Page 17 of The Wolf King's Chosen

Stephen smiled. It could look malevolent to those who don’t know him, but Xander knew him well. It was simply the edges of his face that could easily put others off; Xander had the same problem.

“It is my job to know more than you do,” he said, smirking. “This contract has been signed for years. I had a fair amount of time to study up on our future queen.”

Xander sighed. Stephen was right. That was what his beta was there for, to know more than him, to use his time to investigate things that he didn’t have the energy for. He thanked Stephen for his advice, then sent him on his way. He took a seat at his desk, ruminating about what had happened and what would come.

Xander had never been in love before. He’d had experience with women, of course, but it was mostly a source of entertainment, something to take his mind off the list of obligations that were required of him as king. No one had ever made his heart beat as fast as Lexi or made him as nervous … ever. That meant something beyond being his mate, but he had to keep that close to his chest or risk driving her away completely.

He had made a deal with the Autumhart Kingdom ages ago for Lexi’s hand in marriage in order to bind the kingdoms and for financial gain. He never thought the woman he had agreed to wed would be the one that would make his wolf howl to the ends of the earth. He thought about this as he considered seeing her again. What would she wear when they toured the city, and what would she taste like the next time their lips touched? It was intoxicating and wonderful but also painful.

Xander dressed quickly, making his hair neat and shaving off some stubble. Then he went to meet his future queen at their suite.

NINE

LEXI

After having a quick breakfast together, Xander took Lexi and a few of his personal guards on a guided tour of the city of Odstindale. Lexi was elated after her conversation with him in the botanical gardens. Her fears about his lack of interest in her had been placed on the back burner for the time being. She wore her best blood-red dress, one with a deep scoop neck and a skirt that ended just above the knees. She was in a flirty mood, enjoying the way he tried to steal a glance at her bare skin any chance he got.

The city was far lusher and more bustling with life than the world Lexi had grown up in with her sisters. She had heard of such places existing where almost everything was modern, with people from all walks of life filling the boutiques, restaurants, dance halls, and unique establishments. There were even cute little cafes she could see herself sitting in on a rainy day, reading her latest adventure or romance novel.

They walked and talked. Men passing by were giving Lexi a second glance. She knew part of the reason was because she was with the king and his guards, but it was also because of the fact that her neckline was plunging.

Lexi knew when she looked hot, and on that day touring the city, she was fucking smoking.

She made a point of holding his hand as they moved in and out of the shops and down the streets under the bright blue sky as Xander spoke about the history of the town. He spoke about the companies that family members and pack members owned before they stopped at a restaurant called Hounds Tooth.

“This is where my parents met,” he said, motioning to the sign. “A few of the members of the pack now own it, and it’s a place I like to frequent whenever I get the time to explore the city.”

Lexi gazed up at the sign, placing her arms strategically under her breasts to prop them up. She enjoyed making him sweat a little.

“Is this where we’re having lunch?” she said with a smirk.

Xander winked, then held out his arm to her. She took it, needing to squeeze her thighs together when she felt the circumference of his bicep.

“What’s the point in being the king if you can’t eat anywhere you want?” he joked as they made their way inside.

It was a classy, elegant establishment, which made Lexi glad she had decided to wear such a formal outfit. Some would consider it a bit too revealing, like a cocktail dress, but Xander didn’t bat an eye. She knew by the way he snuck peeks at her, in a gentlemanly way, that he approved of her chosen outfit that day.

They sat to eat, and Lexi and Xander looked over the menu. There was a fair amount to choose from. Lexi had never heard of many of the dishes before. Xander made his recommendations, and they ordered a vintage bottle of wine.

They clinked their glasses after the wine arrived. The deep tint looked magical in the sunlight. After taking a sip of the sweetness, Lexi felt motivated to dig a little deeper into the life of the alluring man who would be her husband soon.

“So, you said your parents met here?”

Xander nodded, looking handsome in his red and black suit.

“They were only twenty years old. Years before having me. They continued to come here even a year before their deaths.”

He looked away, his hazel eyes darkening. Lexi worried she had stepped too close to something so sensitive, so she tried to pull away a bit to give him space.

“Well, so far, I think they made the right decision.”

Her lips were painted an equally rosy color as her dress, which highlighted the cuteness of her smile. Men often responded to it along with the flawless shape of her form. But when Xander responded, she felt like jumping over the moon.

“I appreciate that,” Xander said, smiling.

Their food soon arrived, made of various dishes from many cultures worldwide. Lexi wanted to try them all, so they ordered quite an abundant amount of food.

When they started to eat, Xander inquired, “You said you wanted a job in the pack?”

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