Chapter 8

Skylar

I studied at myself one last time in the mirror, and a small smile crept to my lips. I felt pretty for the first time since I came here.

Thank god the dress concealed the ugly bruise that covered my back. The small cuts crisscrossing my palms were still noticeable, but only if you looked closely.

I searched inside the small blue bag until I've found an eyeliner and red lipstick. I did my make-up lightly, adding a touch of foundation to hide my under-eye bags. 

Once I was done, I took the bag laying on the toilet seat and exited the bathroom. 

I found Xander where I left him, standing next to the window in a way that hinted at his leadership, his hands deep in his pockets. Back straight, posture rigid.

He'd changed from his earlier clothes to a black form-fitting tuxedo with one sleeve rolled up to expose his tattooed arm, and his hair was brushed neatly to one side. 

He turned when he heard the click of my heels. Xander gave me a slow once-over, shaking my confidence a bit. I looked down at myself then up to him, silently insisting that I did look good. He is lips twisted upward but it disappeared as quickly as it came. 

I frowned, at his sudden hostility.

I look fabulous either way. 

"Come on, doll. We're already one hour late," Xander muttered, and with that he made his way toward the chamber door, brushing his shoulder against mine.

I almost fell on my butt from the force. 

What the hell is wrong with him?

Let me give you a small flashback of what caused us to be dressed like that. It was part of Xander's plan for us to catch the witch. 

Quite clever to be honest, but also risky. 

Today is the day when the Lawkers put on a ceremony as a peaceful gathering for supernatural creatures that every leader must attend, which include witches, wolves, and vampires. As for others, they are free to come as they please.

The Lawkers, according to what he told me, are the very first five wolves to ever walk on paws. The more wolves that were born, the more they needed laws to follow to avoid chaos, so the five wolves made those rules. That's why they are called Lawkers.

The first thought that crossed my mind when he said that was that they must be old as hell. 

Even though the wolves are not in a very good term with witches as Xander told me before, they both are required to go. As for me, I must also go, in case I recognize the witch or she recognizes me. I didn't like being forced into the plan. Yet, here I am, paying for it.

These outfits were brought by Josh along with a blue bag for me, filled with what every girl might need during a trip. I was glad to see a smiling face instead of Xander’s glaring one.

He was the first one to treat me with at least some decent quality. I put the bag on the very soft king-sized bed and followed him outside to the elevator.

~~

"Stay close to me, don't talk to anyone unless you are spoken to, don't answer any questions, and most importantly, keep your eyes open."

He had been giving me orders since we'd climbed into the car, while I just nodded my head and gazed out the window. I was tired and all that I wanted was to crawl under a blanket and watch Grey's Anatomy, forgetting this world, at least for a while.

Unfortunately, I couldn't. I felt too exhausted but I had to do this to finish this situation as fast as we could so that I could discover what was to become of me and my family. That was what mattered to me.

I could feel Xander’s gaze on me but he didn't speak. I kept my eyes focused on the passing landscape until the car made a stop. The driver opened the door as Xander climbed out with me behind him.

Today was just full of surprises. Six hours ago, we were on a road and now here we were, standing before a mansion filled with people -- scratch that, monsters. 

This mansion was twice a large as the packhouse and in better condition. It was far more breathtakingly beautiful as well, with a purple runway-style carpet leading from the front door, a wrought-iron gate covered in flowers on vines. The air was pleasantly warm with a gentle breeze.

A cluster of luxury cars crowded the street in front. French doors were opened wide, allowing a good view of the party inside and the softest wisp of a song to leak out. Party guests milled about, women in purple and men in black tuxedos.

Oh, my god, the theme is purple?! I was wearing white! 

I looked at Xander in disbelief as he raised one brow at me.

"Everyone is wearing purple!" I exclaimed incredulously as if it should have been the most obvious thing ever.

That annoyed face appeared once again, and he slid his hand around my waist, pulling me along.

I almost ripped it off. I didn't like it, and I assume he only did it because we're in public and I’m supposed to be the Alpha’s mate.

I was disgusted and wanted his hand off me. 

The first time we met, the hatred on his face, the pain, the chaos he caused, it just wouldn't fade away, even when the bruises began to heal, the memories won’t.

"You're the Luna-to-be. It's a tradition to wear a different color from everyone else, to let them know the Luna will take place soon," Xander explained. "A stupid tradition."

I shrugged off the waves of confusion, curiosity, and discomfort that came unbidden, deciding to concentrate on this.

The inside was even more stunning than I expected. Couples danced to the rhythm of the classical music on the dance floor of the enormous ballroom. There were two large steps on either end, designed with carvings of flowers up to the ceiling.

Three humongous chandeliers presided over the party of nearly three hundred attendees. People chatted on the fringes, wine glasses in hand. A few of the contents were too red and too thick to be wine, I noticed, and if there were vampires in attendance tonight...oh.

Xander snatched two glasses, one of champagne and one of blood, from a passing waiter's tray. He handed me the champagne glass and watched expectantly. I didn't look at him while I took a small sip, almost coughing it back up. It was dry and tasted strange. He noticed and let out a small, breathless laugh, surprising me. 

I glared. "What?"

He didn't answer. Instead, he looked at me with amusement. I almost cringed when he drowned his own glass in one gulp. 

I didn't want to make anyone suspicious, so I looked away from him and fingered my necklace, which Xander had been firm about my wearing it, and tried to act natural. Xander didn't seem to have a care in the world, finishing his second drink casually.

"Stay here, Josh will join you. I need to meet up with someone," he spoke in a rushed voice, leaving me standing alone and dumbfounded in a place crowded with monsters. 

I was about to complain, but he was already walking up the stairs. 

I thought we were supposed to stick together in case something happened!

Groaning to myself, I took another sip. This time I knew what to expect and found myself enjoying its sweet carbonated taste.

I was standing in the doorway, so I moved ahead, slightly relaxed by the music. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, looking normal.

Moving farther inward, I observed the people around. Josh pushed through the crowd to me with a jubilant smile, "hi!”

You look stunning! Who would have thought I had such good taste in clothes?" he tittered.

I found myself smiling slightly. "You're the one who picked it? Oh, well, I'm surprised."

"I'm a man of many talents," he added, then pretended to flip his hair, I couldn't help but laugh a little, to which he smiled.

"Well, Skylar -- or should I call you Luna now" he teased, raising his eyebrow.

"Oh no, no, just Skylar," I replied too quickly, making him chuckle.

He offered his hand, and with a grin and asked, "You want to dance?"

"Sure, Josh -- or should I call you delta?" I mimicked his tone, giggling at his facial expression as we walked hand in hand across the dance floor. 

He handed my half-empty glass to one of the waiters circulating the room, then rested his hand on my back and the other around my hand. I set mine on his shoulder, and we moved along gently.

"About that day, I--" I cut him off, already knowing what he was going to talk about.

"No, please, don't talk about it. I get it -- you can't go against his order. I understand," I spoke softly, avoiding his gaze. Other guests eyed us, but I couldn't care less.

"How did you know my size between? This fits perfectly," I added, wanting to change the subject. I couldn't bear hearing more about my kidnapping.

"Oh, that wasn't hard to guess."

I gasped in mock horror. "Pervert."

He chuckled, rolling his eyes at me.

"And the bag is very helpful. Thank you for it, by the way"

"I figured you'd need more stuff, because, well, you're a girl," He flashed me an innocent smile and twirled me.

"A good dancer, I see."

"I am a man of many talents."

This time, I was the one who rolled my eyes dramatically as I noticed Xander’s figure making his way toward us.

"What do we have here? A Luna? Alpha Raphaelo finally found his mate, I see. What a pleasure to finally meet you," a foreign voice suddenly spoke, cutting our conversation short.

Our eyes snapped toward it, meeting a tall, fit man with a smirk covering his lips and a deep Brazilian accent.

He wore a black tuxedo and had tanned skin that matched his dark eyes and hair. I could feel Josh's body tense against mine and realized he put himself between the stranger and me. 

"Alpha Vetino," Xander's voice filled my ears as he stood somewhere behind me, his tone laced with bitterness. 

What now?

The so-called Alpha turned slightly in a smooth, deliberate movement, keeping his dark eyes locked on mine, smirking wickedly. 

I pursed my lips together, shifting my weight to my right leg. Okay, he must be bad news.

His predatory gaze made me feel naked and vulnerable, and I couldn't stand it. Finally, he glowered at Xander, who, already volatile as he was, quivered with fury.

"Alpha Raphaelo, oh, you do look wrathful; is it something I did? If so, I apologize most profusely," he spoke, in such a decadent, devilishly charming voice that it sent shivers down my spine and I found myself pressing against Josh. 

He managed to be more frightening than Xander had ever been.

"Don't you dare, Vetino," Xander hissed through gritted teeth, more livid than I'd ever had the misfortune to see. Veins pulsed beneath eyes swallowed by his pupils, glinting fangs replaced his canines, and a growl rumbled from the back of his throat.

My hand flew to my lips, cutting a horrified gasp short, my eyes nearly bugging out of their sockets. I could feel my hand trembling at the sight in front of me.

How-?

Xander took a step closer when the other man let out a snort of mockery, with a wolfish growl coming from the back of his throat.

I wasn't shocked at such scenes anymore, but they continued to terrify me.

How did he dare to even meet his eyes? Was it because he had the same power and strength, or was it all bravado? Being a hybrid surely augmented his strength and abilities above others, it was quite logical for me to understand without having to ask. 

"We both know how this fight will end, Alpha Vetino. But I would, oh, so enjoy it," he mocked Vetino's exaggerated way of speaking, emphasizing the flourishes maliciously. 

I attempted to step away, but Josh squeezed my hand. To warn me, perhaps, not to draw attention to myself. Wasn't this a peaceful gathering? If they considered this to be peaceful, I needed to get the hell out of Dodge.

Of course, I couldn't.

Their countenances were demonic, and it was obvious that they were five seconds from tearing the other's throat out.

"Do we, now?" Vetino challenged in a whisper. 

Despite his intimidating aura, it was clear who would win in a fight, and I'd seen a glimpse of what Xander could do. Vetino was letting his pride get the best of him.

Josh seemed to be frozen in place with a hard look as if ordered not to move.

Come to think of it, that was probably the case.

I was afraid of what Xander might do next. If he started the trouble, the Lawkers weren't likely to be pleased. Xander had made it clear that this ceremony was a very serious business to them.

I did the first logical thing I thought of. I put my fear aside and within two steps I was between the two men, my back to Vetino. I managed to shove Xander back a little, surprised at the scalding heat radiating from his skin. 

His expression showed that he knew better than to start a scandal when his eyes slowly returned to their normal brown. A sigh of relief bubbled up inside me. 

Whatever was between them, it wouldn't bear well for me if Xander got worked up, seeing as we had to spend the rest of the night together. 

Standing this close, I could hear each heartbeat.

I’m not going to lie, but seeing him so...angry, made him look incredibly attr--

"Aw, he--"

"This is a peaceful gathering. Take your immaturity somewhere else." I cut him off, irritated with his behavior, and my fear melted into anger, a trait inherited from my brother.

New confidence warmed me, spilling out from God-knows-where, but was just as quickly extinguished with the ice-cold glare Vetino gave me. 

I gripped Xander’s hand unconsciously, struggling not to show the other Alpha in front of me my sudden apprehension. 

Then, without warning, when Vetino dared to take a small step forward, I was pushed forcibly behind Xander who kept his hand gripped on mine and Josh had planted himself firmly between the two Alphas.

Vetino's face lit up with a glaringly false smile, mocking me. He gave me a slow once-over, lingering everywhere, and chuckled, as if he found my frailness hilarious. 

Which he did, I realized -- he was strong enough to snap me in half. 

All of them were. 

Finally, he left wordlessly, unexpected, but very much welcome. Glancing around, I found only a handful of onlookers, most too invested in their own lives. Otherwise, they were afraid to be caught watching.

Josh turned to us, raising his brows at me. Xander, too, stared at me as if I'd grown another head.

“What?” I murmured under my breath.

Josh chuckled, shaking his head at me, while Xander stared into my soul with such intensity that it gave me goosebumps.

I opened my mouth to speak, but he quickly cut me off, ''I'm going to get a drink.'' He stormed off, leaving me standing like an idiot, face to face with Josh.

"What was that?" I demanded forcefully. My curiosity was killing me, and I needed to know what was down. Why was there so much tension and hatred between the two?

"Whoa, there," Josh puts his hand up and snorted. I ignored his comment and pursed my lips together, frustrated.

"No, you know what? I'm going to ask him, yes, that's what I'm going to do," I spoke shrilly, marching in the direction Xander had gone.

Josh gaped, totally dumbfounded, but he didn't follow me, which I was very glad of. I wanted to talk to Xander. 

As it seemed we were stuck together for the foreseeable future, I must know what’s going around me. He must know how to communicate, even if he's a moody beast. 

I let my eyes wander, ignoring the curious stares I was receiving, probably because I'm wearing white. The ballroom was big, making it quite difficult for me to recognize him. 

Six balconies were visible on each side, with chatting partygoers' laughter drifting down, except for one.

I let my legs guide me, taking another glass from a tray to steel myself. As I neared the balcony, my legs trembled. Do I really want to be alone with him? After what I have just seen him turn into? Knowing what he could do to me? But would he ever truly harm me?

My second thoughts started crashing down on me. Frozen, I stood still while gentle music filled my ears until I'd calmed. 

I licked my dry lips and decided to take a step forward, but I couldn't. That was until a voice cut my doubts,

"My dear, I wouldn't go there if I were you," warned a woman's voice. I turned to find the voice's body, a woman in her early twenties with blue eyes and hair wearing a dark purple party dress, her lips parted in fear and disgust.

I flashed her a perplexed look. "Excuse me?" 

My tone sounded too soft, like a child's, and I glanced out the open balcony in front of me, then back at her.

She neither spoke nor moved; rather, she took my hand, but dropped it suddenly with a gasp, drawing curious glances from those around us.

"What the hell?" I jumped back, clutching my hand to my chest to prevent her from grabbing it again.

"Oh, my," her voice was sad and sympathetic, and she looked on me with pity.

I tilted my head to the side, concerned -- what was wrong with my hand? Around us, four girls murmured behind their hands, and a man joined them, appraising me thoughtfully.

“You will suffer if you stay. Save yourself, before it's too late," she murmured, backing away into the crowd.

I hurried off -- that was too weird -- but not towards Xander. Instead, I leaned against the balcony wall, pensive. If she was talking about Xander, and she surely must be, could I save myself?

Questions weighed heavily on my mind, and my breathing became erratic.  

Suffer, she said, and I shuddered at the thought. Hadn't I done that enough already? 

I wiped my sweaty hands off on my dress and thought hard about how she had dropped my hands as if they burned her: was she a witch? Did she see something in my future?

"Are you just going to stand there?" Xander asked dryly as if my thoughts had summoned him.

The old saying, said so often in jest, rang solemnly in my head: speak of the devil.

I took a deep breath, and walked in, letting my click of heels echo behind me. I saw him leaning against the stunningly gorgeous balcony railing, decorated with red, white, and pink flowers. 

The view was better -- a marina full of yachts and tiny doll-like people living their average lives, a life I had been living only a week ago. 

Proudly, the waxing gibbous moon hung in the sky, making the stars jealous as they tried for the same brightness. It was a relaxing view, the sounds of the party, and a warm breeze tickling my skin making it feel almost as if I were at a normal dance with my friends. 

A small movement beside me reminded me that was not the case. He stood next to me, sipping the remains of yet another glass of blood.

"How did you even know I was outside?" I mumbled, leaning against the railing as well.

"Your scent," he replied, in a casual way. 

"Every werewolf can smell their mate. I began to only after I met you."

"Scent? Wouldn't that be confusing if someone's wearing the same perfume?" I asked, squinting at him out of the corner of my eye in time to catch his baffled expression. 

Xander was regarding me as if I were off my rocker, beginning to laugh after a moment.

His deep laugh echoing around us. 

"What?" I demanded, but he only laughed harder, holding his hand up in the universal sign or stop. 

My smile was unwarranted: he was making me feel like an imbecile again, but it came anyway.

"No, not that. You're so naïve, it's unbelievable," he sighed through a few stray chuckles, taking a small glance at me. I felt my cheeks heat up with embarrassment as I quickly turned my head, hoping he didn't notice.

"Well, at least you got a good laugh out of it. And I am not naïve." 

He treated me like a small child in his presence, and I hated it.

"Oh, you are," he polished off his glass," it's a sweet smell you have in your blood, and only your mate can sense it"

"Ah," I breathed, twisting my fingers with the glass pressed between my palms. "And I guess I can't smell yours since I'm not a werewolf."

That had to be it. His expression told me he'd been thinking the same, I eyed my heels to avoid eye contact.

Somehow, I felt guilty about it, freakish. Wrong. I know I'm the one who's causing all this trouble, for the werewolves, for my family. 

Maybe if I was like him, it wouldn't have to be like this. We would have been in a better situation, instead of this awful one. But there is no excuse for what he's done to me: tearing me from my family, scarring me, hurting my brother. There's no way I'll forgive him for that, just like there's no way he'd apologize.

I know that what my family did was for me. They sacrificed themselves for me to live the life they thought I deserved, but was I worth it?

If they asked me now, I would never let them sacrifice such an integral part of themselves for me. I felt horrendous guilt for the pain I'd caused my family. It's because of me that my own brother is suffering god knows where, and what about Jasmine? Dad? 

I know he said they were safe, but that only gave my mind an inch of rest.

Tears welled in the corners of my eyes. Jasmine must hate me for this. It was supposed to be her wedding in two weeks! 

And Dad, he was the one Alexander blamed for being cursed with a useless mate and dragged away so unceremoniously. He had always been the strongest, taking everything in stride, and seeing his broken face that day made my heartache.

I would do whatever it takes to save them from whatever hell they are in. I would never forgive myself if anything happened to them. If my mother were here, she'd know what to do.

"What did Vetino tell you?" Xander ordered sharply.     

I blinked away my waterworks and swallowed, "nothing that important." I shrugged carelessly, gulping down the rest of the champagne, feeling the alcohol warm my belly.

He didn't answer.

"He's the Alpha of East and South?" I asked, my curiosity rearing its head once more. He gave me a small nod in return. 

"My brother told me about him," I added, pulling a strand of hair behind my ear, and I could feel his body getting tense and edgy, I frowned.

"What else did he say?"

"Only that you're the Alpha King of north and west," I shrugged once again. 

The reason why Xander was given the title of an Alpha king instead of only an Alpha, is of is kind; a hybrid. He was above an ordinary Alpha, such as Vetino. During our road trip, I asked a few questions, it’s why I now know more about this.

He was ranked second in position after the Lawkers followed by Vetino then the betas, gammas, deltas. What I learned is that those positions are handed over by heirs or chosen by the Alpha and Luna and when a female is a beta or any other rank, her mate is ranked the same if she wishes or sees him worthy of that title. As for a Luna, she rules as equally as an Alpha.

"He seemed to be--"

"Immature?" he continued, smirking. I gasped, trying to hold back my giggle and failing.

"Stop making fun of me," I crossed my hands over my chest, careful with my glass, yet a small smile lingered on my red lips.

He smiled at me, being nice for once, I suppose.

He sure looks charming when he smiles.

Xander licked his lips, and turned his whole body towards me, standing tall and shoving his hand deep in his pocket. 

"My vampire side calmed down. I don't know how you did that -- or even what you did -- but it worked." he trailed off slowly and I remembered how the veins under his eyes disappeared almost immediately after I touched him. 

I didn't know what to say, so I just stayed quiet, even though I had no idea what he was talking about. Further questions might be unwelcome.

This is the very first time we'd had a normal conversation, but it seemed as if Alpha Vetino was an off-limits subject. Frankly, I'm not surprised. 

Xander doesn't seem like the kind of man who'd share anything. I'm glad I wasn't thrown over the balcony just talking to him.

"Come on, the ceremony is starting. Don't leave my side, " he said firmly.

And back we were to the dominating Alpha King Alexander Raphaelo.

The blue-haired girl's line haunted my mind once more. Her word, however, was not surprising at all. I already knew Xander and his world were virulent. 

And I knew how dangerous he was -- the throbbing bruise on my back was testimony to that.