False Expectations - Chapter 41: Chapter 41

Maximus' pov:
I had no idea what time it was, but I was certain it was way too early in the morning when Drako woke me up—harshly and without mercy.
-"I'm too tired to get up and train, Drako. Leave me alone," I groaned, barely able to lift my head from the pillow.
-"You mean too drunk," Drako retorted, his voice sharp. "Get up right now, Maximus. I won't let you ruin my chance to become the King of all werewolves because of your stupidity."
His words cut through the fog in my mind, but I didn't have the energy to care. "How cold-hearted are you, Drako!? Aren't you hurt by Adelina's betrayal? How can you act like nothing happened?"
-"Adelina didn't betray us. You're too damn stupid to see the truth," he snapped. "Now get up, or I'll make you. You can't run from me."
-"I hate you, Drako. You always know how to piss me off," I muttered under my breath, frustrated and exhausted.
-"I'm flattered, Max," Drako replied smugly. "Now, up!"
Before I could argue further, I found myself being forced out of bed. His control over my body was frustrating, but I knew better than to resist.
The following days became a relentless routine, dictated entirely by Drako. Every morning, I was forced to run 14 laps around the training field, pushing my body to its limits. After that, I had to train with the warriors in both weapons and physical combat, switching between human and wolf form. By the time I finished, usually around 11 AM, my body felt like it was ready to collapse. All I wanted was to crawl back into bed and sleep for days.
But Drako had other plans. If I wanted him to leave me in peace, I had to go to my office and address all the pending matters. No rest, no reprieve. Just work. I took a quick shower and dragged myself to my office, where the grind continued. And so, that became my daily routine.
During the time I was locked in my room, Chris managed most of the pack's issues. And I had to admit, he handled them with great success. But Drako was right—this couldn't go on. I couldn't keep burdening him with my responsibilities. As the Beta, he had enough on his plate. Eventually, I'd have to take back control or Drako would force my hand. And, in the end, it was his will that would prevail. There was no point in resisting anymore. I let him take charge because, frankly, it gave me a way to forget about my problems. I didn't want to think about Adelina's betrayal any longer.
My spies brought unsettling news: besides Adelina, Nicolas was also missing. He never returned to his pack after leaving the Council. They lost track of him immediately after his departure. It couldn't be a coincidence. Those two must have been planning this together from the start. All the time they spent in my pack, they were plotting their escape. I feel so stupid for trusting her, for giving her my heart. And she threw it away without a second thought.
But this wasn't the first time someone I loved had left me. It happened when I was just a kid. I was ten years old when my mother left my father and me. She just walked away, without a word, without any explanation. How could she do that to me? To her only son? Whatever issues she had with my father, she should never have abandoned me like that. What kind of mother does that?
After she left, nothing was the same. My father became violent, aggressive—especially toward me. I reminded him too much of her. I was the spitting image of her, and every time he looked at me, it was a reminder of her betrayal. And that's what I paid for. For five years, I endured torture, abuse, and neglect. Nothing I did, no matter how small, escaped his wrath. It didn't matter if I was good or bad—my punishment was always severe.
When I turned 15, I reached my breaking point. I couldn't take it anymore. I challenged my father. I fought him, defeated him, and ended his life. In that moment, I became the Alpha of the Drako pack. It was a moment of liberation—not just for me, but for every member of the pack. They were all relieved to see him go, and I took my place as their leader.
In the last few years, my father had completely lost his grip. His decisions were irrational and intolerable—he imposed severe penalties for the smallest offenses. To my fellow pack members, his death was a salvation from a ruthless tyrant. For me, it became one of my responsibilities to my people.
For several hours I was buried in my work, when the door swung open. Gina walked in, looking well-groomed with heavy makeup and her hair perfectly combed.
-"Good evening, babe," she said in a seductive tone, striding toward me.
I paused what I was doing, raised my head to look at her, and asked coldly, "What do you want, Gina?"
-"I came to tell you how much I miss you. I can't stand seeing you like this. Why are you torturing yourself over that ungrateful woman?" she said sympathetically. A few months ago, I might have fallen for her feigned concern, but not anymore. I knew exactly what kind of woman she was, and I wouldn't let myself be fooled again.
-"If you came here to talk about Adelina, you can leave now," I snapped.
-"Why are you being like this? I didn't come here to talk about her. I love you, and I can't stand being away from you. Your situation hurts me deeply."
-"Oh, how thoughtful," Drako interjected. "Funny how she never showed up when you were a drunken mess every day. Now, she comes around when you're pulling yourself together, working hard. When she realized you still have a chance to become king. What a hypocrite."
-"While Adelina isn't... She did everything to prove that she cared about me, only to run away with another man at the first opportunity," I contradicted.
-"She didn't run away," Drako growled. "You didn't look for her enough. You're a fool. Maybe right now, while you're busy flirting with this bimbo, she's being tortured or mistreated."
-"Sure, tortured and abused... while she's getting kissed and caressed by her lover," I sneered.
-"How can you accuse her so easily?" Drako barked. "If something was happening, we would feel it. Instead, we don't feel a thing."
-"First of all, I never marked her, so I can't sense what she's feeling. Second, if she's far away, I can't feel her betrayal either. Now, can we please move on? I've done everything you wanted me to today."
-"What's wrong with you?" Drako scolded. "Why do you always end up with women of zero morality like Jina, but abandon your mate at the first chance? You're a complete moron."
His words stung, but I couldn't take his nagging anymore. He was insufferable, especially when he kept defending that traitor. I didn't cling to women with no morals. But I couldn't ignore the pain Adelina's betrayal had caused me, and I had no intention of continuing to mourn a lost relationship.
Gina approached me with her signature seductive stride. As she came closer, she removed her coat, revealing nothing but red lingerie. She climbed onto my lap, starting to caress and kiss me. Though I didn't want this—didn't want to use her to hurt Adelina—I let her continue. I wanted to get some sort of revenge, make Adelina feel the same way I did. But deep down, something inside me loathed the whole act.
Suddenly, a wave of disgust hit me, and I pushed Gina away. She didn't give up easily and tried to embrace me again. Just then, a knock on the door interrupted us. I shoved her away again, pointed to her coat, and ordered her to leave.
She protested, but I gave her a hard look, one that made her comply without a word. As she walked toward the door, one of the guards entered.
-"Alpha, there's a woman out there who wants to speak with you. She says it's urgent."
-"Can't you see that I'm busy right now? Send her to the Beta's office," I scolded.
-"I'm sorry, Sir. The Beta left an hour ago, and the woman insists on speaking only with you."
-"Then bring her in," I told him irritably, then turned to Gina, "Get out. I'll call for you later." She nodded and exited the office with that alluring stride of hers. This woman never gives up when she wants something.
I was straightening up my office when I heard the door slam open. What the hell? Who dares to enter my office like this?
-"Maximus Drako, we meet again," a familiar female voice echoed. It was Sonia, the sorceress.
-"Sonia, what are you doing here?" I asked, surprised.
-"I told you I would come when you needed me the most," she said, arrogantly.
-"As you can see, I do not need you," I told her dismissively.
-"You do, despite what you say."
-"What do you want? I don't have time to waste."
-"Me neither. You are in grave danger. The enemies are all around you. Keep your eyes and ears open," she warned me.
-"What is all this nonsense?" I argued.
-"You must find your match before the skirmishes. If you don't, all will be lost. The world, as we know it, will become a sad memory. We don't have much time," she said in an eerie voice, her eyes already turning gray, signaling that the Goddess was within her.
-"Thank you for your concern, but you came here in vain. You obviously don't know the latest news. My mate left with someone else. She betrayed me while I made her my Luna. She left me when I needed her the most. This is how things turned out. What salvation are you talking about?"
-"Listen to me, Maximus. Appearances can be deceiving. You have to find her before the skirmishes. Look in the woods. The big wolf is always hiding in the woods. He lurks in the shadows, waiting to pounce. I cannot reveal more. In the end, the enemies will prove to be friends, and the friends, enemies," she said, bowing her head. When she lifted it again, her eyes were normal. Abruptly, she stood up, turned around, and left the room without a word.
I was left there, speechless. I didn't know what to believe. Chris, Drako, and now Sonia were all convinced that Adelina had been abducted. Could they be right? And if so, who took her, and what do they want from her? Do I have enough time to find her and save her?