ISABELLA'S POV
I stood frozen in my spot, my breath catching in my throat as Xavier made his sudden arrival. Before I knew it, he and Raymond were already standing face-to-face. They didn’t differ much in height or build, but Xavier emanated an undeniable sense of authority, the kind only an Alpha could command.
Raymond, however, didn’t flinch. He wasn’t easily intimidated, least of all by someone who wasn’t his Alpha. Yet, there was a tension between them, thick and palpable, as if a single wrong move would set them off. Both men looked like they were on the verge of a fight.
Raymond’s eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Xavier, while Xavier met his gaze with a cold, unyielding firmness.
My heart hammered in my chest, the tension twisting my stomach into knots. I shot up from my seat, fea
