Chapter 9

Xenon flinched when he heard someone call out his name, turning in the direction of the voice. He was stunned to find it was Rayena, running toward him with a relieved smile on her face. Freezing, his eyes widened. What is she doing coming to meet him? Doesn't she know this is a dangerous time to be outside!?

"I'm so happy to see you!" she called out in a breathless voice. He just kept staring at her, his eyes wide with confusion. "I’ve been looking all over for you all week!"

"Why would you do that?" he growled, glancing around to see if she was being followed.

"I missed you, silly," she blurted, a light flush staining her cheeks.

His eyes grew even wider. She missed him!? They barely even talked!

"You don’t know how happy I am to see you like this," she rambled, not even paying attention to his reaction. "For a moment, I thought you might have shifted into your wolf form and already be answering to your beastly nature tonight."

Xenon clenched his jaw, glancing at the full moon overhead. Well, that bit was true. Under normal circumstances, he should have gone into a full shift, run in the woods, or even hunted down animals for sport before returning to his abode to spend the rest of the night with a woman by his side. But his circumstances weren’t normal, and the new suppressants Ladrian had provided were working this time around.

He realized she was still speaking and gave her his attention. "I can’t imagine how disappointed I would have felt if that was the case. I suppose it’s silly to feel that way since everything we’re doing right now is technically against the rules." Then she looked at him, alarm in her eyes.

"You won’t get into trouble for hanging out with me, will you?"

He furrowed his brows. "No."

The concern faded to relief. "That’s good." She said, beaming up at him.

Xenon still eyed her skeptically, trying to find the hidden reason behind all this. When he couldn’t detect any ulterior motive, he let out a sigh. "We can’t stay here—we might attract the attention of other guards. I know a more secluded spot," he suggested.

She nodded, following him as he led her into one of the maze-like gardens, where a bench lay. Lightly dusting it off, he watched as she sat down, then seated himself next to her. She sighed, raising her head to watch the night sky, her expression one of perfect peace.

Xenon continued to watch, and on impulse, took a sniff of the air. "You don’t have a scent tonight. Why?" he blurted out, eyes narrowing.

She glanced at him. "Oh, yes. I wore suppressants today. The maid who came to see me said I should use it tonight. It would be beneficial so I wouldn’t attract… horny male werewolves that may be in the vicinity," she uttered sheepishly, straightening her back.

That made sense to him, but why did her lack of scent bother him tonight? His other half kept moving restlessly within him, trying to dig out a trace of her. Staring at her bare neck, he had a compulsive urge to bury his face in that space, to breathe her in deeply. Swallowing tightly, he looked away, resisting the urge.

Her presence was comforting—that was a small mercy. Oblivious to the war raging in his head, Rayena continued speaking. "Do you think the king is engaged during this night as well?" She glanced at him. "Being the full moon and all."

Xenon dug his nails into his thighs, focusing on his breathing. "No, I don’t think so," he lied, his tone guttural.

She chuckled, the sound a sweet melody in his ears. "Yeah, he isn’t. Soraya told me he’s a weretiger. He isn’t controlled by the moon."

"Yeah," he choked out, grinding his teeth. Something else is controlling him.

"But he also didn’t pick a woman from those who went to see him. Why is that? Doesn’t he need one so badly?" she asked aloud.

Xenon managed to focus on her question. "Well, he is the king and still unmated. That puts him in a delicate position." He could feel her gaze on him, and some of the tightness in his chest loosened. "Weretiger or not, he’s still required to sate his animal instincts. So yeah, he does need a woman."

"What happens if he doesn’t find one suitable?"

Xenon leaned back on the bench, his gaze narrowing in thought. "Well, he risks his animal side going berserk—and no one likes that."

Rayena slowly nodded. "I suppose that makes sense. I feel sorry for him, though."

Xenon looked at her, confused. "Why would you feel sorry for him?"

"Well, he has all these responsibilities and duties, and yet he can't fulfill them because he can't find someone who is compatible with him. There's no doubt he would be running into issues as a result."

That was true.

"Also, he doesn't seem like a bad person, despite his aloof nature," she added quietly. "It's clear he looks after the people under him. I mean, making provisions for the female werewolves to find a male during nights like this—that's really thoughtful."

Xenon was lost in his thoughts for a while. No one had ever praised his method of ruling before. This made him feel validated. The knot in his chest loosened, and a foreign warmth ignited there.

He heard her yawn and glanced at her again. Her eyelids kept drifting closed while she rubbed her arms. "Are you cold?" he asked.

She shook her head. "No... just tired all of a sudden," she murmured, stifling another yawn.

"Then you should return to the harem," he groaned softly.

"But the night is so beautiful. And you're here with me. I'm in no hurry."

"It's still dangerous for you to be out here, Raye."

"You won't protect me?" she asked, her tone accusatory. He froze, his eyes widening.

What if I'm the one you need protection from?

Unwilling to argue with her, he sighed and leaned back on his seat. "Suit yourself," he murmured.

She chuckled again, and a tingle started in his chest. "I just want to be out here for a little while. You're so mean—I came all this way for you and you're eager to send me back."

He huffed in exasperation. "I just said you should suit yourself." She frowned, pouting at him before looking away with a haughty scoff.

If he was being honest with himself, he didn't want her to leave. He was enjoying her company way too much. Rayena curled up into herself, resting her chin on her knees as she gazed at the stars, the silence and occasional hooting and howling enveloping them.

She started humming a tune, and Xenon relaxed further, listening to her melodic voice. Closing his eyes, he allowed the sound to wash over him. His other halves had stopped their pacing and were now relaxing leisurely within him.

Slowly, the tune died out, and when he glanced at her, she had already fallen asleep. He scoffed, pursing his lips.

The girl. So annoyingly daring.

Yet he couldn't tear his gaze away from her. Her dark hair fanned across one side of her face, spreading over her back. Her lips were still in a pout even as she slept, making her appear even more beautiful. With the moonlight against her skin, she looked almost ethereal. A vision of exquisite beauty.

Tentatively, he reached out, trying to adjust her posture, but she slipped, her head resting on his shoulder. Her eyelids fluttered but didn’t open as she succumbed to a deeper sleep. He stiffened, startled, then sat there, feeling more at peace than he had in a while.

Best to take advantage of it, he thought to himself. Leaning back, He closed his eyes, letting the cool wind caress and soothe him.

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Xenon woke to a delicious scent teasing his nostrils, tantalizing his senses. It was so sweet he could almost taste it on his tongue. He’d never smelled anything like it before. Where was it coming from?

Cracking his eyes open, he watched the first rays of the sun cut through the sky, dawn fading into daylight. Breathing deeply, he tried to pinpoint the source of the scent. That’s when he noticed the weight on his shoulder. His heart skipped a beat.

Raye.

It was coming from her. His wolf growled within, craving more. Hades, she smelled good. Why did she smell so good? His suppressants must have worn off already. He needed to be out of here.

“Raye?” His groggy voice was so thick it was almost inaudible. “Wake up. Your scent suppressants have worn off.” he said, lightly tapping her.

Her eyes fluttered open, unfocused for a moment before locking on him. She gasped, jerking away as if electrocuted. “I fell asleep!” she muttered, cheeks flushed.

“Yes, you did. Now you have to go back to the harem.” He mumbled, unable to hide the displeasure in his voice. The color in her cheeks deepened.

“I’m so sorry…” She rose to her feet, fumbling with her hair. Glancing around the unfamiliar spot, she grimaced. “Will you walk me back?”

Xenon stared at her like she’d grown an extra head, anger brimming inside him. She clasped her hands together in a plea, her eyes glistening.

“Please…?” she coaxed.

“Let’s go.” He grumbled, exasperated, and led the way. She followed behind him. But as they walked, her scent only grew stronger, need burning beneath his skin until his wolf stirred restlessly. He covered his nose, trying to block it out, quickening his pace.

“Is something wrong?” Rayena asked, catching the gesture as she looked up at him.

“It’s nothing. Allergies,” he grit out through clenched teeth.

“Oh…” she trailed off, reaching into her pocket. She pulled out a handkerchief and held it out to him. “Here. Use this.”

His gaze flicked from her hand to her face. Logic screamed at him to refuse, but instead he snatched it quickly. The moment he brought it to his nose, his control splintered, and he almost swallowed his tongue.

Hades—the fabric was saturated with her scent. His mouth watered, vision flashing yellow as his wolf clawed to the surface. His grip slipped by the second. He froze in his tracks, clenching his jaw so hard, he was surprised a molar hadn't shattered.

“This is as far as I can go. Goodbye,” he rasped, his voice guttural. Before she could object, he turned and ran, every cell in his body screaming to stay, to claim her, to mark her.

Swallowing hard, he dragged in ragged breaths as he rushed back to the palace. He had been so close to losing control.

Fuck. He was doomed.

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Ysolde was on her way back to the harem after the night she spent with another male outside of the king’s premises, thanks to her heat from the full moon. Her body thrummed with satisfaction, and as much as she enjoyed this moment of release, she wished she was having it with the king, her betrothed.

If only their union had worked. If only he hadn’t attacked her the night they were to be mated, nearly killing her. Perhaps people would be calling her queen now. After all the years she’d spent preparing to be the perfect partner, it had come to nothing. The bitterness still festered.

Her carriage approached the harem when she spotted two figures walking from the opposite end. She straightened, peering out the window. Her breath caught when she recognized them. Rayena… and the King. She stiffened, leaning forward so she could catch a better glimpse of them.

Startled, she watched as he suddenly turned and ran, leaving Rayena standing there, confused.

Shock tangled with suspicion inside Ysolde.

What was she doing with the king?

More importantly—Did she spend the night with him?