Chapter 72: Please
Killian sat submerged in the steaming pool, his head leaning back against the smooth stone edge. The water lapped gently against his chest but did little to ease the fire burning through his veins. His body felt too hot and too tight all at once. The bond was affecting him far more than it should. Ever since that morning when he had woken up beside Yuki, his entire being had been screaming and begging to claim her. It was his most natural instinct, but Killian was not the type to allow primal urges to control him.
He had been keeping everything in check even when his thoughts kept drifting toward her. He ignored it. He had to wait until the trial because he was certain this was a mistake. Maybe it was because he was the eldest or the one who had almost crossed the line with her—his sexual instincts were so fierce that his wolf had put him in a minor rut similar to a she-wolf’s heat.
After leaving the dining room, he had gone straight to his quarters, trying to remotely handle some work to distract himself. His quarters were the furthest away from Yuki, and his bloody wolf did not like the distance. He could not focus on anything, and before he knew it, the room grew suffocating. Heat started to spread across his body, straight to his cock, which got so damn tight in his trousers.
It was the first time he had ever gone into a rut, and it was more painful than he had imagined. His claws dug straight into his palms, drawing blood, but it did not help. If anything, the metallic scent of blood made his cock twitch more as the thought of marking Yuki filled his mind—the thought of her blood in his mouth as his fangs sank into her neck.
The urges almost broke him. Killian had to mind-link every maid and she-wolf nearby to stay away. He did not want rumours to spread that he was in rut. Left with no choice, he went to the old bathhouse, hoping the water could cool his head, but it barely helped. While he was writhing in agony, the last person he wanted to face appeared before him.
The moment she stepped inside, every inch of his body knew it. It was like two opposite poles of a magnet. His fingers immediately dug into the walls of the pool to stop himself from moving. He had not shed a single piece of clothing, but his entire body was soaked, leaving the clothes sticking to his skin.
Steam filled the room, thick and heavy with the scent of mineral water and herbs. Water from the fountain cascaded gently into the pool, creating soft ripples that lapped against his chest. Droplets ran down his dark hair, plastering it to his forehead and neck.
His muscles bulged from the strain, his chest rising and falling with each ragged breath. His tie hung loose around his neck, completely soaked, and his shirt clung transparently to his torso, outlining every hard line of muscle. He looked pathetic and pitiful, yet undeniably spicy in a way that made the air feel thicker.
His skin was completely flushed.
His lips parted as he tried to speak, but only a low grunt—suspiciously similar to a moan—left his lips.
Yuki could sense the way his body tensed up and how hard he was holding back. Her fist clenched as she hated herself even more. Just the mere sight of him like this had already left her completely soaked. Her wolf was pushing her further. They both sensed each other’s heat but refused to move closer.
A slow smile curled her lips, one that infuriated Killian. "What are you so happy about?" he finally forced out. "Are you glad you can use this bond against me? I would not touch you." His voice was hoarse, and it took every ounce of self-control to say those words.
"Who said anything about helping you?" she sneered, then took a step back. A low growl of protest left his throat. She chuckled. His mouth said one thing, but his body said another. The screeching sound of claws crashing against the pool wall rang out.
Killian was half-shifted. His pointed wolf ears, beet red, poked from his hair, and his long bushy tail struck the water as he fought an internal battle.
Yuki laughed, but the soft sound did not ease the tension in the slightest. She ignored the ache of her nipples pressing against her clothes and sneered at him. "What is it, Killian? Do you want me to go or stay?" she taunted.
"You are already like this and it is not night yet. There is a full moon tonight. Imagine how bad your rut might be."
"You would not be able to attend the trial. Well, that is if you are able to stay sane until then." She teased him. "Or do you plan on locking yourself in a silver cage to stop yourself from losing control?"
Every word was meant to hurt, but he could barely hear her. His gaze was locked on her lips and the way they moved.
He remembered what they felt like against his. That sent blood rushing to his cock. He dared not take off his trousers. He did not want to think with his cock.
Yuki smiled. The sight of him like this brought a bitter smile to her lips. "What do you want?" he asked her.
She shrugged, then turned her back. "Nothing. I will get out of your way and probably get somewhere safe, away from you." She stated, walking toward the door. Killian’s tail struck the water in protest.
"Yuki..." he called in a low growl that shot through her, pooling between her legs. She clenched her fist to hold herself together.
"Do not tell me you have second thoughts." She sneered. Killian gulped.
"Aren’t you scared I might lose it?" he asked her. She glanced over her shoulder.
"I know your pride would not let you, and if you do, Alexander would not let you touch a single hair on my head. He cannot afford such a scandal so close to the trial." Her eyes sparkled.
"You’d better stay locked in here. Maybe you might faint from exhaustion before tomorrow." She replied coldly. She did not hide her disgust.
Killian drew in a deep breath to calm his mind, but it was filled with her pheromones—the very thing driving him crazy. His head fell back as he stared at the ceiling. He knew how bad ruts could be, and this was his first one. He knew the pain might be tenfold. He could try the impossible to fight it.
"Please..." he whispered.
"I cannot hear you." She taunted him.
"Please, can you help me? To repay that old favour. I helped you that night." He requested, and her jaw clenched. It was the first time he had ever brought up that night.
"That is not enough." She replied. "Do you think I am a slut you can beckon whenever you please?"
Killian was lost. It was getting unbearable. His eyes were turning bloodshot. "Fine then. I will owe you one, as long as it is something possible. After all, this is also your fault. Your pheromones caused this."