The forbidden mate

Amara's life, meanwhile, had fallen into a strange rhythm.

She couldn't explain why, but she felt as though someone was always watching her. Whether she was at work, at home, or walking through the city, the sensation was constant—an invisible presence she couldn't shake.

Claire noticed the change in her friend.

"You've been distracted lately," Claire said one evening as they cleaned up the diner after closing.

"I'm fine," Amara replied, though her voice lacked conviction.

"Amara, come on. You can tell me," Claire said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Is it about that guy? The one who helped you the other night?"

Amara hesitated. She hadn't told Claire much about Xavier, only that he had helped her when she was in trouble.

"Maybe," Amara admitted softly. "There's just... something about him. He's different."

Claire grinned. "Different good or different bad?"

"Different... confusing," Amara said with a small laugh.

"Well, maybe he's worth figuring out," Claire said. "You've been through so much, Amara. You deserve someone who cares about you."

Amara smiled, but deep down, she couldn't help but wonder if Xavier Blackthorne was too good to be true.

That night, as Amara walked home, the familiar feeling of being watched returned. She glanced over her shoulder but saw nothing out of the ordinary.

"Relax, Amara," she muttered to herself. "You're just being paranoid."

But as she rounded a corner, a shadow moved in the alleyway ahead of her. Her heart skipped a beat, and she froze.

"Hello?" she called, her voice trembling.

A low growl answered her.

Her blood ran cold as a pair of glowing yellow eyes appeared in the darkness.

Before she could react, the creature lunged—a massive wolf with matted fur and bared teeth.

Amara screamed, stumbling backward. She braced herself for the attack, but it never came.

A blur of motion streaked past her, and suddenly Xavier was there, his body colliding with the rogue wolf.

The two wolves grappled, snarling and snapping at each other. Xavier's sheer power was evident as he overpowered the rogue, forcing it to the ground.

"Leave," Xavier growled, his voice filled with a deadly authority.

The rogue hesitated for a moment before retreating into the shadows.

Amara stared in shock as Xavier turned to her, his gray eyes glowing faintly in the moonlight.

"You're hurt," he said, his voice laced with concern.

"I'm fine," she managed to say, though her knees felt weak.

"You're not fine," he said, stepping closer. "Come with me. You're not safe here."

Before she could protest, he scooped her up in his arms, his movements impossibly swift.

"Xavier, what—"

"Trust me," he said, his voice firm but gentle.

As he carried her away, Amara couldn't help but feel that her life was about to change forever.

Amara clung to Xavier as he carried her through the darkened streets, her mind racing. His strength was unreal, his movements too smooth for any normal man. The memory of the rogue wolf's glowing eyes and Xavier's fierce growls played in her head like a haunting melody.

Finally, Xavier stopped in front of a sleek black car parked near the edge of the forest. He opened the door and gently set her inside.

"Where are we going?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"Somewhere safe," Xavier replied, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Amara wanted to protest, but exhaustion and fear kept her silent.

The car glided through winding roads, the dense forest on either side casting eerie shadows under the pale moonlight. Amara watched Xavier from the corner of her eye. His jaw was tight, his hands gripping the steering wheel with a controlled intensity.

"Are you going to tell me what happened back there?" she finally asked.

Xavier hesitated, his gray eyes flickering to her before returning to the road. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"Try me," she said, crossing her arms.

He sighed, as if bracing himself. "That... thing you saw wasn't just a wolf. It was a rogue—a wolf who's lost control of their humanity."

Amara frowned. "A rogue? You're saying it was—what? A werewolf?"

"Yes," Xavier said simply, his gaze unwavering.

She blinked, waiting for him to laugh or tell her it was a joke. But he didn't.

"You're serious," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I don't joke about things like this," he replied.

Amara shook her head. "This is insane. Werewolves don't exist."

"They do," Xavier said firmly. "And there's more you need to know."

He pulled the car to a stop in front of a sprawling estate hidden deep within the forest. The mansion was an imposing structure, its stone facade illuminated by soft golden lights.

"Welcome to the Blood Moon Pack's territory," Xavier said, stepping out of the car.

Amara followed hesitantly, her eyes wide as she took in her surroundings. She could feel eyes watching her from the shadows, though no one appeared.

"Stay close to me," Xavier said, his voice low but commanding.