Fated

Chapter 21: Best Friends

Xander POV: 

This is ridiculous. How many are there?  I linked, sighing in frustration and pausing the sewing as I waited for a response.

Twenty at least. We took out two and four more showed up. Don't worry, Alpha. We'll keep it under control, Felipe assured.

The lengths they were going to get to my Addie were insane. There had to be something else going on besides the obvious. This was way too much effort; especially when I had guards, especially when I had hardly been away from her. They should be taking the hint but if anything they were trying harder. Something else was definitely going on.

Katie, you have eyes on my Luna? I asked.

I waited for the response, unable to focus until it came in.

Yes, Alpha. She's perfectly fine. No vamp has made it in the building. We have guards outside the windows, as well.

I blew out a steadying breath and returned to working on the veil. Another message came in, just from Kaden. Relax. We won't let anything happen to her.

His assurance did little to help me so I voiced my concerns. If anyone would understand it was Kaden, he and Tess were closer to me than anyone else and that meant they were closer to Addie too.

Something is wrong, I linked. They shouldn't still be trying so hard to get her. It was only effective until I had her. Now that I do it doesn't make sense they'd keep trying.

Maybe they're hoping she'll pull another disappearing act? Kaden suggested.

My heart stopped at that.

I want more guards with eyes on Addie, I linked to all of them. I don't want her going to the bathroom without someone being able to see her feet under the stall. Understood?

I got a response of 'yes alpha's' but it didn't help. What if she did run away again? She had to understand the threat now, didn't she?

Shit. I would have to tell her about the vamps last night and the ones today but I'd wait until we left the wedding. I didn't need to ruin it for her. I took a final steadying breath and held up my handiwork. I examined it closely but I was certain no one would be able to tell it was ever damaged.

I rose from the desk and made my way over to the room they were getting ready in. I knocked a couple times and waited for an answer. Tash opened the door at the same time an older woman came around the corner and gasped, pointing at the veil.

"What are you doing with that?" She asked, narrowing her eyes.

I saw her last night. Tasha's mom. I think.

"Mom, he was ju-" Tash started, her face pale.

"The photographer was so taken with the veil and the meaning behind it he wanted individual pictures of it. Tasha was nervous to let it go alone with a stranger so I stayed with him the entire time to ensure it was safe," I interjected, smiling at the woman.

Goddammit, I forgot her name. I only knew her as Tasha's mom. She was almost convinced by my smile but walked over and examined the veil closely. I could hear Tasha's heart stop. I gave her a reassuring smile but she still seemed nervous. Finally, her mother lifted her eyes to me and smiled, setting her hands on my face and placing a kiss on my cheek.

"How sweet you are. It looks just perfect," she said, taking it out of my hands delicately.

Tasha sighed in relief behind her mother, falling back against the wall before putting her hands together and mouthing 'thank you' a bunch of times. I smiled and nodded as her mother shooed Tasha back in the room.