Maxine

Chapter Nine

My heart raced in my chest as my feet thrummed against the ground. A howl came from behind me signaling that they knew I left. I pushed myself harder knowing I needed as much of a lead as I could get.

I'm supposed to be faster than any other being, but I felt like I was moving at a snail's pace. I had to run at least another fifty miles before I reached my destination and I've already run ten. I sent up prayers to the Moon Goddess, but I'm afraid they could be falling on deaf ears.

My wolf wanted to be allowed to the surface, she knew the urgency of getting to Moon Valley so I allowed her to take control. Just like that everything began to blur past me. My wolf's body felt stronger than before.

We were hauling ass like never before, and soon I could see markers that would lead into MVP's territory. As if it was more incentive we shifted into an even higher gear moving even faster than before.

Rustling was heard in front of me and I knew it was going to be the patrol, but I kept pushing. I needed to get to the pack house. Two wolves appeared in front of me. One grey and one brown, both bearing their teeth and warning me to stop.

However with my new speed they wouldn't be able to catch me let alone stop me and I breezed past them. I darted between trees and over dead limbs. At least now Thomas and his men wouldn't be able to get to me without a fight.

Within minutes I was at the pack house and I let out a long howl that shook the Earth beneath my feet. Perhaps my prayers hadn't fallen on deaf ears. People came pouring out of the house including Alpha Terrance, his beta Marcus, and Jason. 

I slowed my pace before falling down in front of them panting like I just ran across the continent. I shifted and knelt on my knees covering my chest with my arms. I didn't want to look them in the eyes knowing what they would see, but I snapped my attention up as I heard one voice I didn't expect.

Derrek.

"What's going on?" I put my hand on my neck where Thomas forcefully marked me and I felt disgusted allowing him to do such a thing. "Max, your eyes." Jason was the one to point it out. I looked down, "Can someone get me something to wear?" A woman came forward and handed me a very large black shirt. I slipped it on quickly, "Lets move this inside so we can discuss what's happened privately."

I moved past everyone and headed for the conference room. Terrance, Jason, and Derrek were hot on my tail while firing questions that I couldn't hear. Once in the conference room we all took a seat as I prepared to relay the events over the last few days. 

"Max, what the hell is happening?" Terrance calmly asked and I took a deep breath trying to properly word my response. "Why did you leave?" I closed my eyes after Derrek's question. "I left because... something was different. Thomas came in too quickly. I didn't want anyone to get hurt."

I looked into Alpha Terrance's eyes, "Your pack has been kind, and I know why you wanted me. It wasn't because I reminded you of yourself, but rather because I am 'the silver wolf'." His eyes softened, "I wasn't sure of it, but I had a hunch. Jason told me about your wolf's color. It was a long shot because I thought perhaps he was seeing things due to the adrenaline, but I guess it's true."

I nodded, "I'm not exactly sure what it means, but yes I am. Now... After I left I found a small town, bought a car and headed for Cleveland. That's when I met a fiery red head."

I sighed again, "She was a shifter. Anyways, she drugged me and entered me into a supernatural black market auction. And you'll never guess who was there." Jason piped in "Are you fucking serious? Thomas?" I snorted, "Yes, and he was the highest bidder so he was taking me back home... to his pack."

Silence.

Everyone was deathly quiet. I'm not even sure anyone was breathing. "Thomas now has very deep pockets, and his group is far more organized." Terrance once again spoke, "So... your eyes? Is it from the drugs?"

I shook my head, "On our way to the compound Thomas..." I clasped my hands together and looked at them so I wouldn't look in anyone's eyes... Especially Derrek's. "He marked me, and now he can control me like a weapon."

I was surprised when he spoke, "He's not your mate, he shouldn't have done that." My eyes focused on his beautiful face and I felt the urge to cry. I never wanted a mate, but I wish it was him that had marked me rather than Thomas.

"Derrek, this situation is far more complicated than you can even imagine. Only recently have you been introduced to our kind." My voice was gentle to him, but he still looked pissed, "With that aside I've been reading, listening, learning about the ways of your kind. From what I understand I should be the one to mark you."

"Well you can't. You're human." Terrance cleared his throat, "But he doesn't have to be." My head whipped in his direction, "Excuse me?" He gulped, "You see... he could receive a bite and if he survives he could successfully become one of us."

I shook my head furiously, "No it's too risky." Jason touched my shoulder, "Listen, I've been taught about the silver wolf in case it ever surfaced again, and from what I understand its true mate can mark it, mate it, but can't control it. For some reason if someone other than the mate can force it into submission, a.k.a mating with it, they'll have complete control."

I let it sink in, "It's still too risky." There was a collective sigh, "Maxine..." Terrance began but Derrek stopped him, "Listen Max. I know I don't know you very well, but in the short time that I have I know I would do anything for you. I don't want anyone using you for some personal gain."

I felt defeated, "If you don't survive... then Thomas will find a way to get to me." Derrek came around the table and grabbed my ever fidgeting hands immediately causing me to relax, "It's worth a shot, and if it doesn't work then..." He looked to Jason, "You'll mark and mate her."

Shock.

What. The. Fuck. "Excuse me?"  Terrance nodded, "He could be on to something. It's decided." I stood up and roared, "Absolutely not!" You could feel the power radiating off of me, "I will not risk his life. For all I know you were planning on him to volunteer and find a way to kill him so I'll have to mate with your son. I will not now nor will I ever agree to mating with Jason."

Derrek slowly stood up and cupped my cheeks, "Maxine, please, just... let me try. I want to help." This situation was hopeless. Terrance chimed in, "If you feel as if I would do something so underhanded then you can give him the bite so at least you'll know it wasn't our doing."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath allowing Derrek's scent to fill my lungs. It calmed me in a way that I didn't even know could happen. Gentle tingles spread across my cheek and I knew I had to give in. This may be the only way to save all of us. 

"Okay."