Alpha Xander's Undoing Chasing my Unknown Mate Back novel Chapter 28

Chapter 28

*Rory*

The ride back to Xander’s house was silent, the tension between us thick enough to suffocate.

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I sat stiffly in the passenger seat, arms crossed, watching the trees blur past the window. Xander’s grip on the steering wheel was tight, his knuckles pale, his jaw ticking every few seconds like he was biting back words he wanted to say.

Fine. Let him stew.

I was over it.

Over his mood swings, his brooding silences, his angry stares that said everything and nothing all at once. I was over the pissed–off glances he’d been throwing me all morning, like I was the one who had arranged this marriage, flooded my dorm and forced me to stay with him, or, the most recent reason of his brooding, his best friend kissing me.

He had barely spoken to me since we left the academy, and I had enough. He was taking me back to his house to get some things since I had nothing saved from the flood.

I shifted in my seat, exhaling sharply.

“Are you going to keep acting like a child the entire time we’re here, or are you going to tell me what your damn problem is?” I demanded.

Xander didn’t look at me. “I don’t have a problem.”

I scoffed. “Oh, bullshit.”

Two months ago, I would have never dreamed of talking to Xander this way. But bullshit can really pare away at someone’s edges.

His grip on the steering wheel tightened, but he still refused to acknowledge me.

My frustration boiled over. “God, why do you always have to be like this? Cold, detached, acting like nothing gets to you.” I shook my head, turning my body toward him. “Well, newsflash, Xander–you’re not as unreadable as you think. And you’ve been an even bigger asshole than usual these last few days.”

He inhaled sharply through his nose, fingers flexing against the wheel. “Aurora.”

“No, don’t ‘Aurora‘ me,” I snapped. “You’re pissed about Matt. Just say it.”

Silence.

I clenched my fists. “It’s not my fault, Xander. And I don’t have feelings for Matt. You may be an ass and the worst husband ever, but I wouldn’t do something like that. He’s not only your best friend, but your beta. I would never.”

14:19 Mon, Sep 15

Chapter 28

1:

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A muscle in his jaw jumped as he let out a slow breath, finally gripping the gear shift as he pulled the car into his driveway.

“I know,” he muttered.

I blinked, “You–what?”

He shifted the car into park and pinched the bridge of his nose, his brows furrowing in frustration. “I know it’s not your fault. And I know I haven’t been the best husband.”

I let out a humorless laugh. “Understatement of the century.”

Xander exhaled, his shoulders dropping slightly. He turned his head toward me, finally meeting my gaze, his blue eyes somber.

“But you have to just trust me,” he said, voice low. “This is for the best, okay, Rory?”

Something inside me snapped.

“Fine.” I threw my hands up. “But if you’re going to keep acting like I don’t exist, at least let Matt back into my life. He’s my friend.”

His expression hardened instantly. “Not happening.”

“Of course not,” I groaned, slamming the car door as I got out, storming toward the house.

He followed, his footsteps heavy behind me as I unlocked the door. “You don’t understand-”

I whirled around, cutting him off. “Don’t you think I’m pissed too?” My voice cracked slightly. “He not only violated my personal space, but our friendship, too. But he’s human, Xander, as much as he’s a wolf. He made a mistake. And quite frankly, he thought he was doing what’s best for me.”

Xander’s nostrils flared. His fingers twitched at his sides.

“He doesn’t know what the fuck is best for you,” he snapped.

The next thing I knew, my back was against the wall.

My breath caught, my heart hammering as Xander crowded me, his hands braced against the wall on either side of my head.

His body was so close, heat radiating off of him, his scent overwhelming.

My chest rose and fell rapidly as his fingers traced the edge of my hip, moving up, slow and possessive.

His grip tightened, sliding higher, dangerously high, until his knuckles brushed the underside of my thigh.

My hands fisted in his shirt, my breath coming out shaky.

“Why won’t you just give in?” I whispered, barely recognizing my own voice.

14:19 Mon, Sep 15

Chapter 28

34

55 vouchers

His breath fanned over my lips, his forehead nearly brushing mine. His fingers flexed once more before he slowly, painfully withdrew.

“Because if I do,” he murmured, his voice so low it sent shivers down my spine, “you will never forgive me.”

He pulled away entirely, his presence suddenly cold as he took a step back.

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