Xander's POV:After the deal was made, words were exchanged, and assurance was given, Deborah followed me back to the car. Settling inside, I checked my phone and saw a text message from Lucas. They had reached the pack mansion and were waiting for us.As I pressed on the pedal, Deborah turned in her seat and faced me, "So, how have you been? Long time no see."I glanced at her and cringed at the creepy way she was giving me a smile showing all of her rotten teeth in full display. Staring straight ahead, I answered her meekly, "Fine."If she took the hint to shut up, she dutifully ignored it and proceeded on, "This girl, Delilah, is she your mate?"Without looking at her, I responded with a grunt, "I don't see how that concerns you, Deborah."Not liking my attitude, she huffed out in annoyance, "Yes, it does. I am actually worried about that poor girl. It must be tiring for her to have a broody, grumpy lycan as a mate."She turned toward the window and grumbled under her breath, "I thi
Xander's POV:Breaking the eerie silence that followed Deborah's story, I walked ahead, "Okay, everyone, now if the introductions are over, we should move along."Leaning Adeline closer to his body, Lucas nodded, "Yes, for now, we should focus on what we all gathered here for."Turning around, I entered the cottage and strode straight to that mysterious door. I could hear quick steps behind me. Stopping at the door, we turned around and waited for Deborah to reach.Shuffling around, we gave her the space in front of the door. She assessed the door with calculating eyes that narrowed down at the lock. She was a witch, so she could sense the type and intensity of spells without even touching the things.The corner of her tugged up, "Locking Spell."I stepped closer to her and asked impatiently, "Can you break this spell?"Her head jerked to me and she gave me a vicious glare while hissing, "Either you are very impatient right now or you are doubting my powers, Lycan King."My eyebrow sh
Xander's POV:Fidgetty. Agitated. Restless. Words weren't enough to explain what I was feeling at that moment. Watching me, Lucas took the lead and walked up to Deborah, "There must be anything that you can do. Think, please."Deborah looked at him with hopeless eyes, "There is no one here who wants to get to that fucking bitch more than me. Although it hurts me to admit I have spoken the truth."Adeline took the charge, "Do you know any Hedge Witch?"Deborah shook her head firmly, "I have been living in isolation for the last 600 years. All the witches in my coven were killed by Asteria and other covens did not welcome a lone witch like me."Lucas tugged at his hair in frustration, "How can she be brought back then? Any idea?"Deborah started shaking her head in slow motion now, "Portal is the only way between realms. She crossed the portal to go to another realm. Now, she must use a portal to be back."Adeline muttered lowly, "She has no fucking idea about realms and portals."Debor
Xander's POV:I was still confused while looking at Lucas doing a happy dance like he had hit a jackpot. Rising on my feet, I grabbed him by the nape of his neck and made him stand still, "Quit twirling your bum and tell me what you meant by that."He shook his head and stretched his lips into thin lines, showing his disappointment, "I can't believe Moon Goddess had chosen such a dumb lycan to rule the whole werewolf and lycan community."When my eyebrow quirked up in warning, Lucas blurted out, "Oh, about what I meant, right? Let me explain that."Setting him free, I nodded slowly, "Very well, just as expected."The playful grin wiped off his face and I watched him shifting into a serious mode, "You are the Lycan King which means you can easily connect to any lycan or werewolf who comes under your protection."I rubbed my temple, "But Delilah is neither a part of any pack who comes under my rule nor did she swear her alliance to me. I don't think she falls in any of those categories,
Delilah's POV:"How old were you when you first found out that you were a Healer?" I asked with curiosity.Stella and I were huddled close on my bed. Surprisingly, Asteria didn't try to keep us separate. Maybe because she was confident that there was no way out of this realm without her and we were not fools to wander out in this bizarre world. Nevertheless, I was happy that she was letting me and Stella to spend time together.Stella blinked her eyes several times, "What do you mean by that?"I leaned forward to explain, "I mean at what age did you..."She cut me off while rolling her eyes, "No need to rephrase, girl. I am not dumb."I smiled shyly. Stella cocked her head slightly, "I just didn't understand your question. Of course, I was a born Healer. My grandmother was also a Healer. She recognized my abilities right after I was born. And the training is included in my earliest of the memories."I nodded my head, wondering to myself how amazing it would have felt to know about you
Xander's POV:The night was long and excruciating and Delilah was constantly on my mind. I insisted Lucas to go and fetch some sleep before the morning but he was persistent not to leave my side. As for me, sleep was the last thing on my mind. I kept rewinding all the events that happened in the last two days.Long into the night, Lucas and I were occupying the couch when I informed him about the attacker who broke into Delilah's room and asked his opinion, "Do you think he is with Asteria in all this?"After a moment of thought, Lucas sighed, "Even if he is, it doesn't change anything for us. We know nothing about their motive yet."I bit on my lower lip, "What if he is the actual mastermind before all this?"Lucas answered in a low voice, "That is all to be discussed later, Xander. For now, we are confirmed after Delilah's scent in the basement and signs of the portal being opened that Asteria was the one who took her to another realm."We tried to look at all the events from differ
Xander's POV:The guards exchanged their looks and replied hesitantly, "We were not aware of your arrival, sir."I looked dead into his eyes, "Then you better go and inform Ragnor that I am here to meet him."Cowering under my gaze, the guard nodded and scurried inside the palace.While waiting for him, I paced around restlessly. After about five minutes, the guard came back and bowed slightly, "Warlock Ragnor Zephyr would be pleased to meet Lycan Xander."With hurried strides, we followed the guard inside. While passing through the old and rusty corridors, Adeline took in everything with wide eyes. Every once in a while, Lucas would point at different war paintings on the walls and brief Adeline about the significant battles of history.Finally, the guard stopped in front of a spacious hall. From my childhood memories, I remember vividly that it was where the throne was.Just as expected, entering the hall, I saw a huge metal throne perched at the far end. The ceiling of the hall had
Xander's POV:Settling back on the couch, I took a deep, calming breath, and relayed to Ragnor about what happened in the last two days, revealing only what was necessary. After I was done, I expected him to ask many questions but all the fucker had to say was, "Is she your mate?"When I continued giving him a death glare without answering, he glanced at Lucas and cooed up, "Or does it not matter to you too?"Why did everyone was so obsessed with titles? Was it so hard to accept a relationship outside the mate bond?Ignoring his mocking smirk, I raised my eyebrow and grunted, "Are you in? Or are you not?"Leaning his back against the couch, he contemplated for a moment and then shrugged, "I mean, it's not much of a hassle for me. I just have to open a portal and," the pride shone in his eyes as he flaunted, "I can do that even with closed eyes."From her position, Adeline deadpanned, "I guess you OUGHT to close your eyes while doing magic most of the time. So that doesn't count as a sk
EPILOGUE AFTER 7 YEARS: Delilah's POV: "But Mommy, I asked for the chocolate cake. I do not like pineapple one." Elina stated with finality. "Why does it matter, Ellie? It's okay if mommy couldn't get a chocolate cake," responded Liam. At that, Elina narrowed her eyes menacingly at her brother and reprimanded the innocent soul, "Some of us do have tastes and standards, Lee. It's my birthday, I get to have all that I want today." "As if that doesn't happen every other day of the year," Adeline chuckled. Elina pretended to gasp and hooked her hands on her hips, "Aunt Addy, that's not fair. You ought to be on the girls' team." Liam reminded her as an afterthought, "By the way, it's my birthday too." Eline tried to roll her eyes, another thing she had learned from her beloved Aunt Addy, "Ugh, please don't keep reminding me that. I don't like the fact that I even have to share a birthday with you, Liam." I have no idea how I got to have two kids with completely different personali
Delilah's POV:A moment later, the whole lawn glowed in the soft, golden glow. The whole setup was looking even more beautiful at night, exceeding all of my expectations. His footsteps halted as Xee was taken aback by the arrangements. Tilting his head to the sides, he assessed the whole area twinkling in the fairy lights and fresh flower decor. And then, his eyes widened as they landed on me. He took his time to gawk at me from head to toe multiple times, reincarnating all the butterflies in my stomach. Resuming his steps, which were slower now, he walked over to me. Grabbing my hand in a gentle hold, he lifted it and placed a soft kiss on its back, "I am 100% sure that I am not forgetting any important date. It isn't your birthday today nor any important day for us." I let out a soft chuckle, "You are kinda right." Letting go of my hand, he wrapped his big palms around my waist and whispered in my ear, "Then to what do I owe the pleasure to behold such a glamorous beauty today?"
Delilah's POV:It was that time of the year.The Claiming Ball was to be held by the Lycan/ Werewolf Council so that all the unmated males and females come in proximity and have a chance to meet their fated mates.As a member of the council, I and Xee were invited to attend the Claiming Ball and we had a good chuckle at the remembrance of our bittersweet memories of the last Ball.I was standing at the side while unmated males and females indulged themselves in the dance as per ritual. My eyes spotted Xee busy in a conversation with the other members of the Council.I was just about to make my way over to him when a tall figure blocked my way. I lifted my head to find a young man whom I had never seen before.I tilted my head to the side, "Have we met before?"He kept staring at me and then finally shook his head, "I hate to say this but no, we haven't met before."My eyebrows creased together. He was probably from some other territory who was attending the annual ball in the hope of
Delilah's POV: The next morning, I woke up to the sound of commotion. My eyes peeked open and I yawned, already feeling the soreness in my body. I winced at the pain when I stood up and slowly walked to the window. My eyes widened with shock as I saw Ethan standing in front of the mansion, hollering at the top of his lungs, "I don't give a fuck. Let me go inside this instant or otherwise..." He clamped his mouth shut when a new guard stopped by the gate, "The King said to let him inside." The guards opened the gate and Ethan huffed angrily before making his way inside the mansion. What the hell was he doing here? Quicking donning my PJs, I made my way downstairs slowly, thanks to the soreness. I arrived in the hall just in time to see Ethan entering. Xee was sitting on the couch in a suit, sipping his black coffee whereas Ethan was looking all disheveled and upset. He stopped in front of Xee and yelled, "What the hell is wrong with you?" Xee kept his calm and only raised his eye
Delilah's POV: As a wedding present, Xee had gifted the Europe tour for Luke and Addy. Due to some issue with tickets, they had to leave the night of the wedding day. After the reception was over and the guests were gone, we returned to the mansion. Everything seemed to happen in a fast motion and none of us rested until after bidding farewell to the newlywed couple for their honeymoon. It was only once they were gone had I returned to my room. It was such a hectic day and I couldn't wait to don my comfortable PJs and hit the soft mattress. Standing in front of the vanity, I was removing my makeup when the door flung open. In came the Lycan King, looking heavenly gorgeous in the black tuxedo. Hot lava spilled inside me as I noticed his eyes traveling down my body. His hand curved around the nape of his neck and he smiled, "You were looking so beautiful today that it was practically impossible to peel my eyes off of you." I knew he was right. I had constantly felt a pair of eyes g
3 Months Later: Delilah's POV:"I am really getting concerned about you, Delilah," I heard Xee behind me.I looked over my shoulder and found him with a tray in his hands, "Why is that?"He placed the tray holding a glass of milk and cookies on the coffee table and walked over to my desk, "Because for the last 3 months, you've been working nonstop."I let out a soft chuckle, "Now you are exaggerating."His eyebrow quivered higher, "No, I am not. Can't remember the time when I've not seen you hunched up on the desk, sticking your nose in all those books, jotting down your notes, and whatnot."Well, he was kind of right about that. Lately, I have been having a really hectic routine. After waking up early in the morning, I'd go to training. After breakfast, I'd be in the clinic that Xee had recently built me in his territory. I have been working hard to polish my skills as a Healer.I have started treating patients and I loved interacting with all the people. Occasionally, I'd even go on
Delilah's POV:Once again, I became the target of everyone's attention but I didn't let the nervousness or panic get hold of me as they all turned their eyes toward me.Instead, I took a deep breath and got up from my seat. Addy rushed in my direction, "What happened, Dee? Why are you interrupting?"I made a mental note to have a proper talk with Addy after returning to the mansion but for now, I had something more important to take care of.Without responding to her, I turned around and jumped down the stage. Gasps chorused around me as I landed on the Duel Ground but I paid none of it any heed.I kept walking to where Xee was pinning Ryan to the ground. The frown between Xee's brows deepened. He opened the mindlink, "What are you doing here?"He didn't sound pleased at all. Well, we were on the same page then. Shutting the mindlink down, I reached him. I tried to keep my calm but my nostrils still flared when I ordered Xee, "Get off of him, Alpha."A flash of betrayal shone in Xee's
Delilah's POV:"What have you been doing all day?" Addy asked curiously.I closed the journal I was writing on and shrugged lightly, "Just working on a few important things."Her gaze shifted to my study table but she passed no comment. Nodding her head, she said, "I am waiting downstairs. Be quick."Resisting the urge to roll my eyes, I turned toward my closet and took out a pair of black jeans and a black shirt. It took me no more than fifteen minutes to get ready.When I climbed down the stairs, I noticed that the mansion was eerily quiet and empty. My eyes swept the area, "Has everybody gone to the duel?"Addy raised her eyebrow and remarked, "Who exactly would want to miss the chance to experience such a duel?"At this point, I was confirmed that my best friend had gone crazy just by living among the lycans for a few months.The car was already waiting for us outside the mansion. As soon as we settled inside, the driver revved up the engine and started driving toward the Council
Delilah's POV:In the room, I kept pacing the floor restlessly with a thousand thoughts swirling in my mind. It was only when I heard a knock on the door I took a breath of relief.I rushed to open the door and inhaled sharply at the sight of Isabella standing on the other side with a cup of coffee.I ushered her inside and closed the door behind her. She smiled lightly and placed the cup on the coffee table. She was about to go back when I blocked her way to the door.She eyed me nervously. I wondered whether she was thinking the same thing that I was.My eyebrow quivered higher as I inquired, "What do you know about Ryan Hooper, Isabella?"Her eyes widened as she swallowed the lump in her throat, "We are not to talk about him in this mansion."I closed my eyes for a moment and tried to make her understand calmly, "I don't care about that, Isabella. Just know that it is very important for me to know all that you do."She fidgeted her fingers together nervously, weighing her options.