Xavier's POV
"Kill her! Taste her blood!" The demon's voice echoed in my mind, and I lost my sanity.
"No!" My wolf was roaring inside my head, fighting to be heard. "She is ours to protect!"
My body was at war. My muscles were tense, my tendons stretched like bowstrings, and I was sweating profusely.
I had her right where I wanted to.
Mira was backed against the wall, her back pressed firmly against it. She was breathing rapidly, erratically.
I could actually hear the beat of her heart. It was music to me.
"Stay back!" Mira yelled, holding up her hands, which were shaking like the leaves on a tree swaying wildly in the wind. "Don't touch me! I said stop!"
And yet, I did not. The connection was like a magnet, and I was sucked in.
I pounded my fists on the wall on both sides of her head, caging her in.
She gasped at the shock of it, and her eyes went wide at the beast she was seeing.
"You…you…" Mira stuttered, and tears filled her defiant eyes.
I leaned in close, and I was greeted by the smell of fear, and anger.
"Silence," I growled, and my voice was no longer mine. It sounded like gravel rubbing against glass.
I looked at her lips, which were parted and trembling. The urge to destroy her, to claim her, and to consume her crashed over my head.
I felt dizzy. Fighting to stay sane. My eyes dropped to her lips. The cherry redness welcomed me.
"Feed," the demon's voice echoed.
I leaned in, her face turned to the other side, avoiding my gaze.
If only I could…my lips crashed on hers. It was soft, gentle at first then a wild collision, desperate and starving.
She didn't move. I groaned, the sound rumbling against her lips as my hands left the wall to cup her face.
My thumbs dug into her cheekbones, forcing her to meet my gaze, to feel me.
The world froze, locked in place, as my demon fell silent, stunned by the electricity running between us.
And then, the electricity ran its course. It was too much.
The white light that exploded behind my closed eyelids was blinding.
My knees gave way, my strength leaving my body like a plug had been pulled.
The darkness engulfed me, and I slumped forward, the world dissolving into blackness.
~
I woke up, gasping for air.
The floor was cold against my cheek, and I rose up, shaking my head to clear the loud ringing.
My eyes scanned around and saw the empty room. My hand flew to my lips, the memory crashing down hard at me.
I had touched her. Damn it.
I called gently. "Mira?"
There was no answer, but silence.
The coldness hit my body. It was sharp and stabbed through my chest.
I got to my feet, shaking off the dizziness that swirled around me. I flung open the door, nearly tearing it off its hinges.
A guard was passing by, and he stopped, his eyes wide at my disheveled appearance.
"Where is she?"
"Who, Alpha?" he stuttered, taking a step back.
"The girl! Mira! Where is she?"
"Ah... the... the servants' quarters, sir! Third door on the left!"
I pushed him out of the way and took off running. My heart raced in my chest, but it wasn't from running—it was from fear, a fear I hadn't felt in years. What if the demon hurt her? What if I hurt her?
I finally reached the door and gently opened it.
The room was small with a dull light. And she was there.
She was on her side on a small bed, her chest rising and falling with deep, even breaths.
I took in a deep breath and let it out again as I slumped my shoulders in relief. I walked over to the bed and stood beside it.
She looked so peaceful, all the terror of the night before erased by sleep. Her dark hair spilled out across the pillow. I sat down on the bed and it dipped with my weight.
Her hand reached out and I followed its movement with mine. I had to know she was real. I had to know she existed.
My hand landed on her arm.
And I saw the jagged scars.
Who did this to you?
My anger flared up hot and fierce and protective of her. I had felt it the same day I saw her.
I looked down and saw her eyelashes resting perfectly.
And then I saw her lips.
They were swollen and red.
My heart pounded wildly in my chest.
I reached out and my thumb touched her lip.
A spark of electricity ran through my finger and down to my very center.
"Mine," my wolf whispered in my mind.
What? She can't be yours, Fanir. She's not even out mate.
"Prey," my demon whispered back. "I can smell her blood."
I yanked my hand back as if it had been set on fire. I stood up so fast that the chair I had been sitting in went crashing to the floor behind me.
I couldn't be here. I couldn't be around her while I was like this. I was unstable, a ticking time bomb waiting to go off at any moment.
"I'm losing my mind," I muttered to myself, stepping back from her sleeping form. "This is crazy."
I turned and ran out of the room, seeking out the head maid in the hallway.
"Alpha?" she asked, bowing her head.
"No more work for her," I said, not stopping my stride. "Cancel all of it."
"Yes, Alpha?"
I didn't wait to hear her finish her question. I stormed into my study and slammed the door shut behind me.
I leaned up against it and then slid down to sit on the floor, burying my face in my hands.
"You're weak," the demon said. "She was right there. We could have had her."
"Shut up!" I bellowed.
"You almost killed her, Xavier," my wolf growled at me, full of disgust and shame. "We are dangerous."
"That's the idea, isn't it?" the demon said, laughing. "More fear. More power. They all deserve to die."
"Shut up! Both of you!" I shouted.