Chapter 17

MAEVE

I gradually managed to regain my composure. I felt my flustered cheeks returning to a normal temperature. Once I was confident that my face no longer had a comparable colour to Red Skull from Captain America, I decided to take a seat on the sofa. I idly watched Bain pack some clothes into a suitcase.

"So, Alpha Bain" I started.

"I've already told you to call me Maddox." He interrupted.

"I'm sorry, Maddox." I tried his name out.

"In all honesty, it just feels a little odd. You know, calling you 'Maddox'. Your whole persona screams authoritative. Which makes it difficult, not to refer to you as an Alpha." I reasoned.

He listened to my explanation, whilst continuing to pack and shrugged his heavy shoulders nonchalantly.

"I don't know what to suggest to you Maeve. But it would make me feel uncomfortable, to have you refer to me as Alpha. You're my mate, my equal." He finished.

"Maybe you could somehow make yourself seem less authoritative around me? Less threatening somehow?" I suggested as a resolution.

"Maeve." He started, looking over a me with what I could tell was a pretend look of exasperation.

"The whole time you've been around, I have been laughing, joking, smiling, teasing etcetera. To purposefully show you my lighter side. I am well aware how my persona can seem, and I fully understand that some people may find me a tad 'threatening'" he offered with air quotes as he spoke.

I butt in before he could continue.

"Yes and I really do appreciate that. I can see that you're making an effort, not to come across as some hard ass Alpha. But your stature is quite overwhelming. Could you somehow make yourself seem smaller? That may help you, to look less intimidating?" I proposed.

Now he was looking at me as if I'd completely lost my mind. One of his eyebrows had raised in confusion.

"Make myself seem smaller? What do you expect me to do? Walk around on my fucking knees?" The bewilderment in his tone did not escape me.

"Well no, of course not" I laughed in between sentences. "That would be absolutely ridiculous! You could maybe, slouch your shoulders a little more? That might work?" I offered up.

He was still looking at me like I'd lost my marbles. "And have chronic back ache by the time I'm in my mid thirties? I think I'll pass thanks" he huffed.

"Anyway, I've finished packing the basics I need, the rest can be taken back to White Claw with Luca. So, would you like to finish this ridiculous conversation in the car Little Fox?" He question as he motioned with his hand for us to leave the tent.

"What's with the little fox nickname?" I queried as we exited the tent.

He opened the boot of a relatively expensive looking Aldi Q7, and threw the suitcase in as though it weighed nothing.

"You remind me of one." He shrugged and expanded on his explanation.

"They have white hair, and often have two different coloured eyes." He concluded, closing the boot.

"If you want to jump in the passenger seat I'll be ready in just a moment. I just need to have a quick debrief with Luca first." His natural commanding tone made this seem like more of an order than a request. So I complied and settled myself in the passenger seat of the car.

As though on queue, Luca appeared. He and Maddox stood in front of the car, having what appeared to be an in-depth discussion. I didn't know for certain what they were talking about, but I assumed it was relating to what the next steps were, in terms of the White Claw pack returning home.

I instantaneously realised we had not discussed the fate of Jake, and the women from the cells. Where would they call home?

I hastily opened the door and made my way over to where Maddox and Luca were standing.

"Maddox?" I interrupted.

He stopped his conversation with Luca and gave me his full, undivided attention.

"Yes little fox?" He questioned.

"What will happen to Jake and the women from Theo's pack?" I asked.

A threatening snarl left his lips. I was unsure as to why, but wanted to stay on the topic at hand.

"Luca will make arrangements with them. I would assume they will either reside in the Sabre pack, or my own. But I will leave the choice to them." He nodded at Luca as he finished speaking. Letting Luca know to ask them.

"Very well, thank you." I responded curtly and returned to the car. Maddox was clearly in a fowl mood and I didn't want to be around that.

I mindlessly people watched out of the car window, whilst I continued to wait. Shifters we're beginning to dismantle tents, packing their belongings into their cars and trucks. I realised that I had not thanked the White Claw pack for all that they had done for me. I felt awful about it, but in all honesty everything had just happened so quickly that I had completely forgotten.

I made a mental note to thank each and every one of them individually when I visited the White Claw pack. I assumed I would at some point in there near future. With my mate being there Alpha and all, it was inevitable.

I was pulled away from my train of thought suddenly when I heard the drivers side door open.

"Penny for your thoughts little fox?" Maddox quipped, whilst putting on his seatbelt and starting the ignition.

"You know, I'm beginning to feel left out. You have a nickname for me, but I do not have one for you." I replied. "What about... puppy?" I quizzed, giving him a mischievous grin.

"It's a bit misleading, isn't it?" He suggested, giving me an amused smirk.

"Hmm, you may be right. I'll think of something, don't you worry." I returned.

"Maddox?" I asked, pausing to look over to him, making sure he was listening.

"Yes little fox?" He queried.

"Why were you annoyed earlier? When I spoke to you with Luca present. Why did you growl?" I questioned.

"I have to admit." He started. "I didn't like the familiarity you had with 'Theo'." He used one hand to make air quotes saying Theo's name. His other hand remaining on the steering wheel.

"Would you prefer it if I called him Alpha Carson?" I queried.

"Yes." He responded. "Theo makes him sound a though you are friends. By all means, It's not up to me to state who your friends should be. But I don't think Alpha Carson should be one of them." He concluded.

I nodded and our journey slowly moved into a comfortable silence for a while.

I was nervous about going home. Excited, but nervous.

I know it had only been a few days. But a lot had happened in those few days. How were the pack holding up? Who was in charge now? I had so many unanswered questions that I guessed would be mysteries until we arrived.

I adored my pack. The quant houses, the independently run shops, the sense of community. All of it made me yearn for home. But most of all, the people. Everyone knew everyone by name in the Sabre Pack. I remember asking my father as a child how he remembered so many names, and why he bothered to learn them all.

His response ingrained into my memory.

"The success of a pack is not determined by the Alpha, Maeve. Nor by the affluential families that may grace the pack. It's success is dependant on every single member. If one domino is to fall, the whole line collapses. In the same sense, if one pack member feels undervalued, the whole pack mentality suffers. I make it my job to know who everyone is, and how they're doing. Because without that knowledge our pack could quickly become a meaningless shell of its former self. Relationships take work, so does a pack." I remember his speech so vividly.

I remember being in awe of his leadership skills. He was kind, compassionate and fair. The same could not be said for a lot of other Alpha's. I used to thank to Moon Goddess every day, that I was born to such a great Alpha.

Someone I could look up to and cherish. I was proud to be his daughter, and I know the pack were proud to call him their Alpha.

I painfully reminded myself that he was gone. I would no longer hear the words of wisdom he'd grant daily. Never would I see the caring relationship between him and mother again.

They were honestly couple goals. I used to be embarrassed by their lovey dovey behaviour as a teenager. But as I got older I realised the love and adoration they had for each other was unwavering.

They could take on the world because they had each other. I grew up, hoping I could find a mate that I would have the same bond with. One that made me feel invincible, because I knew they would always be there to catch me if I fell.

I turned to look at Maddox, who was concentrating on the road. I wondered if the domineering man sat before me, could be that mate I'd always hoped for?