8. The noble

Alexander was walking around the town to have a look. The past few months he had traveled quite a bit to deal with some bandits and rebellion issues and so on that he paid little attention to his own people.

Usually he didn't have the time and didn't care about this kind of event. Xander simply gave his permission, and the rest let things go. He wouldn't have left if his friend, who always found interest in every single thing, Nicholas, hadn't forced him to go out.

But perhaps Nicholas did have a gift from the goddess, because this morning what Xander found was completely beyond his expectations.

He felt his blood ripple.

Last night, his owl returned to him with news that after a long time, managed to make his heart beat again. The girl had arrived back to Lusevell.

His mate.

After his astrologers predicted that Xander's mate might be dead or would only be born for another century, now fate has told them they were wrong.

His bright blue irises flashed at the glance of her real presence.

As if composing herself, Violet gulped.

"You may be able to leave now if you have no more needs here." The horse rental owner chased her away.

Contrary to her gentle appearance, the sudden irritation that appeared on her face was easy to detect. Xander was amused.

"Rude" Violet spat out the words.

Her gaze then shifted from the horse rental owner to the handsome man next to him. The man who bought all the horses here.

Violet felt his gaze fall intensely on her. It was as if he had known Violet all along.

Violet could sense that the aura emanating from him was completely different. Makes her uncomfortable. Without waiting any longer Violet turned around and walked away.

"Wait" It was only a few steps before she heard the order. Violet turned.

She frowned at Xander who was still watching her. Who does this man think he is? Command her like that.

Xander felt someone tapped him on the shoulder "Apparently you're here. What's the problem holding you- Oh!" Nicholas smiled widely as soon as he saw Violet.

He turned to Xander but the man didn't even give him the slightest attention.

"We met yesterday" He said to Violet in a friendly manner.

Xander made a light gesture in the air and the stable owner left. Give privacy to the three of them.

"What do you need a horse for?" he folded his arms.

"Is that important to you?"

"Since I now have all the horses here, you might not mind telling me your reasons for me to consider giving you a hand."

Violet gulped. He's right. He could have given Violet two horses for her and Maxon. Maxon would be happy.

"I have to travel far. I need a ride"

"Where exactly?"

"to go through all of the every corner of Lusevell" The last word felt foreign in her tongue 

"There's a festival to be celebrated for tonight, do you know?" Xander stepped forward towards her.

Violet stepped back she squeezed her clothes "I know"

"You can't leave here without permission"

That sentence succeeded in making Violet look up at him. And instantly she regretted because Xander's face was so close to her. He could have clearly seen her anxiety.

"I don't remember there being such a rule," Violet said quietly.

"That's the new rule. Made by the lord here." A faint smile crossed his lips.

Violet stuck in a long silent. 

"So? Do you mind asking permission first?" Xander asked back once the girl didn't answer.

"I don't have time"

"then you won't be able to get out" he said lightly. Holding back the smile once Violet's face became even more irritated. Did she even realize she was so adorable?

Violet bit her lip subconsciously. When she is anxious she does some habits that she is not aware of.

Such a small movement sent a huge reaction to Xander. His blood ran hot as he watched her play with her  lips.

"do you still want to help me?" Violet looked at him doubtfully,

"Hm? Help what?" his voice turned heavy 

"These horses. Would you mind lending me two. I need one, and one for my friend" Her chest rumbled. Since when did she dare to ask a stranger.

"No" Xander's answer was unanimous and final.

Unbeknownst to the two of them, Nicholas, who had been watching them for a long time, raised an eyebrow.

 "I can pay" Violet tried to bargain.

"I don't receive payments that are not on time"

Violet was silent.

"Unless..." Violet looked at him innocently. Xander continued "You don't mind coming with me. Only then will you get as many horses as you want"

Violet pondered his words for a moment. But then, the words from the stable owner a few minutes ago replayed in her ears and seemed to slap her.

A girl who think she could trade anything by offering her body.

Another annoyance overtook him. Violet sighed in exasperation. "No. No. Have all these horses, I'm not coming with you. You such a pervert" she shouted.

Xander's jaw dropped. This girl's reaction was completely unexpected "what do you mean-"

"No. I'm not going with you." 

That's when Violet heard Maxon's voice calling her. She ran away from Xander.

Xander was still watching her in disbelief. After the girl left, Nicholas burst into loud laughter.

*****

"Violet who were you talking to just now!?" Maxon pulled her roughly into an alley away from the crowd.

"Let me go. It hurts!" Violet pulled her own hand away. Her wrists reddened.

"Sorry" Maxon just realized what he did "why are you talking to those two? Do you even know who they are!?"

Violet shook her head. "I was just trying to-"

"Forget about trying. You could be putting yourself in a serious danger" Maxon sighed. 

He grabbed her shoulders then studied her face carefully "Are you hurt?"

Violet shook her head again. "Maxon I'm fine. Why are you so panicked. They're just horse hirers"

"They're not just horse hirers. Did you know? They're werewolf nobles. High ranked among the Alpha in Lusevell"

Violet paled. "I.. I really don't know"

"I heard you argued a little earlier. Did you upset them?"

Violet shook her head. A second later she wasn't quite sure of her own words.

Maxon rubbed his own face roughly.

"What's the worst thing that could have happened?"

Maxon glanced around. Make sure no one is eavesdropping on them. Only then did he return to Violet "They are usually not very kind to anyone who makes displease them"

He caressed her cheek softly "they could just hunt you down after this"