Matters of the Heart: King Xavier and Flora

Chapter Two:

King Xavier's POV:

My wolf, Sylus, has been pacing around and snarling in my head for the past two hours at the news from my Beta. Someone is stealing money from me. I am the King! To make matters worse, it has been in the Dark Moon Pack. I cringe hearing that Pack name because it's where SHE came from. I cannot even say her name without bubbling with anger. That measly, little pack is full of wolves who run major financial sectors in the Kingdom and with one click of their fingers the whole realm can go into poverty! The thought makes my hairs stand on edge.

"They have too much financial power," Sylus snarls. His strong, black paws are pacing back and forth, causing my head to vibrate.

I can only nod in agreement though. I know he is right and now I need to make a trip to the pack to find the thief! I climb into the car with Sam and we begin our trip to the Eastern Territory. Sam is my beta and a very good one too. We have been friends since we were out of the womb and he has seen me through some of my darkest hours and my best hours. I have also seen him through thick and thin.

"So Xavier, it's been a while since you have visited Dark Moon Pack. You know, ever since Sarah and all," Sam expresses from the passenger seat. I can sense a bit of unsurety in his voice, almost as if he is holding back. Damn right he should hold back.

Hearing that name makes me forget to breathe and my hands grip the steering wheel tightly. Sam notices my white knuckles and winces.

"Look bud, I know it is difficult to move on after what Sar- I mean, after what she did, you know? I wouldn't be on your case about coming with me if this weren't a serious issue. Besides, maybe you will find your mate. Our Kingdom could use a Luna and a Queen. A real one this time, you know?" Sam rambles on, his words becoming more like mumbles.

Honestly, I know everything he is saying is true, but I just cannot imagine a female by my side after what SHE did to me. What was supposed to be exciting and happy ended in utter humiliation. I remember the aching and embarrassment I felt all those years ago and I promised not only to myself but my Kingdom, that I would be the King they need. Someone who is not a lovesick pup, but a strong, brave and fair leader. All of this without a woman. Without a weakness.

"Sam, I made a promise to mys-" I begin, but Sam interrupts me. I want to growl out, but I need to reign in Sylus for my friend.

"Xavier, come on man! That was years ago. Do you really think you can be your best self without a Luna?" Sam pleads.

Sylus growls from frustration and Sam lowers his head in submission. Nobody tests me or makes me seem weak!

"Do not test me beta. You have no idea how it was for me to supposedly find my mate, fall deeply in love with her and then find out it was a trick and witchcraft all along. The whole damn Kingdom thought I was a lovesick pup who couldn't keep it in his pants for long enough to smell the dark magic oozing from her. I was humiliated and it has taken me years to redeem myself. Hell, my own father still thinks I am a joke of a son after that incident. My mother barely leaves her room because my father is a tyrant and just when I think I finally have things under control, every she-wolf thinks they can trick me as SHE did!" I just about yell whilst staring forward at the road. My alpha aura was now fully present and making the air in the car unbreathable and ominous.

"What will you do the day you really find your mate then Alpha?" Sam asks softly with his head still low.

His question lifts my spirits a bit and the presence in the car lightens as I laugh. I can feel the tension slowly seeping through the open windows.

"That is quite funny Sam. The day I meet a girl who claims she is my mate, I will reject her. Why do you ask? Well my friend, it's simple really. I will reject her because I do not trust her to be telling me the truth." I laugh out. Sylus is snickering in my mind too. What a stupid question from my smart Beta. I will never trust a female ever again! That and I don't need a she-wolf, they only make men weak!

Sam looks at me dumbfounded, his mouth half open and his brows furrowed. I can't help but laugh out at his stupid expression. That will teach him to dig his nose into places he shouldn't.

Flora's POV:

It's 11 am and I know I am needed in the Alpha office at noon for the lunch meeting. I can feel myself becoming itchy with anticipation.

"I wonder what it's about?" Rose asks in my mind.

Honestly, I have no idea, but Luke has been acting strange all day and has even blocked me from his mind link. He never does that.

I spent most of the morning helping the warriors carry logs to build a bridge at the river and I am an absolute, stinking mess. I run-up to my room and have a quick look in the mirror. My blonde hair is wild and my favorite t-shirt is torn. I better clean up really quickly before I see Luke. I know he isn't my mate, but he is still my Alpha and best friend. I quickly jump in the shower to freshen up. Once finished I brush my hair and throw on black, skinny jeans with a red top and pumps. I don't bother to put on any make-up, but I do grab my chapstick and finish my look off with some pretty, red earrings. I look at the time and almost jump out of my skin. I am going to be late!

I just about run to the Pack House and I see a Black SUV parked outside. Yikes, it looks like we have guests as well!

"Girl, run! Luke is going to be so angry that you're late!" Rose whines in my mind.

I bolt up the stairs and stop in front of the Alpha office, where I hear hushed speaking and some shuffling. One of the Omega's walkouts carrying a tray of drinks and she smiles at me.

"I hope you don't mind Beta, I let them in and told them to wait in the office for you and Alpha. Alpha Richard told me you and Alpha Luke have a meeting at 12, so I prepared lunch for afterward." She says before hurrying off.

That is weird. What has gotten into Luke? Why is he not here yet? Who is behind these doors? Why was Luke not there to greet them? Oh well, here goes nothing.

I open the door, slowly and carefully when I feel the most intoxicating smell enter my system. The smell of musk and forest. The smell of masculinity and refinement. The type of smell that has your toes curl, your eyes roll and your juices flow. Goddess, help me!

"MATE! MATE! MATE!" Rose yells in my head. I can feel her leaping and jumping in my mind. I watch as she yips and jumps before landing softly on her paws. I want to chuckle at how silly she is behaving.

Closing the door, I turn around and look up into the office. I can sense the confusion, the thick lust, the admiration, but also the irritation that comes from the gorgeous specimen in front of me. Wait, irritation?

Staring up at me from the guest chairs is a man with light brown hair and brown eyes that smile with warmth, but it is not those eyes that captivate me. It is the piercing blue eyes next to his that bore into my soul and make my knees weak. Rose is howling and wagging her tail in my mind and I can't help but smile lovingly at the man who will be my family from this day on. I wonder if he has also been waiting for me? This is the first day of the rest of our lives and this realization has my veins bubbling in excitement.

My mate observes my face for a second and I see his eyes flash black as they scan down my body, but as they make their way up, his eyes lock onto mine and a dread fills my gut. For all the love and warmth my gaze held, his held none. That’s when I see it, the disgust in his eyes as he turns away and my heart shatters into a thousand pieces. I can hear Rose whimpering in my mind and my vision is clouded, but I cannot allow myself to be weak, not in front of my mate! I try to step forward, but I know better than to approach an unhappy alpha and this alpha really seems perplexed.

Just as the awkward space was becoming unbearable, the office door bursts open and I hear Alpha Luke fumbling in.

"Ah, King Xavier, welcome to Dark Moon Pack. I'm glad Beta Flora was here to welcome you." Alpha Luke booms in, grabbing the men's hands for a shake.

King Xavier.

King Xavier.

King Xavier.

Hearing that name gives me a chill up my spine and butterflies in my stomach. I recall my mate's piercing blue gaze, his ruffled dark hair, his strong jaw and.... wait?

King Xavier is my mate.