Max had always known that being the Sprit Walker Pack's beta meant taking on a lot of responsibilities. He was to ensure that the pack ran smoothly and that all of its members were safe and well fed. But he never imagined he'd have to deal with the situation he's in now. Cayden had been seriously injured, and war was on the horizon. Max arrived at the infirmary to find it in disarray. The pack members were all talking at the same time, trying to figure out what had happened and what they were going to do now that their leader was gone. Max took command of the situation, delegating tasks to others and ensuring that everyone remained calm and focused.
However, the situation was dire. The pack was vulnerable, with Cayden injured. To make matters worse, Natasha was no longer alive. Max had always admired and respected Cayden, but he hadn't realised how much the Alpha's presence meant to him until now. The door to the hospital room opened as Max tried to make sense of the situation, and Kylie followed. Her face was white, and she hugged him tightly as she ran towards him.
"Thank God you're okay."
"What are you doing here, Kylie?" Max inquired, apparently grateful for her presence. She released him from her embrace and looked up at him. He was so tall that she had to crane her neck to see him.
"Max, I heard about Cayden," Kylie said softly and gently. "I'm truly sorry. Is there anything I can do to help you?"
Max shook his head, his eyes cast down. "I'm not sure how I'd manage the pack without him," he admitted. "And now that Natasha is gone as well, we're even more exposed. We're on the verge of a war, and I'm not sure how we'll get through it."
In surprise, Kylie covered her mouth with her hand. "Oh, my goodness! Natasha is dead!"
"She couldn't survive the silver poisoning. And now I'm on the verge of losing Cayden. I'm at a loss for what to do ", he bemoaned.
Kylie put a hand on Max's shoulder to comfort him. "Max, you're not alone. I am here to help you. And we'll make it through together."
Max raised his eyes to Kylie, his heart pounding in his chest. He wanted to tell her how much he loved her and how badly he wanted to be hers. But the words refused to come. Instead, he said, "Thank you, Kylie. I'm not sure what I'd do without you." Kylie smiled at him, and Max felt a warmth in his chest that he had never felt before.
"I keep hearing about this war, Max. What exactly is going on? Where did you go?"
"Kylie, I have something I need to tell you," he said, barely audible above a whisper. "This pack has a lot of history behind it."
Kylie's eyes widened in surprise, but she smiled anyway, a warm and genuine smile that made Max's heart skip a beat.
"Well, since we're both here," she whispered, "why don't you tell me?"
"OK." He replied.
They sat on one of the white benches after Max nodded. He informed her of Cayden, Hawk, and Selena's predicament. And why'd they target Alpha Fred?
"I've heard bits and pieces about it from others, but I finally understand this mysterious Selena," Kylie concluded.
Max bent down and cupped his hands around his head. "I'm at a loss for what to do."
"Hey, don't be that way," Kylie said, as she stroked his massive back. "Everything will be fine. I am sure Cayden will recover quickly." He sat up and turned to face her. His eyes had an odd glint in them.
"Cayden isn't the only one I am worried about. It's Selena, and she's been acting strangely lately, and I'm not sure what's up."
"What did she do?" Kylie asked.
"I'm not sure why, but even though they're mates, she hasn't forgiven Cayden for how he mistreated her. Her pain is too intense. Natasha approached me before we left for the raid. She claimed to have detected evil magic around Selena. I can't get this feeling out of my head; what if she betrayed us?"
"I don't know Selena very well, but I know she would hurt no one, not even Cayden. Even if he had previously hurt her. She may despise him, but she would never endanger an innocent person's life. I don't believe she'd betray you." Kylie replied thoughtfully.
"You've only just met her. How can you be so certain?"
Kylie grinned. "I've spent almost my entire life living alone. I have an uncanny ability to recognise people."
"Okay, but that doesn't answer my question."
"Last night, after you guys had left, Selena came to talk to me."
Max was on guard. "What did she discuss?"
"Nothing specific; she simply wanted to learn about humans because she had never lived among them."
"Is that it?' What has Selena been up to recently? Was she planning to run away once more?
"But I noticed something; she seemed anxious," Kylie said.
"She was upset to know about Cayden, but I will still monitor her," Max concluded.
"If there is war, I want you and your brothers to leave. I have a house in the Emerald City. You can live there......"
"What about your sisters?" Kylie enquired.
"Maya and Anna are off to college tomorrow. They will be safe among humans. I don't want you to get involved if something happens to me...."
Kylie looked up at him, her eyes welling up with tears. She knew he was right, but she couldn't bring herself to leave. "I can't leave," she said, barely above a whisper. "I can't just abandon you. After you saved my brothers and me."
"I'm not asking you to leave me," Beta Max whispered. "I'm asking you to do this for me. For us."
Kylie shook her head, her eyes downcast. "I can't," she said again.
Max sighed, knowing that this would not be a simple conversation. He hoped Kylie would understand, but he knew he couldn't make her leave.
"Are you trying to get rid of me?" Kylie inquired unexpectedly.
"What?" Max was stunned. " Why would I do that?"
"Because you're asking me to leave?" She wrung her hands.
"That is because I want you to be safe. I'm not sure how bad things could get."
"Five!" Kylie exclaimed abruptly.
Her sudden outburst perplexed him.
"I've been with five men. I'm not proud of it. I've made a lot of stupid mistakes. I used to work as a stripper. I'm just trying to be honest with you. If you don't want to be with me because of my past, then I get it."
"Kylie," he whispered. "I was joking. Your past is irrelevant."
He cupped his hands around her face. "You are my mate, and I love you."
Kylie's heart skipped a beat as she realised her past did not bother him. She leant into his touch, grateful and loved. Kylie looked up at him, her eyes welling up with tears.
"I love you, too," she said, her voice slightly trembling. Beta Max sighed, knowing he'd done everything he could. He drew Kylie closer with his paw.
Tears were streaming down her cheeks. He couldn't help but feel uneasy as Max held her close. He knew war was coming, and he couldn't help but worry about the safety of his pack, especially his mate.