When two become three...
1980 Words
Dalia-
I'm in this club with my boyfriend but someone else is on my mind.
‘Maximus’ I hear a voice inside my head. What the hell is going on with me. Maybe I am a wolf. I tried to communicate with the mystery voice and got nothing in response. I swear if I brought up that certain massive man, then I would hear a voice.
I walk around the club under the allusion of another woman. So, I can just relax and not have to deal with Dino wanting to be all adventurous tonight. I go to the bar and order a drink as I contemplate grabbing my phone to message Maximus. I can’t believe he left like that. It’s a fact that he is known as a man who will only sleep with you once and then never again. The bartender brings back my beer, and I thank him. I turn, sipping it as a guy walks up to me with a drunken smile.
“Hey beautiful. What’s your pleasure?” He sticks out his tongue, showing me that his tongue is split. He is a mixed species with part of that as reptile. I raise an eyebrow.
“Not interested. But thank you.” I turn to face the bartender. This guy isn’t getting the hint.
“Look baby, I can do some things…” He begins as his hand reaches for my leg. I reach for the knife behind the counter. The one that was used to cut fruit by the bartender. I take it and slam it into the counter. It goes between his fingers as he freezes. “What the hell!” He yells.
“I missed on purpose.” I whisper as he jumps up and leaves my side.
“There she is like always causing problems!” Erin walks over to me. “I saw that little performance of almost cutting that man’s finger off.”
“He was lucky the hand was the only thing that I used the knife on.” I smirk. “What are you doing here?”
“I came with some friends, but everyone is all hooking up at the moment. I don’t mind the place. I just enjoy watching and keep it moving.” She tells me as she gets a glass of wine handed to her. Erin is an assistant to my sister. She came over to help Mira with getting the coven up and running. Now she has a cousin who is mated to the delta at Black River Pack.
“I heard you were headed to Black River tomorrow.” She whispers.
“Yep, I really need to get some sleep. I am not interested in being here at all.” I reply.
“Is that why Dino is over there with a clone?” She giggles. “Does he not even notice the difference?”
“Well, so far you and Maximus are the only ones who do.” I absentmindedly squeeze my legs together, thinking of him.
“Maximus huh? He is really a nice guy, you think?” She asks. I smirk, knowing what she is doing.
“Yep, everyone loves Maximus.” I roll my eyes.
“Well, I have high-level witchcraft in me. So how did Maximus know it was you?” She asks me.
“He obviously has powers as well.” I say, trying to convince myself. “Will we see you tomorrow? Don’t you need to see your cousins’ babies?” I ask, changing the subject.
“Oh, that would be a great idea. You wanna head back together now to the castle?”
“Yeah, Dino will be fine. Plus, Maximus has four guys here undercover to escort us home.” I nod to the wall where one guy stands. Erin looks over and raises an eyebrow.
“That man sure is dedicated to his work.” She smiles as we head out.
“Good morning, little flower.” I hear him besides my ear. He scared the hell out of me.
“Damn it! How does someone this big sneak up like that!” I yell.
“It’s a gift.” He replies with a smile. “Hey, last night…”
“Erin! Come over here, girl! Maximus, did I tell you I invited Erin to join us. That way she can visit the babies! I was like, girl, you have to come with us!” I smile. I knew if I was alone in the car with Maximus, he would want to talk about last night. Then apologize about last night. Then, twenty miles into the trip, his face is buried between my legs. Damn it, if he won’t practice self-control, then I will for the both of us.
“Hey Erin. You need a bag put in the car?” He asks like the perfect gentleman he is.
“Oh no, I can…” Erin begins.
“Erin, please let the man help. He lives for this stuff.” I smile, handing her bag to him. He makes it a point to have his large fingers graze mine. I pull away quickly like he burned me.
“What is going on with you two? It’s like hot and cold. Now currently scalding?’ Erin mind-links me. I hear Maximus grunt.
“Maximus can you not listen to our mind-links, please?” I yell as I hear Beast growl. I smirk with the satisfaction of knowing I caught him.
“Wait, he can hear our thoughts?” Erin looks nervous. I raise an eyebrow.
“Depends on the person. Why? What have you been thinking?” I give her the look of death. She raises her hands in surrender.
“I’m just saying I think everyone had the same thoughts when they first meet him. Now, he seems to be occupied on a certain woman.” She looks at me with a knowing look.
“I have a boyfriend.”
“Where is he actually?” Erin looks around.
“I let him sleep in. He got back late.”
“Time to head out, ladies. Or do we wait for late arrivals?” Maximus grunts out.
“No, Dino and I said our goodbyes already.” I make a face at him as we head to the SUV.
‘I saw that.’ Maximus mind-links me as I smile. I hop in, and Erin hops into the third row, then proceeds to stretch out on the back row. She grabs her pillow and blanket, and I guess I have to sit next to Maximus now.
“So how are you feeling? Any new symptoms? Heard any voices lately?” He asks.
“No, not a word has been said.” I close my eyes and take a deep breath.
‘Lies, he hates it when you lie.’ That damn voice tells me.
“Dalia, you, okay? You just started frowning.” He touches my arm to get my eyes open. I feel a power surge through me as I see it's from where Maximus is touching me. We both look down at our connection as he pulls away. “Dalia, I think my powers may be needed to help you figure yourself out.”
“I think you definitely play a part in this for sure. You think it's some evil source? I mean, I have never seen a good source need so much help to come to the surface. What if I’m like my father?” I ramble off fears I didn’t even know I had.
“Hey, I checked you out. There isn’t one iota of evil inside you. Now your taste in men, that could be a case study.” He teases as I throw my blanket at him.
“Maximus! I have only had one boyfriend. Thank you very much. Unlike Mr. Worldwide next to me with his never-ending sea-to-sea tour.” I laugh as he throws the blanket back.
“Well, your record sucks. You may need help picking them.” He tells me.
“Well Maximus has been at Black River for a while. Who better to help you find a new man than the man who has trained all the men here. He would know all the good ones.” Erin speaks from her pillow. Her eyes still closed. I look back at her and laugh.
“Uhm, I have a boyfriend?” I remind her as she exhales and rolls over away from us.
“Yeah, no. I am not playing matchmaker. I am here to get her cleared. Not get her from one dufus to another.” Maximus adds.
“Dino is a great guy! Plus, if I was single, you Maximus would be the last person I would ask to find me a new man.” I poke his arm for emphasis. His well-defined perfectly chiseled from a sheet of Mahkam marble arm. As if sensing me having fun, my phone rings. I look down, and Maximus and I both see DINO show up on the caller I.D. log.
“Speak of the devil.” I hear Maximus mumble as he looks out the window. I answered the phone.
“Hey babe, where the heck are you? We were supposed to meet this cool couple for breakfast this morning.” Dino speaks right away.
“Hey, sorry I didn’t want to wake you. My sister sent me on a mission for her at the Black River pack. I didn’t have time to do anything but go.” I feel instantly guilty.
“So, who all went with you?” He asks, but what he is really saying is are you sleeping with that man that is always around.
“Oh, it is Erin, Roger, Thomas and Max.” I run through names. I named the driver and the guy who wished us well. I know Dino, and it’s clear these two men really hate each other.
“Max, as in Maximus, right?” He says, and I can hear the displeasure through the phone.
“Yes, we are here to help Erin, and then we head back. A quick trip.”
“Then why didn’t you let me come along. I have been dying to see the famous Black River Pack.”
“Sweetie I was assigned this from my sister. This isn’t for fun.” I look around, noticing that Maximus is smirking and listening, but it’s not like I could whisper. I am in a car full of special beings. Nothing is sacred in here.
“Well maybe I can join you. Ya know, come by the evening and see what you guys are up to. Maybe I can help.” Dino pushes, and I exhale. “f**k, wait. I just got a message to report to the fields. For extra practice. Damn it. I will talk to you tonight.”
“Okay, I will catch you later.” I hang up and notice Maximus putting his phone away. I know he did this and I smile looking out the window.
We pull into the Black River pack lands. It is beautiful. Rolling hills for as far as the eyes can see. As we pull up to the pack house, it is a huge multi-level castle. Alpha Ronan and Luna Briar greet us. We three get out.
“Maximus, welcome back.” Alpha Ronan nods.
“This is Dalia and Malani’s cousin Erin.”
“Welcome, lets get you inside.” Luna Briar smiles as we enter the massive estate.
“Well damn, look what the cat dragged in.” A beautiful woman with dark skin and almond shaped eyes smiles looking at Maximus as we enter the double doors.
“Brooklyn, hey it’s good to see you.” Maximus gives her a small smile as he looks between us.
- Writer
