Xander’s POV
The silence of my office was the kind that allowed thoughts to swell and churn, thoughts that lately were almost always of Alison. Since that night, I could still feel the touch of her hand, the way her laughter filled me with a peace I’d never known. But today wasn’t about basking in memories. Today was about preparation. Alison needed to understand the depth of her responsibilities, the weight of the leadership role she was stepping into, and I intended to give her every advantage in doing so.
As I leaned back in my chair, gazing out the window at the dense, brooding forest that bordered our lands, I considered how best to support her. Alison had strength in her spirit, a fire that had drawn me to her from the beginning. Yet, this world was vast, complex, and sometimes merciless. She had to be prepared for what lay ahead.
A knock on the door broke my focus. Luke entered, his face etched with quiet professionalism, his gaze steady but carrying a hint of urgency.
“Alpha Xander,” he said, voice low and respectful, “the teacher you requested for Miss Alison has arrived.”
“Good. Bring him in,” I replied, setting aside the stack of documents on my desk.
Moments later, Andrew entered… a man in his late 30’s, he had a calm, dignified air, his face lined with years of wisdom and experience. His eyes carried the steadiness of someone who’d seen it all and faced it with unflinching resolve. I gestured for him to take a seat, studying him as he settled in. Andrew was the son to one if my loyal advisor to the pack, his understanding of Night Fang’s laws and customs unparalleled. He was also one of the tutors at the pack school, If anyone could guide Alison through the complexities of our pack, it was him.
“Andrew,” I began, folding my hands as I met his gaze, “I’d like to ask a favor. My mate, Alison… she’s new to our pack. I want her to learn the ways of the pack, to understand the intricacies of the role of Luna which she’s stepping into in no distant time . I need someone who can guide her, someone she can trust. Will you be able to adjust your schedule for this role?”
He nodded, his expression thoughtful. “I’d be honored, Alpha. Ms. Alison seems strong, but new beginnings require careful guidance. I’ll do everything I can to help her find her footing.”
Relief washed over me. Andrew’s approval was a step toward giving Alison the knowledge and confidence she needed to grow into her role. “Thank you, Andrew. Your presence will mean a great deal to her and to me.”
I motioned for Luke to bring Alison in, and within minutes, she entered. There was a slight shyness in her demeanor as she sighted Andrew, but her gaze was steady, carrying that familiar determination. Even in her uncertainty, there was something incredibly grounded about her, and my wolf stirred with pride.
“Ally,” I said, gesturing toward Andrew, “this is Andrew. He’ll be your tutor, someone to help you understand the ways of the pack as well as general knowledge of basic things like reading and writing. If you need space, the library is all yours, and he’ll start tomorrow.”
She looked at Andrew with a warm, polite smile. “Thank you for agreeing to help me. I know I have a lot to learn, and I’m honestly looking forward to it.”
Andrew returned her smile with a respectful nod. “It’s my pleasure, Miss Alison. I believe you’ll find our history and traditions rich with meaning. I’m here to answer any questions you might have and to guide you through it all.”
They exchanged a few pleasantries, and as Alison’s voice softened, I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of warmth in my chest. I could see she was nervous yet eager, and I knew she would thrive under Andrew’s mentorship.
After they left, I returned to the steady rhythm of pack affairs.. finalizing documents, managing disputes, overseeing logistics. Hours slipped by, my focus consumed by duty until another knock at the door broke the flow.
This time, it wasn’t the brisk, efficient knock I’d come to expect. It was lighter, slower. I didn’t look up immediately, thinking it might be Ally, until I heard the soft click of heels crossing the room.
“Xander,” Caitlyn’s voice purred as she approached.
A wave of irritation crashed over me. She was dressed in an impossibly short dress, her eyes gleaming with something unmistakable. I knew why she was here, but I wasn’t interested.
“What do you want, Caitlyn?” I asked, my voice cold and devoid of patience.
“Oh, nothing much,” she cooed, ignoring the chill in my tone as she stepped closer. “I just thought maybe you could use a break from all this paperwork. I can see how tense you are, Xander. You need… relief.”
My jaw clenched. Every muscle in my body tensed, rejecting her presence. “Caitlyn, I have said this countless times, I’m not interested,” I ground out, standing in an attempt to put space between us.
But before I could step back, she closed the gap, pressing her lips to mine with a forceful insistence. For a disorienting, blinding second, I froze. The shock was immediate.. the taste, the scent, it was all wrong. I didn’t want this. The realization hit like a punch to the gut. I was being kissed by Caitlyn.
I pulled away, fury blazing in my eyes, and wiped my mouth in disgust. “What the hell, Caitlyn?” I snarled, voice low and menacing. “I just fucking said I’m not interested. Don’t ever do that again.”
But it was too late.
A sharp, resounding bang echoed through the room as the door swung open, then closed just as quickly, hitting the frame hard enough to make me flinch. My gaze snapped to the doorway, heart sinking. I didn’t need to turn to know who had seen.
Alison.
I could feel the rage and betrayal radiating from her, the connection we shared suddenly pulsing with an unfamiliar, bitter edge. Her wolf, Maya, snarled in my mind, a deep, guttural sound filled with hurt and resentment. The pain struck deep, a raw ache that twisted in my chest. I had no words, no explanation that could undo the damage.
In a heartbeat, she was gone, leaving the room cold and empty in her wake. The silence that followed was deafening.
A victorious smirk flickered across Caitlyn’s face, and in that instant, the last shred of patience I had for her snapped.
“Get the fuck out before I tear you apart!” I roared, my voice reverberating through the room with such force that she stumbled back, shock quickly replacing her smug expression. “And don’t come near me again.”
Caitlyn scurried out, her heels clicking in hurried steps down the hall, leaving me alone in the aftermath of the chaos she’d stirred. My wolf clawed at me from within, raging, blaming me for letting this happen. I was furious with myself, but more than that, I was desperate.
The weight of what I’d lost in those brief seconds crushed me. Alison, the only person who made me feel whole, who saw me beyond the title of Alpha, was hurt, her trust shattered. And the pain of her absence was immediate, a gaping wound I couldn’t ignore.
I couldn’t let it end this way. Without another second’s hesitation, I bolted from the office, determined to find her, to explain… even if words could never be enough. The hallways blurred as I moved, my mind consumed with one single thought: I had to make things right.