Chapter 5

Maddox’s POV:

I was making my way into the pack mansion when I sensed his presence.

Only Eldric Fenrow could carry that kind of silence with so much grace. Back in the day, he was my Father’s Beta, his best friend, and in my earliest memories, I still remember him as one. He used to crack jokes all the time, laughed heartily, went on hunts with my father, and trained me to be a warrior.

But now, after years of loneliness and darkness, it was hard to believe he was the same man. It had been 15 years since he even smiled. I had forgotten the sound of his laughter or the way his eyes lit up whenever he saw his mate. Now there was nothing but darkness lurking in those orbs.

“You’re late,” he said blankly while stepping into the clearing.

Turning around to face him, I answered blankly, “I was busy with something.” There was no need to mention what exactly I was busy with.

He remained silent and only assessed me with a watchful gaze before finally moving toward me. His broad shoulders heaved up and down as he took a deep breath before inquiring, “Is there something I need to know, Maddox?”

He knew.

Of course, he did. Eldric Fenrow had the eyes of a hawk and the spirit of a ghost. He was everywhere at once. He knew everything he wished to know.

I had never hidden anything from him. Why would I? After my father’s murder, he was the only one who held me closer. Even though he was known as my mentor, for me, he wasn’t any less of a fatherly figure. He taught me everything I needed to know and prepared me for what I needed to do.

But for some deranged reason, this part of my life, this fucked up part, I wanted to keep it to myself. I wanted to keep HER to myself.

It felt as if I would say it aloud, all of that would vanish…or maybe bleed into reality. A reality that was nothing more than a myth in my world.

So, squaring my shoulders, I lifted my head and looked straight into Eldric’s eyes before blurting out a white lie, “I don’t think so.”

His gaze narrowed, but never wavered away.

After a moment’s pause, I whipped around and stepped toward the mansion when his words stopped me dead in my tracks, “You have been spending a lot of time in the human territory lately.”

Tilting my head to the side, I looked over my shoulder, “And I don’t see how any of that is your concern.”

Well, that was brutal of me to say that.

But he remained calm and composed while moving in front of me, “You have always been focused, Maddox. For the last 15 years, I’d never once seen you distracted from your mission.” His voice lowered with a hint of sadness as he stared into the forest I’d just come from, “But things seemed to have changed now.”

My fist clenched at my side, “That’s nothing but gibberish you’re talking about.”

Ignoring my comment, he continued staring into the distance, “I wonder what fractured that kind of resolve.”

I tensed at his words. I stayed silent because I had nothing to say that would justify my actions. After all, he was right. I had been distracted lately. For 15 years, my head was set straight on achieving my goal, and nothing could have ever succeeded in distracting me. But lately, those auburn hair and hazel eyes were all I’d wanted to chase.

When the silence stretched far too long and none of us uttered a word, Eldric finally let out a tiring sigh, “You must not forget your oath. Your responsibility. Your father’s blood is still waiting for justice for 15 years and…”I cut him off sharply, “Neither have I forgotten nor have I turned away from my responsibility.”

He stared at me for a few moments before his shoulders slouched in defeat, “But your footsteps have been wandering. And they are taking you away from everything you’re meant to be.” Lifting his hand, he rested on my shoulder and squeezed tightly, “You are treading on a dangerous path. Blending your world with those of humans? Dangerous thing to do.”

He didn’t take her name. He didn’t need to. The way his gaze narrowed slightly, his tone turned cold and bitter at the mention of her, told me enough. He knew everything, and he didn’t like any of that one bit.

Something unsettled deep inside me. I didn’t need anyone’s approval about what I was doing. But Eldric…he was important to me.

Sucking in a sharp inhale, I muttered, “You won’t understand.”

His gaze turned razor-like sharp, “I don’t need to,” he spat venomously. Taking an abrupt step away from me, he continued, “I only need to remind you of your mission. I’m here to make sure you don’t forget who you are. And why were you chosen. And what’s at stake. The heir of your father’s killer is still out there. You promised justice, and you need to serve it so that you can finally take your rightful place as the Alpha of this pack after a long wait of 15 years.”

He shook his head slowly. Disappointment flashed in his eyes as he whispered, “Do not let this obsession turn your responsibility into treason.” His eyes narrowed into tiny slits, “Or you know about the consequences it’d have.”

Jerking his hand in the air, he pointed toward the forest, “I know what you did two nights ago, Maddox.”

His eyes blazed with anger, “Reckless. So very reckless of you.”