Xander's POV
The harsh coastal wind slashed across his face like a blade, leaving his skin raw and stinging. Each gust felt like a deliberate assault, reminiscent of the sharp slaps his mother used to deliver when he pushed her patience too far as a child. He pressed his palm against his burning cheek, the memory surfacing with unexpected clarity.
Damn, he had been an insufferable little bastard back then.
Xander often puzzled over how he had become the man he was today. His parents had shown him nothing but kindness and understanding throughout his childhood. They had never raised a hand against him unless he truly deserved it for being the insolent brat he often was. His upbringing had been stable, even loving by most standards.
So what the hell had gone wrong with him?
