Page 61 of Challenged Mate
Miko’s was just as crowded as Friday, but when Axel and I stepped inside the restaurant, I swore the entire dining room quieted.
I tugged the hem of my favorite dress—a flowy, green number which fell two inches above my knee. A box of my stuff had finally arrived this morning, mailed out over a week ago, and I was certain I had Stephanie to thank.
Not just for my stuff, but for this particular dress being included in the items shipped to me. Its neckline formed a semi-deep V, revealing the slightest glimpse of the swell of my breasts and the top of the tan birthmark covering my sternum. It’s sheer sleeves capped at my shoulders.
I tried to tell myself I chose the outfit because Miko’s was a fancy restaurant and jeans didn’t seem appropriate—which was partially true. But I couldn’t deny a certain blue-eyed, brown-haired shifter had also influenced my decision.
The hostess led us to a square table in the center of the room. Kayla and Asher were already seated, and they looked like they were in the middle of a heated discussion. I strained my ears to hear what they were talking about, but magic kept their words private.
“Already arguing you two?” Axel said by way of greeting as we stepped within the confines of their silencing barrier.
The siblings looked up. Asher stood. His eyes trailed over my dress, leaving a path of warmth in their wake. I moved my attention to Kayla, offering her a small smile, telling myself I wasn’t affected by Asher’s perusal.
Kayla smiled back from her seat, then replied to Axel, “Yes, we are. Please tell Asher I am perfectly capable of joining the caravan venturing to visit the Mountainside community next week.”
Axel pulled out the chair across from Kayla and gestured for me to sit. With a murmur of thanks, I complied.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Asher sit. I kept my hands on my lap, noticing how close our seats were, determined to avoid any accidental contact.
“Why would you want to join the caravan?” Axel asked, taking his own seat.
The hostess lingered.
Axel took the menu she offered with a quick grin, but he looked away before he could notice the way she batted her lashes at him.
When the hostess remembered to hand me a menu as well, she barely spared me a glance before leaving with a disappointed pout.
What had she expected? Axel to openly flirt with her?
Once we were alone, Kayla answered her brother, “Because they’ve been attacked the last two trips.”
“That’s exactly why you shouldnotgo with them,” Asher pointed out.
“I’m the most powerful sorceress in our pack. I can help protect them.”
“Members of the caravan are perfectly able to protect themselves,” Axel joined the discussion. “Or are you forgetting that both attacks ended with our packmates winning?”
“I spoke with Debbie,” Kayla countered. “She said that it was by the Mother’s Grace no one was fatally wounded in the last attack. They might not be so lucky next time.”
Before either brother could respond, I asked, “Who’s attacking the caravan?”
All three siblings shifted their attention onto me. I forced myself not to fidget. I looked between Kayla and Axel for an answer, noticing the latter look to his brother—as if seeking his permission to speak.
Still, I refused to look at Asher.
Seconds later, Axel exhaled and moved his gaze back to me. “Rabid shifters.”
My blood ran cold.
On their own, rabid shifters weren’t much different from wild, bloodthirsty animals. They were dangerous, but they weren’t particularly intelligent. The once-human creatures were a tragic abomination, and they had to be dealt with to stop them from spreading their condition to others.
However, I’d recently learned magic could be used to control the normally uncontrollable creatures, making them a formidable threat.
A shudder coursed through me as I thought of the rabid shifter who’d attacked me during the Alpha Games. The vicious monster’s eyes had shined with violent intelligence. It was disconcerting.
“Let me guess,” I murmured. “Rogue sorcerers are controlling them.”
“Yes,” Axel replied.
