Alpha Maximus：The last lycan

Chapter 5

　　The next morning, the sun rises, and I feel nervous and worried about leaving the pack for so long and about not finding her, and having to return without her. It would be bad for the pack and myself, because I am struggling to control Chaos as it is. I can't imagine how much worse he will be if we don't find her.

　　I just need to put my faith in the Moon Goddess. Surely, she doesn't want the lycans to die out? Doesn’t she want me to be happy? And my mate to be happy? Maybe she has been looking for me and wants me. Or maybe she doesn't want a mate. And that is why we can't find her, because she doesn't want to be found. Or maybe she wants a werewolf and not a lycan. What if she rejects us?

　　Stressing, I pace back and forth, trying not to panic.

　　‘Alpha, are you okay?’ Nathan asks, and I look up and snarl.

　　Shit! Chaos! Stop! I yell at him.

　　I look at Nathan with my black lycan eyes, and Nathan slowly backs away, pulling out a dose of wolfsbane in case I attack him.

　　Forcing to be in control, I bang my back up against the wall, fighting Chaos back. I hunch over, catching my breath. Nathan sighs with relief, when I have control again.

　　‘What was that all about?’ Nathan asks.

　　‘I was starting to freak out about finding our mate and being rejected because I’m a lycan. And about her maybe not even wanting a mate. Chaos was listening and became angry at my thoughts,’ I explain.

　　Nathan places his hand on my shoulder.

　　‘Alpha, any she-wolf would be a fool to reject you. Underneath Chaos and your lack of... calm, there’s a good man and a good werewolf,’ he assures me.

　　‘You don't have to lie to me,’ I say, and Nathan scoffs.

　　‘I’m trying to make you feel better,’ he says with his hands in the air. We look at each other and laugh.

　　On my way out, Beth hands me a basket of food for breakfast. I kiss her forehead and step outside, and get into the limo waiting for me. A few black cars with some pack warriors follow behind.

　　We drive half the day, and the men stop to relieve their bladders and let their wolves out for a quick run.

　　I lean against a tree wishing I could let my lycan out for a run, but I know he would just rip my men apart.

　　I climb the nearest tree to look around the area. I sit and admire the view, until my men return, completely naked, in human form. We get back into the limo, and once the warriors are dressed they get back into their cars.

　　Four hours later, we arrive at Moonfall pack. It’s obvious from their very forced welcome, they don't want me here.

　　After greeting Alpha Dan, I follow him inside his pack house. All eyes are on me. The men glare and the she-wolves avoid me, obviously scared.

　　Is my reputation really this bad? I link Nathan.

　　Honest truth or can I lie again? He asks.

　　Honest truth. I say.

　　Yes, it's bad. Really bad. He replies.

　　Letting out a big sigh, I gently smile at a she-wolf I pass, her eyes go wide, she screams, and runs off.

　　‘What happened? What did you do?’ Alpha Dan asks sternly. I put my hands up in the air, in surrender.

　　‘Nothing! I swear. I just smiled,’ I explain.

　　Alpha Dan reads me for a moment, then bursts out laughing and pats me on the back.

　　‘I'm sorry. Even your smile scares the she-wolves away. No offence. Everyone here is terrified because you can't control your lycan,’ he explains.

　　‘I understand. Maybe, by the time I leave here, everyone might not think so badly of me,’ I say, hopeful.

　　‘We’ll see. Let's eat and rest. And in the morning, we will have all the unmated she-wolves ready for you to meet,’ he says.

　　Nodding, I sit at the table. Nathan sits next to me and we eat in silence. All of the kitchen staff creep around like they are walking on eggshells; it’s very awkward. The pack members at the table keep their heads down. I break the silence.

　　‘Moonfall is such a lovely place, it's very… pleasant,’ I say.

　　‘I should add, this food is wonderful,’ Nathan adds, trying to help.

　　‘I look forward to giving you a proper tour tomorrow,’ Alpha Dan says. ‘Amy, show Alpha Max and Nathan to their rooms.’ The girl stiffens, and nods.

　　‘This way please,’ she says, and we follow her upstairs and Nathan claims the first room, and I follow Amy to the next room.

　　‘Here you are, Alpha Max,’ she says, keeping her distance.

　　‘Thank you, Amy,’ I say, and she runs off.

　　I don't sleep well. I’m looking forward to meeting the unmated she-wolves.

　　As soon as it’s morning, Nathan and I are up and ready for the day.

　　We meet Alpha Dan for breakfast, and make our way outside, where he shows us around the village.

　　On the way back, we stop in the hall where the she-wolves are waiting. I walk inside and see eight different girls, petrified and shaking.

　　‘Okay, ladies. No need to be frightened. Alpha Max needs you to make eye contact with him, to see if any of you are his mate,’ Alpha Dan says, reassuring the girls.

　　Looking at each of them, I see nothing but fear and feel no connection. I look at Nathan and Alpha Dan, and shake my head.

　　‘I wish you luck at the next pack,’ Alpha Dan says, patting me on the back.

　　We get into the limo, drive three hours to the next pack, and I meet five she-wolves who don't want a bar of me. Their Alpha makes them co-operate. They’re very bitchy and stuck up. I’m glad none of them are my mate; Chaos wouldn’t be impressed with any of them either.

　　We spend the next week visiting nine other packs. Some aren't too bad, and are somewhat welcoming. Others can't wait to be rid of me.

　　There are a few instances where Chaos fully takes over after some negative comments, and Nathan gives me a dose of wolfsbane. One girl tells me she feels sorry for the girl doomed to be my mate. Chaos, no doubt, would have ripped her head off. That pack alpha demands I leave his territory.

　　Needing some air and some space, I rip off my shirt and run deep into the forest. When I’m far away enough from everyone else, I let Chaos shift.

　　Hurt, he roars and howls angrily and claws at the trees, shredding them. After an hour of having a meltdown and destroying some trees, Chaos lies on his back staring up at the moon. ‘Mate,’ he whispers.

　　In human form, I walk back to the limo, and Nathan and my warriors are all standing there, worried and concerned.

　　‘Are you okay? We could hear you, Chaos, for miles.’ I’m too depressed to talk. I get into the limo and sit with my head in my hands.

　　‘The next pack is four hours away. We can sleep in the cars tonight,’ Nathan says, and I nod, and close the car door.

　　I wonder what she is like. Will she give me a chance? Or will she reject me? I wonder what her scent is like. If she has dark hair or light hair. Will the Moon Goddess bless me with a kind-hearted mate? Or an arrogant self-absorbed mate, like the she-wolf Chaos almost just killed?