Chapter 116

Anila’s POV

My heart cracked from his words.

I stared up at the man I had gotten to know these last couple of days… the man I thought I could love as my mate as I was starting to love the others; but at the moment, I realized he was just a stranger. I was marrying someone I truly did not know. He had a temper that scared me, and he was possessive.

I had been controlled my entire life and now it seemed as if I was going to be controlled by yet another person in my life.

I kept reminding myself that I was doing this for Xaden; but could I truly trust Jaxon enough to marry him? He promised that he would give me the Dragon Scale to save Xaden’s life… but how true was that?

If I didn’t get back to the Blood Moon pack with the Dragon Scale, I would lose Xaden forever. I thought about what Zach was saying when we were momentarily connected. Was I being selfish? He thought I didn’t care about them when that couldn’t be further from the truth.

I cared about them more than I cared about anyone in my life.

I fiddled with the ring on my finger, my hands trembling as I fought back the tears. I could feel Jaxon studying me. Thankfully, there weren’t a lot of people here. Most of his workers were scattered around, trying to make the evening nice for us, including Angelica who was holding my dress behind me so I wouldn’t trip over the fabrics. There were a few guests seated, watching us speak. The kids who threw the flowers were seated with their parents, watching us with wide and alarmed eyes.

They all knew that something was wrong, but none of them dared to voice it out loud.

I know they are expecting me to become their queen; they want an heir to ensure the safety of the Dragon Nation. But could I truly be that queen? Could I give Jaxon what he needs and dismiss my own needs and wants? I made a promise to help them, but did that truly have to include marriage?

“I know this is sudden,” Jaxon said, his voice softer now. I was no longer blocking him from my emotions. Our bond was open between us and everything I felt, he was feeling too. “But we are mates, Anila…”

I peeked up at him through my lashes, hating that my vision was blurry due to the tears that collected in my eyes. When he looked into my eyes, his expression changed immediately, and I saw something there I thought I would never see from Jaxon Develson.

He was hurt.

“You have to go back,” he said, his voice weighted.

I didn’t answer him because I wasn’t sure what he meant. I did have to return to my mates, but I couldn’t do that without his guaranteed help. I needed him to help me save Xaden before I even thought about returning to the above ground.

“I have Dragon Scale dust in my office,” he finally said after what felt like an eternity of silence. “You can take it and bring it back to the wolf.”

My eyes widened at his words.

“You’re letting me go?” I asked him.

“You wouldn’t be happy living here without them,” he stated, his eyes never leaving mine. “You love them. I hoped that maybe you could grow to love me… but—”

I didn’t let him finish that sentence; I threw my arms around him and hugged him close. Our heartbeats beat in sync. He was my mate; we were marked and bound for life. There was no way I wasn’t going to spend my life with him, but I hoped he wouldn’t mind the others as well.

“You are all my mates,” I whispered. “I’m not whole without you, Jaxon.”

He was hesitant for a moment, but then his arms wrapped around my small waist, and he pulled me closer.

“Come back with me,” I pleaded, my voice hoarse. “Please…”

“I can’t. I have to remain here and—” Now it was his turn for his voice to fade.

“We are going to figure this out…” I assured him, my voice soft and filled with compassion. I peeked up at him and touched the side of his face gently. He seemed to have relaxed into my touch; I could feel his worry and anxiety when it came to his people and what this meant for them. I stood on my toes and pressed my lips to his, hoping that would ease some of his worry.

It did.

He melted into the kiss and wrapped his arms even tighter around me, not wanting to let me go, but knowing that he had to. I knew he was confused as to why he was giving in so easily; it was because internally, he wanted my happiness. He wanted to set me free and not keep me locked under the ground. It was because he was already falling in love with me, and I was falling in love with him. I wanted him to feel that through our kiss and our bond.

The kiss only ended because Angelica cleared her throat behind me and I realized we still had an audience. The kids were laughing while their parents attempted to cover their eyes and the rest of the staff were red in the face, trying to keep their eyes fixed on the ground, or anywhere else besides us.

Angelica corked her brows at us and narrowed her eyes.

“So, does this mean you aren’t getting married?” She asked.

Jaxon remained quiet, so I was the one who answered.

“The wedding is postponed for right now,” I told her. “I have every intention of helping the Dragon Nation and ensuring your safety in the future. I won’t leave any of you…” I turned to Jaxon who was watching me and my eyes narrowed at him. “Any of you,” I repeated, making sure he understood my meaning.

His face seemed to have relaxed, and he gave me a curt nod.

I turned to Angelica.

“But I have to return to my other mates for right now,” I told her. “Xaden needs me, and I need to help him before it’s too late.”

She glanced over my shoulder at Jaxon, and he must have done or mouthed something because she sighed and then nodded.

“Okay, then let’s get you out of this dress,” she murmured.

She helped me walk back down the aisle and as I passed some of the guests, I told them that I was sorry, but the wedding was being postponed. They seemed to have understood, though I could tell they were a bit worried about my meaning. Jaxon remained at the front of the aisle, watching me as I hurried out of the area and through the palace.

We reached my room in record time, and I couldn’t get this dress off me fast enough. Once I was back in normal clothes, I started towards Jaxon’s office but then Angelica grabbed my arm to stop me. She was quiet while I got dressed and I had been wondering what was on her mind, but when I looked at her face, I could see she was struggling with something.

“Jaxon won’t admit it, but he’s terrified you are going to walk out on him,” she said softly. He’s terrified of letting people in because they either hurt him or leave him…”

“I don’t want to hurt him or leave him,” I admitted to her. “I’ve enjoyed my time here way more than I thought I would. But I have a life up there. This isn’t the type of life any of you should be living. You shouldn’t have to live underground and hide from the world. Someone needs to take a stand. Once Xaden is saved, I’m going to help you. I’ll help all of you.”

She didn’t look certain, but she gave me a short nod and then motioned for me to continue walking. I quickly turned and hurried through the palace until I reached Jaxon’s office. I thought Jaxon would be inside, but he wasn’t. I wondered if he was still at the wedding hall. My heart twisted at the thought of him all alone. He was blocking me from his emotions, so I no longer knew what he was feeling.

I had no idea where to start looking for that Dragon’s Scale, but thankfully Angelica did. She walked over to what looked like a normal cabinet. It was locked though with a code needed in order for it to unlock. She typed in the code, and I heard it chime to life. Soon, the lock was unlatched, and the door was opening. I was amazed by how many potions and stuff were inside the cabinet.

Before I could ask her what they were for, she pulled out the bottle she was looking for and then handed it to me.

It was a purple crystal-like bottle and inside were purple sparkles, which I knew had to be the Dragon Scale dust.

I looked up at Angelica who was watching me warily.

“Thank you,” I told her.

She nodded.

I turned to leave the office but then the door swung open and Jaxon stood in front of me. He was no longer wearing his tux, but more casual clothing and he looked a bit torn, but the corner of his lips lifted into a small smile when he saw me.

“We should get going,” he told me, motioning for me to step in front of him.

“We?” I asked him as I passed him and into the hallway.

He nodded.

“You didn’t think I’d let you go alone, did you?” He asked, raising his brows. “You’re still mine, Anila.”

I stared up at him for a moment, my heart skipping a beat from his words.

“What are you saying?” I asked him, my voice coming out breathy.

He narrowed his eyes at me and then he lowered himself so he was at eye level; he pressed his lips to mine gently and then pulled back so he could look into my eyes.

“Where you go… I go.”