Xander's POV
I’m too surprised to resist him. If I’m honest with myself, I don’t want to resist… He leans against the door, staring at me, his chest rising and falling a little faster than usual. His eyes are filled with a mix of frustration and something deeper, something that stirs a heat inside me that I don’t quite know how to handle.
“I hate this,” he whispers, his voice rough with emotion. “I want you, need you all the time, and I can’t even touch you in front of the others. And now with this stupid rule, we’ll lose our titles if we do anything!”
The desperation in his voice cuts through me, and I can’t bear to look at him anymore. My eyes drop to the floor as I lean back against the billiards table, crossing my arms over my chest like it’ll stop the gaping hole
Max's POV 🌶️🌶️Xander’s breathing is still heavy, his chest rising and falling, his eyes locked on mine. I can feel him hardening again against me, and the feeling sends a jolt of desire straight through my core. Goddess, he’s insatiable. I lean forward, pressing my lips to his collarbone, and he shudders under me.“Max,” he murmurs, his voice low and rough. “You’re going to kill me.”I grin against his skin, my hands running down his torso, and over his Adonis’ belt “Not yet,” I whisper, as I kiss down over his abdomen His muscles ripple as he writhes beneath me, the definition of his abs, the way his skin glows under the moonlight fuck, he’s perfect. I’m not going to wait anymore. I need him—all of him. I’m impossibly hard again, goddess I can’t get enough of him.
Max's POV 🌶️🌶️His hand moves to my jaw, tilting my face up as he leans in. This kiss is different—slow, deliberate, every brush of his lips setting me on fire. His tongue slips into my mouth, claiming me with a possessiveness that makes my blood sing. My hands fist in his shirt, pulling him closer as I deepen the kiss, our bodies pressed together from chest to hip.The whiskey tumbler slips from my hand, hitting the porch floor with a dull thud, but neither of us cares. Xander’s hands are everywhere—tangling in my hair, sliding down my back, gripping my hips. I groan into his mouth, the sound swallowed by his kiss. His teeth graze my bottom lip, tugging gently, and I shiver.“Xander,” I gasp as he breaks the kiss, his lips trailing down my jaw to my neck. His teeth scrape over my pulse point, and I can feel him smile against my skin.“You’re mine,” he murmurs, his breath hot against my throat. “No more hiding.”I tilt my head back, giving him better access as his hands fumble with
Max's POVXander appears at the door of the lake house, his grin lighting up the dim evening like a beacon. I feel my heart leap, my chest tightening with the effort not to sprint up the jetty and throw myself into his arms. Instead, I force myself to walk steadily, each step measured, though my pulse races like a wild thing. His smile is blinding, and I find myself mirroring it without thought. Medus hums contentedly in the back of my mind, his presence warm and approving.As I reach him, Xander’s hands are on my face before I can say a word. His touch is gentle but firm, tilting my chin up as his lips meet mine. The kiss starts soft, almost tentative, but within seconds it deepens, his body pressing flush against mine. My hands slide up his back, gripping the fabric of his shirt, pulling him closer as if I could dissolve the space between us entirely. His mouth devours me, hungry and insistent, and I give
Max's POVThe following afternoon, I’m wrecked. Absolutely done.We’ve been setting up for Seb’s birthday party all damn day. Normally, he likes a laid-back BBQ with a few pack members, the Blood Moon alpha family, close friends — nothing over the top. Luna Anne had everything planned out months in advance. A few extra touches for his eighteenth, sure. She even invited the full Blood Moon leadership, which is a big deal. Thoughtful, elegant. Classic Anne.But thenRebeccadecided she was taking over.Suddenly, it's not just a party — it's a full-scale, formal, pack-wide event with a sit-down dinner, pale gold colour schemes, and fucking table centrepieces. Because clearly, nothing says “alpha maturity” like glitter-dipped roses and rented fountains.Apparently,
Max's POVI ignore the questions being tossed my way and keep walking. No way am I getting dragged into that circus. I head up to the Alpha floor, drop Seb’s bag at the top of the stairs like the world’s most loyal luggage boy, and backtrack one level to my own suite on the Beta floor.The second the door closes behind me, I deflate.I toe off my boots and throw myself onto the sofa, every limb heavy with exhaustion. My brain feels like it’s been on a treadmill for the last two hours.If I could’ve chosen our next Luna? Honestly? Rebecca would’ve been dead last on the list. Like, buried six feet under the list and covered in cement.From the minute she transferred in last spring, she’s been nothing but a scheming, vapid, manipulative little social climber. She plays the sweet and demur
Max's POVSaying goodbye this morning after two full-on months was harder than I expected. We’d all trained like animals, eaten like wolves, and bonded over bruises, blisters, and Baxter’s sadistic challenges. But the guys and I swapped numbers before we left, and we’re already plotting a reunion before next year’s camp. Hopefully one that involves less running and more beer.The drive back was quiet. Everyone half-dead from the late night and that ridiculously huge breakfast. I was mostly thinking about a long shower and the possibility of a nap before the welcome home party tonight.Seb was unusually brooding, until we got closer to home.He started getting twitchy once we crossed the territory border. Legs bouncing, fingers drumming, eyes scanning the window like something was going to jump out and greet him. I figured he was