False Expectations - Chapter 51: Chapter 51

Adelina's pov:
The journey back to my pack was long and exhausting. By the time I finally arrived, the clock had just struck ten in the morning. My limbs ached with fatigue, but I parked the jeep and headed straight to my bedroom, eager to shake off the weariness of the trip. After a quick shower and a fresh change of clothes, I made my way to my office.
As I stepped inside, I spotted Jacob perched comfortably at my desk, his fingers flying over the keys of his laptop.
-"Good morning, Jacob," I greeted him, my voice still carrying a trace of the journey's fatigue.
He looked up, startled for a moment, then sprang to his feet like a guilty child caught red-handed. I gestured for him to sit back down—it wasn't as though I minded him using my desk—but he ignored the signal and busied himself gathering his things instead.
-"Good morning, Alpha. Welcome back!" he said with a bright smile. "How was the coronation? Did you enjoy yourself?"
I gave him a dry look as I stepped further into the room. "I wouldn't say that."
Jacob's brows furrowed in confusion. "Why not? It was the King's coronation, for goodness' sake! Surely there was plenty of food, music, and fanfare. How could you not have had a great time? I know I would've!"
-"Of course you would," I replied with a faint smirk. "But you and I are nothing alike. For me, it was no different than every other social gathering—tedious and absolutely boring." I paused, glancing at the stack of papers on the corner of my desk. "Everything all right here while I was gone?"
-"The usual," Jacob began, his tone steady as he closed his laptop and collected his things. "The new contracts were signed by most Alphas and have been sent back. Some rogues entered our territory early this morning, but we managed to restrain them. Also, we've received new applications from other pack members seeking to join us again—twenty just yesterday." He moved toward the door, balancing his laptop under one arm. "Oh, I almost forgot. Your brother wants to talk to you. Again."
I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose. "What does he want now? I'm sick and tired of his unreasonable demands. I wonder what story he's cooked up this time."
Jacob hesitated, gripping the door handle. "He said it was something very important."
-"Yeah, yeah... 'important,' just like last time when he said he needed an aloe vera mattress," I retorted, shaking my head. "I'm sure it can wait. Maybe I'll pay him a visit next week."
Jacob gave me a knowing smirk but didn't press further. "Very well, Alpha. I'll leave you to it," he said before exiting the office.
I slumped into my chair and let out a deep sigh. After an hour of working on my laptop, the monotonous rhythm of typing was interrupted by a knock. A guard entered silently, carrying a bouquet of white roses. Without a word, he set them on my desk and left.
White roses. My favorite.
I leaned forward, inspecting the elegant bouquet. Tucked within the blooms was a small card. Curious, I slid it out and read the message:
"No matter how many times you ignore me, your memory will never cease to occupy my mind. The smell of your body, your kisses, and the warmth of your heart have been engraved deep in my soul. I will always be waiting for you.
M.D."
My wolf stirred immediately. "He sent us flowers even after you told him you were Nicolas's girlfriend," she pointed out.
-"I didn't tell him anything," I snapped back internally. "That was Nicolas's doing. The old Maximus is back. He's trying to keep what he believes is his..."
-"Give him a chance," my wolf urged. "Can't you see? Our mate loves us! Call him back and thank him."
I rolled my eyes. "It's just some silly flowers. Don't make this a big deal. He probably sent bouquets to every Alpha who attended the coronation as a courtesy."
-"Even if that's true, this isn't the first time he's sent you flowers or gifts. You should at least acknowledge it."
-"I don't think he's after my gratitude," I muttered, tossing the card onto the desk.
-"Are you blind? Didn't you see what he wrote? His feelings are obvious!"
-"Yeah sure," I said dismissively, pulling a stack of files toward me. "I'm not calling him back. End of discussion."
Two hours passed, and I hadn't even made it halfway through the paperwork. An omega arrived with lunch, and though I usually preferred eating at the pack's restaurant, I couldn't spare the time today. I ate quickly at my desk and dove back into work. By the time evening came, I was utterly spent. After finishing a few more files, I decided to call it a day.
I retreated to my bedroom, took a quick bath, and collapsed into bed. Sleep came quickly, pulling me into its depths. But my rest was short-lived.
-"Alpha! Alpha, please open the door!" A frantic voice pierced the night, jolting me awake.
I groaned, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. Throwing on a robe, I stormed toward the door, irritation brewing within me. The omega on the other side looked pale and anxious.
-"What is all this fuss about?" I barked, my voice laced with frustration.
-"I'm so sorry for waking you, Alpha," she stammered, her words tumbling over one another. "But there's... there's a problem at... at..."
-"Spit it out!" I snapped, losing patience.
-"The southern borders," she finally managed. "They're... they're under attack!"
-"What?!" My blood ran cold. "Why are you telling me this? Where is Jacob?"
-"Beta Jacob is already at the southern border," she explained hurriedly. "He couldn't reach you through the mind link and sent me to inform you."
-"Do you know if they've stopped the attack?"
-"I'm sorry, Alpha. I don't have any other information," she said, bowing her head.
-"Fine. You're dismissed. Thank you."
The omega nodded and scurried away as I slammed the door shut. Immediately, I mind-linked Jacob.
-"What's the situation?" I asked.
-"It's bad," he replied, his voice strained. "We managed to stop the attack, but the battle was fierce. There were several casualties. These rogues were highly trained, and they had advanced equipment—guns, even."
I clenched my fists. "Damn it! This is just like the attack where Maximus was injured. Who's behind this? Mario Lupo is dead. Could he have had accomplices?"
Jacob hesitated. "Maybe it's Andre, our southern neighbor. He's always wanted to expand his territory..."
-"No," I interrupted firmly. "Andre signed a peace treaty with us. There's no logic in him attacking. This has to be someone else."
-"I'll keep investigating," Jacob said before ending the link.
Frustration burned through me as I dressed quickly. I was halfway down the stairs when I ran into Aydan, my Gamma.
-"Alpha, where are you going?" Aydan, my Gamma, asked as I strode past him.
-"To the southern borders, Aydan. We were attacked there," I replied curtly, not breaking my stride.
-"I know, Alpha. But with all due respect, you shouldn't go. It's not a place for a woman," he said firmly.
I stopped dead in my tracks and turned to him, my eyes narrowing. "What did you just say?" My voice was low, cold.
Aydan hesitated but didn't back down. "I mean no offense, Alpha, but it's for your own good."
I folded my arms, my irritation flaring. "Would you say the same thing if I were a man?"
-"Certainly not, Alpha," he replied, his tone incredulous as though the answer was obvious.
I took a step closer, my gaze locked on his. "Then don't ever say it again. I am not just a woman; I am the Alpha of this pack, and I will go wherever my pack needs me. Is that clear?"
His jaw tightened, and he nodded reluctantly. "Yes, Alpha."
-"And another thing," I continued, my voice sharp. "The sight of carnage is hard on anyone—man or woman. Thank you for your concern, but I am not as fragile as you think. Now go. Ensure all the injured are taken to the hospital, and have the corpses collected and buried with dignity. Understood?"
-"Yes, Alpha. Anything else?"
-"No. You're dismissed."
Aydan bowed and turned to leave, but I stopped him again.
-"Wait."
He paused, turning back to face me. "Yes, Alpha?"
-"Is my father aware of the situation?"
-"No, he isn't. Would you like me to inform him?"
-"No," I replied after a moment of thought. "Let's not trouble him yet. I'll inform him once we have more information. Is that clear?"
-"Yes, Alpha."
-"Good. You're dismissed."
Aydan bowed again and left without another word.
I headed to the parking lot, climbed into my Renegade Jeep, and started the engine. The drive to the southern borders was quick, but the sight that greeted me when I arrived was devastating.
Bodies were scattered across the ground like broken dolls. The fence was nothing but twisted metal, and the outposts had been reduced to rubble. The landscape resembled a war zone—charred, destroyed, and lifeless.
Jacob was at the center of it all, barking orders to the guards. I immediately mind-linked Aydan.
-"Send as many omegas as possible to the southern border with tools. The fence is our top priority."
-"On it, Alpha," Aydan replied.
Some guards were already rebuilding the outposts, while others worked on patching up the fence. Jacob handled the situation well, so I left him in charge and drove straight to the hospital to check on the injured.
The hospital was in chaos. Doctors and nurses hurried through the corridors, pushing stretchers and carrying medical supplies. The sharp scent of antiseptic and blood filled the air, and the tension was palpable.
This wasn't the work of mere rogues. No group of rogues could be this well-trained, this well-equipped. They had guns—high-tech weapons with silver bullets. These weren't mindless scavengers; they were something else entirely.
Mercenaries.
Someone had hired them, orchestrated this attack. But who? And why? What would anyone gain from targeting us?
-"We may be a small pack, but we've been growing rapidly," my wolf interjected. "And don't forget, you're the mate of the King."
-"I don't think this has anything to do with Maximus," I told her, dismissing the thought.
But the truth was, I wasn't so sure.
I reached the hospital manager's office, and he filled me in on the grim details. Fifty wolves had been hospitalized. Twenty were in critical condition, having been shot with silver bullets. Their prognosis was uncertain—silver bullets were a death sentence for many werewolves.
The weight of the situation settled heavily on my shoulders as I left the office. But as I stepped into the hallway, I was met with an unexpected sight.
Nicolas.
He was sitting in one of the waiting chairs, his posture tense and his face drawn with worry. As soon as he saw me, he stood abruptly and strode toward me.
-"Ad," he said, his voice thick with emotion, and before I could respond, he pulled me into a tight embrace.
For a moment, I stood frozen, unsure how to react. Then I returned the hug, if only to offer a small piece of comfort.
-"What are you doing here?" I asked softly, pulling back slightly to meet his eyes.
-"I've called you many times without managing to find you," Nicolas said, his voice tinged with worry. "I got so concerned that I ended up calling your father. He's the one who informed me about the attack. How are things here?"
I studied his face, searching for any hint of deception. "Oh, I see... It's bad. Worse than we've seen in a long time. They weren't ordinary rogues, Nicolas. Someone's behind this."
He sat down beside me, his expression growing serious. "You seem lost in thought. Is something bothering you?"
I glanced at him, debating whether to voice my concerns. He seemed genuine—worried, even—but the nagging doubt planted by my wolf refused to fade.
-"I'm just... thinking about the attack," I said carefully. "It doesn't make sense. Why would anyone target us? We're a small pack, and we've signed treaties with all the neighboring Alphas. There's no logical reason for this."
Nicolas nodded slowly, his brow furrowing. "You're right. It's suspicious. If you'd like, I can have my men investigate—discreetly, of course."
I studied him, his offer generous but unexpected. "That's kind of you, but this is my pack's responsibility. I'll handle it."
-"Still, the offer stands," he said, his tone firm.
-"Thank you," I said again, forcing a small smile.
-"When and where did the attack happen?"
-"At midnight, on our borders."
-"Where were you?"
-"Unfortunately, I was in bed," I admitted, my frustration bubbling to the surface. "I had a difficult day and went to sleep early."
-"Thank Goddess you weren't at the southern borders," he said, his relief palpable. "You must be hungry. Let me get you something to eat."
-"A coffee would be nice. Thank you."
He nodded and turned toward the hospital coffee stand. As I watched him walk away, my wolf began pacing in my mind, her agitation clear.
-"Southern borders? You didn't mention where the attack took place. How did he know?"
-"Probably he learned it from my father," I replied, brushing off her concern.
-"He's lying, don't you see? How could your father have told him about the attack? He doesn't even know yet."
Her words gave me pause. My father wasn't aware of the situation—I'd explicitly instructed Aydan not to tell him until we had more information. Could Nicolas be lying?
-"Probably that idiot Aydan" I reasoned. "He likes to defy my orders. He must have informed my father about the attack while I was at the borders or here at the hospital."
-"I don't think so," my wolf pressed, her voice sharp. "No one would dare risk disobeying you, especially not Gamma Aydan There's only one way to know for sure—mind-link your father immediately and ask him."
I hesitated. The possibility that Nicolas could be withholding something gnawed at me, but I wasn't ready to confront it outright.
-"It was probably Aydan," I insisted, trying to convince myself as much as my wolf. "You saw his demeanor earlier—he was practically begging to get on my nerves. I'm sure he's the one who spilled the information."
-"You're avoiding the truth," she shot back. "Something doesn't add up. Don't dismiss this."
I sighed, the weight of everything pressing down on me. "I have more important things to deal with than gossip or speculation right now. I'll talk to my father later if it's necessary. Can we focus on what matters?"
-"Do it now," my wolf demanded, her voice sharper than before.
-"Stop bothering me. I told you I have more important things to handle," I scolded her, frustrated.
As I wrestled with her incessant nagging, Nicolas appeared, holding two steaming coffees and a donut. Without asking, he gently took my hand, leading me to a seat nearby. His presence was warm, yet the intensity of his gestures added to my growing unease.
He placed the coffee and donut in front of me. "Here," he said softly.
-"Thank you, but I'll just take the coffee," I replied, attempting to sidestep his thoughtful gesture. "You can have the donut."
-"Not a chance," he said with a teasing smile. "You need to eat. I'm pretty sure you haven't had anything since yesterday."
His words startled me. "How do you know that?"
He leaned forward, his gaze unwavering. "I make it my priority to stay well-informed about the things—and people—that matter to me."
His intense stare made me feel exposed, so I looked away, uncomfortable. To deflect, I picked up the donut and took a tentative bite. The sugary sweetness melted on my tongue, and I couldn't help but admit it was delicious. "So," I began, eager to shift the focus, "how was your trip? You must be exhausted."
-"Don't worry about me," he replied, brushing off my concern. His voice softened. "I'm just relieved I found you safe and sound."
Before I could respond, he took my hand again and kissed it gently. The unexpected intimacy sent my heart racing—not with joy, but with discomfort.
-"There was no need for you to come all this way," I said quickly, pulling my hand back.
-"I couldn't leave you alone in such a difficult situation," he replied, a hint of irritation creeping into his tone.
-"I'm not alone," I countered. "My family, my friends, my pack—they're all here to support me."
As I spoke, I tried to focus on the donut, biting into it as a way to distract myself.
He chuckled lightly, though his smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "Are you trying to tell me, in your own way, that I'm not needed here?"
-"No, no, of course not!" I said, almost choking on the last bite of donut. "I just don't want to burden you with my problems."
-"Adelina," he said firmly, his gaze locking with mine. "Your problems are my problems too."
Caught off guard, I fumbled for a response. "Yeah... um... I'm just going to wash my hands." Without waiting for a reply, I stood and headed for the bathroom, needing space to think.
Once I was alone, I leaned against the cold bathroom wall, my mind racing. Nicolas' words played on a loop, and I couldn't shake the tension building inside me. His actions, his words—they all pointed to something I wasn't ready to face.
-"He wants more than friendship", my wolf whispered knowingly.
I sighed heavily. And I can't give him more. I have responsibilities to my pack. Romance isn't something I can entertain right now—or maybe ever.
When I returned, Nicolas was still waiting, his smile broadening as I approached.
-"I need to head back to the southern borders," I announced, trying to keep my tone professional. "I need to check the progress on the fence repairs."
-"I'm coming with you," he said immediately, standing as though he'd been waiting for this exact moment.
-"No," I said quickly, shaking my head. "There's no need for you to come with me. I've arranged a room for you at the pack house. You can go there and rest."
His smile faltered, replaced by a look of quiet disappointment. "Are you pushing me away?" he asked softly, his voice tinged with hurt.
-"No, I'm not... I..." The words tangled in my throat. He wasn't wrong. I was pushing him away.
He studied me for a moment before his expression softened. "Adelina, I can see my behavior is making you uncomfortable. I don't want to do that. I've decided not to push you anymore. Whatever you're willing to give me, I'll accept it—even if it's just friendship."
His sincerity caught me off guard.
-"But please," he continued, "don't shut me out completely. Let me come with you. I promise, I won't flirt or cross any lines."
The guilt hit me like a wave. He was trying so hard to respect my boundaries, and yet here I was, treating him coldly.
-"Okay," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. "You can come."
His face lit up, but he kept his promise, simply following me as I turned toward the exit. As we walked, his earlier words replayed in my mind.
"I've decided not to push you anymore. Whatever you're willing to give me, I'll accept it."
For the first time, I wondered if I'd been too quick to judge him. Maybe I'd been unfair, letting my discomfort cloud my perspective. I still couldn't give him what he wanted, but perhaps I owed him the benefit of the doubt—and a chance to prove himself.
My wolf grumbled but fell silent, though her unease lingered in the back of my mind.