Chapter 8
Maxwell’s POV
“Send for her husband, and be quick about it,” I commanded, my voice trembling yet still carrying the weight of authority. My heart raced as if it knew something ominous lay ahead.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” the elderly woman replied, bowing deeply before scurrying off.
I turned to Cross, my trusted Beta. His calm demeanor had always been my anchor in moments of chaos. “Cross, follow her. Make sure he understands the urgency of the situation. Tell him this is a matter of life and death.”
Cross nodded firmly. “Yes, Your Majesty.” He approached the woman, gesturing for her to follow him. “Ma’am, come with me.”
She hesitated, her face pale, but eventually followed him out of the room. Just as they reached the door, I raised my hand. “Wait!”
The woman stopped immediately, turning back to face me.
“What is your name?” I asked, my curiosity piqued by her apparent nervousness.
“Kala, Your Majesty,” she answered, her voice barely above a whisper.
nodded. “You may go now, Kala.”
With another bow, she hurried after Cross, her footsteps echoing down the hall.
I turned back to Rosa, who was standing by Delilah’s bedside. My destined mate looked fragile, her face pale as
ache in my chest. I leaned downow. her breaths shallow. The sight stirred a strange
and pressed a kiss to the crown of her head. A jolt of
electricity surged through me, sharp yet comforting.
“Take care of her,” I said softly, my voice betraying the vulnerability I tried to suppress.
“I will, Your Majesty,” Rosa replied, her tone resolute.
straightened and followed Rowan, who had been waiting silently near the doorway. My sister’s expression was a mixture of concern and determination, a rare combination that unsettled me.
We walked in silence through the palace corridors. The guards bowed as we passed, their reverence a reminder of the weight I carried as King.
“Your Majesty. Your Highness,” they greeted us, stepping aside to open the door to my office.
i
Once inside, gestured for Rowan to sit. I poured her a drink, but she waved it away.
“You wanted to speak with me?” I asked, settling into my chair behind the desk.
“Yes, Maxwell,” she began, her voice tinged with urgency. “I need to warn you. A problem is brewing, one that will soon test your crown and your strength as Alpha
Chapter 8
King.”
I leaned forward, my interest piqued. “Go on.”
“This isn’t a battle of strength or power, brother,” she continued. “It’s a battle of patience, one you must navigate carefully. Your decisions in the coming days will determine everything.”
Her words, though cryptic, sent a chill down my spine. “Does this have anything to do
With my mate?”
“Yes,” she confirmed, her tone grave. “It has everything to do with her. But there’s much I still need to uncover. For now, all I can say is that you must protect her at all costs. Delilah is… special. More special than any of us realize.”
I frowned, her words stirring a storm of questions. “Special how? And what kind of threat are we dealing with?”
“I don’t have all the answers yet,” Rowan admitted, frustration flickering in her eyes. But trust me when I say that the danger is coming for her, not from her. She’s
your destined mate, Maxwell. You must protect her with your life.”
I sat back, the weight of her words settling heavily on my shoulders. “If that’s the case, I’ll give you my word. I won’t let anything harm her.”
The Alpha authority in my tone caused Rowan to flinch, and I immediately regretted it.
“Don’t do that!” she snapped, her voice trembling.
“I’m sorry,” I said quickly. “It won’t happen again.”
She stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. “I need to leave,” she muttered, turning to go.
“Rowan,” I called after her. She paused but didn’t turn around. “Be careful. Whatever you uncover, bring it to me immediately.”
She nodded once before walking out, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling. Who was Delilah? Could she truly be hurman, as her nanny claimed? That woman, Kala, seemed suspicious. She’d lied about leaving to find a doctor, of that I was certain. If she was Delilah’s nanny, she likely knew things the rest of us didn’t. I needed to keep a closer eye on her.
A mind–link from Cross snapped me out of my thoughts.
“How did it go?” I asked.
“We’re here,” Cross replied. “He brought his Luna with him. She insisted on coming when she heard about Delilah. But… I don’t trust her.”
“Bring them to my office immediately,” I instructed, cutting off the link.
Minutes later, a knock came at the door. “Come in,” I called.
The door opened, and Cross stepped in, followed by Alpha Farrell and a woman I
2/3
Chapter 8
presumed was his Luna.
“Your Majesty,” Farrell greeted, bowing deeply, his Luna following suit.
“Thank you for coming so quickly,” I said, gesturing to the chairs in front of my desk. ” Please, sit.”
Cross excused himself, leaving us alone. Farrell’s eyes darted nervously around the room before settling on me.
“I apologize for missing last night’s meeting, Your Majesty,” he began. “I recently found my mate, and last night was our mating ritual. I assume this is why you summoned me?”
His tone was respectful, but the thought of him touching what was now mine made my blood boil.
“I called you here to discuss Delilah,” I said, watching his reaction closely.
“Ex–wife, Your Majesty,” his Luna interjected smoothly.
I ignored the irritation her interruption sparked and pressed on. “Yes, ex–wife,” I corrected myself. “She is now my destined mate and will soon be my Luna and Queen.”
The shock on their faces was satisfying. Farrell’s jaw tightened, while Luna’s
composed facade faltered for just a moment.
I leaned back in my chair, a smirk playing on my lips. I won’t pry in their matter for I
know that she is just a fake. She isn’t his mate.
回
