Page 48 of The Wolf King's Chosen

Lexi took Harper’s face in her hands and kissed each of her cheeks. Harper chuckled awkwardly but kept her own hands pinned against Lexi’s. The friends embraced, and then Lexi was once again ready to get herself dressed.

She was empowered by her ability to detect the almond bitterness of the poison, as well as the little speech Harper had given her. So she put that dress on, ruffled her hair into a sexy mess, and became the smoke show leader that was her natural state.

In the back of her mind, she’d always be aware that a stranger wanted to cut her from the line of royalty. But she was no longer inflamed and tumultuous.

She put on her tall pumps and looked over at Harper for her opinion. Harper egged her on, telling her not only how gorgeous she looked but how capable she was.

That was a much more endearing compliment than saying a woman was beautiful … Any woman could be beautiful. It was what society had trained her for. But capable? That was something she had to do all on her own. That took strength and courage.

Lexi left the bedroom with Harper in tow, leaving the tea on the bedside table to rot in its malevolent intention.

TWENTY-FOUR

XANDER

He fumed and paced next to Lexi. She tried to calm him, but it was hardly working. He was irate with the news.

“You’re telling me to remain calm when someone tried to poison you? And this wasn’t the first time?” he growled out between his teeth. His jaw was clenched so tightly he feared he might break a tooth.

Lexi frowned at him, realizing what she was asking of him. “I know this sounds bad, Xander.”

“It is bad! “ he snipped back. “This is very bad. This is dangerous, and we have no idea who it is.”

“But we have to remain calm,” she stated quickly, reaching out. She placed her hand on his shoulder. “We can’t let people know what’s going on and start a ruckus. If that happens, we will never know.”

The last thing I will allow is someone to get away with everything. They are going to pay for making her sick and ruining her dress. I’ll even the score.

He took a deep breath and sighed. He pinched the bridge of his nose and took a step toward her. He wrapped her in his arms and inhaled her scent.

He didn’t want to imagine his life without her. And the thought of someone almost killing her put him over the edge. It wasn’t a world he wanted to go back to. His life was so much better with her in it.

Someone cleared their throat behind them, and they both turned. Harper stood a few feet away, holding the door to the ballroom. She smiled at them. “Everyone is inside and ready. If you two are ready to come back in.”

They had exited when Lexi pulled him aside to speak to him privately for a moment. That was when she told him. They needed to return, or it was going to raise suspicions.

Lexi straightened her back, and he tried to do the same. He realized she wanted to remain confident and as if she wasn’t scared, but he could tell she was. Her tension vibrated around her, and he felt it.

He placed his hand on the small of her back, wanting to remind her he was with her for all of this. Harper opened the door, and they returned to the party.

The room was filled with people from the clan. Drinks were being poured, and finger sandwiches were being served. Everyone wandered about chattering, and he looked at Lexi. He was going to stick with her the entire night mainly because he had no idea who he could trust.

The room had been decorated for the event, and music played softly. He was itching to dance with her.

He was glad for the extra security he had from Declan’s pack. He spotted them at the doors holding to their posts. Every once in a while, he would make eye contact and see if they saw anything off. He advised everyone to tell him immediately if something seemed wrong.

“Xander.” A woman spoke, causing both of them to pause. “Wonderful party you have here.” The lady was an old friend of his father’s.

“Becca, I’m so glad you could make it to the party.”

Becca was in her sixties. She was part of the group of elders but preferred to be known for her love of art rather than her mind.

She beamed. “It’s wonderful, and your bride-to-be …” She looked at Lexi. “What a breath taker you are, darling. My, those eyes and the brightness to them. You could swoon any man.”

He watched as Lexi blushed. He knew she wasn’t complimented too often because of the fact she couldn’t shift. He wanted people to think she was as beautiful as he saw her.

“She won’t be swooning anyone else.” He grinned, pulling her close. “But I do know how lucky I am.”

Becca chuckled as she turned. She waved as she walked away, heading to the dance floor.

---