Cactus guy

Xavier

“Do I need to repeat myself?” I raised my voice as the betas and gammas around the table flinched, not saying a word. “I asked why we are still dealing with the rogue attacks.”

Ivan, one of my Betas, who sat across me, finally spoke up. “Alpha, the rogues are more feral now.” He began with caution. “They are somehow trespassing our border by—”

“Finding our weaknesses.” I snapped, cutting him off. “Weaknesses that shouldn’t exist in the first place.”

Dmitri, the only beta in this room met my eyes without flinching. “We have doubled the patrols on the southern border, but it’s not enough. They are keeping their eyes on our defenses closely.”

“So we enter their territory and kill them.” I replied, voice calm, almost bored. “Or is that too complicated?”

A flicker of a smirk tugged at Dmitri's lips. “I was getting to that.” He said. “But I thought you would prefer we catch a few alive, get some information first.”

He was on point. What he meant was catching them and torturing them and he needed my approval in this.

I leaned back with a satisfied look at him, “Make it painful. I want to know what they are up to and if they are stupid enough to lie, put their heads on spikes along the border.”

Dmitri nodded, his expression turning serious again. “Understood, Alpha.”

“And the missing cargoes?” I asked.

Dmitri’s brown eyes dimmed. “No sign of them. But pretty sure, Rogues are not involved. We suspect a mole.”

A traitor in the bloodmoon pack. A betrayer, foolish enough to think they could cross me and survive.

I clenched my jaw. “Find them,” I said, my voice stern. “I want every suspect under surveillance. And when you find the rat, make an example of them. Publicly, of course.”

Dmitri gave a sharp nod, his gaze steady. “I will handle it.”

Even though I hated it, I could only trust Dmitri Hale here—not because he knew me since childhood, not because he claimed himself as my best friend when I was pretty sure we acted more like enemies—but because he had a sense of responsibility and his commitment to the pack was really impressive.

With a nod, I glanced around the table, “Council dismissed.”

Ivan rose from his seat, his discomfort obvious. “Let me know if you need anything.” He said before turning to leave with others.

The door clicked shut behind, but Dmitri didn’t bother to leave. Instead, he leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, and that familiar judgmental look on his face.

“Go on,” I muttered, glancing down at the papers in front of me. “Spit it out.”

He didn’t waste any more time. “Why did you skip the first breakfast with your wife?” He asked.

I looked up almost in shock, meeting his gaze. “Who told you that?”

His mouth hung open, “It’s true?” As I said nothing, he pushed off the doorframe, stepping closer to me, his eyes narrowing. “Do you think the pack members are blind? You didn’t kiss her on the altar using a lame excuse. You think they are not going to talk?”

“Who said I give a damn?” I let out a humorless laugh. “As long as it doesn’t reach to mom, it’s fine.”

Dmitri shook his head in frustration. “That’s what I am saying. Your mother is going to hear about it soon. We tried our best to shut the guests up, but it didn't work. So you know, skipping your first breakfast with her—hell, not even bothering to pretend to be happy about it—only makes it worse.”

I scoffed, pushing back from the table and standing up, my jaw tightening. “What do you suggest, then? Pretend I am some lovesick fool?”

Dmitri seemed to hold back a smile as he said. “Exactly. Play the part. Kiss her, sit with her, make it look convincing. Even if you can’t stand the thought of it, it will keep the pack and your mother from exploding.”

I scowled. “And if I refuse?”

Sam, my wolf decided to chime in,“Then we all are ruined?”

Dmitri shot me a look of disbelief this time. “You know that better than anyone. The ancient pact is no joke. It’s not just a dusty old relic, it has always been a real threat. And your lovely mother isn’t the type to let things slide.”

Annoyingly, Dmitri wasn’t wrong again. My mother, Bellina was a daredevil.

Sam grunted in my mind, “You better don’t forget about the conversation you had with her before the wedding.”

I clenched my jaw, the flashback of my mother’s threats rushing back.

A few days ago, when I refused to marry her, my mother had been clear, dead serious when she said, “If you reject her, if you treat her like she is nothing, you are breaking the ancient treaty. You know what that means, Xavier. It means—Ruin. Not just for you, but for all of us, our entire family, our pack. Do you really want to test the moon goddess? Because if you do, I won’t sit back and will make sure your life turns into a living hell.”

I rubbed my temple, the tension coiling in my muscles. I already had a secret that could fuel mom, everyone—the contract. I couldn’t add more to it.

Frustration ate at me. “Why the hell is everyone so obsessed with her?” I muttered under my breath.

Sam started again with his stupid words. “And why are you obsessed with being an asshole? It’s almost as if treating your mate with decency might keep the pack from revolting.”

I growled mentally. “Not now, Sam.”

“Oh? Not now? When would be a good time? When your entire pack is in chaos because you decided to play the fucking tyrant?” Sam’s tone dripped with disdain now.

Watching me battling with myself, Dmitri sneered, his stupid jokes on their way, “I like it when you are stressed. It’s like watching a volcano just before it erupts.”

I shot him a disgusted look. “You will like it even more when I throw you into the lava.”

“Anyway, about the contract with—” Dmitri said something but at his mention of the contract, I realized that I hadn’t told her to keep the contract thing a secret.

And about the bite in the morning, she must be mad. I didn't even bother to explain because she dared to mess up with me. Fuck.

Without wasting a second, I stood up and strolled out of the council room.

“Where are you heading to?” Dmitri followed me.

“Elena.” I replied as I strode into the living room, checking every corner, searching for her.

Elena. Elena again. Even before I could figure out what to do with her, she was already causing chaos in my once peaceful life.

Elena’s POV

Xavier wasn’t here. His absence had filled the breakfast table with tension, disguised in fine china and floral arrangements.

Despite her obvious frustration, Bellina was so sweet to me. “More tea, darling?” she asked, her voice a touch too gentle, a false smile stretching her lips.

I nodded, trying to match her energy with a forced smile, but my wolf, Sameera, wasn’t having it.

“I swear she wants to pour that tea over Xavier’s head.” Sameera snickered in my mind, and I almost choked on my sip.

I kept my face straight. “Thank you, mom.” I said softly but my hands trembled as I placed the cup back on the saucer.

Bellina’s eyes darted to Xavier’s empty seat. I could tell anger was boiling within her but she said, “It’s such a shame Xavier couldn’t join us this morning.”

She had a way of keeping herself calm, even when she was angry, which somehow made it worse.

“Of course,” I replied, forcing more fake smiles. “He must be busy.”

Busy avoiding me, more like. He offered me that ridiculous contract, bit me without consent, ignored me. And now, I was stuck at breakfast, playing the role of the dutiful bride. No, I won’t let this slide so easily.

I cut the omelet on my plate, and as I swallowed it, it felt a stone stuck in my throat.

“I could set his tail on fire.” Sameera offered helpfully. “That might bring him to breakfast.”

I pressed my lips, trying not to laugh at the thought of Xavier running around with his pants ablaze.

Bellina sighed. But when she looked at me again, her expression softened. “I know this adjustment isn’t easy for your, Elena. But we are all family now. You can always come to me if you need anything.”

Her words were warm. It was as if she was trying to make up for Xavier’s absence, to bridge the gap he had left behind.

“Thank you.” I said, meaning it more than I expected. It was clear she had to run the household with an iron fist, but the maternal side she showed me was so foreign to.

After breakfast, Xavier’s sister, Aveline appeared at my side. “Come with me. I want to take you somewhere.” she insisted, looping her arm through mine before I could protest.

I turned to Bellina, sending her a grateful look, but she was too busy rearranging the silverware. I followed Aveline out into the sunlit corridor, her grip firm on my hand.

Once we were in the garden, Aveline released my hand with a sigh of dramatic exasperation. “My brother is an ass. You don’t have to pretend he is not. I have had a lifetime to get used to it.” she said, pushing a strand of brown hair behind her ear.

I couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped my lips. “I will keep that in my mind.” I replied, glancing around at the vibrant blooms surrounding us. The garden was a burst of color, the roses, lilies, and wildflowers mingling in a fragrant symphony.

“But—” Aveline looked at me, her expression softening. “He is not all bad.” She added, almost reluctantly. “He is just… complicated.” She paused, turning her focus on the cactus in a corner. “Like a cactus. Sharp on the outside, but there is life somewhere beneath all those spikes.”

Sameera snorted. “Great. We are married to a cactus.”

I bit my lip to hide my smile. “Well, thank you for the warning.”

Aveline grinned. “The pleasure is all mine.” She leaned down, plucking a small white flower from a nearby bush and handing it to me. “Do you know what this is?”

I took the delicate bloom in my hand, its petals soft between my fingers. “Jasmine.”

“Yes, white jasmine.” She explained. “It represents purity and deep affection. It’s great for calming nerves, which you might need if you are going to survive being married to Xavier.” She joked.

I laughed, more freely this time. “You are probably right about that.”

Sameera’s voice piped up again in my mind, “Ask her if there is a flower that represents *dealing with impossible men.* You might need a whole garden of those.”

Aveline’s eyes sparkled as her eyes fell on a red bloom. “And this one,” she continued, picking one of them. “This is a red camellia. It means *you are a flame in my heart.* You should give one to Xavier and watch him squirm.”

I snorted. “I think he would rather burn it than accept it.”

“That’s the spirit!” Aveline clapped her hands. “You are catching on fast. Just remember, with Xavier, you need to keep him on his toes. Don’t let him think for a second he is in control.”

“I won’t, teacher.” I replied matching her playfulness, feeling a lot lighter.

She walked ahead, pointing out different flowers. “These are my favorite,” She said, stopping by a patch of violets. “They are small, but resilient. Kind of like you, I think.”

I managed a small smile. “Thanks, I think?”

She laughed. “It was a compliment, I promise,” she added with a wink. “I figured you might need a bit of a break from…well, all that.” She gestured vaguely in the direction of the house.

“Smart girl. I like her,” Sameera whispered, approving.

I nodded, trying to relax. “Yeah, thank you. I mean it.”

“Again, pleasure is all mine.” She brushed off the dust from the rose petals. “But I will say, give it some time. It will get better…or at least, less awkward.”

Time. That was limited in this case. They were definitely not aware of the stupid contract.

Aveline led me deeper into the garden, talking about the different plants and flowers, throwing in jokes to keep me laughing.

I was about to ask Aveline about a particular plant when I felt footsteps behind us.

I turned around, and there he was.

Xavier appeared out of nowhere. His dark eyes locked onto mine, he looked a little relieved seeing me, as if he had been searching for me. He strode toward me with long, purposeful steps, his Beta, Dmitri, following closely behind.

I stood still and when Aveline realized I wasn’t following her, she looked back. Spotting her brother, she stepped forward and held my arm.

When he stood in front of me, he ignored his sister like she wasn’t even here. “I need to speak with you.” he said. There was a flicker of something in his eyes—urgency, perhaps?

I glanced at Aveline, not sure what to do. Xavier looked like he wouldn’t take no for an answer, but Aveline…

“Come on, Xavier.” Aveline snorted with a dismissive wave of her hand, clearly trying to give him hard time. “Can’t you see we are having a bonding moment here? Besides, you are not invited here. You don’t care about flowers. You have always been more of a cactus guy.”

Xavier shot her a glare. “Aveline.” he warned, his tone colder now.

“Oh, ignore him.” She teased, turning back to me.

Translation: Ignore him, don't let him get whatever he wants.

Xavier took a step closer, impatient. “Elena, a word. Now,” he said through clenched teeth, his eyes never leaving mine.

I opened my mouth to respond but Aveline’s grip tightened on my arm, muttering. “He always acts all tough, but he is really just grumpy because he can’t find his favorite black shirt.” She leaned closer to me, whispering loud enough for everyone to hear, “He thinks it makes him look more intimidating.”

“I wouldn’t rather that.” Dmitri chuckled softly behind Xavier, clearly amused by Aveline’s banter.

“I would make sure your garden is on fire but before that—” He paused and held my hand. “You come with me. This is important.”

Aveline jerked his hand away from mine. “Oh? Important, like how? Maybe you should say please?”

Xavier’s nostrils flared. “Seriously?”

I cleared my throat, stepping in before this became an all-out sibling war. “It’s fine, Aveline.” I said, slipping out of their grips. “I am sure it won’t take long.”