Chapter 11
When it comes to strength, the Thornholde pack far surpasses the Blackacre pack.
The pack consisted mostly of young adults, and interestingly, the Alpha was also a young adult. The population of elders in Blackacre is minimal, and even if there are any, their indifference towards politics is apparent. The other packs tend to look down on Blackacre, despite the fact that their Alpha is incredibly strong. It’s no secret that Blackacre and Axton Hunt are not taken seriously by most of the old Alpha’s with new predecessors.
Standing on the sidelines, I could smell the faint remnants of incense from yesterday’s ceremony, as I diligently picked up litter with a trash bag in hand. As I collected the stray bits, I silently observed from the sidelines as Axton’s pack embarked on their training.
Their movements were calculated and focused as they confidently tackled the obstacles, their determination evident. in every precise step. It was clear that they were seasoned warriors, their muscles rippling with strength as they moved with effortless grace. While they made it appear effortless, the exertion was becoming increasingly noticeable on certain faces. Some members of the pack were already exhausted, their breaths labored and desperate as they pushed themselves beyond their capabilities.
Slapping their backs with a smirk, Axton seamlessly moved among them.
“Take a break if you need to,” With a loud shout, his voice traveled far and wide across the training grounds. “Forcing yourself won’t do anyone any good. Rest, and then come back when you’re ready.”
His words were met with nods of gratitude from his pack, their exhaustion evident as they gratefully sank to the ground to catch their breath. Zeke’s insistence on pushing Axton’s pack train to its limits felt unjust, especially considering he had never required the same level of intensity from his own men. I had never witnessed Zeke’s pack endure such intense training, and it felt unjust for Axton’s pack to face such close examination.
While I continued to pick up trash, my mind was a flurry of thoughts and emotions, and amidst it all, I couldn’t help. but catch snippets of excited whispers from some women in my pack nearby. Their hushed voices carried an unmistakable sense of awe and admiration, leaving me curious to know more.
My task momentarily forgotten, I focused on their conversation, my ears perking up as I strained to hear every word. At first, I couldn’t make out what they were saying, their words muffled by the distance and the bustling activity around us. With each step I took, their voices grew louder, and I gradually started piecing together their conversation. “He’s so strong.” One of the women couldn’t contain her excitement, and it was evident in her gushing voice. She let out a dreamy sigh, lost in her thoughts. “Did you see the way he lifted those weights? It was like he didn’t even break a
sweal
“I know, right?” Another woman chimed in, she happily fanned herself, basking in a state of pure bliss. “And did happen to spot the chiseled six–pack pecking out from under his shirt?”
As their words registered in my mind, my heart raced and skipped a beat.
Axton.
They were talking about Axton.
you
With a sense of wonder, I observed from a distance, captivated by what unfolded before me. It was impossible to ignore Axton’s impressive physique, his muscles rippling with a combination of grace and raw power as he moved. Watching him in action, with his perfectly sculpted and defined physique, was truly awe–inspiring.
It was too dark when we had sex, I wish I had seen his muscles better.
To my surprise, Axton took off his shirt, revealing a glistening bare chest that caught the sunlight as he began his sit-
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Chapter 11
ups. Unable to tear my eyes away, I felt my breath catch in my throat, completely entranced by the sight in front of
me.
As they watched Axton’s display of strength and athleticism, the women from my pack couldn’t help but burst into excited whispers, their voices brimming with admiration and desire. A surge of jealousy engulfed me, and I couldn’t help but glare at them, my heart racing with a combination of longing and frustration
I suddenly felt a pair of eyes on me. When I looked up, I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks as I met Axton’s mischievous gaze, his eyes twinkling with mischiet
Before I had a chance to react, he winked at me, a teasing smile playing on his lips. In a split second, I averted my gaze, my heart thumping loudly, my face flushed with embarrassment.
Did he seriously just wink at me?
Before I had a chance to fully absorb the unexpected encounter, Axton approached me with boundless energy, his wide smile radiating happiness as he greeted the women who had been admiring him moments ago
“Hey there, ladies,” With a charming smile, he spoke, his voice like velvet, putting them at ease. “Apologies for interrupting your moment of admiration, but I need to take a break for a bit.”
Their giggles filled the air as the women’s eyes sparkled with excitement, relishing in the attention bestowed upon them by Axton. I couldn’t help but feel a surge of nervous energy coursing through me as his attention returned to
me.
“Why are you picking up trash, Chesnut?” With a playful tone, he asked, raising an eyebrow in a teasing manner. “Shouldn’t you be watching me instead? I mean, I know I’m irresistible and all, you don’t have to hide it.”
His teasing made me roll my eyes, as I desperately tried to downplay my embarrassment with a casual shrug.
“Someone’s got to do the dirty work around here,” I replied, my voice laced with a heavy dose of sarcasm, making my true feelings clear. “And clearly, it’s not going to be you”
As 1 fired back a retort, Axton’s laughter bubbled up, filling the air with a delightful warmth and a radiant glow.
“Touché,” His words were accompanied by a widening grin, and he reached out to playfully ruifle my hair. “But seriously, Chestnut, why are you picking up the trash? Shouldn’t someone else be doing this? You don’t exactly look like you can carry live full garbage bags.”
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at his teasing, my annoyance growing stronger with each word.
“Thanks for the vote of confidence, Axton,” I replied, my words dripping with sarcasm and a hint of annoyance. I forcefully crammed an empty beer bottle into the garbage bag, causing a loud clank. “But last time I checked, werewolves like me are perfectly capable of doing the dirty work. It’s what I’m made for.”
“What you’re made for?” he echoed, his voice tinged with curiosity. “What do you mean by that, Chestnut?”
Feeling increasingly self–conscious, I bit my lip nervously under his unwavering, penetrating gaze. I hadn’t intended to reveal that, but the words escaped from my lips before I could contain them. Now, I was left scrambling for an explanation, my thoughts racing like a runaway train as I struggled to come up with believable excuses.
“Uh, nothing.” My words came out in a stammer, and I could feel my cheeks turning red with embarrassment. “I just meant that, you know, I’m used to doing the heavy lifting. It’s no big deal.”
I noticed a subtle change in Axton’s expression as his features softened, revealing a moment of comprehension as he pieced together the meaning behind my words.
“Ah, I see,” His words were spoken softly, and his hand reached out to provide a comforting touch on my shoulder. “Well, just know that you don’t have to do it alone. If you need help, just ask-”
Chapter 11
Axton’s sentence was abruptly cut off, leaving his words hanging in the air.
In an instant, someone roughly shoved Axton, catching him off guard and making him stumble backwards while letting out a grunt of surprise. With a gasp of shock, I reached out to steady him, my hand finding his arm for support. I shifted my gaze and locked eyes with Colt, Zeke’s best friend and Beta, who wore a smirk that hinted at his
amusement.
I’ve always hated this bastard.
“Hey, what’s your problem?” With anger and disbelief, I exclaimed, my voice quivering. With a shake of my head, I immediately move towards Colt, forcefully pushing him back with a determined expression. I pushed him with all my might, but his stance remained unwavering, unshaken by the difference in our sizes. “You can’t just shove people like that!”
Paying no attention to my protests, Colt kept his eyes locked on Axton, a look of disdain etched on his face. With his arms crossed, he raised an eyebrow, silently questioning.
“What are you doing, Blackacre?” He growled, his voice dripping with a low and menacing tone. “You should be back at your training. You don’t have time for this shit.”
Axton’s face grew stern, his jaw tightening with unwavering resolve as he squared his shoulders and locked eyes with Colt.
“I’ll decide when I’m done,” His response came, his voice resolute and unyielding, despite the forced smile on his face. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, Chestnut and I were in the middle of something.”
A dangerous glint flickered in Colt’s narrowed eyes, reflecting his intense response. There was an unmistakable intensity in his eyes, as if his anger was on the verge of erupting. The frustration on his face was palpable, his eyes filled with fiery anger as he stared down Axton.
“Look, man, I get it,” As Axton spoke, his voice remained calm and measured, while his hand moved absentmindedly through the air. Completely absorbed in our interaction, he doesn’t spare a glance at Colt. “I’ll head back to training after a quick rest. Calm down.”
It was clear that Colt was not interested in any of it. He looked down at Axton, his lip curling in contempt. And with a spiteful glare, he spat out his words, each one laced with venom.
“Rest? And you call yourself a werewolf? You’re probably a weakling, Blackacre. Turns out I was wrong about the rumors about you.”
In response to Colt’s insult, Axton clenched his jaw tightly, determined not to be provoked. Rather than reacting, he chose to keep smiling, his composure unwavering in the midst of Colt’s hostile behavior.
“You’re entitled to your opinion, Beta,” His voice remained unwavering, betraying no hint of the anger that brewed just beneath the surface. “But that doesn’t give you the right to disrespect me.”
“All I’m saying is I always knew you were weak, but I never realized just how pathetic you truly are. How does it feel to know that you’ll never be as strong or as respected as our Alpha?”
As Colt spoke, Axton’s jaw tightened and his hands balled into fists, a visible effort to restrain his temper. Anger flickered in his eyes, but he resolutely kept his silence, refusing to give Colt the satisfaction of a response.
Colt wasn’t finished. Chuckling, he turned to me, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“And Maya. Look at you, thinking you’re entitled to everything as a worthless orphan. Seriously, haven’t you learned not to mess with our pack’s business?”
As Colt’s words reached my ears, a mix of anger and sadness washed over me, making it difficult to keep my emotions in check. Rolling my eyes, I was on the verge of telling him to be quiet when Axton abruptly spun around and
forcefully grabbed Colt by the collar.
“Shut the f*ck up. Axton’s growl grew louder, his composure slipping away as his whispered words sent a chill through the training grounds. His pack members immediately halted their training, their attention focused solely on him, awaiting his command. You don’t f*cking get to talk to her like that “She’s a member of this pack, and she deserves your respect. I’m not sure how shit goes down around here, but in Blackacre, we show respect to our women. I would think Thornholde would do the same damn thing”
With a scoff, Colt dismissed Axton’s words, his expression dripping with disdain. His gaze locked onto mine, and then he erupted into laughter, his booming voice reverberating in the air.
“Respect?” he sneered. “She doesn’t get squat from us. She’s nothing but a whore who sleeps around with anyone who gives her a second glance! Orphans like her should be grateful to even be allowed to even stay in the pack.”
Unable to contain his anger any longer. Axton’s temper snapped like a rubber band. Filled with fury, he charged forward, unleashing a powerful roar as he forcefully slammed Colt onto the ground
Filled with rage, Axton snarled at Colt, his voice dripping with venom.
“If you want to piss me off, congratulations, you did it.”
