Love and Chaos Series
The Alpha King’s Ugly Bride Chapter 71

"Mia!" he repeated, his fascination lingering in his deep voice. "It's nice to meet you."

He stretched his hand out to her and when she took it; he brought it to his lips and placed a tender kiss on it.

Mia's skin crawled at the contact of his lips on her skin. She thought he would just shake her hand and she didn't expect the kiss that followed. She knew at this point Xavier was red with anger, if not more, but he had to behave. They were in an open gathering and he couldn't act out. This would get her into deep trouble, but she didn't care. She wanted the trouble.

"The pleasure is mine," she said, forcing on a smile.

The young server returned with her grape wine in a golden goblet and he handed it over to her. His eyes took notice of her and then Blake beside her before travelling to the back where the alpha king stood and his eyes displayed panic as if he was the one in trouble.

Mia smiled at him, took the cup, nodded at Blake before taking her leave. Blake's fascinated gaze followed her until she disappeared into the crowd present.

She made her way towards the hall where Xavier stood with a face as red as she expected. He saw her and he made his way over, to meet her.

"Mia?" he whisper yelled at her, finally breaking the silence which they held since they were at the temple. The musical band were on display and sweet melodies filled the room and now the only way a person would hear them was if they paid keen attention. "So now you talk to me?"

"Don't act smart with me, Mia! Your name has been Queen Mia Ainsworth for over seven months, and you drop your title because you met an asshole called Blake."

"You do not know that."

He paused at her, his brows furrowing. "Know what?"

"That he's an asshole."

He gave a wry laugh, causing a few heads to turn their way. "Oh, Mia. I know cause I am one."

She wanted to argue, tell him he wasn't an asshole, then she realise he had been an a*****e the whole day by ignoring her.

"And you let him kiss your hand. Why? To make me jealous?"

Yes! Saying that would bring the roof down and ruin Jared and Lydia's day. She had to be smarter than that.

She scowled, "You're overreacting."

His eyes widen, not believing his ears. "What?!?"

"I didn't think he would kiss my hand." She emptied the cup of wine into her mouth, set the cup in the tray of the server passing by and began walking to the corner of the hall less crowded. She was certain they would get more privacy there. This argument wasn't going the way she thought it would. Yes, it got him to talk to her, but now they were drawing attention to themselves.

He marched behind her, just like she expected, "Sure, you didn't. You were too busy flirting with him and trying to get your husband angry. You didn't see the loser was trying to score a fast one on you."

When she got to the corner of the hall, she stopped walking and turned to him. He towered above her with a terrifyingly angry look that made her heart skip a little.

She would have come back with a stronger argument if she understood his last line. "What is a fast one?"

He stared at her narrowly. He opened his mouth to speak, but they got interrupted.

"Is this man disturbing you, Mia?" the accusing voice of Blake asked from behind.

Shit!

Why was he here? He thought she needed help. This act would be noble another time, but not now.

Xavier's fury multiplied at Blake's voice and red flashed in his eyes. He growled under his breath, turning to him with a murderous look on his face, "As you can see, we are having a discussion and I am not disturbing her."

Blake and Xavier both had the same height, but Xavier was larger and considering he was the alpha king, he had ten times Blake's strength and he could easily tear at him with no sweat.

"I didn't ask you anything." Blake cut him off, stepping closer towards them, keeping his concern on her rather than Xavier.

Xavier snarled at his audacity and his hand shot out, grabbing Blake by the neck and slamming him into the wall. Blake tried to release Xavier's grip, but it only got harder on his neck as he kept him pinned against the wall.

Mia gasped at what just happened before her in the last three seconds. The corner wasn't private enough and anyone who looked would notice the assault taking place. Mia took hold of his hand and forcefully unclamped it from around Blake's neck. Xavier turned to his wife with a scowl, but she couldn't meet his gaze so she kept it on Blake who still struggle to breathe even after moments of being released.

"He's not bothering me. He's the alpha king and he's also my husband," she spoke with a small voice, clearing the air. This would end the war that was about to take place. Blake clearly was no match for Xavier and Xavier could care less about honouring the event taking place. He looked ready for a fight.

Fear registered in Blake's eyes at her words and he turned to glance between them, taking notice of their matching outfits and matrimonial bracelets. His eyes paled as he realised his error and his heart double in its beat.

"And she's not Mia to you, but queen and Luna!" Xavier sneered at him, his eyes glowing red.

Blake removed his hand from his neck and bowed his head to show respect. "King Xavier, I am sorry. I was only worried for her safety."

Xavier glared at him even more, but before he could speak, Mia did, "Thank you. You may leave now."

Blake scrambled away quickly and Mia almost felt pity for him but Xavier's head snapped to her. He had heard her thoughts and didn't like it.

"This is all your fault!" he growled at her.

She didn't argue with him, he was right, she caused this, she shouldn't have allowed it to get to this point.

"I am sorry, but what does a fast one mean?" she asked, still unclear about it.

He paused and his eyes squinted. "To woo you into his bed."

She shrieked. Everything about that felt wrong to her. "You think I want to be in his bed?"

He hesitated, "No, I don't."

"Then what's the problem because you were the one with your claws around his neck?"

He rubbed his temple, something he did when he didn't see the point of arguing anymore. "The problem is the way he stared at you then and now. Like you were something he could attain. You should have shut him down, put him in his place by telling him you were the queen and I wouldn't have had my claws around his neck."

Yes, she agreed, she did this to get them to talk. Blake was the bait she used and she didn't think she was such a person. Xavier was rubbing off on her. "You are right. I wanted to get you jealous," she admitted, crossing her arms over her chest.

The fury that brewed within him vanished at her words. "Because I wouldn't talk to you."

She bit her lips and nodded, her cheeks heating at her admission. "Yes, and I didn't like that."

He stepped towards her, and she stepped back, her back touching the wall. "So you thought flirting with cousin's fuck-face would get my attention?"

It was a sloppy attempt but she had to do something.

Her head bobbed. "Did it work?"

"Am I talking?" the corner of his lips lifted as a smirk appeared thereon. He took her by the waist and pulled her against his body.

Her breath hitched as she felt him underneath his scarlet robe, hard. She stared up at him to see his longing for her. The storm of desire he held shook her to the core. She could get lost in it and never get found.

His head dipped to take her lips between his when they get interrupted for the second time tonight.

"King, queen, you're being called on by the newlyweds." A feminine voice called to them, and Xavier pulled away, groaning in displeasure.

Mia placed her hands on his shoulder, to pacify him. His eyes fluttered, and he inhaled sharply. He was doing his best to keep it together, and she appreciated that.

"You owe me." He told her and led them back to the utter part of the reception hall.

While Lydia sat, smiling, Jared stood with a wine goblet in his hand at the front of the room. The guests stood around them with wine goblets in their hands. Each making a toast to the newlyweds as customs demanded. Over a dozen people already stood around the seated couple, including Veronica and Damien Jared's parents.

Jared soon caught sight of Mia and Xavier approaching and beckon to them to come closer.

Xavier moved his hand to Mia's back and guided her towards the front where the couples were. They didn't mingle too much, they stood close enough to watch the toast taking place.

The servers approached Mia and Xavier and offered them each a goblet of grape wine. They accepted and thanked them.

"Thank you for joining us, your majesties." Jared tilted his cup toward them and they nodded in response.

Mia's eyes moved around to note of those around and her eyes met Blake. He immediately looked away and she saw the fear in them. Xavier, her husband, king and alpha had instilled enough fear in him that he'd never forget.

Jared took his seat and Damien began to speak. "We thank you all for being here for this event. Jared wanted something very simple, Veronica didn't, but it's Jared's wedding and so she had to respect his wishes."

Those standing around chuckled, he continued.

"He sent a few invites out and as you can see, there are no old people present besides me and Veronica, his parents."

Mia cracked up at Damien's words. The old man hadn't lost his humour after all these years, and it was a delightful treat. Her laughter seized when Xavier's hand on the small of her back travelled up her neck where her responsive nerves stayed.

She glanced at him and saw him holding a smile on his face, but not even looking at her. His attention was on Damien while his hand did the little trick.

They stood at the back and close to the wall which secluded them from the rest and Xavier just took advantage of that. Now the only way anyone seated would know what he was doing was if she made noises.

She grew hot, and she tighten her hand around her cup of wine and took it to her mouth.

When he told her she owed him, she didn't think he'd want to collect so soon.

"I know a few friends will cut ties with the Yao household because we didn't invite them to our son's wedding. They do not know we barely made it in ourselves."

Those standing around laughed uncontrollably, but Mia couldn't. Her husband had her trapped with his fingers running a faint line over the skin of her neck. She was surprised at his audacity to pull this seductive act here. And even more surprised that she liked it. F**k!

At her profane use of words, Xavier glanced down and saw she barely kept it together. He liked that. His hand stopped moving and he turned from her over to Damien, who was still speaking and kept his attention there.

She immediately missed his touch.

He could affect her anywhere and time and he wanted her to know that. He wanted her to remember she belonged to him in case she forgot.

Oddly enough, the idea of belonging to him didn't sound so bad in her ears anymore.

Damien finished his speech and took his seat while others applauded. Veronica rose to give her gratitude speech to those present and when she finished, a few others followed.

Lastly, Jared kissed Lydia's hand and rose to his feet, his goblet in his hand and a radiant smile on his face.

"Father said you will know when you meet your mate. You might be in denial because they are not the ones you desire or thought you get, but the moon goddess knows better. She made them perfect for you. And they will complete you in every way. A life without them will be impossible, and life with them will be so much easier. I met my mate and everything became better. I knew deep down in my soul she was mine and I was hers and I thank the moon goddess for all the event that brought her my way every day!" he turned to his bride who held a blinding smile on her face, "Lydia, you're my mate and the one I want to cleave to for the rest of my life. Thank you for finding me when you did and thank you for being you."

The entire room applauded as he finished giving his speech. Jared sat down beside Lydia and took her lips between his.

Mia's head lifted to peek at Xavier and their eyes met. He smiled at her and she placed her head on his chest smiling.

This felt right.