STARLETTE
The next time I opened my eyes, I was in Maximus’s arms, laying on his laps.
Startled, I gasped and tried to jump off him, but he held me in place.
“Shhhh.” He said. “You’re still weak.”
The knife the rogue used to stab me must have been laced with a concentrated amount of wolfsbane, which was what weakened me to the extent of passing out.
“Where’s Bella?” I quickly asked when she crossed my mind.
“Bella is fine.”
“The rogues didn’t attack her?” I asked.
“They didn’t.” He assured me, and I sighed in relief.
I was relieved about Bella, but still tensed because I was in his arms. I hated him, but what I hated the most was how my body reacted to him. I hated that this devil had to be my mate.
But, thinking about it, he wasn’t that much of a devil. My life had already flashed before my eyes, but he saved me. Not only did he save me, he chose to save me instead of Lauren. I still hated him regardless, but I was grateful.
“What are you thinking about?” His words cut through my thoughts.
“Nothing.” I replied.
Silence ensued between us for a moment before I asked. “The rogues. Are they the invisible soldiers?”
“Don’t concern yourself with that. Focus on your health. I am here to help you heal.” He told me.
My mind went haywire with questions again. Why was he suddenly nice to me? He had always treated me like I was a rag, like I was nothing. And now, suddenly, he was interested in using our mate bond to help me heal. Werewolfs heal faster when in contact with their mates, and that was what he was trying to achieve by holding me like this.
I cast my gaze at him, and suspicions grew within me. Was this one of his evil schemes? I didn’t trust this king.
“Iris.” I called on my wolf, but there was no response.
“Iris?” I called again but still received no response.
I panicked.
“Iris!”
“Star.” Her voice echoed in my mind.
“You scared me. Why did it take you too long to answer?” I asked, slightly annoyed.
“I was meditating.”
Meditating? I rolled my eyes.
Anyway, I went on to lay out my concerns. “Why is he holding me? I don’t know what to do.”
“Because contacts with mates help with recovery, stupid.”
“I know that, but why? Why is he suddenly nice?”
“Maybe he finally realised what he was missing.”
“Or maybe he just wants to impregnate me since this is what I am here for.” I quipped.
“He’d be a dick if that was the case.”
“He is a dick.”
A knock came on the door, and Maximus granted the person on the other end permission to enter. A maid slipped through the door bearing a bowl of soup. She left immediately after placing it on the bedside table.
“Time to eat,” Maximus said.
Nodding, I slowly sat up to eat.
Surprisingly, most of the aches and pains in my body were gone. The mate bond was truly healing.
I reached for the spoon, but Maximus got to it first. My eyes narrowed. He took a scoop of the soup and offered to feed me.
Though surprised, I gently parted my lips and took it. He fed me in silence, and all I could think about all the time was what had been on my mind since I opened my eyes. Why was he suddenly being nice to me?
“Why are you treating me nicely?” The words left my mouth before I could stop them.
“Is there any reason why I shouldn’t?” He raised a brow.
“No.” I shook my head. “It’s just sudden.”
“Well…” He cleared his throat. “You’re my breeder. And you have to be healthy.”
“You brought me here to be your breeder, but he hadn’t even touched me.” I blurted, and I regretted saying that immediately. I bit my cheeks hard and mentally knocked myself.
“I am not ready yet.” He simply stated.
“Why? Because of Lauren?”
“That’s not your business.” He groaned.
I knew it. It was impossible for someone to change overnight. Anger suddenly rose up within me, and I moved away from him, rolling to the other side of the bed.
“Come back here. You are not done healing.”
“That’s also none of your business.” I retorted bitterly. “Leave me alone. I can fend for myself.”
He stood up and walked around the bed to the side where I was. “Sit up,” he instructed. “You are not done eating.”
“I am full.”
“Sit up, now!” His voice brimmed with seriousness, and I knew better not to defy him.
Just as I sat up, the doors flung open, and a raging Lauren slipped through the door.
“Max, really?” She yelled as she trotted towards us. “After all the promises you made to me, you promised to always protect me. And when I needed your protection the most, you neglected me and protected her instead.”
“Lucius saved you.” Maximus grunted.
“Lucius is not you. I needed you. My boyfriend. To protect me.” Her pain was evident in her voice.
“She’s my mate.” He gritted.
“A mate you promised to reject.” She retorted.
A pang of pain clawed at my chest at that reminder. He was going to reject me after bearing his pups. That was the only reason I was here. The only reason he cared about my health.
“You seriously chose to save this filth over me.” Lauren continued.
“Talk about her in that manner again, and you won’t be able to bear the consequences.” The Alpha growled, suddenly bearing his canine.
Lauren flinched and recoiled, her face glazed with perplexity.
“Max.” Her voice softened at once. “Why are you doing this to me?”
“Get out. Now!”
“Max, you are hurti-”
“Now!”
Tears formed in her eyes and streamed down her face as she turned around and ran out of the room.
Though seeing tears roll down that bitch’s face was satisfactory, I was beyond confused.
I flicked my gaze at Maximus, confusion on my face. What happened to this Alpha?
He turned to look at me and asked. “What were you doing at the maid quarters?”
“Checking up on Bella.”
He nodded. “Okay.”
I continued staring at him, wondering if it was really the Alpha King I knew that was before me or if someone else had taken his form. Perhaps one of the invisibles acquired the magic to do so?
“Uhm..” He cleared his throat. “We were able to get hold of one rogue, invisible, or whatever. I have to go and question him. I’ll be right back.”
“I’ll go with you.” I quickly offered. I was also curious to know why they had the audacity to attack the Alpha King’s pack in broad daylight.
“No, you are still weak.” He objected.
“Which is why I need to come with you.” I leapt to my feet and wrapped my palm around his arm. “I need to be in close proximity with you to heal.”
He shook his head and sighed. “Fine.”