Beta Xavier Costa.

Eleanor Amato - POV

It's been a week since Mom and Dad moved to their new home, and even though Xavier looks like he is enjoying the peace and quiet again, I feel like the house has descended into an eerie silence. “Good morning.” Xavier greeted me as he placed a kiss on my cheek and made his way to the coffee machine.

“Good morning,” I grumbled as I poured a bowl of cereal for myself and made my way to the breakfast table.

“Are you all right?” he asked me with a frown on his face, and I nodded my head.

“Yeah, just feeling a little lonely,” I answered as he came and took a seat at the breakfast table with me.

“Lonely, what about Rebecca? I thought you had plans to go out with her today?”

“I did, but she had to cancel at the last minute since Ivan wanted to go on a holiday getaway,” I said as I took a bite of my cereal.

“So you are sad because she is leaving, or is it because you want to go out as well?” Xavier asked me, and that was when I finally looked up at him.

“It's been nearly a week, Xavier. And you told me that you killed that rogue, so why can't we go out now?” I asked him.

“I think we have already talked about this, Ellie. He was only a device, the mastermind behind this attack is still out there, and I don't think it's safe for you to be outside this pack right now,” he explained, and a pout formed on my face.

“Fine,” I said, letting out a sigh while looking down at my cereal. I felt him get up from his place and walk towards me. He picked me up and placed me on his lap as he took a seat on my chair.

“I know it's not easy staying in here. But once everything calms down, I promise I will take you out somewhere, all right?”

“So, can you take me out next month?” I eagerly asked him, and even though he looked hesitant, he finally nodded his head.

“Okay, I will take you out next month. We can go to the beach,” he said, and my eyes sparkled in mirth.

Oh, how I would love to soak my feet in that salty water.

“Thank you, Xavier,” I said and placed a kiss on his lips.

“You're welcome,” he said as he wrapped his hands around my waist, and deepened the kiss. Our lips were moving in sync, and I didn't want to pull away. “I think I have started falling for you,” he whispered, and a blush formed on my face.

I have already fallen for you a long time ago, Xavier.

“Okay lovebirds, time to go.” I looked up to see Marquez walk inside the kitchen.

“Where are you going?” I asked him.

“Well, Xavier has a meeting with the warriors while Samuel wants you in his office in thirty minutes,” he informed as he grabbed an apple from the fruit basket and took a bite.

“Why Didn't he just mind link us?” I asked Marquez, but he arched an eyebrow at me.

“You blocked everyone out again, Ellie.” Erica chimed in, and a sheepish smile appeared on my face.

“I will have to get ready then,” I said and got down from Xavier’s lap and made my way upstairs to our room.

Our room, the feel of that made something within me stir. I never thought that I would ever come to call this place my home or even change my mind about staying here. After taking a shower, I changed into a purple cotton sundress since the weather was scorching hot outside.

After applying some lipstick and some eyeshadow, I walked out of the room to see Xavier walk towards me. “Eleanor, can you spare a few minutes?” he asked me.

“Sure, what do you need?” I asked him.

“Come into my office.” was all he said and walked inside. My feet didn't move for a couple of minutes as the memory of what happened when I last went there flashed back. That's the time I was given a contract to sign, ever since that time, I have always dreaded going inside there.

“Have a positive outlook on life, Ellie.” Erica consoled me, so I took a deep breath and walked inside. Just as I dreaded, Xavier had our mating contract spread out on the table, and this made my heart start to race again.

Is he going to tell me that this was all an act to make his parents believe, and now that they are out, he wants to remind me about our contract again?

“Xavier,” my voice was barely audible, but thanks to the werewolf hearing, Xavier looked up at me.

“Come and take a seat, Eleanor,” he said, gesturing toward the chair, and I nodded my head and took a seat. The temperature in the room felt like it increased a few degrees while a thin layer of precipitation formed on my forehead.

“Eleanor, about the contract.” he began, but I abruptly got up from my place. I was fucking stupid to think that he would have changed. That he had truly accepted me as his mate.

I did have this doubt from the time we first mated because he never marked me, and he still hasn't either. “I know what you are going to say, Xavier.”

“You know?” he asked me, sounding shocked, but I ignored him and continued.

“I know it is just a contract mating bond, and now you want to get back to how we were when we first met,” I said, and he raised an eyebrow at me. “I will not meddle in your business hereafter.”

“I am happy you understood, Eleanor,” Xavier said, and this broke my heart. My throat started to close while my eyes glistened with tears. I think Xavier and I were never meant to be together.

“Eleanor, don't think that way. I think…”

“Shut up, Erica. I shouldn't have fallen for my feelings, now look where it had led us.” I turned around and took the last few painful steps to leave the room.