Jaxon Admires You

••• Arabella’s POV ••• Max frowned after I said I wanted to see the blonde woman. “Why?” he asked with his brows still tightly furrowed. “Did you not feel a familiar energy coming from her?” I asked. He briefly thought about it before answering, “Now that I thought about it, I did feel it.” “She has a witch’s energy,” I told him. Beta Jaxon seemed surprised by my words as I watched his eyes widen a fraction while Max only nodded. “It seems like I’ve felt it from Rosa before, but… The energy from that blonde… It feels different?” he responded, raising one of his eyebrows in question. “Yes…” I nodded in agreement. “I suspect she’s a dark witch. Rosa is not, so they have similar yet different energy.” Max and Beta Jaxon fell silent after they heard my explanation. “We seldom deal with witches, so we couldn't pinpoint her energy, but if it’s true…” Beta Jaxon was the one who spoke first out of the two men. “If there are indeed dark magical forces in play, then this is a matter that needs to be taken with caution,” Max said with a worried look. “I’ll have my people do some research before finding a suitable time to interrogate them,” he added. I opened my mouth and was about to tell them I could be the one to interrogate the blonde woman since I’d had dealings with witches, but Beta Jaxon spoke before me. “That is the safest way to deal with them, he nodded, agreeing with Max before then asking him, “What will you do about the Elders and Omegas?” “What do you mean?” I asked him. Wasn't my personal maid the only one involved in these? Were there other Omegas involved? Beta Jaxon glanced at Max before fixing his gaze on me and explained, “Now the Elders are again expressing their dissatisfaction and displeasure with Max. It’s simply because he promoted an Omega as a manager at the company a while ago.” Max sneered and answered with disdain, “Those Elders have always harbored animosity towards the pack’s Omega. As long as I have the chance to be overthrown, I’m sure they won't hesitate to expel the Omegas.” “That’s partly your fault,” Beta Jaxon said. “What do you mean it’s partly your Alpha’s fault?” I snapped at him. I didn't like it when someone blamed Max for something he didn't do. How could it be Max’s fault when he treated Omegas fairly, and the Elders didn't like it? “Sorry, Luna Arabella,” Beta Jaxon quickly apologized, but I saw his eyes dance with amusement, which made me glare at him. Was this some kind of joke for him? “I meant to say it’s because Alpha Max is siding with the Omegas. The Elders are displeased with them having too much power,” Beta Jaxon explained hurriedly, then sighed and added, “And the Omegas might get cocky too. Look at Luna Arabella’s personal maid. She dared to tell everyone about your private life.” I frowned when I heard Beta Jaxon say those words. It was true my personal maid was out of line, but… “Were there any Omegas before her who did this kind of thing?” I asked both Max and Beta Jaxon. If there were, then we did have a problem then. “No, she was the first. The Omegas usually always respect and admire Alpha Max for his fairness,” Beta Jaxon answered. “We shouldn't have a problem, then,” I said. “Maybe the Elders threatened the maid, or she just doesn't like me. But she’s been captured and will be punished, so it should be enough to show everyone such behavior is unacceptable.” Max and Beta Jaxon shared a look, and I was sure they were talking about me through their mindlink. I wanted to ask Max about it, but Beta Jaxon spoke again. “So what are you going to do with the Elders?” I looked at Max, wanting to know how he would handle the Elders, too. “I have considered exiling or banishing them,” Max said, which kind of surprised me. “But then…” he added. “It won't be the best choice to do since they are a part of the pack, and banishing that many Elders would result in a significant loss for the Silentmane Canines Pack.” Not only his pack. Elders usually had important roles in the pack’s development, so banishing them would not be a good step to take. But then, Omegas also played important roles in each pack. They were dedicated to provide invaluable services, especially to the Silentmane Canines Pack, since Max didn't treat them only as maids. How about… “Why don't you revoke the Elders’ privileges?” I advised. “Make them fend for themselves without the help of any Omegas. That way, those Elders will realize the importance of Omegas. We could also enhance the training for the Omegas to increase their values. At that point, we can then make a decision about the Elders’ fates.” Both Max and Beta Jaxon fell into silence again after I suggested those things. Max looked at me approvingly, like he was proud of me and my suggestions. His expression somehow made me blush, and I quickly pretended to check my watch. “It’s time for me to go to work,” I uttered, wanting to leave the Alpha and Beta alone so they could talk freely without the intrusion of an outsider - me. “I’ll drive you to work,” Max said and stood up, taking my hand and tugging me toward his car. I felt slightly awkward after our conversations during breakfast. “Max, did I… speak out of line by being a busybody just now?” I asked hesitantly. I shouldn't butt in in their conversation, should I? “I shouldn't even listen to your conversation with Beta Jaxon since it’s about the pack’s business. I’m sorry,” I apologized guiltily. Max freed one of his hands from the steering wheels to hold mine and glanced at me briefly before answering, “No. You are now part of the Silentmane Canines Pack. Furthermore, you are now the Luna. You have the right to participate and give suggestions to any pack’s matters.” “Ohh… Thank you,” I smiled at him. I thought being his contracted Luna wouldn't give me the right to participate in discussions regarding the Silentmane Canines Pack matters. “Jaxon admires you,” he said with a hint of irritability, which made me laugh. “Why are you angry if he admires me? Shouldn't you feel proud that your Luna is capable? Don't tell me you are jealous,” I teased him. I thought he would tease me back, but his reaction was unexpected. “Arra, remember what I told you yesterday?” he asked in a serious tone. I frowned as I thought about his question. Yesterday? There were so many things we talked about yesterday. “Remember how I told you I regret being in a contractual marriage with you?” My eyes widened slightly, and my heart started beating faster. Suddenly, he pulled over and faced me, saying in an earnest tone, “I’m serious about it, Arra. I want you to be mine. I want to own you. I want to possess you. You are my mate, contract or not.” His dark, bottomless eyes were fixed on mine, and the sincerity in them entranced me. “Max, I…” I didn't know what to say. The thought of his fated mate was still disturbing my mind. I couldn't be selfish and told him I wanted him to be my chosen mate. He leaned forward and stopped just a hairbreadth away from me. “Say that you are mine, Arra…” His lips brushed mine in a feathery touch as he whispered those words to me. His whisper was starkly different than yesterday’s domineering and angry roar. This time, instead of feeling a shiver down my spine, those words were like a feather tickling my heart. “Max, I…” I nearly blurted out ‘Yes’, but the sound of a ringtone disrupted the ambiguous atmosphere between us. He pecked my lips gently and caressed my cheek. “I’ll wait until you are ready,” he said before leaning back against his seat and starting the car again. “It’s your phone,” he smiled as I sat there frozen while looking at him. “Oh.” I blushed and quickly retrieved my phone and saw a message from my dad. [Ari, come back home.] I frowned and wanted to type a reply asking him if there was anything wrong and if it could wait until after office hours, but another message popped up on my phone screen again. [NOW.] Okay, this should be serious… And then another one which made me unable to choose whether to laugh or cry. [And bring that boy with you.] I couldn't help but steal a glance at Max. Which part of him could be considered a ‘boy’? “What’s wrong?” “Dad wants us to go back to the Red Moon Pack. Do you have time to go with me now?” I didn't want to disturb him if he had important business to attend to. “You don't have to ask, Arra. I think it’s time for me to meet my parents-in-law formally,” he replied. “Boy… I think we are in trouble,” I blurted out those words to him. “I think Dad is angry…”