HAZEL'S POV;I woke up in Xavier's arms. He was fast asleep with his arms wrapped around my waist. I lay in his arms, smiling and watching him sleep. He looked so peaceful asleep. It was almost dawn. The dark night was slowly starting to fade away into dawn. I knew he wasn't going to be awake for a long time. My body has a way of waking me up really early and that was why I was up. I knew I was going back to sleep after sometime and just as I was about to, he stirred and opened his eyes slowly. He saw me awake and sat up a bit with a smile on his face and in his groggy voice, he said. "You're awake. For how long now?"I shrugged. "About ten minutes?""Up watching me?"I chuckled and placed my head on his chest. "I actually want to go back to sleep now,""Then let's," He said and pulled me back into his arms. He kissed my forehead and my shoulders before pulling me into him and we went back to sleep. By the time we were awake again, the sun had risen and was pouring into the room fr
XAVIER'S POV;For the whole drive, there was no sort of attack from the Argents and at one point, Hazel had asked me if we were in a simulation on our way to the Confederate and it had made me laugh so hard that I had nearly driven into a ditch. The Confederate warriors had seen us to our pack before going back that same night and as we unpacked, Iris asked me. "Aren't they at the risk of being attacked by the Argents?" I chuckled. "The Argents are the ones at risk. No one dares to attack the great Lycan Confederate. They're not a small name. Their name brings fear to the Argents and government at large. So it isn't something you should fret about, okay?" Iris nodded. "Let's go see what's been going on since our absence yesterday," And so we both walked, along with Felix who had started to chatter with Iris like he hadn't decided to go in another car just because he didn't want to be with us. It was quite amusing to see him talking with her but it was a good thing. I was speak
HAZE'S POV;We had slept in separate rooms but had somehow awoken at the same time. We stepped out of our rooms at the same time and when we set eyes on each other, there was a small smile on our faces. I didn't know why I was exceptionally shy this morning. I walked towards him while twiddling with my fingers and as soon as we stood before each other, he slowly took my hands and pulled me in for a kiss.I forced myself to pull away even if I didn't want to. "We have to go out this morning, remember?" He wasn't even listening to me. His hands and his eyes were busy. His fingers caressed my bare skin and his pupils dilated as he placed a kiss on my neck. I sighed and fell back against the wall for support. "Xavier- we really need to. Ah...""We really need to do what, huh?" He muttered under his breath before placing another kiss on my collar bone. My arm slipped around his neck and pulled him in. I couldn't resist him no matter how hard I tried. His scent hit my nose— a mixture of w
HAZEL'S POV; By now, the settlement is alive with slight activities. The air is still filled with sorrow and uncertainty but as soon as I enter into the settlement, the healer rushes out of her hut and falls to the ground in tears. "Help us!" She cried out and held onto my feet. I stopped because I was unable to move and crouched to her level, my hand on her body. I knelt on one knee, before her and sighed. "I understand what you're feeling. But don't worry, they will all return in one piece, okay?" "My girl. She's gone, too. They're going to kill her! She has a sharp mouth and she'll be the first to be killed," The woman sobbed and kept pulling at my breeches. "You have to save her. You have to save the children. Save them all!" Xavier stepped forward and I sighed in relief. I didn't know what exactly to say to a grieving woman and I felt like he was the best person for this situation and he really was. "We already discovered the tracks," He said in his most gentle tone. "In no
XAVIER'S POV;When we kiss, I feel a surge building up from my insides like a volcanic eruption, bursting into my favorite colors.I adored her body the same way I adored her. She was such a beautiful soul and a beautiful woman, exuding strength and grace.It's in the way I run my fingers on her skin, feeling her silky smoothness, tracing every scar, bump, birthmarks, dips, and crevices of skin against skin tongues swirling as we scour our depths.One thing that struck me was her skin. Her hair was the darkest shade of black but somehow, she had gotten a tan skin which was quite unusual. Most women with jet black hair were mostly pale but her skin, like burnished gold under the candle lights as we tangled legs under the sheets.My fingers were sinking into her soft flesh, souls entwining and moans softening like the colorful rays of the setting sun, as it went down the horizon, welcoming the ultramarine night skies, stars dancing like stringed fairy lights, like glitters scattered acr
HAZEL'S POV;I had told Felix about me leaving because I knew he was going to tell his best friend immediately.I watched as he rushed towards Xavier who was already walking before us and from the way they were speaking, it was about me.In their course of speaking, Xavier had stopped but Felix grabbed his arm and said something that caused him to continue walking. The squeeze in my chest was so hard that I lost every reason to want to breathe.Why was he acting this way towards me?He rejected me already but accepting me again was somehow hard for me. When I informed him about it back in his room, he waved it off like it didn't matter. Asking that we talked about it later. I had expected him to do it immediately and it was going to make me genuinely happy.And now, he was waving it off again. I did not know what to feel. Anger? Contempt? Pain? Hurt?They all swirled into one emotion, causing me to be frustrated and it showed in the way I walked and climbed the hill with so much speed
XAVIER'S POV;There was a celebration in the settlement and obviously, I wasn't going to attend. I had other matters to attend to. Luckily enough for me, she didn't leave as she had told Felix she wanted to.The warriors, tired and hungry, decided to join in the party and even when I was crowned, I only smiled and continued on my way back to the pack house.According to Green, Iris had gone back immediately and it was all over and she had told them not to follow her as she wanted to be alone, which they did respectfully.As I trudged back up the hill, I felt a weakness in my joint. I was tired from having to move from one place to another in the space of two days. I needed to rest. At least, a day of recuperation.The ouchless was empty and that was due to the celebration that was going on back at the settlement. I knew I had the time to settle everything now. We could yell at each other all we can without being bothered about anyone hearing, not even the maids.The maids had been sen
XAVIER'S POV;The last time I had seen her, it hadn't been a good memory. I was carried away from the pack house that night as raiders attacked. My father was badly wounded and she had already been abducted. The last I saw of her was on one of the horses, struggling with one of the men who hit her across the chin."You're supposed to be dead, Mother," I said, almost losing my voice.She shook her head and smiled tearfully. "No, I am not. I am alive. I have always been,"I shook her head and stepped back. She was definitely a ghost. She even looked like one. Her brunette hair looked tangled like it hadn't been taken care of for years. Her face was stained with dirt and slight bruises and her dress-- tattered."You're a ghost," I said and turned to Felix. "She's a ghost. Are you blind?!"Felix sighed and closed his eyes. I could see the pity in his eyes but I didn't need any of that.Iris, on the other hand, stood there, frozen like she had seen a ghost and that confirmed my fears. I ge
Chapter 102Xavier's POVShe was alive. I am glad.But I don't think I want to see her. Not now, at least. After leaving the room, I went straight to the terrace to clear my head. I didn't know what to make of all these.My mother refused to tell me everything till she was awake and present to hear. It had been a week since she went into a coma. I was still very mad at her but all I wished for was her recovery. I don't think I'd survive without her.I stared out into the sunrise and watched people pass by. The battle had ended a week ago and we were left to pick things back up. Repairs were going on. A lot had been damaged.I don't think I'd ever forget about that night. The other Pack Alpha's that attended came from me and I was deeply grateful. Two had lost their lives to silver arrows and I had two funerals to attend. Gifts had been sent to each pack member that attended in appreciation for the help they rendered to us.I had been locked up in my study for so long, thinking and wal
HAZEL'S POV;I woke up with a start. Cracking my eyes open, I was blinded by the sunlight pouring out of the window. I tried to turn away from the window but I felt a sharp pain on my side and cried out in pain.The door immediately pushed open and someone rushed into the room."Iris! Are you okay?"I opened my eyes once again to see Felix in the room. Frowning, I pushed myself up to sit, ignoring the thudding pain on my side."What's going on here?" I asked and looked around me. I was in my room but my whole body was covered in bruises."I'll be right back!" He said and dashed out of the room before I could call out to him.Swallowing was painful for me. I brought my hand to my throat and felt it. That part hurt and it felt like I had a previous wound. Five slash scars ran through the other side of my throat.I touched the side of my belly and realized that a padded gauze had been used to cover up a wound. But I didn't feel any slight pain. Slowly, I pulled it off to see another scar
XAVIER'S POV;"What's going on, brother?" Ryan asked as he came to stand beside me, shaking visibly.I turned to him. He looked really shaken. His expression was filled with fear and confusion. "This is beyond you, Ryan. Where is your mate?""She's locked up with the female guests but they have all left to join in the battle,""Including her?!"Ryan shook his head immediately. "I told her she couldn't leave. She's going to listen to me,""Good. Go now, I need to take care of Mother. She has been wounded by a silver arrow,""I'll go with her. She can't fight again. She's wounded and it's dangerous. Let me help—""No, Ryan!" My mother said from where she was on the floor. "Do as your brother says. It is not over yet. I can take care of myself,""What are you going to do with your wound, mother?"It was obvious that he wasn't going to leave till he was sure that she was okay. I didn't blame him. After not seeing your mother throughout your life, losing her would take a massive toll on yo
MILA'S POV;Once we got to the base of the steps, I found the door that led to the dungeon. I could remember every detail of this place even after fifteen years.The door was unlocked and I pulled it open. We ran through a long corridor, flanked by rough stone walls and when we got to the first cell, my eyes darted around in search of keys.I found a bunch of keys hanging off a huge naile that had been driven into the wall as quickly, I extracted it before unlocking the door and pushing her inside. I locked the door immediately and handed the key over to her."Stay here, okay? Don't move an inch. Don't give anyone this key and don't come out of here, is that clear?;""But...""No buts!" I snapped before sighing. "Look, I need you to be here. You're safer here than you are outside. Colin would want to punish you for going against his rules so he'd want to come after you himself. We are going to take care of him,"She grabbed me by the hand. Her eyes were filled with fear and I could se
HAZEL'S POV;"Xavier!"He was choking me with the intent of killing me. I could see the rage in his eyes and it didn't feel like he was the one. He wasn't there. He was someone else. A beast. An angry beast that felt betrayed.I tried my best to pull free from him by kicking him but I was high up in the air, far away from his body.He probably had an idea that I was going to try to fight back.I was fighting for air and it felt like my face was going to explode. My eyes bulged and my throat scratched."You.." he said in a guttural voice. "You betrayed me! You made me believe we had something. You wanted me dead the whole time!""No!" I cried out and coughed. "I dunno want you dead after I found out we were mated to each other. It wasn't easy, Xavier! Hear me out, please. I love you so much and I care for you. I wouldn't hurt you and you know that.""If you loved me!" He snapped and drove me into the shelf. My back broke through the thick wood and felt something sharp pierce into my si
HAZEL'S POV;Colin.He was really standing here and not an apparition. Oh, fuck.Immediately, I turned to Xavier who looked absolutely confused and tried to stand on my feet but it was futile because I fell to my side. He quickly helped me up and balanced me back on the chair before turning to Colin who stood there, smiling sinisterly."Who is he, Iris? He seems to know you,""Iris?" Colin said and looked at me. "He even calls you by your name. What have you been doing?"I closed my eyes and gritted in anger, hitting the table before me and turning it over."Iris!" Xavier thundered and I stopped. "Mind telling me who this man is before I lose my patience?"I nodded and held tight onto the arm of the chair. I placed my good leg on the ground before standing on my feet. I leaned on one side of my body."Xavier, you're going to hate me after I tell you everything," I sighed and closed my eyes. "I don't want you to hate me. Whatever I did was for your safety,""You can begin talking then
HAZEL'S POV;Another attack?I turned to Xavier who looked as shocked as I. "What attack?"I covered my ears immediately at the sound of a loud thud. Everywhere vibrated and Xavier pulled me to the side, beginning a column. We were both breathing heavily and staring at each other in shock."There's no time to begin wondering who caused this attack! We have to fight back!" Xavier yelled. "I'll go after my mother and Ryan. Go to the guards and see if you can tell them something tangible,""We're under attack right now. You go get your family. I'll join the others!" I yelled back.He nodded and pulled me into him, kissing before he pulled away and touched my face. "Please, be safe, okay?"I nodded and pushed him and as soon as he was gone, I lifted my gown and tore the slitless party before tying it around my waist. I moved out of the column, pushing past people as they ran for their lives. Women screamed but I was glad to see that the men had already formed a strong fort, waiting for th
XAVIER'S POV;Guests had already arrived and we're starting to materialize. My mother was busy relating with her old time friends. Infact, there was excitement in the air as they were all happy that she was alive and well.The highlight of today was my mother's return. Unfortunately, Iris had somehow missed receiving the guests with me and I had to do it alone. I was so infuriated by her attitude but my mother did a good job in receiving everyone and I thought that maybe she was the right person to receive the visitors instead of Iris.As I weaved past the group of people, my eyes caught a slender frame. Her back was against me and she stood, talking with Felix. I didn't have to look further to know it was Iris.When did she get downstairs? I'd been standing at the base of the staircase all the evening so she had to have used another route.She looked really beautiful.I cleared my throat and Felix's eyes fleeted over to me. He cleared his throat and nudged his head towards me. Iris t
XAVIER'S POV;Today was a busy day for me. From getting the seamstresses to attend to my mother and Hazel to having Felix oversee the decorations. I even had to check the ledger to take financial accounts.I was still making the necessary calculations when a knock sounded on my door. I frowned. Only one person knocked like that. Ryan?"Come in."And so did he. He looked different. Taller. Muscular. His hair was fuller and he was dressed nicely.He was back. I stood to my feet immediately and burst into a smile. "Come over here, brother!"He walked towards me with a smile on his face and I pulled him into a hug. "Nice to be here, brother,""Nice to have you back, Ryan. You've grown so tall!"He took a step back and spread out his arms. He looked more of a man than the sixteen year old boy he was. He was starting to sport a few strands of beards and when he touched his chin, we both burst into laughter."Maybe Zoe would look at me, at least,"My smile faltered and he frowned. "No. It's