ALPHA XAVIER POV

After the ladies had left, I approached Isabel, who sat on the bed with a palpable sense of fear lingering in her expression, despite her attempts to conceal it. I knew I had been too harsh on her, and I felt a pang of guilt as I observed her apprehension.

"I know I've been hard on you, but..." I hesitated, searching for the right words to express my remorse. "How about we go on a picnic in the garden? The serving girls have prepared everything we need."

Her eyes widened in surprise, a flicker of hope sparking within them. "Thank you, Xavier," she replied, her voice laced...