CHAPTER 5

CRYSTAL'S POV

 

"Yes," I said. "Xavier Fernandez has claimed me as his mate."

 

His name rolled out of my lips carefully.

I was about to make a choice that would change my life forever!

A loud gasp ensued from the ballroom as I made my announcement. Yes! I've finally accepted my second chance mate.

Isn't that insane?! Much less a rogue!  He claimed to be the rightful heir to the throne of the Blood Moon Pack but how true was this?  And now he wants me to help him ascend the throne by being his mate.  Well,  it's not like she had a choice. I was once rejected by Leo, his half-brother, who Xavier claimed didn't merit the throne.

Leo. That bastard.  He ruined me not quite long ago and now wants me back? 

Heck no.  I will not return to him after the harassment he put me through.  He used me to satisfy his sexual urges and not to claim me as his mate.

I wish Nala hadn't spurred me to meet my disgrace!  Perhaps I wouldn't be in the middle of this royal mess!

I didn't want to get involved with any of these royal squabbles and now here I was... Granted, I had been crushing on Leo for the longest time but I had no idea he had an incredibly handsome man for his half-brother.

Xavier Fernadenz...

Oh God!  His jet-black hair framed his sculptured face and his brown eyes were intent and hooded upon mine as he stared down to look at me.

I gulped as I forced myself to hold his gaze but my heart failed me as it slammed hard and fast against my rib cage.

"Good girl." He whispered close to my ears, his hot breath grazed my exposed neck, making me quiver with need as my wolf purred.

I bit my bottom lip and offered him a tight-lipped smile.

He reached for my hand and gently brushed a kiss against the palm of my hand, causing a shiver to run down my body.

Take a deep breath now!   You're in front of your dreaded enemies and worst still,  you just got accepted to be the mate of an alpha! Now, You don't want to make a fool of yourself.

I admonish myself.

Regardless I have made a choice. It was better to be the mate of an alpha than remain a slave for the rest of my life. Moreover, I would ascend to the rank of the luna,  never to suffer again like I had been doing up until now.

It is indeed a one-time opportunity and I can't afford to toss it away.

Although, I don't even know completely everything about Xavier... Aside from the fact that he was the son of the deceased Alpha and ruler of the Blood Moon Pack and half-brother to Leo,  I hadn't the foggiest idea about the man I would soon be with.

 

Still,  I can't allow that video to get to the public. It would ruin my entire life and I would probably be banished from the pack. I didn't have anyone to turn to or who would take me in since I'm just a low-life Omega. No one would want me.

It is only a fool that would miss this opportunity!

It shouldn't be much of a problem to unravel more about Xavier. With time, I'm sure I would learn a thing or two.

Hopefully, I won't regret this for the rest of my life...

With a sly smile plastered on his face,  Xavier tipped his chin and squared his shoulders with an air of authority as he faced the people, his dark brown eyes rested on his brother,  Leo.

 

"This should be evident enough. I am the new Alpha of the blood moon pack and together with my mate,  we shall rule over the pack. " He announced.

 

Leo was enraged. I could see the veins almost popping out from his face as his brown eyes morphed into a sharp deeper colour like he could almost turn and pounced on Xavier, tearing him from limb to limb.

 

Xavier clutched my hands in his tightly and chuckled. He didn't even flinch or cower in submission.

 

"This is preposterous!" Luna Rachael squealed as she banged the table,  tumbling over the bottle and cups of wine. But she didn't care as she seethed,  looking in my direction and so, was Alicia. Her eyes were flaming and I swore I could almost see her fangs forming as she clenched her teeth in brewing rage.

 

Xavier cocked his brows at his stepmother. "You mean,  by rightfully claiming my throne? "

Rachael scoffed at him.

 

"How are we supposed to believe any word you say?!  You disappeared for a long time and all of a sudden you waltzed into the royal ball with this thing you called a mate and expected everyone to crown you as the Alpha?!  You must be insane Xavier!"

 

"Yes, Mother is right,  Xavier, and besides I already claimed Crystal as my mate before your grandeur entrance. " Leo shot me you're so fucked kinda look as his eyes intensely bored into mine for a minute before he let them settle on his competitor.

Xavier's brows creased as the corner of his lips quirked in amusement. I snuck a glance at him beside me,  he was clearly enjoying this show!

 

The look on his face was like he knew exactly what he was doing and he was enjoying putting everyone on their toes and rattling like a cat on hot bricks.

 

There was something intimidating and domineering about Xavier's presence. He meant business and he didn't like he was about to leave here without putting up a fight!

 

"You must be forgetting something very crucial... Father's last wish before he died. " Xavier said.  His sudden revelation earned a gasp from the crowd.

 

Rachael didn't appear she liked where this was going because she quickly grabbed the table to steady herself as if she was about to pass out but she hastily regained her composure and strengthened her shoulder.

 

She cleared her throat before she asked,

"What are you talking about?  What last wish? "

 

"You must be kidding right?  You of all people should know. You were always beside him during the period of his ailment and eventual death. " Xavier squinted at his stepmother.

 

Rachel swallowed and shrugged sheepishly.  "Of course I know that. I'm. Only asking what it was to be sure you're not here to spill lies to our people. "

 

"I wouldn't do such. After all,  I'm set to be the new Alpha who would rule this pack. This is exactly what father wished before he died."

 

"He didn't say that! That's why you were banished because you are not suitable to ascend the throne. " Rachel retorted.

 

Xavier chucked and faced the crowd, letting go of my hand with a stern look plastered on his face.

 

"His dying wish was that whoever of the first of his sons to find a mate becomes the Alpha. And as you all can see, I got one first, " he gestured at me,  causing my cheeks to heat and my Nala churned inside of me.

 

The crowd began to murmur amongst themselves.

 

"Crystal isn't your mate,  Xavier. I got to her first!  Isn't that so,  Crystal? " Leo turned to me as he raised his brows, urging me to say yes. 

 

I was mute as my gaze fell to the ground. Not after the mess I just went through with this asshole.  I balled my hands into a fist at my side.

 

That creep!  He only claimed me because he was horny!  And now here he was spewing nonsense!  No way, I would go back to this jerk after what he did to me.

 

"Crystal doesn't belong to you,  Leo. She is mine now. The sooner you accept this,  the better for you. " Xavier growled,  baring his fangs at Leo.

 

I gulped, basking in the protective gesture of my mate. My wolf purred again as if she agreed.

 

"I got this son. " Rachel said as she patted Leo on his hunched shoulders causing them to sag a little.

 

Alicia cast me a scowl.

 

I've got more enemies now. I should be wary. She didn't seem very happy that I was Xavier's mate. I here I was thinking it was a brilliant opportunity for Alicia to have Leo all to herself. Why was she so pissed?  Perhaps it was because of the throne. If Xavier ascended the throne,  then Leo wouldn't because he didn't have a mate.

 

Humph!  She was the reason I was in this mess in the first place!  She took that stupid video and set me up!  Serves her right!  Karma was right on time this time.

 

My lips tugged as I fought to suppress my amusement.

 

Rachel clearing her throat,  yanked me out of my thoughts.

 

"Then prove it! " She said firmly.

 

Xavier snapped his fingers and at once the elders of the Blood Moon Pack came into view bearing a scroll.

 

A gasp rose from Rachel's throat as realization hit her like a sag of blocks.