XAVIER IS DYING

Xavier is dying: 12

Chapter 12

I was drained.

The ball was today and for the last gruelling week I've endured every form of intense royalty training. I was supposed to head for a camp tomorrow morning for three months in order to utterly reform all of my bad habits so I could take my place as future king but I declined.

I was coping well with my training so far here, even if it was just the basics for tonight. I didn't need to jet off for some more training in a place I don't even know. I also plan on offering Bella a job in the kitchen tonight like she's always wanted, therefore, I needed to be in the castle to make sure she settles and so I can spend some time with her.

Wait till she finds out I'm the prince, she's gonna lose it.

After they'd proved I wasn't an imposter, we pieced together what happened to me as a baby. It's thought the witch that stole me wanted revenge on the royals for driving their black magic out and making it illegal. The witch knew I'd be able to be traced easily so she casted a black magic spell to disguise my true, royal, self including my wolf and replaced it with a dark magic wolf who was weak and nasty in order to keep my true wolf at bay.

I didn't die when my dark magic wolf rejected me for the sole reason it only killed my human self. A part of me, my royal wolf, was still alive which kept me alive in turn but to overcome black magic takes months hence the coma like state I was in. Although my heart had stopped, I technically wasn't dead.

It was scary, knowing that most of my life had been a lie. It was also strange how much power I actually had, I was still trying to get used to being so strong but the good thing is my wolf has helped me every step of the way.

Glancing down at my royal jacket which was red, adorned with golden buttons and my ranking on the shoulders, I finally mustered up the courage to put it on.

I stared at myself in the mirror, my suit matching my royal jacket, My face looking like a strangers. My height completely different. on one hand I felt like a fraud, a complete stranger, like I'd swapped bodies with someone and on the other hand I felt me, like I was finally in my rightful place as future king. I'd taken a liking to the responsibility placed on me.

A small knock sounded on my door, followed by a small voice, "my prince, the announcement of your presence is in five minutes, please make your way to the ballroom when you are ready."

Before I could reply, the small footsteps grew fainter as the person walked away. Glancing back in the mirror once more, I nodded in affirmation and put on my crown. The nerves flowing through me willed me to not move but as the music grew louder from the ballroom, I finally moved my feet and headed for my door.

The moment I opened my door, all guards scurrying around stopped to bow. I tipped my head forward slightly in respect, careful not to knock my crown off. The announcer at the end of the hall saw me approaching and nodded towards me before heading through to the ballroom to begin my entrance call.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I hope you're enjoying yourself on this divine occasion. As you all know, we are here to celebrate the return of our prince. It has been a long wait but i'm sure you'll all agree it was a worthwhile one. Therefore, without further waiting, may I introduce prince Xander," The announcer called as the doors opened.

The ballroom was packed to the brim, overflowing with people amazed at my presence but despite all the eyes, I could still feel his.

I began heading down the large stairwell, all eyes still on me. By the time I'd reached the bottom, the music began playing again and the dancing commenced thankfully.

Glancing through the crowd, I searched for Bella and Ricky. For a moment I thought they weren't in attendance until I saw Bella's dazzling smile as she adoringly gazed into the eyes of Ricky. I immediately set off in her direction when a short man, slightly round in size with a large smile presented himself in front of me.

"My prince, may I present my daughter, miss Lauren, future luna of the red moon pack," He smiled.

I glanced at the girl. She looked confident as she presented herself to me, bowing. Her blonde hair fell around her shoulders and her green eyes shone with the lights. She was undeniably stunning. However, I knew their pack. It was the second largest pack to the blue moon pack only more ruthless. Their omegas were borderline slaves, beaten if they defied and the surrounding packs which were much smaller got no help from the red moon pack despite their pleas after rogue attacks.

"Graced to meet your presence although I must be going," I told them both with a smile.

"Nonsense! One dance couldn't hurt," The man replied, shoving his daughter onto me.

With a small sigh, I took her hand and began a dance with her. All she could talk about however was how she wished she was a princess living in the castle and how she wanted a mate like me. It was a clear attempt to try and gain more status, one I wouldn't condone.

"It was a pleasure dancing with you, however, I must go," I told her, nodding my head her direction and stranding her on the dance floor.

I quickly found Bella again and approached her speedily before some other alpha decided to shove their daughter on me. As the dance ended, I tapped Ricky's shoulder earning a jolt from him.

"May I dance with your mate?" I asked him politely, assuring him with a nod that it wasn't ill intentioned.

He looked uncomfortable but nodded and handed Bella to me all the same.

A slow Waltz began as Bella and I began dancing to the song. I thought I'd have so much to say but I couldn't muster up the courage to say anything. I simply basked in how amazing she'd grown to be without me, yet, the amazing moment was quickly cut short.

"Why do you look so familiar," She quizzed, squinting at me.

Oh boy.