Chapter 21

Xavier swiftly carried me back towards the staircase like I was a feather in his hands. I knew I wasn’t heavy, but he carried me as if there was no weight to me at all. I glanced intriguingly at his neck tattoo, which depicted a blue moon, half-hidden behind some silvery grey clouds.

One day, maybe, I will have the same tattoo, I smiled.

As we reached the staircase, we bumped into Rachel, who was slowly making her way up the stairs. She looked at us in complete shock, who’s face then burst into a wide grin and she promptly placed her hands on her hips. She looked utterly gorgeous standing there with her long black hair, straightened to an inch of its life. She had her black high heels on with a large diamond on the front and a beige coloured silk trouser and jacket combination.

“Ahh, the love birds have finally fallen for each other. About time guys,” Rachel beamed. “Now you just need to hurry up and claim her!”

“Not now mother!” Xavier snapped, flashing her a warning look. “Leah’s injured, and I’m putting her to bed to get some rest!”

Rachel quickly looked stunned at Xavier before turning her attention back to me. “I’m glad that you’re home, safe and well. I’m so sorry about Tom and what he did to you. Go and get some rest love!” she said quietly before looking at the floor, clearly embarrassed at her mistake.

“Thank you, Rachel,” I replied, before shooting Rachel an apologetic look. “Look, don’t worry about it. You weren’t to know. I am fine, honestly.”

We briefly locked eyes, and she fired back a half-smile before quickly carrying on up the stairs and out of sight.

“You didn’t need to tell her off Xavier,” I began, raising an eyebrow at Xavier. “She didn’t know!”

“She shouldn’t come out with comments like that. Not especially after what has happened to you!” he fired back, looking down at me sheepishly. “But if it makes you feel better, I will apologise to her in the morning.”

“She is just excited that we now have a chance together. Maybe…” I quickly cut off. “And yes, you should apologise.”

I needed time to learn how to trust again, and I didn’t want to get Xavier’s hopes up.

“Maybe?” Xavier responded, snapping his attention back to me, looking worried.

“As I said, I need time. I need time to fall in love with you. I really like you, I do. But I can’t let a man touch me again. Not straight away, not after what Tom did,” I stammered. “I’m scared of getting hurt again. I’m scared of not being good enough for you or the pack. I’m scared of being judged by everyone. I don’t want to be the pathetic girlfriend of the almighty Alpha who got attacked twice by her maniac ex-boyfriend,” I explained sadly.

Xavier looked down at me and smiled softly. “You are good enough, Leah. You are all that I want. You are all that I have ever wanted. No one will judge you because I won’t let that happen, and you’re not pathetic. You’re strong and brave, and you’re a fighter,” he exclaimed.

“I love you so much already, but I know I have more to give you. I will give you as much time as you need, and I am in no hurry to claim you for my own. I’m simply happy to have you in my arms right now!” he whispered, looking down at me longingly before kissing me softly on my cheek.

I heard the squeak of a door being opened, and I looked around to realise that we had arrived at my bedroom door. Xavier slowly carried me in, and I looked around frantically. The bedroom had been cleaned and tidied up, and the smell of Tom was no longer present. Instead, a soft floral fragrance filled the room.

“Who’s been in here?” I asked, glancing up at Xavier.

“Mum and Hannah tidied it up and cleaned your room right through while we were out looking for you. They kind of thought that upon your return, you wouldn’t want any memory of Tom being in here.”

“That’s very thoughtful of them and truly kind of them. They didn’t have to do that, but I appreciate it,” I smiled gently.

Xavier carried me to the bed and gently placed me down on to the soft silk bedding, before walking around the other side and laying down on his side next to me.

“If I could make you mine, I’ll go wherever you will go,” Xavier whispered, softly, looking at me through his eyelashes.

I smiled at him shyly before tracing a lone finger down his temple and cheekbone and along his jawline, before resting my hand on his chest. I could feel his heart beating and the warmth from his skin radiating through the thin cloth.

“I want to be yours, I really do, but I need to find myself again. I need to find my wolf and get her to come back. I need to know more about you too, okay?” I murmured, looking back at Xavier intently.

“How about that date night? Saturday night? I’ll take you out and treat you nice. You can ask me anything you want to know about me, and I’ll tell you everything.”

“Okay. I’d like that. Thank you,” I whispered happily. “Where are you taking me to then?” I giggled playfully back at him.

“Where would you like to go?” he responded, trying his hardest not to laugh.

“Well, there is a new restaurant in the City that I’ve always wanted to check out. It’s called Marchiano’s,” I hinted cheekily.

“Oh yeah? I’ve heard of it. If you want to go to Marchiano’s then Marchiano’s it is. I’ll book a table for 7 pm,” Xavier began, before pulling out his mobile and quickly tapping on the screen before putting the phone up to his ear.

“Hello, is this Marchiano’s? Brilliant. I would like to book a table for this Saturday evening, please. 7 pm. A table for two, please. Yes, that’s right. The name is Xavier Black. Thank you. Good-bye,” Xavier said importantly before hanging up and lightly tossing his phone on to the bed.

“All booked, just for you baby,” he whispered.

“Thank you. I’m looking forward to this weekend already,” I gushed happily.

Five days and I would be having a date night with the Alpha. A tiny part of me felt excited, but I felt more nervous than anything. Would I let him claim me or would I run away and hide like a scared little girl?

“What if my wolf never comes back?” I asked sadly, looking up at Xavier.

“She will. It will just take time. You have experienced so much trauma and pain in such a short time,” he soothed, stroking my hair, and staring intently back at me.

“But what if she doesn’t?” I protested. “You won’t want a sad wolfless excuse of a girl for your Luna. I would forever need your’s and the pack’s protection!”

“Then, I will protect you. I would die for you and breathe my last breath if it meant keeping you safe,” Xavier declared confidently. “I feel bad enough that I haven’t protected you so far. Never again, will I let another man touch you or even think about harming you. I promise!”

I looked at him sadly, with tears forming in my eyes. There were females out there that were more worthy of him than I ever was, but he continued to love me, but I had nothing to give him.

“Hey baby, don’t cry on me,” Xavier whispered, quickly sitting up on his knees and cupping my face gently in his hands. “I love you so much, Leah Norwood. One day, we shall be married and have our very own family, and everyone will love and respect you. I will make sure of it!” he promised before pulling me towards him and squeezing me gently.

I buried my head into his chest and began to sob uncontrollably. All my emotions and feelings from the last couple of weeks came flowing out of me like a volcano. I could feel my body trembling with every sob, and I could feel warm tears, full of raw emotion spilling over my cheeks.

“It’s okay baby. Let it all out. It will make you feel better I promise,” I heard Xavier murmur into the top of my head.

I cried for what seemed a good five minutes before I could cry no more. Once I had finished, I gently pulled away from the safety of Xavier’s body and sniffed loudly, wiping my sodden eyes on the back of my hand.

“I think someone needs a good night’s sleep. You're drained. Physically and emotionally. You need to rest!” Xavier ordered before lying back down on my bed and pulling me down towards him.

“Will you promise to stay with me all night?” I sniffed. “I don’t want to be alone tonight.”

“Of course. I’m not leaving your side. Now, close your eyes and get some sleep. That’s an order!” Xavier chuckled playfully.

Smiling back at him through my wet eyelashes, I leant up and pecked him gently on the side of his face before lying back down, with my back pressed firmly against Xavier’s chest. I felt one of his arms gently snake under me while the other arm lay protectively around me.

Cradled lovingly in his embrace, finally feeling safe and protected, I sighed deeply and felt myself drift off into a much-needed slumber.