Blythe’s POV
“I’m so sorry. Forgive me, My Lady.” His voice was breathless. Even his apologies sounded seductive to me. Xavier rose swiftly, his motions fast, restless—as if he wanted to get away from me immediately. I didn’t want him to feel sorry. I didn’t want him to leave. I wanted him to stay. I wanted more. The way I had moaned into his lips as we kissed—I wanted him to moan the same way. I opened my mouth. “It’s—” “I’m deeply sorry, My Lady.” He cut me off with another apology, his voice harder. “I sincerely regret my actions.” That was a lie. I knew it was. I scowled inwardly at his foolishness. I wanted to taste every inch of him. Those sweet, wicked lips had stirred something wild within me. I longed to bring him back in. But his sorry-ass apologies was destroying the occasion. “There is nothing to be sorry about,” I said, edging closer. He instantly took two steps back. Then he bowed his head, eyes downcast. “No. I apologize, My Lady. I went too far with the Alpha’s woman.” Alpha’s girlfriend. The headline made me sigh in annoyance. That bastard. Why was Xavier even uttering his name right now? “None of this is your fault,” I argued. “I started the kiss.” But before I could say anything else— He turned and ran. I gasped. “Hey! Come back here!” I called after him. But he was gone. I stood there, astonished. My chest rose and sank fast, my heart pounding. I had just shared a kiss with a guy half my age, a man who wasn’t mine to desire. I should have been embarrassed. I should have felt guilty. But I wasn’t. Instead, I felt my lips—the exact lips that had been on his. A shudder raced down my spine. I believe I’m in love. The knowledge made my wolf, Aria, purr within me. A fire had been sparked within me, and I wasn’t sure I wanted it extinguished. I felt alive. Excited. Like a young girl pining on someone for the first time. A gentle grin grew over my face. “I will have you, Xavier.” The words left my lips in a whisper. For the first time in years, I felt something close to happiness. I didn’t even remember the last time I had smiled this much. Not even with Vito. By the time I reached the castle, the birthday celebrations were concluded. I scarcely noticed the farewells from leaving visitors. I merely nodded, engrossed in my thoughts. My eyes scoured the hall for Xavier. But he was nowhere. A part of me had wanted to see him again before the night ended. But he had disappeared. The instant I walked inside my rooms, I placed my hand to my face, attempting to conceal the silly laughter bursting within me. I felt like a lovesick idiot. Collapsing into my bed, I closed my eyes, allowing myself to indulge in the forbidden visions. His lips. His hands. His body. Goddess help me. I didn’t even notice when sleep seized me. BANG! BANG! BANG! “My Lady! My Lady!” I sprang awake, my heart thumping. My eyes jumped to the window—the sun had already set. I had drifted off for hours, still wearing the same gown, still bearing the lingering heat of Xavier’s kiss. BANG! “My Lady!” I groaned, dragging myself to the door. I flung it open, annoyance staining my voice. “What is it?” A young omega maid curtsied before me. “The Alpha requests your presence at the dining table, My Lady.” I narrowed my eyes. She was an omega. Was she the one Vito had been screwing? I scanned her features, looking for recognition. But all the slaves looked the same in their basic uniforms. It doesn’t matter. They are all suspects. I crossed my arms. “Tell him I’ll be there in thirty minutes.” “Yes, My Lady.” I slammed the door in her face. Then, my anger bubbled up again. “That fool,” I muttered, seething. The memories flooded back. The night before. The east wing. Vito’s treachery. I clinched my fists. You forgot where I picked you up from, didn’t you, Vito? I cleaned you up. I placed a crown on your head. And now you’ve gotten some guts to cheat on me? With a filthy omega? I clenched my teeth in irritation. I stormed into the bathroom, ripping off my gown in frustration. “You shameless bastard.” The words left my lips as I stepped into the shower, the warm water doing little to wash away my anger. He was disrespecting me—under my own roof. And now, I had to sit at the same table as him? Goddess, give me patience. When I eventually arrived in the dining hall, Ceres was already seated, waiting. The instant I went inside, she raised a brow. “Mum, what took you so long?” I faked a grin. “I took a long nap.” Ceres rolled her eyes. “Good evening, then.” Vito hardly acknowledged me. He merely grabbed up his fork and began shoving food into his lips. Like he hadn’t been gone for much of the celebration. Like he hadn’t spent the night buried within an omega’s thighs. I sat across from him, my mouth stiff. Ceres eyed us both. “Neither of you were really at my gathering today. Where were you?” I beat Vito to an answer. “Oh, well. Since your father opted to sleep in early, I did the same.” I smiled politely at her. Vito didn’t even flinch. Not a single response. He didn’t even glance at me. His poise was amazing. Like he hadn’t done anything wrong. I sneered inwardly. Vito was a skilled manipulator. A pretender to the core. Like father, like daughter. Ceres had kept her rejection of Xavier a secret. Vito had kept his infidelity quiet. Both of them sat there, eating in quiet, like nothing was amiss. I grasped my fork. Xavier. I scoured the room, my eyes racing toward the doors. Where was he? Before today, I hadn’t even noticed he worked in this mansion. But suddenly, he was all I could think about. I’d locate him. First thing in the morning.
