Chapter 24

Hope

“Hope, could you hold Billy for me?’ Bella asks.

“Of course!’ I say, excited. He is such a sweet little baby.

Sally and Nathan walk downstairs holding hands, and join us for breakfast. Sally's cheeks are

flushed and she is all giddy.

“Good morning,’ I say, with a grin. She grins back.

“Good morning, Hope. I mean Luna,’ she smiles. We both giggle.

“Did you sleep well?" I ask, trying not to laugh, and watch her bite her bottom lip, and look at

Nathan next to her, giggling.

“Yes, I, um, slept very well," she smirks, and Maximus chuckles.

“The whole house could hear how well you two slept,” he says, grinning at Nathan, who slaps his

arm.

“Maximus!’ I scowl at him. Did you really have to say that?

“What? He asks, chuckling.

I try my best to change the subject so poor Sally can stop being embarrassed.

“What are our plans today?’ I ask Maximus.

“I'l be in meetings with the remaining wolf packs to organise peace treaties. I'd like you to just

settle in and find your way around the house. Seeing as it's a castle after all. Nathan can give you

and Sally a tour,” he says.

“Really?’ Sally asks.

Eternally yours,

Alpha Levi of the Dark Moon Pack.

This pendant symbolises his love for her. I hold it close to my heart and tears roll down my

cheeks.

What happened to them? Where are they? I hear my name faintly called out.

“Hope... Hope." Maximus is looking for me; I've been gone for hours.

I fold the note, stuff it into my sleeve on my dress, blow out the candle, and pull the stone door

shut behind me.

Following the sound of Maximus’ calls, I hear the concern in his voice. I run towards his voice.

“Max! Maximus... I'm here," I yell. I'm in his arms a few moments later.

“Everyone has been looking for you. I was starting to think something happened to you,” he

says, caressing my wet cheek.

“Have you been crying?’ He asks.

“l was trying to find my way back to the kitchen when I got lost and—'

“Thank goodness you found her!" Alex yells, running up to us.

“She was lost,” Max says, turning to smile at me. He takes my hand and leads me into familiar

areas, and into the kitchen.

“Beth, could you get Hope a drink, please? I'm sure she’s thirsty’ he says, kissing my forehead.

Drinking the water, I turn to him.

“There's something I want to talk to you about,’ I say, nervously.

“Actually, there's something I need to talk to you about as well. Pack business. We can discuss it

in my, our office,’ he says.

Following Maximus into the office, he sits in his chair, pulls me onto his lap, and nuzzles his face

into my neck; making me giggle. I cup his face in my hands and kiss his lips.

“I thought we were going to discuss pack business?’ I ask.

“Well, we were’ he says, frisky, sitting me on his desk.

“Max!" I giggle, blushing.

We make love on his desk, and he sits me back on his lap, and I snuggle into his chest.

“What were you wanting to talk to me about?’ He asks, stroking my arm with his fingers, softly.

“What do you know about the Dark Moon Pack?" I ask.

He stiffens and his eyes darken.

“How did you know that was the pack problem I was going to talk to you about?’ He asks, and

I'm confused.

“Il didn't know that was what you were going to speak to me about,’ I reply. He is lost in thought

and agitated.

“What's wrong? What is it?" I ask, worried.

“The Dark Moon pack is just that..Dark. Their alpha is truly twisted and evil. He is the reason my

parents were killed!" Max says, snarling.