Alpha Xander's Undoing Chasing my Unknown Mate Back novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15

*Rory*

Thankfully, we didn’t die through the night.

But waking up was awkward as hell.

The first thing I registered was warmth- -a slow, steady rise and fall beneath my cheek. The second thing? Our legs were tangled together.

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My eyes snapped open, and my heart lurched. My head had shifted in the night, resting against Xander’s bare chest, his arm still draped over my waist as if keeping me in place.

Linhaled sharply, my body going rigid, but before I could even think about moving, I felt his chest rumble beneath my ear.

“You’re awake,” Xander muttered, his voice low and groggy.

1 yanked myself back so fast that I nearly tumbled off the bed. “I–yeah! I’m awake. I–uh–good morning?”

Xander blinked at me, clearly still half–asleep, but then he seemed to process our position. His jaw tightened, and he abruptly sat up, rubbing a hand down his face.

“Get ready. We’re leaving in five minutes.”

Just like that, the moment was over.

True to his word, Xander shifted into his wolf, and I climbed onto his back, my fingers sinking into the thick, surprisingly soft fur along his shoulders.

It was a stark contrast to his usual demeanor–sharp edges, hardened stares, biting words–but here, beneath my hands, he was warmth and strength, solid and steady.

Holding onto him like this felt right, as if something in me had always been meant to fit against him, even if I refused to acknowledge it. Maybe it was because of Zerina, her stirring presence making me hyperaware of him in ways I hadn’t been before.

I wondered if that was why he had been so restless last night, if something deep inside him–something instinctual–had sensed a shift in me, even if my scent hadn’t changed enough for him to notice.

And maybe, just maybe, it wasn’t just about survival anymore–because waking up wrapped around him, and now holding onto him like this, felt far too good for something that was supposed to be a mistake.

I was crazy for thinking like this, but a tiny part of me wanted to stay in the Deserted Lands, if only I could get last night’s Xander back.

The run back to the academy took two hours, but it wasn’t until we finally crossed back into pack lands that I felt the tension leave my body

For the first time, I recognized a hint of a road cutting through the woods. It was the road that was taken to drop us here, but it was hidden, and the only other way back was the long way

We had been nowhere near the academy, yet so ripse.

If we had taken the road, it would’ve been two tours–tops. But wherever they had dropped us? That had been a eight hour run.

Xander must’ve sensed my thoughts because fus growl rumbled beneath me

“They sent us there on purpose.”

No. They wouldn’t risk Xander’s life.

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11:10 Sun, 31 Aug

Chapter 15

They sent… me out here on purpose.

He didn’t respond. Because he already knew.

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When we finally arrived back at the academy and I climbed off Xander’s back, I realized something was off because it seemed so… normal. As if last night didn’t even happen.

The entire courtyard was bustling with students–going about their normal routines–but when they caught sight of us, they froze.

Gasps rang out.

They stared at us like they had seen ghosts.

spering

A horrible, sinking feeling settled in my stomach as I hurried toward the dorms, brushing past whispering students.

“No way-”

“I thought they were-”

“But Xander’s alive, so-”

They thought we were dead.

When I stepped into my

room, the first thing I saw was Mona–crying.

Dhara was there too, burning something in a small dish, and white lillies–flowers that sometimes represented restoration of the soul and peaceful passing–were laid out on my bed.

Mona turned, her tear–filled eyes widening, and then she sprinted toward me, throwing her arms around my neck.

She sobbed into my shoulder.

“– thought you were dead!” she choked. “We thought–we thought-”

1 hugged her back, guilt twisting in my stomach. “Mona, I’m okay. I swear.”

She pulled back, sniffling, her brows furrowed in confusion. “But how? How are you only just getting back? Most wolves found their way back to the academy last night. Only a couple pairs showed up this morning, and that was because they fell asleep.”

Ifrowned. Last night?

“Wait,” I said slowly. “You’re telling me… you weren’t dropped eight hours away?”

Mona’s eyes widened. “Eight hours? The farthest bus went twenty minutes at most!”

My stomach dropped.

“Bus?” echoed Not a private vehicle?

I stopped myself before i could say anything else.

This wasn’t the time.

“You know what?” I forced a smile. “I need to report to Headmistress Varra that I’m alive. Fit see you later, okay?”

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