XANDER
He knew getting mated right away was rash as he didn't fully trust his new mate yet. Even though their bond had been for the sole benefit of revenge, his chest had tightened when she bluntly made it clear that she didn't want him as a mate.
He wasn't at all surprised by this, not many women wanted a mute man for a mate. He closed his eyes, forcing himself to stay awake. Since they were mated and keeping up the pretence of being in love, he had to stay in his private living room while she took a shower.
Their mating ceremony had been quick and private, he already had his assistance sent out an invitation for the formal event happening the following morning. Although it had been quick, he hoped the very person he wanted there would show up.
Alpha Alec, he didn't know the man by that name. He went by the name Dean when his sister had introduced him as her mate. She had looked at him with so much love and devotion.
He partially blamed himself for her death, he should have investigated him more but after what they went through as children to their late teens, it was the first in a long time since he had seen her that happy.
He didn't want to ruin it, he was afraid if he did anything to dim that light she would hate him and never smiled again.
"I know you're my big brother, therefore you will always feel protective of me. But you can trust Dean, or at least trust me." She had told him, of course he trusted her! Which was why he stepped back.
After her mating ceremony he didn't hear anything from her the following morning, he thought to give the happy couple space... That mistake had cost him her life because two days later she was washed up on the eastern side of the beach.
The memory was too painful, causing him to shut his eyes and smooth his hand over his forehead, hoping to release some of the tension in his guts.
The shower finally stopped running, he gave her another twenty minutes before going into the bedroom. Luckily, she was all dressed up and seemed to be waiting for him.
"Good, you are here. I thought of something." In her excitement to tell him whatever it was, she gripped his shoulders and urged him to sit on the bed. "Faking my identity and a memory loss will enable us to get close to Alec without him getting suspicious and paranoid."
He looked at her hands on his shoulders, she also noticed too and quickly removed her hands like it burned her. He nodded his head at her idea, it seemed like a good plan.
"Have you come up with anything yet?" She asked.
He shook his head and walked away, his head pounding, at that moment he wanted nothing more but to stay under the shower for the rest of the night.
When he emerged from the bathroom hours later, his new mate was arranging a pillow on a blanket she had spread on the floor, it was then it dawned on him that he didn't know her freaking name!
He went to his drawer to grab a pen and paper, and wrote down what he wanted to say. "What are you doing? And you haven't told me your name."
She smiled, probably at the last question. "You're right, if we want to convince everyone then we better start by knowing each other's name. Although I already know yours, my name is Iris."
He nodded then pointed towards the blanket on the floor, frustration crawling at his guts that he wasn't able to communicate properly since she doesn't know sign language.
"Oh that? I wouldn't ask you to give up your bed, it's yours so, I'll be sleeping here." She patted the space. "Besides, I'm used to sleeping on the floor." What she meant by that last statement, he couldn't precisely tell.
No, we could share. He thought but since he couldn't say the words and signing was also out of the question, he pulled her up, urging her toward the bed.
"You want us to share?" He nodded. "Well, alright, thank you." She put back everything on the bed and slid in.
He went to the other side, his thoughts clouded with the first steps of his plan. His new mate had no idea he had a different revenge idea in mind and it will stay that way.
He didn't trust her not to sabotage his plans, after all this man in question used to be her mate, he just didn't trust her to do what they had both planned.
The servants were up the following morning, decorating the hall as everyone awaits the arrival of the guest. However, he still felt as sick as he was, since Iris was faking a memory loss which thankfully made his own plan smoother.
"Alpha, the guests are almost reaching the borders." Shade informed him just as Tint appeared beside him, ready to translate.
He signed. "After this is over, you and I need to talk." Shade nodded and went away to attend to other matters.
"Xander!" He turned around at the sound of his godfather's voice. "I'm glad you didn't give up, although I'm a bit sceptical about who you choose to mate with."
He knew his guardian had his best interest at heart, just as he has always. So he signed. "Please, don't let her hear you."
"Siding the wife already?" He laughed, pretending to be offended before affectionately slapping his back. "There's a champagne bottle with my name on it, I'll be seeing you around."
After his guardian left, his sharp eyes refocused on waiting for the most important guest, who arrived shortly after. His fingers clenched into a fist as Dean or Alec approached him, it took every self control he could muster not to go off on him.
He had a woman beside him, from what Iris had told him, he was guessing the woman was her half sister plus they also have a bit of resemblance between them.
"Alpha Xander!" Alec greeted him wholeheartedly. "How long has it been? I'm happy we met again in happier circumstances." The more he looked at him, the more he understood how women were able to fall for him.
He was charming and wore that like a mask. Unclenching his fists, he signed, turning away and leaving Tint to translate what he had said.
"Hey you..." A soft voice said behind him, coming up to place a kiss on his cheek. He looked at Iris, taken aback before recalling it was what they were supposed to be doing.
"And who are our guests?" She was a naturally born actress, she turned her emerald green eyes on our shocked guests and their reaction was everything.
Circling his arms around her waist, he drew her closer, slamming her to his side. He could have sworn he heard her gasp but there was no way of confirming that, therefore he must have imagined it.
"Iris?" Alec stuttered, his gaze filled with confusion and a hint of fear.
"Iris?" She repeated, puzzled. "Do I look like someone you know? I'm Nyxia." She introduced, gazing up at him. "Is there something you aren't telling me?" She playfully asked.
"Forgive me." Alec responded, his hand reaching for hers and placing a kiss on it. "I'm Alpha Dean." His eyes were watching her, as if searching for something.
However he watched her return the smile and something in his chest tightened, he didn't like that feeling at all!