EPISODE 14
1265 Words
Alpha Xavier’s POV
A long queue of business partners and investors wait quietly in front of my home office. My secretaries are doing their best as usual to keep everyone calm.
Evading the crowd, I take a fast turn and head into my private chambers.
“Steven!”
The big man pauses his chess game and gets up on his feet in attention. “Alpha.”
“Private time,” I announce, “If my secretaries ask for me, tell them…”
“You're having your siesta, got it.” He concludes. “But sir?”
I look up at him. “What?”
“I’m sorry but your wife is inside.” He says, looking weary.
“Jayda? Why did you let her in?” I berate, my cortisol levels rising at once.
Steven shrugs. “She insisted and you know how Luna Jayda can be persuasive.”
I exhale loudly before walking into my chambers.
Unlike the Alphas before me who had private chefs, guards and maidens in the chamber, no one apart from myself stays in here.
When alone, I’m no Alpha, no leader, no husband. Just Xavier.
Jayda’s candy scent lingers in the hallways and as I open my bedroom door, I see her perched on my bed.
“Hi honey, took you long enough.” She smiles, walking over to me to take off my buttoned shirt. She sniffs at my chest and continues sniffing but I withdraw from her and walk into my walk-in closet.
“Did you embrace someone?” She asks from the bedroom.
“Yes, a client.” I lie, unwilling to start any drama today.
A few minutes later, I re-enter the bedroom in my pajamas. Jayda is at my desk poking around.
I clear my throat and she fidgets, turning around nervously. “You're back.”
This is more reason why I appreciate my solitude.
“You should stop putting Steve in difficult situations.” I caution, walking to the dressing mirror to take off my gold accessories.
“It was important, that's why.” She explains.
“Then spill it already.” My impatience seeps into my tone and I fold my palms to control my beastly impulse.
“It's about the Doctor.”
My eyes dart across the room to meet hers. “What about the doctor?”
She sighs and then collapses on the bed, looking solemn. “She's so sad.”
Resting on the dresser, I fold my arms. “And how do you know that?”
She scoffs. “Come on, an aging single mother in this season. Life can't get more miserable.”
I roll my eyes as I can think of a million more miserable ways life can be; my life included. “Is the Doctor complaining?”
Jayda hesitates and I tilt my head, watching her keenly.
“She doesn't even need to.” Jayda says at last. “It's all over her. Now with a sick son who may not even make it and no one to comfort her.”
An uneasy sensation settles in my guts as my mind wanders back to the Doctor and how she is crying in my arms moments ago.
“Kael will make it.” I say matter-of-factly. “I’ll ensure all the pack Doctors work on him.”
Jayda shakes her head. “His mother wouldn't allow it. She believes in equality.” She laughs and then sighs. “If not, we’d have ordered all the major doctors from the omega district to come assist.”
Dr Winter’s stubbornness is adding to my stress. She is like a rock, unshakable in her beliefs even when it comes to her own son.
It’s no wonder she's single. What man would put up with such arrogance and–?
“Honey?” Jayda’s voice raises, bringing my attention back to her. “It's like you zoned out.”
I lower my gaze to the floor and blink my eyes, trying to drown out my annoyance before I walk to meet her by the bedside.
“I’m here.” I say, holding her two hands softly.
“Please can you allow me to host a mating ceremony specially for the Doctor?” Jayda asks.
Although I’m finding it hard to believe Dr Winter is in dire need of a mate, I wonder what man would be tough enough to make her surrender her ego. Other than I, of course.
But then I’m married and happy with my mate who’s beautiful and everything I should want in a wife.
“If that's what will make you happy, then sure.” I smile and she giggles excitedly.
“The Doctor will be so pleased.” She hugs me and starts sniffing again, but I pull away from her embrace before her wolf catches the Doctor’s scent all over me.
“As long as you're sure that's what the Doctor wants, then carry on love.”
She snuggles closer to me. “So will you join me for dinner tonight and maybe we’ll end up in my room.” She kisses my jaw. “Kill off the cold.”
I pull away again. “I’m sorry but i’m tired. I’ll be going to bed early tonight.”
The smile on her face turns to a stern frown. “When did you start sleeping earlier than ten?”
“Stop it!” I snap.
She jerks in fear and I feel like hitting myself in the head for making her so scared. Maybe the scars on my skin are not enough to tame my beast. Maybe I’ll always be a beast.
I walk to her and plant a kiss on her forehead. “Some other night, we’ll have a feast.”
##################
These days I don't need an alarm clock to wake me up by ten.
I’ve gotten so used to it that my eyes open immediately the hands of the clock tick at ten pm.
Lifting the bedsheets, I get up from bed and head to the dresser. I take off my pajamas and watch my naked body under the dim glow of the lamp nearby.
Scars, both old and new, mar my skin. Most are buried under tattoos. But the tattoos can't heal the wounds or fix my broken bones underneath.
I’ll have to set a new appointment with my tattoo technician before I see Jayda’s bedroom. It's been a while since I visited my wife’s room and I know she's patient with me, but not too patient.
In a locked box under my dresser, I bring out old, faded clothes, a mask that covers half of my face, and a black cloak.
Lucky for me, it's a moonless night. It will be easier for me to navigate the streets without being noticed.
I set out with my clothes folded under my arm. With hidden doors and a path between the walls of the packhouse, I get out into the courtyard and run through the fields.
I take off my clothes and then start changing.
The night breeze is wild, promising a storm before morning.
Leaves rustle and my head turns back quickly as I hear twigs snap behind me.
I look around carefully but there's no one in sight.
“Who’s there?” I bark, slipping my mask on.
The night returns to its serene nature. I look down at my watch and see it’s past eleven. My match starts by midnight.
I groan aloud, taking a quick glance around me before running down the fields and out into the lonely streets.
- Writer
