Maddison P.O.V.
I get out from the back room, coming face to face with my mate. I don’t even know what to do or say right now? Everything feels amazing when he is this near me, but at the same time I know he is here with another woman and that makes me want to gag.
“Can I help you?” I ask, trying really hard to stay polite, although all I really want is to smack the shit out of him for dragging his girlfriend with him to my work. Granted he didn’t know I worked here, and he didn’t know we would be mates.
‘Maybe he’ll dump her for us.’ Ember pipes up, and I have to sigh internally.
‘I really doubt that, Ember. Did you see the look in his eyes when he looked at her? No, better we don’t have a mate. We’ll survive. Or I can plead with the goddess to let you go to someone else who can give you what you want and deserve?’ She growls.
‘We’re perfect for each other, and I am not going anyway, girl.’ I smile, raising an eyebrow at my mate. “Well?” I ask, this time a little more impatiently.
“Oh, sorry. I need some book recommendations, and maybe some help for my friends.” He answers. Mrs. Peterson hands over the cups with hot chocolate and he pays before looking at me expectedly. I roll my eyes.
“Lead the way, sir.” I say, but he doesn’t move.
“My name is Liam, Miss?”
“Nox. Miss Nox is fine.” He furrowed his eyebrows at my dismissal tone, but didn't say anything.
I follow him back to where his friends and girlfriend are sitting, sitting down the tray with hot chocolate.
“Clara, this is Miss. Nox. She can help you pick out some of the books you really want. Happy birthday, ladybug.” He says, his eyes lingering on mine. I turn my gaze to the young woman. She is beautiful. Her eyes look like his, but that’s properly just a coincidence. The young woman smiles at me, asking a million questions a minute about all sorts of genres and books. I take her to the ones she is most excited about, telling her they are the last we have for sale - the others are to be read in the cafe only. She brings them back to the table, before joining me again. I feel eyes on me the whole time I walk with her, and when I look back, his eyes are on me. I try to ignore him, but it gets harder by the minute. Especially with Ember whining in my mind all the time.
“Have you worked here for long?” The woman, Clara, asks.
“About a year, maybe a little more. I do not know what today is.” I answer, pulling another set of books down for her.
“So, did your boyfriend take you here as a surprise?” She gives me a puzzled look.
“My boyfriend?” I just nod, to which she starts laughing. “Uhm, well he is not exactly my boyfriend.” My eyes snap to her. What in the world does that mean, exactly?
“Okay. Then what is he?” I just have to know now. I shouldn’t really care, but the way she said that has been all kinds of nosey.
“Well, he is my Alpha. But more - he is my big brother.” I feel all the colors leave my face. So much so she asks me if I’m okay.
“Oh, yeah. Sorry. I just didn’t know he was an Alpha.” She stares at me.
“You didn’t? He is the Alpha of the Blackmoon pack. You do know of that, right?” I do, and I stay away from their and everyone else's pak border if I can. On my daily runs in wolf form I sometimes get too close, but over the years I have learned to navigate where to go and where not to go.
“Yeah, I’ve heard of that.” I reply, not knowing what to do with myself. Everything inside is in panic and screaming for me to get out of there. I need to get away from these people as fast as possible, but I also need to get the rejection between that Alpha Liam guy and myself over with as well. The two sides collide and I’m stuck. Rooted to the floor looking like a deer caught in headlights.
“Is everything okay over here, ladies?” A deep rumble of a voice asks behind me. I almost jumped to the ceiling in surprise.
“Yeah, she’s.. Eh, what’s your name again?”
“Maddie Nox.”
“Oh, right. Well, Maddie was just showing me the stuff I want, and she thought you were my boyfriend which is just absolutely disgusting. Sorry not sorry bro.” Liam looks at her in confusion before turning his gaze to me. I feel how his eyes suck me in, and I just keep falling down the depths of them. Fucking matebond. Ember runs in circles in my mind. She’s been squealing and growling in happiness ever since Clara declared him free on the market. Me? I still don’t really see myself with a mate, especially an Alpha. Way to many compilations, responsibilities and eyes on me. I don’t do well with other people unless we’re doing a topic I know about - like books.
“You thought my little sister was my girlfriend?” He asks, his voice sounding like he still does not comprehend how I got to that conclusion. I raise an eyebrow, crossing my arms.
“She hung off of your arm when you came in, she kissed your cheek and the look you gave her. Everyone would have come to the same conclusion as me. Don’t judge me asshole, I’m not the one who is on the wrong here.” A small smile tucked on his lips at my sassy attitude. Well, don’t push my buttons if you don’t want the brat to come out.
“Did you just call me an asshole?”
“Excuse me, Alpha asshole.” I correct myself. I shake my head, getting the attention back on Clara. She is looking between us with a knowing glint in her eyes, and I do not like that one bit. “Was there anything else I could help you with, Miss?” I ask politely, and she laughs.
“No, thank you though.” I give her a smile, ignoring my mate and walk to the counter. Mrs. Peterson is helping another customer, so I wait until she’s done.
“Would it be okay if I get off a little earlier today? I don’t feel so well.” She feels my forehead, probably trying to determine if I have a fever or not.
“You’re a little clammy, dear. Runoff, I’ll call Calvin to come in early.” I thank her and go into the back not even looking back to see if Liam saw me go. Ember is not agreeing with me, but she has to understand my feelings about this and I’ll handle her when I get out of here. As long as I am here I can concentrate properly on my emotions and make a rational decision.
Outside I run off to the treelines. I hear the cafe front door open as I run over the road not waiting for the green light. Someone calls my name, but I’m too far into my own head to care. I just need to get out of here.
At the treeline I teleport out of there and to my usual spot.
‘Why did we run? He was free, Maddie. We need to claim him before someone else does.’
‘No! We need to stay away from him, Ember. We can be really dangerous and we don’t want to be a liability to him and his pack. They would never understand. Most packs are afraid of magic and we are filled with it.’ She sighs. She knows I am right, but she doesn’t like it. Neither do I, but this is for the best. The bond will break when he takes another female and mate and marks her. It’ll be excruciating and I’ll feel my heart literally break, but he’ll be better off with someone whole and untainted.
This is my last though going back to my home. A stray tear escaped my eye. Everything feels wrong. Like I am missing my other half, but I just can’t risk it. I already accidentally killed someone. Even though I was set up for failure it doesn’t change the fact that she died. I take the dark thoughts and feelings with me for the rest of the day. Ember is quiet in my mind. She misses her mate and longs for him, but she understands why we can’t.
Maddison P.O.V. As the days go by, I keep calling in sick. I’m too afraid to run into my mate again. I haven’t felt any pain or other sort of heartbreak, so I know he has not been with anyone else. It’s a small consolation, but I still just can't get myself to go back there. My suspicions are validated when on the fourth day Mrs. Peterson tells me the boy I had a run in with had been by everyday to ask about me. She had told him I was sick and he seemed genuinely concerned for me. I sigh in the phonebooth I’m calling from. I never had a cell phone, as I don’t have any electricity in my cave. Magic a plenty, but no electricity. “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Peterson, but I think I’ll have to quit my job. I don’t know when I’m better and I don’t want to disappoint you more than I already am.”“You could never disappoint me, Maddie. What about your pay?” I think for a minute and tell her I’ll just have for the days I’ve been in. She can also take it for the days I’ve been sick and they had to
Liam P.O.V. It’s been four days. Four days since I found my mate and lost her again. Four days where I have called the book cafe and gotten the same answer “Maddie is still out sick. Sorry.” They don’t have her address and they told me she doesn't have a phone. What kind of person does not have a phone? I pace my office, Clara sitting in a guest chair checking her fingernails. “This is your own fault entirely, bro.” She says, not helping my desperate mood at all. Mrs. Peterson said she would call if something changed, so I practically jump on the phone when it rings. “Hello?”“Mr. Blackmoon. This is Mrs. Peterson from the book cafe. I’m sorry to inform you, but Maddie quit her job today. She is sadly not coming back, sir.” What the actual fuck! “Did she give a reason?” “She is still sick, and she is not sure when she’ll be better. She doesn't want to leave us hanging one man short anymore. Bless her heart.” I close my eyes, my heart feeling heavy. She is gone. Why would she just
Maddison P.O.V. I can’t believe I accidentally stumbled upon Alpha Liam’s pack border. This is bad, very very bad. I still see the wolf's eyes in the distance as I take out my things for sitting outside. The afternoon sun is warm and cozy this time of year, so I decided to do some knitting. It has always been calming and useful for me to do work with my hands. I bring my water bottle, as well as some fruits to snack on. Outside Jumper and Flower, the two squirrels from before sit and wait for me. ‘We heard you were back. Did you get the nuts?’ “I did get them, thank you so much.” I reply as I sit down beside them. They both comfortably sit in my lap, looking at the fruit in my bowl. I invite them to take what they want, and they both grab some before joining me in my lap again. I lean back at my cave side, turning my head against the sun. I hear someone walking towards me, but the tingle inside tells me who it is, and I do not open my eyes. The person sits down beside me, a
Liam P.O.V. Getting back home I am drenched from the sudden burst of rain. My mind is running a mile a minute, and Ash is both fuming by his mate degrading herself like that, and excited to have been with his mate again. But he is also really frustrated with her for not wanting to be with us. She keeps saying she is not Luna material, but we can feel the power within her. She is so strong. Why doesn’t she believe in herself? I walk into the packhouse in nothing but shorts, dripping from my hair. Some of the Omegas giggle when they see me, but they hurry on their way when I give them a semi scowl. Back in my bedroom I go to the bathroom to dry up and change into clothes. The conversation with Maddie playing over and over again. “I don’t want a mate. It’s nothing on you, Alpha. I just.. I’m not mate material, and this is for the best. You need a suitable Luna for your pack, and I am not it.” What on earth did she mean by this? It’s nothing on me. What does that even mean?! ‘Mom, do y
Maddison P.O.V. I woke up the next morning feeling somewhat relieved and sad. I don’t know if I did the right thing yesterday or not, but I know he would be so much better off without me. My heart feels heavy though, which I have never felt before. Not even when I was accused of something I didn’t as a child and not when I was thrown out of the pack. I get out of bed, washing my face in the water bowl I have in my bedroom. After getting clothes on, I go out into my kitchen area and get some cold cheese and bread for breakfast. I keep repeating the conversation I had with Liam, and the more I do that, the more I regret my strong resolve. Ember is not helping at all either. She keeps sending yummy pictures of our mate into my mind, and how he just seemed curious and not at all judging when asking about my powers. After a while pacing in my cave I give up, pick up my basket and decide to pick some fruit for jam. I always make jams and freeze berries so I have them over winter. It’s
Liam P.O.V. I’ve been spending all morning in my office, researching and reading old papers and pack records. The story mom told me last night has been swirling in my mind ever since, and I have slept a wink. At 5am I decided to go to my office instead of tossing and turning in my bed.The search mostly regarded the illness of the late Luna Jennifer. One of the newspaper articles is right in front of me on the table, and I once again feel like punching the journalist. I’ve had that feeling a lot of times over the course of the last few hours. The only side of the story is told by the scorn Alpha, his attention seeking daughter and some official spokesperson from the pack. Beta’s daughter on jealous rampage against her Luna It should seem unlikely that a little girl should be able to kill a grown adult, but that is nevertheless what has happened at the Iron Mountain Pack. Speaking with multiple pack members, the overall consensu
Maddison P.O.V. I can’t even describe how much I enjoyed the lunch with Liam and his parents. They are a loud bunch, but they all made me feel at home right away. They ask curious questions, listen attentively to my answers and don't seem bothered by my way of life. Although I more than once traced worry in their eyes when I answered something, which they quickly hid behind smiling faces. “Dearest, why don’t you tell us about your powers? Azlela said she had not seen a child with so much magic in her since she herself was born.” Cianna asks me, and I feel myself blush a deep red. I have never talked to anyone but Azlela about my magic, and she drilled into my head how it was something not to talk openly about. Cianna seems to read my mind, as she reaches over the table and takes my hands. “Azlela was a cautious woman. And I imagine how she must have ingrained in you that magic is not something you talk about. But we are family, and you are safe.” Her eyes are sincere, and I feel my
Liam P.O.V. “Do you want to talk here, or do you want to come home with me and talk there?” I ask, not wanting to push her too much, but I badly want her to come with me back home. I’m hoping I can convince her to stay there. Maybe just for the night, but it’ll be a start. I know she is definitely not ready to spend the night in my room or my bed, but I would be willing to sleep on the couch or the floor in there for her. I just want her to be comfortable. “Here is just fine for me, but if you want to do it elsewhere.” She looks down at her familiar and I understand the hint. She doesn’t want to leave her behind. Something hits me. Is she afraid she’ll have to leave her friends behind? She must be. It’s unheard of to have animals running in and out of a pack, other than our counterparts of course, but I would never ask her to leave a part of herself behind like that. “We’ll do it here, but I need you to know something. I will never ask you to choose between me and your friends. The