Alpha King's Gifted Mate

Chapter Nine

Xavier’s POV

Everything seemed to stand still as I watched her shift before my eyes. She transformed into the most beautiful, majestic wolf I had ever seen. My mate—the one I never thought I would have—was now beaten and bruised, having entered my territory without any warning. And now, here she was, her form morphing into a wolf in front of me.

I saw the fear flash across her face before she even realized it. When she checked her body and saw that she was no longer human, my heart sank. I had never told her about my nature, mainly to protect her from my world and, if I were honest, for selfish reasons.

Then, in an unexpected burst of panic, she shoved me away, sending me crashing into the nearby wall with such force that, had I been human, I would have surely broken something. I quickly mind-linked my beta, Logan, and my sister, Piper, urging them to chase after her before she vanished into the night. They were confused, my abrupt message leaving them with more questions than answers.

How could I have failed to sense that she was a wolf? Her scent had felt peculiar, but I had dismissed it, attributing it to wherever she had come from.

Regaining my composure, I shifted into my wolf form and raced after her. My heart pounded with hope, praying she wouldn’t cross the border. I caught sight of Logan’s light brown wolf, lean and swift, and my sister’s smaller black wolf with a hint of brown at her sides. Logan was the fastest in our community, capable of matching the speed of vampires if he chose. Piper, though small, was a force to be reckoned with; she could incapacitate a giant before they even knew what hit them.

Together, we sprinted at full speed toward my mate, my heart racing as I fought against the fear of losing her again. Just then, like a scene frozen in time, she halted abruptly, staring intently at a spot on the ground as if it held the answers to her turmoil.

“Stop!” I barked, motioning for Logan and Piper to halt. I didn’t want anyone tackling my mate in her state.

And then I heard it—the sickening sound of snapping bones. My heart shattered with each crack I heard. I mind-linked someone to fetch a towel quickly and rushed toward her as she shifted back into her human form.

She looked ethereal as she transformed, light cascading around her, her eyes glowing a pure, brilliant white. Her golden skin shimmered in the twilight, and the brightness was so overwhelming that my pack members shielded their eyes while I soaked in her glory. She was an angel—no, *the* angel, blessing us with her light.

The radiance drew me in, a beacon that had always kept me from spiraling into darkness. I moved closer, just in time to catch her as she collapsed, the stress of the day overwhelming her.

Her eyes fluttered open, a weak but warm smile gracing her lips. “I missed you, ZuZu.”

My heart raced at the sound of that name, a term of endearment she had given me long ago. Memories flooded back—her laughter, her playful spirit, the way her eyes sparkled when she teased me. Those moments had been locked away, buried under layers of grief and regret.

Now, knowing why she had left in the first place, an indescribable rage coursed through my veins—rage at my parents for meddling, at her for not fighting, and most of all, at myself for failing to stand by her side.

A towel was passed to me, and I wrapped her up tightly, cradling her in my arms as I carried her bridal style toward my cottage at the edge of the village, closest to the forest. Being the Alpha King came with its own set of burdens, but sometimes all I wanted was to be alone, free from the endless stream of responsibilities and the constant demands of my position.

I grew up in a sprawling mansion—more of a castle, really—its grandeur towering over the town. The house had seen centuries of history, but I had long stopped thinking of it as a home. My father had wielded power with an iron fist, instilling fear in the people and, at one time, in me. That fear had transformed into a deep-rooted rage over the years.

Especially after I shifted too early in life, which had forced responsibilities upon me that I was ill-prepared to handle. My sister had gone off to training, and Logan had been just another wolf in the pack. Silvia had been my lifeline then, the one bright spot in my chaotic world—and she had left.

As I approached my cottage, Logan opened the door for me, while Piper trailed close behind, her worry for Silvia palpable. She bombarded me with questions, but I had no answers to give. All I could think about was the state of my mate, the bruises on her body, and the turmoil in her heart.

I remembered the days when we were carefree, laughing and playing without a care in the world. Now we were burdened with responsibilities and misunderstandings that hung like a heavy fog between us. Silvia had faced hardships I could only imagine, and the evidence was etched into her very being.

What if she left again? What if I couldn’t heal from it this time? I wouldn’t let that happen. I was willing to fight tooth and nail for just one more moment of her smile.

I brushed my lips against her forehead, hoping she could feel the love I had for her. I missed her more than words could express, and I knew she would be furious with me when she woke up.

But first, I needed her to wake up so we could talk.

Right now, however, I had other matters to address. I had a future to secure, answers to uncover, and enemies to eliminate. No one touches my mate without facing the consequences.