XAVIA
I noticed that Axel had been acting strange recently. Aside from him being worried that I would choose Gilbert instead of him, I could tell there was something else causing him to worry. I became worried too. I spoke to Alaila about it and she told me it might be work and the Pack affairs.
"I do not think it's any of these two," I said.
"How are you sure about it?"
I shrugged. "I am not sure but I do not feel those are the reasons"
She sighed. "Do you have anything in mind? I mean anything you considered may be the reason?"
"I can't think of any" I answered. 
"If you cannot think of anything then I will suggest you stop getting worried too"
"I wish I could but I can't. Seeing him worry makes me worry too"
"Have you tried speaking to him about it?"
"I spoke to him and he said he is worried that I will choose Gilbert over you"
"Why would you do that? You have no reason to"
"I told him that. I told him I did not have any reason to go back to Gilbert. He is worried that if I keep talking to Gilbert, I might change my mind and choose him"
She sighed. "I think I understand why he is worried. It doesn't make any sense that you speak so casually with someone who has treated you so badly. You speak to him like nothing has happened between you. And you both are cool"
I shrugged. "I just thought that not talking to him was childish"
"What right does he have to make you talk to him? He doesn't deserve to speak to you"
"I know he doesn't. He knows that too"
She scoffed. "I wonder what he gets to talk about"
"A few interesting things, though it's about work"
"No matter how interesting it is, I think you should set the line so he doesn't cross it. He seems to have an ulterior motive"
"I don't think he does"
"I am sure he does. Do you see how he looks at you?"
"Is there a way he looks at me?"
She furrowed her brows. "You do not know?"
"I do not notice"
"Then I will tell you. He looks at you with love"
I laughed. "Wh-who looks at me with love? Gilbert? That is never possible. Do you know how cold-hearted and ruthless he is"
"Do you mean he was? He doesn't seem like the cold-hearted, ruthless Alpha you described. He looks more like a smitten puppy now"
I sighed. "Gilbert can never change. I am sure of that"
"What if he changes?"
I furrowed my eyes. "Can he?"
She stared at me. "You are not having a second thought do you?"
"Second thought on what"
"You look like someone who will be smitten by Gilbert's change. Do you still love him?"
I scoffed. "You think I do?"
"Well, your actions seem to say otherwise"
I frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Xavia, I do not want to believe that you might still have a thing for him"
"I do not. Why would you think I do? Because I talk to him?"
She shrugged. "Well, aside from you talking to him, your expression points towards that"
I scoffed. "I can't believe this is what you think"
She sighed. "As I said, I do not want to believe that"
"But it seems to me that you already did"
"I did not. I am just curious"
"You do not look curious but serious"
She moved closer to me. "What if Axel's worry is based on this? He might have noticed the way he looks at you and the way you look at him too". I scoffed but said nothing. "If I can notice it, I am sure Axel can too. Maybe Jason knows too and Nathan and maybe his mom. A few Pack members might know about it too". I groaned. "Do you think they would not have spoken to him about their fear?"
"What are you driving at?"
"I think you should put a stop to talking to Gilbert and if you can't, you can at least let him know that you are not going to change your mind. Axel is the one for you"
"Gilbert has not said that he wants me yet, why should I tell him all this?"
"He doesn't have to tell you. I am sure a lot of people already know that he does. And why do you have to wait until he tells you? Isn't it better that you clear the air up now?"
I sighed. "How do you suggest that I tell him?"
"I do not know"
"And you suggest that? Are you for real?"
She chuckled. "You should know how to tell him. I can't say because I do not know what your discussions with him are always about"
I sighed. "Our discussion is mostly about work. How..."
There was a knock on the door and I stared at Alaila.
"Are you expecting someone?" I asked and she scoffed.
"I should be asking you. I am sure that is Axel at the door"
"Do you think he...?"
"I do not think he is the one. I know so"
I rolled my eyes and stood up to open the door. Just like Alaila said, it was Axel standing in front of me.
"Axel" I mumbled and he smiled slightly. I could tell he wasn't in a happy mood. "Are you okay?" I asked and he nodded. 
"I want to see you. Can I come in?"
I nodded. "Sure" I muttered moving aside.
"I told you it was him," Alaila said, as Axel entered the room.
"Alaila" Axel cooed.
"Axel, how are you doing?"
"I am doing great. How are you?"
"Fine. I am very fine"
He smiled. "Good to hear that"
Alaila stood up. "I think I should leave. I have a few things to discuss with Jason"
I knew she was leaving the room to give us some privacy. I smiled. "I will see you when you get back"
She nodded. "Sure"
After Alaila left I gestured to Axel to sit and he did. "You said you want to see me"
He nodded. "Yes, I do"
I sighed. "I am all ears"
**
I kept thinking about what Axel had told me, and I could not understand why he wanted me to choose between Gilbert and him. I have told him several times that he should not worry about me and Gilbert and that I can't go back to Gilbert after everything I experienced with him.
I stared out of the window and sighed. I could see the sun setting already and the moon would be out soon. I have to decide quickly if I want Axel to mark me or not. I love him, I do. But I wasn't sure if I was ready to be marked by him. But if I do not let him mark me tonight he will think I chose Gilbert over him. 
Think, Xavia, think.
I paced around the room for a while.
Is there a way I can make Axel understand that I am not ready to be marked but I love him and will never go back to Gilbert? I wondered.
Time was running out and I was yet to conclude on what to do. I stared out of the window and realized that the full moon was up in the sky.
"It's time" I muttered. 
I picked a piece of paper and a pen to write down notes for Alaila so that she would not worry about me when she comes into the room and did not see me. She had not returned since she left the room when Axel came. I wondered what discussion she was having with Jason to make her stay out for this long.
I left the room and headed to Axel's room. Thank goodness it was just a few rooms away from ours and I did not have to worry about Pack members seeing me. I knocked at the door and had to wait for a while before he opened the door.
"You came" he muttered and I nodded.
"I did"
We stared at each other for a while. I was beginning to get uncomfortable with the awkward silence. I cleared my throat and he sighed. 
"I am sorry, I kept you waiting. Please come in"
I entered his and began to look around. It was different. There were lighted candles arranged in the form of love on the floor with petals sprinkled everywhere. I smiled. 
Did Axel prepare all these for me?
He hugged me from behind. "Do you love it?"
I nodded. "I do. Did you prepare all these because you knew I was going to come?"
He sighed. "I... I hoped that you would not choose him over me"
I smiled and turned to face him. "I will never choose Gilbert over you. He already had his chance and he misused it"
"But the mate bond..."
"What is a mate bond when the feeling is not mutual?"
"Xavia, you know he loves you right?"
I shrugged. "I do not know and I do not care". He sighed and I placed my hand on his face. I trailed my hand down to his neck and smiled. "You know I love you right?"
He nodded. "And I love you too"
I smiled. "If you do...". I pushed my hair behind my ear. "Mark me"
He stared at me. "You want me to?"
"Is that not what you want?". He said nothing. "If I am to tell you not to, will you not think that I want Gilbert to you?"
"I am sorry for..."
I pulled him closer to kiss him but he moved away.
"Why are you moving away?" I asked. "Do you not want to mark me?"
"I want to but it's the full moon tonight and I might not be able to resist you"
"Why do you have to resist me?"
He stared at me. "The mate bond will be stronger and..."
"Will that not help you mark me so easily?"
"It will but..."
I moved closer to him. "You don't have to resist me, okay? I do not want you to" I said and he nodded. 
**
Alaila kept staring at me giving me a seductive smile.
"Why are you staring at me?" I asked.
"You never told me you would not be returning yesterday. I waited all night for you" she said and I scoffed.
"Did you?" I asked and she chuckled. "Am I not back now"
"I think you are but why do I feel like you look different?". I moved closer to her and pulled my hair to the side.
"He-he marked you?". I nodded. "During the full moon?"
I nodded. "Yes"
"I am so happy for you. Now Axel will not have to worry that Gilbert will have you"
"I was never his, to begin with. Have you forgotten he sold us off to Axel from the very beginning? If I was to belong to someone, that would be Axel"
She nodded. "He did but thank goodness Axel did not consider us a commodity". I nodded and she smiled. "Now, Gilbert doesn't have a chance. Jason told me he asked for the contract they signed the day we were sold off. He is willing to pay back all the money to have you"
I scoffed. "What does he take me as? A mate for sale? I am not for purchase. I am no longer his mate and I do not belong to him"
Alaila nodded. "Of course you do not"