At least Ivy wasn’t interested in my mate though. Caroline was a different story, especially since now I knew they’d slept together.
I’d cast a spell on the door to eavesdrop because the thought of leaving her alone with Xavier made my skin crawl.
Truthfully, I was sick and tired of being around people. My energy was non-existent with dealing with this crazy pack’s whiplash of emotions on top of not sleeping during our travel.
Xavier had a frown settled on his lips. “I’m so fucking sorry. To be honest, they weren’t all always so…”
“Annoying and rude?”
“Yeah.” He rubbed the scruff on his face. “I can’t believe they’re bringing up Olivia so often. Her name never used to be spoken around me when I still lived here.”
I huffed, sprawling out on the bed and kicking my shoes off. “Caroline has feelings for you, and I don’t like her.”
An amused smirk played on his lips as he made his way over and laid down beside me. “I have to say, I love it when you get jealous. It’s really sexy.”
I gave him a flat look.
His hands went up in defense. “But you have every right to be pissed off about it.”
“I don’t think you’ve ever really seen me angry,” I mused, flicking my wrists and pinning him to the bed with gravity.
His eyes glazed over with lust. “I didn’t know you were so kinky, little witch.”
I crawled up and straddled him, leaning down and placing my lips beside his ear. “You’re mine, Xav. But more importantly, I’m yours. Consider me begging.”
It took a lot to pocket my pride and be vulnerable. But with Xavier, I knew I could. I retracted the spell, and he had me under him in a second flat.
My body was acutely aware of the weight of his on mine, and sparks lit up my very soul. “Beg for it,” he growled out. “I want to hear you say the words.”
I squeezed my eyes shut to avoid the intensity in his. “I’m begging you, Xav. Mark me. Bite me. Do whatever you have to do to make me yours. I want everyone to know I’m your mate.”
It was a primal desire. One I never expected to have but each day that passed with him by my side, it grew stronger. It was a surprise I’d lasted as long as I did, honestly.
His warm breath fanned over my neck before he pressed a kiss to the base of it. “I’d be fucking thrilled to.”
A small moan escaped me before he captured my lips with his. The kiss was fast and hard and knocked the breath out of my lungs.
He hardened between my legs underneath the clothing, and I wound my legs around his waist and moved against him to build the friction I craved.
He broke the kiss with a low rumble in his throat before he pulled back and elongated his canines. I hesitated before tilting my head to the side and exposing my neck to him. I was trembling but ready to be marked as his.
“Mine.” The word came out half-human as he clamped down on my neck, teeth piercing through my soft flesh with ease.
Sizzling pain erupted from the bite, paralyzing me, but after a few seconds, the heat wasn’t bad anymore. The pain turned to pleasure, and in moments I had my hands tangled in his hair while crying out his name. His body’s weight held mine down as I convulsed. It was pure electricity circulating from him to me, and I couldn't get enough of it.
His canines retreated into his gums as he moved his face in front of mine. My blood smeared his lips. “You’re mine, Harlow. Forever.”
It was the highest climax I’d experienced, and my body was weak from it. “How fast does it heal? Do I need to—”
“No. It’ll heal by morning. It’s something in our saliva when we mark our mates that make it heal at a speeded rate.”
“Can I… mark you too?”
His arms shook from holding up his weight above me so he dropped to his side next to me. “How?”
“With my magic. Kind of like how I have my moon tattoo.” I needed to place my own mark on him so people knew he was mine too.
“I’d love to wear your mark.” He didn’t even have to think about it but gave immediate permission.
I smiled, placing my hands over his chest and closing my eyes. My hand burned with an electric static that seemed to shoot from my hand to his chest as I focused on the type of image I wanted to imprint into his skin.
My hands tingled as I pulled them away, and I gasped. It was beautiful. There was color within it, unlike the one Grandma gave me. A full, white glowing moon took up the majority of his left peck, and a brown wolf that looked just like him had its head back howling at it. Purple essence surrounded the wolf, representing me. It was the epitome of our bond, and I adored it.
Xavier glanced down and gave me a tired grin as I collapsed in his arms. “It looks perfect. I will inspect it more in the morning.”
“It is perfect.” I yawned, nuzzling my face into his neck and breathing his woodsy scent in. “I am so tired.”
“Marking is a draining process.” He kissed my forehead. “And we were exhausted before. Get some sleep.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice,” I mumbled before drifting off into a peaceful sleep. I hadn’t fallen asleep so aimlessly in my life, but being in Xavier’s arms was my own slice of heaven.
TWENTY
Xavier
The morning sun poured through the cracks in the blinds and woke me. I rubbed my eyes to remove the lingering sleep.
Harlow was tangled in my arms, and I brushed her hair out of her face before kissing her head. I traced the outline
