Chapter 8 - Mate

"Xav, why is he here?? I told you he's dangerous! I don't wanna spend my youth in prison!"Daniel whisper yelled her sister but she shrugged it off like it is nothing big of a deal.

"Calm down, Xan. He's on our side." she said as she counts her little pets one by one, fearing one of them was missing in those urgent situation earlier.

"How do you know he's on our side???" Daniel asked his twin but the later didn't even gave her attention.

"Eh! One's missing!! Who is it??!!", she roamed her eyes on each of the pets, "Ace! Where's Ace! Oh my god! He's not the type to just go missing!!!!! Ace!!", she frantically screaming, panicking, and searching for the icy eyed Siberian Husky pup.

She walked to the living room, as her eyes roaming everywhere.

"Hey, do you see—" as she moved her head toward Xavier, she saw the missing dog laying lazily on Xavier's lap, "Ace..."

She jogged to Xavier, while saying, "Oh boy! You scared me, ya know!" she hugged the pup, "I was terrified. Thank god you're okay.." she lovingly hug and kiss him.

On the other hand, Xavier who was watching Daniella's act of love towards her pet, couldn't help but feel envious of the lucky pup. 'The pup got kisses! I want kisses too...'

Without his own realization of his behaviour, he pouted cutely while looking at Ace with little jealousy.

Daniel who was watching this whole situation with gaping mouth, couldn't believe his own eyes. As far as he knows, this prince never was seen making any expression, let alone smiling! This.... is this real? He... pouted? Is it?Or does his eyes lied to him?? Impossible...

When Xavier feels eyes watching him, he glanced toward Daniel and the next instant returned the coldness on his face. How can he let his guard down? This thing never happened before. But now...

He looked at Daniella's delicate face, her smiling rosy lips. So tempting....

But before he lost in a trance, her voice stopped him.

"So, what did you want to talk to me about?"

"Ah.. That." he looks unsure for a moment, before determination cover it.

"I want to marry you."

The words came crushing heavily on her chest, causing her heart to beat violently against her ribcage.

Though inside she is a mess, her voice came out calm and evenly, "What?"

His mouth opened, ready to voice out his thought, but another voice came slashing, interrupting Xavier's moment of determination.

"WHAT??!!!" Daniel responded a second late,repeating his sister word, but with greater confusion.

Xavier glanced at him for a moment, before turned his attention back to his future wife.

"I want to marry you." he uttered those words without the slightest hesitation, eyes hard indicating he was serious.

Daniella frowned,as her hand continued caressing Ace's soft fur. She thought hardly, the reasons why he suddenly, out of the blue,proposing to her right now. They just met twice! She doesn't even know his full name!How could he bluntly proposing to her right now??

"Why?" she whispered her word out, looking at him, trying to figure out his intention.

Xavier stared at her for a moment, before huffed out a sigh. His chest move up, indicating he is taking a deep breath, before it come back down.

"Because you are my mate." he explained slowly.

Another words coming from his mouth, yet she get even more bewildered than before.

Her frown deepen, and for a moment a thought crossed Xavier's mind. 'Ahh, my wife looks so cute.'

He's trying as gentle as possible in courting her, afraid if he come with a little pressure, she will bolted, running for hill.

"Mate?" her face told him she never know the actual meaning of the word, but recognition passed her twin's brilliant feature.

Xavier looks at him, and they stared at each other for a minute, no one seems to want to lose, holding the eye contact firmly.

But then, when it feels like it's not going to end, Daniel suddenly smiled. His eyes glinted with something that she can't figure out, before he stretch his own hand out and immediately replied with Xavier's hand clasped with his in a brotherly hand shake.

Daniella eyed the situation curiously.

"You have my permission, then." Daniel said with a grin.

Daniella then stared at her beloved brother wide eyed, the words shaking her heart.

"What the hell are you saying, brother?" her voice was soft as usual, but one couldn't ignore the unmistakable rage beneath them.

He took his sister's hands, pulled her up and to a corner.

"You've got to trust me, Xav. I know what I'm saying." his eyes stared straight to her eyes.

"Yeah, but at least you can explain to me, Xan. I don't blindly accept stranger's proposal. If I did, I won't be here, living in this apartment with you. We will be living in a house with my husband, with my children running here and there in that house. You know me, Xan.You know me very well. "she expressed her concern to her brother, eyes shining with emotion.

" Yes, I know you well. That's why I ask you to trust me. Like I said, I know what I'm doing. I won't do anything that make you suffer.You're the only one I have anyway. Besides, I was just giving my blessing. Whether it happens or not, it still up to you." he said reassuringly, comforting his sister.

" Okay. "she said finally, and Daniel nodded once. Firm and curt.

They returned to the living room, reoccupied the seats.

After they were seated, Daniella voice out," Then, can you explain to me what actually your definition of 'mate'? As far as I know, it's like a partner, right?"

"Yes, it is. But.... with a little bit differences."

"You mean?"

"Yes, sure mate is your partner in love and life, but like I said, there's difference according to our situation right now." he casted his eyes down for a moment before he looked up into her eyes.

"The wolf you met a few days ago, it's me." he said, watching her reaction.

Her brows creased even more, before she asked, "Wolf? Wolfy?"

A thin blush spread up his face, giving colour to his ears and neck,the moment he heard she said the nickname she gave to him while he's in his wolf form.

He cleared his throat. "Yes."

"Are you kidding me?" her face clearly showed him that she found the idea ridiculous.

"I know you won't believe me, but I can prove it to you." his eyes pleading.

"Wait, wait." Daniel interrupted. "You say, wolf? You mean, you're a werewolf?" disbelief colouring his face.

"Yes."Xavier answered. With a lifted eyebrow, he looked at him," I thought you know? "

" Yeah, I have heard about it. But never saw it with my own eyes. "he said.

Xavier nodded before turned to Daniella.

" I can let you see, but I guess next time. "

She stared at him." Then, how can you prove it to me now? "it is her turn to lift an eyebrow.

He does not answer, but instead reached her hand.

" Wha.. What are you doing? "she said but before she even could finish her words, his hand touched her hand gently. Something like electricity ran through her body, from the place their skins met.

She instantly pulled back, a little gasp followed her movement.

What is that? She never experienced that before. She thought it just only in a romance novel something like that happens. You know, those electric shit. But when she experienced it herself, she couldn't bring herself to speak.

" Do you feel it? "

She keep silence, holding her hand that made a contact with him. Her eyes wandering, without a purpose. She didn't said anything, and he just waiting for her.

"I guess, she shocked." Daniel said. He looked at Xavier. "I don't mean to be rude, Prince, but I guess it's time for you to go."

Xavier nodded, before reluctantly got up and leave. He kept glancing back at her, before his figure disappeared behind the apartment's door.

So much is happening right now, and when another shocking thing like this suddenly hit her, she became dizzy. One hand brought to her temple, as she massage it.

She never thought she would encounter something like this.

And she never thought that today's problem will become happiness in another day.