Doe's POV:

Xander gave me a '30 minutes, max' on his time spent at the party, and now I was waiting to see just how close he got to it.

I didn't mind one way or the other if he went over. He was a prince, and one who enjoyed chatting it up with his people, so really I was just interested.

And kinda bored, but that's what I get for not going with him.

I got all comfy in my arguably skimpy pajamas and curled up in bed with a book, fighting off my fatigue.

Getting up early, for once, wiped me out but I wasn't ready to completely succumb to that yet.

Which was why when someone started knocking at the door a little bit ago, I didn't even attempt to go and answer it.

I didn't order anything, and it didn't feel right to guess that Xander got me anything either, so I just left it be.

If it was an important message for him or something I'm sure word will get to him eventually.

The click of the lock sprung me up into a sitting position. Perfect to watch him walk back in and give me that excited little smile he has no matter how long we'd been apart.

I glanced at the clock.

"Damn," I tisked, "Thirty-one minutes exactly."

He grinned at my insinuation, kicking the door shut while he worked at undoing his tie.

"I may be a minute late, but I come with some juicy info," He began as he approached.

Oh right! He did say he'd try to make Nico slip

He worked at Nico, and I worked at Khloe.

Except on her birthday. I gave her a break today.

Especially after her beyond positive reaction to my cupcakes.

"Perhaps you can be forgiven then," I crossed my legs under the blanket, "Speak."

He did right after sitting down on the edge of the bed.

"Nico's absolutely getting laid tonight. Or at least in ten minutes from what I've heard." He spilled,

I choked out a laugh at his very direct answer and the very assured way in which he said it.

If he was speaking it as fact, then he believed it as fact, and Xander didn't claim facts so easily.

"Seriously? I mean, on her birthday it makes sense but- she put him on a time limit!?"

Go her. Get him all riled up and such.

Actually, that did sound like Khloe, maybe not with that intention, but still.

She probably just wanted to make sure things were perfect.

Thinking about it did feel a bit... strange.

Khloe was more of a shy type who'd get red in the face just by me asking romance questions about the books we share.

Then again, she did have a bold side on certain occasions...hm...

I guess at the end of the day it's really none of my business, but with all of these exciting secret romances brewing, I can't help but wonder.

"She did. 45 minutes if my math is correct. Poor dude looked like he was going to combust that whole time." He explained.

"I don't blame him. If you got me all hot and bothered before sending me off a to a party, I'd be pissed."

He chuckled, reaching out a hand for mine.

"Which is why I'd never dare to do such a thing. But we're gonna have to give 'em shit about it later." He brought a kiss to my knuckle.

"I'm sure I can get Khloe to crack. She gets flustered very easily." I assured.

That playful nature danced in his eyes.

"Anyway," He started up again, "While you process that, what'd you order while I was gone?"

I rose a brow.

"Order? Nothing. I was really just trying to stay awake until you got back."

His brows furrowed, and I didn't miss the way his nostrils flared like he was searching for something.

"So then why'd that one slave boy stop by?"

My confusion only grew.

"Which one?"

"The one...," He paused for a moment, searching for a name, "The one that's in love with you?"

"In love with me?" I questioned with a laugh, "Pretty sure the only one here who has that right is you."

I saw his confusion stagger into a softer expression at my wording, but only for a second.

"You're right. The one that's obsessed with you then."

Somehow, that made it click.

"Oh. Austin?"

"Yeah that's the one," he confirmed.

Oh... So he's the one that stopped by. Weird.

"Someone did knock while you were gone, but I didn't get up because I wasn't expecting anything. How'd you know it was him?"

He spoke through a newfound glare.

"I have his scent memorized. He's raised some suspicion in the past." He explained.

"Yeah, Marcus isn't too fond of him either. Told me to stay away as much as I could and even diverted him from me a few times."

"He has?" He blinked at the mention of Marcus, but his words almost sounded relieved.

I nodded with a 'Mhm."

"Has he... given you any trouble?" His words were firm, yet he still spoke with that touch of softness he carried with me.

I shrugged, "Nothing noteworthy, really. He's just kinda insistent at times which can get annoying."

"Insistent how?" He pressed, that hardened edge now surfacing more than the softness.

God, I really need to stop finding that sound insanely sexy.

I keep saying that and yet I never do.

"I dunno. I guess it just takes him more than a few times to listen to the 'no' or ignores the hints that I don't wanna hang out with him."

His grip on my hand tightened, and I could see a change in his eyes.

One that brought this whole look to less sexy and more concerning.

"Xander, If it was anything I felt threatened by or felt like it wasn't something I couldn't handle myself, I would've told you."

It took a few seconds, but it looked to have worked... For now.

"Right," He sighed out, "I just don't know what he was hoping to accomplish by stopping by tonight," He muttered quietly.

"Guess we'll never know," I began, moving my legs till they were over the side of the bed, "But I'm sure as hell not gonna let him in again. The last time was weird enough."

I hopped off, more than ready to change this subject.

"I'll help you get undressed and we can shower together before we call it a night. I wanna wash your hair."

He perked up at the sound of that, rising to his feet with my steady pull.

"Yes ma'am."

~~~

I rummaged through my clothes, searching for a specific pair of shorts that I thought would work well with the tank top I'd already chosen for tonight.

"Hey Xander, do these pajamas look 'girls night'y enough to you?" I asked the man behind me as he got dressed for the day.

"I don't really think there's a set dress code for these kinds of things. Just wear something comfy. If you decide that you don't like it, you can always come back and grab something else," He spoke with a grin.

He was already whiney about me spending the night somewhere else tonight, so of course, he'd answer like that.

Nico was leaving to go... somewhere overnight. I don't really remember, so Khloe and I are gonna pull an all-nighter.

A term she used and I'm not too aware of. She said he used to do them with her sister.

But then she mentioned food and painting on me and even offered up a massage so why would I decline.

"If I don't like it then I can always just borrow some of her clothes. Or maybe Nico's."

"You take that back," He nearly growled, giving me just the reaction I was looking for.

I giggled at how fast it came out.

"Alright alright. You know Nico's clothes wouldn't compare."

"Damn right," he huffed, trudging over towards me, "Those shorts are cute though. I think you should go with them."

I smiled, stepping back just enough to plant a kiss on his cheek.

"Thank you. I will."

I grabbed my clothes and started my way out of the closet to set with the rest of things I planned on bringing tonight.

"So what are you gonna do tonight?" I asked.

"Dunno. Both my love and my brother are already taken and I'm all caught up on work. Maybe I'll get through a book or go into town."

A knock came from the door before I could voice a reply. And a somewhat frantic one at that.

It immediately caught both of our attention, both of us now just staring at the door.

A lock click followed the knock, then the sound of the handle turning. Then whoever it was let go and just went back to knocking.

"Huh. Well, it's definitely someone I'm related to then." He said, stepping over to answer.

I guess his whole family had complete access to the room.

Nico barged in nearly the second it was opened, a scene I'd seen quite a few times with the opposite brothers.

"Hey," He spoke to Xander, then offered a "Hi," to me as he let himself in.

"Dude, shouldn't you be like... leaving right now?" Xander asked with an amused smile.

"Technically yes, but plans may have changed," Nico answered.

He wasn't wearing his typical stoic features. Instead, he was nearly frantic.

Well... as frantic as Nico can get. Realistically it wasn't that bad.

"Changed?" Xander asked.

Nico nodded.

"Yeah. So remember that favor you said you owed me the day that you took me to go get her?" He gestured to me.

Well, I certainly do.

Xander's eyes narrowed, but his smile grew.

"The one you said you'd only use if 'some tragedy somehow bad enough for you to ask me for help'? That one?"

Nico stayed quiet for a moment, almost wincing at the words we all remember him saying back then.

"Yep. That's the one." He awkwardly answered.

Xander nodded.

"Then yes. What do you need?"

"I need you to go to the northern pack in my stead."

"What?!"

What?!

Oh, come on Nico! I had plans with Khloe!

Xander shot me a look before Nico started explaining.

"Look, I'm already full of spite towards the whole thing. I'm not fond of that clan to begin with and everybody knows that. I'm not good at faking these kinds of things in the name of formality and I don't think that's gonna reflect well on any of us. Plus, you revised the treaty. You're the one that rewrote it. It's only fair that you're the one that gets to see it through."

Well... I guess he does have a point. On the second half of that at least.

This might be good for Xander.

"Do mom and dad know about this?" Xander asked.

"No. And we're gonna keep it that way for as long as we can."

Ooh...

Xander barked out a sudden laugh.

"Just like old times then. Alright, I'm down."

"Really?" Nico beamed.

Wow, I've never seen him this excited.

"Thank you thank you," He said, pulling Xander into a hug.

"Wow, you really didn't want to do this."

"There's more than a few reasons, but yes," He pulled Xander back, hands on his shoulders, "It's about time you got to do something for this territory on this scale. I know you'll do great."

I kinda felt like I was intruding on a brotherly moment with the knowing looks they shared.

Which dropped relatively quickly after Nico looked to remember something.

"Also uh... you're scheduled to leave in like... fifteen minutes, so you might wanna get packed here quick."

His eyes shot wide, shouting at his brother while frantically looking around for things to pack.

Nico just chuckled to himself as he backed towards the door and out of the room, "Good luck, thank you, love you, have fun!"

He shut the door himself, leaving Xander speeding through his room to get his things in order.