Xavier's POV
The tip of my pen tapped against the paper in a relentless rhythm, splattering ink everywhere as the clock ticked in a maddening cadence. The old man in front of me droned on about some obscure issue I didn't care to understand, his hands flailing in animated gestures that only intensified my growing headache. This was just one of the many burdens I needed to resolve before next week.
"Alpha, you can't make that decision without consulting the council first!" he exclaimed, his voice rising like the storm clouds gathering outside. His passion was commendable, but his ignorance was infuriating.
I sighed heavily, trying to drown out the cacophony of voices in my head. Images of a girl I once knew flickered through my mind, summoned by my wolf, who was growing increasingly restless.
'Still sulking?' I mused, feeling the agitation reverberate within me.
Silence.
It's a strange thing, talking to an inner voice that feels as real as my own. Most would call it madness, but I knew better.
I forced my focus back to the meeting, the old man still lecturing me about alliances and strategic partnerships, as if I were a child who needed to be taught how to play a game I had already mastered.
In truth, I had put up with these council members, their condescending gazes and patronizing tones, because I believed their experience would guide me. But it had become a cage, and I was the wolf pacing within it.
A low growl escaped my lips as the man dared to mention my father. The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly; my power pressed against them like a tangible force. I could feel their fear, their uncertainty, and it fueled my resolve.
"My father made me Alpha King because he saw my capability. I've proven myself time and time again, yet you all still doubt me," I declared, my voice steady but laced with an undercurrent of fury. "If you think you could do better, then step up and challenge me. But you won't, because deep down, you know I'm the Alpha King, not a puppet for your whims."
Gasps filled the room, the air thick with tension as my presence stifled their bravado. I had earned my reputation as a silent killer, a force to be reckoned with, and they were wise enough to recognize that.
"But I know…" I continued, my tone softening just enough to disarm them, "Your spineless self wouldn't dare; you can't even use your son because he'd be crushed in seconds. You will respect my authority, and you will follow my lead, for I am Alpha King."
The council members exchanged glances, their confidence evaporating under my gaze. I turned on my heel, my wolf screaming for release, the weight of my duties pressing heavily on my shoulders. I needed to run, to feel the earth beneath my paws and the wind in my fur.
With a swift motion, I shifted, allowing my wolf to take over. Freedom flooded through me, a burst of primal energy coursing as I dashed into the wild. The forest enveloped me, a sanctuary where the burdens of rulership faded into the background.
My wolf took off, relishing in the freedom of the hunt, darting through trees and leaping over fallen logs. It had been too long since I'd allowed him to run free, and he relished every moment, rolling in the mud and splashing through streams.
But even in the thrill of the run, I sensed something—an intoxicating scent that wrapped around me like a lover's embrace. It was distant yet alluring, a combination of cherries and snow that stirred something deep within me.
'Alpha, she's awake,' my wolf murmured, excitement bubbling beneath the surface.
My heart quickened. What was this scent? It felt like home, like the missing piece of my soul that I had long resigned myself to never finding.
I didn't realize I had been running towards the clinic until Logan's voice broke through my haze.
"Alpha! Alpha! Xuxu!" He called, urgency lacing his tone. I snapped my head to him, an irritated growl escaping my lips.
"Must you always scream my name?" I huffed, shaking off the remnants of my run.
"Sorry, sorry," he laughed, dodging my half-hearted glare. "But you'll want to brace yourself; it's someone you knew a long time ago."
A spark of hope ignited in my chest, flickering dangerously close to fear. I took a step closer, the scent of cherries and snow intensifying with every heartbeat.
"Who is it?" I demanded, urgency spilling over into my voice. The closer we got, the stronger the scent became, a siren call that tugged at my very essence.
Logan hesitated, his expression shifting from playful to serious. "It's her, the one from your past."
Panic and anticipation collided within me as I neared the clinic door. I had searched for her, longed for her, and yet here I was, caught off guard by the prospect of seeing her again. My wolf howled in delight, a sound echoing through my bones.
"Are you coming in or what?" Logan teased, a glint of mischief in his eyes.
With a deep breath, I stepped inside, and the scent enveloped me, wrapping around my senses like a warm blanket. I felt alive, every nerve in my body igniting at the sight of her.
The long white hair cascading around her face was the final confirmation. My heart raced, hope battling with disbelief.
I approached her bedside, kneeling beside her. "This can't be real," I whispered, cradling her face in my hands.
And before I could stop myself, I pressed my lips to hers, the world around us fading into nothingness. This had to be the cruelest of jokes, a twist of fate I never saw coming.