Taming The Alpha’s Curse

Chapter 18

Xavier’s Pov

I simply nodded when Aliyah asked for a private word. I had been expecting her outburst. She was predictable in her jealousy.

I glanced once more at Astrid on the floor. The sight of her curled up, clothes torn and body marked with fresh welts, displeased me more than I cared to admit. My wolf stirred angrily inside me, but I pushed the feeling down. I turned and walked away without another word, heading toward my chambers. Aliyah followed closely behind.

The moment the heavy door closed behind us, she spun around.

“Respectfully, Xavier,” she began, her voice tight, “I must ask you something before we speak of the girl. Where were you last night? I went to your chambers looking for you and you were not there. I waited. Where were you?”

I walked to the center of the room and stopped, keeping my expression blank. “I was busy. Why were you looking for me? Was it something important?”

Aliyah’s eyes flashed with frustration. “No. I simply wanted to come to you. Is that so wrong? We are mates, Xavier. Or have you forgotten?”

I did not respond.

She stepped closer, her voice rising. “Something has been bothering me for a while now. Every time it concerns that girl Astrid, you step in. You save her. You stop punishments meant for her. You give her preferential treatment that she does not deserve. A common servant is making me feel uneasy in my own home. I want her prosecuted. Her usefulness is finished.”

I turned my head slowly to look at her. “You will not prosecute Astrid. She has done nothing to you.”

Aliyah’s face twisted with anger. “Nothing? She has done plenty! She is always around you. She saw you shift. She—”

“Are you raising your voice at me, woman?” I asked, my tone dangerously low. “Are you questioning my authority?”

She immediately softened, stepping closer. “I’m sorry, my love. It is just that I do not like how things have changed. It makes me feel… powerless. I’m overthinking. Forgive me.”

She moved behind me and began massaging my shoulders, her hands sliding down my chest. I knew exactly what she was doing. She pressed her body against my back, lips brushing my neck.

“Let me take care of you,” she whispered.

I let her. She turned me around and dropped to her knees with practiced grace. Her fingers worked quickly to free my c**k from my trousers. She looked up at me with hungry eyes before leaning in.

She started slow, pressing soft kisses along my length, her tongue tracing every vein. Then she took me into her warm, wet mouth, sucking gently at first. Her head bobbed as she took more of me, her tongue swirling around the head on every upward stroke. She moaned around my c**k, the vibrations sending pleasure through me.

“Mm… you taste so good,” she murmured, pulling back just enough to speak before swallowing me deeper. She used her hand to stroke what her mouth couldn’t reach, twisting her wrist skillfully while sucking hard. Saliva dripped down her chin as she worked me faster, her cheeks hollowing with effort. She took me to the back of her throat, gagging slightly but not stopping, determined to please me.

I remained mostly silent, one hand resting lightly on her head, guiding her rhythm. She sucked me eagerly, loud wet sounds filling the chamber as she worshipped my c**k with her mouth and tongue. Her free hand cupped my balls, massaging them gently while she bobbed faster.

When I finally came, I spilled deep into her throat. She swallowed every drop, moaning as if it was the best thing she had ever tasted. Some of it dripped from the corner of her mouth as she pulled back, licking her lips.

She stood up, kissing my neck and chest, guiding my hand between her legs so I could feel how wet she was. “Take me, Xavier,” she breathed. “Mark me. Make me yours completely. We are mates. I should have borne your mark long ago. My friends laugh at me. I want to carry your heir. Please.”

I pulled my hand away. “Not now.”

Aliyah’s expression changed. “Not now? You have never told me ‘not now’ before. I want you to mark me. We have waited long enough. Without your mark I cannot even give you pups. I have become a laughingstock in the court.”

I looked at her coldly. “You want to carry my heir… or do you simply want the power and status that comes with it?”

Her eyes widened. “How can you ask me that?”

“If you are no longer happy here,” I said flatly, “I can ask the Moon Goddess to break the bond.”

The switch in her was instant. “No! It has not come to that. I’m sorry. My emotions get the better of me when we speak of this. I know you are busy. I should be more understanding. Forgive me.”

She pecked me on the cheek, trying to act sweet again. “I will leave you to rest. Perhaps tonight you will be ready for me.”

With that, she left the chamber.

Erevos’s voice rumbled in my mind. *“Hmm, Xavier. You have never rejected bonding with Aliyah before. What happened? Oh, I know. You are still thinking about last night. You are still thinking about Astrid watching you. You cannot even enjoy touching Aliyah anymore. That is it, right?”*

I did not answer him.

But he was right.