Xenia's eyes went wide before she quickly recovered. Of course, her mother knew. Nothing gets past this lady. Xenia shook her head, ignoring her mother's question.
"How can you ask me that after assaulting someone? Mother, you know you can't go on abusing every man that wants to fuck me," Xenia said while bagging all the chocolates her mother pointed to.
"Hmph, it's not abuse, sweetie, if they like," she beamed. "I can teach you some things you know."
Xenia shook her head and gave the bag of goodies to her mother. Lottie clapped her hands as she walked over, giving her mother a hug.
"Miss Delilah, I'm not sure if I ever said this, but I think you're my spirit animal."
My mother grinned at the compliment, flipping her hair to the side. "Oh, Lottie, you flatter me so." She gave Lottie a once-over. "Darling, what is this new look? I am loving this fabric. It feels like Faevian silk." Her mother walked around Lottie. "Who do I have to seduce to get one of these?"
Lottie grinned as much as her mouth would allow her. Xenia knew she was thinking of her mate. It was the only time Lottie made a face like that.
"My Spencer. His pack is one of few surrounding the Royal Kingdom, so he's giving me a personal tour when we get back," Lottie geek like a kid with candy. "Maybe I'll even meet the Alpha King."
My mother grinned at her. "I'm so happy for you, Lottie. If only my daughter could find someone who would dote on her like your Spencer." Delilah's eyes lit up like she had an amazing idea. "Maybe when you go on this tour, you'll find someone handsome and strong for my Xeni."
Xenia glared at her mother. "I don't need anyone, mother. I have Cris-"
Delilah flicked her hands in the air dismissively. "Yeah, yeah, you have Cristo-bore," she joked before leaning against the counter and whispering, "You know I've seen him down at the brothel talking to Miss Hayworth. Who knows what that thing gave him?"
Xenia sighed and shook her head. She knew Cristobal had friends, and she didn't care much, but her mother did. She would always find ways to try to get Xenia to end her relationship with Cristobal. She even tried to sleep with him once to get Xenia to leave him. It wasn't like they were in a committed relationship.
Cristobal was a soldier, and the chances of him being faithful were ridiculous in her mind. So, Xenia told him point blank, 'We are nothing more than friends who enjoy each other's company' whenever he's in town. It's been this way for two years, and her mother has been hounding her about commitment since then. As if she was the greatest role model.
"Mother, we're not a couple. We're friends who, on occasion, comfort each other, and as far as I know, it will stay that way. So back off."
Xenia busied herself around the shop, ignoring her mother's glares and Lottie's amused face. Lottie never got involved in their arguments, but Xenia bet she found them entertaining. Her mother scoffed at her proclamation.
"Is it terrible for a mother to want her daughter to be loved? I was fortunate to experience it with your father, and if I had to do it all again, knowing the outcome would remain the same, I would. Without a doubt."
Her mother grabbed her hands and stared into her eyes. Xenia tried not to let it affect her, but her mother had a way of getting in her head.
"I just want you to at least know what that feels like. To be the apple of someone's eye. To never wanting them to let you go. To love so hard, it hurts but in a good way. To feel a fire burning so deep in your soul that the only way to tame it is with their touch. There's an intimacy to be loved that way, Xeni, and I want that for you."
Xenia immediately flashed back to Mason before shaking her head to get rid of those thoughts. Xenia saw tears in the corner of her mother's eyes. Her mother had never spoken like this before, which surprised her. So much so Xenia had to remind herself to blink. Even Lottie was hanging on to her mother's words. A lazy smile spread across her mother's face, and Xenia sighed heavily.
"Are you high again," Xenia asked while watching her mother fail to suppress a smile. "Mother!"
Her mother erupted in little giggles and pinched her fingers together. "Just a little."
Xenia pushed away from her and went to the door to open it. "Get out," she yelled with a smile in her voice.
She should have known her mother was drinking her secret pixie tea. It's a powerful hallucinogen, and too much would likely kill you.
"You don't have to be so rude," her mother huffed as she moved towards the door. She stopped and looked at me before cupping Xenia's face in her thin, smooth hands. "I love you, and I meant what I said. You deserve love, Xeni. The best of it. And if it was this new man you met today at Barry's bar, grab it and don't let go."
Her mother kissed her lips and then wiped off the lipstick before moving towards the horseless carriage she came in. "I'll see you in two days," she yelled as the carriage pulled away.
Two days from now is the anniversary of her father's death, and, like every year, along with her mother and Lottie, they traveled to Glenville. They would have dinner at Lottie's grandmother's diner and celebrate his life with the townspeople. It was always a good time for everyone to connect and reminisce. Xenia looked forward to it. She closed the shop door and turned to see Lottie smiling. Xenia just shook her head and smiled.
"You know your mother might have a point. Being in love is grand," Lottie said, spinning around.
"Oh no. Don't tell me you fell for that. My mother is nothing but a hypocrite. She talks of love and yet gives false love to whoever has enough to pay for it."
"Doesn't mean she doesn't know what love is. She had it once, and how she talks about it reminds me of Spencer," Lottie leaned on the counter in a dreamlike state. "He makes me feel like the only girl in the world, and when he touches me"-she smiled and closed her eyes as if he was there now-" when he touches me, it's like I could feel his love exploding all over my body like fireworks. Xeni, it's incredible."
Xenia couldn't help but smile at her best friend, who was humming to herself. She was happy for her, truly, but she could never imagine loving someone like that. Xenia would be too afraid to lose them. The same way her mother lost her father. Xenia was strong, but if she lost her mother or Lottie, it would break her. So, what would happen if she lost someone she gave her whole heart to? Xenia shuddered just thinking about it.
Then she thought about him and smiled. Mason. Just a bit, but it was enough for Lottie to stop humming. Lottie could tell Xenia was thinking of someone. It could be Cristobal, or maybe it was the new person. Either way, Lottie wanted to know.
"Okay, you have to tell me who you were daydreaming about," Lottie asked while propping herself on the counter. "This looks new on you."
Xenia gave her friend a cautious look, not wanting to tell her about the little encounter at the bar. Though she felt if she didn't tell anyone, she might burst. Maybe getting this out now would somehow help her forget about him. Chalk it up as a one-time passage.
"If I tell you this, I don't want to hear about it two days from now from my mother, Lottie," Xenia said sternly, narrowing her eyes.
Lottie gasped, her eyes had a certain twinkle in them, and she brought her hands to her chest. Xenia could already feel regret about telling Lottie the truth. That girl could hold no better secret than a holey basket trying to hold water. Still, she was Xenia's best friend, and Xenia trusted Lottie with her life.
So, she told Lottie everything, from first setting eyes on him to him saving her from falling on her face. When she finished, she realized she was still smiling from the encounter with Mason. Xenia watched Lottie's surprised face turn sour as she scrunched her nose and narrowed her eyes. Xenia almost took a step back.
"I…can't…believe you," Lottie stated.
Lottie threw her hands in the air, walking around in a circle before pointing at Xenia. "I can't believe you were going to keep this from me." "I'm sorry, Lottie. This is…new for me, okay. I've never felt like this around someone, especially a stranger and werewolf. You know how I feel about the latter." Xenia leaned her head against the counter with refrigerated goods, hoping the coolness would help with her inflamed cheeks. She had to get better control of this blushing. It was unbecoming to her. "I don't know, Lottie. I just met the guy. Now look at me. He keeps popping in my head even more than Cristobal. I don't think I've thought about someone as much as I have about Cristobal. It's quite...strange."Strange, yet the pit of her stomach was still filled with butterflies. Did he do something to me? She wondered as thoughts of how he caught her and held her for a few seconds played on a loop in her mind. Lottie slammed her hands against the counter, making Xenia jump up and
Mason threw the man he was holding at least twenty feet down the alleyway while the other man watched with his mouth wide open before looking at Mason. Mason ignored him and checked on Xenia, who shared the same expression he had of her earlier. "Stay back," he said to her, and she did just that. Xenia watched the bandit pull out a silver knife and grinned as if he had already won. Mason looked unamused, which made Xenia even more curious about him. She looked towards the street and knew she could quickly escape, but something was keeping her feet planted. The bandit circled Mason, waiting for the right moment to strike. It wasn't until Mason glanced over to Xenia that the bandit lunged at him with quick strikes. Each time trying to cut any part of Mason's flesh, knowing what silver does to werewolves. Mason easily dodged his attacks, impressed that the bandit could move with the amount of ale on his breath. Out of breath, the bandit's strikes were becoming sloppy, and now Mason
Xenia made it home in record time. Her heated moment with Mason set her soul aflame, especially between her legs. Is this the fire my mother was talking about? she wondered. Just thinking about it got her all hot and frustrated. She needed to get these thoughts of him out of her head and think only of Cristobal. Yes, sweet, charming, and human Cristobal. The person she's been waiting to see for the past three months. She loved their relationship and what it provided. No strings and no drama…well, maybe a bit of drama and a couple of strings. The one-bedroom cabin she rented with Lottie was small, but somehow, they managed to make it homey. The open floor plan gave them the perfect amount of room for Lottie to cook and Xenia to bake. The first few months took some getting used to the space, but they finally settled into their own little rhythm. Now it feels empty without her, Xenia thought. After light cleaning, she started on the food her lovely Lottie had already prepared. All s
"Hello, beautiful." The flowers lowered to display a pair of blue eyes, different from the almond browns Xenia half expected. "Cristobal?!" A breath of relief came from her mouth with a slight disappointment, but she smiled anyway. "Expecting someone else," he asked with a cocked eyebrow. "Should I be worried?" "Of course not," she laughed while trying to shake her nerves. "These are orange blossoms?" "Yes, I know I always bring red blossoms because they remind you of home, but once you told me your dad took you to Grovershire, you fell in love with orange blossoms," Cristobal said proudly. "See, I listen." Dammit, Xenia said to herself as she thought about Lottie's question. She forgot all about that trip but felt appreciated that he remembered. "These are beautiful, Cris. How did you even get these," she asked as she sniffed the bouquet before searching for a vase. "I have my ways. Besides, it's nothing but the best for you," Cristobal said while checking out what she wo
Everything moved in slow motion as Xenia tried to focus on the scene before her. One moment she felt pure ecstasy; the next, a giant ass werewolf crashed through her window, lunging straight toward Cristobal. Her first thought was Illipio since he didn't like Cristobal much, but this werewolf was too big, and the fur was pure black with a white patch and red eyes. Those eyes, she thought. They look familiar. She watched as Cristobal quickly evaded the werewolf and rolled out of the way into the hall. Cristobal's eyes went from the werewolf to her. His mouth was moving, but she couldn't register what he said. 'There was a werewolf in my room' was the only thing her mind kept replaying until it fully registered. She couldn't move for a moment until a piece of wood fell from her ceiling, breaking her out of her trance. "There's a werewolf in my room," Xenia yelled. She jumped into action and rolled across her bed away from the werewolf, whose attention was on Cristobal. She watche
Before Xenia could second-guess herself, she grabbed her axe off the floor and bolted out the door. She instantly regretted not wearing shoes the moment her feet touched the ground. There was a chill in the night air, and it became apparent when Xenia realized the only thing covering her was the black teddy. I can't think of that now. It would only be a matter of time before he seeks her out. So she ran through the trees, heading back towards the town. Occasionally, she would look back to see if he was coming. After a few more minutes, she felt like her lungs would burst, cursing herself for not joining Lottie on her morning runs. Xenia started to slow down to a fast walk until she heard a howl. She looked behind, waiting for the big mass of black fur to show up, but it wasn't black. The werewolf running towards her was a medium-sized with brown fur and soft gray eyes. "Illipio!" Xenia didn't think she wanted to see any kind of wolf. Still, she wrapped her arms around Illipio's
This woman was something else. Mason thought as he smiled at her determination to keep going. This was supposed to be a simple grab-and-go, but alas, here they were. She challenged him every step of the way, proving how viable she was to be his vessel. He was beyond impressed, but now he was ready for this night to be over. He watched as she let go of the branch. She fell into his arms, and they both took a sharp breath, feeling the connection taking hold of their bodies. Mason took this moment to pull her closer to his chest while Xenia eyed the axe. Oblivious to her plan, Mason caressed the side of her neck with his nose. Even under the mud, he could still pick up her scent as if it was tattooed on his brain. Xenia was acutely aware of his excitement against her thigh as he allowed her feet to touch the ground. "Mate," he whispered against her skin, causing her body to shiver. Xenia didn't like the effect he had on her. So much so that she gathered all her hate and kicked h
It was all a dream. Right? Xenia was with Cristobal, but they were interrupted by a giant werewolf. She tried to fight, but in the end, she failed. She was killed or captured or… Her body jerked forward as if something stopped. She felt herself slowly coming to. Her eyes felt like they weighed a ton, as everything in her line of sight was blurred. It took seconds for her vision to make out she was in a carriage. She took a few deep breaths to focus more on her surroundings when she heard voices outside the carriage. She slowly sat up to peek out the window and noticed she was far from home. Instead of being surrounded by pine and oak trees, she recognized the kapok trees with red blossoms. Underneath one of the trees, she saw him standing next to another man of a similar build with short blonde hair. They were relieving themselves with their backs facing her. "She's going to be pissed when she finds out who this human is to you," the blonde man laughed. Mason grunted at him. "Sh