“Please don’t do that,”she pleaded.“Don’t pull away from me.”
He softened slightly at her distress.“I’m not going anywhere, Malishka,”he reassured.“I just need time to come to terms with … certain things. This is new for me, too.”
Alice bit her lip, wishing she could see his face.“I never meant to hurt you,”she repeated earnestly.“Whatever Perizada told you, what I feel for Cain pales in comparison to what I’m already feeling for you. Please believe that.”
“I do believe you, Alice. We’ll work everything out. I promise.”His voice dropped intimately.“For now, just rest. Gather your strength. I’ll be with you soon.”
Reluctantly, Alice let him retreat from her mind, his presence fading away. Her gut still twisted with unease. Maxim knew about Cain now. He knew she had feelings for the vampire. She could only pray it wouldn’t destroy the fragile bond blossoming between them.
Alice clung to the memory of Maxim’s parting words, willing herself to believe them. He had promised not to pull away from her. She had to trust that their mating bond was stronger than the sire bond with Cain.
Hopefully, this would all be over soon. She would be free of Cain and united with her true mate. Maxim’s blood would cleanse away the last foul traces of Cain’s influence. Then, finally, she could put this nightmare behind her and start fresh with the wolf who held the other half of her soul.
They just had to hold on a little while longer. She sent a fervent prayer up to the Great Luna who had guided Maxim into her life.
“Please let him still want me when this is done.Please give us a chance to be together.”
For that chance, Alice would fight with her last breath. She would not lose her true mate now that she’d found him. Not after waiting her whole life without even knowing what she was waiting for.
This eternal night must end. Her mate was coming. And when Alice could finally look into Maxim’s eyes, she knew everything would be made right between them. She had to believe that, or she had nothing left to hope for.
ChapterTwelve
“As a warrior, you’re taught to be ready for everything and anything. But, in war, there are some things you simply can never prepare yourself for. The same is true for everyday life.” ~Decebel
Maxim jerked back to full awareness, his chest heaving. Being in Alice’s mind had felt so real, but now he was once again alone in the small bedroom the pack had provided. Away from her.
He scrubbed a hand over his face, his emotions churning violently. She cared for the vampire. He’d felt her affection and attraction as tangibly as if they were his own emotions. Even secondhand, that intimacy with another male scored his soul like claws.
A snarl tore from Maxim’s throat, and his fist slammed into the wall before he could check himself. Pain reverberated up his arm, but it barely registered through the tempest inside him.
He had to get control of himself before he did any more damage. Cursing, Maxim strode from the confines of the room, his wolf straining against its bonds. He needed to hit something, rip and tear until this agony eased. He’d managed to stay calm while talking to Alice, but inside, his beast was frantic to kill the man that she’d given a part of herself to. No matter how small that part was, it wasn’t Cain’s to have. It was Maxim’s.Shewas his.
The maze of sprite tunnels confused his sense of direction, but finally he caught a faint chemical scent and the smell of sweat found in gyms and training facilities. Following it brought him to a large open room outfitted with exercise equipment, padded floors, and even a caged fighting ring.
To Maxim’s surprise, he wasn’t alone. The tall, dark-haired, brooding male, Decebel, was already there pounding a heavy bag, his strikes methodical and punishing. He gave Maxim an acknowledging nod before resuming the brutal barrage.
Watching the controlled power in each blow helped center Maxim’s chaotic emotions. He realized this was Fane’s second—a dominant male used to enforcing his alpha’s rule. Perhaps a spar would grant the distraction Maxim desperately needed.
“Care to go a round?” he asked Decebel gruffly.
The big male paused his assault on the bag, considering Maxim for a long moment. Apparently, he saw something worth a response in Maxim’s barely leashed turmoil. “I’ll warm up with you. But no permanent damage, understood?”
Maxim gave an answering smile. “Wouldn’t want to mar that pretty face of yours.”
Decebel’s eyes narrowed at the taunt. Without a word, he moved to square off across from Maxim on the mats.
They began circling slowly, sizing each other up. In a flash, Decebel lunged, proving his speed belied his massive size. Maxim blocked the strike and returned one of his own. Decebel deflected it easily, and they settled into a fierce exchange of blows, blocks, and counters.
Maxim lost himself in the violent dance, using his raging emotions to fuel his strikes. But no matter how vicious his blows, the male matched him calmly. His endless patience only stoked Maxim’s volatility.
With an enraged snarl, he dropped his guard and charged recklessly. Decebel sidestepped and used Maxim’s momentum to put him in an inescapable hold, yanking his arms up painfully behind his back.
“Yield,” Decebel commanded. Maxim continued to struggle futilely, so Decebel gave him a punishing shake. “I said yield!”
The command in his voice finally penetrated the red haze clouding Maxim’s mind. Chest heaving, he forced his taut muscles to submit.
Decebel released him, and Maxim whirled to face him. “Again,” he demanded harshly.
