False Expectations - Chapter 33: Chapter 33

Adelina's pov:
The sun had already set when I decided to return to my room after a wonderful day spent with my friends and my brother. I was walking through the garden, basking in the lingering warmth of the evening and inhaling the sweet perfume of the flowers when I noticed Nicolas sitting alone on a bench.
-"Hey, beautiful," he greeted me with a warm smile as I got closer.
-"Hi, Nicolas. What are you doing out here all alone?" I asked, curious.
-"Just looking at the stars," he replied, his voice distant, as if he were lost in thought.
-"I love looking at the stars!" I said, my voice filled with excitement. "I used to do that with my dad."
-"And may I ask," he said, turning his head to meet my gaze, "who's stopping you from doing it now? Come and join me." His tone was casual, yet there was something inviting in the way he continued to gaze at the sky.
I smiled, feeling the warmth of his words, and sat down next to him. For a while, a comfortable silence settled between us as we both turned our attention to the night sky. It was magical—constellations twinkled above, the scent of night-blooming flowers filled the air, and the soft rustle of leaves created a symphony of nature's music. In moments like these, it felt as if the world stood still, allowing us to truly appreciate how deeply we are intertwined with nature. It was our home, the only place that offered true peace and tranquility.
We stayed there for a couple of hours, enjoying the serenity of the night. Our conversation ebbed and flowed as we talked about everything and nothing. I hadn't realized how much I missed feeling so at peace—how little things like a long brunch with family and friends, a leisurely walk in nature, or simply looking up at the stars could bring a sense of contentment so pure. These were the things that truly mattered—the things that made life rich, simple, and deeply fulfilling. They didn't cost anything, but they were worth everything.
By the time the clock struck two in the morning, I felt the weight of the night settle in. As much as my soul yearned to stay outside, basking in the tranquility, my body was too exhausted to keep up. I stood reluctantly and said goodbye to Nicolas, my heart heavy as I made my way back to my room.
When I lay down in my bed, the softness of the sheets felt comforting, but it didn't take long for my tired mind to succumb to the peaceful embrace of sleep. It had been a day full of simple joys, and the night had wrapped me in its quiet beauty. I drifted off almost instantly, feeling grateful for the small moments that made life extraordinary.
Maximus' pov:
It was nine in the evening when I finally finished work, the weight of a demanding and exhausting day at the office pressing down on me. At least Chris and I had managed to clear up all the pending issues and wrap up the current cases, a small victory after such a long day. Despite the exhaustion, the night outside was beautiful. The stars sparkled brightly in the sky, and even though the moon was absent, the view was still breathtaking. I decided to go to Adelina's room and invite her to dinner.
I mind-linked the omegas, instructing them to prepare a meal for two in the garden, with candles and flowers to create a more intimate setting. I figured Adelina hadn't eaten yet, but even if she had, I hoped she wouldn't mind keeping me company. As I made my way down the corridor, I found myself admiring the beauty of the garden through the large windows.
Then, something caught my eye—two figures sitting on one of the benches. At first, it seemed harmless enough, but as I got closer to the window, I froze. One of them was Adelina, but the other... was Nicolas. Anger surged through me in an instant, flooding my veins with a fiery heat. My emotions spiraled out of control. For the first time in years, since my mother had left us, I felt a deep, gnawing sense of disappointment, betrayal, and... rejection.
Why the hell is she so comfortable with him? Why is she more at ease with this fool than with me? The thought was like a punch to my gut, and I couldn't shake the growing sense of jealousy and frustration. Is there something between them? Are they... involved? The questions raced through my mind, each one gnawing at my sanity.
I knew I was letting my jealousy cloud my judgment, but I couldn't help it. I had seen how attached Nicolas was not just to Jake but also to Adelina. Could it be? Could there be a hidden agenda behind all this? Was there a chance that Adelina was part of a larger scheme, a plot to undermine me? Was this some elaborate plan to take my pack away from me? Could she be a traitor, working alongside Nicolas?
The thought hit me like a ton of bricks. When I thought about how badly I had treated her in the beginning—how cold and dismissive I had been—it made sense, at least on some level. I couldn't ignore the possibility that she had a motive. The deal, the acceptance of all my terms without any real protest... Was it all part of a larger plan to gain my trust, to betray me from within?
I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I fought to control the storm raging inside me. My breath came in shallow bursts, my mind spinning with the worst possible scenarios. I had to know. I had to find out what was really going on between them before it was too late.
Questions swarmed my mind, each one more insistent than the last. I couldn't focus. My head was a whirlwind of chaos. Letting my emotions take control was the last thing I needed right now, but I couldn't shake it off. I knew all too well the consequences of letting myself lose control. The last time I allowed my emotions to dictate my actions, it ended in disaster. It cost me more than I was willing to admit. So, I made a silent vow—never again would I allow myself to spiral like this. I had to pull myself together, regain my composure.
With a sharp exhale, I mind-linked the omegas, instructing them to cancel the dinner in the garden. The thought of sharing a peaceful meal with her after everything that had happened seemed ridiculous. I needed to clear my head. A walk in the forest would be the only thing to calm the storm inside me. Drako, too, needed the space. Hours of wandering the woods, trying to drown out the turmoil, left me with a sense of temporary relief. But when I finally returned to my bedroom, the anger was subsiding—yet there was still something gnawing at me. Something heavier. The ache in my chest refused to fade.
The night had passed in a haze of whiskey and cigarettes. I spent it alone, trying to numb the confusion that kept swirling around me. No amount of alcohol could make the thoughts go away, though.
When morning came, I woke with a pounding headache, the familiar ache of a hangover twisting my insides. I should have stayed in bed, but that wasn't an option. The responsibilities of being an Alpha were always waiting, relentless, demanding. As I walked out of my room, I almost wished I hadn't. Adelina was there, smiling like nothing was wrong, her face glowing with happiness. She was humming some song, her steps light and carefree, and in that moment, it irritated me more than anything.
I had always loved seeing her smile—loved how her presence could light up a room. But today? Today, it felt like a dagger to my chest.
Because I knew where that smile came from. I knew who had put that damn smile on her face. Nicolas.
The thought made my blood boil, the jealousy clawing its way to the surface. How could she—how could she be so happy with him? Why wasn't she like that with me?
-"Good morning, Maximus," she said, her smile wide, her eyes sparkling with something I couldn't place.
-"Morning," I muttered, my tone flat, almost dismissive. I couldn't hide it anymore. I was angry—irrationally angry—and I couldn't pretend otherwise.
-"What's wrong? You don't look so well," she said, her voice tinged with concern.
-"She cares about you," Drako's voice echoed in my mind, a hint of amusement there. "She's worried about you." I didn't need him reminding me of that. It wasn't real.
-"Yeah, right. I don't buy it. She's just being polite, and that's exactly what irritates me more. She doesn't care. She's just playing the part."
I shook my head, trying to push away the inner conflict. My voice came out sharper than intended.
-"Nothing."
Her gaze softened, but there was something else there too—disappointment. It twisted something inside me, but I couldn't allow myself to care.
-"You should stay in bed if you don't feel well," she suggested, her voice carrying a tenderness that, for some reason, only added fuel to the fire. "She's being nice. Too nice. Too damn nice to someone who's done nothing but treat her like an afterthought."
-"I can't do that. I'm an Alpha. I have responsibilities, you know," I said, my words dripping with coldness, more out of habit than intention.
She faltered for a moment before nodding, her shoulders slumping slightly. "Oh, I see... then what about breakfast? Will you join me?"
Her offer wasn't just for breakfast. It was an invitation, a gesture of care. But all I could focus on was the nagging thought that it wasn't me she wanted to spend time with—it was Nicolas, and that truth felt like a weight I couldn't shake.
-"No, thanks. I don't have time to lose," I replied curtly, the words harsh, even though part of me wished I hadn't said them.
She gave me a small nod, her face falling into a quiet disappointment before she turned and walked away. And just like that, I was alone again, feeling more frustrated and restless than I had all morning.
I headed to my office, each step dragging with the heaviness of what I had just done. I knew I was being rude, even cruel, and yet, I couldn't stop. My emotions, my pride—everything was tangled up, and I couldn't get a clear view of anything anymore. But one thing was certain: I couldn't keep pretending like nothing was wrong. Not when everything inside me was screaming otherwise.
Adelina's pov:
I woke up feeling lighter today, a sense of calm and inner peace settling within me. It was as if the weight of the past few days had lifted, even if just for a moment. I followed my usual routine, but there was something different about today. I was officially stepping into some of Luna's responsibilities, and despite everything that had happened, I couldn't help but feel a bit of excitement. I had to eat well, keep my energy up for what lay ahead.
As I made my way out of my room, I hummed softly to myself, the tune from a song I'd been singing all morning still dancing in my mind. It was a simple song, but it gave me an unexpected sense of joy, like the universe was in sync for once. I wasn't paying much attention to my surroundings when I accidentally bumped into Maximus.
I stopped, startled by the sight of him. Maximus looked... rough. Unshaven, his shirt wrinkled, dark circles beneath his eyes that made him appear exhausted—he looked like someone who hadn't slept in days.
-"Good morning, Maximus," I said cheerfully, trying to brighten the moment, but he barely reacted.
"Morning," he replied, his tone flat, almost distant, like he didn't even care.
I couldn't help but frown, a wave of concern washing over me. What's going on with him? I thought. Something wasn't right. Maximus was never this... detached. It was unlike him to show any signs of vulnerability, but now, it seemed like there was a storm brewing behind his eyes.
-"What's wrong? You don't look so well," I asked, my voice laced with concern. I wasn't sure if he would open up, but I had to know. It wasn't like him to just let it go without at least acknowledging it.
-"Nothing," he said coldly, as if brushing me off with a simple word, but I could tell something was off. His response lacked its usual strength, and the way he avoided eye contact only added to my suspicion.
-"You should stay in your bed if you don't feel well," I suggested gently, hoping he'd take the hint. It wasn't a critique; I was simply worried about him. But Maximus was stubborn—more stubborn than anyone I knew.
-"I can't do that. I'm an Alpha. I have many responsibilities, you know," he said, his voice taking on a more rigid, authoritative tone. But something about his response felt like a wall, like he was pushing me away.
Ok, man! I know you have a lot to do, but my advice was for your own sake! Oh Goddess! What's wrong with him? The thought echoed in my mind, but I held it back. There was nothing I could do to help if he wasn't willing to open up.
I tried again, hoping to ease the tension, "Oh, I see... then what about having breakfast? Will you join me?" I made the offer lightly, hoping he'd at least agree to sit down and get something to eat. Maybe it would help him feel better, or at the very least, we could talk for a few minutes.
-"No, thanks. I don't have time to lose," he replied, his words indifferent, his posture stiff.
What? I was taken aback by his cold response. My heart sank as I tried to hide my disappointment. I had hoped he would at least share a moment of kindness, but it was as if the distance between us had only grown.
-"Okay," I said, my voice quieter now, feeling both confused and a little hurt by his rejection. Why was he acting like this? I couldn't understand it. I had tried to be friendly, even if I wasn't sure what his mood was about.
That's how short his good behavior lasted after all, I thought bitterly. Why do I keep doing this? Why do I keep expecting something different from him? The frustration built in my chest, but this time, I refused to let it consume me. What did I really expect from him? The thought stung. After everything that had happened, after everything he had put me through, why was I still clinging to some shred of hope that he might change? I had learned early on just how much Maximus could hurt. He was unpredictable—one moment, he'd show glimpses of something softer, and the next, he'd remind me of why I kept my distance. Now the "good Maximus" is gone, back to his old ways, like nothing ever happened.
But something inside me shifted. I wasn't going to let this get to me again. I couldn't. I wouldn't.
I was done allowing his mood swings and coldness to drag me down. I had too much to focus on now—too many responsibilities. The pack needed me, and I needed to keep my head on straight.
I won't let his bad behavior affect me. Not anymore. I repeated the thought in my mind like a mantra. I'm stronger than this. I won't take it anymore.
And with that, I turned away and continued on my way, doing my best to shake off the storm inside me. But deep down, I knew it wouldn't be the last time Maximus would test my resolve.