Chapter 26 26
Xavier's Pov
A few minutes after the press conference, I took Jason out to celebrate. I mean, we had a good win today and what better way to celebrate it than spending a day at the MIRAGE, one of the best bars in town.
I invited a few of the bar's members to join us in the celebration.
At the end of the night, one of the young wolves was snorting cocaine off a bottle girl’s stomach, another was giving someone a lap dance, and a half dressed couple were doing exactly what you think they were doing. And lounging amidst this hedonism like a king surveying his court was me.
I tossed one arm over the back of a velvet banquette while the other held a bottle of tequila.
After the image cleanup and the realization that my company wasn't going to crumble, I needed a break from this wild cruise.
I took a long swig of tequila before addressing the room. “Drinks on me, guys!”
They erupted in whistles and whoops.
I had never felt so alive. So me.
I leaned back in my seat and chuckled when a guy tripped over an empty liquor bottle.
“Idiot.”
I'd barely reached for another shot of tequila when a familiar face dressed in a pinstriped suit strong-armed his way into the VIP room.
“Sir…”
I recognized his voice immediately. “Jason, come join us. Where the heck have you been? I've been…”
“Sir, we have a problem.” He said, pushing his glasses to his face.
“Problem? What kind of problem?” The word wiped the haze off my eyes immediately.
“You'd have to see it for yourself.”
Just when I thought I'd found a sliver of joy, some asshole had to rain on my fucking parade.
I stalked down the hall toward the elevators, fuming.
The rest of the wolves pretended to be on the phone when I passed, and the rest of the staff kept their attention glued to their duties like their lives depended on it. I didn’t blame them. I’d been biting people’s heads off left and right for the past week. Incompetent, every single one of them.
I ignored the guards flanking the elevator and entered, jabbing the button for the first floor.
When we reached, I stepped out and reached the Pack’s Meeting Hall. Not everyone was allowed in here except the Alpha, his Beta and the Pack Elders.
I pushed the door open ceremoniously and sighed. “Why the fuck was I summoned here?!”
Elder Thomas scoffed. “You had the effrontery to bring him here!”
I looked over my shoulder and saw Jason standing by the closed door. Then I returned my gaze to Thomas.
“Of course. He's my new Beta.”
Gasps filled the hall. Now it feels like Kylie and her friends gossiping at lunch time.
I walk past the gawking elders to sit on my throne. “As you all know, Gavin betrayed me…”
“Was that why you replaced him with an outsider?” Elder Steven, Gavin's father hissed. Did I forget to say that when I hear this man speak, it addles my brain?
“Jason is not an outsider!” I slammed my fist on the armrest.
“Really? Which pack is from?” Steven asked and everyone turned to Jason.
Jason stepped forward and cleared his throat. “My name is Jason and I'm from BlackRock Pack.”
Another round of gasps erupted in the hall.
“That's impossible! I don't recognize you, boy!” An Elder yelled.
“That's because I didn't grow up here.” Jason continues. “My father died when I was a kid. He … was one of the soldiers who fought in the Pack Wars years ago.”
This time the Elders went quiet.
Thomas cleared his throat. “Your father was one of our soldiers?”
“Yes. His name was Adam.” Jason said.
Murmurs grew around the hall.
Adam… that name was familiar but I don't remember it.
“After his death, my mother couldn't bear the pain so she took me and we left for the WhiteMoon Pack. So I'm not an outsider. I am just like everyone else.” Jason concluded.
The murmurs drew to a silence when I straightened in my chair.
“Do not question my judgement next time!”
“Perhaps, we were wrong, Lord Alpha.” Thomas bowed humbly.
“Indeed you were.” I scowled at him.
“Won't you all welcome him?” I raised a brow.
The Elders rose to their feet and turned towards Jason.
“Do the needful.” I ordered.
There were a few shuffling of feet and a few grumblings but all 12 of them bowed their heads.
“You are welcome, Beta Jason.” They echoed.
“Good. His coronation ceremony will take place next week. I want preparations to begin as soon as possible.” I said then rose to my feet.
And while they watched, I put my arms around Jason's shoulders and led him out of the hall.
We made it to the lounge but the last person I wanted to see was there.
“Really, Xavier? Is this what you were doing?” Kylie held up her phone, which displayed a photo of Jason during the press conference being announced as my new Beta. “We agreed to tell each other everything. That was our deal when we got married.”
I pinched the skin between my eyes and told Jason to give us 5 minutes.
I entered and slammed the door.
“No, our deal was that I stay for the entire time we got married, which I did. As for Jason being my new Beta…” I gave a casual shrug. “It’s my choice.”
“Your choice? Gavin was your best friend!" she snapped.
“He betrayed me! He admitted it!” I snapped back. “Do you know what he did?”
Kylie swallowed. Of course, she didn't.
“Gavin tried to bring down the company. He told the press that I embezzled the company's funds when we were trying to keep the company together! He did all that!”
Kylie's eyes filled. “No.”
“Oh yeah. He did and Jason was the one who found out. If he hadn't, we would've lost the company. I owe that man my life!”
“He's an outsider.” Kylie sniffled.
I ignored her tears and reached for a glass of wine. “Who's telling you that nonsense? Jason is from here.”
“He is?”
There was a brief knock on the door and Jason entered.
“Sorry to interrupt, sir, but I'd like to hear home. My fiancee is waiting for me.” Jason said, then bowed to Kylie.
“You're Jason?” Kylie shifted her gaze to me.
“Yes, Luna.” Jason nodded.
A strange glow of satisfaction settled in her eyes and I blinked. What the fuck is she doing?
“I didn't know you were Jason. Welcome…” she shook his hand, shocking both me and him.
Jason kept his expression neutral as he nodded again. “Thank you, ma'am.”
“As you can see with your two-good eyes, the man wants to leave.” I added with a scowl.
Kylie's cockiness instantly disappeared beneath a grimace. “Oh, that's bad. I hope you join us for dinner one of these days.”
Jason smiled. “Thank you for the invitation. I'll bring my fiancee with me next time.”
I patted my shoulder. “Let's go.”
As we walked out of the lounge, I couldn't help but be embarrassed at Kylie's flirting. She still hasn't changed.
When we reached the car and we said good night, I couldn't help but think about Jason's fiancee — the brunette. The funny thing is, I can't wait to see her again.