Page 41 of Silent Noise

CHAPTER 26

MATHEW

When Axel finally arrived at Blade Rock on the third day of Lily’s visit, the she-wolves of my pack went ballistic. Even older wolves, wives and moms giggled like schoolgirls whenever he neared. The man, it seemed, was constructed to appeal to women, probably hand-crafted by the Moon goddess, Celene herself.

News of his arrival spread fast, and I had to force an order using the mind-link to get everyone to calm the hell down and not let Lily notice her brother had arrived. I needed to speak to him first, explain a few things before he saw her. It would make things easier for both of them. Axel knew nothing about the Shadow Folk or any of Marillia’s secrets and would have thought his sister mad, had I not explained it to him beforehand. Not only that, but Lily’s appearance - he had to be prepared.

“So, these creatures,” he said waving a lazy hand in the air, “in the forest, you don’t think one of them could have done this?”

“No. I mean, it’s possible, but I don’t think so. Like I said, we don’t know what dwells along the northern tip of the continent, but down here, they’re all gentle. Harmless.”

Axel huffed out a harsh laugh, “yeah, harmless, I’m sure.”

“You really had no idea what happened to her for those eight years?” His icy blues slid to me, calculating. He’d explained to me their side of the story already, which was, quite honestly, not much to hear.

“Are you insinuating we didn’t conduct the search well enough, Alpha?” His voice was calm, but venom dripped from every word.

“Not at all. I’m sure you and the rest of Hollow Stone did more than enough. I’m merely trying to comprehend how she would take the news. Lily has no idea of the time that’s passed. She thinks everything happened only a few nights ago.”

Axel went still as death itself. I couldn’t hear his breathing nor his heartbeat. A muscle feathered in his jaw and the colour of his skin turned a sickly shade of white.

“I didn’t want to say anything to her.” He was quiet as I spoke, staring at me, but not seeing. “I thought it best for a family member or someone close to her to break the news.”

Axel lowered his head, pulling a hand through his hair. “Can I see her now?”

“There’s one more thing.”

He looked up from under his brows, “what?”

“Lily has some scarring on her lower belly, like an old incision.” His eyes bore into mine, no sign of recollect, “did she have any procedures done back in Hollow Stone? Any sort of surgery.”

“No.” The word burst from his lips, jaw set, and shoulders squared.

“She also has a burn mark on her back, a branding of some sort.”

“Did you see these marks?” Fire danced behind those icy blues, his voice low and gravely.

“I only saw the branding. The other, one of my nurses informed me of. I thought you might want to know.”

Axel stood in one fluid motion. “Thank you, Alpha. If that’s everything, I‘d like to see my sister now.”

I nodded and led him out of my office, down the halls and out of the building. I couldn’t imagine being in his shoes. The guilt he must have felt, the heavy weight on his shoulders having to explain to her that she’d lost eight valuable years of her life. Throughout our conversation, Axel had been suffering. I’d seen it in his eyes, even if the rest of his face didn’t show it. A mask I‘d recognize anywhere, because it was the same one I wore day in and day out.

I pitied him greatly.

In the hospital voyeur, Hollow Stone’s men took their seats, and I turned to Axel. “I’m not going to go in with you and I’ve already ordered my staff to stay clear of the hall. Take as much time as you need.” With a stiff jaw, he nodded. “Room 13.”

When he left, I didn’t follow. None of us did. Instead, I stayed with his men and a few of mine in the voyeur, listening, should they need anything. It had been a horrible mistake. Over the span of three short days, I’d grown close to Lily. Too close. I only realised how much, when her cries of agony echoed down the hospital halls and my chest constricted, causing me physical pain.

I thought I’d be tough, that I would be able to stomach it. I’d been terribly wrong.

---