MAXIMUS
I didn’t know how much Starlette meant to me until I almost lost her today. I had always known that I cared about her; she was fated for me anyway. I just hated that she had to be an omega. I thought she wasn’t fit to be Luna and wouldn’t add any value to me. Lauren, on the other hand, was smart and strong. But lately, she seemed to irk me, and I was growing into Starlette. And also lately, Starlette was starting to prove to me that she was smarter than I thought.
We got to Pack Square, where we entrapped one of the invisibles by pouring a trail of salt around him, as Starlette had told us. I was surprised that it really did work.
He stood there in the circle, the fearless look on his face slightly worrisome. I had expected him to be on his knees, begging for mercy; that way, it would be easier to get information from him in exchange for his life. But that wasn’t the case.
I knew at once that he would be a tough one.
“Take him to the dungeon; I’ll question him there.” I instructed the warriors.
“No! wait!” Starlette exclaimed quickly.
I raised a brow, encouraging her to continue.
“The moment you break the circle of salt, you will seize to see him. The salt is the only thing trapping him.” She quipped.
I sighed. “I would have to question him here then.”
I moved closer to him and wrapped my arms across my chest. “Who are you and who sent you?”
Silence.
“You can’t talk? Or do you prefer torture?”
Silence.
My frustration grew the more he ignored me; the urge to kill him grew with the frustration.
“Talk now, or I kill you!” I threatened with a deadly voice, but that didn’t move him. He remained still, looking into my eyes as though he wasn’t afraid of death. It was clear that he already knew his fate before coming here. Who were these people, and what exactly were they up to?
“Talk, now!” I growled, anger burning within me.
“I’d rather die than talk.” He finally spoke, and his words caused a different form of anger to boil within me. I extended my claws and plunged towards him, determined to slash his throat, but Kade immediately grabbed my arm, stopping me.
“We need him alive, Alpha.” He reminded me.
My nose flared as I continued staring at him with murderous intent. I wanted nothing more than to kill him for disrespecting me and, most especially, for daring to attack my pack. But Kade was right. We needed him alive.
“Let him rot under the sun then. He’ll remain there until he’s ready to talk. Even if it took forever.” I groaned. I turned to look at the soldiers. “Take turns watching him. Do not take your eyes off of him. Not even for a second.”
“Let’s go.” I took Starlette’s hand and horridly stormed out of that place before I became unable to control my urge to kill the idiot.
On our way, we stumbled on John Smith-my late father’s beta-and Lauren’s father.
“Good day.” I greeted him.
“Good day, Alpha.” He bowed. “It’s quite unpleasant what happened today.”
I nodded. “It is.”
He shifted his gaze to Starlette. “So, this is the breeder.” His gaze travelled from her head to her toe. “She’s indeed beautiful. She would no doubt give birth to a handsome prince.”
The malice and contempt in his voice were evident, and I couldn’t deal with that.
“We’ll continue on our way now.” I told him.
“Of course, Alpha.” He bowed again and stepped aside, making way for me and Starlette to pass.
“Who is he?” Starlette asked curiously.
“My father’s Beta.” I told her, intentionally leaving out the information that he was also Lauren’s father.
“Oh,” she muttered.
Suddenly, she whimpered and staggered, but I was quick to support her.
“I told you to stay back.” I groaned.
“I am fine. It’s just-” She trailed off when I scooped her up and carried her in bridal style.
Her eyes widened in surprise, but she didn’t utter a word. She remained silent as I carried her through the hallways, headed to our room.
Lauren came into view when I took a turn. She paused in her tracks, and I heard her gulp down saliva. Not minding her, I walked past her with Starlette still in my arms, and she didn’t even attempt to stop me.
“Aren’t you going to talk to her?” Starlette whispered.
“No.” I simply replied.
A part of me felt guilty for neglecting her after being with her for a long time and after all the promises I made to her. But I couldn’t help it. Everything just suddenly changed for me; I couldn’t even explain it. I had always turned a blind eye to her bitchiness because I thought she was the best for me. But I suddenly couldn’t stand her anymore.
We got to the room, and I carefully laid Starlette on the bed. I sat beside her and began stroking her hair as I stared at her beautiful face. Has she always been this beautiful?
“Alpha.” She called, looking at me longingly. I could smell her arousal. I knew she wanted me. But I didn’t have the guts to touch her after everything that I had done to her.
My cock hardened, and I had never wanted to touch her like I did at that moment. I had never felt the intensity of the mate bond like I did at that moment. Every atom of my body was drawn to her. I wanted her. I wanted to bury myself inside her and release my pups into her. The urge was so strong that if I didn’t leave at that moment, I wouldn’t be able to control myself anymore.
So, springing up, I began to walk away from her, but she quickly held my hand, stopping me.
I turned to look at her, and my eyes met hers.
“Please, don’t leave me.” She pleaded.