MIA’S POV
Xavier’s arrival had sent the rogues scattering in fear. But not before he
took care of a few. His movements were brutal, efficient, and without
mercy. The two rogues he caught didn’t stand a chance, their screams
echoing briefly before silence overtook the forest. The remaining ones
didn’t hesitate-they ran, tails between their legs, knowing they
couldn’t face an Alpha.
I stood there frozen, watching as Xavier wiped his hands on his shirt, his
sharp gaze sweeping the area to ensure there were no threats left. My
heart was still racing, and I hated how his presence made me feel-safe
and trapped all at once.
“You should be more careful,” Xavier said, stepping closer, his eyes
scanning me for injuries.
I stiffened and moved a step back, my irritation flaring. “I didn’t ask for
your help.”
His lips twitched in a small, humorless smirk. “Clearly. If I hadn’t shown
up, who knows what they would’ve done to you?”
I clenched my fists, anger and frustration boiling inside me. “I can
handle myself,” I shot back, though the truth gnawed at me. I had been
moments away from shifting, from revealing my secret just to survive.
His eyes narrowed slightly, as if he didn’t believe me. “You’re reckless.
Wandering around alone in rogue territory? Do you have any idea what
could’ve happened?”
I took a deep breath, willing myself to stay calm. “I wasn’t wandering. I
was running, clearing my head. Not that it’s any of your business.”
“It became my business the moment you became a target,” he
countered, his tone firm.
I opened my mouth to argue but stopped. He was right. My scent had
likely drawn the rogues. The thought made my stomach twist. I would
need to be more careful in the future.
“Fine,” I muttered, crossing my arms. “Thank you for showing up. Are
you happy now?”
Xavier didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he stepped closer, his eyes
dark and unreadable. “Happy? No, Mia. I’m not happy. I’m furious that
you keep putting yourself in danger.”
His words struck a nerve, but I refused to show it. I straightened my
shoulders and met his gaze head-on. “I don’t need you to save me,
Xavier. I’ve survived worse without you.”
For a moment, he just stared at me, something flickering in his
expression that I couldn’t quite place. Then he stepped back, his jaw
tightening. “You should head back. It’s not safe here.”
I didn’t argue. The encounter with the rogues had shaken me more than I
wanted to admit. If Xavier hadn’t shown up, I might’ve had to shift to
save myself. And that would’ve been disastrous.
Ima stirred in my mind, her presence comforting yet stern. “You need to
be more careful,” she said.
“I know,” I replied silently, my thoughts heavy. “I won’t let this happen
again.”
My scent had betrayed me, drawn danger to me like a beacon. I needed to
figure out a way to mask it, to keep myself hidden. Because if Xavier
hadn’t been there, I might not have made it out unscathed.
Xavier caught up to me as I stomped toward the edge of the woods, his
heavy steps crunching against the dried leaves behind me. My mind was
still racing from the attack, and the last thing I wanted was a lecture.
“What were you doing out here alone, Mia?”
His question made my irritation bubble over. I didn’t bother looking at
him. My arms were crossed tightly over my chest as I kept walking. “It’s
none of your business, Xavier. I don’t need to explain myself to you.”
“You’re being reckless,” he insisted, and he moved closer to me. “Do you
even realize how dangerous it is out here? Rogues are everywhere.”
I stopped abruptly, spinning on my heel to face him. The nerve of this
guy. “You think I don’t know that? This isn’t the first time I’ve been in
the woods alone, and I certainly don’t need you, of all people, telling me
how to take care of myself.”
His frown deepened, his intense gaze locking on mine. It was like he was
trying to read me, and it made my skin crawl. “You’re underestimating
the risk. Do you even understand why they came after you?”
I hesitated, the words hitting too close to the truth. Ima growled faintly
in the back of my mind, a subtle reminder that my scent was the issue. “I
can take care of myself,” I repeated firmly, brushing past him. My heart
was pounding now, but I didn’t let it show. “And for the record, if you
hadn’t shown up, I would’ve handled it. You’re not my savior, Xavier.”
From the corner of my eye, I saw his hand twitch like he wanted to grab
my arm but stopped himself. “You’re trying to hide something,” he said,
his voice dropping slightly. “Your scent was too strong-it drew them
here.”
I froze for a split second before forcing myself to keep walking. My mind
raced, but I kept my voice calm. “You’re imagining things,” I dismissed
quickly. “And if you’re so observant, maybe you can tell me why you
were even out here. Are you stalking me now?”
His expression faltered, just for a moment. That hesitation told me
everything I needed to know. “I wasn’t stalking you,” he muttered, but
the lack of confidence in his tone made it clear even he didn’t believe his
own words.
I couldn’t help it-I laughed, a dry and humorless sound. “Sure, you just
happened to be wandering the woods at the exact moment rogues
decided to attack me. What a coincidence.”
His silence was almost satisfying, but it also left me uneasy.
“Stay away from me, Xavier,” I said firmly, resuming my walk. My steps
were faster now, as if putting physical distance between us would ease
the growing frustration clawing at my chest. “I don’t need you hovering
around me like some self-appointed protector.”
When I finally reached the edge of the forest, I paused to catch my
breath. My legs felt heavier than usual, and my heart wouldn’t stop
racing. The encounter with the rogues had shaken me, but Xavier’s
interference rattled me even more. Why was he always there, always
pushing into my life when I didn’t want him?
Ima stirred again, her voice calm but stern. “You need to mask your
scent better.”
“I know,” I whispered silently to her, guilt creeping in. “I won’t let it
happen again.”