Chapter 154 Chapter 153
Unwilling to argue with her, he sighed and leaned back on his seat. "Suit yourself," he murmured.
She chuckled again, and a tingle started in his chest. "I just want to be out here for a little while. You're so mean—I came all this way for you and you're eager to send me back."
He huffed in exasperation. "I just said you should suit yourself." She frowned, pouting at him before looking away with a haughty scoff.
If he was being honest with himself, he didn't want her to leave. He was enjoying her company way too much. Rayena curled up into herself, resting her chin on her knees as she gazed at the stars, the silence and occasional hooting and howling enveloping them.
She started humming a tune, and Xenon relaxed further, listening to her melodic voice. Closing his eyes, he allowed the sound to wash over him. His other halves had stopped their pacing and were now relaxing leisurely within him.
Slowly, the tune died out, and when he glanced at her, she had already fallen asleep. He scoffed, pursing his lips.
The girl. So annoyingly daring.
Yet he couldn't tear his gaze away from her. Her dark hair fanned across one side of her face, spreading over her back. Her lips were still in a pout even as she slept, making her appear even more beautiful. With the moonlight against her skin, she looked almost ethereal. A vision of exquisite beauty.
Tentatively, he reached out, trying to adjust her posture, but she slipped, her head resting on his shoulder. Her eyelids fluttered but didn’t open as she succumbed to a deeper sleep. He stiffened, startled, then sat there, feeling more at peace than he had in a while.
Best to take advantage of it, he thought to himself. Leaning back, He closed his eyes, letting the cool wind caress and soothe him.
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Xenon woke to a delicious scent teasing his nostrils, tantalizing his senses. It was so sweet he could almost taste it on his tongue. He’d never smelled anything like it before. Where was it coming from?
Cracking his eyes open, he watched the first rays of the sun cut through the sky, dawn fading into daylight. Breathing deeply, he tried to pinpoint the source of the scent. That’s when he noticed the weight on his shoulder. His heart skipped a beat.
Raye.
It was coming from her. His wolf growled within, craving more. Hades, she smelled good. Why did she smell so good? His suppressants must have worn off already. He needed to be out of here.
“Raye?” His groggy voice was so thick it was almost inaudible. “Wake up. Your scent suppressants have worn off.” he said, lightly tapping her.
Her eyes fluttered open, unfocused for a moment before locking on him. She gasped, jerking away as if electrocuted. “I fell asleep!” she muttered, cheeks flushed.
“Yes, you did. Now you have to go back to the harem.” He mumbled, unable to hide the displeasure in his voice. The color in her cheeks deepened.
“I’m so sorry…” She rose to her feet, fumbling with her hair. Glancing around the unfamiliar spot, she grimaced. “Will you walk me back?”
Xenon stared at her like she’d grown an extra head, anger brimming inside him. She clasped her hands together in a plea, her eyes glistening.
“Please…?” she coaxed.
“Let’s go.” He grumbled, exasperated, and led the way. She followed behind him. But as they walked, her scent only grew stronger, need burning beneath his skin until his wolf stirred restlessly. He covered his nose, trying to block it out, quickening his pace.
“Is something wrong?” Rayena asked, catching the gesture as she looked up at him.
“It’s nothing. Allergies,” he grit out through clenched teeth.
“Oh…” she trailed off, reaching into her pocket. She pulled out a handkerchief and held it out to him. “Here. Use this.”
His gaze flicked from her hand to her face. Logic screamed at him to refuse, but instead he snatched it quickly. The moment he brought it to his nose, his control splintered, and he almost swallowed his tongue.
Hades—the fabric was saturated with her scent. His mouth watered, vision flashing yellow as his wolf clawed to the surface. His grip slipped by the second. He froze in his tracks, clenching his jaw so hard, he was surprised a molar hadn't shattered.
“This is as far as I can go. Goodbye,” he rasped, his voice guttural. Before she could object, he turned and ran, every cell in his body screaming to stay, to claim her, to mark her.
Swallowing hard, he dragged in ragged breaths as he rushed back to the palace. He had been so close to losing control.
Fuck. He was doomed.
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Ysolde was on her way back to the harem after the night she spent with another male outside of the king’s premises, thanks to her heat from the full moon. Her body thrummed with satisfaction, and as much as she enjoyed this moment of release, she wished she was having it with the king, her betrothed.
If only their union had worked. If only he hadn’t attacked her the night they were to be mated, nearly killing her. Perhaps people would be calling her queen now. After all the years she’d spent preparing to be the perfect partner, it had come to nothing. The bitterness still festered.
Her carriage approached the harem when she spotted two figures walking from the opposite end. She straightened, peering out the window. Her breath caught when she recognized them. Rayena… and the King. She stiffened, leaning forward so she could catch a better glimpse of them.
Startled, she watched as he suddenly turned and ran, leaving Rayena standing there, confused.
Shock tangled with suspicion inside Ysolde.
What was she doing with the king?
More importantly—Did she spend the night with him?