Chapter 13

XAVIE 

Pushing aside my nerves, I hurried toward the staircase, a little worried that I might not reach him on time. There’s not a single doubt in my mind that if he goes on the upper floor that he wouldn’t see Kian lurking around in his study, a part of me was wondering why he decided to be reckless when he could have told me to keep Alec distracted. 

“Alpha Alec—” I called out on reaching the stairs. “Is it okay if I speak to you for a few minutes, unless you’re in a hurry.” 

He pauses, eyes searching as if expecting Kian to pop out behind me or something. “I would prefer if you address me as Alec, Alpha Kian and I have known each other for a while now, speaking of him…where is he?” 

“He mentioned something about going to the men’s room earlier,” I hiked my dress up a little, closing the gap between us. “Some party you’re having…” 

His eyes piqued with undistinguished interest. “How? Is it not to your liking?” 

“Not to my liking? whatever do you mean by that?” I latched onto the topic of conversation because when I hurried here to stop him, I didn’t come up with anything. Saving Kian’s ass was on the forefront of my mind, if only he had the decency to apply the same logic. 

Earlier before we left home, I had a feeling he was hiding something, asking him was giving him a chance to tell me but he didn’t. He assured me we were going along with my plan, he made a fool of me! Maybe I should just let Alec go and watch him sign his way out of that without a translator but then…I’ll also be compromising my identity! 

“Never mind…” Alec's low voice snapped me out of my thoughts, is he flirting with me or am I imagining it? 

“Is there a reason why you’re staring at me like that?” I flirtatiously asked, pushing my hair out of my face. Holding eye contact, I bit my lower lip in a manner that’s  supposed to be seductive. “Looking at me like that will send the wrong message to your mate.” 

I gestured towards Annika using my head, she was across the room glaring at us. The audacity for her to be acting this way! I guess she should be afraid of losing him how she got him because back when we were still engaged, she was actively fucking him. How ironic! Being paranoid of her mate cheating on her with someone just looks like his dead ex or someone she’s suspecting of being his dead ex. 

He followed the direction of my eyes, uncaring about the fact that his mate was shooting dagger in our direction. “You simply reminded us of her sister I mentioned earlier, where did you say you’re from again?” 

Fortunately I was rescued from answering that question when Kian appeared, seeing that my attention was no longer on him, Alec also turned in his direction. For a split second there, I could see a flash of anger in both men’s eyes but it was gone quicker than a burning out flame. While Kian did have the right to be furious, I couldn’t grasp what seemed to make Alec angry. 

It took every self control I could muster at that moment to walk away from Alec  instead of giving in to the urge of pushing him down the stairs. 

“There you are, I was starting to get worried.” I said, inserting a note of cheerfulness I didn’t feel inside my voice. 

Alec frowned slightly, watching the two of us like pieces of puzzle he was trying to figure out. “I hope you didn’t have any trouble locating the rest room? Next time, just use the one downstairs, it’s available for party guests.” 

“Actually, do you have a privacy room where I can talk to my mate in private please?” I asked suggestively so he doesn’t get suspicious. 

“Oh? Sure, I’ll lead the way.” 

Kian acts like he wasn’t aware of the conversation between Alec and I as he tried going downstairs back but I stopped him by yanking on his hand and dragging him along with us. Once we were given the room I asked for, I waited until I was sure Alec was out of earshot before speaking. 

“How—?” However, his hand closed over my mouth causing my eyes to widen in confusion until he nodded towards the small camera staring down at us. Just great! 

Refusing to give up, I pushed him backward on the single sofa in the room and now it was his turn to look surprised. Leaning closer so it gave the camera an illusion that we were doing something intimate, I whispered in his ears. “You lied to me, then told Tint to lie to me as well, I didn’t distract Alec for you but for myself so if you’ll excuse me, I will be heading home now.” 

I stepped out of the room, bumping into Tint who appears to be guarding the door to make sure no one was eavesdropping on our conversation. I didn’t acknowledge her as I walked past and out of the stupid, boring party! 

I blindly trusted Kian because we had a common goal, I should have known not to trust him so soon, look at me, getting fooled a second time. I learned my lesson, the only person I should be trusting and counting on is myself, not even someone I’m in a business arrangement with. 

Waiting patiently for my ride because I refused to be in one with Kian plus I didn’t think he was ready to leave the party yet. He can go to hell for all I freaking care! A car pulled up in front of me and I felt my heart drop in the pit of my stomach when the windows rolled down, revealing Alec as the driver. 

“You need a ride back home? I’ll take you.” He offered, opening the passenger side of the door for me, something he never did back when we were together. 

If looks could kill, Alec would be dead in that moment. “Thanks for the offer but my ride is here.” 

I left him hanging there and entered the other car. The long drive back home did nothing to ease my temper. I started to pack my things right away even though I had no idea where I would be going but as long as it’s away from Kian and his people, it’s fine by me. 

The bedroom door opened a couple of minutes later while I was still packing, surprise reflected back at me in his eyes when he saw what I was doing. He shook his head with disapproval, well fortunately, I don’t need his approval for anything! 

I ignored him and carried on, but then he snatched the next piece of nothing I was trying to fold into the suitcase and flung it across the room. 

“Oh? My bad! I forgot none of these things were brought with my money so I apologize but don’t sweat it, I’ll pay you back someday once I get my inheritance back.” I paused when my voice started to betray me. “If it’s okay with you, I’ll need to borrow these items until I can afford to replace them. Thank you for saving my life and everything else you’ve done for me until now, good bye Alpha Kian…”