Antonia was smiling as everyone came to meet Maksim after the fight. Antonia has known Maksim for the longest time. He was a very good man, like his father. Maksim was dedicated to his pack and did everything to keep them going. Living in the darkest part of the woods wasn't easy, especially when they don't rely solely on electricity, but depended more on nature. They had to keep away from human society, as much as possible to prevent any knowledge of their kind.

An Alpha was someone who did all of that. The people under him were under his protection and it was his duty to protect them with everything he has. It is a huge weight to bear on your shoulders. Secrets and secrets — too many for an Alpha to handle and that was why a Luna was so badly needed in the pack.

Antonia knew all too well the secret she carried on her shoulders. Glancing over at her mate who stood next to Maksim, she felt her heart flutter upon see his blond untidy hair moving with the wind. He glanced up as if he felt her eyes on him. Momentarily their eyes met before she cowardly looked away. He was still a little angry with her.

Roman.

They found out they were mates a few months ago when Maksim and her went over to Roman's land to discuss business matters. They made a promise – well, more like she made him promise, not to say anything yet until Maksim found his mate. She wanted to keep their mate bond a secret.

She smiled a little as she recalled his reaction. He was deeply angry at the fact that she wanted to hide him, but it wasn't that she wanted to. She needed to hide him until Maksim found his mate. She had heard stories about his father becoming ruthless. She wanted to be there for Maksim if he was in trouble. He was like an older brother to her.

Roman moved to stand next to her after speaking with Maksim. His arm gently brushed up against hers. She bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from making a sound. Glancing straight ahead at Maksim as he announced to the pack that they will be moving to his pack and the land here will remain as a hunting ground.

"родственная душа (Soulmate)." He whispered huskily and a shiver ran down her spine as he confirmed again that she was his. She risked a glance up at him and he smiled down at her. Running the back of his finger down her cheek, he leaned down to her eye level.

"It is time, родственная душа." He whispered. "I am making the decision now and you will be mine soon. I can't wait any longer than this. Maksim is fully capable without you."

"But..." She started.

"No buts." He cupped her cheeks with his and pressed his forehead against hers. "You won't be able to get away from me. I will chase you until I am able to place my mark on your neck."

His eyes flickered down to her neck. She licked her lips and his eyes zoomed back to her innocent action. He swallowed hard and it looked like he was fighting off the urge to kiss her.

"What are you doing with my Beta?" Maksim growled as he stepped up and ripped Roman away from her. Roman started to growl but stifled it back with a cough.

"She seems to like it," Roman said nonchalantly with a shrug.

"Antonia, you can tell me. Do you want me to kick his ass?" Maksim jabbed a thumb at Roman.

Antonia laughed. "I can handle him."

Roman scoffed. "Baby, you don't know what you are saying. I am more than you can handle."

She saw a flicker of lust flash through his eyes and she inwardly snapped at herself for taunting a crazy Alpha mate. If she knew Roman, he took it as a challenge.

"Leave my Beta alone, Roman," Maksim warned, completely oblivious to the mate bond, or the reaction Antonia was having from Roman's words.

"What are you guys doing?" Darren asked as he entered the group. "People are celebrating tonight. Apparently, it is a new reign that deserves celebration. They said that they brew their own tonics."

Darren's eyes lit up and Roman chuckled as he slapped his friend on the back. "I don't think you will last a minute."

Darren grinned impishly. "I'll take you up on that challenge."

Antonia watched as Darren and Roman hurried toward the noise that was coming from the opposite side of the house. Maksim moved to stand next to her. His hands shoved in his pockets in a relaxed manner.

"I found her, Toni." He whispered softly.

Antonia's eyes widened and she turned to face him completely. Did he really mean it? He turned to face her and a soft smile appeared on his face.

"It's funny, after all the years that I have been searching and waiting, she was here all along," Maksim said.

"You found our Luna? Your mate?" She asked just to confirm it with her delayed brain cells.

He nodded and a slow smirk crawled on his face. Antonia saw something else. Warmth. His eyes held a certain warmth when he thought about his mate. It was a look that Roman often wore when he stared at her secretly. Maksim never knew why Roman visited so often after their first meeting, but the truth was Roman wanted to be near Antonia and the only way was to come to their land. He would spend a few days here and there.

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

"I'm going to take her home. I won't leave her here or behind." Maksim confirmed. "She is my chance at happiness. I see how it is with my parents, Toni. I want that."

She nodded her approval. He knew his parent's story. His father left his mother after sleeping with her the first night. She conceived Maksim and three years later they met again. His father did everything to win his mother back. Maksim's father told Maksim that it was his hugest mistake and one that he won't ever be able to forgive himself for, but he thanked the Moon Goddess every day for Maksim's mother giving him a chance.

**

Maksim walked to the party later to see if his mate was anywhere in sight. She wasn't there and the sun had settled over the horizon. It was getting dark now, but people were still drinking and laughing. He walked around the party for a bit, until he caught sight of Roman and Antonia again, whispering in a corner. Roman grabbed a hold of Antonia's arms and yanked her close. He couldn't read Roman's lips, but he knew what they were talking about seemed serious.

Antonia yanked her arms away and pushed on Roman's chest, only to have Roman grab onto her and pull her into his chest. Maksim expected Antonia to fight, but instead, she closed her eyes, almost in a peaceful manner and fell into Roman's embrace.

Frowning now, he watched their actions. It was intimate. It was almost as if they have done it before.

"Alpha." A woman's voice purred behind him. He turned to look at the woman who was fluttering her eyelashes up at him. She was definitely pretty, but not as pretty as his mate. He glanced up and down as she slithered up to his side and caressed his chest on top of his shirt.

"Alpha, I was wondering if I might be able to sleep where you sleep tonight? It's cold and I am lonely." She said with a pout. Her finger came up and touched his neck. He shuddered in disgust. "I see you bear no one's mark. Have fun with me tonight, Alpha."

She pressed her breasts closer to him and swayed back and forth so he can feel her body on him. Dealing with women who wanted to sleep with other men and not wait for their mate annoys Maksim. He wasn't like other men and for some woman to assume that he was, pissed him off. He took a huge step back and the woman literally stumbled to the ground. She caught herself in time and straightened up.

"What's wrong?" She asked with a frown. "Don't you want this?"

"Save it for your mate. Throwing yourself shamelessly at me only makes my skin crawl with disgust. I am not interested. If I find you doing this to anyone else besides your mate, you will be thrown out of the pack to fight on your own." He growled his command.

Her eyes widened and her head dipped in submission. He rolled his eyes and shook his head. His mate was not here and he was going to find out where. He turned his back on the woman behind him and headed for an elder in the pack.

He walked to a small circle of elderly women who stood talking to each other. When they saw him approach they smiled warmly up at him.

"Did you need assistance, Alpha?" A salt and pepper colored hair woman asked.

He nodded. "I am wondering, where does Octavia live?"

She frowned and shook her head. "She is not interested in what you will be offering, Alpha. She is a strange woman, not like the other girls here. If you need anyone to please you tonight, anyone here will be able to do the job. She-"

"I'm not interested. I want to see her and I only want her. Where does she live?" He questioned impatiently.

The elderly woman nodded. "She lives at the edge of the woods on the south side. A small cottage by a river. You won't miss it."

Maksim nodded and headed in the direction the old lady pointed. Eagerness and anticipation running in his veins as thought about her.