Ryder''s Pov


    Dance with me once, and I''ll behave." I narrowed my eyes at Xena, fighting to keep my voice steady despite the rage building inside


    1. me.


    ''Fine, let''s go." Tatum extended his arm toward her, a smug smile ying on his lips.


    Xena avoided my gaze as she took his arm. Something dark and primal twisted in my chest, wing to get out. Just then, I felt a hand on my arm.


    "You''d better let go," I said, my voice dangerously low.


    "Stay here. I''ll handle this, Logan insisted, his grip tightening.


    ''I''m fine." I yanked my arm away, just in time to see the music change to a tango— the most fucking sensual dance possible. My fury threatened to burst through my skin as Tatum''s hand settled dangerously close to Xena''s hips.


    As they moved across the floor, Tatum leaned down to whisper something in her ear. Even from across the room, I could see Xena''s face harden, but Tatum didn''t seem to care. His thumb kept stroking the back of her hand in slow, deliberate circles.


    I could feel the crowd''s judgment washing over me, their whispers suggesting I was some fucking failure who couldn''t protect his


    own mate.


    When Xena spun in a circle, Tatum caught my eye and shot me a challenging look. The wolf inside me howled, demanding I tear him apart, limb by limb.


    "Ryder..." William and Ama approached cautiously.


    "You''d better keep your distance," I growled, snatching William''s drink and downing it in one gulp.


    William guided Ama away, but Logan remained stubbornly at my side.


    "I don''t need a fucking babysitter."


    "Wherever you go, I go," he replied, his voice as strained as mine. But he couldn''t feel what I felt-the waves of disgust and revulsion rolling off Xena. I could sense her emotions as clearly as if they were my own.


    "We''re leaving as soon as this dance ends," I said through clenched teeth.


    "So are we," Logan agreed.


    As the music faded, Tatum dipped Xena low. I set my ss down and strode toward them, my vision tunneling. He was kissing her hand when I reached them.


    "Just thanking her for the dance," Tatum said with a smirk.


    I pulled her to my side, my arm locking around her waist. "Vi will ride back with Leonard," I stated firmly.


    "Deal." Tatum shed Xena another smile.


    I turned and led Xena away, pausing only briefly at our table. "We''re leaving.


    Now." Then I continued walking without looking back. Xena didn''t protest, just matched my pace step for step.


    The car was already waiting outside-William''s doing, I assumed, though I couldn''t care less at that moment, I yanked open the driver''s side door. "Out," Imanded. I needed to drive. A quick nce confirmed everyone was in their respective vehicles. William and Ama sat silently in the back seat.


    I mmed the door and floored the elerator, "Fuck!" I half-shouted, half- growled, pping the steering wheel. Xena ced her hand on my thigh. I gripped the wheel tighter, the car speeding down the highway. As the distance grew, my emotions began to simmer down, but I was still fucking furious.


    "Open the damn gate," Imanded through the mind link. The gate had barely cracked open wide enough when I sped through. Gravel sprayed as I mmed on the brakes.


    I didn''t waste a second-there was only one thing on my mind now


    Xena didn''t wait for me, running straight inside. I took the stairs two at a time until we reached the bedroom door. After punching in the code, I had barely closed the door before pushing Xena again the wall.


    My lips crashed into hers, but her hands were already working to remove my clothes. I hitched up her dress while she unbuttoned my pants. Stepping out of them, I slid my fingers, inside her.


    "Ah!" Xena''s eyes rolled back as she clutched me tightly. I couldn''t wait any longer. She was already wet, and I needed her. My cock thrust inside her, my hands supporting her ass as her legs wrapped around my back. She pressed against me, matching my rhythm perfectly.


    "I''ll make it up to you," I groaned.


    "Harder, Ryder!" she demanded.


    "Say my name," Imanded.


    "Ryder!" she moaned.


    "Again!"


    "Ryder!" She gasped.


    "Again!"


    "RYDER!" she cried out.


    "That''s right, you''re fucking mine!" I growled, her moans driving me wild as I pounded into her harder. When she came, she bit down hard on my mark, and I emptied myself inside her.


    "RYDER!" she screamed, her body shuddering as I felt a sharp sting in my shoulder. I gentlyid her on the bed. My desire had subsided somewhat, but the night was far from over.


    Xena''s POV


    I woke up sore all over my body. Still, it had been the best night of my life. Ryder''s arm was wrapped tightly around me, making me feel secure and protected.


    "You''re awake," Ryder whispered, not a question but a statement.


    Lying in his strong arms, I reflected on everything that had happenedst night, my emotions aplicated mix. While dancing with Tatum, I''d been filled with disgust-every touch making my skin crawl. I could feel Ryder''s burning gaze on us, knew he was watching, his anger nearly setting the ballroom ame.


    Chapter 107.


    Yet there was something strangely satisfying about seeing him jealous, seeing him angry for me. It was in that moment I truly understood that to him, I wasn''t just a mate-I was an essential part of his soul. When he forcefully led me away, I didn''t resist because I knew we both needed this confirmation of our connection


    In the car, as his anger still burned, my touch seemed to be the only thing that could soothe him.


    And when we finally reached the bedroom, that desperate need, that primal possessiveness, consumed mepletely. When he demanded 1 call his name, I shouted it with all my heart, as if it was the only word I could remember. "Mmm, yes, I am," I replied softly, nestling deeper into his embrace Chapter Comments


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