False Expectations - Chapter 29: Chapter 29

Adelina's pov:
We hopped into the jeep, the engine rumbling to life as we began our drive toward the forest. The air was fresh, the scent of pine and earth filling the car as we drove deeper into the woods. After a while, the road began to narrow, leading us to a dead end. Maximus parked the jeep and we both stepped out, with him carrying a large wicker basket, its contents hidden beneath a cloth. We ventured on foot, the forest around us alive with the chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves.
We passed the clearing with the secret rock, a place I had visited once in passing but never truly explored, and made our way to a small, serene lake. A gentle waterfall cascaded over rocks, the water sparkling in the sunlight. It was a sight so beautiful that it took my breath away. I had never seen this place before, nor had I even known of its existence. The water lapped gently against the shore, and the area around the lake was surrounded by lush greenery, with wildflowers in every color imaginable, dotting the soft grass. A few meters away, tall oaks and graceful willows swayed in the breeze.
Maximus chose one of the oaks, its sturdy trunk offering the perfect place to rest. We laid down a tablecloth, setting up the picnic, and I couldn't help but marvel at how perfect everything was. The sun hung high in the sky, bathing the landscape in a warm glow, the temperature just right for an afternoon spent outdoors. Maximus opened the basket, pulling out an assortment of delicious-looking food, each item more tempting than the last. My heart skipped a beat when he pulled out a bottle of white wine. Did he know I loved it, or was it just a lucky guess? I wasn't sure, but either way, I wasn't complaining.
We dug into the food, the sweet, savory flavors making the afternoon even more enjoyable. Maximus poured the wine, and as we sipped it, the world seemed to slow down. The beauty of the day, the peaceful surroundings, and the company beside me all made it feel like I was living a dream. Birds flitted between the trees, their songs creating a perfect harmony with the soft wind that stirred the grass. The sky was clear, a deep blue with only the faintest wisps of clouds. The butterflies fluttered in and out of the flowers, adding a magical touch to the already enchanting scene. If heaven truly existed, this is what it would look like.
Maximus, for the first time since I met him, seemed at peace. He wasn't brooding or aloof; instead, he was smiling, his eyes calm and relaxed as he looked around, as if truly taking in the beauty of the place. For a moment, I forgot about everything else. I forgot about the tension that had always lingered between us. Today, it was just us—this moment, this place, and the strange sense of tranquility that had settled between us.
-"Do you like it here?" Maximus asked, his voice calm, a subtle warmth in his words.
-"It's amazing!" I said, my excitement clear. "I've always loved nature, and this place... it's magical! How did you find it?"
-"I used to come here when I was little," he said, his voice softening slightly, a tone lower, as though the words themselves carried a weight of sadness and longing. "But after my mother's absence... I stopped."
The subtle shift in his tone didn't go unnoticed. It was as if the very mention of his mother brought forth a quiet ache he had learned to bury. His eyes momentarily drifted to the shimmering lake, the sound of the waterfall gently lapping against the shore, as if seeking comfort in the tranquility of the moment.
I could feel the heaviness in the air, and I instinctively wanted to reach out, to say something that might ease the unspoken pain. But I didn't know what to say. It was one of those moments where words felt inadequate.
-"I'm so sorry," I whispered softly, unsure if my words would reach him. "I didn't mean to bring up something painful."
He took a deep breath, a fleeting smile playing on his lips, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "It's okay," he replied, his voice steady but tinged with an underlying sadness. "It's been a long time. I don't feel sad anymore. I've learned to live with it."
We sat in silence for a moment, the air between us filled with unspoken understanding. It was clear that while Maximus had moved on, the scars of the past still lingered in subtle ways, shaping who he was today.
He stared at the waterfall for a moment, as if lost in its endless flow, before breaking the silence with words that carried a weight I hadn't expected.
-"You know, she's not dead."
I blinked, taken aback, unsure of how to respond. "Oh... I'm sorry again... I thought that..."
Maximus raised a hand, cutting off my apology with a calm gesture. "It's alright. I don't mind talking about it," he said, his voice steady, though it held an unspoken depth. "She disappeared a long time ago, but in my heart, I don't see it as a loss. I've accepted it."
I nodded, quietly giving him the space to continue, though I wasn't sure if he wanted to. The air between us seemed charged with a quiet understanding. The weight of his words settled in, and I felt a deep respect for his ability to come to terms with something so painful. But I knew I shouldn't press him further.
I cleared my throat, gently shifting the subject. "This place," I said, glancing around at the serene surroundings. "I've never heard of it before. Why hasn't anyone told me about it?"
Maximus leaned back against the oak tree, stretching out a bit as he regarded me. "Well, you're not from here, so it makes sense you wouldn't know," he explained. "But even the pack doesn't come here much anymore. Only a few of us know about this place. It used to be sacred to our pack. My great-grandfather discovered the clearing with the secret rock and decided it was where the pack would settle. Every Sunday, all the pack members would come here and offer sacrifices to the goddess for the fertile land she gave us."
His voice softened as his eyes grew distant, drifting into a memory only he could see. "Over the years, though, the tradition was forgotten, and it eventually stopped."
I could hear the faint melancholy in his tone, and it tugged at my heart. "That's such a beautiful tradition," I said softly. "It must have meant a lot to the pack."
Maximus nodded, the faintest hint of sadness in his expression. "It did. But recently, my father tried to revive it. Unfortunately, it hasn't worked. No one seems to care anymore." His gaze grew distant for a moment as he let out a quiet sigh. "So, for us, this place became a family tradition. Every Sunday, we come here, have a picnic, and enjoy the peace it offers. It's our way of keeping the old ways alive, even if no one else does."
I felt the weight of the moment, the significance of this place, and the history it held. It was more than just a beautiful setting—it was part of his family's legacy, something deeply personal. I felt honored to be a part of it, to share this quiet piece of his world.
-"It's beautiful," I said softly, my voice filled with admiration for both the place and the history behind it. "I'm really glad you brought me here."
Maximus smiled slightly, a soft, genuine smile that felt different from the guarded expressions he often wore. "I'm glad you're here, too."
He poured more wine into our glasses, the sound of the liquid swirling and the gentle clink of the glass adding to the peaceful ambiance of the day. "I wanted you to see this," he said, his voice soft "To know there's more to me than just the Alpha."
I took a sip of my wine, savoring the taste before responding with a smile. "I'm starting to see that," I said, my tone genuine. And for the first time, I truly believed it. I was starting to understand the man behind the title.
-"That's a very beautiful story," I continued, the words slipping out before I realized it. "I've always enjoyed learning the stories of the places I live or visit."
Maximus's eyes lit up, and a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Me too," he said. "This is something we have in common. I hope it's not the only thing we share."
His gaze was intense, direct, and it sent a shiver down my spine. I quickly looked away, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks as I stood up, needing some space. But before I could take a step, he reached out, grabbing my arm and pulling me gently toward him.
His touch was warm, comforting even, but the sudden closeness caught me off guard. He brushed a strand of hair from my face with one hand while his other rested on my waist. I felt his presence overwhelming me as he lowered his face, bringing his lips to mine in a soft, sweet kiss.
I froze for a moment, completely caught off guard. And then, instinctively, I pushed him away, stumbling backward. "What are you doing?" I exclaimed, frustration bubbling up inside me.
I quickly turned, making my way toward the lake, needing some distance to clear my head. But Maximus didn't let me go far. In just two quick strides, he was beside me, his hand finding mine once more.
-"Why are you running away?" he asked, a hint of irritation in his voice.
I jerked my arm free, turning to face him with a stern look. "Why did you do that?" I demanded, my voice sharp.
-"Do what?" he asked, feigning innocence.
-"Why did you kiss me?" I asked again, my frustration building. "Why did you have to spoil the moment?"
Maximus's expression softened, but his smirk didn't fade. "I don't think I spoiled anything," he said, his voice low and deliberate. "I kissed you because I wanted to. And I still want to."
-"A few months ago, you didn't even want to see me, and now you take me to a picnic and kiss me. What are you aiming at?" I asked, my voice shaking with frustration. "I've told you before, you don't need to pretend we're mates when we're alone."
Maximus looked at me with an intensity that made me feel like he was seeing right through me. "I'm not pretending," he said quietly, his tone more serious than I expected. "I really want to do mate things with you."
I scoffed. "One month ago, you were doing 'mate things' with Gina. Now you want to do them with me. What changed your mind?"
He hesitated for a moment, his eyes drifting down to the ground before meeting mine again. "I realized some things," he said, his voice quieter now, almost as if he wasn't sure how to say it.
I raised an eyebrow. "Oh... you realized some things. Hmmm... don't you think it's a bit late for that?"
-"No," he replied firmly. "It's never too late for someone to change their mind."
I shook my head, the frustration bubbling up inside me. "You know something? This doesn't lead anywhere. I'd better go," I said, turning to leave, but Maximus stepped forward, grabbing my arm once more.
I jerked away from his touch, my anger flaring. "What's with this habit of grabbing people's arms?" I snapped, my voice cold. "Let me go."
-"You're not going anywhere until we clear this up," he said, his grip firm but not forceful. His eyes locked with mine, determined.
I crossed my arms tightly over my chest, standing my ground. "Everything is crystal clear to me. I don't need further explanations," I said, a sharp edge to my voice. I wasn't running anymore. If he had something to say, he could say it now.
Maximus took a deep breath, exhaling slowly as if gathering his thoughts. "We made a deal," he said, his voice steady. "And I intend to keep it. What's more, I think we're given the opportunity to make an effort here, and I intend to take it."
I shook my head, not believing what I was hearing. "I don't agree with that," I said firmly, my arms still crossed.
-"Why?" he asked, his eyes narrowing as if searching for my reasoning.
I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice steady. "Because... because it feels like everything has been decided for me. Like you've already made up your mind, and now I'm just supposed to go along with it. But that's not how this works."
Maximus stepped closer, his presence overwhelming, but there was something in his eyes—something that showed he wasn't just doing this for his own sake. "I'm not asking you to go along with anything," he said softly. "I'm asking for a chance. For us to try, for you and me. A real try."
I shook my head slowly, the weight of his words sinking in. "I don't think your reason for doing this is sincere."
Maximus's eyes darkened slightly, his jaw tightening. "What are you implying?" he asked, his voice holding a trace of warning.
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to face him, despite the growing frustration inside me. "I don't imply anything," I said sharply, meeting his gaze. "I'm telling you clearly that I think there's another reason why you're being nice to me."
He raised an eyebrow. "Which is?"
I stood tall, my heart pounding in my chest. "After the accident, you realized you needed me by your side to have ultimate power. To be invincible. If I hadn't come to the hospital that night, you know you probably wouldn't have woken up again. That's why you started feeding our bond, why you agreed to the arrangement I proposed: because it benefits you, not because you want to give us a second chance." The words came out in a rush, but once I said them, I felt a strange sense of clarity.
Maximus was silent for a long moment, his eyes studying me intensely. When he spoke again, his tone was unexpectedly calm, though there was still a hardness beneath it. "I understand your concern about this," he began, "but don't fool yourself. You know I already have the ultimate power. My pack is one of the most powerful in the world, and I'm the most likely candidate for the throne. But that didn't happen overnight. I worked hard for it, all these years, and you... you weren't even here. So what makes you think I need you now?"
His words stung, the arrogance laced in every syllable. I wanted to argue, to refute him, but he wasn't wrong in some ways. "What's more," he continued, "we can't even be completely sure about my awakening. Like you said, I probably wouldn't have woken up if it weren't for you, but we can't be certain about it. Am I wrong?"
I swallowed hard, the fight draining out of me as his words settled in my mind. "No... I guess we aren't," I managed to say after a few moments of silence. This time, it wasn't just his behavior that bothered me, but the cold truth in his words. My chest felt tight, and I found it hard to breathe.
Maximus was quiet for a few seconds, his gaze softening just a little as he took a step closer to me. He reached for my hands, holding them gently. "I know you don't trust me because of how I've treated you in the past," he said, his voice sincere, almost pleading. "And I truly believe you have every right to feel that way. But I want you to know that I'm telling you the truth when I say that I will try to correct my mistakes. All I ask is a chance to make things right. Just give us a chance."
I looked at him, the sincerity in his eyes catching me off guard. "What will it cost you in the end?" he asked softly. "I'm here, you're here... why not give it a try?"
I stood there for a long time, torn between the past and the possibility of something new. Could I trust him? Was there a part of him that truly wanted to change, or was it just the weight of responsibility that had pushed him to this point? My thoughts swirled in my head, but one thing was clear—I couldn't ignore his plea.
-"I... I... really don't know..." I muttered, feeling utterly confused, as I slowly pulled my hands away from his. My mind was a blur, a whirlwind of questions and doubts. His words had shaken everything I thought I knew. The way I had viewed him, and even myself, no longer seemed so clear. Maximus had offered me a new perspective—one I hadn't considered until now. I wasn't sure what was right anymore. What had once seemed obvious felt like a maze of uncertainty.
-"Take your time," he said, his voice steady and reassuring. "Just promise me you'll think about it."
I nodded weakly, my voice barely above a whisper, "Okay..."
I mumbled, lost in my own thoughts, and began walking towards the path that led to the car. Behind me, I could hear the soft rustling of Maximus packing up the picnic. But even as I walked, I couldn't escape the gnawing feeling of confusion tightening in my chest.
On one hand, he was right. Maximus was powerful—one of the most influential werewolves with prestige that spanned both the human and wolf worlds. I didn't need to stay by his side to maintain that power. He had done it on his own for years. He had built his empire, secured his position, and proven his strength time and time again. His success had never depended on me.
But on the other hand, the bond between us... it would make him stronger. More invincible. And I couldn't deny that there was something tempting about the possibility of that kind of strength. If the bond worked the way it was supposed to, it could solidify his position even further. But, as he pointed out, we weren't sure if it would even work.
Would the bond make him stronger, or would it, as he feared, end up being his greatest weakness? The uncertainty gnawed at me. And yet, the more I thought about it, the more I couldn't understand why he would risk it. Why would he want to even consider this bond with me now, after everything that had happened between us?
What had changed? Why now, when he hadn't been interested before? What did he truly want? Had all his actions been for his own benefit, or was there something more? Could he really want a second chance... or was this just a tactical move on his part to cement his power and ensure his future?
I felt overwhelmed, torn between the conflicting truths in front of me. His arguments made sense, but so did my doubts. Was he being genuine, or was this all just a means to an end? How could I know? I didn't want to be another pawn in his game, but I also couldn't shake the thought that maybe—just maybe—there was more to him than I had originally thought.
By the time we reached the car, I still didn't have any answers. Only more questions, and the weight of the decision I would eventually have to make.