Chapter 76

Chapter 76
Maddox

I was ready to leave, but Rhea’s voice stopped me cold.

"You’re a fool, Maddox," she said. She was shaking her head so hard her tangled hair flew around her face. 

"You really are. You think just because they have the same face that it’s him? It’s not. Jesse and him... they aren't the same. They’re two different people! Jesse isn't some ghost coming back to life. He isn't a reincarnation. He’s his own person, and he’s going to hate you for trying to turn him into a memory."

I turned back slowly. I didn't yell. I just started to laugh. 

"Look at you," I said, laughing. "You can’t even say his name, can you? You’re so pathetic. You sit there and talk about who Jesse is, but you can’t even bring yourself to say the name of the man you killed!"

Rhea flinched like I’d slapped her. Her mouth opened, but no sound came out.

"That’s right," I said.

"You’re the reason he died. You’re the reason Gale is gone. Don't you ever forget that. If you hadn't been so selfish, if you hadn't dragged him outside our territory all those years ago just because you were bored, those rogues never would have found him. He would be sitting in the garden right now. He’d be alive."

"And even when they attacked, what did you do? Nothing. You couldn't even protect him. You watched them take him. It was all your fault. Every single bit of it."

I knew the truth about my sister. Everyone thought she was just being a good friend to Gale, but I saw through it.

"I always knew, Rhea," I whispered. "I knew you were obsessed with him. You were crazy about my mate. You wanted him for yourself, didn't you? Is that why you’re so attached to Jesse now? Are you trying to get a second chance with a new face? It’s sick. You’re actually sick in the head."

The thought of her being near Jesse made my stomach turn. I wouldn't let her do it. I wouldn't let her get close to him and mess things up again. I wouldn't let her get him hurt or killed the same way she did to him. 

Jesse was my second chance, not hers.

"I’m done listening to you," I said, straightening my back. 

"You think you’re going to help him? You think you’re going to whisper in his ear and tell him stories about me? Forget it. You’re going to spend the rest of your days down here, or maybe somewhere even further away. I’m going to make sure you never see his face again. I’ll make sure you’re just a name he forgets while he’s busy learning to love me."

Rhea started to sob. Real, ugly sobs that made her shoulders shake

"Maddox, please... don't do this. Don't be like this."

"Like what? A brother who protects what’s his?" I snapped. 

"I’m doing what should have been done a long time ago."

I didn't look back at her again. I walked out of the dungeon and I took a deep breath. I needed to wash the smell of that place off me.

I had work to do. Jesse was still upstairs, probably sitting by that window, thinking he was alone in the world. He needed me. He just didn't know it yet. 

I had to go back to him. I had to show him that I was the only one who truly cared, the only one who could give him a home.

It was time to go back to the "guest room." It was time to keep winning him over. After all, if the Moon Goddess gave him back to me, who was I to keep him waiting?

Before I left, though, I had given specific orders to the guards. Rhea was very unpredictable..

"Listen to me, you keep your eyes on her at all times. Do you understand? I don't want her left alone for a single second."

"Yes, Alpha."

"And another thing," I added.

"Do not talk to her. Not a word. I don't care if she’s crying, or if she’s promising you gold, or if she’s telling you she’s hungry. Do not engage in any sort of conversation with her. Got it?"

The guards nodded quickly. I knew how Rhea worked. She was cunning. She had this way of talking to people, this ability to twist their thoughts and get inside their heads before they even realized what was happening. 

She’d persuade them to do "small favors" that would eventually lead to her getting exactly what she wanted. 

I wasn't going to let that happen. Not with the guards, and definitely not with Jesse.

I’d rather have her rotting down here, as far away from the light as possible. She was dangerous. I didn't want my little sister anywhere near Jesse. She was the one who got Gale killed. 

I wasn't a fool and I wasn't going to let her get Jesse killed the same way. Keeping them apart was the only way to keep him safe. It was better this way. Right? Of course it was. It had to be.

Now, I wanted to check if Jesse had finally stopped being stubborn and eaten the meal I sent up. Was he still being difficult? Probably.

When I reached the guest wing, I didn't bother knocking. Why would I? It’s my house. I’m the Alpha. I own the doors, the locks, and everything behind them. Including the person inside.

I pushed the door open and stepped in. The room was quiet. I looked toward the bed, but it was empty. Then I saw him sitting by the window. It reminded me of something. Of Gale.

Gale used to do that. He’d sit for hours just staring out the window, enjoying the scenery, watching the birds or the way the wind moved the leaves. 

Jesse was exactly like him in ways he didn’t even realize.

Rhea was talking complete trash down in that cell. Different people? Oh Please. How could she say that when I was seeing the proof with my own eyes? 

They were the same. It was the same soul, just in a new body. The Goddess wouldn't tease me like this if it wasn't true.

But I had to be careful. Jesse couldn’t find out about Gale. Not yet, anyway. It definitely wasn’t the right time for that kind of talk. 

He’d probably freak out or think I was crazier than he already does. I had to keep that secret locked away until he was ready to hear it.

"Are you planning on standing there for all eternity?"

Jesse’s voice broke the silence. He finally turned his head to face me. 

"What do you want, Maddox? Do you just like watching people breathe?"

"I wanted to see if you’d eaten yet. The tray is still full, Jesse. It’s cold."

"I’m not hungry," he said. He sounded so bored, like my presence was just a fly he wanted to swat away.

"You need to eat," I said, stepping closer. I tried to make my voice sound reasonable. "I can have them bring up something else. What do you want? Steak? Fruit? Just tell me what you’ll actually put in your mouth and I’ll get it."

Jesse just looked back at the window. 

"I want you to leave. That’s what I want. Can you get me that? Or is that too hard for the great Alpha?"

"I’m not leaving," I said. My patience was starting to wear thin. Why did he have to be like this? 

"I’m trying to be nice to you. I'm trying to look after you, and you just keep shunning me. Don't you think you're being a bit much?"

"Leave me alone, Maddox!" he snapped, his voice getting louder. 

"Get out of the room. I don't want to see your face. Is that clear enough for you? Or do I need to say it in another language?"

I stared at him. He was stubborn. He was way too stubborn. Honestly, he was actually more difficult than Gale ever was. Gale would at least talk to me. Jesse? Jesse was like a wild animal that would rather starve than let someone touch it.

I realized then that being nice wasn't working. I had tried the soft way, and he had spat on it. If he wouldn't submit because he wanted to, I would have to use necessary means to make him. It was for his own good. He needed to learn that I was the one in charge here.

"Fine," I said. I turned toward the door and raised my voice. 

"Guards! Get in here."

Two of my strongest warriors stepped into the room immediately. Jesse’s eyes went wide, and he stood up, backing away toward the window.

"What are you doing?" he demanded. His voice was shaking...good. 

"Maddox, what is this? Tell them to stay back!"

"Restrain him!" I ordered.

Jesse started to protest, shouting and trying to push them away as they grabbed his arms. He was strong for a rogue, but he was no match for two trained pack warriors. 

His words fell on deaf ears. They didn't care about his yelling, and neither did I.

"Tie him to the bedside!" I told my men. I watched as they forced him down and used heavy silk cords to bind his wrists to the bedpost. It wasn't meant to hurt him, just to keep him still. To make him realize he couldn't run.

"You're a monster!" Jesse screamed at me, his face red with anger. "You can't do this! Let me go!"

I walked over and stood right in front of him. I leaned down so our noses were almost touching.

"You’re going to stay right there for five hours," I said calmly. 

"Maybe that’ll give you some time to think about your attitude. When I come back inside, if you still refuse to play nice... I’ll make it another ten hours. Do you understand me? Eat the food, Jesse. Stop fighting the person who’s trying to keep you alive."

I turned and walked out, ignoring his screaming. I felt a little sick in my stomach, but I pushed it down. He’d thank me later.