Chapter 19

MAEVE

"You know, you didn't have to be so mean to him." I mumbled, as we drove down the long road leading to the pack's main town. It was approximately 10 miles, from the guarded gate to the actual pack. It helped to ensure the humans didn't accidentally come across our town.

"To who?" Maddox asked in return.

"Luke..." I said with a tone of bewilderment. "You know, the guard we were talking to literally 60 seconds ago." I summed up.

"Oh." Was all he replied.

"I wasn't being rude Little Fox. I just can't be as pleasant and open with everyone as I can with you." He concluded, with a subtle shrug to his shoulders.

"Why not?" I asked genuinely. "My father was and our pack is still standing?" I queried.

Maddox gave an awkward sigh. I could tell he was thinking of how to say whatever it was he was trying to get at, without being offensive.

"Yes I know Maeve. Your father did a brilliant job, I respected him as a fellow Alpha. However, there is a reason why my pack is the largest and most capable pack in the country, and yours is not." He added almost gingerly.

"Oh my goddess! Careful you don't fall from all the way up there. That's quite a high pedestal you've placed yourself on Maddox!" I teased.

He just rolled his beautiful eyes and continued to drive.

Once we reached the estate, I noticed there were already hundreds of shifters waiting on the drive for us. Maddox let out a woeful moan.

"Is there a back entrance?" He requested.

"There is, may I ask why?" I enquired.

"The conversation we've just had about my image and persona?" He answered as though I was not quite on the right wavelength.

"I'm currently shirtless in grey sweat shorts Maeve." He finished.

"Plus, I think it would be a good idea to spend a little time figuring out how you're going to address the pack, with what has happened." He added.

He wasn't wrong. The thought of having to speak to hundreds of shifters right now was terrifying.

"I happen to quite like your current look" I retorted, wiggling my eyebrows jokingly.

He stopped the car in front of the crowd and gave me a playful look.

"Maeve, the other reason I offered to drive round the back was for your benefit. I'm not trying to sound big headed here... but I'm currently an unmated Alpha wolf, half naked. I'm also relatively easy on the eye, if I do say so myself." He replied cheekily.

"Now I can almost guarantee you the second we leave this car, I will be flocked with women from your pack trying to throw themselves at me, to be in with a chance of being my Luna." He added.

"But you're my mate!" I involuntarily protested, much more aggressively than I intended.

He titled his head to place his neck on full display.

"Do you see a mark here? Because I don't." He stated matter of factly.

'He has a point' Freyja butted in via mindlink.

'Oh, now you want to talk? Where have you been for the last few days, besides chiming up with the extremely intellectual comment of 'MATE' I reprimanded.

'I apologise, that it's taken me a while to recover from using all my energy in the spirit realm. You know that moment... where I basically saved us both from certain death?' She quipped back.

'I'll deal with you later.' I quickly replied before closing off my mind to her.

Maddox was just staring at me, waiting for a response. When he didn't receive one he gave me his ultimatum.

"So the choice is yours Little Wolf. We can either get out of the car here and you can deal with a million and one questions about what happened to you, whilst I am too busy to help, trying to politely decline female advances. Or we can drive around the back and take a moment to recuperate and figure out a strategy of how to deal with all this? "He questioned.

"Fine, fine!" I replied. "Take a left here and follow the driveway round. It will lead you to the back entrance." I conceded.

He proceeded to drive around the back of the estate. Once we there there he placed the gearstick into neutral and turned the engine off. I hopped out of the car and made my way to the back door.

I placed my hand on the handle and paused.

"Are we heading in Little Fox?" I heard my mates deep voice behind me.

I sighed and placed my head on the door.

"When I turn this handle and go through this door, it will be the first time I would have entered my home without my parents there to greet me." I admitted.

It was hard. I knew they were gone and I thought I'd began the process of healing. But the estate brought back so many memories. I remembered my papa dressing up as Santa every year with that silly fake beard. I remembered my mother rubbing my back and telling me it'd be ok the first time I had period cramps.

Everything about this place reminded me of them.

I felt my mates large hand gently place itself on my back.

"I know Maeve, I know." He soothed.

"It doesn't make it any easier, but just try to remember that although they're gone, they live on through this estate. Through your pack. Think of the home your family made here, the impact they made on the Sabre pack. They might not be here in the flesh but their influence is still all around you." He reassured.

He turned me around and gentle rested his stubbled chin on the top of my head. "I'll be here for you every step of the way Little Wolf." He finished.

I nodded my head holding back my tears. I composed myself and took a deep breath.

"Would you like me to open the door for you?" Maddox asked.

I still couldn't find the words I needed and just nodded my head again. I remained with my face pressed into my mates chest. Taking in his scent to try and help calm my nerves. I heard him turn the handle, and then could no longer feel the door pressed against my back.

"Take as long as you need Maeve." Maddox offered.

I stayed pressed into his enormous chest, the concept of going into my home terrified me. But it also made me realise it was no longer the place I thought of as home. Home was now wherever Maddox was. The pull I felt towards him was almost overwhelming, he was my new safe space.

"I need you to stay with me Maddox." I stated.

"I don't plan on leaving Maeve." He encouraged.

That was the reassurance I needed. As much as it pained me to do so I removed myself away from my mate and walked into the threshold. I could feel how close Maddox was behind me. It was comforting knowing he would always be there.

I took a moment to take in my surrounding. The large staircase that stood before me brought back memories of my father and I sliding down the bannister, which always led to us being reprimanded by my mother.

I couldn't bring myself to step foot in the family rooms just yet. I just wanted to go to my room, my old sanctuary.

I made my way up the stairs and opened my bedroom door. I slowly walked inside, noting how everything was just as I'd left in on the day of the summoning ceremony.

My make up and hairbrush were sat on the dressing table still, from when my mother had helped me get ready. It sent me over the edge. The floodgates opened and the tears I had been holding back refused to stay at bay any longer.

My legs refused to hold up the weight of my emotions as I dropped to the floor sobbing.

"It's going to be ok Little Wolf." Maddox assured me. I felt the now familiar, sturdy arms of my mate engulf themselves around me and picked me up. I buried my face into his chest and allowed him to carry me.

He took me over to my bed and laid me down, before laying himself down next to me. Laying flat on his back he tucked me into the side of his body and just let me cry.

"Take as long as you need Maeve." He encouraged.

I snuggled myself deeper into his body, and let all of my pent up emotions come to the surface. Maddox just laid there, silently supportive to my needs.

I was acutely aware of how tired I was. I hadn't slept properly for over 24 hours now, and it was beginning to catch up with me. I allowed myself to slowly drift off to sleep, in the comfort of Maddox's arms.

I didn't take long for Alpha Carson's voice to shadow my nightmares.

'you're safe here with me. He can't get you here.'

'I feel like we could both do with a friendly cuddle'

'No way! It's my favourite as well.'

Flashback after flashback of his calming words plagued me.

Then there was a new declaration. This wasn't a memory. This was a warning.

I saw Alpha Carson appear from the shadows, standing over my parents lifeless bodies.

'I'm coming for you Maeve. I will find you.'

I woke up with an earth shattering scream involuntarily leaving my body.