HAZEL'S POV:I woke up feeling tired. My eyes cracked open and I was greeted by the saturated sunlight that poured into the room through my open windows.I felt a bit tired which was unusual. But I knew I had a good sleep last night. I was about to sit up when I realized that I was being held down by something or someone rather and when I turned my head to see who it was, I was shocked to see Xavier sleeping peacefully beside me with his arm around my waist.How the hell had he gotten here?I lay back on the bed as quietly as I could. I didn't want him to wake up and I also wanted to remember how last night had gone. I lifted the duvet to see if I was naked but I wasn't. I also didn't feel like I did anything last night so how did he get here?Just then, memories from last night came rushing back and I remembered what had happened. I slowly began to remember the very strange dream I had last night and how it had felt so real.So Xavier had heard? I remembered every detail of the dream
CHAPTER 37XAVIER'S POV:I wondered what guest had arrived at this time. I was sure it wasn't Tracy because the last time she was here, she talked about going over the coast to find a new life.I walked behind my guard, keen on seeing who the first guest was because I wasn't even expecting anyone this early.Actually, I had used this opportunity to walk away from the quite awkward conversation I and Iris were soon going to engage in as I was not even ready for it.I remember waking up and not finding her on the bed. I knew she was shocked to see me and had probably freaked out so I did what was best for her by leaving.On getting to the living room, I found Lily seated on one of the chairs with one leg crossed over to the other. I was taken by surprise because I hadn't expected to see her here.I didn't even send her an invitation!I kept my cool and walked towards her as I dismissed my guard. She hadn't changed one bit. Her hair, a dirty blond shade and her characteristic brown eyes
HAZEL'S POV:Seeing that I had lost every appetite to eat, I decided to leave the dining room and look for somewhere to clear my head.I was slightly embarrassed that Xavier had left me hanging just because a guest had arrived. I guessed the guest was far more important than I was.Sighing, I let my fork drop to the plate. Wiping my mouth, I pushed my chair back and exited the dining room.While I was curious to know who the first guest was, I knew it wasn't any of my business but I couldn't even stop myself from looking to see who it was. As I walked out of the dining room, I made a beeline for the living room.There was a woman seated on the couch with legs crossed. She was extremely beautiful and slender. Tall also, something I didn't really possess. I wasn't really perturbed by it as I was a confident woman on my own. I didn't need to compare myself with anyone.I stood there for a while till Xavier spoke.Damn, he was asking her why she was here. That meant that they didn't reall
HAZEL'S POV;I was having a slight panic attack. I hadn't left my room yet and that was because of the music I was hearing from the last floor.Xavier never told me there was going to be music and a lot of people and car horns and chatters and people walking through the corridors and talking in excited voices.I wasn't a social person when it came to parties. The only place I felt like my real self had to be at the war front.I knew someone was going to come to find me and just as I had thought, I heard a knock on the door.Felix was standing before me and looking at me. He raised a brow. "Why aren't you at the party?"I opened my mouth and closed it and opened my mouth again. I didn't have anything tangible to say and he sighed before stretching out his hands for me to take.I took his hands and shut the door as he began to lead me away from my room."I know you're nervous," He began."You know me so well," I said and rolled my eyes. Felix had this thing with overanalyzing people and
XAVIER'S POV;Lily was really making things uncomfortable for me. I hadn't expected her to come to my party and knowing her, I knew she was going to find a way to make things worse.I don't want her to meet Iris. Infact, I do not want the both of them to meet so I am going to try my best to make sure they both stay away from each other."You really changed, Xa. I can't believe it's you who used to be a lover boy. Now, you're the Alpha and of a pack and everyone is suddenly respecting you,"I smiled at her. I didn't want to take what she said as an offense because it triggered a trauma response.Years back, when we were still dating, she used to joke about people bullying me and how she was the only one who understood me. At that time, I had been blinded by love and the urge to please her. Everything I wanted to do was to make her happy and that was what I did, in all honesty.But now, looking at her and listening to her, I began to feel upset. I shouldn't have started this conversatio
CHAPTER 41HAZEL'S POV;I hadn't planned on crying, I had to admit. I shook with tremors as I spoke, controlling the floodgates from opening up and rushing out in torrents but I couldn't hold back any longer.I was battling with several emotions and trying to keep them in check. From anger to shame to uncertainty to not feeling like I was enough to pain and everything negative!So when I burst into tears, I had seen it coming.Xavier hadn't seen it coming. It was obvious in the way he looked at me. He was surprised and when he drew close to me, I quickly turned away from him and wiped my tears while sniffling. I felt embarrassed that he had seen me in tears but I still couldn't stop. I kept sobbing till I got to the entrance of the bathroom. I was about to shut the door and stay there till I was able to dry my tears and wash my face but before I could shut the door, Xavi6 stuck his leg on the threshold.I looked up at him, still with teary eyes. "I need privacy, Xavier. Leave, please.
HAZEL'S POVSlowly, I watched him undress me and when bud fingers came in contact with my skin, I felt a sweet sensation crawl up my skin and my eyes closed momentarily.I was breathing heavily now, my chest heaving deeply and causing my breasts to pour out of my dress.Slowly and carefully, he pulled down my dress and all that was left were a pair of lacy panties I had found in one of the drawers.His eyes lingered on my waist for a long time and he said nothing. This scared me. What if he didn't like it on me? Or was it smelling musty because I didn't even wash it.I leaned up but he looked at me and smiled. "What's wrong?""You don't like them?" I asked awkwardly. "The panties, I mean. Don't you like them?"He looked at me and laughed. "Bloody hell. They look so sexy on you. I love them!"I sighed in relief and nodded before leaning back on the bed. "These are really beautiful on you. Your hips, Hazel. Fuck. This is what you've been hiding underneath your pants?"Before I could spe
XAVIER'S POV;As soon as she walked out of the kitchen, I made to go after her but Lily held me back and gave me a stern look. She shook her head and I sighed."What exactly do you want from me?"Lily gave me a confused look. "We were talking before she came down and you lost every ability to focus on listening to me!"I rolled my eyes. "And so what? If I lost control, so? For crying out loud, she's my mate!""But you don't love her," Lily said, smiling bitterly. She walked slowly towards me and gave me a look. "You don't love her, do you?"I shook my head. "You're not going to ask me such questions and expect an answer from me. I should go to bed and you should, too. You're leaving early tomorrow, have you forgotten?""I know you're avoiding answering this question at all cost but that's totally fine. I know you do not want to answer me. But know one thing, I will always come first in your life and you are not going to get over me,""I have been over you for years. You think I am in
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