She is going to bring Hell.
As the clock hit midnight, he still stood by the window in his study, watching the stars. He hadn't left the small room for nearly two days, thinking and planning. Time by time, a woman would come to check on him, but even she didn't stay around for too long.
Everyone around the pack knew how short-tempered he was - avoiding him in situations of great stress was better than risking life.
“Maximilian, are you planning to leave this room even for a day? Boys have been asking around for you; they can't understand why their father is absent. Is having dinner with your family such a curse?” The woman stomped into his study without knocking on the door or announcing her presence.
It was quite an unusual behavior, but she didn't care much - her children and their needs meant the world to her.
“I will get downstairs whenever I feel like it. Shut your mouth and stay out of here; I have enough on my mind. I don't need more distractions,” he hissed, avoiding focusing his gaze on her.
For the past few weeks, she had done nothing but annoyed and challenged him. If she wouldn't remember her place anytime soon, he, as an Alpha, would be forced to help refresh her memory.
“If anyone, I am very well aware of the things you keep thinking about. What is it about that ungrateful brat, huh? You have so many daughters, yet you can't let that good to nothing woman live as far away from us as possible. I don't want to see her; she is not going to step her foot inside my house,” now, she was blinded by anger.
She had lived a happy life until a couple of weeks ago her husband mentioned his long lost daughter. There wasn't a person she could hate more than she hated Seth. The young woman resembled her mother; she was walking and talking reminder of the rightful Luna of this pack.
“You have no say in this.” His fists clenched at his sides, making the woman gulp. She feared her husband, but the man wasn't quite fond of raising his hand at her either.
The wisest thing to do might have been leaving the study, waiting till the morning came, and holding a peaceful discussion. Like any other, angered person, she didn't think straight - she went right for the attack.
“I will not allow her to come near our home! Over my dead body, Maximilian! She is not to get near my children; I don't give rats shit about your authority here! I hate that woman, and you know that! Do you miss your dead wife so much? You want a constant fucking reminder of her running around your home now, huh?” She yelled at the top of her lungs.
Her kids, even though grown, wouldn't wake up even if they ended up getting into a fight. The study was located on the top floor of the packhouse while kids slept on the second.
Asides from the study, only the Alpha's apartments were on the top floor - no one would dare as much as approach it in the middle of the night.
“Alisson, this is the first and the last warning you will get tonight. Do not talk about her ever again!” Finally, the Alpha turned around to face his wife.
She paled as soon as she noticed his facial expression. There were many different limits she wasn't allowed to cross, his dead wife being one of those. However, she also didn't care much anymore; she had many reasons for the intense hatred towards his firstborn.
“Alright, I won't mention her, but I will remind you of some things that you've managed to forget, blinded by the damn greed. If she comes back - there is a possibility that she will take everything you own. Technically, that girl is more of an Alpha than you will ever be. Her mother was the true Alpha of this pack; you are just a commoner who was lucky enough to marry her.”
“Your daughter carries the Alpha gene, unlike other children of yours. Our sons, your daughter's - all of them lack the one thing Seth has by nature. You are the leader because of the marriage, not because of your blood - she is one of blood. If your father in law were still alive, he would open the land you walk on and throw you into pits of hell. The man wouldn't hesitate to approach the Council - stripping you from the power you've desired as much.”
“Of course, you're the leader, for now - do as you please. But if she throws us out of here, if she steals everything important to you, don't blame me. I tried to warn you before the disaster happens. To avoid this stupid idea of marriage, she has to do only one thing- throw you off and choose a husband of her own. The pride leader will not agree to marry an Alpha leader; that man is too proud to allow anyone to question his authority, even his wife. Seth will come here, take the title, house, trust of the people you abused, and throw you out like a rag doll. Be careful what you wish for; you might get it, Maximilian!” The outraged woman turned around and stormed out of the study.
She had enough of his games - whatever her husband did always ended as a disaster. He wasn't a born leader; he barely managed to fold his clothes, let alone lead a pack. If his daughter had any idea about the damage he had caused to her mother's pack - she would go berserk.
The Alpha dismissed his wife's behavior as another anger outbreak. Those were pretty common, especially since she had started to age and feared her husband would start looking for a younger woman. The only thing that genuinely connected them both were children, but those were grown enough to start their lives.
He turned back to the window, watching the stars and sighing in defeat. The Alpha had done many awful things, but somehow he never forgot his first wife.
She couldn't give him an heir, and back then, he thought it would be an issue in the future. Only after many years, he understood how wrong he was. Perhaps having a son was his biggest dream back then, but Maximilian lost a lot more by getting what he wanted.
Nobody's perfect; his late wife wasn't either, but he did have feelings for her. After having as many affairs as he had, he understood how amazing his wife was way too late.
The woman loved him with all her heart and soul - she was the perfect partner and friend. There was no woman like her; no one could ever compare to her.
Suddenly, the phone on his desk started ringing. The Alpha ignored the caller for a while, finding peace in the call melody echoing against the walls. Whoever the caller was, the person didn't give up, attempting to reach the Alpha by all means.
He approached the device and tapped on the screen, bringing it to his ear.
“Alpha Maximilian,” his low voice was calm, hiding the mixed emotions he felt.
He had become a great actor over the years, making everyone believe that he was dominant enough to remind a true leader. He held his head high and voiced low.
“I see you still don't care about the sleep schedule,” a woman chuckled.
The caller was his sister, the most lovable, yet annoying woman he had known. Meridith recently married one of the lions, but she married for love, not title or money, unlike other women.
“And you still won't enjoy the nights next to your husband, waiting till the clock struck midnight to call your brother. Alright, what's on your mind?”
Even though the conversation with his sister wasn't one of the things the Alpha would look forward to, he still enjoyed talking to her. At times, she acted as his therapist, listening and trying to give him bits of advice.
“Liam wants children, but I don't think that I'm ready. Max, we got married a week ago, and we had to postpone the honeymoon because of his work. I don't want to be like other wives - hidden inside houses, walking around looking like incubators. I know how you men are, but we are not lower. Mom didn't give birth to me just for me to keep on birthing children. I deserve better, Max. Don't get me wrong - I want children, but it's too fast now. Why can't I see a little of the world, enjoy time with my husband before going into full commando housewife mode?” Her voice trembled.
She was on the verge of tears, and for some reason, her brother tried to show sympathy. The biggest problem with the Alpha was that in his eyes, the only women who deserved his respect were his mother and sister.
Every other woman, his wife and daughters included, were nothing.
“You do deserve better. I'll try to talk to your husband tomorrow; he has to understand that your opinion matters as much as his since you would be the one to carry and give birth to children. Would you like to change the topic to something more cheerful?” The Alpha sat down, a corner of his lip slightly lifting.
Deep down, he hoped that his sister might start talking about shopping - distracting him from all problems. It was funny how he hated going around the stores but could listen to his sister rant about the topic for hours.
“I don't know if I want to change the topic now. Truthfully, the thing I mentioned is secondary; it's an issue I could deal with myself. There is a reason why I called, but I'm not sure if it is worth bringing up. I've heard some rumors around here, Max,” Meredith finally cracked, coming clean with the reason behind her sudden call.
If she hadn't heard anything from her husband - she would get into bed and fall asleep in his arms.
“Just spit it out; there's no use to waste mine or yours.” The Alpha sighed, preparing himself for the worst.
His secret might come out to the light, so far, only Seth knew it, but perhaps she decided to speak up. No matter how heavy it felt to hide such things - he couldn't come clean with others.
He might be stripped from the title, banished from the pack, or even executed. The silence on the other side of the line nearly killed him - with each passing second, his heartbeat fastened in fear.
“Are you going to marry her off?” Meredith blurted out in one breath.
The Alpha had no words to explain how relieved he felt. Having a conversation about the plans involving his eldest daughter wasn't even half as bad as any other topic might go.
“I have to; it's a tradition,” the Alpha lied.
Even though pumas used to have such traditions, there were little to none of them still following the silly thing. As time passed, most of the shifters understood the importance of the young ones having the right to choose.
Living the rest of their life, trapped in a loveless marriage led to many women committing suicide. There were more puma men than there were women, and that brought up even more issues.
“That is a bad idea, Max. She will rebel even more. You and I both know that this will end badly if you don't stop before it's too late. Seth is the rightful Alpha; she will break you - literally. Brother, if you want to keep the title and live your life as you do, stop while you can.” Meridith bit onto her bottom lip, getting up from the sofa where she sat since the beginning of the conversation.
She feared the possible outcome, she didn't like fighting with her brother, but this was an actual issue to discuss. Aside from that, she didn't want to wake up her husband - the man was relatively short-tempered, especially when someone disturbed his sleep.
“Alright, give me a minute to explain myself, okay? Let's start with simple things - Seth left home a long time ago, but she would have to return if something were to happen to me. It doesn't matter if she wants to or if she would resist. The Council would bring her home as the firstborn of the Alpha family.”
“Within a week or two, she would take over the title, which technically is hers one way or another. I sacrificed a lot to have an heir, and Thomas wouldn't get a bit of what is mine if she was here. Of course, I am taking a huge risk to decide for her, but it is for the best. I need to act before she would willingly come back and demand for something. So, if she was to get married to someone, let's say higher rank than she is - Seth wouldn't have many options. First, we will get a nice chunk of land as soon as they marry.”
“Then, she will have to move to the pride territory, be a good wife, and give the leader children. He might let her rule by his side, but that is also kind of unlikely. If she's married, looking after another territory - she has no rights to the title here. Seth would become the pride's top bitch, and Thomas could take the title he deserves. You might not like this, but some things have to be done rather than ignored. Now, I shall head to bed; it's late. Please, follow my example and do the same before your husband comes to look for you. Goodnight, Meredith,” he sighed and ended the call.
He threw the phone against the wall, shattering the device into tiny pieces. The more he thought of the future, the more he wanted to get rid of Seth. If there was at least one reason why he wanted to see his daughter - it was the resemblance to his late wife.
However, Seth was a constant reminder of the crime he had committed, so ensuring that she had no life around the pack, driving her away, seemed like the easiest way out. Now, she was grown, independent, and probably ready to come back home.
If she did - she was going to bring hell.