Chapter 2 - The acquaintance

Maximus’ pov:

-"I am very glad that the future King will be in the coronation of my son! It's really a great honor Alpha Maximus. I would also like to discuss a very important issue with you if you give me the time your Majesty" the Alpha of Crescent Moon pack said.

I am so bored from this attitude of the former Alpha. I want people to tell me what really bothers them without all these compliments and formalities. Little they know that with this way they aren't going to gain anything from me. In addition, my wolf is acting weird and this disorganizes me. He is getting restless by the minute. I don't know what got into him but I’m sure it can’t be anything good.

As the Alpha's rumbling continued, a wonderful smell hit my nostrils of jasmine and gardenia. It was the most pleasant scent my nostrils have ever caught. I felt my wolf taking over while my eyes scanned the meeting room. It was then that my eyes caught her, a petite brunette. She was standing at the door ready to enter. She was the most beautiful creature I have ever seen and she was standing just a few inches away. She was like a vision: long black hair, hazel almond eyes and a lean body with curves. She was wearing a long black pencil skirt and a white shirt above. The sexiest on her was her black patent leather high heels. The first thought I made is that she was too well dressed for an omega. Maybe they gave her these clothes because of my visit or she is one of the high-ranking wolves’ concubines.

-"Mate" my wolf leapt with joy and continued "I want to mark her right here, right now. She's magnificent!”

-"Hold your horses Drako. You can't possibly believe that a simple omega is my mate. So do not expect from me anything spontaneous. Besides I already have a Luna, Jina" I told my wolf.

-"Are you completely nuts? Jina is not our Luna. She is fake and too ugly for our taste" Drako contradicted.

-"Speak for yourself pal".

-"So Alpha Maximus what do you think about our plan? Do you think that it has any possibilities?” Jake asked me interrupting my inner conversation with Drako.

-"Huh? .....I am sorry but this trip exhausted me. I would suggest half an hour break if you don't have any objections".

-"Of course...absolutely none... your Majesty! Please forgive us for not letting you rest enough. I will immediately inform the omegas to bring more beverages and snacks" Richard told me with the well-known servitude that possessed him.

-"Go ask her name. I want to know who my mate is" my wolf coaxed me.

- "Relax Drako I will, clearly not for the same reasons as you".

-" Τhe well-known and ruthless Αlpha does not admit to sharing anything even with his wolf. May I ask your Majesty what those reasons are?"

-"Cut it out Drako. I am already fed up with this idiot who's calling me Majesty all the time. I cannot bear to hear you say it also."

-"Ok ok I'll stop it. But you didn't tell me why do you want to meet her?"

-"Just curious, that's all" I replied coolly. Although it wasn’t entire true I couldn’t confess even to Drako that I felt strangely since I saw her. I don’t know why but her presence affected me more than I expected.

-"You are never curious Maximus" my wolf contradicted.

I left my wolf speak on his own and focused on the girl. Drako was right for one thing. She is really very beautiful. She was standing only a few meters away from me and this gave me the opportunity to observe her extensively. She continued attending the buffet and giving instructions to the other omegas, completely ignoring my presence in the room.  I cleared my throat to gain her attention but she continued to ostentatiously ignore me.

- "I am sorry ...Miss! Miss!"  I told her really annoyed. Who does she think she is?

-“She is self-confident! I like that!” Drako commented excitedly.

-"Maybe she just sleeps with Jake or Richard and this gave herself air. That's why she acts so arrogantly" I contradicted.

-"My mate cannot sleep with anyone else but me!" Drako intervened furious.

-"Relax Drako! Really what do you expect from her? Wait for us and be a virgin at this age?"

-"Don't say more cause I am gonna mark her right here right now!" he threatened.

-"You won't do anything. You will sit like a good puppy in your place and wait. Do we have a deal?"

-"I am not a puppy Maximus!" Drako talked back angrily.

-"You are what I tell you to be! Do we have a deal?" I asked nervously again.

-"Yes...." Drako said reluctantly in my head. Sometimes he can be very stubborn and irritating but he always knows who the boss around here is. I give him control only when we are at battle. He doesn’t have to interfere in my business.

-"Alpha Maximus. How can I help you?" she said with her head high but avoiding eye contact. That isn't something an omega would do. Now I am really curious about her identity. Who is she? Why does she treat me so arrogantly? She obviously knows who I am and yet she behaves so recklessly.

- "I wonder if I could have a fresh drink" I asked.

- "I'll send an omega right away, with your permission sir" she said and was ready to go when I grabbed her by the arm forcing her to turn around.

- "Ιs it so offensive for you to offer me a drink?" I commented.

-"Of course not Alpha. But this is not one of my responsibilities" she replied calmly.

-"And which are your responsibilities in this pack?”

-“A lot” she answered curtly.

- Who are you anyway?" I asked her in a derogatory manner.

-"My name is Adelina and I am the Alpha Female of this pack"

-"What? Alpha Female? That's a first! I've never heard this term before" I mocked.

-"I am Alpha's Richard daughter. I am also the Financial Advisor of this pack. Nice to meet you" she explained ignoring my derogatory manner and held out her hand for a handshake. I looked at her contemptuously and continued.

-"Financial Advisor? A woman? Is this a joke? Girl do you know who you are addressing to?" I asked her incredulously.

- "Of course I do Alpha. I don't use to joke around with this things. Your drink will be right away. With your permission" she said firmly and turned to leave.

-"What an arrogant woman" I told myself.

- "Except from looks she's got balls as well. I already like her! But why she didn't recognize us?" Drako intervened as always.

-"Cause you always forget that when we are out of the pack my sense is covered with the magic potion, that witch Sonia, made me".

- "Anyway I want her. You have to reveal yourself and take her with us. She is the Alpha's daughter after all not an omega as you assumed.

- "Of a very small pack which is financially destroyed. What's in it for me if I do? Don’t mention about her attitude…… Have you lost completely your mind Drako? If you ever had any of course... I've already told you that we have Jina. Besides I do not want her beside me. She is too arrogant for my tastes".

- "Jina is a bimbo. She isn't good enough to be a Luna. I want our mate. If you don’t reveal yourself to her, don’t rely on me for anything anymore, especially in battles " Drako threatened.

And then he cut out the connection with me. I know him too well to realize that this isn't only an empty threat. Drako is definitely going to curry it out.  If I want to be the King, I must have Drako on my side, in order to confound any opponent. Damn it! Why does he have to be so stubborn? Why does he always have to make things difficult?

I scanned the area and found Alpha Richard and his son talking and drinking in the other corner of the room. I slowly approached them and they immediately stopped and looked at me holding their drinks in their hands. I gave them an arrogant gaze and started:

-"Alpha Richard, Jake, I want to speak with you immediately"

-"Please, Alpha we are all ears" Richard replied slavishly.

-"Not here, somewhere  more private. It’s about something very important”

-“You worry us. What happened? Is it so serious?”

-“Of course it is. Inform your daughter to be present too" I said strictly.

-"My daughter? Which daughter?”

- "I think her name was Adelina" I replied indifferently.

- "Adelina? But why?" Richard asked concerned.

- "You'll find out soon. Now do as I’ve told you" I told him strictly. I hate giving explanations when I give a straight order.

After ten minutes, we were all in Richard's office. My mate was in the office too. Her sense overwhelmed the office giving me a feeling of blissfulness. She stood in a corner. She had her head down and avoided eye contact with me. She wasn't so bad when she acted like this. Actually I preferred her that way. Quiet, humble, timid like a good girl.

-"Alpha Maximus, may I ask the reason why we gathered here?" Richard asked me in concern.

-" As you all know for two decades I am looking for my mate with no results. But today I am able to say that I found her".

-"Really?  Congratulations! That's very good news Alpha! I am very happy for you! What an honor! The mate of our future King is from our pack! What good news this is! Who would anticipate this? But please tell us who the lucky girl is..... "Alpha Richard started rambling without stop. I gave him an angry look and he immediately shut it.

- “My mate is no one other than your beautiful daughter Richard, Adelina" I told him contented while Richard froze on his spot. All the others kept staring at me with their mouths open like idiots. I am used to any kind of attention by people but that I found it completely funny.  The weirdest thing for me was Adelina's reaction. Her face became pale and rigid.

-"Nooooo!! It can't be!" Adelina yelled in frustration.

-"What did you say? How dare to question me?" I scolded her.

-"But..but...I don't feel anything when I’m next to you. Your scent is indifferent to me and my wolf doesn't recognize you as my mate" she argued.

- "You will understand everything when you come closer" I told her full of confidence.

-"What for?" she asked in fear.

- "Be careful. It is the second time you question my orders. I won't be so forgiving next time"

- "Please Alpha forgive my daughter" Richard intervened and continued “May understand that she is confused and upset right now as we all. We didn't expect such news".

-"Upset? Confuse about what? She should be honored instead, as you all should" I told him strictly.

-"Of course she is. We all are, your Majesty"! Richard exclaimed.

-"Let her speak for herself. And stop calling me Majesty, I'm not the King yet. Adelina come to me and take my hand. I won't repeat it again" Ι ordered her looking straight in the eyes.

She approached hesitantly, I grabbed her hand and sparks filled every inch of my body. Her scent was completely alluring. Drako rose, took control over me and gave her a warm hug and a deep kiss on her lips.

-"Tomorrow morning you are leaving with me. Prepare your packs my love" Drako told her.

Adelina's pov:

Oh my Goddess! What to do? Alpha Maximus is my mate! This cannot happen. When I approached him and he touched me, sparks filled my whole body and I felt millions of butterflies flying in my stomach. My wolf was purring in my head, wagging its tail happily. He was not lying after all. He was really my partner! My body was paralyzed by awareness. I felt numb. But the big shock came when I heard him say that tomorrow we are leaving for his pack. I couldn't hold it anymore. I ran and ran and ran deep into the woods until I got tired. I didn’t know how many hours may have passed. All I knew is that I didn’t want Alpha Maximus to be my mate. Although his blowing kiss stole completely my heart, his arrogant character disappointed me. I couldn’t imagine myself sharing my life with him. This man cannot love anyone apart from himself. But I couldn’t think so selfishly. I knew that if I rejected him, the consequences would be severe not only for me but mostly for my pack. And that was something I couldn’t let happen.

Oh my Goddess what should I do? How can I manage? Why of all people it has to be him?  I refuse to be his mate. How can I promise to be beside him for the rest of my life when I cannot stand near him even for a whole minute?