CHAPTER 17

It had been three days.

Three days where Jayla didn't talk to Max.

Three days where she didn't go to school because she was sick.

"Honey, can I come into your room?" her mother asked. Jayla called her in, and her mom came in with a tray of porridge and warm water.

"You have to eat, baby, and then you can take your pills after," she said sweetly. Jayla sat up, took the bowl from her mother, and quietly ate the porridge.

"What happened when Keaton dropped you off at home?" she asked. Jayla cleared her throat and answered her.

"He dropped me off at home, and then apparently I passed out on the couch," she whispered and coughed.

"Darby found you on the couch, and he brought you upstairs. I'm glad you haven't gone to school for three days. You can't go in this state. Don't worry. I've told the school," she said and caressed her daughter's hair.

"Also, your friends are here," she said, and Jayla tensed, hoping it was Max. "Their names are Eleanor and Giovanni." She winked at Jayla.

Jayla was disappointed that Max hadn't come for three days. He hadn't even texted or called her. She was seriously wondering if he left her to be with Aileen. He wasn't the type of guy to cheat, but how could she really know?

"Alright, can you call them in?" she said, and her mother nodded.

"Sure thing." Her mother left the room, and her friends stepped in.

"Hey." Giovanni came in with a bag full of chocolate and ice cream.

"You do know I'm sick, right? I have a cold, and you brought ice cream," Jayla said.

"This dumb shit doesn't know anything. Thank god, I'm here, sweetie. I brought you Max's sweaters," Eleanor said, holding the bag out. As soon as she said his name, Jayla held her hands out. Eleanor chuckled and gave her the bag.

She quickly took out her favorite sweater and put it on, inhaling his masculine scent. It felt amazing.

"Max wanted to come immediately, but Alpha Blaze called him in for an emergency. He should be back tomorrow," Giovanni said and sat next to her.

"Does he know Dr. Basilisks?" she asked.

"Which one?" he said with a mischievous glint. She rolled her eyes and shoved him.

"You are supposed to be sick. Why are you so strong?" he whined.

"Anyway, he knows them both, actually. The old Luna is best friends with Luna Mia, Beta Lydia, and Gamma Jennifer," Eleanor replied.

"That's so cool."

"Yeah, he's kinda popular in our world," she said, scratching her neck. Jayla's eyes widened when she saw the marks on her neck. Jayla breathed heavily as she turned Giovanni around, pulling his shirt up forcefully.

"What the fuck—"

"Who did this to you guys?" Jayla demanded quietly. She gasped in horror at the marks.

"It's nothing," Eleanor snapped.

It was the first time that she had snapped at Jayla.

"Tell me, who did this to you?" she asked again. Giovanni looked away from her.

"Look—"

"You better tell me right now," she said, challenging them with her eyes. "Giovanni—"

"Eleanor, we have to tell her. She needs to know about our tradition," he said sternly and with no emotion.

"We were punished."

This simple sentence broke her heart.

"We failed to protect you, so that's why we were punished," he continued, looking at the ground.

"What?" she whispered.

"Jayla, don't cry. We are used to it," Eleanor said, coming close to her.

"It's my fault. I'm sorry," she cried.

"It's not your fault. It's ours!" Giovanni said with shame.

"Max didn't do anything?" she asked. They stayed silent.

"Don't tell me." She shook her head.

"I'm sorry. He was the one who ordered the punisher," Giovanni said.

"No, it can't be true."

"Honey, I'm sorry," Eleanor sobbed, rubbing her back softly.

"No, it's me. I'm sorry. Please forgive me," Jayla begged them. She felt so selfish and regretted her behavior. She couldn't believe what had happened to them. It was her fault.

"Don't say that! You are our Luna," Giovanni shouted.

"Please, don't feel like this! It makes me sad to see you cry," Eleanor said after wiping away her tears.

"I-I'm sorry," she stuttered.

"It's alright."

"We are used to it."

Well, Jayla wasn't.

***

The Next Day:

The doorbell rang. Jayla's mother hummed as she opened the door.

"Max, how are you?" she said. He was holding flowers and chocolate.

"Hey, Mrs. Jacobs. I'm fine. Can I come in?" he said, and she nodded happily.

"I'm glad you're here. I've been expecting you." She winked. Max chuckled.

"Of course. It's what boyfriends do," he replied and put down the flowers.

"Oh, boyfriend. I didn't know about that."

"She didn't tell you?" he asked, confused.

"Oh, no, she didn't, but that's okay. She never tells her secrets to people, but thank god you are here. She cried yesterday, and I was hoping that you could lighten up her mood." She smiled at him.

"She cried? Why?" He was shocked.

"I don't know. I thought she might have told you?" She frowned.

"No. I sent her several texts, but she hasn't responded. The same thing for phone calls," he said, biting his lip.

"Oh my! You should talk to her," she said, patting his shoulder.

"I will," he said with determination and walked upstairs. He found her room and knocked on the door roughly.

"Don't come in here!" she shouted. He frowned.

"Baby, it's me, Max!" he yelled.

"Get the fuck out of my house!" she screamed.

"What the fuck?" Max thought as his eyes widened.

He had never seen this side of her. She wasn't usually angry, and she didn't swear that often.

He ignored her demands and opened the door. He almost broke down when he saw her crying. Her face was red, and her eyes were puffy from crying for hours.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" she shouted.

"I came here because you didn't answer my texts, and I was worried," he said calmly.

"Fuck off! I don't want to see your face!" she yelled.

He was bewildered, and her words hurt him.

"What? What did I do?" he asked quietly.

She shook her head frantically. "Why didn't you talk in front of everyone? What was so important that you had to talk in private with Aileen?" she snapped.

"Jayla, I can explain. Aileen has panic attacks when people stare at her. It's not her fault," he explained to her calmly. He didn't want her to misunderstand.

"Anyone could think you were in a relationship with her judging by the way you walked away together!"

"I don't care about them. I only care about you. I would never leave you alone," he said, trying to come close to her.

"Don't even come close to me!" she said.

"I don't know what happened, but I would never leave you alone. You are mine," he said with such intensity. He was staring at her hazel eyes.

"Get out! I don't want to hear it!"

"No, I'm not leaving," he shouted and ran toward her.

"I don't know what your deal is, but you need to calm down," he said, holding her arms above her head.

"I won't calm down when you hurt my friends, especially your brother!" she shouted.

He sighed deeply, still holding her tight.

"Jayla, that's our tradition. Anyone who has failed to protect you must be punished. I can't change the rules," he said sternly. She needed to know that the rules stayed the same.

"But why? It was my fault, for fuck's sake!" she said.

"It's not your fault. They were careless." He scoffed.

"How can you be so heartless?" she whispered.

"I'm not heartless. I'm an Alpha. And you better act like a Luna," he said without any emotion. He was the cold Max.

"I can't believe you."

"Well, some days, you have to." He rolled his eyes. "You should get some rest. I don't want you to be sick anymore. I'll come back tomorrow," he said.

"Fuck you," she spat.

He snarled and left her room.

***

"I'm so fucking lost!" he yelled. He ruined the office. Hundreds of files were scattered on the ground. His door was broken again. He broke his window by throwing a vase at it.

"Max, calm down," Cole said.

"Don't fucking tell me to calm down!" he shouted in his Alpha voice. Cole's eyes widened as he bowed.

It was the first time he had used his Alpha voice on him.

"Oh, my goodness!" his mother gasped when she saw the state of his office. She gasped even louder at her son's bruised hand.

"Luna Aphelia," Cole breathed. He was shocked when he saw the king, Alpha Blaze, come into the office.

"What is going on?" he said in a loud voice, which made everyone bow to him.

Max breathed heavily as he growled threateningly. Blaze didn't seem to care.

"I want your daughter out of my life," he said menacingly.

"You do know that I can't do that," Blaze reasoned.

"I don't fucking care. I don't want her to ruin my bond with my mate!" he snarled. Blaze rolled his eyes.

"You need to calm down, boy. I don't want my future king to act like this," he said sternly.

"Get rid of her." He slammed his bruised hands on the table. This spoiled princess almost ruined my relationship with Jayla! I want her out of my life!" Max said stubbornly. He was acting like a child, and he knew it, but he couldn't see the princess anymore when she almost ruined his chances with Jayla.

"I found my Luna, and I won't fucking let anyone ruin our relationship. This is the last warning." He glared at Blaze. He had the guts to threaten the king. That is why Alpha Blaze chose him. He was their true king.

"I will keep her out of the territory until she finds her mate. She will leave the country to search for her mate with her brother, who is also going to search for his mate. And you are going to train for the preparation of the coronation," Blaze stated sternly.

"That was my reason for coming here. You will come to my castle next week," Blaze said, rubbing his back in a fatherly way before leaving the office with Mathis and Aphelia.

"I will check up on the warriors," Cole said, and Max nodded, looking at the mirror.

Cole sighed and exited the office, leaving Max alone.

Max needed to think and apologize for any mistakes. He would rather give up his pride and beg for forgiveness.

He wasn't going to let this go. He swore he would never leave her alone.

That was a promise.