Chapter 10 - You Were Engaged?

Eloise’s POV



A rush of cold air flooded the bathroom. Despite the hot water that surrounded me, it wasn’t enough to stave off the obvious temperature drop from Xavier’s presence alone.



I hugged my knees and sank myself lower into the water where only my head was visible. I needed to think of a way to deal with him, and quickly.



Being naked and vulnerable in front of an angry Alpha? Definitely not an ideal situation…



Xavier crossed the distance between the door and me in the blink of an eye, and placed both of his hands on the tub. “You need to tell me what your relationship is to that vampire or there will be some problems.”



My heart began to pound wildly. I thought carefully of what to say next in fear of not wanting to anger him any more. He could break my neck if I say anything else to offend him…



The closer he got, the colder I became. “My Lord… may I please get decent first? I’ll explain everything, I promise.”



Xavier relaxed his expression. His eyes rested on my steam-blushed cheeks before they ran down to my bare shoulders and stopped right above my chest.



He tore his eyes from my body and away from me. “Finish your bath and put on some clothes.” Then he marched out into the bedroom and slammed the door behind him.



After I was able to calm myself down, I walked out of the bathroom with only a bathrobe on.



Xavier locked eyes with me. "Tell me the whole truth."



I walked up to him cautiously. “Of course, my Lord. Please, allow me to explain.” I gave him a small, tender smile in hopes of diffusing some of the tension.



“Adam and I were once engaged—that part you already guessed. However, that was a choice made by our parents. I had no say in that. I broke off the engagement before I proposed to you, though.”



“You two have known each other intimately since childhood?”



“Yes, my Lord, but that was when we were only children. It was nothing more than basic decency and kindness. None of the other kids, or even his siblings, would show him any of that. I’ve always viewed him as a friend—nothing more.”



Xavier crossed his arms. “You don’t seem to feel so passionately about him, yet he came to you and took you away?”



“I truly wasn’t expecting it, my Lord. I hope you’re not insinuating that I left with him willingly…”



Xavier’s features softened. “No, not at all, but you have been in Normand for so long and this… relationship… this is the first time I’m hearing about it. Why haven’t you told me?”



I forced my eyes to begin to water.



“My Lord, I’m not trying to hide this from you. Truly. Ever since I arrived in Normand, I was told to stay in my room. As days passed, I kept hoping that I was going to get to meet you so we could finally speak.



But you’re a busy man with so much on your plate—so many people to look after, and a city to defend—that I could never find the chance to meet you, let alone talk to you and explain everything.”



He didn't say anything. I couldn’t even read his expressions because they were so blank.



I need to try harder!



“My Lord,” I continued, “I know you don’t like me. That much I can tell. It was made apparent when you wanted to send me away the day after we got married. I know that I can’t control how you feel about me. What I also don’t have control over is being kidnapped of all things! It’s not my fault that that psychopath vampire got all possessive.”



I paused for a moment before adding, “It hurts me to think that you’re doubting my sincerity in wanting to marry you…”



And on cue, I began to cry.



Xavier softened his voice, “Stop crying. I believe you for the time being.”



Goddess, I’m glad that worked!



His voice went firm. “However, the next time you hide anything from me, I will make you pay for it.”



Before I could say anything, Xavier walked out of the bedroom without another glance at me. I waited a few seconds to ensure that I was truly alone before I wiped the tears from my face.



A sigh of relief escaped my lips as I made my way to the wardrobe. My fingers carelessly played with the threads of my clothing while my mind wandered. All I could think about now was the prophecy.



The bodies all over the floor.

The blood on Xavier’s hands.

The sword through my heart.



I can’t let him find out the real reason I’m here… The real reason why I want to get so close to him.

————

Xavier’s POV



I marched out of her room and tried to calm my breathing after what I saw in the bathroom. My heart wouldn’t stop drumming along.



My wolf howled again.



“Be quiet, Lyon! Keep it together!”



If it wasn’t for this cursed mate bond, I wouldn’t be having to deal with this. Just a little bit of skin was enough to send Lyon into a lust-filled frenzy. Being anywhere near her was enough to cloud my mind and boggle my thoughts, and it really frustrated me.



It was even more infuriating that she wanted to hide herself from me. She was my wife now; MY woman. Why did she have an issue with showing herself to me? Why did she want to hide so much? I bet that pathetic little vampire prince has seen Eloise’s body before…





I already knew before she even explained it to me that it was an arranged marriage. That was the perks of being an Alpha and having eyes and ears everywhere. But I wasn’t expecting them to have such a long history together.



“But she explained that they were just friends…” Lyon whimpered in my mind.



“How can I believe her?” I thought back telepathically.



“Because she’s our mate! You know our bond allows us to feel if someone’s lying or not…”



Truth be told, I didn’t believe her. Well, I did… But I didn’t want to! The thought of her and that vampire bastard having an arranged marriage was enough to make my blood boil.



But I could stand to see her cry. Especially since it was my fault.



I could feel the anger in my heart begin to subside after each visit I had with her.



There’s no way I’m falling for a Wisdom daughter… Is there?