Chapter 200 Chapter 199
He closed in, muscles rippling beneath his skin. His jaw opened, teeth grazing her shoulder. With a low growl, he sank his canines into the curve of her neck, marking her as his. Pumping her with his elixir, he branded his mark on her.
Her blood filled his mouth, and he gulped it down, enjoying the taste of it, the thrill rushing through his bones. Rayena screeched, shaking helplessly as if electrocuted and went limp.
Xenon came then. He filled her up with his release, feeling it drip out of her, and pulled out to spread himself all over her buttocks and thighs, his wolf instincts still running rampant.
When he caught sight of his release leaking out of her core, he snarled and shoved himself in, plugging it up. Sated and suddenly very exhausted, he collapsed on top of her, barely managing to roll off before falling into deep slumber.
Outside, Morvan stood awkwardly, meters away from the king's chamber doors. He'd been listening to it all, his heart filled with concern for Rayena. He'd heard her screams and even contemplated going in to stop them but ultimately changed his mind.
For one, they didn't sound like she was in true distress, the king might just be overwhelming.
Besides, no one in their sane mind separates a mating male, especially one as powerful as the king. When silence settled, he breathed out, shifting his weight. He hoped they were alright.
.
.
.
Xenon was the first to blink his eyes open. His body felt like cotton that had been submerged in a pool of water—heavy and unresponsive. He yawned, smacking his lips as he tasted a lingering sweetness on them. Adjusting his posture, it took a while for him to notice the soft, cool body pressed against him.
Blinking rapidly, he turned to see the small, pale frame he held against him, her black hair framing her entire face. His breathing hitched, his heart skipping a beat.
Rayena.
He raised himself, his eyes darting over her, and grimaced as he saw the vicious scratches on her waist, hips, and back. His heart began to pound. Did he do that? His stomach churned when he smelled the metallic tang wafting through the air. He stared at her and noticed the deep crimson stain on his sheets.
Blood.
His heart somersaulted. “Rayena?” he croaked, cold sweat breaking out over his skin. Did he attack her? Was she dead?
Not hearing a response and too afraid to find out himself, he stumbled out of the bed, haphazardly pulling on his trousers and racing out of his chambers. He met Morvan standing in the corner, dozing off slightly.
“Morvan!” he called out, his voice urgent. The latter jerked awake, his gaze unfocused until it settled on the king. It filled with alarm then.
“Your Majesty?” he called, rushing toward him.
“Please, come. Hurry!” Xenon whispered furiously, pushing through the door so Morvan could enter.
“What happened?!” Morvan asked in a low whisper.
“Check on Rayena. See if she’s all right.”
Morvan paused, glancing at the king. “What?”
“Check on her, Morvan!” Xenon gritted through clenched teeth, his face already pale and his forehead damp with sweat.
“Yes, sorry!” Morvan mumbled, rushing toward the bed. He paused as he saw Rayena asleep. Moving cautiously, he peeked at the marks on her skin—but they were just evidence of passion, not deep, gaping wounds. His brow furrowed.
“She’s fine,” he called out. “Just asleep.”
“You’re sure I didn’t kill her?” Xenon called back. Morvan stiffened.
“No.”
“Why was there blood on the bed?”
Blood? Morvan looked again. Indeed, there were some red stains on the sheets, but on closer inspection, he pushed back her hair and saw the deep bite pulsing on her neck. The tight coil of fear in his chest instantly loosened.
“Oh—you just marked her,” he announced.
Xenon materialized by the bed, close to Morvan, eyes wide with disbelief. “I did?”
“Yes. You don’t remember?”
Xenon shook his head, looking lost in thought.
Morvan shrugged. “That looks like a permanent mark. Your wolf must have been too eager and claimed her already. That should explain the blood—since you were out of your mind when you did it, you forgot to seal the wound.”
“She’s… she’s going to be fine?” Xenon asked, still apprehensive.
“Yes. She’s just asleep now,” Morvan answered.
Xenon breathed out in relief then, the fear fading from his eyes. “Gods, I thought I killed her.”
Morvan managed a wry smile. “You did not.”
A comfortable silence settled between them as they watched the slumbering woman in front of them. “She’s so stubbornly brave. Can’t believe she scaled through,” Morvan mumbled.
“Well, yeah. She is. I’ll have to call on Ladrian to treat the wounds on her, they’re unsightly.”
“How are you, though?” Morvan asked, glancing at the king.
“To be honest? Better than I have in a while. Really lightweight,” Xenon murmured, rubbing his neck.
“That’s good,” Morvan said. A beat later, he added. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” Xenon groaned, his gaze still fixed on Rayena.
"Would you be attending to your duties today?" Morvan asked a while later, glancing at Rayena.
Xenon shook his head. "I want to be here when she wakes. Call off any meetings I will have," he ordered.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Delivering a quick bow, Morvan straightened to his full height. "I'll be on my way now. I'll call on Ladrian for you," he said and exited the chamber, closing the door behind him.
Xenon let out a breath, climbing back into the bed. He scooted close to her, letting his fingers run through her hair as he tucked it carefully behind her ears. She shuddered, her lids fluttering but didn’t wake. Staring at the mark he had given her, he felt a wave of possessiveness within him, a growl rumbling from his throat.
He took her soft hand into his, observing the size difference yet enjoying the feel. Bringing it to his lips, he pressed a kiss against her palm, her soft skin warming his lips. Her breathing deepened. "Get all the rest you need, my fair lady. I'll be right here," he murmured into the room.
Rayena didn’t wake until early evening. Blinking her heavy eyelids, she waited for her hazy vision to clear before turning her neck around. She winced as a sharp pain shot up from there, an unnatural pulse beating just above her neck.
Confusion clouded her mind as she tried to piece together the events of the night before. Where the hell was she?