Beta Xavier Costa.

Beta Xavier Costa - POV

“Do we have a clear view of his face?” I asked, and Samuel shook his head.

“Unfortunately, that bastard knew our border and pack too well.”

“I have a feeling that we might catch this person very soon,” Marquez replied, and I nodded my head. I hope so too. I straightened my back and walked away from the two of them.

“Xavier,” Samuel called my name, and I halted in my steps and turned around to face him. “Tighten the security around the border. And tell the warriors to keep a note of everyone who enters and exits the pack.”

“Sure, I will work on it,” I said, then walked out of there. By the time I came back home, it was past one am in the morning, so I soundlessly entered the house and made my way upstairs. When I reached the second floor, I saw that a light was turned on in my office room and this made a frown appear on my face.

I cautiously walked towards my office, and as I pushed the door open, I saw my mom seated on my chair, and she was reading a file taken from my cabinet. But my heart sank to the pit of my stomach when I realized what she was reading.

It was the contract mating bond that I made Eleanor sign. “M…mom?” I stammered. I have never been afraid of anyone except my parents, but I think my mother was a whole different story than my dad. He would only yell at me, but Mom is worse.

“Come in and close the door, Xavier. I want to talk to you,” she said in an eerily calm tone, and this only increased my heart rate. I gulped a few times before I closed the door and walked closer. I looked at my desk when I saw a letter there.

“When I came to fill my bottle, someone knocked on our door.” she paused, creating tension in the air. “And you wouldn't believe who I found on the other side of the door. It was our dear Jade!” she said with a humorless laugh.

Shit! Why the hell did that bitch come here?

“And she handed this letter to me so that I can pass it on to you,” she said, and held the letter up in the air before she threw it towards me, and I caught it mid-air. “Why don't you read it, Xavier.” Mom insisted, so I read it.

Baby, you haven't come to see me after that bitch Eleanor was admitted to the hospital after what happened between us.

Don't worry, baby. I mean, you can still break the mate bond and come and make love to me again so that she wouldn't know or she wouldn't be admitted to the hospital again.

Or I know someone who can help us with that. Give me a call so that we can meet up and talk about it further.

Love,

Jade.

Why doesn't this bitch get it that I don't even want her?

I looked up when I saw a furious look in my mother’s eyes. “Is this how I raised you, Xavier? I know you're hurting, and I figured it out the very first day when I got here that something was wrong between the two of you.” Mom began as she walked around the table before she came to stand in front of me.

“Mom, let me...”

“And I did ask about this to Eleanor, and after a lot of persuading, she finally told me about the contract. And even then, I wasn't this mad, Xavier. Because I know the power of a mate bond, and it would eventually get you two together, that is why I didn't confront you about this.” she said, waving the contract in the air. “But when I heard that you cheated on her. I couldn't keep quiet in this matter anymore.”

“Mom, I know I…” my words left to hang in the air as the sound of the slap resonated in the room.

“How could you stoop this low!” she yelled while I looked down at the ground, ashamed of what I had done.

“Mom, I know I made a mistake. But I never met Jade after that, and I told her that everything between us was over.”

“What about Eleanor?”

“I have started to like her, Mom. And I will not hurt her again.” I promised, but there was a doubtful look in her eyes.

“I don't even know who you are anymore, Xavier. You were not the son that I gave birth to.”

“Mom.” my heart painfully ached when those words left my mother’s mouth while tears kept running down her cheeks.

“Trust me, I have started liking her.”

“I still feel like you are acting, Xavier. But please do me a favor,” she asked me. “Let her go if you are not going to accept her, Xavier. At least she might find someone who would truly love her.” Mom spat out, and when she was about to leave, I held her hand.

“Mom, you know I can't do that. I have started liking her.”

“Then prove it,” she said, taking her hand out of mine, and left my office while throwing the contract on the floor. I didn't know how long I was standing there, but after clearing the papers that were on the floor, I placed them on the desk before I walked towards my bedroom.

Eleanor Amato - POV

I woke up to the sound of birds singing, and I looked outside to see that the sun was shining bright outside. I got up and sat against the headboard, looking out at the forest.

Click.

I looked towards the bathroom to see Xavier walk out of there dressed in a fresh pair of denim and a blue t-shirt. “Good morning.” I greated him.

“Good morning,” he said, but something was off about him. “I am going down to have breakfast. Do you want to join me?” he asked me, and I nodded my head.

“I will meet you downstairs in five minutes,” I said, and he nodded his head as he walked out of the room.