Maddox's POV

I stormed back to my chambers after a very fruitless day with my men; they seemed to be getting weaker by the day. It was a lapse I couldn't afford. After doubling the training time, I decided to get some paperwork done to relieve my mind of the current problem at hand.

"Alpha," I turned to see Dep running towards me. I raised a brow and urged her to speak.

She paused, catching her breath before smiling through her pants. "Not even a hello?"

"If you have something to say, do tell, or I'll cut your tongue off," I threatened coldly.

Her smile vanished, replaced by a deep frown on her face.

"So, are you going to speak now?" I asked with boredom, leaning against the wall.

She took a deep breath. "I found her. She is Avaline of—"

Del paused, looking wary about continuing. A subtle growl escaped me, urging her to speak.

"Hallow Pack," she finished.

"Fuck!" I cursed. A familiar rage filled my being at the mention of the name. Hallow Pack, led by the infamous Alpha Graham. For years, I had avoided Hallow Pack like a plague, but if my one-night girl was truly from his pack, I would do all I had to do to take her away from there.

"Before you start plotting those hideous plans, know for certain that she is the legitimate daughter of Alpha Graham," Del added.

She paused. "But from what I gathered, he doesn't want her."

This can't be happening. Why can't the moon goddess be fucking kind to me for once and give me what my heart desires? Contending with Alpha Graham was like contending with a child who had no control over his emotions.

"Is anything wrong, Alpha?" Del asked.

"No. Thank you for the intel; you may leave," I said calmly.

She nodded and scurried off, leaving me to my thoughts. Alpha Graham was an enemy as far as I was concerned. And now, his daughter had become the object of my fantasy.

I am a True Alpha, one that hasn't been heard of in generations. Alphas like Graham hated my guts and loved to pick on me when I newly became Alpha, but after a few hit backs from me, they knew never to cross me again.

But Graham, being him, fixed the death of one of his men whom he sent to spy on me. Ever since then, we've been at loggerheads, a thorn in each other's flesh.

'I need her,' my wolf cried in my head, as memories from that night rushed through my mind. Blood rushed straight to my groin, a groan escaping me at the view of her succulent and perfect body, spread out for my devouring.

I have to get her. I was not just a True Alpha by title; I had proven myself in many ways. Whatever I want, I get. No one has dared to cross me or stop me from getting what I desire. And Graham won't be the first. He either gives me his daughter, or we go to war, and obviously, he knows it won't take me anything to crush his pack.

"Alpha?" Del poked her head in, a troubled look on her face.

"What do you want?" I snapped.

"I forgot to put a little bit of information about Avaline... she is pregnant."

Pregnant. The word re-echoed in my mind as my blood became cold, my eyes drew together in surprise.

"Pregnant? How sure are you?"

"It was confirmed by the pack's doctor," Del insisted.

"And did you know that?" I queried.

"I have my sources, Alpha." She smirked slyly.

I cursed under my breath. There was every probability that the seed in her womb was mine. The thought of that alone filled me with determination to claim what was mine.

What if it isn't yours? A question rose in my subconscious. At this stage, I don't care if it was mine or not. I wanted Avaline, and I would get her from her father. With a clear track record of getting what I want, through violence or negotiations, I was certain Alpha Graham wouldn't have a choice but to hand his daughter over to me.

She was my mate, and I knew in my core that the child she carried was mine. The moon goddess must be so kind to me, not only blessing me with a mate but with my heir. Both great things offered to me on a platter of gold.

"Get our men ready; we are going to pay Alpha Graham a visit," I commanded. But Del didn't move. She stared at me like I had grown horns.

The audacity she had these days….

"Didn't you hear me, or do you want me to repeat myself?!" I growled, jaw ticking and fist clenched.

She took a step back in fear but raised her chin boldly, staring me straight in the eye.

"Right, I know you're Alpha and the ruler of the pack, but this is our pack, Maddox. The look in your eyes clearly spells war, and we both don't want to suffer any more casualties."

"I wish for no war, Del," I corrected, my gaze softening at the distant look in her eyes. "I just want to take what's mine."

She nodded before sprinting off to get my men ready.

I returned to my office with a smirk on my face. There was a part I didn't tell Del, because I was certain she'd freak out. If Graham dares to stop me from having my mate and my son, I would make sure he doesn't live to see his grandson.

'What if it isn't a boy, like you want it to be?'

"It has to be a boy," I said, my voice echoing through my office. "I won't accept anything else."