False Expectations - Chapter 8: Chapter 8

Adelina's pov:
The tension in the room after that meeting had been unbearable. Maximus' cold, dismissive attitude combined with Gina's incessant interference had made me want to retreat to my sanctuary—my bedroom.
I was done. I locked the door behind me with a deep sigh, feeling like I could finally breathe in peace. I needed to be alone for a while, far away from the reminders of Maximus and his overbearing mistress. They seemed to live in their own little world where nothing else mattered, and I was just an inconvenient, irrelevant figure.
Sitting down at the small desk by the window, I grabbed my dinner and began eating, but my thoughts were far from the food. It wasn't about being hungry anymore; it was about my overwhelming feelings of frustration. The contrast of Maximus' behavior around her compared to how he was with everyone else was stark. How could I ever compete with that? He was different with her—playful, relaxed, and even affectionate. Something that seemed so foreign when it came to how he interacted with me. I could see it now. He was in love with her, and the bond that tied us together meant nothing in comparison to what they shared.
I shook my head, unwilling to let these thoughts drag me further into the pit of despair. I wasn't going to keep obsessing over this. What was the point?
-"Maybe she put a spell on him..." my wolf piped up, her voice a little too eager to explain it all away.
-"Yeah, sure that's the reason..." I said, sarcasm dripping from my voice. I rolled my eyes. If only it were that simple.
It was pointless to keep thinking like this, though. I couldn't keep holding onto a hope that was never really there. The bond between us might have been real, but it didn't change anything. He didn't want me, and it was clear he never would. I had to accept that, no matter how much it hurt.
-My wolf's voice softened. "We need to focus on what we can control. Let's set new goals, new plans. Move on."
I closed my eyes, letting the words sink in. My wolf was right. I couldn't keep crying over spilled milk, as much as it pained me. If I wanted to move forward, I had to start somewhere. I had a chance now with my new role in the hospital. Maybe I couldn't change Maximus' heart, but I could certainly change my path. It was time to focus on my own personal and professional growth. There was more to life than just this pack, than just him.
I took a deep breath, gathering my strength. The first step to moving on was going to be hard, but it was necessary. I had to stop letting him control my thoughts, my emotions, and my future. It was time to take control of my own destiny.
"Let's leave all the bad thoughts behind and get some sleep," I said, settling down on my bed. Unfortunately, a knock at the door interrupted my peaceful silence. Apparently, someone had other plans for me. I glanced at the clock—it was a quarter to twelve! Who on earth could be up so late, and what could they possibly want?
I got up, slipped on my robe, and made my way to the door. I usually sleep in a t-shirt and underwear. I can't wear pajamas because I tend to get too hot and sweaty, so I prefer something light and cozy under an extra blanket.
I opened the door to find a guard waiting outside. I think his name was George or John—honestly, I'm terrible with names. He stood there, expression stern, and said in a deep voice, "Alpha wants to see you."
I couldn't help but feel a pang of irritation at the late-night summons. Why now? Why at this hour, after everything that had happened today? Was Maximus just trying to make my life more difficult, or was there some genuine reason behind this request? Either way, I wasn't in the mood for whatever this was.
I asked for a few minutes to change, but he insisted it was urgent. "Alpha Maximus wants to see you right away. You can't keep the Alpha waiting," he said firmly. I adjusted my robe and followed him through the hallways, curiosity swirling in my mind as I tried to make sense of it all. Maximus had been so cold and distant, yet somehow I was still tied to him by this inexplicable bond. And now he wanted to see me in the middle of the night? It was hard not to feel like some sort of puppet being jerked around by invisible strings. The corridors seemed darker than usual, the quiet of the pack house only adding to my unease. The guard led me to Maximus' office, no doubt. I could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on me, and I couldn't help but wonder why I was being summoned at such a late hour. Maybe this was about the administrative position I'd been given, or maybe it was something entirely different. One thing was for sure: I had no idea what to expect.
The guard opened the door for me and motioned me inside. As I entered, he closed the door behind me, leaving Maximus and me alone in his dim, smoky office. The only light came from the soft glow of a green desk lamp. Maximus sat at his desk, smoking a cigarette and sipping whiskey, staring off into nothingness. He seemed lost in thought, completely unaware of my presence.
I waited for several minutes, but he didn't acknowledge me. Eventually, I cleared my throat, hoping to get his attention. It worked.
-"Alpha, you asked for me. What's the emergency?" I finally asked, breaking the silence.
Maximus slowly raised his gray eyes, locking them on mine. He looked... troubled. Sad, even. Without a word, he stood up, grabbed my arm, and ordered, "Come with me."
Before I could process what was happening, he had led me out of his office, down the stairs, and out of the pack house. The cold night air hit me, making me shiver slightly, but I kept following. Suddenly, he stopped in the middle of a clearing and, to my utter shock, began taking off his clothes. I froze, standing there in stunned silence as he stripped.
He turned to look at me, a mischievous glint in his eyes, and ordered, "You too."
I stared at him, completely numb, as he shifted effortlessly into his wolf. Drako. He was magnificent. His fur was a striking dark blue, shimmering faintly in the moonlight. He was massive, and his piercing gray eyes shone like polished steel. He approached me slowly, his presence both commanding and strangely gentle.
Drako lowered his muzzle and licked my hand softly, an unexpected gesture of affection that left me speechless. Hesitantly, I reached out and stroked his head. A low, rumbling purr escaped him, and for the first time, I felt a connection—not with Maximus, but with his wolf. It was as though Drako liked me more than Maximus ever had, and oddly, I found myself liking him more too.
We shared that quiet moment until a low grunt from Drako broke the spell. He turned away, signaling me to shift. Embarrassed, I told him to look away, and to my surprise, he obeyed.
Taking a deep breath, I shifted into my white wolf. I wasn't very large, but I was fast—probably the fastest in a race. Grabbing my robe with my teeth (just in case he decided to shift back), I followed him as he darted into the forest.
I had no idea where we were going or what he had in mind, but for some reason, I trusted him. My wolf stirred inside me, encouraging me to follow Drako deeper into the woods.
He was speeding through the forest, but I pushed myself to keep up. My wolf was quick, and I wasn't going to let him leave me behind. We ran for what felt like an eternity until we emerged into a clearing.
It was breathtaking. Tall trees stood on either side, their branches forming a natural canopy, and in the middle was a large stone covered in intricate carvings. It looked like an ancient shrine, weathered by time but still holding an air of reverence and mystery.
Maximus shifted back into his human form with practiced ease, and I tried—really tried—not to stare. But it was impossible to look away. He was undeniably hot. His body was strong, sculpted with perfect muscles and abs that seemed to be chiseled from stone.
He quickly slipped on a pair of pants, breaking the spell of my staring, and turned to me. "Shift back," he ordered, his voice steady and firm.
I nodded, retreating behind a cluster of trees to shift and dress. My robe was all I had, and as I returned to the clearing, I realized how impractical my choice had been. The night air was crisp, and the light fabric of my robe offered little warmth—or modesty.
Maximus's gaze was intense, lingering on me as though he were trying to memorize every detail. It made my skin tingle under the weight of his eyes. I knew my robe left little to the imagination, and while I wasn't very tall, I had always been confident in my body.
Slim and fit with subtle curves, my figure often drew mixed reactions. Some thought I was too thin, while others found my build sexy. But none of that mattered to me. I liked the way I looked, and that was enough.
Still, the way Maximus was looking at me now—hungry and unguarded—made me feel something I wasn't sure how to process.
He stood there, his eyes raking over me with a look so intense it made me feel both exposed and incredibly uncomfortable. I wrapped my robe tighter around me, shifting under his gaze. Suddenly, it was as though he shook himself awake, breaking free from whatever thoughts had held him captive. Without a word, he motioned for me to follow him.
We approached the stone in the clearing. Maximus stepped behind it, reappearing moments later with a silver knife in his hand. The knife was ornate, the handle covered in intricate carvings that mirrored the designs etched into the ancient stone. The similarity caught my attention, though it held no meaning for me—just a passing observation.
Without hesitation, he took the blade and made a careful cut along the inside of his palm. He didn't flinch, his expression calm and focused. Then, he reached for my hand. I instinctively pulled back but caught the look in his eyes—steady and unyielding. Reluctantly, I let him take my hand, bracing myself as the blade bit into my skin. A sharp sting ran through me, but I refused to show any sign of pain.
Maximus extended his bloodied hand, and with a low, commanding voice, ordered, "Place your hand on mine."
I hesitated, feeling the cool night air against the fresh cut. Slowly, I pressed my palm against his. A strange sensation coursed through me the moment our blood mingled. Goosebumps rose along my skin, and a warm, fluttering feeling spread through my stomach, like thousands of butterflies had taken flight inside me.
As our hands remained joined, Maximus began chanting in a language I couldn't understand. The words were melodic yet haunting, vibrating through the clearing as if they held some ancient power.
The world around us seemed to shift. A strange aura enveloped us, the air growing heavy with an energy I couldn't explain. For a fleeting moment, I thought I saw a faint glow radiating from our hands, pulsing softly between us.
When the chanting stopped, Maximus released my hand, his gray eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my breath hitch. We stood there, silent, the atmosphere crackling with something unspoken.
And then, without moving his lips, his deep voice echoed in my mind:
-"Now your initiation ceremony is complete. You are officially a member of the Drako pack. Welcome, Adelina," he said, flashing me a toothy smile.
It was the first genuine smile I had ever seen from him, and what stunned me more was that I hadn't done anything to provoke it. The warmth in that smile was enough to make my heart skip a beat and my mind momentarily blank.
-"But... but what was that?" I stammered, still trying to process what had just happened. "This wasn't the traditional initiation ceremony that usually takes place in a pack."
Maximus's expression turned proud, his voice carrying a touch of arrogance. "We are not like the other packs," he said matter-of-factly.
-"Ahh, I see..." I trailed off, unsure how to respond to his cryptic explanation. After a pause, I decided to add, "At least next time, let me know where we're going or what we're going to do so I can dress properly."
My tone carried a hint of reprimand, but his reaction surprised me. Instead of annoyance, a glimmer of amusement flickered in his gray eyes.
-"You are appropriately dressed," he said, his gray eyes twinkling playfully. His smug smile hinted that he knew more than he was letting on.
-"I don't need to inform you of anything," he continued, his tone laced with authority. "I am your mate and your Alpha. Therefore, you must obey my orders without second thoughts. I also informed you that I performed the initiation ceremony. So, what exactly are you complaining about?"
-"I guess I should thank you for that," I said with biting sarcasm. "But next time, I'd appreciate being informed before the event and not after. That initiation ceremony felt... strange."
-"I'm not going to explain anything to you," he snapped, his face hardening. "It is what I said it is. Don't bring it up again."
-"Old bad Maximus is back," I thought bitterly. "It was good while it lasted" I commented, making Maximus give me a disapproving look. His sharp gaze bore into me, his jaw tightening as if he were holding back a response.
-"What? What's your problem, pal?" I shot back, unable to hold my tongue against his condescending behavior.
-"Pal?" He raised an eyebrow, his expression darkening. "You seem to forget your place, Adelina," he said, his tone low and controlled, though there was a dangerous edge to it.
-"And you seem to forget that respect is earned, Maximus," I retorted, crossing my arms defiantly.
His expression darkened, the playful glimmer in his eyes replaced by the steely dominance of an Alpha. For a moment, silence hung heavy between us, neither willing to back down.
He crossed his arms, his stance rigid. "I don't see what the fuss is about. I welcomed you to my pack. You're officially a member now. What more do you want?"
-"You're an ass!"
His gray eyes narrowed, a menacing edge creeping into his voice. "Watch your tongue."
-"Or else what?" I challenged, refusing to back down.
He took a few more steps closer, stopping when we were mere inches apart. His intense gaze locked onto mine, and before I could process what was happening, he grabbed me tightly by the waist, pulling me flush against his body. Leaning down, he claimed my lips in a passionate kiss.
At first, I froze, utterly taken aback by his sudden action. But as the kiss deepened, the walls I had carefully built around my heart began to crumble. Unable to resist, I surrendered to him. My arms found their way around his neck as I kissed him back with everything I had.
He held me tighter, his touch igniting a fire I had kept buried for so long. His hand caressed my thigh, lifting my robe slowly, sending shivers coursing through me. When his hand reached my most sensitive spot, our kiss turned wild and primal. It was as if all our suppressed emotions—anger, desire, frustration—had erupted, consuming us both in a whirlwind of raw passion.
And then, just as suddenly as it began, he pulled away. His chest heaved as he stepped back, leaving me standing there, breathless and dazed. Without a word, he shifted into his wolf form and disappeared into the night, his dark blue fur vanishing among the shadows.
I stood alone in the clearing, the moon casting its silvery light over the ancient shrine and my trembling figure. My mind swirled with confusion and emotions I couldn't yet name.
Did he feel something for me? Or was this just another demonstration of his control, a reminder of who held the power?
As the cool night air wrapped around me, I found myself asking the question I dreaded most: Was I foolish for hoping that this was the start of something more?