Bella's POV
The morning sun was cruel.
Its light spilled across the training field, sharp and bright, as if the world itself had decided to ignore what had happened last night.
And Xavier — he was worse than the sun.
He stood in the center of the arena, hands behind his back, expression carved from stone. The Alpha mask was back on, cold and unreadable. Not a flicker of warmth, not a trace of the man who'd kissed me and whispered against my skin.
"Late again," he said, voice flat.
"I—"
"Save it. Pick up the blade."
The sound of metal hitting the ground was louder than my heartbeat. I did as he said. We trained — or rather, he broke me. Every strike he deflected, every move I made, he countered. His words were clipped commands, his gaze avoiding mine as if looking at me would burn him.
By the time the sun hit its peak, my arms trembled. Sweat clung to my skin. My chest ached with more than exhaustion.
"Enough," he said at last. "You'll never improve if you keep thinking instead of fighting."
I bit my lip hard enough to taste blood.
Because what I wanted to say was — I wasn't thinking. I was remembering you.
But he had already turned away.
---
Later, as I sat under the shade, trying to catch my breath, someone dropped a canteen beside me.
"Hey," a low voice said.
I looked up to see one of the younger warriors — tall, dark-haired, a quiet smirk on his lips. I'd seen him around, training at the edge of the field.
"Thanks," I said, taking the water.
"You're new," he said, crouching. "I'm Kael."
"Bella."
"I know." His grin widened a little. "Hard not to notice the human girl training with the Alpha."
I rolled my eyes, but a laugh escaped me before I could stop it. It felt… good. Light.
"Does he always go that hard on you?" Kael asked, lowering his voice.
"Pretty much."
"That's harsh. If it were me, I'd be gentler."
"Would you?"
"Absolutely."
And for the first time in days, I smiled.
---
Xavier's POV
Her laugh hit me like a blade to the gut.
From across the field, I saw it — saw her smile at Kael, saw him hand her his canteen, saw her shoulders relax around him in a way they never did with me.
The world went red for a moment.
I didn't even realize my claws had extended until Philip's voice came through the mind link.
> "Xavier. Don't."
> "He's touching her."
> "He's a wolf. He doesn't know."
> "He's still touching her."
I didn't answer again. I didn't need to.
By the time Kael reached for her hand to help her up, I was already there.
The field went silent. Warriors froze mid-step, their heads bowing instantly as I grabbed Bella by the wrist.
"Training's over," I said.
"Wha— Xavier, stop, you're hurting—"
"Enough." My voice cracked like a whip. "You wanted attention, you've got it."
Gasps followed us as I pulled her across the field. No one dared move.
By the time we reached my quarters, she was struggling. "Let me go! You can't just—"
The door slammed shut behind us.
---
Bella's POV
He turned, eyes glowing silver, chest heaving.
"What the hell was that?" I shouted. "You can't just drag me—"
He took a step closer. Then another. Until my back hit the wall.
"Do you have any idea what could have happened?" he said, voice low and trembling with restrained rage. "You don't talk to unmated wolves. You don't laugh with them. You don't let them near you."
"Why?" I snapped. "Because you said so? Because I'm yours to command?"
His jaw tightened.
"Yes," he said. "Because you're mine."
The words hit the air like thunder.
I stared at him, stunned — anger and confusion tangling inside me.
"I don't belong to you," I whispered.
He moved closer still, breath brushing my face. "Then why does your scent drive me insane? Why does every man who looks at you make me want to kill?"
I didn't have an answer. I couldn't think.
"Xavier…" I whispered, but it came out like a plea.
He reached out, hand sliding to the back of my neck. My heart stuttered. For a second, I thought he'd kiss me again — and I wanted him to. Gods, I wanted him to.
But then he stopped.
His eyes darkened with something I couldn't name — pain, guilt, fury.
He stepped back suddenly, fists clenched.
"Don't look at me like that," he said, voice breaking. "Don't make me feel this."
"Feel what?"
He turned away, shoulders shaking once before he forced himself still.
"This weakness."
He walked out, leaving me pressed against the wall, breathless, shaking, tears stinging my eyes.
He didn't see the way I sank to the floor, clutching the space where his warmth had been.
He didn't see how much it hurt.
And he didn't see that despite everything, part of me still wanted him to come back