MAXIMUS
The north and the south had always fought over a stretch of land that separated us-a land rich with gold, diamonds, and many other natural treasures. It was originally and rightfully ours, but the South had always been desperate to claim it, fabricating a history that didn’t exist, claiming it was theirs. But we held on to what was ours very dearly, refusing to surrender it to them. They’d laid low about it for a few decades, way before I even inherited the throne. But now, it seems, they want to stir things up again.
So it’s no surprise that who Starlette saw in her dream was Silas. I had thought it was just a dream, but now it’s a stern warning to me. Especially now that Silas was offering to do business with the north, offering a deal that seemed too good to be true. Perhaps it was just one of his devious plans. But I was ready for him.
“I believe you’re stronger now that you have a mate.” Silas smirked.
Yes, the bond between Starlette and me had made me stronger-stronger than I ever imagined. Strong enough to crush his throat with my bare hands.
“I’d like to know why you’re offering us 60% while taking only 40%. It’s your idea, after all. I would’ve expected you to be greedy for a larger share.” Ignored his comment about my mate, not wanting to have her name lingering on his filthy lips.
An irritating grin hovers his face. “I’m offering this deal because I want to build trust between the two kingdoms.”
I’d rather swallow my own tongue than trust him. “Is that so?”
“Yes.”
When he told me about the offer over the phone, it was suspicious, and I was highly sceptical about it. But I made my decision the instant Starlette told me he was the man she had seen in her dream.
“After careful consideration, I’ve decided not to proceed with the deal.” I’d be a fool to let him infiltrate my kingdom under the guise of business.
The smile on his face dropped immediately, but he tried to maintain his composure. “Why?”
I opened my mouth to reply, but the hall suddenly fell silent, and I tensed, quickly looking around for any signs of danger, when I realised everyone was looking in a particular direction, shocked.
Then, my gaze fell on her, and my heart literally stopped. Starlette stood under the opening in the ceiling where rays of moonlight streamed through, and three crescent-shaped marks glowed on the top right of her shoulder. That only meant one thing; she was a mother wolf.
Legend spoke of a special she-wolf, born once every thousand years. This Mother Wolf would give birth to the most powerful Alpha of that era. Each Alpha born from a mother wolf was gifted with extraordinary abilities. Her identity would only be revealed after being marked by her mate, when three crescent marks would glow on her shoulder beneath the moonlight.
I had always thought it was just a myth. But standing there, looking at Starlette, I knew now it was real. I’d always known she was special, but this? This was beyond anything I could have imagined.
“Star…” I whispered into her mind, too stunned to speak. She glanced around, her eyes wide with confusion, until they met mine.
I stood there, wide-eyed, shocked and amazed. I only snapped back to reality when I noticed other Alphas approaching her slowly, like predators closing in on their prey. Without hesitation, I rushed to her, scooping her into my arms and carrying her bridal-style out of the hall. I didn’t stop until we reached our bedroom, where I gently laid her down on the bed and sat beside her.
“Max…” her voice sounded unsure. “Why were they all staring at me? Did I grow horns or something?”
She had no idea. What she grew was greater than horns. What she had become was something rare, powerful, and extraordinary.
“You’re a special wolf, Starlette,” I said, barely able to contain my joy and fear. “Under the moonlight, three crescent marks glowed on your shoulder.”
Her ever-so beautiful eyes widened in disbelief. “Are you sure?” She whispered.
My hand reached the spot where the crescents had glowed, and I gently caressed it. “Yes, Starlette, you’re a mother wolf.”
“How is that possible? I’m just an Omega.”
I wrapped my arm around her, and she rested her head on my shoulder. “Because you’re special, Starlette. You’re blessed. And being an omega is not going to change that.”
“I’m scared.” She peered up to look at me, raw fear flickering in her eyes. “What if history repeats itself? What if what happened to Aurora happens to me?”
When I was a little boy, I remembered reading from a history book that said the last mother wolf was killed by her own son. He was powerful and was so drunk by that power that he became crazy. History recorded him as the mad Alpha. He was always on a killing spree, resulting in the deaths of more than half of his people, including his own mother, Aurora.
“I’ll never allow that to happen to you.” I promised.
“But…” Tears glistened in her eyes. “I’m still scared. I don’t want to give birth to a mad Alpha.”
“You won’t.” I assured her, gently stroking her shoulder. “I’ll make sure of it.”
I intended to keep every promise I made to her. I’ll protect her and keep her away from harm’s way. Nothing; no one would ever hurt her as long as I lived.
Everything made sense to me now as the soothsayer’s voice rang through my head. She told me that a girl from Star Claw Pack, with chestnut brown hair and hazel eyes, the last daughter of the Alpha, was the only one capable of bearing my child. And that child would be more powerful than any who had come before him. He would either make the pack. Or ruin it.
Starlette was that girl, and I had no idea she was a mother wolf when I bought her from her father. The revelation filled me with both sadness and happiness. As that thing of joy could also be the beginning of doom.
Now, danger lurked closer than ever. The other Alphas, especially the Southern King, would stop at nothing to make Starlette theirs. I saw it in their eyes tonight. But I would be ready for them all.
A mind-link interrupted my thoughts, and I let it through.
“Alpha…” Kade’s voice came through urgently. “It’s chaos out here. None of the Alphas are willing to leave.”
My nose flared, and a burning rage coursed through me. “Understood.” I replied and shut him out.
“What’s wrong?” Starlette asked when she noticed my change in countenance.
I pulled her closer to me possessively as I growled lowly. “No one is going to take you away from me.”
She smiled, her innocence shining through as she kissed my chin. “Earlier tonight, you promised to cut off their heads before they even came close.”
And I fully intended to keep that promise. For Starlette, my ever so beautiful, ever so sweet mate, I’d do anything.
Before I could reply, she continued, her expression becoming deadly serious. “There’s something you need to know.”