2- WHO IS HE?

ARIA 

  

      She hurried out of the meeting room with the broken pieces of china and tray in hand, her legs too weak to support her. Leaning against the door, she collected herself. That man in the room was unmistakable; she could comfortably recognise him even from behind. A lot has changed on his face, but it is still him. How was Xavier, the new Alpha in this pack? How would she know when she was captured in the woods as a rogue and brought here?  

  

     Turning to leave, she collided with Madam Kate, who wasted no time in delivering another stinging slap. A pattern she had grown accustomed to. Aria was sure Madam Kate's fingers were imprinted on her cheeks now. Madam Kate constantly communicated to her through a slap or a whip. She endured it all, knowing there was nowhere to run to anymore because she was paid there. Her wages were meagre, but they allowed her simple comforts, and she didn't mind being the lowest-paid servant. 

  

     "Stupid girl!" Madam Kate yelled, and Aria held her stinging cheeks as tears flowed. "Were you daydreaming about your dead mother or something? Why did you break the glass of juice I asked you to give to our new Alpha?" 

  

     "I am sorry, Madam," Aria replied, her voice trembling as she rubbed her cheek, which now bore the mark of countless slaps from everyone around the pack. Tears streamed down her face. 

  

     "Sorry for yourself! Stupid mutt! No food for you until further notice!" 

  

Aria fell to her knees, pleading, "Madam Kate, please." Hunger was something she couldn't bear any longer. Madam Kate had withheld her meals for three days as punishment for her tardiness, and it was supposed to end today. Today, her torment was set to continue until Madam Kate decided to have mercy on her. Footsteps approached, and Aria turned to see Xavier. He appeared stoic in his black leather jacket and dark pants. 

  

      "Alpha, it's good to have you here. I am so sorry for the clumsiness of this mutt; I promise to punish her properly," Madam Kate hurriedly apologised, bowing as Xavier neared. 

  

Xavier paused and looked at Aria, who kept her head down, tears welling up as memories flooded back. She couldn't bring herself to meet his gaze. 

  

     "Is my drink in my room already?" Xavier's deep, commanding voice was so powerful that she shuddered involuntarily.  

  

    "I will send someone else to bring you a glass of juice to your room. I apologise again for the inconvenience, Alpha," Madam Kate responded. Xavier huffed and walked away, ignoring Aria as if she were invisible. She began to sob. 

  

This was not the Xavier she remembered. The one she knew would have stopped Madam Kate from treating her harshly, not walking past like she was not there. Now, he was a stranger. She guessed this was her punishment. Madam Kate twisted her ear, causing her to wince in pain. 

  

"Next time you put me in this situation, I will make sure you join your mother. Stupid, lazy ass. Get up from there and leave my sight right this instant. Make sure you taste nothing in the kitchen!" 

  

Aria was an eyesore to everyone in the pack, but Madam Kate's hatred was five times stronger. When she was captured and brought to the Winter Pack, Madam Kate requested that Aria become her ward. Aria thought she was finally getting accepted by someone because she knew no one would take her. Little did she know that Madam Kate was her worst nightmare. She stood up and hurried towards the kitchen, passing Xavier's room. She considered speaking to him. Maybe he did not recognise her, but he would remember her if she revealed her identity. Her inner wolf almost pushed her to twist his doorknob, but she hesitated. 

  

                   'What is the need?'  

  

As she turned to leave, Xavier's door swung open, revealing him shirtless, staring at her with a furrowed brow. Aria quickly averted her gaze. Who did he intend to murder with such ardour? 

  

      "Excuse me, do you want anything, slave?"  

  

     Slave? 

  

     She swallowed the hard knot that had formed in her throat. She did not change much through the years. Why was he looking at her like a stranger if she could recognise him so well? 

  

       "Do you usually zone out, Omega?"  

   

            Omega?  

  

     He hated it when people called another person an Omega. Why was he using that term on her? She should have known that power would change him. She wiped her tears and sniffed.  

  

    "I am so sorry, I... I wanted to apologise once again for... for spilling your juice," Aria stammered. 

  

   He looked up and down the hallway and looked back at her. She saw the hostility in his eyes. The corner of his lip curled up in a scowl.  

  

      "Now, listen to me, Omega. Let this be the first and last time you will disturb me for nothing. I will not take it lightly next time, Omega scum," he spat, eyed her, and slammed the door shut in her face. 

  

Aria's heart pounded in her chest; hot tears sprang to her eyes again. This was not the man she knew. As she turned to leave, she saw Celine and Amy staring at her from a corner. She looked away from them and wanted to leave, but Amy dragged her by the hair, making her stop.  

  

     "What were you doing?" Celine asked, circling her like a predator would its prey. 

  

    "Nothing," Aria replied. 

  

    "Did you not just throw yourself at the Alpha?" Amy snapped, yanking her hair. 

  

    "Please, I did not do such a thing." 

  

Celine took the tray away and kept it on the floor, and Amy held Aria's hands behind her. Celine slapped her, and Aria cried out, but they were relentless and stronger. 

  

     "By the time I am done with your face, you will not have any face to meet the Alpha again in your life." 

  

    "Did you think you can seduce the new Alpha?" Amy asked, pulling Aria's hand. 

  

Celine slapped her repeatedly. Aria squeezed her eyes shut, tears streaming down her cheeks. A nearby door opened, and Amy released her, pushing her to the floor. Celine kicked her, and they scurried away, rendering curses at her. 

  

      "Stupid Omega, slut." 

  

     "She is so shameless." 

  

     "I will tell Madam Kate to leash her dog." 

  

     "What impetus?" 

  

         Aria stood from the floor and began picking up the broken pieces of china which Celine had scattered on the floor. The person who opened the door and scared the bullies away approached her, and she refused to look up, but when he got closer, she was forced to look up. Xavier towered above her with brooding eyes. 

  

     "You are quite ubiquitous," he groaned. "I see you everywhere." 

  

Aria, her tears wiped away, determined not to let her emotions overwhelm her any further. She stood to her full height, avoiding direct eye contact with Xavier, and respectfully lowered her head. 

  

     "I will take my leave now, and you won't be bothered by my presence again," she stated calmly. 

  

     "Good," he grumbled. "Good riddance. Your clumsy presence has ruined my day enough. I do not wish to keep getting offended." 

  

Aria nodded in understanding, her gaze remaining fixed on the floor. She took a step backwards, ready to depart, but Xavier's voice halted her. 

  

     "You don't leave before your Alpha," he asserted. 

  

     "I apologise, Alpha," she replied humbly. 

  

Without uttering another word, Xavier turned and walked away. Aria remained in place until the sound of his receding footsteps assured her that he was no longer nearby. Only then did she turn on her heels and exit the corridor.