64 Let the Game Begin 

Xavier POV 

I smile looking down at my beautiful mate asleep on the couch. She really is perfect. I notice the crinkle in her brow and I realize she is probably dreaming about Olivia again. She has never given up hope that their relationship can be repaired, but I am less optimistic. Olivia’s anger and hate has morphed into indifference over the years. She is civil, but she has accepted that her relationship with Evie will never be what it once 

was. 

Olivia speaks to me but she would rather not. I understand her feelings towards me. I’m the villain in her story, but Evie doesn’t deserve to be shut out by her daughter. She still refuses to acknowledge that Evie is her mother even after all this time. I wish I could fix this for her, but it’s been five years. Part of me hopes our pup will soften Olivia, and she will let Evie in again, but I’m not going to get my hopes up. 

I wish Evie would accept what Olivia is willing to offer, but I’m sure I would feel the same if my own pup wanted nothing to do with me. Hearing Olivia say she will be involved with our pup is more than I expected. I guess knowing she would be our pup’s guardian was a bit of a saving grace when it comes to the pup. 

I want our pup to know his or her brother and sister. Connor won’t call me dad and I understand that he feels that is a betrayal after losing Charles. No matter what, Charles was his father. I have no right to expect him to think of me as anything more than his mother’s mate. His relationship with Evie is better than Olivia’s, but it’s still strained. 

Evie whimpers and I run my fingers down her cheek. She often dreams of those days leading up to Charles‘ death. She still carries a lot of guilt related to his death. I know I screwed up constantly with Olivia, which I’m sure didn’t help Evie’s relationship with her. I carry the guilt of the pain I caused Evie and her pups. I’m sad that Charles died. He was a good father and husband, from what Evie told me, but he wasn’t innocent in everything, which I think is why I had such a hard time with Olivia’s behavior. He knew what Evie was from the beginning. He knew about mates. He knew what Olivia was to become and decided to agree to keep it from 

her. 

I wish that Olivia could have seen the nights that Evie cried herself to sleep in my arms, wanting her daughter back. When she begged the goddess to bring Charles back to her pups, even though she knew it couldn’t happen. Seeing her in such turmoil nearly killed me. Olivia was so focused on her own pain she couldn’t even see anyone else’s. I know she was still a teenager, but she wasn’t even a little reasonable about seeing anyone else’s pain. 

I never had an example of a father. My mother died when I was a pup and my father was more worried about being an alpha than a father. All he cared about was power. That’s why he was so far up the council’s a**. I was a burden to him until it was time for my training. I never really knew what love was until Miranda. Or what I thought love was. Feeling what I feel for Evie now let’s me know I had no idea what love was before her. She snuggles further onto my lap and I chuckle. 

I’m just about to lift her and carry her into our room when there is a knock on the door. I manage to lift her and set her down on the couch and she stays asleep. I move toward the door, and I’m a little startled when I open it to find Miranda standing on the other side. “Miranda, is something wrong? Did you have a vision?” “I did. Can we talk in private?” I look toward Evie before I turn back toward her and nod. 

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64 Let the Game Begin 

B Points> 

I lead her into my private office but leave the door open so I can hear if Evie wakes up. She moves to shut the door, but I stop her. “I want it open so I can hear Evie in case she needs me.” Something flashes in her eyes before she finally takes a seat. “Xavier, I’m sure that Evelyn will be fine for a few minutes alone. You are being a little over the top. Many she–wolves have been pregnant before,” she says. 

Her words grate on my nerves, but I push my irritation aside. “What did you see Miranda?” A smile spreads across her face and so a feeling of unease washes over me. “After Evelyn gives birth I’ve seen us together raising the pup together.” Atlas growls and I’m sure my eyes darken. “That won’t ever f**king happen, Miranda. Evie is my mate and the love of my life.” 

“You said that about me once,” she says with a snicker. “Miranda, I’m not sure what has gotten into you but there will never be anything between us. I should never have given into those feelings but now that I have Evie I will never want you or any other woman. You need to focus on finding your own mate.” “If Evie is no longer in the picture, we could have what we lost. We will have our pup and each other again. It is what it was always meant to be,” she says. My growl practically shakes the walls. 

“Did you just threaten my mate, Miranda?” “I’m simply trying to correct what happened in the past. It was supposed to be you and me and our pup. That could happen now once Evelyn gives birth. She isn’t worthy of you, Xavier. She had pups with a human,” she says. Before I can tell her she is out of her f**king mind if she thinks I will ever choose her, a growl has my head snapping toward the door. F**k is the only thought I have as Evie steps further into my office, her eyes black as night. 

Hudson POV 

I stand intending to hug my son before I stop myself. I haven’t earned that right, and I’m sure he has many more questions before I do. As if he can read my mind, he sets Della on her feet and releases his hold on Olivia, who is smiling at him. She must feel something through their bond. He moves until he is standing in front of me. “I’m glad you’re here, dad. I was worried the witch would try to get to you after I got away,” Ace says before he pulls me in for a hug. Tears pr*ck my eyes. 

I missed so much of his life. I trusted people I shouldn’t have. I cost him his mother and here he is offering me forgiveness I don’t deserve. I was meant to be this great leader of wolves and Lycans, but I failed at the most important job. I didn’t protect my mate and pup. “I’m glad to be here, and I’m so sorry son.” He pulls back, looking into my eyes. 

“Nothing you did was out of selfishness or with the intention of hurting anyone. You were as much of a victim of what happened as mom was and as I was. I wish mom would have accepted your bond. Being wolfless didn’t make her unworthy,” he says. “I was a powerful king. I failed you both,” I start to say, but he cuts me off. “We need to leave the past where it belongs. Mom wouldn’t want you to dwell on the pain. She would want you to focus on the future with your family,” he says. 

Something flashes in his eyes and I can sense his panic. “As I said, I’m glad you’re here, but what about the council. There is nothing stopping them from coming here if they can sense your power outside the barrier. I can’t lose you after I just found you,” he says. Before I can speak, my sweet granddaughter comes to stand 

next to her father. 

“Amethyst will protect him, daddy. You don’t have to worry.” I smile down at this precious child that will carry the weight of our world one day and I vow she will never carry it alone. I will no longer be king, but I will stand with her until I take my last breath, which hopefully won’t be for a very long time. 

A knock on the office door had everyone freezing. I’m not sure why. We were in the Alpha’s office, with the 

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64 Lot the Game Regin 

Alpha. I almost laughed out loud at my thoughts. Ace stepped back and retook his place next to Olivia. I 

scooped up Della and retook my seat on the couch. “Come in,” Connor called out. When the door opens a man that is younger than me but older than Connor steps into the room. 

“Connor, I didn’t know you had visitors. I was looking for Olivia. Miranda needs to speak with her,” the man says. I watch as Ace’s eyes darken but I’m not sure why. Does he feel threatened by this man? He shouldn’t. Even though I can sense he is an Alpha, I can also sense he is weak. He would be no match for a Lycan. “Xavier, these are my guests. Hudson, Morteci, Abe, Donny, and Isaiah. Liam is another guest, but he found his mate in the pack, so they are indisposed,” Connor says. 

Xavier has a look of disgust but quickly masks it. I fight back the urge to growl at him. “What brings you to my pack,” Xavier asks, and I bristle at his claim of a pack that is clearly no longer under his control. “We are here in Alpha Connor’s pack to spend time with my son.” I know I’m being brazen, but I’m done hiding. “Your 

son is a member of this pack” he asks. 

“Yes, my son, Ace, is a member of this pack and Olivia’s mate.” Something about the way he looks between me and Ace has my hackles rising. “You are very evidently a wolf and Ace is a mere human. You must be disappointed he took after his mother. The only reason he is living in this pack among the wolves is because 

one of my guards was her mate,” he says. 

I’m just about to say the f**k that man was her mate when Connor addresses him. “Xavier, is there a point to this visit other than you being rude to my guests” Connor says. I can’t fight the smile that spreads across my 

face watching the rude pr*ck be put in his place. 

“I would be careful how you speak to me, Connor. I may have given you this pack, but you are not my son. I may not be the current Alpha, but I am still an Alpha and you will show me the respect I deserve or there will be consequences,” Xavier says. Growls break out all around me and Xavier’s confident facade slips. I can see he’s a f**king coward with false bravado who is about to find out what happens when you piss a real alpha 

off. 

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