Chapter 108

Anila’s POV

My heart hammered in my chest as I stared down at Jaxon. He was still holding the ring box open, and he was gazing up at me. I already agreed to be his queen if it meant saving Xaden’s life… this was just a formality. That’s what I had to keep reminding myself. The nerves in my belly were going wild with anxiety as I glanced at the waiting audience. They were eager and holding their breaths, waiting for my response.

I looked at Jaxon, who was studying me before I let a small smile tip the corner of my lips.

“Yes…” I told him loud enough for everyone to hear. “I will be your wife and your queen.”

He nodded as he took the ring out of the box and slid it on my finger. The cheers and chants were deafening as Jaxon wrapped me in his arms and hugged me. This was only a show… it wasn’t real. And yet, it almost felt like it was real. A part of me wanted him to kiss me; his nearness was intoxicating, and his scent made my mouth water. My wolf and bear were both purring with contentment. I knew we weren’t exactly there in our relationship yet, despite him being my mate.

After we said goodnight to the crowd, Jaxon carried me bridal style back to the palace. Another show for the audience. But it made me smile and I couldn’t help but snuggle into him a bit. I was surprised when he responded by holding me tightly and letting me rest my head on his shoulder. I had to admit that despite my nap earlier, I was exhausted. This entire night had been draining and I was certain that above ground, it was daytime. I had grown used to sleeping during the day and my body almost knew when it was near bedtime.

“Jaxon, you can put me down,” I said, swatting at him as we reached the palace. “The show is over.”

“The show is far from over,” he said in a growly tone that made me shudder.

“And what exactly does that mean, Mr. Develson?” I asked, unable to hide the smile forming on my lips.

“Well, you are now my fiancé. Officially,” he told me, as his lips traced the nape of my neck, making me suck in a sharp breath. “And now it’s time that I ravish you.”

My cheeks burned from his words. He started to walk with me still in his arms up the stairs and towards my bedroom. My heart hammered in my chest as I thought about my dream earlier… I was also thinking about my other mates. I couldn’t do this… not again.

He opened the door to my room and stepped inside, placing me on the ground as he shut the door behind him. I turned to face him while I watched him unbutton his shirt, my breath in caught in my throat when I stared at his incredible abs. My entire mouth had gone dry at the sight of him. He was a beautifully built man, and my lady bits were throbbing almost immediately.

“Jaxon…” I said in a hoarse tone as I took a step away from him. His eyes were dark, and I could see the lust swirling around them, nearly captivating me in a trance. “I…I can’t—”

Before I could finish that sentence, his lips were covering mine in a sweet and intimate kiss. All thoughts had left my mind almost immediately and I found myself melting against his body. I ran my fingers up his washboard abs and around his neck as he deepened the kiss, swirling his tongue around my mouth and entwining with my tongue. We fit well together, then again, I fit good with all my mates. It was strange that it felt as if all 5 of them were created just for me and that I was created just for them. We were like pieces of a puzzle that fit together so perfectly we made one big and beautiful picture.

Jaxon nibbled on my bottom lip, bringing it into his mouth and sucking on it, making it red and swollen. I let out a soft moan as I pressed myself further into his body, wanting to feel every single inch of him. I felt like a hungry animal, desperate for his touch. All my inner animals were practically purring in contentment, and yet they wanted much more of this man.

But something inside of me made me halt. It was the image of Damien during that dream; if he knew I had sex with another a few hours later, he would be gutted.

I stopped the kiss, pressing the palms of my hands to his chest, and pulled back slightly. We were both fighting to catch our breaths and I could feel how swollen my lips were from his bruising kiss.

“We can’t…” I said. “This is too soon…”

He closed his eyes as his breathing began to slow and pressed his forehead against mine, pulling me against him once again. I didn’t fight him. I wanted to be close to him too, but this was too much too soon. I was already confused enough and now I was adding another man to the mix. I didn’t expect to fall for him so quickly and easily and like this… I thought I would despise him for a while. But this mate bond was strong, and it kept me wanting more… it made me understand his situation and respect him all that much more. It made me fall for him without even truly knowing him.

“I have a confession,” he whispered, taking me by surprise.

I peeked up at him through my lashes with a concerned frown.

“What kind of confession?” I asked, worried about what he was going to say.

“I saw you last night… in your dream,” he shocked me by saying.

I blanched at his words.

“You were there?” I asked, my cheeks burning at the thought of him seeing me and Damien together.

He nodded.

“Yes,” he replied. “I’m not sure how I got there…I think maybe you subconsciously called me there. For some reason, the dream wouldn’t actually let me leave. It wouldn’t let me move at all until the very end.”

My mouth went dry, and I could barely speak as I stared up at him.

“I…I don’t know what to say,” I whispered, my hands suddenly trembling.

“Damien saw me…” he said softly.

“W…what?” I asked, my eyes snapping to my face. “He saw you??”

He nodded again.

“At the end,” he added quickly. “He saw me at the end… not during. I think you were already sleeping and about to wake up in the real world, but he was there for a moment longer.”

I nibbled on my lower lip, not sure if I wanted the answer to his question but knowing that I had to ask.

“D…did he say something?” I asked.

He was quiet for a moment as he thought about what to say and then he sighed.

“He told me to take care of you,” he said softly. “And I told him I will. Then, he closed his eyes, and the dream ended on both our ends.”

My heart stuttered in my chest.

“He said that?” I asked as tears filled my eyes.

Jaxon stepped closer to me, wrapping me in his arms. I buried my face in his broad chest and inhaled his sweet scent, allowing it to wrap around my body and cocoon me in its warmth and protection.

“Yes,” he said as he held me tightly. “Seeing you with him…” he closed his eyes, and I could see the pained expression on his face. It made my heart squeeze in my chest. I put my hands on each side of his face and caressed it gently, hoping that my touch could bring him some type of comfort. He took a deep breath like he was inhaling my scent and then he let it out as his eyes slowly opened. “I want to be the only man you are with…”

I swallowed hard.

“Jaxon…” I tried to say, but his lips crushed mine in a bruising and mind-boggling kiss. He kissed me with so much need and want that my knees went weak. He had to physically hold me against is body to keep me stable.

When the kiss ended, I was left breathless.

“Don’t say anything,” he murmured against my mouth. “Just let me make you feel good… better than any other man ever has. Let me erase their names from your mind. At least for tonight.”

I was in a daze; I couldn’t truly think for myself. The only thing I could do was nod. His lips were back on mine within a heartbeat and his tongue was invading my mouth, tasting and claiming me. I breathed him in, melting into his embrace and wanting to get closer to him. Thoughts of everything went out of my mind the moment his lips touched mine. I could feel every molecule of his touch sparking against my body and I felt so alive. Kissing him felt so natural like I had done this a thousand times before.

“Jaxon…” I whispered against his lips, tasting his name on my tongue as he nipped at my bottom lip. A smile twitched at the corner of his mouth and his dark purple eyes poured into mine.

“Say it again,” he murmured, his voice going deep and sultry.

Heat crept along my cheeks and nose.

“Jaxon…” I repeated, my tongue darting out and licking my bottom lip. He followed the motion of my tongue and his eyes grew so dark that they were nearly black.

He pulled me into him so hard that I nearly got whiplash from the motion and then he buried his face in the nape of my neck as he peppered me with featherlike kisses.

“That’s the only name I want to hear from you,” he growled, making me shudder.

I could feel his erection in his pants, rubbing against my belly and I was suddenly itching to get him out of those pants and me out of this dress.

As if he could read my mind, he lifted me off the ground and took me to bed.