chapter twenty

**Alpha Xavier POV**

"Do you really think it's a good idea to call her?" Josh, my beta, grumbled, rolling his eyes with barely contained frustration.

"I need to know if she's truly okay," I replied, my voice firm as I took a swig from the whiskey bottle on the table. The liquid burned my throat, but it helped me maintain a cold, indifferent expression. "There were too many people there, and it’s obvious the staff was lurking, listening to everything. I had to be more rigid and act like an indifferent Alpha. If I showed any sign of weakness, Jade might suspect something... and tell Alpha Damon."

Josh snorted, anger evident in his dark eyes. "I told you it was a bad idea to bring the girl into the pack," he muttered, his tone laced with reproach. "Look at you... you almost exposed yourself today because of her. Don’t forget we need Alpha Damon. No one knows your true identity yet, and the bastards who tried to kill you have no idea you're alive. We need to wait for the right moment t