The Runaway Luna And Her Triplet

Chapter 4

James slowly walked towards the old oak tree, his heart was heavy.
He froze in his step.
From where he was he could see Maxwell.
Maxwell still looked like how he looked two decades ago, he hadn’t aged a day.
Maxwell stood tall, surrounded by large scary looking men in suits.
James slowly walked towards Maxwell, their eyes meeting as he neared him.
Maxwell's face changed immediately he saw James, his eyes were filled with a mixture of a anger and disappointment.
James took a few steps forward, he could see Maxwell had clenched his fist.
"So you could show up here? You must really want to die so badly.” Maxwell growled.
James slowly looked down, closing his eyes.
In a swift motion, Maxwell's punch slammed into his jaw, sending James crashing to the ground.
Blood poured from his mouth.
James slowly nodded, accepting the blow.
"I deserved that," he whispered as he began to, wipe his mouth.
Maxwell stood tall over him.
"What do you want, James? You think you can call me after all these years huh?” He asked, spiting at him in disgust.
After you betrayed all of us and abandoned the pack, abandoned our friendship? You think you can just come back here!” He growled.
James struggled to sit up but before he could.
Maxwell's second punch slammed into his face again, sending him crashing back to the floor.
Water filled James's eyes.
He slowly sat up, spitting out blood from his mouth.
The third time, James grabbed Maxwell's hand.
"Max, stop. Please." He cried.
Maxwell paused, still breathing angrily.
James's looked up at Maxwell, tears in his eyes.
"I lost everything," James said, his voice shaking.
Maxwell's eyes grew angrier.
"You lost everything? Is that why you ar where? So you came crawling back to me and the pack because you lost everything?" Maxwell spat.
James looked down, closing his eyes in shame.
"Why should I help you, James? You abandoned us, abandoned the pack, abandoned me, so tell me why I should help you?” Maxwell said smiling bitterly.
“I thought we would lead the pack together, handle all the opposition and become the kings of Europe, but you ran like a coward and left me to deal with the pack's problems alone." Maxwell spat.
James nodded,
"I know I hurt you, Max. But I had to protect my family."
Maxwell smiled bitterly.
"Protect your family? Protect them from what? Me? Or the pack? Or what exactly?” He said.
James slowly shook his head.
"You know that is not why I left, you know i have always wanted to stop the violence and live a normal life, you know I have always wanted my  children to have a normal life and now grow up the way we did." James replied.
Maxwell rolled his eyes.
"A normal life? Without the pack's protection? You haven’t changed James, you are still a coward, a coward who is scared of a little blood, and now your cowardice has put your whole family in greater danger." Maxwell said.
James immediately grabbed Maxwell's hands.
"I didn't know what else to do. I've lost my company, Everything I built it’s all gone." He cried in frustration.
Maxwell's eyes searched James's.
James knew Maxwell and he knew Maxwell only helped when he saw tears, so he made sure to keep his eyes teary.
Maxwell sighed.
"Okay then, tell me, James," Maxwell said, his voice softer.
"What exactly do you want from me?” He asked.
“Do you want the pack's help? Or you just want mine?"
James's eyes were fixed on Maxwell's.
"I want everything Max, I want your help, i want the pack's protection over my family and me." He said.
“So you need us now?” Max repeated.
James slowly nodded.

"Max, I need the pack's protection, especially now that I've lost everything, I'm vulnerable, I can’t even protect them well. My family's in danger." James whispered, his voice cracking.
Maxwell's eyes was filled with anger and pity.
"You abandoned us, James. You think you can just walk back into the pack? Begging for help? And we would help you?" He spat.
James's put his hands together, bowing his head low.
"Please, Max. We were once brothers, give me this chance, I will do anything you ask, please I need to keep my family safe."
Maxwell's eyes softened a little.
The old memories they both shared together passing through in his eyes.
He grabbed James hands, dragging him up, and drawing him into a tight hug.
"Old friend, you don't need to beg me so much." He said, laughing.
“You were once like a brother to me, we did everything together, so not forgiving you is like me turning away my family in their time of need.” He said laughing.
James's smiled a little, as he breathed in relief he was glad Maxwell could forgive him.
Maxwell smiled as he gave James a kiss on the cheek.”
"I'll help you, brother.” He said smiling.
“But I will only help you on one condition." He added.
James's heart sank.
"What is it?" He asked.
Maxwell's smiled, his eyes resting on James.
"Do you remember the night you disappeared ? You and Rachel?” Maxwell asked.
“That was over two decades ago?” He added.
“Do you remember?”
James stared at him in confusion.
“What do you mean?” He asked.
Maxwell smiled.
“I’m just trying to remind you of something.” He said smiling.
“Do you remember the deal we made two decades ago?” He asked.
“The day your first daughter was born?" He added,
James's eyes immediately went wide.
He remembered the night Maxwell was talking about.
That was the night Amara was born and also the night he and Rachel har abandoned the pack and fled.
“On tha night, you promised me something.” Maxwell continued, a smile on his face as he licked his lips.
"You betrothed your new born daughter to my son, Maximus." He said.
James's heart dropped to his stomach, the smile on his face fading away.
While growing up, he and Maxwell had always spoken about joining their bloodlines together, and the night Amara was born, out of joy and excitement, he had agreed to betroth her to Maxwell’s four year old son, to secure their families coming together as one.
He had forgotten about that.
Or he had tried to.
"Max, I..." James stuttered.
Maxwell's smile slowly grew tighter.
"The deal still stands, brother. Your daughter and my son Maximus must get married before I accept your family back into the pack and grant them protection." Maxwlll said.
James mouth felt dry.
"The pack won't accept you back without this conditions met." Maxwell said smiling.
James understood.
He had grown up in the pack so he knew of their laws.
He had to make a decision, he knew that Maxwell would never help him without getting anything back in return, he hadn’t changed even after all this years.
James took a step back.
It was either Amara’s happiness and future or the pack's protection and his family's safety.
"Max, I don't know...I don’t think I can do that.” he finally said as he looked up at Maxwell.
Maxwell frowned.
"You have no choice, James.” He said, his voice rough.
“This is the only way, and if you truly care about your family, then make a decision, my offer won’t last forever,” he growled.
James's shoulders dropped as he accepted his fate.
He knew what he had to do.
"Okay, Max." He said, his voice low.
Maxwell's smiled, his eyes shining.
"Welcome back, to the Blue Shades pack, brother." He said smiling.