XAVIER'S POVAfter several minutes of contemplating, I decided to go after Hazel.I couldn't just let her go there alone. I knew what the slavers were capable of and no matter how strong she was, if they got hold of her, it was going to be bloody.It has taken a lot of courage for me to actually stand on my feet and climb over the fallen log of a tree. And I had taken a long look at the village, going back to the times I used to come here with my father and even begged to follow after him.But that was in the past anyway.Even if it was in the past, it wasn't something I could easily forget. It was a memory that brought nothing but pain and because I wanted to lock every memory I had of my father, I just had to detach myself from this place.But looking at it now, it was just me being a coward and watching the place my father had built for these people burn down. It was just me watching memories I had shared with my father burn down with this place too and I didn't think I wanted that
HAZEL'S POV;I had to stop for a moment in combat to look at Xavier. I had never seen him growl that loud and menacing. Even the men had stopped in confusion before they continued. I hadn't shape shifted yet because I was still strong enough to fight off these men. They were mere slavers and it would take nothing for me to defeat them all. My eyes were on their leader as he was the one telling them to charge at us. If I was able to cut through and get to him, I was sure as hell that I was going to kill him before he could escape.I felt the energy surging through me as I tore through fleshes, grabbing one of the men who had tried to hit me with an axe. I twisted his arm and savored his yell of pain as it rented into the air before breaking his bones and snapping his neck with my booted feet. I felt a huge thump on my back and fell on my knees for a moment. Turning immediately, I realized that I had been hit by strong arms. I frowned at the giant that towered above me. I hadn't see
HAZEL'S POV; I woke up with a start— a very strange way to actually wake up after being unconscious for hours. I realized I wasn't in my own room and when I looked around, I realized that I was in Damien's room. I sat up, ignoring the dull pain at the back of my head and the stiffness of my joint. From the looks of it, it was almost dawn. The dark skies were beginning to fade and when I looked at the clock, I realized I was right. It was almost six o'clock in the morning. I touched the dark brown sheets on the bed. He didn't sleep here. So where the hell did he sleep? How could he leave me in his room when my room was there? I tried to ignore the butterflies in my belly but I couldn't and I broke into a smile. He had brought me into his room and I didn't care about his intentions. I loved that I was in the safety of his room. It had been a long time since I actually came into this place. It had changed a bit. Oh, just the sheets. I checked my body for bruises but there were none
CHAPTER 52HAZEL'S POV;As I shut the door behind me, I tried to push the intrusive thoughts to the back of my head. Xavier had somehow used that opportunity to ask me this uncomfortable question.It was like he was waiting for us to get into the position where one of us would have to be vulnerable to the other and luckily for him, it had fallen on his side and he had grabbed onto the opportunity.I laughed to myself as I walked down the hall. He had nearly caught me laughing but I was able to leave before sinking myself into the moment. I had nearly spilled everything to him.I mean, Xavier would understand anything, right? He would understand if I opened up to him and told him the initial reason that brought me here, right? To kill him. I had come here to kill him and somehow the plan had gone sideways and I had to fucking stay and hope somehow, I could save him and also free myself even if the odds were against me.In no time, I was standing in front of my door, glad that I hadn't
HAZEL'S POV;I climbed down the hill with a smile on my face. I was gladdened by how happy these people were, regardless of the ruins that had been left behind by the slavers.I knew they were unhappy but somehow, they found the joys of survival. They found joy in the fact that we were together and I saw it in the way they woke up, spoke to each other and hugged as they spoke in excited tones.As for the men, they worked together, cleaning up and repairing damages. Some of them carried planks of wood and some were with tools while some tilled the farm and as I walked into the settlement, I realized how harmonious everywhere was.How there could be harmony in chaos was something that made me really impressed. Seeing these people pick up after themselves made me feel a wave of hope.There was hope in survival. Great hope in survival.As I walked into the street, the door to the hut beside me opened and a little girl ran out, yelling at the top of her voice in excitement.I caught her b
XAVIER'S POVIt was the D-day today somehow. Preparations had been made and finally, we were ready to go on the journey to the Lycan confederate.Somehow, I had been able to convince Iris to go with me and during one of our persuasive conversations, she had mentioned that she was a woman and incapable of representing as my beta but I had done my best to assure her that nothing else mattered.My footman had packed everything I was going to be using at the royal hunting ceremony and the vehicles which were going to be used to convey us to our destinations were already ready.The only person left was Iris. Somehow, she had decided to do some last minute packing and now, she was the one taking our time.I beckoned to one of the men who stood around the large yard and he immediately walked towards me and bowed as soon as he got to me."Check on Iris and know what's taking her time,"The guard nodded and just as he was about to go into the pack house, Iris stepped out of the double doors wi
XAVIER'S POVOnce we were parked properly, I killed the car's engine and we all climbed out of the truck."How about the others?""Fuck!" Felix exclaimed and we both burst into laughter. Iris looked at us in confusion."What's funny? We had about three vehicles following behind us and they're nowhere to be found and you both think it's funny?"I shook my head. "We're laughing because of an inside joke.""You better make me understand what's going on. I don't give a shit about your inside jokes,""They must have stopped on the way. We don't go at the same speed because it raises suspicion and makes it easier for us all to be attacked.""Isn't it easier if they attack us when we're together? We can fight them."I held myself back from face palming. "I understand but we're in human territory and the Agents lost track of us for a long time. If we're seen moving in groups, we would be forced to stop and there's no way they wouldn't be finding out that we are werewolves. We don't want such
HAZEL'S POV; The room smelled musty and at one point, I felt like retching up all I had eaten in the car. I wasn't sure I could even eat in here. Xavier noticed my discomfort and went to open the windows up to ventilate the room. Lucky enough, it was a windy, chilly night. There was just one bed in the room and it was barely enough for two people. That meant we would have to be squished against each other to sleep. When I thought about Felix sharing the same bed with Xavier, I laughed out loud. Xavier turned to look at me. "What's funny, Iris?" "I just imagined you and Felix sleeping on this bed," I said and my laughter thickened. He smiled and shook his head before going to the bed and pressing his fingers into it. "Tonight would have been the worst night of my life," Xavier said and sat on the edge of the bed. "I even feel bad for him already. He's going to hit the floor several times and pick himself up," I stood and watched him pull his shoes. Then he pulled off his shirt n
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