Chapter 17 It's Time

Anna May

By the time they boarded the private jet, all types of medical equipment that the doctor requested were installed. He had Mish hooked up to different machines. One was a heart monitor he constantly checked. They were on the aircraft's cabin number two. The room was bigger than their bedroom at the condo. It was really impressive.

Another thing that impressed her was the way the doctor cared for her sister. He was really something and had been with her since they arrived at the condo, refusing to get some sleep. She hoped he will. Dawn peeked at the horizon. The shutters on the plane were pulled down to avoid the glare of the sunlight.

"Please, doctor. Get some sleep. I can watch over my sister for a few hours." She tried to convince him. She couldn't sleep anyway, Xander was busy making phone calls.

"It's okay, my lady. I need to monitor her heart, it's unstable. I can't risk it." His eyes kept darting to Mish, she couldn't help but wonder. Or maybe she was being overprotective. Which shouldn't be the case? She could sense that he was a gentleman and honorable to boot. Old school too. Still, there was something in the way he hovered over her sister. Like Mish was the most invaluable treasure in this world. Ok, he had her convinced. She trusted the man.

"If you're sure?" He nodded. "Please tell me if you need my assistance," she said quietly before she left them, closing the door gently behind her.

She found Rie with Alexie and Sofia. That fact made her smile. The three immediately bonded upon meeting. Apparently, they had one thing in common. Cakes and pastries. Which Rie was an expert at. In time, she may be able to enroll her sister in a Culinary Institute. She heard the acceptance and tuition fees were atrocious. It doesn't matter, she will be saving for her sister and send her to her dream college. Rie had always wanted ICE NY.

"There you are. Join us," Alexie prompted, patting the space beside her.

Anna lazily made her way to her, at last, she could relax her tired body on a cushioned seat.

"How's Mish?" Rie queried, gnawing her lips nervously.

"She's resting, Rie. The doctor won't leave her side. I know he must be tired." She shook her head.

"Don't worry about my brother. He doesn't get tired easily." She glanced at the owner of the heavily accented voice. The lady was glowing in her advanced stage of pregnancy.

"I can't thank you or your brother enough. You really help us a lot." Mish's illness could have gotten worse without the physician's expertise.

"My brother will do anything to cure Mish of whatever ails her." The lady --named Sofia, the doctor's sister was introduced to her earlier and was enveloped in a scented embrace-- assured with a smile.

"What's his full name by the way? I can't just keep calling him the doctor." To her surprise, Alexie and Sofia giggled.

"Xavier Moravia Rastislav III," She announced grandly, making fun of her brother's name.

"That's a mouthful. I'll stick with doctor or Xavier." The girls chuckled in response to her gist.

"Anyway, sis. Sofia invited us to her baby shower. They will move back to their estate in New York when we get back. I will bake the cake and manage the event." She shook her head at Rie's excitement. This was her element. She could hardly deny her.

"You sure, Rie? And you Sofia?" They both shook their heads yes.

"When will be the event?" She asked and made a mental note to buy gifts for her babies.

"This Friday, hopefully, my belly has not popped by then." She couldn't help but wonder about having her own babies. She knew that sooner or later Xander will go all the way. He was the only man she wanted to be intimate with --the problem was she was afraid of getting knocked up. What if he doesn't want kids? They have been together for a week, of course, he would want to enjoy their relationship first. Maybe she should start on pills or whatever. She should visit an OB soon.

"Hey, earth to Anna May," Ouch! She glared at her sister who flicked her head.

"What?" She scowled at her.

"You drifted off to Neverland. Are you okay?"

She made a face. "Just thinking about work," she mumbled and let their voices washed over her as they plan some more for the baby shower.

She glanced at Xander's group at the far corner. They were busy with conference calls. She didn't know what they were discussing since they spoke in Italian --it seemed heated though. When he felt her gaze, he winked. She blushed deeply, making him smirked.

She wondered about their upcoming "talk" --whatever secrets he was keeping from her, she hoped it wouldn't destroy them. So long as he doesn't have wives or mistresses tucked away somewhere, nothing will change the way she felt about him. He could be an alien and she will still love him.

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Michael

When would this fucking shit end? He was again looking at the cunning face of councilman Victor, trying to decipher the man's thoughts through the monitor, though his outer countenance showed concern, the fucker can never fool him, especially his king. He had been living in this world for more than a century and had learned a long time ago not to take anything at face value. Certainly, not in politics.

The vampire elder wanted them to dance to his tune, taking advantage of Alexander's temporary distraction because of the mating fever. Little did he knew, they were two steps ahead of him.

"And this attack, how did you know of it, Victor?" Hmmm. There it was. The subtle hardening of his jaw. He loathed it when Alexander addressed him casually. Mayhap in his mind, he thought he was above them. Presumptuous asshole. He had forgotten how he ended up with a seat in the council.

"My reliable sources, King Alexander. It is my duty and of course, the council has constantly monitored each realm." Spying, most likely. The prick was hungry for power.

"I commend your...devotion to the supernatural realm, Victor," he smirked. Not missing the sarcasm from the Lycan King.

"Thank you, King Alexander." Goddess. -Spare me from this idiot.

"Council," Alexander paused, waiting for everyone's attention to turn to him. "My friend Lucas, The Dragon King, has resolved the issue. He had dealt with the rogues together with my ground troops. Everyone was eradicated. Our mission now is to find the leaders of these miscreants. And I promised you, on behalf of the Kings, we will find them. And when we do, they will wish they have never been born." He watched his Lycan leader clenched his hands, fighting for control, his eyes turning black. His wolf at the surface. Soon it will be brilliant red --his full lycan-- and that would be dangerous.

-My king, your mate will see you.

-I know. Thank you beta. I hate this man. As soon as I have evidence of his treachery, I will kill him. Fuck this! We have been switching from Italian to French then Greek, my mate is becoming suspicious. This ignoramus will put me in the doghouse!

Michael shook his head. Sympathizing. Yeah. Even Alexie was growling at him from their link. They have been in this meeting for seven hours straight.

First, organizing ground troops for the dragon king, then supervising the counterassault. After that, they had to endure yapping from this obnoxious man.

"My son, where is Xavier? I thought he is with you?" Alexander relaxed a bit, hearing his mother's voice.

"Ah, yes. About that, Xavier wanted to convey his apologies for not attending this impromptu meeting, mother. He is rather busy at the moment. Something more important came up." Goddess. This will be gold. He focused his attention on Victor.

The king's parents inclined their heads, accepting their son's explanation.

"More important than this? Since the king has reawakened he should be in this meeting." His constant whining was becoming mundane. From the corner of his eye, he saw Oliver tensed.

"Oliver is here as a representative. That's more than enough for me. And Victor," here goes nothing. "King Xavier Moravia Rastislav III has found his beloved Queen. That is definitely more important." Alexander announced smugly. Oliver and he both grinned as celebratory congratulations were heard from everyone. Only Victor and his beloved have tight smiles. They were afraid, they should be. Xavier has become ten times more powerful because of his beloved. And his vampire kingdom has been assured of a brighter future.

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Anna May

Feeling him gather her in his firm embrace, she hummed with contentment, he nuzzled her nape and he spooned his much larger frame at her back, his bare arms surrounded her, leaving no space between them.

"I'm sorry the meeting took so long, baby girl," Xander mumbled. His voice sounded tired.

"It's ok. I didn't know you guys speak so many languages," she whispered and felt his body go rigid for a few seconds. Did she say something wrong?

"Yeah. Business all over the world, mia anima." He continued to kiss her neck, sucking the skin thoroughly, leaving a red mark. She whimpered in delight, rubbing her butt on his rigid length covered in his casual jeans. He groaned. He responded by cupping her breasts through her shirt, playing with her needy nipples.

"We have a few hours before we land, darling." He chuckled huskily at her suggestive voice, the raspy sound made her shiver. This amazing man had brought her to the heights of pleasure numerous times without penetration. What would it feel like to have him possess her completely?

"I could think of a few activities we can do to pass the time." He enticingly jested. God! He was sex on a stick. So tempting.

She turned to him, plastering her slender frame to his front. He was so warm all the time, no matter how cold it was. She searched his passion-filled eyes, trying to gauge his thoughts. His eyelashes were thick almost covering his irises that had turn coal-black again with a hint of red surrounding the pupils. How can he change his eye color so fast? Was it a genetic mutation?

"You are not from Mars, are you?" Alexander was dumbfounded by her sudden question. He tried to figure out if she was serious. She was. When it dawned on him. He threw back his head on the pillow and gave a short bark of laughter.

"Are you asking me if I am an alien, mio amore?" He was grinning at her Hmmph! Now, he was making fun of her.

Anna tried to wiggle out of his embrace --he pulled her on top of him, separating his muscular thighs to settle her in between. Bracing her forearms on his naked chest to glower down at him, he pecked her nose in return.

"It's just that your eyes change color all the time. It's even glowing. Didn't you noticed?" He was staring seriously, mirth gone from his stormy gray eyes. See, he switch eye color once more!

"Don't be mad at me, baby girl. I'm sorry I laughed." His eyes pleaded.

"Well, you didn't answer my question, Xander. It doesn't matter if you are an alien. I just wanted to know." She frowned. He began to soothe her by rubbing her back down to her thighs. She couldn't help but respond, her body softening against him.

"I promise you, mia anima, I was born and raised on this planet. And I am not an alien. Promise!" Xander raised his palm, swearing. Her own eyes softened. "Didn't I tell you we will talk when we get back?"

Yes, he did. "Promise you won't ever lie to me?" She implored.

She had always been wary of men. Afraid of predators that will take advantage of her because she was a woman. He was the only man she had ever trusted wholeheartedly.

"I promised, mio amore. I will never hurt you." He cupped her face, angling their lips and he ravaged her mouth, making her lose herself in his arms.

***

The Lycan Mansion

"Alexander, I told you Marie and Michelle can share a room." Rie bobbed her head in agreement. Her sister looked shocked by the grandeur of the mansion and the opulence of her own suite of rooms.

"Baby girl, I want your sisters to be comfortable. And Mish has rooms overlooking the trees so she can have fresh air every day. Doctor's order." He gathered her in his arms, taking a huge whiff on her neck. She could swear her boyfriend has a neck fetish.

She glanced back at Rie. "Are you ok being alone in this room?"

"Gods, yes! This is like ten times bigger than our condo unit. I like it here, please sis?" She tried to think it over and reluctantly nodded her head, her sister was eighteen years old. She deserved a room of her own.

"Rie, your sister told me you have units in culinary?" When did I tell him that? He was tricky. Alexie must have informed him. Rie and his sister were newfound besties.

"Yup. A few." Rie affirmed.

"That's good. You will start your classes at ICE NY in a few days." Her jaw dropped, while her sister whooped. This man was too much!

"Alexander..." She didn't know what to say. He had done so much for her and her siblings, including his family and friends.

"Hush, mia anima. Please let me take care of you?" Her eyes darted to Rie. She was busy exploring her suite. Anba shook her head yes. Relenting.

"Thank you, soulmate." The sentiment was sincerely true, it was just that sometimes she felt like a charity case.

"I know what you are thinking. Stop that or I will tie you to our bed." He hissed. Scowling. She blushed crimson at his words. "Let's go to my office, we have so much to talk about." Guiding her from Rie's room, they went to the second floor to the North Wing, where his private domain was located. He opened the door for her, letting her in.

This was the first time she graced his home office. The room looked so gloomy and dark, nevertheless, it was elegantly designed with expensive art pieces.

He led her to a comfortable black leather couch. He sat first, pulling her on his lap. She squirmed trying to find a comfy spot. He growled and held her in place. She cleared her throat, realizing why. His erection was poking at her.

"Sorry," she mumbled.

"I can't get enough of you, baby girl. But we need to talk." Alexander was tensed beneath her. She wondered why. Nothing he can say will make her love him less.

"Ok. Let's talk. I won't distract you, Xander." She gave him her full attention, waiting for him to speak. He breathed out heavily.

"I have always been honest about the way I feel for you, Anna. I have fallen in love with you the moment I saw you. I have always known you are my soulmate." Her eyes softened, growing misty. Smiling, she encouraged him to go on.

"I know that the first time we held hands you also felt the bond. The tingles and sparks. The attraction. The constant need to be together. The emptiness, when we were apart. We are mates, destined to be together." She took a shaky deep breath. He was right, she felt that and more.

"You are the other half of my soul. The one made for me. The one who completes me. You are a gift from the Moon Goddess." He paused to look into her eyes, his darkened like before, she gasped but she stayed in his arms.

"I couldn't live without you, mia anima. I would die without you. Literally. Although it pains me, you will still have a choice. After I completely reveal myself to you, I will let you decide." She frowned. No way she could ever leave him. It would destroy her as well.

"No matter what it is. I am here to stay, Alexander. You won't get rid of me that easily." She vowed because she believed it. Just like him.

"Let me show you my secret, baby girl?" Anna nodded. He gently settled her on the sofa before getting up. His eyes never left hers as he moved a few feet away from her.

Hers followed him. Mesmerized. Then he began to strip. Ok, she was not expecting THAT. Her brows rose. Maybe he wanted to further their intimacy and he was hesitant to tell her? As if she would refuse him. She scoffed.

He went down on all fours and she grew more puzzled. "Promise me one thing, mio amore. Whatever you do, don't run. Promise me," He demanded. She stayed glued to her seat, nodding, her eyes on his naked form.

He grunted, his voice became growls. Making the hair on her nape stand.

His body starts to shake. What was happening to him? She almost went to him and hesitated, remembering her promise.

Suddenly, she could hear bones popping, then gratingly realigning. The sounds so loud in the quiet room. With ears roaring and heart thudding fast, she suppressed the scream forming in her throat. He was her Alexander. He will never hurt her.

Nevertheless, her eyes grew wide as saucers, her jaw dropped. Oh, God! He was transforming into a beast. A huge black beast. He towered over her and she felt like a small kid.

Anna gasped audibly. His eyes; he was staring at her warily, almost afraid. How can he be afraid of her? She looked so helpless and small before him.

Like a switch in her brain, it finally dawned on her. What he was showing her was his deep darkest secret. He was afraid she will leave him if she found out.

The only man that she ever loved, her first love, was a big black wolf.

She guessed this was better than him being an alien. She hated slimy and sticky things.

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