STARLETTE
I quickly stepped forward and blocked Maximus’ path, trying to calm him down before the situation escalated into a bloodbath.
“Max, you need to control yourself. Please.” I pleaded, worried.
“Starlette, get out of my way.” He growled, his intensely furious gaze still fixed on his brother.
“No.” I insisted. “Please. Just stop. I beg you.”
He glanced at me, his eyes glowing red with rage.
“Please.” I pressed as I stared at him pleadingly.
He shut his eyes closed, and when he reopened them, the blazing red had faded, returning to their usual blue shade, though they were still clouded with darkness.
I turned to look at Lucius. His eyes had also returned to normal. I started to move toward him, but Maximus pulled me back to his side.
“What was that all about?” I asked him, my voice a mixture of anger and concern.
He looked at me for a second, or maybe longer, before sprinting into the woods without giving me a response. I couldn’t place the look in his eyes, but I could tell he wasn’t okay. Worries gripped me, and I tried to follow him, but that wasn’t possible with Maximus beside me. He tightened his grip on my arm, holding me in place. “Don’t even dare.”
I frowned. “Aren’t you the least concerned about your brother?”
“He’ll be fine, Starlette.” He sighed deeply. “You saw what happened just now. I can’t allow you to follow him. What if he loses control?”
His reason was understandable, but… “What if he’s about to shift for the first time? He’ll need someone with him.”
“The only presence that can ease his pain is his mate’s.” He stared directly into my eyes as he stated firmly. “And you are not his mate. You are mine.”
I smiled at his possessiveness. “I am yours.” I raised my brow. “Feel better?”
He wrapped his around my waist and pulled me closer, planting a kiss on my forehead. “Of course.”
I stepped on my tiptoes and planted a kiss on his lips. His scent filled my senses, and tingles jolted through my body, settling on my core. If I didn’t leave now, I didn’t know if I would be able to stop myself from showing just how much I desired him in public. I tried to move away from him, but he held me tight. “Where are you going to?”
“Back inside,” I told him.
“You trained with everyone else and not me.” He feigned a look of hurt, pouting his lips. “I can see how much you love me.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at his big baby attitude. Nodding my head towards the sword on the ground, I said. “Pick it up and let’s train. Just so you know, I am going to defeat you.”
He chuckled darkly. “Let’s see you try.”
He picked up the sword and swung it with ease. “Tom’s?” He asked, referring to the sword.
“Yes.” I didn’t give him time to prepare before striking. But as the skilled warrior he was, Maximus swiftly blocked my attack with a smooth swing of his blade.
“Fierce. I love it.” He mused.
We continued fighting, and I had to admit, it was the most challenging sparring session I’d ever had, even though I could tell he was holding back. He was stronger and more skilled than I was-after all, he was an Alpha-but I wasn’t about to give up. I fought with everything I had, pushing aside the fact that he was my mate. I was determined to win, one way or another.
“You’re not giving up, huh?” He asked, his voice calm and collected as though he wasn’t even breaking a sweat. Meanwhile, I was panting heavily, struggling to catch my breath.
“No!” I exclaimed.
“I am putting an end to this.” Suddenly, he swung my sword out of my grip and, in a swift motion, held his sword against my throat. He winked at me. “You lost.”
“So gentlemanly of you.” A smile spread across my lips as I subtly pressed the small dagger I’d hidden against his stomach. “Not yet.”
He glanced down, an amused smile crossing his lips. I took advantage of his brief distraction, pushing him back and sweeping his leg out from under him. He landed on his back, and I quickly straddled him, holding the knife to his throat. “I won, baby.”
A deep, throaty laugh erupted from him as he looked up at me with admiration. “You are good. Tom trained you well.”
“Some skills, I had to learn on my own.” I lightly grazed his neck with the knife and winked at him. “You should be begging for your life.”
“Bella is waiting for you. She’s to accompany you to the boutique to pick out your dress for the party.” He suddenly said.
Tomorrow was Maximus’ birthday. And as the Alpha King, a grand ball would be held, with Alphas from both the northern and southern kingdoms in attendance. It was an annual event meant to maintain peace between the kingdoms. Tomorrow, I would be introduced to the Alphas and their Lunas as Maximus’ mate. A lump of nervousness formed in my throat, but I pushed it down. I wasn’t going to think about that right now.
I pressed the knife a little harder, teasingly grazing his neck again. “Don’t try to change the subject, Alpha King. Beg for your life.”
I knew I was just fooling around. If Maximus wanted to, he could easily flip me over and disarm me without breaking a sweat. But I was enjoying my moment of imagined victory.
“My Luna, my Queen, my beautiful, beautiful mate. Please spare my life. Allow me to live a little longer so I could love and cherish you more. Shower you with the majestic treatment you deserve.” His smile widened. “You know, doing this makes you look so super hot, and I’m tempted to make love to you right here and right now.”
My face flushed crimson, and I quickly jumped off him. Only then did I realise that a crowd had gathered around us.
Oh, my. My stomach churned, and my cheeks burnt with embarrassment. Did they all hear that?