove down the steep road leading out of Cougar Ridge and headed toward Kelos’s house.
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“Not worried about leaving to go find Tyler?”
“No, I was thinking about O’Malley. He’s just coming back from his honeymoon and I’m going to tell him I’m disappearing for a few days. Or more.” He kept his eyes on the road. At this hour there shouldn’t be any shifters around, but there were odd occasions when a drunk cougar or bear could be seen staggering home after a night out.
“I’m sure he’ll be okay about it. He’s met Tyler once or twice. And he knows my dad. He’ll come around.” Jenessa sounded confident and she was probably right.
“I’m sure he’ll be okay about it, but he gave me a chance when he didn’t have to, and I don’t want to let him down.” Axel shrugged. “It’s important to me since he gave me a job and his trust when I hadn’t earned them.”
“O’Malley always was a good judge of character.” She reached across the cab of the truck and placed her hand on his briefly. “And I know if you are my mate, your character must be good.”
“Would you employ me in your business?” he asked. “A man with a past and no real references.”
“Why does it bother you?” Jenessa’s unexpected question made him search inside for an answer.
Why did it bother him? He should be happy someone took a chance on him when they had no idea of who he really was and what he was capable of. For all O’Malley knew, Axel could have run off with all his money, particularly when he was left in charge while O’Malley flew off to find Hannah’s brother.
Because you are scared, his cougar told him. Scared that an opportunity like this could be taken away from you as quickly as it was handed to you. Because you didn’t earn it.
His cougar was right. As part of the gang, he’d earned his way up through the ranks. Always having to do something, to prove something.
But maybe O’Malley knew that. Maybe O’Malley knew he would want to prove himself. Prove his worth.
“I’ve never been handed anything. Never.” It was a lame answer but as close to the truth as he could get. “Not before O’Malley gave me this job.”
“O’Malley likes living dangerously. He took a chance on a guy who needed a hand up. He also knows what a parent means to a child.” She grinned. “Being a momma’s boy did you a favor.”
“A momma’s boy.” Axel chuckled. “So that is how you see me?”
“It’s how it is.” Jenessa chuckled. “It’s why I like you so much. You know what matters. It’s what makes me believe in you.”
“Okay. Talking about believing...” His nerves were pretty r
aw as they drove up toward Kelos’s house. “What you are about to see...”
His phone beeped as he drew closer to Kelos’s cabin and he glanced down to see a text from O’Malley. We’re nearly home.
Axel pulled over to the side of the narrow road and texted his reply. I’m here.
“Everything okay?” Jenessa looked around and then looked back at Axel. “Where exactly is this plane going to land? Or are we talking about a helicopter?”
“No, neither.” Axel swallowed nervously. “We’re talking dragons.”
She let out a short laugh and then sucked in a breath. “A dragon. And just when I thought we were getting somewhere with the whole trust thing.”
“Jenessa, it’s true. It’s also a huge secret, one I stumbled upon by accident. I have been sworn to secrecy, but I wanted to share it with you because I want you to know you can trust me. Completely.”
“So you are sharing someone else’s secret with me as a way to show I can trust you?” When she put it like that, he realized he was making a big mistake. He thought she would understand that Kelos would understand.
“Yes. Because I’m going to need you to share parts of your family’s past with me that you would rather not share. I wanted to show you that I trust you and you can trust me. This is me being completely open and honest with you. No secrets, nothing. I am an open book to you.” He shook his head and ran a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry. I made an error in judgment.”
“No, you didn’t.” She scooted across the seat until she was close to him. “I don’t know if your friend will forgive you for sharing his secret, but I can understand why you wanted to be open with me.” She leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “I’m sorry I called you a liar.” She inched her head back and looked him in the eye. “You weren’t lying, were you? There really is a dragon?”
“There really is.” He let out a long breath. “And he will be landing any time soon. Come on.” He put the truck in drive and took them up to Kelos’s house. There was a light on in the kitchen, Amber was awake and waiting for her mate to return.
“There’s someone else here?” Jenessa sat nervously beside him.
“Kelos’s mate. Come on, we’ll go say hi.” He covered her hand with his. “It’ll be okay, I promise. And since we’re going off to find Tyler, and we don’t know what danger we might be in, I’d like to have a dragon in our corner.”
“Oh.” Her eyes widened. “Now I get it. Smart move.”
“I hope so. If not, I might end up with a singed head.” He opened the truck door and got out.
Maybe Jenessa was right and this was a smart move. Or maybe it was the stupidest move he’d ever made, and he was going to piss off his boss and a dragon.
Chapter Twelve – Jenessa
Jenessa clutched Axel’s hand tightly as they walked toward the small cabin on the side of the hill. Her head was still reeling from the idea that they were about to watch a dragon shifter land. A dragon shifter who was working as a taxi service, bringing O’Malley and his mate home from their honeymoon.
Only O’Malley, she thought as they reached the back door of the cabin. The light was coming from a kitchen window and inside she caught sight of a pregnant woman moving around.
Axel lifted his hand and knocked lightly. “Amber.”
The kitchen door opened. “Hey, Axel. I thought I heard your truck.” Her neck jerked as she set eyes on Jenessa before her gaze immediately switched to Axel. The question obvious, why have you brought someone here?
“This is Jenessa, my mate.” He said the words as if Jenessa being his mate made everything okay.
“Your mate.” From Amber’s happy expression, it seemed Axel’s gamble had paid off. “Hi.” She grinned at Axel. “Since when?”
“Since yesterday.” He gave her an apologetic smile. “Sorry to spring it on you. I wanted Jenessa to see Kelos. I figured it was important for us not to have any secrets.”
“Hi, Jenessa. Come inside, I’ll get you some tea.” Amber nodded at Axel as if confirming it was all okay. But then Amber wasn’t the one who had the power to incinerate someone on the spot.
“Are you sure it’s okay?” Jenessa asked. If she left now and they swore Amber to secrecy, the dragon would never know she was there. Wrong. He’d be able to smell her.
“Here, drink this.” Amber passed Jenessa a cup of steaming tea. “I’ve just made it.”
“Thanks.” Jenessa cupped her hands around the mug, only then realizing that her hands were shaking, and her teeth were chattering.
“Finding out dragons are real isn’t something that happens every day. It’s okay to be scared.” She glanced at Axel. “But he won’t hurt you.”
“It’s just...” Jenessa tried to put her feelings into words.
“Seems crazy, doesn’t it? Like someone is playing a trick on you.” Amber glanced at Axel again. “Do you need his help?”
“No, at least I don’t think so.” Axel rubbed his hand over the stubble on his chin. “More of a backup plan.”
Amber nodded. “You know he’ll be there for you.”
“I wasn’t sure since we haven’t known each other long.” Axel had failed to mention this morsel of information.
“Kelos knows a good heart when he meets one. He likes you, the way you look after your mom.” Amber nodded. “Don’t ask him now. He’ll be tired and that can make him grouchy.”
“We’re leaving as soon as we can.”
“I’ll talk to him. You have his cell number. If you need him, just call.” Amber placed her hand on Axel’s arm. “Any time.”
“Thanks.” Axel looked toward the kitchen door. “They are close.”
“I wish I had the ability to sense him. I have to wait until I hear the beat of his wings, but sometimes he glides in and it takes me completely unawares.” Amber headed out of the kitchen and Axel and Jenessa followed. Jenessa still gripped hold of her mug of hot tea to chase the chill from her bones. She still didn’t believe the dragon was real but there was no arguing with her own eyes when the huge shadow of a winged beast blocked out the stars.
“Wow.” She reached for Axel’s hand and held it tightly as the dragon’s features became clearer as he flew in to land. With a sharp turn of his wings, he beat downward and came to a halt, almost dropping out of the sky like a stone.
The ground shook as he landed on two large taloned feet and a warm wind blew in their faces. Amber’s face was filled with wonder and awe, but also love, a deep love that a mate has for the other half of their heart. Jenessa switched her attention to Axel for an instant and sensed a strong connection with him but nothing like the same kind of love Amber had for her dragon. Would that come with time?
“Jenessa?” O’Malley’s voice cut through her fears and she peered into the half-light as the shadowy figure of a man jumped down off the dragon before turning to help a woman from the back of the dragon.
“O’Malley.” Jenessa had no other words as her friend approached.
“What the hell are you doing here? Is everything all right?” O’Malley asked the question, but he must know for her to be here everything must not be all right.
“Since I never got an invite to the wedding, I thought I’d come meet your mate here.” She stepped forward, letting go of Axel’s hand but she stalled in her forward movement when the air around the dragon sparked and popped before the huge creature disappeared. The man who appeared in his place rushed forward before he’d even become fully corporeal and gathered Amber into his arms.
“First dragon shifter?” O’Malley joked.
“Yeah. First dragon shifter.” She switched her attention back to O’Malley and his mate, not wanting to stare at Amber and Kelos. “It’s good to see you, O’Malley.”
“Good to see you, Jenessa, even if you were not the person I was expecting to meet us on our return.” He half-turned and slipped his hand around his mate’s shoulder. “This is Hannah.”
“Hannah. I’m Jenessa, an old friend of O’Malley’s.�
�� Jenessa smiled brightly, wanting to look non-threatening to O’Malley’s mate, who eyed her with some suspicion.
“An old friend of O’Malley’s,” Hannah murmured as she nodded at Jenessa.
Jenessa avoided Hannah’s suspicious look and handed her empty mug back to Amber with a thank you. She almost avoided eye contact with Kelos, there was something unsettling about watching a mythological beast land before your eyes. But she didn’t want to upset the shifter and so met his eyes and forced a brief smile onto her face.
“Good to meet you, Jenessa.” Kelos nodded briefly but didn’t return the smile.
“You, too.” She backed away nervously and then hurried to join the others.
“We should talk in the truck.” O’Malley lifted a hand and waved at Kelos. “Thanks for the ride. I’ll talk to you later. Amber, you are positively blooming.”
Kelos put his hand protectively over his mate’s swollen belly. “Go get some rest. You can tell us all about your honeymoon later.”
Axel led them to the truck, he was extremely quiet, which bothered Jenessa. However, once they were in the truck, he seemed to relax. Perhaps he was a little scared of the dragon shifter. Or perhaps he would have preferred to have spoken to him in person rather than leaving it with Amber.
“Did you have a good time?” Axel asked Hannah as he drove down the mountain road.
“It was amazing. But I can’t wait to get back to hot showers and indoor plumbing.” She stifled a yawn.
“And how was the flight?” Axel glanced sideways at his friends who were all seated next to him on the bench seat. Snug might be an appropriate word to describe the journey back to Cougar Ridge.
“Amazing,” Hannah replied. “For the first part at least, then it was just cold.”
“Oh, we brought some pancakes and a Thermos of coffee.” Axel glanced at Jenessa who reached for the backpack containing the pancakes. She opened it up and pulled out the wrapped pancakes which were still warm.
“Oh, just what I need. Thanks.” Hannah took one and then handed another to O’Malley.
“Coffee, too?” Jenessa offered, unscrewing the lid, glad to have something to do. So far, she’d found the morning unsettling. If there was a dragon shifter in Bear Creek, what if there were dragon shifters elsewhere? What if Tyler had crossed a dragon shifter and wound up dead? She dismissed the thought. Even Tyler wasn’t stupid enough to cross a dragon shifter.
Axel Summer Shifters Season 2 Page 8