“Congratulations on bearing Xavier’s mark.” Her eyes left the water and settled on my neck where Xavier’s mark was on display.
I reached up and glided my fingertips over the tender bite. “Thank you.”
“You know, I always thought it was weird that Xavier never mated with Liv, but he never even marked her.” She reached back and tied her long black hair into a ponytail. “I’m glad to see that’s not the case with you.”
Butterflies went wild in my stomach, but I pushed them away. “He mentioned she had trauma and didn’t want to be intimate or be bitten due to that.”
She snorted, and my brows raised. “Oops, sorry. I don’t mean to speak ill of the dead. And I know she was important to him. I should hold my tongue, but I never liked her.”
“Because of her treachery?”
Her eyes widened as she nodded. “He told you then? Of course he did. Xavier has always been so honest. But not just that, there was something just off with her.”
“That doesn’t surprise me.”
“When he’s with you, he glows. He didn’t look at Olivia like he looks at you.” She nudged my arm.
I bit back a smile. It was good to hear it from someone else, but it felt wrong to be happy about it since she was dead. “You seem to be happy with your mate, Blaine.”
“Oh, absolutely. It was love at first sight with him.” Her emotions of love for him sizzled off her.
I smiled. I was the same way with Xav. It was cool to see other matebonds and the way other mates interacted in their relationships since I’d never seen fated mates together.
“Also, Ivy told me she mentioned the whole Xavier and I sleeping together thing.” She winced. “I regret that. I swear we are totally platonic now, but I wanted to get it out in the open since my sister probably said it with malintent, and I’m sorry.”
I shook my head. “You don’t have to apologize for her actions. And don’t worry about the past. It belongs there. Besides, I understand mates. You only have eyes for Blaine now, and Xavier only has eyes for me.”
“Exactly!” She grinned.
“On a serious note, if you don’t mind me asking, why did you deny going after Lockhart to avenge Liv?” I nibbled my thumbnail.
Her lips curved downward. “I had just taken over being Alpha. I was learning the ropes and thought I could rule without bloodshed. Lockhart was and is extremely powerful. I didn’t want our pack to be killed off or taken over. But now that I’ve ruled with Blaine, I see that violence is the answer most of the time with pack disputes.”
“I can sense you have a noble and kind heart.” I placed a hand on her slumped shoulder. “It’s okay to learn and grow. It’s expected. You were doing what you thought was best at the time.”
“Thanks, Harlow. I’ve beat myself up for that decision for years.” She sighed. “Which is why I’m back with Blaine. Our pack is teaming up with my sister’s pack to help you all take that bastard down.”
“Thanks, Sophia. I know Xavier appreciates it and so do I.”
After the important topics were out of the way, we spent the rest of the time talking about our mates, her little boy, and her pregnancy. It got me thinking about the future and if Xavier and I would have children. I also showed her some of my magic and how helpful it could be in combat situations.
We were lying in the meadow beside the waterfall when Sophia startled and stood up alert. “The meeting is over. We are preparing for war.”
TWENTY TWO
Xavier
We all sat around the big ass wooden meeting table in swivel chairs. After the meeting with the elders, we were approved for war against Lockhart. I was fucking grateful. Only one elder voted no, but there were twenty of them. So the odds were in our favor.
Riley, Gabe, Blaine, Caroline, and I waited for Sophia and Harlow to get here to discuss the plan. Blaine planned to bring his warriors over to fight, which would be a huge help considering how bloodthirsty they were.
Sophia and Harlow strolled in giggling to themselves and sat in the two chairs between Blaine and me by their respective mates. Harlow slipped her hand in mine and smiled.
“What did we miss?” Sophia asked.
“Just the vote that was in favor of a war with Lockhart.” Riley shrugged. “Now we need to come up with a plan.”
“Attack at night, maybe during a holiday when they’re off guard,” Caroline suggested.
“We can’t wait for a holiday, but I like the idea of when they’re off guard,” Riley said.
Harlow rested her chin on her fist. “Why don’t Xav and I go first in the morning of the war to do recon. I can teleport and cloak us so nobody knows we are there.”
Fuck, she was like a super spy and the perfect asset. I was glad she was on our side.
“That’s a great idea,” Blaine said, shooting me an approving look. “We can have the wolves attack that night depending on their status. I will call for half of my pack warriors to come join us in the war.”
Riley smiled at him and her sister. “Thank you both.”
Caroline pushed her glasses on top of her head and rubbed her eyes. “What do we need to do to prepare?”
“I need to charge up my magical energy, but I can do that myself. If you guys have any cloves or rosemary, I could definitely take some with me. Crystals as well. They tend to help us recharge faster,” Harlow said.
“I will ask our herbalist to prepare some for your departure.”
“And we will arm our warriors as well as Alpha Blaine’s and be waiting right inside the border between our packs.” Riley brushed her shoulder against Gabe’s and relaxed. “That night we will attack when they are less expecting.”
“Xavier, I am reestablishing your position in the pack for the time
