Danielle's POV
The dining room was an elegant masterpiece, the kind of room that belonged in a magazine spread. The chandelier above cast a soft, warm glow over the table, which was set with fine china and an array of food that looked more like an artful display than a meal. Yet, despite the beauty surrounding me, I felt a tight knot of anxiety twisting in my stomach, making it impossible to enjoy the evening.
Patrick had ushered us in with a practiced smile, the kind that didn't quite reach his eyes. His demeanor was as polished as the silverware he had meticulously arranged on the table. Xavier, freshly showered and dressed in his usual composed manner, looked every bit the Alpha—powerful, unruffled, and seemingly oblivious to the storm of emotions swirling around the room.
But Ashley... Ashley was a storm brewing. Throughout the meal, she had been unnervingly quiet, her fork idly pushing food around her plate. The tension radiating from her was palpable, and I tried to keep my head down, focusing on the meal before me. I silently prayed the evening would pass without incident, but the sense of foreboding told me that was a foolish hope.
"So, Danielle," Ashley's voice sliced through the silence, sounding deceptively sweet. "how does it feel to be the center of all this attention?, I'm sure you're not used to it."
I looked up, startled by the sharpness beneath her words. "I… I'm not sure what you mean." I replied, trying my best to avoid any conflict.
" Ashley... I think we're all very tired at the moment, I don't think you're cruel antic's would do anyone any good right now" Xavier intervened, his voice sounding stern with a hint of warning.
"Oh come on, Xavier, can't you see" she pressed, not seeming to care for Xavier's words, her tone dripping with faux concern. "This must be such a huge change for her. Going from being a nobody to suddenly being the star of the show. It must be too overwhelming for someone as pathetic as herself to handle, don't you think "
Her words were a blow, delivered with the precision of a seasoned fighter. I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment, each word stinging more than I wanted to admit. "I didn't ask for any of this," I murmured, barely able to get the words out.
Ashley laughed, a sharp, cruel sound that echoed around the room. "Of course, you didn't. Poor little Danielle, always the victim. But look at you now, sitting here like you actually belong."
" Don't think for a moment that you actually deserve to be here.."
" Ashley that's enough!" Xavier growled at Ashley yet she still didn't stop, as if to unwilling to do so.
" Just remember that you'll always remain the same old weak, useless and cowardly little pup you've always been " Ashley's words kept stabbing into my heart with every sentence.
Each insult felt like a dagger, each one piercing deeper than the last. I could feel the tears welling up, threatening to spill over. The room felt like it was closing in on me, the air growing too thick to breathe.
"I… I'm sorry," I stammered, pushing my chair back and standing up on unsteady legs. My tears already threatening to stream down my glossy cheeks at any moment. "I need to go."
Without waiting for anyone to stop me, I fled the dining room, the tears spilling over as I rushed through the dimly lit corridors.
" Danielle! " I heard Xavier call out to mr from behind but I just couldn't stop myself, I was hurt, hurt by Ashley's cruel and hurtful words and I just wanted to be alone right now.
I didn't know where I was going, only that I needed to be far away from the cutting cruelty of Ashley's words.
It wasn't long before I found myself in a small alcove, the moonlight streaming through the window casting a gentle glow on the cold stone floor. I sank down by the window, hugging my knees to my chest, my gaze fixed on the radiant moon outside. Its soft, ethereal light offered a small measure of comfort amidst the chaos in my mind.
I didn't know how long I sat there, lost in the quiet beauty of the night, before I heard the soft sound of footsteps approaching. I tensed, half-expecting Ashley to come twist the knife further, but when I looked up, it was Xavier. His expression was softer now, the hard lines of tension that had marred his face earlier were gone.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly, his voice filled with genuine regret. "I should have handled that better."
I quickly wiped away my tears, shaking my head. "It's not your fault. Ashley was… she was just—"
"Out of line," Xavier interjected, his tone firm. "And I won't let her treat you like that. Not ever again." He added, His words sounding so protective and resolute, touched something deep within me. I nodded slightly, and he took it as an invitation to sit down beside me on the cold stone floor, our shoulders almost touching.
"I don't understand why she hates me so much," I confessed, my voice trembling. "I've never done anything to her."
"She's angry," Xavier replied, his voice tinged with frustration. "But that doesn't excuse her behavior." My heart tensed up when I heard him growl subconsciously.
I turned silent for a moment, staring out at the glowing surface of the moon. It reminded me of a memory, one I hadn't thought about in years. "There was someone, once," I began hesitantly, "who stood up for me like you did tonight. It was years ago, in school. You see, I was always the quiet one, the easy target. But this girl… she... she wasn't like me. She was strong, confident. And when the others started picking on me, she stepped in. She didn't have to, but she did."
" Oh?, what a noble thing to do "
Xavier listened intently, his gaze never leaving mine. "Am curious as to why I haven't seen her before, What happened to her?"
" Well... unfortunately, She moved away," I said, a small smile tugging at my lips as I remembered. "But I never forgot what she did for me. That's why tonight meant so much. You didn't have to stand up for me either nor did you need to come running after me yet here you are." I snickered at the thought, before I knew it, I found myself leaning against him.
" I can't tell you how much that means to me "
Xavier reached out, his hand covering mine with a warmth that sent a comforting shiver down my spine. "You don't have to thank me, Danielle. I'll always be here for you. No one will ever hurt you like that again."
I nodded, too choked up to speak. We sat there in comfortable silence, the only sound in our midst being the distant rustle of leaves in the wind and the soft, rhythmic beating of our hearts, as the moon continued its silent watch over us.