False Expectations

Chapter 8 - The ritual

Adelina's pov:

The tension in the room after that meeting had been unbearable. Maximus' cold, dismissive attitude combined with Gina's incessant interference had made me want to retreat to my sanctuary—my bedroom.

I was done. I locked the door behind me with a deep sigh, feeling like I could finally breathe in peace. I needed to be alone for a while, far away from the reminders of Maximus and his overbearing mistress. They seemed to live in their own little world where nothing else mattered, and I was just an inconvenient, irrelevant figure.

Sitting down at the small desk by the window, I grabbed my dinner and began eating, but my thoughts were far from the food. It wasn't about being hungry anymore; it was about my overwhelming feelings of frustration. The contrast of Maximus' behavior around her compared to how he was with everyone else was stark. How could I ever compete with that? He was different with her—playful, relaxed, and even affectionate. Something that seemed so foreign when it came to how he interacted with me. I could see it now. He was in love with her, and the bond that tied us together meant nothing in comparison to what they shared.

I shook my head, unwilling to let these thoughts drag me further into the pit of despair. I wasn't going to keep obsessing over this. What was the point?

-"Maybe she put a spell on him..." my wolf piped up, her voice a little too eager to explain it all away.

-"Yeah, sure that's the reason..." I said, sarcasm dripping from my voice. I rolled my eyes. If only it were that simple.

It was pointless to keep thinking like this, though. I couldn't keep holding onto a hope that was never really there. The bond between us might have been real, but it didn't change anything. He didn't want me, and it was clear he never would. I had to accept that, no matter how much it hurt.

-My wolf's voice softened. "We need to focus on what we can control. Let's set new goals, new plans. Move on."

I closed my eyes, letting the words sink in. My wolf was right. I couldn't keep crying over spilled milk, as much as it pained me. If I wanted to move forward, I had to start somewhere. I had a chance now with my new role in the hospital. Maybe I couldn't change Maximus' heart, but I could certainly change my path. It was time to focus on my own personal and professional growth. There was more to life than just this pack, than just him.

I took a deep breath, gathering my strength. The first step to moving on was going to be hard, but it was necessary. I had to stop letting him control my thoughts, my emotions, and my future. It was time to take control of my own destiny.

"Let's leave all the bad thoughts behind and get some sleep," I said, settling down on my bed. Unfortunately, a knock at the door interrupted my peaceful silence. Apparently, someone had other plans for me. I glanced at the clock—it was a quarter to twelve! Who on earth could be up so late, and what could they possibly want?

I got up, slipped on my robe, and made my way to the door. I usually sleep in a t-shirt and underwear. I can't wear pajamas because I tend to get too hot and sweaty, so I prefer something light and cozy under an extra blanket.

I opened the door to find a guard waiting outside. I think his name was George or John—honestly, I'm terrible with names. He stood there, expression stern, and said in a deep voice, "Alpha wants to see you."

I couldn't help but feel a pang of irritation at the late-night summons. Why now? Why at this hour, after everything that had happened today? Was Maximus just trying to make my life more difficult, or was there some genuine reason behind this request? Either way, I wasn't in the mood for whatever this was.

I asked for a few minutes to change, but he insisted it was urgent. "Alpha Maximus wants to see you right away. You can't keep the Alpha waiting," he said firmly. I adjusted my robe and followed him through the hallways, curiosity swirling in my mind as I tried to make sense of it all. Maximus had been so cold and distant, yet somehow I was still tied to him by this inexplicable bond. And now he wanted to see me in the middle of the night? It was hard not to feel like some sort of puppet being jerked around by invisible strings. The corridors seemed darker than usual, the quiet of the pack house only adding to my unease. The guard led me to Maximus' office, no doubt. I could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on me, and I couldn't help but wonder why I was being summoned at such a late hour. Maybe this was about the administrative position I'd been given, or maybe it was something entirely different. One thing was for sure: I had no idea what to expect.