Chương 12: Maxim's Pov: Old Oak Tree

Maxim had packed several of his belongings into a small bag, securing all the money he had earned.

"Ah, this will be enough for a few days," Maxim stated as he sat on his rough bed. He had been living in a tiny apartment in the area where the rent was the cheapest in the city.

Maxim stood up and carefully locked his door to secure his belongings inside since theft was common in the area.

Then Maxim went to the gate, where the guards checked the werewolves who entered and exited the pack. There was a line, and he needed to wait for a few minutes.

'The walls are too high,' Maxim thought as he stared at the walls circling around the pack. The current King had issued to build it for security in case another pack had decided to attack them. However, he felt it served another purpose.

It made the pack feel disconnected from nature and trapped inside, but they couldn't do anything against it.

"Next!" the guard shouted angrily.

Maxim flinched in surprise as his mind was elsewhere. He placed his bag on the table, and the guard barely examined what was inside.

"Go," the guard said, annoyed by his job.

Maxim nodded and hurriedly went out of the gate. There was an even longer line going inside the Palace.

Maxim walked down the cobblestone street. As he moved further away from the pack's territory, the atmosphere began to change.

The streets became quieter, the air less thick with the scent of werewolves and the lingering tension that always hung over the pack.

"Ah, I really miss the smell of grass," Maxim murmured as he inhaled the fresh air. He was getting closer to the forest, where wolves sometimes ran to stretch their bodies. However, it was getting rarer to happen.

Maxim sniffed around to see if there was a wolf nearby. He didn't want anyone seeing him, as that would blow his cover.

After confirming he was alone, he changed his direction and went to the Nechtan River's location. It took longer, but he finally arrived.

Maxim didn't bother removing his clothes and jumped into the heavy currents. He was used to it and managed to get to the other side after a few minutes of fighting for his life.

"I hope my money didn't get wet," Maxim muttered worriedly. Even though it was a waterproof bag, he was still anxious about it.

Maxim immediately ran toward the dark forest as fast as he could. His excitement to see his parents rushed his adrenaline.

The familiar scents of pine and damp earth filled Maxim's nostrils, reminding him of the many times he had played in these woods as a child.

The forest, with its thick canopy and ancient trees, was a sanctuary for Maxim, a place that always made him feel connected to something larger than himself.

As Maxim ran, his thoughts drifted to his parents. It had been three years since he last saw them, and the longing in his heart had grown unbearable.

The rogue pack lived on the other side of the forest. They changed their location for additional security if the DarkMoon pack decided to invade them in the future.

Maxim often wondered how they were doing, whether they were safe, and if they had enough to eat since the soil in the forbidden area wasn't that fertile anymore.

The path through the forest was narrow and winding, covered with roots and fallen leaves. Maxim's wolf senses were on high alert, his ears twitching at every rustle and snap of a twig.

"Maybe I should hunt while I'm here," Maxim muttered as he looked around. Though the forest was a place of comfort for him, he knew it could also be dangerous. Wild animals roamed freely, and not all of them were friendly to werewolves.

On the way, Maxim was able to hunt two rabbits nearby, which was a rare case.

After an hour of running, Maxim finally saw the old oak tree that marked the entrance to his pack's clearing. His heart leapt with joy.

"Finally…" Maxim bit his lips to stop himself from sobbing happily. He didn't remove his necklace to prevent his parents from knowing he arrived. He wanted to surprise them.

Maxim shifted his direction and ran straight to his parents' house. He slowed down, catching his breath, and approached the small wooden cabin nestled among the trees. Smoke was rising from the chimney— a good sign.

Maxim sniffed the air and smelled his parent's scent inside. He didn't waste time and burst the door open.

"Mom! Dad!" Maxim called out, his voice breaking the serene silence of the forest.

The door of the cabin opened, and a familiar figure was sitting on the sofa. Tonya, his mother was thin but strong, with specks of silver hair pulled back into a bun, looked at Maxim with a mixture of surprise and joy.

"Maxim?" Tonya whispered in disbelief, her eyes wide.

"Mom!" Maxim cried, rushing forward to embrace her.

"Oh, my boy!" Tonya exclaimed, wrapping her arms around Maxim. "It's been so long. We were starting to worry..."

Maxim felt his father's presence before he saw him. A tall, broad-shouldered man with greying hair appeared at the doorway, his face looking sternly relieved.

"Maxim," Danny said gruffly, though his eyes softened. "You finally decide to visit us. Is everything fine?"

Maxim nearly cried out his worries to his father's arms after his question, but he sucked it in and gave a bright smile.

"Everything is okay, Dad! I just miss you two," Maxim replied. He went to hug Danny tightly.

Maxim's parents exchanged a worried glance. They could feel their son was hiding something.

"Come," Tonya said, her voice filled with concern. "You must be hungry. Let me fix you something to eat."

Maxim excitedly followed Tonya to the kitchen. He missed home-cooked food so much after eating questionable meals throughout the years he spent in the DarkMoon pack.