XAVIER IS DYING

Xavier is Dying: 33

Chapter 33

Aries POV

Glancing out the window, I continued to ignore Dante and Ricky as they tried to convince me I was wrong about Xander.

"I know my brother, he wouldn't ignore you for nothing. Not after all it took to get you guys here." Dante reasoned.

"Well he did. He's a stuck up little prince too enveloped in his 'kingdom' to care about the people he cares about. What about Bella, Ricky? Huh? He left her in a coma! And you're defending him?" I scoffed.

"I told him my thoughts when he appeared back in everyones life. He knows not to hurt anyone or leave again. He gave me his word. I need to stand by that until there's proof I shouldn't." Ricky sassed back.

"Heres your proof!" I yelled, facing him and gesturing to the room around us. "He isn't here."

"But that-"

Rapid knocks sounded from the office door before it opened to reveal the queen. With a bow we all glanced at her and then the papers she was holding.

"Xander left these for you all." She breathed out in a rush, dropping four letters down on the table. "I've read mine. I think you need to read yours too. Before it may be too late."

Frowning we glanced at the writing on the front of them, seeing who they were addressed to.

Aries

Dante

Ricky

Bella

I picked mine up, Dante and Ricky doing the same with theirs and began reading.

Aries,

I'm sorry. For everything.

You told me you always wish you had a brother, but instead you got two. Two who will be behind you every step of the way.

It hasn't been easy getting to where we are now, whatever it is that we are. All I know is you're my first thought waking up, my last before sleeping and every thought in between. When we shut the gates, it broke me. But you deserve an answer.

The witch who cursed me, is the reason Bella is in a coma. I believe whoever they are will keep coming for my loved ones to hurt me so I needed to distance myself, make sure there was no one for them to hurt.

I wanted to protect you.

I also realised I've been a prisoner all my life. In the wrong life, in the castle, I've never been able to be free because of this person and I couldn't let it keep happening. We have a lead on their whereabouts. I plan to be the one the end this even if it means sacrificing myself in the process. People can't keep getting hurt at my expense Aries. I won't let it happen. I hope you understand.

I really do love you. I'm sorry for abandoning you.

Xander.

I glanced up at the three people in front of me, quickly wiping my eyes of stray tears.

"Is this true? He was protecting us?" I asked the queen, my voice cracking.

She nodded a small sob escaping her.

"I can't lose him again Aries. He can't sacrifice himself." She sobbed.

Thinking the situation through, I make eye contact with Dante and Ricky, us all forming a silent plan.

"Where is this lead he's talking about?"

"In the mountains, I'd need to speak to the security team for an exact location." The queen replied.

"Okay, get the location for me, Dante you come with me. Ricky, you hold down the pack and look after Bella." I ordered, standing up from the oak desk and shaking my arms to try and compose myself.

"Let's go save my little brother. Can't help but walk into trouble." Dante chuckled, following me out the door.

Rolling my eyes at Dantes' joke, we both shifted and began heading the direction of the mountains until we received the exact location.

"Ok, Aries, its mid way up the glacier mountain, ill get the exact coordinates." Ricky called through the mind link followed by the numbers.

Shifting back, Dante and I heaved out breaths.

"I have the location but we don't exactly have a phone to check the coordinates." I puffed out.

"It's ok, theres a map at the bottom of the mountain but we need to be quick I'm starting to worry." Dante replied as we both nodded.

Shifted back, we ran to the bottom of the mountain which was packed with trees and snow further up. Huffing in my wolfish voice, we located the map and found where Ricky was talking about.

From there, we ran through the woods up the hill like our lives depended on it. Eventually we came across a large cave, eerie but a small light was hitting off the inside.

Dante and I both stared at each other in wolf form, silently nodding our heads toward the cave in agreement. We both entered slowly, on edge until we found a small fire going where two bodies lay.

The body of an older women lay on her side, eyes open as the fire flickered in her dead eyes, the black blood oozing form her stomach surrounding her. I grimaced and glanced at the other body, seeing Dante cradle it in human form.

"Aries its Xander!" He cried.

Shifting back, I ran over, staring at the pale face of the boy I'd been longing to see for so long.

He looked dead. Unmoving, mouth slightly parted.

Dante moved his hand from his head and thats when the crimson blood glistened in his hand. Both our eyes widened, gasping as we started at the blood leaking from the boys head.

Then he coughed and groaned. Relief flew through my system as I watched him begin to move and blink open his eyes.

"Xander, god, what happened!" I asked him, shock subsiding.

"I found the witch and I killed her. I was so exhausted after it I guess I collapsed and, ugh, hit my head." He briefly explained, touching the wound on his head and wincing.

"You idiot!" I breathed out, enveloping him in a hug.

"That's me." He chuckled weakly.

"Who even was she." Dante asked, staring over at her body.

"Oh um, she was my dads mate. She was mad he moved on and didn't want to be with her for being a witch." Xander huffed.

"But, your mother?" I asked in shock.

"Yeah, I found out before I left. Crazy, right? Either way she wanted to ruin my fathers life. Take his child from him. She put a curse on him too, killing him. She started trying to get rid of me and my mother, hoping putting Bella in a coma would draw me out enough for her to get me. I feel bad for her though. All alone, your mate not wanting you." He explained, sympathy filling his eyes.

"You're too kind Xander. She tried to kill you. Did kill your father! Ruined your life!" Dante cried out.

"Yet, everything worked out." Xander replied, slowly getting up.

"You are such an idiot, I really need to emphasise that." I breathed out in relief, standing with him and realising he really was ok.

"Your idiot?" He asked with a grin.

"My idiot." I replied, kissing him.

"Ew get a room." Dante gagged, leaving the cave.