Born of red

Her

Xander's POV

When I woke up she was still there, I figured I had just dreamt it. Her absolutely heartbreaking beauty shocked me every time I looked at her face.

I was ashamed of how I had acted, but from the second I saw her I was afraid. Because for the first time in my life I had something to lose.

Yesterday I saw that she wasn't as fragile as I believed her to be. I guessed it was just my overprotective side that wanted her to stay locked up in a room, but I realized that was not right either. I wanted to love her, I already did, I just didn't know how to show it.

Her anger sometimes worried me, I knew she could be an absolutely fierce Queen someday. She just needed to accept me and my throne. The pack needed her as much as I did, well almost as much. I needed her as the ocean craved the land, as the flower needed the sun. She was my air.

She stirred in her sleep before she sighed and cuddled up closer to me as if she weren't already pressed hard against me. Her body intoxicated mine. I couldn’t control my desire when I was around her. She had more control over me than any creature on this planet and she didn't even know it.

"Xander." She whispered and I felt my heart explode from hearing my name on her lips. My grip on her tightened. Her father had been right, I didn't deserve her.

"Morning." She croaked and looked up with a warm smile.

"Morning, beautiful." I said and kissed her forehead. My lips burned from the touch of her skin. I was too happy, it shouldn't be okay to be this happy. I was grateful to my Beta for literally punching me in the face. He set me straight. Seeing him with his mate was a beautiful thing. They were like magnets, always pulling towards each other and impossible to separate. I wanted that.

"Are you real?" Windria asked and it made me chuckle.

"I am, but not sure you are. I keep asking myself that." I said and caressed her cheek. Damn, she was breathtaking. How could I have stayed away before?

´Because of your damn father.´ A voice said in my head. The old man had been a true monster and I hated him to my very core for leaving such a dark mark in history that I now had to answer for.

"What have you planned today?" She asked and for a second I thought I heard a worry in her voice.

"I thought I would enjoy the day with my Queen. I have some ill times to redeem for." I smiled at her. "That is, if you'll have me?"

"It sounds very pleasant." She answered slowly and then gave me a small smile that melted my heart. It almost hurt looking at her, she was that stunning. Her glowing red eyes mesmerized me.

"I'm kind of hungry though." She said and blushed. Damn! I didn't think she could be more beautiful, yet she kept surprising me.

"What do you want?" I asked and ran my finger along her chin. I pulled her face up so she could look at me.

"I would love waffles with sugar and blackberries. If that is arrangeable?" She smiled.

"Anything for my Queen." I said and kissed her forehead.

"Anything?" She grinned and raised one eyebrow.

"Let's not get me all hot and bothered. Do you want food? Or not?" I breathed and she leaned close.

"Hm, hard question." She whispered seductively against my lips. I could feel myself harden and the hunger for her skin against mine exploded inside of me. I pulled her tight against me and growled.

"You're making it impossible for me to leave this bed." I sighed and she giggled which made my heart jump.

"Hold that thought." She chuckled and slipped through my arms. I fumbled after her, but the minx was too fast. Suddenly she flipped back and stood beside the bed. Her extreme smoothness sometimes baffled me. I understood now how she was such a good fighter.

"Fine!" I exclaimed in protest. "But when I come back you're going to regret teasing me." I grinned and disappeared to the kitchen. Leaving her excited face behind me.

The cook better be quick.

Wen's POV

Xander left me breathless when he hurried off to get breakfast. I gathered myself and made the bed before I walked over to the balcony doors. I noticed they were unlocked now, maybe he was serious about accepting me. Question was: why had he been such an asshole before?

I walked out and took a deep breath. The late summer air filled my lungs and the sun warmed my face. Life was starting to feel good, I was starting to accept my new life. How little it took.

I had promised myself never to let a man control me, but around Xander I was calm and content. I was happy by his side. If only I could roam more free, the loss of my family wouldn’t hurt as much. This dark week felt like a faded memory. I wouldn’t let it all pass him, but as he grew on me I knew that I made the same impact on him. I saw it in his eyes. There was a totally different side of him now. I saw more than he had let on. In his eyes I saw a kindness hiding behind a cold facade. All I needed to do was to reach for that kindness and he turned into a puppy. There was a darkness in him too, probably left by his father. I just hoped it didn’t overtake him. He didn’t seem to be that monster who I first thought him to be. Had I been so wrong in my assumptions?

I pushed the worry and sadness out of my head and went back to enjoy the sun. I didn't know how long I stood there, basking in the sunlight. I was pulled back to reality by Xander's arms around my waist. His presence always seemed obvious to me, I knew exactly where he was all the time. We were connected differently now.

"You're breathtaking." He whispered in my ear, breathing in my scent.

"You're not so bad yourself." I teased him and he chuckled. I sighed in content as he kissed my collarbone.

"You intoxicate me, beautiful." He sighed. "There is no time in the world that is enough when it comes to being close to you." He whispered against my skin and I felt my heart flutter at his words. He wasn’t even an ounce of the monster I thought him to be. Actually we seemed to be kind of similar.

"Good news. I've cleared my schedule. My beta, James, will take care of the day. I only have one thing to focus on." He explained and spun me around so I faced him. He was stunning in the warm sunlight. It cast beautifully on his sun-kissed skin. "You." He finished and smiled seductively at me.

"Mm, if you have pleased your queen with food she might oblige." I teased and leaned closer just enough to test him, before I leaned off to get away, but he was faster this time. He caught me by my waist again. He roughly pushed me against him and my hunger set aflame inside of me, but this wasn’t a hunger for food. This man has such an influence on me I almost completely lost control. It was a weird sensation. For so long I had been locked up and even now, still in confinement, I felt more free than ever. I felt like I belonged.

"I can think of other ways to please my Queen." He grinned and I felt it tense between my legs. I could barely stand it. His eyes bathed in a black color as he smelled my arousal.

"As much." I breathed against him. "As I want that, I have to eat. I kind of lost my appetite for a while." I explained out of breath by just his touch. This was insanity.

"Right." He frowned and let go of his tight grip on me. "I'm sorry." His face twisted in regret and shame.

"Oh no, don't do that. You'll bring me down with you. I'm here now. I'm happy now." I smiled and took his hand. "Breakfast, my king." I smiled and pulled him back inside. He chuckled and relaxed again. We ate our breakfast in bed and I could feel the energy coming back to me.

"What is your favorite season?" Xander asked and I pondered the question.

"Definitely autumn. The colors, it sets the world in flames." I grinned and took a bite of my waffle. "And yours?"

"I do love autumn but winter is my preference. The way the snow glitters in the sun is impossible to beat. It's completely breathtaking. Kind of like you." He grinned and pulled me closer.

"You have to stop teasing me like that or I'm never going to finish my breakfast." I argued and he chuckled amused as he let me go.

"What's your favorite color?" I asked and took another bite.

"I hadn't really thought about it, but I think it's red." He paused. "No, I know it's red." He said sincerely and I looked at him, blushing when I realized he was talking about my eyes.

"Do you know why they're red?" He asked and I shook my head.

"My father says I'm blessed by the moon goddess, but I'm still not convinced." I shrugged.

"You sure are a blessing." He sighed and pushed his nose into my neck and I started giggling. "Enchanting even." He whispered and I sighed.

"Xander." I breathed and grabbed his hand. He gasped and pushed closer to me. "You need to focus. Let me finish my food before you throw yourself over me."

"My name on your lips makes me melt, beautiful." He sighed. "Please just say it one more time."

"Not until I'm done." I chuckled and put another bite in my mouth. Xander groaned and pulled away from me, but kept a hand on my knee.

"Your favorite color?" He asked and I looked into those deep forest green eyes.

"Green, like a forest." I sighed and he chuckled. We were hopeless. I wondered if he was like this with other women.

"Did you really sleep with Paula after you met me?" I asked and looked down at my hands. Panic flashed in my chest. What if he did and this was just the way he was with women?

"I thought about it, to get you off my mind. I don't deserve you and maybe somebody else could have freed me. But it took just a few seconds after thinking about it for me to realize that I couldn’t be with anyone else but you. You consumed my thoughts. She was just one of those girls that I had before, to get my mind off of things. It was just a simple desire to let off steam and she never cared for me more than my status. She really means nothing to me anymore. I was just afraid to disappoint you. I know I don't deserve you. I'm a monster and I saw that in your eyes the first time we met. At the ceremony you looked at me and I could see that you wanted me to turn you away. It made me so angry at myself and the reason I was such a jerk those first days. I wanted you to hate me. It was easier that way." He explained with sorrow over his face and he gave me a weak smile. I put down my empty plate.

"I forgive you.” I said with a low voice. A frown climbed on my face. “ And I didn’t hate you. I was scared, because I didn't want a mate. But when I saw you my body exploded with feelings and I didn't know how to handle that. I'm not an emotional person. I'm cold and brush everything off with humor. I'm a bit of a b***h sometimes. I didn't know if I deserved you or this life." I explained and he chuckled.

"I was so scared of embarrassing myself in front of you." He said and grinned.

"You were scared of me?" I chuckled and he nodded. I smiled at him and felt warmth in my body. I got up and sat down over him, straddling him. "You don't ever have to hide from me. I already adore every part of you." I said with love in my voice. I had let him further inside my heart than I realized. He was a part of me now. Not just a mate. He was a part of my world and I just knew I could lean on him as much as he could lean on me. All I had to do was help him control his anger and the other way around.

"Are you sure? I mean, I've done some s**t that is horrible. My father's lessons focused on power, not love. What if power is all I know?" He sighed exhausted and leaned against my chest. He relaxed and I soothed him by lightly stroking his back. I didn’t realize he blamed himself this much?

"Xander." I softly said and he looked up. Clearly touched by his name on my lips. "You are beautiful, soul, body and mind. Don't hide either of them. I want it all. I want all of you." I whispered, leaning close. His lips slammed against mine and my hunger exploded. I swiftly pulled my tongue into his mouth and he completely let go of his control.

He pulled down my small silk top of my pajamas and kissed my breast. A loud moan slipped out of me as his mouth grasped my n****e. My body tingled as his tongue played with the bud. He quickly pulled my top over my head and he threw me down on the bed, he pulled off my underwear and shorts in one quick movement.

"I'm going to mark you." He whispered, asking for permission.

"Please." I begged and his canine rasped against my shoulder and the second later I felt them sink into my shoulder. The pain was strong, but then I was filled with bliss. He kissed my mark and his hands traveled down my body.

His fingers entered me swiftly and for a second I tingled in pain, but quickly turned into pleasure, making me wet. I moaned loudly and pulled him closer to me. I slammed my lips against his. I nibbled at his lip and it clearly made him crazier. He groaned and worked me harder and I felt that I was at the brink of coming. Then he was inside of me and a small sting erupts before I moaned louder as the orgasm closes up.

"Xander." I moaned.

"Louder." He demanded and I screamed his name as I erupted in a bliss. He pushed further inside of me and my back arched against him. He gripped my hips and groaned loudly as he filled me. He leaned down on me to kiss me softly.

"I don't think that gets any better." He chuckled and kissed me again. He rolled off me and pulled me close. "You're really, truly breathtaking. You can't be real." He sighed as he leaned against my forehead.

"I'm your Queen. You're my King. Nothing is going to change that now." I sighed and his arm around me tightened. He pushed tighter against me. My leg wrapped around his body and his hand was stroking it.

"Damn." He grunted. "You're getting me hot and bothered again. I will never get enough of you." His hand gripped my thigh.

"And I'll want you inside of me forever." I whispered seductively. His hand went to my ass and he pushed me close again. I felt his hard member push against me again.

"You're driving me mad." He whispered with a lust burning in his eyes. He frowned and pulled me down. His lips pressed to mine, arousal and love burning throughout my body.

He was inside of me again and all I could think about was the euphoria that spread through my body. There was no better feeling than that. Our bodily crave could never end.

I moved faster over him, slamming against him, trying to get closer, feeling we were never close enough. I was on cloud nine, forgetting the world around me. I swayed in a euphoric haze and saw dots in front of my eyes. Xander grunted loudly under me and my hands dug into his chest.

"Xander." I moaned quietly and he sat up and grasped me hard. His lips were everywhere. I couldn't stand it. We both moaned loudly as we released. He inhaled my scent and shuddered under me. I felt him fill me and I figured we would need a shower after that.

I jumped off him and got up. He looked pained after me and my wolf whined.

"Aren't you coming?" I grinned seductively and swung my hips before I hurried towards the bathroom. He came after me and caught me inside the shower. He slammed me against the wall. My legs went around him and I felt like I could do it all again.

"We have to calm down." I said out of breath. His mouth was teasing me against my collarbone.

"Then you have to stop teasing me like that." He growled against my skin. I felt myself purr when his tongue went over my mark.

"Put on the water at least." I said, giving in to his touch.

He chuckled, pleased, but did as ordered and turned on the water. His lips were over me again. I couldn't believe he was going to take me a third time and as pleased as I was I couldn't stop craving him.

His fingers were inside of me and his hands grasped my breast. The water flowed over us as I melted under his touch. The water washed me away.

"I love making you wet, my angel." He whispered against my ear, sending a chill down between my legs. He felt my body tingle and he got a wicked smile, driving me insane. He traveled down on me and when his mouth touched the inner side of my leg I gasped. His tongue was like nothing I could've imagined. I came hard and felt the heat between my legs. When I thought it was over Xander stood up and thrust himself inside of me. I moaned loudly of pleasure. He moved faster, pushing harder and harder inside of me. My nails dug into his back and he roared in pleasure as I felt him explode.

"Damn you." He chuckled and was breathing hard. He kissed me long and softly.

"That was insane." I chuckled and bit my lip. My eyes looked hungrily at him.

"You have to stop looking at me like that." He said between his teeth, clenching his jaw.

"I can't look at you any other way. As much as you can't." I sighed and leaned against his chest.

"Then let's clean up and get some rest." He sighed and let me down.

I nodded and he stood behind me. We showered, but feeling the heat of arousal always lingering behind our control.

"I'm hungry." I said and as on cue my stomach growled.

"Hm, I have been working you hard." He snickered. I stuck my tongue out to him and wrapped a towel around me.

"Get dressed." I ordered and he chuckled. I got out and rummaged around my lingerie. It was only expensive, sexy underwear in my drawer.

"Well this surely won't help.” I said to myself, but chose a pair of black panties.

"What won't help?" Xander said behind me just as I dropped the towel. He froze and I looked at him as I leaned down, slowly putting on my panties.

He gulped and I winked as I turned my back at him. His hands then wrapped around me from behind. His lips were on my neck and his hands went to my naked breasts.

"Xander." I moaned, trying to get back my control, but it only made him more crazy.

He flipped me around and I felt his bulge against my core. I gasped and was fighting to get back control. I put my hand on his chest and pushed as hard as I could. At first he didn't budge, but then I growled and he leaned back.

"We have to stop." I panted and he sighed.

"Fine, but if you don't get dressed in the next ten seconds I'm going to take you either what." He warned and I gulped as I slipped away from him.

"Close your eyes. It might help."

"I can't. I don't want to let you out of my sight."

I rolled my eyes and hurried to get a bra and a shirt over my torso. I quickly pulled on some jeans.

"Better?" I smiled.

"No, I still want to throw myself over you. You don't understand how crazy I get." He argued and I grinned amused.

"Well, this is going to be fun." I quietly laughed and he seemed to get turned on by my excitement. "No." I warned as he approached. "Enough."

"I will never get enough." He was smirking, following my movement.

"I'll faint if I don't get food inside of me soon." I warned and that seemed to wake him up.

"Let's go then." He said and reached for my hand. I wrapped it in mine.

We met his beta James downstairs and his mate. James had light brown hair and brown eyes. He was handsome and buff. His mate was beautiful, her blonde hair was cut short and her face was kind.

"So this is the incredible Luna, I heard so much about." James smirked and Xander growled warningly at him.

"I'm Emilia." The blonde woman said and smiled at me.

"Nice to meet you both." I said with a kind smile.

"Wow, you're really stunning." Emilia said, looking puzzled.

"Thank you." I winked and Xander let out another growl. Emilia blushed.

"Oh shut up." I told Xander dismissively and he silenced.

"Wow, that was impressive." James grinned and winked at me.

"Someone's gotta tame this beast." I said looking up on Xander. He looked back with burning eyes. James cleared his throat and I tore my eyes from my mate to look at him.

"Tell me how come you haven't joined the training?" James asked and I looked at Xander who clenched his jaw. I rolled my eyes and gestured towards him.

"Because this i***t thinks that I'll get hurt. Even though I could probably take on anyone in this pack. Probably the Alpha himself."

"Oh I would pay greatly to see that." James chuckled.

"James." Emilia exclaimed and blushed.

"I would never." Xander growled.

"Yeah, we know." I sighed and put my arm around his waist, it calmed him down. "But I would love to be able to spar. My wolf is getting anxious." I pouted at him.

"But you could get hurt." He argued with a concerned frown.

"You have seen me in action. I was a better fighter than my father and brother together. I would hurt more than I would get hurt." I argued back, refusing to stand down.

"Can we discuss this later?" He pleaded and I bit my lip. My wolf didn't want to hurt him but I really wanted to make him see my side.

"Fine, but I won't forget." I warned him and he grinned at me.

"We'll see about that." He whispered seductively.

"Don't." I growled, warningly. Was he seriously turning me on even now?

"Could you guys not? We want to be able to keep our food." James said in disgust.

"Ooh food." I said and focused on the kitchen. "Are we making it or?"

"No, we'll send some chefs here." Xander explained and his grip on me tightened.

"I want to stay and watch them work." I said as I was already acquainted with chefs. I wanted to see their work. When Xander called for them they entered on cue.

"Oh Luna, how are you? Feeling for something sweet to eat or should I whip something else up." George said.

"I'm great, George. I would love a real meal. A proper dinner." I smiled at him and he bowed with a pleased smile. "But Alice? I would love your sufflé after." I smirked and she smiled back.

"You got it, boss." She winked and bowed in respect. Xander looked at me with adoration.

"What?" I said to him and blushed.

"You are incredible, you know that?" He sighed and looked baffled.

"That I know their names?" I scoffed.

"No, that you took the time to learn them. And look how you made them feel. They adore you. You're already a true queen." He sighed pleased and his eyes burned with pride and adoration.

"It's nothing." I waved it off and focused on the chefs as they worked.

"We wondered if you're going to be crowned soon?" Emilia asked me and I met her gaze.

"I don't know. I want to know the pack before I claim them as my people." Her eyes widened for a second then she nodded in understanding.

"I think that's wonderfully thoughtful of you, Luna." I gave her a thankful smile.

"If my mate let me roam more freely that would speed things up." I said and looked at Xander.

"Not this again." He sighed.

"I agree." James said and I looked at him in shock. "You should get to know your people. Win their trust, own it. I would be surprised if anyone objected to that."

"What if they try anything?" Xander argued.

"How about I escort her around from time to time. With her guard?" James asked and I looked hopefully at my mate. He faltered from his hard expression.

"Fine! But!" He warned before I could celebrate my victory. "You can tell everyone James, that if anyone touches her I will rip through their flesh with my bare hands." He growled and I saw that darkness everyone was terrified of. But I knew better. I grabbed him a little tighter and I felt him relax.

"Don't be so melodramatic." I said and James laughed. A cold eye from Xander shut him up. Alphas. I sighed in my head and rolled my eyes.

Emilia examined me and I smiled at her. She smiled back and I focused on the chefs. George and Alice worked like they had never done anything else. It was quite amazing to see. Xander wanted to eat in the dining hall, but I wanted to eat in the kitchen. James and Emilia joined us around the island. We dug into the amazing-looking food.

"You guys are chefs from heaven. How can something be this wonderful? It's never this good when I cook."

"Oh do you cook, my Queen?" Alice asked, surprised.

"I have done a little cooking before. Not that I'm great at it. We had other people cooking for us. Just that I wanted to know what it was like."

"You're welcome to join us here whenever." Alice said.

"I would love that." I said and they both smiled joyously back at me.

"Thank you, chefs." Xander said next to me. They hung their heads, looked at the floor and bowed. "Can I have the Luna now?" Xander turned to me with lust burning in his eyes.

"Nope." I smirked. "I'm going to hang out with Emilia here." I said and hooked her arm.

"You have business to attend to. James is clearly overworked." I winked at him and James grinned back at me.

"But." Xander began, pouting as he did.

"No, buts. I'll join you in the office when I have become acquainted enough with Em." I smiled. Xander growled and stormed off.

"Good luck." I said to James who chuckled and headed after him.

"I can't believe you have that kind of control on him." Emilia looked puzzled.

"I think it goes both ways, but he's kinder than people think."

"I know. James loves him like a brother, but it doesn't prevent me from feeling scared of him." She blushed.

"I know." I understood her side of it. Xander was ruthless. I wouldn't have thought I could love a man that was that cold and assessing at power. But he was so much more than I had first thought. Damn, did I think "Love"?

"He’ll surprise you yet." I told her and she smiled.

"Do you read?" I asked and she nodded.

"How about we discuss books. Like a little book club of ours?" I asked, giving her a warm smile.

"You want that? With me?" She looked shocked and excited at the same time.

"Of course." I smiled and hooked my arm in hers. "Plus it would be nice to have a sophisticated woman to talk to. Lulu was my go to gal at home.”

“Who’s Lulu?” She asked curiously.

“My cousin and best friend. You two would’ve loved each other.”

“Well, I would love to meet her then. Tell me about her.” She smiled and I felt her relax a little more. I started talking about my cousin and told Emilia all about the things she kept trying to make me do. Like her attempt to make me into a lady. Emilia was easy to talk to, but being with her also made me miss Lulu more. I just wasn't whole without her.