Chapter 4 XAVIERA

XAVIERA

The sun radiated brightly above the lush meadow, and the calm breeze swept past us in a warm caress, encouraging the sweet smells of Gardenia flowers Mrs Barnes had planted around her cosy cafe to spread its exhilarating savour around.

My hair was loosely wrapped in a messy bun, and I was dressed in a simple round-necked cream chiffon top with flower embroideries on the left breast, and a dark denim skirt and sandals. Somehow I found myself in Moonlit Cafe, with Adeline and Leesa, sharing lunch and unavoidable gossip.

"Alpha Ryker is definitely getting a mate this year" Lessa popped, sipping from her glass of rosemary citrus spritzer.

"And how do you know that?" Adeline queried between chewing on her burrito.

"Erin" Lessa shrugged, placing her cup on the table. Erin was always filling her in on Palace gossip. Thanks to Erin, we knew his mistress didn't eat peas; had a special set of glasswares in the manor, and never ate with anything but those.

"And how does Erin know?"

"Duh" Lessa rolled her eyes "Her mother's a Salutary wolf."

"Thought you were going to say the moon Goddess" Adeline remarked sarcastically.

"And that too" Lessa quipped evenly.

"So what did Erin say?" Adeline waved off, returning to the gist carefully laid on the table, waiting to be dissected.

"Well..." Leesa paused, looked around, then shifted closer to us as though to confide something. "She said to tell no one, but they would be performing extra rituals for the Alpha's mate" she revealed in hush tones.

"Does getting a mate for the Alpha demand all these rituals?" I found myself asking out loud.

"No. Normally it doesn't. But the Alpha is about thirty two or so, and unmated, which is quite unlikely." Lessa replied.

My brows curved at this. Unlikely?

"But isn't he dating someone else?" Adeline perused "I mean, what's Lauren doing flaunting around the city with her minions?"

"Alphas are allowed to have mistresses." Leesa said matter-of-factly "And nobody's expecting Lauren to be Luna" she added offhandedly.

"Hush!" Adeline rebuked her.

"What? It's not like it's a secret. Nobody likes her"

"Well the Alpha does, or he won't be screwing her" I remarked.

"Again, Alphas are allowed mistresses" She reiterated "Also, that's not how screwing works. You mustn't really like the other person. Just want them enough. And I hate to admit it, but she's beautiful"

"So he's not mated yet. Not a big deal" Adeline remarked.

"Only that he is the Alpha, he gets a mate, and we, a Luna. Stable rule. So you see, big deal" Leesa clarified.

"Still don't think it's anybody's business" I said, sipping my drink.

"Well, here, it is. Your business is my business. Speaking of which, who is your date for the Crescent ball?" She asked me.

"Date?" What was she about?

"Yes. Date. I think Milligan the kitchen guy, is quite cute"

Oh no!

"What? No! I'm not even going"

"Not again!" Adeline exasperated.

"What?" My brows curved at her.

"You cannot be missing another ball" Lessa pouted. We'd gone over these several times, from the past three years since I made friends with these two amazing ladies, but there was no way I was putting myself out there. What if someone recognises me? I've lived on a low, and I intended for it to stay that way.

"I'd watch from home" I replied resolutely.

The stars sparkled brighter, and the moon came out in a complete beam coated in sparkles. It was a beautiful sight. Nothing like I've ever seen before. And even though I never attended any of the balls, I was content with watching from afar as people trudged to the Crescent manor; the Alpha's residence. I never missed staring at the beautiful moon. It was a night to remember, and the next three days after the ceremony were the most peaceful.

"It's not the same as experiencing it. Being in the crowd, and having the whole event unfold before your eyes. The moondust. Oh, It's so perfect. You have to come." Lessa cajoled, a dreamy expression overtaking her facial features.

A truck zoomed past us, carrying supplies of stainless wares. I was certain it headed for the manor. The ball was in two weeks, and several trucks of different supplies could be seen zooming past us on different days, making for Crescent street, obviously heading for the Crescent manor.

"I know," I said to her. I checked my wristwatch, I was three minutes into my next shift. "Shit!" I got up with a start.

I was late!

"What?" Both girls had worry plastered on their faces.

"I've gotta go. I'm late for my next shift" I lifted my purse from the table, took one large cup, emptying the contents of my cup. "Thanks for lunch. Tell Mrs Barnes that lunch was splendid as always." I placed the cup on the table, then made a dash for the street. Grateful for the reprieve, we'd revisit it later, but for now, money moves.

The distance from Moonlit cafe to Moondrops was a good ten minutes walk, so I ran. I wasn't really behind on my training. The blood pumped in my ears, my heart expanded, my legs didn't stop and my hair danced in the wind.

I was going to get a scolding from Greg, and I barely had an excuse. I was already two minutes late, and I anticipated a three minute run. I felt my foot hit something solid, I stumbled struggling to break my fall. I only ended up tumbling forward like a drunk. I closed my eyes, preparing to kiss the tiled ground hello, prolly scratching my face in the process when I felt large hands grab and then lift my body up, thwarting my fall.

I felt the large hand curl around my stomach, pushing up my top, a few inches shy from the underside of my breasts. Electricity shot through me at the contact, causing panic to surge through my veins. I yelped, my hands went out on their own accord, hitting and flailing.

"Fuck!" A deep baritone cursed. The sound drummed through my eardrums, burning up my system.

"I'm so sorry" I sprung up from the hands, pushing my hair backwards as I struggled to steady myself. I stood before a wall of muscles, so intimidating it was glaring. Then I caught the large stain on his white shirt.

Shit!

"Oh God!" I reached for his shirt. What am I going to do? He recoiled as though disgusted with the idea of having my hands on him. I stared up at his face, struggling not to gawk. My throat suddenly went dry. He had the most beautiful blue eyes I've ever seen. And his dark luxuriant hair, tumbled upon his forehead, giving this unbelievably beautiful look.

"I..." The words died on my tongue. He shot me a quizzical look, his eyes twirled, glinting sterling. I swallowed hard, "I didn't...mean to...I tripped. I'm so so sorry. I could help you wash it, let me get you another..." I rambled as my heart raced like a gazelle on a run.

"It's fine" He took a step back.

"Yes?" I whispered like I was under some sort of spell, locked on his mesmerising eyes. His brows knotted at my expression.

Get a fucking grip, girl!

"Oh no no! Laundry. I'd pay for it. Please just..." I flipped the rebellious locs of hair that fell upon my face, tucking them swiftly behind my ears.

"Never mind," he waved off. "Accidents happen," he finished. There was something about his voice that sent unrest to the organisms at the pit of my stomach, causing them to tingle and jiggle.

I had noticed a small crowd was beginning to form, so I stared back at them. I noticed some flushed expressions, mostly the women, then gasps and giggles and unbelievably, cameras.

God no!

Did someone recognise me? Was he someone powerful? I stole a glance once more, not only did he get more intriguing, but there was more.

He seemed familiar. Like I had seen him before or something. It was as though I knew him . The gut feeling. There was something about his aura that spelt dominance, and authority. His posture was aloof, yet appealing. Surely he was a high ranked wolf, probably a Sig...

"Alpha! Are you okay?" An equally huge man called, running to him, separating us. I took a few steps backwards.

Oh my God! An Alpha!

Then it struck me. It was him! The girls! Oh my goodness! How did he appear so different from those mental pictures Lessa and Adeline had painted with words? I struggled to form the words, but my throat seemed to clog. What to say? I just met the Alpha, and I spilled coffee on him.

"I'm fine. It's just coffee" He spoke in that baritone that had rattled me earlier. "Get the car"

"Yes Alpha" the second hunk said then left us alone again.

"Are you okay?" I heard him from miles away, but nodded anyways, unable to meet the eyes I felt were trained in me. I chose the stain instead, staring at the mess I had made.

I didn't know how long I stood gawking like an idiot, but one minute he was before me, intimidating, stoic and a bit concerned, and the next he was in a black car, driving off. I stared blankly at the departing car, still dazed by what had just occurred.

Who would believe? He really left me speechless.

"Miss, are you okay? The hunk who had called him Alpha earlier came to me, a concerned expression appearing on his tough features. His back eyes swept over me in concern.

Was I? I had just met the Alpha of the pack that had sheltered me for over five years. And I spilled coffee on him. I nodded, clutching my bag. The first thought that crossed my mind was to run.

I twirled in one swift turn, and did just that.