A realization

Maddox’s P.O.V.

“You have three days to calm down.”

What the fuck?

Cursing myself for my stupidity, I thrashed the bottle of bourbon after emptying it in one go. It was out of my mind why the hell I agreed to such nonsense, letting her go was the worst decision of my life.

Nope!

It was the second worst as sparing Prince Edith’s life was a mistake; I should have snapped his neck right after seeing him. That momentary lateness cost me my relationship, my Erasthai left me for that young and handsome werewolf Alpha.

My blood boiled to remember his mocking grin when he snatched my Kitten away from me. I wished to turn back time and tear that bastard a part.

The unbearable fire in my chest burned me as a whole and alcohol was unable to suppress it, I growled in annoyance.

“How am I supposed to spend three days without my Kitten?”

As she threatened to reject me for that rascal, I gave her my word to buy some time. It was impossible that I would ever let her reject me. But the severity of my decision bit me in the ass as I began to miss her the moment she left, and within three hours, I was an emotional mess.

How could I stay away from my Kitten for so long?

My chest tightened as a hard lump in my throat made it hard to breathe, I was restless beyond words. The snake of fear stung me every time as I imagined that bastard, he would leave no stone unturned to pour venom in my Kitten’s heart.

He was successful in winning her sympathy in my presence, only Heaven knew what he would do to convince her for marking.

No!

Zeth howled dolefully as his devastation ached my chest, he was crying for the first time in my life.

“Kitten has gone, Maddox. She hasn’t marked us. I can’t live without her.”

His pitiful cries deeply resonated with my worries as I drank all the alcohol in the bar, cursing my fate. I took out my cell phone to look at my Kitten’s picture and shouted at her.

“I have never used a curse word in three centuries and look at me now. I am an expert in cursing like a street walker. How can you leave me after changing me like this?

What will I do without you now?”

Banging my fist on the counter, I growled loudly. The windows shook with the intensity of my roar as I got up and swore impulsively.

“To hell with my promise. I am coming to take you back, Kitten.”

Whether she liked it or not, I was her mate, and it was her duty to submit to me. If she would try to reject me, I would paste duct tape on her mouth and throw her over my shoulder to bring her back. It wasn’t fair that she could come and go as she pleased.

The haze of alcohol kicked in as I tripped and lost my footing briefly, standing straight was a difficult task for me. Edith’s teasing face appeared before my sight as my heart thundered, the blistering rage flared through me like a rumbling volcano, ready to burst.

“I will kill you, bastard!”

I yelled with full force as my throat was aching due to continuous growling, Edith appeared confused as he asked,

“Why, Maddox? I know you didn’t want us to disturb you during the vacations. But killing is a bit extreme ...”

“No one is allowed ...” I turned, punching the first thing my hand connected with. My wine collection from the bar went flying, shattering against the wall and spilling over the rug. The strong smell of alcohol filled the air as I heard someone saying.

“Maddox, are you nuts? What happened? Why are you behaving so strangely? And where is baby girl?”

It took me a moment to realize that the person addressing me was Hayden, not bastard Edith. I raised my head and noticed worry etched on his pale face, the presence of a friend in such loneliness broke the bounds of my restraints. I rushed to hug him and cried out.

“Kitten left me for that werewolf bastard. I lost my Erasthai!”

...

“So, baby girl thinks that you are an insensitive jerk.”

After hearing my entire story, Hayden commented, filling my cup with black coffee again.

“When you were planning with Catherine, I warned you for this day, Maddox. Keeping your partner in the dark can never end in good. Baby girl must be feeling betrayed and heartbroken.”

Betrayed?

Why?

I didn’t sleep with another woman to cheat on her!

Hayden stared at me with such complex expressions that I couldn’t understand what was wrong with my response. His high-pitched squeal puzzled me.

“Maddox, do you have any idea what your fault in this whole scenario is?”

“Yes.” I replied to him honestly, “I shouldn’t have let that bastard alive.”

“Goddess!” Hayden threw his hands in the air, groaning in frustration. “You are hopeless, Maddox.

After living for so long, didn’t you learn anything about relationships in your past? This is a partnership; how will you feel if baby girl conceals a secret from you?”

Why would she do that?

My dumbstruck gaze fell on Hayden as I asked him for more elaboration. He was trying to make a point, but I couldn’t get it.

“I am her mate, so Kitten can’t keep things from me. That’s how I spent all my life. I am the King, so obviously, women submit to me without fussing. This partnership isn’t my style.”

Hayden shook his head, drinking a mug of coffee like he was drunk and spoke with a sigh.

“Maddox, you need to listen to me carefully. Leave your old beliefs aside and learn to live like a partner in a relationship if you wish to continue your mate-bond like before.”

The promise of my life before the tsunami named Edith gave me hope in impenetrable darkness. I was ready to do everything to get my Kitten back.

After getting my approval, Hayden explained to me the concept of a relationship in the modern world. It took me some time to adjust with the idea of taking a decision after discussion as he said,

“You are a King in the court, fine. But you must behave like an official in your home. Baby girl is your fellow, whose opinion matters in every issue. You both should discuss every matter before jumping to conclusions.

Like I asked you to consider a transparent conversation with your mate about her ancestry.”

He told me to put myself in her shoes and think rationally, it would be easy for me to understand her emotions. So, I decided to give this method a try.

Closing my eyes, I imagined myself as an omega with no clue of my past, then thought about Kitten as my mate who was aware of everything. Two minutes in and I felt the urge to know about my past, the sudden feeling of rage and anger directed towards my mate sucked all the air out of my lungs. It occurred to me.

“Shit! I have messed up big!”

I turned towards Hayden and looked at his curious face, speaking hurriedly.

“Let’s go to the werewolf capital, Hayden. I need to apologize to my Kitten. She is hurt!”

“Thank Goddess!” Hayden rolled his eyes at me as if I was a commoner, not his King, and said,

“You have just realized your mistake, Maddox. With Edith in the picture, you should be cautious and plan accordingly.”

He was right, Price Edith’s sudden appearance right at the time of my marking screamed suspicion, he was cooking something behind our backs. And now he has my Kitten, he could use her as leverage against me if I act recklessly.

It was time to solve the puzzle of his greater plan!

I left all my work and focused on the rivalry between lycans and werewolves, spending hours trying to catch the gist of attacks. Price Edith was using chips to control the brains of shifters, and his vast spying network was also a headache.

I ordered Beta James to investigate the cases and requested Hayden,

“Go to the slave market and find out about Kitten’s mom. I will recognize her picture if she was really a part of Alpha King’s harem.”