Alliances and love

Day 1, leaving home

The next morning Maia woke up in her own bed. She had asked Elias to give her one day to gather her belongings and say goodbye. Although he was reluctant, his beta Nathan, or Nate for short, was the one who could talk some sense into him. Maia quickly realized he was the one who talked some rational sense into Elias and calmed him down whenever his lycan side was being a pain. She had spoken all night with her father, mother and best friends about this new deal she made. Her father was upset she did it without consulting him, but understood her point of view. Elias didnt look like someone you want to cross or anger, and she would still be free to go wherever she wanted. Or at least if Elias would keep his word. Maia just came out of the shower when she heard the sounds of the engine of a expensive car. She wrapped the towel around her body and walked to the window from where she could see the entrance of their house. Elias was early. Once he stepped out of the car and into the sunlight she noticed he looked different then in the slightly dark room of her fathers office. He was wearing some casual clothing: darkblue trousers, brown classy high sneakers and a simple white tshirt that really accentuated his strong physique. His hair was just a little messy. He is quite handsome. Like he noticed her staring Elias looked up to her with a smirk. And also arrogant. His smirk dissapeared as soon as he realized she was only in a towel. His grey eyes darkened like there was a storm brewing as he looked at her with lust. Maia couldn't help her cheeks getting warm by his intense look and quickly walked away from the window to get dressed. He could just murder her with a single sway of his hand. She shook her head to get rid of those thoughts as she picked out a light dress to wear. She heard a little commotion downstairs before heavy footsteps walked up the stairs. Not recognizing it as any of her family's, she quickly put on her dress and struggled with the zipper. 'Oh come on you stupid-'. The footsteps were almost at her door and she expected him to barge in any moment. It came as a surprise that Elias actually knocked first. 'Are you.. decent?'

'Uh well.. sort of, my zipper is stuck'. God this was embarrassing. 'Can I come in to help?' His deep voice was calm, different from last night where he seemed more aggressive and demanding. Maia didnt know if she really wanted him to. Maybe it was his strong aura that made her feel uncomfortable, no not that, she felt vulnerable, or was it the change in his demeanor? He seemed calm now but she was not forgotten the man she met yesterday. The one with the yellow eyes. Should she ask him to get her mother or would that just make her seem weird and weak. 'Maia?' His voice took her out of her pondering and her heartbeat accelerated. 'Oh yes, sorry, you can come in'. Her cheeks were warm again and looking at him only made it worse. He was unfairly handsome. Elias gave her a charming smile 'goodmorning'. Maia felt her muscles ease up a little and gave him a small smile back 'morning'. As he walked closer to her she fought the urge to step back. She wasn't really scared of him but her instinct told her otherwise, she was on guard around him. 'Did you sleep well?' He gestured her to turn around and she did. 'As you might imagine, not really. I've been up most of the night packing and talking to my friends and family'. She looked at him from the mirror. He was focusing on the zipper, his eyebrows a little frowned to see why it was stuck. 'You do know I'm not kidnapping you to the other end of the world, you can come back whenever you like. Accompanied with someone I trust'. His hand unlocked the zipper and he looked up into the mirror and closed the zipper. The skin he touched gave her a slightly burning feeling, a pleasant one. Did he not know in what kind of situation he put her in? Looking at him she straightened her back a little 'Maybe not kidnapping, but you forced me into this by the choice you gave me'. Her tone implicating that she wouldn't have come with him if he wouldnt have given the ultimatum. There it was again, just a slight change in his expression and body language. But as quickly as it came, it was gone. Elias placed his hand on her shoulders and softly turned her around to face him. 'The things I would do for my mate are limitless, you may hate me now but at least this way I can make sure you are safe' he whispered while looking deep into her eyes. There was something in those grey waters that she hadn't seen before but she couldn't place it. It was a little peak over the wall he had around him but he quickly closed that door. 'Do you have everything you need?' He stepped away from her and looked around the room. She had packed one suitcase with her favorite clothing and one bag with her accessories, make up and other bathroom products. Maia nodded 'I'm ready to go'. Elias grabbed her suitcase and bag and walked downstairs. Maia waited a moment before she followed him. Even though Elias told her she could come back, it still felt as a goodbye. She looked around her childhood bedroom filled with memories. The experiences of the last weeks made her grow up faster but she didnt know if she was prepared for this. She was leaving her safe place to go with a man she barely knew to live with him and his pack. A man who claimed she was his mate and left her no choice. She was conflicted by him, the two sides she had now seen. She had seen the beast, but maybe he was a man too. Maia walked to the door and gave one last look to her old life before closing the door and going downstairs. She first hugged her mother and gave her a reassuring smile 'I'll be alright mom, I love you'. Her mother gave her a soft kiss on her forehead and told her she loved her too. Then Maia turned to her father and hugged him too. His strong arms around her made her feel safe again as she placed her head on his chest. 'If he does anything to hurt you, I will find him and kill him. Lycan or not'. She held him a little tighter as he gave her a kiss on her head. Maia fought against her tears as she looked up to him. 'I love you too dad'. She gave him a kiss on his cheek and went outside. Elias was getting her stuff in the car but before she walked over to him she was stopped by her best friends putting her in a group hug. Maia laughed as she looked to her almost identical friends. Lilly and Jason were the twins of Jackson and just a little older than she was. 'We dont want you to go' Lilly said with a pout while Jason was looking angrily towards Elias, who on his turn did not seem impressed by it. 'I'll be back soon. I promise'. She gave both of them a kiss on the cheek. Jason took her in his embrace when she did so and Maia heard a low growl from Elias. Jason kept her close to his chest while staring at Elias. 'Jason please, no fighting'. Maia looked up to her friend and protector as she gently left his embrace and walked towards Elias. 'You have no right to growl at any of them' she told him with a firm voice and stepped into the car. Elias threw the door shut and took his seat next to her. 'You are my mate. I have every right'. Maia wanted to say more, tell him he was an arrogant prick and that he did not posses her, but his face told her not to challenge him right now. Maia then realised he looked jealous.