False Expectations

Chapter 49a - All In Vain

Μaximus' pov:

The day of my coronation as King of all wolves has finally arrived, and a strange anxiety churns within me. It's not that I didn't expect to win the skirmishes—I knew I was prepared, that I was capable of achieving this. But the truth is, none of it feels real. Nothing feels significant. Without Adelina, my life feels like a hollow victory. It's as though a shadow looms over everything, dimming the celebration.

I thought I'd be filled with pride, with joy at the prospect of leading our kind. Instead, all I feel is this gnawing emptiness. The cheers, the festivities, the crown—they all feel weightless without her by my side. I can't shake the thought that she should be here with me, standing proudly, the queen by her king's side. After all, she's an Alpha. By tradition, she must be here—it's expected, a symbol of approval, of loyalty.

But she hasn't come.

A month has passed since I last spoke to her. She's been swallowed up by her responsibilities as Alpha, a role she's grown into with remarkable ease. From what I've heard, she's done an extraordinary job. In just a short time, she transformed her old pack, implementing structural changes that increased efficiency and profitability. Her tactical mind and keen leadership have earned her the respect of other Alphas, many of whom refer to her as "the calm power"—a force that gets things done with quiet, unassuming authority.

Every morning, I send her flowers—the ones I know she loves. Beautiful roses in varying shades, chocolates, pieces of jewelry, or handwritten cards with verses of love. I thought maybe, if I showed her how much I care, she might return to me. But every time I reach out—whether by phone or text—there's nothing. No response. She's always too busy or unreachable, and the silence between us stretches like a growing chasm I can't seem to cross.

The worst of it came during the Alphas' meeting two weeks ago at the Silver Woods pack. It was the first time I had seen her in person since the skirmishes, and even though the room was full of leaders, my eyes kept drifting toward her. She was a vision—poised, composed, and radiant in a way that only she could be. She spoke with such authority, her words cutting straight to the heart of every issue. Her proposals were sharp and fair, and you could feel the respect in the room for her. There was no question in my mind: she would be an excellent queen.

But the more I watched her, the more I felt the distance. She was surrounded by people, of course, but it wasn't just that. She actively avoided me, or at least, it seemed that way. I couldn't help but feel a pang of rejection as I caught her looking away every time our eyes met. It hurt, deeper than I wanted to admit. She wasn't the same Adelina I once knew—this woman had become someone untouchable. My heart ached with a longing I couldn't express.

I wanted her. I wanted her by my side, not just in my dreams but in the waking world. I wanted to touch her, to hold her, to feel her warmth next to me again. Her beauty consumed my thoughts, especially in the quiet moments when I allowed my mind to wander. The thought of her body, soft and warm, stirred something deep within me—an undeniable hunger that was all-consuming. The curve of her neck, the delicate arch of her back, the feel of her skin beneath my fingertips...

My breath quickened, but before I could lose myself to the thoughts, the door to my chambers opened with a sudden crash. Chris stepped inside, breaking the spell that had fallen over me.

-"Maximus," he said, his voice cutting through the haze in my mind. "It's time."

I blinked, trying to shake off the remnants of my longing thoughts. I forced myself to focus on the reality around me—the crown, the responsibilities, the throne. But all I could feel was the absence of the one person who mattered.

-"Right," I muttered, wiping my hands down my face as I steadied myself. "Let's get this over with."

Chris raised an eyebrow. "You sure you're ready for this?"