Chapter 73 : Dinner with Two Alphas

Karenina

The room was clearly built to impress anyone who looked at it. A red silk canvas with gold decorations hung on the walls, golden candlesticks of various sizes were placed around the entire length of the large room, the candlelight giving off a soft glow, while the floor was covered with colorful tiles depicting the Westwood Crest, a sliver of a blue crescent moon.

In the center of the dining room was a long, luxurious table with chairs covered with soft blue cushions. But the table was empty. Another table at the end of the hall stood on a podium. It was long, but small compared to the table below it. Xavier sat in the middle, with the Alpha of the Bloodmoon Pack, Chase Goldstein, to his left.

He was dressed in a white shirt and a black suit, while Chase was wearing a black shirt and a red suit. Chase seemed to prefer a more striking outfit, which combined with his very masculine features, with bold lines and sharp angles, framed by golden blonde hair; while Xavier presented a very different silhouette, with an outfit that was almost entirely monochromatic next to his alabaster skin. His features were no less masculine, but he was also very beautiful, like an archangel warrior, with hair spun like moonlight.

She noticed that Raine was missing, wondering if that was on purpose. The men stood at the entrance, waiting for her as she walked slowly. Sweat began to pool at the base of her spine, her nerves on edge from the unwanted attention. She prayed again that she wouldn't trip or do anything to embarrass herself.

She almost breathed a sigh of relief when she made it to his side and, with Xavier's help, sat down on the soft cushion to his right. As happy as she was that Chase was sitting on the other side of Xavier, she could feel the hostility in his vibe.

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Xavier

When he first saw her in her new outfit, Xavier lost his ability to breathe for a few seconds. She was a beautiful, mesmerizing creature, and she was walking towards him. He felt an overwhelming sense of pride for the person she represented. This was not the strangely dressed hybrid girl he had welcomed into his home, but a young woman with a poise and grace he had never seen before. And she belonged to him.

But as she came closer, he felt the hesitation in her gaze and held back a smile. She was still the same little girl he knew, just playing the role she had been given. He also saw a strong determination in her eyes. She is determined to show his guests that she is a woman as well as a born princess. His pride in her swelled even more because of her fierce willpower.

He stirred with lust as he helped Karen to her seat, but he forced himself to dismiss the thought of undressing and exposing her naked body in front of him as he took her body into his own. He didn't want to have a bulging cock while he had guests to entertain. Maybe when they were alone...

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Chase

When Chase sat down again, a waiter filled his tray without him noticing. His fangs clenched in anger when he saw Karen sitting where his daughter wanted her to sit. He hadn't noticed that Xavier had seated her where his mate should have been. Why any self-respecting Alpha, especially one as strong and wealthy as Xavier, would even consider mating with a hybrid was beyond him.

His heart ached at the thought of Elena. She lay in bed, wounded. He blamed this girl for daring to hurt his daughter. He wanted to shed blood, but his wish would not be granted as long as the girl was still wanted by Xavier. Something he wanted to prevent for the sake of his daughter. This girl was not worthy to mate with the Alpha of the Westwood Pack, no matter how powerful the wolf aura within her was. Chase almost scoffed at the possibility, but he couldn't deny that he could feel dark energy swirling within her. An impossibility, yet there she sat. His ill feelings made him ignore the possibilities she created, the power she could have, the potential power she represented. All he saw was a worthless hybrid creature, half human.

As they began to eat, Chase couldn't contain his resentment as he said, "This is truly a sumptuous meal, Alpha Xavier, fit for any Alpha. It is a pity that my daughter cannot be here to taste this delicious food. I fear her wounds have not yet healed. Spiritual hybrid arrows can be very dangerous, don't you think?"

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Karenina

She stopped with her fork lifted, her mouth slightly open, ready to take her first bite. Helga sat behind her and followed her to fill her own plate. She set her fork aside, her appetite gone under Chase's veiled words of hostility. She knew he blamed her for his daughter's injuries, but she didn't know if it was true. Hell, she had never even seen his daughter's face, and even if she had, all of her enemies were dead. Did any of her many attackers survive? She didn't know, and she didn't care, as long as the wolf didn't come after her for revenge.

She was only defending herself. She refused to be ashamed of it, so she picked up her fork and remained silent. She didn't speak at all at that time. Until she was spoken to directly, she would remain silent - she hoped. She was just about to start eating when Xavier's answer startled her and made her stop.

Xavier was a little annoyed that Chase would use such low tactics. But he did not reveal his thoughts as he replied, "A weak wolf would certainly have a harder time recovering from such an attack. I hope she recovers quickly."

She smiled, glad he was willing to defend her. She took her first bite and savored the delicious taste.

Meanwhile, Chase almost choked on his anger. He took a quick sip of his champagne to calm his anger. But it didn't work. "Your gratitude is much appreciated, Alpha Xavier. I will pass them on to my daughter when I meet her." He nodded as he raised his fork to his mouth and ate.

"I would also like to extend my greetings to you," Chase said in a soft voice, far from satisfied with the previous outburst. Then he raised his glass and made a toast to the couple. "To the soon to be mated pair, the fierce Alpha of the Westwood Pack, Xavier Westwood, and... sorry, I don't know your name yet, little girl. In fact, Alpha Xavier rarely tells me anything about you. Where are you from? Tell me the Alpha's name and I will send a messenger to him to praise his daughter's beauty and her ability to attract the attention of the mighty Alpha of the Westwood Pack. Your father knows you're mated to an Alpha, doesn't he? Strange, I always thought hybrids with spiritual energy should keep their purity and not be mated with an Alpha, but here we are."

Even though Chase was speaking directly to her, she didn't know how to react. She couldn't tell him that she was from the Moonlit Grove Pack, which had the myth of the Silverthorn Forest, but she didn't need to because Xavier was speaking for her.

"Her background is not important for now. Everything will be answered during the mating ceremony," he said easily, deflecting Chase's question.

She almost choked on his words. The mating ceremony? Xavier spoke as if it had already happened! Well, then she had something to say about it! In private of course. Their strange relationship was no concern of the Alpha of the Bloodmoon Pack.