Naru gasped as the basement door slammed shut. A chill trickled down his spine as the air went cold. Damn...He sighed, frustrated as he tried to pull the door and found it jammed. He knew it wasn't locked. They didn't have the keys. He'd come down to check on the cameras, and unfortunately, there had only been one other person at the base to accompany him. Ayako appeared at his shoulder, standing a little too close for comfort. Naru couldn't help but stiffen as she leaned closer. He could feel her lithe body almost pressing up against him as she reached around to try the handle herself. Silky red locks spilled over his shoulder as she leaned down a little and tugged.

"Is someone playing a joke?" she complained, her brow twitching in annoyance. Most of that annoyance was bravado against the nerves swirling in the pit of her stomach. She knew it couldn't be a prank. Monk-san was playful, but he knew when it was appropriate and when it wasn't. She felt a chill in the air and looked over her shoulder as a cool breeze brushed her cheek. A spirit? She was guarded as she turned to face the dark basement. There was no visible danger in sight, but that didn't really matter in their line of work. A low growl rumbled in her throat as she readied herself to fight. As the only alpha in the room, she was ready to defend the smaller omega. She could feel Naru's agitation at their closeness, as well as his indignation at the thought of being protected.

"I'd be relieved if that were the case," he replied curtly as he stepped away from the door. His own instincts bristled as he looked around. He was a little worried. Ayako wasn't the most reliable when it came to warding off spirits, and he was hardly in the position to use his own powers. As well as worrying about the spirit, he also needed to worry about Ayako. She was an alpha, and he was an omega. Both of them were unbonded. His heat was coming up. That meant she may be able to scent his fertility. The last thing he wanted was to end up like John. Bound and mated against his will. He was skilled and strong, but still an omega. That made him vulnerable to scenting and domination. Shit! The hairs on the back of his neck stood up as John's sweet scent washed over him. He'd scented John's heat coming on, but this was the worst place for him to be when it arrived.

"Oh, no..." Ayako's dark eyes widened with dread as she looked at Naru. Naru's omega instincts flared. He was an unbonded omega trapped in a room with an unbonded alpha. John's heat wouldn't set off his own cycle, but it would set off Ayako's rut. That was something she was more than aware of as she returned her attention to the sealed door. She pulled the handle and pounded on the wood loudly. "Houshou! Mai!" Naru knew for a fact they wouldn't be able to hear them. The house was huge, and the old walls of the basement were thick.

Although John's scent wasn't as potent as last time, and the sweet scent was now entwined with Lin's spice, it was still enough to make Ayako's alpha instincts rise. Her cheeks flushed as her insides shifted. She could feel her shaft stiffening within its sheath and slowly sliding downwards. The air was so sweet. She could taste the sugar on her tongue. She heard movement behind and turned with a low growl. Her dark eyes sharpened as she took in the lithe form behind her. He wasn't her usual type. He was delicate and slender, with pale skin that she could really sink her nails into. Despite that, he was unclaimed and vulnerable. As someone approaching optimum fertility, her alpha was more than willing to settle. Naru was a fine omega. He had a sweet pastry scent, and his body was young and healthy. A fine vessel to carry her brood.

"Ayako?" Naru tried to keep the quiver out of his tone as he took a step back. Ayako didn't like the challenge or rejection, particularly coming from an omega. Get used to it. No way am I bending over for you! Naru's jaw tightened as his blue eyes darted around the room for any form of escape. It was like a whole separate floor beneath the mansion. The small room opened out into a long hallway. There were likely a few other rooms further down the hall, and possibly another exit. Taking his eyes off Ayako had been a mistake. He almost stumbled as she stalked towards him. "How long can you hold back?" he asked with forced calm, sliding his foot back slowly and inching his way towards the only other door.

"How fast can you run?" Ayako purred as her lips pulled into a smirk of anticipation. Alphas loved to chase down their prey. The tone made Naru shudder, and he loathed that it wasn't from disgust. He didn't consciously want to be dominated by anyone, but his omega instincts were slowly being drawn to the surface. He hadn't been in this vulnerable position before. Until now, Lin had always been there to protect him and fend off alphas. His blue eyes widened as his back hit the wall, just to the side of the cobweb covered door. Ayako's cinnamon spiced scent washed over him. He was mortified as his throat clenched into a whimper. The sound made Ayako's brow twitch. It wasn't her intention to scare him.

"Don't...don't come any closer." Naru's voice came out a lot smaller than intended. He'd meant it to sound firm, but it sounded far more like a plea. His heart was racing as she approached. He eyed the door, wondering if he could lurch sideways and whip it open. Ayako smirked at the timid sound of Naru's voice, so unlike how he usually sounded. Normally, she'd never dream of touching him, with his porcelain skin, crystal blue eyes, glossy black hair, and beautifully vulnerable expression. He shivered as her hand stroked his cheek, one sharp red nail tracing a thin line down his throat. His breath caught as her other hand gripped his crotch. He felt his cheeks flush in mortification as his limp shaft slowly came to life at the sudden contact. "No!" Naru's sweet scent seeped out in a cloud of distress. He was surprised as Ayako slammed a hand on either side of his head.

"Get out!" Her voice quivered at the strain of holding back. Naru's sharp tone and scent had helped her to regain some of her senses. Naru was barely eighteen. He wasn't her type. He wasn't even willing. She bit her lip with sharpened incisors, urging her alpha down. Houshou...Hurry up, damn you! She knew he'd soon be able to sense their distress. He had good instincts. Naru ducked under her arm and swung the old door open, almost stumbling as he raced down the dark hallway. Ayako scratched the wall, fighting the urge to give chase. I'm not an animal!

Naru was mortified by the fear that flooded his senses. His gasps were like whimpers as Ayako's scent chased him through the darkness. It taunted him, letting him know she was allowing this chase to happen. Near the end of the narrow hall was another door. Naru pulled it open, not even looking to see where it led. He was scrambling his way up a worn set of stairs when a strong hand grabbed his ankle. He could hear Ayako growling as she dragged him further down. A yelp of fright escaped his lips as he felt her climbing up his legs. She kept her weight pressed against his back, pressing him down against the wood.

She's feral! He was shaken at the realisation. She didn't speak. Her hands gripped his slim hips. She dug in her nails. She was wrestling him into a good mating position. Naru desperately tried to shake her off, letting out a frustrated growl of his own when a hand gripped his neck. His whole body went limp, allowing Ayako to press her full weight against him. She released her heavy scent. Dominating him. His omega was shuddering in submission. He even arched his spine in offering to the alpha on his back. No...Not like this! Naru trembled, desperate to escape. He closed his eyes tightly as he felt Ayako's hot breath against his shoulder. He flinched as his shirt was ripped away from his throat. His bonding point was on display. His eyes widened in horror as her teeth rested against the pale skin right at the juncture of his neck and shoulder. She's going to mate me?

Ayako's mouth was wide open, her sharp teeth pressing against his bonding point, but she hadn't closed her jaws. Yet. He felt her shivering. The grip on his hips loosened ever so slightly. Naru didn't dare to breathe. He could only hope that she managed to regain her senses before she did something they'd both regret. Come on, Ayako...Naru's eyes snapped up as the door above was thrown open. He barely had time to make out the figure in the doorway before it was bounding down towards them.

"Ayako! Naru!" Mai's voice cried worriedly, though the figure rushing down the steps was much larger, and smelled much sweeter. Naru grimaced as the large figure bounded over his sprawled body. The weight on his back disappeared as Ayako was dragged off. Her nails left stinging scratches beneath his torn shirt. He chanced looking back, where Takigawa had his hand tangled in Ayako's red hair. He shoved her down the last few steps before turning to Naru. His hazel eyes were blazing as he looked back and waved towards the door above.

"Get out of here!" Naru was mortified to find his body frozen in place. He was terrified, and still suffering the effects of Ayako's domination. He only found the strength to move as Mai's insistent hand gripped his black sleeve. She'd hurried down the stairs when she realised he wasn't moving on his own. Naru staggered up and allowed Mai to lead him by the arm. They hurriedly stumbled up the dim stairwell and out into a dusty old hallway. As the door swung shut, he could already hear Takigawa moaning in something between pleasure and pain. Mai dragged Naru a little further down the hall before slowing to a stop. The hand on his sleeve swiftly released its hold. Despite her warm nature, she knew Naru didn't like to be coddled. He was grateful for that. The whole situation was humiliating. That she'd seen him like that. That he'd almost been-

"Are you alright?" Mai asked worriedly, watching Naru as he slumped against the wall. His legs were shaking. She tried not to blush as her eyes traced the pale skin of his shoulder and chest where his shirt had been ripped. Naru frowned and looked away, trying to steady his panting breaths. He felt humiliated enough as it was. He despised how vulnerable he must have looked. Pinned down and squirming on the stairs with Ayako on his back, ready to sink her teeth into his throat. He swallowed, hoping his voice would sound normal when he finally opened his mouth to reply.

"I'm fine...Thank you." He knew he'd need to thank Takigawa later, too. Mai caught his eye with a worried expression, giving him a warm smile as he scoffed and folded his arms stubbornly. She didn't say anything, but he knew that she could sense his lingering distress. He was grateful when she suggested they return to their base, where she wasted no time in making him a cup of tea. He liked Lin's tea just fine, but Mai's brew was a little softer. A little more comforting. He closed his eyes as he savoured the soothing warmth of the ceramic in his trembling hands.