Chapter 12 CHAPTER TWELVE
MAEVA
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause problems." Taron says, laughing nervously, "or almost lose my life."
"Don't lie, it's pointless. Why did you do it?"
He meets my eye for the first time since Caius left.
"You think I did it on purpose?"
"We've been fucking for years, Taron and you've never slip up like that in public."
He then laughs genuinely. "I don't know. I just wanted to do it."
"He nearly killed you. It's not funny."
"But it is, he didn't do anything to Alpha Luca who bumped into you. I guess I wanted to see how much I can get away with. Not much apparently."
"That's sick." I say, going round the truck to sit in the passenger seat.
Taron gets in the driver's seat and looks at me with a raised brow.
"I almost died and I still have to drive?" He asks and I nod.
"You look flushed. Were you turned on by him almost killing me?"
I don't answer. I'd be lying and I don't have the energy to lie right now.
He sighs. "You have to admit that he's trying. I don't think it's easy for the big bad wolf to stay this long without claiming you. It's going against every single instinct he has."
I don't say anything, I know he's telling the truth. Truly, I expected more fight from Caius. From the things I've heard about him, I didn't expect him to simply take my rejection like he's taking it.
"I don't think it has been easy for you too. He's gorgeous and he's yours. Resisting him, even with all of your reasons can't be easy."
I still don't reply. Instead, I look out the window. I don't want to think about Caius being gorgeous and mine. Taron drops me off at my house but doesn’t leave.
“From everything I’ve seen him do since we found out he’s your mate, I don’t think he wants you under him. He looks fine with you being in control.”
“Taron, he doesn’t feel threatened by me. I’m an Alpha and he doesn’t think anything of my power. You saw how he spoke to me after he tried to kill you? The only way he’s different from any other Alpha available is that he’s more powerful. And that’s reason enough to ignore whatever this bond is.”
He tries to say something else and I turn around and walk to the door. The car leaves and I sigh. I’m doing the right thing. It’s going to be a battle but I’m strong enough to do it.
The moment the lock turns, the world spins. A white-hot flash of heat starts from my core and spreads, making my skin feel like it’s being scorched from the inside out. My knees buckle and I slide down the door, her palms scraping against the wood.
From the heat, lust starts. Wetness pools at my pussy and a chill envelopes me, hardening my nipples. Fuck, I thought I had more time. The lust isn’t just desire; it feels like a physical wound. My wolf lets out a visceral howl that echoes in the back of my skull, demanding the only thing that could quench the fire. Caius.
Every cell in my body is screaming for his scent, for the crushing weight of his body on mine. Flashes of how he looked earlier today go through my mind. I want his hands on me right now. I take a deep slow breath then muster a little strength and crawl to the bathroom. I turn the shower on and sit under it, shivering while feeling like my body will peel from the heat.
As abruptly as it started, the fever stops and the pressure vanishes, leaving me with tears running down my cheeks and the realization that I have more to fight than just Caius.
I sit on the floor for a few more minutes before I pull herself up. As I get up, I don’t feel weak. Instead, I feel stronger. The heat is bad, but it isn’t as bad as some of the stories I’ve heard. Maybe because I’m an Alpha and stronger than most she wolves, my reaction to it is different. I’ve suffered it this time, I will continue to survive it until Caius gives up.
From the living room, the landline rings and I sigh. I dry myself off before going to the living room to answer the call.
“You just left, why are you calling?”
“There’s unrest in the pack. I’ll meet you at the tree with some clothes.” Taron says.
I sigh and shift to wolf form. Unrest in the pack is usually a sign of a terrible day but today, it is a distraction that I need. Hopefully, this is something I can fix within a few hours and I can come home and rest.
From Taron’s face as he hands me the clothes, this isn’t a quarrel about food or training.
“What is it?” I ask.
“The appearance of Alpha Mage and Alpha Luca unsettled a few people.”
Shit, this always happens. Anytime a big bad Alpha decides to irritate me, it spooks the pack and they start demanding ridiculous things.
I dress up and follow Taron to the large gathering. I walk to the middle and greet them all.
“Who is causing this unrest?” I ask.
“I am, Alpha.” Grant says, stepping forward.
Grant is an old wolf and has a son my age. Grant and his son also hate me and think I’m the cause of everything terrible in the world.
“The only reason these packs are messing with us is because of you. They don’t see you as their equal. We should take Alpha James’ offer.”
I slap Grant and the crowd quiets. How dare he say that to me? Alpha James’ offer is for me to merge my pack with his so he can be Alpha and I’ll serve as his Beta. I spat on his face the day he said it and I won’t take any member of my pack feeding into it.
“Grant the only way someone else will take this pack from me is from my cold dead hands. The only reason you’re not on the floor right now begging for your life is because I allow it. But if this stupid thing you just said starts spreading throughout my pack then I will be forced to shut you up permanently.”
I turn from him to the rest of the crowd.
“This goes to anyone who doesn’t like my leadership. If you think you can do better, challenge me for it. You either die or you become leader of the pack.”
When nobody says anything, I turn away from all of them and I leave. As I walk away, I hear my wolf in my mind.
I should have been more ruthless.