Luren ran to the bedroom, but Craige wasn't there. The room was ice-cold, the windows
slightly ajar. His heart pounded faster, until he heard the sound of water gushing. Alarmed, he rushed toward the bathroom. The door was slightly open.
He froze.
Covering his mouth in shock, Luren's eyes widened at the sight. The shower was running, cold water pouring relentlessly. Craige was sitting on the tiled floor, fully naked, shivering, his skin feels colder and lips tinged blue. He didn't even flinch.
He had no idea how long he'd been under the freezing stream.
"Craige…" Luren's voice trembled as he stepped in, trying to help him stand.
But Craige slapped his hand away, his gaze vacant and voice brittle.
"Don't touch me."
His dazed eyes looked past Luren, like he wasn't really there.
Luren's heart shattered. Tears welled up in his eyes as he knelt and pulled Craige into
a desperate hug, not caring that they were both soaked and freezing.
He reached up, hand shaking, and turned the dial, switching the water to warm.
Rolen lit the fireplace, the crackling flames slowly pushing away the bitter cold. The
Duke had insisted on being left alone that night, he didn't want to be followed, didn't want anyone to see him in that state. With a quiet sigh, Rolen respected his wish. He gently shut the door behind him, letting the warmth from the fire spill into the room. He brewed a pot of tea, the soft aroma filling
the once-empty air. Slowly, the chill began to fade, and the room finally felt a little less lonely.
Once everything seemed in place, warm, quiet, safe. Rolen cast one last glance at
the closed door, his heart heavy with worry. Then, without a word, he stepped outside and quietly closed the entrance door behind him, the sound echoing faintly in the silence.
"L-Luren…what are you doing here?" Craige asked, startled, his voice trembling slightly
as he looked up, water still dripping from his pale face.
Luren's eyes filled with tears as he stepped closer. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice breaking with worry and pain.
The warm water now flowing from the shower slowly brought color back to Craige's
freezing skin, washing away the numbness clinging to him.
"Why were you showering with cold water?" Luren's voice suddenly cracked into anger, his chest tightening. "Have you been doing this since you left last night?!"
Craige didn't answer right away. Instead, he reached out, gently helping Luren to his
feet and turning off the water. His hands were still shaky but tender.
"Take off your clothes," Craige said quietly, noticing how Luren's clothes were soaked
from the shower. There was no shame in his voice, only concern. He handed Luren a bathrobe, then took one for himself. Wordlessly, they wrapped themselves in
warmth before stepping out of the bathroom together.
"Wait here," Luren said gently, guiding Craige to sit on the bed. The room had grown
a bit warmer, Rolen must've lit the fireplace. A faint, comforting scent of tea lingered in the air, so he went to retrieve it.
He returned and knelt beside Craige, carefully handing him a steaming cup.
"Drink this…" he murmured, his voice soft with concern.
Craige took the tea without question, his cold fingers brushing Luren's as he accepted it.
Luren took a sip from his own cup, watching him closely, silently willing him to feel better, even just a little.
"You should go back," Craige said softly, his voice strained. His body was already burning
up again—he could feel the heat crawling under his skin. Even a cold shower wouldn't be enough this time. He clenched his fists, trying to suppress the pull of his rut.
Luren froze, shocked. "No!" he snapped, his voice trembling with emotion.
Craige looked at him, eyes wide with concern and desperation. "Luren, look... I can't control myself right now," he said, his tone laced with guilt. "I might hurt you."
But Luren stepped closer, undeterred.
"I know you're in rut," he whispered, cheeks flushed with shy determination. "I'll help you."
Craige's breath hitched. His eyes softened, filling with longing and disbelief as they
searched Luren's face.
"Are you... forgiving me?" he asked, voice barely audible.
Without a word, Luren climbed onto his lap, nodding gently. He wrapped his arms around
Craige's neck and rested his head on his shoulder, burying his nose into the curve of his neck.
"I'm sorry," Luren murmured. "I know it must have been hard for you too. You're also
a victim in all this…"
Craige's scent engulfed him, thick and heady with desire, yet grounding. It was musky
and primal, laced with the sharp freshness of frozen pine, like the northern wind that sweeps through a snowy forest. A wild, untamed scent, both familiar and overwhelming, that stirred something deep inside Luren's chest.
Craige closed his eyes, arms wrapping tightly around Luren as if afraid to let go.
Luren's scent was growing stronger, rich and intoxicating, curling in the warm air between them. His body felt hot…too hot…and Craige could feel it too. The space between them pulsed with unspoken need
"Luren, baby…" Craige whispered, his voice low and filled with longing as he gently
caressed Luren's face.
Luren closed his eyes, leaning into his touch, his heart pounding. Craige leaned in and pressed a soft, lingering kiss on his lips, tender at first, then gradually deepening, fueled by the fire building between them.
Their bodies grew hot with desire, aching for each other's touch.
"Craige…" Luren breathed out, his voice a soft, needy moan. He felt Craige's lips trail
down to his neck, kissing, licking, and gently biting, each touch sending shivers down his spine. Fingers moved with purpose, slowly undoing the knot of his robe. Luren raised his arms, letting it fall to the floor, exposing his
bare skin to the warmth of the room, and Craige's hungry gaze.
He felt the plush softness of the mattress beneath him as Craige guided him down. Without hesitation, Craige shrugged off his own robe, his eyes dark with desire as they
raked over Luren's body.
Luren swallowed hard, eyes widening and cheeks flushing crimson as he saw the
evidence of Craige's arousal.
"T-that's...massive," he whispered, not meaning to speak out loud, but Craige heard him clearly. A slow, wicked smirk curled on Craige's lips as he climbed onto the bed, hovering over him.
"This is going to be a long night…" Craige murmured seductively, before capturing
Luren's parted lips in another searing kiss…one that promised everything yet to come.