Royally Rogue

Treasure

Arabella

It felt like forever before I could move, my body like stone. My hand was still gripping Xanders, and his still holding mine with equal force. The warmth that came from his touch was the only thing that was holding me together right now. That encounter was heavy with tension and uncertainty...

"So, I guess we go back?" Melanie interrupted the silence, probably trying to lighten the mood. 

I didn't respond as I was still trying to process everything. I was staring out into the distance, not focusing on anything in particular.

So we were just supposed to wait for my mother's call? How long would that take? An hour? A day? A week? Would Father agree? Would he listen to mother? Would Roman be okay, would Aaron be punished? 

Oh goddess I wish I was there now to fix everything, or just take the blame for it all...

But I knew I couldn't leave Xander here, and he couldn't come to my land. I could make no promises on his safety as he could on mine. 

I felt his hand shaking in mine, and I blinked in surprise. I looked down at our intertwined hands. His forearm was flexing from the built-up tension in his body. My gaze traveled up to his chest, seeing it rise and fall out of rhythm. He was struggling to breathe steadily. I looked upward, seeing his jaw clench and unclench. His eyebrows were knitted, and his eyes looked were watering but not a single tear betrayed him.

His big bad Alpha aura and the calm facade was gone, replaced with a vulnerable man. His words from before, when I stopped him in the parking lot, came back to me. He was terrified of losing me, of us being separated before we even had a chance to work us out. I had just been marked, which was a step, but we both still needed to grow with each other. 

The stress of our situation and positions seemed to be eating at him just as much as it had me, and he was keeping up his cool and confident mask, holding everything together for my sake.

"Xander..." I said quietly, as if speaking too loudly would shatter him.

He turned to me slightly, his beautiful, watery, caramel eyes looking down at me. It took my breath away. 

He pulled me to him by my hand, his other arm circling around me as he enveloped me into his secure grasp. The hand that was holding mine was now wrapped around my waist, while the other gripped the back of my head in a protective position. His head dipped down to my hair to breathe in my scent. I could feel his body rattling with emotion and my chest felt heavy for him. 

I had to be the strong one now.

My arms came up, gripping the shirt on his back as I closed my eyes and fiercely clung onto him. I got closer, molding my body into his. I let his body heat transfer to mine, and I felt his pulse beating against my chest. It was slowly evening out with every inhale he took.

"I thought she would be meaner," Xander joked once he stopped shaking.

I smiled against his chest. "She's not so bad,"

I heard his chuckle, it rumbled deep in his chest.

I pulled back, and his grip loosened. I looked up at him with a smile. His curly hair bounced as he looked down at me. His eyes were no longer watery, but they were filled with an intense look. It to me a second to register the emotion but when I did, my heart melted.

Adoration.

"Should we go back?" I said softly, moving my hands from his back to his arms. I moved my hands up and down, soothing him still.