Page 68 of Fangs & Fur

Xander drops a hand to mine, his thumb brushing across my skin as he cups my fingers and gives me a tentative squeeze. “Nearly there, sweetheart.”

The world around us blurs in a mirage of greens and blacks as the forest thickens, and the road turns with the curve of the mountain. We drive further from Moonfell, but I couldn’t be happier than I am now, with Xander by my side.

For the past two months, he hasn’t left me for a moment, even standing by the door when I used the bathroom. It’s actually extremely cute, so I never complain. What wasn’t so cute was adjusting to my new life as a vampire.

All the new scents and sounds that I’ve never experienced before were exhausting. But with practice, and Xander’s constant attention, my brain has managed to catch up with my new harsh reality.

My stomach drops at the memory of Xander’s confession. His desire to die. It still pains me as I clutch at him tighter, smelling his wonderful leather scent that I've been so attracted to from the moment I saw him. He’s still here. We are still alive.

Everyone in the colony has been popping by ‌the house most days, even Milo has managed to say hi last week, before quickly hurrying away to wherever he coincides. Cassius has been the glue of the colony. His even temper and calm voice have managed to hold everyone together. With Ambrose now fulfilling his bargain with Cole, we haven’t seen much of him, but he’s always in town somewhere.

Harlan, on the other hand, has closed in on himself. His jokes have dulled and his smile is small, but he still tries. I think the entire ordeal with the Soultracker has taken a toll on everyone in their own different ways.

Xander continues to remind me none of it was my fault, but I still feel guilty. I feel guilty for everyone's pain. For Cassius having to step up and care for everyone but himself, for Ambrose who now pays the witches back with a decade of his life, for Harlan who no longer shines as bright as he used to and for Milo who still doesn’t trust me. And of course Tyler, who took a month recovering from the creature's attack. His body is now permanently scarred.

“I can smell your guilt, Noah,” Xander speaks over the howl of the wind. Now, with my vamp hearing, it’s easy to talk despite the deafening air that hits us. “Today is a day for us.”

I bite my lower lip. “I’m sorry. I can’t help it.”

Chuckling quietly, Xander takes the exit and pulls into a secluded gravel car park surrounded by towering pines. Pulling into a spot, he kills the engine and slips off the seat.

Flipping his visor, he grasps my thigh, his fingers trailing up my leg until he meets my waist. “I know you can't. It means you care, and that's why I love you. But no one regrets what happened.”

I sigh, pulling off my helmet and leaving it on the seat behind me. “I love you, too.” I kiss the top of his helmet, enjoying the way Xander laughs, his hands sliding up under my jacket and fingering the hem of my shirt.

“I want to take your mind off everything. How does that sound?” He asks.

My stomach swoops and my entire body heats up. I nod frantically. “Please.”

Hooking a hand under my knee, he slings my legs over the edge of his bike and stands between them, pressing his groin into mine. “Such a good boy.”

Chrome eyes meet mine and heat pools in my stomach. “What do you have in mind, Sir?”

With a groan, Xander curses under his breath, and I smirk. I love how much power I hold over him.

“Take this off.” Xander pulls the jacket from my shoulders. A shiver runs up my spine despite no longer being affected by the temperature. The perks of being supernatural.

Shucking my leather jacket onto the seat, Xander is all over me. His face still concealed behind his helmet as his gloved hands slip under my shirt, decorating my stomach with light pinches that make me gasp and whine. Then he finds my nipples, and a jolt explodes through me.

His hands are so warm, yet my skin prickles under his ministrations. “So responsive. Do you like it when your nipples are toyed with, little mate?”

Xander knows well and truly I do. He knows my body better than I do, and I lean into him, my whimpers echoing through the empty parking lot. “Yes. Give me more.”

Then he stops.

I groan and clutch at his shoulders, my own strength matching his. But the darkening look Xander gives me as his pupils dilate has me pausing from my argument. With his index finger, he swipes my nipple one last time before removing his hands and flicking his visor closed. I look at my own reflection.

Without a word, Xander slips out of his jacket, throwing it over the bike, before reaching into his back pocket and pulling out a flip knife. I gasp as a jolt of energy courses through me. If I still had a heartbeat, it would be pounding.

“Safe word is ‘red’. Do you understand, sweetheart?" Xander’s voice is muffled from behind his helmet. But I nod enthusiastically, watching with wide eyes as he slits the neckline of his shirt and rips it open right down the middle.

Thick, full pecs flash at me, and I reach out to slide my fingers across his bulging abs. His skin is smooth and inviting. I want to press myself up against him and live there. With a tanned, toned body, I can’t take my eyes away from the way Xander’s biceps pump as he moves. His shirt falling, forgotten on the ground. With just his pants, boots, and helmet on, he looks delicious in the dim sunlight.

Taking a step back and pocketing the knife, Xander helps me to my feet, and I tilt my head back to look up at him. He still towers over me, and I love it. Removing his gloves, Xander cups my cheek, his thumb swiping across my lower lip before leaning down to speak.

“You’re going to run for me, little mate.” He points to the right. I follow his direction, my gaze landing on the darkness of the forest beyond the car park. “You can scream and cry; you can even try to hide.” His voice licks at me, and I shake with eagerness, my dick taking notice and perking up.

Xander chuckles, clearly smelling my lust. “Run.” His voice is a whisper.