Chapter 28: Let me help you
Something was terribly wrong.
Ares stepped out of the ballroom, clawing at his collar.
His pulse hammered violently against his neck.
"What the fuck..." He braced a hand against the stone wall as another wave rolled through him.
He had only had the wine. The very same one Willow had sweetly tried to offer Ayla and if what was happening to him was any indication, he was in heat.
He could feel it clawing through every part of his body trying to find release.
Ares did not know how he made it up the stairs.
His boots caught on the top step and he went down hard, his palms scraping against the stone. He stayed there for a moment, on his hands and knees, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The heat was already spreading through his veins like wildfire, licking at his skin from the inside and coiling tight in his groin.
His cock was painfully hard.
He could feel it straining against his trousers. He pressed his forehead to the cool stone and groaned.
The only thing that could force him into a wolf’s heat like this was a potion gotten from moonvine sap and crimson roots. It was used on wolves to induce their heat and force them into mating.
Ares cursed beneath his breath.
"Willow..."
His jaw clenched. She had intended this for Ayla.
If Ayla had been the one to drink it, it would have been a disaster.
Ares forced himself to his feet. He staggered the rest of the way to his chambers. By the time he reached the door, sweat soaked through his shirt.
His hands trembled so violently that it took three attempts before the handle finally turned.
His hands went to his shirt, tearing at the buttons until they scattered across the floor. He pulled the fabric over his head and let it fall, then fumbled with the fastenings of his trousers. His fingers were clumsy, trembling. When he finally freed himself, his cock sprang up, rigid and aching, the head already slick with precum.
He fell onto the bed.
The sheets were cool against his burning skin. He closed his eyes and wrapped his hand around himself, stroking hard and fast, chasing the release that hovered just out of reach. His hips bucked into his fist.
It was not enough.
He squeezed harder, twisted his wrist on the upstroke, but the pleasure was dulled, muffled, like trying to scratch an itch through a layer of wool. The heat inside him was building, pressing against his skin from within, demanding more than his hand could give.
He needed to bury himself inside something. Needed the tight, wet heat of a cunt clenching around him. Needed to fuck until the fire burned out.
A knock sounded and his door creaked open.
"Oh goddess... Ares..."
Willow crossed the room. "I am so sorry. I did not mean for this to happen. Why did you take it from me?"
A bitter laugh escaped him.
"You meant for Ayla to."
"She deserves it" Willow retorted. "She is nothing! A lowly Omega who put her grubby hands on what is mine. Do you know what it is like to watch you do everything for her? She does not deserve you. I do and this was just meant to teach her a lesson."
Ares’ breathing grew harsher.
"Get out, Willow."
"Ares, please... I can fix this." Her fingers went to the strap of her dress, sliding it down her shoulder.
"Here. Let me help you."
"I told you to get out."
She pulled the other strap down. The fabric slipped, baring the tops of her breasts.
"Ares, please. Let me help you. I can do whatever you want me to do."
His cock throbbed in his hand, a pulse of pure need that made his vision blur. He wanted to say yes. His body screamed at him to say yes but he gritted his teeth.
"I do not want your fucking help. What the fuck is wrong with you?"
She took a step closer. "Ares, please. I can help. Just let me..."
"GET OUT!"
The roar tore from his throat, shaking the walls.
Willow stumbled back, her face pale, her eyes wide. She grabbed her fallen strap and fled, the door slamming behind her.
Ares fell back onto the bed.
The heat was worse now. The potion had settled into his bones, turning his blood to molten lead. His cock was so hard it hurt, the head swollen so much that it was leaking steadily onto his stomach. He wrapped his hand around himself again and stroked as fast as he could.
He squeezed his eyes shut and tried to think of anything else but he could not bring himself to focus on anything else.
His door opened again.
"I told you to stay away..."
"Ares?"
His eyes flew open.
Ayla stood in the doorway.
She was still wearing the dress from the party, a deep blue that caught the firelight and shimmered. Her hair had come loose from its pins, falling in waves around her shoulders.
"Ayla." His voice cracked. "You cannot be in here. You have to go."
She stepped inside. "Are you okay? I saw you leave the party and..."
Her voice trailed off as her eyes took in his cock in his hand.
"Ares..."
He wanted to cover himself, tell her to leave but his body would not obey. His hand kept moving, stroking slowly, almost involuntarily as she watched.
"What are you doing?" Ayla rasped.
"Willow," he said, his voice rough. "The drink she offered you. She put something in it. A potion that induces heat in wolves."
Ayla’s eyes widened. "But you took the drink"
"Yes" Ares let out a bitter laugh. "And now I cannot stop..." He groaned, his head falling back against the pillow.
"You need to leave Ayla."
She did not move.
She stood at the foot of the bed, her eyes fixed on him, her chest rising and falling in quick shallow breaths. He could smell her from across the room... the faint musk of her arousal.
The potion latched onto it, amplifying it, filling his lungs until he could taste her on his tongue.
"What can I do?" she asked. "How can I help?"
"You cannot." The words came out strained. "To stop this, I have to mate. And I do not know how long it will last. Hours. Maybe longer."
Ayla felt warmth spread through her cheeks.
"Oh."
"So you see why you need to leave."
"I don’t want to leave you."
She took a step closer, her fingers moving to the ribbon tied around her waist.
Ares watched the movement, his breath hitching in his throat.
"Ayla..."
"I can help. I want to."