Chapter 3: Make Him Mine

**Elena**

"Xavier.. Please don't chase me out. I beg of you," I said, as tears streamed down my face.

I could hear my heart pounding in my chest. What would he do to me?.

"I asked you a question, Helena, and I expect an answer," he said sternly, though his voice sounded tipsy.

I moved closer, and I could smell the alcohol on him.

"Are you drunk, Xavier?" I asked as I approached him. He was never himself after drinking too much. But… this felt different.

There was pain in his eyes, something deeper than the burn of whiskey. Had I really hurt him that much?

"Since you have nothing to say, I'll just leave," he staggered.

"Please stay," I pleaded, wrapping my arms around him from behind. My boobs pressed against his firm back, and the fear of rejection made my heart ache.

I felt his grip on my arms as he turned my face to meet his. He removed the mask and looked at me with an unreadable expression.

I couldn’t tell if he was surprised, pleased, or even disgusted.

After a few seconds of silence, I found myself on my knees, pleading for his forgiveness.

“Xavier, I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. I deceived you; I didn’t know things would go out of control. You were betrothed to Helena from the start, and I didn’t have the courage to tell you because I didn’t want to lose you.

“She just disappeared without a word..and I had to wear this mask to hide my face”.

“Can you ever forgive me, Xavier ? . I didn’t know what to do. The way you acted towards me broke my heart even more’.

“And about the pregnancy report..You never mentioned it. I had waited till the evening of the wedding, but you didn't come. I was terrified you would abandon me.”

His breath caught. Low and husky. “...Elena?”

I took a shaky step forward. “I sent you the pregnancy report. Did you even read it?”

He staggered to his feet. “What report?”.

Wait. He didn't even get the report.

“You can't be serious, Xavier…” I murmured, tears trying so hard not to come out.

“I swear, all I got was your letter… ending things.” His voice cracked.

Tears blurred my vision. “I thought you neglected me. That you’d hate me.”

A ragged laugh escaped from his throat. “Hate you? I searched for you every night. Do you know what it did to me, thinking you’d abandoned us?”

I flinched. Helena's Jasmine Scent had overshadowed my Wild lavender scent and it had confused Xavier.

And If he never saw the report, then who took it?

He closed the distance between us, caressing my face. “I should hate you.. Why can't I?”.

His thumb traced my cheekbone, soft and warm. “You’re a fool, Elena. I’d have burned the world to keep you.”

Then his lips crashed onto mine—not gentle, not kind. A collision of teeth and desperation, his hands tangled in my hair like he feared I’d disappear.

He shouldn’t kiss me. Not after everything. But the way he looked at me. I wanted to resist, to stop this, but all I could do was fall into him.

I clung to his shirt, tasting whiskey and salt. His or mine, I didn’t know.

His hands dug into my hips, it hurt but felt like home.

He broke away first, forehead pressed to mine. “Don’t you dare hide from me again.”

"I'm sorry," I apologized.

Things were a mess, and what did he mean he hadn't received the pregnancy report?

I tried to recall what had happened that day—three months ago, the day of the wedding, a day after I found out I was pregnant.

I had given a maid the reports, I was sure I saw her put it in his room. But how could I have been so sure..

A few minutes later, I was standing next to him as his bride, but I smelled different, as if my stepmother had known what would happen. I wore the perfect wedding dress, infused with Helena's scent.

I didn’t know if luck was on my side or if the Moon Goddess was granting me my wish, but I wanted to be with Xavier.

I had carefully thought out how I would make Xavier have sex with me to validate the pregnancy or even its existence, but now, staring at him, I didn’t have the heart to deceive him.

I hated myself for even thinking about it. He deserved the truth, not seduction.

“Elena,” he whispered, gesturing for me to come to him. The alcohol was clearly affecting him.

Should I just take advantage of this moment and make him mine?

As Xavier continued to gesture to me to come to him, I felt my feet trapped to the floor. Guilt was killing me.

But Xavier wouldn't take no for an answer, he stood up and pulled me to himself. I could feel his need pressing hard against my stomach.

“You don't listen, do you?”. He asked, pinning me to the wall.

He roamed his arms around my body as though he was seeing it for the first time.

“I miss you Elena”.. He said softly as he bit my left ear. The tingling sensation I always get from that was something I couldn't explain.

He went on to tease my lips with his fingers making me crave for more. “Why are you doing this?”...He asked.

I couldn't answer. How could I say it's because of the secret. Something that would tear us apart.

I... I…” I stammered, but the only answer I could give was a kiss.

He responded even more roughly. And as if that wasn't enough. He moved his fingers around my neck as though searching for a good spot.

And he bit down, hard.

I gasped.

It wasn’t just a hickey.

Xavier had marked me.