Chapter 101: BROODING

“Don’t be upset, Xina,” Archer said, sitting down beside her, his eyes softening as he glanced at her slightly disheveled hair. “No matter what he says, Canan will still stand in front of you to protect you from harm.” Xina let out a dry chuckle. “Of course, he will. Because I’m his king’s mate.” There was a clear note of skepticism in her voice. “If I weren’t Gary’s mate, none of you would care about me.” “If you weren’t the king’s mate, we wouldn’t even have crossed paths,” Archer replied with a grin. Xina sighed. He was right. If it weren’t for Gary, she’d never have met Archer or his manipulative older brother, Canan. Her life would’ve been entirely different, likely filled with struggle. She would probably still be under the control of the Websters, dealing with the fallout of their lies and deceit. She might even be stuck in a marriage to one of Greg's odious friends, living a life far removed from the one she found herself in now. If Gary hadn’t entered her world, she might