Unexpected - The Enigma.

Chapter-23

Xavier stayed pressed to her. As close as the space between two bodies would allow.
It had been too long since Arthur had let him near Anaya. Too long since he'd felt her warmth, her scent, her weight against him.

His wolf rumbled low, a sound that vibrated right through her. He buried his face in the curve of her neck and inhaled her like he was starving.
"I missed you so much, pup," he murmured, voice rough and quiet, only for her. "I promise. From now on I'll behave. Please... don't hate me."

Anaya's chest tightened.
"I missed you too," she whispered back. "And I don't hate you."

She didn't know what else to say. Words always felt small after this much time apart. So she did what came naturally to her , she lifted her hands and threaded her fingers through his hair. Slow. Gentle. Grounding.

He let out a shaky breath and melted into it.

They stayed like that.
Her letting him hold her, anchor himself to her.
And the truth was, she didn't mind. Physical touch was her language. It was how she said I'm here, I'm yours, you're safe without saying anything at all. So she let him have as much of her as he needed.

After a while, his forehead rested against hers.
"Tomorrow," he said, voice still low. "After your training, I'm taking you somewhere."

Anaya pulled back just enough to look at him, surprised. "Where?"

A small, secret smile tugged at his mouth. "The Enchanted Falls."

Her eyes lit up. "Really? I've wanted to go there for ages but no one lets me. Is it... forbidden?"

Now she was sitting on his lap, his hands finding hers and lacing their fingers together like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Not forbidden," he said. "Sacred. I'll tell you everything when we get there." His thumb brushed over her knuckles. "But for now... let's go get dinner."

She pouted. "It's early."
She wasn't ready to let go of this yet. Of him.

"No, my love," he teased, but his eyes were soft. "You need dinner. And then your beauty sleep."

She giggled as he stood, and before she could protest, he scooped her right into his arms.

But the moment they stepped into the corridor, everything changed.
Eyes. Whispers. Guards straightening.

"Put me down!" Anaya hissed, mortified, hiding her face in his neck. "Everyone's staring!"

"So what?" Xavier didn't even break stride. He cut the guards a cold, warning look that had them snapping their gazes forward. "Let them look."

"No, please, Xavi," she begged, using the nickname without thinking.

And that did it.

Xavier. Stopped. Dead.
Xavi.
From her.

He felt something in his chest crack and then warm all over. Possessive, territorial alpha gone. Replaced by a man who would give her the world if she asked with that voice.

With a reluctant sigh, he set her down. But he didn't let go.
His hand found hers immediately, fingers threading through hers and holding tight.