Chapter 83

"Are you channeling your inner snowman?" Sam questions as he shoves a chocolate chip cookie into his mouth, whole. He stomach is probably a black bottomless pit because I swear all this boy ever does is eat and he's still so fit.

I give Sam a worried look and shake my head "no". What the hell does that even mean? Channeling your inner snowman...

"Well, we're heading home. I have to set up a few things for tomorrow."

"I think I broke one of my fingers trying to a accomplish one of my infamous

cartwheels." Sam holds up his right ring finger. He compares it to the one on the left and it definitely looks out of whack.

"You're so strange." I try fighting the small smile that threatened to break across my lips. In this moment I'm happy, but I'm scared the moment I step foot into that house and see the weather report its all going to change.

Today is probably the last normal day were going to have. The last day we're all safe from Jalex's harm.

I hug both of my closest friends goodbye and watch has their figures retreat and fade in the opposite direction. The wind bites at my cheeks and nose, causing me to pull the hood of my jacket up on my head and tugging my jacket tighter around my body. Even for a wolf I'm cold.

"Ducky," His voice instantly sends a warm shiver down my spine. I turn to face the most handsome man I have ever seen in my entire existence. My mate. He truly is gorgeous. Stupidly gorgeous. "It's too cold out here, come back inside."

He extends his large hand out for me to grab and I don't hesitate one bit. I couldn't resist his boyish smirk and how he managed to seem so warm and inviting, even with his intimidating build on display. I didn't dare to even think of disobeying him and just a few seconds later my hand is in his and he's leading me up the stairs.

I wring out my soaking wet hair with a towel as I exit his luxurious bathroom. He's already sitting in bed propped up against the headboard, shirtless as is brows furrow together in concentration. Tossing the towel aside I climb into bed with him and peek over his shoulder as he studies a few pieces of paper that sat in a vanilla colored folder.

There was a picture of a boy who couldn't be older than twelve years of age. His eletric blue eyes seemed cold and detached, but somewhere deep down inside them was another emotion that was indecipherable. His black hair flopped messily over his forehead, it was clear that no one bothered to keep up with it. His dark pink lips were etched in a frown. He was obviously very unhappy. Beneath the picture was a description of the boy along with his name and date of birth. Ajax Black.

"Why are you looking at a file of yourself?" I ask, pushing my legs underneath the comfort of the blankets.

"My psychopathic father had these hidden, Alexander found them today." His voice was void as he puts his file to the side and opens another.

There was a picture of another twelve year old boy. There were so many similarities, but so many differences. His steel blue eyes held a mischievous glint and his bright pink lips were pulled up in a playful smile. His short jet black hair was cropped ad well managed. The boys looked so much alike, but one was happy and the other was not. Beneath the picture held one word, one name that made my blood run cold. Jalex Cove.

From the corner of my eye I could see Ajax's shoulders tense. I swallow the lump forming in my throat. If I didn't know any better I would assume that those boys were brothers. Although Ajax's hair does seem a tad bit darker, they were extremely similar.

I pull Ajax's file onto my lap and study his picture one more time, often stealing glances at the photo of Jalex. The more I stared the more similar they looked.

"Why does your father have these?" I ask the second question that was burning in the back of my mind. What I really wanted to know is why they look so similar...

I flip through more of the pages that were held in the files. There was a medical history, school records, extra curricular activities, and personal achievements. Ajax's file seemed slimmer than Jalex's. He probably wasn't motivated to do much considering what he went through as a child. He did take up a lot of contact sports though.

"I dont know. He was crazy." He sighs and grabs both folders, tossing them onto the night stand next to him. He rubs his tired eyes and I lean my head on his broad shoulder, breathing in is delicious scent.

"He looks a lot like you..." My voice is barely a whisper, scared to point out the obvious. It was unnerving the similarities they both held. Dark hair, blue eyes, that beautiful pale flawless skin.

"Trust me, I'm a lot sexier than he is."

I lift my head immediately to take in my mates facial expression. A large smile pulls at my lips as I take in his playful smirk and the amusement in his eyes. "Oh really?" I laugh as he tugs me closer to him, pulling me onto his lap.

"Yes, really." He places a soft kiss on my forehead as his fingers run through my chocolate brown locks. "I wanna be honest with you."

His eyes roam over the length of my face, his voice the softest I've ever heard it.

"I expect nothing more than honesty." I reach out to caress his beautiful face, my thumb running lightly across his defined jawline.

"Tomorrow, might very well end horribly-"

"Ajax." I cut him off as I shake my head. I don't want to discuss the horror that the snow brings us tomorrow. I don't want to think of Jalex and his pack descending upon our lands, threatening the safety of our people. Of my mate.

"Listen to me, Ducky, you're the only person I trust enough to tell this to. You've shown me time and time again that you're heart is big. You put others above yourself constantly and I am so lucky to have you. Someone so dedicated, that they would risk their life just to see the people they love. I would like to believe that some of your good and kindness has rubbed off on me."