XAVIER IS DYING

Xavier is Dying: 20

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Chapter 20:

Xander's POV

I'd woke up groggy, almost as if a train had hit me.

The knowledge that Aries was only in the room over made the bed feel like an uncomfortable pile of bricks without him. My wolf couldn't rest, pacing anxiously to let me know he was wanting to be next to his mate. I had to endure it though. I wasn't about to run back into his arms and hope he'd embrace it.

Rolling out of bed with a thud, I got up sluggishly with a groan. Man, I wasn't looking forward to my nights staying here.

I walked over to where my bag lay next to the door. I'd gotten it on my way back from the talk with Ricky. I remember walking upstairs with it absentmindedly and dumping it next to the door before passing out in bed as quickly as I could. Sleep wasn't my friend though. The crumpled sheets the only evidence of a sleepless night.

Grabbing the first items of clothing I saw, I put on a black v-neck with grey joggers along with underwear and socks. After getting dressed, I brushed my teeth in the ensuite bathroom and tried to make my hair less messy.

I still looked a mess.

Giving up, I flicked the bathroom switch off and closed the door. I headed over to my bed and messily made it before putting on my running shoes and grabbing my phone. Preparing for social interactions with the people I grew up with, I shook my arms out and tried to psych myself up.

Opening the door, I realised it was silent, Deadly.

You could hear a pin drop.

Confused, I looked down at my phone which said 10:13am. Usually, everyone was running around trying to get breakfast.

I chewed on my lip as I made my way downstairs to see everyone seated but quiet. There was a heavy atmosphere in the air and Aries, seated at the top of the table looked tense. Ricky and Dante matched Aries with tense shoulders and furrowed brows.

"Am I late?" I asked, trying to break the ice.

Everyone remained quiet for a few moments before Bella perked up, "Not at all! Come sit next to me."

I watched as everyone stared my way, calculating my every movement whilst I got seated next to Bella.

It was uncomfortable for a few moments whilst everyone was in awe of being around a royal but fairly quickly discussions went back to normal.

"So, Xander. I meant to thank you for the opportunity to cook in the royal kitchen. I'm not sure how you knew but it was a dream of mine." Bella said, looking my way with a smile.

"It's no problem." I replied with a tight smile.

Behind Bella, I could see Ricky looking angry and rolling his eyes my way.

I knew he wasn't happy with me talking to Bella unless I was staying in her life but I was trying my best to keep my distance until I knew the role I could play in her life.

Just then, a maid came out with a fry up and placed it in front of me. There was a bit of everything, way more than I could eat.

"I wasn't sure what you ate so I made a tad of everything. You don't have to eat it all." The maid told me, a polite smile on her face.

"Thank you, I appreciate it." I replied with a polite smile.

The rest of breakfast remained in silence, a tense atmosphere floating around the room. I was relieved when breakfast had finished and I was able to head back up to my temporary room to start planning training for the pack.

My trainers padded against the laminate flooring as I entered my room. I shut the door behind me and headed over to the bed, grabbing my notebook on the nightstand along with a pen. Sitting within the ruffled covers, I began planning a strategy for training.

This went on for the next hour until a knock sounded at my door.

"Come in!" I yelled absentmindedly, too focused on the plan I was sprawling across my notebook.

It wasn't until all my senses heightened that I finally glanced up to see Aries shutting the door behind him. I decided to place the notebook back on the nightstand and focus my attention on him as he turned to look at me.

"I'm sorry for the tense breakfast...there was a disagreement as you'll say." Aries muttered sheepishly.

"Uh huh, what kind of disagreement?" I asked, leaning on the headboard, watching him edge back and forth on his feet.

"About you, actually. I found out what Ricky told you. That and Dante stuck his head in to try and diffuse the situation which made it worse." He replied hesitantly.

"Well, Ricky made some points and put a lot of things in perspective for me." I told Aries, thinking of our conversation.

"I don't give a damn, it's not his place." Aries hissed as his brows furrowed in anger.

"Look. Bella has been hurting and he's right in saying I can't hurt her more unless I'm here for good. Bella is his mate and thats his business." I explained, looking up at Aries.

"Then stay."

"What?" I scoffed, confused.

"Let me make it up to you. Let your family and Bella back in your life. Let me back in your life. I can never make what I done before but I'll spend the rest of my life proving how much of a mistake I made if I have to." Aries suddenly exclaimed as I stood to match his height.

"You mean..." I tried to get out staring at his stormy grey eyes, not able to find the words to ask if he wanted another chance.

"I mean I was the stupidest guy in the whole fucking world for rejecting you. It was fear which was no excuse but I'm here and I'm here for good. I take back any negative thing I've ever said. I take back the rejection. I take back everything just let me start over. I can't live without you and if you can't take me back then I'll live out the rest of my life being there for you in the background as much as I can." Aries pleaded, now almost nose to nose with me as he closed the space.

"I can't just take you back like that..." I stuttered, suddenly confused.

"Let me prove I meant every word whilst you're here training the pack and if I live up to your expectations, stay. please Xaiv...please." Aries near enough begged.

I clenched my eyes shut for a second, reopening them to check this was real and somehow, it was.

"Ok. I'll let you try and prove yourself. You have a month." I finally said, hoping I wouldn't regret this.

Relief filled his eyes as he stared at me before pulling me into the most relaxing hug I've ever had. I felt like butter in his arms as if I could sleep right there and then.

"I'll prove myself, you'll see. But until then, what plans do you have so far for training?" Aries asked, taking a seat on my bed.

Rolling my eyes with a smile on my face, I grabbed my notebook and sat across from him, prepared to explain the training plan.

His confused goofy gaze already put a smile on my face and in that moment I knew I was putty in his hands.