The bright light was the first thing Lauren noticed as she slowly opened her eyes. She blinked several times, allowing her vision to adjust to the brightness of the room. A dull ache pounded in her head, making it difficult to think clearly.
Her throat felt painfully dry.
Barely able to hear her own voice, she whispered the first word that came to mind.
"Water..."
"Huh? You're awake?" a familiar voice asked. "Can you hear me?"
Lauren furrowed her brows, trying to place the voice. She turned her head toward the sound, but her vision remained blurry. As it gradually cleared, she finally saw him.
Xavier.
Her... supposed mate.
What was he doing here?
Before she could ask, he was already holding out a glass of water.
"You asked for water."
"Oh..."
She accepted it with shaky hands.
"Thank you."
She drank greedily, emptying the entire glass while Xavier watched every swallow with quiet relief.
When she finished, he gently took the empty glass and placed it on the bedside table.
"Where am I?" she asked.
"You're at the pack mansion... in my room."
Her brows rose in surprise.
Seeing her expression, Xavier rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
Something about those blue eyes always made him nervous.
It had been a long time since anyone had that effect on him.
"I'm Xavier," he said with a small smile. "It's nice to finally meet you."
"I'm Lauren."
A thoughtful frown settled on her face.
"How could this happen?" she murmured.
"Hm?" Xavier tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
"How could she do this to you?"
He blinked.
"I still don't understand."
"The Moon Goddess," she clarified softly. "She shouldn't have paired someone like me with someone like you."
Xavier remained silent.
"I'm nothing compared to you," she continued. "You're the Alpha's son... a prince. I'm just..."
She couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence.
Xavier sighed.
"All I know is that you're a werewolf."
She looked at him.
"Werewolf blood runs through your veins, whether you've manifested or not. Don't let anyone convince you otherwise."
He smiled gently.
"And besides..."
"They'll eventually respect you."
"You're their future queen."
Lauren let out a bitter laugh.
"And what if I don't want to be your mate?"
His entire body stiffened.
The thought alone made something inside him ache.
After a long pause, he finally asked,
"Are... are you rejecting me?"
Lauren frowned.
"No."
She looked away.
"But if I did, it shouldn't bother you."
"You've rejected enough girls yourself."
"The pain they'd have felt is probably the same pain rejection brings."
Xavier let out a quiet scoff.
"So... Kathryn told you."
"And if she did?"
She finally looked back at him.
"From today onward, don't come near me without my permission."
He blinked.
"But—"
"I'm tired."
She slowly closed her eyes.
"I'd like to rest."
She had dismissed him.
Xavier stared at her peaceful face.
For the first time in years, he felt... offended.
Girls usually chased after him.
They blushed around him.
They fought for his attention.
Yet his own mate wanted nothing to do with him.
What was wrong with this girl?
His fingers twitched.
He suddenly wanted to brush away the strands of black hair resting against her cheeks.
He wanted to trace the bridge of her tiny nose...
To feel her soft lips...
To—
"Are you still here?"
Her eyes remained closed.
Yet somehow she knew.
Xavier sighed.
He had received the message loud and clear.
Giving her one last glance, he quietly left the room in search of Kathryn.
The door clicked shut.
Only then did Lauren slowly open her eyes.
A faint smile tugged at her lips.
It disappeared almost immediately.
She stared at the ceiling.
Could this really work?
Could someone like her truly become Xavier's mate?
She hadn't even manifested.
She possessed no powers.
She was weak.
Helpless.
How could someone like her stand beside the future Alpha?
How could she protect an entire pack?
What if her weakness started a war?
What if people suffered because of her?
Was meeting Xavier her greatest blessing...
Or her greatest curse?
"And what exactly do you mean, Brother?"
Kathryn folded her arms as Xavier stormed into her room.
"What I mean," Xavier replied, "is that you had no business telling Lauren about my past."
"What past?"
She looked up innocently from the assignment she was working on.
Xavier narrowed his eyes.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about."
"I really don't."
CRASH!
Kathryn jumped in her chair as Xavier slammed his fist onto her desk.
Books, papers, and wooden pieces scattered across the floor.
She stared at the broken desk in disbelief.
"Now she doesn't even want me anywhere near her," Xavier complained.
"Because you couldn't keep your mouth shut."
Kathryn smirked.
"I'm actually proud of myself."
Xavier stared at her.
"I think she deserved to know," Kathryn continued.
"What if one of your former girlfriends decides to make her life miserable?"
She removed her glasses and smiled.
"And honestly..."
"I love the outcome."
"Lauren is amazing."
"I like her already."
Xavier rolled his eyes.
"If I were you," Kathryn continued, "I'd go back to your mate."
"But she told me not to."
Kathryn blinked.
"Seriously?"
"You're actually listening?"
She burst into laughter.
"Oh, come on!"
"You're the future Alpha!"
"Why are you acting scared of one little girl?"
"She can't even hurt a fly."
She winked.
Xavier felt his wolf stir excitedly.
Just hearing Lauren's name made it restless.
Without another word, he turned toward the door.
"You're such a jerk!" Kathryn shouted after him.
"You came all the way here just to destroy my desk!"
He paused.
Without looking back, he replied,
"I'm not apologizing."
"You deserved it."
Kathryn folded her arms.
"I hope Lauren gives you an even harder time."
Xavier simply waved dismissively before leaving.
As soon as he disappeared, Kathryn sighed.
She mind-linked her personal guard.
"Jordan... come to my room."
"My idiot brother just destroyed my desk."
Night had completely fallen.
Xavier stood outside Lauren's bedroom door.
He had been there for several minutes.
Maybe longer.
He wasn't even sure anymore.
Several maids had greeted him as they walked past, each giving him curious looks.
Yet he remained rooted to the same spot.
"What am I doing?" he muttered to himself.
"This isn't like me."
He sighed heavily.
"What if she's changing?"
Heat crept into his cheeks.
"No..."
"I can't just barge into her room."
"I'd look like some kind of pervert."
He shook his head.
"She's just a fragile little weakling."
"She should be the one falling for me."
He paused.
"...I'm not falling for her."
"I'm just concerned."
"That's all."
Silence.
"...Right?"
His wolf answered with an impatient growl.
Xavier groaned and leaned against the wall.
There was no point denying it anymore.
He was already trapped.
And somehow...
His stubborn little mate had wrapped him completely around her finger.