Chapter 17

XAVIE 

After flower picking with Hilda, I have been pacing round the private sitting area waiting for Kian to finish with his meetings so we can have a chat about Hilda’s concern. Something needs to be done before these rumours spun out of control, to be honest, it was already spinning out of control. 

But then it occurred to me that we have no way of communicating with each other without Tint and if she follows us around, people will just start other rumors like we have a third or something. I collapsed on the sofa, only to rise up a few seconds later as a very brilliant idea crossed my mind. 

I went into the bedroom, pulling out one of the drawers I’ve seen Kian take a journal out of. I found a small journal there, several if I was being honest. I took a pen from my dressing mirror table and went back to the sitting area to wait for him. With the journal, we won’t need Tint to follow us around translating his words to me when he could just write them down and pass it over for me to read. 

Kian came into the room some minutes later, I immediately handed him both the journal and pen. “We need to talk, turns out people don’t mind their business around here.” 

The corner of his mouth twitched as he attempted to smooth a smile, I couldn’t help but wonder what was so funny about what I just said. 

“I agree, Tint was more than happy to bring me up to date on the rumors that have been circling around. There’s no need to worry, Tint is handling it.” He passed me the journal after he was done writing. 

“Tint is handling it?” I passed the journal back to him. “I doubt there’s anything she can do about this, I know you trust her but I don’t. I don’t know her at all, we need to take care of this ourselves.” I pointed out, folding my arms across my chest. 

There was a pause between us and just as I was about to break the silence, Tint chose that moment to announce her presence. I didn’t like how involved she was becoming, and I made a mental note to tell Kian later. 

“I came up with something! Like I told Alpha earlier, the solution to shutting down the rumors is pretty simple. You just need to be seen together more…” She approached me, pushing me a little closer to Kian and then doing the same thing to him until we were standing really close to each other. 

I tried not to roll my eyes as I waited for her to explain what the meaningless gesture is supposed to achieve. 

“Is there any reason why you can’t stand next to each other even in a room all by yourself? What are you so afraid of? When was the last time you had breakfast together? Well… never! The only time you both were seen together since the mating ceremony was the official Luna ceremony, only a few spotted you two together when you went horse riding. You are married! in love! You aren’t supposed to be able to get enough of each other, at least not this soon.” 

Well, she doesn’t have a point, doesn’t mean I appreciate her butting in. 

“Alright Tint, starting now, we will be joining the others for breakfast…right Kian?” I glanced at him. 

He wrote a “yes” down and showcased it for the both of us to see. 

“Not just breakfast, you need to act the part, pretend to be in love. Not just when people are around because you don’t know who’s watching. And Luna… you need to put a little bit more effort, your half sister is still not convinced otherwise I overheard her talking—” 

I interrupted. “Annika was talking about me? What the hell was she saying?” I demanded, feeling a flare of anger. 

“See? At the mention of her name, you get so triggered and that makes you emotional, you need to learn how to control that. And as for you Alpha, you need to stop acting so cold towards Alpha Alec, he is soon going to get suspicious. Anyway, I’ll come up with more activities, events for you guys to go together with, we are giving your relationship the PR it deserves!” She cheered, doing a little skip out of the room. 

Once she was gone, Kian and I exchanged looks, I didn’t need him to tell me how much he hates the idea, I could see it written all over him and the look on his face might as well mirror mine. I sat down back on the sofa, holding my head in my hands when I felt a tap. 

“We have a deal?” I silently read his words. 

Forcing a smile to my face, I stood up. “Sure, if this is the little sacrifice I have to make to get my inheritance back and make Alec pay while at it, then I’m game.” An emotion passed through his eyes but it was gone before I could even grasp it. 

He turned away, dropping the journal on the coffee table before walking away. Well, that was weird. Left with nothing to do, I made my way back to the bedroom before my ears were assaulted by a loud knock on the door. 

It didn’t take long for Tint to make her way inside but this time, she wasn’t alone. The maids stood behind her, their eyes reflecting their curiosity as they looked at me. 

“Luna, these are the two handmaidens you requested for. Gwen and Willow, with you and Alpha enjoying your honeymoon phase, I think it’s time you finally get some assistance especially if you’re going to be taking over your Luna duties too.” She introduced me, while I was staring at her like a crazy person. 

I smile politely at the maids because what I was about to say next might be seen as rude. “Could you please excuse us?” 

“As you wish Luna.” They both chorus before stepping out of the room. 

Tint sighs before I begin speaking. “I know you don’t like me, but I promise I’m just trying to help. Malia was my best friend, we grew up together and I only became an official translator to her brother after she died. It’s been a passion of mine and I never thought—” 

“Why are you telling me all these? I don’t know you so I don’t care. But since Kian obviously trusts you, I’d appreciate it if you tell me before trying to make changes to my life. Just because I’m the Luna or whatever doesn’t give you the right.” 

“Oh no!” She flushed, her face turning red. “I’m not ordering you around. Gwen and Willow are popular among the servants so I thought by bringing them in close proximity to you it would make things easier.” 

I took a deep breath, trying to control my emotions. Pouring my frustration and anger on her seems mean. She isn’t  my step mother or Annika or even Alec! She was trying to help and I needed to put my issues aside and let her. 

It’s just hard, all my life I have only ever done what people wanted me to do. I didn’t like Gia but I accepted because it would make my father happy. I didn’t want to accept Alec as my mate at first but Annika convinced me to. People control things in my life but not anymore. Part of becoming this new person was making sure I’m in charge of my own life. 

Hilda had first suggested I choose a handmaid for myself and I could have but I wasn’t used to being served, I’m usually the one serving people and now that the table turns, I didn’t know what to do with this new found power. How could I ever become this person, defeat Alec if I’m overthinking, hesitating, overfeeling and afraid? 

That needs to stop. I’m not the old Xavie, this new Xavie is different. She’s no longer naive, stupid and scared. 

“I’ll send them back to the kitchen.” Tint’s voice cut into my thoughts. 

I smiled. “There’s no need, I do need the assistance and they could start by arranging my wardrobe and picking out the clothes I intend to wear tonight for dinner. That aside, give me the list of my Luna duties and brief me, I’m mostly interested in anything that will make my path cross with Annika.” 

She beamed. “As you wish Luna.” 

Well Xavie, welcome to your new role!