Chapter 125

Third Person POV

“There are guards everywhere around here. They’ve already almost caught me twice. I can’t go back again,” the rogue said on the phone.

Kenneth’s hand tightened around the phone until his knuckles grew white. Fury rose inside of his chest. He had been sending rogues to the prince’s mansion in hopes of kidnapping Maeve, but she was under lockdown. They hadn’t left her alone since she returned home from the hospital. Kenneth was running out of options. He was hoping to scope out the place and find a way to get her out of that mansion without anyone suspecting his involvement, but it was proving to be more difficult by the day. There was no way he was going to be able to kidnap Maeve.

He glanced at the picture on his desk and sighed as he leaned back in his seat. The picture was of his son Nicholas when he was only a boy. He has high hopes for his son and all those hopes and dreams involve Maeve. He tapped his fingers on the desk, trying to come up with the next best plan.

“They have two of our men in the dungeon,” the rogue continued, sounding stressed. “They won’t say anything about you. But I don’t think they are going to come out alive.”

“They were going to die regardless,” Kenneth murmured, rubbing his aching temples. “Abort the mission. I’ll come up with a new plan. With the amount of security guards around the perimeter, it’s too dangerous to send anyone back in there without it being traced to me.”

“Yes, Alpha,” the rogue said. “If there’s anything—”

Kenneth hung up without speaking a word. He promised these rogues sanctuary in his pack and money to help get them on their feet, but with their failed attempts, they were getting nothing but cut off. In fact, he had already sent his warriors after the remaining rogues, including the one he just got off the phone with. The less people know of his plans, the better.

They can’t stay alive.

“So, what is your plan?” Kenneth’s Prime Beta asked from the corner of his office. He had heard the entire conversation and remained quiet until that moment. He already knew what Kenneth’s plans for Maeve were once she got to this pack, but he wasn’t sure how he was going to get her to this pack.

Kenneth smiled.

“Reach out to Mia Sinclaire,” Kenneth said, his eyes finding his Beta. “Tell her I need to speak with her about something important concerning her upcoming arranged marriage to the youngest royal son.”

“What’s the plan with Princess Mia?” The Beta asked, his brows raised.

Kenneth let out a chuckle.

“If we can’t force Maeve out of that mansion and into our pack, then we will just have to have her leave there by choice,” he said. “What perfect way to do that than involving another woman?”

Realization flashed through the Beta’s eyes and he smirked with a nod.

“Yes, Alpha.”

…..

Maeve’s POV

“How about we go to the palace today?” Xaden asked, kissing my bare shoulder as he brought me closer to his side. We had just woken up after a night of lovemaking. We were both still completely naked and I truly did not want to get out of this bed.

“I don’t have training today. Your mother gave me the day off,” I told him, kissing his nose as I turned over in his arms. “Besides, she’s been coming here for my training.”

He smiled and then nodded thoughtfully.

“Yes, but I thought we could visit with my sister and brother today. They had been asking about you; especially Char. She hadn’t seen you since the hospital a couple of weeks ago and she’s been worried. She told me I couldn’t keep hogging you to myself.”

I frowned at his words; my last encounter with Charlotte had been strange. I got the impression that she didn’t trust me when it came to Nicholas, but I didn’t want to think of her like that because she was the closest thing to a friend that I’ve ever had. The thought of losing her hurt my heart. I also missed her terribly and I wanted to clear things up with her.

I nodded and kissed his lips gently.

“I would like that,” I told him.

After we finished getting dressed for the day and enjoying breakfast made by Maggie, we said our goodbyes to her before we left the palace. I was pleased to see that Charlotte and Lucas were already hanging out in the parlor. Apparently, Xaden informed them of our visit, and they were waiting for us.

The second we entered the room, Charlotte jumped to her feet. She looked relieved to see me, and I couldn’t help but smile at her in return.

She rushed towards me and wrapped her arms around me.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” she breathed. “I’ve missed you.” She pulled back so she could look at me and I could tell she was serious. “And you are looking well.”

“I’m feeling well,” I assured her. “It’s really nice to see you again.”

“Brother,” Lucas said, patting Xaden on the back with a smile. “Glad you decided to take some time off and visit with us.”

“I felt bad keeping Maeve to myself these last couple of weeks,” Xaden admitted. “Also, there had been someone scouting out the mansion and I worry about what will happen. I figured it would be nice to get her out of there. She’s more protected here anyways.”

“Has there been any word about who had sent those men after her?” Lucas asked.

Charlotte pulled me towards the couch and sat with me while Xaden spoke with his brother. They were engrossed in their conversation, and I could tell that Charlotte had something she wanted to say to me.

“I’m so sorry about the hospital,” she told me once we were both seated. “I didn’t mean to come off rude when it came to Nicholas and you. I know he’s your friend and there’s nothing to worry about.”

I smiled at her.

“I understand your concerns, Charlotte,” I assured her. “But I would never do anything to jeopardize my relationship with Xaden. I am carrying his baby after all.”

She nodded thoughtfully and rested her head on my shoulder.

“You truly are one of the best people I know, Maeve. You are my friend and I’m so lucky to have you in my life. We all are.”

I smiled at the thought as I watched Lucas and Xaden speak. They looked so serious and then Lucas said something I didn’t catch; however, it seemed to have lightened the mood because Xaden let out a laugh. It warmed my heart to hear him laughing and I couldn’t help but smile at it.

“I’m the lucky one,” I told her.

She chuckled and then shrugged.

“Let’s just agree that we are all lucky to have each other,” she told me.

“So, when are you going to meet your wife-to-be?” I heard Xaden asking his brother.

Lucas sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.

“Next week,” he murmured.

“Not looking forward to this marriage?” I asked him.

He shrugged and lifted his gaze to meet mine.

“It’s part of my duty as a prince. I have to marry her so that we can join together the vixens and the wolves. I just wish I had a choice in the matter,” he explained. “It wasn’t even supposed to be me in the first place… I only knew I was marrying her a month ago.”

“Maybe you’ll like her,” Xaden said, shrugging. “You never know. You never met her so it’s hard to tell right now.”

“She’s really beautiful, Lucas,” Charlotte breathed. “She’s all over the magazines and I’m honestly so jealous of her looks. I think you’ll be pleasantly pleased when you meet her.”

“Maybe,” he murmured.

We talked for a long while; it was an evening filled with laughter, friendship, and family, and I couldn’t have asked for anything better. But later, we were interrupted when we heard a couple of familiar voices nearby.

Soon, the King walked into the parlor with Alpha Kenneth on his trail. They both froze when they saw us sitting in the parlor.

“Just the people I’ve been wanting to see,” the King said, narrowing his eyes at Xaden. “We were just talking about you.”

“Should I be worried?” Xaden asked, raising his brows.

Before King Arlan could reply, Kenneth spoke first.

“Maeve, it’s great to see you. How are you feeling?” Kenneth asked, stopping beside the couch to look down at me.

“Better. I’ve had a lot of time to recover,” I told him as honestly as I could.

He nodded thoughtfully.

“It’s a shame about what happened. I’m sorry for it,” he said softly. “If there’s anything I can do, just let me know.”

“We have everything handled, Alpha,” Xaden said, his eyes never leaving Kenneth’s. “You don’t need to worry yourself with her.”

Kenneth’s lips turned into a tight smile as he nodded.

“Of course; I don’t mean to overstep or anything,” Kenneth said after a beat of silence. “How is the baby? Is everything okay with him?”

I swallowed and then I nodded.

“All is well,” I assured him. “We both had to have surgery, but we recovered quickly.”

“That a relief to hear,” Kenneth said thoughtfully.

“So, what were you discussing about us?” Xaden asked impatiently as his eyes found his father’s once again.

“It was brought to my attention that the baby in Maeve’s belly, might not be yours,” he said, his tone darkening.

“What?” Xaden asked, his anger peeking.

I was dumbfounded.

What did he just say?

“We don’t know if that baby is yours, Son,” King Arlan said again. ”Because you never bothered to get a paternity test!”