Chapter 30 Not who I thought he was.
Antonella Erickson - POV
“Congratulations once again, Alpha Aleuxs," an alpha said as he handed over a present.
“Thank you for coming for this event, Alpha Dune.” Maximus told him when a smile appeared on his face.
“It was an honor to meet your mate, Maximus. So, I will take my leave now,” he said when Maximus nodded his head.
“Did you enjoy the party?” Maximus asked me as the last of the guests left the pack house while we stood near the doorway.
“I don't know.” I replied when the familiar sense of dread returned. Maximus turned around to face me when realization dawned on his face, and strangely, he didn't look panicked at all.
“We can talk about it at home," he told me, and right then Rachel and Arthur came to us.
“I cannot still believe that everything went so well.” Rachel exclaimed as she let out a sigh and took a large gulp of her wine.
“I thought Alpha Alastair might pull a stunt.” Arthur said.
“The elders were the ones who arranged this meeting, Arthur. And even if I wanted to kill him right there in my office, I wouldn't have been able to do so.” "Maximus gritted out," and I heard the regret in his tone while confusion consumed me.
“What do you mean you are powerless?” I asked when all three of them looked at me.
"Haven't you heard about the powers that the three elders possess?” Rachel asked me when I shook my head. I know Arthur and Rachel wouldn't judge me for not knowing much since they believe that I have lived my entire life as a rogue, but deep down I felt ashamed of myself. I was born as the daughter of the gamma, and I was mated to an alpha, and yet I never really bothered to learn more about the elders' council and about the alphas that ruled our species.
“She is still learning how the pack works, Rachel. How was she supposed to know that?” Arthur asked, but Rachel still stood in disbelief.
"Well, the elders' council consists of three alphas, and the title of the elder is passed down from generation to generation.”
“So does that mean the same families have been ruling over our species for decades?” I asked when Rachel nodded her head.
Don't you think it's unfair? I mean, why can't someone else get the chance of being an elder?” I asked, and when Arthur was about to answer, Maximus replied.
"That's because they are a superior species compared to us. No one knows how it works, but a certain kind of power is passed down among their families. They have the ability to control us with their minds, which makes us powerless.” Maximus explained when my eyes widened in fascination.
“It is because of that control that they have among our species that no one dares to go against their orders,” Rachel said.
“If they are so powerful, then why didn't they just command Maximus or Alpha Alastair to stop the war?” I asked when a mysterious smile appeared on Maximus’s face.
“The council originally consisted of five families until one of the families decided to leave while the other family was killed by a massive witch attack.”
“Is that why our species don't mingle with the witches and wizards?” I asked when Rachel nodded her head.
What about the other family who left?” I asked when Arthur and Rachel simultaneously looked at Maximus.
“The other family is none other than the Alexus family.” Arthur told me when everything fell into place. So that is why the elders tried to arrange a meeting hoping that Maximus would stop this war.
“They are not able to control each other’s families?” I asked when Rachel nodded her head.
“They will not be able to place an order on one another, but they are able to stop Maximus from trying to kill someone,” Rachel explained.
“I think that is enough history lesson for the night.” Maximus interrupted as he wrapped his hand around my waist and pulled me close to his warm body. “I need to end this celebration with my mate alone.” Maximus said with a smirk on his face when my face started turning red.
“Of course, it would be a sin to keep the newly mated couple separated any longer," Arthur jokingly commented. “Good night, Luna Evangeline. Enjoy your night,” he said, and all I was able to do was give him a shy smile.
“Good night, Luna Evangeline.” Rachel said when she turned to face Maximus. “Good night, Maximus," she said before she turned around and walked down the driveway.
Rachel Edward - POV
My heart was hammering against my chest in pain as I burst through the front door and walked straight to my liquor cabinet. The house was quiet and pitch dark as I walked into the living room. I didn't even bother turning on the lights when I picked up an unopened bottle of whiskey and popped the lid open before I took in a large gulp.
“If you are so heartbroken at seeing them together, why aren't you doing anything to chase that bitch out of our pack?” I turned around when I saw Cynthia standing by the doorway in her nightsuit.
“I am not heartbroken. I just needed a drink.” I snapped when she rolled her eyes at me and walked into the living room.
“You deserve to be the luna of this pack after everything you have done, Rachel. And I don't get why you simply let her have your mate.”
“She is his fated mate, Cynthia. How am I supposed to get her out of the way?” I asked when a dark look crossed her head.
"It's not like you have not done it before, Rachel," she said in a cryptic tone when I felt my heart skip a beat.
“People change, Cynthia.”
“Not you, Rachel. And I still don't get it as to why you simply gave up after coming this far.”
“This is my life, and I will take care of it, so you don't poke your nose in this.” I yelled at her, but she wasn't afraid of me; she was simply disappointed when she turned around and stormed out of the room.