CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Alpha Julian's pov
I pressed my ear against the door once I was out of Maggie's room and there was no screaming or banging. The look on her face was priceless when I kissed her and I wanted to surprise her like that a lot more if she would let me. I didn't want her to hit me or slap me again so I just did it when she least expected it and walked out before she would be able to react, but I was glad I still caught the look on her face as I pulled back from her lips.
They were addictive, her lips and I found myself wanting more than just a peck on her lips but patience. I had to exercise it no matter what because she needed time to let go of her past and be free with me.
I smiled to myself and walked down the stairs with my shoulders high as I headed back to the dining room where Greyson, Ryder and Clara still sat. They were obviously waiting for me.
I sat back in the seat I occupied and they all turned to me "that was quite a show there, Mr. Lover" Greyson teased and I rolled my eyes. Mr. Lover? He needed to upgrade his endearments. "I know right? Was really fun to watch" Ryder chipped in and he laughed along with Greyson at their teasing. Clara just sat and watched with a blank face, sometimes I wondered if the moon goddess programmed her to be a robot all her life… she was too emotionless.
"You guys stop, she's my mate and has a broken ankle, obviously I had to carry her and help her serve her breakfast" I defended and Greyson and Ryder just nodded with teasing looks in their eyes, I just sighed and chuckled "I give up on you guys" I said and just sat back in my chair while they laughed the more. "So what do we do with her now? Kane will obviously retaliate and I'm sure he won't be lenient Julian" she said and I just shrugged "I know but we'll cross that bridge when we get there. I'm guessing he should know I took her by now, we should just be expecting his strike from now but I know we'll win" I said trying to assure them
What if we don't win?" She asked me again and I frowned, I knew she was against the whole idea from the start but she didn't have to oppose it that much.
"Don't speak like that, Clara, she's my mate and knowing that, I couldn't just leave her behind to suffer in Kane's hands along with his subordinates too. I couldn't do that okay. So as my Zeta, I'll be expecting you to show your support for me" I told her and she just nodded while looking away
"Okay Julian, we'll win but we have to come up with a plan, strategy or something so we'll be prepared for whatever Kane throws at us. He can be a crackhead and be really desperate at times so he could go to the extreme" Clara warned me and I understood. She really cared about this pack and was just worried about everyone's safety so for us all to feel better, it was better to come up with a plan with her to make her feel better. See? She behaved like a programmed robot sometimes, she was always calculative.
"Now that the heated argument is over, I'll like to say something too" Greyson said and we all turned to him "Maggie seemed very uncomfortable with us as we ate. She's having a hard time getting used to us and it's quite obvious" he said and I understood what he was driving at "I wonder what it was exactly that Kane did to her and made her go through. It had to be really terrible if I'll say, considering how uptight she is" Ryder added and silence ensued for a while as we all had the same thoughts… how to make Maggie more comfortable with us. How to make her trust us and be able to speak freely.
I tapped the tip of my finger on the table repeatedly but gently as I got lost in my thoughts. I noticed it too, she seemed scared and distant during breakfast. It was like she was an outcast and I didn't want her to feel that way whenever she was with us. She was part of us now and she deserved to be treated as one just as she'll treat us the same way… only that I knew this would be a hard one because of all she had been through. I thought hard and deep and I realized that maybe we weren't doing it the right way, maybe we were meant to take another approach and I knew just what it was we were missing. In excitement, I slapped my palm on the table and they all turned to me in shock "I have an idea" I said with a grin.
Clara rolled her eyes and looked away as she folded her arms across her chest, clearly showing she wouldn't be participating in the discussion but I just ignored her and turned to Ryder and Greyson who were ready to listen
"I was thinking, maybe we shouldn't get her to do what we expect of her. I know she needs time to mix in with us but then we expect her to trust us. What if we just need to show her that we're here for her no matter what, like a reassurance… maybe that's what she needs so instead of earning trust first, let's just lend a shoulder and a listening ear first" I said and they nodded "you really like her don't you?" Greyson asked and I shrugged "it's the moon goddess plan and I must say, she's interesting and I'm drawn to her '' I replied and he smiled as he stood up "that's all I needed to hear and I like your idea… I'll be at the training ground okay" he said back to me and Clara spoke "I don't think it's a good idea though, she could be working for Kane"?
"She was kidnapped Clara, she didn't come here willingly and I don't think her acting skills are that good" Ryder retorted immediately and she gave him a cold gaze, he just stared back at her and I feared a fight might start this time even though they had this type of banter so many times before. Greyson gestured for me to do something about it but I just shrugged helplessly, trying to tell him there was nothing I could do but to let them sort it out themselves.?
Greyson cleared his throat "I'll be leaving for the training ground now" he said and left before he would witness a fight he wouldn't be able to stop… we knew they wouldn't fight though.
Clara got tired of staring and stood up "whatever that happens at the end, I'll be here to tell you guys I told you so" she said and pushed her chair back into place at the table then dipped her hands into the pockets of her jeans "I'll be leaving for the training ground too" she said and walked out too, leaving me with Ryder.
"She gets on your nerves sometimes doesn't she?" I asked while laughing and he smiled as he ran his hand through his hair "she should be called the ice Queen" he replied and we both laughed.
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Training was getting more and more intense. Clara paired up with Ryder while I was with Greyson. I stole glances at Ryder and Clara once in a while and damn, she wasn't going easy on him, she was hitting him steady and hard with no sign of stopping soon. Ryder was taking her hits well even though his face was beet red already and he looked like he'd give away his consciousness anytime soon. I chuckled and faced Greyson where he was wearing his gloves and strapping it tight on his wrist, it seemed he was getting ready to hit hard too.
I was no match for him though and he knew it, especially when I was in such a good mood. I had found my mate and she was with me in my pack, what else could I ask for? I was happy and currently fulfilled with all I had at the moment. I took my gloves from my bag and wore them too. I strapped them tight and began to practice on a punching bag while waiting for Greyson as he spoke to some guards. It seemed he was instructing them to run some errands but I couldn't make out what he was saying so I just concentrated on the punches and blows I gave the bag in front of me.
I remembered the kiss I gave Maggie and the shocked look that was stuck on her face until I walked out of her room. She definitely didn't expect it and that was what I was aiming for, to see the surprise on her face and I loved it because it was a priceless view. I chuckled to myself and shook my head as I remembered it all and wished I could just run back to the pack headquarters to spend more time with her; if she would let me because I wouldn't be surprised if she still avoided me and I didn't want to be with me yet. I would completely understand because I knew she needed time and love and needed to be assured that she wasn't a burden, that she would always be loved by us because she was worth it and we liked her for who she was.
Greyson approached me and stroked a position on the ring as he made moves like he was trying to fend me. I left the punching bag and followed him into the ring where he waited. I laughed at his pose and shook my head "you know I'll win this right?" I told him and he shrugged "we'll see about that Alpha Julian" he said and clapped his hands hard, making the sound reverberate through the gym due to his thick boxing gloves then he got back into his previous position. "Let's do this" he said and we began to train until we dripped of sweat and our pace began to slow down as time passed. Clara had gone and Ryder just laid on the floor, still trying to get his energy back. I knew Clara was eventually going to exhaust him completely.
I laughed and faced Greyson only to quickly dodge a punch that was coming my way "what the hell man, that was my face" I yelled playfully and he grinned "keep your head in the game Alpha" he teased and went to take a few sips from his bottle of water while I warmed up, ready to beat him in the next round. He dropped his water and came back into the ring where I waited
"Let's do this" I repeated and he smiled as he positioned himself opposite me and watched me closely to catch my movements so he could quickly dodge if the need came. He knew I was more serious this time.
"Are you ready to get beaten Greyson?" I asked him and he laughed "we'll see" he replied and we started another round; throwing punches and kicks at each other. I wasn't getting him in the spots I was aiming at and I knew I was distracted this time… because of Maggie, because I couldn't wait to go back to her.
The kiss came to mind again and I found myself smiling for the umpteenth time. I raised my head to face Greyson but instead I received a punch on my chest. I felt a deep excruciating pain in my chest and it was like I couldn't breathe. This had never happened before and it felt strange because I had taken worse punches from Greyson. I fell to my knees and then to the floor and I couldn't move again or even utter a word, nowhere else hurt except my chest and soon I went unconscious, getting drawn into the darkness.