BOOK 1: FOREVER SCARRED (from BETRAYAL OF THE HEART series)

Chapter 6: Softness Beneath the Surface

Felipe walked into Damian’s office, the weight of his decision hanging heavy on his shoulders. The Beta of the pack sat behind his large desk, flipping through papers, his sharp eyes catching Felipe’s every move. Despite their friendship, Damian’s loyalty to the pack ran deep, and Felipe knew he had to tread carefully.

"Damian," Felipe began, his voice calm but firm. "I need a favor."

Damian raised an eyebrow, not bothering to look up from the papers. "A favor?" he repeated, his tone skeptical. "You know better than to ask me for one of those without a damn good reason."

Felipe sighed, knowing the conversation wasn’t going to be easy. "I want to bring someone into the pack. She’s... not from here, but she needs somewhere safe to stay."

Damian’s eyes narrowed. He finally looked up, studying Felipe with a calculating gaze. "Who is she? And why should I let her stay? You know the rules—anyone who comes into this pack must be vetted, and there are no exceptions. If she’s not one of us, she’s a liability."

"I know, Damian," Felipe replied, his voice steady but tinged with urgency. "I take full responsibility. If anything happens, it’s on me. I’ll handle any consequences that come our way. But I need her to be here. She doesn’t have anywhere else to go."

Damian leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. He was the Beta, the enforcer of pack rules, and the weight of his position was never lost on him. Still, there was something about Felipe’s desperation—something raw in his plea—that caught Damian off guard. He studied him for a moment longer, then sighed.

"Fine," Damian said reluctantly. "But if anything happens, it’s on you. You understand the punishment for bringing in someone without approval. It’s death by beheading, Felipe."

Felipe nodded, a heavy knot forming in his stomach. He didn’t flinch, didn’t let the severity of the words show on his face. "I understand. But I trust her. And I trust myself to make sure nothing goes wrong."

Damian’s eyes lingered on him for a beat longer before he finally stood and extended his hand. "Alright. She’s in, then. But you better be damn sure she’s not a threat."

Felipe shook Damian’s hand, the deal sealed. "I’ll make sure. I’ll handle everything."

As he left the office, Felipe couldn’t help but feel a weight lift off his shoulders. He’d done what he had to do to protect Margie. Now, it was time to make sure she was safe.

💥💥

Xavier leaned over Hazel, gently lifting the spoon to her lips, his gaze softening as he watched her weakly sip the broth. She had been unconscious for days, and he had stayed by her side, tending to her, ensuring she had everything she needed. He rarely showed this side of himself to anyone, especially not to Hazel—his childhood love, the one who had been by his side since the beginning. But with her, it was different. He couldn’t explain it, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to.

“Better?” Xavier asked, his voice low, almost tender. He ran his hand through her hair, his fingers brushing against her scalp.

Hazel, her eyes half-lidded from exhaustion, smiled softly. “Much better now,” she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. “Thank you for being here, Xavier.”

He hesitated, his hand pausing in her hair. The words she spoke seemed to stir something deep inside of him, something he wasn’t accustomed to feeling. He leaned down, his face inches from hers, his voice barely a whisper.

“You don’t have to thank me, Hazel. I’ll always be here for you,” he said, his words laced with an emotion he rarely allowed himself to express.

Hazel, her heart swelling with affection, rested her head against his chest, feeling his steady heartbeat beneath her ear. She snuggled closer to him, a sense of safety enveloping her as she breathed in his scent, a mixture of leather, wood, and something uniquely him.

As she closed her eyes, content to stay in his embrace, Xavier’s mind wandered to the outside world. The pack, the duties of his Alpha position—it was all there, waiting for him. But for now, with Hazel in his arms, he couldn’t bring himself to care.

💥💥

Meanwhile, Damian stood in the quiet of his office, the usual calm of the packhouse now laced with an undercurrent of tension. He mind-linked Xavier, his Alpha King, his tone respectful but firm.

“Alpha King,” Damian’s voice echoed in Xavier’s mind, pulling him from his thoughts. “There’s someone I’d like to bring into the pack. I just need your permission to approve the transfer. It’s urgent.”

Xavier’s fingers tightened around the glass of water in his hand, his jaw clenching as he processed the words. He hadn’t been expecting this, hadn’t been briefed on anyone new joining the pack. His mind immediately went into overdrive as he tried to push the thoughts of his tenderness with Hazel aside.

“Handle it, Damian,” Xavier replied, his voice cool. “Don’t disturb me unless it’s critical. You know what to do.”

Damian hesitated for a brief moment before responding, his voice carrying a touch of caution. “Understood, Alpha King. I’ll proceed with the transfer. But I wanted to be sure you were informed.”

The link cut off, and Xavier leaned back in his chair, his gaze falling on Hazel once more. He couldn’t help the frustration that simmered beneath the surface. The pack needed him, but here, with her in his arms, he found a rare peace that he wasn’t ready to let go of.

💥💥

Later that day, Felipe arrived at Margie’s apartment to help her pack. His eyes softened as he saw her gathering her things, the excitement in her eyes clear despite the quiet anxiety that lingered in her movements.

Felipe approached her, a gentle smile playing at the corners of his lips. “Need a hand?” he asked, his tone easygoing yet sincere.

Margie looked up, a blush creeping into her cheeks as she nodded. “Yes, please. I’m just so glad this is happening... I can’t believe I’m really leaving.”

Felipe chuckled softly, taking a few of her boxes. “It’s all for the better, Margie. Trust me, you’re going to love your new place. It’s secure, it’s safe, and you deserve to have something nice after everything.”

Margie’s heart fluttered at his words. There was something about Felipe that made her feel protected, cared for. She admired him more than she wanted to admit, especially since he was so kind and understanding despite everything.

Without thinking, she leaned in and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. “Thank you, Felipe,” she whispered, her voice full of emotion.

Felipe froze for a moment, the hug catching him by surprise. But then he relaxed, gently patting her back as he pulled away with a smile. “Don’t mention it. I’ll always help when I can.”

Margie felt a wave of warmth spread through her chest as she stepped back, her hands clasped together nervously. “I’m just... so relieved. I can’t wait to start fresh. Thank you for everything.”

Felipe nodded, his expression serious, but there was a softness in his eyes as he gazed at her. “You’re welcome. You’ve been through a lot, Margie. You deserve all the happiness that comes your way.”

Later, Felipe drove Margie to the most secure real estate in the pack, the luxurious apartment complex that was now hers. The building was a stark contrast to the apartment she had just left behind—gleaming glass windows, sleek design, and high-end security.

Felipe parked the car, and Margie’s breath caught in her throat. “This is... mine?” she asked, her voice tinged with awe.

Felipe opened the door and motioned for her to follow. “Yup, all yours. Take your time settling in. You won’t have to worry about anything here.”

Margie’s mind raced as she stepped inside, feeling like she had stepped into a dream. The apartment was spacious and elegant, with floor-to-ceiling windows that revealed a stunning view of the surrounding landscape. It was everything she had ever wanted—and more.

As she unpacked her things, she felt a sense of relief flood through her. This was a new chapter, a new beginning. She had a safe place to call home.

Felipe, seeing how content Margie was, gave her a reassuring smile before leaving her to settle in. “Rest up. I’ll be in my cabin if you need anything,” he said, his voice warm but brief.

Margie smiled gratefully at him as he left. She was overwhelmed with a mix of emotions, but one thing was clear—Felipe had made sure she was taken care of, and she was forever grateful. Little did she know, as she unpacked and settled into her new home, that the ties between her and Felipe were only just beginning to grow stronger, in ways neither of them could have predicted.