Chapter 6

• Meanwhile, in an office upstairs, Alpha Xander sat comfortably in his chair, his gaze fixed on the CCTV monitor showing the live feed from the hallway below. He watched with an intensity that belied his usual calm demeanor, his eyes tracking Amara’s every move. The hallway was chaotic with paparazzi, accusations, and confrontations, but what captivated Xander was how Amara held her ground, defiant and unafraid.
• He glanced at his Beta, who was standing nearby, a look of concern in his eyes. “Should we help her, Alpha?” the Beta asked, clearly uncomfortable with the scene unfolding on the screen.
• Xander shook his head. “No need,” he replied, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “She’s handling it better than I could have imagined.” He watched as Amara stood up to Karen, Lucy, and Joshua, each trying to corner her and shame her into submission. But Amara had fired back, her words sharp and unwavering.
• He had always known there was a fire within her, but he had never seen it in action like this. She was impressive, fierce, and commanding in a way he hadn’t anticipated. Xander found himself filled with admiration—and something more. He was genuinely proud of her for taking control, shedding the timid, submissive version of herself, and becoming the woman he had always believed she could be.
• Xander had liked Amara for as long as he could remember, but she had never noticed him. Her heart had been tied to Joshua, her bond blinding her to Joshua’s true nature. Xander had often wondered what she saw in that man and what quality he possessed that could inspire such devotion from someone as intelligent and kind-hearted as Amara. It had pained him to watch her, year after year, bound to someone who didn’t value her, who only used her to bolster his standing.
• But now, things have changed. Amara had seen Joshua for who he was, and Xander couldn’t be happier that she was finally free. When she announced to the paparazzi that she and Joshua were no longer together, a surge of satisfaction filled him. He knew that Amara’s path to healing would be long, but he also knew that she was resilient and capable of rebuilding her life on her terms.
• The thought stirred something within him, a long-buried desire he had kept hidden for years. Now that she was free, he was determined to pursue her. Xander had never been one to chase after anyone; his status and reputation meant that people usually came to him, and he was known for being reserved, especially around women. But with Amara, things were different. He wanted her in a way he had never wanted anyone before, and he wouldn’t let this opportunity slip through his fingers.
• A slow smile spread across Xander’s face as he remembered the previous night's events. ‘I wonder if she knows I was the man with her last night,’ he thought, his gaze drifting to the window as he replayed the memory.
• It had been an unexpected encounter. Amara had stumbled into his room by accident, clearly under the influence of the heartbreak and betrayal that had unraveled her life. Xander had been surprised when she barged in, but he was also concerned for her well-being. He had fully intended to send her back to her room to be the gentleman he had always prided himself on being.
• But then her lips had found his, soft and tentative at first, and he had been utterly lost. The kiss had awakened a passion within him that he had never known, and before he realized it, he had given in to the moment. Last night had been, without a doubt, the best night of his life and also the first night he had ever let himself be vulnerable with anyone.
• The irony was that Xander was known for his aloofness around women. He had always kept his distance, preferring to focus on his responsibilities as Alpha. Many believed he was indifferent to romance and wasn’t interested in finding a mate. But he had always felt a pull toward Amara, a deep connection he couldn’t explain, though he had tried to ignore it. Last night changed that. Last night showed him that his feelings for her were undeniable.
• A knock at the door broke Xander from his thoughts, and his Beta entered the room, looking slightly uncomfortable. “Alpha, there’s more to the story from last night,” he said cautiously.
• Xander raised an eyebrow. “Go on.”
• The Beta hesitated before continuing, “Amara was drugged at the council ball last night. Some of the guards mentioned seeing Lucy hovering around her with a drink. They didn’t think much of it at the time, but now, in light of everything...”
• Xander’s hands clenched into fists, his jaw tightening as anger surged. ‘Lucy had drugged Amara?’ The betrayal ran even more profound than he had realized. Lucy’s intentions hadn’t just been to ruin Amara’s reputation—she had sought to destroy her entirely and rob her of any control over her own choices.
• “That snake,” Xander muttered, his voice low and filled with fury. He should have seen it sooner and anticipated Lucy would go to such lengths to hurt Amara. He had suspected Lucy of jealousy, of ambition, but he hadn’t realized the extent of her malice.
• “What are you going to do, Alpha?” his Beta asked, sensing the storm brewing within him.
• Xander’s gaze returned to the CCTV screen, where the hallway was now empty, the confrontation over. “I’m going to protect her,” he said quietly but with a steely resolve. “No one will harm Amara again, not Lucy, Joshua, or anyone.”
• His Beta nodded, a flicker of relief in his eyes. “Understood, Alpha.”
• Xander took a deep breath, steadying himself as he thought about what lay ahead. He had always admired Amara’s strength, but now that he knew what she had endured, his respect for her grew. She had stood against her enemies alone, but he wouldn’t let her fight the battles ahead by herself.
• As he sat back in his chair, his mind turned to his plans for the future. Amara was free from Joshua now, but she was still vulnerable. The werewolf community was unforgiving, and rumors could be as damaging as physical attacks. Xander was determined to support her, to shield her from further harm, and, if she allowed it, to show her that he was the man who would stand by her side.
• He had been patient for years, watching her from afar, respecting her bond with Joshua despite his feelings. But with that bond broken, Xander felt a new surge of purpose. He wanted to be there for her—not just as a friend or an ally, but as something more.
• He rose from his chair, glancing at his Beta. “Make sure security is tight,” he instructed. “I don’t want Lucy’s associates coming near this place. If they try, they’ll regret it.”
• The Beta nodded, a determined look on his face. “Understood, Alpha. I’ll take care of it.”
• As the Beta left the room, Xander took one last look at the hallway on the CCTV monitor, his mind filled with thoughts of Amara. He wanted to see and tell her everything but knew he needed patience. She had been through enough today; she needed time to process, to find her footing.
• Still, he couldn’t deny the anticipation that built within him. The knowledge that she was no longer bound to Joshua gave him hope, and he was eager to show her what a natural Alpha could be—loyal, steadfast, and willing to protect her no matter the cost.
• His thoughts drifted back to their time together the night before. He wondered if she remembered it or realized he had been the man who held her and kissed her. He had wanted to be gentle, to pull away and give her the space she needed, but at that moment, he couldn’t resist. Her lips, her touch—like a spark that ignited something within him he could no longer ignore.
• Xander leaned back, closing his eyes as he remembered how she had looked at him, the softness in her gaze, the vulnerability he had never seen before. Last night had felt right, like something he had been waiting for his entire life. And now that he had tasted what it felt like to be with her, he couldn’t imagine going back.
• ‘Soon,’ he thought to himself. ‘Soon, I’ll make sure she knows everything.’
• For now, he would let her rest, let her take control of her life on her terms. But he would be there, waiting in the background, ready to step in whenever she needed him because this time, Xander wouldn’t let anyone take her away, not Lucy, Joshua, or anyone else.
• Amara was his, and he was determined to prove it.