Love and Chaos Series
The Alpha King’s Ugly Bride Chapter 38

"You're upset," Mia spoke up as Xavier dragged them further away from Robb who was now back to the guest he had been speaking to before they interrupted.

"You can't read me, lady, don't try." he sneered.

"I'm not reading your thoughts, it's all over your eyes and I'm certain everyone here can see it too," she replied and yanked her hand out of his because she no longer wanted to move. "I'm sorry I took you to him." "Well, you should be. It was a bad idea." he snapped, not as mad at her as he wanted to be.

"I never wanted that to happen, and I'm sorry."

He struggled to believe that. He hadn't been the best husband to her and so him being humiliated should give her a little joy.

"Don't be. I deserve that for some things I did to you. So you shouldn't be sorry."

"I know what you have done, yet it gives me no joy to watch you be put down by your father."

"I am not a good son, I'm a horrible one." he picked two cups of wine from the tray of the maiden passing by them and handed one to her.

She took a sip. "My father always said monsters aren't born, they are made."

"Your father sounds like a great man."

She smiled and nodded. "He is. Come, I bet there's someone here amongst this crowd who doesn't think you're such a horrible person." "His name is Edward, and he's in the North."

She chuckled, still pulling him along. "Someone else then?"

"I am the king, I don't mingle." he groaned

She turned to him and gave him a wink. "Then let me mingle with you."

They met with a few of the nobles, a few of Xavier's distant relatives, and while Mia maintained a bright countenance, Xavier couldn't.

"You don't like people."

"Yes, because people don't like me," he replied without hesitation, picking up two cups of wine and handing one over to Mia. This was her third cup, and she was now giddy, but she still had control over her senses. "How would you know that if you don't give them the chance?" She collected and took a sip. The grape flavour engulfed her and made her almost moan out.

"I am the alpha king, therefore I'm expected to act a certain way and behave in that way. When I don't or miss out even for a little, then everyone's opinion about me immediately changes."

"So you hurt them before they can hurt you. Make them hate you so they don't hold you to any standard. It's a defence tactic to protect yourself." And he had done it to her as well.

"You're very smart, my queen, you're also right. Life is much simpler that way."

Mia had no further reply and instead stood beside him as they watched Robb give a gratitude speech to all those present. He proceeded to inform them of the glorious Lunar shift which now was just an hour away.

She mulled over upon everything that the alpha king had said to her and what she'd seen so far, and she moved to make up her own mind about him. She did feel sorry for him, but to an extent now, she understood his plight. "He's glorious." Elliott blurted as he came to position himself beside Xavier and they both stared at Robb.

Xavier gaze drifted from Robb over to Elliott beside him in a black lacy robe and an elegant-looking maiden in his hand. The awestruck look on his face made his skin crawl.

"Your remark is subjective, cousin. Does his title make him glorious or what he's done with it?"

He chuckled and shook his head. "Your answer seems subjective as hell, Xavier. Are you denying his gloriousness because of your personal feelings towards him? Because you know that no matter what you do, you'd never measured up to be the son that he wants?" Xavier's hand balled into a fist, and his arm around Mia's waist tightened. She knew he was losing his temper and Elliott wasn't helping.

"Do yourself a favoured cousin and leave."

"Oh wow. I must have struck a nerve." he moved to stand before them with his lady still locked in his arms.

"The only cord you struck, cousin, is that I am the son of the alpha of alphas and you're a wannabe that will never be king," Xavier spoke rather calmly. "I've seen past all your ass-kissing and perfect face, and I know it was all for show and a way to get a favourable report from Robb. This kingdom, however, doesn't crown kings based on favourable reports. Yes, I might be a disappointment to my father, but I am the alpha king and even if he takes the crown away, my brother Edward would be a thousand times a better fit than you."

"Yes, is that why you sent him away, then?" Elliott shot at him.

"That's enough, both of you?" Mia snapped at them, wanting this to end.

"Yes, listen to your wife." he teased, in a degrading way.

Xavier wanted to speak, but Mia beat him to it, stepping out of her husband's grip. "A king that listens to his wife's counsel is a wise king and will live longer than a king that doesn't."

"Yes, and I'm sure your counsel was what he took when he decided your joke of a face wasn't right for the party. So he had to cover it up to make it more presentable."

Xavier reached out and grabbed Elliott by his robe, pulling him closer while he still held the blonde woman in his arms. His eyes glowed red, and a growl left his mouth. The only thing on his mind was ripping Elliott in two.

"Elliot!" Robb called, walking up towards them and a few faces turned in his direction.

Xavier didn't want to let him go. He'd crossed so many lines tonight and he wanted to at least wipe the floor with his face, but he couldn't cause scene. They would not only paint him worse than he already appeared, but it would make Elliott the victim and that was the last thing the snake was.

He released his hold on Elliott's robe. He paid no mind to the stupid smirk that came onto the snake's face.

Elliott turned around and moved over to Robb, plastering a ridiculous smile on his face. The old man had a proud look on his face as he beheld him and he placed his hand on his shoulders and led him away.