The forbidden mate

Back in his car, Xavier gripped the steering wheel, his mind racing. The moment he had seen her, something inside him had shifted. His wolf, usually restless and agitated, had gone still, watching her with a quiet intensity.

"Mate," it growled softly in his mind.

At her apartment, Amara sat on the edge of her bed, replaying the night's events in her mind. The man who had saved her was unlike anyone she had ever met. There was something about him, something magnetic and almost otherworldly.

She didn't know why, but she felt drawn to him in a way she couldn't explain.

The rising sun painted the city in hues of gold and pink, but Xavier barely noticed. Standing in his penthouse, his piercing gray eyes were fixed on the city skyline, though his mind was far from the world of skyscrapers and wealth.

The bond tugged at him—an unrelenting force that refused to be ignored. It had been years since he'd felt anything like this, years since his wolf had been this restless. His chest tightened as he recalled Amara's face.

Logan entered the room unceremoniously, a mug of coffee in hand. "You look like someone dragged you through hell," he commented, dropping into one of the leather armchairs.

"Get out," Xavier growled without turning.

"Not until you tell me what's got you acting like a cornered wolf," Logan said, unbothered by the Alpha's sharp tone. He sipped his coffee, watching Xavier with a raised brow.

Xavier turned, his jaw tight. "I met her."

Logan's smirk faded. "Her?"

"My mate," Xavier said, the words tasting foreign yet undeniable.

For a moment, silence hung between them, heavy with unspoken implications. Logan leaned forward, his expression serious now.

"And?"

"She's human," Xavier said bitterly, pacing across the room. "Fragile. Weak. She has no idea what she's walking into."

Logan set his coffee down. "You've been waiting for this for years, Xavier. You can't just ignore it because she's human."

"I can and I will," Xavier snapped. "Bringing her into my life would be a death sentence. The pack wouldn't accept her. The rogues would tear her apart."

Logan shook his head. "You know it doesn't work like that. The bond won't just go away because you want it to. You're already losing sleep over her, aren't you?"

Xavier's silence was answer enough.

"You don't have to decide everything right now," Logan said after a moment. "But don't make the mistake of rejecting her outright. The bond isn't something you can control. Trust me, it'll only get worse."

Xavier didn't respond, his gaze returning to the skyline. Deep down, he knew Logan was right. But the thought of putting Amara in danger was something he couldn't bear.

Amara woke to the sound of birds chirping outside her window, a rare moment of peace in her usually chaotic life. The events of the previous night felt like a dream, but the memory of Xavier was vivid and real.

She shook her head, trying to focus on her day ahead. After a quick breakfast of stale bread and coffee, she grabbed her bag and left for work.

The diner was already bustling when she arrived. The smell of frying bacon and coffee filled the air, and the clatter of plates echoed through the small space.

"Morning, Amara," her coworker Claire greeted as she tied on her apron.

"Morning," Amara replied, forcing a smile.

Claire leaned closer, her eyes twinkling. "So, any exciting news? You look... different today."

"Different?" Amara asked, raising a brow.

"I don't know. There's something in your eyes. Did you meet someone?"

Amara hesitated, the image of Xavier flashing in her mind. "No, nothing like that. Just tired."

Claire shrugged. "If you say so. But you deserve something good, Amara. Maybe it's time you let yourself have it."

Amara didn't respond, busying herself with wiping down the counter.

The day passed in a blur of orders and small talk, but Amara couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. Several times, she glanced over her shoulder, only to find no one there.

As she left the diner that evening, the streets were already dark. She tightened her coat around her and quickened her pace, the memory of the previous night still fresh in her mind.

She turned a corner and froze.