LEO'S POV"You might want to close your mouth now, Leo. I can't stand your breath." He sniped at me, causing my spine to bristle in sheer anger. The nerve of him to say that! How dare he! It was probably because he knew that his uncle was around that was why he was acting all pompous. So much confidence for someone who had not yet claimed the throne. "Fancy meeting you here, Xavier. I thought you were not going to make it." I said curtly, shooting him a fake smile. My jaw tightened as I resisted the urge to make a scene in front of anyone. But I had to refrain myself from making a complete fool of myself. I balled my hands at my side into a tight fist. He was alone, standing at the corner of the party where there were few guests present. And the two-piece clothes he wore, were screaming luxury. It was stunning with its glittering pearls adorning his shirt and at once envy churned in my stomach. As much as I hated to admit it, he looked incredibly amazing wearing that

CRYSTAL'S POV"... Do you love him? " Her words seeped through my brain. Love is a very strong word and I wasn't sure if it was okay to say I love Xavier yet. It was too soon and I didn't know how to properly interpret the feelings I was having for him. For all I know it could be a mixed signal and I was only feeling a Stockholm syndrome towards someone who was blackmailing me to get his hands on the throne. But he didn't particularly give off the impression that he liked me. It was more of; "You're my mate and I'm responsible for your well fare" sort of thing. It wasn't love.... My heart sank at the realization that maybe Xavier didn't even like me or care for me as I thought he did. I mean, I understood the fact that it may be a little too soon for him to make professions of love to me, a mere omega and a former slave but if he truly liked me it would have been obvious. When he touched me, I thought I had gone insane. It was breathtaking and I didn't want him to stop. My wh

XAVIER'S POVDamn it! "Am I interrupting something?"Why did he have to be here now? I recognized that voice even in my sleep and anytime I heard it, my nerves grated with contempt. I cocked my head slowly and my eyes widened to see that it was not only Leo that was present. I quickly released my grasp on Alicia and she wrenched her hands away and fled from me like a plague as she scurried towards the side of Leo. Leo and his mother, Luna Rachael were present and that wasn't all... My gaze glided to meet the other person standing in their midst. I swallowed a lump down my throat. It was my Uncle. The elder Ivan Hawkings stood with his hands entwined at his back like he always does and his eyebrows were arched. Was he disappointed to see me with our enemy in a seemingly intimate way? I was just trying to ascertain which team she was on, that's all. It wasn't like I was giving our plans away or anything. I would never betray my uncle no matter what even if I had a knife brand

XAVIER'S POV"It is a ritual that when the coronation is just around the corner, the two competitors for the throne are expected to have a suitable and proper mate. Emphasis on proper mate. " She dragged the last sentence out as she shot a smirk at me. That witch! What was she planning to do? Crystal Thorne, as far as I was concerned, was a proper mate. I chose her as my mate and I couldn't care less what anyone else says. And she remained my mate until I said otherwise. "So as we all know, Leo Fernandez and Xavier Fernandez are both competing for the throne. Tonight, the stakes will be high; we are to choose between the two of them, together with their rightful mate, who is fit to rule our revered Blood Moon Pack. " She announced and at once the crowd began to murmur among themselves. I was shocked as those words rolled out of her mouth. They tasted bitter in my mouth as if I was the one that uttered them. Now, things were beginning to get out of hand gradually. I coul

XAVIER'S POV"Did you singlehandedly approve all these? " Luna Aurora probed with her eyebrows arched. Elder Martins and Luna Rachael both exchanged glances. He cleared his throat and leaned into the mic. "I represented the entire elders of the Blood Moon Pack and they approved. So I did not singlehandedly decide on my own. It is the will of the elders of the Blood Moon Pack. " He said. Did Uncle Ivan approve? I doubted so! This was a biased decision! It was fueled by hatred and family revenge! And worst of all, it was ignited by none other than my stepmother, Luna Rachael. She must have bribed him. That vile woman! She was capable of doing something like that. I would not be surprised if she had even slept with him to win his vote and support. How could the people not see the lies they were spewing?! It might just as well be written in huge letters across a billboard by the side of the road: They were fucking lying! My pulse leapt and jangled like a car alarm as I for