Darius had almost forgotten about the pressing matters from the Elders. He let out a sigh and growled, “Can’t they see how capable I am as a ruler? I don’t need a mate to become a great King. I already am one!” Yet his wolf Zeus snarled at him in disagreement.

[You definitely need a mate! And she’s sitting right beside you dumbass! How come you don’t believe it when you’re obviously experiencing the Mate Pull!] Zeus suddenly retorted.

Darius simply ignored his wolf’s grumpiness and looked at Gilas. “If they bring up the topic again while I’m away then tell them that we will proceed for the Selection of a Queen.”

Gilas nodded. Another sigh escaped Darius as his eyes drifted back to Xen. Yes, he admitted that he needed a mate, as a man for his future heirs of course he did. So it was only logical that the said mate to at least be a female!

[How many times do I have to tell you that Xen is not a man!?] Zeus annoyingly retorted.

[To see is to believe! Until, and unless I witness it with my own eyes and confirm that he’s not a man, I won’t believe you!] Darius scowled back.

[I thought you were willing to trust me with this one? Why not just strip Xen out of her clothes and check right now!?] the impulsive wolf chided.

Darius ignored Zeus and cast a scrutinizing gaze on Xen. He could only hope that Zeus was right.

“By the way Xen, I heard that you had been hurt during a fight recently. Are you sure you’re doing better now and are fit to travel?” Gilas asked.

Darius saw the bright smile that formed on Xen’s face while having eye contact with Gilas. He did not know what came to him so he instantly coughed.

He sounded like he was clearing his throat before further saying, “Focus solely on your breakfasts. We need to depart soon. I will bring along Xen because the healer confirmed that Xen is fit to travel.”

Darius coughed once more and then gave Xen and Gilas a look saying the discussion should be over.

Darius couldn’t help getting irritated at what he was seeing. He didn’t want to see Xen smiling like that at other men. The beast in him was acting too possessive over Xen, and he couldn’t help but react to it.

Maybe Zeus was right… Maybe Xen was indeed his mate, even if such a possibility seemed too irrational for his tastes.

But to Darius’s surprise, Xen ignored him as the lad smiled back to Gilas and said, “I’m doing great, Lord Gilas. Healer Tarah did a great job in healing me.”

Xen then looked at Darius and said, “Your Majesty, is it possible to ask for Healer Tarah to also join us in this journey?”

Darius was speechless and looked at Gideon who quickly answered, “Your Majesty, the Healer already left before the sunrise saying that she has an important journey ahead of her but she reassured that Xen would no longer need her or any healer since he’s perfectly fine by now.”

Xen’s shoulders dropped but her face suddenly lit up when Gilas said, “I’m sure you’ll make more friends here Xen, especially when you return.”

“The healer is a fine woman and really beautiful so no wonder our Xen here looks smitten by her and I bet he will even fake sicknesses just for Healer Tarah to check on him!” Leon teased.

Darius’s forehead creased as he stared at Xen. ‘Did he just blush!’ he mused, utterly confused.

[Isn’t she adorable?] Zeus interrupted.

[Blushing because of a woman?] Darius snorted.

[It’s a perfect act for her disguise so let her be!] Zeus countered.

Darius no longer pondered on about it and continued eating. As soon as he finished his meal, he rose from his chair. He looked at Xen and said, “Follow me.”

Having no other choice, Xen did as instructed while the other chosen members of the King’s Moonlight Knights who were to accompany Darius in his journey followed.

Still in his seat, Gilas followed them as they left, his eyes keenly staring at Xen.

“He looks so familiar,” Gilas whispered as he tried to ponder where he had seen that lad before.

*****

Outside the castle, the horses were ready. Darius signaled Xen to hop onto the black horse and then he hopped onto the horse and sat behind Xen.

“I can ride a horse on my own!” Xen exclaimed at the sudden closeness.

“I know. But I prefer that you ride it with me,” Darius plainly replied.

He signaled the others to begin their journey as he grabbed the reins of his horse.

As always, Darius traveled on the front line with his knights. The others were behind him except for Gideon and Bartos, who were on his right and left sides, respectively.

[Your Majesty, do we really need to bring the lad on this journey?] Bartos telepathically asked.

Telepathically talking to each other was one of the special powers of werewolves. It was a mindlink ability between werewolves that they could shut off anytime they wanted. But as the Supreme Alpha and King of the Kingdom of Cordon, he had the authority over all his werewolf subjects regarding the mindlink matters.

[Xen is now my warrior servant so he goes wherever I go,] Darius plainly answered.

Gideon and Bartos could only exchange meaningful glances at that answer. None dared to question him and Darius appreciated that.

Darius heaved out a sigh…

He could smell Xen’s intoxicating scent wafting in front of him, surrounding him and their close proximity was driving him crazy. He inwardly cursed at Zeus. It was that damn wolf who had convinced him to make the hasty decision of riding the same horse with Xen.

Without him knowing, he found himself leaning closer and inhaling more of Xen’s scent. He smelled so good that his blood was boiling with great desire.

Catching himself, Darius immediately scolded himself after realizing what he was about to do. He was so absorbed in breathing in Xen’s alluring scent that he had forgotten that Gideon and Bartos were both galloping next to him on either side.

Thinking quickly, he whipped the reins of his horse and increased his pace. That way, neither of them would witness how he was almost burying his nose into Xen’s neck. Otherwise, they would think that he was a pervert drooling over some mere lad.