Chapter 29:
Third Person POVE
The ancient seer stood before them, her wrinkled hands raised, her voice a thread between worlds. “Let the bond flow… let the essence pass, not from one, but through both. A cure shared in love shall not claim a life in return.”8
A light, neither sun nor moon, began to glow around the two. Maximus’s deep eyes, still sharp with the fury of war and the ache of nearly losing her, now softened into something sacred. Rebecca’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, not from fear, but from release. She had been ready to give her life. Now, she was being given something else–hope.
The air shifted. Power crackled like a storm bottled in silence. All around the land, those cursed with the vampire poison–be they fanged or clawed–began to stir. The pain that had choked their veins and stolen their minds began to fade.
The next morning came gently, ushered in by birdsong and the scent of dew. Within Aethon Pack, the tension of war had eased, replaced by the quiet murmur of healing. Rebecca remained at her father’s packhouse, resting with Maximus at her side. Though she ached from the ritual, her soul felt light, unburdened.
Maurine stirred from her long slumber that day. Her eyes fluttered open, pupils adjusting to the sunlight streaming through gauzy curtains. She blinked, confused at first–until her gaze landed on a familiar face beside her bed.
“Rebecca?” Her voice was hoarse.
Rebecca nodded slowly. “You’re awake.”
Maurine’s eyes widened further–at the sight of the strong, imposing man beside Rebecca. He was dressed in sleek black, his presence radiating quiet authority. Their hands were entwined S
Who… who is that?” she rasped.
Rebecca’s smile didn’t waver. “This is my husband. Maximus Thane. Alpha of the Thane Pack.”
“H–Husband?” Maurine tried to sit up, disbelief etching every line of her face. “Wait, what’s happening? What did I miss? You married him? I thought he’s in a vegetative state?”
Maximus simply dipped his head politely but didn’t let go of Rebecca’s hand. “I was. She cured me.”
Maurine’s lips parted, but no words came out. Shock and confusion warred in her gaze. The last thing she remembered was being escorted back from the bar–then everything turned to darkness.
But as she rested and the memories came trickling back, she began to ask questions. Where was Lucas? Why wasn’t he here? When her omega maids came to clean the room and help her bathe, she asked again.!!
The youngest maid, cautious and wide–eyed, finally answered, “Alpha Lucas.. he’s the Alpha of Silvana Pack. He left to rescue Lady Rebecca from the vampires. He… he almost died trying.”
Maurine blinked. “Alpha? Of Silvana?”
They nodded. “Yes, milady. He rules over one of the most powerful hidden packs in the East. Very wealthy and fierce. He pretended to be a knight to protect you because he thought you were the cure, turns out you were not.” The maid filled her up with everything. The cure. The vampires. The poison, Rebecca. Everything 8
Maurine’s heart skipped. But there’s only one thing that made Maurine giddy. Her lips.curled upward into a smile she hadn’t worn in months. “So… Lucas’s an Alpha now. Powerful… and single?”
One of the omegas bit her lip nervously. “We think… he still loves Lady Rebecca.”
Maurine waved that off. She’s married. She has her own Alpha now. And besides… Her eyes gleamed. “Lucas and I were close. He’s probably just too noble to say it out loud. I should remind him.”
That very evening, Maurine summoned her father, Alpha Rowan, to her room
“I want a marriage alliance with Silvana Pack, she announced, still pale but her voice was firm. “I want to marry into their pack.” Rowan raised a brow. “Are you sure about that? It’s only been days since you woke.”
Maurine smiled sweetly. “It’s political. Strengthens the Aethon name. And we’ve always liked each other.”
Rowan, ever one to chase power nodded slowly. “If Silvana agrees, we’ll arrange it‘
Within two days, golden invitations were printed and sent to every noble pack. The ceremony date was already being whispered through the territories. Maurine, adorned in silks and surrounded by a pack of doting she-wolves, paraded through the halls of Aethon Pack like a
queen
She had survived death. She didn’t care if it was Rebecca who healed her. And now she would marry an Alpha.
One afternoon, as Rebecca walked the garden hand in hand with Maximus, the scent of cloying perfume wafted past.
“Well, well. Enjoying your stroll, sister?” Maurine said with a sickly sweet smile.
Rebecca gave her a nod. “Just taking in the air. Maximus needed the quiet.”
Maurine’s eyes flicked over Maximus, then narrowed. “You’re lucky, you know. But not everyone settles for second best.”
Rebecca raised a brow. “Is that what you’re calling Maximus? Second best?”
Maurine lot out a high laugh. “Oh no, not him. I mean, your whole situation. You just happened to be there. But Lucas..” She twirled a strand of hair “He’s power. Mystery. Strength. Not to mention for more feared.“!
Maximus, whose hand still held Rebecca’s, said calmly, “Status, huh? I’m sure Thane Pack’s the strongest, only second to the royals.” ‘Maurine’s smile froze. Just for a second, then returned. “Well, let’s see how long that lasts.”
Maximus, whose hand still held Rebecca’s, said calmly, “Status, huh? I’m sure Thane Pack’s the strongest, only second to the royals Maurine’s smile froze, just for a second, then returned. “Well, let’s see how long that lasts.”
That evening, behind closed doors and thick curtains, Maurine ranted to her circle of she wolf friends.
“She thinks she’s so perfect now. Walking around with a cured Alpha. I swear, I’ll ruin that marriage. I’ll make her wish she never met him Lucas will see her for what she is–and he’ll choose me.”I
Her friends chuckled nervously.
But what if he doesn’t?” one asked.!
Maurine’s voice dropped to a whisper, venom lacing every word. “Then I’ll make him.”
Outside, the moon rose. The wind howled gently through the pear blossom trees–whispers of the past, and wamings of what might
come.
And somewhere, far from Aethon Pack, Alpha Lucas stood in the dark, looking at the little treat he prepared for Maurine. The woman whe treated him like shit. The same woman who wasted his time.
