Mon Amour

Chapter 8: Moving In (part 1)

Oli^^^^ Also a big thanks to Dreamyzz for the french translations! Big hugs!

Chapter 8: Moving In (part 1)

"Who is that?" AnnaLee asked as she lifted the picture frame from the coffee table closer to her face for better inspection. The woman had similar features to Maksim's.

"Svetlana." Maksim answered swiftly, while taking the picture frame out of AnnaLee's grasp and setting it back down.

It bothered him how curios she was. She also liked to touch everything, which left him feeling uneasy.  Maybe he acted too quickly by bringing her here.

"Nik mentioned you had a sister. She is lovely." Anna said truthfully.

"Niklaus shouldn't be mentioning anything to you." Maksim gruffed in response.

"He's my friend." Anna reasoned.

"Just be careful with him."

Anna nodded. She has already realized that Nik has the potential to cause strife, although the beta means well.

Maksim watched her every move. She was graceful, he admitted. The way she slid her fingers across each item on the table as she floated around it. Practically, begging his eyes to follow her. The alpha could easily become her prisoner if she so desired. Her will would become his command. Maksim had to watch himself with this one.

He watched the soft curve of her hips and how her small back was naturally arched in the slightest. Oh, and her legs... She was poison disguised as a prize.

Maksim knew he could not have her, but certainly he was allowed to look. She was designed for him... almost handcrafted.

"Maks, how old are you?" She looked up at him, her innocent green eyes shining bright.

She was oblivious to his thoughts, that he was thankful for. If she knew the power she held over his head, she would surely use it to her advantage.

"I'm 26."

AnnaLee frowned.

"I don't mean how old you look."

How does she know these things? He didn't understand. Human girls don't know anything about this life. How did she?

   After a shifter turns eighteen, their aging process slows down quite a bit. This gives them a chance to find their mate. Once the mate meets their physical age, the aging process goes back to normal.

Maksim assumed he would be losing his hair soon.

"I was born in 1924 in Petrograd, Russia. Saint Petersburg if you want. How old are you?"

"I'm 19, but I'm expecting a birthday soon." AnnaLee beamed. She's was happy to have Maksim take interest in her. "Anything else you would care to know?"

"There is one thing I'm curious about..."

"Demande toujours. (Ask away- French)" AnnaLee said. She noticed his random use of French before they left the cottage.

Maksim gave her a genuine smile. He loved French. It was his favorite language because it was never forced on him. During the difficult times of his past, Maksim studied hard to learn it. However, he didn't have anyone left to share it with. No-one in his pack knew it.

"How did a nineteen year old human girl come to have such a vast knowledge of shifters?"

"I read about it." AnnaLee explained.

"Where?" Now Maksim was intrigued.

"My grandfather had a lot of research on the subject. He was labelled as insane trying to prove your kind's existence."

Maksim was about to reply when his phone rang.

"Hello?... fine...." He glanced down at Anna who was looking at him intensely. "I'll be right there." He hung up.

"Can I come?" Anna asked.

"Can you come where?" Maksim raised an eyebrow.

"Wherever you're going." She said while her cheeks reddened.

Maksim stared at the little one in confusion. Why did she want to go with him? And why was she blushing?

"If you must." With that, Maksim headed out the door leaving AnnaLee struggling to catch up.

***

"Where are we?" Anna asked looking up at the building before her.

"Contente toi de ne pas t'éloigner, mon amour." (Just stay close, my love.- French)

AnnaLee didn't respond. She was too shocked with Maksim's endearment. That was the second time he called her his love.

Following Maksim's lead, Anna found herself walking into the mysterious building.

Men, she assumed were shifters, were fighting everywhere.

And, boy, did she mean fighting. Each and every one of them were skilled.

AnnaLee felt a little uneasy. Most of these men looked quite strong.

Without thinking, Anna grabbed Maksim's wrist and held it to her. She felt safe knowing he was close. She knew Maksim would most likely not hurt her, even though she bugged him. She didn't know anything about these other men.

Maksim stilled beneath her touch. Anna was making it unbearable for him to be near her without want.

Maksim went to pull away, but he smelled the girl's fear.

Before he could shove his instincts back down, Maksim did the unthinkable.

He pulled the girl closer to him.

Anna walked along beside Maksim, still clutching his wrist. She didn't know where they were going or what they were doing.

Soon they stopped in front of a huge fighting ring. Two men were competing, while a giant of a man watched on, giving instruction.

"Oli" Maksim called. The giant turned their way.

AnnaLee shriveled up behind Maksim, letting go of his wrist, only to collect the back of his shirt in her fists. Oli intimidated her.

"Oli, you said you had news on the timber wolves?"Maksim questioned.

"Yes alpha."

AnnaLee took a peek from behind Maksim to look at the man.

"Who's the girl?" Oli was surprised. He had never witnessed his Alpha letting a female touch him. Especially a human.

"Never mind the girl, I came here to talk about-"

"I'm Anna." She introduced as she extended her hand. Upon further inspection, AnnaLee realised the man did not mean her any harm.

"Oli." Oli induced himself, while kissing the young girl's hand causing her to giggle.

"Anna, go wait in Oli's office." Maksim pointed, his tone harsher than he intended.

"It was nice meeting you, Oli." Anna said mournfully as she made her way to the office. She would have liked to talk with Oli more.

"What is the news?" Maksim carried on.

"I sent the fighters outside the territory as you asked. They couldn't find the timber wolves but their German stench is everywhere. It's obvious they are still after something. I just wish I could figure out what they want. We were going to execute them, but they have learned to cover tracks well. They left a message saying they would be back when the time was right. I'm not sure what our next step of action should be. "

"That's because there isn't a next step, Oli."

"Sir?"

"The only thing we can do is wait."