AXEL EPILOGUE
AXEL EPILOGUE
15 MONTHS LATER
“Axel, are you ready to go? We’re going to be late if you don’t hurry.”
Alana’s melodic voice reached my ears before her body came into view. She stopped at the entrance of Paxton’s room, with both hands on her lap, watching me battle with his carrier. NôvelDrama.Org owns all © content.
She was even more beautiful than she had ever been. Her slender waist was back to shape, her hair was even more stunning and now reaching below her waist, and her eyes, goddess, her eyes! They had me in an even tighter chokehold than before.
It only took her a few weeks after giving birth to our little wolf for her to get back in shape and since then, I haven’t been able to take my eyes or hands off her.
“I’ll be down in a minute. I just need to figure out how to get this strap thing in place.”
Alana let out a small laugh that made me snap my head up to see how her entire features lit up.
“Are you sure that’s it or you just don’t want to attend the party?”
“Can it be both?” I let out a sullen groan.
“Come out. You cannot not want to celebrate Paxton’s sixth month. That’s just mean and sad at the same time .”
“Actually, it’s not. Nobody celebrates a birthday every six months. We can stay here. At home. And have fun.”
“Tell that to your mom and dad. They’ve set up the whole place and I’m sure they’d disown you if you ruin their plans for today.”
“It’s more of a party for them than Paxton, don’t you think?”
“I know. But everybody thinks it’s his and it doesn’t make it any less disrespectful if we don’t attend or come late. It’s not like you don’t already know, Axel. You just want me to drag you by the ear. Come on, I’ll wake him up and we can go.”
“Fine,” I grumbled.
“What?”
“What’s what?”
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I’m just thinking about how lucky I am to have you,” I confessed. “I still think it’s a dream sometimes.”
I watched as her cheeks heated up at the compliment and her eyelids narrowed with a smile. “Come on out.”
Soon, Alana, Paxton, and I were settled in the car and heading toward the center of the pack where the party was organized.
I felt like leaving the moment we stepped in but Alana made me promise not to bail on her and to stay at least an hour before trying to leave.
I tried my best not to make anyone feel uncomfortable but my lips thinned into a line and I kept a straight face unless Alana’s head was turned to me to say something or I had a chance to hold Paxton in my arms.
Since we stepped into the setup canopies at the center of the pack, neither Alana nor I have been able to hold him for two straight minutes without a pack member coming to say hi to him, and then take him away.
My dad was sitting on a recliner under one of the shades, drinking a beer with my mom hovering around him, making sure the drinks, snacks, and cakes were as they should be.
The music was sounding and it seemed as though the packmates were already having a good time.
I looked over at Alana who was speaking to her friend, Lexi, who was with Tyler at one corner, and I made my way over to my parents.
“Axel!” My mother beamed. I forced a smile.
“Mom,” I took in her light blue floral two-piece that accentuated her eyes. “You look beautiful. How are you doing?”
“I’m good. I’m good. Come. Help me move this crate. There’s beer and food. What would you like to have?”
“I’m good for now, Mom, thank you.” I turned to my dad just as Alana made her way to us and linked her left hand to mine, supporting Paxton on her hips with her right. “Dad,”
“Hello, son,” he said. “Alana. You looked beautiful as always. Let me have my grandson, please.” All of a sudden, Alana and I didn’t exist to them anymore. She didn't even respond to the compliment before he asked for Paxton.
My dad who hardly showed emotions of any kind was all over the place, doting on our child.
“Yes,” Mom said. “Pass him and leave. You’ve grown so handsome, haven’t you, my love? Oh, yes you have!” She continued cooing him.
They found the lamest excuses to come down to the pack just so they could see him. Not a month had gone by since his birth that they did not pester Alana and me to come uphills to visit them.
Alana spoke my mind before I had a chance to. “Axel and I are here too. Present,” she raised her hand above her head to signify. I followed suit because why the hell?
“Yes. Right, and we are so happy to see you,” my father deadpanned and turned his attention back to the child.
“Did you just make a joke, Dad?” I grimaced as I felt my stomach churning. I couldn’t take more of this.
Alana only laughed and tugged on my arm. “The party is about to start. Let’s walk around and say thank you to those who are here.”
“I have a better idea. Let’s go back home.”
“We haven’t even spent thirty minutes here, Axel. Come on. It’ll be me and you, and I can do most of the talking.”
I put my hand around her waist and turned her back to me so I could press my body into hers and I dipped my head into the crook of her neck. I would do whatever if it was me and her.
Her intoxicating smell filled my nostrils, reminding me of the memories I’d come to create with Alana. I looked up at the pack gathered and thought of how much we had grown with Alana as our Luna. As my Luna.
I looked behind us to my parents holding our son who was laughing at the weird jokes they were making. He was a version of Alana and I put together to form the cutest little thing ever.
My heart couldn’t be more full, and I couldn’t be more in love with my mate.
“Fine. Let’s go, love” I kissed her on the temple and let her lead the way.