Another round of applause to confirm this choice, at least a solid thirty seconds of cheering as the rest of the competitors shook our hands. 

I could feel the heat pumping through my veins. Sparing a look at Parker, who seemed just as egotistical and confident as he had been in the beginning.

I started planning, every weakness, every move that I could use against him. Not only was he a complete and utter arse, but he had also doubted my own ability and ridiculed me publicly.

He was dumber than he looked if he thought he could get away with that. 

Not on my watch.

Vance signalled Parker and I over, the five of us huddling in a small circle.

"Now," Vance stated, "The two of you have a fifteen-minute break while this area gets prepped. The final test is quite simple, just a 1 one 1, the winner going on to be the Bloodlust Representative. It will be done completely in human form. Is that understood?"

We both nodded, neither saying anything.

"Good, feel free to wait back over where you were after the obstacle course. We'll call you over when it's time." Vance said before jogging away, already off to his next task.

Farren gave me a small nod before she too turned away.

Alexandr gulped. "Never, and I mean never, pull a stunt like that one on the obstacle course again."

I batted my eyelashes, "Aww, did I give the wittle Alpha a scare,"

"Yes actually, It's not every day your mate throws herself off from a height that would kill a normal person." He whispered harshly. "I don't like telling you what to do, but have some compassion for my nerves."

"Of course Mrs Bennet," I continued to tease. "Now go on, I'm sure you have jobs to do."

I waved him away before starting a slow jog over to where Parker had already seated himself, practically lounging against the cold metal seats.

He glared at me as I lifted the ice-cold water to my lips, relishing in its coolness as I felt my whole body reset. I closed my eyes, focusing myself as I waited for whatever rude comment Parker had brewing in his head.

"You even embarrass him with such comments in public." He said, disgusted. "Alpha Cain is the Alpha of the Bloodlust Pack, you shouldn't be saying shit like that to him."

I raised an eyebrow, "Are you telling me how to talk to my mate?"

"No, I'm telling you how to talk to your Alpha, there's a difference." He clicked his tongue.

I straightened my back, "If you haven't noticed, I don't have an Alpha. I'm not an official pack member, I'm his mate. There is a difference. And I will treat him however I want. Nothing I said was rude or mean, you're just trying to find excused to call me out since you can't say anything about my abilities without sounding like an idiot."

It was like steam was rushing from his ears. "You'll never be my luna."

I shrugged, "Then you'll never be a pack member that I care about."

Before Parker could even think of a witty comeback, Vance let out a long whistle before waving us over. I stood up quickly, making sure that I could walk out first, avoiding trailing behind Parker. I didn't like the look of that, so here I was, walking out in front.

One way to assert dominance I suppose.

A large open space in the centre had been cleared, completely ready for a fight to take place. Alexander and Farren were already waiting a few metres away from where Vance was standing, which was in the middle of a highlighted square.

So that's where I went, standing on Vance's left side as I crossed my arms, my face situated in a glare.

"The fight shall go on until someone concedes or is unable to continue." Vance started, getting straight to the point. "The winner shall go on to battle the other packs in an attempt to be chosen as the Werewolf Representative. Under no circumstances are you allowed to kill or permanently harm your opponent, is that understood?"

We both nodded, Parker doing so while cracking his knuckles.

Vance made a subtle glance towards the two of his before raising his hand. "One the count of three... Three, Two, One, Go!"

Neither of us waited for a second more. Jumping into action the moment that the last word left Vance's mouth.

Parker made the first move, throwing his fist forward, essentially putting all of his weight into one punch as if in a desperate attempt to knock me out in one go. I ducked at the last moment, sending his whole body spiralling behind me, falling to the ground as I too took my own fist and launched it into his stomach. Repetitively, I smacked my fists into different areas of his stomach and ribs, hoping that it would through him off his game. One, two, three, four, punch after punch until suddenly, He kicked out his leg, ramming it into my thighs and knocking me down. I pulled my forearms up, covering my face as I rolled to the side and lifted myself up, block another punch my grabbing onto his hand and swinging it his way.

I could see him starting to get frustrated, yet the audience cheered and screamed with every movement, every action eliciting some sort of excitement.

I throw my hands forward, giving Parker a long, thin scratch down his arm from my nails. A hiss escaped his mouth and I took it as an opportunity to launch an upper punch to the underside of his chin, targeting his neck. He stumbled back as I watched his eyes begin to roll, his entire head shaking in a moment of a daze.

Another punch to his side, one to his pelvis, one to his shoulder until finally, his body fell to the floor. He made no move to get up, and while he wasn't unconscious, he certainly wasn't moving. Parker had five seconds to get up and keep fighting me before he was deemed unable to continue. I held my fists in front of my chest just in case, yet stopped my own harsh movements against him. 

One... Two... Three... Four... Five.

Another siren sounded, and the audience began to scream. 

Medical officers fanned into the square as I slowly lowered my fists, taking in a long breath as I watched them move Parker's swaying body onto a sheet bed.

I felt a long breath of air move into my lungs, my whole body slowing down as I placed my hands on my knees, trying to process and regain my strength.

Suddenly, someone grabbed my hand, holding it high into the air. Immediately, I recognised it as Alexander. A large smile was on his face, his eyes shining with pride. 

"Cassandra Verano, the Bloodlust Representative!" Another bout of applause.

That's when it hit me. I had one, a smile equally as large as Alexanders came over me, my legs starting to shake as I felt my head lean against his shoulder. 

A wave of heat came over me, causing my grip on Xander's hand to become just a little stronger.

My words came out in short, harsh breaths. "You know what? I think my heat is triggered by exercise. 

The smile on Alexander's face suddenly became very forced, his nose flaring.

He brought my hand down. I knew that we were supposed to stay behind and almost do like a public meeting so that the pack could have a chance to speak to their representative. 

That obviously wasn't happening. 

"Start walking, you already look sick so put a limp on." He whispered. "No one will think twice about not being able to meet you if you're visibly injured."

And so I did. With a look of concern, Xander held his hand up in a signal of stopping, the audience immediately understanding. I watched as his eyes glazed over, most likely mind linking someone. 

As we walked away, I heard Vance start to talk, yet none of his words registered in my mind. In one quick movement, my entire body was swept into Xander's arms, a sigh of relief escaping my mouth as he did so. The pressure was immediately taken off my feet, and the slow spreading of heat took over more viciously. 

I moaned loudly, clenching my legs and breathing heavily as it got more and more uncontrollable. 

The pain was different this time, and as my head slowly started to cloud over, the feelings that had taken over and my emotions were different too. 

I pulled my head forward just as Xander opened up the door to the house. I flung my arms around his neck, pulling myself up so that my legs were wrapped around his hips.

I felt Xander's hands move, "Don't worry, we're nearly there, I'll get the ice bath running-"

"No," I muttered, "I don't want that. I think I'll be fine."

🌶️

He said nothing in response as he climbed up the mountains of stairs, barely making a sound of exhaustion. I felt my hands slowly begin to wander across the thin material of Xander's shirt, letting my nails run across his bare skin.

A whisper of a groan escaped his lips as Xander opened up the bedroom door, keeping his grip tight.

The hot, overwhelming feeling in my lower region was all I could think about, the solution to said feelings was all I had been thinking about for days.

Xander made no action to move, showed no inclination of putting me in any other position than the one I was in now. 

I shifted my hand, letting it run up his chest and sneak around his collarbone, letting the thick hair at the nape of his neck interlock with my fingers. I tilted his head completely before placing my lips against the bare skin. Alexander swallowed a breath as my teeth scraped his neck, I closed the distance between him and my lips, lightly sucking for a few seconds before moving down.

The veins on his arms popped as he tugged me closer to him, something large sticking into the side of my leg. This time, I sucked a little longer, a little harder, causing a guttural moan to escape his mouth as I did so. I kept going, practically covering his neck in small kisses.

"What are you doing?" He choked.

I pulled away. "Giving you some incentive."

Alexander blinked. "Tell me. Right now, tell me what you want."

His eyes went feral, his body straightening as he said. I gulped, "I want you to go through with the offer you made last time."

He held my gaze.

"No sex, just... some fun," I said again.

A long deep kiss, that was his only response. 

Slowly, Alexander moved me from his grasp, lowering my body onto the bed against the mountain of pillows. As soon as his skin left mine, the inkling of a flame became a wildfire, covering me again in the scorching pain. I threw my head back as I let out a gasp of pain.

I focused myself to watch Xander click the lock on the door, 

"Any requests, my love?"

I hesitated, watching him for a moment, "Must you wear a shirt?"

I watched as he flung off his shirt, once again showing off the glory of his muscles.

I felt my stomach clench as my eyes wandered down, catching onto the bulge in his pants. Alexander followed my gaze and raised an eyebrow. "Maybe someday you can help me deal with that. Goddess knows how many you give me."

My body started to shake.

🌶️ 🌶️

Xander moved onto the bed, his large hands grabbing onto my hips.

"Just one thing," I panted, "Should you maybe let the others not to come home? I don't know how long or how loud... I don't want them hearing."

A devilish smirk. "There's a reason we're all on different levels of the house. Besides, my rooms soundproof. I like to make a woman scream, and I definitely don't want anyond to hear."

His fingers looped around the band of my leggings, dragging them down and off in one, easy movement. He wrapped his finger around the thinnest part of my underwear, snapping it before flinging it across the room. Xander placed his hands on my thighs, easily spreading them apart.

He placed his lips against the skin of my inner thighs, slowly leading himself upwards. My body tensed,

"Relax," He murmured. "I won't bite, unless you want me too."

He pulled away, moving one hand as he gently ran a knuckle over my folds, eliciting a short gasp from me.

Alexander's eyes met mine, "Excited, huh?"

I could barely muster a response.

I watched as his body disappeared, only the dark brown of his hair visible as his fingers finally began.

I felt them slide in, massaging my clit before inserting a finger, moving it up and down against my bucking hips. I grabbed the sheets with my hands, as suddenly, another finger was added to the mix. 

"Alexander," I whimpered, "Alexander please,"

The pain of the heat was completely gone, barely even a memory now, completely replaced with the overwhelming sensation of pleasure. 

My stomach was tying itself in knots, slowly beginning to build up, my muscles clenched-

Just as Xander removed his hand.

A high-pitched noise of disagreement left my mouth as I whipped my head forward to stare at him. My chest was heaving, yet I could barely open my mouth.

He met my eyes as he slowly raised his hand to his mouth, shoving his fingers down his throat, completely licking them clean.

Instinctively, my legs split even further.

Alexander's head dipped down again, this time doing something completely different.

Xanders mouth connected with my entrance, his tongue attacking me in a hundred ways as he licked and nipped. His torment was continuing, the only sound in the room being the uncontrollable noises coming from my lips. 

Then, his fingers again, rubbing me again without stop or a second thought. That was it. He kept going, causing a flurry of sensations to take over my body. The pressure was building again, even stronger and harder than it had only a few minutes ago.

As my release finally came, he shoved his fingers up me again, magnifying it by a ten-fold. My back arched, my head rolling to the side as I finished.

Alexander pulled away, lowering my body back onto the bed. I took a moment to stare at him, his hair wild with red, swollen lips.

"How was that?" He asked, leaning his head forward.

"Amazing," I gulped, "If I knew you were that good..."

Alexander moved forward. "Cassandra, my love, that? That was the bare minimum. If you can still talk afterwards, I haven't done my job right." He grabbed onto my head, rubbing his thumb over the back of my hand. "When we have sex, you shouldn't even be able to move, let alone form the words to give me an answer."

I raised an eyebrow, "What, I can't walk because your only move is pounding into me?"

"No, you won't be able to walk because I'm just that good. And you're my main priority. It'll take a while I'm sure, but you'll get used to my size. If pounding was my only move, you'd be able to do practically anything afterwards, thank god it's not. Trust me, I'm an expert in ravishing."

Heat pooled in my stomach. "You can't say shit like that."

His body aligned with me, his legs hanging off the bed and Xander rested his head near my stomach, He batted his eyelashes, "Why ever not? The truth get you too hot and bothered?"

🌶️

I blinked. "What if the heat comes back?"

I could barely feel it at all, perhaps a headache when I woke up, but nothing more.

Xander shrugged. "That should have satisfied the bond enough. If it comes back just as ferociously, I can take care of it. Or if you would rather not, we can pull out the trust ice bath."

I placed my hand on his cheek, "Thank you."

He grabbed my hand and pulled it to his lips, "Anything for you."

------------------------------------