Chapter 79

Xavier

There was blood.

I could smell it. Not just from the guard, who I had left dripping from the nose, but from Valerie. He had torn the flesh on her arm, three long claw-marks marring the skin.

But still, she had managed to report about the wolf before losing consciousness.

“Have my guards search the chambers,” I said to Ralph. “I want every room in the corridor checked. I’ll take Valerie back to my chambers.”

“No—“ Alyssa said. “You can’t, Xavier. It’ll draw too much attention.”

“I don’t care,” I replied curtly. “She could be in danger. She is in danger.”

“She might be,” said Alyssa, “but how would the wolves think of their Alpha beating a Northerner because of a human girl. And then taking her back to his chambers?” She looked down at Valerie, gently brushing her hair from her sleeping face. “All you’re going to do is put her in more danger than she’s already in. She can come stay with me in my room. I’ll take care of her.”

“You?” I asked, doing little to hide my cynicis