29. Max
Chapter 29
Max
After yesterday, I’m feeling like the world has shifted on its axis. The air around me feels charged, alive with possibility.
I stride through the corridors of our island fortress, my mind racing with thoughts of Ava.
She seems to gravitate towards both Silas and me, and I can feel it in my bones that our pack will soon have an omega who wants us.
A thrill skitters through my body at the realization I will finally have my omega. I never knew I could want something this much, but now that it’s within reach, I’m consumed by the desire of her being my omega for life.
I’ve had offers over the years for omegas, but not one was a scent match, until her. From the moment I found her, I knew it could only have ever been Ava.
That was nearly five years ago. And when I caught her scent for the first time, it was like being struck by lightning. Every cell in my body suddenly woke and sang.
Before that moment, I thought I’d never have a scent match. And even then, as Ava was twenty years younger than me, I told myself she was too young, that I had to wait.
But I always had a plan. I just hoped she’d accept an older man, and I feel she has.
I smile. It looks like it was worth the wait.
I push open the door to the room I’ve prepared for our omega–for Ava. It’s perfect, a nest fit for a queen.
My eyes are drawn to the ceiling, designed to retract and reveal the vast expanse of stars above. I imagine lying here with her, our bodies intertwined as we gaze at the night sky.
For all my wealth, all my power, I’m only now realizing how empty my life has been. I have all the money in the world, and yet I had nothing at all. But now I have Ava. She changes everything.
With a smile tugging at my lips, I exit the room to find her. I want to show her how much I want her.
In the hallway, I pass Silas and Lily. The little girl looks up at me with wide, innocent eyes.
“We’re looking for Mommy,” Lily announces.
I force my smile to stay in place. “Are you playing hide and seek?”
Lily turns to Silas, excitement bubbling in her voice. “Is that it, Daddy? Is Mommy hiding?”
My heart plummets, sinking like a stone in my chest.
The smile slips from my face as I mumble an excuse and hurry away as they continue to look for Ava.
I rush to Ava’s room, my pulse pounding in my ears, but she isn’t there.
Panic sets in as I turn back to my office, intent on checking the security feeds.
Before I can reach the room, one of my men intercepts me. A grim expression settles on his face, casting a shadow over his features.
A shiver races down my spine, sending a bone-chilling sensation through my body.
“You need to come with me,” he says, his tone leaving no room for argument.
My mind races with possibilities, each worse than the last. As I follow him, I can’t shake the feeling that everything I’ve been dreaming of has already slipped through my fingers.
“There.” My security man points to the pendant with the perfect red diamond hanging in the museum, a note attached.
I stare at the pendant, the Circle of Life, the perfect red diamond glinting under the museum lights.
My heart races as pain mingles with frustration as it courses through my veins.
She had it with her?
“There was no breach in security,” my man explains, his voice tinged with confusion. “The laser system wasn’t deactivated, and no alarms were triggered. It’s as if it just appeared.”
But I know better. A small, rueful smile tugs at my lips. “Of course,” I murmur. “My little thief.”
There’s only one person who could have pulled this off.
But the realization of what this possibly means sends a shiver down my spine.
What has she done?
She’s more skilled than I expected, thrilling me and worrying me in equal measures.
Without hesitation, I pull out my cell phone and deactivate the room’s security systems. My steps echo in the silence as I stride purposefully towards the display. My fingers glide over the keypad, inputting the code to open the case housing the Circle of Life.
The case opens with a soft hiss.
I reach in, gently lifting the pendant. Its weight in my hand is familiar but not comforting. But my eyes are drawn to the note resting on the plinth.
With slightly trembling fingers, I pick up the note, unfolding the paper.
My heart pounds, the rhythm quickening with every passing second.
What game is she playing?
Is this a taunt, a challenge, or something else entirely?
As my eyes scan the words, I brace myself for whatever she’s about to reveal.
“Leave,” I tell my security as I open the note.
Dear Silas, Max & Lily
This is the hardest note I’ve ever written.
I hated you both not too long ago, but I fell in love with Lily the moment I met her. Then slowly I started to feel you both wanted me, but struggled with your emotions.
Until you didn’t.
But it came too late. Maybe if it started that way ... I don’t know.
What I do know is I love Seb. He gave me a love I never found with anyone else. He cares for me with no good reason to. He wants me for me. Not because I’m an omega. Honestly, I think he’d prefer I was a beta.
But I’m not a beta. I am an omega, but there is one thing for sure I know about myself—I’m a thief. Yet despite my love of money, jewels, and expensive things that make me feel good, but I’m not for sale and neither is my baby. And for that reason, I’m handing you back the ‘Circle of Life’, your red diamond.
Take care, I’ll let you know when our baby is here, and if you find it in your heart, please bring Lily for a visit. I wish I could’ve taken her with me, but stealing a child is too much, I’m not that kind of thief.
Love Ava.
My lungs seize and a sharp intake of breath flees me as my knees collide with the hard floor.
She's rejected me again.