Xavier grunted as he pulled himself over the stone wall leading to the second floor of the mansion. Sitting on the open window ledge for a moment, he caught his breath before quietly slipping into the corridor.
The mansion was silent. Outside, the full moon bathed the grounds in silver light.
He carefully made his way to his bedroom and pushed the door open.
The moment he stepped inside—
"Ahhh!"
A loud scream nearly sent him jumping out of his skin.
He spun around to find Kathryn standing beside the door with both hands covering her eyes.
"Xavier!" she shouted. "I thought we agreed you'd stop walking around naked after your runs! Put some clothes on already!"
Xavier looked down at himself and sighed.
"Right... forgot."
He walked to his wardrobe, pulled out a pair of boxers, white shorts, and a red T-shirt before quickly dressing.
"There. Happy now?"
Kathryn slowly lowered her hands and opened one eye before finally looking at him.
"Much better."
She walked over and sat beside him on the bed.
"What if it had been one of the maids instead of me? At least carry spare clothes whenever you're planning to shift."
Xavier smiled and gently pinched her cheeks.
"Ouch!"
"Fine, I promise."
He released her, and she rubbed her cheeks dramatically.
"So," he asked, "what are you doing in my room?"
"Dad wants to see you in the throne room."
She stood up.
"I came to escort you."
Xavier smiled mischievously.
"My little sister wants to escort me?"
"I'm not little!" Kathryn protested, puffing out her cheeks. "I'm fifteen!"
He raised both hands in surrender.
"My apologies, Your Highness."
He bowed dramatically.
"Lead the way."
Kathryn rolled her eyes, though she couldn't hide her smile.
The siblings walked side by side through the long hallways until they reached the grand throne room on the ground floor.
"I'll wait outside," Kathryn whispered.
"I have plenty of gossip to tell you later."
She winked.
Xavier chuckled before pushing open the massive doors.
The guards shut them behind him.
At the far end of the room sat Alpha Damien upon his throne, with Luna Camille seated beside him.
"You're finally here," Damien said.
"What took you so long?"
Xavier shrugged.
"I was busy."
"Flirting, perhaps?"
A teasing smile crossed Damien's lips.
Xavier didn't bother denying it.
The Alpha sighed deeply.
"I've had enough of your carefree lifestyle."
His expression turned serious.
"If you fail to find your mate at your birthday celebration this year..."
He paused.
"...you'll begin attending the pack's academy."
Xavier blinked.
"...What?"
He frowned.
"The academy? Why?"
"I've been studying with private tutors my entire life, and my grades are excellent."
"Why send me there now?"
Damien folded his hands.
"Perhaps your mate is there."
Xavier scoffed.
"The students from the academy attend my birthday every single year."
"If she were there, wouldn't I have met her already?"
"My decision is final."
Damien's voice left no room for argument.
"There are new families who joined the pack a few weeks ago."
He leaned forward.
"Your mate could be among them."
Xavier clenched his jaw.
"Damn it..."
Without another word, he stormed out of the throne room.
The heavy doors slammed behind him.
Kathryn hurried after him.
"Xavier!"
She finally caught up and grabbed his wrist.
"Calm down."
"Did you hear him?" Xavier snapped.
"I'm twenty years old! Why should I go back to school?"
Kathryn smiled.
"Your birthday is only a few days away."
"Let's wait and see what happens."
She shrugged.
"If you find your mate, you won't have to go."
Xavier sighed.
"I still hate the idea."
She grinned mischievously.
"Besides... I'd actually like having my big brother in the same school as me."
She paused dramatically.
"I almost hope you don't find your mate yet."
Xavier stared at her.
"...What?"
Kathryn burst into laughter.
"I'm joking!"
She grabbed his arm.
"Come on."
"Let's go somewhere and talk."
This time, Xavier followed without complaint.
"So..."
Xavier leaned back on the garden bench.
"Tell me about school."
Kathryn nodded thoughtfully.
"There's a girl in the senior class."
"Her name is Lauren."
"She transferred here three years ago."
Xavier raised an eyebrow.
"And?"
Kathryn's smile faded.
"I feel sorry for her."
"Why?"
"I saw her walking around today after training."
"What happened?"
Kathryn sighed.
"She's different."
"She still hasn't manifested her wolf."
Xavier frowned.
"So... she's human?"
"I don't think so."
"Her parents are Elder Romeo and Elder Jane."
Xavier looked surprised.
"Such powerful parents..."
"...yet their daughter hasn't awakened."
Kathryn nodded sadly.
"Everyone bullies her because of it."
After a moment of silence, Xavier asked,
"Is she pretty?"
Kathryn shot him a glare.
"Seriously?"
He laughed.
"What? I was just asking."
She smacked the back of his head.
"Focus!"
"Fine."
She crossed her arms.
"She has beautiful blue eyes."
"She's really pretty."
"But no one wants to be her friend."
"They all treat her like an outcast."
Xavier sighed.
"What a waste."
He shook his head.
"Sounds like a lonely life."
Kathryn nodded.
"I wanted to talk to her once."
"But she avoids everyone."
"I also heard Bianca injured her badly during training today."
Xavier's expression darkened.
"Bianca?"
"She's always been reckless."
The siblings sat in silence for a moment before changing the subject.
Lauren had just pulled her blanket over herself when someone knocked on her bedroom door.
She got out of bed and opened it.
"Hi, Mom."
Jane smiled gently before stepping inside.
Lauren closed the door behind her.
"How's your arm?" Jane asked as she sat beside her on the bed.
Lauren glanced at the bandage.
"It still hurts."
"I'm so sorry, sweetheart."
Jane reached out and stroked her hair.
"I wish I could take the pain away."
Lauren smiled weakly.
"It'll heal."
After a brief silence, she looked at her mother.
"You didn't come here just to ask about my arm, did you?"
Jane chuckled softly.
"You know me too well."
She hesitated.
"It's about Alpha Damien's son..."
"Xavier."
Lauren looked puzzled.
"I've never even seen him."
"I know."
Jane nodded.
"His birthday celebration is held every year."
Lauren immediately frowned.
"If you're asking me to attend..."
She shook her head.
"I'm not going."
"You've skipped every celebration before."
Jane took Lauren's hand.
"But this year is different."
"The Alpha specifically requested your presence."
Lauren stared at her mother in disbelief.
"Mom..."
"You can't force me."
"I've never met Xavier."
"I don't know him."
"And I'm certainly not his mate."
Her voice grew quieter.
"If I go..."
"I'll just become everyone's target again."
"I don't want to spend another day being laughed at."
Jane squeezed her daughter's hand.
"I understand."
"I truly do."
"But please..."
She looked into Lauren's eyes.
"Do this for your father and me."
"This time..."
"It's important."
Lauren lowered her head, uncertain how to respond.