Sonya was out of bed bright and early. She wasn't tired or in pain from the wound on her stomach, that had healed enough now that she could take the bandage off and be free of it. Already showered and cleaned, she was picking her outfit in her closet. Grabbing a blue saree, she adorned it easily before she did her hair and makeup. She swivelled on top of the stool and looked down at the golden anklets around her feet. They twinkled under the lights and made her smile ear-to-ear. Facing herself in the mirror, she saw the marks on her neck that clearly told everyone what she had done last night.

In a pair of sandals, she returned to the bedroom where Axe was still fast asleep under the blanket that covered his waist. She walked right over to his side and sat down on the bed.

"Axe, wake up," she said.

Sonya knew that they slept late after spending the entire night doing things she had never done before or even dreamed to do. But she enjoyed every single moment and kept it locked in her heart like precious memories of treasure.

She ran her fingers through Axe's dark hair and smiled down at him because he may be a scary, dangerous man who lived a dark past and had to survive those days. But a part of him always remained soft. He spoke of his past like it hardened his heart, yet she felt like he chose to stay kind in spite of it.

She leaned down and kissed his cheek. "I love you," she whispered softly enough that only she heard her words. He wasn't waking up right now, so she'd let him rest and get breakfast alone.

Sonya stood to leave, when suddenly, her wrist was seized and she turned to find Axe awake. His burning blue eyes shined under the sun that basked over the bed and she found herself slipping inside them.

"Good morning," she smiled at him.

Axe pulled her so she fell onto the bed and on top of him. "Why are you dressed?" he asked as he held her in his arms and looked ready to fall asleep again.

"It's already nine thirty," she laughed when he turned them over and he pinned her down with his weight.

Axe snuggled onto her and laid his head on her chest. "Let's stay like this a little longer," he asked.

Sonya held him close and felt his calm breath tickle her neck. The sun poured over them and she adored this quiet moment that brought them closer. She realized then that they may have completed the bond for him, but she never did anything for her to feel like she was his too. She wasn't going to do a wedding, but she'd love to wear sindoor in his name and a mangalsutra as well, which were marks of a married woman. She'd have to visit a few shops to find the perfect one. And perhaps, she'd get some mehndi too. This would make a nice surprise for Axe, maybe she'd plan a special night for them. She'd need candles, flowers and maybe she'd make them dinner.

"You're distracted," Axe's voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

Sonya only noticed then that he was trailing his hand along her leg and lifting the hem of her saree away. "Am I?" She felt herself being swept away as his blue eyes bore into her heart and took her breath for himself.

Axe kissed her chest sweetly making her smile as he drifted down her body and showed her that last night's magic could still be conjured in broad daylight.

"This wasn't why I came to wake you up, you know," she remarked as his hand gripped the warm skin between her thighs.

Axe kissed her stomach, the bare skin tingled from his touch. "You sure?" His soft voice made her heart exhilarate.

This man was truly irresistible, she thought to herself as he kissed the tattoo on her hipbone, it was fully on display now since the skirt of her saree rested just below it. He seemed to be intrigued by the peacock feather, which she never would have thought could interest him, but it did.

His hand inched closer down her thigh and she felt the fluttering nerves swarm in her stomach. Her core tightened from the ache of his touch, he lingered as he stared up at her and found it amusing that she had grown quiet and compliant.

"Do you want me to continue?" Axe teased like the menace that he was with her.

Sonya narrowed her eyes as she saw right through his game. "Only if you want to," she tried to close her legs but he stopped her. She ran her fingers down his cheek. "Don't act like you don't want to touch-" she pulled him close enough that their lips were inches apart- "me." She kissed him first and showed him that she never gave in during a fight, no matter how little it may be.

Axe quickly took over and devoured her mouth taking her tongue in his mouth and making her forget where they were and what was around her. His hand splayed her legs apart before he cupped her core over her underwear. She moaned into his kiss that drove him wild enough to handle her with a bit of rough play. His fingers gripped her skin and his teeth bit her lip as he forgot that she was already dressed for the day.

Sonya forgot about her saree and that it'd crease between them, but she'd never stop Axe from taking what was his. His fingers slid past her lacy underwear and he plunged three of them into her core. She gasped into his mouth and he pressed his thumb on her clit. She bit back her sounds but it was impossible with him taking over her body.

"Axe," she whimpered against his hot mouth.

He thrusted his fingers into her and made her feel every second without remorse. He was ruthless with her core but sweet with his mouth. "Come for me, baby," he bit down her neck and continued to pound into the slick, wet channel of her core.

"Not alone," she combed her fingers through his hair and showed him that she needed him more. "I want you." She felt the hard ridge of his shaft against her leg and knew that he was more than ready to be with her.

Axe pushed the skirt out of the way before he lined his cock to her core and plunged into her without a second to waste. He was vicious and hard, like he needed to possess her body for himself. She loved him losing control over her and her body yielded to him too. The bells on her ankles chimed as she moved them further apart to give him room. He smirked down at her like that sound set the animal off inside him.

He slowly pulled out of her before he'd thrust deeply inside. Axe kept this rhythm until she was begging for more.

"Axe," she moaned. "Please-" he kneeled between her legs and grabbed her waist before he pounded into her over and over again, claiming her as his own.

She basked in his power over her and let him control the orgasm too. The coiling nerves in her core were ready to burst and she held herself together knowing that he was seconds away from coming too. She ached to be with him and release with him too. He braced himself and slammed into her before they felt the rush climb to the top.

Sonya looked up at the man who won her heart, the sun basked down his muscular body and she couldn't believe that he was hers. Just when the peak hit her, he bent down and claimed her lips again. He came hard inside her and she released around him. Both of them rode out the storm and held onto one another for strength.

Axe collapsed on top of her and she held his divine weight safely. Breathlessly, she wrapped her arms around him as he pulled out of her.

"I'm sorry, I ruined your clothes," he mumbled.

Sonya shook her head. "You can ruin my clothes any time if this is how you do it," she teased.

Axe bit her neck playfully making her laugh. He continued to be a mischievous wolf as he teased her body and tugged at her heart for being adorable. As he caressed parts of her body, then would whisper his love, she found herself aching to always remain by his side. For Sonya, her body was something she protected and cherished all her life, but she could give herself to Axe and she'd never regret it.

By the time they were done and her saree was in a messy array on the floor, it was probably inching close to eleven o'clock. They laid together in bed and Axe was sleeping on her.

"Is your body okay?" he asked as he held her. "You're not sore or in pain?"

"Not at all," Sonya answered. "But I am being squished by a six-foot man."

Axe lifted his head and smiled down at her boyishly. "Sorry," he eased his weight off her a little but this time he pulled her onto him. Her weight was nothing compared to his, so he was able to have her on top and be comfortable.

Suddenly, a cellphone rang and she knew it wasn't hers because she had it on silent since last night. But the one asleep under her didn't seem to care that someone was calling him.

"Axe, your phone is ringing," she told him.

"Leave it," he grumbled as he wrapped his arms around her and held her like a teddy bear.

She laughed in his arms. "I would, but it's been ringing for a while," she said.

Axe opened his eyes again and this time all the softness had disappeared. He was rigid in his demeanour and he looked ready to break the phone. She moved from on top of him before he got up to check who it was.

Sonya laid on her stomach and rested her weight on her elbows as she looked out the large glass doors. She'd have to plan the surprise for Axe secretly and make sure that he doesn't find out, but how was she going to pull this off? She needed to go shopping and because of the attack, Axe was never going to let her go without him. What was she going to do? She could always take Wade or Darius with her. But Axe would get suspicious if she told him that she didn't want him with her.

Something soft brushed her legs and she didn't need to guess that it was Axe. He kissed the small of her back and climbed over her body.

"Who called?" she asked him.

Axe moved her hair to one side before he laid his lips on the curve of her shoulder. "My brother," he answered.

"Is everything okay?" she asked.

"There's work at the club today," he said briefly as he kissed up her neck.

This was perfect, she thought. Axe would go to the club and she could take Wade or Darius with her to go shopping.

"You should listen to Trez," Sonya turned onto her back under him.

Axe captured her breasts in his hands and kissed the mounds lovingly. "I don't want to talk about my brother," he grumbled as he sought her lips for a kiss.

She moaned into him but needed this man to get to his day job. "You shouldn't disobey your big brother," she pushed at his shoulder. "Get up and shower. We need to go."

Axe got up unwillingly and he groaned like he was in pain. "But-"

"Shower already," she pushed him into the bathroom. "Don't come out until you're done."

Axe grabbed her wrist. "You should come with me and do it yourself," he wrapped his arm around her bare waist.

Sonya struggled against his hold. "Axe, don't-" she didn't have anything to say because he already pulled her into the shower and got her wet in all different places of her body.

An hour must have passed before she escaped the shower and out of that man's arms. She had to fix everything again; her makeup and hair included. Standing in front of her closet, she wondered what to wear when she poked her head out the door and saw her mate in a towel walking towards his closet. She felt her mouth go dry at the sight of the water dripping down his tattooed abdomen and seeped into the towel around his waist.

"What are you wearing?" she asked him.

"A towel," he looked down at himself.

Sonya laughed at his unknown goofy side that no one ever could guess that he had. "I meant after you take that towel off," she told him.

He came over to her as he raked his wet hair back. "I don't know," he grabbed her in his arms and made her wet as his body pressed against hers. "Why don't we not put anything on?" He kissed her neck and continued down to her chest "And stay in bed-" he kissed her mouth over and over again.

Sonya couldn't help but be tempted by that invitation. But she had a plan today and after the surprise for Axe, they'd spend the rest of the evening together. She put her arms around his neck and kissed him softly as the phone behind them rang.

"Fucking hell," Axe growled as he heard it loud and clear this time.

Sonya bit back her laughter as she let go of him and he walked off towards the phone. She guessed that he was going to wear a suit or anything black, since he never wore colour. From the corner of her eye, she caught a sparkly black saree and went with it to match him. The blouse was simple but matte and it hooked behind her perfectly. She grabbed the skirt and out of memory made the perfect folds before she wrapped it around her waist. Draping the long fabric over her shoulder, she used a pin and hooked it into place. Sonya quickly applied her lipstick again and fixed up the black liner around her eyes. She would just wear the sandals she took off earlier, since they were black.

Lingering in front of the bangles, she wondered if she should wear any today. She looked around the selection and found many black options. Sonya ran her hands along the glass bangles that were pitch-black and she lifted them with two diamond bangles that would sit on the ends. She stood slipping the diamond one on first before she slid on the rest a few at a time.

Axe's hand appeared before her and he pushed the bangles down her wrist. She looked up and met his softened eyes before he reached down and grabbed the rest.

Sonya didn't think Axe knew what it meant to put bangles on her, it more of an intimate act than what they did last night. She felt his gentle fingers hold the small hoops carefully even though he could crush them in his fist. Grabbing the final diamond bangle, he pushed it over her fingers and it fell along the others. But he didn't let go on her wrist. He leaned down and laid his lips on the pulse on her wrist and it fluttered wildly for him. He knew what he had done because he smiled against her skin.

Sonya tried to breath but she couldn't. "I love you," she told him and would never stop telling him because this man had her heart in his protection.

Axe locked their eyes through the mirror. "You're so beautiful," he whispered against her ear and she felt his breath tickle her. "I never dreamed that I could have you. Even now, it feels like this isn't real and I'm going to wake up alone."

Sonya turned in his arms. "Don't say that," she put her hand on his cheek. "You're here-" placing her hand on his heart and feeling the strong rhythm, she felt alive- "and I'm here too." Axe leaned down and kissed her cheek when she noticed that he was still in his towel. "Axe, get dressed already," she pushed at his shoulders. "You know what, I'm done waiting for you. I'm leaving to get food by myself." He grabbed her waist stopping her. "Axe!"

"Okay, okay," he calmed her. "I'll be just a second." He quickly left to get dressed while she came out of the closet and sat on the chair.

Axe was only a few moments when he emerged in a black suit and shirt that was left without a tie and the buttons undone around his chest. She smiled at him for matching with her, but she kind of predicted this too. She got up and met him at the door with her sandals already on.

"You look nice," she praised.

Axe kissed her lips. "It's nothing compared to you," he said.

Honey dripped from his lips today, she thought. Who would have thought that he could be so romantic? But when she first met him, he did kill someone for her, so maybe he always had it in him.

They left the bedroom together and heard the commotion outside in the living-room. She walked straight towards Angela who was talking to Scar. Axe walked off towards his brother who was with Wade and Reyes.

"What are we whispering about?" Sonya poked her head between them, that they were surprised.

"Sonya," Angela grabbed her arm and pulled her in closer. "Darius is in the kitchen alone. This is the perfect time to get Scar to talk to him."

Sonya's eyes gaped. "Scar, go," she urged.

Scar looked ready to run away from them. "Er- I'm not sure," she said.

"Scar, he'll talk to you," Angela said. "He's not close with us yet."

"Please, for us," Sonya pouted and held her hands together.

Scar's purple eyes softened and she nodded. "Okay," she turned towards the kitchen and walked in alone.

Angela and Sonya leaned around the edge and kept their focus on their conversation. Darius was sitting with a cup of coffee in his hand. He didn't look pleased this morning and he was frowning to the point that it could kill someone. But this was his usual mood, so they didn't know what was going on in his mind.

"Darius, would you like more coffee?" Scar asked him.

"No, thanks," he said.

Scar looked behind her shoulder and Angela smiled with Sonya supporting her on. "Did you see the flowers I put in this vase?" she blurted out.

Darius glanced at her confused. "Are you okay?" he said.

Scar coughed. "Aren't they pretty?" she asked again.

"I guess," he answered.

"You know what else is beautiful," Scar said, "Hazel."

Sonya put her hand over her mouth so she didn't laugh. But this trick seemed to work because Darius's frown dropped and he stared at the flowers like he had lost himself to them.

"Right?" Scar said. "She's very beautiful."

"She is," Darius's tone was as soft as the petals on the flowers.

"Whoever has her as a mate must be very lucky," Scar said as she glanced behind her towards the girls.

Darius showed a pained expression as he got up and put his coffee in the sink getting ready to leave.

"I hope she finds a mate," Scar urged them. "Someone to protect her and keep her happy."

Sonya saw the shards of agony in his eyes as if someone had taken his heart and stabbed it with a knife. Scar's idea was working and they just hoped he said his true feelings. But there was something dark in his eyes that held him back like chains. Those chains were from his past that he remembered to this day and it was plaguing his happiness.

"Me too," he voiced.

"That's it-" Angela bolted into the kitchen and Sonya was left bewildered- "If you believed that then you'd be with her." She stood right in front of him and faced him even though he was taller.

Darius dropped his eyes and he didn't face her. "It's not that simple," he said.

"You're wrong," Angela said. "Look at me. Look at Sonya. We both decided to mate with our men despite their pasts."

"You know what Trez and Axe went through?" Darius said.

"We do," Sonya joined them.

"Then you'll know how much our past consumes us," Darius told them before he turned to Scar. "When was the last time you slept without nightmares?" he asked her.

Scar's purple eyes darkened and she felt his words right to her soul. "Never," she whispered.

"Darius, losing her will hurt both of you more than your past ever will," Sonya told him.

He looked at them both before he let out a shaky breath. "I have work to do," he said before he crossed them and left to join his brother.

"What do we do now?" Sonya asked.

"Please, don't push him now," Scar intervened. "He's like me. We're both scarred from our past and nothing can change that." She walked away from them.

Angela and Sonya realized that they couldn't do anything anymore for them. They would have to learn the importance of a mating bond themselves.

"I need coffee," Angela sighed.

"I need chai," Sonya said as she went over to the stove and put a pot on it.

Angela brewed an expresso through the machine and she added a bit of warm milk before she joined Sonya's side. "You look nice, are you heading out somewhere?" she asked.

Sonya put the tea bag and sugar into the hot milk. "I am planning a surprise for Axe," she told her.

Angela squealed. "That's so exciting," she said.

"I need to head out to grab a few things but I know that Axe won't let me go alone," Sonya told her.

"Let me help you then," Angela offered. "Honey!" She called for her mate across the room.

Trez excused himself from the men and came over to her. "What's wrong?" he asked when he saw their smiling faces.

"Sonya wants to plan a surprise for Axe but she needs to go without him," Angela told him.

"A surprise," Trez said as he looked at Sonya.

Sonya shut the stove off that boiled the milk to perfection. "It'll only take me an hour," she said. "But how do I get your brother to let me go alone?"

"That's not happening," Trez said.

Sonya sighed knowing that it wasn't possible.

"But he'll be fine if you're with me," Trez revealed.

Sonya gaped. "You want to come with me?"

"Why not?" he said. "I'll do anything to help you make my brother happy."

Sonya smiled at him. "Aww, I've got such a sweet brother-in-law." She hugged him.

"I was thinking of cooking an Italian dinner for everyone tonight," Angela voiced. "What do you think?"

"I think that's perfect," Sonya said.

"Me too," Trez kissed this mate. "Let me send Axe on a few errands at the club and that'll give you time to do whatever you want."

"Perfect," Sonya said. "Look at us, we make such great team." She hugged Angela and Trez before she sat down to drink her chai, that needed all the attention possible.

Eventually, everyone sat down to have brunch and Sonya was worried that Axe wouldn't let her go out for the day. But he was quickly convinced when Trez told him that they were going together.

"I'm heading out," Axe kissed Sonya's cheek.

"Have fun," she smiled at him.

Axe left with Detective Reyes by his side and Darius too. Angela was helping Scar clean up, so it left Trez alone.

"How did you convince Axe?" Sonya asked him.

Trez put his cup down. "I told him that I'm planning a proposal for Angela and I need you to help me," he answered.

Sonya gaped at him. "You better not be lying to me right now," she said.

"I'm not," Trez said as he glanced at his mate who was discussing dinner plans for tonight. "I want to get her a ring and propose."

Sonya clapped her hands together. "So, we're both going to need candles and rose petals," she voiced making him smile.

"The car's ready," Wade told them since he was joining them as well, which were Axe's orders.

Sonya quickly left to grab her purse from the room and she returned to Trez kissing Angela. "Come on, lovebirds, I have a mission to complete today," she pushed them apart.

"Good luck, you two," Angela waved at them.

Sonya stepped out with Wade who was intrigued to know what mission she needed to complete. Trez joined them too and Scar shut the door behind them. Getting into a car together, Sonya sat in the back while telling Wade that they were both planning a proposal for their mates.

Wade was more than excited for them and was ready to drive them all around town to get everything they needed.

They arrived at a luxurious shop to get a rings and Sonya bought a simple gold band for her mate, which was quick. It was Trez that took forever picking something out. Hours passed while Wade and Sonya were sitting in the VIP room on red couches while sipping champagne. The jeweller brought tray after tray showing every cut, clarity and colour to Trez. Sonya was quick to point out that Angela wouldn't like anything that popped out too much or was too heavy. So, Trez finally made a decision and they walked out with the job done.

Apparently, Trez had called a florist who had prepared the rose petals for them and it would be secretly delivered to the house where Scar would hide them along with all the candles. Across the strip of shops, she spotted an Indian boutique and she knew that that was exactly where she'd find her next few items. She told Wade and Trez to wait in the car, but they didn't listen and joined her inside the shop. The boutique felt smaller with them standing with her and they were very opinionated over what she should get or not.

Thankfully, the sweet shop lady was quick to help her pick sindoor and a mangalsutra for her. There was even henna here too, which made life a little easier. She was tempted to buy all the bangles and clothes, but she had to hold herself back. Even though, she was truly tempted by the golden saree in the back.

"Can you pack that one for us," Trez said.

"Of course," the shop lady brought the golden one down and priced it for them.

"Wait, you don't need to do that," Sonya said.

"I'm your brother-in-law now," he said as he passed his card to the shop owner. "So, it's my treat."

By the time they made it out of the shop, it was already dark outside. It must be around six or seven o'clock. They all sat in the car and Wade was driving them home. Angela already called them saying that she started prepping dinner and it'd be done as soon as they got back.

Sonya sat in the back wondering how much life had changed now. She was with people that all cared for one another and now it was all going to be good. There was no need to fight the past because it didn't bother her anymore nor did it hurt Axe. She loved him, and with everything that she bought today, she'd commit herself to him the way a wife would to her soulmate. She reached into the bag and pulled out the sacred thread which was the black and golden mangalsutra in her palm and held it tightly.

"I can't believe we're planning weddings now," Wade remarked.

"I know," Trez answered as both men couldn't believe the change in their lives.

"We would be planning Darius and Hazel's wedding too," Sonya added.

Wade stopped at a red light and the street was empty right now. "I talked to my brother about that," he shared.

"What did he say?" Sonya asked as she saw the concern in Wade's eyes from the side as he faced the window.

"He didn't tell me anything," Wade shared.

"That doesn't surprise me. He was never the type to share," Trez told him.

The light turned green and Wade stepped on the gas, when Sonya noticed the massive truck rushing past the red light.

"Wade!" she yelled from the back.

Wade swerved the car to the left trying to get them out of the impact, but it wasn't successful. The face of the truck hit the back of their car and it spiralled down the street hitting a pole. Sonya held onto the belt around her chest that locked into place. Everything around her blared and glass went everywhere, she felt it hit her face and arms. Her legs crushed against the seats and her ears rung with sirens. The car came to a stop and Sonya blinked a few times to see if this was real or not.

"Trez," she cried out. "Wade." Both men had taken most of the hit from the truck and passed out in the front.

She needed to call for help and do something to save her family, when suddenly, she saw masked men running towards them. The door to her side burst open and men with black masks appeared before her. She screamed but they muffled her voice behind a cloth that smelt like chemicals. Before her eyes closed on their own, she saw the red circle on the forehead of the mask.

Sonya's eyes closed but she held the mangalsutra in her hand and she prayed that she could've seen Axe one last time. But in her heart, she knew that her mate would save her. Her hand clutched onto the sacred thread that she was going to use to bind them and prayed that even if she had to die to protect Axe then she would happily. 

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