Chapter 4

Olympia's POV

Solo trumpets blared, announcing Silas's grand entrance to the room, and with that one note, there was a racket of complete and utter silence. I stood at the side of the mass, my heart racing from anxiety. Why in the name of humans had I been expected to show up for this circus? The moon goddess had been kind, diverting Silas from me with some freak happening outside the palace walls, but now his attention turned to me once more.

"Olympia, come here!" Silas boomed, his voice echoing off the chandeliers. I held back, my feet heavy with reluctance, but a gentle nudge from one of the pack pressed me forward.

As I walked up the stage, a wave of nausea hit me, and I clutched my tummy. The room spun around, and with not an iota of balance, I felt myself sway. Next thing I knew, I was throwing up; my stomach contents spilled on the shiny floor. There erupted gasps and murmurs from the crowd.

Silas strode over to me with a furrowed brow, his face scrunched up. "What is it, Olympia?" he implored in a low, urgent voice. I knew the truth; but I could not say it—yet.

The pack doctor was summoned, and my heart sank. For weeks now, I'd managed to keep my secret hidden and was plotting my way out of here. Now, it seemed, my secret was about to be exposed.

His hands pressed against my stomach, and I winced, wincing to burlesque my fear. "She's pregnant," he announced to the room.

Silas's face twisted in rage. "What?" he bellowed again, his fist connecting with my stomach. I doubled over, pain searing through me. "You whore, who was the bastard who screwed you?"

I gasped, memories of that fateful night flooding back. And then, I heard it – the sound of the voice that made my heart race. "It was I," said the stranger with deep tones echoing through the room.

I turned, my eyes locking onto his, the world crashing down. In front of me was the father of my child, the man who haunted my dreams. His eyes burned with intensity.

The air hummed with tension as Silas's eyes narrowed, his fists clenched, and his voice growled, "Who the hell are you?" The stranger's smile was a slow, velvety unfolding, like a rose blooming in the night. "The father of her unborn child, and her second chance mate," he replied, his voice oozing confidence.

I felt like someone had sucker-punched me in the gut; my breath fled from me all at once. "My second chance mate?" I parroted, my voice barely above a whisper. This stranger's eyes locked onto mine, and electricity sent a shiver through me. "Yes, sweetie, I'm here to whisk you right out of this place," he said in a low, husky voice.

Silas's face flushed deep red, balling his eyes like a toad's. "Who are you?" he growled again, as his voice shook with rage. But the stranger's grin was something else, an exquisite portrait in nonchalance. "Oh, you mean my identity?" he smiled, the tone oozing with amusement.

"Xavier McKinney," he said, his voice bell-like. A collective breath halt, the room was like a breath held. Silas's eyes were wide, white circles, his face bloodless, his mouth hanging wide open. I felt like I'd been gut-punched again as my mind strayed to what all of this might mean.

"You're the mighty Lycan king?" I asked, my voice barely audible. Xavier nodded, his gaze locked on mine. I felt submerged in them like a shipwrecked sailor.

Silas's growl was low, a rumbling threat like thunder on a summer day. "What are you doing here in my territory?" he sneered, his muscles flexing as if caged.

Xavier rolled his eyes heavenward, saint-like in his forbearance of fools. "I'm here to get my mate," he drawled, monotone, so drab it was positively soporific.

Silas's face turned purple, his eyes popping out of their sockets frog-like. "You mean my mate?" he spat at him with a resounding spit, his poison like venom inside. Xavier's smile was a slow, sweet unfolding, an ascension of the sun in the mountains.

"No," he answered in that voice like honey and wine, deep and husky. "I mean my mate." He looked further. "And I'm not leaving without her."

Turning to Silas, Xavier's eyes had the sparkle of fun in them. "I thought you turned her down," he said, his voice tinged with a curiosity that made Silas's face darken and his eyes flash in anger, but by then, Xavier's attention had shifted to me.

"Olympia, I'm here to take you with me, to mine, as my mate and future Luna Crystal," he said, his voice low, husky, sending some shivers down my spine. "Are you willing? If you do not want to leave, I respect your will and will not force you." His words touched my heart; his consideration and respect for my choice were balm to my soul. Beaming, I nodded at him—my mind decided. "I'd love to go with you to your pack."

Silas's growl was low, full of danger—a rumbling sound. His eyes blazed with furious precious metal burning in them. "Not on my watch," he snarled, stepping a pace further forward, but his father's firm hand stopped him on the shoulder.

"She's chosen, son. Deal with it," Xavier said, firm but calm in tone.

Silas's eyes fastened thoughtfully on Xavier, full of rancor, and then he turned around and strode out of the room, leaving a deafening awkward silence.

The look I was getting didn't stop from asking my questions though, "So what's the plan?" I asked and he chuckled darkly.

"You're going back with me." He said that so smoothly without hesitation that I started asking myself questions.

The night has grown thick and it was very clear that we can't return to Xavier's pack this late in the night. I wondered why the pack members were still awake including the council of elders.

I've been scared for so long but I feel safe with Xavier besides me. "This is an honour to me, that's how it's been done." Xavier explained and I nodded wondering how he knew what I was thinking.

"There is no room reservation for you both!" Silas stated with so much energy and just a glance from Xavier, he immediately behaved and toned down. "No matter what, just know that she's a slut and will forever remain one." Silas wasn't having it and he was throwing tantrums.

"She's my Luna now so the best you can do is give her the same respect you would give to me without hesitation." Xavier said with more authority and maturity, I admired him for that. He was a definition of calm, collected, caring and above all handsome. I think that's something Silas can't seem to handle.

****

I stood frozen, my heart racing, as I read the words on the page. The letter, seemingly innocuous, now felt like a ticking time bomb in my hands. The message was brief, but its impact was devastating.

"Run away from Xavier. He's a monster. He's behind your parents' brutal murder. He's been playing you all along, using his charm to manipulate you. Don't trust him. Don't go near him. He'll destroy you too."

The words seared themselves into my brain, conjuring up images of Xavier's smile, his laughter, his gentle touch. But now, those memories seemed tainted, corrupted by the sinister truth. I felt a chill run down my spine as I realized I had been living with a monster.

The letter went on, its words dripping with malice. "He's been watching you, studying you, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. You're just a pawn in his game, a game of death and destruction. Don't become his next victim."

I felt like I was trapped in a nightmare, with no escape. The room seemed to close in around me, the shadows cast by the flickering lights twisting into sinister grins. I thought of all the times Xavier had been alone with me, the times he had touched me, held me. My skin crawled at the memory.

I knew I had to get out of there, to escape the monster that lurked beneath Xavier's charming facade. I grabbed my bag and ran, not knowing where I was going, but knowing I had to get away. The letter's words echoed in my mind, fueling my fear, my determination to uncover the truth.

As I fled, I couldn't shake the feeling that Xavier was watching me, waiting for me to make a wrong move. I glanced over my shoulder, expecting to see his smiling face, but there was no one there. Yet, the feeling persisted, haunting me like a ghost.

It was dark and late in the night, but I ran like I was being chased!