Chapter 17

"Shit," Ella said as she rushed to get out of the car.

Next to her, Maksim opened his door but she stopped him.

"No!" Ella said. "Just go, I'll take care of this."

'Ella, I-"

"Please, please. Just go." Ella begged.

Maksim hesitated for a second before he nodded against his will and let Ella jump out of the car. He watched as she rushed over to Piper and pulled her away from the car.

"Piper," Ella said. "Listen, you can't tell anyone!"

"Is that really him?" Piper asked as Ella dragged her towards the ice cream shop. "Wait! I want to get an autograph."

"No!" Ella pulled her back. "Stop! Please."

"Ellie!" The little girl squealed. "The prince drove you home!"

"Shhh," Ella put her hand over Piper's mouth as she looked around to make sure no one heard her. "You can't tell anyone."

Piper clapped her mouth shut and pretended to zip it, "I won't tell anyone."

Ella narrowed her eyes at her sister, "Not even your friend at school."

"Ah man, come on Ella," Piper groaned. "They will lose their mind! My sister and the Prince!"

"No, no no," Ella hushed her again. "If you tell anyone then it will make it back to mom and dad and that will be a disaster."

Piper thought about what her sister said for a second before she nodded in understanding, "You're right."

"Thank you," Ella sighed. "This is very important."

"Okay, okay," Piper nodded her head. "I get it. I won't tell anyone."

"Okay," Ella said, trusting her. "Let's go home now."

Piper quietly began to follow her sister home. Ella watched her from the corner of her eyes to make sure she wouldn't do anything crazy. There wasn't much she could do in the streets other than shout out she saw the prince, but Maksim was long gone. Ella was just worried about what would happen once they got home.

"Oh my god," Piper suddenly said as she stopped walking. "You're blonde."

Ella looked at her with a quizzical look in her eyes, "Yes...."

"The Instagram page and the Facebook pages said Maksim was dating some mystery blonde from St. Vincent....it's you!"

"No," Ella pulled her sister into their building. "Piper! Shhhhh. Stop."

"It's you, isn't it?" Piper whispered as she pulled Ella's hand off her mouth. "You're the mystery blonde."

"No, I'm not," Ella shook her head. "We're not dating. He just gave me a ride home."

"I don't believe you,"

"He's a prince! He's going to date someone like Margo Watermen or somebody," as Ella said those words, a part of her growled like Maksim earlier.

"So it's not you?" Piper looked disappointed.

"No," Ella lied. "It's not me kid."

"Do you know who it is though?"

"No, I'm sorry."

"That's fine," Piper shrugged. "The sources will reveal who she is soon."

"The sources?"

"Yeah.....the news said someone from St. Vincent told them that the prince and his mystery blonde have been getting really cozy and close since the first day of school. They also think he moved schools because of her."

"Oh..." Ella said, a bit concerned. She didn't know why she was surprised to realize every part of Maksim's life was out in the open for people to look through.

Suddenly, a horrifying thought ran through Ella's mind. Had anyone seen them kiss in the school yard?

Ella began to slowly panic. If they had, it would be all over the news by tonight or tomorrow morning.

"What....what else did they say about this blonde?" She turned to Piper and asked.

"A different source from the palace said he invited her over for dinner with the Queen and that he thinks she could be the one."

Ella wanted to roll her eyes at the stupidity of the press, "What about the source at St. Vincent?"

"Oh, they said that the Prince seems completely smitten by her and he can't stop calling her my love or baby."

Ella's heart jumped. Someone was defiantly talking about them. It wouldn't be long before her name was out. Worse, her picture all over the morning news or the newspapers.

"Do you know who she is?" Piper asked.

"No, sorry." Ella said as she rushed her upstairs. "No, remember. We don't talk about him inside the house."

"Got it," Piper nodded.

Ella said a small prayer as she pushed the door open and took a step inside. Dean was sitting on the sofa watching a soccer game as Ruby sat next to him checking his blood pressure.

Oh no.....

"What's wrong?" Ella asked with caution.

"Just his daily check up," Ruby said without bothering to look up. "How was school, my babies?"

"It was great! Totally a normal day. Didn't see anyone outside," Piper started to ramble.

Ella turned to her and grilled her. The little girl pretended to lock her lips again as she ran to her room.

"That's wonderful, honey," Ruby said absent mindlessly as she read the numbers on the blood pressure machine.

Ella started to creep away to her room. She moved through the room as swiftly and quietly as she could without catching too much of her parent's attention. She was almost successful when Dean stopped her.

"Where is your bag?" He asked looking up from his game.

Shit. Shit.

"It's in my locker," Ella turned around and said quickly. "I didn't have any homework today so I left it."

Just then Ruby looked up and frowned.

"You okay?" She asked.

"Yeah," Ella nodded.

"You look a bit ..... Puffy."

"Oh," Ella touched her face. "Yeah, I....I had to take Benadryl today during lunch. I accidentally touched some peanut butter."

"Ella," Ruby sighed. "You have to be more careful!"

"You okay?" Dean asked with concern. "How bad was the reaction?"

"I'm fine," Ella smiled. "It wasn't bad, just a little puffy and itchy. That's all."

"Please be more careful," Ruby said once more with concern.

"I will," Ella nodded.

She turned on her heels and rushed off to her room. Once inside, Ella pulled out her phone and found an array of texts from Maksim waiting for her. She quickly scrolled through them before typing up a reply.

I'm okay. Piper isn't going to talk. Someone from St. Vincent is leaking information on you.

Ella hit send and the typing bubbles came up automatically.

That's nothing new for me, Maksim replied.

They're talking about us. I'm the 'mystery blonde' all over instagram and facebook.

Don't worry. We're not conforming anything. These are just rumors. Do you have any idea how many times my parents have gotten a divorce according to the tabloids? Or how many times my dad had left my mother for another woman? It'll all go away in a few days.

What if someone saw us today? In the school yard? Ella chewed on her bottom lip as she waited for Maksim to respond.

We'll deny it.

What if they saw my face? What if they took pictures?

Ella's mind started to ramble with crazy ideas as she thought about how her parents would react. Her dad always watched the news. She couldn't stop them from finding out.

Suddenly, Ella's phone rang to life with Maksim's unsaved number.

"Hello?" Ella answered quickly as she locked her door and whispered.

"Ella," Maksim said slowly. "Listen, don't stress about the rumors. They're harmless. And I'm pretty sure no one saw us today."

"What if they did?"

"Life is a giant what if, baby," Maksim chuckled.

Ella didn't find his comment comforting or funny. She continued to chew on her bottom lip as she sat on her bed with worry.

"You know," Maksim started slowly. "This wouldn't be such a big problem if you....you know told your parents."

"Max," Ella sighed as more fear and uncertainty filled her heart. "I told you, I need more time."

"You're right," Maksim said after a short pause. "What do you want me to do or what do you want us to do?"

"Can.....can we not....." Ella struggled to say the words. She rubbed her face as every sentence she came up with sounded cruel and insensitive.

"What's on your mind, baby?" Maksim asked.

Ella took a deep breath, "Can we keep things platonic at school.....please?"

There was a pause as Ella waited for Maksim to speak. She felt her heart begin to hurt as the seconds dragged on.

"Yeah, okay." Maksim agreed after a while.

"Are you upset?"

"No."

"I'm sorry," Ella frowned. "I'm so sorry.....I just...I can't...I.."

Maksim sighed, "I'll talk to you later."

"No, wait!"

"Yes?"

"You're mad at me."

"No," Maksim said even though his tone said otherwise. "I'm just a bit busy. I'll see you tomorrow. Good night."

Before Ella could wish him sweet dreams, Maksim had hung up. She sat cross legged on her bed as her eyes stung with tears. Her heart felt empty as her good mood from the day evaporated into sorrow and worry.

For the rest of the evening, Ella laid in her bed with her phone in her hand hoping Maksim would call again. She sent him a text apologizing but he never responded. Around dinner time when Piper came to her room to call her, Ella was tempted to tell her no. But she hadn't eaten anything since the sandwich and she remembered Dr. Alden had told her to not take her medication on an empty stomach.

Feeling like a ton of brick was on her shoulders, Ella slugged to the dining room table and sank down into her chair.

"What happened to you?" Mia commented as she passed the rice bowl sound.

"She had an allergic reaction today," Dean said as he filled Ella's glass with water.

"You look like a marshmallow," Mia teased.

"Thanks," Ella mumbled as she reached for her water.

"Mia," Ruby eyed her eldest. "Cut it out."

"Sorry," Mia laughed.

"How did it go with the bank today?" Dean asked as he opened his napkin and put it on his lap.

"Same old," Mia rolled her eyes.

"Will they give us more time?" Ruby asked.

"No," Mia shook her head.

"Wait, what's going on?" Ella pulled herself out of her heartache and looked around the table.

"Nothing," Dean tried to brush it off. "Just some small issues."

"It's not some small issue, dad," Mia said in frustration. She turned to Ella and placed her hand one over the other. "The bank sent a letter the other day. They're taking the diner."

"What?" Ella's stomach dropped. "What do you mean they're taking it?"

"We're behind on all the payments," Mia shrugged. "And we've been closed for so long we can't catch up."

"What about a loan?"

"We already have a loan," Dean said. "I took it out two years ago to get the floors and customer bathroom done."

"They can't just take our diner," Ella looked to her mother and then to Mia.

"They can and they will," Mia frowned. "They sent their final notice."

"Isn't there anything we can do?"

"We can sell it," Ruby shrugged. "But no one will buy it and keep us on as partners."

Ella felt as if she just fell from the sky. She had grown up in that diner. Everyday after school she did her homework on the counter while Dean cooked in the kitchen. She had the menu memorized by heart. It was her second home.

As Ella sat in a state of grief and shock, Ruby sighed. She took a sip of her wine as she shook her head and placed her hand over Dean's.

"Someone has given us the evil eye," She said with a frown. "First you had a stroke, then I had to quit my job, and now the diner."

"We'll be fine," Dean patted her hand. "We still have the house."

Ella felt her lips quiver as her eyes teared up. If only they knew the extent of the troubles they all had to endure. Mia's battle with Liam, Lilly and Charlie and.... Max.

"I'm not hungry," Ella said quietly. She pushed her plate aside and ran off to her room.

The door shut with a loud bang as she threw herself onto the bed and cried into her pillow. How did her life become such a mess?

Ella pulled out her phone and cried harder when she noticed there were no new notifications. She felt so alone. She wished Lily was around to give her comfort. Not a day went by that she didn't think of her sister. Lily was the only one who Ella could talk to without worry about judgment. But she was gone too.... Just like Maksim.

Eventually as Ella's head began to hurt from crying, she kicked off her shoes and buried herself under her sheets. Her body was exhausted from the day's events. She had no energy or fuel left in her as her eyes began to drop with sleep. Ella welcomed it with open arms. She had hoped by morning her body would have recovered, but when her alarm went off the next morning, she felt ten times worse.

Ella slowly sat up in bed and cringed at her reflection in the mirror. Her hair was tangled. Her eyes and face still puffy from the day before. She dragged herself off the bed and groaned as her limbs ached in protest.

After a quick shower, Ella pulled out a black hoodie and paired it off with some denim shorts. She flipped her dam hair into a bun and dug her feet into her tennis shoes. She didn't know how she would get through the day. She prayed the bus driver wouldn't be late. Maybe if he was on time, she might be able to get herself some coffee.

"Are you going to school or to the coroner store?" Mia commented as she looked Ella up and down when she entered the living room. She, of course, was dressed in her best fitted skirt and ironed blouse. Her makeup was picture perfect and her hair photoshopped.

"I'm not naked, am I?" Ella mumbled as she grabbed a cereal bar from the pantry.

"I guess you're right," Mia laughed as she checked her purse. "Look at the bright side. We don't have to worry about Maksim chasing you around in that outfit."

Ella turned around slowly from the pantry and looked at her sister. Her body told her to let it go but her mind was not to be messed with that morning.

"What is your problem?" Ella asked as she narrowed her eyes. "Why are you so bitter?'

Mia looked up at her and rolled her eyes, "Not today, Ella. Please. I don't have time."

"You know you should be a bit more grateful to Maksim for saving you from losing your child."

Mia stilled as she turned to look at Ella in the kitchen, "Excuse me?"

"Liam would have wiped the courtroom floor with your ass if it weren't for Maksim," Ella said. "You can still kiss your son every night because of Maksim. So please stop being an ungrateful bitch. If you can't thank the guy at least don't trash him every chance you get. Honestly Mia, you're becoming a cliche."

Fury and Rage danced behind Mia's green eyes as she stood stunned by the door. Ella knew she should have been scared but she was too drained to even care about what Mia would have to say. She grabbed her cereal bar and a bottle of water before she pushed past her sister and headed to the bus stop.

The cold morning hair was a pleasant change from the suffocating atmosphere of her apartment. Ella took several long deep breaths as she stood outside and looked around. It was still too early for anyone to be around. The delivery men unloaded bread and milk from their trucks as kids walked to school in groups. Ella opened her water bottle and sipped carefully as she headed for the bus stop. When she passed the diner, she stopped briefly and ran her hand over the brass door handle. A sharp pain shot through her heart as her eyes threatened to tear up again. But Ella shook her head and pushed forward.

When she arrived at the bus stop only one other kid was already there. He was a freshman at St. Vincent. His family was also one of the few werewolves still living in their neighborhood. The boy gave Ella a smile as she sank down onto the bench beside him.

Ella was in no mood to be polite as she sat with her feet on the edge of the bench and her arms wrapped around her legs. Her chin rested on her knees as she stared at the dark pavement.

"Hey....you're Ella, right?" The boy asked.

Ella looked up and frowned, "Yeah."

"I'm Eddie. I live three buildings over from you,"

"Oh....okay," Ella felt horrible for being rude, but she just couldn't make the effort to talk.

"You also go to St. V, right?"

"This bus only goes to one school."

"Right," the boy laughed. "Silly question."

Ella looked away and focused her eyes on the pavement again.

"You like oatmeal?" the kid asked again.

"What?" Ella asked in confusion.

"Your cereal bar has oatmeal."

"Oh." Ella looked down at her breakfast. "Thanks."

"Where is your bag?"

Ella looked over to the boy in frustration. Didn't he see she didn't want to talk? Didn't he notice how she looked like death?

She opened her mouth to speak when her phone suddenly started to ring. Maksim's number flashed on the screen making Ella's heart speed up. She hit the accept button and brought the phone to her ear.

"Is he bothering you?" Maksim asked in a serious tone.

"What?" Ella looked around in confusion. She dropped her feet and poked her head out into the empty street.

"Across the street," Maksim said.

Ella searched the rows of parked cars until a black Jeep flashed it's headlights. She heard the phone line go dead as she picked up her water bottle and walked over to the car. Maksim pushed the door open for her as she neared and watched her climb in.

"Who was he?" He asked as Ella put her water in the cupholder and buckled in.

"I don't know," she said quietly.

"What did he want?"

"He wanted to know if I liked oatmeal," Ella sighed.

"What an idiot," Maksim took his seatbelt off and unlocked his door.

"Where are you going?" Ella asked in alarm.

"To tell him where he can shove up his oatmeal,"

"Maksim!" Ella grabbed his arm. "Stop it! He's like 14."

"Horny motherfucker. It's not even seven A.M yet and he's out here asking girls if they like oatmeal."

Ella didn't know whether to laugh or scream in frustration. She dropped Maksim's arm and sat back.

"Go fight him," she said. "Go fight a 14 year old over oatmeal. Go!"

Maksim narrowed his eyes at her as his brows furrowed in anger.

"Go, Maksim," Ella pushed. "Go show the poor kid who's Alpha. Who's King Maksim."

Maksim slowly moved back into the car and closed the door. He kept his eyes on Ella as he buckled himself in and started the engine. Ella rolled her eyes as he drove away from the bus stop without another word. They drove in silence as she stared out the window at the passing building and shops. Ella felt Maksim look over at her many times, but she didn't say anything.

"Why are you mad?" Maksim finally asked as they waited at a red light.

"I'm not."

"Yes, you are."

Ella turned her angry eyes towards her mate and frowned, "I'm mad because you almost beat up a little kid for trying to be friendly with me."

"Bullshit," Maksim rolled his eyes. "I've been watching you since you got out of your building. You looked ready to beat up anyone who looked at you the wrong way."

"And I think I just found him," Ella said, looking Maksim up and down.

"You would only hurt yourself if you tried," Maksim couldn't help but smirk at the idea of his tiny lady swinging at him.

"Are you challenging me?" Ella turned her body to face him. "Did you forget who had you in a headlock back when we were seven?"

"Key word being seven," Maksim said. "It was an unfair fight. You were taller than me. My growth spurt hadn't kicked in and I didn't have my wolf."

"Whatever," Ella gave a harsh laugh. "I still beat your ass."

"Boy, you're really mad today, aren't you?" Maksim laughed as the light changed. "You're on fire, baby doll."

"Shut up." Ella turned away and went back to looking out the window.

After a few seconds she felt Maksim place his hand on her bare thigh as he kept his eyes on the road ahead. His hand rested carelessly on the steering wheel as he held Ella's thigh and drove around a curve. Ella leaned back against her seat and laid her head back. She sighed as Maksim began to move his thumb side to side as if to comfort her.

"Can we stop by a drive through or something? I need coffee," Ella said as they neared the school.

Maksim took a left instead of a right and headed for the nearest Starbucks. Ella ordered her large coffee and they sat in the parking lot as Maksim ate his bagel.

"Are you sure you don't want some?" He asked as he held his bagel out for her to take a bite.

"I'm sure," Ella said as she sipped her coffee.

"What's wrong?" Maksim asked again as he licked the cream cheese off his thumb.

"Nothing," Ella sighed. She picked up a napkin and wiped the corner of his lips where he had some cream cheese stuck on.

"How many times do I have to tell you that you are a horrible terrible liar?" Maksim asked as he kissed Ella's hand. "Now please tell me what's wrong."

"I had a bad morning....and a bad night," Ella finally spilled.

"Why? What happened?"

Ella sighed again as she felt the wave of emotion come over her. She groaned as she tilted her head back and waved her eyes to keep herself from crying.

A deep frown formed on Maksim's face as he watched her. He gathered the wrappers and napkins and pushed them to the back seat as he tugged Ella onto his lap. She tried to protest but Maksim wouldn't take no as an answer.

Ella sank into Maksim's lap as he cupped her face and pulled it up to look into her eyes.

"Tell me what's wrong," he said gently.

Ella's eyes watered as she opened her mouth. She told him about the bank, the diner, and her many memories of the place. Maksim listened patiently as she laid against his chest and he held her on his lap.

When she finished, he continued to hold her and kiss her hair. Ella inhaled his scent feeling a sense of security and stability. She felt like a giant baby for crying over everything but it was as if the last few months were just one roller coaster ride after the other.

"Ell," Maksim whispered in her ear as she listened to his heart beating.

"Yes?"

"Can I help?"

Ella slowly picked up her head. She looked into his brown eyes with confusion.

"With the diner," Maksim explained. "Please let me help."

"No," Ella immediately shook her head. "Absolutely not."

"Ella, I-"

"No!" Ella said sternly. "You can keep doing this. I already owe you so much."

"You don't owe me anything."

"You're funny if you think I have forgotten about yesterday and the tuition," Ella said. "I'm going to pay you back."

"Why?"

"Because it's not right," Ella said. "You make me feel some kind of way by just throwing your money at me like that. I'm not a charity."

"I never said you were!"

"Max," Ella took his face in between her hands. "You will not interfere, please. Promise me."

"I will not interfere," Maksim said against his will as his mate held his face and forced him to vow.

"Thank you," Ella placed a quick peck on his lips.

"That's it?" Maksim frowned. "That's all I get. I deserve more."

"For what?" Ella laughed.

"I didn't beat up that kid."

"Oh yes, very good, Mackey. I'll let your mommy know so she can give you extra cookies after school."

"One more," Maksim begged as he pulled Ella closer.

"We're late for school."

"Baby, I'm a king."

"Oh here we go again," Ella rolled her eyes.

"Like my Paws once said, 'Baby, I'm a king. I own any room I walk into.'"

"Hmm, I bet he looked hotter saying it," Ella teased.

Maksim laughed as he poked Ella's sides. She erupted into a fit of giggles as she tried to climb out but Maksim held her tightly.

"Max, stop stop stop, please!" Ella said breathlessly. "Please."

"Give me a kiss and I will,"

"Okay, okay," Ella straightened back up. "One kiss."

Maksim smiled as she leaned forward. He sat still as Ella took his face into her hands and brought her lips to his. She kissed him tenderly, taking her time. Their eyes closed as Ella leaned in more and captured Maksim's lips in between hers. His hands rested on her hips as their kiss moved from a sweet tender moment to hot and heavy.

Maksim's fingers dug into Ella's hips as he pulled her loser. She locked her arms around his neck and pulled him down as he pulled her up. Their bodies began to slide against each other making Maksim growl in his chest.

If that had happened the day before, Ella would have freaked out. But in that moment, sitting on his lap in the car, she found it incredibly sexy to know he was responding to her like that. She playfully bit down on his bottom lip and smiled when he growled once again. Maksim didn't give her a second to breath as he held her lips prisoner and tasted them to his heart's content.

Finally, as Ella started to feel lightheaded, she placed her hands on his chest and pushed gently. Maksim pulled back, his chest rising and falling in rapid motion. His eyes were dark and lustful as he stared at Elle's swollen lips.

"We should really go to school," Ella said, not liking her own words.

"We can go home," Maksim kissed her jaw. "And cuddle."

"We already missed one day," Ella tried to hold her ground.

"We can miss another....and another.....and another," Maksim kissed Ella's jawline in between each word.

"No, no, no, no." Ella sighed, stopping him. "Please, I would like to go to class today."

Maksim pouted as Ella climbed out of his lap and went back to her seat. She pushed his face away when he tried to convince her to ditch school once again. With a great sigh of his own, Maksim pulled out of the parking lot and drove towards the school. When they arrived, most of the students were already inside. Only a few lingered as they waited for the right opportunity to slip out of school.

"Max," Ella said as they grabbed their trash and got ready to get out. "You remember what I said yesterday, right?"

Maksim looked up at her as he picked up her coffee.

"Strictly platonic," he said. "I remember."

___________________________

For the rest of the day, there was no more trouble from Maksim. He behaved himself and only spoke to Ella in the same manner as he did with everyone else. At times he would almost slip up but every time he caught himself at the last moment.

During English, Ella sank into her seat and sighed as she realized the seat behind her was empty. She looked around wondering if maybe Maksim had moved his seat but he didn't seem to be anywhere else. She was about to pull her phone out and text him when the collective giggle of Gwen and her crew caught her attention.

Maksim entered the classroom surrounded by the girls as they all laughed at something he said. Ella stared at him until their eyes met and Maksim flashed her a smile. He walked over to his seat and Gwen trailed along behind him.

"So as I was saying. Homecoming is like in two weeks and everyone is super excited," Gwen chatted away. "I am on the committee and this year our theme is the night sky. Think constellations and stars. Lots and lots of stars."

"Very nice," Maksim said as Ella rolled her eyes. She kept her eyes on the board as the teacher wrote the day's lesson. When Maksim poked her a few seconds later, she held up a pencil and he took it, chuckling.

"Thanks, Ell," Maksim said as he went back to talking with Gwen.

"So I was wondering if you were coming to homecoming," Gwen said slowly.

Ella tried to keep her body still but she couldn't and found herself turning around in her seat.

"Yeah, Maksim," She said looking at the two behind her. "Are you going?"

Maksim tried to hide his smile as he stared at Ella. He could smell her jealousy a mile away.

"I don't know yet," Maksim shrugged. "I'm still waiting to find my Cinderella."

"Awww," If it were possible, Gwen's eyes would have turned to red hearts.

Ella rolled her eyes as she turned back to the front of the room. For the remainder of the time, she tried her best to ignore Maksim and Gwen as the teacher started the lesson. But every few seconds her ears would pick up whispers and giggles from behind her and she would lose her focus.

"This week we will be studying a very famous letter," Mrs. Martin said as she walked around the classroom. "It is a letter between two lovers and two mates. It was written by a king for his future queen to be."

As the teacher turned her back to the class a small piece of paper flew to Ella's desk and landed near her pencil. She looked at it curiously and realized it had come from Maksim. Ella picked up the folded piece of paper and read the words inside.

Is she talking about us?

Ella quickly tucked the note into her pocket and pretended not to be bothered by it as she felt Maksim watching her.

"Maksim," Mrs. Martine suddenly called him. "You should be very familiar with this letter."

Maksim sat up as everyone in the classroom, including Ella, turned to look at him.

"Is it King Xavier's letter to Queen Rye?" Maksim asked.

"Absolutely," Mrs. Martin said with a laugh as she picked up the copies from her table. "Why don't you tell us about it."

Maksim cleared his throat as he looked around, "Well....My grandfather wrote the letter just as he was called away to Berlin where his Beta had found a witch. He didn't know when he would be coming back so he wrote her a letter to let my grandmother know how much she meant to him."

Ella listened to him carefully as they all passed around the copies of the letter. She had heard of the famous letter but had never actually read it. As she passed a copy to Maksim he held her gaze for a second before looking away.

"Maksim, if you wouldn't mind," Mrs. Martin was having a field day. "Can you please read us some of the lines from the letter."

"Of course," Maksim smiled as he cleared his throat again.

"Everyone else, I expect you to follow along."

All eyes in the classroom dropped to the paper in front of them as Maksim began to read.

"Dear Rye. By the time you are reading this letter I will be in Berlin. We may have found some new lead that might help us to catch whoever is behind those bodies...... I couldn't bring myself to wake you up this morning."

As Ella followed along she realized Maksim was looking at her. She lifted her gaze off the paper to find him reciting the words out of memory.

His eyes locked with her and suddenly everything else in the classroom disappeared.

"I know you may think I don't know you well enough to be in love with you, but I respectfully disagree. I know that you love your father. I know every time you are at the orghange you feel closer to him. You see your father in those children and they are so lucky to have you as their Luna. Without any question or hesitation you have taken it upon yourself to take care of them. To me, that's enough proof that you will make a great queen. Your heart of gold is what they need."

Ella felt her heart begin to tumble down a lush green hill as Maksim leaned forward and recited the words only to her. Every word of the letter came to life as she stared into his eyes and felt him caress her with his burning gaze. He went through the letter without a hiccup as if he had read it a million times. As if it were his own words to his mate.

"A two page letter will never be enough to convey to you everything my heart can not put into words. Simply because there has yet to be a language created that can express to you how much I love you. Completely, utterly, entirely. I am so proud to be mated to such an amazing, smart, talented and brilliant woman. In the 200 years that I have been on his Earth, I have met many people. But never have I met someone as unique as you. You can walk into any room and turn it upside down and people will still see you as a breath of fresh air. I will be thinking only about you for the rest of eternity. You have captured my heart and it sits on your palm. Do with it as you please. Yours forever...."

The classroom began to clap for the prince as he stared at his mate. They were so distracted by their own celebration that no one noticed Maksim had repeated the last line of the letter all over again. No one but Ella.

"You have captured my heart and it sits on your palm. Do with it as you please. Yours forever, Max." 

What was your favorite part? :)