Chapter 2

Mia's POV

"Xavier, come on, let's go to the lake." I said gleefully as I approached his courtyard. He lives alone in his not so big house, ever since his parents died.

"I'm not sure I can make it today Pixie, I have a lot on my plate right now. I'm so sorry" I hung my head in disappointment and sat on one of the benches for some time.

"My mother caught me sneaking in last night" I said and smiled to cover my pain.

"What! What did she do?" He asked.

"Well, nothing new. She just gave me some extra work and she wanted to seize the box but someone came looking for her.

By the time she got back I already exchanged the contents in the box" 

I replied.

"That was very close! I'm really sorry I can't go to the lake with you today. You'll just have to go without me…" he said and I shrugged my shoulders and left.

The path to the lake was cold and lonely. I barely came here alone and the last time I did, it's been a long time now.

I skipped and twirled around as I got to the lake and splashed water around, playing my flute and listening to the wind. This was my only way to cope and escape reality.

"Why do I feel like someone is watching at me?" I asked myself as I paused and looked around for some time. I may not be able to transform yet, but my senses work perfectly.

"Maybe I'm just overthinking, It's probably just an animal." I reassured myself and continued playing my flute.

I suddenly heard a twig snap under someone's foot and immediately turned around to the direction of the sound but nothing and nobody was in sight.

"Who's that?" I asked and gently replaced my flute in my pocket and dusted my dress.

"Don't be afraid, I don't mean to scare or hurt you.." the voice said and I paused before gently turning around to face the beautiful creature in front of me.

His eyes glistened under the sun rays and his long silky hair fell on his shoulder. I stared at him as though he was an angel…

I fought the urge to ask what god he is, because someone as drop dead gorgeous as this can't be a human like everyone else.

I tried to say something but my words were suddenly lost. 

"Who are you?" He asked but I was too busy admiring him, to know the answer to his question.

"Hey…" he whispered and snapped his fingers over my face.

"Uhh umm I'm Mia…Mia, that's my name." I stuttered and removed the stray strand of hair on my face.

"Hello there, Mia, I'm Hazel…" he replied and my eyes widened.

"Hazel, as in the soon to be alpha king?" I asked.

"I guess everyone knows me now" he replied and I quickly took a few steps backwards.

"My apologies, courtesy demands that I show respect to you.." I said and immediately bobbed a curtsy.

"That won't be necessary anyways.

By the way, you play the flute right?" He asked and gestured for me to sit with him on a log of wood.

I slowly took his hand and lowered myself on the log. Such a gentleman he is…

Just as I was about to play some tunes for him, I remembered that I had some things to do at home. Did I really stay here for that long?

"I need to get going, my parents would be mad at me for staying out too late. We could meet again, if destiny is willing.." I said and ran off without letting him say anything.

I ran without looking back so I could get home on time. 

"Where's mum and dad?" I asked my sister as I barged into the living room breathing heavily.

"They're not back yet." She replied.

I let out a sigh of relief and ran into my room.

"Isn't he so dreamy…." I whispered as I danced in front of the mirror and thought of his gorgeous face.

"Maybe I should tell Xavier about this. He'll be blown away when I tell him that the soon to be alpha king asked me to play him a song!" I shrieked and danced around like he had already asked for my hand in marriage.

"Can you keep it down?!" My sister yelled from the living room and I rolled my eyes.

Xavier's POV

I sat on the balcony and stared at my painting. A smile crept on my face as I admired its beauty. It was not just any painting, it's a painting of the love of my life. 

Thoughts of everything about her filled my mind, from her laughter, to the sound of her voice. Even to the way she walks with so much grace.

"If only I can actually tell her about how I feel…" I said to myself and dropped the paintbrush in my hand.

"Maybe I should tell her about it.." I said but then the thought of being rejected also discouraged me.

"I'd rather keep this feeling to myself than tell her about it. I can't even tell anyone about it.

Maybe when the right time comes, I'll make it known to her." I said and covered the painting up.

I took the board into my study and placed it with other paintings of Mia. She has never seen any of these paintings and I've sworn to keep them to myself for as long as I can.

At least for the sake of our friendship, I can't afford to lose it.

"Or maybe, the more I keep my love for her to myself, someone else will take her away from me.." I muttered.

Feeling confused, I roughly ran my hand through my hair and buried my face in my palms.

Just tell her how you feel, Xavier, there's nothing else you can do at this point…

After all, what's the worst that could happen?

I thought to myself and got up immediately to pick out a dress and maybe write her a letter and probably pick out some flowers.

I'm her best friend so I know exactly what she likes and what she doesn't.

"It's either her, or nobody else.."