XAVIER'S POV;I saw the look on Iris's face. I had seen that same look in her eyes as we drove into this palace. The look of not belonging in this environment. She had chosen not to tell me how her life had been before she met me and I had decided not to pester her about it.I had seen how awkward she looked around Lawrence. I noticed one thing a long time ago. She didn't like being touched by random people. Men especially and it has sparked up my curiosity.Things got more glaring after the first night she cried after I had touched her. It happened again. We were making out and all of a sudden, she zoned out.She had left immediately with Felix. I had been meaning to tell her that now that we were here, we had to be together as Alpha and Luna as information had gotten here that I had finally found my mate.Once I was done talking with Lawrence, I had followed after her but he insisted on going with me.Finally, we got to the room that had been assigned to us and I shut it and twisted
HAZEL'S POV;I hadn't expected Xavier to say those words of rejection to me and when he had done so, I had been extremely shocked.He had asked me to but I didn't want to. I have never thought of rejecting him but tonight, he brought it up the second time. I thought it was something he had said out of anger and he really meant it.I felt the slow burn in my chest, getting to my head after he had said those words and it took a little thing for me not to burst into tears.I was struggling. I was fighting a lot on my own and I didn't want to involve him in it. But all he saw was me not wanting to talk to him about anything."He can't read your fucking mind, Iris," Ted said.I sighed. He was right. I shouldn't have expected him to understand me. I really should have not.But he had rejected me and that alone made me so angry. I had walked back to the warrior's building and when Felix had asked me why I returned, I grabbed him by the collar and flung him out before telling him to ask his f
HAZEL'S POV;After what I had said to Lawrence, his countenance changed from receptive to repulsive.I was sure that everyone could see that expression on his face. I focused on eating my food and ignoring everyone.I could see the looks. I could see how they tried not to make it look like I was the object of attention but I could feel their gaze on me even without having to look up at them.I felt really uncomfortable here right now and I wished I had gone against his order. The worst thing that was going to happen was him getting angry and it wasn't something that I was going to allow to get to me.Sighing, I wiped my mouth and decided that I was done with dinner. I did not like the way these women looked at me and whispered to each other like I wasn't just seated right beside them. I did not like the way Lawrence had said those words. I found it offensive.I didn't feel comfortable with the way Felix acted like I wasn't seated there or the way Xavier avoided looking at me after he
HAZEL'S POV;"You didn't even tell me your name," She asked as we watched the fountain silently.I looked at her. "So did you. My name is Iris, by the way,""No wonder. You have wonderful irises," She said and smiled. "Erica, here,""So, Erica. Are you ready to run away?" I asked. "With me?"She waved me off and laughed. "Nah. That was a joke. I am not ready to leave my family yet. They don't really like me but I can't leave them,""Why can't you?""Because they're all I have. They take care of me and even if they do it too much by trying to live my life for me,"I sighed and nodded. "Alright. For a moment, I thought you wanted to run away. Because I want to, too."."Why?""I think I am a bad person who doesn't need to be around good people."She looked taken aback. "That was so honest. I didn't see it coming,"I chuckled and shook my head before standing to my feet. "Life is like that sometimes. I just had to embrace my badness."Erica laughed and stood up along with me. "I think I l
XAVIER'S POV; I woke up as early as five when I heard the first bell ring. I knew it wasn't time for the royals to wake yet but I couldn't sleep.Iris would be awake by now and I was sure that she would be there before everyone, therefore, being the head of the protective team.It made me smile.I threw off Felix's arm from around my waist and pushed him away, feeling exasperated that I had to deal with someone who couldn't sleep right.Iris was different. She was someone who could maintain one position for the whole night and that alone delighted me. Her sleeping was peaceful and quiet unlike Felix who snored and threw his body around like he was in the comfort of his own bed.I took a seat by the window, watching as other guards who were on their night duties went back into the warriors building while being replaced with another set. They were going to continue at night.I was anticipating today. Though I had been lucky to not have lost my life all these years, all thanks to Noah w
HAZEL'S POV;After it had been rectified that I was the first to arrive, the commander had sternly asked me to walk with him which I did. We walked together to the raised tenth on the first floor and once we were in, he turned to me."Who are you?""My name is Iris. And I am King Xavier's Beta,""King Xavier of Silver moon?" He asked, raising a brow in askance.I nodded."And what about his husband?""Husband?" I frowned. "He doesn't ha—""Oh, don't pretend like you don't know what I am talking about. He was mated to a man, wasn't he?""Sometimes, you need to get your facts right. Stop holding onto rumors,""How dare you speak to me in that manner?!"I wasn't fazed by his tone or his expression. I stood my ground, staring at him with amusement. "I am sorry if you think I sounded rude. I was only bringing truth with you. He wasn't mated to a man,""Then who was he mated to?"I didn't reply to him. Instead, I took my time, looking around the tent and wondering why a place as large as th
XAVIER'S POV;Being an attractive and eligible male had its downsides and I was definitely experiencing it this sunny morning. While watching the fight, Ciara had left to take her medications with her maid and I was left with an empty seat, smiling at Clara's mother as she stared at me. She nodded once and her husband spoke to her before she turned to face him.I sighed in relief and went back to watching the match. There was something about Lunas. Sometimes, I wondered if they ever forgot that one had to be mated to another before anything could happen."Ahem," A throat cleared behind me and I turned to find a bunch of ladies standing on the steps with a very beautiful lady standing before them.She was a fair beauty. Slender and everything a man would want but my heart yearned for a certain dark haired lady, stubborn and hard to crack. Being with Iris made me uninterested in fragile, fair women. I wanted them strong and stubborn, independent and able to thrive on their own and that
HAZEL'S POV;I felt my blood boil when he told me I couldn't go back to the Silver moon.There was nowhere I wanted to be apart from our pack as I was already fed up with this place within a few days of just arriving.Walking back to the crates I sat on, I felt my hands trembling and I suddenly wished I could just disappear from this place. I fiddled with the pages of the book in my hands, finding it hard to read what I was originally reading.My eyes were trained on Xavier who was still speaking to the commander. I couldn't sit here and watch him talk like everything was alright. I couldn't sit here while Felix acted like I wasn't in the room so I dumped the book into another crate on the floor before standing to my feet and leaving the tent."Where are you headed to, Iris?" Barrymore asked. "There's still a lot we have to do before you go back, you know?"I sighed and nodded. "I just want to give you all privacy and take a breather,"He didn't believe what I said but he nodded anywa
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