Chapter 30 - Go Ask Madeline

Madeline resisted the urge to curse at him.

What an incredibly insufferable, insolent man. How dare he mock her like that!

She took a look around - slightly grateful Briar wasn't here to witness it.

"Where did Briar go?" Madeline asked.

"She left," Xavier answered, taking a sip of a mysterious drink.

"Left?"

Madeline bit her lip. She'd been so engaged in the conversation that she didn't notice Briar leaving.

She stared at his drink.

"What's that?"

"A magical potion," Xavier answered casually.

"What does it do?"

"I didn't think you'd actually fall for that," Xavier seemed surprised.

"You were joking?" Madeline blinked.

"You weren't?"

"Then what is it?"

"Think of it as an energy drink, but for werewolves."

Madeline raised her brow questioningly.

An energy drink?

"While you have the luxury of sleep. I don't," Xavier said.

"Are you saying you were up all night working tirelessly?"

"Pretty much. Why?"

"Hmmm."

"Nothing," Madeline lied, trying to avert his gaze.

"I thought you'd be a better liar."

"And I thought you knew how to prioritize work with health but you clearly don't."

"Werewolves don't need to sleep."

Madeline combatted, "That doesn't mean you don't sleep, Xavier."

"What do you want me to do, sleep for once and disregard my work?"

"No, I don't want you to disregard your work."

"I want you to start prioritizing yourself over work and consider getting other people to assist you."

"Who are you for me to listen to what you say?"

Madeline reminded, remaining unfazed by his hurtful words, "I'm your friend, remember?"

Xavier stayed silent.

Shoot, he had called her his friend.

His words had bit him in the ass.

Was this how Adrian felt?

Did he really have to start prioritizing his health over work?

He'd never actually considered it before - despite Adrian's pleas for him.

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"How did breakfast with Madeline go?" Adrian asked cheerily, hoping for something by the expression on Xavier's stoic face. He was deep in thought, meaning Madeline must've said something.

"What did Madeline do?"

Xavier kept silent.

"How long do you intend to keep me in the dark and ignore me, Xay?" Adrian frowned, a crease forming between his brows.

He was beginning to get annoyed. Xavier had a habit of spacing out and not listening to him recently. Well, he'd always done that but now more than usual. What was up with him?

Come to think of it, it'd all started… when Madeline came.

Did these two things have a connection or did they have no relation to each other whatsoever? That was the big question on Adrian's mind.

"Does this have any relation to the events that occured at breakfast?"

Xavier snapped out of his daze.

"It doesn't."

Adrian cursed under his breath, beginning to regret his decision to skip breakfast. He should've been there to witness what happened. Maybe then he'd fathom why Xavier was behaving in this manner.

"Care to tell me what Madeline said?"

"She didn't say anything worth noting," Xavier lied, being quite convincing.

Adrian would've believed him if he didn't know Xavier, but after being friends for centuries, he knew better. And by that, he knew when Xay was hiding something from him.

"Do you think I overexert myself?" Xavier then asked Adrian, peering over at him to get a better look at him. His cold eyes assessed Adrian's face.

"Why the sudden--"

It clicked.

This must have something to do with what happened at breakfast, mustn't it?

"You do," Adrian nodded, more sure of this than anything else at the moment.

If anything, Xavier was the most hardworking person he knew.

No matter what, he got the job done. It was what made him an excellent alpha.

"You overexert yourself and focus on the needs of others before yourself," Adrian pointed out, making Xavier realize Madeline had a point to say what she did.

'Hmm, so she's right and Adrian agrees I overexert myself.'

"What do you propose is the next course of action?" Xavier asked, hoping to get an actual answer out of Adrian instead of some nonsense or lecture about how he had to start taking care of himself.

"I may be your advisor but I'm not the best person to ask about this," Adrian began.

"Why don't you ask… hmm," he said, trying to make it seem like he was thinking of someone for Xavier to go to for advice although he already had someone in mind.

"Madeline."

"And why do you suggest I ask her?"

"Because I know you, Xavier, and you wouldn't bring up something like this if something didn't happen. Madeline clearly must've said something at breakfast, prompting you to ponder about it now and ask me. That's how you usually work."

"So you're telling me to go to the mortal instead of confiding in my own advisor who refuses to answer to his alpha?"

Adrian gave Xavier a toothy grin, proving how he wasn't going to change his mind any time soon.

Even Xavier knew that once Adrian's mind had been made up there was no stopping or changing him. Heck, Xavier could easily relate.

"Yes. Yes I am," Adrian confirmed, nodding.

Xavier would kill him for this, but it was worth it.

"Now if you'll excuse me Xay, I have some work to do."

"I haven't dismissed you," Xavier reminded.

"Yes, but work calls," Adrian reasoned, excusing himself.

"I'll be going now, best of luck asking Madeine with that question you needed advice and answers to!" Adrian exclaimed, fully confident Madeline would steer Xavier in the right path - seeing as she was the only person who seemed to be able to have a say.

'Consider me jealous,' Adrian chuckled as he headed for his study that was not too long a walk away.

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Author's Note: Sorry for the only one chapter update today guys, but I'm not feeling too well so chapters updates will likely be slowing down.. But, once I feel better I will continue with stable updates and try doing 14 chapters a week. For now, stay tuned!