Bark Or Bite

Chapter 16

I can feel the blood run from my face. Maximus wraps an arm around me when he notices me shiver.

"We need to form a plan. We will need both of your packs. Inform them both." I think about having to see Cameron and Max again face-to-face.

"When do we start?" Maximus interrupts my thoughts with his deep voice.

"Right away. But first I need to speak with my grand-daughter alone please."

Maximus nods his head in recognition before leaving the room. I'm sure he could eavesdrop easily from the other room, but I know he would never be that disrespectful to my grandfather.

"I need you to really listen to me, Hannah." I nod my head.

"This is serious. I didn't know this would happen so soon with you as Alpha. I have a great amount of control over the pack, but they're yours now. You have to step up. No fooling around or having your head wrapped around this mess with Ian and Maximus." My heart skips a beat. I knew he probably knew about it, but I didn't think he would bring it up to me.

"Yes, sir. I know." I know how bad this could be if I don't take control. My pack's life, my life, and most importantly, Maximus's life is depending on me. He will take care of his pack and I have to take care of mine.

"And this little feud between you and the boys needs to be resolved. One pack feud could be the end of this. The end of us." He voice drops. He was being strong, but I knew he was hiding the fear in his eyes.

"I know Grandpa. I'll talk to Max and Cam. I promise." I give him a soft smile before embracing him.

"We're gonna get through this." I promise him.

        *                      *                      *

"I know sweetie, I know."

Maximus and I leave my Grandfather's home worse than when we walked in. We sit in the car in silence, just thinking of what's to come.

"What do we do about Gabriel?" I break the silence.

"I don't know. He may be the least of our problems right now." He looks me in the eye.

"I know it doesn't seem like much, but Courtney is still my best friend and she's human. I swear to god if he lays a finger on her I will rip him to shreds." My blood boils under my skin.

"I know. I'll let you." He speaks calmly.

I start the car and make my way back to my house.

          *                    *                    *

"I'm not saying that we don't need to worry about Courtney. All I'm saying is that you have bigger things to worry about right now." Maximus tries taking my mind off of the dangers Gabriel could bring.

"Maximus there's no way I can forget about it. Yes, I know that there's a lot that needs to be handled right now. I know that I need to talk to Max and Cam. I know I need to think of a plan. I know this is a life or death situation, but Courtney is a human. I will be damned if I put her life in danger to save my own." Maximus stares at me, wide-eyed. I thought he would reply, but he doesn't. He just embraces me. My head tucks into his chest.

"It's okay." He strokes my hair. "I promise you it will be okay."

His gentle voice calms me. Just being in his arms calms me.

"It's just hard right now." I fight back a tear as his presence makes me vulnerable.

"I know, I know. Just calm down." Maximus sits me down on the couch with him.

I stay in his arms for what feels like forever. Along the way, I fall asleep.

"I told you this wasn't the end." He smirks evilly in my face.

"Ian, please!" I can feel my hot tears running down my face, staining my cheeks.

"You hurt me so bad, Hannah. Now it's time for you and your pack to pay."

My dream is short lived by my piercing scream. I feel Maximus's hands around me, holding me in place. Somehow we made it to my room.

"Hannah! Hannah, are you okay?" He face is near mine, instantly calming me down.

"Yeah. Yeah I'm fine." I can still feel my body shaking as the adrenaline rushes through my veins from my dream.

"It's okay. I'm here." Maximus strokes my face and soothes me until I fall into a deep, uninterrupted slumber.

           *                    *                    *

I wake up to the cold feeling of loneliness. I know Maximus is still around because his scent isn't far from the bedroom. I throw my covers to the side and make my way to the closet.

"Hey." I hear Maximus's deep voice from behind me.

"Hey." I turn around and collide with Maximus. My hands land on his chest.

I feel my cheeks get hot. "You're beautiful when you blush." Maximus looks down to me. He was close enough for me to feel his breath against my lips.

"A thank you would suffice." He speaks with his smooth voice.

"Thank you." I try to be calm, but my nervousness makes my voice shake. I don't regret it when I earn a deep chuckle from Maximus.

I take in his body all at once. His body still glistens from the shower. My eyes scan over the towel that only covers half of his body.

"Hmm, staring now aren't we." He smirks in my face. I shake my head, not trusting my voice.

Maximus chuckles once more before pecking me on the lips and sending my mind racing. His scent drives my wolf crazy. He smells of Axe body wash and his personal mesmerizing scent.

"Get dressed." I shake my head to clear my thoughts and focus on what Maximus is saying instead of just the beautiful man standing in front of me in only a towel.

"We're going to your grandfather's house." He walks away from me and my wolf whimpers.

"Why? Can't you and I just stay in today?" I whine and placed my hand on Maximus's back in hopes of winning over his wolf.

"As tempting as that sounds beautiful, Max and Cameron are there." His jaw clenches as he says their names. I know he hates them, but I adore the progress he is making. He went from calling them "mutts" to "pups" to their names. I smile on the inside at the thought of him bearing them for me.

"As much as I hate those immature little pups you need to resolve this conflict. You aren't just friends anymore. You're a pack. You need them and they need you." So much for progress.

"Okay, okay. Get out so I can change. Maximus is already dressed in his soft, dark blue jeans and a crisp white t-shirt by the time he finishes talking.

A huge grin spreads across his face. "What?" I ask.

"Nothing. I'm just thinking about how beautiful you are and how much better you would look naked." His smile turns into a sexy smirk. I kick him out before I have to kick him out before I lose control of my wolf.

"Get out Maximus!" His smile returns.

"Okay, I'm going."

Maximus and I pull up to my grandfather's house and the new scents collide with my nose.

"Are you ready?" He asks and grabs my hand.

I sigh. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Thank you for reading!
The picture is Maximus.

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