Chapter 17
Maxwell’s POV
“This is just the beginning of our attack on your pack, King Maxwell. Release her, and peace will return to your kingdom.”
His voice rang like a warning bell, echoing in the silence of the basement. My sister’s words flooded back to me–her warnings, her prophecy. Protect your mate, Maxwell. Challenges will come, but you must remain steadfast.
Is this it? The moment she foresaw?
I clenched my fists, my wolf, Zion, clawing at my control. The man before me dared to call my mate theirs. The sheer audacity made my blood boil. My vision tinged red, and I could almost feel my hands wrapping around his throat, snapping his neck. But I held back. Not yet. Not here.
Without a word, I turned on my heel and left the basement, my steps eerily quiet despite the storm raging inside me.
The faint sound of footsteps followed. I didn’t need to turn to know it was Cross. His scent was unmistakable–loyalty and concern wrapped in one. But I wasn’t in the mood for his probing questions.
He trailed me through the winding hallways of the palace until I reached my office. I poured myself a glass of bourbon the moment I entered, the amber liquid sloshing against the glass. I drained it in one burning gulp, but the fire in my chest didn’t douse the fury clawing at my soul.
When I turned, Cross was standing there, his face calm but his eyes filled with questions. He always had questions,
“Say it, Cross,” I said, sinking into the leather chair behind my desk. “Whatever’s eating at you, just say it.”
He hesitated for a moment before speaking. “What are your plans, Alpha?” His voice was measured, but I could sense the underlying urgency.
“I have no plans,” I said flatly, leaning back in my chair.
“Our pack is at risk,” he pressed. “Those creatures–they’re not ordinary Lycans. You saw what they did at the border. We barely held them off. If they attack again…” “What’s your suggestion, Cross?” I asked, cutting him off, my tone sharper now.
His jaw clenched, the muscles twitching with tension. “Maybe you should consider their-”
“Don’t,” I snapped, rising to my feet so quickly my chair scraped against the floor. Zion surged forward, my wolf’s growl vibrating through my chest. “How dare you even suggest that?”
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Chapter 17
“I meant no disrespect, Alpha,” Cross said, lowering his gaze in submission. “But if we don’t act soon, this could destroy us.”
I took a deep breath, reigning in the beast within me. “Here’s what you’ll do,” I said coldly. “Kill that bastard in the basement. Tear him apart, limb by limb. Hang his head at the Eastern border as a message to any who dare threaten my pack. Let them see what awaits them if they cross me.”
Cross bowed deeply before leaving, his footsteps fading into the distance. I stood there for a moment, my fists trembling with suppressed rage. I needed to calm down before I lost control entirely.
The guards bowed as I walked through the palace, but I barely acknowledged them. My thoughts were consumed with one thing–her. My mate. My salvation.
I took the elevator to the third floor, where her chambers were. Her presence was the only thing that could quiet the chaos in my mind. As I entered her room, the familiar scent of lavender washed over me, soothing and intoxicating all at once.
She lay on the bed, her hair spread like a halo around her. For a moment, I simply stood there, watching her sleep. She looked so peaceful, so delicate, yet she was the strongest person I knew.
Zion growled softly in my mind, urging me forward. I couldn’t resist. I climbed into bed beside her, careful not to wake her. But the small distance between us wasn’t enough. I wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling her closer. She stirred, snuggling into my chest, her soft breaths warming my skin.
In that moment, the rage, the chaos–it all melted away. But another need arose, burning hotter than the anger ever did. Her scent, her warmth, the way her body fit perfectly against mine–it was driving me wild.
Then, without warning, her body tensed. Her skin grew unnaturally warm, and she began to tremble. Panic shot through me.
“Delilah?” I whispered, shaking her gently.
She clutched my hand tightly, her breath coming in shallow gasps.
“Delilah, what’s wrong?” I pulled her closer, holding her as though I could shield her from whatever was happening. The memory of her last illness, the helplessness I felt, clawed at me. I couldn’t lose her. Not again. Not ever.
“Maxwell?” she murmured, her voice weak but steady enough to give me hope.
“I’m here, baby. Open your eyes,” I said, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
When she looked at me, her electric blue eyes had turned a glowing gold. My breath caught in my throat.
“Goddess,” I whispered. “What’s happening to you?”
“I’ll be fine,” she said softly, her voice trembling. “Just hold me.”
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Chapter 17
I tightened my grip on her, my heart breaking at the sight of her pain. “What can I do? Tell me how to help you.”
Her eyes locked with mine, and her voice was barely above a whisper. “Claim me as yours, Maxwell. Completely. Only then will this stop.”
Zion howled in agreement. Do it, Maxwell. Save her. Save us.
But it wasn’t that simple. She was mated to another Alpha. I couldn’t claim her fully without tearing apart the bond that already existed.
“Please,” she begged, her voice cracking. “I need you now, Maxwell. You’re the only
one who can save me.”
The desperation in her voice shattered my hesitation. If claiming her would save her. then nothing else mattered. Not the consequences. Not the other Alpha. Not even the war it might spark.
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I cupped her face, my thumb brushing over her cheek. “You’re mine, Delilah. And I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you.”
With those words, I leaned down, sealing her fate–and mine–with a kiss.
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