Chapter 10
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Xandros POV
Carina tilts her head, eyes trained on my little mate. I cautiously watch my fiance for a second, gauging her reaction. Her long, dark hair hung down to her waist, and her blood-red eyes seemed to pierce through her prey. I clutch Sienna closer as if to shield her. Lifting my gaze back to Carina, she clicks her tongue, stepping down a step. Carina always had an air
of confidence and power, and her movements were graceful and elegant. But right now, she is furious. I can tell by the way she grasps the handrail, her knuckles white, and her sharp nails scratching into it.
“Excuse me?” she scoffs, placing a hand on her hip. Her tone is mocking, as if she doesn’t believe what she’s just heard. When I don’t repeat myself, she tilts her head to the side and fixes her eyes on me. A challenging glint makes them sparkle as she slowly walks down the stairs toward me.
“I’ll give you a chance to fix that statement, Xandros. We are due to marry next month, and you suddenly decide to bring home a stray?” she snaps at me. I bite back on the urge to growl at the tone she is using. Her shock and anger, I expected, but I won’t be challenged, not in my kingdom.
“Who is she?” Carina demands, and I press my lips together.
“My mate, it doesn’t matter who she is. You know the importance of mates,” I tell her, peering down at my mate knocked out in my arms, her face relaxed in her sleep.
“I know the importance of this marriage. Treaties depend on us. Kingdoms! And you suddenly claim another!” she yells at me. Clenching my teeth, I look up at Carina.
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“I understand how significant this union is,” I reply firmly, “but I can’t go through with it. Not now that I have my mate!” Hearing rushing footsteps, I curse under my breath. My mother’s voice can be heard as her heels click on the marble floor.
–
“What in the world is going on out here?” she demands, and I take a deep breath and stand tall, preparing to face her wrath. She enters the room, and her expression says it all – anger which quickly changes to shock when she realizes I have another woman in my arms. Her lips part slightly as she looks at me, and her eyes move from my mate to me, then Carina, who now stands on the second step.
“What is the meaning of this?” my mother demands.
“Ask your son. He’s the one claiming to have found his mate!” Carina sneers casting a glare at me. She then bunches up her white floor-length gown at the hip before stalking off back up the steps. My mother and I watch her rush off. I feel somewhat guilty, but I was not about to throw my mate away for a sham of a wedding.
“Is this true?” My mother asks, turning her attention back to me. Her eyes dart down at my mate in my arms. My mother’s expression is one of disbelief. Her eyebrows furrow, and her lips purse as she looks at me. She begins to speak, then stops, her shoulders slumping as if in defeat. “You know what this means, right?” she questions.
Now it is my chance to be confused as I look at my mother. She has dark black hair curled and pulled into an elegant bun on her head, and her crown resting on top of her head is slightly crooked from rushing out here. Her eyes, a deep brown, hold more wisdom than I could ever comprehend.
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My mother wipes her hands on her dress, flattening it down as if she spotted a wrinkle. It was something she always did when nervous, and I watch as she clasps her hands together, looking toward the stairs where Carina ran off to. She wears a dress that is a deep burgundy, which is her favorite color. Her presence fills the room in a way that is both comforting and intimidating.
“Carina has every right to challenge her. Your marriage has already been announced to the kingdoms. Either Carina chooses to step down, or you’re —” My mother’s eyes drop to Sienna in my arms.
“My mate’s name is Sienna,” I say to her, and she nods once before lifting her chin.
“Well, your mate will have to challenge her for her place at your side or become your concubine,” I growl at her words.
“That law is outdated!” I snarl. “I will not marry another when I have my mate right here!” My mother flinches at my anger, then her eyes soften.
“I know, I know the importance of mates, but we must keep up with traditions. It would be the same if Carina found her mate. You would have to challenge for her hand. You need to get Carina to agree, or we run the risk of starting a war between Kingdoms. The marriage is already complete, Xandros. Carina carries our name already.”
“Excuse me?” My mother looks away from me.
“Your father wanted to announce his retirement at the wedding. Hand the kingdom down. We sent the marriage paperwork off already, and it was returned today,” she speaks softly.
“That wasn’t to be done until next week!”
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“I’m sorry, son. We didn’t expect you to find your mate. The paperwork is done. The only thing left is the ceremony to make it official in the Kingdom.”
“Are you telling me I am already fucking married?” I question.
“It’s why you need Carina to agree s o i t can be annulled, or your mate is going to have to fight for your hand.” I take a step back, horrified at what she is telling me.
“You can’t seriously expect me to be with another woman and keep my mate on the side. What woman would accept that?” I snarl.
“I know; I will speak with your father later about it. See what we can come up with. But right now, you need to focus on getting Carina to agree. For your mate’s sake and this kingdom’s.” my mother says as her eyes dart down at Sienna. She sighs heavily as mother says as her eyes if the weight of the world is carried on her shoulders before my mother looks at me sadly.
I knew I would be in trouble, but I had no idea how it would be this bad. I had to find a way to get Carina to agree, or else this would become a huge mess. I have to act fast. Yet it makes me wonder what will happen when my partner wakes up to learn I am married to another.
“I’ll have the servants set up your old quarters while Carina keeps the main quarters. I take it you’ll be w anti ng to remain with your mate?” my mother asks. I clench my jaw as if I am about to climb into bed with another when my mate is right here. I shake my head and give her a stern look. “We’ll be staying together.” She nods, understanding the unspoken message.
“Of course, I’ll make sure to give you both the privacy you need. Until then, Xandros, keep your mate close. Until she shifts, she is
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still human,” my mother tells me, and I don’t miss the hidden meaning within her words. She is worried about Carina doing something to my mate, which after earlier, I’m confident she’ll try.
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