MIA'S POV
A knock sounded on the door, pulling me from my thoughts.
I didn't respond.
Whoever it was would come in anyway.
A few seconds later, the door opened. Xavier stepped in and shut it quietly behind him.
"Can we talk? Please?"
I ignored him, focusing on the embroidery in my hands. I saw no reason to speak to him. His presence alone unsettled me.
He cleared his throat and dragged a chair closer, sitting down with his elbows resting on his knees.
"Mia—"
Hearing my name from his lips made me pause. My eyes flickered briefly in his direction before I forced myself to continue.
"I've been thinking," he said slowly. "There's something you mentioned… when you first arrived."
Silence.
"Your parents—"
I froze.
"I'm not responsible for their deaths," he continued. "Neither is my pack."
"Please leave," I muttered, my voice low.
"Just listen to me, Mia. I know your parents were killed in a werewolf attack… but it wasn't us."
My fingers tightened around the fabric before I dropped it entirely, dragging my hands through my hair and covering my face.
"Stop," I whispered.
"There's more," he said. "You being here… it was always meant to happen. Just not like this."
I slowly looked up at him, confusion creeping in.
"My father knew your parents," he continued. "He saved them once—from a vampire attack."
My brows furrowed.
"You're not making any sense."
"You're my betrothed, Mia."
My breath caught.
He reached for my hand, his fingers wrapping gently around mine.
Warmth spread through me—unexpected and unfamiliar.
I let it linger… just for a moment.
Then I pulled away.
"Did your parents ever tell you?" he asked quietly.
"No," I replied, shaking my head. "And I don't believe you. You're just saying things to make me fall for you."
A bitter laugh escaped me.
"Betrothed? My parents would never give me to a… beast."
The word slipped out before I could stop it.
Silence filled the room.
Then—
"Why are you so full of hatred?" he asked.
The question hit deeper than I expected.
My eyes burned.
Tears gathered before I could stop them, spilling down my cheeks.
"I didn't mean it like that," he added quickly. "I'm sorry."
I nodded faintly, unable to speak.
Then I stood and walked straight into the bathroom, shutting the door behind me.
I slid down against the door, the weight of everything crashing over me all at once.
"I'm sorry, baby… I wish you had met him sooner."
My mother's last words echoed in my head.
A sob tore through me.
Years of learning to hate werewolves… and now I was expected to live among them. Not just live—but trust them.
Trust him.
Where do I even begin?
Am I really full of hatred?
That's not what my mother would have wanted.
I wiped my tears roughly and pushed myself to my feet, staring at my reflection.
"I don't even know what's real anymore," I whispered. "I'm just… existing."
Taking a shaky breath, I opened the door.
He was still there.
Leaning against the window.
Watching me.
"I'm not who you think I am, Mia," Xavier said quietly. "I can be whatever you need me to be. I'm not a monster."
His voice softened.
"It's not a choice… being a werewolf. It's a curse. One that's been in my family for generations."
For the first time since I met him… I really looked at him.
Not as a werewolf.
Not as the enemy.
Just… him.
My gaze lingered on his eyes, searching for something—anything—that would prove him wrong.
But instead…
Something inside me shifted.
A strange pull.
A quiet, unsettling connection.
I looked away quickly.
"You felt that too," he said immediately.
My head snapped back toward him.
I opened my mouth to deny it—
But no words came out.
"I just… need time," I said softly.
He didn't argue.
"Alright," he replied. "Take all the time you need."
He turned to leave.
I reached out instinctively, my fingers catching his sleeve.
"The pain…" I murmured, avoiding his gaze. "Will it keep happening?"
His expression softened.
"No," he said gently. "Not when I'm near you."
A pause.
"And I always will be."
I nodded slowly and let go.
He left.
Silence filled the room.
I moved to the window, wrapping my arms around myself as I stared outside.
Just give me time, Momma…
This is too much.
A few minutes later, the door burst open.
I turned sharply.
Ember.
"What do you want?" I snapped.
She didn't answer.
Instead, she grabbed a cup of water from the desk and flung it at my face.
I gasped, wiping it away with my sleeve.
"You still don't understand, do you?" she said coldly, letting the cup fall. It shattered against the floor.
"You don't belong here. No matter what he tells you."
"Are you insane?!"
A smile curled on her lips.
"I am," she said softly. "In case you haven't noticed."
Before I could react, she grabbed a fistful of my hair, yanking my head back.
"Ahh—let go of me!"
Her grip tightened.
"I want to rip your head off," she hissed. "Do you understand that?"
My heart pounded violently.
"I'm carrying the Alpha's child," she continued. "You should know what that means."
Her voice dropped, deadly.
"The only reason you're still alive… is because of Xavier."
She shoved my head back, releasing me.
"If you cross my path again…" she added, stepping back, "pray you live long enough to regret it."
She stormed out.
I stood there, trembling.
My chest rose and fell rapidly as I tried to steady my breathing.
I can't do this.
I can't live here.
Not like this.
My fingers curled into fists.
One of us has to die.