False Expectations - Chapter 7: Chapter 7

Adelina's pov:
The days at the hospital passed quickly, but they were also surprisingly pleasant. Alex kept me company, conducting every test he knew, all the while making me laugh with his dry wit and light-hearted remarks. Unfortunately, despite his best efforts, he couldn't uncover why I was still anemic even though I was a werewolf. It remained a mystery. Maybe we'd never know the answer.
Eventually, I was discharged from the hospital and returned to my dim, solitary room. The first week was relatively easy for me to follow Maximus' rules. My body was still recovering, and I preferred the quiet of my bed to the rest of the world. But as time passed and my health returned, staying locked away in this room became a challenge. I started to grow restless, frustrated, and desperate for something—anything—that would break the monotony.
Fortunately, I hadn't seen Maximus since the day he visited me at the hospital. To be honest, I didn't mind his absence. I had no idea how to even begin understanding him anymore.
If he had already chosen a woman to be his Luna, why had he brought me here? What had possessed him to reveal that we were mates to the entire pack? If he had kept quiet about it, no one would have known. But no—he'd made sure to announce it, regardless of the consequences, regardless of the burden it placed on both of us.
From the way he treated me, it was clear that I was nothing but an inconvenience to him. So why hadn't he just let me go back to my own pack? If no one knew about our bond, what was the point in keeping me here? Was he doing this to exert control over me? I couldn't understand his motivations. The more I thought about it, the more confused I became.
I was lost in thought when a knock on the door broke my reverie. I hesitated, wondering if it was just one of the omegas bringing me lunch. Goddess, I was so bored. Could I even be too bored to eat? That would be a new low for me, for sure.
-"Adelina? May I enter? It's me, Alex," came the familiar, comforting voice from the other side of the door. Alex. Oh, how I missed him! His presence was like a light in my otherwise dark, monotonous existence. He was the only person who seemed to understand me here, and the thought of his company brought a smile to my face.
-"Alex, of course, come in!" I said eagerly.
He walked in with a playful grin. "How is my favorite patient today?"
-"I'm not a patient anymore. On second thought, maybe I am... a patient of absolute boredom! Is there such a disease? And if there is, can you cure it?" I quipped, hoping to lighten the mood.
He laughed, clearly amused by my comment, before replying, "Oh, please, don't whine about it. Look at me... I don't have free time at all. I'm always so busy."
I raised an eyebrow, not buying it. "I thought that was an excuse for the annoying ladies... Don't play that card on me."
He grinned but continued, "Don't make fun of me. I'm serious. Besides my duties as a doctor, I've been forced to take over the hospital's administration from our favorite Alpha. The previous manager found his mate and left. So until they find a replacement, I'm stuck doing the job. And honestly, I have no idea what I'm doing. I'm at my wit's end."
I raised a hand, playing along, "Would you like some help?"
He stared at me, exasperated. "Any help would be welcome and valuable. But where would I find it?"
-"Hey, do you see anyone else here?" I smirked. "It's me, you silly! Who else?"
He blinked, surprised. "From you?"
-"Yes, from me! Why are you so surprised? I was the financial manager and second-in-command after the Alpha—who, by the way, happens to be my brother—at my old pack," I said, feeling a little prideful about my past role.
-"That explains a lot..." He chuckled, mockingly raising an eyebrow.
-"Stop joking and actually think about it," I teased.
He pretended to consider it, before sighing dramatically. "I don't need to think about it. I want to get rid of this mess. If you're available, you start tomorrow morning!"
-"That sounds perfect!" I grinned. "I'd love that."
-"Super!!" He clapped his hands together in excitement. "I'll inform the Alpha right away."
-"May I come with you?" I asked, eager to be present when Alex informed Maximus about my new job. I wasn't sure why, but I wanted to be part of this moment.
Alex's smile widened. "I would love that. Let's go then. The sooner, the better."
We walked out of the room and made our way to Maximus' office, both of us bubbling with excitement. Alex knocked on the door, and when we were allowed entry, he let me go in first. As expected, Gina was in her usual position, draped all over Maximus. I made sure not to let my emotions show, carefully hiding my sadness and disappointment behind a stone-cold smile. I held my head high and waited for Alex to speak.
-"Alpha, I would like to discuss something very important with you, if I may," Alex said, his voice steady.
Maximus barely glanced up. "Tell me," he said curtly, showing absolute indifference.
-"It's a bit private," Alex added, nodding toward Gina, his gaze making the message clear.
-"You can speak freely," Maximus said dismissively. "You know I have no secrets from Gina."
I suppressed a grimace at the statement. Gina, as usual, took it as an invitation to be all over him, and I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes.
Alex, unfazed, continued, "Anyway, I found the new administrator for the hospital."
Maximus finally raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "Nice. And who is it?"
-"I am," I interjected confidently.
Maximus turned to me, his expression unreadable. "You?" he said, his tone dripping with derision. "How did that come about? What exactly are you capable of?"
Before I could respond, Gina piped in with her usual condescension. "Maybe she can take the position of the omega who worked in the kitchen and left last week when she met her mate, love."
Alex shot her a sharp look, clearly irritated. "No, she won't be working in the kitchen. She'll be handling the administration."
I could feel the tension rising, but Gina wasn't finished. "I didn't know there was a vacancy in the cleaning section," she muttered under her breath, her disdain for me evident.
I couldn't let that slide. "Really? What's your problem with the cleaning staff? Why are you so demeaning? It's just a job like any other. It's responsible, hard work, and if there weren't people doing it, this place would probably stink."
Gina sneered. "I don't want a lecture from an old Alpha's brat, especially one from a pack that's not even powerful."
I couldn't help but fire back, my tone sarcastic. "And what do you know about me, Gina? At least in my family, we learned respect and values. Something you wouldn't understand, I'm sure."
Maximus' gaze shifted between us, but it was clear he wasn't particularly concerned with the spat between Gina and me. It was almost as if he found it amusing in a detached way..
-"How dare you, bitch?" Gina's voice was laced with fury as she stepped forward, ready to attack, but I stood my ground. I wasn't afraid of her. I came here with a purpose, and I wasn't going to back down, no matter the cost.
-"Shut your mouth for once and show some respect, okay?" I said firmly, putting her in her place.
-"Or else what?" she hissed, closing the distance between us. Our faces were only a few inches apart now, the air thick with tension. We both stood on the edge, ready to strike if necessary.
-"Enough!" Maximus' voice cut through the room, demanding silence.
-"Yes, my love. She should learn her place. Throw her back in the dungeons," Gina spat venomously, still seething with rage.
Maximus sighed, clearly fed up with her antics. "Gina, shut the hell up. You're driving me insane." He raked his fingers through his hair before turning to me, his tone more controlled this time. "So, what job do you want exactly?"
-"As Alex mentioned before, I'll be working in the administration department," I answered without hesitation, locking eyes with him.
-"What is this nonsense? With what qualifications do you think you can do that?" Gina interjected, unable to keep her mouth shut for a single moment.
-"Can you just stop interfering?" I scolded her, my patience wearing thin.
-"How dare you, filthy minion?" She took a step closer, but I didn't flinch, continuing to address Maximus.
-"Alpha, as you already know, I have a degree in economics. I also worked as a financial advisor for the Alpha in my old pack. So, I believe I am more than qualified for the position in administration."
Maximus sat there, completely still, like a statue. His expression was unreadable, and he stared at me in a way that made my heart race with uncertainty. Was he bothered by something? He was so distant, so cold, and still, an enigma. There was no bond, no connection. I couldn't feel anything from him, and I was starting to think he couldn't either. The Goddess had truly made a mistake.
-"So, Alpha, what's your opinion?" I pressed, unable to stand the silence any longer.
After what felt like an eternity, Maximus finally cleared his throat. "I won't object... on one condition."
-"What's that?" I asked eagerly, hoping he'd give me a chance.
-"You will work without getting paid," he said, his voice unbothered, almost smug.
-"That's preposterous! How will I support myself if I'm not paid?" I shot back, incredulous.
-"You don't need money. You live here in the pack house, so you don't have rent or food expenses. As for your personal expenses, those will be covered by me," he answered coolly.
His words hit me like a slap to the face. Why was he offering to pay for my personal expenses when he clearly didn't care about me? I was more confused than ever.
-"What? Why?" Gina asked, her voice sharp with disbelief. She was fuming now, clearly unable to understand why Maximus would make such an offer.
-"I'm sorry, but I can't accept those terms," I replied, my voice steady, even as my mind raced. This situation made no sense.
-"Me neither," Alex chimed in, his voice cutting through the tension. We all turned to stare at him, surprised by his sudden offer. Undaunted, he continued, "Alpha, if the issue is financial, I'll give half of my salary to Adelina."
-"You what?" Maximus and I said in unison, both caught off guard.
Maximus, his voice cold and composed, turned to Alex. "Why would you do such a thing? What's the connection between you and her?"
Before Alex had the chance to respond, I stepped in, my voice firm. "I'm sorry, Alex, but I can't accept that, although for once more your gesture amazed me."
Alex's expression softened, but he didn't press the issue further. I could see the disappointment in his eyes, but he understood my decision. His kindness had always been a constant, even when I wasn't sure how to accept it. But this... it felt too much, too soon.
Maximus, still standing with a cold aura, let out a sharp breath. "Fine. You'll work in the hospital's administration, and your salary will be the same as the previous one. Now, everyone out of my office!" His voice thundered, and we all flinched slightly at the force of his command.
What was it with him? His mood swings were as unpredictable as ever, and yet, I couldn't make sense of any of it. Maybe it was for the best that the bond didn't work. I didn't think I could bear hearing his every mood and thought in my head. A neurotic, volatile mate? No thanks.
But despite his harsh words, something within me stirred. It was the first time in what felt like forever that I felt a glimmer of hope, something I hadn't realized I was craving. I wouldn't be locked away in that lonely room anymore. I would have a role, a reason to wake up each day. A purpose that didn't revolve around a bitter, indifferent Alpha and his pathetic mistress.
I would take this chance. I would work, contribute, and, perhaps for the first time in a long while, I would feel like I belonged somewhere again.