STARLETTE
I slowly opened my eyes and turned to look at the other side of the bed, hoping to see Maximus there, but he wasn’t. After our altercation last night, he stormed out of the room, and I had stayed up late, waiting for his return, but he never did. I wondered where he went to. Perhaps he was with Lauren. The thought of that caused anger to rise up in my chest, and I quickly shook my head to get it off. He wasn’t worth my emotions-so I made myself believe.
Not long after I woke up, Bella came in, her usual bright smile shining on her face.
“Good morning.” She beamed as she approached me.
I mirrowed her smile. “Good morning, Bella.”
Her smile faded when she sat beside me on the bed.
“What?” I asked when I noticed her change in contortion.
“I am sorry for telling the Alpha that you were with Lucius when he asked about you.” She said remorsefully.
I didn’t even know that she told Maximus that. But I wasn’t mad about it. Not at all. I knew she had no choice but to be truthful when he questioned her. He was her Alpha. And besides, he would’ve found out anyway.
I held her hand in mine and gave it a light, reassuring squeeze. “I understand.”
“Really?”
I nodded.
A loud sigh escaped her. “I was worried. I thought you were going to be mad at me.”
“I am not.” I assured her.
“So, tell me.” Her face brightened. “Where did he take you to?”
“His secret place.” I told her.
“Where?” She asked curiously.
I shook my head. “I don’t know.”
I lied. I knew exactly where he took me too. I made sure to observe the paths he took us through. But I wasn’t going to give Bella that information. It was his secret place, after all.
“Ohh,” she murmured.
“What kind of man is he?” I asked curiously.
“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “He hardly interacts with the pack. He’s like a loner. But there’s one thing, though. He doesn’t have a-”
“Wolf.” I completed the statement for her, and she nodded.
I sighed. “I kind of feel sorry for him.”
“Maybe that’s why he’s always by himself. If not for his wolflessness, he would’ve been the Alpha King. It’s probably so hard for him.” She quipped, and I couldn’t agree less.
I suddenly remembered the incident that happened last night. After Maximus slashed his chest, he healed so fast. Too fast for someone who didn’t have a wolf. I wondered how that was possible.
“What are you thinking about?” Bella asked, and I shook my head.
“Nothing.”
***
Later that day, after Bella left my room, I got so bored and decided to take a walk around the pack house. Normally, if I was bored, I would’ve gone for a run. But I couldn’t do that here. If I attempted to run to the woods, I would be captured and taken back to the pack house because it would be seen as an attempt to run away.
As I strolled around the pack house, I caught sight of a large door with ‘LIBRARY’ inscribed on top of it, and excitement engulfed me. Finally! Something to get myself busy with, I thought. I walked inside the library, and I was amazed at how amazingly beautiful it was. It was much grander than the library at my former pack.
Walking further into the room, I froze when I caught sight of someone whose back was to me, flipping through the pages of a book. I couldn’t see his face, but I knew it was him.
“Lucius?” I cautiously called.
“Good day.” He said as he placed the book he was holding back onto the shelf and started walking in my direction.
A smile curled on my lips. “How are you today?”
“I thought your mate had forbidden you from speaking with me.” He asked with a raised brow.
“Don’t worry about him.” I quickly retorted.
He stopped in front of me long enough to say. “You should listen to him.” Before dashing out of the library.
I stood there, processing our interaction. He didn’t look like someone who took orders from Maximus, so why was he keen on doing what he wanted?
Anyway, I shrugged the thought off and walked through the maze of shelves, looking for a book to read. The library wasn’t just beautiful; it was amazing. It was stacked with all the rare books that couldn’t be found anywhere. I had definitely found my new favourite place.
As I continued looking through the books, finding it hard to choose which one I wanted to read first, I suddenly heard Maximus’s voice. And before I could process my thoughts, the library door creaked open.
My heart dropped to my stomach, and I quickly ducked, hiding in one corner.
“Think of something, Kade.” Maximus groaned, his voice laced with annoyance. “How is that possible?”
“It’s really puzzling. It was as if they were real and weren’t real at the same time. We could see them, and just when we were about to strike, they disappeared and then reappeared again.”
My eyes narrowed as I took in what Beta Kade just said. I had heard of that before. I had seen that somewhere.
“We’ll look through all the books of witchcraft until we find something!” Maximus sighed.
“I hope we find something.” Kade said.
A long pause ensued before Kade spoke again. “What of Starlette? How is she faring?”
“Why are you suddenly asking me about her?” Maximus asked. Before Kade could reply, he continued. “She’s not your concern.”
“You neglect her and treat her like she’s nothing. She’s your mate, Max. Your mate!”
“Are we here to search for answers or for you to lecture me on how to treat a mate?” Maximus’s voice suddenly turned dark.
“You need to do better!” Kade pressed on.
“Why did you bring her here if you knew you’d treat her this way?”
“She’s here to give me an heir and leave afterwards!”
“Do you think you’d be able to let her go then?” His Beta challenged.
“Yes!” He asserted.
Kade sighed. “I don’t blame her for following Lucius to wherever he took her.”
Suddenly, I heard a loud thud followed by grunts coming from Kade.
“Mention his name again, and I’ll rip your head off!” Maximus threatened, and I unintentionally let out a short gasp. Realisation hit me immediately, and I quickly clamped my mouth with my palm, hoping they hadn’t heard me.
But jokes on me. The individuals in the room were an Alpha and a Beta. They definitely heard me.
“Who is there?” Kade quickly asked.
I remained silent, curling myself into that corner.
“You don’t need to hide.” Came Maximus’s daunting voice. “I knew you were in here the moment I walked in. Your scent is all over the place.”