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CHAPTER 10
~Jade's POV~
I did not know what to think about Xavier's interruption. Had he not done that, would I have kissed my mate?
I cleared my throat and pretended to smooth the invisible crease on my dress, then looked away.
Xade straightened immediately, all playfulness gone. "You're always interrupting."
I could not help glancing at Xavier. As soon as our eyes met, the same spark and keenness from our first night came back, making my heart skip a beat and all my bravado crumble.
Xavier's lips twitched, just barely. Xade turned back to me, his tone suddenly sharp. "Your footing was wrong; that's why you slipped and fell. You leaned too much into the turn. That's why you slipped."
I stared at him, stunned by the sudden shift in tone.
"Fix it," he added curtly. "You can't afford mistakes like that in the future."
Then he turned and walked away without another word. I stood there, confused and oddly breathless.
When I glanced back at Xavier, I caught a faint smile on his face. But the moment he noticed me looking, it vanished.
"Come," he said calmly as he walked off, his broad shoulders blocking my view of him.
"Where are we going?" I asked as I fell into step behind him.
He glanced at me once. "Out. You need your phone and accessories."
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~Xavier's POV~
By the time I returned with Jade from picking out a new iPhone and a few accessories needed, my brother's mindlinked me, informing me of the king's summons.
All through the ride and shopping, Jade had not made mention of what happened in the garden, and neither did I. The last thing I wanted was to be seen as a jealous brother.
The king's study always felt heavier and different from the rest of the palace.
Not because of its size or the dark oak shelves lined with records older than most packs, but because of the man seated behind the desk.
King Storm leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled, his gaze sharp enough to peel skin.
"Which one of you," he said calmly, "is going to tell me who thought it was acceptable to lay hands on my daughter?"
The air tightened instantly. We knew what he meant with that question. Without hesitation, I answered, "Troy."
The name had barely left my mouth when the king cut in. "Already handled."
Xade's brows lifted slightly. Xander's jaw tightened. I stilled.
Sensing our confusion, he added, "I made his father's company lose more than half of its investors," King Storm continued coldly. "Their shares are collapsing as we speak."
Xade exhaled under his breath. "That was fast."
"And I'm disappointed," the King went on, his gaze snapping to us, "that it took you this long to act."
I inclined my head. "I gave the order today. Their debts will be fully exposed by tomorrow morning."
We had all been busy with getting Jade back home, so immediate action wasn't taken on her ex. Silence followed before he gave a nod.
"Good."
He rose from his chair and began to circle the desk slowly. Each step echoed with quiet menace.
"My daughter is not prey." I nodded. "Anyone who forgets that will be reminded."
"We understand," Xander said firmly.
The king stopped right in front of us. "Look after her," he said. "Not as soldiers or as Alphas. But for my sake and that of the kingdom."
No one bothered to respond. Instead, we bowed as one. As we straightened, the memory of what happened earlier came to my mind without warning.
Jade, standing between the trees, breath uneven, her frustration still raw on her face. Then the slip. The way Xade moved without hesitation. The way his hand settled at her waist as if it belonged there.
My chest tightened sharply.
I drew in a slow breath, keeping my expression neutral, my posture flawless. This was not the place or the time. It meant nothing, I told myself.
"Liar," Ace murmured.
I shut him out, tightening.
But the image, Jade's hands fisted in Xade's shirt, refused to fade. The way her eyes widened in awareness and not fear. The way she leaned in before she realized she was doing it.
"You saw it," Ace pressed again. "You felt it. She was smiling," he added, quieter now, almost thoughtful. "Not the polite kind. The real one."
That struck deeper than it should have.
I forced my focus back to the king, to the weight of his authority, to the reason we were here. Jade was under our protection. That was the truth. That was all it was allowed to be.
We later discussed it with our father, and telling the king about the matebond when we hadn't fully accepted her or made her accept us was out of the question.
"She is our responsibility," I told my wolf firmly. "Nothing more." He did not retreat.
"Then why does it bother you that it was Xade? While you play chill, know that your brothers are gaining ground."
I didn't answer.
The king's gaze lingered on us as if he could sense the undercurrent beneath my calm exterior. When Xander spoke about returning to Central City, I welcomed the shift. Distance would help. Structure always did.
"You are free to go," the King said.
We turned and left, the doors closing behind us with a heavy finality.
As we walked down the corridor, my thoughts betrayed me again—Jade turning in surprise when she realised she wasn't alone and standing far too close to my brother.
My jaw clenched, teeth grinding briefly before I caught myself.
This was not jealousy. It was vigilance. That was what I told myself as I straightened my shoulders and pushed the feeling down, where dangerous things belonged.
Because jealousy made men careless, and careless men got the people they were meant to protect hurt.
Just as we were about to open the door to step out, King Storm called out. "And oh…" We halted, turning to face him. "One of you may take my daughter as a bride and, in turn, rule the kingdom."