False Expectations - Chapter 28: Chapter 28

Maximus' pov:
I woke up in the middle of the night, an overwhelming, inexplicable urge pushing me to go to her. I knew she had the door locked, but that wouldn't stop me. There was no way I was going to ignore this pull. Silently, I maneuvered my way into her room and found her lying there, the soft rise and fall of her chest signaling her peaceful sleep. She looked so serene, so vulnerable in that moment.
I leaned down, brushing a gentle kiss against her forehead. As my lips made contact with her skin, goosebumps surged across my body, and a rush of warmth spread through me. I couldn't explain it—how her presence, even while she was unaware, had this magnetic effect on me. I could feel her energy, even in the stillness of sleep.
I sat in the armchair next to her bed, unable to look away, as if watching her was the only thing that mattered in that moment. Slowly, my eyelids grew heavier, and I drifted off, my thoughts lost in the softness of the night.
When I woke up again, the light of dawn filtering through the curtains, I quietly slipped back to my own room. I took a fast shower, trying to shake the lingering warmth of her presence from my skin, and headed straight to the training fields.
For the first time in a long while, I felt... light. Happy. It was strange—absurd, even—that such feelings had emerged from simply sharing the same room with her. Just the thought of it seemed ludicrous, but it was undeniable.
As I trained, a question lingered, pressing against my mind like an insistent weight. Why, all of a sudden, did I feel so dependent on her? I couldn't imagine my life without her now. It was as if she had become a part of me—something I had always needed, but never knew I was missing.
I wanted her around me, constantly. To see her, to smell her, to touch her. Every fiber of my being craved her in a way I hadn't anticipated. But that was dangerous. I had pushed her away before, I had done well at keeping my distance. So why now? Why did she have the power to break down the walls I had carefully built around myself?
Deep down, I knew this was wrong. I couldn't allow myself to be attached to her—not like this. If I did, it would be the end of me. The weight of the throne, the responsibility, the risks—they couldn't afford any distractions. And yet, there I was, distracted beyond measure.
I finished my training with the warriors, my mind still swirling with conflicting emotions. I took a quick shower, trying to shake off the thoughts that were clouding my mind, and made my way to my office. There was no time for this. There were too many things to handle, too much at stake. The time to claim the throne was fast approaching. Six months. That was all I had left.
With the chaos surrounding the Luna's ceremony and my accident, many matters had been put on hold. But now, it was time to get back to work. I opened the door to my office, and there was Chris, already seated at his desk, typing away on his laptop.
He looked up as I entered and gave me a nod. "Morning, Maximus," he greeted me.
-"Morning," I muttered, trying to push all thoughts of Adelina from my mind as I settled into my chair. There was no room for weakness now.
-"I see someone didn't have a good time last night," Chris remarked, glancing at me with a raised eyebrow. "At least you should be satisfied with the ceremony. Everything went well."
-"Yesterday was a tough day, but I have to admit, the Luna's ceremony was a success. We made a solid impression on the Council and the other Alphas. That's more than enough for me," I replied, running a hand through my hair.
Chris leaned back in his chair, his gaze sharp. "You know the real reason it went so well was Adelina. The Council members were all impressed by her. She demonstrated intelligence, insight, and a depth of knowledge that's rare—even for someone in her position. I was honestly blown away by her. She has all the qualities needed to fill the role of Queen of all werewolves. I can't even understand how you thought Gina could take such a position. She's completely useless."
Chris's words hit me like a punch to the gut, but I knew they were true. Gina had never been the right fit. She was too shallow, too uninformed, too caught up in appearances. I can see through that now. Adelina, on the other hand, had proven herself capable in every aspect—her wisdom, her grace under pressure, her understanding of the pack dynamics. The contrast was impossible to ignore.
-"You're right," I muttered, finally acknowledging the truth. "Gina... she was never the one. Adelina, however, is everything we need. Her knowledge is vast, and her character, her brilliance—it's something I've never seen before."
Chris nodded, clearly satisfied with my acknowledgment. "Exactly."
I cleared my throat, focusing on the matters at hand. "Enough about the ceremony. We have more pressing issues. First, we need to figure out why Nicolas is staying here, and what his next move is. Second, I want Sonia here by midnight—make it happen. Third, get me the details on the financial agreement between Jake's pack and Nicolas's. And lastly, tell Adelina to come to my office ASAP."
Chris raised an eyebrow. "You sure about this? You think she's ready for everything you're about to throw at her?"
-"She's more than ready. I wouldn't have her by my side if I didn't think so," I replied firmly. The truth was, despite everything, despite the pull I felt toward her and the complicated feelings swirling in my chest, I was certain of one thing: Adelina was more capable than anyone I had ever met. "Now tell her to come"
-"She can't," Chris replied.
-"Why can't she?" I asked, my frustration growing.
-"Because she's at the hospital," Chris answered, his tone flat.
-"What is she doing there?" I asked, now more annoyed than ever.
-"Last time I checked, she works there," Chris said, his voice laced with irony.
-"She doesn't have to work anymore," I said, my voice rising. "Oh my Goddess, what is wrong with this woman?" I exclaimed in exasperation. I just couldn't understand her. Why did she have to act so oddly? Why couldn't she just be where I needed her to be?
-"Didn't she tell you about it this morning when she woke up?" Chris asked, his sarcasm apparent.
-"I didn't see her," I replied, feeling frustrated. "I left early. I had to train the new warriors," I explained, trying to justify myself.
-"I thought on your first day together you'd want to stay with your mate, instead of training warriors..." Chris teased playfully.
-"Chris, you know exactly what's going on between us. So please, stop giving me a hard time about it."
-"Okay, okay," Chris said, raising his hands in mock surrender, before continuing, "However, yesterday you two looked like a normal couple. Everyone noticed. I just don't get it sometimes. Two young, beautiful people, who are also mates, and nothing's happening between you? What's wrong with you two, man?"
-"Whenever we're alone, she's distant and cold. She can't even stay with me for a minute. I can tell that she's attracted to me, but she manages to hold herself back. She doesn't trust me because of the things I've done in the past. But I... I like her. It's not a secret. I want her, just as she wants me. But you know my story. I can't let myself be affected by my feelings. I won't let myself be a victim," I admitted, feeling the weight of the words I had to say.
-"I think you're wrong," Chris said softly. "Adelina is different, just like you. Don't confuse different people and different circumstances. Each situation is unique."
-"Maybe you're right, mybe you're wrong," I muttered, but I wasn't convinced. "But I'm not going to risk it. Now, enough with the chit-chat. Let's get to work. I want a report on Nicolas' movements by noon. Also, those contracts I signed with the other packs need to be sent back. If anyone asks for me, I'll be at the hospital. If Sonia arrives before midnight, call me immediately."
-"Why do you want Sonia here?" Chris asked, genuinely curious.
-"I have my reasons," I replied cryptically. "Now, I'm going to visit my beautiful Luna."
-"Now you're talking, man!" Chris said, his excitement apparent.
-"Hold your horses, dude. My visit is purely professional," I clarified, though my tone couldn't completely hide the underlying desire.
-"I can imagine," Chris teased mockingly.
Adelina's POV:
As I walked toward my office, I felt the weight of stares following me—some warm, others tinged with envy, and a few outright disapproving of my newfound position. To be honest, I hadn't expected the level of attention that came with a title. Power, it seemed, was more captivating than I had anticipated. But I had always believed that true value came from one's character, not their title or position. I shouldn't—and I won't—let the opinions of others define me, I reminded myself. I was still the same Adelina who had walked through these halls yesterday, unaffected by the judgments of those around me. My title as Luna did not change who I was at my core.
With a quiet, steadying sigh, I finally reached the door of my office. I paused briefly, preparing myself for the work that awaited. No time for distractions now. As I stepped inside, the sight of the mountain of folders on my desk immediately hit me. A pile of unfinished tasks, waiting for attention, all reminders of the time I'd spent navigating the chaos of the ceremony rather than my responsibilities. "Today's going to be a long one", I thought with a resigned shake of my head. I have so much to catch up on—and that was just the start. There was a great deal at stake, and I needed to ensure everything was in order.
Two hours had passed as I worked diligently through the mountain of paperwork, barely pausing to take a break, when a knock at the door disrupted my focus. Mario stepped in, a wide grin spreading across his face.
-"Good morning, Adelina! I've been looking for you everywhere!" he greeted me enthusiastically, his voice filled with excitement.
-"Good morning, Mario. What's going on? Is there a problem with the annual budget or the financial data I sent you earlier?" I asked, a flicker of concern crossing my mind.
-"Relax, neither of those! I just wanted to congratulate you! Yesterday, you were absolutely fantastic. I've heard nothing but positive feedback. The members of the Council, along with several other Alphas, were really impressed with the depth of your knowledge on so many different topics. You were incredible. Well done!" Mario exclaimed, clearly impressed.
-"Thank you, Mario," I replied, my cheeks warming slightly. "I'm not sure what to say... it's still hard to believe. Honestly, it's the first time in my life that I'm receiving praise for practically doing nothing."
-"Don't be modest, Adelina. You didn't just do nothing. You blew people away. Your skill set is rare, and yesterday, you showed it off in front of everyone. You're not just the Luna of this pack—you're a force to be reckoned with," Mario continued, his sincerity evident.
I smiled faintly at his words, but deep down, I couldn't help feeling a mixture of pride and disbelief. It was overwhelming to think that something I had done—something so natural to me—could have such an impact.
-"Adelina, you don't give yourself enough credit. Your presence yesterday wasn't just a fluke—it was the culmination of years of reading, working, and perfecting your character. It's not just what you know, but how you carry yourself. Your exemplary behavior, your ethos, your quiet but undeniable strength—these things made the real difference. People took notice. And personally, I'm proud to work alongside someone like you," Mario added, his tone warm and appreciative.
I blushed at his praise, my cheeks turning crimson. "Honestly, what can I say? Right now, I'm embarrassed! I wasn't expecting all this attention," I said, trying to brush off the compliment.
Mario chuckled, clearly enjoying my reaction. "You shouldn't be embarrassed. You've earned it. But there was one thing that stood out to me yesterday."
I looked at him curiously. "What do you mean?"
-"The only blemish on an otherwise perfect day might've been Maximus' behavior. He gave me the impression that his constant presence was almost suffocating you," Mario remarked, his tone shifting slightly.
I hesitated, my instinct to defend Maximus kicking in, but before I could say anything, Mario quickly interjected.
-"Don't try to cover for him. I was paying attention. It's obvious that while he has you right there beside him, he doesn't truly appreciate you. His behavior is so possessive—he's just too blind to see what you bring to the table. He's used to women with a submissive spirit, but you—Adelina—you are strong, refined, and full of dignity. He doesn't deserve you. He can't appreciate your inner beauty the way you deserve to be appreciated," Mario said, his words cutting through the air with surprising sharpness.
For a moment, I was silent. I hadn't expected him to be so direct, but there was something about his honesty that struck a chord within me. A part of me wanted to argue, but another part of me knew he wasn't wrong. I just didn't know what to say.
He stepped closer to me than was necessary, and as we stood in silence for a few moments, I felt the tension rising. Then, Maximus' voice cut through the air, his tone tinged with irritation.
-"Am I interrupting something?" he asked, his presence immediately commanding.
Mario, caught off guard, quickly stepped back, while I was left standing there, speechless. For some reason, I felt like I'd been caught doing something wrong, even though I knew I hadn't.
-"Drako, of course not," Mario said, his voice smooth, trying to cover the awkwardness. "We were just reviewing the annual budget."
-"I see that," Maximus responded sarcastically, his eyes narrowing slightly. His voice shifted to a more authoritative tone. "If you don't mind, I'd like to be alone with my mate, Lupo."
-"Of course... With your permission," Mario replied, his expression hard to read. Before he exited, he turned back to me. "Adelina, I'll come by later for the rest."
I nodded, but before I could say anything, Maximus cut in sharply.
-"There's no need for you to come again. She won't be here. She'll spend the rest of her day with me."
-"Oh... I see..." Mario said, his disappointment evident. He left without another word, and the door clicked shut behind him. Maximus' gaze locked onto me as I stood frozen, too stunned to speak.
Maximus took a few steps closer, his voice laced with a sharp edge. "I have to admit, you have something about you that enchants everyone—especially men. Yesterday, it was Nicolas and several visitors who couldn't take their eyes off you. And today, I walk in to find Mario Lupo eyeing you like he's ready to pounce. Maybe I shouldn't leave you alone for so long anymore."
His words hit me harder than I expected, stirring up a mix of frustration and disbelief inside me. I forced myself to stand tall, keeping my voice steady.
-"You misunderstood," I replied firmly, though a hint of annoyance seeped into my tone. "Neither Nicolas nor Mario wants to be my lover. We were just working."
Maximus' eyes darkened, and for a brief moment, I wondered if he might say something else, but instead, he stayed silent. He stared at me for a long beat, as if processing my words, before finally speaking again in a quieter, more controlled voice.
-"I don't know why you insist on making things so complicated, Adelina," he muttered, as if to himself. But I could sense his frustration, his jealousy simmering beneath the surface.
The tension between us felt palpable, and I couldn't help but feel the sting of his words, even though I knew he didn't have a right to be angry. After all, I hadn't done anything wrong.
Maximus' gaze darkened as his voice grew colder, a hint of possessiveness seeping through his words.
-"Mario? You call him by his first name?" He raised an eyebrow, the subtle challenge in his tone unmistakable. "Huh... My suspicions were just confirmed. I want to remind you of the agreement we made."
I opened my mouth to respond, but the words caught in my throat. Before I could even start to defend myself, Maximus took a step closer, his presence overwhelming.
He reached out, gently placing a finger on my lips, silencing me before I could speak.
-"Shhhh..." he whispered, his voice low and commanding. "I didn't come here to make a scene, Adelina. What I said to Lupo earlier—I meant it." He took another step closer, his proximity making it difficult to focus. "I want to spend the rest of my day with you. So pack your things and follow me."
I blinked, momentarily thrown off by his sudden command. "Where are we going?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me despite the tension still hanging between us.
A mischievous grin tugged at the corners of his lips, and for a moment, it softened the hardness in his eyes. "It's a surprise," he said, his smile broadening as he took another step closer, his confidence practically radiating off him.
I hesitated, my mind racing, torn between staying and following him. The way he looked at me, so certain and commanding, made it hard to say no. Something about him always pulled at me, tempting me to give in.
-"Come on, Adelina," he urged, his voice soft but firm. "Trust me, you'll like it."
Reluctantly, I gathered my things, my thoughts swirling. What did he have planned? And why did it feel like I was walking into something I couldn't control?
I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to make of his mood swing. But something about his expression, that half-smile, made it impossible to turn down the curiosity that stirred within me.
-"Alright," I finally said, though I had no idea what he was planning. "I'll pack quickly."
As I gathered a few things, I couldn't help but feel a strange mix of emotions—confusion, irritation, and something else I couldn't quite place. But for now, I had to follow his lead. Whatever this surprise was, I knew it would change the course of my day—and perhaps something deeper between us.