10th Wife of Alpha Xavier

Chapter 3: She Has Her Mate

Ariana’s Point Of View

As I stood there, watching Xavier walk away from our mating ceremony, an overwhelming wave of embarrassment washed over me.

I felt a deep sense of longing and confusion; I hadn’t even been given the chance to discover if he was truly my mate!

The reality of the situation hit me like a ton of bricks, and I could feel the gazes of the Pack piercing into me, their judgment palpable. It was as if they were all silently questioning my worth and my connection to Xavier.

With my heart racing and a heavy weight on my shoulders, I knew I had to find a way to escape that oppressive atmosphere.

I managed to gather my thoughts long enough to approach Beta Miller and asked, “Please, do you happen to know where Alpha Xavier is?”

My voice trembled slightly, laden with unspoken sadness and uncertainty as I searched his eyes for any glimmer of hope.

When Beta Miller smirked at me, it was cryptic and almost mocking. He stepped closer, invading my personal space, and I felt an instinctual instinct to retreat.

“Do you really think he has feelings for you?” he asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

His words hit like daggers, each one cutting deeper than the last. “I’m Xavier’s uncle,” he continued coldly, “and I know what’s best for him. In his eyes, you are neither worthy nor useful.”

The contempt in his voice was palpable, and it struck a painful chord in my heart. I could feel my emotions swirling—hurt, anger, and an undeniable sense of rejection coiled tightly within me.

“What?” I managed to whisper, my voice barely audible as I struggled to process his brutal words.

He continued, “I suggest you take extra care in your actions so you don't end up the same way as his previous mates.”

There was a chilling quality to his voice, and an unmistakable warning that sent shivers down my spine.

After Beta Miller stalked away, leaving me feeling utterly disturbed and hollow, I knew I couldn't linger in that state of despair.

I needed to find Xavier; my heart was restless, demanding I search for him despite the bitter sting of the encounter.

With determination fueling me, I embarked on a quest to locate him. I wandered for what felt like an eternity, my mind racing with thoughts and emotions, until after approximately ten minutes of searching, I finally spotted him.

There he was, standing alone, completely absorbed in the beauty of the vibrant flowers surrounding him.

The sight of him brought a flicker of warmth to my heart, contrasting sharply with the coldness of the moments I had just endured.

He appeared so peaceful, so at one with the natural world, and for a fleeting moment, I felt a sense of hope blooming within me, yearning to bridge the distance between us.

A warm smile unexpectedly spread across my lips, and my heart began to race, thumping in my chest with a force that took me by surprise.

“What is going on with me?!” I asked myself, feeling overwhelmed as I tried to shake off the whirlwind of thoughts that were flooding my mind.

Just as I gathered the courage to take a step toward him and strike up a conversation, my attention was abruptly drawn to a corner of the room where I noticed a stunning woman standing there, her gaze locked on him as well.

To my astonishment, he responded to her presence with a smile, and then he made his way over to her, leaving me standing there incredulously.

In that moment, I couldn’t help but shake my head vigorously, trying desperately to convince myself that what was happening wasn’t real. The bitter reality of the situation sank in, and I felt a crushing wave of denial wash over me.

All I could do was remain hidden, a silent observer of the scene unfolding before me. My heart sank further when I witnessed her lean in and place a soft kiss on his lips.

In that moment, it felt as if a million tiny daggers had pierced my heart all at once, each one twisting deeper than the last.

I had never imagined that Xavier would reciprocate her affection in such an intimate way, but there he was, returning the kiss with a tenderness that shattered my already fragile heart.

As I watched them walk away together, a dawning realization hit me, and I felt tears begin to stream down my cheeks uncontrollably.

Overwhelmed by a wave of heartbreak and despair, I turned and ran away, desperate to escape the pain that had suddenly become so unbearable.

~~~~~~~~~~~

The sun had long set and the sky was cloaked in darkness as I found myself standing in front of a magnificent waterfall.

The sound of the rushing water echoed in the air, and although I was only a few miles away from Xavier's opulent modern palace, at that moment, the grandeur of his life felt so distant from my own reality.

Thoughts of Xavier and the infamous Omega consumed my mind, pulling me into a wave of sadness that I desperately wished to push away.

Every time I tried to convince myself that I could move on, the weight of those memories pressed down harder on my heart, making it impossible for me to ignore the turmoil within.

As I contemplated turning away, seeking solace from the overwhelming feelings, I took a step and, out of nowhere, I stumbled. In an instant, I lost my balance and fell into the frigid water of the waterfall.

Shocked and bewildered, I flailed my arms as I submerged, gasping for air. The coldness enveloped me, and in that moment of panic, I struggled to find my footing and swim towards the surface.

The horror of my past struck me like a tidal wave, crashing over me with memories I wished I could erase—the traumatic night when both my mother and I faced our punishment in those very waters.

Just the thought of it made my heart race with dread, and a wave of despair washed over me. In my mind, I could almost see the darkness creeping in as I contemplated giving up, allowing myself to sink into the depths of the water around me.

But just as I thought I would succumb to the abyss, I felt a strong hand grip me, pulling me back up from the depths.

I gasped as I broke through the surface, drowning in relief as I coughed violently, the water rushing out of my lungs.

I was alive, and the sheer realization of that fact sent a wave of gratitude flooding through me.

Overwhelmed, I could barely express my appreciation as I bowed my head repeatedly in thanks. "Thank you," I managed to whisper, my voice shaky with emotion.

"Be careful, it's okay," the person who had saved me said gently, offering me comforting words while patting my back, as if to reassure me that I was safe now. In that moment, I felt a flicker of hope among the despair I had been entangled in.

The kindness of a stranger in that moment infused me with a warmth that contrasted sharply against the coldness of the water and my lingering feelings of sadness for not just myself, but for all the pain I had endured.

The moment our gazes intertwined, an overwhelming sensation surged between us, as if an electric current had sparked to life. It was as though the universe had conspired to bring our souls together at that precise moment, and we both instinctively recognized what we were to each other.

“Mate!” we exclaimed in unison, our voices harmonious and filled with a mixture of joy and surprise.

He gently grasped my hands, pulling me toward him, and I could feel the warmth radiating from his body enveloping me in a comforting embrace.

My heart raced with exhilaration, pounding loudly in my chest as I prepared to make my exit, a sudden urge to flee coursing through me. But just then, my wolf, Charlie, intervened, his voice a deep rumble in my mind that made me pause.

“I won’t forgive you if you leave,” he cautioned, the intensity of his words striking me like a sudden gust of wind.

I glanced back at him, feeling an irresistible pull, and before I could even begin to comprehend what was happening, my lips found his in a spontaneous surge of emotion.

The kiss was unexpected yet familiar, igniting a fire deep within me. Just as I tried to regain my senses and step away, he pulled my waist gently, leaning in to place a soft kiss on my cheek.

His touch was tender, imbued with such gentleness that a rush of affection flooded over me.

I reveled in that moment, feeling as if we had been transported to an entirely different realm where nothing else mattered except for the bond that was blossoming between us.

We were entrapped in our own little universe, lost to the world around us, when he leaned closer, his breath warm against my ear as he whispered something that made my heart flutter even more.

“I want you,” he murmured, his voice filled with a longing that echoed my own desires.

Our eyes locked once more, a silent understanding passing between us. I nodded slowly, a smile creeping across my face as a wave of happiness washed over me.

Without hesitation, he lifted me off the ground, my legs instinctively wrapping around his waist as he cradled me effortlessly.

It felt so natural, so right. He began to kiss me with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine, and in that moment, time felt irrelevant as we both lost ourselves in the affection we shared, unwilling to break away from the blissful connection that enveloped us.

Just as we surrendered to the magic of the moment, an unexpected voice called out, breaking the spell that had entranced us.

“Mate!” someone shouted, and as the sound echoed, a wave of shock swept over me.

I turned in disbelief to find two figures standing not far from us, their eyes wide as they took in the scene before them, and my heart skipped a beat, caught between embarrassment and the undeniable flutter of excitement still lingering within me.