Chapter 82: The Mark of Xael

Heather’s POV

It was late at night when we finally arrived in Paris. The city lights blurred through the car window as Kayden guided me to the waiting chauffeur-driven car. The silence between us felt heavy, but he broke it as we slid inside.

“I’ve booked us a couple’s room,” he said, his tone flat, almost defensive. “I don’t want Stella and Damon think…” His words trailed off awkwardly, leaving me to fill in the blanks.

I turned to him, biting down the hurt that seeped into my voice. “It’s fine, Kayden. We’ve consummated the marriage, so what is there to hide?” The words came out harsher than I intended, but I couldn’t take them back. Kayden’s brow furrowed as he glanced at me, the confusion in his expression almost endearing. It was clear he was trying to say the right thing but didn’t know how.

“I didn’t mean it like that,” he said after a beat, his voice softer now. “I’m sorry if I hurt you.”

“You care about Stella,” I replied quietly, my chest tightening. “You want her to see you’ve moved on from her.” The words tumbled out before I could stop them, and I hated how vulnerable I sounded. His calm gaze flicked toward me, but he didn’t respond. Instead, he shifted his focus forward, lost in thought, as if I’d spoken something he couldn’t—or wouldn’t—acknowledge.

The car pulled up in front of a lavish hotel, its grandeur intimidating. Stella and Damon stepped out of their own vehicle behind us, their confident strides matching the opulence of the place. My insecurities rose like a tidal wave, crashing over me as I compared myself to Stella. She looked perfect in her fitted crop top, sleek jacket, and flawlessly applied makeup. Meanwhile, I felt frumpy and out of place in my simple attire. I adjusted my clothes awkwardly, cursing my scars and the constant reminders of my inadequacy—whispers from she-wolves back home who’d always found ways to belittle me.

As we walked through the grand lobby, I noticed the way heads turned toward Kayden, his commanding presence impossible to ignore. Stella, too, drew attention, men’s eyes lingering on her as if she were a goddess. Even Damon had his admirers, his mere glare enough to make them back off. And me? I was invisible. Unseen. My insecurities clawed at me like a beast, threatening to devour me whole.

I flinched when Kayden’s hand brushed against mine, the light contact pulling me out of my spiraling thoughts. But when I glanced at him, his gaze was fixed straight ahead. Was it an accident? I sighed, too loudly, and instantly regretted it when three pairs of eyes turned toward me in silent question.

“I’m just tired,” I said quickly, forcing a smile and lowering my head to avoid further scrutiny. The elevator ride to the suite was suffocating, every second stretching out like an eternity. When we finally stepped into the spacious room, I exhaled a breath of relief, marveling at the luxurious surroundings—a private pool, a jacuzzi, and more space than I’d ever known growing up in Alaska.

“To answer your question earlier…” Kayden’s voice startled me. I turned to see him unbuttoning his shirt, his gaze locking onto mine. The memory of his touch, his voice, and the heat of our consummation night flooded back, unbidden. A dark smirk played on his lips as if he could see the blush creeping up my cheeks. Embarrassed, I averted my eyes.

“I’m not trying to prove anything to anyone,” he said, his tone low, almost intimate. “I just want you near me. I need to know you’re safe. Enemies are out there, Heather. I don’t know what they’ll do, and I…” He hesitated, his words hanging in the air.

I stepped closer, drawn to the worry etched on his face. His scent—intoxicating and familiar—washed over me, clouding my senses. “I’m sorry,” I murmured, unsure of what else to say. “I thought…”

“You thought I wasn’t over Stella.” He finished my sentence for me, his voice steady, but there was something vulnerable in his eyes. “Maybe I’m not fully over her,” he admitted. “But… I think I’m getting there. It’s strange.”

The words hit me like a jolt, but before I could respond, an image flashed in my mind—a vision of Kayden whispering, “You are mine. My mate.” His lips brushing against mine in the dream felt so real. I blinked, and the vision disappeared, leaving only the worried look on Kayden’s face.

“Kayden…” My voice trembled. “Have we met before? I mean… on my eighteenth birthday?”

His brows knitted together in confusion. “No,” he said slowly. “I first laid on your file and then I met you in infirmary. I have no memory of meeting you before that. Why are you asking?”

I bit my lip. Something didn’t add up. Could his memory have been erased? And if so, by whom as Colt was not incharge of Raven until a year a ago.

“Why did you choose me as your Luna?” The question spilled out before I could stop it, my long-buried doubts surfacing.

“To be honest…” He hesitated, running a hand through his hair. “I was asked to select a Luna, someone who had the strength to lead. When I saw you…” His voice trailed off as he stepped closer, brushing a lock of hair behind my ear. His touch sent a shiver down my spine, and he smiled, clearly aware of the effect he had on me.

“What happened?” I asked, desperate to understand.

“It was your scent,” he said, his voice dropping to a whisper. “And my wolf, Odion, confirmed it. You were… different strong and can good women to be our wife and Luna of the pack.”

Heat coiled low in my stomach as his fingers traced my lower lip. The pull between us was magnetic, undeniable, and terrifying. “You calm me, Heather,” he admitted, his amber eyes boring into mine. “Stella used to have that effect on me, but you… it’s different. You’re not my mate,” His voice faltered, as though he couldn’t find the words to explain the connection between us.

“I’m just a she-wolf,” I said, my voice barely audible.

“No,” he murmured, his gaze intensifying. “You’re much more than that.”

My heart pounded as dread mingled with desire. Did he know? Did he suspect that I was hiding something? The walls around me felt too close, too confining. But then, as quickly as the tension built, Kayden’s expression shifted.

“This is just contractual,” I reminded him, needing to say it as much for myself as for him.

He smirked, the familiar cockiness returning. “Good to know we’re on the same page.” Why it felt like he acting to be not bothered my sense can never lie to me. I ignored it.

As he stripped off his shirt, my eyes were drawn to the intricate black fire tattoo engulfing a wolf on his chest. I stared, unable to look away.

“See something you like?” he teased, raising a brow.

“When did you get that?” I asked, trying to sound casual.

“I didn’t,” he replied, his expression mirroring my surprise. “I think… it has to do with the Ravegrim book. I touched it, and now…” He trailed off, pulling up a picture of the book’s pages on his phone. The symbols etched into the pages matched the design on his skin perfectly.

“It’s the mark of Xael power. Xael is the Ravegrim brother. My family has Xael his bloodline. I learned” he whispered, his voice tinged with awe. “Only descendants Xael or the Raven Alpha shawn bloodline can unlock its power.”

I reached out, my fingers grazing the tattoo on his chest. Kayden froze, his eyes flashing golden-red, and the bond between us burned like fire.

“I’m sorry,” I said, jerking my hand back.

“No,” he rasped, his voice thick with emotion. “My wolf… Odion wants you.” His admission hung heavy in the air, laced with raw, unspoken desire.

Before either of us could say more, Stella’s voice interrupted from the other side with a knock. “Are you guys ready? We need to go.”

Kayden and I shared a look, the tension between us palpable, before we both turned away to prepare for the Paris catacombs.