5

XENIA'S POV

  So now I was fully aware of the reasons my mom left Beddington. Yes, it still seemed strange and sort of archaic to me that bethrotal is something that still exists in this modern age and time.

Whoever this Alpha might be, what is the guarantee that I'm going to love him because I can't be with someone I'm not in love with, and also, at one point in time, I was sure about everything, my life, my career, my future with Bradshaw and now everything just collapsed in one swoop.

 Moreover, the way I felt drawn to Kaleb is like no other person I've Loved before or Marrylen, the kind lady who tried to help me, whom I felt a bond with too, will I be able to pursue my feelings for them or would I all dump it for this Alpha. All these thoughts filled my mind that I didn't notice it was daybreak.

 "What would you like to eat, Xenia? I don't really have much but I could do a quick run to the grocery store", my uncle said as I stepped into the living room. "No, it's okay, I'll have anything that's available but first I want to get some supplies, do you know where I can get such?", I asked him and he nodded, "It's a stone's throw so you might not really need to take your car if it's just a few items you need", he said and I went back to my room to change from my PJ's and then headed out.

 True to what my uncle said, the store wasn't far from the house, I decided to scan through the shelves to see what they had as I heard someone call out to me, "Miss Xenia", a female voice said and I turned to the sound to see a smiling Marrylen beckoning me over.

"Good morning, thanks for stopping by to help, it's really rare to see that especially where I grew up, everyone is so busy on their own business", I said, giggling a bit to which she replied smiling, "And I'm sorry for the way Kaleb treated you, it seems like you both have a bad history", I said and she sighed, "You can say so, anyway how are you settling in to the quaint life of Beddington?", She asked, clearly steering away from the Kaleb convo which I don't try to press further into, who knows, maybe they're exes.

 "It's really quaint like you said, but I think I'm beginning to like it, it's nothing like New York tho, so it'll take some getting used to", I replied her and she nodded, taking my hands in hers, "Yeah, I guess so, anyway, if you need a tour, I'm known to be a good your guide", she said, winking and my cheeks heat up, Is she trying to flirt with me?

"I'll keep that in mind", I replied her as she put her business card in my hands and waved goodbye… hmm, Marrylen Hawkins, Head of Research Team of Maine's Forestry Research and Wildlife Maintainance Team, Beddington Department.

 After picking up the supplies I came for, I went back to the house, my mind filled with our encounter, was she really trying to flirt with me? And more importantly, why did I feel heat when she did. All these thoughts flood my mind as the day went by quite quickly if I must say and then I called her, "Hello, it's Xenia, about the tour, wanted to see if you we could go on it now, if you're not busy", I said and she affirmed while I gave her my address and proceeded to get ready.

KALEB'S POV

 "Nenyia, I found her", I said with excitement as I entered the room of our speaker, the one who speaks with the spirits and keeps the ceremonies on behalf of the Pack.

She's our bridge between the Pack and the Spirits and moreover, I see her as my own mother as she was the one who took care of me ever since I was born since my mother died at childbirth.

She comes out of her inner chambers, "Calm down my child, who do you speak of?", She asked as she beckoned me to sit with her.

"I've found my kin, I've found Xenia, she's finally returned", I told her, the excitement still very evident on my face.

 "Then we must waste no further time, the bonding ceremony will happen tonight, do well to prepare for it", she said and I nodded, "And take this outfit to her", she gestured towards her dresser where an animal skin blouse and skirt rest, "She has to wear it during the ceremony, go and get her to the ritual grounds, and I'll gather the rest of the pack to meet us there", she concluded as I took a bow and walked out of her room.

MARRYLEN'S POV

 After taking the address to Xenia's uncle's apartment, I swiftly put on one of my most casual yet thoughtful outfits, I can remember the last time I made such an effort and that was with Idara, but ever since I saw Xenia, I won't say my feelings for Idara has completely collapsed, but Xenia pushes a tough bargain.

She's already been to the grocery store so there's no need to add that to the tour list but for sure, I know where we're going to end up, my favorite place in this city, DeDeon's Bar.

 I waited outside her door and the moment she steps out, let me tell you, I've seen gorgeous women but Xenia tops them all, there's just something about her that has me feeling a certain type of way, "Shall we?", I gesture to her and she smiles and nods, "So where to first, my tour guide?", She asks with a mischievous smile on her lips that makes me want to kiss it off her.

 We started from the library and then went to the bakery, the town hall, the chapel and the park, every single place we went to made me fall for her more and more, her subtle little reactions to these places is out of this world, or the way she listens and nods when I explain the history of some of these places or the way she laughs that sounds so angelic, there's only one word for her and that is Perfect and I know I'm falling and falling fast.

 "So have we come to the end of our tour?"  She asked and I shook my head, "Just one more place left and it's my favorite spot in this town" I said and she smiled, "If it's your favorite part, then I'd love to see it", she replied as we walked towards the bar.

"Oh I know here, " she mildly exclaimed, "I dropped Kaleb off yesterday, " she said as we walked in and took a table.

"Do you mind if I ask you a question?", I asked her and she shook her head, gesturing me to continue. "What brought you over to Beddington all the way from New York?", I asked her and as she was about to answer, Kaleb walked into the bar and began to walk towards us, honestly, he has the worst timing possible and it pisses me off because as much as I enjoy spending time with Xenia, I'm still unable to figure out why he keeps appearing whenever I and Xenia are together.

"Xenia, I need you to come with me", he said.