Sneak Peek into Inferno - Natalya's (Maksim's sister's book)

Natalya's heart felt like it was being ripped out of her chest. The feel of her mate's death and her wolf howling into the night in pain and the sadness was tearing her up inside - the song of a broken wolf with no hope. She clutched the middle of her chest as her knees buckled from underneath her. She fell onto the earthy ground and everything else around her seemed to have disappeared. Her ears were ringing and blackness enthusiastically blurred her vision. She could hear the distant sound of a hurtful scream, only to realize it was coming from her.

**

After breakfast, Maksim and his friends sat around talking in the old Alpha's office. Darren took up a whole couch with his body. His hands propped behind his head as he stared at the ceiling. Roman and Antonia sat on the opposite couch close together.

"I should be heading back." Darren spoke after a moment of silence.

"You mean go home?" Roman asked.

He turned his head slightly to look at them. "I got duties I need to get done. Since the outcome here did not come out the way I expected, I have no reason to remain here."

Roman nodded. Maksim had thought about this for a few hours now. His mind kept reeling back to Aleksander and his conversation. A few pack members have approached him and asked to remain behind. It made him wonder if he should force them all to move. Was it the right decision? Hell, he can't even trust his decisions right now. He knew he blew it with his mate.

"What are you thinking?" Antonia asked as she looked at him.

He sighed and leaned forward in the chair he sat on adjacent from them. His elbows propped on his knees. He thought about it and an idea did come up in his head. He hasn't told anyone yet, but he thought it was an excellent idea.

"Some pack members have approached me and asked to remain behind. As their new Alpha I don't feel comfortable leaving anyone behind unprotected, but at the same time I also do not feel comfortable forcing them to leave a home they all have come to know." Maksim admitted.

"What are you going to do?" Roman asked.

Maksim shrugged. "I was actually thinking about giving the Alpha title over to Antonia." Maksim finished his sentence and Roman growled.

"This is the last straw, Antonia." Roman was angry as he turned to Antonia. Maksim's eyebrows furrowed in confusion at Roman's outburst. Did he miss something?

Antonia looked guilty as she looked at Maksim. "I have something to tell you."

Maksim arched an eyebrow, urging her to continue. She was about to begin until Roman angrily butted in.

"I am her mate. She will not be Alpha. She will become my Luna and head back with me to my territory." He growled.

Darren chuckled and Maksim was surprised. He never saw this one coming. His mind went back to the events of when they first met; the look in Roman's eyes and the way he looked at Antonia. It all made sense.

"She will not take your offer!" Roman pounded his fist on the coffee table. Maksim's eyes flickered to the table before looking back at his friend. Darren grinned as he pushed himself up into a sitting position.

"Did you know?" Maksim asked.

Darren shook his head. "I was just as clueless as you, but it explains why he likes to sniff around Antonia every time we see each other."

Roman scoffed and Antonia rolled her eyes in response. Maksim leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. Now what was he going to do? He was going to lose his Beta and he still hasn't figured out what to do with the current situation.

They continued to talk for a little longer and when Roman finally calmed down and the truth finally came out. Antonia and Roman were more relaxed to show their feelings for each other. Maksim wasn't going to separate them. He, of all people, believed strongly that mates should be together.

**

After everyone left the room, Maksim picked up his phone and dialed. His mother picked up on the other line. It was nice hearing her voice again.

"Maksim, how are things over there?" His mother asked.

Maksim scratched at his temple as he turned towards the window to look out into the valley. "It's good, mama. I might not be coming home any time soon. Do you think dad can handle my duties until then?"

"What do you mean? How long are you going to stay there?" His mother questioned further. He can already imagine the confusion on her face and her violet colored eyes darkening as they speak.

"I found my mate." Maksim admitted.

"Oh, my god! That's excellent! I am so happy for you, my pup - but how is your mate involved in all this?" Of course, Maksim's mother needed more information.

Maksim sighed and dragged a hand over his face. "I came here with the intention of dividing this land with Alpha Roman and Alpha Darren. What I didn't expect was to meet her in this pack, mama. She lives here and she has five pup-"

"What?" Natalya's voice came on the other end and she started laughing. "Your mate cheated on you?"

Maksim growled into the phone and heard his mother reprimanding Natalya, who didn't answer back. His mother came back on the other line.

"Maksim, you have to explain it to me. I don't understand. How does your mate have five pups? What is happening?" She patiently pushed him to explain further.

Maksim stood up and began pacing. "Those aren't her pups. She must've adopted them, or I don't know, taken them in - but they aren't hers."

"Well, that's a good thing, but I feel there is more." His mother answered on the other end.

Maksim stopped and bit his bottom lip as he felt like a pup who was about to get yelled at. "I accused her of sleeping with men and siring pups that weren't mine. I saw the look on her face. She was hurt and then I allowed another female to touch me, just to get a reaction out of her."

"Oh, Maksim. I taught you better than that! How could you? You should listen to your reasoning instead of your emotions. You are just like your father! Always allowing your emotions to get in the way!" She scolded Maksim through the phone. "I raised you better!"

"Yes, she did." Natalya sung on the other end.

"Tell her to shut up before I come and do it for her." Maksim snarled.

"Make me. I would like to see you try." Natalya taunted on the other end.

"Nat, get out!" His mother ordered.

"Ok, I'm sorry, mama. I'll behave." Natalya said sweetly.

He heard his mother sigh on the other end. "You need to apologize. Yes, you two are mates and the Moon Goddess might have paired you two up, but that doesn't mean you two don't have minds of your own. There will be confusion, arguments, and disagreements, but at the end of the day you two are still mates."

"I know." Maksim responded.

"Then bring her home once she has forgiven you." She ordered.

Maksim scoffed a little. "I wish I could, but other than finding my mate. I was challenged by Alpha Hansen for his land. He was defeated and now I am Alpha here. Most of the people want to remain on the land, but it will mean they will be unprotected."

There was a moment of silence. "What about Antonia?"

"She is out of the question. She found her mate and will be returning back home with him. It is Alpha Roman."

"I'm going to have to tell her mother." His mother perked up on the other end. "Anna! Anna! I have som-"

"Mama." Maksim reminded her that he was still on the other end.

"Oh yes, Maksim. I think you are forgetting someone who also has full potential in becoming Alpha." His mother stated into the phone.

Maksim's eyebrows crinkled as he thought about who it could be.

"Your sister."

"What?" Natalya and Maksim both shouted at once.

"Of course! Your sister. She has Alpha blood running through her veins. You are Alpha to this pack and can't abandon it. Therefore, it makes perfect sense to hand the title over to her. You trained her with everything you got. She is just as capable as you are in handling pack matters. She even took over your duties when you were traveling." His mother pointed out further.

Maksim groaned and rubbed his temple. His mother was completely right. His sister was perfect for the title.

"Fine, send her here." He complied.