The God of War - Editing

Max POV

I closed the door of our room behind me and left for my office. I hadn’t been there in a while, and before opening the door, I had already smelled Terry and Karl waiting for me. Sitting on the sofa by the window, they smiled at me, but I sensed something was wrong. “Hello, lads.”

“Hey, Max, how is our Luna?” I joined them, and Karl was the first to speak. Happiness invaded my body just as her name was mentioned. “She is in the room resting till dinner. She gets tired still sometimes, it is a lot to take in, but I think a few more days and Julie will be like one of us.”

Terry and Karl were in charge of everything and never contacted me while I was at the wooden cabin with Julie. I was eager to find out if the Council was getting ready to kill Michael. “How are we with the claim against Michael?”

Terry was quiet. “What is it, Terry? I know we have a problem. I can sense it.”

“Alpha Michael escaped.” I could not believe the news that came out of Terry’s mouth.

“WHAT????” A groan came from my mouth. Ares was not pleased. “How did that happen? And the most important question is why I was not informed?” How did both of them keep it from me for that long? They should have informed me straight away.

Terry lifted his hands in his defence. “Max, I did everything you would have done. I sent the trackers and scouts and even went to the Woodland myself. But when the Council called us, he was already missing for five days. The trackers didn’t have anything to go on when they got there. The trail is cold, and we don’t know where he is right now.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Something is wrong. Why would the Council hold critical information like that for so long? They would have contacted us first, and we would have helped with the search. They know we are more skilled and have more resources than them.”

“Max, maybe it is because, for the first time, you have a claim. They know they messed up and were hoping to find Alpha Michael before we discovered their mistake.”

“Their mistake is much bigger now, Karl! They didn’t only lose him, but they also slowed us down. If our trackers had been there as soon as he fled, he would have been in our cells right now.”

I went to my desk and got my phone to call Kell because if I talked to Ferdinand, I would get even angrier with his soft talk. Kell picked up on the first ring like he was expecting my call any day. “Hello, Alpha Maximus.”

“Cut the pleasantries, Kell. Who informed Michael that you were coming? Because we both know someone leaked it, or he would not have fled.” I did not know if it was my new powers, but I was sure something was wrong with this claim, and Michael had help.

“Everything is highly classified, Maximus. You have helped the Council for years, and you know the process. We called to schedule a visit, but he was already not there.” Kell was clever, but I could sense even he did not believe in his words.

“That is funny, Kell because when someone raised a claim against me, you four came uninvited to my land.” I would have punched Kell if he were in front of me now. “I am not interested in your excuses. If I needed any, I would have called Ferdinand. Michael’s trail is cold; instead of spending your resources looking for him, I advise you to look under your roof because I want that perpetrator’s head.” I hung up the phone in his face. I had no time for empty excuses.

I looked at Karl. “Not a word to Julie about it. Am I clear, Karl? You are her Gamma, but I am still the Alpha here and am giving you a command. She is finally in a good place, and I don’t need her feeling afraid of Michael again.”

“Yes, Alpha.” I was feeling relieved that Karl would keep it between us. Julie is better off starting her training as a Luna and keeping involved with the pack. The last thing I needed was her hurting herself. Ares and I would keep her safe. “I will see you two at dinner. I need to be alone with Ares now.”

“The Omegas are preparing a special dinner at the dining hall to welcome Julie back. It will be her first dinner there as a Luna.” My spirits lifted a little with Terry’s news. I knew how much the pack were going out of its way to make Julie pleased. I nodded at him. “Great. Julie and I will be eating with the pack tonight.”

I sat on my chair to think after they left. “We need to find Michael, kid. He is a lazy excuse of Alpha and would not last a day as a rogue. It is not safe to have him wandering around. That monster had help.” I had to agree with Ares. Michael would not survive a day outside his pack in rogue land. He would not be stupid to leave his land.

“Yes, Ares. But as far as we know, Woodland had no Alliances. Maybe during the time, Julie’s father was in charge and before it. But not since Michael. He mentioned that to us when we negotiated to go there to find mates.”

“Terry, I need you to check if Woodland had any allies. Michael mentioned they did not have any signed Alliances, but maybe he is taking shelter in an old ally. Send a manifest to all packs under my name telling them we have a claim against Michael and repercussions will be taken against any Alpha helping Michael.”

“Great, Max. That will help to flush him out. We need to cover all the bases. A pack that knows something will talk.” Terry’s voice on the mindlink seemed hopeful.

All afternoon I did nothing but make calls to all the Alphas with whom I had an Alliance, and I was still waiting to hear from Michael. I made some calls to Alphas, whom Julie’s father used to be in touch with it, but they had been waiting to hear from Michael for years. Terry also came empty-handed, as I had suspected Michael did not have Alliances with any other packs.

“Kid. Let’s check on our little wolf upstairs.” Ares’ lovesick pup’s voice did not even have to ask twice. I was already standing up from my chair to get to the door to go upstairs.

I opened the blinds, and the orange sun was setting down. It was nearly dinner time, and Julie had been sleeping since we returned. I sat on the bed and caressed her soft face. “Wake up, sleeping beauty. The Omegas had prepared a special meal to welcome you back.

Smiling, she stretched under the bed sheets. “How long time have I been asleep?” I pulled the bed sheets from her body. “Don’t worry about that, little wolf. You needed rest. It is nearly dinner time, but I think we have time for something else.” I kissed her mark, and Julie lifted her chest, giving herself to me.

I smirked at her reaction. She was all mine forever.

************

Julie POV

With Aphrodite’s help, I selected a blue dress for my first meal in the dining hall. It would be my first time there, and I was looking forward to having this moment with them. Max smiled when I left the dressing room, and we walked holding hands to the dining hall.

I had never seen anything like that before. It was huge and well-decorated, with long wooden tables spread over the room, and everybody could share the space. I was looking everywhere when I noticed that Max was calling. “I can see you are impressed, little wolf. We are up there on the head of the first table.”

I nodded my head happily. I was feeling so good now. Everybody greeted us while we walked, and I spotted Terry, Karl and a few other high-rank wolves at our table. An Omega called Max, and he went to talk to him. When I was about to sit, I saw Max’s parents coming in our direction.

“We could not miss your first meal here, Julie.” Sarah, Max’s mum, gave me a motherly hug, and I nearly melted in her arms. It felt like home, and I was so happy she decided to come. Peter Black, the former Alpha and Max’s dad, had a bright smile looking at me and hugged me too. “I hope you had a pleasant time with my son at that cabin, Julie. They have been perfecting that place for years.”

“Yes, Peter, the place is lovely, and Max said it gets even more beautiful, covered in the snow in the winter. I can’t wait to see it. I have never seen snow in my life.” I felt my eyes sparkling like Aphrodite was in control, which was news to me. Every day I feel new things.

Sarah patted my hand. “Max used to love playing in it. You will love it, Julie. And wait till you have your pups running around in the snow.” Peter laughed loudly after Sarah said that, like he was remembering Max going around. And his laugh attracted Max’s attention.

He walked back to our table and kissed his mum. “Did you two come for dinner?”

“Yes. Your mother thought it would be nice to come for Julie’s first meal here.” Peter looked at Sarah; there was so much love between them that I felt it inside me.

“A, is that you?” I had to ask Aphrodite. I had not sensed that before. Aphrodite showed up, wagging her tail inside my mind. “Yes, Jules. I can feel true love between mates. They look adorable together.”

Max squeezed my hand. “Is everything all right? I can feel the warmth inside me now.”

“Yes. It was only Aphrodite.” Max chucked and pushed my chair for me to sit. “Good. Let’s eat now. The pack is waiting for us to start.”

The meal was delicious, and after dinner, I went to the kitchen to thank the Omegas for the effort they made for me. And I felt how pleased they were just because I went to thank them. But I thought that was the least I could do after they treated me like a Queen. I was not used to that yet.

I noticed how different Omegas and low ranks were treated here. Max was a great Alpha and did not believe in punishment for the ones that weren’t born with strength like he was. I noticed the way he asked things to them and other members of the pack. Max never demanded anything. Of course, he expected everyone to do as he asked, but still, it was different here.

After talking to Sarah for a while, Max escorted me back to our room. It was late evening, and I was more than ready to bed again. And we did just that when we got to our room.

“I felt how happy the Blue Moon was today with your presence, Julie. I hope you had felt that too.” I poured loved on our mate bond, and Max felt my feelings towards the pack. He held me tight in bed, and his warmth made me sleepy. But before I completely dozed off, I heard Aphrodite’s sweet voice in my head.

“Sleep tight, Jules. Tomorrow we have a lot of work to do at the hospital.”

Julie and Max were back at the pack house, and Max found out about Michael. Let’s hope Ares will be able to find him before it is too late.