The Truth

Chapter 8

The beautiful melodies of singing birds filled the air as the early sun bathed the room in its golden radiance. I relished the warmth that seeped through the curtains and enveloped me beneath the silky blanket. I loved the comfort and calm that surrounded me, dressed in comfy pajamas and a green blouse.

As soon as I opened my eyes, I noticed Xavier's presence. He wore a camel wool peacoat, black pants, and a shirt, and his focused gaze was fixed on me. I sat up against the bed, tucking the blanket tighter about me, as a chill ran down my spine.

"What exactly are you doing here?" I inquired, my voice tinged with mistrust.

"Where else do I go?" It's my room,"

he responded flatly. I expected you to stay awake all night thinking about the man you love. But here you are, sound asleep. What was his name?"

I was irritated. "Logan! What did you do to him?"

"He is still alive," said Xavier quietly.

I couldn't get myself to trust what he said. "I don't trust you."

"Trust is essential for us to progress. Without trust, you'll be continuously afraid that Logan is already dead, and your actions may result in mistakes that I can't stand. Ultimately, it will be your decisions that determine his fate," said Xavier, his voice threatening.

My rage erupted. "Don't you dare!"

"That's correct! You now understand. I did not take his life; you have the authority to determine when he will die. Another thing, forget about him. Holding on to his memories would only give me more reasons to end his life," coldly Xavier replied.

My annoyance rose. "How can you talk about it so casually? We were set to tie the knot! Logan is my family, and I adore him. I'll never be able to forget him."

Xavier approached the bed gently, wanting to sit alongside me, but I swiftly pushed myself away, establishing a space between us.

"You're new here, so I'm giving you a chance to improve, and the last thing is that you stop calling his name in front of me," explained Xavier.

I inquired. "For how long do we have to pretend?"

Xavier's reaction caught me off guard. "If you don't want to pretend anymore, let's get married."

His suggestion made me scoff. "Do you think life is a joke? How can you believe that everything should be done to your liking?"

"How much do you truly know about me?" he inquired calmly and composedly.

I was filled with rage. "You are only concerned with yourself. You're a jerk."

"Isn't it a bit premature to pass judgment on someone so quickly?" queried Xavier, his voice emotionless.

"I'm not passing judgment; I'm just speaking from personal experience. I've seen enough to know you're self-centered. I don't care what kind of relationship we have; I refuse to accept it until the day I die," I said, my voice firm.

Xavier drew in closer, his intense eyes riveted on mine. My heart was racing, but I stood firm, refusing to exhibit any signs of panic. I met his look squarely, expressing through my eyes that his alpha rank did not afford him unlimited authority.

"Even if you married your lover, you still belong here, regardless of who you are married to," he stated, sending shivers down my spine.

I had so many things I wanted to say to him, expressing my hate for him and planning my retaliation for smashing my hopes. But I kept my mouth shut, waiting for a better opportunity to flee.

"Be prepared. We're going hunting, and everyone is expecting you at breakfast," said Xavier seriously as he exited the room.

I entered the closet, where a plethora of stunning and costly clothes covered the shelves. I had rarely been given a choice in my entire life, but suddenly I had the freedom to choose the nicest dress to wear whenever I pleased. It was a taste of the freedom I had yearned for, a sight of a life I had never known.

I joined them for breakfast reluctantly, feeling like an alien in their midst. As I descended the stairs, Amara greeted me with a loving grin.

"Good morning," she responded brightly.

"Good morning," I said, attempting to match her energy.

I noticed an empty seat next to Xavier as I approached the dining table. Everyone appeared to have reserved that seat for me, leaving me with no choice but to take my place next to him. The room was alive, with vibrant conversations and the clinking of cutlery filling everything. The variety of food on the table was astounding, and the aroma was inviting. Amara poured juice and placed a well-cooked steak on my dish.

"Try it; I cooked it," she said, her eyes twinkling with excitement.

I couldn't help but smile as I tasted the delicious meat. "It's delicious," I said.

"Thank you," said Amara, smiling.

Ruth, one of the pack members, leaned in with a cheeky grin. "So, how did you spend your night?" she inquired, plainly implying the events of our ostensible wedding night.

Curiosity filled the room as people turned to face me, ready to hear about our wedding adventure. There was laughter and playful banter, with some blushing and others joining in on the taunting.

Edward cut Ruth off, adding a fun twist to the discourse. "Exactly what do you mean, Ruth? Are you requesting personal information?" he made a joke.

Ruth quickly shifted the topic, directing it towards a more informal talk, sensing the way the conversation was headed. "What I meant was, did she get enough sleep? This place is new to her," she emphasized, attempting to draw attention away from the personal side.

I couldn't help but notice Bella, sitting alone in the corner, calmly nibbling on a piece of bread, amidst the talk and laughter. She appeared to be disconnected from the rest of the group, her look far away.

There was something odd about her as if her words carried weight and a concealed warning. Was she a forerunner of impending calamity, or was she simply amused by my anguish?

I felt a stab of uneasiness as Ruth asked about our love story. Is it a love story? Given the conditions of our forced marriage, such a thought was impossible for me to grasp. I turned to face Xavier, who was sipping his apple juice nonchalantly, unmoved by the conversation.

Amara chimed in, attempting to explain the fascination with our union. "It's just that Xavier mentioned you both have a unique love story," she explained softly.

Edward intervened, sensing my discomfort. "Let's not make her uncomfortable, shall we?" he said, casting a knowing glance at Ruth and Amara.

Ruth continued, desperate to learn the truth behind Xavier's decision. "But despite being an Alpha, the most eligible bachelor, he chose you, lady Sansa. There must be something unique about you that drew his attention."

I tried to shift the conversation since I felt stuck. "Why don't you just ask him directly?" I proposed, wanting to divert attention away from myself. After all, I couldn't make up a love tale in the absence of one.

Ruth returned her gaze to Xavier, waiting for his response. His eyes were penetrating and mesmerizing as they locked with mine. It took my breath away, but I knew deep inside that he was more than meets the eye. He was a complicated puzzle with many secrets hidden beneath his placid appearance.

As he responded to Ruth's question, Xavier's voice shattered the silence. "Her proclivity for error, obstinacy, fierce and threatening gaze, rebellious nature... she possesses a dangerous allure. That's why she's mine," he stated, his words tinged with ownership.

They answered with exaggerated reactions, filling the room with fun mocking, and laughter. They exclaimed, apparently amused at Xavier's remark, "Ooohhh!"

I couldn't help but feel apprehensive and intrigued. What on earth had I gotten myself into? I grew ensnared in Xavier's intriguing web the more I examined him. It was getting more difficult to interpret his genuine motives, and I found myself attracted deeper into his world, despite the perils that lurked within.

"With such a powerful confession, couldn't you have chosen gentler words?" Ruth taunted Xavier, easing the tension in the room.

Xavier, ever composed, remarked, "You asked for my preference, and I provided an honest response."

As their talk proceeded, I fought to hide my rage beneath a phony grin. As my mind raced with ideas, their words faded into faraway echoes. They were unaware that their esteemed Alpha had engineered the kidnapping of a bride from her wedding, concealing his true motives with lies.

Among the chit-chat, Amara asked me a question. "How about you, Sansa?" "What do you find appealing about Xavier?"

This was the chance to reveal the truth and expose Xavier's lie. Maybe by sharing the truth about our predicament, I'll be able to escape this oppressive world and return to my true love, Logan. I determined to meet them head-on, summoning all my courage.

"We are not married," I said, my voice firm and determined. "Xavier crashed into my wedding, kidnapped me, and brought me here against my will. He's a stranger to me, and everything he's told you is a sham."

The room fell silent as everyone focused their attention on me, contemplating the stunning truth I had just unleashed. At the time, I hoped they would see through Xavier's ruse and doubt the integrity of their Alpha, who had abused his position for personal gain.

I took a long breath, seeking to calm my beating heart, as I noticed their amused expressions. Their laughter echoed throughout the room, isolating and trapping me, like prey encircled by predators. It was becoming clear that they were all willing participants in Xavier's deception, dancing to his warped music.

I grasped the magnitude of my error at that time. I had foolishly assumed that the truth would triumph, that their devotion to justice and honesty would lead them to oppose their treacherous Alpha. But as I watched their laughter blend with Xavier's, I realized I'd dug my own grave.

Fear wrapped itself around my heart like icy tendrils. I had unintentionally entered a danger zone, surrounded by people whose genuine objectives were hidden beneath deceitful grins. I was at their mercy, with no way out.

I readied myself for whatever horrors came as the laughter died down and their gazes remained on me. I couldn't tell who was the hunter and who was the victim.