Chapter 21 Chapter Twenty-One
The most dangerous thing to do is skirt around temptation. You might, or might not win~ Xander Vancei.
Xander
I switch positions more times than I can keep count of.
“It’s the damned leather outfit,” I swear, rolling off my king-size bed and going over to my walk-in-closet. I turn on the lights, and see my reflection looking back at me from my large mirror. My eyes are evidence of my restlessness, and I doubt if I’ve gotten any wink of sleep—good sleep—ever since that man died in the throne room. Added to the cause of my restlessness is her sudden death. Perhaps, just perhaps, if I think of her not as my mother, but as Luna of the pack, maybe my heart wouldn’t ache so. I wonder why it burns to think of. Deep down, I know she wasn’t a bad person. She was too weak to defend us. And I hated her for it. I hate her for it.
I change my clothes into comfortable shorts and a shirt which I don’t bother to button up. I flex my muscles absentmindedly and return to the bedroom. My mind is moving at an intense speed, and I think I’m going to go mad soon.
I think back to the events of that afternoon. My brothers and I were all in the throne room, so it was neither of them. Pualin and other Betas were supposedly in their homes. The Gammas and chief warrior has no business with the kitchen, so if any of them was seen within that vicinity, it should’ve been reported. I cross my legs, a cold gleam coming into my eyes. I’ve never been one to shy away from challenges. I live for them. This one won’t be any different. After thinking for a while, I decide to get a quick drink from the wine cellar.
The door creaks in the dark, and my eyes quickly gets accustomed to dark due to my excellent vision. I pass by Lillyan’s room on the way. Somehow, I snaked my way into getting a room close to hers, and surprisingly, my brothers said nothing about it. After all, I’m the one who’s vehemently suspecting her to be the cause of the man’s death. And I’ve been giving her a cold front for the past few days. It’s easy to assume that I hate her.
Her door is slightly open as I pass by, and as if I’m controlled by an invisible force, I retrace my steps and stand just outside her door. I can see her clearly from my position, and I involuntarily go hard at the sight in front of me. She obviously pushed the covers to the side before sleeping, ‘cause right now, she’s laying almost naked. Gosh, she can’t possibly call what she’s wearing at the moment a ‘night wear,’ can she? Her perky tits lie upwards, and her belly piercing—wait, I didn’t even know she had one—is so fucking hot. Her brown skin blends beautifully well with the flimsy shirt she’s wearing, and her left leg leans to the side, granting me a teasing glimpse of her black panties. My breathing hastens, and I know I’d do something rash if I don’t get away from here. Immediately so, in fact. But my legs remain rooted to the ground, unwilling to move. My wolf stirs, and not in a good way. My urge and his mingles, and I place my hand on the wall to steady myself. Her scent beckons to me so strongly that I begin advancing towards her, even though at the start, I meant to just take a peek and leave. I push the door back carefully so she wouldn’t wake up, and as I approach her, looking so harmless and damn gorgeous in her sleep, something in my heart shifts.
It’s surprising how someone can be so peaceful while sleeping, yet an absolute tornado while awake. I stop just as I think she’s about to wake up. At once, I berate myself. What am I doing here, sneaking up into her room like a creep? I should leave. I want to turn around and leave, but my wolf says otherwise. It sends a pulsation through my veins, making me tremble with need. It’s a feral reaction and I know it’ll be worse if I touch Lillyan. I’m standing close to the edge of her bed now, and I bend slowly. I swallow as my lips are just inches away from hers. If I lean down a little, our lips would touch. Fuck me. I want to kiss her. My blood pumps faster and faster.
Just a little bit…
“What are you doing here?” Her harsh voice suddenly sounds, and I back away in alarm. Her eyes are open now, and they’re staring at me in fury. I’m tongue-tied for a moment, but I recover quickly.
“Go to bed,” I say, trying to regain my composure. It’s a futile attempt inwardly—because my heart is still racing fast—but on the outside, I appear calm.
“You don’t get to tell me what to do,” she snarls, all evidence of her earlier softness gone.
“Maybe I do.” I shrug.
“What a good host you are, sneaking on your guest and trying to sexually assault them,” she accuses, and I flare up.
“I didn’t–”
“Yes, you did. And if you don’t mind,” she stops herself, and rolls her eyes with an attitude that I long to snap away. “You know what? I don’t even care if you mind. Leave my room.” She orders.
“It’s not your house to begin with,” I argue, watching her mouth move.
“But you all gave this room to me. For as long as I remain here, or until my own residence is ready, this is my room. Are you leaving, or do you want me to scream?” She threatens. I hate being threatened. I hate it so much, yet she does it with ease. I can see it in her eyes that she’s really going to scream, if I don’t leave. I don’t wait for her threat to come to pass. I really don’t want my brothers to find me here, past midnight in her room, enough to have made her scream. I shoot her a glare.
“Go to bed,” I say harshly.
“I’m on my bed, Xander,” she retorts, but something in the way she says my name almost makes me stumble on my steps. Fuck.
“Do you want to guess who isn’t?” She calls out from behind me.