Chapter 66

Diamond

"Hello my enchantress"

I couldn't speak. I couldn't move. After all this time, after years of waiting and dreaming, my mate was right in front of me.

I imagined this moment a thousand times in my head. What it would be like to finally find him. I never pictured it would be this way, under these circumstances, but nevertheless it was happening. He was gorgeous. More than I could have asked for. He was obviously powerful which made me slightly nervous. Yet, he was down on one knee in front of me, submitting in a way. I could tell this was not normal behavior for someone like him.

"Hi" I finally managed to say.

"Do you know how long I've searched for you? I had given up hope. Now I see you were well worth the wait."

I could already tell. This man would be the death of me.

"I appreciate the sentiment. I've waited for you as well. It felt like forever."

"I can tell you have been, most patient," he said, inhaling my scent. Something told me he could sense my purity. I blushed from embarrassment.

"No need to be embarrassed. I'm most pleased. I confess I would have been slightly upset if you had chosen to forsake me."

What was even happening right now? Was this encounter even real? It seemed bizarre yet believable. Like I was in some type of fairy tale from centuries ago and he was my prince. The way he presented himself was so patriarchal, so old fashioned. I could tell he was important and a stickler for rules and tradition.

"Do you mind accompanying me? I would love to talk more and get to know you. That is, if you're finished tending to the wounded."

I nodded and followed him. Anything else would have taken away this mystic feeling that had come over me.

"So tell me about yourself. Your name to start with."

"My name is Diamond."

"It suits you. You are undoubtedly valuable and rare. I'm Xander."

"Xander," I said, trying it out. "I like it. Can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"Who exactly are you? I mean I was wondering what brought you here."

"I'm the Council Leader. I'm sure you can figure out the rest."

I was mated to the Council Leader. It took all I had not to hyperventilate. No wonder I felt so much power coming from him. It didn't get much stronger than the Council Leader. He even outranked alphas. My reaction seemed to intrigue him as he looked at me with a grin.

"Don't worry. You were made for me." That simple statement was enough to calm me. He was right. The moon goddess had chosen him as my mate. That had to mean I could handle whatever came next.

"So tell me Diamond, what brought you here? Or do you now belong to this pack? I have visited Phoenix several times but never came across you. I would have noticed."

"No, I don't belong to this pack. My sister is Phoenix's mate."

That seemed to intrigue him as he gave me a curious look.

"The red head with the attitude is your sister?"

"Well not biologically. But blood couldn't make us any closer. We were raised together."

"I see. So you came here because she was in trouble?"

"Something like that. It's an extremely long and complicated story for another time." I don't know why I was reluctant to tell him the full story. It just didn't seem like the right time. I found myself understanding Sapphire's dilemma in the beginning when she had to keep things from River.

"Fair enough. But I do intend to hear it. I'm most fascinated by you." I could tell that this wouldn't be the end of his questioning and I started to feel like I was being interrogated.

"I feel the same. Tell me something about you."

"Well I'm here on business as you know. I grew up as the oldest of four siblings and had to work very hard to get to where I am. I take nothing for granted. I believe that the Council allows us to survive. Without order our species will cease to exist. Any and all threats must be eliminated. Which is why I was chosen as leader. I never hesitate to do what needs to be done. No matter the cost."

For some reason that sent a chill through me. I was all for protecting the species and maintaining order but the way he said no matter the cost frightened me.

"Let's talk about something else. How about you tell me what's important to you. I can tell that family is pretty high on the list." I was glad for the subject change. At least it was less morbid.

"Yes my sisters are everything to me. As well as our parents. We depend on each other and have a bond that is hard to explain."

"Sisters? There are more of you in this, how should I put it? Group?"

"Yes there are six of us and our parents. You've met Ruby so I'm guessing you've met Jade as well?"

"The one mated to Hunter?"

"Yes"

I could tell he wanted to ask more but thankfully didn't.

"Well I will have to get to know them all a little better now that I've found you."

I smiled at the idea. It was sweet of him to value what was important to me.

"Do you have parents?"

"Not anymore. They died several years ago," he said abruptly. I wanted to ask how but something told me he wasn't up for sharing.

"That's awful."

"It's okay. I've moved past it."

I didn't think that it was possibly to truly move past something like that but I didn't comment.

"So are your siblings part of the Council as well?" I said changing the subject once again.

"No. Of course not," he laughed. It was a wonderful sound. "They are the complete opposite of me."

He seemed to be proud of that fact.

"We're here." I hadn't noticed we had arrived at the pack house.

"Your sisters and their mates should be ready. It's time we head back to Council Headquarters. I would love it if you would come with me. It's your choice of course," he said politely.

"I would be happy to come along. Can the others come as well?"

"Certainly. The trial will be held soon and I would like to get as much information as I can before that time. My cousin will be joining as well. I arranged for a private jet and Jacob will drive anyone else in the car. You can inform them and all of you can pack quickly. We have a schedule to keep."

I immediately went to inform the others. I couldn't wait to tell them Xander was my mate.