To be Claimed by Her

Chapter 71

Owen's POV

Today's events were troubling, to say the least. Not only were we blindsided by the attack, but were it not for Loki's intervention, we would have possibly lost Luke, Kota, and Eveleen. Sean had been beside himself about Kota. While he could heal several of his injuries, apparently Kota's werewolf physiology had created a problem. He was currently in the office studying everything he could find courtesy of Brigid about werewolves, vampires, and fae. He said he wanted to make sure he was prepared for the next battle.

Slowly our family had begun to show up and were gathering in the family room. Kota was still resting and Eveleen was with him. I watched as Victor and Gabe entered hand in hand. Luke and Marc were joking around with Brandon and Nate as Silas came in the door with Axel. I gave a curious glance to Silas as I greeted him, "Welcome Axel, we weren't expecting you."

"Sorry if I'm imposing, but Silas invited me for dinner. Said something about Kota being injured. I just wanted to see if I could do anything to help." He gave a funny look at Marc and Brandon. "Hey guys, I uh, didn't know you were working with the Blackbourne team these days." He fidgeted with his jeans pockets.

"Hey Axel, good to see ya!" Brandon hollered with a huge grin.

Marc looked like he'd won the lottery as he got up and gave Axel a bear hug. "Man, I've missed you! Glad you're here, brother." I noticed Axel flinched a bit at the term brother. His grief was still apparent in his reactions. About that time, Sean came strolling out of the office, with a book in his hands, mumbling about wolf physiology.

"Sean, look, Axel came for dinner," I said, gaining his attention. He looked up half distracted and snapped the book shut.

"Good to see you, Axel, um, I'll be right back, sorry," he stammered and headed up to Kota's room. I just shook my head and motioned to Axel to sit.

"Is he headed to check on Kota? I'd really like to say hi if that's okay?" he asked. We all exchanged wary looks. "Guys is he okay, I mean, you're all acting a bit weird. And by the way, where's North?" Now we all really started to worry. I knew we needed to introduce Eveleen and Axel eventually, but was today really the best time?

Bring him up, Owen - I heard her voice in my head. Kota's awake and says he wants him to know. I blinked slowly.

"Shit, I think I'm in the doghouse now," Silas murmured. I'm sure she'd given him a private lecture. He looked a bit green.

Gabe and Nate snorted. "Getting out of the doghouse was so worth it brother," Gabe said with a knowing grin. I felt my own cheeks heat when I connected those dots.

"Well Axel, I think I need to give you a bit of information before we visit Kota and Eveleen."

"Who's Eveleen?" he asked.

"Firecracker is the best thing to ever happen to any of us, brother, and once you meet her you'll understand," Brandon said. Axel scoffed and stood to leave.

"Please, just let us take you to see Kota and you'll understand," I said, standing to stop his exit. He looked wary but agreed so that he could at least check on Kota. I led him up the stairs with Marc and Brandon following. Silas had refused to come up. I think he was afraid to face Eveleen. I'm not sure I'd ever want to be on the receiving end of her displeasure either.

I ushered Axel into the room ahead of us so that we effectively blocked the door. I'm fairly certain his first reaction will be to bolt. Eveleen sat on the bed with Kota's head in her lap, stroking his fur while Sean was asking questions. I cleared my throat. Axel's eyes shifted between all of us, growing wider by the minute.

"What the absolute fuck is going on here, Owen!" Axel yelled. Kota gave a low growl and leveled his gaze at Axel. I was a bit worried he was going to pass out. "Th..that..no, it can't be," he mumbled and started shaking his head, "I've known him my whole life...there is no fucking way he's a goddamn werewolf and I didn't know!" He was yelling again by the time he finished.

Kota started to growl again and lift his body, but Eveleen put her forehead to his snout. "Dakota Jameson Lee, lay your stubborn ass back down this instant! And if you're listening, Cade, you better keep him in check." She slowly stood from the bed and strolled toward us. "You must be Axel. I've heard many good things about you, but perhaps you might care to explain your prior knowledge about werewolves. I do believe you have shocked your friends." She was right. I hadn't expected him to know they were real, let alone act so familiar with them.

He eyed her suspiciously, then spoke. "I'll tell you what I know right after you tell me what you are?"

"Hey man, not cool. What do you mean what is she?" Marc asked.

"I mean, she isn't human, so I'll ask again. What are you, lady?" His voice was firm.

She flashed him a grin, closed her eyes, and let her glamour fade. "I'm Fae, and the name is Eveleen if you please."

Author's Notes: And now she's met Axel - not quite what they all expected.