XAVIER'S POV
"How is she?" A masculine voice jolted me from sleep.
"Julio… what are you doing here?"
Julio?
I lifted my gaze, meeting a familiar pair of eyes. My expression hardened as I rose to my feet, facing him fully.
His eyes flicked briefly to Ember, still lying on the bed.
"Yuli," I said coldly, "who let him inside?"
"Your incompetent guards, perhaps," Yuli replied with a shrug.
My attention returned to Julio. Arrogance practically rolled off him. Julio was my stepbrother. My parents had taken him in during a hunt and raised him as one of us. Instead of gratitude, he grew up craving my position… my title.
Something he would never have.
Not without bloodshed.
"I came to see how your Luna is doing," he said calmly. "I heard she had an… accident."
His jaw tightened. He looked different. Stronger. It had been years since he left the pack.
"You came to see Ember?" Yuli stepped forward, brows furrowed. "Since when does Xavier's business concern you?"
Julio didn't even spare him a glance.
"I don't remember speaking to you, little brother," he said. "Shouldn't you be off getting high somewhere?"
A low growl rumbled from Yuli's chest.
I ignored it.
"You've been around long enough for the news to reach you quickly," I said, my gaze fixed on Julio. "Interesting."
The corner of his lips twitched.
"How have you been?" I added.
"I didn't come here for you, Xavier—"
"So what is this?" Yuli cut in sharply, pointing between them. "You and Ember? Care to explain what's going on?"
Julio opened his mouth—
But Ember stirred. Her eyes fluttered open.
"Well, perfect timing," Yuli muttered dryly, leaning against the wall.
"Ember…" Julio stepped closer, his voice softer. "What happened?"
I watched her carefully. She looked pale. Fragile. But her eyes…They weren't on me.
They were on him.
"I just… hurt my leg," she said weakly. "Nothing serious."
I narrowed my eyes.
"When did you two meet?" I asked, crossing my arms.
She glanced at me—then smiled.
"A month ago. While I was out hunting. He helped me."
She laughed softly. Too softly. There was something…off about it.
"Right," I said after a pause. "You've seen her. Time to leave."
Julio held my gaze for a moment longer than necessary.
Then—
"Ember… we'll talk later," he said quietly.
He turned and walked out. Yuli let out a short laugh.
"This is getting interesting."
Then he followed. The room fell silent.
I pulled a chair closer to the bed and sat.
"So…" I said slowly.
"You've been meeting my brother behind my back?"
She didn't hesitate.
"I wouldn't call it behind your back," she replied. "You were never interested in what I was doing."
Her gaze met mine.
"You wouldn't have cared."
I leaned back slightly, crossing my arms.
"Is that so?"
Yes, Xavier. I wouldn't lie to you."
I nodded slowly.
"You need to be more careful," I said. "Things aren't the same anymore. You're carrying a child."
Her hands instinctively moved over her stomach.
"You almost lost it."
I watched her in silence. The more I looked… the less I felt. A knock came, and the doctor stepped back into the room.
"How are you feeling?" he asked, checking the bandage on her leg.
"It's healing quickly," she replied.
He nodded. "Good. But you must be careful. You nearly lost the child."
"I understand," she said sharply, her tone edged with irritation.
The doctor gave a final nod and left. Silence settled between us.
"You should rest," I said, standing up. "And don't move around too much until you've healed."
"You're leaving?" she asked.
I scratched the back of my neck and nodded. "I have things to attend to."
Her expression darkened.
"More important than your child?"
The words should have meant something.
They didn't. The more she called it mine… the more distant it felt.
"You'll be fine, Ember."
"If you walk out of this room, Xavier…" her voice dropped, her eyes flashing a bright orange, "you'll regret it."
I stepped closer, my brows drawing together.
"Is that a threat?"
"I'm just saying."
I let out a short scoff, waving her off.
"You've been crossing the line for a while now, Ember. What exactly do you think your threats can do to me?"
Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked out.
My steps were quicker than usual. Before I knew it, I was standing in front of Mia's door. My hand rested on the handle. Something felt… off. I couldn't feel her. Not like before.
"Mia…" I called softly. "Can I come in?"
Silence.
A cold feeling settled in my chest. I pushed the door open. The room was empty.
Too quiet.
My eyes scanned the space—
The bed.
The window.
The floor. I barged into the bathroom.
Nothing.
She was gone.