Chapter 77 : Mysterious Marks

Karenina

He helped her to her feet and pulled her away from the window. Wordlessly, she reached behind her and fumbled with the ends of her sash and ribbon. Seeing her struggle, he pulled her to his chest and wrapped his arms around her. Xavier leaned over her so she could see his hands as he untied her sash and ribbon, then took a step back and removed them from her waist.

She stood passively as Xavier helped her undress, sliding her beautiful gown off her shoulders before discarding the layers underneath. They fell to the floor, not caring if the fabric was crumpled and damaged. What had taken hours took only minutes as he found all the ties that held her clothes in place and stripped her of the various layers of clothing until she was standing in just her white chemise.

Now she hesitated, a great sense of shame overtaking her. Recognizing her reluctance, he lifted her from the sea of layers into his strong arms. With long strides he carried her to his bed and laid her on her back between his sheets. Ignoring the erotic sight of finally seeing her there, Xavier untied the last of her knots before hesitantly meeting her questioning gaze.

Understanding what he was silently asking, she blushed with fear as she whispered, "Left side," unable to say anything else.

Nodding his head slightly, Xavier opened the left side of her chemise, the side facing him, while he moved the right side to preserve her modesty. As he did so, he exposed the skin from her left thigh to just below her breasts, covering all of her private areas as best he could. His eyes immediately saw what Karen was referring to. Just above her hipbone was a jagged gray mark that rose up to cover the bottom of her ribcage, its jagged edges flaring out toward her stomach and back. It was no more than a few inches long and wide. He noticed a darker spot in the center. A scar?

He traced his fingers along the mark, examining it, feeling nothing but warm, smooth skin. "When did it appear?"

No matter how many times he had looked at her body, Karen still blushed and felt embarrassed. But her fear trumped her shame. "I noticed it in the shower before Helga helped me get dressed. She doesn't know about it. Just you and me." In a low voice mixed with fear, her hand fingering the darker part, she said again, "That's where the jewel used to be."

Then she moved to his fingers and pulled them away so he could trace the marks. He did not say anything, his head was spinning.

"Do you think... my wolf aura is the cause... because we amplified it?" she expressed her worst fears, staring at him, silently asking him to deny her statement.

But instead, he gave her a flat stare. "I don't know, Karenina, but don't be afraid. I'm sure I know someone who might. I'll take you to him tomorrow morning after breakfast." He wanted her to come with him when he asked Benjamin so that he could show the mark to the old wolf. He had no idea what the mark meant other than speculation, but there was no need to add to her fears.

She nodded her head and tried to swallow her fear. Karen was grateful that someone other than herself knew about the mark and took advantage of his calm, savior-like demeanor.

He gently closed and tied the corset before placing his hands on her shoulders and pulling her into a sitting position. Xavier didn't want to tell her to leave because he was enjoying the sight of her on his bed too much, but he forced himself to say, "Now you need to get dressed so you can go back to your room and get some rest."

Before she could think any further, she grabbed his shoulder as he started to get up, stopping him. He looked at her with a questioning look and she swallowed. "Can I stay here?"

She watched him hesitate and blushed as she lowered her hand. "I don't mean... I just want to sleep... here... with you. I don't want to be alone right now, and I don't know anyone except Raine and Helga. But they don't know about this," she said, pointing to the mark on her side, hidden under her clothes. Her voice cracked at the last part.

She felt vulnerable and alone. Her fear hit her and she was afraid, afraid that the wolf inside her was trying to take over her body. She could feel it, the darkness swirling in her soul and it frightened her. No, she didn't want to be alone right now. Even he had to care about her a little bit to be so insistent on her being his mate, or was he? Karen just needed someone who cared a little bit to hug her and tell her that everything would be okay, even if it was a lie. She needed that right now.

She prayed that he was not going to kick her out. She had no one else to lean on, her friends weren't here. She was alone. She was relieved when Xavier nodded his head in agreement. But then he walked away. She was about to call him back when she saw him take off his shirt.

She watched as he took off his shoes as well as his shirt, leaving his pants on before walking around the bed shirtless and crawling on the mattress towards her. Karen caught her breath at the erotic sight of Xavier crawling towards her on his hands and knees and didn't argue as he turned her onto one side, her back to him, and then onto her from behind. She leaned back, as close to him as she could get. She was sure she would be awake for hours, unable to sleep, but it wasn't long before she was lulled into dreamland by his warmth and the protection he provided.

He held her tightly, silently, waiting for sleep to take her. He knew that Karen must be very confused lying in bed with him like this. Never before had she asked for physical contact between them. Karen needed him, sought him out for comfort. Surely this was a sign that he was making progress, wasn't it?

Although his cock was hard, ready for sex, he didn't insist on further intercourse, but let her sleep undisturbed. He buried his nose in her dark brown hair, breathing in her sweet scent. That was enough for now.