Liam povAs I watched Maxine leave my chambers, a storm of conflicting emotions roiled within me. Her attitude was unexpected, and it chomped at me. What was she up to? Why the sudden change? The way she carried herself, the determination in her eyes—it was all new, and I couldn't help but be intrigued.I monitored her closely over the next few days, my frustration was mounting as I found nothing suspicious. She trained harder than ever, pushing herself to the brink, but there was no sign of any covert meetings or plans. It was maddening. She was either becoming the warrior I wanted or hiding something far more cunning.One evening, after a particularly grueling day of overseeing pack affairs, I decided to take a walk to clear my head. The night breeze was cool and refreshing, providing a brief respite from the chaos in my mind. As I passed the training grounds, I noticed Maxine sparring alone, her movements were fluid and fierce. I watched her from the dark, noting the fire in her ey
Maxine PovWeeks passed, and each day brought its challenges. My body ached from the relentless training, but the pain was a welcome distraction from the emotional torment. Despite my warnings, Tobias continued to sneak into my quarters late at night to help me train. He was determined, and I was grateful, even though I worried about the risks he was taking. Because if Liam should find out, hell would let loose."Tobias, you shouldn't be here, this is dangerous," I whispered one night as he slipped into my room."And leave you to fend for yourself? Not a chance," he replied, setting down a small bag of training gear."Liam's watching me," I said, my voice trembling with concern. "If he finds out, he'll kill you."Tobias gave me a reassuring smile. "I'm careful, Maxine. And besides, you're worth the risk."His words warmed my heart, but they also filled me with worry. I couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to him because of me. But I knew he was right. I needed this training
Maxine PovBack in my room, I paced back and forth, my mind was filled with different thoughts. I felt like men in this pack saw me as a plaything, something they could manipulate and do whatever they wished they could.Tobias's confession had thrown me off balance. I had trusted him and relied on him for support and training. But now I wasn't sure what to think. Was he truly in love with me, or was he just another man trying to control me? I couldn't make any sense of what he asked. Rather I felt hurt and insulted.I sat down on my bed, my head in my hands. I couldn't afford to let my emotions cloud my judgment. I needed to put all that behind me and stay focused on my goal. Liam was still watching me, and any misstep could be fatal. As much as I was training, I don't think I would be able to handle another fighting punishment with Linda.As time went on, I avoided Tobias, keeping to myself as much as possible. I couldn't face him, not yet. My mind was a whirl of conflicting thoughts
Liam PovI was alone in my room, pacing restlessly. It had been too long since I had tasted Maxine. And I was hungry for her. Clara had become tiresome, and her constant attempts to please me only annoyed me further. She was in my room now, pleading for my affection. But I didn't want her, I wanted to have a taste of another. And Maxine was on my mind. I miss playing with her juicy pot and miss hearing her moan."Please, Alpha Liam, I love you," Clara begged, her eyes filled with desperation and tears.I glanced at her, as my patience wore thin. "Enough, Clara. Go back to your duties, or face punishment. Don't come back here unless I request your presence. You’ve overstayed."She looked like she wanted to argue, but the sternness in my voice left no room for negotiation. With a dejected look, she left my room, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me. I needed a change. I needed Maxine. My wolf wants her and I want her too desperately.It was time to call her back to me, to remind her
Liam PovThe night stretched on, each hour marked by more intense and brutal sessions. Maxine's pleas for mercy fell on deaf ears. I was relentless, driven by a need to maintain my authority and remind her who owned her. Her cries and moans filled the room, mingling with the sound of our bodies colliding."Please, Master, stop," she begged, tears streaming down her face. "I can't take any more. I'm going to pass out. Please…."I ignored her, my hands gripping her hips tightly as I thrust into her again and again. Her sobs only fueled my desire, pushing me to go harder, deeper. She tried to push me away, her weak hands pressing against my chest, but I didn't relent."What did I do to you?" she cried, her voice breaking. "Why do you hate me so much? Why do you treat me so badly?"I didn't respond, my focus was solely on the primal need to dominate her. Her question remained in the air, unanswered. I wasn't sure why I treated her this way. Perhaps it was her attitude, her initial refusal
Maxine PovI woke up feeling sore and in pain, every muscle in my body was protesting as I tried to move. The bruises from last night were still fresh, and I winced as I shifted on the bed. Glancing around the room, I noticed that Liam was gone, but a tray of breakfast was left on the table. My stomach growled, and without thinking, I dragged myself over and began to eat. The food gave me a bit of strength, enough to head back to my room to wash up and change.Liam had dealt with me harshly last night. His assaults were relentless, and I could barely walk. Each step was agony, and I felt like I was going to fall sick from the pain. When I finally reached my room, the tears came unbidden. I collapsed onto my bed, my heart shattered and my spirit was broken. I was tired—tired of everything, of my life, of my entire existence.One minute I thought I was getting it right, finding a sliver of hope, and the next, I was plunged back into darkness, wanting to die. While I sobbed, the door cre
Liam PovWhile I was away on a meeting, I made sure to keep a close eye on Maxine by assigning an omega and a guard to monitor her every move. Their diligence in reporting back to me was impeccable. They detailed her training sessions with Tobias and their increasing closeness.Reading those reports, a twinge of jealousy coursed through me. I knew Maxine wouldn’t betray me—she was too smart for that—but the thought of her finding happiness in another man's company while I brought her only sorrow made me feel monstrous. I couldn’t stand the idea of Tobias being the good guy in her life. I needed to bring him down in her eyes, but nothing came to mind until I returned to the pack.Back at the pack, I observed them for two days, confirming every detail of the reports. The closeness between Maxine and Tobias was undeniable. It was time to confront them. I summoned both to my office.When they walked in and saw each other, the shock and fear on their faces were discernable. I leaned back i
Maxine’s POVThe pack members gathered around, their eyes were fixed on us as we prepared to fight. Liam stood nearby, his presence felt like a dark cloud over the arena. I could feel his gaze, cold and judgmental, adding fuel to the fire of my anger.Clara moved first, her confidence radiated in every step. At first, I thought she was going to beat me because she was fast. She lunged at me with a speed that caught me off guard, but I quickly regained my composure and dodged her attack. I countered with a swift punch to her side, causing her to grunt in pain."You’re going to regret this, Maxine," Clara spat, her eyes blazing with fury."You’ve been asking for this," I shot back, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions inside me. Clara had caused me pain, she had insulted me in the most embarrassing way that I could fathom. Now it’s the time to get my revenge.Clara came at me again, her attacks were more aggressive this time. I blocked her punches and kicks with precision, each
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