Brown feet entered my view. I peered up at the tall, skinny werewolf from before.
"Have you decided?"
I turned away and forced back the pain building in my chest. "You won't kill them?"
"The one brother will be killed if caught. The others will be left unharmed. Most likely your siblings will be turned just like you."
"Why would someone want me?" I whispered. "Look at me."
The werewolf laughed to himself. "It can be easily fixed. Your parents should have entered you into the registry in hopes you'd be chosen just so you could be cured."
"I don't want to be a werewolf." I wiped my face.
"Be you will?" The man stood tall.
Closing my eyes, I nodded. "I don't want to die."
"I need a verbal confirmation. Do you agree to this mating?"
Swallowing hard, I cleared my eyes. "Yes."
"See, easy enough. Now you'll live a long life and get your legs back. Everyone gets what they want in the end." He pressed on the screen that was propped up on the desk. "He agreed."
The door banging into the wall startling me. The black werewolf with the red stripe entered.
"Jax," said the brown werewolf flicked through his screen, "I'd like to introduce you to Maximus. The successor to the alpha."
My breath caught as I peered at him wide-eyed. "You?"
He knelt down and picked me up.
"Wait, wait." I pressed on his chest as I started to second guess this. "I don't know. I don't think I can do this."
Maximus stopped before stepping through the door. "Clark?"
"Yes, Sir?"
"Was it recorded?"
"Of course."
The conversation we just had started to play, and a simple yes filled the room.
"The boy is yours." Clark smiled at us. "Let's hope that red comes through."
My chest tightened at the thought. I gave my consent. In this world, I couldn't take it back. Once a mating was agreed to that was it. This man was pretty much already my mate. I peered at the face of the werewolf. I'd be the mate to the successor. Covering my mouth, I took a deep breath. I had to stay calm. I'd figure it out.
He carried me through the building. Any werewolf we passed stopped and bowed their head when they saw him. Successor to the alpha, this was unbelievable. This wasn't supposed to happen, not to someone like me. This shouldn't even be possible.
"Successor, Sir," called a short grey werewolf.
Maximus stopped and peered down his muzzle.
"The alpha has arrived. He's waiting for you in your office. He'd like to inspect the boy before you mark him."
Maximus nodded. "Arrange a car to be ready. I want to go home as soon as possible."
"Yes, Sir." The grey wolf backed away with his head bowed.
I shifted my weight, drawing Maximus's attention. His eyes ran over me before he looked straight forward and continued on his way. A golden werewolf stood at the elevator and pressed the button. She stood very still when we passed with her head down and her hands clasped in front of her.
"Successor," she stated.
Maximus didn't respond. The woman entered behind us and pressed a button. The door closed, and an awkward tension formed. What was going on? I felt like the only one that was bothered by the atmosphere. Maybe this was normal for them, but it was weird the way they were just standing there. The dominant was acting like the poor girl was an extension of the elevator.
The doors parted, and he walked out. Anyone in his path quickly moved to the side. I caught a couple glanced at me even though they were trying to keep their eyes pointed at the floor.
Another woman opened a wooden door. "Successor."
We walked into a huge office and closed it behind us. The entire first floor of my parent's house wasn't even this big. A desk sat in the middle close to the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city.
The door closed, and the behind the desk turned. A dark brown werewolf with a red marking that looked like a mask that dripped down onto his chest smiled at us.
"Max."
"Alpha." Maximus bowed his head for a moment.
"So, it seems everything is in order."
The dominant nodded. "The boy agreed." Maximus tightened his hold on me.
The brown werewolf stood and walked over. He scanned my body before his eyes lingered on my legs. "What about this?" He touched my foot. "A mate to a future alpha still has an appearance to uphold."
"Once we mate he will be cured."
"I know." His hand moved to my head, and he played with my hair.
My breath was shaky. The alpha was touching me. I could feel his claws touch my skin. Every human child was taught about the pain that came from being scratched by a werewolf. Jedrick had even experience it. He said it felt like hell, as if fire had been lit in his blood that spread throughout his body.
"There have been others with his condition that have been changed," said the alpha. "The boy's legs may be cured, but muscle doesn't magically appear."
"I'll work with him. We'll build up his strength, and with time, he'll appear as if nothing was wrong."
"I do see promise here." The alpha lowered his hand. "I approve. A bloodline such as his entering your line may result in your own successor."
Maximus lowered his gaze.
"You have the family honor to uphold. Do not disappoint me."
"I won't Alpha."
The brown werewolf wandered over to the window. Maximus stood in place with a tight hold on me.
"The beta line is growing stronger," said the alpha. "We wouldn't want it to overtake us." He glanced over his shoulder. "We've worked too hard for this." Letting out a deep breath, he gazed at the city below. "You will rule this one day, Maximus. A world of werewolves and humans. Just because you're taking the boy don't forget the hierarchy in which our world is built. We can't afford a soft alpha. Wolfsbane or Northern Ridge already look down on us because of our policy involving the humans. Be certain that this boy will not change our stance."
"It does not," stated Maximus, clenching his jaw.
The alpha turned and smile. "Your mother would be proud. Be sure to give my sister a call and tell her the good news." He started to the door. "She'll be thrilled to hear her son as finally found a mate worry of his rank." The alpha stopped, and his hand landed on my head. "Excellent color. Let's hope a little werewolf enzyme doesn't ruin it." He left the room.
Maximus took to me the couch and set me against the armrest before sinking into the cushions by my feet. We sat there for a moment, and I felt a rush of relief, mixed with confusion. My eyes started to burn. Turning away from the werewolf, I roughly cleared them. Alpha, successor and all this talk about mating, it was too much.
"You can call me Max," he said in a low voice.
"What?" I breathed.
"Successor would be weird coming from you. So Max or Maximus is fine."
I swallowed hard and pressed into the back of the couch. "I want to see my parents."
"In time." His dark eyes flicked over to me. "Are you crying?"
I flinched at the comment. "Sorry, I'm not a heartless werewolf. This is a lot for me right now. In the last ten minutes, I've met the man that could literally order the extermination of the entire human species, and the one who will take his place. Not to mention, I going to be turned into a werewolf and be forced to be a sub to you," I motioned to the man, "so yes, I'm a little overwhelmed." I cleared my eyes with the back of my arm.
Max smiled. "The red will come through." He stood and went to his desk.
"What the hell does that mean? What the hell does any of this mean!"
He peered over his shoulder at me. "Watch your tone. I am your mate and future alpha, you will respect me like anyone else."
I pressed the back of my hand to my mouth, trying to calm down. "I don't exactly feel like my life is in danger right now."
"It's not." He picked up his cellphone. "But as of today, I'm in charge of it. You are my mate, and from the looks of you, I'd say you'll be a sub."
"I know that. Like I could outrank you."
"Let me be more clear," he leaned over the desk, "an omega. Don't get it confused with being the weaker partner in a relationship. My father may be lower in rank than my mother, but he is not a sub. Watch how you use that word. I don't need you insulting people by mistake." He sat down in his chair.
"Omega," I whispered, rubbing my face. I shouldn't be surprised by the news.
"Sub," said Maximus firmly. "Get it right."