False Expectations

Chapter 3 -Alone with the tempered Alpha

Adelina's pov:

The next morning came far too quickly. I'd spent the entire night tossing and turning, unable to silence the storm of thoughts racing through my mind. When the sun finally rose, I felt a suffocating numbness, like I was paralyzed. The weight of the inevitable crushed me.

I didn't want to leave my pack. My home. My life.

I had projects lined up, plans that could reshape our future—my future. The economic strategy I'd worked tirelessly on was finally ready to be implemented. I wanted to see it through. I wanted to celebrate the results with my friends, my family. This was my world, and I loved it. I didn't want to give it up.

But none of that mattered anymore.

In a few short hours, this life would be gone. Everything I had built, every connection I held dear, would be relegated to the past. And there was nothing I could do to stop it.

I had no choice but to accept my fate. Whining wouldn't change anything. I had to adapt, had to find a way to face this new life. Maybe, just maybe, I was overreacting. Maximus wasn't completely heartless, was he?

Yesterday, he'd been... surprisingly demonstrative. The way he hugged me, kissed me—it felt genuine, as if he truly believed in the mate bond. Perhaps Stella was right. Maybe this would work out after all. Maybe I just needed to try, to have faith. Everything would be fine... right?

A sharp knock on the door shattered my fragile train of thought.

-"Come in," I called out, trying to steady my voice.

The door creaked open, and Lena, one of the omega girls who cleaned my room, stepped inside. Her nervous demeanor was immediately apparent—her hands twisted in front of her, and she looked everywhere but at me.

-"Lena?" I prompted gently.

She took a deep breath, finally gathering enough courage to speak. "Good morning, miss," she said hesitantly. "I've been sent to inform you... Alpha Maximus is waiting for you at the parking lot. You're leaving in twenty minutes."

My heart sank.

-"Twenty minutes?" I repeated, incredulous. "I thought we were leaving closer to noon! Why the rush?"

-"I'm sorry, miss," Lena said softly, her eyes downcast. "I'm only delivering the message."

I exhaled, pinching the bridge of my nose. Of course, Maximus would do this. Everything had to be on his terms. He controlled the timeline, the pace, my future.

-"Thank you, Lena," I said at last, my voice steadier than I expected. "Please let Alpha Maximus know I'll be ready. And could you bring someone to help with my luggage?"

Lena nodded quickly. "Yes, miss. Right away."

As the door closed behind her, I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the floor. My heart ached, and my mind felt like it was caught in a whirlwind.

-"This is it", I thought. Time to leave everything behind.

With a deep breath, I stood and began to prepare for the next chapter of my life.

I don't remember much of what happened next. Everything passed in a blur—the hurried packing of my belongings, the rushed farewells to my family and friends, the awkward silence as I climbed into the car. And now, here I am, sitting in the passenger seat of Maximus' car, with nothing but the sound of tires on asphalt and the steady hum of the engine.

Maximus hadn't said much since we left. His demeanor was cold, distant, and his silence felt heavy. It was a stark contrast to the man who had, just the day before, kissed me as if I were the center of his world. Now, he seemed like a stranger.