AT THE SAME TIME
XAVIER'S POINT OF VIEW:
The glow of silver light, spilling across the marble floors in delicate waves. It was warm, too warm, and the air was heavy with the scent of jasmine and moonflowers. My head felt like it had been stuffed with cotton, my limbs sluggish as I tried to push myself upright. Panic clawed its way up my throat as I recognized the shimmering drapes of silver silk, the pale blue light casting everything in a dreamlike haze. I wasn't in my hideout anymore. Hell, I wasn't even in the forest. No. No, no, no. My breath came faster, ragged. This was her domain. Her grip. Selene. The Moon Goddess.
"Awake at last." I heard a voice, soft and lilting, echoing off the marble like a whispered secret.
My heart stuttered painfully, and I snapped my head up, finding her standing near the far window, bathed in moonlight that poured through arched glass. Her form was ethereal, flowing silver robes that shimmered like they were made of starlight, hair cascading down her back in delicate waves. Her eyes met mine, and I felt that familiar pull, like gravity itself bending around her presence. I forced myself to breathe, to swallow down the rising panic.
"Selene." I managed, my voice cracking. "What... what am I doing here?"
She smiled, a soft, knowing curve of her lips.
"Always so full of questions, little one." She stepped forward, her movements smooth and fluid, like she was gliding instead of walking. 'I must say, I wasn't expecting to see you again so soon."
I flinched as she drew closer, the silver glow radiating from her skin making my eyes water.
"I don't, I didn't ask to be here."I said.
"No." She agreed, tipping her head slightly. "But fate doesn't always ask for permission."
I swallowed, pushing myself back against the silken pillows, the smooth fabric cool beneath my fingertips. "I'm... I'm not staying." I said, though the words came out shakier than I intended. "I didn't agree to any of this."
Her eyes softened, but it wasn't kindness, it was pity. I hated it.
"Xavier." She said gently, her voice like a lullaby. "You know how this works. You're an omega. The world needs you."
"No." I whispered, shaking my head, the movement making the room spin. "I'm not part of your game. I'm not a-"
"You are." She interrupted, her tone patient but unyielding. ""You always have been. That is why the system brought you back to me."
I flinched at the mention of it. The damn system. The way it ticked up to 20% after Jaxon left, an impossible leap after one meeting. I didn't even know him, and yet…
My fists clenched in the sheets.
"I want to leave."I said.
Selene's gaze flickered with something like amusement, her eyes bright with the reflection of a thousand moons.
"Leave?" She echoed, almost like she was tasting the word. "And go where? Back to your little hideout? Back to the forest, hiding from your own nature?"
My jaw clenched.
"It's better than this."I said.
Her expression softened, eyes shimmering with something ancient and deep.
"You think you were brought here by accident?" She asked voice a gentle whisper. "That I chose you out of some whim? No, little one. You have always been meant for this."
I shook my head again, feeling the room sway around me.
"No. I'm not part of this... this bonding game. I won't do it."I said.
Selene sighed, her shoulders relaxing as if she'd heard this a thousand times before. Maybe she had.
"The System disagrees." She said simply, and with a flick of her wrist, the air shimmered before me.
"Xavier — 20% Synced with Jaxon Black."System said.
I stared at it, the words burning in silver flames before flickering out. My stomach dropped, nausea curling in my gut.
"You did this." I whispered, glaring up at her. "You synced us."
Her smile was patient, almost indulgent.
"I didn't." She replied, stepping closer. "That was all you, little one. The system only reacts to true connections."
"Connection?" I spat, shoving the blankets off me. "I barely know him!"
"And yet, your heart knows differently. She reached out, her hand grazing the edge of my cheek, cool and soft like moonlight itself. I flinched away from the touch, scrambling back.
"Stop it." I snapped, fists clenched. "I don't want this."
Selene's eyes darkened, the silver glow dimming just a fraction.
"Want has very little to do with it, I'm afraid." Her hand dropped to her side, the light in her eyes softening. "But… I am not cruel. You have time, Xavier. To understand. To learn. But you will stay."
"No."I said.
"Yes." She said simply, as if there were no room for argument. "Until the moon weakens, you are mine."
My heart pounded, and I glanced frantically around the room, no windows I could fit through, no doors that didn't have her mark etched into the marble. I was trapped. Selene stepped back, her glow fading as she moved toward the grand silver doors at the end of the chamber.
"Rest, little one. You'll need your strength. Your Alpha is coming for you."She said.
I flinched.
"He's not my Alpha."I said.
She smiled softly, her eyes glimmering with secrets.
"Not yet."She said.
And with that, she vanished behind the doors, the light dimming, leaving me alone in the suffocating silence of the moonlit room. My fists clenched, the remnants of her presence lingering like frostbite on my skin. I wasn't staying here. I couldn't. Not again. Jaxon or no Jaxon, I had to find a way out.
I staggered forward, fingers scraping against the cool stone as I searched for an exit, any exit. But there were no doors. No windows. Just walls and drapes, all impossibly smooth and perfect. I felt panic attack rising up and i couldn't do anything to stop it.
"Let me out…" I choked out, my breath hitching. "I don't want to be here!"
My voice was swallowed by the space, echoing back to me softer and more broken. I stumbled backward, tripping over the edge of the bedframe and collapsing onto the floor. My back hit the ground hard, knocking the wind from my lungs.
"Come on…" I gasped, curling in on myself, eyes squeezed shut. I could still feel her touch, ghostly and lingering, brushing against my cheek like a whisper.
It was like frostbite, cold and biting, but it burned all the same. I dragged myself upright, ignoring the way my head spun. My fingers grazed the mark on my wrist, the faint silver line that pulsed gently, a reminder of her hold. I tried scratching it, nails digging in until my skin broke, but it didn't fade. It never did.
"Please…" I whispered, the word cracking in my throat.
I was back in her game even tho i was able to escape for a little while. Caught. And then I heard it. Heavy footsteps. The sound was muffled at first, distant, like it was coming through water. I froze, my breath catching in my throat as the steps grew louder, more pronounced. No. It couldn't be. Not here. Not now. The door, somehow hidden in the shadows creaked open, spilling light into the room. I blinked against the glare, my vision blurred and watery. But the silhouette that stepped through was unmistakable. Jaxon.
His eyes swept the room in one sharp glance, his expression cold and unyielding until he saw me sprawled on the floor, gasping like I'd been starved of air. His jaw clenched, and I saw something flicker behind his eyes, anger, surprise… concern?
"Xavier." He said, voice sharp and cutting through the haze like a blade.
He strode forward, boots heavy against the marble. I scrambled back instinctively, my palms scraping against the floor.
"Get away from me." I snapped, but it came out breathless, more plea than threat.
He ignored the bite in my words, kneeling down in front of me, his eyes scanning my face.
"What the hell did they do to you?"He asked.
I flinched away from his touch, but his hand caught my wrist before I could pull back entirely. His grip was firm but not harsh, just enough to keep me from bolting.
"You're burning up." He murmured, more to himself than to me.
I tried to yank my hand back, but it was like fighting against stone.
"I'm fine."I said.
"You're not fine." He shot back, voice low and edged with something like frustration.
His gaze softened just a fraction, and I hated the way it made my stomach flip.
"Look at me."He said.
I didn't. I couldn't.
"Xavier." His voice was gentler this time, coaxing. "Look at me."
My eyes flicked up against my will, locking onto his. His expression shifted, hardening with resolve.
"This is Selene's work." He said, his voice tight. "Her damn moon influence. It's messing with your head."
I opened my mouth to protest, but the words wouldn't come. I was too tired, too dizzy. Jaxon's eyes flickered with something like determination, and he turned sharply toward the door.
"Get me a medic. Now." He barked, his voice carrying through the hallway like a thunderclap.
One of the guards outside hesitated for only a moment before scrambling off, footsteps echoing away. Jaxon turned back to me, his grip never faltering.
"I'm getting you out of here."I said.
I scoffed, the sound half broken.
"You can't. This is her wing. I heard about it. Nobody leaves."I whispered.
His jaw clenched, eyes blazing with something fierce.
"Watch me."He said.
I stared at him, the room still tilting under me, and for a fleeting second, I wanted to believe him. Jaxon's grip softened, his thumb brushing over the mark on my wrist, and I nearly flinched from the gentle touch.
"You're not hers." He said firmly, eyes boring into mine. "Not if I have anything to say about it."