MAXINERonan’s eyes darkened. There was a mix of desire and vulnerability in his eyes. He looked like he wasn’t entirely sure if he could trust me. This new shift wasn't something he expected.But he was drawn to it and me. I could see the conflict in his eyes. There was a part of him that wanted to stay guarded and protect himself. He was warring with the part of himself that wanted to believe in this new possibility: this part of me that wanted him.I leaned in even closer, closing the distance between us. My lips were just mere inches away from his. “I’m here, Ronan,” I said quietly, almost pleading. “I’m not going anywhere, not if you don’t want me to.”He hesitated. His breath caught in his throat and his gaze dropped to my lips before they flicked back up to my eyes. “Maxine…” he started but I cut him off, pressing a finger to his lips.“Shh,” I whispered, my heart racing. “Just feel.”And then I leaned in and kissed him. It was soft and slow and I think this was the first tim
MAXINEThat morning, before breakfast, a guard came to take me out. I told him to inform Ronan that I wanted to see him and Ronan had given permission. It was as expected. The guard seemed stunned by my dress choice. Ronan must have picked out my clothes after all but he would be pleased to see me dressed in them.The guard took me to Ronan's study. He was already surrounded by papers, his brow furrowed. The door was open wide so, I knocked lightly on the doorframe. He looked up and a small smile grew on his face."Good morning," I said softly, stepping inside."Good morning," he replied, his eyes sweeping over me. I saw the pleasure in his eyes as he took in what I was wearing. “You look pretty.”“Thank you,” I smiled, moving closer to his desk. “I thought I’d join you for breakfast if you’re not too busy.”He blinked, clearly taken aback by the offer. “Breakfast?” he repeated.I nodded, leaning against the edge of his desk. I was close enough that he could smell the soft hint of per
MAXINEOne evening, we sat by the fireplace in his study, cuddled closely together. My back was pressed to Ronan's chest and we looked into the fire. “Maxine,” he began.I turned my head to look at him but my heart skipped a beat. There was something in the way he called my name. “What is it?” I asked.“This thing going on between us…” he trailed for some reason.“What about us?” I pushed for answers.He hesitated. “I think I want more,” he admitted. “I want you, Maxine. I want you.”For a moment, I felt something but I pushed it down. I turned to face him and leaned closer, letting my lips brush his ear, “Then take me, Ronan.”He kissed me. He was hard and desperate. I let myself melt into him and let myself forget everything but this moment and this feeling. Because for now, that was all I could afford to think about.It was all that I had now and I needed to make him fall hard.RONANI watched Maxine as she moved around the room. It was the next day. I was in her room and I had b
MAXINEIt was funny how easily Ronan was coming around to trusting me. He was still wary and I could see it in his eyes. I could see it when he looked at me. He was fighting against his better judgment, trying to decide if he should let his guard down.It’s exactly where I wanted him to be: standing on the edge, unsure if he should jump or hold back. Today, I decided to take things a step further. If I was going to make Ronan fall hopelessly, I had to show him the side of me that he couldn’t resist.I had to show him that I was soft, caring, and thoughtful. It was the side of me that would make him believe that I was the one person who could soothe the darkness that was in him. I knew exactly how to do it.I started my plan early the next morning. The sun was just beginning to rise but Ronan was already up, working in his study, as he often did. The man never seemed to rest.He was always focused on something. It was like he was always planning his next big move and he needed to work.
MAXINEI noticed the ones he stared at more while we walked through the garden. I knew the ones he would like. I carried it over to where he sat and handed it gently to him.He looked up, startled by my presence. “Maxine,” he said, “Once again. What are you doing here?”“I thought you might like these,” I said, gesturing to the flowers. “I’ve seen you looking at them differently when we walk through the garden.”He glanced at the flowers and then back at me, a smile on his lips. “You’re full of surprises today,” he said, putting down the book and picking up the flowers.“I like keeping you on your toes,” I replied with a grin.He chuckled, shaking his head slightly. “You’re doing a good job of it.” He said but then, there was a sad look on his face. “These were my mother's favorite flowers.”He'd never talked about his mother. It was always his father showing him brutality. I wanted to hear more about the woman who had birthed these two men.“Tell me about her,” I said, quietly, slidi
LIAMThey returned me to my cell on the ground. A day or so after the incident involving Maxine, guards entered my room and I was escorted back in chains.I thought it was going to go back to staying there until someone wanted to talk or gloat. I kept my distance from Kris and Varis. Nothing was going to change the fact that they had betrayed me.However, once again, they came to take me out for a walk. The outside world was a huge difference from the suffocating days in my cell. I listened to the rustling of the leaves and the chirping of the birds.I walked slowly, letting my eyes scan every detail and every person. I just wasn't expecting to see her out here as well. But, there she was.Maxine.She was in the garden with him. Ronan. Why was I always finding them? Were they taking me on a walk to see this?My stomach tightened and I took a few steps back, finding a tall oak tree to hide behind. From there, I watched. Kris and Varis stayed back, giving me curious looks after they not
MAXINE“I know I do,” he replied, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear. I leaned into his touch.“Then don’t let me go, ever,” I said, just loud enough for Liam to hear. I knew he would hear. I wanted him to.Ronan’s grip on me tightened. “I won’t,” he promised.Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Liam stiffen. He was hurting, and I felt guilty. But I couldn’t let it show. I had to stay in control and keep playing this game. Because as much as it hurt, I knew this was the only way. It was the only way to survive and to get what I needed.Ronan's hand slid down to take mine. Again, I glanced back at Liam. I hoped he understood. I hoped he knew that this was for both of us. Even if it didn’t look like it now. Even if it hurt like hell.Because no matter what, I couldn’t afford to lose sight of the endgame. Not now. I was going to have a special place in hell for hurting these brothers.RONANI noticed him almost as soon as he stepped into the garden. Liam’s presence was like a storm
RONANI felt her relax and I took a deep breath. I knew Liam was still watching us closely but I didn’t care. This moment was mine. She was mine. At least, for now, and he had to know that.I turned slightly, keeping Maxine close enough, and caught sight of Liam in the corner of my eye. His face was hard and his jaw clenched tight.His eyes were dark, filled with anger and pain. I knew he was suffering and a part of me felt guilt. But another part of me felt satisfaction.He had his chance. He had his time with her. Now, it was mine. It was my time to get her.I met his gaze. I wanted him to see me. I wanted him to know that I wasn’t going to back down.I turned back to Maxine, cupping her face in my hands. “You’re safe with me,” I said, loud enough for Liam to hear. “You don’t have to look back.”She stayed with me, her hand resting on my chest, her fingers tracing the pattern of my shirt. I felt a small smile. I was winning. It was slow, but surely, I was winning.Liam might be watc
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