2- Who Is He? - NOW

NOW

Aria blinks. Once. Twice. But he’s still there.

A part of her hopes she’s hallucinating, that her exhausted mind is playing cruel tricks on her. But no. Xavier is real. He’s sitting there, larger than life, looking every bit the powerful Alpha he was destined to be. She wills her heartbeat to slow, to settle into something close to normal. But how can it? Xavier is still the most arrestingly handsome man she has ever seen. Time hasn’t dulled his beauty; if anything, it has sharpened it, refined it. His once-defined jawline has transformed into something more rugged, more dangerously masculine. His body has filled out, broad shoulders packed with muscle, his presence even more commanding than before.

And yet, his gaze is empty. Cold. Like he doesn’t know her at all.

“Hey, omega scum!” Beta Roland yells.

Aria jolts back to reality, her dazed thoughts scattering like dust in the wind. She blinks rapidly, then drops to her knees, scrambling to pick up the tray and the goblets.

“I’m sorry,” she murmurs.

Her hands tremble as she gathers the goblets, and her pulse hammered so hard she can feel it in her throat. Xavier still hasn’t looked away. But there’s nothing in his eyes, not recognition, not concern. Nothing.

“Stupid mutt!” Beta Roland spits again.

She ignores him. She ignores the sting in her finger. She ignores everything except the task at hand. Grabbing the last of the broken pieces, she rushes out of the cabana, and her legs are suddenly weak beneath her. The moment she reaches the doorway, she leans against the wooden frame, trying to catch her breath. Her chest rises and falls erratically, her mind spinning.

That man in there… There’s no mistaking him.

Even from behind, she could recognize him effortlessly.

But she never knew Xavier was Alpha Grayson’s grandson. How is he going to rule over two different packs?

She turns to leave, but as she rounds the corner—

SMACK!

Pain explodes across her cheek as Madam Kate delivers a sharp, stinging slap. She doesn’t flinch. She has grown used to this. But that doesn’t stop the tears from burning behind her eyes.

"Stupid girl!" Madam Kate snaps, her face twisting with anger. "You’re really good for nothing, aren’t you? You had one job. Just one! How hard is it to do something right?"

Aria presses a trembling hand to her cheek. "I’m sorry, Madam."

"Sorry for yourself!" Madam Kate barks. "Stupid mutt! Your salary is deducted!"

Her stomach drops. Not again.

Desperation grips her as she falls to her knees. "Madam Kate, please."

But the woman turns away, already dismissing her. Panic surges through Aria, and she scrambles forward, grabbing onto the hem of her dress.

"Madam, please," she pleads, her voice breaking. "Tamper justice with mercy!"

The salary was never enough to begin with, how much worse will it be now that she’s taking away a part of it? She hasn’t received her full wages in two months. She spent the entire month making sure she stayed out of trouble, just so she could finally take home what little she was owed. And now, with only a day left before payday, it’s gone.

She can’t let this happen.

She clutches onto Madam Kate’s heels, refusing to let go. "Madam, please!"

Her voice turns shrill. "Are you trying to make me fall?!"

Footsteps echo from down the hall. Heavy. Commanding. She doesn’t even need to turn to know who it is.

Xavier.

He steps toward them, looking utterly unreadable in his black leather jacket and dark pants. His presence alone shifts the energy in the hallway.

Madam Kate straightens immediately, her entire demeanor transforming. "Alpha!" she calls, her voice suddenly sweet. "I’m so sorry for the clumsiness of this omega. I promise to punish her properly."

Xavier stops in front of them, his dark eyes flicking down to Aria. She quickly lowers her head, unable to meet his gaze. Her throat tightens, swelling with emotions she refuses to acknowledge. Memories rush in, unbidden and overwhelming. The Xavier she once knew… would never stand by while someone treated her like this. But the man before her doesn’t even flinch.

“Is my bedroom ready?” Xavier asks. His commanding voice is so powerful that she shudders involuntarily.

Madam Kate stammers. "Ye-yes, Alpha. It’s ready."

Xavier barely reacts. "Get me another cup of juice in my room. I’m thirsty."

Madam Kate bows slightly. "I’ll send someone else to bring it to you, Alpha. I deeply apologize for the mistake."

Without another word, Xavier turns and walks away. Ignoring her completely. His footsteps echo in the hallway until his door slams shut. A low sob escapes before she can stop it. The Xavier she knew would never have let this happen. But maybe she deserves this.

Suddenly, a sharp pain shoots through her ear as Madam Kate grabs and twists it. She whimpers, biting back a cry.

"Next time you put me in this situation, I’ll skin you alive. Stupid, clumsy ass! Get up and get out of my sight this instant!" Madam Kate’s voice is venomous again.

Aria scrambles to her feet, head bowed, and starts down the hall.

"And make sure you taste nothing in the kitchen!" Madam Kate calls after her.

She doesn’t stop. She doesn’t respond. She just hurries away, gripping the tray tightly as she makes her way to dispose of the shattered glass. But as she passes Xavier’s room door, her steps slow. Her fingers tighten around the tray as an idea creeps into her mind.

Maybe he didn’t recognize her. Maybe if she reminds him, if she says her name, he will remember. Slowly, she moves toward the door, reaching for the handle. Her heart pounds against her ribs. But then, she stops.

'What’s the need?'

Before she can turn away, the door swings open.

Xavier stands in the doorway, shirtless, his sculpted chest and defined muscles are on full display. His dark brows furrow as he stares at her, his sharp gaze is unreadable. Heat rushes to her cheeks, and she quickly averts her eyes.

"Excuse me?" His voice is sharp with venom. "Do you want something, servant?"

Servant?

She swallows the knot in her throat. Her face hasn’t changed much over the years. If she can recognize him so well, why is he looking at her like she’s a stranger?

"Do you usually zone out, omega?" His tone cuts deeper this time. It's cold and condescending.

Omega?

Xavier used to hate it when people called her that. Now, he’s the one saying it.

She fights back the sting in her eyes and straightens her shoulders. "I’m sorry, I… I just wanted to apologize again for… for spilling your juice," she stammers.

He doesn’t say a word. No acknowledgment, no reaction. Just a sharp inhale, a step back into his room—

And then the door slams in her face.