Chapter 70 70
Maisie's Pov
There was something about the morning after that always made the previous night’s events seem surreal.
Less than twelve hours ago, I’d been curled up beneath a table in my living room, convinced I was living my last moments on earth.
Now, I was drinking my daily wheatgrass smoothie and eating toast in the kitchen like it was a normal day but right now, I was at an engagement party.
I got up early this morning, and I only knew that because my insomnia was in full force. I didn't sleep well without Roman and there was no way I'd ever get to sleep next to him because Xavier and I now shared a room. Of course, Kylie was angry when she heard about the engagement. She nearly snapped me in half when she found me. Luckily, Xavier had his guards lock her away in the far end of the pack estate.
Lately, my thoughts were divided between the possibility of fulfilling my goals, missing Roman, and apparently, the new item on the list — a picture Xavier had posted last night.
Yesterday, he and I were having a self-care night and watching a soap opera he insisted I would love.
Frankly, he was right, because I was glued to the TV by the second episode but something felt off. Going with him was so weird. It felt relaxing and nice when I watched movies with Roman. Now, it feels like a chore.
Xavier went on to show me embarrassing videos of him and his friends in college. He even took a picture with me while wearing star-infused under-eye masks. Our heads are right next to each other, and he’s staring at me while I’m smiling. He captioned it “the best part of my day”.
I had a physical reaction to seeing those six words under a picture of us posted by his own volition. Not even because they led to my followers ascending into the five-digit category, but because I felt guilty. Roman was my mate and yet, I was being paraded as another man's potential Luna. And not just any man, but my ex-mate.
This morning, Xavier was sound asleep, so I slipped out to head straight to the gym to clear my head. For some reason, the scent of metal and humming of the treadmill got my adrenaline pumping.
I didn't notice anyone walk into the room until I felt familiar arms around me.
Xavier.
He brushed his lips past my neck and whispered into my hair. “Good morning, baby.”
I tried not to squirm and pulled away gently.
Then I turned around and gaped at Xavier, who was wearing a crisp black button-down and dark jeans. It was my first time seeing him in anything other than a suit.
'What's the occasion?’ I pulled out my AirPods and gestured to the suit he was wearing.
“Our engagement party,” he smiled. “I wanted to try on my suit. See if it still fits. What do you think?”
“I think you look handsome.” I said. It was no lie. Xavier was handsome. If only he had a brain.
“What about you?” Did you see the dress I picked out for you?” He asked.
His question threw me back to the past and I remembered how Xavier used to buy my own clothes and shoes. He never let me leave the house for any reason. Not even for grocery shopping. I hadn't realized how much of a prisoner I was until life happened.
I looked down at my crop sweatshirt and shorts. The chances of me pulling off these clothes to try on a full-on party dress was next to zero.
“How about later?” I gave him a wry smile.
Xavier pretended to think hard for a moment before he finally nodded. “Anything for you.”
Then he leaned forward to kiss me. I turned my cheek just in time for his lips to brush against it. I'll be damned if I let him kiss me on the lips again.
“See you later, darling.” He called behind me as he exited.
“Later, babe.” I forced myself to add the endearment.
Once he was out of earshot, I collapsed on the floor with a sigh. Why'd he have to call me “darling?” Roman was the only one permitted to call me that.
I heard a notification ping in my phone and pulled it out.
Xavier had texted me the address to the party in case I wanted to invite any of my friends. I had no plans to invite anyone except Emma and Clyde and I doubted they would show up. Their hatred for Xavier knew no bounds. But I sent the address anyway.
Alpha Patrol Groupchat
Maisie : Who wants to get drunk on expensive wine on a Friday night?
Emma : Meeeeeeeee. Time and place?
Clyde : I could unwind for an hour or two.
Maisie: Cool. Time is 10pm and the venue is the MIRAGE GARDEN. Don't worry about membership passes, I'll email them to you.
Clyde : Hold on a second… Are you inviting us to your engagement party?
Emma : Fake
Clyde: Still the same thing.
Emma \[eyeroll emoji\] : Don't worry, Maisie. We'll show up in style.
Maisie : Thank you and…
Emma & Clyde : Bring Emma with you.
Emma : Aye aye, captain.
I exited the group chat with a sigh.
I hesitated to send the address to Roman then deleted the text. He’s probably busy and doesn't need distractions.
That night, I made my preparations. Xavier made sure my dress matched with his white suit and my makeup was light. I thought he'd complain. He hates light makeovers on women. Only, he didn't complain. Instead, he complimented my beauty.
We rode to the Mirage Garden in silence except for the soft classical music piping from the speakers. I was grateful he didn’t try to make conversation.
I needed to gather all my energy for a night out when my body had already been in home relaxation mode.
There were three dozen guests max, encompassing a mix of creative and high society types. They milled about the stark white space, talking quietly over glasses of champagne.
Xavier and I circulated the room, making small talk about everything from the weather to cherry blossom season. I pitched in where I could and I let him take the lead.
I was too tired to be witty and charming, though it did feel nice to be in public again for the first time in a week.
I stuck by Xavier’s side until Elder Marcus arrived with his wife, Lydia.
“You do what you have to do,” I said. “I’m going to powder my nose.”
There was no way I could listen to him ramble on for hours.
“Okay, darling.” He leveled me with a dark stare. “I mean it, Chloe.”
I nodded, then turned on my heels.
My dress felt tight, and I hoped it’s tight because of my nerves and not because I’ve gone up a size.
I push the automatic thought away. I don’t think like that anymore. I wear my clothes, my clothes don’t wear me.
When there’s a knock on the bathroom door, finish sticking a final gem on the corner of my eye and open the door. I was expecting to see someone else but it was Roman.
My breath whooshed out of me, and I stared at him, completely stunned.
He came.
He was wearing dark jeans and a black T-shirt under a thin midnight blue jacket. The cotton fabric of the shirt underneath stretched across his chest, and I secretly wished it would spontaneously tear off. His body crowded the threshold, and he held a bouquet of pink and white peonies.
“You’re here,” I say breathlessly.
His eyes roam the green costume and the delicate chiffon with silver embroidery. I’m wearing a jewel-encrusted crown and a moonstone necklace to emulate Titania, the fairy queen.
He cleared his throat. “I said I would be.”
I eyed the flowers. “You did?”
Roman didn’t answer. Instead, his gaze soaks into me, burning a path in a slow perusal of every inch of my skin. My heart thumped wildly against my rib cage.
“Roman.”
His gaze flickered over to mine, and he quickly handed me the flowers.
I assessed the pretty bouquet, smelling the sweetness with a hint of citrus, then I shot him a pointed glance. “You gave me flowers on my engagement day?”
“Yeah. Don’t you like it?” he asked.
I smiled. “Oh course, I like it. I love it. Thank you, Roman.”
He leaned forward, and everything else ceased to exist.
The noise of the guests in the hallways, the passing of champagne glasses, and the PA system announcing the time for the host of the party to come share their dance. At this moment, it was only him and me. And the cardiac event I was having.
But instead of claiming my lips like I hope, he kissed my forehead.
“Good luck,” he whispered, then walked out before I could comprehend any of it.
My mind was in a whirlwind when I made it back to the dance floor to see Xavier waiting for me.
The second our eyes locked, he pulled closer and heard the first notes, I focused only on dancing.
The blinding stage lights flushed me in white and made the sparkling fabric in my dress shimmer as I danced in Xavier's arms.
The dance was short, making me recall past memories.
I'd once danced with Xavier like this. Like this, I was once happy with him. Until he decided I was no longer useful to him and tossed me aside.
A few minutes later, the dance came to an end, leaving room for other couples.
Lydia walked up to me and there were arms around me. “My dear, you look absolutely ravishing.”
I returned her compliment with a smile.
I tried to ignore the conversation we should be having. Knowing Lydia, I suspected where she would bring this conversation to and I didn't want to be more uncomfortable than I already was.
She smiled when Xavier walked up to an Alpha and shook his hand. “It’s hard to miss that kind of man in a crowd full of people — a six-foot-four hockey player, dark hair, bright eyes. He's the total package.”
My face felt hot. “I meant to tell you.”
“Before or after he announced your engagement in an interview on live television?”
I winced. “I'm sorry.”
“I know you’re an adult, and you can make your own decisions. But just let me be a part of some of them, yeah? Even if I’m not particularly enthused about this one.”
“He’s a good guy, Lydia. You haven’t even given him a chance.” I nearly choked on my lie.
“Trust me, I’ve given him a chance.”
As if on cue, Xavier comes up behind me, sliding his arm around my waist like any regular fiance.
“Xavier,” my friend acknowledges.
“Lydia,” Xavier returned.
“Text me when you’re home, Chloe. We have a lot to chat about later.” And just like that she was gone.
Xavier watched Lydia’s descent with a grimace.
“You two need to figure something out,” I say, turning to him fully. “So, what did you think?”
“About?”
I knock a playful hand to his chest. “Everything. Rate me.”
Xavier finally looks at me, and his slow perusal makes me regret asking.
“The outfit, a solid ten. The makeup, another ten. But the dance ...” He trails off.
When I’m going to smack his arm, he captures my wrist and pulls me right to him.
“You must be the fiance.” Alpha Jeanine, the only female Alpha's voice, makes me stiff, and I push away from Xavier.
He shook the hand of the woman who designed my dress, and nodded proudly. “Yes, ma’am.”
“I’ve been making dresses forever, and I’ve never seen anyone this beautiful in one. And when she danced, she was so free. It’s nice to see, and I’m hoping it’s partly thanks to you.” she winked at him.
“It’s all me,” Xavier smiled proudly. “I do what I can to make her happy.”
I cleared my throat softly. He wasn't wrong but he wasn't right either.
Xavier pulled me into his side, and she watched us with a wide smile that had to hurt her cheeks.
“Come on, we need a group picture,” Alpha Jeanine said.
The guests bring in their partners, and parents, as they crowd around us.
When most of them were shuffling to take a picture, Xavier passed his chair to an elderly woman. Then he took my chair and looped an arm around my midsection to pull me into his lap.
When he felt me stiff, his lips brush against my ear. “Relax, darling. It's just a photo.”
My wobbly smile barely held any water, then the flash went off, and I realized Xavier didn’t look at the camera at all. His eyes were on me.
Back on my feet, I kept smiling to avoid attracting suspicious stares.
Then I turned to Xavier, “Why did you pull me into your lap—”
He cut off my words when he sealed his lips to mine.
My eyes widened and I tried to pull away but he twinned his hands around my waist and tightened his grip.
The kiss was gentle and tentative, like he was surprised to feel my mouth on his, ready and reciprocating without even a hint of delay.
My fists tightened in his shirt, wanting to push him away but he didn't get the memo and misunderstood it for more.
Xavier tilted my head to deepen the kiss, and my nerves jumbled. I'd never screamed so loudly in my mind before.
He fisted the back of my hair, and it stung.
What the hell!
The sigh that leaves me is of pure disgust but his answering moan was tortured. He was clearly the only one enjoying this kiss.
When he pulls back, I’m upset, not disoriented. It was different when I kissed Roman, it felt like I’d gotten off a roller coaster and had to lean against something to get my bearings straight. But Xavier's was… boring.
There was a flash of white that brought me back to earth. A teenager stood in the crowd of families and shamelessly pointed his phone at us.
My gaze slipped back to Xavier’s blank expression, and for a second, I think I imagined the kiss. But the smudge of my shiny lip gloss on his mouth told me it was real.
He rested his forehead against mine before gently kissing it. “I'll always love you, Chloe. I swear to the Moon that I'll always love you.”
The crowd went wild with applause and whistles. “Aww’s” and “congratulations” spilled into the air as couples circled us, greeting and sending us compliments and gifts.
Everyone seemed to have done that except a certain grey-eyed man.
His eyes met mine with a soft look but when they drifted to Xavier's… he looked like he wanted to hate him dead.