Chapter 13....Ana...!

The wind howled through the dense forest as Xavier moved like a shadow between the trees. His breath was ragged, his body pushed beyond exhaustion, but he refused to stop. The mark on his chest still burned, still tethered him to her. She's alive. That was the only thought keeping him sane. But she was far, and every moment wasted was another moment she was in their hands.

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Ana still felt hurt, but after seeing the rescued females, she couldn't hold onto her anger the same way. Their hollow eyes and frail bodies haunted her, making her realize that Liana and Xander had acted out of fear, not cruelty. They had been wrong, but she understood why.

That evening, as Xander sat beside her, she finally spoke.

"I won't forgive you easily, but I understand why you did it. I won't hate you… but I can't be your mate either."

Xander's fingers tightened slightly, but he gave her a soft smile.

"Then… can we at least be friends?"

She hesitated for a moment before nodding.

"Friends."

Xander didn't push further. Instead, he poured his energy into making hersmile.

He took her to the city. He challenged a few cubs to a wrestling match, making them laugh as they climbed over him, and when one landed on Ana, knocking her down, Xander caught her before she could fall.

Their eyes met—just for a second. His grip was firm yet gentle.

"Careful," he murmured.

Ana quickly stepped back, brushing off the moment, but the warmth in his gaze stayed with her.

He even carved small beast figurines for her, teasingly making one with exaggerated fangs and calling it "Fierce Ana," which earned him an eye roll—though she still kept it.

One evening, he led her to a quiet clearing.

"Trust me?" he asked with a grin.

"Depends," she said warily.

Before she could react, Xander shifted. His form grew, bones stretching, muscles rippling as dark stripes spread over golden fur. His beast form stood tall, powerful, yet his eyes held nothing but warmth. He crouched slightly, flicking his tail.

"Hop on."

Ana took a step back. "You want me to ride you?"

"What, afraid I'll throw you off?" he teased.

She huffed, placing a hesitant hand on his fur before carefully climbing onto his back. The moment she was settled, he took off. The wind rushed past her, the ground a blur beneath them. She clutched his fur, but fear melted into exhilaration.

"Faster!" she laughed.

Xander let out a deep rumble, picking up speed. He leaped over fallen logs, dashed through the forest, and when they finally slowed, Ana was breathless—eyes shining, cheeks flushed.

For the first time since coming here, she felt free.

As she slid off his back, Xander shifted back into his human form. She turned to thank him but found him much closer than expected. His warm breath fanned her face, and for a moment, neither of them moved.

His fingers brushed against her wrist, light and hesitant, as if testing whether she'd pull away.

"You're smiling," he murmured, his voice softer than usual.

Ana blinked, realizing that she was.

"I guess I am."

His gaze flickered to her lips for the briefest second before he exhaled sharply and stepped back, running a hand through his hair.

"Let's go back before my mother thinks I kidnapped you."

Ana swallowed, pushing away the strange warmth curling in her chest.

Maybe Xander wasn't so bad. Maybe, just maybe, she could find a place here.

Returning back

Ana felt lighter than she had in days. Riding on Xander's back as he raced through the forest filled her with an exhilaration she hadn't known she needed. The wind tangled in her hair, her laughter rang freely, and for a short while, she wasn't a female trapped between choices—she was just Ana.

Nearing the castle

"Enjoyed that, didn't you?" he teased.

Ana rolled her eyes but didn't deny it. "It was… fun."

Xander smirked. "I'll take that as a yes."

The moment they reached the castle gates, a violent commotion erupted. The ground trembled, and a bone-chilling hiss echoed through the air. Beastmen in their animal forms circled an enormous, dark-scaled python, its golden eyes burning with fury.

Xavier.

His thick coils crushed an unfortunate warrior beneath him, while his tail lashed out, sending others flying. He moved with terrifying precision, dodging attacks with fluid grace, his fangs bared.

Then he froze.

His head snapped toward the castle entrance, his pupils constricting. Ana—laughing, perched atop Xander's back as he padded toward the gates in his massive tiger form.

The battlefield around him blurred. The warriors, the roars, the scent of blood—none of it mattered. Only the sight before him did. Ana, with another male, her fingers curled into Xander's fur as if she belonged there. As if she trusted him.

A sharp, searing pain ripped through his chest.

Betrayal.

It struck him like a brutal blow, worse than any claw or fang ever could. She was his. His mate. He had fought for her, bled for her, endured the torment of separation, knowing—believing—that she would return to him.

Yet, here she was. With another. Laughing. Happy.

His beast howled, a guttural, earth-shaking sound of fury and despair. His golden eyes darkened with anguish, his fangs bared in a silent snarl. His breath hitched, a primal storm brewing inside him.

Then, his name fell from her lips.

"Xavier…"

It was soft, uncertain. Not the cry of relief he had imagined. Not the desperate plea he had yearned for.

The last thread of control inside him snapped.

"ANA!"

His voice was a roar of fury, agony, and longing. A plea. An accusation.

"Stay back, Ana."

Stay back?

Without hesitation, Xavier's powerful tail lashed out, aiming to coil around the tiger's body. But Xander, quick on his feet, dodged just in time, his claws skidding against the stone courtyard.

Xavier struck again, relentless, his tail whipping through the air like a deadly weapon. Xander barely evaded, muscles straining with each movement. But Xavier was patient, waiting for the perfect moment.

The battle dragged on, and Xander's movements began to slow. His breath came in ragged pants, his stamina waning against Xavier's unyielding assault. Then, in a flash, Xavier's tail finally wrapped around him.

Xander snarled, struggling, but the python's coils only tightened. With each passing second, the pressure increased, squeezing the air from his lungs.

Ana's heart pounded in fear. "Xavier, stop! You'll kill him!"

Xavier's grip only tightened further. His voice was a low, dangerous hiss. "You're doing this because you like him, right?" His golden eyes burned into hers.

Ana's breath hitched. "That's not—"

"Then why?" Xavier demanded, his coils constricting mercilessly. "Why are you protecting him?"

Tears welled in her eyes as she watched Xander struggle. She had to stop this before it was too late.