The Rejected Luna's Secret Alpha

Chapter 13

“May I ask one more question?” I asked.

Dr. Mercer nodded. “Of course.”

I looked down at my wrist, where the silver symbol had disappeared beneath my skin. “If Xavier and I have some kind of connection, does that mean he is my mate?”

Silence settled over the room.

For the first time since I had met him, Xavier seemed genuinely caught off guard. His golden eyes fixed on mine, and something unreadable passed across his face.

Dr. Mercer carefully adjusted his glasses. “Not necessarily. The marks could indicate an ancient magical bond, but that is not the same as a mate bond. We cannot draw that conclusion from a single manifestation.”

I swallowed. “Then how do we find out?”

“We study the marks. We examine the historical records. And we wait to see whether the connection develops or changes.”

“Wonderful,” I muttered. “More waiting.”

Xavier stepped away from the wall. “Enough questions for tonight. You need rest.”

I turned toward him. “You keep saying that as though sleeping will magically explain why my skin glows.”

“It might not explain anything, but it will prevent you from collapsing again.”

“I collapsed once.”

“Twice, if we count your arrival at my border.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Are you always this irritating?”

“Only when someone makes it necessary.”

Dr. Mercer coughed into his hand, suspiciously close to a laugh. Xavier gave him a look, and the physician immediately became fascinated by his medical notes.

I almost smiled. Almost.

Then I remembered the reception hall. The kneeling wolves. The light that had poured from my body without my permission. And Dorian.

His face appeared in my mind, followed by the expression he had worn when I refused to return to him. He had looked hurt. Somehow, that still hurt me. I hated that it did.

“Is Dorian still here?” I asked.

Xavier’s expression hardened. “Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because he believes he has a claim over you.”

“He doesn’t.”

“I am aware.”

“Then make him leave.”

“I intend to.”

Something in his tone made me believe him. But before I could respond, the door opened and a guard entered.

“Your Majesty, the royal archives have sent word. The archivist found something concerning the symbol.”

Xavier straightened. “What did he find?”

The guard hesitated before answering. “He says the symbol resembles an emblem recorded in the oldest surviving manuscripts. He requests your presence immediately.”

“And the other mark?” Xavier asked.

“The golden one is mentioned as well.”

My stomach tightened. “What do the manuscripts say?”

The guard looked at me, then quickly lowered his eyes. “They contain a warning.”

Xavier’s jaw tightened. “What warning?”

The guard swallowed. “Some histories should never be awakened.”