Chapter 100 - I Was Worried!

Imagine Adrian's surprise when he went looking for Briar that he stumbled upon Briar, Indiana and Madeline having lunch together. 

"What the–"

Briar recognized Adrian's voice immediately. 

"Adrian, you're back!" She exclaimed. 

Indiana looked at Madeline, giving her a questioning look. 

The look on her face asked, 'What's going on?' 

Madeline had an amused smirk on her face. 

She thought to herself, answering Indiana's question in her mind, 'Briar and Adrian are happening, that's what's going on. Nothing else needs to be said.' 

Indiana looked confused.

Since when were Beta Adrian and Briar close? 

Adrian glared at her, wondering when he gave her permission to call him Adrian in front of Madeline and Indiana. 

And anyway, what was she doing having lunch with Indiana in the first place? 

Briar seemed to have hated her last he checked, so what changed in such a short period of time?

How could her grudge possibly have ended so quickly?

Did something happen?

Adrian looked at Madeline for answers. 

Madeline shrugged. 

Indiana knew this was about her. The moment Adrian's eyes landed on Indiana, there were warning signs already. 

"I should probably leave," Indiana mumbled. 

Madeline shook her head, "There's no need."

"Stay," she insisted. 

Adrian stared at Madeline, both awe-struck and shocked. 

She wasn't the type of person to want to hold any grudges or have any enemies, so she chose to befriend Indiana. 

'Wise decision.'

Right before Adrian took his leave, Madeline caught Adrian winking at Briar. 

Her smirk turned even wider, and that was saying something since she infrequently smiled. 

"You two," Madeline said. 

She didn't think she needed to explain any further. All she had to say was those two words. 

Indiana hid a smile, slightly glad she was able to witness the entire conversation. She got to see another side of Beta Adrian she had never seen before, and that was eye-opening in itself. 

Although, what was shocking to her was how Adrian talked when in the presence of Briar and Madeline. Like they were friends. 

She doubted Briar even addressed Adrian as Beta Adrian either. 

'This is so cool,' Indiana thought. 

Even if Adrian seemingly disliked her being around Madeline and Briar, it was nice knowing Madeline wanted her to stay. 

Briar apologized, "Sorry about Adrian, he's just… He reacts poorly to these things."

Indiana stared at her incredulously. 

So, her assumptions were true. 

Madeline chuckled, "So, why did he wink at you?"

Briar furrowed her brows, wondering what she was talking about. 

"Wink at me? Adrian didn't wink at me."

"Yes, he did. Don't feign ignorance, Briar. We both saw it," Madeline said, referring to both her and Indiana. 

Indiana nodded, a smug expression on her face. 

Briar frowned. 

'I'm being ganged up on here, this is extremely unfair.' 

"I didn't notice him winking at me," Briar admitted. 

Madeline told her, "But now you know." 

She squealed, "I bet this was the first place he went the minute he returned from the hunt."

"How sweet, he immediately thought of you," Madeline mused. 

For a brief moment, she wondered where Xavier was and if he had managed to return to Eudora safely. 

And if he had, why hadn't he told her he was alright? 

Was he being considerate and refused to make a scene like Adrian did by barging in the dining room, or?

Did something else happen?

Madeline pushed her chair backwards, startling both Briar and Indiana. 

"Excuse me for a moment, I've got to go somewhere."

She had eaten a substantial portion of her meal, and she no longer felt hungry. 

Instead, she had this gnawing feeling in her stomach that wouldn't subside until she found out whether or not Xavier was okay. 

She was glad Adrian had returned safely, but what about Xavier?

'Instead of going through all this trouble, I could've asked Adrian where Xavier was,' Madeline reasoned with herself. 

'Aish. Maybe it's better if I see for myself that he's alright though. That way, I'm reassured,' Madeline continued. 

She walked up the path leading to Xavier's office, knocking on his door. 

This was the first place he'd return to after the hunt, she presumed. 

And just as she expected, Xavier opened the door, peering down at her.

"Madeline," he called. 

"What are you doing here?" He asked, sounding displeased to see her. 

Madeline couldn't care less what he sounded like, she was just relieved to see he was alright. 

"Why didn't you tell me you returned safely? I was worried!" Madeline exclaimed, resisting the growing urge to bring Xavier in a tight embrace. 

"Do you not trust me? Of course I'd return safely," Xavier said, crossing his arms. 

He furrowed his brows, "And when did you begin to worry about me?" 

Madeline lifted her nose in the air, "I worry about you all the time, I just don't show it." 

"Didn't expect that answer," Xavier remarked. 

"Tsk," Madeline said, sounding annoyed. 

"I'm fine," Xavier insisted. 

"Go, have lunch," he said. 

It was Madeline's turn to cross her arms. 

"I already had my lunch," she answered, pouting. 

"With Briar and Indiana."

Xavier was seemingly confused. 

"Indiana?" 

"How did that happen?" He asked. 

Was she invited to have lunch with Madeline and Briar? 

'What is the meaning of this? They had… lunch together?' 

'Consider me shocked,' Xavier thought. 

Madeline forgave Indiana so quickly. Then again, he doubted Madeline was upset at her in the first place. Knowing her, she wouldn't be. 

He inwardly sighed, hoping this wouldn't end in disaster and that Indiana didn't have any ill intentions against Madeline. 

Madeline nodded. 

"Yeah, I invited her for lunch."

Xavier's first question for Madeline was, 'Why would you do that?' 

Yeah, why would Madeline do such a thing? Did she want to befriend Indiana? 

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Author's Note: I can't believe it, a hundred chapters! To celebrate this book reaching one hundred chapters along with the upcoming new years, there will be another mass release for HDA which will take place on the first of January as a gift of appreciation from me to you guys.. Love you all so much, hope you guys enjoy the last Thursday of 2021, mari.