Chapter 44

:Xavier’s pov;

“You’ve really outdone yourself this time Xavier.” Eli murmurs, leaning against the wall, his legs crossed, his arms crossed.

He looked tired and noticeable unnerved.

“Spit out whatever you need to tell me,” I grumble knowing he had heard every single thing that happened in my study. Which meant that he knew Aurora was my mate. I should’ve made those walls soundproof.

I’ll have to look into that.

Eli face tums into one of shock as he places his hand on his chest, feigning a look of hurt. “You wound me Alpha. You make it sound as though I’ll accuse you of keeping such a huge secret from me. Although I’m disappointed in knowing you didn’t trust me enough to tell me about her, I think I know you too well to know how arrogant and sometimes too proud you can be. You’d never let anyone know your weakness.

‘He snorted.

I narrowed my eyes on him, my jaw ticking. He was right. I didn’t want anyone to know my weakness, which was one of the main reasons I kept the truth about Aurora away from them.

“Don’t anger me Eli You know how Reckon can be.” I warned.

‘I will not hurt the fool for he’s actually right. But he failed to mention that you’re one of the biggest idiots alive. You’re a useless human who doesn’t deserve her. I should I push Reckon at the back of my head, forceful and with much effort.

I ignored Eli and opened the door to my room. There’s no heartbeat and no sound of faint breathing. The room is empty.

I stiffen “Where is she?” I turn to Eli with a snarl, anger rising and admittedly fear.

His gaze shifts to the other room and he nudges his head at the door. “She went in there. She’s upset Xavier and she looks like she needs her space.”

I didn’t like my Gamma telling me that my mate needed space, especially space from me. But I knew he was right. She’s upset.

I caused this but in order to protect her from my burdens and my enemies, I have to let her go. I know I’ll probably grow weaker without her here but that’s something I’d willingly suffer if she’s at least safe and away from my troubles, “You can leave now Eli. I’m here.” I mumble, after calming my raging anger.

He looks reluctant but nods. “I won’t tell Samuel or Chris if that’s what you feared. Like I’ve said millions of times before Xavier, you can trust me.”

I gave a single nod, detecting the truth in his words. He turns around to leave but I stop him. “Be outside before five in the moming. We’re going hunting for any evidence that it’s Raphael who’s the culprit.”

Eli tums around his eyes shifting from the door to my face before smirking. “Planning to avoid her until she leaves?”

When I don’t answer he laughs and walks away. When he’s out of sight, my gaze is drawn to the door.

I’m just going to take a quick peek to see if she’s alright.

Just a quick peek, nothing more.

But as I opened the door and stared at the lump on the bed, my heart raced. I didn’t want to let her go.

While I was devouring her essence, I looked for that mark Rodrick said might be there. There wasn’t any.

So I had no more doubts she was actually my mate and not some witch’s creation She was my mate.

Mine.

Which meant protecting her was my top priority.

I listened to her soft shallow breaths, the sound of her heart, and the sighs she lets out. I relish in them.

Making sure I keep them safely in my mind because I knew this would be the last night I’d hear them.

“Then reject me. If you’re tossing me out. Reject me.”

My eyes move from her body on the bed as her words from earlier shattered the steel around my heart and made it hurt.

If only she knew that I can’t simply bring myself to reject her.

Not because Reckon wouldn’t allow it, no. Because every single part of my being wanted her. Needed her.

I don’t know when exactly it happened, but somehow she snuck her way inside my heart. Maybe it was the bond or whatever, but I can’t seem to bring myself to care.

There was this burning desire to claim her.

But protecting her was stronger than all other emotions.

I looked at her one last time, using my wolf vision to see her properly. My fingers itched to go over to her and swipe some of her tendrils off her face.

But instead, I opt to close the door, clench the handle tightly until the metal bent awkwardly and cut through my palm. My warm blood drop to the floor.

I welcome the pain. I’d welcome anything at this point, just to move my thoughts off of her.

I remove my hand from the handle and walked toward my room. I would try to sleep tonight. But knew I wouldn’t be able to. Not with her in the other room and so far from me.

For a second, I wonder how I’d cope when she’s away. How the hell would I cope now that my heart was already familiar with her?

I grunt, opening the door, the wound on my palm already stitching to heal as I entered the room.

(Aurora’s pov)

.

There was something heavy in my gut when I woke up. The feeling of dread.

I sat up, my eyes falling on the heap of clothes that Lily had given to me. He must’ve brought them inside here or sent someone to drop them.

I move off the bed, my stomach twisting with anxiety as I make my way to the bathroom to relieve myself.

When I was done, I showered to move any stench of what happened last night. I didn’t want to remember anything. If he wants to let me go then I would go. But not with those last memories.

After getting dressed, I waited patiently in the room. I wasn’t going to go with anything he had given me. I will only go with Cassandra’s bag. The very same bag I came here with.

Minutes went by until the door is slowly opened. Sarah’s head peeks inside and her mouth forms an ‘o’.

“I was not expecting you to be up already,” She admits, fully entering with a huge bag in her grasp.

“Why waste time? Better to leave now than later.” I said stiffly, calculating the steps she took until she is beside me.

She looks at me in pity and puts the bag on the bed. “I guess we’ll be on our way then?” She asked, her tone airy and soft.

I furrowed my brows in confusion.” What do you mean we?” I voiced out my thoughts.

“Alpha Xavier was very strict on seeing you safely out of the border. Beta Samuel we’ll be the one to escort you out. I’m merely going with you until I know you’re safe and on no man’s territory.” She says, her gaze saddening.

“I honestly thought my prediction would come true and he’d grow some balls. But I guess sometimes it takes longer on some men than others.”

I was sure she’d very well get in trouble if someone catches her bad mouthing her Alpha in such a way.

But she looks like she didn’t care, So forcing out a smile, I rose to my feet. ” It’s honestly fine. He doesn’t want me here. I shouldn’t have stumbled on his territory in the first place. It’s actually a gift he’s sending me away and not killing me like he has done to others. “I murmured softly.

Sarah grimaced, hoisting the strap of the bag over her shoulder. “You don’t have to bring that along. I don’t want it.” I said, tearing my gaze away from her.

Getting away from here was all I ever wanted days ago, but now staying here was all I wanted.

Sarah must’ve sensed my mood because she gives me a look of pity.” Please don’t look at me this way,”

I mumble, unable to bear another look of pity.

“I’m sorry, I just thought…nevermind,” She whispered with a shake of her head.

I started walking towards the door, my posture straight and composed yet internally I was crumbling with every step.

“Well let’s get on with it,” I whispered turning slightly to look over my shoulder at Sarah.

She still held the bag. She notices my gaze and winced. “If I don’t give you this, Alpha Xavier will surely have my head.”

Sighing, I nod. I didn’t want to get her into trouble. I opened the door, my gaze falling to the floor quickly as I had not expected to see so many wolves in the halls.

As soon as the door opened, their gazes landed on me. I shifted on my feet unsteadily, looking anywhere but them.

I could feel Sarah’s presence beside me and sighed in relief when her fingers clutch my hand and gives it a reassuring squeeze.

“Head up Aurora. You’re not the enemy,” She whispered then tugged me forward.” You don’t deserve the walk of shame, so head u p. chin up, posture straight.”

:Xavier’s pov:

“Eli I thought I told you to be out before five!” I growled as I glared at my Gamma who struggled to keep his eyes open.

He yawns loudly, his arms lifting over his head as he cracks his tensed bones.” I swore I heard seven.”

He shrugs after he finally manages to open his eyes.

The comer of my lips lift and my canines jut out in anger. “If you say you heard seven, then why the hell are you here at eight?” I growled All my plans to avoid seeing Aurora would go down the drain if I don’t leave now.

Eli winces. ” Uh, cause my alarm clock broke?” He said unsurely.

I had a hard time believing that Eli even owned a clock.

Sneering, 1 shifted into my wolf, Reckon’s oddly quiet as he takes the lead and bounds over into the thick foliage.

I had one goal in mind. Keep myself distracted as best as I could, until she was safely away from the territory.

Lily’s pov I cracked the door open a little and tensed when my eyes fall on a white shirt stretched over a broad back.

“Oh, you’re here,” I disgruntled, rolling my eyes as I fully open the door and glared at the back of Chris.

Such a nuisance.

Chris turns around, his eyes pinning me down with a hint of amusement. Great, the big oaf finds this situation amusing.

I arch a brow, popping my hip as I leaned against the doorframe.” Why am I staring at a sight so repulsive so early in the morning?”

Chris does the unimaginable, he grins. I’m nearly blinded by the pearly whites that peek out as he spreads his lips. “Good morningt o you too Lily.”

I grunt. “How is the morning good when I was nearly blinded by the sight of you?”

Chris was not ugly, far from it actually. But he always walked around with an air of confidence and I always presume there was a stick lodged up in his ass somewhere.

Clearly, that stick must’ve slipped out a little for him to manage a smile without being forced.

Chris ignores my jab and nudges his head inside my room. “Did you take your medicine?” His voice is filled with concern and something else, something raw.

I rolled my eyes, moving away from the doorframe to plant my hands on my hips. “Seriously you men are annoying. Yes, I took my medication happy? Do you want me to open my mouth so you can sniff it to investigate if I am lying or not?” I said dryly.

I expected a glare, not a flustered Chris whose gaze had dropped to my lips.

I furrow my brows, confused by his whole act. I mean it must be an act. Or did some witch replace Chris’s soul? I’ve never seen him like this before.

It was quite…….intriguing.

“I-uh-I-” He stammered over his words, drowning me in more confusion.

What the hell happened to the buffoon?

He reaches up to scratch his chin. I find the action unsettling because my heart raced for an unknown reason.

Maybe it was the poison.

I cleared my throat, looking away from him. “Uh if you can excuse me, I would like to visit my friend Aurora,” I stated.

“That girl was cast out this morning My heart fell and I swore I got dizzy for a second upon hearing his words. “What do you mean cast out?!”

I snapped my widen eyest o Chris, who looked confused at my reaction.

“Alpha said he had no need of My fingers whip in my hair as I tug at the roots harshly. “My brother is a fool! A damn fool!”

“Lily “Has she left already?” I cut him off, my heart racing.

Chris looks reluctant to answer but nods. “Samuel’s the one who will escort her along with the maid named Sarah. They left ten minutes ago I think Igritted my teeth until it hurt. Xavier was a very very stupid man. Sometimes you just need to knock some sense into men with a huge bolder. Nothing smaller will do.

“Do you know their trail?” I asked urgently.

Chris again looks reluctant but answers cliply. “Yes.”

Good at least he can bring me there.

“What about my brother, where is he?” I asked stiffly. When I bring Aurora back, I’m going to rip him a new one.

“He’s out with Eli. They’re looking I shook my head in disappointment. “Of course he is. What a coward. He can’t face his mistakes. Damn idiot. Now I have to clean up his mess.” I grumble, biting my thumb before looking at Chris.

I smiled, well as much as I can when faced with a situation like this. “Chris I need a favor. I need you to bring me to Aurora before she crosses the border “I can’t do that Lily! Your brother “Is an idiot. Who will thank me after I bring back his future. Now if you don’t bring me, I’ll just have to kick you where the sun doesn’t shine. Probably rip it out while I am at it. That way, there won’t be little idiot Chris’s around in the future.” I snapped cutting him off.

There’s something in his gaze that shifts when I finished my little speech. But he hides it quickly with a grin. Again I’m nearly blinded but keep my angry glare on “Don’t let me go ape shit on you Chris. I may be small and my wolf may be extremely weak but don’t think for one second I can’t take you down. In fact, it will be easy. Like taking candy from a baby. But in your case, your balls will be detached from your “Will you stop talking about destroying my balls if I bring you?” Chris grits out.

I flashed him a smile much to his irritation. “Now you’re talking Chris! Now let’s go!” I rushed, easily passing under his huge arm that had been leaning on the doorframe.

“You’re going to be the death of me,” Chris groans behind me softly but I heard. 1