Chapter 148

Xaden’s POV

The more I spoke to Princess Mia the more bored I got.

Sure, she was the princess of the Vixen territory, and she was a pretty badass warrior, but there weren’t many more interesting things about her. She was pretty basic, and the conversation became dull. The moment she started to ask me personal questions, I knew this was my moment to turn her off me and I fought her advances. I started to come up with fake, undesirable, answers to most of her questions.

I made sure my voice was indifferent and almost bitter sounding.

Like if she asked if I wanted to have children of my own, insinuating that Maeve’s baby isn’t mine. I’m not even sure how she found out about this, but I had a feeling it had to do with Isabelle. She’s always causing trouble, and I wouldn’t put it past her to do something like that.

Mia clearly didn’t like my response when I told her that I would only have a child out of duty. It wasn’t true, of course, but Mia doesn’t know that and that’s all that matters.

I wasn’t sure how long I would be at the palace, and I didn’t want Maeve to worry for another night in a row, so I decided to text her that I’d like to speak with her in the morning and not to wait up for me. I intended to apologize to her and get our relationship back on the right track.

We spoke for a little while longer before my father and mother joined us in the gardens. My mother was staring between the two of us with a concerned expression on her face, but she had a plastered smile on her lips.

“Hello, Princess,” Mother said before she turned to me. “Hello, darling son.”

“I’m pleased to see you two spending more time together,” my father said proudly, patting me on the back. “You seem to be getting along better than Lucas.”

“Xaden is certainly much kinder,” Mia said, batting her lashes up at me. “I quite enjoy his company a lot.”

“Well, I’m glad to hear you say that…” King Arlan said to her. He opened his mouth to say something more, but my mother stopped him with her own words.

“It’s getting late though,” she said quickly. “Perhaps it’s best if Xaden left for the evening. You haven’t been home in almost 24 hours. I’m sure Maeve is worried.”

Mia tensed at the mention of my mate and that was even further confirmation that she had been throwing advances in my face all day. She didn’t like the fact that I was mated; well, that was too bad because that wasn’t changing anytime soon. The more time I spent away from Maeve, the more I realized how much I truly cared about her. Even if these results turned out to be negative, there had to be an explanation behind it. I doubt Maeve would stray behind my back; she wasn’t deceitful.

I needed to speak with her and get everything out in the open.

“Thank you, Mother,” I said to her, giving her a quick hug and peck on the cheek before turning to Mia. She tilted her head, expecting a kiss of her own. I had to stifle an eye roll. I bowed my head in her direction. “It was a pleasure spending time with you, Princess.”

I told her casually before lifting my gaze to meet her disappointed expression.

“You as well, Prince Xaden,” she replied.

Now it was her that looked as if she was about to kiss me. I stepped around her before she got the chance, and she stumbled a little. I had to fight myself to keep from laughing.

“You’ll be back tomorrow though, won’t you?” My father asked, narrowing his icy eyes at me.

“Yes, of course,” I told him dismissively. “If you’ll excuse me.”

I stepped around my parents, leaving me alone with Princess Mia, as I hurriedly got inside the palace. I started to make my way across the palace and towards the front door, but a hand stopped me.

“Xaden…”

I paused and turned when I saw Lucas standing behind me, I relaxed a little.

“Don’t sneak up on me like that, little brother,” I said, raising my brows at him. He looked upset and pale. My brows dipped lower at the sight of him. “Is all okay?”

“Not really, no…” he murmured, staring down at his feet. “I wanted to tell you that I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make Mia hate me so badly that she’d call off the engagement…”

“Then what exactly were you trying to do exactly?” I asked him. “You didn’t really try to woo her now, did you?”

“No…” he murmured, shuffling in his shoes. “I didn’t and that’s the reason I’m sorry. You have to pick up the slack because of me. Now she’s set to marry you…”

“You knew about this?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.

He blanched but he gave me a curt nod.

“Yes, she told me herself of her desires. She truly likes you,” Lucas murmured and then he shook his head. “But I know you, and I know you wouldn’t let something like that come between you and Maeve. At least, I didn’t think you would. I thought you’d be stronger than that. But I hear you plan to marry Princess Mia and—”

“I have no interest in Princess Mia,” I said bitterly. “I’m only entertaining her to keep the family safe. It’s only until we can figure something else out or until you grow a pair and actually speak with her yourself. If she were to be unhappy and we breach the contract we have with the vixens, it could cause a war. Screw uniting our nations to make an unstoppable force… our entire family could be in danger if things don’t work out, Lucas.”

“And what about Maeve?” Lucas surprised me by asking. “How does she feel about all this? It can’t be easy for her to watch her spend all this time with Mia when she’s going through so much.”

“And you don’t think I’m going through so much as well?” I asked, raising my brows.

“That’s not what I meant,” Lucas said, shaking his head. He looked frazzled and unsure of how to begin, but then he cleared his throat and took a deep breath before lifting his gaze and meeting mine. “Maeve wouldn’t lie to you. Something happened with those results and now she’s upset. She’s upset and alone… you aren’t there with her during these times. You need each other and right now… it feels you have been more here than you are there, and I have a feeling it’s taking a toll on her.”

I wanted to be angry at him for speaking like this about Maeve and me. He didn’t know anything about what was going on or what was happening in our home. He only knew Maeve’s point of view, I’m sure. But he didn’t know mine. He didn’t know the demons I had been fighting the moment those results came back negative. He doesn’t know how much pain I’ve been in thinking that my mate might not actually be my mate, and she might not be carrying my baby.

He also didn’t know the guilt I felt about how I treated Maeve these past few days and that his cruel reminders weren’t helping.

I thought back to the dream I had… that mystery man who had no face. Who was he? Could he have been the baby’s father this entire time and that’s why he was acting like he was? The thought left a sour taste in my mouth, but I quickly brushed it away.

Maeve was looking for me during that dream. She wanted me.

“You’re right, brother,” I said, seemingly shocking him. “I had been a horrible mate to her and it’s about time I make things right. I plan to speak with her as soon as I can.”

“Really?” Lucas asked, his brows raised to his hairline. “Maeve would be happy to hear you say that.”

“Perhaps you can try to speak with Mia again? Maybe get things back on the right track?” I suggested.

He blanched once against my words and his cheeks turned slightly red, but eventually, he sighed and then nodded.

“Yes, I will see what I can do. But I can’t make any promises that I’ll get her to change her mind,” Lucas murmured. “Every time we are around one another, it only turns into a fight.”

I smiled.

“Women can be complicated,” I told him. “Maybe start with a compliment and don’t be a condescending asshole. Also, she deserves an apology after all you had said to and about her.”

Lucas nodded.

“Yes,” he murmured. “I will apologize.”

I put my hand on his shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me. I need to see my mate.”

With those words left in the air, we said our goodbyes, and I rushed out the door.