4.THE UNKNOWN VISITOR

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After leaving the clearing and ensuring that every wolf that attended the funeral was accounted for, he gave strict instructions that all wolves should be indoors before sunset.

Deeply worried for their safety.

His initial plan to keep the people ignorant of the current happenings has completely fallen through because everyone got wind of the last attack before he could keep it discreet.

Following the recent attack, he has noticed the anxiety and uncertainty they haplessly tried to hide as they fear for their lives, their pups and the rest of their brothers.

Maxwell could hear their cries, their worries, and also feel their fear and pain since they were his people. He knew some blamed him. He doesn't fault them because he also feels the same. Him being clueless is no one's fault but his, and his alone.

The only way to put a stop to this was by finding the real culprits and exposing them to the council before a befitting sentence is issued. He concluded as he went home with Craig.

<>

"Alpha?" Skylar asked in surprise when she saw him at her doorstep with her husband. He looked tired as Craig, if not more as his eyebags were more pronounced.

Maxwell was handsome. The kind that got women hot and bothered with the ever radiant smile that seemed to enhance his boyish features, and that was before he lost Isa. Since her death he smiled no more, his smile vanishing with her.

She smiled at them before moving to the side to let them in as she struggled to balance the pup in her arms and keep her apparel from falling off her shoulders.

"I'll help you with that." Craig gritted out as he went to help her with the baby at the same time using her body as a shield to protect her dignity while she discreetly adjusted her clothes.

The pup was breastfeeding which explained why she was almost half naked. She felt Craig's anger through their link, he was not happy she was looking like that in front of another male. His wolf wasn't happy and grew possessive.

"Thank you" she smiled gratefully, and he gave a curt nod, moving past her.

He was still angry. They'd have a talk when Max leaves, she believes.

Hiding her hurt with a hoax smile, she turned to Maxwell.

"I wasn't expecting you, else I would have prepared something to welcome you." She told him.

"And sorry we weren't able to make it to the funeral. This little one here has been acting out." Gesturing at the pup, she readjusted her clothe subconsciously.

"Nah, it's no problem–" Maxwell said, noting the tension between the mates.

She gave the pup to Craig when he opened his arms to hold her.That was their little ritual. He never comes back a day without touching her. The little minx had him wrapped around her finger since the day she was born.

"Should I get water?" she asked nervously, exchanging side glances with Craig who was at the other end of the room rocking the baby to sleep.

"No, Skylar. I'm not a visitor. If I want something, I'll let you know okay?" Maxwell assured before finding Craig's eyes. "Craig, bring little Lily over here. I will like to take a peek at her adorable face." Maxwell signaled for him to come with the pup.

Craig made his way to Maxwell. As Skylar breathed a sigh of relief, visibly relaxing.

When Maxwell held the pup in his arms, he broke into an adorable grin after laying his eyes on the red-faced pup, sporting thick velvety brunette locks like the Dad's.

For the first time since he could remember, he was genuinely happy. No half smile, no smirk, no grimace. A full sincere smile. Which the mates did not fail to notice, as they shared in his infectious grin.

"Bless the moon goddess for this bundle of joy. I hope you bring luck to the pack." He prayed, gazing into her sleepy eyes.

"At least, this is good news. Congratulations Skylar. You did a good job." He said, looking at her with pride as she whispered a shy thanks. Just then, the pup burst into a high-pitched wail, drawing everyone's attention.

"Bring her…" Skylar said as she stood up with outstretched hands, going to retrieve the pup from Maxwell. She cooed as she rocked the pup close to her breasts. And the pup smiled after recognizing her mother.

"To tell the truth, I wasn't happy about yesterday…" Skylar started, not averting her gaze from the little pup cuddled adorably in her arms.

"Sky…" Craig warned.

"No." Maxwell intervened.

"Don't stop her. Let her continue." He said, as he nodded for her to go on.

"I was scared half to death when Craig said he'll be staying longer to secure the pack house." Her voice quivered, as she unconsciously began to rock the pup aggressively.

"We already discussed this, sky!" Craig barked.

"Craig, let the woman speak!" Maxwell hissed.

"You were so calm about the whole thing because you weren't the one waiting with the new babe."

"Women and being overdramatic." Craig muttered under his breath as Skylar glared at him with disdain.

Giving Maxwell her full attention, as she started soothing the restless pup. "I don't like the fact that my husband is risking his life while his nursing is…"

"Skylar!" Craig shouted in fury. "I'm sorry Alpha. She tends to get easily riled up since Lily, her emotions keeps sprawling out of control." He said through clenched teeth, while sky seethed quietly.

"Quite understandable. I'm sorry Skylar if I made you feel that way. But Craig is not the only one risking his life for the pack, you see. We all risk our lives everyday to protect our loved ones because it's our duty as leaders." He said, trying to calm her. Or do you want someone else's husband to do that for him?"

"I... think." she flushed.

She was being selfish, yes she was aware! But she won't want to lose her mate like Maxwell did. He's strong she wasn't! Losing a mate could make the other go berserk and even die but fortunately for Max he didn't finish the mating process before Isabelle passed. Losing Craig would destroy her and, how was she going to do with Lily?

"I understand you're worried. Heck! We all are. But remember one thing. Before he's a husband, he's a beta. Which means he has to put pack duties over anything else. You get my point now, right?" she nodded.

Lie, she doesn't get anything. She just wants her mate to survive, but she couldn't go against her alpha.

"I'm sorry for sounding selfish." She cried as Craig goes to hug her.

She isn't!

"Shhh…sweetie." Craig came to pacify her as he hugged her to himself. She allowed herself inhale his woodsy smell that she loved so much and it released it's calming effect.

God, she loved this man.

"I'm just afraid of losing you. What if you go one day and don't return? How about Lily? What...what–" she cried in hysteria, waking the little pup who joined in her tears as she felt threatened.

"it's okay sweetie. Everything is going to be alright, I promise." He assured, planting a sloppy kiss on her forehead and he does same to the wailing pup.

"I will go put her to sleep now." Skylar said.Thanks for coming Max." she gave him a sad smile before exiting the room.

"She doesn't like me anymore." Maxwell said, playing with his lapel.

"Says who? You know how sky is, don't take what she said too seriously." Craig said, leaning against the wall.

"But she thinks I'm always sending you to your doom. I bet the other women also feels so." He frowned.

"Stop saying that." Craig said, leaving the wall as he moved closer to Maxwell. Staring intently at him, he said.

"She will soon get over it ,after all she's beta female. She was just being paranoid that's all."

"I will take my leave now. It's getting late." Maxwell said, standing up as he glanced at his wristwatch.

"So soon?"

"I have a few files to sort at the office before heading home."

"Seems more like it." Craig smirked.

"See you tomorrow then." He said, hitting him hard on the shin."

"Ouch…hey! Craig whined.

"You deserved it." He said as he went to unlock the latch on the door. "Tell Skylar I've taken my leave."

"I'll do that." He waved at a retreating Maxwell.

<>

"Who's there?"

Sniffing, he stiffened in alert once he noticed the dimly lit room. With the only light being the one emanating from the full moon, his suspicion grew since he could recall switching off the lights and also closing both windows and shutters before heading out.

He could remember leaving the room in utter darkness, then why could he still see light?

No...no...no, something was wrong and that something was someone brave enough to risk his neck by intruding in his territory. Oh no, it wasn't one of his pack members as he could easily identify them by their distinct smell or through the mindlink. He could feel it in the way the hairs on his back stood on end that it was someone from afar, someone who would pose as a threat to both him and his pack.

As an alpha, one of the perks of being one was the ability to peceive things, especially danger from a good range. He has a strong sense of smell and other admirable capabilities that came with the title, which could come in handy in situations such as this one.

Moving further into the room with an intent of drawing blood, he discovered the slightly opened window.

Someone was there; even his wolf couldn't dispute as he jumped restlessly in the back of his mind fighting for release.

WHO'S THERE?" he growled this time, widening his stance as he released pointy fangs itching to tear something apart. Someone.

His ears twitched when he detected a foreign sound at the other side of the room. He could also hear shuffling coming from the direction of the bed.

Deliberately taking long fluid strides with the aim of pouncing on the intruder with an element of surprise, he moved towards the bed. Relying solely on his heightened sense of smell and sight in the dark, he sought his target.

As he approached, the scent became stronger on the left side of the bed.

Tightening his fists into balls he removed the sheets swiftly, aiming straight for the temple when his hand suddenly froze midair.

The color rapidly draining from his face as he struggled to comprehend what was right before his eyes.

In his bed lying stark naked was a woman gagged with a dirty piece of cloth. Her eyes were blindfolded and she had both hands tied to her back, with feet also bonded.

At that moment he didn't care who she was or where she was from, he was beyond livid. Raging mad as the red clouded his vision.

For the life of him he couldn't understand why someone would put a female in such demeaning position. what was her offense to warrant this level of humiliation? the question he realized, was even beyond him.

He stared at her tongue-tied when he saw how vulnerable she looked, how broken. Breaking from whatever hold he was in, his anger immediately dissipated as soon as he noticed the dried streak of tears on her pale cheeks, which he presumed was evidence of her crying enduringly. His hand fell limply by his side as the fight was drained from him.

Who should he fight? whom should he be angry at? He doesn't even think he knows the female in question.

Warily, he brushed away the wild locks of hair sticking on her face as he gently removed the blindfold like adding even a bit of pressure would finally leave her for dead.

She slowly opened her teary eyes filled with panic and started struggling to break free from her restraints when a ray of moonlight flashed across her blotchy face, he called.

"Isa?" Momentarily shocked as the blood drains from his face.

"This can't be possible–" he jerked, moving far away from her like someone burnt by fiery hot coal.

"Impossible!" he gasped in bewilderment.

Snapping out of trance, he asked the confused woman as he went closer. "Who are you?"

Another wave of panic surges through her, as she resumed struggling.

Battling the turmoil within him as he tried to keep a clear head, Maxwell reluctantly leans forward, clasping her tied hands and feet.

"Be still! You'll hurt yourself." He chastised.

"Try to relax, I won't hurt you." He raised both hands as he tried to appear harmless. She observed him for sometime before visibly relaxing.

"So now, I am going to remove the gag and untie you if you promise to remain calm and answer my questions." she nodded.

So he removed the piece of cloth from her mouth, and the first thing she uttered was just one word.

"HELP–" before passing out.

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A/N: Thanks for reading. Unlock the next chapter to know what happened next. Xoxo