"Okay, fine. You go and bathe," Xavier said, placing a wooden tub filled with water inside the small hut they were staying in.
Ana hesitated for a moment before nodding. She had barely had a moment to breathe since their escape. Now, with clean water before her, she was tempted.
She slipped into the tub, sighing softly as the warm water soaked her skin. Closing her eyes, she let herself relax.
But the moment was short-lived.
A rustle of movement—then a strong presence behind her.
"Xavier?" Ana gasped, turning just in time to see him stepping in, his golden eyes gleaming with something unreadable.
"You didn't think I'd leave you alone, did you?" His voice was low, teasing.
Ana's cheeks flushed. "I—I thought you'd give me some privacy."
Xavier smirked. "Privacy?" He reached for her, his fingers trailing lightly along her shoulder, sending a shiver down her spine. "Bella, we're mates. And you smell… irresistible."
Ana's breath hitched as he leaned in, brushing his lips against her bare shoulder. His touch was light—just enough to make her skin tingle.
"Xavier…" she whispered, unsure whether she was scolding him or asking him to continue.
He chuckled, his arms wrapping around her waist, pulling her closer. "What? I'm just bathing you."
His lips grazed her neck, slow and deliberate. His hands, warm and firm, moved gently over her arms, then down to her waist. Every touch was slow, careful—almost reverent.
Ana squeezed her eyes shut, her heart hammering. He wasn't pushing her. He wasn't forcing anything. But the way he touched her—like she was something precious—made it impossible to resist the warmth pooling inside her.
After what felt like forever, Xavier sighed and pulled away slightly. "I should stop," his voice was husky. "Or I won't be able to."
Ana swallowed hard, barely managing to nod.
They finished their bath in silence, though every movement felt heavier—charged.
Once dressed, Xavier stretched his muscles. "I'll go hunting," he said, ruffling Ana's damp hair. "Wait here."
But before he could leave, the door was pushed open.
Leon.
The Tiger Clan leader stepped inside, his expression unusually serious.
Xavier's easy demeanor vanished. "What do you want?"
Leon sighed. "There's a problem."
Xavier crossed his arms. "Your problem. Not mine."
Leon ignored him. "The clan isn't accepting this arrangement. They don't trust a feral staying here. Some of them are already questioning my leadership."
Xavier's eyes darkened. "Let them."
Leon exhaled sharply. "You know it's not that simple. If they push too hard, I'll have to make a choice."
Xavier's voice dropped dangerously. "And?"
Leon met his gaze. "Then leave."
Ana stiffened.
Xavier let out a low growl. "Not happening."
"Then leave her here and go," Leon said firmly.
The air went still.
Xavier stepped forward slowly. "You want me to leave Ana behind?"
Leon didn't flinch. "If she stays, she'll be safe. The clan will protect her. If you go, the problem disappears."
Xavier's entire body tensed. "She's mine. I will never leave her."
Leon studied him before nodding. "Then there's only one way."
Xavier didn't like his tone. "Speak."
Leon's gaze flickered to Ana before settling back on Xavier. "Make her choose a mate from this clan."
Xavier's growl deepened, his claws extending. "What did you just say?"
Leon continued, unfazed. "If she mates with someone from the Tiger Clan, she will become one of us. No one can question her presence then. And since she is your mate, as long as she is here, no one can question you either."
Ana's breath caught.
Xavier's fury was barely restrained. "You think I'll let another man touch her?"
Leon sighed. "I think it's the only way to keep you both here without tearing this place apart."
Xavier's golden eyes burned with pure rage. His voice was a deadly whisper.
"Try to take her from me, and I'll rip this clan apart myself."
Xavier's golden eyes burned with fury, his claws twitching as if itching to strike.
But Leon didn't flinch. Instead, he let out a slow breath and spoke evenly.
"If you get rid of them because of your stubbornness, then who will protect your mate?"
Xavier's body stiffened.
"You'll be a lone beast again, Xavier. And she? How will you protect her?" Leon's voice was steady, but there was an edge of warning. "Think carefully. Because once you're gone, there's no coming back."
Xavier clenched his fists, his mind clouded with anger. His first instinct was to fight, to tear apart anyone who dared threaten his place beside Ana. But… what if Leon was right?
He couldn't risk Ana's safety. Not after everything.
"Leave, Leon," Xavier finally growled, his voice dangerously low. "Give me some time."
Leon studied him for a moment before nodding. Without another word, he turned and left.
Silence filled the room.
Xavier turned to Ana, his eyes shadowed with uncertainty.
Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, he asked, "Do you really love Xander?"
Ana blinked, caught off guard. "No."
The answer came without hesitation.
Xavier's expression shifted slightly, something unreadable flickering in his gaze. Then, suddenly, his lips curled into a smirk.
"Then it's good," he said. "You can mate him."
Ana's breath caught. Her heart pounded.
She stared at Xavier, completely shocked and confused.
Then, in a voice laced with warning, he murmured, "But remember one thing, Ana. This is only for your safety. I don't mind if you show off your love to him since he will become your male."
His fingers brushed against her cheek, deceptively gentle.
"But if at any point you start to like him more than me…" His voice dropped, turning into a deadly whisper. "Then I will make sure that is the last minute he breathes. The next minute, he will be a dead body."
Ana swallowed hard. 'Another mate?'
The possessiveness in his tone sent shivers down her spine—not from fear, but from something far more dangerous.
Xavier smirked, leaning in just enough for his breath to tickle her skin.
"You're mine, princess. But if your heart wavers, his life ends."