Episode 13
1654 Words
Xavier’s POV
I sat in the car, the leather seat creaking as I shifted my weight. Mike checked the rearview mirror again. Fifth time. His fingers were clenched tight around the steering wheel, but he didn’t dare speak. He wasn’t just my driver. He was my Beta. My friend. The only one I trusted
I lifted the glass to my lips.“Say it.”
“Your Majesty… when are we going in? Alpha Caleb and Luna Cla—”He stopped short when I shot him a look.
“I mean, Miss Clara… should already be inside. We arrived half an hour ago. Why aren’t we entering?”
I didn’t answer. I stared out the window. That asshole stood behind Clara, one arm sliding around her waist, his mouth close to her ear. Whispering. And she smiled back—like her life depended on her matebond with him.
Bullshit.
When Clara rejected my invitation, she’d said, “I have to be loyal to my mate. Loyal to love.” And then she threw her entire life away for that stupid mate bond.
The last time at the restaurant, she was so weak and couldn’t even fight back against a rogue. Watching her fall to the ground, weak and crying, reminded me of the way she’d smiled so boldly when she rejected me back then. It made me feel...uncomfortable.
Silvercrest’s gates were wide open, guests pouring in nonstop. The entire place was dressed up like some damn royal parade. Banners. Lights. Flags bearing the kingdom’s crest.
It was just a dinner. That bastard made it look like a wedding.
Caleb invited me to dine with them tonight. I knew exactly what he was planning. Ever since Clara fell into that coma, the surrounding packs and even the rogues had been circling Silvercrest like vultures. He wanted to use the rumors about my closeness with him to intimidate them. Just like he used Clara.
Looks like he forgot who actually holds the highest authority here. I wasn’t going to play along.
I leaned back and closed my eyes. “Take us back. I’m not attending.”
Mike wanted to say something, but instead, he started the engine. Then, as if he’d just remembered, he handed me a brown parchment envelope.
“These are the photos you asked for, Xavier. Proof of Alpha Caleb and Frost’s affair. And… the test results came in too. Miss Clara’s optic nerves show zero damage. She recovered completely.”
I opened the envelope. Caleb and that ugly woman, kissing like starving animals. And then the report.
“So she isn’t blind.” I raised an eyebrow.
“No."
I stared at the photos, my thoughts ticking into place. So she already knew her mate was cheating on her. And she still stayed? What are you planning, Clara? …Maybe you’re not that foolish?
“Stop.”
The car screeched as I pushed the door open. “We’re going inside.”
I strode toward the banquet hall. Omegas and guards lowered their heads the second they saw me. I turned the corner, warm golden light spilling out from the hall. And I frowned.
Clara was there. Standing in the center, surrounded by Omegas holding whips. Several lashes had already landed on her skin. Her face was deathly pale as she stared forward in terror.
Her daughter. A weak, useless, innocent little girl. Who trembled, arms stretched out in front of Clara, trying to shield her mother.
But the whip was already in the air, seconds away from striking her small back.
Fenrir roared inside my head.
Before I could think, I was lunging forward and caught the silver whip mid-strike. Metal teeth tore into my palm. Blood burst instantly, running down my arm in hot streams.
“That’s how you treat women and puppies, Alpha Caleb?” My voice came out low. Dangerous.
Fenrir paced in my skull, snarling. He was furious. So was I.
This was a serious violation of the laws I had established. Underage and she-wolves were to be protected. Any physical or psychological harm would be punished severely.
The hall fell dead silent. The Omega holding the whip went chalk white.
Natasha saw me and dropped to her knees. “Y-Your Majesty! Please—have mercy—”
Caleb followed, face turning green, bowing so low his forehead hit the floor. “Your Majesty, this—this was merely a ceremony—”
I threw the whip to the ground. The c***k echoed like thunder and no one dared to breathe.
“Clara! How dare you let the Alpha King take a whip for you! Say something!” The wicked old woman shrieked. And Clara flinched instinctively, shoulders curling inward like a frightened bird.
“You should thank her,” I said coldly, “If she or her pup had been hurt today, every single one of you would be held responsible.”
My words hit Caleb like a punch. Possessiveness flashed in his eyes.
“Your Majesty,” he said through clenched teeth. “She is my Luna. I don’t believe you have the authority to interfere in my pack, even if you are the King.”
“Is that so?” I replied calmly. “If I remember correctly, Silvercrest is still under my jurisdiction. And protecting minors and she-wolves is a fundamental principle of the Werewolf Constitution.”
Caleb stiffened, about to argue, but his slut stepped between us, pushing him back.
“Your Majesty, your hand is injured,” she said softly. “Please, allow me to tend to it.” She smiled up at me, eyes gleaming with poisonous hunger like a starving snake.
I almost gagged. How dare she think she could touch me.
“No.” I turned my gaze to Clara.“Clara will do it.”
“She’s blind—”
“I won’t repeat myself.”
I walked to a sofa in the corner. Jack cleared the area with a single gesture. Before my patience ran out, Clara finally approached, medical kit in hand. She sat beside me, hands trembling.
Fenrir inhaled sharply.“She smells divine.”
I shoved him back. Behave.
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty,” she said softly, head lowered. Blood was still seeping through her clothes. “I can’t see, so I might hurt you.”
“I know you can see,” I said directly. Her eyes widened in panic and I continued, “I won’t tell anyone.So treat me properly. I don’t want that slut touching me.”
She nodded. Her eyes were still wet, but she swallowed it down and steadied her breathing.
Stronger than I expected.
“Thank you… for saving my daughter,” she whispered.“And thank you for keeping my secret.”
She cleaned my wound carefully, rinsing away the lingering wolfsbane with saline before applying the medicine with a cotton swab.
I tried to mind-link her wolf but got no response. She hadn’t lied about that. She really had lost her wolf.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out the photo, holding it where she could see. She glanced at it and immediately looked away. Anger flashed across her face.
So she really did know. But she chose to stay. The fact lit my anger for no reason.
“Did you come today just to humiliate me, Your Majesty?” she asked quietly, still wrapping the bandage. “As revenge for me rejecting your invitation back then?”
“It was your mate who invited me,” I said, watching her closely. “But now I’m curious. If you care so much about your daughter, why don’t you take her and leave?”
Her hands paused.
“Your mate doesn’t look like a good father,” I continued. “And Silvercrest isn’t a place where puppies can grow up healthy.”
She stayed silent. I grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer. Her face flushed, eyes darting away.
“Answer me,” I said.“What are you planning? Or you don’t want to leave your lovely mate?”
Her lips trembled, but she did not deny it.
“So that’s true. You’re still clinging to that bullshit matebond?” I said before I realized how sarcastic my tone was.
Her eyes turned red. She yanked her hand back, lifting her chin stubbornly.
I saw the embarrassment and fury burning beneath her forced calm. “Why do you care, your majesty?” She snapped, “Is that because I once turned you down?
Her words darkened my expression completely.
“Of course not,” I said coldly, fury built in my mind. Looking at the blood on her back made me furious.“In fact, based on your performance over the past five years, I don’t believe you’re qualified for that position anymore.”
I narrowed my eyes, examining her. “Look at yourself, Clara. If I hired you now, people would think I’m just like you. Foolish, and weak.”
She became furious at my words. Her chest rose and fell sharply, her hot breath brushing my face, carrying the metallic scent of blood. But she didn’t look away.
I yanked her hand toward me and leaned close to her ear. “A Luna Clara who can’t even defeat a single rogue,” I whispered, “has no value to me.”
Her eyes widened slightly, surprised that I’d recognized her. Her cheeks burned red, but her gaze was sharp as a blade.
“Thank you for helping me that day, Your Majesty,” she said coolly. “I’ll buy a new one to replace the handkerchief you lent me. I would really appreciate it if you could let me know its brand.”
“No need,” I straightened and released her hand. “Save your energy for being the Luna Clara.”
Before she could respond, I turned and strode away.
- Writer
