Chapter Seventeen - Raina I woke up the next morning feeling even more tired than when I went to bed . Last night's memory took a huge toll on my body , not letting me forget the moment my eight year old self took more lives than most men do in their entire lifetime . For years I'd ask myself , what kind of future queen takes the very lives of the people she's meant to protect and serve ? Even if they were rogues . It took a long time for me to come to terms with what I had done . I no longer thought of myself as a monster - just a girl who did what she had to in order to survive . A knock sounded at the door and I pulled myself from bed . I wasn't surprised to find Xander on the other side . " Good morning . " It most certainly wasn't a good morning but whatever . At least I was being polite . Xander looked delectable in his black slacks and dark gray button up that matched the color of his eyes perfectly . His dark brown hair was styled to keep out of his face . I could feel my fingers twitching , wanting to run them through his hair and feel if it was as soft as it looked . Weather was practically drooling in my head , her thoughts aligning with mine . How could someone look so good in the morning ? I could only imagine how crazy my hair looked since I tossed and turned all night . My eyes probably had dark circles under them that seemed to be a permanent fixture these days . I felt my heart drop as I thought about the girl with Xander last night . She was so beautiful and built like a supermodel . She looked more fit to be his mate than I did . " Good morning . Mind if I come in ?" " Sure . " I moved back into the room and waited for him to shut the door before turning to face me . I had a feeling where this was going " There's something I want to talk to you about but before that , I wanted to ask how you are feeling . I'm sure your first night here was already nerve wracking and it probably didn't help that the storm turned pretty bad in the middle of the night . " I cocked my head . " It started storming in the middle of the night ? " The corner of his lips tipped up . " Yes , probably the worst one we've had in a while . It just came out of nowhere . " Whoopsies . Guess I turned my nightmare into a reality in my sleep . At least I didn't summon the tornado or else this house wouldn't still be standing . " I enjoy thunderstorms so it didn't bother me at all . " He nodded . " Good . So do I. " Of course he did . I mean , he was my mate after all . He had no idea he was mated to the Queen of Storms . 1/1 Chapter Seventeen - Raina +25 BONUS Feeling like I should get comfortable for this conversation he wanted to have , I turned and made my way to the bed and sat down before crossing my legs . When I looked up at Xander , his focus wasn't on my face . No , he was looking at my bare legs . I'll admit the shorts I wore to bed were a little on the shorter side but they weren't anything special . In fact , I'm pretty sure there was a hole in the stitching on one side . His gaze lingered on my legs before traveling over my upper body and settling on my chest . I had a larger bust then most she wolves and the tank top I wore did nothing to hide that . While I probably should have thrown on a robe , or even a bra , before opening the door , I couldn't deny how his gaze made me feel . Everywhere his eyes touched had my body tingling . I'm sure I was blushing from head to toe but the hunger in his eyes kept me from tossing the blanket over my body to hide from him . The blatant desire pouring from him made me feel confident and dare I say , a little sexy . I raised an eyebrow and in a teasing voice asked , " So , are you going to continue to ogle me or are we going to have this conversation ? " He wasn't the least bit embarrassed I called him out . Instead his lips were turned up in a smirk that had my panties wet in seconds . " I can do both . " I rolled my eyes at him but the smile never left his face . " What can I do for you Alpha ? " His eyes flashed silver , showing his wolf was close to the surface . Seems he and his wolf liked it when I called him Alpha in certain situations . I'll have to keep that in mind . While I couldn't forget what I saw and heard last night , I didn't want to let on how affected I was by it . Playing calm and collected protected myself from him sensing my emotions . He knew I heard their conversation . Why else would he show up at my door right after ? " I know you heard Kimberly and I last night . " I was on my way to feigning innocence when he shot me a knowing look . " Don't even try to act like you didn't . I heard you going up the stairs and before you say it wasn't you , I know it was by your scent . " Well shit . Caught red handed . Can you say , awkward ? " I'm sorry . I didn't mean to eavesdrop . I was just hungry so I came down for something to eat and heard you two talking . As soon as I realized what was going on , I went back to my bedroom . " He nodded in understanding . " I'm not sure how much you heard but I wanted to explain some things to you nonetheless . " I wasn't sure I wanted to hear his explanation , knowing it would most likely hurt . Against my better judgment I said , " I'm all cars . " " Kimberly is my ex - girlfriend but we are no longer together . The elders have been getting on me about choosing a Luna and Kimberly seems to think she's the best option just because we have a past . Honestly , I think she just wants to be Luna regardless of who it's with . " I snorted . " Isn't that what every she wolf wants ? " 2/4 +25 BONUS Chapter Seventeen - Raina " Is that what you want ? To be someone's Luna ? " Did I want to be someone's Luna ? No. No 1 did not . " I don't think I'm meant to be a Luna . " My answer was as truthful as I could get it . I wasn't meant to be Luna because I was meant to be Queen . My heart , blood , and soul all called for me to be the Queen of Wolves . The Luna of Rain . With Xander being my Goddess given mate , he was meant to be King . I was the only first born female in the Royal line . Normally , the first born would be male then if the Queen was strong enough to carry another child it usually was a female . Carrying a Royal pup was extremely hard on the female's body so normally the Queen would only have one child . I thought I detected disappointment in his gaze but it was gone before I could process . " Well , either way , I wanted to warn you about her . I wouldn't put it past Kimberly to target you since you are now living in the pack house . I'm more than aware you can handle yourself but I just wanted to let you know . " " I appreciate the warning but I'm not worried about it . " I shrugged my shoulders nonchalantly . I really wasn't lying . I had no problem putting her in her place if needed . The only thing I was worried about was their relationship . Xander could say they weren't together all he wanted but it was clear she refused to accept it . What if he eventually gave in to her ? I couldn't think about that right now . My focus was to get stronger and prepare myself for the fight of my life . One I'd either come out on top of or end up six feet under . Not nerve wracking or anything . " Well now that we've got that out of the way , I'd like you to begin your training tomorrow morning if you're up for it . I planned on showing you around today but Victoria has been nagging me about being the one to give you the tour and take you shopping . " A part of me was disappointed it wouldn't be Xander I'd be spending the day with but another part of me was excited about hanging out with a female . " I'd love to start training tomorrow . " " I figured as much . " Xander took his wallet out of his pocket and took out a black credit card . After handing it to me he said , " Here is my card . Please get everything you need and also whatever you want . I've already warned Victoria so don't even try using your own money or skip out on something because you think it's too expensive . " I gave him a glare but took the card anyway . It would be nice to go on a shopping spree with another female like an ordinary eighteen year old girl . I could even pretend I was normal for a few hours . I was slowly becoming very excited . " Thank you . I may not like this but I really do appreciate it ." He gave me a teasing smirk . " I'm sure you'll survive . After your day with Victoria you can meet my Beta and Gamma at dinner , + then I'd like to talk to you about what I need your help with . That is , if you're still up for it . ' " Of course . I'd like to make myself useful while I'm here . " Chapter Seventeen Raina - +25 BONUS " Perfect . " He flashed one of those smiles of his that turned my body into a puddle and made my core throb with need . " Victoria will be here in an hour so I'll leave you to get ready . " He turned to leave the room and 1 felt like I needed to do something . The itch under my skin was becoming uncomfortable and I knew the only thing that would relieve it would be some kind of physical touch by him . " Xander . " He stopped in his tracks and turned to look at me . I got up from the bed and took the steps to close the distance between us . After there was less than a foot of space between us , I said , " Thank you for everything . For this room , for allowing me to train , and for the clothes . " I stood on my tip toes and placed my lips on his cheek . The tingles I felt were mesmerizing but were gone all too soon as I took a step back and gave him a small smile . The look of surprise on his face was cute . He clearly wasn't expecting me to do that but I needed something to keep that itch away for a while until I would see him again later . The bond was already getting stronger and denying it , harder . His eyes softened before he lifted his hand and placed it on my cheek . " Have fun today . I'll see you later . " With that , he turned and left the room leaving me to my internal battle . Chapter Eighteen - Xander Chapter Eighteen - Xander