Xavier walks into his room, smiling when he sees Ellean.
"I wanted to tell you I will leave for a couple of days. If you should need anything, just let my Mother know. Or the servants."
Ellean looks up from her book.
"May I ask where you are going?"
Xavier nods, "I'm headed towards your old clan. I want to meet with the Alpha and figure out what happened."
Ellean pales at his words. She had thrown it all in the back of her mind. Ellean had no desire to interact with her old clan. She figured they thought she had died, and if she could keep it that way, she would be more than happy to let the clan think that.
"Can you not tell them about me? I don't want anyone coming after me for revenge." Ellean pleads.
Xavier shakes his head. "I need to tell them. Otherwise, I won't figure out what needs to happen. They had no right to treat you the way they did just because you are deaf."
Ellean twists her fingers as she ponders about what Xavier wants to do. "I suppose if there isn't any other way, then I won't stand in your way. I just don't want to have them come here and try to start a war over someone they didn't even like."
Xavier nods. He understood Ellean didn't trust him yet. But she also didn't want to start a clan war. Their feelings would slowly work out. So, Xavier will wait and be patient with Ellean. After all, Ellean had to deal with the trauma of being abused, raped, and rejected.
Xavier left Ellean to her thoughts as he headed off to see his parents. But, first, he needed to get the King's permission to leave if he would be gone for more than a day.
Knocking on his Father's office door, waiting until he heard a faint "Come in" before pushing the door open. Surprised to see his Mother sitting beside his Father.
"Oh, hello, Mother. I didn't know you would be here. But now that you are both here, I need to tell you I am planning a trip to see Ellean's old clan. But first, I need to figure out what they are hiding."
The King purses his lips as he thinks before looking at the Queen.
"Debra, darling, what are your thoughts on this?"
Queen Debra tilts her head, thinking for a moment.
"This is for his bond-mate Joseph, so I think it would be a good idea for him to see where she's from."
King Joseph nods. "I think you are right, darling."
He was looking at Xavier as the King signed a paper. "Who are you taking with you?"
"I was planning on taking Raphael with me. He's my best friend besides my guard. He won't let anything happen."
The King nods. "He is an excellent choice. If you need anything while you are gone, let us know. We are your parents, after all."
Xavier nods before looking at his Mother. "I told Ellean that if she needed anything to come to you."
The Queen nods, "Don't worry, son, I won't let anything happen to her. I will get her to spend time with me on the terrace drinking tea."
Xavier chuckles as he heads out the office door. "Just don't make her drink too much tea, Mother. There are other things to drink as well."
The Queen's laughter follows Xavier out the door. His heart settled, knowing that Ellean would be in excellent hands with his Mother.
Heading back to his room, Xavier made a quick list of things he needed to pack before leaving. He wasn't looking forward to the trip, but it had to be made before Ellean and he became official.
Opening the bedroom door, Xavier sees Ellean has left. He'd guess she's back in the library. Deciding to pack first before he finds Ellean, he quickly grabs the papers and the laptop. Throwing several clothing changes into a suitcase sits everything by the bedroom door so the servants can later take to the limo.
Heading to the library pushes the door open to see Ellean sitting in her chair by the window reading. Xavier steps inside the room, pausing so he won't scare her, speaks quietly in the mind link.
"I need to leave now; stopped in for a moment to see you before I head out. I also got you a phone, so we can text if you like."
Ellean raises her head and smiles towards Xavier.
"Have a safe trip. Let me know when you get there. Thank you for the phone. You didn't have to do that."
"I know, Ellean, but I would like a way to get a hold of you. And didn't cost that much."
Xavier holds out a phone towards Ellean, smiling when she takes it shyly from him, her cheeks red.
Xavier leans down so he can look into her eyes. "I know this is asking a lot, but could I maybe have a hug before I leave?"
Ellean blushes before raising her arms to hug Xavier around his neck. "I will see you when you get back, ok, Xavier?"
Xavier breathes Ellean's scent deep into his lungs as his arms gently hug her. He would miss being around Ellean even though it wouldn't be very long that he was gone.
"I'll hurry back as soon as I can. And thank you for the hug Ellean."
Xavier stands up, walking out of the library, leaving behind a blushing Ellean. He was afraid if he stayed too long, he wouldn't want to leave.
Heading out the front door, he walks to the limo, nodding to the servant who opened the door for him. Looking up, he sees Ellean wave at him. Waving back climbs into the limo.
Settling down looks at Raphael, who is sitting in front. His voice is impersonal and cold.
"Let's get this over with so I can get back. I don't want to stay any longer than I have to."
Xavier leans his head back against the seat as they leave. He was already ready to come back, and they hadn't even left the lane yet. But Xavier also knew he had to do this for both their sakes.