#Chapter 35 A Delusional Confrontation

Xavier’s POV

The early sun woke me up this morning as I looked over and saw Eloise sleeping peacefully. After what happened yesterday, I knew that I needed to get to the bottom of something–Liam’s feelings for my wife.

There was no denying that Liam felt something. The way he looked at her like a lost puppy gave everything away. He was far too easy to read.

Even more, Liam gave Eloise one of his most prized possessions–his mother’s handkerchief. As soon as I saw the pattern on the cloth, I knew there was no mistaking it.

He used to carry that handkerchief with him every day and wouldn’t let another soul get close to it. Hell, he wouldn’t even let his maids take it for cleaning. Yet, he easily gave something so precious to Eloise just to stop a minor cut.

Out of selfishness, I decided not to tell Eloise about the story behind Liam’s handkerchief. I didn’t want her to get the idea that there was another man who cared so deeply for her.

Eloise treated it as if it were a regular handkerchief and she wanted me to return it to him today. But honestly, I still felt a little embarrassed about the whole situation.

I had no plans of competing in the Luna Festival but seeing Eloise applaud the other men stirred feelings of jealousy and frustration inside of me. It was even worse when I caught Liam’s glance at her.

She’s OUR mate! Lyon howled in my mind. He needs to keep his eyes off of MY woman!

I shoved Lyon’s words to the back of my mind but he was right.

Had it not been for my impulse decision to step into the ring to defeat Liam, he would’ve been crowned the strongest werewolf this year. That meant Eloise would’ve placed the wreath on Liam’s head instead of mine.

I shook my head from my thoughts. I’d sooner rip his head off than have that happen.

Liam is my cousin–born to my father’s sister. When he was just a child, his father died on the battlefield. It was then that he was sent to live with his mother here in Noah.

When I was young, I lived in Noah. So after Liam lost his father, mine took on the role of being a father for him, too. We were somewhat close because of it.

However, it wasn’t that long after his mother passed away, too. She got sick though we never found out what.

After that, my father and I moved to the Royal City and I rarely saw him after that. A part of me felt sorry for him; especially after everything that happened.

Still, I couldn’t let events and feelings from the past stop me from having a talk with Liam. I needed to get to the bottom of everything and set things straight.

So, I decided that I would have dinner prepared and have him come. I figured he would be more inclined to talk after he got a chance to “relax.”

Liam responded to my dinner invitation without hesitation and arrived on time.

I greeted him with a firm handshake. “Thank you for coming to see me today.”

Liam’s smile was warm. “Please, there’s no need to thank me. We’re family after all.”

I bit the insides of my cheek to prevent myself from saying anything I’d regret. “Of course. Well, I wanted to start off by apologizing for what happened at the Luna Festival. My challenge to you was out of impulse.”

Liam shook his head. “Even the Alpha has the right to compete in the Luna Festival. I simply wasn’t strong enough to defeat you. No harm done.”

Liam then took a shot of the vodka that sat in front of us. A sour expression flashed across his face for a little bit but then he took another one.

I suppressed a smile. “So, tell me, Liam. How has life treated you lately? It’s been so long since we’ve had a proper discussion.”

I waved for the servant and told them to continue serving us shots even though I had no intention of drinking myself.

Liam spoke up after having just let out a horrendously loud burp. “Not much to say, really. I’ve still been living here in Noah as I have been since we were children. I’ve focused on my duties to the Leonard family here while you were busy up in Normand.”

I nodded my head and took a bite out of the savory steak. “And of course, I can’t thank you enough for what you do. My men seem to be performing well and things are in order. What else? I didn’t come here to talk about diplomacy.”

Liam took another shot of vodka and he accidentally knocked over his glass of water in front of him. He gave me a sheepish smile. “I suppose I can’t hold my alcohol like I used to.”

I laughed. “Used to? I don’t recall you having any type of tolerance against high amounts of alcohol. You always were a lightweight.”

Liam mirrored my laugh but he was more loud and obnoxious. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that he was already feeling the effects of the alcohol in his system.

Truly weak, I scolded him in my thoughts.

“Adrian,” I called. “Please help Sir Liam back to his room. I think he’s had far too much to drink.”

Adrian jogged up to the table from the hallway and threw Liam’s arm around his shoulder. He helped guide Liam back to his bedroom while trying not to trip over his drunken footing.

I followed close behind, lost in my thoughts. Maybe I was overreacting to everything. I couldn’t deny that my obsession with Eloise had doubled after the whole incident with my mother.

But I also couldn’t deny how I didn’t like others salivating at the sight of her. Eloise was MY mate, damn it.

I watched Adrian struggle with Liam’s uncooperative, drunken state. It was a pathetic sight to see. As Adrian picked Liam up off the floor, a small bag had fallen out of his pocket.

I stopped to pick it up. Inside of the small, satin bag was a familiar-looking earring. When I inspected the small pearl, at a closer look, I could see the engraving of the butterfly inside of the ball.

This is Eloise’s earring…

My heart was already beginning to race. “Liam,” I cleared my throat. “Where did you get this earring from?”

Liam turned around and saw me holding the bag and the earring. He immediately snatched it from my hands and cradled it to his chest. “A gorgeous and breathtaking woman gave it to me so I could remember her always!”

I started to see red and I pulled Liam off the floor by his collar. “Don’t lie to me! Tell me who gave this to you!”

Liam’s smile stretched across his face.

It took everything within me not to punch him right then and there.

“She’s my secret admirer! You hear that? Seeeecret!” Liam giggled like he was a little schoolboy. “She also gave me some roses! Isn’t she thoughtful?”


All logic and reasoning told me to trust Eloise but the plague of jealousy was eating away at my mind little by little.

I thought back to her momentary hesitation when I asked her if she loved me.

Then I thought about why she and I got married in the first place.

The scene of Liam tending to Eloise’s hand and touching her wound appeared in my mind. It was like a blinding realization.

What if Eloise really likes Liam?

Liam passed out from all of the alcohol and, sadly, all of the violent shaking wasn’t enough to wake him back up.

I dragged Liam into his room and threw him on the bed. Then, I slammed the door behind us.

Adrian was still out in the hallway and was too stunned to speak.

I marched up to Adrian. “Don’t you dare breathe of this to another soul.” My voice was low as I snarled the threat to him. “Do you understand me?”

Adrian nodded his head in agreement.

“Good. Now, leave me alone for the rest of the night. I have some business to attend to.” I stomped back to my room without looking back.

I desperately needed an answer.