Chapter 24: 24. Zavier’s proposal
AT THE SAME TIME
MICHAEL
I was still processing being called brother when Zavier decided to commit social murder. The room was tense, every Alpha either glaring or pretending not to glare, Selene looked one sermon away from a migraine, Rose was grinning like a cat who’d just knocked over a priceless vase, and then Zavier, calm as ever, reached into his pocket. I didn’t think much of it. Until I saw the little silver box. My brain stopped. Where he got that from? My wolf went absolutely feral. No. No no no no. He flicked the box open with one hand, smooth as silk, and inside was a ring. A real one. Silver, heavy, with a small moonstone in the center that glowed faintly like it had been kissed by actual moonlight.
"What are you-" I started, voice cracking like a dying bird.
Zavier didn’t even glance at me. His silver eyes stayed locked on everyone else in the room as he said, slow, deliberate.
"I thought this was as good a time as any."Zavier smirked.
The air went dead silent. Rose gasped. Charlie squealed, actually squealed, bouncing in place like a child watching fireworks. Selene’s jaw dropped before she groaned.
"Are you serious right now?"She asked.
Adrian looked like someone had taken a sword to his stomach. Terrence’s jaw clenched so hard I heard something pop. Xavier’s expression went from ’calculating’ to ’I might actually stab you.’ And me? I forgot how to breathe.
"You, you can’t just-" I stammered, taking a half step back.
Zavier’s hand shot out, grabbing my wrist, pulling me flush against him before I could escape.
"I can." He said smoothly. "And I am."
Charlie was now fully wagging his tail, clapping his hands like he’d just witnessed history being made.
"Ohhh my moons this is perfect! You’re totally mates already, this just makes it official!"Charlie smirked.
"We are not mates yet!" I yelped.
Rose tilted her head, emerald eyes gleaming.
"Not yet, no." She agreed, a wicked grin spreading across her face. "But clearly someone intends to fix that very soon."
Selene pinched the bridge of her nose, muttering something about ’mortals and their timing.’
Adrian finally broke his silence, voice sharp as glass.
"This is reckless."Adrian said.
"Oh"" Zavier’s silver eyes slid to him, cold and daring. "Jealous?"
Adrian’s jaw flexed, but he said nothing. Terrence growled low under his breath, Xavier’s hand twitched near his blade like he was imagining throwing it.
And me? I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me whole.
"This is not, this is not a thing we do at family introductions!" I hissed, smacking Zavier’s shoulder, which did absolutely nothing because the man was built like a mountain.
He just leaned closer, lips brushing my ear.
"Maybe not, but I’m not letting them think they have a chance. Not with you."Zavier muttered.
My entire face went hot. My wolf practically melted, tail thumping so hard I was shocked no one could hear it. Charlie, bless his chaotic little soul, gasped dramatically and grabbed Rose’s arm.
"We have to plan a wedding now! Oh! Can I be best man?"Charlie asked.
Rose laughed so hard she nearly bent over, eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Oh, this is too good. Yes, Charlie, absolutely."Rose grinned.
Selene looked like she might combust.
"Absolutely not! This is not the time for-"She shouted.
"Oh come on." Rose cut in sweetly. "You can’t tell me you aren’t enjoying this."
Selene glared at her.
"I am not-"She started.
"You are." Rose sing songed.
Selene looked away, muttering something about ’maddening saints.’ The alphas? They were so still it was terrifying. Adrian’s hands had curled into fists at his sides. Terrence’s wolf was practically vibrating, the air thick with storm energy. Xavier just stared at the ring box like he wanted to crush it into dust with his bare hands. And Zavier? He just slipped the ring out, holding it casually between his fingers.
"I wasn’t joking." He said simply, his thumb brushing over the glowing moonstone. "You can scream at me later. But tonight, everyone here will know exactly where you belong."
I could feel my ears burning, my chest tight, my wolf rolling over in contented submission even as my brain shrieked. Charlie actually sniffled like he was about to cry from happiness.
"I have the best brother ever."He grinned.
"Stop saying brother!" I hissed at him, which only made him giggle more.
Rose draped an arm over his shoulder, grinning wide.
"Oh, keep saying it, Charlie. I want tosee how long before Michael actually faints again."Rose grinned.
Selene made a noise halfway between a groan and a laugh.
"At this point, I almost hope he does. It might calm the room down."Selene smirked.
Zavier didn’t wait for any of them. He turned my hand palm up, sliding the ring halfway onto my finger before I even realized what he was doing.
"Wait-"I started.
Too late. The moonstone flared, glowing brighter, like the Goddess herself was approving this insanity.
"Oh." Charlie breathed, eyes sparkling. "It likes you two!"
Rose was grinning ear to ear now.
"This is better than any prophecy."She said.
The alphas all took a collective step forward, instinct, anger, heartbreak, I didn’t know, but Zavier’s silver eyes snapped up, sharp and daring, his grip on my hand tightening.
"Try me." He said, voice quiet but deadly.
No one moved. My wolf purred, smug and despite myself, despite the chaos, the heat in my face, the urge to die right there on the floor, I didn’t pull my hand away. I had no words. None. Not one. Zavier’s ring still glowed faintly on my finger like it had been forged out of moonlight itself, and my brain had completely shut down. No thoughts. No witty retorts. Just the overwhelming need to crawl under the table and never be seen again. I opened my mouth. Nothing came out. I tried again, a squeak.
"He is speachless!" Charlie gasped dramatically.
Rose leaned back in her chair, smirking like this was the best theater she’d seen in years.
"I’ve waited for this day."Rose grinned.
And then, because apparently my life wasn’t ridiculous enough, the torches dimmed. The air went soft and silver, cool like moonlit water. The Moon Goddess stepped right into the hall. Everyone froze. Selene actually stood, bowing slightly. The alphas went still, wolves pressing against their skin like they knew better than to move. And me? I just stared, wide eyed, still clutching Zavier’s hand like a lifeline.
"Ohhh, Michael." The Goddess’s voice was velvet, warm and pleased. Her white hair shimmered like starlight as she reached out and, oh gods actually touched my cheek. "You’ve come so far." She said, her smile downright mischievous. "So shy, so hesitant... and now, look at you. All claimed and glowing."
"G-glowing?" I croaked.
"Oh yes." She purred, her other hand pressing to my forehead.
A soft pulse of light shot through me, flooding my skin until my reflection in the polished floor showed a faint silvery glow around me. The room went silent again. Zavier’s silver eyes went wide, pupils blown so dark it was almost dangerous.
"...What did you just do to him?" He asked, his voice low, sharp.
The Goddess smiled sweetly, entirely unbothered.
"Just a little gift. A touch of blessing. Consider it... a bridal glow."Goddness smirked.
"She did NOT just say bridal glow." I muttered, burying my face in my hands.
Charlie shrieked in delight, bouncing on his toes.
"BRIDAL GLOW! BRIDAL GLOW!"Charlie said happily.
Rose was laughing so hard she nearly fell off her chair.
"Oh this is perfect."She said.
Selene looked like she might spontaneously combust.
"You cannot just-"Selene started.
"Yes, I can." The Goddess interrupted calmly, her eyes still fixed on me like I was her favorite painting. "Besides, it suits him. Don’t you think, Zavier?"
Zavier’s jaw flexed, his grip on my hand tightening until I could feel his pulse through our bond. He didn’t say anything, just nodded once, sharp, like if he spoke he might say something feral. The alphas, meanwhile, looked like someone had just taken a sword to their egos. Adrian’s face was carved marble fury. Terrence’s storm grey wolf was practically snarling under his skin. Xavier’s dark gaze was locked on me like he was trying to calculate a way to undo the entire event by sheer willpower. Charlie, however, was delighted. He darted forward, circling me like I was some shiny new toy.
"Ohhh look at him! He’s so shiny now! Oh! Zavier, you better guard him, if you blink, someone’s going to steal him away!"Charlie said.
"Not happening." Zavier growled, dragging me closer to his chest so fast I squeaked.
The Goddess chuckled, turning away with a swish of moonlight trailing behind her.
"Good. Keep it that way. I expect a proper ceremony soon."She said.
"A what-"I started.
But she was gone. Just like that. Silence. Then Rose clapped once.
"Well. Guess we are planning a wedding."She said.
Selene groaned into her hands.
"I hate all of you." She said.
Zavier bent his head to mine, brushing his lips against my temple, voice so low only I could hear it.
"Mine."He muttered.
My wolf purred so loudly I thought I might actually pass out again.