False Expectations - Chapter 45: Chapter 45

Adelina's pov:
I slowly came to, realizing I was in the back seat of a car. My surroundings were unfamiliar, and I could see about eight men dressed in black sitting in the front seats. Their expressions were unreadable, their focus elsewhere. I glanced at my watch without thinking—it was a habit when I was stressed. It was 7:30 in the morning. Apparently, I had slept through the night after the door was broken down.
I turned to look out the window. The landscape passed by in a blur, the forest stretching endlessly on either side of the dirt road. Tall trees loomed over us, their dense branches creating a canopy that blocked out most of the light. The air felt cooler, fresher, as we moved deeper into the woods.
I felt a sudden sense of unease. "What's going on? Where am I? Is this some kind of dream?" I asked, my voice shaky.
-"You're in a minibus," my wolf responded, her tone flat, offering no comfort.
-"Right," I muttered to myself. "Great. Again with the men in black, taking me somewhere..." I glanced at the men in front of me, trying to get their attention. "I'm sorry, sirs. Where are we going?" I asked, my voice steady, but they didn't acknowledge me. Not even a glance in my direction. Were they ignoring me on purpose? Or was I really that invisible?
-"Of course," I muttered, almost under my breath. "Nothing original. Just another typical kidnapping."
-"Some people like to complicate things," my wolf chimed in dryly. "Why bother taking you somewhere when they could have just killed you at the cabin, after you gave Mario his answer? Less hassle, no witnesses, just a place to bury the body."
-"Thanks. That's exactly what I needed to hear," I said sarcastically, rolling my eyes. "You're a real morale booster."
-"Just being practical," she retorted. "You know I'm right. Don't blame me when we're surrounded by a bunch of idiots."
-"Yes, I know, you're full of assets," I muttered, feeling the weight of the situation settling in.
The minutes dragged on, and my nerves continued to simmer just below the surface. An hour passed, and the vehicle finally slowed. We were approaching what seemed like the borders. The forest gave way to a stretch of cleared land, but as we passed through, the guards didn't stop us. They barely even glanced at us as we drove past, clearly expecting us. A sinking feeling gnawed at me.
We continued driving for another ten minutes, the landscape shifting as we headed farther into unfamiliar territory. The air had grown distinctly colder, and the vegetation around us felt thicker, more oppressive. Eventually, the vehicle came to a halt in front of a large house. It was unmistakably a pack house, though I couldn't tell which one.
Why had they brought me here? Was this Mario's doing? It was clear they weren't taking me to just any pack house—it had to be important. I felt an unsettling sense of dread welling inside me. The moment the vehicle stopped, the men in black began to exit without a word. One of them opened my door and grabbed my wrist, yanking me out of the car with little effort.
One thing was certain—the pack was in the north. The air had grown colder, and the dense forest around us felt different from anything I had encountered before.
The car came to a complete stop, and the men in black began to exit. One of them opened my door, grabbing me by the wrist and pulling me out of the car.
-"Get out," he said, his voice clipped, as though it was the most natural thing in the world.
I was too stunned to resist at first, but my instincts kicked in, and I pulled back slightly, trying to break free of his grip. It was no use. He was stronger than me, and within moments, I was on my feet, being ushered toward the imposing house.
-"Where are we?" I demanded, finally finding my voice. "What do you want with me?"
The man didn't respond. Instead, he shoved me forward with a silent command, his grip never loosening. The moment we stepped past the threshold, I saw more men—more wolves, I assumed—standing in the shadows, their eyes locked on me with cold indifference. They didn't move to stop us. They didn't need to.
The house was grand, much larger than I expected, with towering walls and thick curtains drawn over the windows. Everything about it felt imposing, like the kind of place where dark deals were made. But which pack was this? Who was in charge here?
My thoughts raced as I was escorted through the halls. There was a sharpness in the air, a sense of danger I couldn't shake off. Was this all part of Mario's plan? What was waiting for me here?
The answers, I knew, were somewhere in the shadows. And I was about to find them.
We passed through the grand door of the house, and the hallway stretched out before us, leading toward an elegantly carved iron staircase. The hall was lined with exquisite paintings—each framed with ornate gold—and every corner was filled with exotic plants, their vibrant colors contrasting against the more somber tones of the walls. The greenery seemed out of place in such an intimidating setting. Who keeps tropical plants in a place like this? I thought, but immediately dismissed the notion. My mind had a way of fixating on odd things when I was anxious. And right now, anxiety was my constant companion.
I barely had time to absorb the surroundings before the men were hurrying me up the stairs. Beta led the way, his steps firm and measured, while the others followed closely behind, their pace quick and deliberate. There was a weight in the air, a palpable sense of urgency, and I could feel every step tightening the knot in my stomach. Where were they taking me? What did they want?
We reached the second floor, and they stopped in front of a set of double doors. The carvings on the doors were intricate and mesmerizing—depictions of wolves in battle, their features bold and fierce, making it clear that whoever lived behind these doors commanded power. The craftsmanship was so precise, so deliberate, that it almost seemed alive. But again, there was no time for admiration.
Beta knocked once, and a voice from inside responded with a firm, "Come in."
That voice... It hit me like a wave, rushing through my thoughts. I knew that voice. It was familiar—too familiar—but I couldn't place it. My mind scrambled, trying to recall where I had heard it before, but the details were slippery, fading in and out like fragments of a dream. A cold shiver ran down my spine, and my heart skipped a beat. What was going on here?
The doors swung open, and I was ushered inside. The two men accompanying me bowed their heads respectfully, addressing the man behind the desk. I kept my gaze low, my eyes darting to the side. Direct eye contact with an Alpha was never a good idea, especially not in a situation like this. It was a challenge, a provocation, and the consequences could be severe.
I avoided looking at him for as long as I could, focusing instead on the heavy oak furniture, the sharp scent of leather, and the oppressive silence that hung in the room. But despite my efforts to keep my distance, my curiosity gnawed at me. Who was this Alpha, and why did his voice feel like a key to a door I wasn't ready to open?
The atmosphere was thick with authority. There was no room for questions or uncertainty here. And I had a sinking feeling that whatever was about to unfold would change everything.
-"Please, sit."
His voice was calm, almost soothing, but it sent a shiver down my spine. I knew that voice. There was no mistaking it. I hesitated for a moment, before sitting in one of the plush armchairs before him. My heart was pounding in my chest as I tried to control the whirlwind of emotions inside me.
Oh my god, it can't be him... I thought, stunned. My mind was racing, piecing together everything that had led me to this moment. I stared at him, struggling to find my voice.
-"Look at me, Adelina."
That command, soft yet firm, made my heart leap. I slowly raised my eyes, and as they met his, the flood of realization crashed over me. Every guess I had made, every fleeting thought, every distant memory—confirmed.
-"Nicolas!" I exclaimed, a mix of surprise and relief flooding my chest.
-"Yes, Adelina, it's me," he said with a gentle smile. "And I can't tell you how glad I am to see you here, safe and sound."
I felt a wave of emotion, but it was quickly replaced by frustration. "Oh my God! Not you either!" I burst out, feeling a mix of anger and confusion. "What do you want from me? Why are all the men imprisoning me to become kings?" I accused, my voice sharp with accusation.
He looked at me, bewildered. "What are you talking about?"
-"Maximus, my brother, Mario Lupo, you. You all seem to think you can imprison me, either because you're evil or because you're trying to be kings. You all do it for my sake. But why? What do you all want?" The words tumbled out in frustration, and I found myself trembling with the weight of it all.
He raised a hand, shaking his head. "I haven't imprisoned you, Adelina. And I don't intend to. I'm your friend, and I'll prove that to you." He paused, giving me a small smile. "Besides, I don't want to be King. I don't think I could handle the responsibilities of an Alpha, let alone being King!"
My brows furrowed as I listened, my heart slowly starting to calm. "Then why am I here? What do you want from me?" The aggression in my voice was gone, replaced by genuine curiosity.
He leaned forward, his expression softening. "Please relax. I understand that you've been through a lot these past few days. But remember, I'm your friend, and no one here is going to hurt you." His voice was gentle, reassuring. "Do you understand that?"
I nodded slowly, a mix of emotions swirling inside me. I was still overwhelmed, still uncertain. But his sincerity—his calmness—was hard to ignore. I felt my body relax slightly, but a wave of embarrassment washed over me. "I shouldn't have reacted that way," I muttered, hanging my head in shame.
"It's okay," he said with a kind smile. "You've been through so much. I understand." He paused for a moment before continuing, "Now, let me answer your questions as best as I can."
I took a deep breath, still uneasy, but I needed answers. "Why am I here?" I asked again, more calmly this time.
He sighed deeply before answering, his tone steady. "You're here because one of my teams rescued you last night. We've been searching for you for weeks with no luck. We were almost ready to give up when I received a tip from a spy in your brother's pack. The message said you were imprisoned in the dungeons of your old pack. I sent my man to check it out. He confirmed the information and began tracking your movements."
I blinked, shocked. "Wait, you've been looking for me this whole time?"
He nodded. "Yes. We had been trying to track you, but everything went dark until we got that tip. My man followed the black van that took you, and we were able to track your new location." He paused for a moment, his expression serious. "We observed the area for two days. Watched the guards, noted when you had visitors, everything. And last night, we made our move."
-"You hit at the right time," I said, still trying to wrap my head around it. "I... I'm speechless! I should probably thank you, Nicolas, and apologize for my earlier behavior."
He smiled warmly. "You don't need to thank me. I'm just glad you're safe now. It's a pleasure to have you here."
-I shifted in my seat, my thoughts racing. "But why do you have spies in my brother's pack? Aren't you and Jake allies?"
The smile faltered slightly on his face, replaced by a more serious expression. "Yes, to an extent. But there's something you don't know about your brother, Adelina."
I leaned forward, hanging on his every word. "What do you mean?"
-"Your brother has been recruited by a criminal organization called the 'New Order,'" he said, his voice darkening. "This organization is made up of high-ranking wolves from various packs, and they have one goal: to make our kind the rulers of the world and destroy all other species. To stop this plan, the Council formed a team to monitor every movement of the members involved. I was one of the people they hired. Some of the group joined the organization as spies to gather more information, and now we have everything we need to take them down."
My heart sank as the words hit me like a punch. "Jake... he's part of it?" I whispered, the weight of the realization sinking in.
-"Yes," he said quietly, a deep sigh escaping his lips. "Unfortunately, your brother is involved."
I swallowed hard, my throat dry. "What are you going to do to them?" I asked, dreading the answer.
-"The Council wants them imprisoned and tried. Their punishment will be determined according to the crimes they've committed so far. Some of them, unfortunately, will be executed."
The weight of his words hung in the air, heavy with the implications. I felt my stomach churn. Executed? My brother? My mind raced, thoughts jumbled as I tried to make sense of it all. I had been betrayed by so many, but the thought of my brother meeting such a fate was something I could barely grasp.
-"Do you think my brother will be one of those executed?" I asked, my voice wavering with worry. I had no love for Jake after everything he'd done—imprisoning me, abusing me—but death? That was something else.
Nikolas' face softened, his eyes showing a sadness that mirrored my own fears. "I really don't know, Adelina," he said quietly. "But the Council won't take that decision lightly."
I nodded slowly, the silence between us heavy with the unspoken. I didn't know what to feel anymore—relief that I was free, dread for what might happen to my family.
-"I guess we should wait..." I muttered, but there was something else gnawing at me. "What about Mario? Don't you worry that he'll find me here? Aren't you afraid of him?"
Nikolas looked confident, almost too calm. "There's no such possibility. The Council Guards will catch him in a few hours. But even if they don't, I'm not afraid of him. I'll fight him to protect you."
His words were reassuring, but the truth was, Mario was dangerous. I knew he wouldn't stop, not while I was still alive. But hearing Nikolas speak with such certainty made me feel a little safer.
-"I can't thank you enough," I said, feeling a weight lift off my chest.
Nikolas smiled warmly, as if my gratitude was nothing more than a natural response. "But tell me, do you need anything?" he asked, his tone shifting to a more practical one.
My thoughts turned to Maximus. It was time to confront the unknowns, to finally learn the truth about him. I needed to know if what Mario had told me was real.
-"Yes, Nikolas. I want to learn something, something very important!" I said, trying to steady myself, gathering all the courage I had.
Nikolas' curiosity piqued, and he leaned forward slightly. "Tell me what it is..."
I took a deep breath, my heart pounding. "It's about Maximus," I said, my voice firm but laced with hesitation.
Nikolas' brow furrowed. "What about him?"
I swallowed hard. "Did he look for me?" The question hung in the air, though I feared the answer. Did he even care?
Nikolas sighed, his gaze softening with sympathy. "I know he was looking for you with your brother's help. But after a week, he suddenly stopped. The spies told me your brother had something to do with it."
My chest tightened as a rush of anger surged through me. "Nevertheless, he should have kept looking for me!" I snapped, my frustration rising.
Nikolas didn't offer any further comment, simply shrugging as if to say there was nothing more to be done.
I took a moment to compose myself. "I have arranged your stay if you want to rest," Nikolas said quickly, his voice suddenly shifting to a more practical tone. "Let me call an omega to show you your room."
I shook my head, not wanting to retreat into solitude just yet. "No, no, it's not necessary. I don't want to rest right now." My stomach growled as if on cue, reminding me just how long it had been since I last ate. "If possible, I'd just like a hot cup of coffee and something to eat, because I'm really hungry."
Nikolas' expression softened in understanding. "Of course. I'm really sorry for my indiscretion earlier. Where are my manners?" He chuckled, shaking his head as if to himself. "Your breakfast will be ready in ten minutes. Where would you like to eat it?"
I smiled slightly, appreciating his kindness. "If it's not too much trouble, I'd prefer to stay here... in your office."
He smiled, clearly pleased. "No, no trouble at all. I'm glad to share my office with such pleasant company." His smile was warm, and it eased the tension that still lingered between us.
A sense of calm settled over me as I realized that, for the first time in days, I felt safe. At least here, for the moment, I could breathe easy.