Page 60 of Come for Me
Dax walks over to the smallest of the group and playfully growls at him, pretending to be the attacker. The little pup laughs and emits a tiny growl. Dax feigns fright, and the kid laughs and progresses toward him.
It’s the first time I’ve seen him smile and laugh that isn’t laced with murderous intent. Seeing him with the pup has me wondering what he was like at that age. Dax is always so serious, so it’s hard to imagine him carefree and playful.
“What was Dax like as a child?”
A long silence leads to a shift in the air.
Sam rubs the back of his neck and sighs. “Dax... didn’t really have a childhood.”
“What do you mean?”
“As soon as he could talk and walk, Dax’s life was training and meetings. When he wasn’t doing that with his father, he and his mother tended to the community. His father was... strict. And his mother never questioned her king. None of us in the pack really played with Dax growing up. I don’t know if he ever got to just be a kid.”
A twinge of sadness settles in my heart.
Surely protected in the safest place in the kingdom, inside castle walls, he could freely roam and enjoy life. The image of a disheartened Dax forced into a joyless childhood pulls at my heartstrings.
The cold, serious-armor Dax wears makes even more sense now. He’s business all the time because that’s all he’s ever known.
The little pup jabs him with the bow staff. Dax clutches at his heart, pretending to die. When the pup gets closer to him, Dax roars and pulls him to his chest. The pup screeches and chuckles.
“Someone forgot rule number one—first opportunity to run to safety, you take it!” Dax tickles him, eliciting little giggles from the pup.
I can’t help but melt at this paternal side, wishing I could see more of this man who protects his pack and smiles when he’s not thinking about murdering someone.
Dax meets my stare, his dark, intense stare igniting heat in between my legs, building a need for friction. As this need increases, his eyes scan my body and stop when they reach my center. When his flashing gaze meets mine again, a knowing smirk spreads across his face.
He struts over to me, his shoulders dipping as he walks, the cuts in his muscles gathering sweat on his glistening tanned skin.
Goddess, he’s all male.
Stopping at my side, he leans into my ear. “I can smell you. You wanna play, little one? Let’s play.”
He’s baiting me. Again. He knows I won’t turn down the challenge. Especially when it involves the chance to kick his ass.
When he steps behind me, I let my claws elongate in my right hand and turn to strike him across the face.
Leaning away just in time, he laughs at my attempt.
I go for another combo, aiming for his throat and gut. He blocks each move and punches me in my ribs instead.
In disbelief, I glare at him, shocked at his audacity. Meanwhile, my wolf wags her tail in approval.
“I’m not going to take it easy on you, darling. Neither will our enemies.”
I don’t know why he’s saying “our” as if we’re on the same team. He’s the only enemy I see around here, as I’m reminded of the people from whom he took me away. The home I probably won’t see again.
Someone clears their throat, breaking the tension.
I stare down a bigger pain in my side than the punch Dax gave me.
Olivia.
“Pardon the interruption. I just think that if we’re up against vampires, Alaina here should train with one,” she coos to Dax.
Olivia knows the right strings to pull with Dax through preparation, training, and protection.
Dax gestures for Olivia to take his spot in front of me and steps aside.
