Chapter 13

I was done fighting back my desires and welcomed their possession over my body and mind. I no longer wanted to feel like my mind was going crazy, and right now, it was clear. The strange feeling I had over the last few weeks was gone the instant I kissed him.

I dragged my nails over Xander’s chest, scratching his skin and leaving red trails everywhere. I suddenly wanted to leave whatever mark I could to show that he was mine.

Xander’s arm snaked up the length of my back, and he fisted a bunch of my hair, crashing my lips to his once again with determined force.

His kisses commanded attention, and I moaned when he bit my lower lip.

He returned his arms to the front of my wet nightshirt and ripped it open without care. Buttons flew on the bed and rolled onto the floor, their rolling sound muffled by our shaking breaths.

The sudden breeze against my breasts made them peak, and I felt Xander explore my mounds hungrily.

He had moved his mouth down my jaw, following my neck, and kept kissing and nipping until his tongue latched onto my breast. His other hand made circular motions on the other, taunting me and making me wet and wild.

My juices started wetting the inside of my thighs; the heat was building up between my legs.

I arched my back, allowing Xander more freedom to roam while I quickly went to work on lowering his pants.

His shaft hit in between my butt cheeks when it was freed from its confines, and I placed my hand around my back and started stroking it deliciously.

Xander kept nipping and grazing my skin wherever his mouth went, sending waves of pleasure coursing throughout my body.

I couldn’t wait any longer. Steadying myself with one hand on Xander’s shoulder, I guided his thick dick at the opening of my channel, rubbing its head the length of my lips.

Xander snarled and gripped my waist, forcing me down on him.

His black eyes were mesmerizing and impatient.

With its sudden entry, I couldn’t breathe, and my eyes rolled back from the painful pleasure I was having. My insides were still getting used to Xander’s size when he repeatedly pulled me back up and slammed me down on him again.

My breath hitched. I had never experienced the pleasure of a man before, but my body seemed to know exactly what to do.

I felt his thumb press on my sensitive bundle of nerves. I was going to come soon if we didn’t pace ourselves.

As if on cue, blue sparks exploded behind my eyelids as I hit my peak, and I heard Xander gasp.

Sensing something terribly wrong, I quickly opened my eyes. Blue sparks were sizzling everywhere on my body, making me almost glow. I couldn’t hold them inside anymore, not with what Xander was doing to me, and for a brief moment, I didn’t care that he saw what I was. It was only after that my anxiety grew with panic, unsure how he’d react.

“You’re so beautiful,” was all he said, thrusting himself into me with more vigour.

He flipped me onto my stomach and removed the torn nightshirt from my back.

He lifted my hips and slid his cock back inside, making me moan hotly from the sudden sensitivity of his intrusion.

Xander’s movements became more erratic and desperate, and his fingers dug into the sides of my hips, forcing me to stay in place while he repeatedly rammed into me and made my toes curl.

He moved his arms to my breasts and lifted my top half to his chest without slowing his strides.

I rolled my head onto his torso as my nerves became tense from my impending climax.

Xander held my chest with one arm and used his other hand to remove the wet hair covering my neck.

He sped up, and when he found his release, I gasped in shock and pleasure when he sank his teeth into me, right where my shoulder started, sending me over the edge along with him.

When the pain subsided, he gently dropped me back on my stomach and rubbed my back soothingly. I could still feel him twitch inside my pulsating channel before he rolled himself off and pulled me closer to him. He played with my hair before kissing my skin.

“I forgot to ask if you even wanted this,” Xander said as he licked clean the bite mark he had just made.

I turned my head to look at him. I was surprised to see that his eyes had become pale grey again, which made me guess his inner Lycan was gone for the moment.

I scrunched my nose at his remark. “What do you mean?”

“Well, you could have refused me. And with your rejection, the mating pull would have ended. But it has its consequences, as we would have to walk the rest of our lives as half a person.”

“Hmm.” I hadn’t thought I could have rejected him. It never even passed my mind to ask if something like that was an option. I was already under his spell from the moment we met. Besides, I would have missed out on something incredible.

I clenched my legs at the sudden yearning.

I felt Xander stiffen behind me, then laugh softly. “I can smell it when you get excited.”

I blushed as I understood what he meant.

“Best try not to wake the damn beast again.” I could feel him grinning. “And besides, now that I’ve marked you, you need your rest to heal.”

He kissed my wound delicately and then placed his hand on my stomach to nestle me closer.

“What about you? You saw what I did—what I am.” I held my breath, waiting for his answer.

“I grant you that a Lycan and a magic wielder are an unlikely pair. I’ve never even heard of both species mating together. But since we’re fated mates, Ida, I promise to love and protect you and to always keep you safe,” Xander said matter-of-factly.

I let the air out of my lungs, satisfied with his answer. But that wasn’t all the truth. I hesitated in trusting him with my identity. Would he feel differently knowing who I really was? I was the daughter of a fallen king. Being with me might put him in more danger if ever I was discovered.

I didn’t know if this was something he truly wanted. Yes, he marked me knowing I had magic, but would his feelings change once he knew I was a Cardinal?

Tears spilled on my pillow. I had to tell him. I had to give him that choice, even if it was a little too late—I felt there was no turning back once the mate bond was completed.

I listened to his heartbeat, then noticed his breathing was coming at regular intervals, signalling he was asleep.

I exhaled.

I supposed it would have to wait until whichever time my courage would return… if at all.