"Okay, fine! I get it," Axel says the moment the door of the same room he remembers all too clearly clicks shut behind them.
His voice is sharp, frustration laced into every word as he spins around to face Fenris. "I get that you don't want me to ask anything. Just be there, nothing more, but.. what if you're dragging my life into some kind of danger and you don't even want me to question it? First of all, I have no idea what language you people even speak here. Because seriously, what the hell is Alpha? I don't know… Blue Moon Pack? And… and… mate?!"
His voice rises with each word, hands thrown into the air as he backs toward the door.
"We already agreed on this," Fenris says coldly. "So stop making noise in my ears."
"Clearly there's something off around here!" Axel fires back, ignoring the warning in the Alpha's voice. "I can smell it! Like… like some kind of animals surrounding me or something. And as much as this place looks cool, nothing feels cool about it. So no. Thanks for the offer, but I'm leaving."
He reaches for the door, fingers brushing the handle only for Fenris to move in a blur and yanks him back with brutal force, spinning him and pinning him against the wall.
Axel's breath catches, the back of his head thuds against the paneling as Fenris presses close, arm braced beside his face, voice a deep snarl close to his ear.
"You're already here," he growls, low and controlled but shaking with suppressed fury. "And you're not leaving. You get that? I could take the payment deal back, and you would still stay here- because I say so."
His hand tightens on Axel's wrist, making him wince.
"You smell animals? Maybe that's because you are one. So instead of running around, why don't you stay around these animals and dig into them about your family because I'm damn sure you have no idea where your stupid origin even comes from. Now get back to the couch."
His voice vibrates with dominance, sending a cold, electric tension into the air. It travels down Axel's spine and knots his stomach, like a warning his body understands before his mind can.
For a second, Axel just stands there, frozen, avoiding Fenris's eyes. His chest rises and falls. He swallows hard and finally, silently, walks to the couch at the far end of the room. He sits rigid keeping his eyes to the open window.
Barely a minute passes before the door creaks open without a knock.
"Oh my moon goddess! You found him!" The voice is bright and full of unchecked excitement.
Jeremy strides in like he owns the place. His grin is wide, but there's exhaustion hiding behind it, darkening the skin beneath his eyes.
He points at Axel, raising his eyebrows. "He doesn't even look like a man at all! Come on, you can't blame me for thinking he was a woman."
Then, with a teasing smirk, he looks at Fenris. "So? How do you feel now that your mate is here? Feeling stronger, is your strength back?"
Before Fenris can says anything, Axel suddenly stands up from the couch, moving fast and jerky, clearly angry. His fists are clenched so tightly his knuckles turn white.
"I'm leaving," he says sharply. "And if you want to kill me, then go ahead, but I'm still leaving. You won't tell me anything about all of these, even though everyone else clearly knows something about me. No. I'm not staying here."
He steps toward the door, his whole body tense and defiant.
"And the only way I'll stay in this crazy place is if I'm dead," he says. "It was nice knowing you, by the way. And you're right, I was stupid to follow strangers. Maybe I needed this lesson."
The moment he touches the handle of the door, Fenris grabs his wrist and pulls him back.
"You didn't get my name?" Fenris says, voice quiet and sarcastic. "That's probably because I never told you."
His grip loosens but doesn't let go.
"I'm Fenris. Fenris Wolfe. This is my house. I live here with my stepmother and stepbrother. And yeah... we're rich. All of this? The land, the houses, the businesses? All inherited. Passed down through the family, I'm the firstborn, so it all belongs to me."
He finally lets go of Axel and takes a step back. His voice sounding sarcastic.
"But some stepmothers and their sons don't like that. They want to ruin my reputation so they can take everything from me, kick me out. Why? Because they think I'm not eligible for owning all of this since I don't have a wife to give me children who will inherit all of this when I retire. But yes, you were right, Axel Blake, I don't want a wife, and that's because…"
He takes a breath.
"Because I'm gay. And if they find that out, they'll have even more reason to destroy me."
His mouth twists, like saying it leaves a bad taste.
"That's why I asked you to dress like a woman instead of just picking a woman to pretend to be my wife, because if you're a guy, I feel good around you. But don't worry, I won't touch you, you're not even my type anyway."
He shrugs, looking distant, bit bored as he drags the words.
"Alpha, mate, strength, pack... those are just dumb words we use here to show status. 'Alpha' just means the firstborn who inherits. 'Mate' means girlfriend or wife. It means nothing important."
He glances at Jeremy.
"The pack? That's just everyone who works in our business. They help choose who leads." They are so many, you'll see them around here.
"And strength…" His voice fades. "Forget it. It doesn't mean anything... just having your wife around to support you, is what we say... strength around your mate."
He looks back at Axel.
"I just need you to stay, so people think I have a future wife. That I'm eligible. Now that I've told you everything… are you okay to stay?"
"Did you just say I'm not your type?" Axel blurts out like he's been dying to ask. His face shows both shock and disbelief.
Jeremy tries not to laugh but can't help it.
"You made me explain all that," Fenris says dryly, "and the only thing you heard is that you're not my type?"
"I just can't believe you said that!" Axel says, flustered. "And..."
But Fenris doesn't listen, he walks to the door, with Jeremy behind him, still grinning.
"Stay here until I come back," Fenris says over his shoulder. "And remember that you're mute. Don't talk to anyone. Don't listen to anyone."
Axel huffs. "How am I supposed to pretend I'm deaf, too? I can't ju..." he sighs, "Wait. What were you saying about my famil..."
The door closes before he can finish.