Chapter Two
Maverick
Daxton adjourns the meeting after we all unilaterally agree there’s no time to waste. I may have overexaggerated a little when I said there was ample time to prepare. I can do it—no doubt about it. But there’s a bit more at stake than my ego presently.
Being away from my pack has certainly left us all at a disadvantage.
I’m thankful Darius has been communicating with everyone back home and traveling between the two territories as needed.
But even as Beta, it doesn’t fill the void of an absent alpha.
Especially when the next time the pack hears from me directly, it’s going to be me informing them of the impending situation and what I need to ask of them.
I’ve spent my entire alpha life protecting the pack, to ensure they were safe.
I know they will all step up to the task, but guilt still resides in me.
I’ve already turned my backs on my beliefs, after swearing to never take a Luna to make sure I remain at my strongest for them.
Though, they may think I don’t know their true feelings about the matter, but I wouldn’t be a very good leader if I didn’t.
I have to admit I was resentful toward my inner circle when I realized they were happy I had accidentally found my mate in Nyx.
I can’t blame them for wanting normalcy.
After all, that’s what our entire existence gravitates around.
But out of all the possible Lunas, I get the one with an attitude problem and needs to be shared.
Not shared for her own needs, but the greater good of the universe. It’s almost ironic.
Part of me tries to convince myself that that’s the main reason I caved into agreeing.
I’d be a terrible leader if I put my own needs above the greater good.
But I’m slowly trying to teach myself that I’m allowed to let my walls down sometimes.
Only sometimes though. Not all the time, and certainly not at anyone’s request.
I have no regrets though. When Nyx asked me to complete the mate bond with her, there wasn’t a moment of hesitation in my mind. I was done fighting the pull. Greater good and universe be damned, I couldn’t ignore my feelings any longer.
She was nothing like I had pictured in the rare and few times I had considered what it would be like to have a strong Luna by my side. No one in my entire life had ever dared to challenge me or speak back, so naturally I assumed my Luna would be… submissive for lack of a better description.
Not controllable—just someone who would do as they are actually told and listen to me. Of course I’d want them to be strong.
Half of the battle with Nyx is her defying attitude. She loves to say no just to piss us off. I’m surprised she’s survived this long. Daxton must have the patience of a thousand saints to have not murdered her for the past two decades.
Still. Quietly, I’ll never admit that despite everything… Nyx is perfect for me.
I don’t want someone to be a mindless vessel who just does as they're told. I want them to be able to think for themselves, be able to make decisions in my absence and take charge when it’s necessary. Hesitation and self-doubt are the downfall of humanity and a price no one should pay.
“You’re deep in thought.”
I glance over to my side where Nyx is walking next to me, her calculating eyes scanning me as if she’s waiting to intercept and pull apart potential lies.
If I was a better man, I’d feel guilty for making her behave this way around me, for having her constantly on the edge wondering what side of me she’ll get when responding.
But alas, it’s what makes this dynamic unique and interesting.
I won’t coddle her like Lex does. And I certainly won’t feign some careless vibe to lighten the mood as that bastard Cade seems to do. Like me, Nyx is unapologetically herself. And even though we both know where we stand now, I have no intention of changing my existence to fit into a stereotype.
“Yes,” I answer truthfully. “I’m sure you’re the same.”
Nyx nods, surprisingly keeping pace as we head toward the row of familiar guest houses. “But hey—it’s almost like a present for you. You did want to murder me once or twice. Now the universe might wipe me out for you,” she jokes.
My mouth tenses up, not at all amused by her poor attempt to crack the world’s worst joke. “Don’t start with me. I have no intention of letting anything happen to you, regardless of how I spent many wonderful hours picturing your demise.”
“Aw,” she coos. “I knew you had thought of me.”
Cheek twitching as I feel a smile attempting to break free against my will, I narrow my eyes on the road ahead. “You’re lucky I like Daxton. It was our friendship that spared you.”
“You have friends?” she quips back as we reach the front door of my accommodation.
Shaking my head, I open the door for her, standing back as I gesture her inside. “The fact that the concept is foreign to you says more about your mentality than my personality, Nyx.”
“Sureeee. Keep telling yourself that.” A small, warm laugh frees itself from her body as she kicks off her shoes.
One of her damn boots is still coming to a halt when I move quickly, shoving her back into the wall.
My body covers hers as I peer down, lips finally tilting up in amusement as she grins, unfazed.
I don’t speak yet, my fingers reaching up to gently trail the healing bite mark on her neck.
I ignore the similar marking on the other side, turning my attention to the only thing that matters—our bond.
As expected, her resolve crumbles well before mine.
Nyx’s breath hitches slightly, little goosebumps arising on her neck from my touch.
“Don’t shut up on my account,” I tease. “It’s very unlike you.”
“I’m just planning,” she murmurs, closing her eyes as she leans subconsciously into my touch.
“Scheming, you mean,” I correct.
Nyx smiles, eyes still closed. “You know me well.”
I lean down, pressing my lips to hers. She kisses me back without hesitation, her small arms wrapping around my mid section.
Would Grace be mad if I fucked Nyx through the wall?
I suppose I could always just pay for repairs.
Not entirely sure how I’d explain the damage, nor would Daxton be interested in an explanation of that nature, but I’m certain Lex and Cade would probably hear us. That alone practically seals the deal.
Except, before I can move into action, Nyx suddenly ducks under my arm, slipping out from in between the wall and myself. “We have planning to do. Stay focused, Alpha Asshole.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”
“Just because I love you, it doesn’t mean you get a new nickname yet. Besides, it’s still fitting.”
She wanders into the kitchen and I follow silently, watching as she heads straight for the fridge to open a bottle of water.
Instead of cornering her again, I lean against the kitchen island because, unfortunately, she’s correct. There’s no time to waste right now. Regardless, I make a mental note to circle back to my plan of damaging Daxton and Grace’s guest house.
“I’ve contacted Darius. He’s traveling back here with some more of the pack. But I’ll need to return after I’ve briefed them and devised a plan.”
Nyx nods in understanding. “You want to tell everyone in person.”
“Of course,” I confirm. “It’s the correct and only thing to do. But Nyx—”
She cuts me off. “Lex and Cade will need to do the same. I know.”
I scan her face, trying to decipher if she understands exactly the point I’m trying to make. She strolls to the island, resting the water bottle on the marble counter.
“I’ll need to be separated from at least two of you,” she finally says quietly. “Because we don’t have the time or luxury of visiting all three territories concurrently as a group.”
Despite her voice being stable, clearly on the same page as me, her face falls slightly.
I step over to her, pulling her in my embrace. “The decision is yours,” I say. “You can decide who you want to travel with. At the very least, you are able to communicate by mind link to all of us.”
Nyx leans into me. “I’ll stay here,” she answers, catching me off guard.
There’s a strange sensation of unfamiliar feeling that settles in me. Not the surprise from her opting to stay behind and away from all three of her mates, but the fact that I think a part of me had hoped she’d… choose me.
I’m not sure why I’d consider that a possibility if I’m being honest. I know she loves me—I don’t doubt her words at all.
But after everything that has been said and done since I arrived at Shadow Creek, the reality is I’m probably not her first preference when it comes to mate selection. Or her second.
Even that asshole Cade, who kidnapped her and held her hostage, managed to win her over a lot more quickly than I did.
Granted I was fighting the entire time while that mellow moron suddenly decided to get over the fact she was a shared commodity.
But even after what he and that other pack put her through, I still wouldn’t be her first option.
I have the least to offer her on a mental and emotional level.
And suddenly, I hate this situation all over again.
“Stop it,” Nyx firmly says suddenly, leaning back just enough to comfortably tilt her head up to look me in the eye. “You can stop that train of thought immediately.”
Puzzled, I feign confusion. “What are you rambling about now? I didn’t say anything nor was I mind linking you.”
Nyx rolls her eyes. “Please. I can feel you tensing up. It’s practically written all over that arrogant face of yours. You think I’m staying behind so I don’t have to choose.”
I snort. “Aren’t you? Be honest, Nyx. You love confrontation but even that is beyond your boundary.”
She smiles slyly. “I’ll happily fight with you every day for the rest of my life, Maverick. In fact, just try to stop me.”
“What is your point?” I grumble back impatiently.
“The point is I don’t have to choose. Ever. Not the big things anyway. You are all equal in my eyes and heart.” Pausing, her expression softens. “Visiting your home, our pack, is high on my priorities. I can’t wait if I’m being honest.”
My chest tightens at her admission. I stay silent, allowing her to continue.
“Shadow Creek is still my home for now. I don’t know what the future looks like, or how we’ll make this situation work with the distance between all the territories.
But you’re my home too. Staying behind doesn’t change anything between us.
Or with Lex and Cade. But right now, I’m needed here.
This is what Alpha Daxton has prepared us for my entire life.
My family and friends are here, and I’m staying to protect them.
I know the three of you are more than capable of protecting yourselves, and if we’re being honest, every time I accompany a group trip, I attract a whole lot of problems.”
“You are a magnet for trouble,” I agree, smiling softly.
Nyx laughs. “Exactly. I know how important it is for you all to travel and return quickly. I’ll just slow everything down or worse, people will get injured. We need everyone to be ready and in perfect health for what’s coming. I’ll be more helpful here, doing what I do best.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “So, you’re intending to just be a pain in the ass? That could actually work. Orson seems like he’d have a low tolerance level.”
“Boundary monitoring,” she interjects sarcastically. “Planning, coordinating—things like that.”
A low growl rumbles in my throat. “There’s no fucking way you’re going into that damn forest again. Boundary monitoring be damned."
I expect her to argue, for us to do what we always do—fight. But Nyx just snorts casually before cupping my face in her hands.
“This is where you let go of control and trust me, Maverick,” she murmurs gently.
“I’m your Luna for a reason. I’m fast and strong.
And despite what you like to pretend to think, I’m not stupid or have a death wish.
But above all else, I’m not going to hide from these assholes and let other people take the fall while they come for me.
We don’t run away and hide from our enemies.
We play it smart and end this once and for all.
I’m done being hunted by Orson’s pack. If they step foot on Shadow Creek land, I’ll kill them myself. ”