Ava didn’t bother tensing up when she felt Xavier’s arm drop around her shoulders and didn’t pull away when he pulled her into his chest. After the night she’d had, the cautious comfort felt…nice, even if it were offered by the very source of her anguish.
And, if that weren’t the most fucked up thought she’d ever had, she didn’t know what was.
Despite everything he’d done to her and the hoops he was currently making her jump through seemingly just for his cruel amusement, Ava’s body still yearned to be close to his. The cloying scent of their mating bond threatened to suffocate her, it was so strong.
Ava shrugged out of his hold and sniffed back her remaining tears. Wiping her face dry, she walked off a couple of feet to give herself some much-needed space. When she finally turned to face Xavier, she was surprised by the surprise she found etched on his face.
The Alpha looked utterly perplexed and mildly disturbed, frowning at her with something that looked infuri
