CRYSTAL'S POV "She saved my life, Xavier. At least show her your genuine gratitude." I said, tipping my chin at him."What if it's a setup? What if it's a trap, Crystal?" He countered.I puffed out an exasperated groan."Oh, for crying out loud. Why can't you both accept the fact that my life has just been spared because of Alicia!?" I glided my gaze from my best friend, Emily, to Xavier.He shook his head firmly."No , Crystal. I will not accept until I find out it is authentic. Nothing good comes from Alicia. You have to believe me. She's like a snake, ready to strike at every given opportunity. You can't trust her."I rolled my eyes."She's my friend now, okay guys? I will be the judge of that. It's all up to me to decide whether I want this friendship to continue or not. Are we clear?" I arched my eyes at the two of them.Emily heaved out a deep sigh."You're hardheaded, Crystal. Once you make up your mind on something, it's hard to convince you otherwise. Either way, I hope
ALICIA'S POV One step at a time, Alicia, and soon everything will fall into place. But when? At each passing minute, my patience wanes. The mere thought that right now, she must be in Xavier arms made my stomach turn in disgust. What if they already made love?! Arghhhhhh!! I used to be in his arms, and Xavier used to decorate my body with his kisses. He said, he loved every inch and curve of my body. He said he worshipped my body like he would worship a goddess. He said he couldn't do or breathe without me, that I complete him. He said I was the best thing that had ever happened in his life. He said that I was worth more than the throne to him. He said he'd go to war for me, risk everything for me. He loved me and was so obsessed about me that we had made almost everyday.What had happened to us?! Now, everything's changed. And it all started after he returned to the royal palace. He wouldn't look me in the eyes like he used to. It became worse when Crystal Thorne came into the
ALICIA'S POV "Of course, Alicia! What are friends for?"A self-satisfied smile curled up my lips at her response. Great! She was willing to have an open conversation with me, which also meant that I could ask her anything. Well, I hope so. I didn't want to sound so desperate or persistent. I don't want to do anything that might push her away.I cleared my throat and forced a tight-lipped smile at her."That's a relief, Crystal. Thank you."She furrowed her brows at me."Why would you think that, Alicia?"I clamped my lips together briefly before I responded."I've hurt you and spoke ill of you, Crystal. I thought you wouldn't accept me as your friend after everything that has happened between us."She smiled warmly at me, and to my surprise, she reached for my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze."Let bygones be bygones, Alicia. We are now friends, aren't we? Let's start acting like one."I returned her smile reluctantly. She's an easy catch. She fell right into my trap and even de
ALICIA'S POV She paused for a while before she gingerly stood up and turned to face me.An awkward small smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she tucked a wayward strand of her hair behind her ears.She chuckled."Why would you suddenly ask that, Alicia?"I shrugged. "Is it a crime? It is just a harmless question, Crystal. Why are you so worked up?" I quipped. Even though I knew the answer to the question, I wanted to hear it from her. Her response would determine the next questions I would ask her.She cleared her throat weakly as she tugged at her dress nervously. "Who would hate Xavier? He's a great person! And the more I get to know him, the more I realise that he's such an amazing person and that I had initially misjudged him just like I had misjudged you."I clamped my lips briefly before I responded."Are you sure?" I quizzed.She arched her brows at me."Sure about what?" "About Xavier Fernández. Are you sure you know him very well?"Her eyes pupils dilated."Fr
ALICIA'S POV It appeared that she wasn't about to fall for my tricks. She was still hell-bent on sticking with Xavier for as long as it took.How come I didn't see that coming? It was so damn obvious that she was helplessly in love with Xavier Fernández. I had mentioned that it would be an extremely difficult task to try and sway her heart and dissuade her from trusting Xavier, but that would be nearly impossible for someone who had already fallen head over heels in love with Xavier.It was an uphill task, and Crystal seemed to be hardheaded when it came to the man she loved.Now she was defensive. I had never seen her like that before. What do I do now? Was this it? Was this mission unsuccessful? Was there still something I could do? She looked like someone who had made up her mind, and there was no turning back.But I can never know until I try, right? But I hated to admit the fact that things were already looking so bleak. At this point, would I be able to make it? Was there st
ALICIA'S POV "Oh really? I knew I was right. Now spill the beans, or I'm not going anywhere with you!" I scoffed at him, my hands were still folded across my chest.He chuckled."C'mon, Alicia, let's retire to the chambers together first." He pleaded as he tried to reach for my hands again, but I wrenched away from him as if he were a plague."No! I insist! C'mon, say it." I goaded with raised eyebrows.He heaved out a deep sigh of resignation.I needed to know. It would determine whether I was going with him right away or not.He cocked his neck and cleared his throat."You think I didn't hear about your little heroic display yesterday?" He sniped.I groaned in annoyance. "Is that it?! Yes and?" I challenged.He chuckled, holding his hands up in defence."Nothing, Jeez, take a chill pill, will you? I just wanted to thank you properly as well for saving Crystal Thorne."I squinted at him suspiciously. "Really, Leo? Do you think I'm so dumb or what?" I glared at him."For heaven's
ALICIA'S POV "What?! I can't believe my eyes!" He cried in surprise. "When? How come?"I stifled a laugh and shook my head."I told you, Leo, but you doubted me. Crystal and I are now very good friends." I beamed.His brows pinched together in utter confusion as he tried to put the pieces together."How did you two become friends?" He quizzed.I chuckled. "C'mon Leo, is my character so bad that I can't even make friends?""Not friends with people you consider lowlife in your words." He squinted at me suspiciously.I bit my bottom lip. He was right. I wouldn't hold hands with a low life, talk less of being friends with them. And this is Crystal Thorne we were talking about! My ex-boyfriend's mate and a former slave and omega who I despised so much. So why the hell would I suddenly want to be friends with her?Nevertheless, I couldn't afford the truth getting out this soon, especially not to the hearing of Leo Fernández. He would nine out of ten jeopardise my plans for sure. Judgi
ALICIA'S POV As much as I wanted this, I just can't right now. I have far more important things to worry about. Damn it! Why was my heart beating so fast and the mound of flesh between my legs throbbing so badly? I should be furious with Leo for heaven's sake not getting aroused as fuck! Shit! I hate my body for doing this to me!I struggled violently in his arms as I attempted to break free, but his powerful hands held me prisoner."Put me down, Leo!" I cried, punching his chest with my small weak hands that were probably doing little to stop him.He chuckled as he strolled towards his chambers."Oh bloody fuck! Not your chambers, Leo. I told you I'm not ready to go back! Put me down for heaven's sake!" "Shhhhh," he cooed, "you're making a fuss, sweetheart. I know you want it so stop fighting it."I glared at him."You're just horny as fuck and now you wanna use me as a tool to fulfil your sexual urges and probably fantasies about Crystal while you're at it."A sly smile tweak