Chapter 7

Ella tip toed out of her room as she adjusted the strap of her bag on her shoulder. She tugged at the hem of her sundress as she took a deep breath and stepped into the room.

Mia and Leo sat on the couch eating their breakfast as Piper and Lily sat at the table. Upon Ella entering the room, Mia immediately looked up at her.

"Good morning," she said.

"Morning," Ella mumbled. She walked into the kitchen and grabbed a banana and bottle of water.

"Piper was telling me something very interesting this morning," Mia casually walked into the kitchen and stood behind Lily's chair. Lily looked up slowly from her breakfast and stared at Ella.

"Why don't you tell Ella what you read Piper," Mia said to the girl.

"Oh! I saw it on one of the instagram pages last night," Piper said with excitement. "Prince Maksim and Margo Watermen might be dating. I think they are totally dating. They were in New York together last month. And look at this picture! Aren't they so cute!"

Ella felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise as Mia took the phone out of Piper's hand and walked over to her. Ella found her eyes drop down to the screen.

A picture of Maksim laughing while Margo hung from his neck was framed around a big pink heart.

Is it love for these two royals? Read the caption.

"I hope they are dating," Piper said, taking her phone back. "I mean Margo Watermen is to die for! Look at her. She's a freaking goddess, god I would worship her."

Mia took a second to stare at Ella as the girl kept her eyes low and shoved the water battle into her bag.

"Where are you going?" She asked as Ella headed for the door.

"I.... there's a study group some of the kids planned from school," Ella said over her shoulder. "I'll be back before my shift in the afternoon."

She didn't wait for Mia to reply as she picked the first pair of shoes she found and sprinted down the stairs. Ella's heart slammed against her chest as she pushed the lobby door open with her shaking hands. Once outside, her eyes immediately landed on the black jeep parked by the front of the building.

Ella stood still as a tree for a second before she started to walk down the block. Very once in a while she looked over her shoulder and slowed to make sure the car followed her. Her eyes scanned the empty block for any familiar faces as she led the jeep as far away from the diner as she possibly could.

Finally, after twenty or so minutes of her walking aimlessly, Ella turned around and headed for the car as it waited at a red light. She pulled the door open and found Maksim smiling at her from the inside. His plain white t-shirt and blue jeans made him look effortlessly beautiful as he watched Ella climb in and strap on her seatbelt.

"Good morning, my love," Maksim greeted her.

"Hi," Ella said slowly. "Can we....can we go somewhere outside of town?"

"Sure," Maksim nodded.

Ella pulled out her water bottle and sipped quietly as Maksim navigated them out of the narrow streets and into the wide open roads.

"I'm glad you texted me back this morning," Maksim said as he turned to look at his mate.

"I needed to get out of the house,"

"Is....everything okay?"

Ella nodded with her eyes glued to the road.

"Ell, how many times do I have to tell you that you are a terrible liar?" Maksim chuckled.

"How was your day yesterday?" Ella suddenly asked. She looked over from the road and over to Maksim.

"It was fine," the boy shrugged.

"What did you do?"

"Well, I saw you and then I went home,"

"Then?"

"My uncle and his family came over, we hung out for a bit before they left and then I had dinner,"

"That's yet?"

"Yeah," Maksim chuckled as he looked over at her again. "To be honest, I spent most of the time checking my phone waiting for your reply."

"So you didn't go anywhere yesterday?"

"No," Maksim said in confusion. "Why?"

"Piper showed me a picture of you and Margo from some party last night."

"What?" Maksim shook his head. "I swear I was home! Ask anyone."

"It's fine," Ella said. "You are free to do whatever you want."

"Then why didn't you just ask if I went to a party with Margo last night? Why this back and forth?"

"I...." Ella didn't have an answer. "I don't know."

Maksim smiled, flashing her his dimples.

"What?" Ella asked.

"I can't decide what looks better on you. That dress or jealousy."

"I'm not jealous," Ella rolled her eyes.

"Whatever you say, babe," Maksim winked at her.

Ella's heart swelled up for a second as she lost her breath. She turned away before he could see her blush and sipped her water once more.

"How are your parents?" Maksim asked after a while.

"They're good,"

"And your sisters?"

Ella sighed, "They're fine too."

Maksim's concern grew at her defeated tone as he drove closer to their destination. He watched her from the coroner of his eyes as she leaned back and fiddled with the water bottle. Without being able to stop himself, Maksim reached over and brushed his thumb over the smooth skin of Ella's cheek.

Instantly, Ella gasped as sparks flew between them. She found her body leaned into his touch as her eyes lifted to look at him. Maksim's eyes swallowed her whole as Ella felt a new sensation kindle in the pit of her stomach.

Just then, the loud blaring horn of an oncoming truck snatched their attention back to the road. Ella immediately started to scream as her eyes landed on the giant truck headed straight for them. Maksim's arm shot out and pinned her against her seat as he swerved the jeep to the right and got out of the way of the truck.

The trucker kept a steady hand on the horn as he zoomed past them and shouted out this window. Ella gasped for air as Maksim pulled the car over and unbuckled her seatbelt.

"Baby, I'm so sorry," Maksim panicked as Ella started to cry. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

Ella didn't respond as tears ran down her face. Maksim could see how shocked she was. Her heartbeat escalated and her adrenaline was running wild. Quickly, Maksim placed his hands under her knees and pulled her onto his lap as if she weighed nothing.

"It's okay, it's okay," Maksim said as he brushed her hair back and cupped her face. "Look at me. You're okay."

Ella turned her pale eyes to him, opening and closing her mouth without making a sound.

"Speak, Ella," Maksim said.

"What.....what is wrong with you!"

Maksim didn't know why he found her question so funny. Just a few seconds ago he felt his soul leave his body as he heard Ella's terrified scream but now here he was laughing with the relief that flooded through him.

"Oh my god," Ella shook her head. "We almost died."

"No," Maksim shook his head. "Don't worry, I would have moved out of the way. The dumb idiot just scared you with his horn."

"You're a dumb idiot!" Ella smacked his chest. "Why do you drive like such a crazy person?"

"I'm sorry," Maksim grabbed her hand and brought it up to his lips. "I promise I'll be more careful."

Ella felt her whole body light up with an electric shock as Maksim placed a kiss upon each of her fingers. Her spine tingled and millions of butterflies tumbled in her stomach. Maksim lifted his gaze as he intertwined their fingers and brought it to his chest.

"What's my scent?" Ella asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Maksim scanned her eye as he held her against his body. One of her hands was placed in his over his heart as her other hand rested on his shoulder.

"Magnolia," Maksim said. "It's like walking through a field of magnolia on a warm summer day. It pulls me to you like a magnet."

Ella felt some of the butterflies in her stomach move up to her heart.

"What's my scent?" Maksim asked.

"I smell sage...." Ella moved a little closer. "And lime."

"I can't stop thinking about you," Maksim said as he lifted his hand from her back and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "I want you by my side every second of the day."

Ella tilted her face and leaned into his touch. Her eyes fluttered close as she inhaled a lung full of his scent. Maksim watched her with hungry eyes. His wolf lowered it's eyes to her parted lips as her chest rose and fell in a steady beat.

"Do you feel this too?" Ella asked as she placed her hand against Maksim's cheek. She watched as goosebumps rose on his neck from her touch.

"Yes," Maksim said in a low deep voice.

"It's the mate bond?"

"Yes," Maksim nodded his head.

"You're.....you're my mate,"

A wide smile appeared across Maksim's lips. His brown eyes sparkled as he pulled Ella closer.

"I'm your mate," He said.

"What.....what does that really mean?"

"It means you and I were made for each other," Maksim leaned forward and ran the edge of his nose along Ella's face. "That no matter what happens, we will find a way to one another."

"Max," Ella breathed his name as she pushed her legs closer together.

"Yes?"

"What.....what happens if....." Ella struggled to say the words.

Maksim pulled back to look at her face. Ella dropped her gaze and stared at the neckline of his shirt.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"What happens if mates can't be together?"

A strange twisted pain tried to enter Maksim's heart, "You don't have to worry about that."

"What happens?"

"Ella," Maksim groaned. "I don't want to talk about that. Nothing like that will ever happen to us. I won't let it."

"How can you be so sure?"

"I just know, okay," the unwelcome pain in Maksim's chest started to crawl up his heart.

Ella stared at him for a second longer before she realized he was still holding her on his lap. She quietly began to move back to her seat but stopped when Maksim's arms tightened around her waist.

"Don't go, Ell," he begged. "Please."

"Max..."

"Just a second longer,"

The plea in the boy's voice made Ella throw her judgment out the window. She sat back down on his lap and lifted her arms as Maksim wrapped her in his. He leaned forward and placed his head upon her chest and held her tightly against his body. Ella felt him shiver as he inhaled her scent. Slowly, she lowered her hands and looped it around his neck.

For the next several minutes, Ella allowed herself to bring her guards down. The back of her mind throbbed with worries of what her family would say if they ever found out about this but the secure feeling of being in Maksim's arms was unforgettable. She felt all the tension on her shoulders start to lift as she buried her face in his hair and moved closer.

"Ella?" Maksim looked up after a few minutes.

"Yes?"

"I would do anything for you," Maksim said slowly. "You know that right?"

Ella was about to answer when suddenly there was a knock on the window. She jumped in fright as she turned to see who it was.

Maksim cursed under his breath as he rolled down the glass. Ella quickly climbed out of his lap and into her seat.

"Mackey?" Rye asked as she took off her sunglasses. "What are you doing here?"

"Hey, mimzy," Maksim chuckled.

Rye's eyes moved from her grandson to the girl sitting in his car.

"Well, hello?" Rye smiled.

"This is Ella," Maksim introduced her. "My mate."

"Ahhh!" Rye squealed in excitement. "It's so nice to meet you, Ella."

"Hello," Ella wanted to crawl into a hole.

"What are you doing here?" Maksim asked his grandmother.

"What am I doing here? What are you doing here?"

"I...... I was just taking Ella for a drive."

"Sure," Rye gave him a wink.

Ella tugged at the hem of her dress and felt her cheeks warm up. She didn't know what to say as Maksim reached over and took her hand.

"I just saw your dad's car parked by the side of the road and got curious," Rye shrugged. "If I had known it was you two, I would have kept driving."

Ella knew she was read as a tomato. She could feel it and she was afraid it would stain her face for days to come.

"Well, have fun," Rye laughed. "Be safe. It was nice meeting you, Ella. And welcome to the family."

"Thank you," Ella said with a shy smile.

Maksim laughed as Rye walked back to her car and got inside. He waited until she drove off to turn to his girl and kiss her hand.

"I'm sorry about that," he said.

"That was so embarrassing," Ella hid her face in her hands. "Oh my god, she probably thinks we were doing something."

"Weren't we?"

"No!" Ella shrieked. "Never with you, Maksim Radacovick."

"Don't be like that," Maksim teased. "After all, I was your first kiss."

"That does not count,"

"Of course it does," Maksim laughed. "What do you mean?"

"That was not a kiss, we just..... Pecked."

"You want a full on kiss then?"

"No," Ella pushed him away.

"That sucks," Maksim pouted. "Because I would really like to kiss you right now."

"And I would really like for you to not kiss me right now."

"You're right," Maksim nodded his head. "It should be special. Our second first kiss."

Ella blushed again. She tried to look away when Maksim stopped her and turned her face towards him.

"I want to make the greatest love stories ever told seem like child's play with the amount of love I have for you."

"Max...." Ella's eyes widened.

"Let me in, Ell," Maksim begged. "Let me love you. What are you so afraid of?"

"You won't understand," Ella pushed his hand away.

"Try me," Maksim pushed. "Please, Ella. Don't shut me out. Talk to me."

The sincerity in his voice made Ella's heart tumble. She felt her eyes tear up as Maksim lifted her chin.

"Max, my family will never accept this."

"Why not?" Maksim frowned.

"They don't trust werewolves...." Ella looked at her fingers. "After what happened to Mia, our dad has taken a strong dislike to your kind."

"What happened to Mia?"

Ella sighed. The whole town knew what happened to Mia. It was all anyone talked about for months.

"She....she fell for a guy who claimed to be her mate," Ella said slowly. "She got pregnant and found out he lied. He left her and the baby."

"Ella...." Maksim frowned. "I am so sorry."

"They hate werewolves," Ella started to tear up. "If they found out you were my mate, they would go crazy."

"I would never hurt you, Ell," Maksim tried to make that clear. "I will speak to them and tell them they can trust me."

"No!" Ella's heart jumped in fear. She wasn't ready to deal with her family's rage. She was terrified of what her father would think. He would be so disappointed in her.

"Please don't," Ella shook her head.

"They can't keep us away from each other," Maksim's frown deepened.

"Please, Max," Ella begged. "You can't tell anyone about us. It'll kill my dad. He's one of the members in the community protesting your family. I don't even want to think about what he will do."

"He can't do anything," Maksim shook his head. "It's against the law to keep mates away from one another. I will have the whole army at your doorstep."

"Stop it!" Ella said in frustration. "You're talking about ripping me away from my family! I can't leave my family."

"And what about me?"

"I don't know!" Ella cried. "I don't know what I'm doing. Everything is falling apart."

"Ella," Maksim reached for her hands. "Listen to me carefully. We should talk to your parents. I will make them understand that I am not like the other guy. You are going to be my queen one day."

"No," Ella felt her fear take hold of her. "It's not that easy."

"It can be, Ell," Maksim insisted. "What's the worst they can do?"

"They will kick me out of the house,"

"So?" Maksim shrugged. "You have me. You never have to worry."

"Maksim," Ella pulled her hand back. "I don't think you understand any of this. If I.....if I chose to be with you then I have to give up my family."

A grim cloud settled over Maksim's heart.

"What are you saying then?" he dared to ask.

"I don't know," Ella shook her head. "I'm confused and scared. I.....I feel like I can't breath ever since you walked back into my life."

Maksim's heart softened from the look of worry in Ella's eyes. He reached out and rubbed his thumb across her cheek. A part of him knew she was starting to feel the pull. He just wished she would stop fighting it and give in.

"You don't have to give me an answer now," Maksim said after a while. "Take all the time you need to think everything through."

Ella nodded. She took his hand off her face and held it on her lap.

"Do you want me to take you home now?" Maksim asked.

"Yes, please."

The drive back was quiet and uneventful. Maksim drove slowly and carefully to keep Ella calm. He tried to prolong his time with her by going way below the speed limit. When they arrived back in town, he parked far away from the diner and drove around until he saw Ella safely go into her building. The whole time, Ella felt his eyes on her.

Before going upstairs, Ella quickly fixed her hair and took several long deep breaths to calm herself down. Her clothes lingered with Maksim's scent and every time she sensed it, a mixture of guilt and calm washed over her.

For Ella, it was as if two sides of her brain were at war with each other. One side amplified her feelings for Maksim and the other side shot her out of the sky every time with guilty arrows.

What will you dad think? This will crush him. He will never be able to show his face in the community again.

Ella remembered the months right after Mia got pregnant. Her dad didn't speak to her mother weeks. Ella remembered how Mia cried in her room and hid from everyone. The people in the communities whispered about them, their judgment loud and clear.

"Of all the guys in town, she had to go with a werewolf?" Someone had asked Dean one day at the diner.

"Really, Dean," another had said. "I hope now you see how they are taking advantage of us."

Ella never wanted to see that look of sham on her father's face again. They weren't upset Mia got pregnant. They were upset Mia got pregnant by a werewolf. Especially one that tricked her. She had become an example for every young girl in the community. Mia was the girl mothers told their daughters not to follow.

Ella pushed all her rambling thoughts into the back of her mind and ran up the stairs. She slowly entered the house and found Piper and Leo on the floor. Mia sang in the kitchen as she chopped veggies and the loud music on TV accompanied her.

"How was your study group?" Mia asked when she spotted Ella.

"It was good," Ella nodded quickly. "I'm going to go change."

"Alright," Mia nodded. "Come help me when you're done."

Ella quickly zigzagged thought Leo's scattered toys and hurried off to her room. She fumbled with her bag as she turned her door knob and stepped inside. As she entered, she spotted Lily pacing the floor back and forth.

Upon seeing her sister, Lily immediately stopped and paled.

"Charlie marked me."  

What should Ella do?