Episode 12: Sour Grapes
Alec POV:
The sun shone through the sheer drapes of the dining room sending rays of rainbow colors across the large mahogany table as I attempted to enjoy my breakfast. Something that would be much better accomplished had I been able to eat it in solitary peace. But alas, I was not that fortunate on this day…
“Are you listening to me, Alec?” Lexi screeched out, throwing a half-eaten pastry hard in my direction, which hit me in the chest and stuck for a moment before falling off and hitting the floor.
I let out a long exhaustive sigh as I looked down to find my white shirt was now stained with a red gooey jelly substance. From the moment her eyes opened, my mate, my ever so nagging and torturous wife had been endlessly complaining about Vincent and Katelyn’s ball and my decision to allow Moriah to attend with me and not allow her to join as well.
Lexi loathed everything about Moriah and did not make any attempt to conceal it, constantly belittling and degrading her. I felt rather bad about that, but as it gave me a reprieve from Lexi’s onslaught of entitled expectations, I did very little to deter or stop it. Moriah being the kind and loving person she was always faced it in a forgiving manner, as she respected that Lexi was my mate. While a small part of me will always feel protective of my mate and love her and our connection, there was a huge part of me that wondered what I had ever done to deserve this kind of punishment. Had my father relayed the knowledge given to me on his death bed, maybe I could have saved myself this aggravation.
Immediately upon seeing the mess that Lexi had left on my shirt, one of the maids quickly grabbed a glass of water and a napkin before rushing over in an attempt to help me clean my shirt. This sent Lexi into another fury.
“What are you doing?” Lexi shouted out, standing up and aggressively pushing the maid back, causing water to spill all over the floor…and my pants, “Get your hands off my husband! Now!” Seeing the fear in the maid’s expression, she seethed, “Look at what you have done! Clean this floor up and then disappear from my sight! Do you hear me?”
The maid cowered towards the wet ground as Lexi brought up her hand to strike her. My chair flew across the floor as I angrily stood up and forcefully grabbed Lexi’s hand before she could inflict her harsh punishment, loudly growling out, "ENOUGH!”
Lexi glared at me with furious narrowed eyes as she commanded to our servant, “Forget cleaning up for now! Just get out of my sight!”
I returned Lexi’s harsh gaze with one of my own deadly stares as I increased the grip on her wrist and added in a tense tone, “Thank you for your efforts to assist me, Lola, but I think you should leave now. Please forgive my wife’s irrational behavior.”
Nodding, my maid rushed out of the room as I pulled hard on Lexi’s wrist bringing her close, our faces within inches of one another as I made no attempt to hide my own infuriation, “I understand you are not happy, dear, but do not take it out on our staff! I’ve already lost enough good servants because of your childish fits! Now, SIT DOWN!”
Viciously pulling her wrist from my grasp, Lexi reached over and grabbed my napkin, throwing it hard at me before purposefully sitting in her chair with a regal air, “Clean yourself up! You look ridiculous!”
Wanting to get away from her, I threw the napkin on the table and harshly replied, “I’ve lost my appetite. I’m going to change and meet with Lafayette regarding some business. Try not to cause too much trouble in our household today, dear. And most of all, stay away from Moriah! Do you hear me?”
“Or what?” Lexi challenged, a smug grin on her face.
I leaned down and grabbed her hard around the shoulders before warning, “I am used to you being angry with me, Lexi, so I have allowed you to complain about your petty issues with regards to the ball. But, under no circumstances are you to make any moves to interfere with my plans, do you understand? Especially with regards to Moriah! I will not warn you again…leave Moriah ALONE!”
“You have plans with regards to Moriah?” a cheerful voice came from behind me, “Might I ask what else you have in store for our Little Miss?”
Turning towards the sound, I happily greeted, “Xavier! Welcome home!”
Xavier bowed before me, “Thank you, Sire! Always wonderful to be home in the presence of my loving Alpha and Luna! And from the looks of it, a food fight this morning!”
“Oh give it up, Xavier,” Lexi sarcastically replied, getting up and brushing past me to walk over and embrace him, “We both know what you walked in on. As usual, my husband is both cruel and disappointing. His current appearance is deserved!”
As Lexi hugged him, Xavier rolled his eyes before giving me a wink of understanding. I could tell in his mind, he had diffused a difficult situation for me. While that was laughable in a sense, the knowledge of his immense loyalty to me was pleasing. Especially considering my intentions where he was concerned…
Pulling back from the embrace, Xavier attempted to comfort Lexi, “We also both know that our Luna hates celebrations such as the one attended last night. So why are you so bitter about it this morning? You were saved from misery, were you not? Is it really so wrong that Little Miss was allowed just a few moments of freedom? Surely you will not be wicked towards her, will you?”
It was obvious that his presence was helping to subside Lexi’s irritation as she laughed and exhaled out adoringly, “Handsome and charming as always, Xavier! Only you could ease my distress in such a way!”
Xavier grinned widely as his grey eyes danced humorously, “Always at your service, my Luna.”
Lexi placed her hand on Xavier’s chest, running her fingers along the outline of his upper frame as she seductively replied, “Mmmm…don’t tempt me!”
“That’s enough, Lexi,” I sternly warned, walking over and pulling her away from Xavier.
“Jealous are we?” Lexi teased as she pressed her body hard against me, “Does that mean you still love me my dear husband?”
Xavier cleared his throat, “Perhaps I should come back later.”
Peering down at Lexi, I lowered my lips onto hers, capturing her in a delicate kiss before replying, “Nonsense. My wife is simply not quite herself this morning. She is well aware of my undying love for her.” I knew Lexi’s games all too well and how to appease her, even if only momentarily.
“Yes, I am,” Lexi sweetly returned, a wry smile crossing her face, “I was only enjoying a little playful banter. I am yours and yours alone, always my dear husband. Just as you are mine and mine alone!”
“Yes, so very true,” I slowly drawled out, attempting to subdue my irritation at that thought.
“So, these plans for Moriah,” Xavier uncomfortably attempted to divert the subject, “Have you finally decided to allow her to venture out more?”
Turning my attention to him, I curiously stated, “You seem to be quite focused on my sister this morning. Is there a reason?”
Xavier backtracked slightly, “I was glad to hear she was able to leave the castle last night, that’s all. I’m hoping that means you have reconsidered your position on her confinement.”
“Well,” I irately mused, my expression hardening towards him, “You must have strong feelings with regards to my sister’s confinement to question your Alpha’s wishes, especially since everything I have done is to protect her!”
“I—I don’t deny your reasoning,” Xavier nervously choked out before taking in a deep breath of resolved strength, “I just know how much it has affected Moriah. I care about her a great deal. I always have.”
I softened my stance, smirking both in satisfaction that if my plan worked, I would have everything in the palm of my hands to succeed and admiration of Xavier’s strength and determination even towards his Alpha. “You have indeed been as loyal to our family as previous generations of your family have been and I am aware of your dedication to Moriah. So, I will allow you an answer…yes, I see no reason why we can’t allow Moriah to venture out a bit more…carefully, of course.”
“WHAT?” Lexi shrieked, her eyes wide in shock, “Are you seriously considering this? She has everything she needs here! Why would you open yourself up to that kind of risk? What if something happens to her? Years of waiting for her to—”
I quickly intercepted my wife’s reckless rant, somehow maintaining a calm façade through my overwhelming desire to strangle Lexi, “Her illness has been handled well by Lenore. As I said, it will be handled carefully.”
It seemed Lexi realized her near falter of knowledge with Xavier, but it did not change her fury as her cheeks flushed red in anger, “Moriah has been more of a focus for you over the years than even me! But fine, do as you please! Don’t say I didn’t warn you that this is a mistake!”
Before I could say another word, Lafayette entered the room, “Sire, you have visitors.”
“Visitors?” I curiously questioned, “Who?”
“Vincent and Katelyn,” Lafayette said, “As you have been rather…occupied, I have them waiting for you in Little Miss' garden.”
I was surprised and excited at this unexpected news. Had Katelyn so quickly found an excuse to make a visit to the castle? Glancing at Lexi in my peripheral, my excitement lessened as I had no idea how to get rid of my mate.
“Tell them I will be right there,” I ordered Lafayette before looking back at Xavier, “We will discuss this in more detail later. But before you leave, I have a small gift of my appreciation for all of your efforts over the last few months.” I went over to the wine cabinet and pulled out the bottle I had received from Lenore and graciously extended it out to Xavier.
“Another bottle of my favorite wine!” Xavier gratefully exclaimed, “How are you still able to find it? I haven’t been able to locate any in quite some time.”
“I have my sources,” I mischievously grinned, “Since I am relieving you of your duties for the next few days to rest, I want you to enjoy yourself!”
“I feel I don’t deserve it after causing distress between you and our Luna,” Xavier regretfully stated, “It was not my intention.”
“Of course not!” Lexi unexpectedly chimed in, her tone full of feigned chagrin that I was unfortunately very familiar with. The news of our visitors had obviously peaked her interest and diverted her away from our current disagreement. “Please forgive me for my outburst, Xavier. I’m afraid Alec is quite right. I did not sleep well last night, which has obviously affected my mood. Do not distress yourself. All is well and as Alec said, we can discuss this in more detail at a later time.”
Placing her hand on my arm, Lexi smiled, “I am sorry to you as well, my dear. I promise to return to a more pleasurable demeanor. Shall we welcome our guests in the garden?”
As I racked my brain to figure a way out of Lexi joining me, Xavier nodded before reluctantly asking, “Of course. Please know I respect my Alpha’s wishes…but, I was hoping to ask—if you are amenable—if I might be allowed to take Moriah into a neighboring village for a short outing for some fresh air this afternoon. I assure you, I will make sure she is well protected and we won’t be out long. But if my Alpha doesn’t wish—”
“I think that is a wonderful idea,” I enthused, “But make sure that it is a short venture out.”
“Really?” Xavier and Lexi questioned in unison.
I reassuringly stated, “Yes. I trust you, Xavier and I agree…it would be good for Moriah. I don’t want her to feel that she is once again trapped in the castle. She can regale you in her adventure from last night. You may want to drink a glass or two of that wine beforehand, however, as I am sure she will be talking incessantly about it the whole time!”
Xavier’s face was full of joy as he returned, “Wonderful! Thank you, Alpha!”
I laughed at his enthusiastic response, “Of course. Why don’t you go tell Moriah that Vincent and Katelyn have arrived for a visit in her garden and let her know of the plans.”
As Xavier made his leave, Lexi’s grip on my arm tightened as she leaned in and harshly whispered, “Well, it is obvious that Vincent and Katelyn have made quite an impression on you these last few days. Lead the way my dear, so I can discover the secrets as to why my husband has suddenly decided to be so lenient on our prized hostage! Although, we may want to get you changed first! You look rather embarrassing currently!”