False Expectations - Chapter 38: Chapter 38

Maximus' pov:
Two weeks had passed, filled with a whirlwind of meetings and intense discussions with the Council and the other Alphas. Despite the long hours and the pressure of proving my ideas, I couldn't deny the satisfaction I felt. Many of the Alphas embraced my proposals, a crucial step toward my greater goal.
Now, finally back home, I allowed myself a moment to breathe. Yet, as much as I relished being back, I couldn't ignore the emptiness that came with Adelina's absence. She hadn't returned from her old pack yet, and the house felt strangely hollow without her.
The only comfort during this time apart had been our nightly phone calls. Hearing her soft voice say goodnight was the highlight of my day, a lifeline that anchored me. But in the last few days, my grueling schedule had robbed me of even that simple joy. It was maddening. I found myself restless, unable to sleep without the sound of her voice.
And then there was Nicolas. His sudden departure from the conference still bothered me. He'd claimed it was due to health issues, but the excuse rang hollow. Something about it felt calculated, as if he were using it as an opportunity to visit Adelina's old pack. The very idea of him being near her stirred a primal jealousy I could barely suppress. I tried to shake it off, trusting my spies to uncover the truth. Still, I silently prayed my suspicions weren't true—for his sake and mine.
Determined to push these thoughts aside, I decided it was time to call Adelina. Today marked the end of the two-week period I had allowed her, and I needed to know if she planned to return or intended to request an extension.
I picked up my phone and dialed her number. It rang several times, but there was no answer.
Ten minutes later, I tried again. Still nothing.
A strange feeling crept over me as I stared at my phone, her name glowing on the screen. Adelina never ignored my calls. If she missed one, she'd always call back within ten or twenty minutes. This wasn't like her.
Trying to calm the unease building in my chest, I sent her a text: "Adelina, call me as soon as you see this."
An hour passed.
Still no sign of her.
The uneasiness turned into a gnawing worry, and I decided to call one of her guards. When he finally answered, I wasted no time.
-"Where's Adelina?"
"She's in her room, Alpha," the guard replied quickly. "She hasn't left all day. She's likely asleep."
I frowned, my grip tightening on the phone. Something about this didn't sit right. Adelina was a light sleeper and always kept her phone nearby. Why hadn't she called back?
The guard's words failed to ease my growing dread. My instincts told me something was off, but I tried to reason with myself. Maybe she truly was just resting. Maybe the busy days had taken their toll on her too.
But deep down, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. Very wrong.
-"What do you mean by probably? Aren't you sure if she's inside?" I shouted, my frustration spilling over.
-"Sir, I'm on the morning shift. The guard from the night shift reported that she was sleeping," he replied nervously.
That made no sense. It was already half past ten in the morning, and Adelina was always an early riser. My instincts screamed that something was wrong.
-"Go check on her—now!" I ordered, my voice sharp as steel.
I stayed on the line, my ears straining to pick up every sound on the other end. I could hear the guard moving, his steps echoing faintly. After a few tense moments, the noises stopped. When he spoke again, his voice was trembling.
-"Sir... the Luna... isn't inside. Her bed is untouched, and her clothes and personal belongings are still in the closet. I... I don't know where she is."
I felt a surge of anger, panic clawing at my chest. "What do you mean you don't know where she is?" I barked. "How could you not know? Call the previous shift immediately for a report! Alert all high-ranking pack members—I want everyone on a Facetime call in ten minutes!"
Ten agonizing minutes later, the call was set. All the members of Adelina's personal guard were present, along with her brother Jake, her father, and Jacob. The tension in the room was palpable, each face marked by concern and unease.
I scanned the group, my voice cold and menacing. "So, tell me—where is she?"
Leopold, one of my most trusted guards, spoke first. "Alpha," he began, his tone hesitant but steady. "The last time anyone saw her was in her brother's office. After that, she hasn't been seen."
I immediately called on a Facetime, her brother Jake. The weight of anxiety pressing on me.
-"Jake, where is Adelina?" I demanded, my voice low but firm. "There's no reason to hide her from me. You know I'm her mate, and you can't interfere with this matter."
-"I'm not hiding anyone, Maximus," Jake replied, his tone cold. "She was with me in my office yesterday. She wanted to talk about something important, but I don't know where she went after that."
I turned to the night shift guards, my patience fraying. "Which one of you accompanied her back to her room?"
They exchanged uncertain glances, and Edward, one of the guards, finally found the courage to speak.
-"No one, Alpha."
-"How is that possible?" My anger flared, and my voice grew sharp. "Why the hell did you leave Luna alone?"
-"She... asked us to do it," one of the guards explained quietly.
-"She asked you to leave her alone?!" I was seething. "Do you not know the rules? The personal guard never leaves her, no matter what. She could ask all she wanted, and it wouldn't matter!"
No one spoke; they just bowed their heads in fear, avoiding my glare.
-"Everyone, get up. Search the entire area and find Luna. You don't stop until you have her in front of you. Is that clear?" My voice cut through the room like a whip.
-"Crystal clear, Sir," they responded in unison, their voices tight with tension as they rushed out.
I addressed Jake, my eyes narrowing. "Now tell me—what did she want to discuss with you?"
-"I'm sorry, Maximus," Jake said, his voice shadowed with unease. "It's something personal between me and my sister. She shared something with me that I can't reveal."
-"Tell me, or I won't hesitate to make you regret it."
Jake's face paled, and he hesitated before speaking in a low, fearful tone. "I... don't know why, but she wanted to know if the secret underground exit of the pack house was still working."
-"And what did you tell her?" I asked coldly.
-"I told her the truth. They're still open."
-"If you have nothing else to report, you're dismissed," I said flatly, my mind racing.
Richard, Adelina's father, spoke up, his voice calm but firm. "Maximus, I don't believe Adelina would leave like this. It just doesn't fit her temperament. My daughter would never do something like this."
Jacob, standing next to him, nodded in agreement. "If I may say, I completely agree. Adelina is honest, simple. She doesn't make secret plans or act behind people's backs. These past days, she showed no sign of wanting to leave. Something else is going on here. We're just as concerned about her disappearance, and we want to help you find her. After all, we know this area better than your team. We can be more effective."
-"Fine," I said, my tone cold but resolute. "Do what you must, but keep me and my team informed." I ended the call, my thoughts racing.
It may not be what I think it is... I tried to reason with myself. But the questions kept flooding my mind.
Where is she if she didn't want to escape? Was this the real reason she wanted to visit her old pack? Why did Nicolas leave the meeting early? Did they plan this together? Was Nicolas waiting for her somewhere? Had they been working behind my back to deceive me? To abandon me? But why?
A voice broke through my turmoil. It was Drako. "Wait a minute, Max. You're not thinking clearly. You're letting jealousy cloud your judgment. Something doesn't add up. If she wanted to leave, she would have done so long before now, when she wasn't Luna. Why would she wait? And why are you involving Nicolas? There's no evidence he's involved in this, or that he took her. Maybe she's just visiting her niece at the hospital. Don't immediately jump to the worst conclusion."
Drako's words hit me, but the fear gnawed at me.
-"Drako, stop saying nonsense. You heard it with your own ears. She asked the guards to leave her alone. Why would she do that if she didn't want to escape?" I replied, frustration creeping into my voice.
Maybe she didn't want them to hear the conversation with her brother, Drako countered.
-"Jake told us she asked about the underground exits. Why would she need that information if she didn't plan to use it?" I shot back.
You're forgetting that Jake is part of the plot that Larry the omega told us about, Drako reminded me. How do you know Jake is telling the truth? Maybe this whole thing is just a well-crafted lie.
-"No," I said firmly. "He's not that bold. He wouldn't do this."
Then why now? Why leave like this? She knew she would be free once you became King. It doesn't make sense, Maximus.
-"Because now, Drako... she has something very valuable to me."
What? Drako asked, sensing my despair.
-"My heart," I whispered, the weight of the truth crashing down on me.