pia'

nger's grin was something else, an exquisite portrait in nonchalance. "Oh, you mean my identity?" he smiled, the tone oozing with amusement. "Xavier McKinney," he said, his voice bell-like. A collective breath halt, the room was like a breath held. Silas's eyes were wide, white circles, his face bloodless, his mouth hanging wide open. I felt like I'd been gut-punched again as my mind strayed to what all of this might mean. "You're the mighty Lycan king?" I asked, my voice barely audible. Xavier nodded, his gaze locked on mine. I felt submerged in them like a shipwrecked sailor. Silas's growl was low, a rumbling threat like thunder on a summer day. "What are you doing here in my territory?" he sneered, his muscles flexing as if caged. Xavier rolled his eyes heavenward, saint-like in his forbearance of fools. "I'm here to get my mate," he drawled, monotone, so drab it was positively soporific. Silas's face turned purple, his eyes popping out of their sockets frog-like. "You mean my mate?" he spat at him with a resounding spit, his poison like venom inside. Xavier's smile was a slow, sweet unfolding, an ascension of the sun in the mountains. "No," he answered in that voice like honey and wine, deep and husky. "I mean my mate." He looked further. "And I'm not leaving without her." Turning to Silas, Xavier's eyes had the sparkle of fun in them. "I thought you turned her down," he said, his voice tinged with a curiosity that made Silas's face darken and his eyes flash in anger, but by then, Xavier's attention had shifted to me. "Olympia, I'm here to take you with me, to mine, as my mate and future Luna Crystal," he said, his voice low, husky, sending some shivers down my spine. "Are you willing? If you do not want to leave, I respect your will and will not force you." His words touched my heart; his consideration and respect for my choice were balm to my soul. Beaming, I nodded at him-my mind decided. "I'd love to go with you to your pack." Silas's growl was low, full of danger-a rumbling sound. His eyes blazed with furious precious metal burning in them. "Not on my watch," he snarled, stepping a pace further forward, but his father's firm hand stopped him on the shoulder. "She's chosen, son. Deal with it," Xavier said, firm but calm in tone. Silas's eyes fastened thoughtfully on Xavier, full of rancor, and then he turned around and strode out of the room, leaving a deafening awkward silence. The look I was getting didn't stop from asking my questions though, "So what's the plan?" I asked and he chuckled darkly. "You're going back with me." He said that so smoothly without hesitation that I started asking myself questions. The night has grown thick and it was very clear that we ca