False Expectations - Chapter 25: Chapter 25

Adelina's pov:
I suddenly snapped out of my hypnosis and said seriously:
-"Please stop the act. There's no point in telling me these things. We're alone right now. I've already accepted our deal. As long as you honor it, I'm satisfied. You don't have to convince me of anything—I know your true feelings."
His piercing gaze met mine as he replied, "What I do or say, is because I feel it, not because I want to convince you of anything. Besides, I don't need to."
I turned away, unable to bear the intensity of his eyes or the weight of his words. As much as my heart had longed to hear them, I couldn't bring myself to believe him. Not now, not like this. So I did what I always did to escape an uncomfortable situation: I changed the subject.
-"I thought I'd be going to the clearing alone, where you and the rest of the pack would already be waiting. Why are you here? Don't you realize you're going to be late?"
-"You're wrong," he said calmly. "This time, we won't follow the traditional way. Everything will be different."
-"And why is that?" I asked, frowning.
His eyes locked onto mine, unwavering. "Because many things have changed since the day I met you."
-"For me, many things have changed too," I said sadly, contradicting him, "and unfortunately, not for the better."
Maximus didn't seem fazed by my words. He took a few steps closer, his demeanor flirtatious. I instinctively moved back, maintaining the distance between us.
-"We're going to be late. We should get going," I pointed out firmly, hoping to redirect the moment.
-"I suppose you're right," he said with a sigh. Still, he closed the gap again, offering his elbow.
I hesitated. His newfound charm was disarming, sweet yet unsettling. After a brief pause, I placed my hand on his elbow. The moment I did, that familiar spark coursed through me, igniting every nerve. A knot formed in my stomach, yet at the same time, I felt something I had never experienced before: safety, security, belonging. For the first time in my life, I felt like I was in the right place—like I belonged by his side, in his arms.
"What's wrong with me? Is the bond working?" I wondered, my thoughts racing.
We left the house together, flanked by four guards who trailed behind us silently. Our steps were slow and measured, careful. Maximus kept his head high, nodding and waving to pack members lining the road, their cheers and praise echoing around us. Though I mirrored his confidence outwardly, holding my head high, I felt more at ease than I'd expected, even happy as I waved back to them.
When we reached the clearing, the guards halted, leaving us to continue alone toward the sacred rock. The setting ahead was breathtaking, like a scene from a storybook. The sky was clear, stars and constellations visible in their full glory. The full moon bathed the clearing in silver light, giving the landscape an otherworldly, magical glow. Shadows from the trees along the cliff played with the moonlight, forming a path enhanced by torches that flickered gently on either side.
In front of the rock, standing tall on a platform, was the priest of our Goddess. He wore ceremonial robes of white and gold—Artemis's sacred colors—and held a golden knife etched with intricate religious carvings. His other hand gripped a golden chalice.
As we approached, the priest raised his hand, signaling for silence. His voice, solemn and commanding, rang through the clearing:
-"We are gathered here today, first to thank our Goddess Artemis for revealing our new Luna to our Alpha, and second, to witness their union. May our Goddess be eternally glorified."
-"May our Goddess be eternally glorified," the crowd responded in perfect unison.
The priest gestured again for quiet before continuing, "With the strength given to me by our Goddess, I bless your union. May it be filled with prosperity, peace, and security. May our Lords be healthy, strong, and always united as one."
-"Let our Lords be blessed!" the crowd exclaimed in reverence.
The priest then raised the golden knife, holding the chalice steady in his other hand. Turning to Maximus, he asked for his hand. With a swift, practiced motion, he sliced Maximus's palm, letting a few drops of blood drip into the cup. He then turned to me, repeating the same action with my hand.
As the crimson drops mixed, the priest added a green substance to the chalice and began chanting verses in a low, melodic tone. A small explosion erupted in the cup, releasing a plume of white smoke that spiraled upward.
The priest's eyes lit up with satisfaction as a broad smile spread across his face.
"The omens have spoken. It seems we are entering a prosperous and productive era with our new Luna. Our Goddess has spoken loud and clear. Blessed be you, our Alpha and our Luna!" the priest declared, his voice ringing out.
The crowd echoed his words cheerfully, their energy palpable.
At that moment, a strange heaviness settled over me. My mind buzzed as I began to feel the surge of emotions and thoughts flowing in through the bond I now shared with the pack as their Luna. I caught snippets of encouragement from some and doubt from others. Whispers of admiration mingled with skepticism. Some of the older pack members questioned the unusual nature of the ceremony.
-"Why didn't Maximus follow tradition? Why was this Luna ceremony different? What's the purpose of all this?" their thoughts murmured in my mind.
Though their questions tugged at my confidence, I pushed them aside, determined not to let them affect me.
Maximus stepped onto the podium, commanding immediate silence. His sheer presence alone seemed to command respect—a remarkable power that required not a single word.
-"Ladies and gentlemen, good evening!" he began, his voice resonating through the clearing. "First, I want to thank you all for being here tonight to celebrate the initiation of our Luna. For years, I have fought tirelessly to make this pack the best, the strongest, and the most powerful in the entire world. But tonight, things are different. From this moment forward, I will no longer stand alone. Our Luna will stand beside me, and together, we will lead this pack into a new era—an era of peace and prosperity. May the Goddess continue to guide us all!"
He raised his hand with conviction, his voice booming with authority. "Hail our Luna! Hail our pack!"
The crowd erupted in unison, their voices thunderous: "Hail Luna! Hail Drako pack!"
-"Enough with words. It's time to shift and accompany our Luna in the traditional Round of Triumph. Shift," Maximus commanded, his voice firm yet laced with excitement.
In an instant, he shifted into his magnificent dark blue wolf, Drako. Under the moonlight, his gray eyes sparkled with a power and confidence that seemed almost otherworldly.
The Round of Triumph was a ceremonial lap around the pack's borders to mark a new era of leadership. However, given that our borders spanned thousands of miles, the tradition had been adapted to include only the northern edge of the territory.
Drako stood tall, waiting patiently for my wolf to lead. Taking a deep breath, I stepped back, slipped off my gown, and handed it to an omega standing nearby. I felt a pang of vulnerability as I shifted into my white wolf. My snowy coat glistened under the moonlight as I joined him, and together we began the run.
We moved in perfect unison, side by side, weaving through the forest with an effortless grace. Behind us, the pack followed in their wolf forms, their pawsteps thundering like a heartbeat through the woods.
When the run was complete, we returned to the house and separated to prepare for the evening's celebration.
I chose a simple yet elegant look for the party: a white cocktail dress paired with off-white heels and small diamond earrings. Time was short, so I left my makeup untouched and tied my hair back into a neat ponytail. With a final glance in the mirror, I left my room and made my way to the living room.
There stood Maximus, waiting for me. He wore a light blue linen shirt that perfectly complemented his strong frame, paired with relaxed trousers and brown sandals. The sight of him left me momentarily breathless—he was simply irresistible.
He extended his arm with a small smile. I looped mine through his, and together we headed toward the party.
The celebration was held in the garden, which was beautiful enough during the day with its vibrant flower beds and the towering oak tree in the center. But tonight, it was utterly enchanting.
Round tables covered in white linens were surrounded by white chairs, each illuminated by the soft glow of candles placed in every corner. The oak tree had been transformed into a dazzling centerpiece, adorned with cascading white and yellow lights. Each table held a gold candle that flickered gently, casting warm light over the scene.
In the middle of the arrangement stood a small round table with two chairs, reserved for Maximus and me. To our right, beside the kitchen door, was a magical buffet brimming with a variety of delicious foods, decadent sweets, and a wide array of drinks. To the left, a white booth decorated with yellow lights housed the live band.
Waiters and waitresses moved gracefully through the crowd, offering refreshments and drinks. Laughter and conversation filled the air as some guests talked in animated groups while others had already taken to the dance floor, swaying to the smooth sounds of jazz and soul. The garden radiated magic, a perfect reflection of the night itself.
As we entered the garden, the lively chatter and music abruptly stopped, replaced by a wave of applause. Every pair of eyes turned to us as we made our way through the crowd. Smiling graciously, we walked past rows of tables before finally taking our seats at the central one.
Before we could even finish our dinner, Maximus suggested we get up to greet the guests. I followed his lead, knowing this was part of the responsibilities of an Alpha and Luna. The crowd wasn't limited to members of our pack; many Alphas and Lunas from neighboring packs were in attendance, along with several Council members.
Maximus was attentive and polite with everyone, taking time to stop at each table and exchange pleasantries. It was clear how deeply he valued hospitality and respect. As we moved through the garden, I spotted Alex and Marisa sitting at one of the tables. I longed to sit with them, to catch up and share a moment of familiarity amidst the formalities, but we didn't have the luxury.
At some tables, our stay was brief, with a few cordial greetings exchanged. At others, Maximus lingered, engaging in discussions about matters I couldn't yet fully grasp. While he conversed, I remained silent, my role reduced to a polite smile and brief answers whenever someone addressed me directly.
When we had greeted every guest, we returned to our table. I sipped my drink, grateful for the moment of quiet, when Maximus turned to me with a suggestion that took me by surprise.
-"Would you care to dance?" he asked, his tone warm but confident.
I considered declining; after all, I wasn't sure I wanted the additional attention. But when he stood and extended his hand toward me, I knew I couldn't refuse. Hesitantly, I took his hand, allowing him to lead me to the stage.
As we stepped onto the dance floor, the band began to play Stand By Me by Ben E. King. My heart skipped a beat. How did they know? It was my parents' wedding song, one I used to play on repeat as a child so I could dance to it with my dad.
I couldn't tell if this was a coincidence or if Maximus had requested it specifically for me. Either way, it felt deeply personal, as though the universe had conspired to make this moment even more meaningful.
Maximus stepped closer, his face mere inches from mine. His gaze was intense, yet somehow tender, and I felt myself getting lost in it. We danced slowly, moving as if no one else existed, as if the entire garden had faded away, leaving only the two of us.
The song ended, but before I could process it, another began. We continued to dance, still locked in each other's gaze, the world around us a blur.
But then, out of nowhere, a man approached us. I felt him before I saw him—a presence that sent a ripple through the air. He tapped Maximus gently on the shoulder and spoke in a low, familiar voice:
-"May I borrow your Luna, Alpha?"
Maximus turned to face him, clearly irritated by the interruption. As he moved, the man behind him came into full view.
My heart leapt in my chest.
Standing before me was a tall, strikingly handsome man dressed in a perfectly tailored black tuxedo. His polished appearance radiated elegance, his confidence commanding attention without a single word. He looked stunning—absolutely breathtaking.
And though I couldn't quite place it yet, there was something about him, something familiar that made my pulse quicken