Chapter 482: Chapter 482 The Three Having Disagreement

This was as far as they were willing to compromise, and only because of her.

Especially for Zion.

If not for Addison, he wouldn’t have shown even a fraction of this patience. Under different circumstances, he would have beaten the truth out of Maxwell without hesitation, even if it meant mutual destruction.

“Alright. If you’re not ready to share, then so be it,” Zion said, gritting his teeth as he forced his temper down. “But I hope you won’t hide it from us for long. Otherwise… it’ll only hurt Addison.”

He held his anger in, not because it wasn’t there, but because he didn’t want to risk the fragile peace between them that Addison mended with her presence. Fighting among themselves now wouldn’t help anyone; it would only make things worse. So, for the moment, Zion chose restraint over confrontation.

Maxwell, suddenly thrust into the center of the conflict, said nothing. His expression remained cold and indifferent, as if Zion and Levi’s questions had touched his reverse scale. A chill spread through the air, subtle but unmistakable. Everyone felt it, yet no one acknowledged it.

Especially Zion.

He had long been aware of Maxwell’s cold aura. In the past, Maxwell rarely spoke unless directly addressed. Only recently had he begun to open up, even initiating conversations on his own.

But now, because of this probing into his secret, he had reverted to his former self. Worse still, there was a faint trace of aggression in his dark eyes, as if, should Zion and Levi push any further, he might strike simply to silence them.

Zion and Levi exchanged a confused glance.

“Alright. Don’t look at us like we’re already dead enemies,” Zion snarled, Maxwell’s behavior pricking at his ego as if it were a direct challenge. His temper flared, but after taking several deep, steadying breaths, he forced it back down. That restraint alone was proof of how much he’d changed.

“We’re not trying to pry into your past or gossip about your secrets,” Zion continued, his tone firm but controlled. “We’re asking because it might help Addison. Don’t forget, she’s still carrying a curse, and we don’t even know whether it could endanger her life in the future. Anything we learn about the dark witches or curses could make a difference.”

He finished speaking, though a part of him sensed Shura bristling inside him, itching to snap back and challenge Maxwell outright, for baring his fangs at them at a time like this.

Even after Zion finished explaining, Maxwell showed no reaction. His eyes merely glinted, sharp and dangerous, as if he were on the verge of attacking. It was then, only then, that Levi stepped between them.

The air was already crackling with tension. He could feel it clearly: two Alphas standing at the edge of their restraint, each seconds away from losing control.

“Don’t start a fight now,” Levi said calmly. “Calm your wolves.”

He was on edge himself, but he forced his emotions down. If all of them lost control, nothing would be resolved, nothing would help. A full-blown fight would only make things worse for Addison.

“Alpha Maxwell,” Levi continued evenly, “if speaking about your situation is a no-go zone, we understand. But if there’s any information you can share that might help Addison, we hope you’ll consider it. We don’t intend to pry into your secrets, nor do we wish to force your trust if you don’t feel we’ve earned it.”

His gaze softened slightly.

“And I’m not trying to morally pressure you or tell you what to do. I just hope you’ll think it through. You’re not alone anymore.”

Then Levi turned to Zion.

“Alpha Zion, please, get some rest and calm down. I’ll take the first watch and stay with Addie. When you’ve had time to cool off and clear your heads, come back and switch shifts with me. Hopefully, by then, everyone will have had time to think things through.”

His tone wasn’t commanding like the others’. It was calm, almost gentle, yet it carried enough authority that neither Alpha could easily dismiss it.

“Fine. I’ll step out for a bit, get some air, and clear my head,” Zion scoffed as he stormed off.

He was already on edge. So when Maxwell gave him that attitude, it felt like a direct challenge, and currently, he was far too easy to provoke. Maybe it was because Addison was in this state yet again, and the helplessness gnawed at him.

He felt useless. Trapped. Unable to protect her when it mattered most. The pressure in his chest needed an outlet, and right now, he was angry at everything: himself, the situation, and anyone in his way.

It just so happened that Maxwell was the easiest target.

Maxwell’s secrecy only deepened that irritation. After everything they’d been through, Zion had believed there was at least some camaraderie between them. Love rivals or not, they had fought side by side.

He’d thought that meant something, that it was enough for them to trust one another, enough to help if needed. Instead, Maxwell kept his distance, guarded and unreadable, and that made him feel untrustworthy.

And then there was the news about Addison having a new fated mate.

That was the final spark.

Shura thrashed violently inside Zion’s mind, rage roaring through their shared consciousness. It felt as though everyone was trying to steal its mate, and the wolf was spiraling toward madness. If Zion didn’t rein Shura in, if he let it run free, it might truly go feral.

“Shut up for me, Shura!” Zion growled internally.

“Why should I?!” Shura snapped back, its fury surging unchecked. “I’m furious!”

“I know,” Zion shot back. “I can feel it. It’s bleeding into me. I told you to rein in your temper, and you agreed. So what’s this now?”

“I can’t help it!” Shura snarled. “Why does our mate have another fated mate again? That’s one more person stealing her attention from us. And that Maxwell, his cold glare was scraping right against my sore spot, like he was daring us to fight just for asking about his secret.”

Shura paced violently through Zion’s mind, claws raking against the ground with every step, fur bristling, hackles raised, ready to lunge at anything that moved.

“Damn it!” Shura continued. “Who even wants to gossip about his past? If it doesn’t help our mate, why would we care? Do we look like busybodies to him?!”

“Alright… alright. I understand,” Zion replied inwardly, forcing his breathing to slow as he wrestled his temper back under control.

He stepped out of the tent and immediately noticed the eyes on him, people keeping their distance, pretending not to watch while still paying close attention, offering privacy without truly turning away. Zion spared them a brief glance before heading toward the river. Kneeling by the bank, he splashed cold water over his face, letting the chill seep into his skin and steady his thoughts.

Not long after, Maxwell exited the tent as well, leaving Levi alone inside to watch over Addison.

The moment they were gone, Levi dropped to his knees beside her. Gently, he brushed the strands of hair away from her face, tucking them behind her ear.

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