Mysterious mate to the lycan prince (Addison and Max) novel Chapter 25

**The Crimson Oath — Bryan Foster**
**Chapter 25**

**Addison**

As I surveyed our surroundings, I noticed Dylan and Cole exchanging knowing glances, their heads nodding in silent agreement with my unspoken question.

“I’m relieved to see it’s not just me feeling this way,” I communicated through our mind link, ensuring that our conversation remained private from prying ears.

With a reassuring hand on my shoulder and another resting on Cole’s, Dylan spoke softly, “We should be reveling in the fact that we’re here, out in the open, and everything appears fine. But therein lies the issue—it shouldn’t feel this way. After all that our father has said, this atmosphere feels off.”

Cole, visibly irritated by Dylan’s words, shrugged off his hand and turned his gaze away, a mix of frustration and confusion evident on his face.

“Why did you have to bring all that up?” he questioned, his voice laced with annoyance.

“You know I’m right, and deep down, you feel it too,” Dylan replied, his tone soothing yet firm.

I couldn’t help but chime in, “Honestly, I feel like there’s something crucial that I’m missing.”

“It’s nothing,” they both replied in unison, their voices almost synchronized.

“Whatever it is that you two are keeping from me, don’t think for a second that I won’t uncover it,” I warned them, my resolve hardening. “But for now, my main concern is Alpha Jeffery. Why does he keep watching us like that?”

“If you ask me, this is the moment we should be making a run for it. We might be in serious trouble,” Dylan suggested, his eyes darting nervously.

“Dad assured us that nothing would happen to us,” I reminded them, trying to instill a sense of calm.

“And where the hell is Lyra?” Cole interjected, his worry palpable.

“She’ll be here,” I reassured him, though I could feel my own anxiety creeping in.

“That’s what you said earlier,” he retorted, crossing his arms in frustration.

“Are you that eager to finally meet her?” I teased, a smirk playing on my lips, hoping to lighten the mood.

“Of course! Plus, she should be here to ensure our protection,” Dylan added, his expression mirroring Cole’s unease.

“This might sound a bit irrational,” I said, trying to adopt a more relaxed demeanor, “but let’s just breathe and trust that nothing bad will happen to us. If there were any danger, she would be here by now. That’s just how quick she is.”

My words seemed to resonate with both of them, and I watched as they exchanged a subtle nod, their apprehension easing slightly.

Just as we collectively decided to act as if everything was normal, I noticed Alpha Jeffery striding toward us, his expression unreadable. Accompanying him were his bodyguards, towering figures that exuded intimidation. What could he possibly want with us?

Dylan suggested we make a hasty exit, but just as we pivoted to leave, Alpha Jeffery spoke up, his voice slicing through the tension.

“This is quite the sight—Stanley Hunter’s children, all gathered together.”

His tone was as polite as it had been during our encounter at Blackbolt High, and I felt a flicker of relief wash over me momentarily. Yet, the tightness in his fists and his rigid posture told a different story.

I quickly realized I wasn’t the only one feeling uneasy; my brothers instinctively formed a protective barrier in front of me, their bodies shielding me from potential danger. All I could see were the gaps between their bent arms.

“Relax, gentlemen. This isn’t what you think it is,” Alpha Jeffery said, attempting to ease the tension by stretching his neck.

“You can’t expect us to trust you after everything we know,” Dylan shot back, skepticism dripping from his words.

“Where are your parents?”

“You know exactly why they’re not here!” Cole snapped, his voice rising with indignation.

“I take it Stanley shared our history with you. Is that why you’re all on edge?”

His face remained mostly impassive, but a flicker of amusement danced in his eyes as he observed Dylan and Cole’s defensive posture.

“I just wanted to see you two brothers up close. It’s been ages since we last met. I doubt you even remember me, Dylan. I heard all about how you rejected my daughter from Addison. It would have been splendid if things had turned out differently. What a delightful surprise it is that the pack I once belonged to is where my daughter found her mate.”

“Not anymore,” Dylan reminded him, his tone resolute.

“I understand. Anyone else would leap at the chance to be with my daughter for the advantages it could bring.”

“Good thing I was unaware of your existence. Even if I had known, I would have still turned her down after witnessing how she treated my sister. She’s twisted and malevolent—just garbage,” Dylan retorted, his voice rising defiantly.

I felt the atmosphere shift, and a wave of dread washed over me. I had seen firsthand how terrifying Alpha Jeffery could be during our encounter in Principal Murphy’s office, and I desperately wanted to avoid provoking him further. I reached out to Dylan, urging him to temper his words for the sake of our safety.

Suddenly, Alpha Jeffery’s eyes blazed a bright crimson as he stepped closer to Dylan, their towering heights almost equal.

Cole instinctively moved to intervene, but I grasped his wrist, urging him to hold back.

“Dylan Hunter, while we may be able to meet each other eye to eye, it doesn’t mean we are equals, and you know that. Next time, remember that before you speak freely in a territory that doesn’t belong to you.”

Despite Dylan’s determination to stand his ground, I felt a chill of apprehension. Just as I was about to pull him away, Aunt Nora’s voice rang out from behind Alpha Jeffery.

“Jeffery?”

“Who dares address me so casually?” He turned, his jaw clenched and his tone harsh, until recognition dawned on him. “Nora?”

“What’s happening here?” she asked, striding past him, a small bag in her hand, and approaching us with a fierce determination.

Once she confirmed that my brothers and I were unharmed, she turned to face Alpha Jeffery, her demeanor shifting to one of fierce protectiveness. We had already shared the details of our encounter with her, and I could sense the tension radiating from her.

“Stay away from my family,” she warned, looking up at him with unwavering confidence, her arms crossed defiantly.

He sighed, the glow in his eyes dimming. “I know it’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other, so why don’t we—”

“I have nothing to say to you.”

Her tone was harsh enough to make my brothers and me exchange bewildered glances. It was the angriest I had ever seen Aunt Nora, and I was taken aback by her fierce stance.

Despite the power and authority that Alpha Jeffery wielded, he seemed to maintain his composure in the face of my aunt’s fury.

I smiled, a warmth spreading through me. “Thanks for that. I spoke to them before we came in here. They’re proud of me, but honestly, I’m still not satisfied. It felt too easy.”

“It’s time to get serious,” she said, her tone shifting to one of determination. “Now that we’re heading to the Academy of Warriors, you’ll need all the training you can get. Tomorrow is just the welcome ceremony, but the challenges you’ll face are unlike anything you’ve encountered before. This time, it won’t be a walk in the park.”

“I’ll be ready.”

“I’ll ensure you are. We start tonight.”

With Lyra by my side, I felt a surge of excitement for the journey ahead. This chapter of my life was shaping up to be the best yet. But in the back of my mind, I couldn’t shake the feeling of emptiness that lingered, especially with Max absent. How could he just vanish without a trace?

After spending a fulfilling day with my family, I had plans to meet with Lyra again, but first, I needed to change.

Ash Claw High had graciously provided us with accommodations for the night, and I made my way to my room, already familiar with its location. I was sharing the space with Ruby, Phoebe, and Sally. It was heartening to see that the two girls who had been so eager to participate in the competition had made it this far.

Upon entering the room, I halted in shock at the sight before me: my orange shirt lay torn to shreds on the floor. There were only four of us in the room, and I had no issues with Phoebe and Sally, which left Ruby as the sole culprit.

Fury bubbled within me, and I could feel Saga beginning to stir. I wanted nothing more than to confront Ruby and give her a piece of my mind. But then, to my surprise, Lyra appeared right in front of me.

“You need to remember that this is a competition,” she reminded me, her tone firm yet gentle. “Any physical violence will lead to disqualification.”

“How could she do this to one of my favorite shirts? Now I’ll have to buy another one since it was the only orange shirt I owned!” I exclaimed, frustration spilling over.

“Relax. Want to see something really cool?”

I huffed in irritation. “This isn’t the time for your tricks, and I’m not falling for them.”

“Just trust me.” She offered me a half-smile, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Fine, I’ll play along.”

Raising her hand, she instructed, “Watch this.”

I braced myself for some sort of magical display, half-expecting her to snap her fingers and vanish. But instead, she moved her hand in a circular motion, and to my astonishment, the torn pieces of fabric began to rise and coalesce into a large ball. I held my breath, unable to believe my eyes, and then a brilliant light enveloped the room. When it faded, I looked back in disbelief—my shirt lay on my bed, restored to its original condition.

“Whoa! You can actually fix things?” I gasped, rushing over to pick it up, my surprise evident.

“Of course I can.”

“Which means when I broke Aunt Nora’s vase, you could have fixed it?”

“Yup. I just chose not to so you’d learn a lesson.”

“I see. I deserved that anyway. Thanks for saving my shirt. I thought I was just about to head out to meet you in a few minutes.”

“That was the plan. I didn’t mean to show up right before you were about to confront Ruby. While I sensed Saga, I was already on my way because there’s something important you need to know. It’s about Max.”

At that moment, a notification pinged on my phone, and I assumed it was Gina. But when I glanced down and saw the name on my screen, my heart skipped a beat. It was a message from Max.