Xan's POV
Hearing about the events of the previous day makes my blood boil, just a little. I'm more than happy I got there just in time, but I wish I had left the scum alive so that they could have had worse deaths. Anyhow, she was here now, with me. I could hardly believe it after waiting so many years and centuries. I just want to spend every hour of every day with her forever, but the thoughts of other responsibilities dampen my mood.
By Global Wasvadian laws, killing the rulers of a nation made you an acting ruler. It is a stupid old law that should have been removed or rewritten years ago, but that is how it works. Instead of changing it, the people could vote for one person or a group of envoys to bring a case to the Wasvad Universe Alliance, on the bad leadership, as a sort of self-check. Then the leaders of the various countries in the Alliance decided on who to send as the new ruler. A long process that so far seemed to work.
In this case, a hastily written letter was sent to my father about the state of Trondom, instead of getting a nice little petition brought to the Alliance leaders at one of the quarterly meetings. The killing of both Alpha and Resi is not unheard of. However, turning off all communication and access outside a country is something that has not been done since ancient civilizations. How my mate got that letter to the council is still unknown, and although I am glad I was sent to check out the problem, now I'm acting Alpha of Trondom territory and all who live here. That is until the Alliance comes to a decision or I decide to stay the leader.
Will Lorelei want to leave? And continue to stay with me in my home? in seclusion? questions... questions... The fact that we were mates meant we would want to be together, but didn't mean we would always want the same things. For now, I will move on with securing this territory and weeding out anyone still in allegiance with the dead advisor.
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I transport us back to the palace at the center of Trondom. I see the former Alpha's second in command had cleaned up quite nicely, where was the fucker before all this started happening. That doesn't matter. If I'm going to be here for the next couple of months, I'm going to pick my beta, as well as the rest of my council. Usually, territory or nation alphas had a council of members responsible for different parts of law and order. There we heard reports and more reports, first thing in the morning, and I was bored quick. Lorelei seemed to be interested though. In theory, she would make a better alpha than me, because she at least cared about the people. I care, but I don't know them, so there's only so much I would be willing to do.
After all was said and done, it was almost noon, and I finally take my mate for breakfast. We go to a little cafe not far from the palace, Lorelei tells me the food is mostly good. We find a booth seating area, and she takes a seat on one side. I'm about to seat beside her when I feel the anxiety coming off her. It was a little strange considering how close we had been just the night before, but at the end of the day, we are strangers. I sit on the other side of the bench seat in the booth, and we both dig into the food. I order just spicy chicken soup, while she gets pancakes and syrup with dessert.
I find out she loves talking, and I'm surprised I like to listen. I've killed people for talking too much, but only in the right circumstances. That's a story for another day. I also find out she likes baking and is a pastry snob, but also that she makes the most amazing sounds when she likes the food. Either that or the syrup with the pancakes was moan-worthy. I wouldn't know tho, I'm too bloodthirsty to taste the food. As I'm thinking all these thoughts about my mate, I mistakenly believe gnome, Lorelei. "Helloo is anyone in there?", she says.
And by the goddess Hecate, I love the sound of her voice. I wonder if she sings, I would love to sing to her, maybe teach her my pack's ancestral dances. Anyhow, I was veering off course, "Yes there is someone in there... you know if we were fully mated, you would always know there was someone in there, know what I'm thinking about, and be able to snap me out of it easily", I reply smugly.
She looks like she was considering the idea, but replies, "You barely talk, I do not want to know what goes on in your head, especially when you look at me like that"
I sigh and want to close the distance between us, it's only a few feet, but right now I was feeling very far away. She's right, she doesn't know much about me, besides my name and rumors. Then I get an idea to formally introduce myself to her. Today I'll take Lorelei to where I grew up in this life.
"I have a surprise for you, I need to take you somewhere", I say.
"Where?", she says, looking at me wearily.
"To meet someone I care about very much, maybe explain more about myself, and cancel out some rumors", I reply.
Five seconds later we arrive at this special someone's house. It is big and historic with bright yellow and pink thrown everywhere. It's a picturesque cottage considering the perfect blue sky and beautiful garden surrounding it. "This is the cutest house I have ever seen", Lorelei says, but I don't think she was talking to me, as she is too engrossed in the colors. I put my hand in hers and ask, "is it better than my house, I'll be willing to change my decor and layout if you just say the word". She looks down to hide the flush that comes onto her face.
She is about to say something but she talks first. "Oh my goodness, Xanthia your here! And you brought someone! Oh my, she is so pretty", the old witch says as she walks towards us. She is so old she still uses flying brooms for her teleportation and warding spells, but she is still here, and one of the few people I love. Poppy has a special place on my heart, right above my birth parents.
Lorelei is a little startled, she was a little too distracted by the house to notice the owner coming out of it. "Hello Dear, I'm Old hag Poppy, your new claim mother", Poppy says as she pulls Lorelei into a hug.
"What!???", Lorelei shouts In startled question, as though it shocks her somehow. "Lorelei this is Lady Poppy, she took care of me when I was younger, more than my parents. There's no one else I would bring my mate to meet.", I tell her in answer. She says nothing, just looks back at Poppy. "Also, I want to take you to see the rest of Jaguar"
"What about Trondom? And everyone there? Are you not going to meet your new people? They are probably all waiting for your new rules, and still in justified fear from the lockdown. You didn't end it yet. For all we know you are not better than the people you just killed", Lorelei says and ruins the mood. What a downer. And her last sentence hurts a little, but she's not done yet.
She looks down and adds, "If you care about them a little bit, you'll listen to me that this isn't the time…". Although the sentence trails off, she gathers some courage, looks back up at me, and says, "We can do this later, yes?".
"Xan, I think you better listen this time", Poppy says. It appears Lorelei forgot the lovely old lady was there because she is startled again. Lady Poppy looks offended this time but says nothing about it.
Ah my overly worried, slightly justifiably self righteous, beautiful and courageous little mate…