Page 37 of Xara and the Xenobeast

He wasn’t defective. He was evolving beyond what they’d made him to be.

And as they walked side by side through the alien jungle, Xara realized something that should have terrified her but instead filled her with a strange, warm certainty: she was evolving too—into someone who could face this strange new world. Into someone who could stand beside this complex, wounded creature who fought so fiercely to protect what he cared about.

Into someone who was starting to care about him just as fiercely.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

The Xenobeast kept his steps measured and even as they returned to the cave, careful not to betray the searing pain radiating from his side. The predator’s barbed claws had caught him deeper than he’d initially realized, tearing through muscle and scraping bone. Each movement sent fresh waves of agony through his torso, but he refused to show weakness.

The Graxlin pups scampered ahead, their bioluminescent patterns pulsing with excitement as they led the way home. Dot stayed close to his ankles, occasionally looking up with what seemed like concern in her oversized eyes.

Xara walked beside him, casting sidelong glances his way. He kept his breathing controlled, his posture rigid. He’d endured worse. Much worse.

The cave entrance appeared ahead, a dark mouth in the rock face now softened by Xara’s touches—woven vines framing the opening, smooth stones marking a path. His cave had never looked like a home before she arrived.

“You’re bleeding,” she said suddenly, stopping in her tracks.

He continued walking, ignoring her observation. The injury was his to bear.

“Hey.” She caught up, moving to block his path. “Stop. Let me see.”

He growled low in his throat, a warning, but she didn’t flinch.

“I saw you favoring your side. That thing got you, didn’t it?”

His sensory tendrils curled defensively, and he stepped around her, entering the cave. The pups chirped in agitation, sensing the tension. Dot pawed at his leg, her markings flashing rapidly.

Inside, he moved to the far wall, where shadows would hide the extent of his injury. He’d clean it himself later, after she slept. He’d always tended his own wounds.

She followed, her expression hardening with determination. “Let me see..”

He bared his teeth slightly, his silver eyes narrowing.

“Don’t give me that look,” she said, crossing her arms. “I know you’re hurt. Let me help you.”

The concept was foreign to him. Help was a weakness. Pain was private. He’d been conditioned to suffer alone, to push through, to never show vulnerability—especially not to a potential mate.

Mate.The word slipped unbidden through his mind, but he pushed it away.

She came closer, her hands raised in a non-threatening gesture. “Please.”

Something in her voice—the genuine concern—made his resolve waver. He remained motionless as she drew closer, his muscles tense with the effort of appearing unaffected.

“At least sit down,” she said softly, but he didn’t move. Sitting would reveal how much the wound hampered him.

She sighed and reached for him, her fingers brushing the edge of his wound where blue blood had mixed with black. The contact sent a jolt through his system—pain mingled with something else, something warmer.

“You’re being stubborn,” she murmured.

His body betrayed him then, a wave of dizziness forcing him to brace one hand against the cave wall. The motion pulled at his torn flesh, and he couldn’t suppress a sharp intake of breath.

Her eyes widened. “It’s worse than I thought.”

The pups gathered around his feet, their chirps taking on a worried tone. Dot began to climb his leg, her tiny claws digging in for purchase, and the pain from that small weight was enough to make his vision blur momentarily.

“Sit,” Xara commanded, her voice leaving no room for argument. “Now.”

His legs buckled before he could decide to obey, and he slid down the wall to the floor. The movement sent fresh agony lancing through his side, and he couldn’t suppress a low, rumbling groan.

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