Chapter 82: Unexpected Surprises

MADDOX

I managed to find a training room. I needed some way to get my frustration out. I didn’t particularly feel like going for a run. The she-wolves around here were acting like they were in heat.

It was causing some inner turmoil. Before I’d laid eyes on Reign, I would’ve relished being sought after by so many females.

Probably would’ve slept with half of them by now, making promises about how royal wolves mate slower, assuring them they could be the one.

…When in actual fact, we mate like any other wolf. We just feel the connection stronger before we mark each other, that’s all.

It’s only different if a royal mates with a commoner. ~Then ~it’s a bit slower, but not by much.

My bare fists struck the punching bag repeatedly as I danced around it.

I’d never really been classed as a warrior per se, but to keep the royal bloodline alive, you had to be able to fight and survive.

Plus, having a prick for an older brother sure kept me motivated. I could fight better than him, but as next in line I always had to let him win. ~Asshole.~

The bag flew off the chains as I delivered one final blow, landing with a heavy thump across the room.

I stood panting, trying to slow my heart rate and catch my breath. My phone rang on the bench. I rolled my eyes when I saw the palace caller ID.

“Hello?” I barked into the receiver, not really in the mood to listen to anything from back home or try to explain anything either.

~“Hello, Maddy. I was just calling to see how things are going, darling~.~”~

“Hello, Mother. Everything is going good, thanks.”

~“You are behaving yourself, Maddy, aren’t you?”~

I sighed, sinking onto the bench. I knew her question was merely out of concern, and yet I couldn’t help but feel embarrassed at the shame I had brought to the family.

Yet they had always forgiven me and done their best to help me, even so far as to give me active royal duties like coming here.

“Yeah, I am, Mother. Don’t worry. I, uh, actually could use your advice on something.”

I wasn’t really sure where I was going with this, but I figured I had her on the phone; maybe she could help me overcome whatever was holding me back.

~“Sure thing, Maddy. Is everything okay?”~

My heart was racing. Would she hate my mate? Would she tell me to come home? Would she encourage me to stay?

“It’s about the alpha here. Reign.”

~“Yes? Oh, Maddox, don’t tell me you’ve upset her.”~

I winced at the disapproval in her voice but continued, “Actually, Mother, she’s my mate.”

I pulled the phone away from my ear as my Mother squealed excitedly down the phone, ~“Oh goddess, Maddy, that is wonderful news! Noah! NOAH! COME HERE!”~

“Mother, Mother, MOTHER!”

Her squealing stopped.

“There is something I need you to help me with. Please stay calm.” The phone was silent. “Mother?”

~“I’m waiting, Maddy. What is it?”~

“Reign is currently reluctant to accept the mating. She thinks I will want to take the title of alpha because society deems it so. I, uh… I don’t know what to do, if I’m honest.”

I waited patiently while she thought, my stomach doing somersaults.

~“Well, Maddox, it is a difficult one, but you know neither of you knew you would find each other. At the end of the day, it is her decision whether she accepts you as mate or not.~

~“I think you should support her in every capacity. It is difficult for her right now. She will be facing much more scrutiny from the pack than any male ever would.”~

My stomach almost came up my throat at those words, my heart stopping momentarily.

In all my self-pity, I had failed to remember that Reign must have been going through hell these past few months.

No wonder she was reluctant. She’d made history, and it could all potentially be snapped away from her overnight.

“Mom? Mom, what do I do?” My voice broke trying to hold back the rush of emotions coming to the surface.

~“Be there for her. Show her you care. Be yourself. Love her. Show her that no matter what, you always will, because she is your mate.”~

My heart started racing, my palms sweating. I started to feel uneasy and really anxious.

~What the?~

I shifted in my seat, listening to my mother drone on about some party they had for one of the common wolves. ~Something doesn’t feel right.~

~Shit! Reign! Something’s wrong!~

“Mother, I have to go. I’m sorry,” I interrupted her flow. Without another word, I hung up and bolted.

I ran out of the training room and up the winding steps leading back onto the grounds of the pack house.

Running as fast as my human legs could carry me, I passed Milly training with some warriors on the way. She looked at me strangely but soon fell into line running behind me.

Silently we both ran in the doors of the pack house and turned right, heading straight for Reign’s office.

The door was closed, but I heard raised voices. Not slowing down for a second, I shouldered the door knocking it off its hinges.

“Maddox!”

“Who the fuck?”

***

JORDAN

I’m back five minutes and already at odds with Reign. She’s standing in front of me in her office with an ice-cold expression

“Jordan, I don’t know what more you want me to say. You asked your questions, and I answered them.”

She stood across from me, her arms folded across her chest, her voice dripping with annoyance.

“Now, if you don’t mind, I have lots of work that needs doing. Dismissed.”

“I am still your beta.”

I seethed, clenching my fists. Why was she lying to me?

“AND I AM YOUR ALPHA!” she roared, turning on me, her power making me take a step back. She softened slightly. “What do you want from me, Jordan?”

“I want you to stop lying to me,” I barked back at her, taking a step forward.

She stood firm in her spot, her eyes flashing dangerously. “~Jordan~,”she warned.

But I ignored her. “We almost fuck on that table ~months ~ago, and now you’re telling me that you’re firing me as beta and have replaced me?”

Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Yes, that is correct. “

“~Bullshit~,”I snapped.

She snarled so loud it sent chills down my spine. “Don’t you ~dare ~speak to me like that. You don’t get to waltz back in here and start making demands. You are not the alpha here. I am.”

“I’m not making demands. I’m just asking you to STOP LYING TO ME.” I took a step toward her again. Before she could open her mouth, the door behind us flew off its hinges.

“Maddox!” she screamed out,

I turned around to face the madman standing behind me. Panting heavily, he eyed me up like I was fresh kill, Milly skidding to a halt behind him as he stalked into the office.

“Who the fuck?” Words escaped my lips before I could control them,

He positioned himself between me and Reign. I glared at him. ~Little punk. ~He was built like a brick house. Wide shoulders, taller than me, easily six foot five at best. Ripped to the maximum.

He was a strong wolf, no doubt about that. I had a good twenty years on him, if not more. I still didn’t like him blocking me from Reign, though.

I wanted answers, and I’d be damned if a shirtless pretty boy was gonna stop me from getting them.

I let a growl out from deep in my chest, bracing myself for what would inevitably be a fight for my life.

“Who the hell are you?” he snarled.

I glared at him, extending my claws, ready to lash out. “I’m Jordan, her beta. Who the hell are you?”

He sneered at me. I almost went blind with rage, but I swallowed it back.

“I am Prince Maddox of the Lunar Pack.”

~Pompous prick~,I thought, but his next words made my blood run cold.

“I’m Reign’s mate.”