Alethea
“Hell yes, I am,” I breathe, standing to my feet, my heart pounding wildly against my ribs. Stretching my hand out to him. “Lead the way.”
Xavier takes my hand and pulls me with him as we make our way into a private room.
The moment the door shuts, his lips crash into mine, stealing the very air from my lungs, kissing me like his survival depends on it.
I kiss him back with everything I have, pouring every buried fantasy into this moment.
His hands roam my body, claiming every inch they touch. He cups my breast, sending jolts of pleasure rippling through me.
He slides down to my hips. Before I know it, he’s lifting me off the ground, and I wrap my legs around him.
I gasp against his lips when he slams my back against the wall, but the pleasure he gives me outweighs the sting. My fingers tangle into his hair as I grind against him, for more of the heat is building between us.
“Look at me,” he growls, in a deep voice.
I shake my head, my breath hitching as I bury my face against his neck; I’m lost in meeting his gaze. But Xavier isn’t having it.
“Ally,” he growls again, a command I can’t ignore.
Slowly, I lift my head and open my eyes, and the sight steals my breath. His blue eyes have darkened. I recognize the fight to control his wolf. He’s trying to hold back, trying not to let the beast take over.
“Xavier…” I whisper, my voice trembling with equal parts desire and awe.
“You’re driving me crazy,” he murmurs, his lips brushing against mine, “Tell me to stop, Ally. Tell me before I lose myself completely.”
Suddenly, like a bolt of lightning, reality slams into me. I hurriedly push against Xavier’s shoulders, slipping down from his grip, my feet hitting the ground harder than I expected. I stumble back, putting as much distance between us as I can.
“Oh my God, what have I done?” I whisper, my voice trembling as I panic. My back presses against the nearest wall. “I-I shouldn’t be here.”
Xavier’s brows furrowed. He takes a cautious step toward me. “Ally, what’s wrong?”
“I’m so sorry, Xavier.” I force myself to look at him, guilt tightening like a noose around my throat. “I didn’t mean to lead you on. I-God, I don’t even know what I’m doing anymore.”
He stops in his tracks, his hands raised slightly as if to calm me. “Ally, it’s okay. Just breathe. What’s going on?”
“I thought I was ready for this,” I say in a rush. “But I’m not. A lot has happened to me-things I can’t even begin to explain. And now… now I’m here with you, and I don’t even know what I’m doing.”
He exhales sharply, rubbing the back of his neck. “I thought you were okay with this. With us.”
I shake my head violently, the tears burning in my eyes. My life is… it’s a mess. I have a child-Declan-and I don’t even know who his father is. And then Selena told me I was in danger, that someone was threatening my life, and that’s why she took me away from the Redwood Pack. And here I am, throwing myself at Xavier like some reckless teenager.
My eyes are on his lips again, tempting me and then I lower, my gaze drifts to the bulge straining against his trousers. Heat pools in my core, as I imagine him pounding into me with his massive size, making me squirm and scream in pleasure.
I shake my head violently, trying to snap myself out of it. This is wrong-so, so wrong.
I bolt for the door. My heart pounds in my chest as I fumble for the handle, my trembling hands barely able to cooperate. To my relief, the door opens easily.
Before stepping out completely, I glance back at him. Confusion is etched on his face as if he’s trying to understand what just happened. His piercing blue eyes lock onto mine, but I can’t hold his gaze.
“I’m so sorry,” I mutter, my voice barely above a whisper. Without waiting for a response, I turn and hurry back toward the pulsing noise of the club.
The music thrums around me as I weave my way through the crowd, my mind a chaotic mess. My body feels like it’s still on fire.
I reach the bar and collapse onto a stool, burying my face in my hands. The bartender approaches. “What’ll it be, miss?”
I snap my head up to look at him. My lips part, but I don’t know what I need. Alcohol isn’t going to fix this.
“Water, please,” I finally say, my voice steadier than I expected.
The bartender just stares at me like I’ve asked for the most ridiculous thing in the world.
Before I can respond, a low, dangerous growl rumbles behind me, sending a shiver down my spine.
“Are you going to stand there gawking, or are you going to give the lady what she asked for?” His voice is deep and authoritative, commanding obedience.
The bartender flinches, scrambling to grab a bottle of water and slide it across the counter.
I keep my head down, focusing on the unopened bottle in front of me. I can’t look at him, not after what almost happened. My trembling hands tighten around the bottle.
“Are you alright?” Xavier asks softly, tilting my chin up so our eyes can meet.
I pull my gaze away, avoiding his piercing stare, and I slowly nod. “I’m fine,” I mumble, though the lie feels heavy on my tongue.
I unscrew the cap with trembling hands and gulp it down in one go, the cool liquid doing little to calm the storm.
“I should get going,” I say abruptly, pushing back my stool with a clipped voice.
Xavier’s eyes narrow slightly, his lips parting as though he was about to say something, but I didn’t wait to hear it.
I turn to Amelia, still swaying to the music, giggling and drunk out of her mind.
I hurry over to her, grabbing her arm. “Come on, Amelia, let’s get out of here.”
She laughs, her body limp in my grip. “Ally, we just got here! Come on, live a little!” she protests.
I sigh, dragging her toward the exit despite her whining. The pounding music fades as we step into the cool night air, but I can still feel Xavier’s gaze on me.
“Keys,” I bark, holding out my hand to Amelia.
She blinks at me, confused for a moment, before giggling again. “Chill, Ally,” she says, fishing the keys out of her jeans pocket.
I snatch them from her, muttering under my breath, and I open the passenger door. Carefully, I maneuver her into the seat, buckling her in as she continues to giggle.
Sliding into the driver’s seat, I start the car, as I try to ignore the heaviness in my chest. As I pull out of the parking lot, I glance in the rearview mirror.
Xavier is standing there, his tall frame illuminated by the club’s neon lights. His hands are stuffed into his pockets.
His intense gaze bored me even from a distance. There’s something in his eyes, something else I can’t quite name.
His stare makes my pulse quicken. My hands grip the steering wheel tightly. As I suddenly feel uneasy
What was that look? Should I be scared? Or should I be asking myself why a part of me wants to turn back?