False Expectations - Chapter 57: Chapter 57

Maximus' pov:
When I reached the temple, I realized it was already too late. The damage had been done. Adelina had accepted Jacob as her mate, and our Goddess was enraged. Our bond had never been broken—even if Adelina had rejected me, the bond itself still held, forbidding her from forming a new one. I had tried to warn her, but she had chosen to ignore me.
The day of her initiation had also been a day of bondage, though she hadn't realized it. That night, without her knowing, I bound her to me in an ancient ritual under our Goddess's watchful eye. Through sacred vows and psalms, our souls were united for eternity. I confess it, I did it selfishly, not knowing then if I would ever truly accept her as my mate. Back then, I thought it was the only way to keep her close without marking her. Now I know it was wrong, a dishonorable act I've kept hidden from her. But back then, it was my desperate attempt to hold onto her.
As I entered the temple, chaos surrounded me. Panicked voices, hurried footsteps, and the pervasive scent of fear filled the air. My senses sharpened as I scanned the area, my nose catching Adelina's scent—sweet, intoxicating, and untainted by blood. Relief washed over me; she was unhurt.
My feet carried me swiftly toward her, and then I saw them. Adelina lay on the ground, Jacob cradling her protectively. Their faces were mere inches apart. A deep, guttural roar erupted from within me, silencing the entire room. All eyes turned to me, paralyzed by fear.
-"Everyone out!" I commanded, my alpha tone reverberating through the temple. Within seconds, the room emptied, leaving only the three of us. I approached them, my fury barely contained. Jacob's defiance was evident in the way he held his ground, refusing to let go of her.
-"You. Out," I growled, directing my wrath at him.
Jacob didn't flinch. He rose slowly, his gaze meeting mine with a resolve that tested my patience.
-"Or else what?" he challenged.
He did not move an inch. It was clearly an act of defiance from him. He raised his head and looked at me intently. In his gaze, I could see anger and courage. Either he was so courageous that he was not afraid of me or he had really a dead wish. Whatever it is, he is playing with my patience and this will not work out for him.
-"It's better for you to go! Now!" I told him in a menacing way.
He remained motionless. I do not know if it was due to his Beta instinct to protect his Alpha or because of his love for Adelina that gave him the power to behave so provocatively and recklessly.
-"I said LEAVE!" I repeated to him furiously using my royal authority which affected him because he slowly stood up.
-"Or else what?" he challenged.
-"Do you dare challenge your King? Have you lost your mind, Beta?" I snarled.
-"I will defend Adelina against anyone—even you."
-"I admire your self-sacrifice and your faith to your Alpha, but I am not her enemy. She isn't in danger from me " I explained in a calm tone.
-"I am not sure about it..." he contradicted.
-"How dare you question me? I am her mate! I am the only one who really loves her" I told him with gritted teeth.
-"No, you are not the only one" he shamelessly admitted.
I admired his courage but couldn't tolerate his insolence. Grabbing him by the neck, I lifted him off the ground. My fangs extended, and my claws dug into his skin. Just as I was about to end him, Adelina's trembling voice stopped me.
-"Please Max stop! Put him down now....I beg of you!" she pleaded.
Her voice pierced through my rage. Slowly, I released him, watching him crumple to the ground. She looked at me with anger and disappointment, the weight of her gaze heavier than any punishment.
-"Why are you here?" Adelina demanded, her voice cold.
-"I need to speak with you," I replied, my tone softening.
Her eyes flicked to Jacob, and I knew she was using their mind-link. Only after a moment did he stand and leave us alone. I extended my hand to help her up. She hesitated but eventually accepted it, sparks igniting where our skin touched. My heart ached with longing, but she quickly pulled her hand away and crossed her arms.
-"So? What do you want?" she asked impatiently.
-"Adelina, you cannot accept Jacob as your mate," I began.
Her eyes narrowed. "What have you done?"
-"I warned you... Haven't the messenger told you about the bond?"
-"He did. I ignored him," she admitted. "I thought it wouldn't matter since we never completed it."
-"You were wrong," I said flatly.
-"I didn't ask for your opinion" she contradicted.
-"It isn't just my opinion. These are the facts. Why are you always so aggressive with me?"
-"Why are you always so judgmental? Who do you think you are? Your opinion isn't always the most correct"
-"I agree. I am not always right..... Except most of the time" Ι said cockily.
-"Yeah right....." she said frustrated and turned to go.
I grabbed her hand pulling her body towards me. She looked at me angrily.
-"Where are you going? We haven't finished our conversation yet" I said.
-"We don't have anything else to discuss" she said sternly.
-"You have to understand. I am your mate. You cannot go and just marry another" I tried to reason.
-"Oh really? And where exactly have you been all this time, mate?" she asked emphasizing the last word.
-"I had responsibilities, demons to fight..." I faltered.
-"However none of that stopped you from ruining my wedding!"
-"The wedding was doomed from the start, Adelina. You know that."
-"Why now?" she pressed. "What do you want from me?"
-"You," I said simply. "I've come to claim what is mine."
Her laughter was bitter. "A year too late."
-"You will always be my mate no matter how many years pass"
-"Are you kidding me? It was impossible for me to contact you for almost a year! And you come here on my wedding day to tell me that you want to claim me? Really? What's wrong with you?"
-"It wasn't easy for me!"
-"What it wasn't easy Maximus? To be with your mate? To pick up and answer the damn phone?" she exclaimed in frustration.
I took a deep breath, my chest heavy with the weight of years I could no longer carry alone. Slowly, I laid my heart bare.
"Adelina, you have to understand where I'm coming from. I was raised under the iron fist of a despotic father—a man who twisted my view of the world and convinced me that having a mate was a curse, not a blessing. He drilled into me, day after day, year after year, that a mate only brings destruction. Pain, loneliness, betrayal—those were the words he associated with love.
You can't imagine what it's like to grow up in a house where you're forced to hate yourself, to suppress every flicker of vulnerability because it's seen as a weakness. I wasn't allowed to feel. Any emotion I dared show was punished. So I buried it all—every fear, every hope, every dream—until I became a hollow version of myself. Ruthless, calculating, cold. That's who I had to be to survive.
For so long, I lived like that—trapped in a prison of my father's making, enduring a series of hollow, meaningless relationships. But then you came into my life. My mate. My other half.
From the moment I first saw you, you captivated me. I couldn't look away. I couldn't stop thinking about you. And bringing you into my pack only deepened the spell you'd cast over me. Your strength, your sincerity, your dignity, your unshakable inner power—it was unlike anything I'd ever seen. Everything about you mesmerized me.
But it also terrified me.
I was raised to believe that mates are treacherous. That no matter how genuine they appear, their ultimate goal is betrayal. Those beliefs weren't easy to shake, Adelina. They were chains, forged in my father's lies, that bound me so tightly I didn't think I could ever break free. And yet, there you were, standing before me—the very embodiment of everything I'd been taught to fear.
The hardest battle of my life wasn't fought with claws or teeth. It was fought within me—between my mind, poisoned by my father's teachings, and my heart, which saw the truth in you. For so long, I resisted, paralyzed by fear. But little by little, you shattered the walls I had built around myself. You made me see what I was blind to all along: that a mate doesn't destroy you—they complete you. They bring love, warmth, strength, and joy into your life.
Adelina, it was you who saved me. You broke the chains that bound me to his madness. You gave me the courage to see the world as it truly is—and to see myself as someone capable of love"
She softened, her posture relaxing just slightly, but her eyes remained guarded. "Even so, Maximus, you handled everything wrong."
-"I know..." I admitted, my voice low and defeated. But I couldn't stop there—I needed her to understand. I took a breath and continued, "But you made mistakes too, Adelina. Mistakes that kept our bond from growing."
Her eyes narrowed, sharp and probing. "What are you accusing me of now?"
-"I'm not accusing you of anything," I said firmly, holding her gaze. "I'm just stating the truth. When I asked you to come back to me, to be my Queen and Luna, you rejected it outright. You didn't even hesitate. You let your pride and your own desires take over, and you didn't give us—or what we could have—an honest chance." My words were steady, but I couldn't hide the frustration creeping into my tone.
She bristled, her voice rising. "That's not entirely true! Don't twist this, Maximus. It wasn't a heartfelt request from you—it was a command, like it always is. You didn't ask me to stand beside you; you ordered me to fall in line. And I refused. I refused to be treated like I'm nothing!"
Her words hit me like a blow, but I held my ground. "That's not fair," I countered, my tone steady but my chest tight. "You know I don't think of you as nothing. I've never thought of you that way. I respect you, Adelina. I've proved that, time and time again. Do you think it was easy for me to support you at the pack meeting? To stand by your ideas when so many in my pack were against them?"
Her expression faltered, a flicker of recognition crossing her face. "Yes, you did," she admitted after a long pause, her voice softer now. "You stood with me that day, and I'll never forget it. But that doesn't erase everything else, Maximus. It doesn't change how you always try to control me. It's suffocating."
I exhaled slowly, her words slicing deeper than I cared to admit. The weight of everything unsaid pressed against my chest. "I know I've made mistakes, Adelina," I said quietly, my voice laced with regret. "For so many years, I was the one in control—the one who made all the decisions, who charted every course. That's the way I was taught to survive, the way I believed I had to lead. You must understand, it wasn't easy for me to change my ways. It still isn't."
I paused, searching her eyes for any sign that she might truly hear me. "But I want you to know this: every decision I made, every move, every mistake—it wasn't out of indifference. It was because I was afraid. Afraid of losing you. Afraid of what it would mean if I failed you, failed us." My voice faltered, but I pressed on, needing her to feel the truth in my words.
-"Maybe I went about it all wrong," I admitted, the weight of my failures sinking into me. "But it wasn't because I didn't care. It was because I care too much. Too much to let you go, too much to face a life without you in it."
Her guard remained up, but something softened in her eyes—a flicker of understanding, of acknowledgment, even if it wasn't forgiveness.
Her voice broke, trembling with pain and anger. "I can't believe that everything you did was only because you were afraid of losing me," she said, her words sharp as blades. "I was imprisoned, maltreated, cheated... I was nothing to you, Maximus. Nothing."
The accusations hit me like thunder, each word striking at my core. I swallowed hard, my throat dry, my heart hammering against my ribs. "Adelina," I began, my voice barely above a whisper, "you were never nothing to me. Not once. I know I failed you—no, I betrayed you by the way I treated you. And there's no excuse for that. None. But please, believe me when I tell you... it wasn't because I didn't value you. It was because I didn't know how to show it."
-"So, you decided to disappear from my life and cut off all communication with me when I didn't follow your plan," she said, her voice sharp with accusation.
-"I gave you time," I replied evenly, though the frustration simmered beneath my words. "Time to think, to realize your decision was wrong. You belong to the Drako pack. You are our Luna and our Queen, but your ego won't let you see that."
-"Oh, how thoughtful of you!" she shot back, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "And now, you've only returned to ruin my wedding."
-"This wedding was doomed from the start," I retorted, my voice rising with conviction. "Because you chose to go against our nature, against the sacred laws that bind us."
-"Of course! Blame me for everything, as always," she snapped. "The big, bad Alpha is never wrong and only comes to impose his will on his people!"
-"You know that's not who I am," I said, my voice softening. "I'm here because I want you. I'm not leaving you again. I'm asking for one last chance to prove that I can be the mate you deserve." I looked into her eyes, hoping she could see the sincerity in mine. Every word I spoke came from the depths of my soul.
-"Why should I do that?" she asked coldly, her icy demeanor cutting into me.
-"I... I..." I faltered, searching for the right words. "Please, give me the opportunity to show you how much you mean to me," I said, my voice breaking with defeat.
-"I don't have time to waste," she replied, her tone laced with arrogance, yet there was something in her eyes—a flicker of uncertainty.
-"Two months," I pleaded. "That's all I'm asking for. If, in those two months, I can't prove my love to you, I'll leave. You'll never have to see me again."
She studied me skeptically, her expression unreadable. I held my breath, waiting for her response, hoping against hope she would give me the chance I so desperately needed.
-"Who guarantees me that when the two months are up, you won't go back to being the old, bad Maximus?" she asked, her voice filled with skepticism.
-"I've shown you many times that I have good sides, too," I replied earnestly. "That I love and respect you, and that we can be happy together—if only you'll give me the chance."
A heavy silence fell between us. Adelina stared at me, her eyes searching mine as though trying to discern if my words were genuine.
-"So?" I asked, my voice breaking the stillness. I was desperate, clinging to the hope that she would agree.
-"Okay... then," she said at last, her tone reluctant yet resolute.
-"Really?" I asked, hardly daring to believe it.
-"You have two months," she said firmly. "This is your last chance. Don't blow it." With that, she stood up and left, leaving me with a mix of relief and the weight of her ultimatum.
The following week, I wasted no time. I sent her gifts, flowers, and visited her pack almost every day. Despite a demanding schedule, I made sure to carve out time for her. Romantic dinners, movie nights, picnics, weekend getaways—anything to show her how much she meant to me.
As the days passed, I began to notice subtle changes in her demeanor. Though guarded, she started to soften. Her smiles came more easily, her laughter felt genuine, and her gaze lingered a little longer. It was clear I was slowly winning her favor, but I didn't allow myself to grow complacent.
This was my last chance to win her back, and I wasn't going to blow it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After five months
We were out for a romantic dinner, but this night was unlike the others. It was special—important. Tonight, I planned to ask Adelina to accept my mark.
The balcony where we dined had been transformed for the occasion. Soft candlelight illuminated the space, casting a warm, golden glow. Small candles surrounded us, and a beautiful bouquet of flowers adorned the center of our table. Two tall candles flanked the arrangement, their flickering flames dancing in the gentle night breeze. The warm air carried the promise of summer, adding to the intimate atmosphere.
We had just started eating a perfectly prepared seafood dish when I reached into my jacket and pulled out a small velvet box. Without a word, I placed it in front of her plate.
Adelina froze mid-bite, her eyes darting to the box before locking onto mine. Surprise flickered in her expression, mingled with curiosity.
-"Open it," I urged softly.
She hesitated for only a moment before taking the box into her hands. Slowly, she lifted the lid. Her eyes widened as they landed on the ring inside: gold, with a stunning emerald diamond that caught the light and shimmered brilliantly.
-"Wow! It's beautiful!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with happiness.
-"You like it?" I asked, my heart racing as I gave her a wide smile. "It's for you."
-"For me? Why?" she asked, though her smile betrayed her. She knew what it was—what this meant—but I could tell she wanted to hear it from me.
-"Take it as a symbol of my love, my devotion, and my intention to share my life with you," I told her sincerely, my voice steady but filled with hope.
-"I... I'm... I'm really out of words," she stammered, excitement and emotion lighting up her face. "I don't know what to say."
-"Just say yes," I suggested, flashing her a wide, hopeful smile.
For a moment, she said nothing, her eyes avoiding mine as she stared at the ring. The silence stretched, and my heart began to pound. Doubt crept in, tightening its grip on me. What if she said no? What if, despite everything, I hadn't convinced her to share her life with me? The thought sent my hopes spiraling downward.
-"Yes..." Adelina whispered at last, her voice soft but sure. Then, she lifted her gaze to meet mine, her lips curling into a radiant, toothy smile.
Relief and joy surged through me. I stood quickly, crossing to her side and pulling her into a tight embrace. Unable to contain my happiness, I lifted her off the ground, spinning her slightly as laughter bubbled between us. In that moment, we were both overcome with joy, our shared happiness filling the air around us. For the first time, I truly understood what it felt like to be happy.
We kissed, deeply and passionately, until we had to stop to catch our breaths. Even then, we stayed wrapped in each other's arms, neither of us wanting to let go. Eventually, we returned to our seats, though the smiles never left our faces as we continued our meal.
It was the first time in my life I felt truly safe—light and happy. These were feelings I'd locked away deep in my heart for years, but now they had been set free.
I leaned closer, bringing my lips to her ear, and whispered, "I love you."
She froze for a moment, her eyes wide with surprise as she turned to face me. Clearly, she hadn't expected to hear those words from me—ever. But then, her expression softened, and she gave me a smile unlike any I'd ever seen before. It was the sweetest, most genuine smile, full of love and warmth.
Gently, I cupped her cheek with one hand, letting my thumb brush against her soft skin. My other arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer. Adelina leaned into my touch, her eyes fluttering closed as she savored the moment.
I continued to stroke her hair and caress her cheek, marveling at how natural it felt to hold her like this. For the first time in a long time, I allowed myself to be vulnerable, to let love in.
The heat of her body against mine melted every defense I had left. I couldn't resist her anymore. Pulling her closer, I hugged her tightly, pressing her against me as though I never wanted to let her go. My lips found hers, and then her neck, her cheeks, her collarbone—I kissed her with all the passion I had held inside, as if it was the last time I would see her, as if there was no tomorrow.
After finishing our meal, we retreated to my bedroom. The air was charged with an unspoken tension, thick with desire and longing. I began undressing her slowly, my lips trailing kisses over every inch of her exposed skin. Her body trembled beneath my touch, her soft gasps fueling my need for her. I wanted her—desperately. No, I needed her, like the earth needs rain, like the night needs the moon.
As my arousal grew, my fangs emerged, sharp and ready. I paused, looking into her eyes, silently asking for her permission. She smiled gently, her expression full of trust, and closed her eyes. Tilting her head slightly to the side, she exposed her neck to me, the ultimate gesture of surrender.
I brushed her hair aside and brought my lips to her neck. Drako, my wolf, surfaced, his presence a fiery force within me. I begged him to be gentle with her, our mate. He growled in response, scolding me but agreeing. Relinquishing control, I stepped back into my mind, letting Drako take over as I watched from within.
And then it happened—I marked her. My fangs pierced her skin gently but firmly, sealing our bond. The sensation was beyond anything I'd ever experienced. A surge of electricity coursed through me, raw and primal, connecting us in a way I hadn't imagined possible.
Green light enveloped us, swirling and glowing as waves of unimaginable energy pulsed through our bodies. It was overwhelming yet euphoric, as though the universe itself was celebrating this sacred act. I could feel our bond growing stronger with every passing second, tying us together in a way that was unbreakable, eternal.
Adelina's body trembled against mine, but not from fear—from the sheer power of our union. I held her close, marveling at the intensity of the moment. Marking her wasn't just an act of love; it was a lifetime experience, sacred and profound. I had never imagined it could be this powerful.
Now, she was truly mine, and I was hers—bound by love, devotion, and something far greater than either of us could fully comprehend.
Third person pov:
From that day forward, Maximus and Adelina were inseparable. Adelina entrusted the leadership of the Crescent Moon pack to Jacob and moved to the Drako pack, embracing her role as Luna and the rightful Queen of all werewolves.
Maximus, in turn, learned to value her perspective and sought her advice in every matter of importance. Together, they promised to set their egos aside, committing to a relationship built on mutual understanding, honesty, and respect. They didn't always succeed—there were moments of struggle, as in any partnership—but what mattered was their unwavering dedication to one another. They both gave their hearts fully to making their bond strong and enduring.
As a united pair, they ruled the kingdom with fairness and wisdom. Their reign became a golden era marked by peace, prosperity, and development. Under their leadership, the packs thrived, finding ways to coexist harmoniously and grow together. Most of their subjects were content, their lives enriched by the stability and hope their rulers brought to the kingdom.
Through it all, Maximus and Adelina faced every challenge side by side, their bond a testament to the power of love, understanding, and perseverance.
Alex remained ever the ladies' man, charming and carefree. He never found his mate—perhaps he didn't search hard enough, or perhaps it simply wasn't meant to be.
Marisa's story unfolded differently. She found her mate shortly after Jacob's visit to the Drako pack. His name was Eric, the Gamma of the Crescent Moon pack. Despite Adelina's efforts to persuade them to stay in the Drako pack, Marisa chose to join Eric in his pack. There, she formed close friendships with Stella and Jacob's new mate—a female from the Blue Moon pack whom Jacob met during his visit. Astonishingly, she was his second chance mate, an unexpected gift from the Moon Goddess herself, ever watchful and just in her designs for her children.
Two years into their reign, Maximus and Adelina welcomed their first child, a beautiful baby boy named Augustus. He was the spitting image of his mother, with her lithe frame, brown hair, and striking blue eyes. Yet in character, he was unmistakably his father's son—strong-willed, intelligent, and capable, with an innate sense of leadership.
When Augustus was five, another blessing graced the Drako family: a daughter named Arianna. She was a vision of beauty, with hair as black as the night and eyes as luminous as the moon. But it wasn't just her looks that captured hearts; Arianna was honest, kind, and deeply compassionate, a reflection of her mother's virtues.
As the years passed, Augustus rose to become the next Alpha of the Drako family and eventually ascended to the throne as King. Like his father, he proved himself a formidable leader, prevailing in conflicts and securing peace for the kingdom.
Arianna, on the other hand, followed a path less traveled. She became the first female Alpha to lead her pack independently, never relying on her mate to assume control. Through sheer determination and skill, she held her position until her death, proving that a woman could lead as fiercely and effectively as any man. Inspired by her trailblazing example, many firstborn daughters of Alphas began to claim leadership of their packs, ushering in a new era of equality and empowerment across the kingdom.
With Arianna's legacy blazing the trail and Augustus ruling with strength and wisdom, the kingdom entered an age of balance and progress—a testament to the enduring strength of family, love, and the will to challenge tradition.
Maximus and Adelina managed to live a life full of happiness, challenges, and unforgettable moments. After all, it was Maximus and Adelina—calm and uneventful were never words to describe them! They thrived in the ebb and flow of life's ups and downs, their fiery personalities ensuring that no day was ever dull.
Yet through every twist and turn, every triumph and setback, they remained unwavering in their support for one another. They embraced every opportunity and faced every problem together, their bond growing stronger with each passing year. Their love was not just a fleeting passion but a profound connection, enduring and unbreakable.
It was a bond as strong as the tightest embrace—an embrace that held fast through eternity.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ** Τhe End ** ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~