The Hidden Runaway

Part Nine. Xavier.

I couldn't explain it. Why I felt so strongly, why her emotion seemed to seep into me. I wasn't usually one to be so empathic. In fact, Liv had accused me of being 'an emotionless jackass' on several occasions. But now, with her crying before me, I wanted nothing more than to scoop her up in my arms and carry her away from all of this.

All the pain that my pack, fuck, her pack too, had caused her. But I couldn't. My father would have my ass if I tried. And she wouldn't understand. They wouldn't understand. They couldn't know what had happened between us the instant our eyes locked. Could they? She didn't, and I wasn't even sure I'd been able to fully comprehend it yet. She was my mate. My mate. I'd imprinited. At one of the worst possible times, with someone I really shouldn't have.

Fuck.

What game was the Moon Goddess playing at?

Why couldn't she have just made Liv my mate? Even one of the girls from the pack. Like literally anyone other than Arabella Young. I couldn't deny it though. She was perfect.

"Xav?"

Seb nudged me and instantly I realised I'd been so absorbed in my own dilemma that I'd completely zoned out. My jaw ached, apparently I'd zoned out and locked my jaw, great. I dropped my jaw, rolling it once or twice to work out the growing knots before turning to look at him.

"Yeah?" I asked, hoping I'd not missed too much. Fuck. "Right." My gaze darted around the room quickly, avoiding the gaze of the girl whose eyes would surely only get me into deeper shit. Finding my father's gaze I swallowed. He looked pissed.

"Good. Now that you're back with us Xavier. I was just informing Ms Young that we could take her to her father in the morning once she'd rested." His tone was blunt, and the way he'd spat the word father made it evidently clear he held little sympathy for the girl's loss. I couldn't blame him, he'd clearly had a rough morning, but still, the way he spoke, I wanted to cuss him out for not being more gentle with her.

Yep. She was definitely going to get me in trouble.

I nodded making sure he knew I was listening. "And I'd like you and Sebastian to take her to the Pack house and get her set up in the guest room." The Pack house. Of course she'd be staying at the Pack house. The very house that I lived in. Fuck.

"I'd rather she come stay with me." Paul interjected. I resisted the urge to snort. There was no way she was sleeping in his shack in the woods. Some of the others couldn't contain themselves though. Seb's mum, Alicia scoffed at him, shaking her head.

"The girl's not going to your shack Paul. The last time I was there you only had one bed, if you could even call it that. Let her stay at the Pack house tonight. We can always reevaluate in the morning."

"I'm not going anywhere with any of you." The girl huffed, edging further away from Paul who was getting dangerously close. I knew he only wanted to protect her, but I could tell his presence was making her uncomfortable, and that in turn made my stomach churn.

"Arabella." I said gently. My father's head snapping in my direction, clearly frustrated that I'd spoken out of turn. Fuck him, so had Paul and Alicia. "Stay at the Pack house tonight, my place, and tomorrow I'll take you to see your dad. It'll be okay, you'll be safe there. I promise." I held her gaze steadily, watching as a wave of emotions fluttered through her ocean blue eyes. Frustration, confusion, and then reluctance. Her eyes never left mine, but a moment later her shoulders slumped slightly, resigned, she nodded, just barely. "Okay. I'll go with you." She agreed.

The room was quiet. And with a small nod my eyes lifted to find my father's again. I expected him to be pissed. Instead, a small smile toyed on his lips.

"Well then, Xavier." He gestured for me to leave. "Sebastian. You're also excused."

He continued bluntly. Clearly evicting the young pack members from the room.

"I'm coming too." Paul muttered, climbing to his feet.

"Sit down Paul. We've things to discuss if you intend to return to the pack." Dad said sternly.

"Who said anything about returning?" He retorted.

"She may be your kin, but to make her a rogue is not your choice, nor is one she understands enough to make."

Paul huffed, sitting back down with his arms folded across his chest.

I moved, offering the girl my hand which she accepted much to my surprise, helping her to her feet, I watched as she wobbled slightly. Why she wasn't healing faster I wasn't sure. Guiding her from the room I locked eyes with Sebastian who arched a brow, I shook my head and he nodded, taking his own leave as I moved with her to the front door and outside where the sun was just beginning to rise over the tree line in the distance.