Chapter 9: Wild Wolf's Antidote
1716 Words
Emptiness.
The pack house seemed scanty as Alpha Maximus walked down the grand stairs and examined the once bubbly place. His staff were always in their numbers, giggling and cheerful, unlike today.
His hard jaws clenched as he stroked down in his ankle-length black latex jacket. The few maids around were pinned to the wall at the sight of him.
He ignored them and headed to the General Chamber. Only two guards mounted the entrance, which was unusual. They ducked their head and murmured their greetings, voices shaky like leaves.
“Send for Zane.” He groaned and walked in.
It had been past twenty-four hours since the incident, and the place was soaked with bleaches and cleaning agents, but he could still smell the scent of Gozanlo's blood, and his claws burning into his skin.
He still smelled the gory event like it just happened, that was how much his senses were heightened. For the first time in his life, his stomach churned at the scent of violence.
The door opened, and Zane walked in. “Good day, Alpha.” His tone was flat. “You sent for me.”
Maximus relaxed in his seat, barely paying attention to his Beta. “I need a situation report.”
“A legit source informed me that a protest is brewing in Gozanlo's pack. Alpha Blake and the pack members are not taking the news well.”
Maximus sighed. “Good luck with asking for a death wish…”
“It's bad for us!” He caught himself midway. Not only did he interrupt Maximus, but he also yelled. “Forgive me, alpha.” His tone was now shaky.
A low, throaty groan slipped out of Maximus. His cold gaze settled on Zane. For a while, no one said anything.
“The other elders and Betas are trying to clear the air.” Zane continued. “It's a clear case of an outburst…”
“Consequences.” Maximus corrected him. “The old man asked for it.”
Zane didn't respond. He just bowed.
“Why is the pack house empty?”
Zane hesitated. “Staff are resigning. They saw the grave act melt on Gozanlo. They say only a monster would do that.” He stopped to put his act together. “They think they're not safe.”
Maximus' heart sank. He was fierce, but only a devil to his enemies. “What do you think?”
“It will only worsen the situation…”
“Do you think you're safe?” He cut Zane off when he noticed the poor Beta tried to evade the question.
Zane stayed mute.
Maximus studied him. He was standing at a distance, which was unusual, as if he was scared to his bones. His hands were visibly shaking.
He got the answers he needed.
“Speak.” He groaned coldly.
“I think your wolf is deadly. I'm risking my life too.”
The words seared his bleeding heart. Gunner pounded restlessly, he hated the slightest disrespect. “Then leave.”
“I'm bound to my duties…”
Without prior warning, Maximus jumped down from his seat and dove in Zane's direction. He growled in rage, and Gunner seized the chance to take dominance. Maximus knew it was bad news and knew that this might be the end of his Beta.
Gunner sprang out, a huge wolf hovering above Zane like a god. His heavy paws trapped the tiny human by his feet, and he reached down, aiming for his head.
‘Stop, Gunner!!! Listen to me!’ Maximus struggled for power.
Zane just lay still, almost peeing on himself. He knew that fighting this wolf was a death sentence, and he would be a fool to stage his Alpha.
Gunner growled, a loud, deafening sound. The heavy breeze that accompanied it carelessly tossed Zane's hair.
*** ***
After a while alone, he almost chopped off the head of his Beta.
Maximus stood on the terrace of the General Chamber as he watched the activities in the pack house. The guards stood in clusters as if they had teamed up to fight any attacker.
He was butt naked. He hadn't gotten the chance to get a new set of clothes after he brutally shifted. His joints were on fire, and his muscles ached. Gunner was likened to a beast.
The wolf gnarled inside of him. Dangerous to even his body.
Maximus examined his old rusty claws. He remembered what it did to Gozanlo, how his wounds turned dark in minutes. The signs had always been there. Whenever he fought anyone, their wounds barely healed; now he knew why.
‘I doubt our mate can fix the chaos she created.’ He sighed. ‘I'd need to find a witch to draw that floral tattoo.’
‘Don't you dare!’ Gunner growled. ‘I'm not the chaos. It's just too good to be freed, man. Don't you think?’
‘Then let us work as one…’
The gentle footsteps of someone approaching made Maximus pause. He knew it was Zane.
“What do you want?”
“Alpha,” Zane sounded calm and bitter. “Forgive me for my cruel words. You don't deserve that.”
Maximus scoffed. “After an attempt on your life thrice? This is part of the duty, I guess.”
“Yes and no.” He mumbled. “It's not entirely because of my duty. I owe you my life too, Alpha.”
There was a short pause. “I brought you clean clothes.”
Maximus looked to the side where he dropped the fabrics, then faced ahead.
“I think you should see Gozanlo. I know you hate him, but act like you don't.”
“You know I don't pretend.” He sighed.
“It's for your kingdom.”
Irritated, Maximus turned. His flaccid d**k dangled. Zane bowed in respect. “Whoever wants to leave, should be my guest.”
He picked up the pile of clothes and started into the chamber.
“Trust me, Alpha, you don't want that.” He followed behind. “It's the easiest way to impeach you.”
Maximus spun swiftly, almost knocking Zane down with his huge frame. He looked aggravated. In his dark gaze, Zane could tell that the beast within was struggling to creep out. His heart beat harder.
“Watch your tongue, boy.” Maximus's breath was heavy. “You won't be this lucky next time.”
Zane nodded and rushed out, heart in his stomach.
Alone, Maximus got dressed. The words of his Beta replayed in his head. He didn't care so much about them, but he needed to play safe and smart. If not for anything, for the legacy of his ancestors.
He walked out of the chamber and headed outside. The chauffeur rushed forward and was surprised when the Alpha stretched out his large hand.
“Keys.”
Without argument, he dropped it in his palm and stepped aside.
Maximus drove out, heading to the city's specialist hospital where Gozanlo was admitted. He stepped on the accelerator and drove at an insane speed. On arrival, he marched into the reception.
“Go-good day, Alpha.” The receptionist stuttered. Her knuckles turned pale white in seconds. She tried to hide her trembling hands.
Fear was his adrenaline. He loved it when people trembled, but this felt like a thorn in his flesh, like a written guilt.
“Gozanlo's ward number.” Maximus’s tone was dead flat.
“Male VIP wing. Ward 4.”
He started in that direction and abruptly stopped. “Unless you hate your job, don't you dare get on my nerves.” Not saying another word, he walked away.
The health workers watched him walk into the ward, but no one dared to stop him.
Gozanlo lay calm, ignorant of the brewing danger. His vital signs machine read normally.
Maximus’s brows furrowed. To his surprise, the old man was getting better. It was supposed to be good news, but it bruised his ego. He looked at his claws, certain they tore into the scaly skin of the old man.
‘Well, well,’ Gunner groaned. ‘He won't survive this twice.’
Maximus' eyes darkened as his wolf took control against his will. He looked at the oxygen machine and contemplated pulling it off. Then the drip set.
Something clicked.
‘What are you doing?!’ Maximus scolded.
He ignored Maximus and made him search through his drug bag. He picked up the Midazolam ampoule, a sleeping drug for his disorder, which could kill if overdosed on. He poked the ampoule with a 5 mL syringe and withdrew, then strolled to the drip set.
Oddly, his wolf went still. There was a third presence in the room. Slowly, he uncorked the syringe and slipped it into the pocket of his pants.
‘MATE!!!’ When Gunner growled again, it wasn't in fury, but in possessiveness and need.
“I have you recorded on camera. You'd…” Sage's words hung thickly in her throat when the bug man spun to face her.
The piercing green eyes that haunted her! She would be damned not to recognize it anywhere.
She tried to act normal. If she pretended like she didn't know him, then her secret of being a female was safe. Following her instinct, she opened the door in need of an escape.
Maximus's mind was a ball of conflicting thoughts as he watched Sage. His mate from the other night was a stunning damsel, this was a gentleman. Gunner swung in, dominant, not giving Maximus the chance to ruin it.
In two powerful strides, he closed the distance between them and slammed the door shut.
Sage gasped and hugged the wall, more scared for her secret than she was for her life.
His coarse palm grabbed her tender arm and flipped her with ease. He crashed against her, trapping her between himself and the wall. She tried not to scream for help, but her soft whimpering gave her sexuality away.
Maximus tilted down, burying his face in the hollow of her neck, as he sniffed her all over. The scent was familiar, a blend of lavender and bourbon was nestled in the thick masculine cologne.
Gunner was right, but he was still curious.
“Who. Are. You?”
- Writer
