Chapter 20 : Xavier's Intriguing Offer 2

Xavier

Fortunately, he accepted the request for distance and gave Karenina some room to breathe, but remained in her bed.

Xavier decided to speak more honestly about some information, but still with subtle manipulation to control the outcome.

"Aren't you curious how you got past the barrier I created?"

"I thought you just, you know, opened the door?" Karenina tried to laugh off her nerves.

"You have the energy of the werewolf lords within you, the essence that leaks out from the sacred moonstone gem stored within you."

"How-how do you know about the sacred moonstone gem? And, um, Xavier? I guess I would know if I had the power of a wolf in me, even though my father was a pureblood werewolf but my mother was just an ordinary human. I mean, wouldn't I feel it or something? Wouldn't other people be able to tell?" She tried not to overlook the fact that she had only recently learned about this phenomenon. And how did Xavier know?

"I always know things," he said ambiguously. "A reliable source told me about this possibility. If that's the case, my barrier recognized it and let you in."

"That sounds strange," she said, more to herself.

"With a combination of my powers, there are other possibilities."

"Like what?" she looked at him curiously, finally feeling more relaxed as she got used to his closeness.

"Your wounds could heal faster than the normal process," he said, nodding towards her bandaged shoulder. He could see her bandages hidden beneath her white nightgown. He decided not to explain the part about her ability to give birth to a pureblood pup. "Your life can also be extended beyond the average age of a hybrid." He decided not to mention that his life would be bound to her forever as long as she gave him her aura. It was not a good time.

Karen's eyes and ears lit up at the bit of healing. Maybe she wouldn't have to go through the painful stitching process! Besides, she thought, the sooner she healed, the better. She had a lot more to do than just sit around in bed waiting for her wounds to be stitched up, which could be agonizing for months. And if her life could be prolonged, maybe she and Rylan... but she pushed that thought away, not wanting to go down a path that might be painful, even if hopeful.

Focusing on Xavier again, she asked, "How are we going to do this?"

He wanted to grin triumphantly at the ease with which he could try to bond with this girl, but he refrained. If what Benjamin said was true, then his claim could definitely be felt by all werewolves. Although a hybrid might not be strong enough to feel the changes in this girl. That would probably be to his advantage as well.

He leaned toward her again, stopping only an inch from her face. "Don't move."

Karen froze, more than obeying his command. Her heart was racing at a mile a minute. Her face was covered with heat again. She had no idea what this man was doing, and her mind could not think of a coherent thought.

A rumbling in her chest reached her ears as she complied. Xavier's nose then touched her cheek gently before moving over her chin, his lips moving down her neck in surprising intimacy. She gasped at the pleasure the action evoked and was taken aback. Karen tried to move to the side, away from his touch, but Xavier's left hand held the back of her head, holding her in place as his tongue moved back up her neck and licked it.

Karen gasped for air. Her mind went blank as unfamiliar sensations raced through her senses. Her eyes closed as she felt the power of this man's aura rising.

Then he kissed her.

Karen's eyes opened to see that his eyes were closed. Karen felt his lips move slowly on hers, making her shiver. His tongue felt slippery and warm as it made contact with her lower lip. This was madness! She had to stop this. But before she could think, he bit her lower lip. It stung and hurt like hell, making her jerk into his mouth, feeling the molten lava move down her center to pool at her groin. Her eyes closed involuntarily.

Xavier took full advantage of her open mouth to thrust his tongue firmly into her mouth, tasting her, allowing himself to feel both the pleasure and the pain that made her agonize, until he forced himself to focus the power of his aura and force it into her mouth at the only opening that would allow it in. Xavier hoped that he would be able to transfer enough of his own aura through her mouth, knowing that only by joining through mating could he truly make the perfect transfer with her.

Karen had grabbed his shoulders the first time he tried to force his aura into her. It was hot and overwhelming. Her spiritual power tried to rise up to counteract Xavier's aura of power, but she defeated it, trusting Xavier not to hurt her. He wanted to help her, right?

He searched for a glimmer of light from the aura that Benjamin thought was inside her. He hoped it was there after several minutes of not finding it. He pressed his lips harder against hers, fighting the knowledge that was creeping into him. His mind had revealed his secret desire. He refused to let Karen be taken from him now! She had to stay there. He forced more of his aura into her mouth, feeling her struggle against the onslaught, but she refused to surrender. There!

It was there, deep inside her, barely visible even to his keen senses. He poured his aura of power into that central spot, strengthening it and binding it. He felt victorious. She was his now! No one else would touch her.

She felt something grow inside her. She knew that Xavier had found what he was looking for. She could finally breathe easier as she felt his aura slowly receding back into Xavier. She expected him to pull away and stop kissing her, but he didn't, at least not right away. His tongue caressed the inside of her mouth for a moment before he pulled his lips away, making her ache even more.

She blushed with embarrassment. Again? Of course she didn't want him to keep kissing her. She refused to look at him. Xavier was only kissing her to see if some of the power of his aura was trapped inside her. And it was. She thought about what had just happened inside her. She didn't feel any different. Had it not worked?

"Karenina"

She blushed with embarrassment. Her voice brought back vivid memories of that kiss. Although it had meant nothing to her, it had been a climax for her. She had never reacted so strongly to a kiss before, except for Rylan's, but this one felt somehow more intense. Kissing Xavier. She was ashamed of her thoughts. What if he knows where my mind goes? What if Rylan finds out?!

He called to her again, making her look at him quickly and then away again, not wanting him to guess her thoughts. She was sure Xavier wouldn't appreciate her, a hybrid, misunderstanding his motives.

She felt his fingers twirl around her and lifted her head towards him. She closed her eyes and denied it. She hadn't thought about the absurdity of her actions, only that Xavier wouldn't know her thoughts, which seemed to betray her actions. How could she have longed for the kiss of another? How could she betray Rylan?

Xavier called to her in his calm voice, "Karenina."

Her name was spoken softly. She opened her eyes again and stared at him in astonishment, not knowing what he would say next. They stared at each other for a few moments before he lowered his hand and spoke again.

"You should check your wound regularly over the next few days to see how it is healing. I will order a maid to assist you."

Then Xavier stood up and looked at her for a moment before turning away without a word, leaving her alone in her room once more. She did not see the smirk on his face as he left. He knew she had responded to his kiss. He also knew that she had enjoyed it.