Beneath His Shadows

Elena's days in Xavier's mansion felt like a blur, her sense of time warped by the looming tension in the air.

She had tried to fight him, to question his every action, but he was always one step ahead, his power making her feel like a caged bird. She hated how easy it was for him to control her.

The mansion, with its marble floors and cold, sterile walls, felt more like a prison than a sanctuary. And yet, Xavier's presence was inescapable.

She saw him in passing, rarely speaking. His cold gaze followed her from across the rooms or during the rare encounters they shared. His eyes never softened, his demeanor always as ruthless as the first night they met.

But every now and then, she caught glimpses of something deeper in his gaze—a flash of something fragile, buried beneath layers of anger and detachment.

---

The Talk

It was late one evening when Xavier's voice pierced the silence of the mansion.

"Elena."

She was in the library, flipping through a book she had found, but at his voice, she immediately put it down and turned.

Xavier stood at the entrance, his tall figure casting a long shadow in the dim light.

"What is it?" she asked, her tone guarded.

His eyes studied her. "I need to know you're not going to run."

Elena blinked. "I told you already, I'm not your prisoner."

Xavier's jaw tightened. "I'm not asking for your trust, Elena. But I need your cooperation. For your own safety."

She stood up, shaking her head. "I don't need your protection. I can take care of myself."

Xavier's lips twitched, though it was more of a frown than a smile. "I didn't say you couldn't. But you're under my protection whether you like it or not. Celeste won't stop coming after you."

The mention of Celeste made her stomach churn.

"I didn't ask for any of this," Elena whispered, her anger simmering. "You took me. I didn't choose this."

Xavier was silent for a moment. His eyes softened, just barely, but it was enough to make her breath catch.

"You're right," he said, his voice low, almost regretful. "I didn't give you a choice. But I'm trying to protect you, Elena. It's the only thing I can do for you."

She looked away, a lump forming in her throat. What did he mean by that? Was this pity? Compassion? Or something else altogether?

---

The Sudden Change

Later that night, Elena couldn't sleep. The thoughts in her head were racing. She stood up, quietly moving toward the window. The cool breeze from the open balcony door felt like a temporary escape from the heavy air inside.

She leaned against the railing, staring out into the distance, the lights of the city flickering below like a world that was far removed from her own.

A sudden sound behind her made her turn.

Xavier.

His presence filled the doorway like a dark cloud, his eyes locking onto hers. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The tension between them was palpable, thick with emotions neither of them was willing to voice.

"You can't keep doing this," Elena said, her voice quiet but firm. "I can't stay here forever, Xavier. I won't."

Xavier stepped forward, his shadow falling across her. "Then what will you do? Run back to the life you were so desperate to escape?"

Elena's eyes flashed with anger. "I'm not afraid of your world, Xavier. I'm just not a part of it."

He didn't respond immediately, his eyes piercing hers as if he were trying to read her. Then, he reached for her hand, his fingers brushing against hers in a soft touch that made her heart race.

"You're more a part of it than you think," he said quietly, his voice just above a whisper.

---

The Fire Inside

The air between them crackled with something unspoken.

Elena could feel it. The pull. The attraction that she couldn't ignore.

She stepped back, pulling her hand from his grip, her heart thudding in her chest. "I don't want this," she said, her voice stronger now. "I don't want to be tied to you or your world."

Xavier watched her, his expression unreadable. For a moment, Elena wondered if he was angry or hurt. But then, he turned away.

"Do you think I want this?" he asked, his voice tight with something she couldn't decipher. "Do you think I asked for any of this either?"

He paused, his back to her. "You're in my world now, Elena. Whether you like it or not, you've already made your choice by being here."

Elena's breath caught in her throat. His words stung, but the truth in them made her chest tighten.

The fire between them had only just begun. And neither of them was ready to extinguish it.

---