False Expectations - Chapter 52: Chapter 52

Maximus' pov:
After enduring a long, tedious meeting, I finally made my way back to my office. I hated meetings—nothing but endless noise with little to no productive outcome. Frustrated, I slumped into my chair and immediately mind-linked Edward, my Delta.
-"Did you send the flowers I asked for?"
-"Yes, Alpha. They were delivered hours ago," he replied confidently.
I frowned. Hours ago? Why hadn't she called to thank me? Was I truly so unwanted in her eyes?
-"Maybe she didn't get them yet! Call her and check! Oh, and ask her if she liked them," my wolf, Drako, suggested eagerly.
-"You know, that's actually a good idea," I muttered aloud.
-"All my ideas are excellent," Drako replied smugly.
Rolling my eyes, I picked up my phone, ready to call her. But before I could dial, Demetrio, my Gamma, burst through the door without so much as knocking.
-"What the hell are you doing?" I growled, glaring at him. It wasn't like Demetrio to break protocol—something serious must have happened.
-"I'm sorry, Alpha," he said, his tone urgent. "But I needed to see you immediately. It's important."
-"Then speak," I said, leaning forward, already bracing myself for bad news.
-"We've been receiving reports—multiple packs are being attacked by rogues."
-My eyes narrowed. "How many?"
"Twenty so far," he answered grimly.
-"Twenty?" The word felt heavy in my mouth. "When did these attacks start? Were they coordinated?"
-"They began last night—at midnight. And yes, all the reports indicate they happened simultaneously."
I clenched my fists. "As I suspected. This isn't some random rogue uprising. This is calculated, organized." My mind raced as I tried to piece together the motive behind such an attack. "Whoever is behind this has resources, power, and wealth. We're dealing with something far bigger than rogues. Make me a list of all the affected packs, the casualties, and the damages. Then contact the attacked Alphas. I want full reports—every detail, every shred of evidence they've gathered. Do you understand?"
-"Yes, Alpha," he said, but he didn't move. He stood there stiffly, staring at me like he wanted to say more but didn't know how.
-"Then why are you still here?" I snapped, my voice rising. "Go! I want this on my desk within the hour!"
-"Alpha," he said hesitantly, "there's something else."
I leaned back, trying to rein in my impatience. "Does it concern the rogue attacks?"
-"It might," he admitted.
-"Then stop stalling and spit it out!"
-"Do you remember your order to deepen the investigation into the organization calling themselves the 'New Order'?"
-"Yes, of course. What of it?"
-"We've uncovered new evidence," he said carefully, watching my reaction. "It implicates someone we all know. Someone previously beyond suspicion."
My eyes narrowed further. "Who?"
-"He's not from our pack," Demetrio said cautiously.
"Then why are you wasting my time? Send the evidence to his Alpha and notify the Council."
-"Alpha," he interjected, his tone grave, "the person in question is... very close to our Luna."
I froze. "Is he from her pack?"
-"No, Alpha."
-"Then who is it?" My patience was wearing thin. "Tell me, for goodness' sake!"
He took a deep breath. "It's Nicolas. The Alpha of the Winter Woods Pack."
The name sent a jolt through me. "Nicolas?" I repeated, my voice a mix of disbelief and triumph.
-"Yes, Alpha. The evidence is solid," Demetrio confirmed.
I leaned back in my chair, a satisfied smirk forming on my lips. "I knew it. I knew he was hiding something. He's been too perfect, too convenient. Finally, the truth comes out."
-"There's more," Demetrio said, his tone darkening.
-"What now?" I asked sharply, the triumphant feeling evaporating.
"Crescent Moon pack was attacked last night as well," he said carefully.
I stiffened. "And?"
-"Nicolas is already there—with our Luna."
The words hit me like a slap. My heart raced as dread took hold. "You're telling me this now? Why wasn't I informed immediately?"
-"I—"
-"How is she?" I interrupted, my voice barely steady. "Is Adelina injured?"
-"She's safe," Demetrio assured me quickly. "For now."
I shot to my feet. "Don't tell me anything else. Prepare the jet. We're leaving for Crescent Moon immediately."
-"Yes, Alpha!" Demetrio said, bowing before rushing out of the office.
As the door slammed shut, I took a deep breath, trying to suppress the torrent of emotions rising within me. Fear, anger, and something else—something darker—warred for control.
Drako growled low in my mind. "He's too close to her. I don't trust him."
-"Neither do I," I replied.
But this wasn't just about trust or suspicion. This was about her safety—my Luna's safety. And I wouldn't rest until I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that she was unharmed.
I grabbed my coat, already halfway out the door. Whatever was happening at Crescent Moon, I was going to get to the bottom of it—and Nicolas wouldn't be leaving my sight.
During the flight to the Crescent Moon Pack, my nerves were stretched thin, and Drako wasn't helping. He was pacing in my mind like a caged beast, restless and agitated. Every passing minute felt like an eternity. Chris was handling the rogue attacks on the other packs and sending me updates every hour. Still, my focus wasn't on those. My thoughts were consumed by one thing—Adelina.
I couldn't shake the feeling that Nicolas was behind these coordinated attacks. The timing, the scale—it all pointed to him. I should have watched him more closely, should have trusted my instincts instead of giving him the benefit of the doubt. I had failed once again.
The thought of Adelina in his presence made my stomach churn. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. How could I have been so careless? How could I let her go, knowing full well the dangers she might face? I should've fought harder. For her. For us.
Drako's voice broke through my spiraling thoughts.
-"You let your pride stop you from doing what your heart told you to do. You thought she'd be safer if you kept your distance. Look where that's gotten us."
-"I know," I muttered back bitterly. "I'll fix it."
-"You'd better. Because if anything happens to her..." Drako growled, leaving the rest of his threat unspoken.
The air stewardess's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
-"My King, we've reached Crescent Moon's Airport. We'll be landing in a few minutes."
-"Thank you, Tesa," I replied curtly, already buckling my seatbelt as the jet began its descent.
The moment the plane door opened, I stepped out into the brisk morning air. A black SUV was waiting on the tarmac. Without a word, I climbed in, and we sped off toward the Crescent Moon pack house.
As we pulled up and I stepped out the guards froze the moment they recognized me. Their wide eyes and panicked whispers were almost amusing, but I had no time for formalities. Within seconds, Aydan, Adelina's Gamma, appeared.
-"Welcome, my King," he said, bowing low.
-"Where is she?" I asked sharply, skipping any pleasantries.
-"She's at the hospital, attending to the injured," he replied quickly. "She should be returning to the pack house soon. We've prepared the royal suite for you if you'd like to rest—"
-"I'm not here to rest," I interrupted. My voice was cold, and Aydan's shoulders stiffened. "Take me to the hospital."
Without waiting for a response, I got back into the SUV. The driver barely had time to climb in before I barked, "Drive."
When we arrived at the hospital, I didn't waste a second. I strode straight to the reception desk, the staff and visitors parting before me like waves before a storm.
The receptionist looked up, her eyes widening in shock. "Oh my Goddess! My King M-Maximus Drako! Good morning, my King. What an honor to have you here! Welcome to our hospital!" She shot up from her seat, bowing deeply.
-"I don't have time for this," I said flatly. "Where is Adelina?"
-"Alpha Adelina?" she stammered.
-"Of course," I snapped, my patience wearing thin.
-"S-she just left a few minutes ago after visiting the injured, your Highness," she managed to say.
Drako's voice rumbled in my head. "Our mate... tending to the wounded, even after a battle. She's a true Queen. Worthy of us in every way."
I couldn't disagree, but I ignored him and turned my attention back to the receptionist.-
"Do you know where she went?"
Before the woman could respond, another nurse chimed in from behind the counter. "I heard her telling the Alpha of the Winter Woods pack that she was going to the southern borders to check the fence."
My heart dropped. "Nicolas is with her?"
-"I think that's his name, my King," the nurse said, smiling as if she were giving me good news.
I didn't wait to hear more. My mind was racing, my body moving on autopilot as I bolted back to the SUV. My driver looked startled as I practically threw myself into the backseat.
-"To the southern borders," I growled. "Now."
The car roared to life, and we sped off. I gripped the seat tightly, my knuckles white.
"She's with him," Drako growled, his voice low and dangerous.
-"I know."
-"He's planning something—I can feel it."
-"So can I."
The southern borders weren't far, but every mile felt like agony. My mind raced with worst-case scenarios. What if I was too late? What if Nicolas had already done something to hurt her? What if—
-"No," I told myself firmly. "She's strong. She can handle herself."
-"But she shouldn't have to," Drako snarled. "That's your job. And you failed her."
I clenched my teeth, my chest tightening. I couldn't let fear control me now. I had to focus. I had to get to her.
As the SUV tore down the road, I prayed to the Goddess that I wasn't too late.
Adelina's pov:
I headed toward my jeep, ready to slide into the driver's seat when Nicolas suddenly stepped forward.
-"I'll drive," he offered, his tone firm yet casual.
Normally, I never let anyone else drive my car. It felt too personal, too much like surrendering control. But as I stood there, a wave of exhaustion washed over me. The sleepless night was catching up to me, and my body ached for rest. Reluctantly, I tossed him the keys.
-"Fine," I muttered, climbing into the passenger seat.
We hadn't been on the road for more than ten minutes when an overwhelming drowsiness began to pull at me. My eyelids felt heavy, as if weighted by lead. I tried to fight it—opening the window for fresh air, shifting in my seat—but it was no use. Darkness crept in at the edges of my vision, and before I knew it, everything went black.
When I woke, my head was pounding, and the world around me was eerily still. I blinked, trying to focus, only to realize that my hands were bound tightly in front of me. Panic surged through me as I looked around. I was still in the passenger seat of my jeep, but something was wrong. Very wrong.
What happened?
My heart raced as questions flooded my mind. Did the mercenaries find us? Were we ambushed? But where were they? Where was Nicolas?
-"Nicolas!" I shouted, my voice hoarse and trembling.
There was no answer.
I tried again, louder this time. "Nicolas! Can you hear me?"
Still nothing. The silence was deafening, and fear gnawed at the edges of my resolve. Had they taken him? Killed him? My chest tightened at the thought.
Desperate, I glanced around the interior of the jeep, hoping to find something—anything—that could help me. My bag was on the floor, just out of reach. I strained against the restraints, stretching as far as I could, but it was useless. Frustration and fear mixed into a volatile cocktail inside me.
Looking out the window, I realized we were in the middle of a dense forest. The towering trees stretched high above, their twisted branches blotting out the sky. The thick underbrush made it impossible to tell where we were. I had no sense of direction, no landmarks to guide me.
Minutes felt like hours as I sat there, helpless. My pulse quickened when I caught a flicker of movement in the rearview mirror.
A shadow.
I froze, my breath hitching as I focused on the dark figure approaching from a distance. My hands clenched instinctively, the rope biting into my skin. The figure was moving steadily closer, and my heart pounded louder with each step they took.
Who was it?
My mind raced through the possibilities. Was it one of the mercenaries? Had they come back to finish whatever they started? Or worse—was it someone new?
The figure drew closer, their features still obscured by the dim light filtering through the forest canopy. My stomach churned as fear gripped me. I knew the chances of being rescued were slim, but I couldn't stop myself from clinging to the faint hope that this wasn't the end.
As the man approached, I could make out more details—the broad shoulders, the confident stride. My heart leapt to my throat.
It was Nicolas.
Relief flooded me, overwhelming and all-consuming. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I called out his name.
-"Nicolas!"
He didn't respond immediately, but the sight of him was enough to send a rush of hope coursing through my veins.
-"Nicolas!" I shouted again, my voice cracking under the weight of my emotions.
This time, his head turned in my direction, and our eyes met. A wave of gratitude and joy swept over me. He was alive. He was here.
For the first time since I woke, I allowed myself to believe that everything might be okay.
-"Nicolas! Nicolas! Over here! Please, I'm tied up! Help me!" I screamed, my voice rising with panic.
Nicolas approached with quick, determined steps, and my heart leaped. "My salvation is coming," I thought desperately. "He'll untie me, and in a few minutes, we'll be gone!"
But to my horror, he stopped just a few feet away, his expression cold, his lips curling into a tight, angry line.
-"Shut the fuck up," he snapped, his voice low and menacing. "Do you want someone to hear you?"
Confusion swirled in my head. "What... what are you talking about? Please untie me!" I begged, struggling against the ropes, fear creeping into my chest.
He rolled his eyes, the sardonic smirk on his face only deepening my dread.
-"Are you fucking crazy?" he scoffed, his tone dripping with disdain. "Do you really expect me to untie you?"
My heart dropped. I stared at him, unable to comprehend the change. "What... What are you saying?" I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper.
-"Are you an idiot?" He looked at me like I was the foolish one. "I was the one who tied you up in the first place." His words hit me like a slap, each one colder than the last.
-"Why?" The word came out weak, more of a plea than a question. His behavior was completely unrecognizable. Nicolas had always been kind, a protector. But now, he was something else entirely, a stranger, and a dangerous one at that.
-"Because lately, you haven't been doing what I want," he spat, his eyes flashing with anger. "You seem to forget that I'm the one who rescued you. You owe me everything."
I recoiled, my chest tight with shock and disbelief. "How could I forget? I know, and I appreciate everything you've done for me. I'll be eternally grateful, but... What else do you want from me?"
He sneered. "Really now? You're seriously asking me that? A few hours ago, you had the nerve to reject me." His voice was thick with resentment, each word cutting deeper than the last.
-"I've never rejected you, Nicolas!" I cried, my voice cracking with frustration. "I'm grateful, but I can't give you anything more than my friendship. Nothing more, nothing less."
His gaze hardened, his jaw tightening. "Friendship?" he scoffed bitterly. "You think that's enough? After everything I've done for you? After I've taken care of everything?"
I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to steady my racing heart. "Nicolas, please. I'm telling you the truth. I can't offer you anything else. I won't lie to you, but I won't pretend, either."
For a moment, he was silent. Then, his eyes darkened, a twisted smile playing on his lips.
-"Do you really think I brought you here and tied you up because you rejected me?" His voice was dripping with mockery. "You're so stupid. I brought you here because I couldn't let you ruin my plans."
-"Plans?" I whispered, trying to steady my breathing. "What plans?"
He laughed, a low, sinister sound that chilled me to the bone. "You're beautiful, but damn, you're stupid," he said with a sneer. "I'm the one behind all the attacks. Every single one of them."
The words hit me like a thunderclap. I blinked, trying to process his admission. "All the attacks? Were there others?" I asked, my voice shaking with disbelief.
-"Of course," he said, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Did you really think it was just your pack I was after? No, I'm going to attack every day—one pack at a time. Soon, this kingdom will be nothing but a ruin, and Maximus' reign will be over. When my plan is complete, all the Alphas will hate him, and they'll run to me for protection."
-"Why?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper, the weight of his words crushing me.
He looked at me as if I were a fool. "Because I want to be King. What else? I gave you the opportunity to be by my side, and you turned me down so arrogantly."
A sick feeling settled in my stomach. "Why does everyone in this organization lose their mind?" my wolf muttered, her voice filled with disgust. I couldn't agree more.
-"I didn't do it out of arrogance," I said, trying to stay calm. "I just want to be honest with you. That's all. I never wanted to hurt you."
-"Shut up," he hissed, his voice venomous. "You really think I'll just sit back and watch you flirt with Maximus? Or, worse, see you go back to him? You're wrong. As long as I can't have you, no one will."
I recoiled, horrified. "Don't go crazy. There are other ways to solve this. You don't have to kidnap me."
-"Who said I wanted to kidnap you?" His eyes gleamed with malice. "I brought you here to kill you."
The blood drained from my face. "What?" I whispered, struggling against the ropes in a futile attempt to escape. "Have you completely lost your mind? You're going to kill me because I didn't respond to your feelings?"
He chuckled darkly, leaning in closer. "Don't flatter yourself," he sneered. "That's not the only reason. Can't you see? You're just a problem for me now. All these deals you're making with other Alphas, all the financial plans you're pushing? It's all against my interests."
I stared at him, my heart sinking into my stomach. "If that's the problem... I promise I'll cancel anything that doesn't favor you. I'll fix it."
He laughed again, the sound hollow and cold. "It doesn't matter anymore. Even if you cancel them all, I know you'll make new ones in the future."
-"I won't, I swear," I pleaded, desperation leaking into my voice.
He stared at me for a long moment, his gaze piercing, before he started laughing. The sound was cruel, mocking, and it made my blood run cold.
-"Do you think I'm a fool?" Nicolas sneered, his voice thick with contempt. "Don't make promises you know you can't keep, Adelina." He said, his tone dripping with malice. He stepped closer to the jeep, his eyes never leaving mine.
Before I could react, he leaned in, his breath hot against the cold window. I froze for a split second as he closed the distance between us, his lips crashing onto mine. The kiss was forceful, violent, and filled me with a disgust that made my stomach churn. I recoiled instinctively, but he held me tightly, his grip like iron around my shoulders. Panic surged through me, and I knew I had to act quickly.
In a desperate move, I bit down hard on his lip, feeling the shock of the flesh between my teeth.
His reaction was immediate, a guttural snarl escaping him as he jerked back, blood trickling from the wound on his lip. "You fucking bitch!" he snarled, eyes blazing with fury.
He kicked the jeep's door with a violent force, the metal screeching under his boot. With a growl, he ripped the door open and yanked me out by my arm.
-"Let me go!" I screamed, thrashing against his grip. I kicked and punched, trying to break free, but his strength was overpowering. His fist collided with my face, sending a sharp, sickening pain through my cheek. I stumbled but didn't relent, swinging my limbs in frantic resistance.
With brutal force, he hauled me out of the jeep and onto the ground, his fist landing once more in my stomach. I gasped for air, fury boiling inside me. His grip tightened, and in one swift motion, he hoisted me up onto his shoulders, my face now pressed against his back. I struggled, kicking my legs, trying to wiggle free, but his hold was unyielding.
Just as I felt myself slipping into the despair of complete helplessness, I heard it. A loud, bone-rattling roar that pierced through the thick air. My heart skipped a beat, and for the first time since this nightmare began, a glimmer of hope flared inside me.
I knew that roar. I knew who it belonged to.
Maximus.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I held onto that sound like a lifeline. I couldn't have been more relieved, couldn't have felt more alive. The roar of my protector, my Alpha, my mate, echoed through the forest, signaling that he was coming.
Maximus was here.