10. Xavier got kidnapped yet again?

AT THE SAME TIME

JAXON'S POINT OF VIEW:

The sunlight was harsh as I stepped out of that cramped little hideout, the brightness momentarily blinding me. My leg throbbed with every step, but I forced myself forward, each limp a reminder of what I'd survived.

I hadn't planned to be out here this long. The Vanguard had been relentless in their pursuit, and it had taken everything I had to shake them. If it hadn't been for Xavier stumbling across me. I shook the thought away, jaw clenched. I didn't need to dwell on that right now. I just had to get back. It wasn't long before the underbrush parted, revealing the sleek black carriage nestled beneath heavy branches. Shadows draped over its polished sides, the windows tinted to obscure the view inside. A pair of jet black stallions snorted as I approached, their eyes flickering with awareness.

My father was waiting just outside, leaning against the carriage with his arms crossed and a sharp expression on his face. He straightened the moment he saw me, eyes narrowing with obvious irritation.

"Took you long enough." He growled, pushing off the carriage and striding forward.

His presence was as imposing as ever tall, broad shouldered, with hair shot through with silver that did nothing to dull the intensity in his eyes. The man commanded rooms without ever raising his voice.

I forced a grin, shrugging as I approached.

"Miss me that much?"I asked.

He didn't return the smile. His gaze raked over me, taking in the bandaged leg, the grime, the faint bruises.

"You look like hell."He said.

"Feel like it too." I leaned back against the carriage with a wince, stretching out my injured leg. "Ran into a bit of trouble.'

His eyes sharpened.

"The Vanguard?"He asked.

I nodded.

"I handled it."I said.

He was silent for a moment, gaze still appraising. Then, his expression softened, just a little.

"Glad you're in one piece. Mostly."He said.

"Mostly." I echoed with a grin. I saw his shoulders relax a fraction, the tension draining from his posture.

But the concern didn't leave his eyes. He had a thousand questions I knew he did, but he held them back. That was his way.

"Where the hell were you, anyway?" He asked, tone still clipped but softer. "I had men combing the forest for hours."

I hesitated, thinking back to the hideout. To him. That omega with the sharp tongue and sharper eyes. The one who patched me up and fed me, even when I saw the reluctance in every movement. He'd looked at me like I was a threat… but he hadn't turned me away.

"A hideout.." I replied finally. "I got picked up by someone."

My father's eyebrows shot up.

"Someone? Out here?"He asked.

I nodded, feeling a grin spread across my lips before I could stop it.

"An omega."I said.

For a moment, my father just stared at me like I'd spoken a different language. Then his eyes gleamed with something sharp and calculating.

"An omega? Out here?"He said.

"Yeah." I said, rolling my shoulder to ease the tension. "Didn't look like much at first, but… he's different."

My father's expression shifted, the surprise smoothing into a slow, deliberate smile.

"Interesting." He paced back a step, his hands clasped behind his back. "And? Did the system sync?"

I hesitated, just for a heartbeat.

"Yeah." I admitted. "20%."

He stopped mid-step, turning back to face me with a look I couldn't quite read.

"20% from just one meeting?"He asked.

I shrugged.

"Seemed like it."I said.

His eyes gleamed with a satisfaction I hadn't seen in a long time. 

"Well, well. I didn't expect you to find someone out here. And an omega, no less."He said.

I snorted, rubbing the back of my neck. 

"Yeah, I'm just full of surprises."I grinned.

He stepped closer, placing a heavy hand on my shoulder.

"You know what this means, don't you?"He asked.

I raised an eyebrow.

"That I have a new problem to deal with?"I said.

He chuckled, the sound low and dangerous. 

"That you have an opportunity." His hand squeezed, his voice dropping to a whisper. "You've been running too long. Maybe it's time you start building."He said.

I clenched my jaw, the weight of his words sinking in. I knew what he meant. If the system had already started syncing me with Xavier, that meant the connection wasn't something I could easily ignore. And if I was honest with myself… I didn't exactly want to. But I wasn't about to let him know that. 

"One step at a time, old man."I said.

He smirked, patting my shoulder before stepping back.

"Just don't waste this. Omegas are a rare find. And you said he's different…"He started.

I didn't answer. Couldn't, really. The memory of that sharp gaze, the way he'd thrown the bowl at me and called me out without hesitation it lingered, and I couldn't shake it off. My father stepped back toward the carriage, motioning for the door to be opened. 

"Come on. We have things to discuss."He said.

I followed, glancing one last time at the path I'd just limped down. The hideout was far out of sight, buried deep in the trees, but I couldn't help the way my eyes lingered. Just what kind of mess did I stumble into?

Few days later, the smell of the city beyond the castle grounds lingered smoke, earth, and iron but beneath it all, I could still catch it: that faint hint of sweetness. Normally, I would have slipped away to my quarters, avoided the banter and the probing questions. But today, I was distracted, he was distracting me. Xavier.

As I rounded the corner, Cassian, Levi, and Rowan were lounging near the main staircase, clearly waiting. Cassian perked up as soon as he spotted me. 

"Well, look who finally decided to show his face. You got lost out there?"Cassian said.

"Something like that." I replied coldy, brushing past him. He fell into step beside me, his grin practically glued to his face.

Levi raised an eyebrow, trailing just behind. 

"You've been gone for two days, Jax. What happened? Vanguard trouble again?"Levi asked.

I hesitated, my thoughts flicking back to the forest, the scent of cedar and fire, the way Xavier's eyes had burned with defiance. 

"Ran into someone." I replied, voice low.

Cassian's grin grew wider. 

"Oh? Someone interesting?"He asked.

I shot him a glare. 

"Mind your business."I said.

"Now I'm definitely interested." He crossed his arms over his chest, practically bouncing with anticipation. "You're smelling different, you know that? Sweeter. Almost like..." He paused, sniffing the air theatrically. "...like sugar or vanilla."

I tensed, but tried not to show it. 

"You're imagining things."I said.

"Am I?" Cassian prodded, eyes glinting. "Because you don't normally come back from a trip smelling like candy. Must've been quite the encounter."

I said nothing, just kept walking, my boots thudding against the marble floors. But it was there, lingering just at the edge of my senses, that sweetness. It was stronger than I'd thought, even after the ride back, even after the change of clothes. Like it had embedded itself in my skin.

We reached the main hall, and the scent flared stronger. I stopped dead in my tracks, my eyes snapping up to scan the room. That's when I saw him, Michael. He was crossing the hall, a stack of books balanced in his arms, speaking to one of the other stewards. I narrowed my eyes, my nostrils flaring. Sweetness. The same scent that had been driving me half mad since I left the forest. Two days since I met him, two days since I couldn't forget him.

I walked forward, ignoring Cassian's confused look. "Michael!"I shouted.

The steward stiffened, turning around slowly. 

"My lord?"He asked.

I stepped closer, gaze locked on him. 

"Where have you been?"I asked.

He blinked, clearly caught off guard. 

"Just... the archives, my lord. Delivering the new inventories for Lady Selene's collection."He said.

"Selene?" I repeated, the name heavy on my tongue. The Moon Goddess. Her influence ran deep through the castle, some called her a spirit, others a deity. She watched over omegas, marked their bonds, twisted fate with her whims.

Michael nodded hurriedly, eyes flicking to my hands, which were balled into fists. 

"Yes, my lord. She… she's been active recently. There's been a new summoning."Michael said.

I froze. 

"A new summoning?"I asked.

He swallowed, glancing around as if expecting someone to stop him. 

"Yes, my lord. An omega was brought in. He was… unmarked. Fresh. He was living in forest before we brought him here."Michael explained.

My heart thudded hard in my chest. 

"Where is he?"I asked.

Michael hesitated. 

"In the moon wing. Selene's attendants are preparing him for evaluation."He said.

Cassian, who had been quietly watching with raised eyebrows, finally spoke up. 

"You're not seriously thinking of going to the moon wing, are you? That's practically sacred ground. You know how Selene is with her chosen."Cassian said.

I ignored him, eyes locked on Michael. 

"What does he look like?"I asked.

Michael hesitated, licking his lips nervously. 

"Tall. Dark hair. Eyes like… like embers. He smells like-"He started.

"Sweet things." I finished for him, my voice barely above a whisper.

The scent on Michael's coat was stronger now, clinging to him like residue. It was Xavier's scent, I was sure of it. He was same omega who escaped shiffting procedure earlier. Interesting. Michael nodded, eyes widening. 

"Yes, my lord. Exactly."He said.

Cassian let out a low whistle. 

"You are the man. You brought an omega back with you."He grinned, but he looked pretty proudly.

I didn't bother responding. My mind was already racing, calculating. If he was in the moon wing, that meant Selene's influence was already wrapped around him. Omegas brought into her sanctum weren't seen for days, sometimes weeks. Marked. Bound. Controlled. But Xavier didn't belong there. He was stubborn, wild, and I'd be damned if I let Selene put her claws into him. I turned on my heel, my fists clenching at my sides. 

"I'm going to the moon wing."I said.

Cassian's eyes went wide.

"You're actually insane."He said.

I didn't stop walking. 

 "Probably."I said amd smirked. "He is 'my' omega after all."