Chapter 35

Maxine's POV

Tobias and I had just finished another grueling training session, the moon chucking a mild light over our secret training place. Sweat trickled down my forehead as I tried to catch my breath. Tobias handed me a water bottle, his expression was unusually serious.

"Maxine," he began, his voice steady but filled with an emotion I hadn't heard before. "There's something I need to tell you."

I took a sip of water, looking at him curiously. "What is it?"

He hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. "Maxine, I love you."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I stared at him, as my mind reeled. "You... you what?"

"I love you," he repeated, his eyes never leaving mine. "I have for a while now. Watching you grow stronger, seeing your determination... it made me fall for you."

I shook my head, trying to process his confession. "Tobias, do you even know why I came to this pack? It was all because of Liam. To serv