Chapter 2 THE OFFER.

~ MAXWELL'S POV ~

I was in my room all day reminiscing about the other day's events. I just couldn't wait to get to see Benita. I hope she is doing better and well than she was yesterday. I had over reacted, I shouldn't have scolded her.

Benita and I have been waiting desperately for yesterday, the day she turned eighteen and finally had her wolf, who would have thought she wasn't going to have her wolf. At the Red Crescent Park we had hardly experienced such a thing.

In our pack, we boasted the highest rate of wolf transformation, a fact that filled me with pride.

Yet, Benita remained an enigma, her wolf hadn't emerged, and I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her story. Perhaps her wolf was biding its time, or maybe it was something more, a warrior's spirit, strong and fierce.

Though I was angry with her for not having her wolf, she was the one I loved, and though becoming Alpha required a Luna, I was willing to wait for her transformation.

Lost in thought, I barely registered the sound of footsteps outside, followed by a knock on the door.

"Yes coming" I replied rearranging myself on the bed. It was my best friend Caleb.

"Alpha you are still in bed, aren't you ready to start your day? Don't tell me you are still reeling from yesterday's event?" He asked, I guessed he could notice from my facial expression.

"I just got up, Caleb, well I have just been thinking about Benita and I really don't know what to do." I confessed taking a deep breath.

"I know just how it feels Max, but I think you will have to pick another mate. The elders are already complaining, rumors are beginning to spread that the Alpha is about to be mated to a Luna who had no wolf." Caleb said with his head low, though he was my friend and the beta of the pack there was still a sense of respect he showed me.

"Well ditch all those rumours, i don't care what the people think about who I choose to be my mate, the fact is that I love Benita and nothing can stop me from making her my mate." I said meaning every single bit of my word.

Ever since I lost my parents in a pack rivalry war, Benita had been my closest friend. She had stood by my side ever since, her family had tried all they could to make sure she wasn't with me but I just couldn't wait to get her out the house.

"Alright then, let go get breakfast," Caleb suggested casually, like he knew I was very hungry.

I quickly put on my robe as we made our way to the dining. The silence in the hallway was very evident. The mansion had been much quieter than it was a few years ago when my parents were still around, the guards, the cooks and workers all had left as there was no need for their services.

Surprisingly as we reached the dinning I was shocked to see Madison Benita's elder sister sitting in the dining room.

"Good morning, Alpha Maxwell, I hope you are doing fine?" she asked as she stood up from her seat.

"Madison, what brings you here, is everything ok?" I was shocked as I glanced at Caleb who out of shame couldn't look at me, it must have been him who set this meeting up but why? I thought.

"Well Alpha, I am sorry for coming to the mansion at such an hour, it was a message from my mother," she said, pausing.

Her suspense actually got me worried, was Benita alright I thought or had something bad gone wrong.

"She seeks your forgiveness for what happened yesterday" she said, her eyes pleading with a hint of manipulation. "She invites you to dinner, as a gesture of apology for the disgrace. Please, Alpha, don't decline."

I considered her words, reflecting on the previous day's events. My outburst had been fueled by the stress of the transformation, and I regretted speaking to Benita that way. I needed to apologise to the Beta family and check in on Benita also.

The request seemed genuine, and accepting her apology might help ease the tension between us. I decided to attend dinner, hoping it would be a step towards resolving the issues.

The house felt eerily cold, and something about the atmosphere seemed off. I sat at the desk, waiting patiently for Benita to arrive, but she never showed up. When dinner was served, her absence became increasingly concerning, as there was no place setting for her.

"How is Benita? Hasn't she come home yet?" I asked, my worry growing.

"That girl? Only the Moon Goddess knows where she is," Mrs. Arthur said with a dismissive tone.

"I think she's just running late from Chloe's house," Madison added calmly.

Mrs. Arthur turned to me, her expression turning serious. "Alpha Maxwell, I'm sorry about the other day. I have a proposal to make," she said, pausing her meal. "I'd like you to consider Madison as your next Luna. She has a strong wolf and is beautiful, qualities that make her well-suited for the role. What do you think?"

Her words caught me off guard; the thought of considering Madison as my Luna hadn't crossed my mind, and I was surprised by the directness of her suggestion.