Page 55 of Claiming Xan
Shaking all over, I nodded jerkily and stepped back, following Xan back to the car. My head spun. I felt like I might get sick as I sank down in the passenger seat and tucked my head between my knees, choking down breath after ragged breath.
I was having a panic attack.
I never thought I’d see her again. She even smelled the same as she used to, like chamomile and clove cigarettes… Xan gently rubbed my back, whispering soft nothings to me until I calmed down enough that he could drive us home.
Gracie was waiting on us when we got there. Apparently, someone in Greymercy had witness the chaos and alerted her to what had happened. Almost immediately, she jumped down my throat.
“Attacking a woman? What the hell were you thinking?” she demanded, her anger barely restrained, shades of our last argument showing through her ruddy cheeks.
I bristled, my ire spiking, but Xan stepped between us with a snarl of his own.
“Stop!” he shouted. “Would you just let me explain? I handled it, alright? Why can’t youtrustme? River’s been through enough today. Leave him alone! Come on, River.”
Gripping my hand in his, he stormed past his mother, leading me inside to our bedroom. We crawled into bed and I buried my face in Xan’s stomach and pressed close, my heart hammering and my body trembling, while Xan hushed me with gentle words.
“It’s okay, Riv. I’m sorry.”
“Not your fault,” I choked out.
“Not yours either, baby. Come here. Let me take care of you,” he murmured, stroking his hands through my hair, and I relinquished myself to his tender touch.
Later, once I’d calmed down, I texted Sky.Saw Mom in town today. Did not take it well, to put it lightly. If it wasn’t for Xan, I’d probably be in jail.
He replied immediately.Holy shit. Why was our mother in Greymercy?
I have no idea, but seeing her triggered my rage. I wanted to kill her, Sky. I probably would’ve if Xan hadn’t stopped me.
Xan? The Alpha’s son? Isn’t he an Omega? How did he make you stop?
I cursed softly under my breath. Damn it. Cat was out of the bag now. I’d better rip the band-aid off fast.Because he’s my mate. It’s a long story and I don’t have the energy for it tonight. I didn’t want to tell you yet because I knew you’d get upset, but I have a mate.
This time, the reply took awhile. Then, finally, my phone buzzed.Oh. That’s nice, I guess. Good for you.
I sighed and rubbed at my face. Yep. He was definitely pissed.
Another text came in:No wonder you haven’t been texting me. I get it now.
Sky… It isn’t like that.
It doesn’t matter. Good job on not killing Mom. I’m going to bed. Goodnight.
I tossed my phone onto the mattress and dropped my head into my hands. “Fuck…” I uttered, feeling breathless all over again.
“River? You okay?” Xan asked, looking up from his Nintendo Switch.
“No,” I admitted. “Not really. Sky knows about you now, though.”
He grimaced. “I take it he didn’t take it well?”
“Nope. But I don’t have to hide it anymore, at least.” I blew out a breath, then rolled over to plug my phone into the charger beside the bed, setting it on the bedside table. Flopping back onto my back, I looked up at Xan with tired eyes. “Can we just go to bed? I need you.”
“Of course, baby.” He set his video game aside and curled up beside me, cuddling me. I wrapped my arms around him, holding him to my chest, and breathed in his sweet candy scent.
This, at least, was worth it.
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XAN
