CHAPTER 8

"Xavian." Cily took a seat opposite Xavian, who sat with his legs crossed and his thumb rubbing his temple. "You should skip work today, I'll go in your stead." 

Xavian shook his head at her. "I've skipped two days, I can't do the same today anymore." 

"But your health is much more important. We need one more day to make sure that you're fine, besides, Poppy is coming in today. Just spend the day with her. If you feel any different and better than the last two days, then the work option will be placed again on the table." 

He visibly tensed. "Why is she coming in today?" 

"Because she's your caregiver." Cily chuckled. "I notified her that she could come back to work today, so expect her to walk in through that door any time soon." 

A groan that wasn't meant to be loud rumbled under his breath, and he sighed softly. 

"I'm curious about something though," Cily said. 

Xavian looked at her. "What?" 

"That night, what exactly triggered it?" she asked. "I mean, we've had a lot of full moons, and you're always able to control yourself, so why couldn't you this time around?" 

He shrugged slightly. "I'm not sure why, but my wolf was trying to take control from me. It was aggressive." 

Cily's brows cocked so hard, they almost hit her hairline. "How come? Is it Poppy? Did she do something?" 

Xavian stiffened for a second and snapped his gaze to his sister's face. 

"Come to think of it." She quickly got up from her seat to hurry over to him. "This loss of control has never happened to you before until she came. Do you…" 

"What?" he asked, frowning. 

Her face constricted, but she asked, "Do you…think she's your…mate?" 

"Cily—" 

"Come on, Xav, think about it. You've had a mate once before, it didn't work out, things went wrong. But you know what it's like when you meet a mate. The loss of control over your wolf is one thing, so don't you think—" 

Xavina snorted. "I didn't feel a spark with her." 

"Oh…" 

"She's not my mate," he added. "Besides, a second mate is near impossible." 

"Rare, but it does happen." Cily nodded. "If she isn't your mate, then why did your wolf wake up like that? You've had it shut down for a while, but all of a sudden—" 

"That human is not my mate, Cily," Xavian interrupted. "What happened with my wolf, I don't know. I have no idea what triggered it, and it may not even have been her." 

Cily blinked at him. "Xav—"

"Have you ever seen a matebond at first sight with no spark?"

"No, but it doesn't mean it's impossible, does it?" Cily asked. "The fact that your wolf woke to her, don't you think that means something?" 

Xavian sighed, standing up from the sofa. "I didn't feel anything for her, not a mate bond, and not a spark. Whatever is going on with my wolf will be figured out later. I need to get to work. Let's go." 

He picked up his phone and walked to the door with Cily to leave, however, as soon as the door was pulled open, a smaller frame bumped into his chest, prompting him to quickly reach out and grab the person before she could fall. 

"Poppy," Cily gasped out. "Are you okay?" 

Xavian looked down at the person he held up, and upon seeing it was his caregiver, he instinctively let go, watching as she dropped to the floor on her butt. 

"Xav!" 

Cily kicked his knee and walked over to help Poppy up to her feet. Poppy looked at him with murderous eyes, grinding out an, "Ow." 

"What are you doing here?" Xavian questioned. 

Cily slapped his arm. "I told you she was coming." Then she turned to Poppy. "Please take care of him today, I have to go to work now." 

"Cily—" Xavian started, but he was cut off by his sister, who glared at him. "You are not working today, Xav, no, not today. I'll take care of everything, so just let her check you over today. You have a conference tomorrow, please, you need to be in your best condition." 

She was begging, and the man had no choice but to begrudgingly relent. "Fine." Her face lit up, and she said to Poppy, "Please take care of him. You did such a great job last time." Then she left, leaving the two there at the door. 

"Hi," Poppy started, pulling up her professional smile. 

Darkened eyes bored into her. "Go home." And he slammed the door shut in her face. 

She pushed the door open and walked in after him. "I've had worse patients than you." 

"I'm sure you have," Xavian said in a low voice, making his way to the stairs to walk up to his room. Poppy followed after him, stopping when he did at the door. 

He raised his brows. "What are you doing?" 

"It's ten a.m, you need to take your medicine now." 

"I'll do it myself. Go downstairs, stay there, and when it's time for you to leave, go home." 

"No." 

"Nothing will be taken from your initial payment." 

"I said no." Poppy's face hardened. "Incompetence will get my license revoked." 

"You'll get a good review from me." 

"That's very sweet of you, Mr. Winslow." 

They looked at each other in silence for what seemed like an intimidatingly long minute before Xavian stepped aside, letting her in.