Love and Chaos Series
The Alpha King’s Ugly Bride Chapter 55

Mia's chamber door flew open and Xavier sauntered in like he owned the place the next second. His narrowed eyes scanned the room in search of Mia and they flickered when he spotted her beside the wardrobe. "You should knock. I could have been naked," she said, but she didn't turn from her wardrobe, which she fitted a few outfits into.

Desire flared in his eyes at her words. He wanted to see her naked one more time, but he knew she wouldn't give him that. She played the long game.

Wicked woman.

"You're not naked, and that's the important thing."

They stay quiet for a while and Mia used the time to close up the wardrobe. Her heart jumped a little when she turned and saw him in a dashing blue coat and black trousers. His hair was in a neat bun and it highlighted his broad and mesmerising face, which his neatly groomed beard covered.

He began speaking, snapping her out of her thoughts. "I heard you were amazing at the Maiden's court today."

She raised a brow, moving over to the chair beside the desk and settling on it. "Do you not believe your spies anymore?"

He closed the door. "They are not spies. They are just servants that gather and bring me information about the happenings around the kingdom."

"I believe that's what spies do."

He looked puzzled, but didn't dwell on it. "Fine, so you were amazing at the court."

"I was, but I don't like to take the credit. The elders at the court did a great job to make today amazing."

Xavier rolled his eyes. "I'm glad they love you."

She sighed, and guilt clouded her eyes. "I am too, but I feel terrible. I see hope in their eyes whenever they stare at me and their joy appears true. I won't be around forever and they deserve a queen that will stay."

Her words reminded him of the truth he tried to avoid. She won't be here always and he needed to prepare himself for that truth.

Once, he wanted her gone too, but now, he didn't know what he wanted.

"Then you make sure to give them nothing but the best. Leave a mark the next will fight to reach."

Emotions flicker in her eyes. Perhaps this wasn't the response she wanted to hear from him, but it was the one she got.

"I will do my best."

"It's the full moon tonight and in a few hours, shifting would begin. Unlike our last shift, there's a need to maintain territories."

"Yes, Margaret at the court mentioned it." She trailed off, not really understanding what she had meant then. Mia knew a lot of things, but they were still things she had no clue about.

He stepped further into the room, "Do you understand the need to maintain territories??"

"No, but it has to do with being on your own. The pack is power." She unhooked her hair, and it fell over her back. "Father made sure we shifted around the Asika's household. He always believed it was best. Since we had the largest land in the northern side of the capital, its landscape was wide enough for the servants and us. We had space and never complained."

"Did he keep your sister restricted because of her fur or illness?"

"He did it to protect us. The attack that led to my mother's death happened on the full moon. My father became afraid the same would happen to us."

Xavier's face dropped. "I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"Don't be sorry, you kept me safe during the lunar shift and if it's still an option, I'd like to shift beside you today."

Her request sounded noble. "The full moon might increase my strengths to a substantial amount, but I am the alpha king. I shift whenever I want to." She would have had that ability as well if she were luna. "Lucky you."

"I'll shift with you," he said in a delighted tone.

"You just said you don't shift on the full moon."

"I do. I just choose not to. I wouldn't mind doing it if it will help you out of your comfort zone."

Her cheeks heat. She didn't think he would offer such a selfless act without some sort of reward in it for him.

"And in return?" she asked, rising to her feet.

"Uh?"

"What would you ask for in return, then? For your noble act?"

"You think I want something?" his green eyes darkened and Mia didn't like that.

"You're Xavier Ainsworth, the alpha king." they had to be something he wanted in return, but there was so much she could offer. "Don't you want anything in return?"

His eyes drifted from hers down to her full lower lips, looking red, tempting and delicious.

Yes, he wanted something, but she couldn't give him what he wanted.

He stuffed his hands into his pocket and took a bold step towards her. He heard her heart skip a beat. Her reaction meant two things: she either wanted him too or was incredibly affected by him.

'Or she's terrified of you!' the voice in his head said

'Shut the f**k up!' he growled inwardly.

"No, there's nothing you can offer that I want," he answered, and he almost saw a flicker of emotion in her eyes before they disappeared. He continued speaking. "It's best to help you maintain territories and also, I get to escape Edward." "What did he do this time?" she asked with interest.

"Edward suggested we shift together."

"We?"

"Me, you and him."

"We can't shift together. He'd replace out I'm not Luna, and he'd have to carry our lie with him every day."

"Yes. I'm glad you understand. We don't want that, so just like the last times, we will need to shift alone. Meet me at the garden in an hour." he stepped back from her and disappeared from the room in a matter of seconds.

She stood in the empty garden an hour later, but there was no sign of the alpha king. With every moment that passed, she grew restless, but as she turned around to leave, she collided with Xavier.

"Someone is impatient," he pointed out, making a tsk sound with his tongue.

"I thought you changed your mind or something."

"Why would I do that?"

She couldn't answer, and so she bit her lips and remained quiet. "We are in this together. Never forget that."

"Why did it take you so long to come out?"

"Everyone at the Palace is subjected under the king. Each is assigned territories and they know how to work around their various territories. Since Edward won't join our path, I thought it best that he lead them. I told him I wanted to spend more time with my queen and he permitted me."

She mumbled something long under her breath, but he didn't hear it and his eyes narrowed at her.

She answered without him asking, "Praying that the moon goddess keeps my secret safe. Also, for her to protect me."

He wanted to tell her she didn't need the moon goddess's protection because he was here, but he decided against it.

Mia was first to shift, and the sight of her was glorious. She sprinted through the woods with ease, having the night wind brush through her fur made her look enchanting. She looked energetic, alive.

Xavier being faster kept pace with her and never let her out of his sight. Just like the last time he saw her shift, she had let go under the full moon, embracing all its strength and beauty, but unlike last time; she was taking the lead and creating her own path and following behind didn't seem so bad.

After over an hour of racing through the thick woods, Mia stopped and turned to Xavier

"What are you waiting for?" she asked.

He smirked and dropped to his knee, feeling the earth under his palm and letting the chill run through him. He shifted immediately and raced up the track to meet her. Mia picked up the pace and ran faster, staying far from his reach.

They had completely strayed off the path now, but Xavier didn't care, this was the best shift he's had so far.

Mia came to the giant sequoia, one of the tallest trees in the royal territory, which signified the end of the royal territory. Xavier wanted to tell her this was where they would turn around, but she dug her claw into it and climbed up. He stood surprised because he had thought she planned to run past it. She had other plans, as it turned out.

He didn't follow her, he just watched her climb from the ground. When she realised he was still on the ground, she looked down at him, keeping her balance and claws drugged into the tree's bark.

"King Xavier Ainsworth, don't tell me you fear heights." She teased.

He growled, dug his claw into the bark of the tree and climb up after her. Just like when they were on the ground, she climbed higher and higher until she came to the apex of the tree.

She shook the branch of the tree, making sure it was strong enough before settling on it and staring at the vast amount of land. The space before her, however, was just a little of Wahala kingdom. When Xavier reached the apex, he noticed Mia staring afar off, and his gaze followed hers.

"This is Wahala!" she said, breaking gaze from the space she stared at to peep at him.

"Yes, in all her glory!"

"It's so peaceful."

He agreed, yet he knew this peace wouldn't last. He didn't know why, but his being rebelled against the idea of peace. Maybe because he knew it was so far from his reach.

"It is." he concurred, glancing at her and seeing much delight and hope for what she stared at afar off. Whatever it was, he didn't see it, but he wanted to.

He wanted the possibility she offered.

He placed his paw on hers before he could stop himself and he felt the calmness that surged through him. He felt her jerk back from her thought to stare at him, but he didn't want to withdraw from touching her, so he didn't. Somehow, she was his peace and his chaos all at the same time.