Tangled Hearts - The Alpha's Baby Mama-Chapter 52: Smiling on the outside...

Xavier POV

Colton howled with pain as she accepted our rejection.

I was smiling on the outside and crying on the inside. The only reason why I had to let Selene go was to prove to her that I was not the man she thought I was. I would win back my mate, slow and steady. freёnovelkiss.com

With the way she hesitated, I knew I still had a chance to make her mine, this is just temporary.

The Alphas were surprised... I could see they weren’t expecting this and I didn’t blame them... I was seething with anger after learning of everything they’d been doing behind my back.

How they’ve misappropriated the Regional Council Funding for their gains. From the findings, Lucius gathered, all of them had assets running in lands, properties, bonds, and gold stored in foreign reserves... all except Jared.

I was curious to know why. Even though I know he has always been an outcast, Alpha... I didn’t expect him not to jump on the bandwagon of looting. What was more, I knew he was struggling. His pack is poor and they were merely managing by. So, why wasn’t involved in the looting scandals of the other Alphas?

Alpha Mason’s boldness stems from the fact that he had attained a particular wealth that can buy almost anyone and I knew he was counting on it. I wasn’t surprised that they had all frowned at the idea of taking turns hosting our monthly meetings, and I was convinced beyond doubt that they all had skeletons in their cupboards.

"Alpha," Jared came closer to me "Are you sure that was the right decision? We all know...".

"I’m fine," I cut him short with a cold smile and then turned to the rest of the Alphas. "I’ve decided to take a wife from amongst your daughters or relatives and eventually make them my Luna. So, if there’s anyone here who has a cousin, sister, or daughter who is eligible and ripe for marriage, they can apply. A pack without a Luna is vulnerable," I completed.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw Selene’s face grow pale as she hurriedly bowed in acknowledgement before us and turned to leave. I expected that Noah would go after her but he reached for his drink instead.

My uncle was complicated. He always had been. After his last failed relationship, he stayed away from women. Seeing him getting entangled with my mate at first had nearly created animosity in my heart towards him but I knew he was the best man to keep Selene safe until I was ready to become a father and a husband.

"B-But Alpha," Alpha Jason stuttered "You only just rejected your mate. Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"What would you prefer?" I raised my eyebrows at them "For me to fall to the ground and cry or beat my hand against my chest admitting that I am not in so much pain? Yes, I want to do all of that but I have duties and obligations to my pack and every one of you here. So, I may cry later but for now... I must do what is right,".

They all exchanged surprised looks before Alpha Zed spoke up. "Since Alpha Mason has been removed as the Assistant Leader of our Coalition, who will replace him?"

"I’ll make a selection and announce it in our first official meeting by this weekend don’t worry. For now, let’s just make merriment and I’ll see you by this time in a few days," I gave them a forced smile before I sauntered out of the dining room, Lucius in my wake.

As soon as we returned to my office, I busied myself rifling through the shelf that held some documents, I wasn’t looking for anything, I just wanted to keep busy as I couldn’t deal with his silence. It was so unlike him.

After a few minutes, he still wasn’t saying anything. Rather he was sitting on the couch in the office, browsing idlily through his phone.

"Don’t you have anything to say," I sighed and came to him "Your silence is killing me,".

"I’ve decided to let you do as you like, Xavier," he murmured, his eyes still fixed on his phone.

Reaching down, I snatched it away from him so he would look at me.

"What did you do that for?" he snapped but he didn’t show signs of anger.

"I know you’ve got a lot to say, spill... it’s unlike you to remain quiet. You should be giving me an earful by now,".

"And when was the last time you ever listened to me?" he scoffed "Listen, Xavier... I think we’re no longer, young, strapping adults. You’re heading to thirty, same as me. So, let’s say I am tired of babysitting you. Whatever you want to do...whatever would bring you joy and happiness... please feel free to do it dear. When it comes to your personal life, I’ve decided not to interfere again,".

"But at least, I want you to care enough to ask me why?" I sighed dropping on the space beside him.

"I don’t care either," he shrugged "You spent your entire life pinning for your mate and the one time you have a chance to make her yours, you’re rejecting her. Very funny!"

"I think it’s about time you settle down, Lucius," I leaned against the coach as I watched him "Come to think of it, I’ve never seen you with a woman. Not even for once... do you even fuck at all? Don’t tell me you’re still a virgin?"

"It’s none of your business," he hissed and took back his phone.

"Or your preferences are weird?" I teased again.

"I like women, Xavier," he said quietly "The one woman I love doesn’t love me back, so I cannot bring myself to love another,".

"C’mon, a playboy like you. That’s not true," I said.

"It is," he looked up at me, his expression was serious "She saved my life as a child and somehow, we grew apart. When we met some years ago...I discovered she was already betrothed to be married to someone else. Since then, I just gave up the chase. It’s so hard being in a relationship these days,".

"Are you serious?" the smile on my face crashed. How much more do I not know about my Beta?

"I swear on the moon," he murmured and then rose to his feet "And seeing the way you are keeps killing my drive for marriage so maybe you’re also part of the cause,".

"But you know that one of these days you need to settle down. Give birth and have a child in your name, right?"

"And doom them to serve your sons especially one that’s as stupid as you?" he huffed "I’ll pass,".

I laughed at his semantics "You don’t treat me with respect, anymore... what happened to the Lucius that was ready to kiss the ground I walk on?"

"Honestly, when I look back on all the things I need from years back, I wished I would have trusted my instincts and whooped you all the times I felt you acted like a fool. I blame myself for not raising you well,".

We both burst into laughter at his words. When it died down, Lucius sighed and gave me a light pat on my back.

"I’m going to trust you this time around, Xavier. Whatever decision you make... I’ll try to understand and support you but the one about remarrying..." he trailed off "You were joking right?"

"Yes," I nodded "I have children now and I wouldn’t want a situation where my kids would have to fight each other. So, that is just a farce, a make-believe story to trick the Alphas into thinking that is my priority so we can concentrate on other things,".

"Cool! That’s a relieve then. I’ll go check on the preparations for the run tonight,".

I nodded and watched as he left the room, a smile on my face. I was eternally grateful to Lucius and the more I thought about his so-called love of his life, the more I was convinced that I may know who it was.

As I returned to my desk to attend to the files on it, the door of my office opened and Maeve ran inside sobbing. Behind her was Vina, she looked like she wanted to cry too.

"Dad!" Maeve ran to me "Why did you do it?"

I turned from my desk and scooped her into my arms. "What do you mean dear?"

"We heard you just rejected mom," Vina replied with a shaky voice "Why?"

The door opened and Selene entered, she had a blank expression on her face.

"They’re convinced that they won’t ever see you again since we’re no longer mates," she said quietly "I’ve tried to explain that you’d be very much part of their life but they won’t believe me,".

"But that’s true dear," I turned to Maeve "I told you I and your mom have a lot of adult issues and this is the best decision but that doesn’t stop me from being your daddy. You’re a very much part of me and this pack,".

"T-Then can I stay with you?" Maeve hiccupped "I don’t want to leave you dad,".

"And I don’t want to leave you too but you can’t stay with me for now. You may come for visits and I can come to visit you at Moon whisper but you cannot stay with me,".