Chapter 69 - Trust

We hadn't planned on staying at the Cooper Mansion, but Blake thought staying in Huntly would be easier, especially since Klaus had agreed to help Max perform the spell. Apparently, we had to be at The Covens temple at 9 am, and the temple was in Huntly too.

After saying goodnight to everyone, I made my way to Emily’s room, hoping to find some clothes. Emily had happily created a little space for me in her closet for emergency clothing. The girl had gone out of her way always to add more clothes and make sure I was prepared for any situation life threw at me. Sue had also said I could raid her closet if needed, but I wasn’t in the mood for formal clothes; I wanted something warm and comfy.

Emily’s room was on the right-wing of the house with Nate and Sue. Just like all the rooms, her room too was huge with an amazing view. I strolled into her walk-in closet and rampaged through the drawers she had put aside for me, looking for something comfy. During my search, I realized I would need something to wear to the temple in the morning as well.

I sighed and started to look for temple clothing options. I wasn’t really sure what I was meant to wear.

“I thought girls liked picking out outfits and dressing up” the husky voice behind me made me stop what I was doing.

I already knew who the voice belonged to without turning.

“And I thought people were meant to knock before they entered a room that wasn’t theirs” I rolled my eyes before continuing my search.

“Well, seeing as it’s my sister's room and she’s not here, I didn’t think making my presence known was necessary,” Max snickered.

“Your sister has been kind enough to let me store some clothes here and borrow hers when I need to,” I explained, still rampaging through the clothes.

“Blake’s closet not big enough to fit both your clothes?” I heard a crunch after Max had finished speaking.

Glancing over my shoulder, I found Max leaning against the doorframe, chewing on the apple in his hand.

“You just had dinner,” I accused.

“What can I say? I'm a growing man. I eat a lot.” He shrugged his shoulders.

“Really? Where exactly do you store all that food you eat? You’re all muscle and no fat. How are you so big anyway? Warlocks meant to be all bulky?”I snickered, turning back to my clothes search.

“You have no idea how “big” I am, sweetheart. I’ll happily show you my “big” muscle. All you have to do is ask” Max laughed.

Fuck! Why did I have to phrase that sentence like that?!

I mentally facepalmed myself and sighed.

“Not interested, Max,” I groaned.

“Oh, come on. Aren’t you curious?”

“Curious about what?” I asked, finally finding the clothes I was after. I picked them up and turned to look at Max.

“About how different our bodies are? I mean, you’ve seen Blake’s dick. But wouldn’t you like to know if mines bigger or smaller than his?” Max snickered, taking another bite of his apple.

*Was this guy serious?!*

“You’re disgusting!” I growled and pushed past Max, ignoring his chuckles.

I walked into Emily’s bathroom to find a spare toothbrush and other necessities.

“I don’t understand why you asked me for help when you hate me so much? I mean, you clearly don’t trust me, yet you're okay with me going into your head and talking to your wolf” Max followed me into the bathroom.

“I don’t hate you,” I muttered, opening drawers to find the stuff I needed.

“You have a very weird way of showing that,” he laughed.

“Max, I don’t hate you, okay. Hate is a strong word. Yes, I don’t like you. I definitely disagree on the way you do things.” I slammed shut a drawer, frustrated at not being able to find what I was looking for and at the conversation Max and I was having.

“So you don’t like me, you don’t trust me, yet I’m the first person you call for help? I don’t know if I should feel special or offended? You can’t just summon me when you like without any relationship.”

I sighed and stopped what I was doing.

I didn’t summon him, I asked for help, and he rushed over. Although, there was no denying my motives were selfish.

“Then why are you here? If you already know I’m using you for my benefit, then why are you here?! I didn’t summon you, Max. I said I needed your help, and you rushed over. So if we don’t have a relationship, why did you come so quickly?!” I snapped.

“Because you called,” Max shrugged.

“Lord, you are making no sense! No one is putting a gun to your head. Do you see me getting on my knees and begging you for your help?! No! You don’t want to be here, then please go.” My voice was louder than it needed to be.

“Now, that would be a pretty sight. You, on your knees, begging. Hmm, maybe I should have asked for that in return for my services.” Max cocked his head and winked at me.

I rolled my eyes and went back to searching.

“You’re cute when you’re angry. Wonder how much longer before you throw a fit.”

Was he intentionally winding me up?

“What exactly are you trying to do?” I asked, turning back towards him.

“Just annoying you so I can see you screw up your face and yell at me. I’ll settle for tough love since I can’t have your heart,” he chuckled, tossing his finished apple into the bin.

I groaned loudly and turned away from him. He made no sense.

After a few more attempts to find what I needed, I walked out into Emily’s bedroom and placed everything on her bed to ensure I didn't need anything else.

“Can I ask you something?” Max asked. He was still hovering around, watching me closely.

It made me a little uncomfortable, but I didn’t want to say anything. Confrontation with a man had always led me to a bad place.

“Hmph,” I kept my back to him.

“Why did you call me for help?”

“Because Benji said you were our best bet. We didn’t have time to find another witch or warlock that knew how to mess with wolf spirits,” I replied honestly.

“That’s all?”

I knew what he wanted to hear, but I wasn’t going to lie. I needed his help, but I didn’t want him to get the wrong impression.

“Max, what do you want to hear? That I needed you? That I had some epiphany and suddenly felt something for you? Will that make you feel better?” I couldn’t turn to look at him.

“No. Honestly, I don’t know what I’m expecting to hear” he sounded sad.

“Well, here’s the truth. I feel absolutely shit asking you for help. I didn’t want to see you again. You broke my trust. I called you my friend. I was willing to risk my relationship with Blake to get to know my new friend. You, obviously, didn't value our friendship. You used something as pure as pregnancy to create a wedge between Blake and me. If I had another choice, I would have picked death over calling you. But here we are. I’m going to die, and you're holding the last string to my life.”

“I didn’t do the pregnancy spell….” Max growled. “I didn’t have anything to do with that. But I knew how it would look, given no one knew we had become friends. So I bolted. Argh!”

“Why would I jeopardize my plans with such a stupid move? I was already getting what I wanted. Everything was planned! It was only a matter of time before you went into heat, and Blake wouldn’t be around to please you; I was going to make sure of it. I was all set to replace him in your life. I had earned your trust. Why the fuck would I ruin everything I planned with my own hands??” He yelled.

I was a little taken back by his outburst. I took a step back, a little worried he would do something irrational.

That’s when his words dawned on me.

“How did you know I was going to go into heat?” I asked.

We hadn’t found out about my bloodline until after I had finished my heat. Even Blake was surprised when it’s started. So then why did Max say it was only a matter of time before I went into heat?

I watched the color drain from Max’s face.

“I-.. I did-… I didn’t know… what??” Max stuttered.

“You just said it was only a matter of time before I went into heat. Which means you knew I would go into heat. How did you know Max? What are you not telling me?!” I insisted

Max looked at me like I had grown a second head.

“Yo-.. you heard me wrong. I never said that,” Max stuttered, taking a step back.

“I know what I heard, Max. Tell me what you know!” I yelled.

“I CAN’T!” He shouted.

“I can’t tell you anything. All you need to know is that I didn’t cast that pregnancy spell. I didn’t break your trust. You can trust me!” Max growled, running his hands through his hair.

“Max, how can I trust you when you are hiding the truth from me?” I questioned, taking a step towards him.

Before I could blink, Max closed the distance between us and roughly pulled me into his arms.

“Then maybe I should go. I should let you die because if this suppressant doesn’t kill you, he will. I’m risking my life to help you, Rosy.”

“Max…. I-… please tell me what’s going on? Maybe we can help each other,” I whispered, gently pressing my hand on his chest.

What was he so scared of? I had never seen Max so frightened before. He looked so vulnerable. I didn’t want him risking his life to save mine. No, that wouldn’t happen.

Max just stared down at me. His eyes were glossy and empty.

“Please, tell me what’s going on? I want to help you too,” I croaked.

He sighed and pressed his forehead to mine.

“Rosy, I really can’t. I’m here to try to save you. Not put you in more danger” there was an edge to Max’s voice.

“I’m going to die one way or another. What’s the worst that can happen?” I chuckled nervously.

Max didn’t move. Instead, he wrapped his arms around my waist and held me tightly.

It felt so wrong being in Max’s arms. It wasn’t the same warmth and comfort I felt when Blake touched me. My stomach churned, and a wave of nausea coursed through me.

He let me go and stepped away.

“I can feel your discomfort from my touch. I’m sorry. Another man’s touch is repulsing, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is,” I whispered.

I wrapped my arms around myself and tried to bring Blake’s warmth back.

“You didn’t answer me.” I pressed.

Max strolled towards Emily’s bedroom balcony and stared out at the woods.

“I made a deal with the devil, Rosy. I got what I wanted, and now he's claiming his half” Max sighed loudly and ran his hands through his hair.

“Wait? The devil? Like the actual devil?” I wasn’t sure how to react.

He shook his head and paced the room.

“No, not the actual devil. But somehow, I feel that would have been easier to get out of”

“Okay, so who’s this devil, and what deal did you make? Most importantly, how does this have anything to do with me?” I was getting impatient.

“He wanted someone found, and I wanted to learn dark magic. So, I went looking for the person, and he taught me everything I know about the evil side of magic,” Max replied, taking his jacket off and tossing it on Emily’s bed.

“Who were you looking for?” My throat was dry. Why was I so nervous to ask that question?

“Rosy, you really don’t want to get involved in this. Please.”

“Yes, I do. Max, who were you looking for?” I demanded, trying to remove the nervousness from my voice.

“Bethany Whitlock. He wanted me to find Bethany Whitlock,” he gulped.