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CHAPTER 5
~Xavier's POV~
We had only just said that when our father's voice filled the mindlink.
"Don't you three think you have something to report to me?"
We exchanged glances, and Xander immediately opened the door for Jade. The look of pure shock filling her eyes was a sight to behold. Usually that would have irritated me when people fawned over riches like this, but for her, all I could see was innocence.
I shook the thought away and cleared my throat. "Are you going in, or are you going to just stand there?"
She took the first step in, then another before turning to us when she noticed we weren't following her.
"You can go in. We have other things to handle." My hands were tucked into my trousers, waiting for my brothers to either add something or for us to just leave.
And when they didn't, we gave ourselves a signal and turned to leave when she spoke instead. "Umm…"
I halted, and judging from how their breathings changed, I knew they weren't expecting this.
"I'm sorry…" I heard her mumble but didn't know how to respond. "It… I'm usually not like this. And I never meant to disrespect any of you. It was an honest mistake…"
Hearing her apologize like that made something tighten in my chest, but then she added, "...meant for someone else."
She should not have added that, as it made things worse.
"Actions speak louder than words," Xade voiced, and without looking at her, he walked away.
I could feel the heat radiating off him. Xander barely gave a nod, and he too, walked away.
I glanced at her. The poor girl looked rather mortified or shocked by their actions.
"You're our mate. Hearing you give yourself to someone else doesn't really sit well."
I turned sideways, about to follow my brothers, when she added, "Mate?" My brows creased at the tone she used, but I did not say anything. "Because I was of the notion that none of you wanted a weak mate. I wasn't apologizing as your mate but as a student to her trainer."
Rather than question her, I too walked off.
I tried not to think about what she said and headed straight for our father's chambers in the royal palace.
As soon as I walked inside the room, I was met with my brothers and father, each perched on a different part of the room.
"Father."
He gave me a nod, then gestured for me to take my seat. "I'll go straight to the point. How did you find her?"
I felt my brothers' gaze dart over to mine. I inhaled and then explained.
"In Central City. We never expected it to be that easy but as soon as we arrived at the school, the gem glowed in response and we followed."
My father's eyes narrowed on each of us. "Okay. So, is there anything else you all want to say?"
"No," Xander voiced.
"Alright, I will need you three to help her, protect her," my father finished, his tone leaving no room for interpretation. "While she remains in the palace."
Heavy silence followed as no one spoke. We all had different thoughts running through our minds at the same time.
Xander's jaw tightened. Xade leaned back against the arm of the couch, arms crossed, eyes unreadable. I stayed still, calculating.
"She's untrained," I said carefully. "Emotionally unstable. And unaware of our world's politics."
"That can be fixed," Father replied calmly. "What matters is that she's here."
Inside the mindlink, Xade's voice cut in sharply. "So who's telling him?"
Xander's response came immediately. "Not me."
I exhaled through my nose. "We can't hide it."
"We can," Xade countered. "Just not for long."
Father's sharp gaze flicked between us in the way he did when he wanted to pry an information. "You're holding something back."
No surprise there. He always noticed.
I straightened. "Well…" Sadly, my brothers did not plan on offering me any help here. "There is… a complication."
His brows lifted slightly. "Go on."
Xander cleared his throat and finally spoke. "She's our mate."
A cold chill fell on the room as every one of us held our breath, anticipating our father's response.
Father stared at us for a heartbeat—then another—before a slow smile spread across his face. "That," he said, standing, "is excellent news."
Xade scoffed. "With respect, Father, she's weak. Barely aware of her wolf, or even if she is aware, as an Alpha blood, she has no idea how to use it."
"That's where you all come in. You will teach her. And then, she will break the curse."
Xade stood, the chair scraping back against the tiles as he stared hard at our father. "Forgive me Father for not having the same thrill as you, but how is she supposed to help break a feral curse that's killed stronger men than us?"
"And all three of us?" I added. "Sharing one mate."
Father waved a hand dismissively. "It's rare, but not unheard of. It has happened once in history. Fate doesn't make mistakes. Besides, she is not weak. She is the Lycan King's daughter."
Xander's voice dropped. "She doesn't even want us."
"Yet," Father corrected. "Also, I noticed the tension in the throne room. Was she the one that did not want you guys, or was it the other way around?"
None of us spoke. I averted my gaze from Father's to avoid further lectures.
"Winning her trust is your task. Winning her heart is your responsibility."
"That's not strategy," I muttered.
"That's fate," he replied evenly. "And for once, it's on your side."
Xade pushed off the couch. "And if she refuses?"
"You know the curse won't be broken by just mating. The bond has to grow naturally. We cannot force or trick her into this," Xander added.
"Great," I said throwing my hands in the air, "considering when I spoke to her just now, she does not want us as her mates anymore. So how would that bond grow?"
Father's eyes hardened. "Then you try anyway. You try gently, properly. No intimidation."
Inside the mindlink, Xander growled, "This is madness."
"No," I answered quietly. "This is inevitable. And you all knew that when the mate bond synced."
"But…"
"No buts," I cut in before Xade could refute. "We need her now more than she needs us."
Just then Father moved from where he stood, walking closer to the center of the room.
"You three cannot ruin this. You must make your mother proud." Father turned toward the doors. "Take her to dinner tonight. Start acting like men worthy of a mate."
I didn't respond, because for the first time in years, I wasn't planning ten steps ahead. I was simply reacting.
As he left, Xade let out a slow breath. "Well," he muttered, "this should be interesting."