STARLETTE
“Iris.” I called on my wolf as soon as I started driving.
“Yes?” She replied and sighed in relief. I couldn’t imagine how I would have felt if I had lost my wolf forever. Imagine losing one’s wolf in the process of searching for how to free another person’s wolf. That would have been tragic.
“I’m glad you’re still here.” I said.
She groaned. “I hated being constrained. It was as if I was locked in a dark hole; I could hear everything but couldn’t do anything.”
“I’m sorry I put you through that.”
“Okay.” She simply replied before retreating to the back of my mind.
My thoughts drifted to Lucius’ wolf, my heart filling up with pity for him. I wondered if that was how he had been feeling all his life. It was a torture no one should have to endure.
“Check on your wolf.” I told Bella, and she snapped her head in my direction.
“I did that the moment we left that place.” She replied.
“Is she okay?” I asked.
“Yes.”
Suddenly, a couple of military vans appeared in front of us, blocking the road. My heart leaped when I recognised the vehicles.
I stopped the car at once, my breath quickening.
The vans came to a stop, and Maximus stepped out of one of them, a couple of warriors following him.
With the hard frown slated on his face as he strode towards us, I needed no one to spell to me how much trouble I was in.
I took a deep breath as he yanked the car door open. Quickly, I stepped out of the car.
“Where are you coming from?” He growled.
“Star Claw.” I said, the lie heavy on my tongue.
I couldn’t afford to tell him where I really went.
“Where are you from, Starlette?” He asked again.
I took a deep breath, finding it difficult to lie a second time.
“Starlette.” He called when he didn’t get a response.
“It’s my sister’s birthday, so I went to see her.” I mumbled.
The first half of the sentence wasn’t a lie, but the other half? A thick lie.
“Are you sure?” He asked.
I hated to lie to him, but…
“Yes.” I murmured.
I lifted my gaze, and my eyes met his. His eyes were dark with rage, and beneath that darkness, I could see it. His distrust. He didn’t believe.
But the words he said next surprised me. “Okay. Let’s go back home. Get into the car. I’m driving.”
He didn’t scold me; he didn’t question me further. His calmness scared me even more than the reaction I had expected.
The drive back to the pack was silent, none of us uttering anything to each other. It felt like the calm before the storm, and I dreaded that storm’s arrival.
He parked the car and jumped out without sparing me a glance.
I turned to look at Bella, the look in our eyes holding the same meaning.
“He didn’t believe you.” Bella muttered. “Now I’m really scared.”
“Me too,” I admitted.
“What are we going to do now?” She asked, tensed as we got out of the car.
I exhaled sharply. “I don’t know. But for now. Let’s complete our mission. Mind link Lucius and ask him to meet us in the library.”
“Alpha is angry with us at the moment. We shouldn’t do anything to make it worse.” Bella cautioned.
She had a point, but…
“We’re meeting with Amelia next tomorrow. There’s no time. We have to inform Lucius.” I insisted.
“I had been against the whole plan from the very beginning. All we’ve been doing is going against the Alpha. When do you plan to tell him about your-”
“Shhh” I placed a finger on her lips to silence her when I noticed two people walking by.
She held her tongue until we reached the library, then continued.
“I know I promised never to betray you. That still stands. But, Star, you really need to tell Alpha about the pregnancy. He deserves to know!”
“I would tell him when the time is right.” I replied, then changed the subject immediately. “Mind-link Lucius now, please.”
“Star, you-”
I cut her off. “Just do it, please. I need to go back to Maximus before he gets suspicious.”
“He’s already suspicious,” she said, rolling her eyes as she prepared to mind-link Lucius.
Her eyes clouded over, and after a few seconds, they cleared.
“What did he say?” I quickly asked her.
She shook her head, disappointment evident in her eyes. “He’s not coming.”
My eyes widened. “What why?”
“He didn’t give a reason. Just said he’s not coming and mentioned something about your mate being against it.”
I sighed exasperatedly. “Mind-link him again. Tell him it’s urgent.”
Damn, I risked my life in finding a way to help him, and all he cared about was Maximus’s warnings?
Bella shook her head. “He won’t let me through.”
I groaned in frustration. He was so very annoying. I wish I could see him and smack his face until it lost shape.
With the frustration swirling uncomfortably within me, I made for the exit but stopped in my tracks when I heard the familiar voices sounding beyond the door-Lauren and that warrior’s.
My eyes met Bella’s, and our minds came in sync. We rushed to a corner behind a shelf and shoved ourselves in it, hiding. This was our chance to catch Lauren.
The door creaked open, and their footsteps echoed as they entered.
“I don’t think anyone’s here. But are you sure the library is safe?” The man asked, a hint of nervousness in his voice.
“It’s our only option. My room is out; Maximus has nurses checking on me every minute. You live in the warriors’ quarters, so we can’t use yours,” she replied. “And the library barely gets used.”
“We almost got caught here last time.”
“Do you want me or not?” Lauren snapped.
He sighed. “You know I want you.”
“Then shut up.”
The next thing I heard was unmistakably the sound of their lips smacking against each other. I knew it!
“You are so disgusting!” I groaned with disdain as I ejected myself from hiding and trotted towards them in long strides.
Lauren pulled away from him, her eyes wide with shock.
“It’s not-it’s-it’s not what you think.” She stammered, fear evident in her eyes.
I stood in front of them, crossing my arms over my chest. “It’s exactly what I think.” I tilted my head. My gaze dropped to her belly. “Is the baby his?”
Her hand flew to her belly, panic flashing in her eyes. “The baby is Maximus’. I swear.”
“You should explain that to him yourself.” I said as I walked past her.
“Where are you going to?” She asked, her voice trembling.
“To Maximus, of course.”
She raced to me and stood in front of me, blocking my path.
“Please. I beg you. Don’t tell him.” She pleaded desperately, tears forming in her eyes.
A smirk tugged at my lips, enjoying the sight before me. “I shouldn’t tell him?”
She nodded repeatedly. “Yes please.”
I stroked my chin, pretending to consider it. But her hope soon crushed when I laughed coldly. “What makes you believe I would do anything to help you?”
“I-I-I-” her lips trembled, not finding the words to say.
“Exactly! No reason at all.” I spat.
Without waiting for another word from her, I brushed past her, headed to find my mate.