Chapter 6

Laying my own mate out onto the muddy ground was definitely the highlight of my night.

To be fair, I knew he wasn’t giving me even half his strength but I still enjoyed every second of it. I also may have cheated a little bit by summoning wind to help me move faster. I used just enough where he wouldn’t notice but would give me the slight edge against him. The wind definitely helped with throwing him over my shoulder. Even with how strong Weather and I were, throwing a 6’4” very muscular man around was no easy feat.

When he wrapped his hand around my throat earlier and I felt those tingles, my body responded all on its own. The throb in my core pulsated and it didn’t take long for the scent of my arousal to fill the clearing. While being Queen of all wolves was in my blood and soul, the idea of my own mate dominating me brought out a side of myself I didn’t recognize. He was pure alpha and that part of him had a direct line to the spot between my legs that seemed to only recently come alive.

It was all too easy to forget the part I was playing when I was around him. I felt like myself, like the part of me I thought had long ago died. I’ve been playing a certain part and acting a certain way for so long I wasn’t sure who I was anymore. There hasn’t been a single person in the past ten years of my life I didn’t have to fake it for and the realization of that was crushing.

When he tilted my chin up and told me I helped remind him of who he was before life and responsibility fell onto his shoulders, I felt that. I felt that so much. I could see him becoming that person for me too.

A person that could help me find out who I truly was.

A very large part of me wanted to throw all inhibitions out the window and just give in to the mate bond - to the feelings only he seemed to ignite inside of me and send him with a parting gift before he left tomorrow but… I felt it would only leave me more broken inside.

The Royal bloodline always found their fated mate so I knew fate would bring us together again someday. I only hoped it was after everything I needed to do was over and done with and we could fall into each other’s arms like mates do.

As much as I wanted him to kiss me, I knew I couldn’t let it happen. It took everything out of me to take a step back from him all while my body was screaming for his touch. His kiss.

“It’s getting late. I should probably head to bed. Luna Christina would not be happy if I looked like the walking dead for breakfast tomorrow.”

It physically hurt to say those words.

Xander blinked like he was coming out of a trance and gave me a small nod.

“Let's get you to bed.”

The walk back was quiet as we were both deep in thought. He was probably wondering why he reacted the way he did towards an omega who wasn’t even his mate, having no idea the mate bond was already at play between us.

I led us out of the forest and to the front door of the pack house.

“Would you mind showing me to my room? I can’t seem to remember where it is.”

I looked up at Xander and noticed the mischievous look in his eyes he tried, but failed, to hide before I saw. Ugh this man.

“Of course Alpha Xander. Follow me.”

Despite how badly I needed to get away from him, I couldn’t refuse. It would be incredibly disrespectful, even knowing he could easily find his room. Not only was it only up one flight of stairs to the second floor, but his alpha nose could lead him back no problem.

He followed close behind me as we made our way to the second floor where the quest rooms were located. I actually had no clue which room was his but used my nose to guide me. After I found which room smelled the most like him, I turned around and lowered my head.

“Here is your room Alpha Xander. Breakfast will be ready at seven tomorrow morning.”

I was staring down at my shoes when I felt his finger lift my chin up to face him. His silver eyes were locked on my own and his lips turned down in a frown.

“What did I say about you looking down around me? I want you to show me those beautiful blue eyes.”

He took a step closer and my breath caught at the close proximity of us. Our bodies were inches from each other and every inch between us was agonizing. His scent surrounded me while my soul screamed for me to close the distance and become one with him. A feeling that was becoming harder to ignore.

“My apologies Alpha. I’ll try to remember from now on.”

My voice came out breathless, showing him the effect he had on me. This was a very dangerous game we were playing. One I didn’t know if either of us could win.

His lips turned up in a smirk. “Good girl.”

Those two simple words sent a jolt down my spine all the way to my toes that settled right in my core. I felt myself clench my thighs together in order to stop the smell of my arousal from perfuming the air. Goddess, how could one man be this incredibly sexy? It wasn’t fair.

No man in my eighteen years of life had ever made me feel this way. It was as thrilling as it was terrifying.

His hand moved from my chin to cup the side of my face, bringing those tantalizing sparks. If they felt this amazing without the bond clicked into place, I could only imagine how they’d feel once it did. They were becoming addicting.

“Goodnight.”

Before I got the chance to respond, he leaned down and pressed his lips to my forehead. With one last smirk, he turned and went into his room, leaving me absolutely stunned.

I managed to pull myself together and make my way to the basement, all while my heart continued to hammer away in my chest.

“Ugh isn’t he just so dreamy?” came Weather.

“Girl, where the hell have you been?”

Weather had been suspiciously quiet the whole time I was with Xander, which was so unlike her. She definitely was a chatty thing. I can’t believe I didn’t even notice she wasn’t giving me her usual commentary.

“I wanted to give you some time with our mate without my influence. Not like it mattered considering he’s already won you over.” She boasted, tossing me a wink.

“You know it’s just the mate bond Weather.”

“A mate bond he isn’t even aware of.” She had the audacity to roll her eyes at me. “Yet he still managed to be quite taken with us.”

I could feel her preening in my head over the fact our mate kissed us on the forehead. I hated to rain on her parade but I had no choice.

“It doesn’t matter what he’s feeling. He’ll be gone tomorrow.”

Weather went back to being quiet after that. The fact he was leaving after his dealings with Alpha David hurt me too but what could I possibly do? Ask him to take us with him? There’s no way.

It’s also not like I could just magically pretend I got my wolf tomorrow and let him recognize me as his mate. I barely knew him and I was the furthest thing from a normal she wolf. My life was extremely dangerous and wrapping him up in it wasn’t an option. I refused to let him get involved and most likely hurt. Arrick would tear apart anyone and anything to get his hands on me. Xander didn’t deserve that.

I made my way back to the basement and into the little bedroom assigned to me. It was plain with just a bed, dresser, and mirror but it was all I needed. Luxuries were the last thing I cared about. My survival was my only priority.

I changed into a simple pair of shorts and t-shirt and crawled onto the lumpy mattress. Even if I were lucky enough to sleep on a pile of feathers, it would make no difference. I’d still wake up in the middle of the night sweating and screaming from whichever nightmare decided to visit me that night.

I fell asleep with silver eyes on my mind.