The Alpha novel Chapter 56

Ethan's POV

The room sits in silence for a moment as everyone's eyes look between Xander and Cassia as they gaze at each other. Xander's eyes are black, showing that his wolf is pushing for control as he stares at Cassia with the lust and possessiveness that all wolves feel for their mates. Cassia's eyes not he other hand are wide with surprise and her whole body is tense. Xander's gaze drops to her cuffed wrists and he lets out a low growl. Cassia shifts uncomfortably and I can't say I blame her. She probably has no idea what's going on and right now Xander seems like a predator ready to pounce on his prey.

"Umm... what's going on?" Cassia inquires, leaning away from Xander and looking around him to shift her gaze between me and Scarlet.

I grimace, unsure of what to tell her. Xander clenches his fists and blinks his eyes a few times. He takes a step back and turns to face me, his back straight and tense. His irises are back to their normal deep brown color. His jaw is set as he grits his teeth. Scarlet is about to open her mouth, likely to explain to Cassia why Xander would have behaved so oddly.

Before she has the chance to speak, I clear my throat, interrupting, "Can Xander and I have the room for a moment? The rest of you can wait in the lounge for a minute."

Xander's men immediately step back from the room instead of bothering to come in. They turn and stride back down the hallway to where the waiting lounge is. Our conference rooms are on the floor where our business offices are so there is a reception desk and sitting area right in front of the elevators. The guards standing by the door nod and walk out too, waiting for Scarlet and Cassia to follow. Scarlet gives me a questioning look and I give her a nod. I can explain everything later.

She gestures at Cassia to go first so the young witch stands up from her seat. She looks over at Xander with a frown as her eyebrows pinch together in confusion. After he got his wolf under control, he didn't spare her another word or glance. She gives her head a little shake before strolling towards the exit. I would like to know what she's thinking, but I certainly can't ask her. Hopefully, Scarlet will be able to talk to her and smooth things over a bit.

Scarlet gives me one last pointed look before following Cassia out of the room, closing the door behind her. Xander sighs and takes the seat in front of me. "Are you okay?" I ask him.

He just sits there, seemingly in a daze as he stares down in front of him. I wait patiently, knowing that he has a lot to process. Eventually, he wipes his hands on his jeans as though his palms are sweaty then he looks back up at me. "Yeah... I guess so. I just never expected this."

I simply nod in understanding, not wanting to push him to talk about it. We all know that he has no faith in the mate bond and what his reasons are for it. I hope that one day he'll start believing in it again and that maybe Cassia can help with that. The silence lingers for a while before I finally question, "So, what are you going to do?" He shrugs and lightly taps his fist on the arm of the chair, not meeting my gaze. After a few seconds, he looks up at me and answers, "I'm going to show her to her room, get the stuff she needs for that potion, and then I'll meet with you and the others to come up with a plan of attack."

"I meant about Cassia," I remark seriously.

"That's her name?" Xander replies as he straightens in his seat a little, as though finding out her name excited him. The corner of his mouth twitches into a small smirk as he seemingly mumbles to himself, "That's a pretty name." He seems dazed for a moment before blinking his eyes and clearing the fog. He quickly covers up his reaction as he slouches back into his seat, kicking a foot up and resting it on his opposite knee. "I don't plan on doing anything right now. We have more important things to deal with."

I let out a sigh. "You can't avoid this Xander. One of these days you're going to need to talk to her. Like REALLY talk to her. And figure out if you're willing to give it a chance." I really hope that he does. I want him to realize how amazing having a mate can be.

He doesn't meet my eyes but he nods. He exhales as though he has been holding a breath in then slams his palms down on the arms of the chair. "Well, good chat bro, but I gotta get going. I'll link you once I'm on my way back."