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“My King,” she murmured.
A shiver ran up Xander’s spine, and despite his thrill and Lexi’s clear abilities, the healer and her cohorts did not look impressed.
“That was spectacular, Lexi,” Xander said, taking her by the waist. “Let me have a word with these ladies for a moment, and we can head back.”
Lexi didn’t seem to be affected by the grumpy look on the healers’ faces which Xander was glad about. She gave him and the healers a short curtsy before moving outside to wait for him.
Xander immediately shot a stern look in the healers’ direction.
“You’re going to help her learn more, at least part-time, in this position,” he said, pointing a finger at the head healer. “This is not a request, either. It is an order.”
The healer, as well as the other two who had yet to say a word, pursed their lips at him. He was used to their childish insubordination, but it wouldn’t work with Lexi. It would only serve to make her feel even more isolated than she already felt.
“She’s a half-breed,” the head healer said with a snort, bouncing her red locks off her shoulder. “She’s not worthy of you, My King. You deserve …”
Xander lunged forward, towering over her. He rarely let his wolf out when it wasn’t necessary, but at this moment, it felt required.
“You will never use that term again in front of me or your future queen or anyone else working at the palace, for that matter. Rumors are like the plague around her. Got it?”
They all nodded, giving him a bow before leaving.
His feeling of doom was somewhat reasonable, especially since everyone in the palace seemed to be showing some disrespect toward his mate.
He would not tolerate it.
ELEVEN
LEXI
It had been a few days since Lexi first interacted with the healers and then began working at the clinic that was frequented by the pack and the city’s inhabitants. She could detect a hint of dissatisfaction coming from them, but they were teaching her things her mother and grandmother were never able to. A part of her was used to the weird looks throughout the day, while the other part of her wished she could find somewhere she truly belonged.
It made her happy that Harper was going to be around, which would help out with the lack of a homey feeling. Xander was also quite good at helping her feel wanted while also not having pushed any boundaries since she had been cold to him a few nights before. They hadn’t been intimate since the first time, and Lexi craved him, especially with the scent of him in their bed and the look of his strong, mountainous back facing away from her in the morning light.
She got off work from the clinic and returned to the palace with a private driver. The part-time work felt thrilling, and it also made her feel supremely useful. She hoped that it would help get the pack and people of Odstindale on her side when they saw she was willing to give back.
Lexi was smart enough to understand the politics of the agreement. She also genuinely wanted Xander to want her rather than perform the necessary mating duties only because some contract said so.
She thought about their little embraces, the way he gently played with her and nodded when she spoke, making her body shiver with desire. The next time he showed any interest in her, she wasn’t going to be able to resist.
And maybe it was okay to indulge in that kind of pleasure. She thought she deserved it.
She returned to her room, naughty thoughts dancing in her head, and changed from her formal work wear into a flowing, floral dress. She then searched the private floor for Harper, the only person other than Xander she felt comfortable around.
“Looking for someone?”
Lexi had been lingering in the hallway, not quite lost but a bit turned around, when Maureen raised her voice. She was at the other end, holding her hand behind her back with a solemn look on her face.
“Oh yes,” Lexi said, smiling and walking toward Xander’s enforcer. “I was looking for Harper. Have you seen her around?”
“Harper has been sent away on assignment,” Maureen said. “She will return to your side in no time.”
Lexi stopped a few feet from Maureen. She sensed dread dawning on her when she looked at the king’s enforcer, something behind that plain face dedicated to quiet duty. Something malevolent, perhaps?
“I thought she was to be around me at all times as my private guard,” Lexi inquired. “At this point, I thought her training would be over.”
Maureen shook her head with her eyes closed like she was speaking to some ignorant child.
“She will return in no time, my dear. I can assure you that. Can I help you with anything else on this fine summer’s day?”
