False Expectations - Chapter 55: Chapter 55

Adelina's pov:
It had been a month since I last saw Maximus in the hospital. Since then, he had vanished from my life completely. Not a single message, no calls returned—nothing. It was like he had disappeared off the face of the Earth, and I couldn't understand why. If he was upset with me, why not talk to me? Why disappear without a word? I wasn't asking for everything to be perfect, but I expected honesty, especially after everything we'd been through. We could have figured things out together, but instead, he chose silence.
It felt like I was nothing more than a fleeting memory to him. If he was offended by my response, then surely he could've made the effort to communicate. He couldn't possibly expect me to just bend to his will like I was some kind of puppet. It was absurd. He was so... selfish.
-"Of course he's selfish!" I scoffed internally. "He's a King now. He can have whoever he wants. Why bother with me when I'm not doing everything he wants, when I won't just follow his every command?"
But then my wolf's voice cut through my frustration, sharp and clear.
-"Don't be silly! Why stick with you? Do you seriously ask such a question? Because you're his mate, and he loves you! He came to save you! Isn't that enough for you?"
I felt the weight of her words sink into me. Of course, I knew he loved me. That was never the issue. It was the fact that his actions didn't match his feelings. He saved me, yes, but then he pulled away, as if my disagreement had somehow made me undeserving of his presence. His behavior was confusing, and I didn't know how to reconcile it with the man I had grown to care about.
-"I don't know..." I muttered back to her. "His behavior is so confusing. On one hand, he comes to save me. On the other, he disappears without any explanation. And when I don't agree with him, he doesn't want to even talk to me. I'd rather he be honest with me, instead of playing this little game of hide and seek."
-"It may not be what you imagine," my wolf insisted, her voice more patient now. "He's probably just very busy, caught up in his responsibilities as King. Maybe he hasn't had the time to contact you."
I frowned, frustration bubbling up again. "That's no excuse. I'm busy too, but I still find the time to send him messages or try to reach out. He could at least make an effort."
My wolf sighed, as though shaking her head at my stubbornness. "Do you remember how many times he sent you flowers, how many calls he made, and you never answered? How many times did he try to reach out, and you pushed him away?"
I winced at her words. She wasn't wrong, of course. I had been distant too, at times. I had my reasons, but still, the guilt lingered.
-"Well... I'm not the King of all werewolves," I muttered, feeling a pang of regret. "Maybe I just don't want to keep playing games either. I need to know where I stand."
-"My advice?" My wolf's tone softened. "Don't rush things. Give him time, give him space. He'll come back to you when he's ready."
-"I don't know," I muttered, still unsure. "He's different now. I think he's become the old Maximus—the one I first met. The one who didn't care about anyone but himself."
There was a long pause, and then my wolf responded, her voice surprisingly gentle. "I just can't believe that's true. Something else must have happened... Something you don't know."
I hesitated. Maybe there was something I didn't know. Maybe there was more to his departure than just a disagreement. I didn't want to admit it, but deep down, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was missing something—something important. My heart told me to trust him, to be patient. But my mind... my mind was still spinning.
***Six months later......
Adelina's pov:
-"Are you sure that this is what you want? Why the rush?" my father asked, his voice full of concern.
-"Father, I cannot rule the pack alone. Don't forget that since I took over, our numbers have quadrupled, and new members are coming in every day," I explained, trying to keep my voice steady.
-"I didn't ask you about the pack, Adelina. I asked about your personal life," he corrected, his gaze piercing through me as though searching for the truth behind my words.
-"In our world, and especially in my position, personal life and professional life are one and the same. One affects the other," I shot back, feeling the weight of my responsibilities.
-"And you think marrying Jacob will solve your problems?" he asked, his tone laced with disbelief.
-"At least it will diminish them," I replied, my voice shaky despite my resolve.
-"Or it will multiply them," he said firmly. "The only real solution to your problem is one you know well."
-"Which is?" I asked, my patience thinning.
-"Resign. Stop being the Alpha of this pack. You've done enough. You don't need to do more. Focus on your personal life instead," he said, his words heavy with finality.
-"How can you say that?" I said, shocked. "You're my father! You know what this pack means to me!"
-"That's why I'm saying it. Because I'm your father and I care about you. This isn't the life you were meant for. You can't sacrifice everything for the pack. Jacob is a good man, but he's not your mate. Return to your mate and find some happiness," he urged, his tone softening, but his message unwavering.
-"Have you lost your mind?" I snapped, my anger rising. "You know how Maximus has been these last few months. I don't exist for him anymore. I'm nothing to him!"
-"If you weren't so stubborn and actually gave him time to explain, to listen to his perspective, things might be different," my father suggested.
-"Orders, you mean," I retorted sharply, feeling the sting of his words.
-"Oh my Goddess, Adelina, you're so stubborn! With men like Maximus, you need to be more patient... more understanding," he said, his voice rising in frustration.
-"I can't believe I'm hearing this from my own father! What's happening to you?" I shouted. "You've always told me to be independent and to make my own choices! Why are you saying this now?"
-"I still believe in your independence, but..." His voice faltered, and he sighed. "You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar."
-"Oh my Goddess..." I muttered under my breath, my anger surging. "Okay then. If Maximus wants a submissive mate, he can find someone else. I won't be that for him."
With that, I stood up abruptly, my chair scraping against the floor as I turned toward the door, desperate to get away from this conversation.
-"Adelina! Wait!" My father called after me, his voice soft but pleading. "You don't understand, my daughter. I just want what's best for you..."
-"Father, please," I interrupted, my voice tinged with exhaustion. "I don't want to discuss this anymore. I've made up my mind. Nothing is going to change it."
And with that, I left the room, my heart heavy with frustration.
Maximus' pov:
-"Alpha, this letter came especially for you," Gregory, one of my guards, said, walking into my office.
I didn't even look up from the files I was going through. "Leave it on the desk, among the others," I ordered, my voice calm, yet irritated by the interruption.
-"But Alpha... you have to open it and give a response," Gregory pressed, his tone hesitant.
-"What? And who gave you the authority to make such demands? Who's above the King to order such things?" I snapped, my patience thinning.
-"It isn't an order, Sir. It's just a request from the person who sent it," Gregory answered, his voice unsure.
-"And who might that be?" I growled, now truly annoyed.
-"I do not know, Sir. The messenger only asked that you reply after reading the letter," he said, clearly uncomfortable with my reaction.
I snatched the letter from Gregory's hand, my curiosity piqued despite myself. I tore it open and began reading.
Invitation
We are honored to invite His Majesty, King Maximus Augustus Drako, to the most significant day of our lives—our wedding. The ceremony will be held on Saturday, January 19th, at 19:00, in the Crescent Moon Ceremony Hall. We would be delighted if you could join us and grace us with your presence.
With respect,
The Alpha and Beta of Crescent Moon Pack,
Adelina Mac Arthur
Jacob Blake
-"What is this supposed to be?" I demanded, glaring at Gregory, my frustration boiling over.
-"Sir?" Gregory looked at me, clearly puzzled.
-"Bring the messenger in now," I snapped, my voice sharp with anger.
-"Yes, Alpha. Right away!" he quickly responded, exiting the office.
-"What are you so angry about? Really, what did you expect? Adelina to wait around for you forever?" my wolf chastised me.
-"She should have..." I muttered, irritated.
-"It's been almost a year since you cut off all communication with her. You never responded to her calls or messages. Your ego has controlled your every move," my wolf pointed out.
-"There's no excuse for what she's doing now. She didn't try to reach out either. And now, she's marrying someone else out of spite!" I shot back, frustration evident in my tone.
-"Do you really think that's the reason?" my wolf challenged.
-"Of course, it is! What else could it be?"
-"You tried to impose your will on her. When she refused, you cut her off completely. Now, you're shocked that she's moving on?" my wolf asked, incredulous.
-"She betrayed me by marrying someone else," I snapped.
-"Betrayal? You were the one who betrayed her first, with Gina. And now you've left her with no explanation. What did you expect her to do? Wait around forever?" my wolf's voice was sharp.
-"I didn't leave her—she left me first!" I retorted. "If I were her, I would have listened to my mate. He's supposed to want what's best for me!"
-"How selfish can you be? How do you know what's best for her? If you were in her position, you wouldn't follow anyone. You were born a leader, just like her!" my wolf argued.
-"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Don't try to make excuses for her," I muttered dismissively.
-"I'm not making excuses. I'm just telling you the truth. If you care about her, you need to do whatever it takes to stop this wedding."
-"Enough. I didn't ask for your opinion," I snapped, cutting off the mental link between us just as a knock sounded at the door.
Gregory entered, followed by the messenger. They both bowed respectfully.
-"Here's the messenger, Alpha. Do you need anything else from me?" Gregory asked.
-"No, Gregory. You're dismissed," I said, turning my attention to the messenger. "You. What's your name?"
-"I'm Liam Goran, second in command after the Gamma in the Crescent Moon Pack," the messenger replied.
-"Who sent you here today?"
-"My Alpha," Liam answered curtly.
-"Did you know what was in this letter?" I demanded, holding up the invitation.
-"No, Sir. I was given strict orders to deliver it and wait for your response," Liam replied, keeping his stance rigid.
-"Fine. Tell your Alpha that what she plans to do is illegal according to our laws. She hasn't untied the first bond yet to proceed with forming another. As she may understand, I cannot, and will not, approve this. Tell her that this decision is final and irrevocable. This decision is taken by her King"
-"Anything else, Majesty?" Liam asked, his voice respectful.
-"No, you're dismissed," I said curtly.
He bowed and turned to leave, but as he reached the door, Chris entered.
-"Max, I need your advice on the matter with..." he began.
-"Not now, Chris," I interrupted, already moving toward the door, my frustration building.
-"What's going on?" he asked, clearly confused.
-"Nothing. I need to go..." I muttered, not wanting to get into it right now. I quickly closed the door behind me.
I rushed out of the pack house, shifting into my wolf the moment I was outside. My paws hit the earth, and I sprinted toward the one place I'd been spending most of my time lately—the forest. It was the only place where my mind could momentarily be free from the chaos.