Xavier's POV
I have found my mate...at long last.
The only problem now was Ember. She stood in front of me, arms crossed, her expression unreadable - but her eyes… her eyes burned.
"You marked her?" she asked quietly. Too quietly.
I exhaled slowly. "You already know the answer to that."
Her jaw tightened. "No. I want to hear you say it."
Silence stretched between us.
"I did."
Her expression faltered just for a second.
"So what am I now?" Her voice cracked despite her effort to hold it steady. "What does that make me to you?"
Nothing.
The word sat at the back of my throat, but I didn't say it.
"I made it clear, Ember," I said instead, my tone colder now. "You are not my mate."
The slap came fast. Sharp. Loud. My head barely moved, but the sting lingered. For a second, neither of us spoke. Then I moved. My hand wrapped around her throat, pushing her back just enough to remind her without effort who she was dealing with. Her breath hitched, but she didn't look away. Her eyes flared, orange bleeding through as her claws pressed against my arm.
"You feel that?" I murmured, leaning closer. "That difference between us?"
She struggled, but it was useless. I released her. She stumbled back, clutching her neck, her breathing uneven.
"I am still your Alpha, Ember," I said calmly. "Do not mistake my patience for weakness."
She let out a breathless laugh, her fingers still curled around her throat.
"Your patience?" she repeated, her voice rough. "Is that what you call it now?"
I said nothing. Her eyes searched my face - angry, hurt… and something sharper beneath it.
"You marked her," she continued, taking a slow step closer despite everything. "You didn't hesitate. Not even for a second."
Her gaze dropped briefly to my chest, to where the bond would be felt—before snapping back up.
"And you expect me to just stand here and accept it?" Her lip curled faintly. "Did you even love me?"
"Stay away from her." A low growl escaped my throat. "I told you not to expect more from me."
Before she could respond, footsteps approached. Fast. Urgent. A guard stopped at the entrance, bowing his head slightly.
"Alpha… she's awake."
Ember stormed out of the room, shoving the guard aside as she passed.
"Get the others. Lock her in her room. Do not open it until I say so," I ordered. The guard bowed and sprinted off. I followed Ember, already calculating her trajectory. She was fast—faster than most, but never faster than an Alpha.
By the time she reached the door, she had already shifted, claws gleaming. In a single motion, I scooped Mia from the bed, just ahead of Ember's teeth.
"What—what is happening?" Mia's voice trembled as consciousness returned.
"You're safe," I said, tightening my hold. "Nothing will touch you."
The guards poured into the room, silver-tipped weapons aimed at Ember. She snarled, retreating as the bullets struck her limbs. Amidst the chaos, her growls echoing, I turned and walked out, keeping Mia close.
*********************
"How are you feeling?" I asked, though it was not the best question at the moment. "It has been an hour. Are you still going to resist me?"
She shuddered, tightening the grip on the blanket. Her eyes were blood-shut. Sweat dripped down her face like drops of rain. She had lost a noticeable amount of weight in just two hours since I marked her.
"This is not working." I said to my Beta, beside me. "Why wouldn't she listen to me. Does she wish to die?"
"Maybe try going closer?" He suggested. I shot him a glare. The last time I was close to her, she had almost ripped off my ears. "Are you perhaps...scared, Alpha?"
"And why would I be scared of a mere human?"
"She's not just any human. She is the Luna. And I'm afraid she might be your only weakness. "
My frown deepened. "I am aware, Sylus." He bowed slightly.
"Do I leave you both alone then?"
I almost protested, but I had to remind myself I am an Alpha. What could possibly harm me. I nod, and he leaves the room immediately.
I hated the sight of her like this. A part of me hated the process of marking a mate. This wasn't the life I wanted to live. My eyes returned to her, and I took a step closer.
Her eyes flickered to my direction, her body still stiff and unmoving.
"Mia...allow me help you...please"
"Do not come close to me," she snapped.
I could see the pain in her eyes. Then suddenly, she screamed—clutching her head as her body tensed.
The bond.
If she kept resisting it like this, it would kill her. I crossed the distance between us in an instant, wrapping my arms around her before she could collapse. She thrashed against me, fighting with what little strength she had left, her fists striking my chest again and again. Then slowly… she began to relax. Her screams broke into sobs.
"I hate you… all of you," she cried, her voice shaking. "Stay away from me. Just go!"
Her fingers curled tightly into my shirt, gripping it like she didn't even realize she was doing it. I stilled.
"I hate you," she whispered again, burying her face against my chest. "Why wouldn't you just kill me? Do you prefer to torture me?"
My hand moved to her hair before I could stop myself, gently brushing through it. She didn't let go. Not immediately. Minutes passed before her grip finally loosened. Carefully, she eased herself back onto the bed, pulling the blanket over her body.
"I'm—" The word caught in my throat.
I stopped. Her eyes were open but distant, fixed on something beyond the window. Empty.
"Get out," she mumbled.
"Mia, I—"
"Get out!" she screamed, throwing a pillow at me. "I don't want to see you around me again."
My jaw tightened. A sharp pressure built in my chest—unfamiliar… unwelcome.
Rejected.
The word settled heavily. I said nothing more. I turned and walked out, closing the door behind me. The moment it shut, I slid down against it, dragging a hand over my face. Her quiet sobs still echoed from the other side. I couldn't leave her like that. And yet… I had no idea how to fix this. Silence stretched. Eventually, the sobbing faded. I waited longer, just to be sure. Then I pushed myself up and headed back to my chambers.
The door opened, and there she was.
Ember.
Sitting in my chair, legs crossed like she owned the space.
"She rejected you," she said.
I didn't respond. I pulled my shirt off, tossing it aside. Those useless guards.
"You poor thing," she added softly, rising to her feet. I ignored her. She moved behind me, her arms slipping around my torso.
"What are you doing, Ember?" I asked, keeping my voice level.
"Don't pretend," she murmured. "I know you still have a soft spot for me."
She stepped in front of me then—And that was when I noticed what she was wearing. Minimal. Intentional.
"If your plan is to seduce me, it isn't working," I said, walking past her and taking my seat.
"I haven't done anything yet," she replied, a smirk tugging at her lips as she moved closer. "And you already see it that way?"
My eyes lifted to meet hers. She climbed onto the desk, placing her legs on either side of my thigh.
"I'm still the best you'll ever have," she said quietly.
"Ember, I'm not in the mood for this."
"Yet you're entertaining it."
Her hand dropped onto my shoulder, her nails dragging slowly across the scar there.
"Forgive me for my… behaviour earlier," she added softly. "Let me make it up to you."
"You're forgiven," I said, gripping her waist and lifting her off the desk, placing her back on the floor. "There's no need for anything else."
For a brief second, something flickered across her face.
Then it was gone.
"I am carrying your child, Alpha."