Chapter 709: About to Action
Hayley’s POV:
I instantly sensed Benjamin was angry. He could feel the fire building in his chest, too. His hand, hanging at his side, curled tightly into a fist. I quickly shot him a calming look and rolled my eyes at Xavier. Then, I said coldly, “I’m standing right here. Tell me, are we doing this deal, or not?”
Xavier gave a small, disappointed chuckle and replied lazily, “When have I ever denied you anything? Go on, what is it this time? What has caught your eye?”
“Nothing rare. Just Moonshade and Thunderbloom Flower. However much you have, I’ll take it all,” I said calmly.
“You really are here to rob me blind,” Xavier muttered, shaking his head. “I don’t have any.”
“Xavier Hanson, you’re really going to play coy with me?” I smiled sweetly on the surface, but my fists were already clenched.
“Why are you using my full name again? I always call you ‘darling.’ The way you talk, you make it sound like we’re strangers.”
Xavier stood up, grumbling, his hands clasped behind his back. His eyes swept over Benjamin with a gaze full of hungry desire. I rolled my eyes again and stepped in front of Benjamin protectively, warning, “I already told you he’s my fiancé. Try anything with him again, and you’ll regret it.”
“So fierce,” Xavier whined, now clearly busted, his voice turning coy. “It’s just a glance! I wasn’t trying to sleep with him!”
Benjamin finally caught on to what Xavier was thinking. He awkwardly shot him a glare, then silently reached for my hand and held it tight, as if declaring to Xavier that he already had a mate.
Xavier frowned instantly, looking all moody. “Such a handsome, sexy man… What a waste. And he’s not even my boyfriend…”
I narrowed my eyes and let out a cold snort. The next second, I raised my hand and smacked him right on the forehead. “If you so much as think about touching my fiancé again, I’ll beat you to death!”
Xavier rubbed his forehead, glaring at me. “Enough already! This is my turf! Show me a little respect, will you?”
Seeing that he was finally back to normal, I dropped my hand and stood aside. But Xavier was quick to recover his usual grin. He looped his arm through mine and grinned shamelessly.
“Now that’s more like it. That’s what herties do!”
“What else?” Xavier said righteously. “And what’s it to you? You’re not mine, so stay out of the way and stop tainting my baby with your presence!”
Benjamin rolled his eyes, speechless. Henry, standing nearby, made a face like he was grossed out.
“Cut the crap,” I snapped at Xavier, turning my head toward him. “Where’s the stuff I asked for?”
Xavier released my arm and strolled back to the bed. “Honestly, this time I’m not trying to be difficult. You know I adore a good brawl. I don’t have any Thunderbloom Flower right now, but the Moonshade Flower? That’s already the reward in the fighting pit.”
I paused to think for a moment. He wasn’t lying. Xavier had always been obsessed with werewolf cage matches. He never missed a single pack event—domestic or international. I shouldn’t be surprised that he’s decided to host his own now.
“So, as long as we win the tournament, I can take the prize for free, right?” I asked, confirming.
“Of course, darling. You know me—I can’t stand anyone breaking the arena rules,” Xavier said with a half-smile, though his gaze was already drifting back to Benjamin.