Awakened by the Vampire Prince 2(10)

“The princess asked me to,” York said.

Xavier took a step backwards. It was the last thing he had expected to hear and his heart stopped beating for a second, his palms turned sweaty, his blood ran cold. “What do you mean she asked you to? Asked you to what… mate her?” Xavier could feel how his brow was creased. The sound of his own heartbeat rang in his ears.

York nodded. “Please try and understand, Xavier. With all the terrible things that everyone was saying about her, she’s been so worried that her father would hear crazy rumors. That he would think less of her and ultimately blame himself. She’s worried about his health more than her reputation. I don’t think she would give two shits otherwise.” The male swallowed hard. “You were there. Her worst fears were realized. She asked me to—”

Xavier growled, unable to help himself. “Esral approached you and asked you to consider mating her?” It seemed surreal.

York nodded. “Yes, yesterday before you arrived. She did it out of desperation. I know that the princess doesn’t have feelings for me, but she told me that our union   would work based on friendship, that she would give me young. I’ve always wanted to be a father. She put up a good argument.”

Xavier had to grit his teeth to stop himself from roaring. The thought of Esral carrying another man’s seed was almost more than he could take. Is that what yesterday had been all about? Why she had invited him into her bedroom? Had allowed him to…

Had the whole thing happened because she was trying to find a mate? It didn’t matter whether it was York, himself or possibly another male?

“I wasn’t sure whether I could be with a female without testing compatibility. Also, I kind of hoped that my mate would love me but I couldn’t stand to hear how she was being bullied yesterday. It wasn’t for the first time either, Xavier. Princess Esral is a good female. I can see myself being happy with her and raising a family with her. I promise to do my best to keep her happy in all ways.” York’s eyes heated. The male was thinking about touching Esral, of…

A terrible thought crossed Xavier’s mind. He couldn’t help but to grip York by the collar, shoving him up against a nearby tree. His hands were pressed tightly against the male’s throat, York made a strained noise.

“Did you touch the princess?” Xavier growled, low and deep.

York’s eyes flashed with panic. Xavier had to force himself to release the grip he had on the male’s throat, just enough so that he could speak.

“No,” York croaked. “I promise,” he added when Xavier failed to release his grip fully.

On a low growl, Xavier let go of York before moving away from the male while he could still think clearly. He paced in the opposite direction while running a hand through his hair. “This is so fucked up.”

“I can see how angry you are. You need to know that the princess specifically mentioned that she didn’t want you before I would even listen to what she had to say. You have feelings for her, don’t you?”

Xavier kept his back to the male. Too angry to answer.

“I don’t know why you didn’t just claim her yourself,” York said. “You should’ve pursued her, tried to change her mind.” He made a frustrated noise. “Did she ask you to mate her too?” York paused for a long time before finally carrying on when Xavier didn’t answer. “She told me that she would ask one of the others if I turned her down, so it wouldn’t surprise me.”

Xavier choked down the low growl that clawed at his throat.

“I waited outside that door for you to step forward and claim her. You never did. She was under the gun. Her barbaric fucker of a brother had her backed into a corner.”

“I was trying to buy fucking time.” Xavier growled, taking another step away. “You should’ve kept your fucking mouth shut. It was not your place.”

“It was my place because the princess came to me for help.”

Xavier could hear a thud as the male beat his chest.

“I felt obliged. I had already decided to take her up on her offer anyway. It’s done now. The princess is mine, or she will be in three days time. With all due respect…” York was breathing hard. “You had your shot and you blew it.”

“Don’t say another fucking word.” Xavier spun around, pointing a finger at York. His fangs felt long and sharp, his nails had erupted into deadly claws. If he started beating on the male now, he knew that he wouldn’t be able to stop. The princess had asked York to mate her and the male had ultimately accepted. As much as he wanted to kill York for this, he couldn’t.