Maxine Pov“Come with me,” she said, leading me to a small garden outside the main building. In the center was a table set with flowers, a simple but beautiful display. I became scared, I was not supposed to be here or leave my cell. Liam would kill me if he found out.“I thought you could use a change of view,” Elena said, beaming. “We can have our meals here sometimes, away from the dreariness of the cell.”I felt tears welling up again, but this time they were tears of gratitude. “Elena, this is wonderful. Thank you.”She hugged me tightly. “You deserve some happiness, Maxine. Don’t ever forget that.”We spent the rest of the afternoon in the garden, talking and laughing. For the first time in a long while, I felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, things could get better.Despite the challenges, I decided to keep finding joy in the little things. Whether it was a kind word from a guard, a visit from Elena, or a moment of peace in the garden, I held onto those moments tightly.E
Liam's povI had been away for three days, and all my thoughts were consumed by Maxine. I couldn't understand why I missed her so much. I had never missed any of my mates before. This feeling was strange and I didn't like it. I couldn't stay any longer, so I decided to go back home ahead of the scheduled time.Gathering my men, we prepared to leave. Within thirty minutes, we were already at the pack house. As we arrived, my eyes caught sight of Maxine outside, in my garden. Anger boiled within me. What was she doing there? Did she have no respect?I approached the guards with fury. "Who instructed Maxine to go to my garden?" I demanded.One of the guards, a young man named Derek, stammered, "She just went there, Alpha. She's been visiting since you left."Hearing this made my anger flare even more. "I must punish her," I thought. As I stormed toward the garden, the other omega with Maxine immediately knelt and began pleading."Please, Alpha, it was my idea," she said, her voice trembl
Maxine povI walked back to my cell, feeling completely downcast. The few days of joy and peace that Elena had given me had been taken away in less than 45 minutes, replaced with pain and hurt. My body ached from Liam’s punishment, and my spirit felt even more bruised.My mind wandered to Elena. I wondered what could be her punishment. She was only trying to help me, nothing more. Now she was being punished for her kindness. I felt for her and wished she was alright wherever she was.As I sat on my small cot, heartbroken, the iron door of my cell creaked open. I looked up, hoping it was Elena. But it was just a guard bringing my food. I tried to ask about Elena, but he just smiled without saying anything and left. His silence made me more worried; I feared something bad must have happened to her.Feeling desperate, I started calling for any guards nearby. My voice echoed in the hallway, and soon enough, a guard rushed in, thinking I needed help."What’s wrong?" he asked, looking aroun
Maxine povAs the days passed, I started to notice small changes in Liam’s behavior. He was still stern and demanding, but there was a hint of something else—something softer. He didn’t shout as much, and there were moments when I caught him watching me with a curious expression.One afternoon, as I was leaving his chambers, he called out to me. "Maxine."I turned, surprised. "Yes, Alpha?"He hesitated as if struggling to find the right words. "Thank you," he finally said. "For the herbs."I nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips. "You’re welcome."As I walked back to my cell, I felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, things could get better. I held onto that hope, determined to make the best of my situation.In the following days, my visits to Liam’s chambers became a routine. Each time, I brought him fresh herbs and checked on his condition. He seemed to be getting better, his pain gradually easing. The sternness in his eyes softened slightly each time he saw me, and I could se
Liam’s povI sat in my room, my thoughts were consumed by the hardest decision I had ever faced. Pronouncing an omega, a weakling, as Luna went against everything I believed in. I thought of another way, but it would only result in a bloodbath. What was the worst that could happen? Making her Luna didn’t mean she had escaped my punishment or would be given special treatment. She will always be reminded in every possible way that she's an omega. Since I had my various women, nobody had ever given me an ultimatum except for the brat Maxine.It was her turn and I was questioned. So, I will make sure she suffers from it.However, Maxine had earned the title. If it was another mate who hadn't done anything for me, maybe I would have dared the elders. But Maxine cared for me, she had shown her value so she could tend to my injuries and help with the curse I bore. I pondered this until a maid entered with my dinner. I ate in silence, while my mind was still swirling with conflicting thoughts
Maxine pov.I jolted awake after hearing a loud knock on my iron door. It scared the shit out of me.What was happening? Just while I was processing what could be the problem, the cell door opened, revealing one of the omegas who hated me immediately after seeing me for the first time.She was carrying a blue dress, a small makeup purse, a hairbrush and cream, sandals, and perfume.I looked at her questioningly, and when she didn't answer me, I spoke. “What’s the occasion for? Where am I going? What is the dress for?”She ignored all my questions but told me, “Get dressed. Someone will come to take you to the Alpha. Don't waste time.”She left before I could ask her more questions. Maybe he felt remorseful for what happened and wanted to make amends. I was so happy that I began to imagine how it would feel to be in a romantic setting with him. Alpha Liam is a handsome man but his stern appearance has hidden all that.I smiled to myself and quickly got dressed. I did my makeup, packed
Maxine povI was trying my best to be a good mate and Luna, despite the bullying and ill-treatment from the pack members. They wouldn't accept an omega Luna. I cared for the children, pregnant women, and sick people using my knowledge of herbs. With the help of Elena, I organized a children's fair. There were lots of games and food. The children were happy, but then their mothers found out and angrily began to withdraw their kids."Why are you taking them away?" I asked one of the mothers, trying to understand.She glared at me. "I don't want my children associating with an omega pretending to be a Luna," she spat, pulling her child away.There was absolutely nothing I could do that would satisfy everyone. They hated me because I was an omega. Nobody wanted to give me a chance to prove myself. Elena was the only omega who had supported me. Even among omegas, there was still hatred. They hated me for coming in to take what they had always dreamt of having. But it wasn't my fault. Liam
Liam PovAs the evening sun tossed long shades across my mansion grounds, I found myself strolling around my mansion, enjoying a rare moment of freedom. It has been a long time since I had the chance to stroll. The air was crisp, and I took deep breaths, savoring the scent of blooming flowers. It felt good to be out, away from the constant pressures of leadership. I had another reason for my walk: I wanted to check out a few girls, and maybe find a new bed warmer. My body craves for new adventures. Ever since Maxine came here, I hadn't had any intimate moments with another female, and somehow, I missed that.As I wandered, admiring the beauty around my mansion, I suddenly heard laughter. Curious, “Who could that be?” I followed the sound and turned a corner to find Maxine and one of my security men, Tobias, deep in conversation. They were chatting and laughing, a sight that immediately irked me. So engrossed in their world. Anger started to build inside me, they were so close to each o
MAXINEI got a job working at the pack hospital again. This time, I signed up to be a real medical practitioner. I was going to become a midwife. There were a few familiar faces at the hospital and lots of new ones.Still, I was grateful to Ronan for giving them this opportunity again.That evening, I walked back into my apartment. The dead herbs were still in a box on the floor in the kitchen. I wondered if I would go back. I used to pick herbs and sell them to women who wanted to get pregnant.It felt like eons ago. Times were simpler. Back then, I saved lives not help take them. That was a time when I didn’t have blood on my hands.I sighed, running my fingers through my hair. I wanted my simple life again. It was simple but everything made sense. I didn't have to try to untangle myself from this mess that was my reality.A knock on the door brought me back. Zel was back from work. She worked as a bartender a little while from our apartment. Zel had gotten the job. After the manag
MAXINEI nodded, not trusting myself to speak without crying. Ella was right. I needed to let myself grieve. The love I once had for Ronan still occupied my heart.Lindsey reached out and held my hand. "We’re here for you, Maxine."I squeezed her hand, grateful for their support. They were right. I didn’t have to go through this alone. I had them.Maybe it wasn't so bad after all.***Going back to my old life felt like stepping into a strange place. There was the feeling of losing something. My apartment felt like a place from a faraway memory. Zel was gone and I was feeling so sad.I was back from saying goodbye. I unlocked the door and stepped inside. The space was just as I’d left it. There was still dust over everything. At least, I had something to do with my time.I took a deep breath. I hadn't lost everything. I was still okay.I began to clean up slowly. Lindsey stopped by to help me out and together, we covered a lot. As I was cleaning, I heard a knock on the door.“Are you
MAXINEI wanted to believe her that everything would be okay but deep down, I felt guilt and grief. This was my fault. I pulled back from her and wiped my eyes. I gave her a shaky smile. “It doesn’t feel like it.”She cupped my cheek. “Everything isn't always as it seems, my dear. But, I can tell you one thing I know for sure.” She said.“What's that?”“It's not your fault. I'm sure you don't know where to go from here, what to do, or where you belong. You want to come with me, you want to continue your life back at the place where you and Zel liked and you want to go back to how things were in this pack.” Cinder explained.“But, I see you staying here. This is where your strength lies, where hope lives, where you have friends and support.” She lowered her eyes and winked. “It's where you have a future.”“And, we'll always be here for you to fall back on, regardless of what happens. We're your home away from home.” The Luna Queen said, putting her hand on my shoulder. “I'm very proud.
MAXINEI didn't feel anything. No pain from a stab whatsoever. I looked between us and that's when Ronan smiled. His lips were close to my ear and he whispered, “I would never hurt you on purpose, love.”I didn't know when I screamed.Ronan collapsed into my arms, taking the both of us down to the ground with him. I tried my best to hold his head up on my lap. My eyes traveled down to the blood pouring down the stab wound in his belly.“Ronan,” I called, tears filling my eyes and rolling down my cheeks. He had stabbed himself.My hand shook as it hovered over the wound. I didn't know what to do. The dagger was in his chest.Ronan had chosen death. Death over a life without me.“Maxine…” he called, his voice unnaturally calm for someone who was dying. He reached up to touch me and I guided his hand to my cheek.“I'm here, I'm here,” I cried. “I'm sorry,” I whispered the last part. My hands shook as I held him. I never wanted this. I didn’t want him to die.Ronan gasped. He looked up
MAXINEI held my breath as Ronan kept his eyes on mine. When he was close enough, he stopped. Neither of us said a word. The battle continued around us but I couldn't get myself to make the first move.He didn't either. I wondered if it was hard for him to see me. I wondered if he thought he could fight me. I also wondered if he thought that he could kill me.I spoke up first. “Ronan,” I called. My voice was sounding more longing than I wanted.I missed him, to be honest. I missed sitting down in the quiet and reading books. Strangely, I missed making his cinnamon coffee.Ronan didn't say anything. Instead, he took a step closer. “You don’t have to do this,” he said.There was no hurt, no anger in his voice, just nothing but kindness. I wished he would yell. I wished he would curse me and call me evil for everything I've done.“Come with me.” He said, softly. I heard it regardless of the noise. “We can fix this, Maxine. We'll leave everything behind together.”It sounded so good. But,
MAXINEHe caught me off guard. It meant that he still cared about me. I didn't focus on that though. “I won’t, I promise,” I replied.We stood there in silence for a while, neither of us knowing what to say. I could feel it though. I could feel it. The unspoken feelings and questions we didn't have the time to ask.Or we didn't dare to ask, I guess.After everything that had happened, I still wasn’t sure where we stood. I said I was okay with him hating me but, I didn't know anymore. The lines between us were confusing now. I didn't know how to fix that.But now wasn’t the time to focus on that. We had a mission and that was a priority. Every other thing could come after. We would cross that bridge later.For some reason, Liam stepped closer and I held my breath. “Regardless of what has happened between us, out there?” He said, “No matter what happens, we’ll get through this together. Do you understand?”I nodded. “Together,” I repeated.Before I could say anything else, Zel appeared
MAXINECinder gave me and Zel a brief of the plans that night when she showed us a bedroom. She and the Luna Queen were sharing the one right next to us. They told us to come to them if we faced any issues.Sleep didn't come easy because my mind was entirely on Ronan. I didn't know how I was going to face him again after betraying his trust. But, I knew I couldn't sit out of this fight.The sun had not even risen when I was woken up by the sound of Liam's voice. He was given instructions and I heard more footsteps around the house than the number of people I had seen the previous day.It meant that Liam was already up and gathering the troops. I could hear him giving commands like it hadn't been two months since he was last in power. He was a natural-born leader. He carried this air of authority around him.He was giving orders, explaining ranks and positions for this fight. Every single detail was important to winning.Zel was still asleep, of course. She wasn't a wolf so she wouldn'
MAXINEI chuckled bitterly. “What about now?” I asked. “Will you take me back now that I have a wolf? Isn't that what you've always wanted?”His eyes widened slightly but he kept himself composed. “That would be unfair to you. It would be wrong. If you want to come back to me, I will take you but the choice is yours now. You have a choice and I see now that I was wrong. I’m so sorry, Maxine. I hope you can forgive me.”Tears welled up in my eyes. I hadn't thought about this but I let the anger roll away from me. He was still family. He was my father. “I forgive you. You're my father, whether you abandon me or not.” I said.“Thank you, Maxine.” He said. He reached for me hesitantly. I would have settled for a handshake but he wrapped his hands around me. For the first time in what I knew was forever, my father hugged me.I didn't know what to feel about that.LIAMAfter Maxine spoke to her father, they returned to the living room. However, she moved toward the far end of the room, away
LIAMDespite everything that was unfolding in front of me, my thoughts were stuck on one thing.Maxine had a wolf.I couldn't wrap my head around it. After everything that had happened to her, it didn’t make sense. I glanced at her. The strange white-haired girl was sitting between us.Maxine was staring out of the window. The white-haired girl squeezed her hand. Maxine turned to look at her and offered her a small smile. That was when she caught me staring. She looked away, taking her eyes back to the window.It left me confused. Was she pissed at me? I was the one who had the right to be mad at her. She had chosen him over me. Well, the distance between us was necessary.I didn't know what I would say or do if I were sitting next to her. Kris took a sharp turn, causing Maxine to grab the handle of the car door. I opened my mouth to say something but I stopped myself. There would be time for questions later.“You alright back there?” Varis asked.“We’re fine,” I said. I didn't know i