False Expectations - Chapter 24: Chapter 24

Luna's presentation Ceremony day.
Adelina's pov:
I woke up feeling incredibly weak and drained, as if the weight of the past few days had settled in every fiber of my being. My mind was a tangled mess, a storm of questions I couldn't seem to untangle. Maximus' terms from yesterday echoed in my head, lingering like a shadow I couldn't shake. I hadn't anticipated that. I never thought he would set such conditions—conditions that left me wondering why. Why would he want a real relationship with me? I know he doesn't care about me, not in any true sense. It made no sense for him to demand something more than just the formal agreement of our union.
Was it simply about the throne, about power? I knew that much. He needed me to strengthen his position, to solidify his claim. But why the insistence on this... relationship? Why bother when he clearly had no real feelings for me? What was his game? What was he trying to achieve by making this request? It felt like an enigma I couldn't quite solve, and it drove me crazy.
I tossed and turned in my bed all night, the restless thoughts circling endlessly. There was no use torturing myself with questions I couldn't answer. Why was I trying to understand him anyway? After all, we were partners only in name, not in spirit. There could never be anything between us that resembled love. We both knew that. A relationship between us would never flourish—there was no foundation for it, no mutual feelings to build on.
As dawn crept in, the morning light offered little relief. The best thing I could do was stop overthinking it and get on with my day. I decided to push the doubts aside, at least for now. I had my routine to follow, and that was the only thing that kept me grounded. I stood in front of the mirror, brushing my teeth, when a knock came at the door.
I paused, surprised. It was much earlier than expected. Maria, the girl who cleaned my room every day, always came later. Maybe she needed to pass by earlier today for some reason. I rinsed my mouth quickly and called out, "Just a second, please!" as I hurried to open the door.
To my surprise, it wasn't Maria. Standing there was Marisa, my friend, the one I trusted. She wasn't supposed to arrive until later, but there she was, standing at my doorstep, looking a little sheepish but also determined.
-"Marisa?" I asked, taken aback by her early arrival. "What are you doing here?"
She smiled faintly, though it was clear she was a little nervous. "I know we agreed for me to come around noon, but I thought maybe... maybe you could use some company. After everything that happened yesterday, I thought it would be good to talk."
I couldn't help but feel a wave of relief wash over me. I'd been desperate to talk to someone about what had transpired, to voice my thoughts and fears out loud. Maybe it wouldn't fix everything, but at least it would help release some of the tension that had been building inside of me.
-"Thank you," I said, stepping aside to let her in. "You have no idea how much I needed this."
Marisa sat on the edge of my bed, her posture tense, and I could feel the weight of her gaze even as I got ready in the bathroom. I quickly dressed, taking a moment to pull myself together. When I returned to the room, I found her waiting, her expression far more serious than I'd ever seen it before.
"Let's go," I said, grabbing my purse, eager to get away from the pack house and the weight of yesterday's events. We decided to head to a little bistro in the city center, a quiet place where we could avoid any unwanted run-ins, especially with Maximus or Gina. I didn't want to face them right now. The bistro was cozy, and they served the best pancakes I had ever tasted, with strawberry jam and praline that melted in your mouth.
We arrived and settled into a corner booth, placing our order—coffees, croissants, and, of course, the pancakes. The food arrived quickly, and we dug in, our hunger evident after everything that had happened. Once the waitress left and the room grew quieter, Marisa couldn't hold back anymore. She looked at me, clearly frustrated, and finally spoke up.
-"I thought you said you wanted to move on," she began, her voice laced with confusion. "So why on earth did you go to his office and propose such a thing? What's the matter with you, Adelina?" Her frown deepened as she leaned in, eyes searching mine as if trying to understand what I had been thinking.
I sighed, setting my fork down as I thought about how best to explain. Marisa had always been my confidante, the one person who understood me completely. But today, her disappointment was palpable, and it made my heart ache. I knew she was just looking out for me, but everything felt so complicated.
-"I know the agreement and, especially, the term he set doesn't exactly favor me," I said, looking down at my plate as I picked at the food. "But there's no other way. This is the only option I have."
Her gaze hardened, her arms crossed in front of her as she leaned back in her seat. "Yes, there is. Reject him and go away," she said sternly, as if it were the simplest solution in the world.
I shook my head, my heart sinking. "Do you really believe he would just let me go, Marisa? If I rejected him, he wouldn't let me walk away without consequences. He'd make sure I paid for it—by hurting my family, by hurting you, or worse. He knows how much I love Alex, how much I care about the people in my life. I couldn't bear to have their blood on my hands. You know that."
-" I don't think he would hurt Alex or me," Marisa said, her voice soft but firm. "We're part of his pack. He has no excuse to harm us. And as for your family, I don't believe he'd go that far, at least not until he becomes king. He wouldn't risk damaging his image. That gives us time to figure out something else."
I looked down, trying to steady my thoughts, but the weight of the situation still crushed me. "Even if that's the case, he wouldn't let me go easily. He needs me to win the throne. So much is at stake, Marisa," I exclaimed in despair.
She gave me a hard look, the frustration evident on her face. "So, you've decided to help him by sacrificing yourself? After everything he's done, how can you even think about doing that? Have you completely lost your mind, Adelina?"
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I'm not doing it to help him. I'm doing it to help myself."
Her brow furrowed. "How exactly are you helping yourself?"
-"I don't want to be a fugitive," I confessed, my voice softer now. "What's the point of running if I have to live in hiding, constantly scared of being found? That's worse than staying here with Maximus. At least here, I have my friends, my job, a routine. I've thought about this for days. If I help him become king, I'll have the chance to leave. I'll live my life the way I want to. I just need to be patient for a few months."
She shook her head, disbelief written across her face. "What makes you think he'll let you go once he's king?"
I hesitated, but then spoke with certainty. "He doesn't love me as his mate. He never did. And he gets bored easily. He knows I won't do him any favors, so he'll go back to the women who cater to his every whim, like Gina. He won't need me anymore."
Marisa stared at me, clearly in shock. "That's your plan? Really?"
I smiled wryly, trying to mask the growing anxiety in my chest. "If that doesn't work out, I've got Plan B."
Her expression shifted from disbelief to intrigue. "Which is?"
I leaned back in my chair, the weight of my decisions pressing on me, but I refused to let it show. "Let's just say, it's a bit more... complicated. But it will work. You know what? Let's eat our pancakes before they get cold. We have a lot to do today, and we need the energy," I suggested, trying to steer the conversation away from the heavy topic.
Marisa raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "Don't shy away from the subject... Anyway, you're lucky I love pancakes! They smell great," she said, diving into her plate with enthusiasm.
We ate in relative silence, the comfort of good food easing the tension for a moment. Afterward, we headed back to my room, where I felt a wave of exhaustion hit me. The morning had been filled with errands and shopping, and although I hadn't done much physically, my body felt drained. I opted to skip lunch and instead took a much-needed nap. My legs were sore and swollen from all the walking, and I could feel the exhaustion weighing on me.
At least I had a few hours of peace before the chaos started again. Chris had informed me earlier through our mind link that the girls would arrive at 5 p.m. to help with the ceremony preparations. He was the one assigned to organizing everything, though it was pretty obvious that he wasn't thrilled about it. Honestly, I couldn't blame him. This whole ceremony felt like a formality I'd rather avoid, but there was no getting out of it.
With a sigh, I sank into my bed, hoping for some rest before the madness began.
I woke up to a loud knock on the door. A girl's voice called my name, " Miss Adelina!"
-"Oh my Goddess! The girls are already here!" I jumped up from my bed in a panic and rushed toward the door.
I opened it, allowing the girls to enter and begin setting up their things while I quickly went to take a bath. I desperately needed one after the long day. As I stepped out of the bathroom, I saw Elmina, who was the first to take charge. She began working on my hair while another girl, I think her name was Sandra, started on my makeup. Even though we still had plenty of time until the ceremony started at 9 o'clock, the girls were moving at full speed, focused on getting everything just right.
The dress was still packed in its case, and I remembered one of the girls mentioning that it had been picked out exclusively by Maximus. I couldn't understand him. Despite claiming not to care about me, he was handling the smallest details regarding my appearance. Maybe it was because he wanted everything to be perfect, especially for the ceremony. Or maybe, just maybe, he was trying to assert control over everything.
By a quarter past eight, my makeup and hair were finally done. My makeup was light, just the way I wanted it—shades of light brown and orange on my eyes, framed with a touch of black eyeliner, while my lips were painted red. My hair was styled into an elegant bun, with a few soft curls falling gently at the front. I looked wonderful. I couldn't help but feel satisfied with the result. The girls even painted my fingernails and toenails a soft pale pink with delicate white flowers on them.
It was time to unpack the dress. When the girls opened the case, I was left speechless. The dress was absolutely breathtaking—worthy of a queen!
The gown was white, cut in a regal, princely style, with a deep, revealing neckline. Both the neckline and the sleeves were covered in precious stones, and embroidered flowers decorated the fabric, starting from the center and cascading down to the hem. It was a magnificent piece, unlike anything I could have ever imagined for myself. And to my astonishment, it was Maximus who had chosen it for me. I had never thought he would be capable of selecting something so beautiful.
The girls helped me slip into the gown, its weight making it difficult to put on alone. One of them fastened the buttons on my back while the others packed up their things, clearly ready to leave once I was finished.
It was a quarter to nine, and I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the final details as two of the girls made sure everything was in place. Suddenly, there was an unexpected knock on the door, halting everyone's movements. One of the girls went to answer it, and to my great surprise, it was Maximus. Of course, it had to be him.
He entered the room, dressed in an expensive black tuxedo. He looked every bit the part of a model, immaculate and poised. His presence filled the room, and it took me a moment to collect myself. He was incredibly handsome.
With a calm and polite manner, Maximus asked the girls to leave us alone. They promptly obeyed, leaving me standing in front of the mirror. He lingered near the door, his eyes fixed on me. I tried to focus on my reflection, but when our gazes met, I immediately looked away, unsure how to handle the sudden shift in the air.
-"You look amazing," he said, his voice soft, almost in awe.
His words hit me harder than I expected. I had never seen him look at me like that before, and it left me momentarily stunned.
-"T... thank you," I whispered, my voice barely audible. I was completely caught off guard, and for a moment, I couldn't find my words. I quickly composed myself, trying to regain some control. Calmly, I asked, "Why are you here?"
-"I want to give you something. Something very important to me," he replied, his tone softer than I was accustomed to.
-"What is it?"
-"Close your eyes," he said, a playful edge in his voice. Tonight, he felt like a different person—gentle, almost unrecognizable compared to the Maximus I knew.
-"I'd rather not," I answered firmly, trying to maintain my boundaries.
-"Do not hesitate. Just close your eyes for a few seconds. Trust me."
Trust him? It felt like an oxymoron. How could I trust him after everything that had happened? Every time I had trusted him before, it had led to pain. He had imprisoned me, hurt me, and broken me. No, I wasn't going to let myself be vulnerable again. Despite his gentle tone, I refused to close my eyes. I kept them open, my gaze unwavering.
He looked disappointed, but I wasn't about to let down my guard.
-"Please, close your eyes. I won't hurt you. I swear," he urged, his voice more earnest now.
His repeated assurances started to wear on me, and despite myself, I felt a small crack in my resolve. "Good," he said when I finally complied, and I could hear his footsteps drawing closer. His presence filled the space behind me, and I felt his breath against my back.
His proximity made my skin prickle, an uncomfortable sensation crawling up my spine.
-"Don't be afraid. I'm not going to hurt you. Keep your eyes closed a little longer," he murmured, his voice low and almost... seductive. The way he spoke made my heart race, and I found myself torn between pushing him away and giving in to whatever he was trying to do.
And then something cold and metallic brushed against my neck. I froze, my mind racing. It was a necklace. Before I could even react, Maximus gently placed it around my neck, his voice lowering in a seductive tone.
-"Open your eyes now."
As I opened my eyes, the sight before me took my breath away. The necklace was a masterpiece—delicate yet bold. Small white diamonds lined the edges, and in the center, a large blue sapphire glimmered with an ethereal glow. I had never seen such a stunning and expensive piece of jewelry in my life. It was exquisite.
Maximus broke the silence, his voice smooth as he spoke about the necklace's significance.
-"It belonged to my mother. My father gave it to her as a wedding gift. I want you to have it as my Luna and the new member of the Drako family. With this necklace, I promise you my unlimited devotion and protection."
His words hung in the air, and I was struck by the weight of what he was saying. But something in my chest tightened, and I found myself speaking up.
-"Maximus... you know... I... I just cannot accept such an expensive gift," I said, trying to maintain my composure. I instinctively reached up to remove the necklace, but Maximus' hand stopped me.
He gave me a disapproving look through the mirror, his eyes sharp and unwavering. "Of course you can. The necklace belongs to the Luna of the pack. You are the Luna now," he insisted. "The necklace is accompanied by earrings. They're in the box if you want to put them on, too."
I shook my head, my voice firm despite the confusion clouding my thoughts. "No, the necklace is more than enough. I will wear it only for the occasion... and then I will give it back to you."
-"As you wish," he said, his tone betraying a hint of displeasure, though he tried to mask it. His eyes lingered on me for a moment longer, as if he were contemplating something, but he quickly shifted his gaze away, his expression unreadable.
Maximus' gaze softened for a moment, and he smiled. "You look magnificent. You look like a real queen."
I was taken aback by his admiration, unable to fully process the compliment. "Thank you," I said, surprised by the warmth in my chest, though I couldn't deny the confusion that lingered in my heart.
If I had been confused before, I was now completely lost. The dress, the necklace, the expensive gifts—why was he doing this? I stood there, unsure of what to make of the whole situation. Maximus had always been unpredictable, but this felt different. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his actions than he was letting on. Was this a sign of genuine care, or was it just another part of his calculated plans?
-"Only time will tell," my wolf murmured in my mind, offering no clear answers, only uncertainty.
For a brief moment, I felt a surge of doubt, but I quickly pushed it aside. Tonight was too important, and I couldn't afford to get lost in uncertainty. There were still many pieces of the puzzle left to figure out, but for now, all I could do was face the night ahead.