Chapter 34 Xelene
THIRTY-FOUR
XELENE
The reflection staring back at Xelene from the ornate mirror in her guest suite barely resembled the controlled, composed woman who had arrived on Nova Aurora just over a week ago.
Her green eyes sparkled with a warmth she’d never seen before, and her cheeks were flushed with the glow of a woman thoroughly loved and completely cherished.
The black cocktail dress hugged her curves in ways that made her feel beautiful and desirable, but it was the radiance emanating from within that truly transformed her.
Look at you, she thought, reaching up to adjust a strand of dark hair. You’re glowing.
The overwhelming emotion from the grand ballroom still coursed through her veins like the finest Sidaii wine.
Hundreds of pride members had risen to their feet when she and Lev entered, their applause thundering through the vast space with genuine appreciation and acceptance.
Not the polite, calculated respect she was accustomed to receiving from clients, but something far deeper—recognition of her as their future queen.
They actually want me here.
The realization sent another wave of emotion crashing over her.
For thirty-four years, she’d built walls around her heart, convinced that love was a weakness that would inevitably lead to destruction.
Her parents’ bitter divorce had taught her that passion burned bright and fast before consuming everything in its path.
Better to stay in control, to keep relationships transactional and temporary.
But Lev had shattered every defense she’d built.
The mate bond pulsed between them like a living thing, growing stronger with each passing second until she could barely tell where she ended and he began.
Today alone, they’d made love three times—once in his shower, again on the private beach he’d shown her, and finally against the wall of his chambers before she’d left to get dressed for tonight’s celebration.
Each encounter left her more breathless than the last, the intensity of their connection defying every logical explanation she tried to construct.
This is what I was running from my entire life? The thought made her laugh softly at her own foolishness. Being cherished and protected and loved unconditionally?
Lev’s devotion to her was absolute and unwavering.
When he looked at her, she saw herself reflected in his eyes not as a successful reputation consultant or a problem-solver, but as his mate, his equal, his queen.
The man who had once been Nova Aurora’s most notorious playboy now looked at her like she was the only woman in existence.
And the pride—their people—had embraced her with an enthusiasm that still left her reeling.
During the feast, elder after elder had approached their table to thank her for uncovering Christoph’s treachery, for protecting their future king, for proving herself worthy of standing beside Lev as he led them into the future.
A life of true purpose, she mused, smoothing her hands down the silky fabric of her dress. Not just managing other people’s disasters but actually building something meaningful.
Her reflection smiled back at her, Xelene Warren looked truly happy.
The skills that had made her one of Earth’s most sought-after image consultants—her strategic mind, her ability to read people and situations, her talent for maintaining composure under pressure—had served her well up to this point.
But here, those abilities would be used to protect and nurture rather than simply fix what was broken.
I’m finally where I belong.
The thought settled into her bones with the certainty of absolute truth. This castle, this pride, this incredible man who loved her with a ferocity that still took her breath away—this was home in a way nowhere on Earth had ever been.
Xelene took one last look in the mirror, adjusting her lipstick and ensuring every hair was in place.
Lev was waiting for her, probably growing impatient to claim their first dance as king and future queen.
The thought of being held in his arms while hundreds of pride members watched sent a delicious thrill through her body.
Time to go to my king.
She turned away from the mirror and glided toward the door, her heels clicking softly against the polished marble floor.
The guest suite that had felt so foreign just days ago now seemed like a temporary stopping point—soon, she would move into Lev’s private chambers permanently, sharing his bed and his life and his crown.
The hallway outside her room stretched empty and elegant before her, lit by crystal sconces that cast dancing shadows on the walls. The sounds of celebration drifted up from the grand ballroom below—laughter and music and the cheerful chatter of a people celebrating their new king.
Xelene’s heart felt so full she thought it might burst.
She reached the top of the grand staircase and began her descent, one hand trailing along the smooth marble banister.
In moments, she would be back in Lev’s arms, would feel his strength and warmth surrounding her as they danced before his people.
The mate bond pulsated with anticipation, carrying echoes of Lev’s own eagerness to hold her again.
This is really happening, she thought as she reached the main foyer. I’m really going to be queen of—
A powerful arm snaked around her waist from behind, yanking her backward against a hard, muscular chest. Before she could draw breath to scream, a cloth pressed against her mouth and nose, releasing the sharp, chemical scent of chloroform.
No.
Panic exploded through her system as she slightly turned her head and recognized the pale blue eyes glaring down at her with cold fury.
Crispin—the coward who had escaped justice at the arena, who should have been executed alongside his father for murdering Lev’s father and attempting to assassinate the rightful king.
Xelene clawed at the arm holding her, her nails scraping uselessly as the chemical invaded her lungs. The world began to blur at the edges as terror flooded her system.
Lev! She tried to project her fear through the mate bond, to scream his name telepathically even as her physical voice was muffled by the cloth. Crispin has me! Help me!
“You cost me everything,” Crispin snarled against her ear, his voice dripping with venom. “My father is dead because of you. My ambition stolen. But I’m going to make sure that bastard Lev suffers the way I have.”
Darkness crept in from the edges of her vision as the chloroform did its work. Her struggles grew weaker, her limbs heavy and unresponsive. The last coherent thought that managed to pierce through the chemical haze was bitter and cruel in its irony.
The moment I finally surrender to love... the moment I finally allow myself to be vulnerable and choose happiness... is the moment it all gets taken away.
Then the world went black.