Chapter 195 Chapter 194
"But don’t you think we need to clean it up first? I’d hate for it to get infected."
Xenon glanced at her, and seeing the concern in her eyes, paused. "Okay, let’s get my wounds cleaned up."
She smiled, rose, and guided him to the couch before fetching the small first-aid box. Opening a small liquor bottle, she poured it onto a clean towel and began wiping the blood off his body. It stung where his wounds were still fresh, but he gritted his teeth against the pain, letting her work.
He watched her as she concentrated, treating the parts of him she could see and reach, entranced by her. She was finishing up when the maids finally came with their meal, interrupting the moment. Rayena guided them to where they should place the food, and he dismissed them, wanting to be alone with her.
Handing him a plate, she sat next to him while they ate, the quiet occasionally punctuated by the clicking of plates. Xenon managed only a few bites before his gaze fixed on her—on the small bow of her lips, the red patches on her neck where he’d spent minutes breathing her in, and the enticing curve of her waist. Desire burned even stronger, and Xenon didn’t think he was capable of holding it back this time.
Rayena soon caught his intense stare and paused. "Why aren’t you eating?" she asked, her voice quiet.
Xenon glanced at the meal in front of him and grimaced. "I don’t have an appetite for this anymore," he said.
"Really? Does it not taste good?" she asked, gazing at him with worry. For lack of a better response, he nodded.
"What do you want, then?"
"You."
The word didn’t register immediately, but when it did, her eyes widened, her cheeks turning scarlet. Then panic flickered in those gray eyes. "Is your rut here?"
Xenon shrugged, rubbing his neck. "I think so."
Her blush deepened, but she averted her gaze, now fiddling with her fingers. He kept staring, his thoughts growing more unhinged at her flustered expression. He wanted to take her like that morning when they’d had that “lesson.” Have her naked and breathless beneath him. Claim her until she lost her voice and forgot her name. Sink his mark into her delicious neck so the world would know she was his. But he swallowed hard, unsure if he was ready—and with his earlier outburst, more afraid of hurting her.
So he stood, gazing bitterly at the door.
"Where are you going?" she asked, confusion underlying her voice.
"I can’t do this to you. Not right now," was all he said, taking a step away. Stopping, he groaned. "You wouldn’t be able to handle it. I’ll hurt you." She rose after him instantly.
"But... if you deny yourself, it’ll get worse!" she cried in alarm.
Then let it, was what he almost said. But he glanced at her, the corner of his lips twitching without forming a smile. "It won’t. Ladrian will be here to give me suppressants. I’ll be fine."
Rayena opened her mouth like she wanted to say something but snapped it shut, tears glistening at the corners of her eyes.
His body was starting to burn up, lust and need already singing through his veins. Pulse thundering, Xenon balled his hands into fists to stop himself from reaching out. The air grew thick with her scent and his mouth watered. Every breath felt like it scraped his control thinner, making it harder for him to think rationally.
His wolf had begun to rampage, raging at him to go back to her, a headache budding at the back of his skull. He didn’t want to leave—but he turned away and walked out of the chambers.
Outside, he met Morvan a short distance away. The latter noticed him approach and quickly rushed to meet him. Xenon grimaced at the scratch wounds Morvan had sustained but kept his expression neutral.
"Your Majesty! How are you now?" He asked, his voice slightly breathless.
"I’m fine..." Xenon lied. "But set up an underground room for me, just in case."
Morvan’s steps faltered, his gaze narrowing. "What do you mean? Are you going there?"
"Yes..." he answered without glancing at him.
"But... I thought Rayena was supposed to help with that...!"
Xenon cut him off, already furious. "Well, she isn’t this time, so prepare me a room!"
Morvan’s mouth opened at the harsh order. But even as his gaze narrowed in fury, he bowed his head.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
.
.
.
Rayena stared at the door Xenon had just walked out from, her worry for him growing stronger. His rut was here, but he wouldn’t sate himself. Why? Why did he keep holding himself back so much? What could he possibly be afraid of?
She heard him yell and flinched, her heart skipping several beats. Without thinking, she stumbled out of the room and met Morvan in the hallway, the king nowhere to be found. Heart racing, she hurried toward Morvan.
“Where’s Ly—The King?” she quickly corrected herself, staring at Morvan. The latter had veins popping up around his neck, barely restraining his anger as he stared ahead.
“He just left,” he gritted through clenched teeth, eyes narrowed.
“He… what is he about to do?”
Morvan started to move. “He wants me to prepare an underground room for him. So when his rut hits, he can be locked up there.”
Rayena stumbled over her own steps, her heart skipping several beats, eyes widening with horror. That isn’t good. That’s not good at all.
“Isn’t there any way to stop him?! You know his episodes aren’t great!”
“I’ve tried!” Morvan retorted, his voice like steel. “It didn’t work. He’s as stubborn as a bull when he gets like that.”
Rayena followed him anyway, trying to keep up with his steps. “Maybe you can try,” he muttered as he sped along, leaving Rayena behind.
Tears filled her eyes as she stared at Morvan’s retreating figure, his words still ringing in her head, her lips trembling. She didn’t want Xenon to suffer the agony of his rut, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to give up herself for him either. Memories of when he threatened he would hurt her resurfaced, and she shuddered, wrapping her hands around herself.
She sniffed, tears spilling from her eyes before she could stop them. Why did everything feel so hopeless?
She began running blindly, trying to find the king. She spotted him heading to another hallway adjacent.
“Your Majesty, please wait!” she called out, running toward him. He backed away from her instead, his eyes flashing. “Rayena, get back!” he yelled, his voice guttural.