Chapter 172 Chapter 171
"I've always want to do that to you," he growled, letting his hunger and need seep into his voice, threading through every word. She gasped, her face now beet red.
"You shouldn't say things like that! It's improper."
Xenon lowered himself, becoming eye-level with her. Placing a finger under her chin, he tilted her face so she was staring directly at him. "I have a confession to make. I've been attracted to you from the first time I laid my eyes on you," he growled.
Rayena's eyes widened in alarm, but strangely, no fear was reflected in those stormy gray eyes of hers. "Y-you're fixated on me?" she whispered, her voice so quiet he wouldn't have heard it if he wasn't so close.
"Fixated? That's a more appropriate term," he conceded thoughtfully. The finger on her chin traveled to her cheek. "It's hell and heaven having you around me, Raye. Even right now, as you sit there innocently, you're messing with me." The finger became three, gently pushing back tendrils of hair that framed her face as they brushed against her skin, leaving goosebumps in their wake. "Don't fret, I won't try to harm you. At least, not consciously."
"Okay," she whispered, swallowing afterward. Hell, even that simple act was enough to stir desire in him. He wanted to gobble this woman up, deposit her in his veins. His thumb brushed against her lips, and he let it hang there, relishing the plump softness against his calloused skin.
Another need reared its ugly, deformed head. He wanted to kiss her. He wanted to pin her down on this couch and fuck her till she lost her voice, if his mind would let him. Clenching his jaw, he glanced at the crook of her neck. "Can I scent you?"
Rayena seemed flustered. "W-what does that mean?" His hands traveled to her neck this time. "I'll put my face between your neck and breathe you in. Pretty harmless," he said, thankful his voice wasn't betraying the hunger within him. She seemed to contemplate it.
"Okay, your majesty," she croaked. The instant her approval slipped past her lips, he was on her, pressing his nose against the crook of her neck, dragging lungful after lungful of her scent into his chest. Heavens, she smelled divine. So damn exquisite. His cock grew hard, straining furiously against his layers of heavy clothing. A rumble started in his throat. Fuck, she was going to trigger another rut.
Still, he couldn't get himself to stop. He pressed his hulking frame against her soft body, rubbing his nose against her skin. His tongue darted out, licking the spot where a mark—his mark—should be, and she moaned, her hands wrapping around his neck, drawing him closer. When did that happen?
"Oh, Lylall..." she mewled, her spine arching to meet his, craving more contact.
His mouth started to water, his body tensing as the rut took hold. His skin felt like it was on fire, his muscles rippling beneath the surface. The scent of her skin filled his nostrils, driving him wild.
He tore himself away from her, blinking rapidly as his vision blurred, his breathing ragged. She was breathing just as heavily. "I want you..." he confessed, his voice husky and guttural, almost inaudible. "I want you so bad I..." He cut himself short, staggering backward. He was too hot, his skin scalding. Standing on shaky legs, he pulled at the clothes on his body, trying to steady himself.
Rayena watched him, shocked at the response he had elicited in her. She should be ashamed; instead, she only wanted him to keep breathing her in, keep touching her. Whatever was wrong with her?
Xenon broke into mirthless laughter, pulling at his hair. His gaze turned wild, the room spinning around him. Oh, this rut would be unforgiving.
"Morvan!" he bellowed, his voice raspy.
"Yes, your majesty!" the man answered immediately.
"Stay outside!" he thundered.
"Yes, your majesty."
"Raye, get up!" he growled, his voice more beast than man. Rayena shot to her feet. "Listen to me carefully. Morvan will open that door, and you'll run out of here. Whatever you do, do not look back."
She nodded vigorously. "O-okay!" she stammered, shaking profusely. "Are you alright?" she asked, her trembling voice threaded with concern.
He shook his head, and her heart broke at the tears in his eyes. "No, I'm not. The bane of my existence is right in front of me."
A whimper slipped past her lips.
"Three, two, one... go!" he screamed. Rayena bolted out of the room as the doors flung open, a figure entering immediately after her. It had to be Morvan.
"Your majesty!" he cried out in alarm as a roar rattled the whole space, followed by the sickening crack of bones shifting. Another ear-splitting roar filled the room.
Don’t look back. Don’t look back. Don’t look back. Rayena repeated it like a mantra in her head. But still, her neck turned. Just before the door closed behind her, she saw a large wolf baring its teeth at her, its amber eyes glowing with need, rage, and hunger. She stumbled and fell, horror seizing her. It was the same wolf that had attacked her that night. It howled, lunging at her just as the door slammed against it, a loud thud echoing through the hallway.
Rayena screamed, picked herself up, and continued to run out of the palace.
A wolf? Isn’t the king a weretiger?
What’s going on!?