chapter ten

**Xavier's POV**

I walked slowly toward my office, each step heavy with the weight of the emotions consuming me. I knew there were important contracts and papers to review, both that afternoon and the next morning, but the anger and frustration clouding my mind made it nearly impossible to concentrate. As I approached the door, the familiar smell of whiskey filled the air, a clear indication that my beta was there, waiting for me. He was sitting in one of the chairs beside me, with one of my favorite bottles already open. He was probably waiting for me to finalize the deals we had discussed last week.

"How is she?" he asked, raising his eyebrows in my direction, the curiosity evident in his eyes as I entered.

"Stable," I replied, trying to keep my voice controlled, but unable to hide the dark shadow that colored it. "The doctor said she'll need rest for a few days and medication for at least a month. I don't know how she managed to survive in this state," I murmured, my hands clenchin