Xavier stood at the edge of the training grounds, his hands clasped behind his back, eyes fixed on the warriors sparring below, observing every move.
"Again," he said coldly.
Two wolves lunged at each other, claws clashing, teeth bared. One hesitated for a second too long.
"Stop."
The command cut through the air like a blade.
Both men froze instantly.
Xavier stepped forward slowly, his presence alone enough to make the air feel heavier.
"You hesitated," he said, his voice low but sharp.
The warrior lowered his head. "Alpha, I—"
"You hesitated," Xavier repeated, louder this time. "And hesitation gets you killed."
Silence.
The other warriors avoided his gaze.
Something wasn't right.
Not with them, with him.
"Dismissed," he said suddenly.
They didn't wait. Within seconds, the training grounds were empty.
"Still pushing them too hard."
The voice came from behind.
Xavier didn't turn. "They're not ready."
A soft laugh followed.
"And you think fear will make them ready?"
Now he turned.
Morgana stood there, dressed in white, her expression calm… too calm.
"They don't need comfort," Xavier said. "They need discipline."
"And you?" she asked, tilting her head slightly. "What do you need, Xavier?"
He didn't answer.
Her eyes studied him carefully. "You haven't been sleeping."
"I'm fine."
"Lies don't suit you."
His jaw tightened. "Say what you came to say."
Morgana stepped closer, her voice lowering. "The council is watching. Your behavior… your distance… it's being noticed."
"Let them watch."
"They already are," she said softly. "And they're beginning to question your judgment."
A pause.
"Do you question it too?" Xavier asked.
That made her stop.
"Of course not," she replied smoothly. "Everything you did… was necessary."
"Necessary."
The word echoed in his head.
"You brought danger to the pack."
"This is mercy."
His fists clenched slightly.
Morgana's gaze sharpened. "You did the right thing."
"Did I?" he asked quietly.
That caught her off guard.
Xavier turned away, walking toward the far edge of the grounds.
"She said it was a lie," he continued. "The prophecy."
Morgana's expression didn't change, but something flickered in her eyes.
"A desperate woman will say anything to survive."
"She didn't sound desperate," Xavier said. "She sounded certain."
"Certainty can be faked."
"And so can prophecies," he replied.
Then sudden silence appeared.
Before Morgana could respond, footsteps approached quickly.
"Alpha!"
A guard rushed in, breathing hard.
Xavier turned sharply. "Report."
The guard bowed quickly. "There's been movement in the eastern territories."
"What kind of movement?"
The guard hesitated. "Burn marks. Not normal ones. The trees… they're scorched from the inside out."
Xavier stilled.
"From the inside…?" he repeated.
"Yes, Alpha. And… there were bodies."
Morgana stepped forward. "Rogues?"
The guard shook his head. "No. Something else. We couldn't identify them."
Xavier's eyes darkened. "Survivors?"
"One," the guard said. "Barely alive. He kept saying the same thing before he passed out."
Xavier stepped closer. "What did he say?"
The guard swallowed.
"Fire, Just… fire."
Something shifted in Xavier's chest.
A feeling he hadn't been able to name for days.
Now it had a shape.
"You'll regret this."
Morgana scoffed lightly. "Coincidence. Nothing more."
Xavier didn't respond.
"Xavier," she said, more firmly this time. "You're letting guilt cloud your judgment. She's gone."
"No," he said quietly.
Morgana frowned. "What?"
He lifted his head slowly, his eyes colder now, sharper.
"She's not."
The words hung in the air like a threat.
Morgana's expression hardened for just a second before smoothing out again.
"You're chasing ghosts."
"Maybe," Xavier said. "Or maybe I ignored something I shouldn't have."
He turned to the guard. "Where is the survivor now?"
"In the lower quarters, Alpha."
"Good. Keep him alive."
"Yes, Alpha."
Morgana stepped closer again, her voice dropping. "And what exactly are you planning to do?"
Xavier looked at her.
Really looked this time.
As if seeing something he hadn't before.
"Find the truth."
"And if the truth destroys everything?" she asked softly.
His expression didn't change.
"Then it was never worth protecting."
Silence filled the space between them.
"Prepare a scouting unit," Xavier said, turning away. "I want the eastern territory searched again. Every inch."
"Yes, Alpha."
"And if we find anything?" the guard asked.
Xavier paused.
Just for a second.
Then his voice came out cold, final!
"Bring it to me."
Morgana watched him carefully. "And if what you find… is her?"
Xavier didn't hesitate this time.
Hi
s eyes darkened, something dangerous flickering beneath the surface.
"Then this time… I won't make the same mistake."
Morgana said nothing.
But for the first time….
She looked worried.