Author's Note:

I am dying to find a good werewolf book to read-nothing new or in the hot list because more than likely I ran through it already. I want something hidden but completed. There are these books that I read and it irritates me. As a writer, I understand resistance but resistance only go to a certain level before it becomes very annoying and immature. I also don't like a mate who cheats even though they find out they are mates. I want something that is bitter sweet, rejection is good (because we all love a little heartache), but I want the full circle. OMG it's so complicated to explain.

Please tell me you have something to suggest for me to read over the holidays.

Here is the last chapter for this week until Tuesday. Merry Christmas and I hope you enjoy your family time.

Leila Vy

Maksim watched from a distance his sister standing up on the top of the hill as she spoke to her new pack. Her hands signing into the air to those who needed help with understanding what she was saying. She was a brilliant student and seeing her like this only solidified his decision to give the title to her. Maksim was proud of her. At twenty-eight, she was more than ready to do what she was born to do. His mother was right. She was perfect for the title.

His sister laughed and the pack laughed along with her. She must've done something or said something funny. Typical. He chuckled to himself before he heard his mate's scuffling feet slowly fading.

He turned back to his mate who was walking towards the cabin and jogged to keep up to her. The heat has temporarily left them, giving them some breathing room. He slowed down when he came up to her side. She was walking with her gaze on the ground.

"Octavia, how long are we going to do this?" He asked.

"I don't know." She responded before looking up and straight ahead. "I don't want us to make the wrong choice and then regret it."

He looked at her a little confused. "How can it be a wrong choice?"

She sighed and they made another turn before the cottage came to view. "Are you sure you want to be with me?"

He knew it was a stupid question to ask because he already knew the answer. He wanted her that was for sure but he can see behind those eyes of her, the insecurities that shown.

He grabbed her elbow to stop them from walking up to the door of her cottage. She turned around to face him.

"I know I reacted badly when we first met but I have never once cheated on you, Octavia. Even when I never knew who you were, I remained faithful. People might think I am insane but my mother assured me it will be best with you. I want my first time to be with you." He assured her.

"It is just not that. We might be mates but we barely know each other. I wanted more time to get to know you before we claim each other." She explained.

"We can still do that." He let her go and she moved to open the door. When they both entered she turned around to look at him as he closed the door behind him.

"What do you want to know about me?" He asked and saw her shrug in response. He gave a short laugh before running his fingers through his hair and scratching the back of his neck. He was trying to think of what he can tell her about himself that will be interesting.

"My sister likes to paint. My grandpa is our agriculture analyst. I like the color gold because it is a color that will always shine in the dark." He began uttering some nonsense. "I shifted when I was seven out in the fields while playing soccer with a bunch of boys. There is this girl name Anastasia and she liked me a lot in my teenage years-"

Octavia's face contorted to slight irritation after hearing the last part and so Maksim took another route. He took hold of her hand and led her to the living room where he sat down. She fell down next to him as he pulled her into the crook of his arm.

"When I was sixteen, my father told me what he did to my mother. He never forgave himself. He told me that I was hitting the age that I probably wanted to experience something outside of the bond but he wanted to make sure I knew the importance of a mate bond." Maksim continued.

"What did he do?" She asked curiously.

"On the day he found out she was his mate, he took advantage of her and then left her for three years. During those three years, she gave birth to me. They met again and he did everything he can to prove to her that he loves her."

"But he never forgave himself for leaving you two for three years." She said.

Maksim nodded. "He said it was one of his weakest moments as a man--told me that he was a coward for turning away from something that was goddess given. It was a blessing that he at that time thought was a mistake."

"So what did he tell you once he told you that story?" She questioned. She shifted her face to look up at him.

"Don't let you go when I see you." Maksim looked down at her.

Seeing her in his arms like this filled his being with a sense of belonging. She was absolutely beautifully made just for him. Those lips were crafted with rose petals, soft as can be. The small curved jaw line placed images of him kissing his way down it but like what his father said to him about his mother's eyes. It was the same for him. Somehow, it was what drawn him to her--the deep color of chocolate and the long eyelashes that fan her cheeks as she blinked.

They stared and remained in that position comfortably for several hours. Maksim knew that he should at least make use of his time and go do something but he didn't want to leave her side. He silently hoped that Antonia was catching Natalya up on the events that were happening. He knew that if Alpha Hansen was going to push through the border, it will be hard as patrol has doubled. They were safe for now.

He played with her hair as he mulled over the many things that were going through his mind--his mate, Alpha Hansen, and Natalya as Alpha. Is it wrong of him to feel a little selfish and just want to be with her?

He was so deep in thought he didn't realize that Octavia has fallen asleep in his arms. He picked her up and carried her quietly to her bed where he lie her down. He covered her body with his before he lay down on top and basically stared at her. It was a little creepy but she was stunning.

"You still haven't answered my question, Octavia." He whispered softly into her hairline before kissing her forehead. "How long until we accept the bond between us?"

He sighed and got up from the bed. Walking to the kitchen he decided to cook something for the both of them. The sun has already set and the moon was now the only light in the sky.

Several hours later, he finished cooking and covered the food carefully. He wiped his hands on a clean towel and was about to set it back on the counter when the heat wave hit him again. He squeezed his eyes hard. It was burning and hot. This time his desires were uncontrollable. His eyes flew open, he could smell his mate even from the kitchen. Her arousal. His ears sharpened and the softest moan broke the air.

"Fvck." He snarled and gripped the table.

"M-Maksim." His mate called out to him. Octavia's voice sounded closer. The heat must have woken her up.

"Over here." He managed to hoarsely reply. When he felt her presence in the doorway of the kitchen, his eyes met hers. She gasped as she looked at him. His canine elongated as his eyes roamed every single delicious part of her body.

"Your eyes. T-they're black and god-" She whispered before moaning. Her hands came up to touch her body. "I'm feeling so hot. Everything inside of me is burning."

Maksim's gut clenched and his shaft twitched in his pants.

"Damn." He growled. He meant to turn away but he ended up walking up to her and yanking her sweet curvy body onto his. The moment their body made contact, sparks flew and it was like they were magnets with an invisible force pulling them together.

"Maksim-" She hesitated.

"It will only get worse. I don't know if I can control myself." He said through clenched teeth and flashed his canines.

Her eyes darkened upon seeing his canines. She licked her lips before bringing her bottom lip between her lips. It wasn't meant to turn him on but it set him off anyways. He growled and moved to get at least one little taste of her to help satisfied his need. His body shook as he bent down and sucked on her bottom lip.

He has to think of something. He was losing control.

"We can try imprinting." He whispered. He needed to do something to control his wolf because once he takes over, there was no regaining him back and Maksim will be damn if he was going to sit back and watch his first time through his wolf.

She knew what he was asking and he can see her swallowing hard. He pulled back to look at her.

"мой Котёнок (My kitten), I don't know how much more I can control. Lets start slow. If we let our wolves take over--we will never get it back." He was pleading at this point. He didn't want this too. He will claim his mate on his own time.

"Do it."

The imprinting will be in private chapters but it won't be updated until Tuesday. Stay sane, readers.