Chapter 25 Meeting The Father
Vanessa
Fuck!
What the hell was I thinking?
No, scratch that, I definitely wasn't.
I lift off the bed to pace, mind running a mile an hour as all the memories of the previous night rushes back.
The last time I saw him was a few hours ago and I couldn't have gotten out of his room faster.
Thanks to Trish, I now know he's left pack grounds to God knows where and I feel a bit relieved because I'm still thinking of how I'm going to face him later.
Is he going to want to talk about it? Or he'll just pretend it never happened and we'll move on from there?
An invisible hand seems to have taken hold of my chest and squeezes hard at the thought of the second option.
Two knocks and a head pokes into the room, the sudden interruption makes me snap out of my thoughts.
"Vanessa? Dinner is set," Trish announces, her voice, a low murmur as usual. She's already adjusting and calling me by my name now, after so many trials and errors.
I will my racing pulse to slow down as I try to speak. "Thanks, Trish. I'll be down in a minute," I reply.
She nods and turns around to leave.
Trish and I have created such a good rapport now she opens up to me, kind of.
I decide to pause my musing and self scolding for later and exit my room.
Halfway through my meal and a flurry of activities start. Every official barking orders at their subordinates - going in and out of practically everywhere.
I eat as fast as possible then rush out of the room to find out what the hell is going on…
I'm walking through the hallway that leads to the Royal Court room when I hear two maids talking in hushed voices. I slow down my movements and shift close to make sure I can hear them clearly.
"His Majesty is back home," The blonde one whispers. Her eyes scanning everywhere to make sure no one is eavesdropping as she does so.
"I know. I sort of feel bad for his Highness, for his father is a difficult man to deal with," the other one whispers back.
"Tell me about it. I can barely get my legs to move once I'm in his presence. Now imagine his own son," the blonde says, a slight shiver actually follows her statement right after.
Seeming satisfied, they clean up quickly, probably off to continue their gossip somewhere else.
The King is back home?
Shit. It's only a matter of time before I meet him...
I'm about to turn around when I hear a quiet murmuring of voices coming from the Royal Court room.
My footsteps are light as I tiptoe and place my ear against the door.
Two voices echo back at me and I recognize one of them to be Xander's, the other probably being his father.
"Yes, father," Xander answers. His voice is tense, and although his tone is usually cold especially when he's trying to be an asshole, but this tone feels off...detached like that of a robot. And for some reason, I don't like it.
"The pack delegates will be here soon and I'll need us to reach and agreement as soon as possible."
"An alliance has been formed and all they'll be here to do tomorrow is just the signing of the papers, father."
"Excellent. Now, into other matters," there's a pause after then, he picks up again, "I've heard news of your new bride and I would like to meet with her soon." I pale. Me?
Xander's reply is too low for me too hear and I strain harder against the door.
Then suddenly, the door rips open and I almost collide with the floor save for Xander's strong hands holding me up like I weigh nothing - and it is not a kind grip.
It feels like barricades around my arm, biting into my skin so much I think I'll crumble and disintegrate to dust.
"Um, can you let up a little at least?" I ask with a wince, trying my hardest to wriggle from between his arms but it only seems to tighten more.
"What are you doing here?" he demands.
"Well, um, it uh–"
"Well, well, looks like I don't need to wait long then," declares a cold, deep, baritone voice.
I stop struggling immediately he comes into view.
Except for the brown hair with white tints on the sides, it feels like looking at an older Xander - at his features, twenty-something years to come.
I'm not sure I can keep my mouth closed with the way my jaw slacks.
A mental kick to myself makes me remember my manners. I struggle out of Xander's grip once more but this time, he lets me go and steps back.
"Your Majesty," I greet with a courtesy I'm not even sure is done right.
But he doesn't seem to mind as he steps forward and takes my hand and kisses the back of it. He straightens and his dark eyes pierce through me, as if waiting for something, a revelation of sorts.
I start to shift uncomfortably until he asks, "What is your name?"
"Vanessa, your Majesty. Vanessa Collins." My name must have rung a bell because he stills, eyes widening slightly as a look of recognition takes over his features.
"Moon Goddess, you look just like her," he breathes. I still and so does Xander beside me.
"Who-Who are you talking about?" my voice cracks, because there's only one person I'll ever look like...and she's gone.
"Your mother, Ariana," he confirms and my legs wobble a little.
It's been so long I've heard anyone mention that name, that I've started to think maybe the world has forgotten who she was.
"H-how do you know my mother?" I ask, not knowing my grip on his hands has turned hard until he pats my hands.
His dark eyes seem to soften a little at my obvious distress but he doesn't reveal any more.
"I will be seeing you around, Vanessa."
He motions for Xander who takes one long look at me with an emotion I can't decipher and together, they're gone, leaving me a crumbling mess on the inside.