Xander's Rejected Luna

Drowning the pain

The cider burned down my throat, each stolen gulp a desperate attempt to drown the ache Lucas left behind. The music thumped through me, a wild rhythm that matched the chaos in my chest, and I swayed slightly, the cup trembling in my raw hands. Kira’s friends clustered around, their laughter sharp and forced, their eyes darting to me with pity that made my skin crawl. “Come on, Jasmine,” one of them, Mara, said, her voice teasing but edged with challenge. She leaned in, her dark curls bouncing, her lips curling into a smirk. “Kiss a stranger or crawl back to Lucas. Pick one.”

I froze, the cider souring in my stomach. Beg Lucas? After he tossed me aside for Kira? The thought twisted like a knife, and I shook my head, my silver-streaked hair falling into my face. My wolf stirred, a quiet nudge of defiance, and I scanned the crowd, my gaze landing on him, the stranger who’d saved me last night. Tall and broad, his leather jacket hugged his frame, and those piercing blue eyes caught the torchlight, pulling me in like a magnet. My breath hitched. He was a walking dream, all rugged edges and quiet power, and before I could second-guess myself, I set the cup down and moved toward him.

My feet carried me through the throng, my heart pounding as his gaze locked onto mine. Up close, his scent hit me—cedar and something darker, intoxicating. I didn’t know his name, couldn’t recall a single word from last night beyond his claim, but my body didn’t care. I stepped into his space, my hands trembling as I reached up, cupping his stubbled jaw. His eyes darkened, a flicker of surprise giving way to something hotter, and I pressed my lips to his. The kiss ignited me instantly, a spark that raced through my veins. My n*****s hardened beneath my thin dress, a delicious ache blooming as his mouth moved against mine, firm and commanding.

He responded with a low groan, his large hands sliding to my waist, pulling me flush against him. The heat of his body seeped into mine, and I melted, my lips parting as his tongue teased mine, slow and deliberate. A shiver ran down my spine, pooling low in my belly, and I pressed closer, feeling the hard length of him through his jeans. My thoughts scattered—Who the hell is he? The question flickered, but it drowned under the wave of desire. His fingers dug into my hips, possessive yet gentle, and I arched into him, my breath coming in short gasps.

“Easy,” he murmured against my lips, his voice a rough velvet that sent a thrill through me. He pulled back just enough to look at me, his blue eyes searching mine, and I caught the faint scar along his cheek, adding to his dangerous allure. My cheeks flushed, my body still buzzing, and I licked my lips, tasting him—spicy, wild. “You don’t even know my name, do you?” he asked, a hint of amusement in his tone, but his grip on me didn’t loosen.

I shook my head, my voice caught somewhere deep. “No,” I admitted, my eyes dropping to his chest, where the leather stretched taut over muscle. “But I… I felt something last night.” The words felt clumsy, but true. My wolf stirred again, a warm approval, and I wondered if she knew more than I did.

He chuckled, a low sound that vibrated through me, and tilted my chin up with a calloused finger. “Xander,” he said, his name rolling off his tongue like a promise. “Xander Killian.” The name sparked a memory, a whisper of power, but before I could dwell, his thumb brushed my lower lip, and my thoughts derailed. He leaned in again, his kiss deeper this time, his tongue exploring with a hunger that made my knees weak. I clung to his shoulders, my fingers digging into the leather, and a soft moan escaped me as he pressed himself harder against me, his arousal evident.

His hand slid down, cupping my backside, and he guided me toward a quieter corner of the party, away from prying eyes. The music faded, replaced by the pounding of my pulse, and he backed me against a tree, his body shielding mine. “You’re trouble,” he whispered, his lips trailing along my jaw, down to the sensitive skin of my neck. I tilted my head, giving him access, and his teeth grazed me, sending a jolt of pleasure straight to my core. My dress rode up slightly, and his hand slipped beneath, his rough palm brushing the inside of my thigh, igniting a fire I couldn’t control.

I gasped, my hips shifting toward him, and he groaned again, his fingers teasing higher, brushing the edge of my underwear. “Xander,” I breathed, my voice shaky with need, and he paused, his eyes locking onto mine, dark with desire. My body ached for more, every nerve alight, and I reached for him, my hands sliding under his jacket to feel the heat of his skin. His muscles tensed under my touch, and he captured my wrist, holding it gently but firmly.

“Not here,” he said, his breath warm against my ear. “Not like this.” His words were a restraint, but his eyes promised more, and I nodded, my chest heaving as I tried to steady myself. He stepped back, adjusting his jacket, and I smoothed my dress, my skin still tingling where he’d touched me. My n*****s strained against the fabric, a reminder of the heat between us, and I wondered who he really was—beyond the name, beyond the stranger who’d claimed me.

We stood there, the party’s noise a distant hum, and he offered me his hand, his palm rough and warm. I took it, my fingers lacing with his, and felt a strange comfort in his grip. My thoughts spun, Xander Killian. Who he was remained a mystery, but the pull between us felt like haven.

The crowd shifted, and Mara appeared, her smirk replaced by a curious frown as she spotted us. “Jasmine, you okay?”