Chapter 54 - Where It All Started

Eloise’s POV

A wave of emotions rippled throughout my body when we arrived in Normand. This was where everything started–my marriage to Xavier, and the plan to end his life.

So much time had passed and while I was much closer to achieving my goal, things became more complicated and I hadn’t expected them to. I didn’t think that I’d fall victim to my charade.

When we dismounted the horse and were greeted by familiar Normand guards, Xavier led me down the hall of the surprisingly still cold castle to the parlor where we sealed our marriage.

Xavier closed the door behind us. “Eloise, I wanted to start this conversation by saying that I truly am grateful for you helping Belinda during her time of need.”

“On top of that, you also saved one of my cities. You’ve done so much since becoming Lady of the Leonards and I’m not sure words can truly depict how appreciative I am of you.” He smiled at me.

Before I could get a word in, he quickly spoke over me.

“However,” Xavier’s smile wavered slightly. “A part of me still cannot forgive the Wisdoms for the oversight of justice against my family. I’m hoping that we can come to an agreement.”

I raised an eyebrow at him. “No offense, my Lord, but I already don’t like the sounds of the agreement…”

He ignored my words and continued. “I want you to pledge yourself to me and my family. Focus on the affairs and duties of the Leonards, and I will make you my Luna.”

I blinked my eyes a few times and made sure I wasn’t dreaming. “So, you’re asking for me to cut ties with my family?”

“Yes,” Xavier answered without hesitation.

I furrowed my eyebrows. “Then no,” I answered back without a second thought.

Now it was Xavier’s turn to mirror my expression. “Excuse me?”

“I’m not just going to cut ties with my family, Xavier. Do you have any idea what you’re asking of me?!”

“Your family is more than capable of protecting themselves,” Xavier ignored my words. “Werewolf culture dictates that an Alpha and Luna rule together. Your marriage to me means that you must put the Leonards before your own.”

I couldn’t believe what he was saying. How could he possibly offer me something wonderful with ridiculous conditions?

I put my foot down. “No, Xavier. I won’t just cut ties with my family like that. It hurts me knowing that you would even put me in this situation in the first place.”

I continued. “I love my family, Xavier. Just as you love yours. If the roles were reversed, I would never ask you to cut out people who were important to you.”

Xavier remained silent but his eyes never left mine.

I let out a sigh. “I’m sorry, Xavier, but I can’t and won’t accept the terms of this agreement.”

I could tell by the way that he clenched and unclenched his jaw that he was holding back on saying something to me. He probably wanted to yell and argue.

But I wasn’t in the mood for any of it. I simply curtsied and left the parlor as I made my way back to my old bedroom.

Even though I knew that becoming Luna would improve relations with her family and the rest of the Leonards, what real difference would that have meant if I wasn’t going to be able to see them again?

I studied so much to become stronger for them. I proposed marrying Xavier to save them.

Even though a part of me knew that my feelings for Xavier were changing, I still couldn’t bring myself to agree. Not when his conditions were so inconsiderate.

I looked back at Xavier’s parlor and sighed. Maybe if your conditions were more reasonable, then I would agree. I hope you’ll come to your senses and offer something more secure. If not…

Then I’ll know what needs to be done in the end.

I’ll always choose my family over you, Xavier. I’m sorry.

Xavier’s POV

After Eloise left the room, I let out a deep breath that I had been holding in since she rejected me. I can’t believe she just rejected me!

I tried to power through writing the report for the rescue mission on Caspian but I found it hard to concentrate. Eloise had angered and disappointed me again.

Even though I knew our marriage was nothing more than a contract and we had both agreed to it, I knew there was no denying that I had feelings for her. Would I ever admit them?

No.

The Moon Goddess would have to get me close to death for me to do that.

Regardless, I thought that maybe Eloise would’ve regarded me as her partner by now. I thought that she would’ve also seen me like family in a way.

But no, she only ever cared about the Wisdoms and always seemed to put them before me. It made my heart ache but what was I knew there was nothing I could do to change her mind.

After I had gotten through my report, I absentmindedly looked towards the wall at the map of Lowell continent on it. The letters that spelled out “Gray” stood out to me.

Gray was important to Douglas since it bordered the Royal City. It was known as his prized trading port and was seen as a pillar of strength for him.

That’s when it occurred to me.

“I can take Gray from him. I can take it for myself. Take it for my family.”

After I spoke my conviction out loud, I started to plan out everything. Hours turned into days and before I knew it, soldiers from throughout various cities and territories under Leonard control started pouring into Normand.

Many of them still needed to be trained and debriefed for the impending battle.

Work kept me busy throughout the days, although it was hard when Lyon would whine in my head about missing Eloise. I couldn’t deny that I had missed her, too.

But honestly, I couldn’t find it in my heart to go see her and spend any time with her. Not after she had rejected me.

Still, I knew that I couldn’t deny the fire in my soul from having my mate so close to me. Although I found myself at a loss for words when seeing her throughout the day.

During the moments I would see Eloise, she would offer me a small smile but nothing more. It hurt me knowing that I was the cause of the friction between us.

But my pride would not allow me to apologize to her.

Even though I had begun to think about the weight of my conditions, a part of me was certain that I had offered something reasonable. Could she never bring herself to see my perspective?

“You know as well as I do that it’s ridiculous of you to associate past actions of other family members to Eloise…” Lyon protested in my mind.

“But you know that I can’t trust them. Not after what they allowed.” I thought back to him.

“At some point, you will have to learn to let that go and learn to trust again. Otherwise, nothing will ever improve between you and Eloise, and she will never truly dedicate herself to you.”

I shoved Lyon’s truthful words out of my mind and stood outside of Eloise’s bedroom. It was nighttime and I had made it a habit to come lay with Eloise when she was already asleep.

It was the only time I could find some comfort with her… I knew while she was sleeping, I wouldn’t be forced to confront our problems at that moment. I couldn’t bring myself to.

Once the day came that our preparations for the siege of Gray finished, I was hesitant on leaving Eloise alone. I sat on my horse and found myself staring up at her window.

“Why don’t you ask Lady Eloise to come with us?” Adrian suggested. “Her medicinal know-how would be beneficial in aiding our medics.”

I shook my head. “No. She doesn’t need to see the ugly and brutal side of war. Plus, she’d be much safer in Normand anyway.

After everything was packed and our horses were ready, I led my men away from the city of Normand towards Gray. I took one last look up at Eloise’s window before letting out a sigh.

I’m sorry.