Mysterious mate to the lycan prince (Addison and Max) novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Addison

It was a good thing that when I returned home, Aunt Nora was upstairs in her bedroom. I couldn’t let her see my shirt so sweat drenched that it clung to my skin, just like my hair.

While in the shower, I compared the cold water to the burning sensation when Max stood so close and held onto my wrists. It was the longest we had ever physically come in contact.

Though I was shocked that Saga seemed to surge even more during that moment, the thought of Max not respecting the boundaries set made me want to punch the wall but I knew that if I did, Aunt Nora would have to get it fixed and that was the last thing I wanted. Instead, I pulled back my hand and unclenched my fist.

I didn’t see myself ever trusting him again after what he did to me. How could he just do as he pleased when he knew the discomfort it caused me? Though I had no plans of forgiving him, he still owed me an apology.

Just for a few more seconds, I rinsed my hair, tilting my head from left to right while talking to Saga in my mind.

“Hey, are you okay?” I asked her.

“I am now,” she said. “Next time you see Max, punch him in the face!”

I chuckled. “That would be quite satisfying.”

“Oh, yeah! But you know what? There was a moment when I felt something strange happen.”

“I felt it, too. I almost lost control of you and there was that wind. This is exactly why I need to talk to Madge.”

“And how will you reach her?”

“Aunt Nora should help with that.” I sighed. “I just wish things weren’t so complicated.”

“Yeah, yeah, Tyler made you feel calm but you still prefer Max even after what happened.”

“I just don’t understand why everything turns chaotic when he’s close.”

“One thing’s for sure, you won’t find answers by talking to me.”

“Right!” I nodded in agreement, dressing up and making my way to Aunt Nora’s bedroom.

Before I could get to her bedroom door, it creaked open and she smiled at me.

“Hmm, I wonder where you could be going.” She playfully crossed her arms as if deep in thought.

“Hey, Aunt. I need to speak to you.”

“I’m going to the kitchen now to prepare our dinner.”

“Can I help?”

“I thought you’d never ask.”

She threw her arm over my shoulder as we made our way to the kitchen.

“Now, what is this about?” she asked, her voice gentle.

“There’s this boy-”

She gasped, stopping in her tracks. “Is it the one you were talking to on the phone?”

I nodded. “His name is Max. Something strange is going on between us.”

As she got the meat ready, I told her all about what had happened so far.

“Hmm,” she sighed, placing her elbows on the counter. “How do you feel about him?”

My jaw dropped in disbelief. “After everything I’ve just said, that’s all you can think about?”

“Do you like him?” she repeated, her eyes narrowed.

“No.” I looked away.

“Oh, Addie,” she chuckled. “Your heartbeat says it all. And don’t forget that I know you. Who else knows about this strange situation apart from Tyler?”

“Just you.”

“Good and keep it that way. It’s better to just stay away from him.”

I sighed. “That’s where the problem is. I really want to do that, but I can’t. It’s only Saga who doesn’t like it when he’s close and because she’s part of me, I’m affected, too.”

“Do you have a picture of this… Max?”

“Uh… no.”

“What? You really don’t have a picture of him? Are you two even friends?”

“Of course we are. I just haven’t taken any pictures with him yet.”

“I would’ve loved to see what he looks like.”

“He’s gorgeous.”

“Calm down, young lady.”

I cleared my throat, a little embarrassed. “Sorry. There’s something else I need to tell you. While with Max, I ended up talking about Jess.”

“Oh, you did?”

“Yes and I felt awful talking about it. The way he almost attacked Tyler reminded me of the past. I haven’t even heard from Jess in two years.”

She sighed, reaching for my hand. “Since we’re already talking about this, I’ll tell you something you don’t know. I didn’t mention it before because our family didn’t want you to find out, but you deserve to know. You might not like what I’m about to tell you.”

“What is it? Tell me.” I held my breath with curiosity.

“Jess and her parents have been traveling around the world in search of a cure.”

“Cure?” I furrowed my eyebrows.

“Yes, a cure that’ll finally allow her to be a full-fledged werewolf.”

“What?” My heart sank. “You mean to tell me that this entire time, she’s been struggling?”

“Of course, my dear. Jess never fully healed.”

Heavy with guilt, I pulled my hand away from her and faced the other side.

“This was all my fault.”

“Hey, you had no control back then.” She placed her hand on my shoulder.

“Yes, but it was still my

fault.”

“Come here,” she whispered, wrapping her arms around me. “Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“I’m glad you did. It’s yet another reason for me to be careful. Besides, it couldn’t stay hidden forever.”

“I’m sorry, my child. I really wish I could help you with Madge, but I can’t. No one can reach her. She’s always been the one to show up whenever she needs to.”

“In that case, there’s something I’m counting on.”

She broke the hug, raising her eyebrows in curiosity. “What’s that?”

“The first time Saga was out of control was when Ruby attacked me. Madge sensed it and revealed herself to

me.”

“But she didn’t show up the first time this happened with Max. What makes you so sure that it’ll be different this time?”

“I don’t know, but I’m counting on it. Please don’t tell my parents about this.”

“They won’t find out until we have some answers,” she dramatically whispered.

“Thanks.” I wrapped my arms around her.

“You know that I’m always here for you. Now, let’s finish up and eat.”

After dinner, I returned to my bedroom and hunched over my desk while I studied but I could barely focus. Not only was Jess on my mind, but Max was also a distraction. He had been calling and texting me, but I chose not to pick up or reply to his messages. I was still upset with him over what he had done to me.

Despite putting my phone on silent and no longer being able to hear it ring, I found myself glancing at it every few minutes when the screen went on. It was then that I decided to pick up when he called again, hoping that he was going to apologize to me.

“Hey,” I said to him, my tone serious.

“I actually thought you wouldn’t pick up, but I’m glad I didn’t give up. I know you don’t want to talk to me. That’s why it’s taken you a while.”

“I’m glad you know that.”

“Are you okay?”

“I’m perfectly fine, but I’m still not over what happened. How could you do that to me when you knew how it made me feel?”

“I just couldn’t control the urge to get closer and when I touched you, it only got harder to stop. I’m…” He trailed off.

“Yeah?” I asked, anticipating his apology.

“I’m still going to find a solution to this.”

I sighed, disappointed that he didn’t actually say he was sorry. I had no intention of forcing it out of him. If he was going to say it, it had to be because he meant it.

“Starting now I’ll practice self control,” he said. “I don’t want a repeat of what happened in the woods and it’s mainly the part where I couldn’t stay away from you.”

My lips curved into a smile but I soon pressed my lips together when Saga teased me, as usual.

“Addison? Are you there?” he asked.

“Huh? Yeah.”

“For a moment there, it didn’t sound like it. In the woods, I noticed something strange when I touched you and I’m hoping you noticed it, too.”

“What are you talking about?” I instantly panicked a little, knowing where this was going.

“There was a strong blowing wind which was so different from the surrounding area. You had to have felt it, too, because your hair was a mess and it stopped blowing as soon as you got away from me.”

“Yeah, I saw and felt that,” I admitted.

“I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“Me neither.” I shrugged like he could see me.

Though I pretended to know nothing, that wind felt like it was part of me. With my werewolf abilities being mystical and elemental in nature, could it be that air was the first to manifest? If so, why did it happen when Max touched me? These were questions that I couldn’t get out of my head.

My call with him lasted longer than I initially planned and it was all because speaking to him always made me lose track of time. Not having him in close proximity made me feel like everything was alright between us and we spoke about the competition and what was to come.

After finally giving it a rest, I ended the call and dropped the phone beside me, my lips still curved into a smile as I placed a hand on my chest.

“And just like that, you’re not mad at him anymore!” Saga teased me.

“Shut up.”

I continued with my studies for a while and when it was time for bed, I got comfortable and closed my eyes, hoping I could reach Madge. I didn’t even know what I was doing, but I just started repeating her name in my head, thinking it would work. In the end, it was all in vain. It was then I decided to give it a rest and try again the following day.

The hallways buzzed with conversations about the first day of the competition and beside me, was Gina, who wasn’t too happy and wouldn’t stop pouting.

“You know, it’s been a while since I started asking you what the problem is and you keep saying everything is fine but I don’t believe you.”

“Everything’s fine,” she repeated, her tone lacking enthusiasm.

“There you go again. I know something’s up with you, so just spit it out, hmm?”

She smacked her lips. “It’s just… we barely hung out yesterday and the few times I called, you didn’t pick up. Am I annoying?”

I burst into laughter, finding her adorable. “Come on. You’re not annoying. I’m sorry about that. I just had so much to do. It was some family stuff. I promise I’ll make it up to you.”

Her face instantly brightened up. “You better stay true to your word! Hey, isn’t it crazy that more than half of the participants have already been eliminated? Anyway, I’m just glad you’re still in it.”

Looking around, I said, “And I plan to still be in it until the end.”

“Man, I wish I had such determination! Hey, why do you keep looking around?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

“You’re looking for Max, aren’t you?”

“What? That’s ridiculous. I don’t have to look for him when I’ll be able to sense him and feel…”

“Feel what?” She curiously tilted her head.

“It’s nothing.” I waved my hand dismissively.

“I know we haven’t known each other that long, but it feels like you’re always hiding something.”

“Well, would you be offended if I said yes?” I asked her.

“Not all.” She chuckled.

Though I smiled at her, it faded the moment I sensed Ruby.

“What’s wrong?” Gina asked.

“It’s nothing. Ruby just arrived.”

“What? You can already sense her? And with all the others around? I guess that’s just one of the many perks of being an alpha’s daughter.”

As she went on to point out everything she wished she could do and gain more confidence, Ruby stepped foot in the hallway, her piercing gaze locked on mine as she approached with her friends behind her.

Sneering, she said, “Well, well, well, here’s another participant who survived the first round. And her name is…oh, that’s right. She has no name. That’s why I just identify her as a bitch.”

I scoffed, stretching my neck a few times. “You have some nerve talking to me like that after what I did to you last weekend.”

She burst into laughter, her next words filled with malice. “We’ll see just how long you can keep your fucking head high.”

“What are you talking about?”

Just then, an announcement caught my attention.

“ADDISON HUNTER AND RUBY HAWKINS, PLEASE REPORT TO THE PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE

IMMEDIATELY.”

Right after the announcement, Ruby smirked and led the way, aggressively pushing past her friends. She seemed so sure of what she was walking into, making me wonder what was going on.