Love and Chaos Series
The Alpha King’s Ugly Bride Chapter 37

The citadel crawled with alphas, elders and royals from all over the kingdom, and having the largest auditorium, it accommodated them all. Its lights shone brighter despite the night and banished every trace of darkness far away from the hall. Everyone appeared their best, glowing with outfits of bright colours and expensive.

They knew how to throw a celebration.

They seemed ready for what was to come.

The lunar eclipse would set once it was midnight, so the feast officially took off three hours before then. This way everyone present would get to meet, mingle and celebrate before the glorious Lunar shift.

Xavier's arms have been around Mia's waist, unwilling to let go. It was hard to discern if it was from fear of losing her or the fear of being alone, but the further they got into the citadel, the closer he held her. The scowl he had on his face earlier returned as he looked around for his father. Somehow replaceing him amongst the much crowd present felt like replaceing a needle in a haystack.

"Alpha King!" alpha Chike called and he halt and turned to see the alpha of the capital holding a smile Xavier could very well see-through as he approached them. "My queen," he bowed his head in respect. "It's so nice to see you here and with your lovely wife and queen."

"What do you want, Chike? There are so many people you can go pledge your allegiance to and they would accept you. The alpha of alphas is one of them." Xavier said with a not-so-friendly tone.

Chike's brows narrowed at him. "I am loyal to the throne."

"You're loyal to yourself. Whatever feels beneficial to you is what you follow." when he contemplated ripping someone's heart out earlier, he had the snake, alpha Chike in mine. "I have sworn to my queen to not lose control this night, so I'll politely ask you to leave and replace someone else."

Chike heeded the alpha King's warning and bow his head before leaving.

"What was that all about?" Mia asked, and for a moment, Xavier had forgotten about her presence beside him.

"I have reasons to believe that he's not loyal to the throne. I do not want someone I cannot trust around me and I have never trusted him."

"Who do you trust then?"

"I trust myself, I trust Edward, I trust alpha Koz, and I trust you."

Mia's ears caught the last part and tilt her head to stare at him, curiosity lingering in her eyes.

"You trust me..." she repeats, not so sure he had meant that.

He smiled, and that released butterflies in her stomach and they flew around.

His smile was a sinful sight.

"Yes."

She didn't see that coming, and it told on her by the way her lashes, fluttered.

Something in her actions must have triggered him because he leaned into her in seconds as if to kiss her lips and her breath hitch. The many things she had prepared herself for tonight didn't include being kissed by her husband, the alpha king. His lips were inches away from hers and her eyes almost flutter when he stopped and hoisted his head from hers.

His eyes caught something that took his attention, and Mia steadied her breath and turned around to see what it was. Her gaze raced to where his own lingered, and they landed on Robb. His father spoke proudly to a group of men and with his head held high. That had taken his attention.

So many things about him reminded her of Xavier. The authority he possessed and the command, but his father seemed more relaxed than him. She didn't need telling to know Xavier hated his father; she saw it the first time he spoke about him. The hatred Xavier had for his father could be more than the hatred Mia had for him.

Mia saw the longing in his eyes and the pain that flickered over his face while he watched his father.

"Should we go show ourselves to him?" she asked, with her brow raised.

He snapped out of his mind to her, and he shook his head.

She rolled her eyes. He was just as stubborn as a mule. "Come," she wiggled out of his arms and took it, leading him towards the path where his father stood.

Robb noticed them approach and his attention shifted from the few nobles before him and to them. A delighted look showed on his face while he beheld Mia, but not so much when he turned to Xavier.

"Mia, son," he nodded at them.

"Your grace," Mia said.

"Your grace," Xavier said, but while Mia bowed, Xavier didn't.

"I'm glad you could make it; I would have been happier if both my sons were here, but I'm glad that at least one is." Robb emerald eyes dimmed a little as he watched Xavier.

"You can't be glad. The only one left is your least favourite son." Xavier rolled his eyes.

"I know that, but at least your queen has warmed her way into my heart. I hope you would someday.

Xavier wanted to say that day would never come, but he kept his mouth shut.

Robb saw through him, "You have always been rebellious and careless and nothing like me. You've also brought shame and disgrace to the Ainsworth's name and legacy, but I'll overlook that. For your queen's sake, I'll forge a better path with you. If you hope to receive my blessing and endorsement as Alpha king, you will have to get on my good side. It's not too late to start."

Xavier forced a smile onto his face that hurt his entire being. He knew doing what was right wouldn't make Robb happy, the wretched old man loved hypocrisy and having his feet kissed. He didn't want to be a hypocrite.

Mia warmed her way into his heart by being smart and vocal. she was one person he knew earned his fathers attention, and he respected that. He, however, could barely spend a minute in Robb's presence without losing it. "Have a wonderful feast, your grace, we will leave you to your guest," Xavier said and this time he bowed his head before leaving.