The Alpha Lord's Weakness

Chapter one

Xavier's pov

The car sped down the asphalt, the wind whipping through my hair.

"Change the meeting schedules, I'll be taking a flight to Miami, let it hold there!" My voice commanded, and my assistant scribbled my orders with zeal fueled by efficiency.

"Sir, I've booked a room at the hotel closer to your destination in Miami. The flight is exactly at 7:30 in the morning, your pilot will be all set for you." She enunciated, raising her gaze.

I groaned slowly instead of a reply, rubbing my left temple — as though I was trying to soothe an imaginary headache. Ah, I hate that I'm going to Miami, but I have to for the reasons behind it.

I was betrothed to someone I haven't even met and now, I have to get married to her to strengthen the bond between the two families.

I stared at the picture on my phone, my brows slightly raised. "Blonde hair. Bright blue eyes, and red lips." I mumbled under my breath. She was pretty — at least, she was accepted, but there was something else.

She wasn't my mate!

All hell would let loose for sure if I ended up getting married to her and finding my mate afterward. Such a drama isn't a sight to behold — and I despise dramas as well…

A soft sigh escaped my lips as I leaned my head lazily onto the car's seat. At that moment, there was an auction being held in South Carolina and I had to be there.

The priceless jewel in the pack was stolen. The red beryl. We got information that it would be sold here and that's the reason why I'm here in such a town. Not that South Carolina is that bad as a city — it's not just my type of living environment.

The red beryl stands like an heirloom in the alpha's household, being the gemstones passed down by the late Luna's of the pack for a couple of generations — if not half a millennium.

"Don't fret too much, sir." Julie uttered, her tone drawling as her gaze locked on mine. "We'll get the gem back." I could only give her a short nod and looked away.

Julie is certainly a beautiful woman who has her eyes on me, and tries to throw herself at me, but I wasn't even that type of man — I don't tolerate mixing work with personal pleasure.

"We're here, sir!" The chauffeur announced, disrupting my thoughts.

It was an auction house. Nestled in the heart of South Carolina, it stood as the epitome of luxury and refinement. Its grand facade, an exquisite example of classical architecture.

I took in the tall, stately columns that framed the entrance, each intricately detailed and polished to perfection. Above, the name "Carrie's" gleamed in elegant lettering.

Large French windows stood out, their panes sparkling in the sunlight, offering tantalizing glimpses of the wonderful jewels inside. The grounds were meticulously maintained, with manicured hedges and blooming flowers lining the pathway to the door.

Julie hopped out of the car after me, and immediately, she let out a gasp at the sight of the auction; fazed by the sight of its outstanding beauty. It's agreeable that the auction house was a great standard, but it can't be compared to the one at Denver.

I saw Patrick, my beta, trudging up to me and smiled. "Took you so long, Xavier!" He gave me a friendly pat on the shoulder and nodded his head in acknowledgment to Julie, who blushed slightly.

I scoffed, slightly irritated. What else could I have done? Any man that gave her attention would be graced with her undivided attention. I technically don't need a woman like Julie who wouldn't take just an hour to replace me quickly.

"Any information on the perpetrator?" I asked as I slipped my hands into my crisp suit pocket. "Did you manage to get something about him?"

Ladies openly ogled me as they passed beside me and into the auction house. I didn't spare them a glance.

"Yes, Xavier." Patrick nodded, confirming his words. "One thing is sure, he's a member of the River pack."

Anger surged through me at the mention of the ‘River pack’. The Silver pack, my pack, and the River pack have been enemies for centuries now.

The fact that the River pack is inferior compared to The Silver isn't something that would change. And now they've committed a great offense by not only stealing one of our family's heirlooms but also trying to sell it out!

I made my way inside the auction house, my eyes immediately catching the breathtaking interior. They had spared no detail; expensive paintings lined the walls, and rare artifacts were meticulously arranged. I couldn't help but commend them for that level of detail and show of grandeur.

I approached the registration desk and collected my number: 021.

As I glanced around, it became clear I wasn't the only one with an interest in the red beryl today. The room was filled with a mixture of seasoned collectors and wealthy newcomers, each hoping to walk away with a prized gemstone.

But there isn't a chance in the world I'll let that happen.

Entering the bidding room at the far end of the building, we positioned ourselves carefully, scanning the room for familiar faces.

Patrick nudged me, snapping me of my train of concentration. "That's him there, blonde hair, and pale freckled skin." He said, pointing discreetly.

I whipped my head in the indicated direction, and there he was.

The man in question was smiling sheepishly at everyone around him, looking like he had just struck gold. His demeanor was relaxed, almost casual, yet there was a glint in his eye that hinted at a deeper determination.

Silly psychotic man!

I couldn't help but swear.

That man had some serious guts!

Soon enough, the auction started. The auctioneer, an impeccably dressed man with a commanding presence, took his place at the podium. His voice boomed through the room, clear and authoritative.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to today’s auction. We have a rare and exquisite selection for you, starting with the highly anticipated red beryl. Let’s begin the bidding at $300,000!”

Hands shot up around the room, numbers held high. “Three hundred thousand, do I hear three fifty?” the auctioneer called out. “Three fifty, four hundred, four fifty, five hundred...”

The numbers continued to climb rapidly. “One million, one point one, one point two...”

Designated numbers began to rise and finally stopped at $1.5 million. The room fell silent as no one seemed willing to go higher. They were done having fun. Now is my turn.

I slammed my hand on the table, drawing everyone's attention, and raised my number. “Three million dollars!” I declared.

A collective gasp filled the air. The auctioneer, clearly surprised but maintaining his composure, exclaimed, “Three million dollars! Going once, going twice... sold, sold, sold!”

The gavel came down with a definitive thud, sealing the deal. My eyes immediately collided with that backstabbing man across the room. His smug smile had vanished, replaced by a look of shock and anger.

The red beryl was mine, and the stakes had just been raised.

Smiling to myself, I walked to the front to sign the necessary documents and the instant the beryl was in my hands I glared at the blonde man. He wouldn't be able to get away from this act and its punishment.

After receiving my congratulations and everything, I headed back to the hotel room that Julie had already checked out.

My mind wasn't ready for the marriage, but I hope we'll get along.