False Expectations - Chapter 44: Chapter 44

Μaximus' pov:
In the cabin, there was an old table, a few weathered chairs, and a half-destroyed fireplace in the east corner. It had clearly been abandoned for years, but there were signs that someone had stayed there recently. We couldn't tell if it had been Adelina or someone else, as the scent had already faded, leaving only an unsettling emptiness. We found food scraps, two torn black t-shirts, and a half-destroyed bed. The place was a mess. Whoever had been here wasn't human. No human would have survived in such a desolate and dangerous place.
My men and I swept the area around the cabin, but we found nothing. Unfortunately, the rain from the previous night had washed away any tracks that might have been there.
-"Nothing, nothing, nothing at all. Where did she go?" Draco's frustrated voice echoed in my mind. "She couldn't have disappeared like that. I'm sure I picked up her scent."
I didn't respond. I was just as disappointed. For a moment, I thought we were so close to finding her. But none of the other teams had come up with anything significant either. It felt like we were back at square one.
-"We have to abandon the mission. Sonia was wrong," I said to Drako, my voice heavy with resignation. "We've searched every inch of the forest and found nothing. Absolutely nothing."
-"No!" Drako retorted angrily. "We can't give up! I can still feel her close. I know she's near."
-"You've been saying that for three days," I said, my frustration creeping into my tone. "But so far, we haven't found the slightest clue that Adelina was ever here. You have to understand, continuing to search here is pointless. It's getting us nowhere."
-"Νοοοο... we have to keep on..." Draco insisted stubbornly, his frustration only growing.
I was about to respond when I received a mind-link from one of the border guards.
-"Alpha, the Lupos brothers from Italy have requested permission to enter our territory. They'll be in your office in about an hour. They say it's urgent. What do you want us to tell them?"
-"Lupos? Here? That's the last thing we need right now," Draco muttered under his breath. "What do they want?"
-"I don't know, but something tells me they're not here with good intentions," I replied to Draco, before immediately mind-linking the border guard.
-"Let them in, but don't let them roam around our territory alone. Send guards with them once they pass the gates. Tell Chris and Leopold to meet them at the border ASAP."
The response that came back wasn't what I expected. "Sir... Leopold has been missing since yesterday. We don't know where he is."
"-What are you saying? Why wasn't I informed about this?" I snapped, irritated by the lack of communication.
-"Beta ordered us not to inform you. He said you had a lot to handle and didn't want to distract you from the mission. He's been looking for him since yesterday."
I let out a frustrated sigh, the weight of everything bearing down on me. "Fine. Mind-link him to stop what he's doing and head straight to the border to meet the Lupos. We'll discuss this later. For now, let the Lupos pass through, but make sure the pack is ready to receive them. I'll be there in an hour at the most."
-"Yes, Alpha," the guard replied, and I cut the link.
As soon as the connection ended, I turned to Draco. "I have to deal with the Lupos now. But you know what? I'm not giving up on finding Adelina. We'll keep searching, even if we're sidetracked for a bit."
Draco remained silent for a moment, his earlier anger subdued by my resolve. "Fine. But we'll find her, Maximus. We won't stop until we do."
I quickly gathered the team and informed them that the search mission was officially over. The weight of the decision hit me like a thunderbolt, and I could see the disappointment in their eyes. Some of them wanted to continue, to keep searching for their Luna, but I couldn't allow it. There was no point in carrying on when I knew it was futile. The fact that I had to make this call still gnawed at me. I never expected Adelina to be loved by so many so quickly—it made me proud of her. But I had to face the truth. The trail was cold, and the search was only dragging us deeper into frustration.
I shifted into my black wolf, the fur a deep midnight shade that matched my mood. With one last glance at the pack house, I headed toward the heart of the pack, ready to face what awaited me.
Back at the pack house, everything was prepared for the Lupos' arrival. The rooms reserved for their stay were immaculate, fit for royalty, as they deserved. I made a quick stop for a shower, scrubbing away the fatigue and frustration of the long days. I dressed in my black suit—sharp, fitting, and coldly professional—and headed for my office. I needed to be composed, especially with what I knew the Lupos were going to bring.
As I settled into the chair behind my desk, the guards mind-linked me, informing me that the Lupos were already outside. The tension in my body grew tighter, but I kept it under control. They were here now. I would have to face them and whatever message they were bringing.
A moment later, the two brothers walked in, flanked by a single guard. Their eyes were tired, and I could see the weight of whatever news they carried hung heavily on their shoulders. I stood to greet them, offering a nod in acknowledgment.
-"Welcome to my pack, Alpha and Beta Lupos. It's been a while since I last saw you. What brings you to my doorstep?" I said, motioning for them to sit. They took their places, their expressions grim as they sat down.
-"Hello, Draco," Alpha Lupo said with a half-smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "It really has been a long time. It's nice to see you, though I'm afraid the reason we're here today won't be pleasant for you."
-"Pleasant or not, I want to hear it. What's going on?" I responded, my tone a mix of curiosity and impatience.
-"Always so laconic," Beta Lupo muttered under his breath, before Alpha Lupo continued.
-"We are here to warn you and provide you with some vital information," Alpha Lupo said, his voice steady but filled with an urgency that made my pulse quicken.
-"Warn me? About what?" I asked, my brow furrowing in confusion.
-"Your Luna is in great danger," Alpha Lupo replied, his gaze sharp and filled with concern.
-"Why are you telling me this?" I asked, now fully on edge.
-"We've received reliable information," Beta Lupo cut in, his voice dark with worry. "Your Luna will be kidnapped and killed. This act will weaken you and ensure you can't take part in the upcoming skirmishes for the throne."
I was silent for a moment, the gravity of their words settling in. "Do you know who's behind this?" I finally asked, my voice cold with dread.
-"Recently, we came across disturbing intel about our brother, Mario," Beta Lupo said, his face twisted in a mix of disbelief and anger.
-"Mario?" I echoed, unable to comprehend what I was hearing. "What does he have to do with all of this?"
Alpha Lupo leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "What my brother is trying to say is that Mario is behind this whole scheme. He's working with someone else, someone who means to take your Luna. You need to protect her from him—he's a threat to everything you hold dear."
I shook my head in disbelief. If Mario was behind this, then it was worse than I could have imagined. "If you know so much, then you must also know that our Luna has been missing for two weeks now," I told them coldly, my frustration leaking into my words.
-"Oh my goddess..." Beta Lupo's voice cracked in shock. "We're too late. Where is she? What happened to her?"
-"Her whereabouts have been unknown for the past three days," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "But why do you think Mario is involved? What makes you so sure?"
Beta Lupo looked at his brother, then back at me, his eyes filled with urgency. "Because Mario's been plotting for the throne for years," he explained. "But this isn't just about power. He's willing to do anything, anything to break you and claim the throne for himself. Your Luna is a piece on his chessboard, and if we don't act fast, we may never see her again."
My thoughts were spinning, the weight of their words hitting me harder than I expected. I could barely focus on the rest of their explanation as the truth sank in: Mario wasn't just a threat to my throne; he was a threat to the one person I'd sworn to protect.
-"Where is Mario now?" I asked, my voice steady but barely containing the rage bubbling beneath the surface.
The room was quiet for a moment as the Lupos exchanged uneasy looks. "We don't know exactly," Alpha Lupo said quietly. "But we know he's planning something big, and if you don't act quickly, you'll lose everything."
-"Dammit," I muttered under my breath. The realization hit me like a punch to the gut. Mario had been playing this game for longer than I knew. And now I had no choice but to face him head-on.
-"We'll find her," I said finally, my voice steely with determination. "And when we do, Mario will pay for what he's done."
-"We don't think, Draco. We're sure," Alpha Lupo said firmly, his gaze unwavering. "We've been following Mario for almost a year now, and we've uncovered disturbing truths about him. Unfortunately, he's not the man he claims to be."
-"What truths?" I asked, my voice steady but my heart racing with unease.
-"Mario is the leader of an underground organization called the 'New Order'," Beta Lupo interjected, his voice grim. "Their goal is to make wolves the only species on Earth, destroying every other race in the process. There are many wolves who believe that werewolves are the most powerful species and that it's their destiny to dominate the world."
I took a sharp breath, trying to process the implications of their words. "Why would Mario do something like that? What does he stand to gain from all of this?"
-"Power," Alpha Lupo replied bluntly. "He wants to be the King, Draco. Not just of wolves, but of the world. He believes that werewolves are the superior species, and he will stop at nothing to make that a reality."
-"But his life so far doesn't reflect that. He's been a doctor—helping humans and wolves alike. He's served all kinds of people," I countered, still struggling to connect the dots. "Are you sure Mario is behind all of this, and not someone else pulling the strings?"
-"Unfortunately, we are absolutely sure," Alpha Lupo said, his tone heavy with certainty. "We've gathered all the incriminating evidence we need to expose him. The time for speculation is over. We just need to arrest him, and we will bring the truth to the Council."
I leaned back in my chair, trying to digest the magnitude of what they were telling me. "Then who else could be involved? Someone close to him? Tell me who you suspect."
Beta Lupo leaned forward, a thought crossing his mind. "What about Nicolas? The Alpha of Winter Woods Pack?"
At the mention of Nicolas, both Lupos exchanged a knowing glance before Alpha Lupo spoke. "Nicolas? How absurd. Of course not," he said with a slight chuckle, though it was one that didn't reach his eyes. "Nicolas is with us. In fact, he's the one who uncovered Mario's secret plan in the first place."
I froze. "Nicolas? Are you sure?" The words felt foreign, as if they didn't belong in the conversation. Nicolas, my old enemy an ally to the Council. Still he couldn't be trusted... the idea seemed unfathomable. "How can you be certain?" I wondered aloud.
-"Positive, Draco," Alpha Lupo reassured me, seeing the doubt in my eyes. "Nicolas is one of our most trusted allies. He was the one who warned us about your Luna's kidnapping. He's been helping us track Mario for months, ever since we got wind of the New Order's activities."
The disbelief settled in my chest like a stone. "But how did Nicolas learn all this information? Why didn't he come to me?"
Oh, it's a very long story," Alpha Lupo began, his voice grim. "The short version is that Mario caused the death of Nicolas' Luna when he was a doctor at Winter Wood's Pack Hospital. Mario's explanations for her death didn't convince Nicolas, and it sent him on a mission to uncover the truth. What he discovered left no room for doubt."
I swallowed, feeling the weight of the revelations. "And where is he now?" I asked, my heart racing with worry.
Alpha Lupo sighed, his worry palpable. "At Alpha's annual meeting, Nicolas received a message from his team. He asked for permission to investigate further and left to follow up. We haven't heard from him since."
I felt a pang of concern. "So, he's been gone for days now. This doesn't sound good. What else do I need to know?"
Alpha Lupo hesitated before speaking again, clearly troubled by what he was about to say. "There's something more, Alpha Draco. Many high-ranking members of your pack are also members of the 'New Order'. We've managed to compile a list of names of those involved. This list has been distributed to every pack and every Alpha. The Council demands that they be tried and imprisoned."
A chill ran through me. "Can I see the list?"
Beta Lupo nodded and handed me a folded sheet of paper. I unfolded it quickly, scanning the list of names. My eyes widened with disbelief as I read down the page. Over two hundred names from my pack were on it. I felt a wave of nausea rise in my chest. The betrayal, the deceit—it was overwhelming.
Some names didn't surprise me; I had suspected them. But there were others I never would have imagined—Elder Eric, Leopold—my own trusted people. I couldn't believe it.
-"Elder Eric? Leopold?" My voice shook with the weight of the question. "Are you sure about them?"
-"Absolutely," both Lupos said in unison, their faces solemn.
I felt my pulse quicken as my world began to unravel. I couldn't fathom how many of my closest allies were betraying me. This was more than just a few rogue wolves—it was a conspiracy within my own walls.
-"Guards!" I barked. My command was sharp, and within moments, two of my guards rushed into the room.
-"Alpha," they both said in unison.
I turned to the guard on my right. "You, take this list, make a copy of it, and bring it back to me as soon as possible."
I then looked to the other guard. "Find Demetrio and Chris. Bring them here immediately. I can't reach them via mind link. Any questions?"
-"No, Alpha," they both responded in unison.
-"Dismissed," I said, my voice cold as the reality of the situation settled in. They nodded and left quickly, their footsteps echoing in the corridor outside.
Alpha Lupo cleared his throat. "If there's nothing else you need from us, we would appreciate some rest. It's been a long, exhausting journey."
I nodded, my mind spinning with everything I'd just learned. "Of course. I'll have two omegas escort you to your rooms."
I mind-linked the omegas, instructing them to take care of the Lupos and ensure they were settled in. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask," I added, before turning back to the task at hand.
As the Lupo brothers left the office, I felt the weight of the situation pressing down on me. The air in the room was thick with tension. I could barely think straight, let alone process everything that had just been revealed.
Several minutes passed, the silence in the office almost unbearable. Finally, the door opened, and Demetrio stepped in.
-"Alpha, you called?" he asked, his voice steady but carrying a hint of urgency.
I looked up at him, feeling the gravity of the moment. "Demetrio, you need to see this." I handed him the list of names, my hands still trembling slightly.
-"Yes, Demetrio. Where is Chris?" I asked, my voice edged with concern.
Demetrio shifted slightly, his expression tense. "Unfortunately, I don't know, Alpha. I haven't seen him since yesterday afternoon. He seemed restless and was heading toward the woods."
-"Did he tell you why he was heading there?" I pressed, trying to piece together the situation.
He shook his head. "No, sir. But he looked like he was in a hurry. It was odd."
I nodded, the concern growing. "Alright. Take this list. I want every wolf whose name is on it caught and imprisoned immediately—do it quickly and keep it all under wraps. Only take the most trusted with you. And Demetrio," I added, my voice hardening. "Before you make any moves, read the list thoroughly. Understand who you're dealing with."
Demetrio's brow furrowed as he scanned the list, his eyes pausing for a moment. "Leopold? Elder Eric? Gina? Alpha, do you want us to catch them too?"
-"Yes," I said, my voice tight with determination. "Catch them all. Don't leave anyone off. Act fast, and be sure to keep it quiet. We can't afford any mistakes."
-"Understood, Alpha," Demetrio responded, his tone resolute. "Anything else?"
I took a breath, considering the situation carefully. "Have you found Leopold yet?"
-"No, sir. No sign of him."
-"Keep searching. You're dismissed," I said, my mind already racing ahead to the next steps. "And make sure to keep me updated. No delays."
-"Yes, Alpha," Demetrio replied before quickly turning to leave, his footsteps echoing in the hallway as he set off to carry out my orders.
I leaned back in my chair, my mind whirling with everything that had happened in such a short time. This was no longer just about a rogue group within my pack. This was about a dangerous conspiracy—one that reached deeper than I ever imagined. I had to find Chris and Leopold fast. The situation was escalating, and I couldn't afford to let anything slip through my fingers.