Inaaya sat at a small round table near the edge of the woods, awaiting the pack's return. Aside from her, there were only a few lingering human members while some others had chosen to ride on their mates' backs for the hunt. Every time a new member was welcomed into the pack, the whole pack went on a celebratory hunt together led by the newest member. Because Inaaya still felt weak from the marking, Axel was leading the hunt in her stead.

"We're heading back inside, would you like to join, Inaaya?" a woman asked whose name Inaaya couldn't quite place just yet. It was indeed laborious to remember three hundred and fourteen names in one night, especially when her brain was slow in its functioning.

Inaaya smiled and shook her head. "I'd like to stay here in the open if that's okay." The woman and her companions nodded before the group headed back inside to the ballroom again.

With cautious fingers, Inaaya touched the smouldering mark on her shoulder. Immediately, she drew her fingers back, wincing and biting her lower lip.

"You shouldn't poke it too much. It hinders the healing," a male voice said. Inaaya looked up to find a ginger she recognised as one of the hunters. "Here," he said, offering her one of the two pints of beer he carried. Inaaya shook her head but the man simply placed it on the table in front of her. "It helps, trust me."

"I hope you're getting one more, Hen, because I could use some help too," a female voice called and Inaaya turned towards another table, occupied by a woman and a man. Both of whom Inaaya recognised as hunters. The woman grinned at Inaaya as the man in front of her, Hen, sighed. He shook his head as he handed the other pint to the woman before disappearing back inside again, probably to get another pint. "Cheers!" the woman called again, raising her bottle towards Inaaya.

Inaaya smiled and raised her own bottle, "Cheers!" She sipped the chilled beer, wrapping her fingers around the cold bottle in the hope of lowering her body temperature. Ever since the marking, she felt hot. Way too hot.

Her eyes drifted towards the brunette man with Asian features sitting beside the woman. She smiled at him in greeting but the man only watched her with eyes calculating enough to make her uncomfortable. She glanced at the beer bottle for a moment then her eyes drifted back towards the man, immediately relieved as his gaze had moved elsewhere. 

Sighing, Inaaya took a bigger gulp of the beer. Holding the bottle by the neck, she placed the cool glass on her left shoulder blade, rolling it gently around on her blazing skin. The contact caused a prickling sensation on the heated mark until it started to become numb.

By the time the pack returned, Inaaya's bottle of beer seemed to have acquired a fever. The beer had gone as warm as if it had been heated on the stove. When Inaaya saw Axel approach, she discarded the bottle on the table and walked towards him, meeting him halfway. "How did the hunt go?"

"Good," he answered, smiling and entwining his hand with hers. "Let's head back inside, eh? I'm sure you're hungry."

Inaaya nodded, walking beside him. The question 'Aren't you?' was on the tip of her tongue when she realised where he had just come from. The preys of the hunt did serve a purpose, after all. So instead, she asked, "What did you eat?" Inaaya herself was a vegetarian but the subject of non-vegetarianism hardly ever nauseated her, unless it was discussed in exceptionally gory details.

Axel's lips parted and eyebrows rose higher on his forehead. When Inaaya shrugged and grinned up at him, he chuckled, shaking his head. "A cute little bunny. So white, so furry, so delicious!"

Inaaya's mouth hung open briefly before her eyes narrowed. "I knew there had to be something wrong with you. You are too good to be true. If you can't love cute little bunnies, how are you ever going to love me?" Inaaya asked, her voice taking on a mock-accusing tone. When Axel stopped walking, Inaaya turned around to look at him. The mischievousness draining from his eyes had her amusement run dry too. She stepped closer to him, entangling both their hands. "Axel? I was kidding," she whispered, looking into his serious eyes.

Axel stood still for a moment, then detangled his hands from hers and cupped her face instead. "I will love you, Inaaya. I'm bound to love you. You're my mate. When I mark you, the bond will strengthen. I will love you. And you will love me."

Inaaya cupped his hands, squeezing gently. "Axel?" she murmured in confusion. His voice was flat but there was a hint of resolution that Inaaya couldn't miss. He seemed to be reassuring himself more than her. His words made loving her sound more like a prerequisite than anything else. "You... you don't have to," she whispered and Axel blinked, coming back out of his thoughts. "It's not an obligation, Axel."

Axel shook his head, letting out a short laugh. "Of course, it isn't. I didn't mean it like that, Inaaya." He held her stare and she found herself unable to break away from it. "I just wanted you to know that I will love you. Until the day I die. Never doubt that, okay?"

Inaaya gulped and nodded. "I... I was only joking, Axel. I was... joking when I mentioned love."

"I know, I'm sorry," he whispered back, sighing. He inhaled deeply, leaning closer and placing a soft, lingering kiss on her forehead. Inaaya's eyes fluttered shut at the tender contact. When he kissed her like that, she did believe him. She did believe that he will love her and she will love him. She wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head on his chest. Axel, in turn, held her close to his body and rested his chin on top of her head.

They stood like that for a long time before the moment was interrupted by someone calling out to them. "Come now, lovebirds! The party's over there." Inaaya couldn't see who it was as she pressed her face tighter against Axel's chest, shaking from the slight laughter that escaped her. Axel too chuckled, pulling back and raising his eyebrows at her. Inaaya nodded, taking a hold of his hand as both started walking towards the ballroom again.

After dinner, which was composed of some delicious vegetarian dishes Inaaya had never heard of before but had fallen in love with after just one bite, she dragged Axel towards the dance floor. He was reluctant at first but as they slow danced to the soft music, he became more reluctant in letting her go. At times Inaaya was simply bewitched by his grey eyes, swirling with passion. At other times, she found tranquillity in feeling his heartbeat synced with hers.

As the soft music died and a more upbeat song started playing, Inaaya looked up at Axel with excited eyes. His eyes widened as he slowly began to back away. "Oh come on!" Inaaya whined, grabbing his wrist and pulling him back to the dance floor.

"Uh no. You know I am not really into music. I wouldn't even know how to move to these songs."

"Just move to the beat, have fun!"

"Aren't you tired? We've been dancing for five songs straight. My feet are killing me," Axel said, giving Inaaya his best mock-tired look.

Inaaya's eyes narrowed to slits, calling his bullshit. "You're aren't fooling anyone, mister my-feet-are-killing-me!" she mimicked, yanking at his arm. He was proving to be a difficult mountain to move.

"Inaaya? Inaaya!" Talisa called, waving wildly when Inaaya looked in her general direction. She gestured with her hand for Inaaya to join her and the group. Talisa, Jace, Jermaine and several other people Inaaya recognised had formed a large circle as they grooved to the pop beats.

She grinned broadly at Axel, shrugged her shoulders and rushed towards Talisa, as fast as her heels would permit. Soon, she was part of the animated group, bouncing up and down to the beats and creating their own hilarious new moves. A woman came by with a tray full of shots and Inaaya gulped one down along with the rest of the group. From the way it burned down her throat, she guessed it was Tequila. Downing another shot confirmed that suspicion.

Inaaya's hair became matted, drops of sweat dribbled down a path they had created on her back and her feet ached in the high heeled pumps she was wearing. She tried not to move her left arm too much but with the feverishness of the atmosphere, it was becoming increasingly difficult. Music was loud, shots were rolling and she was busy grooving.

Her right foot twisted, she stumbled into the person beside her and tugged her dress up enough to reveal her broken heel. "Damn it," she mumbled, fleetingly upset about the loss of such a beautiful pair. She grabbed the shoulder of the person supporting her and looked up to find Jermaine.

Inaaya smiled at him and lifted her forefinger, indicating she needed a moment. Jermaine obliged, keeping her from falling as she bent down and removed her heels. She was ready to walk away from the dance floor to keep her heels aside but Jermaine stopped her.

"It's alright, I'll take care of it. You have fun; this party is for you after all," he shouted in her ear, laughing as a giggle escaped Inaaya. She was indeed having a lot of fun. Vaguely, she thanked him and as he walked away with her heels in hand, Inaaya went back to swaying along with Talisa.

Inaaya didn't know how long it had been but she could no longer stand, much less dance. She resented the supernatural beings who were still partying in full swing as she walked towards Axel, who was sitting at a table and talking with two other werewolves. Seeing her approach, he excused himself and walked towards her with her heels in one hand. She grinned and threw herself into him.

Axel staggered back a step and wrapped his free arm around her, laughing. "I assume you had fun?" She gazed up at him and nodded her head eagerly. Axel chuckled again. "Let's get you to bed," he murmured, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and another around her knees, lifting her up easily. Not bothering to protest, she rested her head on his chest, playing with the knot of his tie.

Once they were inside her room, Axel gently laid her on the bed. "Do you need something?" he asked and Inaaya shook her head. "Alright then. Goodnight," he said, pecking her lips. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Inaaya pulled at his tie, causing him to hover over her on the bed. "You don't keep your promises then?" she asked and when Axel looked confused, she elaborated, "It's alright to ruin my makeup now. The party's over."

Axel met her gaze, his eyes darkening at her suggestion. He inhaled, shaking his head slightly. "Inaaya, you must be tired. And you've had lots to drink. You should go to sleep."

Inaaya again pulled at his tie, this time bringing him down on top of her. "I've had three tequila shots, Axel. I'm happily buzzed, not nauseatingly drunk," she whispered, pecking his lips. It was true, she wasn't drunk. She'd had just enough alcohol to let go of some inhibitions. "And yes, I'm tired. My feet are killing me from all the dancing but I wouldn't object to a few kisses," she murmured against his lips, pecking him again. "Then a few more," she kissed the corner of his mouth, "and a few more." Before she could kiss Axel's jaw, he pushed her down on the bed and slammed his lips on hers.

Inaaya smiled against his lips, wrapping her arms around his neck. His lips were energetic and she met his vigour. Her lips parted, granting him access. Axel groaned, his hands squeezing her sides as he explored her mouth. Their chests were rising and falling in sync, both their hearts had picked up in tempo. Inaaya turned her head to the side, gulping in large breaths of air. Meanwhile, Axel placed feather-light kisses on her jaw. "You taste of whiskey," she whispered, smiling as she caressed her fingers through his silky black hair. "I think I'm starting to like whiskey."

"And you taste like tequila," Axel murmured, hovering his face over hers. "The best damn tequila I've ever tasted," he said before claiming her lips once more. There was a frenzy in his kisses and just like the mania on the dancefloor, she found herself unable to resist it.

Axel's raven hair were sticking up at odd directions from how relentlessly Inaaya had tugged and fisted them. He pulled her bottom lip between his teeth and Inaaya gasped when he began sucking on it. A soft moan escaped her parted lips as Axel's lips moved towards her jawline and then down to her neck. Her one hand held onto his nape and another onto his bicep, pulling him closer. Inaaya's eyes fluttered shut and she arched her back, enjoying every torture his lips inflicted on her body.

A sharp pain shot through at the junction of her collarbone and shoulder blade. Her nails dug into Axel's nape and bicep as she whimpered. "Axel? Axel, stop! It hurts!" she cried, looking down to find his elongated canines digging into her skin. Her eyes widened, panic arose within her. She attempted to push him away.

Though, only a second later, instead of pain, all she felt was euphoria. Inaaya's brows furrowed, eyes closed of their own accord. She was puzzled, whether to dwell on what was happening or to simply enjoy the fact that it was.

Axel stopped and hovered over her again. He glanced down at the bite mark at the base of her neck, then at her face. "I'm s-sorry. I-I didn't mean to," he whispered, "It must be the whiskey..." He caressed the bite mark, wiping the slight trickle of her blood with his coat sleeve. Inaaya frowned, noticing how not only the blood flow had stopped but also the wound didn't look as bad as it should have. "Inaaya?"

She turned back to Axel, not being able to make any sense of it. Her happy buzz had quickly faded into stumped inebriation. Her forehead creased as she pursed her lips. She placed her hands on Axel's chest, gently pushing him away. "I... I don't- W-What... I don't feel to-too good. I think we should call it a night."

Axel nodded and got off the bed. He tucked her in, then leaned down and placed an affectionate kiss on her forehead. "Sleep well, Inaaya. I'll see you tomorrow."

Inaaya watched as he exited the room. Her fingers stroked the bite mark but she didn't feel any punctures. Her fingers hastily examined her skin, baffled by how the wound had healed itself. Her mind was overcrowded with questions and there were no answers in sight. Soon, sleep was beginning to take a hold over her. At last, she gave in to it, hoping the next morning would bring some peace to her perplexed mind. 

A/N:

Guysssss!!

Did he just...? Did he just...? Oh God. Am I right? 

What did you all think of this chapter? Yay or Nay?

And what do we think of what Axel did??

Also, I've some great news to share with you all! :D

A few weeks back, I had submitted ToW for the Werewolf Romance reading list on Wattpad's official werewolf profile and guys! This book can be found on there reading list now. It's awesome! If you're looking for more werewolf books to read, I definitely recommend checking on there. These reading lists have some really great books!

On another, even more amazing note, adu2106 recently nominated ToW for a new reading list that werewolf is curating - Top Summer Reads - under the strong female lead prompt. First of all, thanks so much adu2106! It means the world to me that a reader is so dedicated to this story so as to nominate it and I so happy to know you find Inaaya as a strong female lead. Thanks! <3

That said, guys, the story got selected  (I know, right?!) and will soon be featured on and promoted by the Werewolf profile! Isn't that amazing?! It's just... Wow! ^_^

On a side note, look at my phone's battery though. I never let my phone reach the red zone. I don't even know how it happened today. Smh