Chapter 67 A Counter Insurgence
Vanessa
"Mate."
A choked gasp rips out of me, and I bolt out of the bed. It's the wrong move I make, because in the next instance, I crumple to the floor in a heap, my head feeling like a batch of a thousand metal clubs playing hockey with it. I let out a loud moan of pain.
Where the fuck am I?
"Mate," the voice says again, startling me once more. Then everything from the previous night comes flooding back.
The ritual had taken a very different turn from what I had expected yesterday.
How did my life come to this?
I snap my head to the sound of the door opening and in walks Trish carrying a tray of steaming hot soup.
"Oh good, you're awake," she says. "We were already starting to get worried since you were unconscious for two days."
"What? Two days?" I gasp.
"Yes, two days," she replies, coming over to gently place the tray on my lap.
The smell wafts into my nostrils making me salivate. I don't wait for any encouragement before diving in, relishing the warmth that spreads through my chest.
Trish sits at the edge of the bed, watching me eat with a small smile on her face.
I scowl. "What? I'm hungry," I grumble, but she only hums.
Once I'm done, I set the tray aside, but she picks it up ready to take it back when I ask. "Where's Xander?"
At the mention of his name, something squirms inside my chest, a quiet longing filling me instantly.
That's...strange...
"His Highness is currently at the training grounds." Then her voice drops into a whisper. Like anyone can overhear us with a closed door and soundproof walls.
"I heard another pack member died two days ago, so now, he's creating a special army to deal with whatever this is." There's a note of fear in her voice as she speaks, but I don't blame her. Anyone will be terrified if an unknown entity starts murdering people randomly.
"I need to see him. Now," I blurt, scrambling up from the bed.
Trish's eyes widen. "What? No!" she exclaims, pushing me back down on the bed, but I struggle against her.
"I really need to talk to him about something." But she doesn't listen, and continues to fuss.
"No, Vanessa. I really don't think this is a good idea. I mean, I don't think now is the right time. Besides, you need to rest since you just woke up from a two-day coma."
I scoff and give her a are-you-serious look, but she only shrugs. I roll my eyes and gently push her off me. "I think I've rested enough."
I start to make my way towards the training grounds ignoring Trish's cries for me to come back, a flutter in my belly at the prospect of seeing him again. It makes me feel strange, yes, but I don't stop. I really need to talk to him about what he said that night. He can't just spring up that word on me without any explanation.
The fluttering my belly increases once the training ground comes into view then I see him.
Standing on the raised platform in all his commanding glory, is Xander. Max stands to his right as Xander addresses the group of men in front of them. They all stand with their feet wide apart and hands clasped behind their backs as they listen attentively to their leader.
"We are being hunted from within our own borders," his voice booms loud enough for everyone to hear. They think patience makes them powerful. They think hiding makes them safe, but they couldn't have been more wrong. Nonetheless, this all ends, now," he growls.
"Yes, sir!" they all chorus.
"The MoonVeil Pack will only know peace once again," he promises.
"Yes sir!"
Then as one, they drop on one knee, beating their chests thrice and bow their heads, pledging their allegiance to Xander - to their future King.
The simple gesture makes my heart swell and even Xander's chest puffs out a little more.
That's when I realize something. These men aren't guards. They're not council-approved warriors. No, they're loyal wolves, and ones destined to follow him, not just as their alpha or future King, but as their leader. Their trust in him is quite plain to see.
Max starts to say something to them also but I tune him out, my eyes fixed on a certain dark-haired, man. The said man who's dark eyes are now fixed on me, sending a pulse of heat through my body, low and dangerous.
Stop it, this isn't the time for that, I scold my body.
Without looking away, I sashay forward, only stopping when I come face to face with him.
"Hey there, pretty boy," I greet. He narrows his eyes, then briefly turns to address his men.
"You may leave. The training schedule will be communicated when due." They all bow their heads and exit the training grounds.
Xander turns back to me and asks, "Why aren't you in bed?"
"It's kinda boring being alone there. Wanna join me?" I ask with faux innocence. His eyes darken and one hand shoots out to circle my waist and yank me close until our chests are pressed together. I gasp.
"Careful, firecracker. You don't want to do that," he murmurs, his voice dropping to an octave that sends vibrations through my body.
"I'm joining," I say quickly to distract us from the topic.
"No." He doesn't even hesitate. "It's too dangerous."
"This concerns me as much as it does the pack. Besides, I'm the one they're trying to trigger, those innocent people shouldn't have to suffer for it," I argue.
Xander sighs. "It's not that simple, Vanessa."
"No, I think it actually is."
"You think this is a game?" he snaps, irritation clouding his features.
"I know it's a war, and whether you like it or not, I'll be a part of it. It's my duty, just as much as it's yours, to protect this pack!"
Xander studies me for a few moments, the warring of emotions flitting through his eyes.
"You're untrained," he tries to argue one last time.
"Don't make me sound like a novice, I can hold my own in any type of combat. But sure, train me if you must."
Our gazes lock, the heat between us so hot and searing it could melt ice, but I continue to stand my ground.
"Fine," he concedes and I almost squeal, but instead, I let a wide smile take over my face. "But when you train under me, you follow my commands, and no reckless moves."
I roll my eyes but nod anyway.
"Well, this is going to end well," Max mutters.
Now that that has been settled, we're moving on to the first thing that brought me here.
"Now," I start. "What was that two nights ago about you calling me mate?