Chapter 35 The owner of the mysterious gift

Chapter 35 The owner of the mysterious gift
Antonella Erickson - POV

I felt my entire body lightly with desire when Maximus pulled back, both of us panting from the kiss. "What's wrong?” I asked him as confusion flooded my expression.

“Antonella, I don't want to make you regret this later.” Maximus told me as he tried to push me away, but I held onto his shirt collar and pulled him towards me.

“I know what I want, Maximus. And right now my heart and my mind only tell me that this is the right thing to do.” I asserted with certainty.

"This is the magical mate bond talking, Antonella. Are you sure you don't have feelings for Elijah?” Maximus asked me, and for a moment I paused and tried to search for that feeling of love and longing that I should feel, but there was nothing. It felt like Elijah was just a fraction of my imagination, but the bond with Maximus felt solid and real.

“Ever since I left Elijah, I never experienced the agony or the feeling of loss that many talked about when they lost or left their mates, Maxmius. But just the thought of leaving you makes me feel like my entire world would collapse. I don't know why I am feeling this way, but one thing is for certain.” I paused, letting my words sink in before I continued. “I want you to be my side for the rest of my life.” I said when I saw a surprised look on his face.

“I know it's a selfish desire because your mate is out there somewhere.” I trailed off as I let go of his collar and stepped back. “But if you want to give us a chance, then I will be happy to be your Luna for the rest of my life.”

A tense silence engulfed the surroundings while my heart was beating like a drum against my chest. The one thing I hate about an alpha is that they are so well-trained that you would never get to see a single emotion on their face, and that was what was happening right now as well.

“You know once you complete the bond with me, there is no going back?” Maximus asked me when I nodded my head without hesitation.

“So does that mean you will accept me as our mate?” I asked him with hopeful eyes.

“Before I accept you as my mate, I want you to know something, Antonella.” Maximus told me when a frown appeared on my face.

“What do you mean?” I asked him, but instead of answering my question, he grabbed my hand and led me to his office. “Where are we going, Maximus?” I asked him, but he didn't answer; instead, we walked straight into his office, and he let go of my wrist and walked to his desk and took out a file. “What is this?” I asked him.

“Open it and see for yourself," he told me when I stepped closer to his desk and opened the file. My eyes widened in shock when I saw the drawing of the necklace I wore. Right below the drawing there were instructions written for the jewelers on the exact number of diamonds that should be used.

“You gifted this to me?” I asked him confusedly when Maximus nodded his head.

“The first time I saw you was at a ball that happened a few years ago, and from that moment on, I felt something click within me while my heart tucked to go after you, Ella. But when I saw you with my enemy, I was confused. But I knew I needed to stay away. Toy already has a mate, and I didn't want to disturb you.”

“You lived with me for a long time?” I asked him, shocked, when he nodded his head.

“I have always loved you from afar, and that was the reason I couldn't bear to see you broken and take your life, Ella.”

“So you know who I was before you even helped me?” I asked him when he nodded his head.

“But I would have helped whoever was in your position. It's just that seeing you there rekindled my feelings," he told me, and for a moment I didn't know what to say.

“Is that why you were so mad when you found out about the magical bind between us?” I asked him, my tone rising an octave.

“I am sorry, Ella. But deep down I was overjoyed at the fact that you have finally become my mate. I didn't want to start this relationship in lies, and that was the reason I told you everything, but if you still want me, then I would be the happiest man alive.”

I didn't know what to say or feel right now. My mind was in chaos when I abruptly turned around. “I need some time, Alpha Alexus.” I told him, and without even waiting to hear his reply, I rushed out of his office. As I arrived in my room, I made my way to the mirror and stared at the necklace that was around my neck.

This was the only thing that gave me comfort, but now that I know who gave this, I don't know what to feel. “If he wished, he could have hidden that fact from us, Antonella," Lia chimed.

“He is claiming that he loves us, Lia. He is the enemy after all. What if he uses our feelings to target Elijah?”

“If he wanted to do that, he would have done that a long time back, Ella. Moreover, he wouldn't have even disclosed this information,” she told me. “I have never felt a connection with Elijah’s wolf, and I thought maybe with time we would form a connection, but strangely I have formed an instant connection with Maximus’s wolf.”

“You never told me this," I accused Lia.

“You never asked. But the point is. Deep down I feel like he is our true mate, Ella.”

“What do you want me to do now?” I asked her when she let out a sigh.

“This is your call, Ella. I hope you make the right decision.”