(Y/N) POV:

The heat that seeps off my skin scorches, seeping through clothes, clammy and feverish as I lean against the open fridge, unconsciously tilting towards it, eyes fluttering with the relief the icy air provides; lungs shuddering with the cold I inhale. The heat's begun to mark its path through my body, threads of pulsing want curling with the bubbling need to present, to seek out my heat-mate and submit to the stronger wave of pheromones that I'd felt my biology shift towards, had identified as mine to take and mine to merge with.

An arm comes to wrap around my face, other hand; inked and familiar as it reaches for the carton of banana milk, chin rubbing against the crown of my head in habit almost, scenting as he noses at my nape before tugging me away.

"Your heat smells close." He mumbles, slowly drawing me away from the chill of the freezer, fingers brushing against the side of my waist as he steers me towards the table.

Setting full plates down before sinking down on a chair and tugging me onto him, arm curved with familiar habit as he leans forward.

"I just feel so... hot and feverish." I complain, tugging at the neck of the top, trying to get it away from the clammy heat I could feel radiate off of me, not understanding how Kookie was even able to press close to it. How he could scent so easily; thorough drags of his nose against the line of my throat to the curve of my shoulder, humming happily against skin, fingers clenching and fisting into my top to tug me closer.

"You smell like your cycle could hit at any point. So... eat up." he mumbles, dragging his mouth away from pressing open-mouthed kisses to skin, hand curling around my wrist to draw it to the utensils.

I shift back, body responding to the heavy cloud of cotton his body seeps out in thick rivulets. He doesn't need to verbalise it but we know his rut is more volatile. Could spring at any instant. That he could easily be plunged into it with one move or stronger tug of my pheromones to his.

"You? You're... teetering." I mumble, realising the heavy press of his body against mine is a cage, arms winding around me to keep me anchored and the flickering desire beginning to pulse in his eyes heavy and fuelled with carnal want. Teetering over a precipice that he plunges into when his body cages, when it tugs me against his.

But he shrugs his shoulders, leaning over to begin eating, fork stabbing at the plate with slightly more force, chewing resolutely, nose scrunching when I poke his side. Still coherent. Still able to keep it simmering at bay as he eats up.

The dangling wire between pre-rut and rut is shaky and unstable. Could snap at any moment.

Squirming before draping heavily over me, leaning into me.

"If you don't eat... you'll be all burned out. And I'm trying to be good and patient for you... so eat up." he groans against my ear when his hips shift slightly, ears perking when it makes my scent bloom in response.

My hand tightens around the fork at the weighted promise in his words, at the tick in his jaw as his eyes drift to me, hand gentle as he nudges at mine again.

"Eat up. Or I can't promise the next time you'll be sitting coherently enough for food." He coaxes; contradicting in his burning scent and gentle gestures.

I nod, the movement shaky, as I turn to the food, try to eat as much as I can, stomach twisting into knots at the simmering embers beginning to flare, low in my gut. Hand curling around the glass, drawing heavy gulps of cold water and feeling the weight of his arm pinning me as he eats; making a more sizable dent in the food. The water spills past my lips when his restless shifting has his ears drooping and brushing against my face, groan low and pooled with arousal; hardness pressing against my hips.

Feel the pad of his thumb brush against my lips, gathering the stray droplets of water; the touch rough and wanting when he presses against my mouth; parting against the touch.

"Is that a promise Koo?" I mutter, voice tinged with need. The curling heat beginning to burn hotter, that first peak seeming tangibly close, within reach with the weight of his own pheromones crackling with rising need grazing against my own, entangling messily.

"Not an empty one." he murmurs.

The air stretches out taut between us, crackling and burning with brewing tension, his hand seeming heavier as I continue to eat; a weighted anchor that keeps me flush against him, eyes drawn to watching him eat; more gusto and purpose, cheeks full and bulging that freeze when I poke with a grin.

His rut isn't here yet, my nose twitching and ears flickering in response to his steadily mounting scent.

"Jin hyung will be after my throat if I don't feed you before bedding you curvy fawn. So finish up." he says with a dismayed sigh, lips quirking when I stare at his head falling back with resignation, throat bobbing as he tries to duck away from my growing scent.

"What Jin doesn't know doesn't hurt..." I begin cooing as I lean in, chasing the headiness, still fully coherent as the heat under my skin continues to simmer and grow.

"But Jin does know and Jin will be the saddest swan if he can't feed his chickies before they get into a breeding haze." He states matter-of-factly, lips twisting into a pout that begs to be kissed away.

I feel myself flush, sinking back against Kookie whose hand grips my hip with an almost knowing empathy, snuffling against my crown.

He leans over, thumb brushing against Kookie's lips, bending to brush a kiss across my temple; nosing at my skin with a hum.

"So be a darling and eat up." he murmurs, wings fluttering.

Maybe it's the closeness of Jin's body looming as a protective cradle over the both of us, maybe it's the ever subtle scent of vanilla seemingly branding itself across my nose or the way Kookie's body shudders and head tilts in immediate pliantly; submitting for his mate even as his body pulls and curls at mine with an intent to take, to claim.

But the decision is made when the chair drags back, screeching and the arm tugging me upright, a tight hold as Kookie drags me away from the table.

"Later... eat later. I need you now." He mumbles, hands moving to circle my hips, tugging me against the proof of his need and arousal, ears perking stiffly at the sudden dam of cotton that bursts out of him, rich and intoxicating and overwhelmingly strong. The arousal and desire and pure, unbridled primal want that begins to thrum; body arching and submitting immediately has the smile dying on my face and eyes fluttering, baring my neck to him. Even if... even if he doesn't have the predatory urge to sink teeth into skin to mark a claim, the shuddered groan against my neck, chest reverberating against my back has my body going taut and loose.

The soft pulses of heat flaring into an inferno, cycle trying to speed to sync to the rut Kookie's been plunged into. Uncaring of the flutter of wings that my eyes clench shut again as his hips messily buck against mine, pleas muttered repeatedly against skin, spilling past scorching lips that close around my pulse point. Slowly I can feel my body trying to accelerate the final dredges of pre-heat to push me into the same breeding frenzy. Can feel my body thrum and respond, even if it hasn't lost itself to need entirely yet.

"Unless you move... I'll bend you over the kitchen table." The words growled out, steeped with fraying control and coherence.

I stagger away from the table, ears flickering at the murmured brush of words against Kookie's stiffly perked ears.

And yet I can't bring myself to focus. Not when hands sweep me away.

And those same hands slam me against my bedroom door, shutting it with a loud resounding bang.

-------

The door barely slams shut behind us when I find myself being spun, caged against the wood with the harsh lines and press of Kookie's body against mine, fingers looping around my wrists and pinning them, nose brushing against the curve of my throat, the soft fur of his ears a light graze so at odds with the feverish press of burning lips that mark a line from the curve of my shoulder to the crook of my neck. Nose brushing against my gland; sensitive and swollen before his mouth slots over it, teeth scraping and tugging, tongue flicking as he applies pressure. The strong muscle of his thigh presses up between my legs, and the weight of his body against mine stops me from buckling. Crying out at the sharp, feverish suck, back arching as he groans against skin, rutting against my hip.

"Off... off." He mumbles, eyes glassy and lidded, swamped with rut, dragged into its depths, body strung up, aching and hard against me as he bucks forward, my head swimming with the cotton that blocks off any other thought that than the need to submit and give. Give until I have nothing more to give and still want to please.

The heat in my veins burns. Sears as it tries to pulse heavier, tries to match the steady bursts of cotton, at the pheromones drowning with carnal want as his hands loosen, curling to dive under fabric and grip my hips, tugging me forward as his mouth continues to mark a heated line to my jaw, eyes fluttering under the pure dominance in every touch. Guiding and taking and demanding, hands clamped around my hips and squeezing tightly before drifting upwards in explorative search. Every brush of his knuckles against my skin, fingers curling under my breasts, snaking around to undo the clasp has that need beginning to pulse stronger, back arching; presenting and achingly waiting for his hands to continue their heady journey, to grip and take.

And he takes. My clothes tugged and discarded, his body pressing to my bare skin.

Takes as his hands cup me, touch rough and needy; desperate to tear cries and pleas pass my lips, throat bare to him, shuddering as he leans in, pressing me against the door, the brush of fabric against my skin, soft worn material that makes my spine arch. His touch is feverish... as if he doesn't know where to touch first, as if he doesn't have enough hands for how and where he wants to explore, the graze of his palm against skin making my breath catch, feel his tongue brush against my pulse, nosing at skin. The groan that vibrates against me is shattered, void of restraint and control, hands skimming lower, fingers skimming and gripping at my thighs as he hoists me up.

Supported and pinned to the door by the raw strength that his body thrums with me, large palm scraping against my glands; liquid arousal bolting through me at the possessive touch as he grips my thighs and yanks them open, settling between the crook and rutting messily against me, sensual, carnal promise murmured and sinking through skin as his fingers grip bruising.

My eyes flutter, his hands hastily tugging at drawing the soft underwear down and off, tugging to free himself too, pushed down hastily, skin bare as it brushes against me, rutting messily, breath warm and shaky in my ear as he continues to grip me, tug me to him, until my hips are grinding back against his, pleasure bubbling and searing through my body. Hot-white ecstasy burning a trail through every nerve cell, the scent of cotton swamping everything else. The world narrows down to this. To the feel of his grip as he bucks to chase pleasure, hard arousal grazing soft skin, ears brushing my breasts as he tilts his head down, mouthing at me, sucking harsh dark marks into skin, feeling the pressure of his mouth even as it drifts to brush at my body.

My head swims with the constant flux of his cotton; burning across my lungs, leaving its stamp across skin as he tugs my thighs up, locking around him instinctively, low against his back as I draw him closer, every needy, harsh thrust brushing against skin, bucking up against me, hips rolling against mine as he uses my body to reach the peak of pleasure; slumping with a groan, wetness spurting across skin and mouthing shakily.

"Better? Better bun?" I murmur, not expecting and startling at the almost immediate press of fingers brushing over my hip and between my thighs, grazing against me and circling in a slow touch that has sparks igniting under skin before thrusting in. The sudden jolt of his touch has my hips bucking, pushed back by his hand clamping around my hip as he continues his rough ministrations, curling deep and coaxing that bubbling pleasure to a sudden crescendo of ecstasy and relief; body thrumming with it, loose and curling forward. There's merciless intention in every twist, curl and thrust of his fingers, pushing and demanding pleasure, tugging and reeling it out for him, my body simultaneously going taut and loose, body shaking. Head resting against his shoulder, cry muffled against the thick muscle of it when he continues, hips slowly beginning to circle against me once more. Hardening again.

And all of a sudden his fingers retreat, the pleasure throbbing and left at an incomplete peak, a protesting cry torn past my lips that turns into a needy, startled sound when with a sharp sudden thrust, his hips are flush with mine, body full, fingers gripping at the soft, giving flesh of my thighs to tug me wider as he draws back to thrust against me, body slammed and caged against the door.

The heat under my skin flares to life, slams in with the pleasure that still makes my body pulse and throb, blooming to life with a gnawing ache and hunger that has every touch only fuelling it further. Syrupy pleasure turning my mind into a hazy fog; drowning in the sensation of deep thrusts that has my body craving, tilting to him and hands tugging at his torso, fingers grazing across his chest. Has my hands gripping at him, sure that the heat of my skin would brand fingertips across the swell of his biceps, anise spurting out richly to curl against his cotton as I feverishly cant my hips forward, trying to tug him closer, deeper, further.

Somehow the weighted pin of his body and the harsh slam of his hips against mine, deep and rough isn't enough... isn't enough as my body sobs and craves and begs. So willingly parts for him and moulds to his touch, reshaped to his desire and need and the searing heat of his rut that burns hotter; entangles messily with my heat as they finally sync.

Body catching up and speeding the final few hours of pre into a fully blown biological need for him to take and take. To mark and claim and breed and own. To give myself up to every touch of his.

My mind turns into syrup. Unable to process anything save for the pleasure that my body rushes towards; towards that abyss of ecstasy trying to consume me. Willingly wanting to drown in that sensation as he takes and takes.

And instinctually... on a deeply rooted need to be taken and protected, that need to be looked after by a bigger mate flares in my mind, messily entangling with how readily he cradles me; grip fierce and protective at the same time.

It's easy and mind-numbing how quickly the pleasure becomes the only thing my body can respond to, can comprehend; a slew of noises spilling past my lips that brush messily against his shoulder, cry reverberating against his skin. Pleas spilling out.

"More... more... Koo please." I mumble over and over, body arching away from the door when he draws back to slam back harsher, my body jolting and pinned back when he leans inwards, teeth nipping at skin, tongue flicking against my throat and collarbone.

"All. I'll give it all." He promises.

And that numbing peak of pleasure shatters, pushed to the edge and going limp as my hands clutch at him, curl around his nape and burrow my face against his throat; against his gland and breathe him in. Lungs heady with the scent of him, with his arousal and rut and need. Moan turning into a whimper when he still relentlessly gives, thrusting into me, hands a fierce branding clamp splaying my thighs wide open for him, trembling but unable to escape the constant flux of pleasure, his hips jerking and thrusts turning erratic, groaning as he stills against me. Moving in slow circles to prolong it as we both come down from our high, his body burning its imprint against my skin.

My limbs feel like putty, moulded to his touch, loose and languid, legs still jolting as his touch eases, brushes over where fingers will have left bruises, breath sharp and ragged and sweat gleaming at his skin, a loose, satiated grin. The heat under my own skin simmers down slightly, satiated and satisfied, head falling back against the door and body curling, presenting when his mouth begins to press a line of kisses from my shoulder to my throat, slow, open-mouthed press of feverish lips that remind me as he cradles me close to him, gathering my pliant body to him and moving to the bed....that this is only the beginning.

And the heat in my abdomen flares and pulses at the thought.

-------

My spine throbs, hips achingly empty as I shift against the sheets, breathing in shuddering, thin gulps of air so clouded with syrupy floral sweetness, heat burning and stomach taut; knots tied up and lungs trembling with the inhale of my own overpowering scent. Eyes stinging as I whimper, clutching at the pillow, nose turning away from it, desperately chasing the burning scent of arousal and cotton, hips messily grinding for relief.

The emptiness... the aching, gnawing feeling of being empty makes my eyes sting, turning my head to search for Kookie, body sinking with relief when the sound of footsteps rush close and a hand comes to rest on the base of my back. Large fingers that rest against the low of my spine and push. Push my hips down with a strong, unyielding strength, pinning me to the mattress as I twist, body going loose and pliant, settling with the feel of his body brushing close, bed sinking.

"Needy little fawn... couldn't wait for me to even get us food. I was just trying to be good for you." his voice croons, low and riling but crackling and imbued with just as much want; voice hoarse with the intensity of his desire.

That biological part of my hindbrain; the animal instincts that flare and brim to the surface keens with relief at his body straddling mine, weight pinning my legs down and hands gripping my hips to push them against the sheets, the soft material feeling rough and abrasive, eyes fluttering when he growls. The sound shattering the heated fog that clouded me, the sound of need rippling when I part my legs for him, body tilting over to brush a messy line of kisses from my nape; teeth pinching slightly, down to the base of my spine, tongue marking a trail as if he wanted to burn the taste of me into his mouth.

"Trying to present?" a low hum in his voice as he moves back, the weighted pin of his body making my back bow, trying to push back against him, hands scrabbling backwards to tug him closer, head turning over my shoulder.

Dark, dilated eyes greet me, teeth gnawing at his bottom lip and arms, rippling with muscles and uncorded strength drawing my hips up in a fluid sharp tug. Back arching as I present myself, hips pushed back towards him, rewarded by the trail of his fingers between my legs, the pad of his thumb rubbing slow, rough circles and chest heaving as he takes in my body. Ears perking when my eyes flutter and I push back, submitting to the touch, head falling forward to bare my nape for him.

Utmost submission for him.

Yours.

Take me.

Breed me.

The touch turns from slow drags to deep thrusts, arm curling around my torso to splay across my stomach, a sudden tug that has my hands fisting into the sheets to steady myself from buckling, from landing face-first into the sheets, pinned and bare entirely.

Shifting restlessly at the sharp curl of his fingers, stoking and feeding that burning want that pools around his touch, coats it, the feathery light circles he traces against my stomach as he leans over me.

Body a cage that reminds me.

Prey.

Taken.

There's something intrinsically safe about his scent but now my head swims with its thick intensity, the way it brands across me, burns and imprints on my lungs, soft cotton clouded with rut. Feverishly thick and his voice a low, guttural promise curling and grazing my ears.

Body shivering and twisting against him.

"I'm going to fill you up. Over and over. I'm going to leave you full and swollen and round. I'm going to breed you until your scent's wiped away. And when you're a pliant mess... I'm going to ruin you further." Hips canting to grind against me, fingers tugging and pulling me to the first shattering high, eyes clenching tightly and teeth sinking into my lips as I groan, feel his mouth bite down on my shoulder, groan rumbling against skin as he uses my body for his pleasure.

Uses me to bring himself to a peak, rutting with a focused drive, hips circling and brushing, grinding when I push back for more, back bowing as my head bends, arms shifting, breasts brushing against the sheets.

Letting him take and take until he falls apart with a groan, hands full of purpose as he moves off and yanks my legs apart, draws my body back up onto all fours.

"Stay presented." A command that my body pushes to fulfil, back arching, jolting forward when his hands grip my hips and guide me back, filling me with a slow, deep thrust, breath shaky as he fills me.

But it's hard to remain upright, his body setting a punishing, fast brutal pace that my own arches and pushes into; spine curling and fingers clenching at the sheets, body thrumming with the insatiable need to be bred, bred ringing in my ears, hips pushing back to meet each thrust with a roll of my own. The sound of his pleasure gratifying... fulfilling.

And slowly my fingers scrabble for purchase, body going limp with the pleasure he continues to drivel into my body, head bowing as I fall forward, arms buckling. And my cries and moans are muffled into the pillows, his hand pushing my back down as he continues to thrust, propelled forward by the sheer force in every movement, body going lax and submitting. Unable to do anything more than take and take, one peak of pleasure morphing into the next. A live wire seemingly ignited across skin making every inch of it thrum and burn, crackle with every touch that sears and sets the inferno to burn impossibly hotter, consuming every rational thought and feeling; the syrupy haze dragging me into a numbing cloud of ecstasy as my body shudders and gives in to him, lashes damp with tears as he coaxes me for more and more.

His own pleasure continues to spurt out, rich and heady, barely ending before he chases the next peak, the stamina and power behind each movement as he ruts into me making my breath catch in my throat; sounds choked as I try to push myself back upright, try to draw myself up on shaking, trembling arms, fumbling for purchase on rucked up sheets, lips parted in a silent cry as my ears flicker and curl, legs trembling violently.

But as my arms buckle, his hand bands across my torso, tugs me upright against him, arm threading through mine and keeping me pressed up against him, chest arched as he slams in deeper, mouth hot and messy against my nape, brushing my hair to the side to leave deep marks that I'll feel the ache of later, other hand toying at my breasts; tugging and twisting until I'm writhing to get away.

Tears catching in my eyeline and spilling over, cheeks damp with overstimulated pleasure; the heat in my stomach constantly blooming to life, barely abating and settling before a vicious, carnal want slams into me again and it rears its head. Unable to stop craving the harsh strength of Kookie's body taking mine, unable to stop wanting to present and submit. To be bred over and over.

His hand slides down, lower and across my stomach, pushes me back against him with a pressure that suddenly makes him feel deeper, pinned to his body and unable to escape the roll of his hips into me, unable to twist away from the peak of pleasure that bubbles and builds with a fierce, unhinged intensity, spreading across every limb and every nerve cell alit with it.

"Look so good, taking and taking. So perfect for me." Kookie murmurs, nose brushing against my nape; breathing in my scent whilst my vision swims with the influx of his, combined with the steady tautness building in my body.

"For you. Your prey... yours." I shudder out, tongue feeling like it wades through molasses to form those words, words slipping in and out of reach, unable to string together sentences, unable to verbalise how intensely good he's making me feel. The noises punched out of my lungs are shuddered and wavery, breathless with how my lungs cave and submit to the cotton. To the crackling pheromones that make the air in the room swell with the breeding haze, taking and taking everything he has to give.

Body jerking and curling when his hand slips between my legs and I'm suddenly falling into the pleasure headfirst, tears splashing against my cheeks as I sob from the force of it, going limp in his hold, breath caught in my throat.

And my body takes and takes... whimpered cries as I push back and let him rut and take until he comes to a still, body feeling impossibly full and tighter. Still feeling taut and strung up and keyed up as his hand drifts away, legs trembling and body kept from collapsing forward by his hold.

His hands lower me down onto the bed, sheets brushing against skin, shaky breaths exhaled across the pillow as I try to clutch at it, keening when he slips out, hips bucking with the instinctual need to keep him close, to keep him near.

Can't go.... Can't go.... Not going.

He withdraws his hips, hissing in sensitivity himself and hands brushing and curling around me, murmuring praise into skin as his hands rub up and down my spine, ease away the knots with a firm, coaxing pressure, knuckles grazing and thumbs sweeping circles and lines across my spine.

"So good for me... so good. All full... good mate. Good mate." Kookie mumbles dazedly, nosing and scenting at skin to make the cotton settle more than skin-deep, breath warm and curling across skin in a tender, gentler caress, groans muffled against scented pillows as he kneads the base of my spine, tail flicking and grazing the tips of his fingers. Shifting and tilting into the touch.

We're not mates but my mind keens at that, relishes in the label even if driven by the need to submit. To prove I can be the best mate... can be everything, willing to give it all to him.

Mate me, mark me, breed me, take me.

My body trembles. Jolts and trembles and shudders even as his touch turns lighter, softer, legs unconsciously parted and splayed for him regardless.

I'd let him take over and over. I'd let him take until that aching need, burning and consuming flooded me. Overtook every other sensation.

The smog in the air becomes unbearably stifling with how it thickens, with how every particle of it is clouded with our merged scents, heavy with the scent of breeding. Heavy with the scent of us drowning in each other.

And his weight settles, drapes over me, arms worming under to curl against skin, rubbing circles into skin, dropping down so my body remains pinned. Caged in.

I'll take you even when you're too pliant to move. I'll take you until pleasure is all you ever knew.

"Next time... next time let me make sure you've eaten first." Voice breathless and ringing with laughter, low and rough that grazes my throat in the most headiest, intoxicating of ways.

And when his mouth closes over my gland and sucks. Harsh and unrelenting, my scent bursts out across his tongue, hips bucking back with a ragged cry torn past my lips, the sound guttural and pleading. Teeth pinching and tugging at the swollen, sensitive gland and tongue laving over it, swallowing down my taste as his hips keep mine from shifting, from moving.

Fingers drifting gently over my stomach, hand pushing with a pressure that has need simmering once more.

"Because I told you I can't hold back."

And we lose ourselves to the incoherent, blistering urge to breed and be bred once more.

But truth is there's no respite, no shelter and no hiding from it.

And with a practiced intimacy his body moulds to mine. Takes.

JOON POV:

Jin hyung doesn't know just how much of their scents he carries. Doesn't know it seems to settle in every crevice of his clothes and across every feather of his wings. He seems drenched in it.

In the heady intoxicating scent of cotton and anise, entangled and merged so fiercely that my mind's tricked into believing I'd never smelt them apart.

Does he know just how mouth-watering the scents he carries are? He can smell them, potent and rich enough that it ruffles his wings, makes his calm warmth turn into a bubbling need... a restlessness that could stem entirely from not helping Kookie through his rut, with not being as messily entangled in his biological cycles as he wishes to be. But... the first time it hits, decadently rich and enticing, it makes the entire pack freeze.

The weighted combination of their scent jerking everyone to a stop.

It doesn't matter if suppressants stifle our own need to claim, mate and rut. Doesn't matter that suppressants stop us from being tugged into biological needs to mate and take and breed. It still burns.

Sears a path through our bodies, curling around my lungs and crushingly weighted with how much I want. How my mouth waters and my fangs ache, pricking my bottom lip as I stare at hyung.

Clutch tightly at the cushion, feel Yoongi hyung go stiff behind me, fingers stilling in my hair. Unconsciously tightening and the slight bite that the tug gives makes a rumbled keen slip out, unsure whether to tilt my head and bare my throat in submission to the predator looming behind me, or to growl and curl close to the very fertile scent of two breed-ready preys.

From next to Hobi, Minnie's head jerks upright, ears perking stiffly and tail stopping its loose sway, nose moving away from being burrowed into the source of nutty caramel.

His eyes flash, the tactic to avoid the scent as much as possible failing as Jin moves to rummage through the fridge, cheeks flushing slightly when he sees the hunger that pools in everyone's eyes.

Kookie had and was the first prey I'd fell for.

But (Y/N) was the first I'd taken under my wing, under my direct protection. (Y/N) was the one who since the accident had caused protective instincts to slam in full force, a bubbling restless need to hover, to shepherd and flank.

(Y/N) was my pup just as much as Kookie was.

And smelling them.... Smelling just how ready, virile and steeped in their rut and heat cycles made a growl slip past my lips, fangs wanting to sink into the direct source of them.

Tae growls, rumbly and needy, slipping off the sofa and quickly padding after hyung, unabashed as he noses at skin and snuffles, chasing their scents, spine loosening at the ticklish fluttery graze of Jin hyung's wings against him.

Delighted when Jin hyung cages him to the counter, head cocked as he stares at the wriggly stripey cub.

"Something got you riled up cub?" teasing and grinning, redirecting his focus on the sole tiger trapped between his body, the cocoon of his wings flaring and his hands.

"You smell... amazing hyung. I wish I could help with their rut and heat." He adds, ears wilting slightly with despair and behind me, Yoongi hyung's hand loosens in my hair, a small, rumbled growl of concern for his mate.

Jin hyung soothes him, gently rubbing his ears and brushing kisses across his cheek, nose and to the other cheek, cupping them and squishing fondly.

"One day cub. They both needed this. And Kookie will be able to take care of her more than sufficiently... I just hope chickie has stamina." He says with a soft laugh, head resting against Tae's and I watch a stripey tail curl around his leg to keep him close.

"Will I get to know what ruts feel like one day you reckon?"

Hyung's wings flap before curling, tugging him close.

Cooing at him.

Brushing a kiss ever so gently across his lips.

"Without a doubt. One day you'll have a breeding haze and hyung will watch his sweet cub beg so prettily. And give just as prettily. Hyungs will take care of the youngest kit." He promises with a wicked grin.

And I realise just as much Jin hyung's nurturing side was stifled... suffocated to an extent because he couldn't take care of his mate, couldn't tend to him between cycles. He was just as stifled for not being able to be the one to tend to his every need, to submit but also make him submit. He couldn't support his mate through his biological needs and I knew from the tightness in his spine it wore at him inside. And Tae's pretty, easy submission of curling close and baring himself to hyung, of being so thrilled at being caged was soothing that edge even if in the slightest.

Hobi groans, the guttural sound drawing my eyes to him.

I don't miss the way his hand has curled around Jimin's waist tightly, other hand tangled in the shirt to keep him from tugging himself free and chasing the scent. Despite the suppressants... Jimin was the one to keep eyes sharply peeled and alert for. He was the one with the least restraint and control to (Y/N)'s scent.

With his biology and heart entirely accepting and recognising her as a mate... he was tearing to get to her and be the one tending to her.

I'd dealt with sulky pouts, wobbling lips and pleading shining eyes. I'd seen him curled up in a circle on a pillow he'd snuck from her room, chirping dolefully at her scent and pawing at it forlornly.

I'd already scooped him up twice these two days to whisk him away from rushing on scampering paws to the other end of the apartment, ears drooping at being caught and chirping with the most baleful eyes; imploring and yanking at my heartstrings.

I'd also been pinned against the mattress as he growled, fangs snapping and leaving dark marks, his scent pooling out and his whines and groans just as needy and pained, rutting against me as he took and chased relief and respite by giving in to dominant instincts that weren't fully stifled under the weight of suppressants.

"The other end is still off limits." Jin hyung finally warns as he leans away, after indulging Tae and baring his throat to let him rub his berry scent eagerly across him at the promise, eyes flickering and tail curling and all swishy; the wrongs in his world righted for now.

"But hyung... we're all dosed up." Jimin whines, keening as he tries to lean forward and scrabble off the couch and after him.

He gets levelled a look that has even me shrinking back and silently tilting my throat to Yoongi hyung; rewarded by the sweep of fingers against my gland and a huff of laughter over me.

"Park Jimin you stay put. I've seen you eyeing the partition too much and I've been shutting that door. Finding it open with the scent of mint gives you away officer pup." He chides and scolds gently, eyes softening when he sees the tell-tale droop to the tips of his ears.

Lips curving up.

"Why don't you show Tae how good of a fox you are? Or Joon?" he suggests warmly, eyes flicking with tease at me and the coloured marks over the column of my throat.

I huff, leaning back against Yoongi hyung, nosing at his jaw.

"I can take care of you Minnie. Be a good wolf to my mate." I say earnestly, eyes shining, peering at him.

Watching him shift on the couch, restless.

Whimpering and chirping balefully as he nods, clutches at Hobi to stop himself from chasing Jin hyung who vanishes with a murmured promise to be back, watches as I slip away from Yoongi hyung to pad over.

Eyes narrowing into slits, tail swishing impatiently as I approach, rumbles growing in intensity as I draw him up.

He clings immediately, arms curling around my nape as I hoist him up, burrowing against me, legs locking around my waist, needy sounds brushing against my throat, stomach tightening with growing want to please and satisfy my mate in every way. Every line and curve of his body, muscle and soft skin, moulds and gives so easily; curling close and already so sweetly softening in the intensity of his mint as I nose at his temple.

He just wants to take care of (Y/N)... in the same likeliness that the thought of being the one to tend to Kookie during his rut... to satiate him on that deep instinctual level had my wolf keening.

Legs curling tightly and arms tugging, mouth already beginning to mark a line to my scent gland. I nose at his cheek, nipping slightly and turn to grin at the others.

"Duty calls." Eyes fluttering at the scrape of fangs against my gland.

Tae's already wormed his way onto Hobi's lap, tugging him close too.

My tail swishes and cuts through air at the sight, at the naturalness and ease in intimacy around the pack.

Baby steps turning into a staggering walk.

Fluidity and ease growing day by day.

But that pleased, proud thought is banished by a low growl and the tug of my shirt towards Minnie.

"Be good to me alpha."

Sweeping every other thought under the rug.

Everything conquered by mint sweet and wanting.

--------

It takes considerable effort to steer Jimin out the apartment, watching him drag his feet and tug half-heartedly at his clothes as he dresses. Watch as his eyes flicker to the partition and itch to cross it; holding himself back because an arm loops around his waist and tugs him against him.

"Calm down pup." Yoongi hyung nips at his throat, soft enough that it's soothing, hard enough that the fight to tug himself free bleeds out, curling over his bowl of cereal with a pout.

"It's not only hard on you Jimin-ah. I had to let her go pre-heat without taking things further... even if my biology screamed at me to. But control... control is what keeps us from falling into something that could easily get messy and ruined." Chiding and soft, tail curling to wrap around his calf as if to keep him anchored. Silently keeping him tethered beside him.

And though he settles at the table... it becomes near impossible to coax him up and out the front door, mumbling how good mates didn't vanish during heats. Even if he wasn't the one tending to her. It's endearing how huffy he gets, cheeks puffed and lips pouting as he moves down the hallway and startling just how quickly his ears perk up stiffly, body jerking to a halt at the sound that shudders and ripples through the air.

A breathy keening sob, muffled, behind the closed partition door but the sound... the sound of pure need and want wavering and shuddering with pleasure has my tail pausing it's swishing and has Jimin's eyes darkening, scent flaring.

The sound echoes in my head, rings tauntingly with the promise of just how delectable (Y/N) sounds with pleasure tearing her apart, how needy and overwhelmed she sounds... a curl of heat licking at skin.

It takes considerable forceful effort to nudge Jimin towards the door and hurry out after him, closing the apartment door behind us, breathing in a deep gulp of unscented air; crisp and void of pheromones.

Not for the first time I appreciate the scent diffusers that apartment complexes installed as procedure. Not for the first time do I appreciate how unaffecting it is. Watch as Jimin's posture slowly loosens, albeit the smallest bit, and stagger forward. As if creating distance is the only way he won't physically tear back to get to the sound... to the source of it.

"We're just going to pick up files. And get a status report from Jinyoung for those search warrants. We'll be back home... not abandoning your mate." Our mate my alpha hindbrain whimpers silently. I soothe as we step out, forgoing the car because the station was just as accessible by foot, roughly the same distance Jimin walked when he dropped (Y/N) off.

The air, sharp and crisp with winter, is better than the stifling warmth the car will bring. Crowding out affected scents in the enclosed space.

I needed to get the files, clear tasks and get pack.

The instinctual need to watch and look after my pack, to guard the pack space especially in such a heightened period of vulnerability for the preys already flaring in my mind.

I needed to get to the station, get updates, sort things out and leave.

I didn't... couldn't afford to get into the car and push Jimin down against the backseats to take him, to breed my own mate because if the unconscious awareness of the preys' breeding cycles weren't motivation enough... the sound that still rung in my ears was; scent seeping out heavier in automatic response to it. Keening with pleasure.

I wanted to make my mate keen with pleasure.

But it wasn't the time.

Instead I focus on the small visible puffs of air as Jimin breathes, nose peeking out from over his scarf, snaking a hand in to entangle with his, curled together in his pocket.

I focus on the way our bodies fall immediately into sync and matching stride, footsteps exact and mirrored copies of each other.

I focus on the way Minnie's hand squeezes mine in thanks as we walk, navigating the streets with familiar ease.

"This is the first café I brought (Y/N) to." He murmurs as we walk down a road, his eyes briefly flickering to the sign with a smile that curls his lips generously, voice tender and the scarf slipping low enough that I see the soft pink of his mouth.

I glance at it.

"You come here often?" I ask curiously, following him as he tugs me along.

A small shake of his head and his fluffy ears; curling and twitching against the cold slightly.

"Of course not. I can't make our walks a routine that could easily be noted and used against us. Habits can be dangerous things. So no... we don't visit the cafes in order. And it'll be too cold to walk to work soon enough." He murmurs with regret tinging his tone.

What I don't miss is the easy, almost unconscious way of protecting.

Random visits to the cafes... alternating so if there was anyone keeping eyes on her, they wouldn't be able to guess which café she went to. That that fact couldn't be used against her because Jimin knew just how dangerous a small familiarity could become.

He was a thorough protector.

"So why walk? Why not drive her? Less chance of anyone getting close..." I murmur.

His fingers squeeze mine, eyes softening.

"Because this case has taken so much freedom already... because she's left her pack, left her home to go under protection. She's not meant to feel caged... so these small things that I can do for her, I'll do in a heartbeat." He murmurs.

"You're a good Officer Jimin... but an even better mate. We all know you hog her for your morning dates." I tease as we cross the road, watching his fangs pool over as he grins and shrugs.

"I love hogging her." He acquiesces easily.

The overlap of streets... barely crossing a few before we reach the station has me realising just how close the station and centre are; even by foot, easily accessible to the other. I wondered whether it had to do with how the station had ties with the centre, a secure facility to look after hybrids that needed immediate attention and therapy. A hospital, office, care-centre all in one for hybrids.

Wondered silently if that meant the mole had easier access too. Because of the closeness, because of how easily they could reach the centre, could cover their tracks before time marked their disappearance as too long.

Wondered who it was, for the umpteenth time, making this case even more entangled and complex.

Before I let Jimin's hand go to head through the office, he tugs me back, voice brushing my ear.

"Be quick please hyung. (Y/N) and Koo—"

I lean over, lips pressing to his softly.

"Will be in the throes of their cycle if you didn't hear. But I'll hurry anyways..." I promise.

Wanting to head back to the back soon too.

Not expecting that when I headed through to find Jinyoung waiting, talking quietly to a man I recognised as his mate. An officer in another field.

Their ears perk when they spot me, but the tightness to Jaebum's lips are anything but reassuring.

"We've secured warrants for the barns." He says by way of greeting, handing over the files to me.

I frown.

"But..." I press, knowing something else bubbled and simmered under the surface. Something that made my instincts thrum, antsy and restless.

"But there's been a handful of missing person reports filed. Adults who fall into the biological bracket of fertile and virile, all of them rare hybrid breeds."

That tightness grows.

"How can you be sure they're related? I need something concrete."

Jinyoung's face twists with revulsion.

"Remember Lee? His son might've had a taste for more submissive preys... but Lee and his daughter enjoy the power of taming. I moved forward with the warrants we have for his properties. We found her with a chained up serpent male. He's got burns on his scales."

Anger. That's the tame name to give to the bubbling viscous need to tear apart Lee, and his filthy lineage. Anger to describe the searing, bubbling venom that pulses in my blood, thrums angrily with my heartbeat.

"Lee's daughter burnt a hybrid in the name of pleasure? And chained them?" I confirm, words sounding distant to my ears.

Two tight nods.

"We've facilitated him at the centre for immediate care. And arrested the daughter."

I growl. Furious as I storm past to unlock my office, slamming the files down. I feel their eyes watch as they follow me through.

The door clicks quietly.

"Which is why we think that there might be a different... system to provide the exotic hybrid species." Jaebum confirms. Voice shuddering with the weighted growl that tears past his throat; their scents raging and burning, sharp enough to make my eyes sting and wolf howl at the need to push and challenge and defeat the threat.

Exotic species. The term made bile rise up my throat, stomach churning into knots at the thought that Lee...people like Lee were funding trafficker networks, sex slave rings and kidnappings to fuel and provide for their pervasive desires.

It wasn't enough that they were using and forcing hybrids into such situations but the fact that their preference... their taste meant that several networks overlapped and functioned to provide.

"So the barns are just the beginning." I surmise.

The barns were the tip of an iceberg that continued to grow under the surface.

And only time would reveal what lay inside those barns.

And whether there was any substance in it. Or whether time and time again we were chasing dead ends.

My body feels weary, at odds with the bristling, bubbling vengeance my mind flares with. To put an end to this all.

"Anything else?" I ask Jaebum, seeing both their noses flare, ears perking at the recognisable scent of anise that seems to have clung to every crevice and every person, pain searing across their faces.

They're just as caught up in this. They've given up (Y/N) too.

A firm shake. And though they move to the door, their posture seems unhesitant, bodies lingering.

"(Y/N) is okay. Truly. We're all looking after her." I call softly.

See their tails droop, wilt with relief and ears lose their stiffness.

And Jaebum's smile is slightly less strained as he nods his head in thanks.

For looking after their pup.

But it wasn't an obligation, wasn't a duty, wasn't a matter of police protection.

It'd long stopped being that way.

(Y/N) was my pup, my pack, my mate too.

I'd cost her at any cost.

And the realisation... the knowledge that my biology accepts her just as readily and easily as my mind and heart had, perhaps since the accident, isn't jarring. It comes to settle just as waters come to rest after rippling.

(Y/N) was mine.

Ours.

I'd keep her away from this.

A smile curling at my lips at the thought.

Mate mine.

---------

Surprisingly it isn't the scent of anise and cotton that my ears perk up to when we step back through the door, blanketed by the closed partition that Jin hyung was so steadfastly fretting and guarding; wings always flaring immediately when he sensed someone approaching it.

What makes my nose twitch is the rich heady burst of nutty caramel curling through the apartment; intoxicatingly sweet, drenched with arousal and the subtle threads of vanilla that lead to the felines' bedroom.

What's surprising is that Tae is one of the more settled ones as we head through the living room, peering in the kitchen to find him slicing fruit, lips stained berry-red; tell-tale sign of his own snacking. His curls brush against his face, bouncing, as he looks up, stripey ears flickering and a happy chuff rumbling out his chest.

"Alpha hyung! You took a bit longer...." He muses as I walk forward, nuzzling at his cheek in greeting, head slotting over his shoulder and peering at him diligently slicing fruit, steadily adding to the large pile gathering.

Mouth opening for the chunk of peach he brings to my lips, nudging at it and tail swishing when I lean close to take it, biting into the soft fruit.

"A few complications." I say once I've swallowed the piece of fruit, watching his hands, damp with juice, cup together as he walks to the sink, my body still curved around his.

Padding with him as he rinses his hands off and then moves back to start decorating.

Arranging them prettily onto plates, carefully colour coordinating them.

"Who are you prettying the food for?" I ask curiously.

He leans back against me, beckoning Minnie forward with an eager, delighted call of his name, tail swishing and curling against me.

"For Kookie and (Y/N). Yoongi hyung said they'd both need to replenish and eat... I figured why not make them bite-sized snacks too! They need all the energy to stay in good health." He says with a beaming grin, all alert and giddy as he adds it to a large tray.

Adds it alongside chilled bottles of water, medication and pain relief patches.

Find him humming, a low content rumble, as he neatens it out.

"Cub you're going over?" I ask curiously.

Finding none of the other packmates around, and tentatively wondering whether he had the restraint to be able to. To come face to face, directly exposed to the scent and remain unaffected by their heady scents.

I didn't know if I'd be able to control myself.

If I came face-to-face with an in-rut bunny or in-heat fawn and not growl and crowd against them, not want to tend to them and lather them in scent claims.

Minnie looks like he's about to protest when a voice disrupts the argument before it can even happen.

"Nope. I'll be going... I need to get Kookie and (Y/N) to eat; I'm also the only one who won't go biologically feral over them. So I'm safe. And if there was to be anyone else to go... it'd be Yoongi. He's got the most control." Jin hyung says as he walks over.

There's a visibly different lightness to his posture, wings flared and rustling happily. There's also the distinct scent of sweet molten nutty caramel seeming to drop off every inch of him. The decadent claim seeped into every pore.

He looks calmer and Hobi psds in a few moments later, shorts hanging low of his hips and tugging a shirt on. Not before my eyes, and the others, rake over the sight of coloured marks meticulously marking skin and the slight limp as he sits down. Ears twirling with amusement and wearing every mark, every indication of their pleasure as badges of honour. Fangs peeking as he grins.

"What? Don't think for a moment that just because Jin hyung indulged and bottomed that he can't own every inch of pleasure when he gives it. He knows how to use his body and mine against me." He confides with a sultry croon, voice dripping with honeyed allure, eyes gleaming at us before he plucks a piece of fruit from the plate of rejects; those that hadn't made Tae's cut as pretty enough to send to the preys.

Lips stained with juice that his tongue slowly flicks against.

"Hyung just needed an outlet didn't you?" He teases.

Jin hyung pauses in ladling stew, rich and warm and enticingly tugging me towards it. Peering at it with hunger.

A nudge to my hip has him gesturing to me to get bowls out as he stares at Hobi.

"See that pretty mouth of yours gets you dry spells when it's used wrong kitty. Don't try a tested method." He chides just as playfully, grin promising and holding so many stories of entangled sheets, intertwined bodies and vanilla caramel.

I splutter, setting down the bowls.

"Be a good pup and stay safe in my kitchen Joon... where's Yoongi?" He sighs. Eyes flickering over the large space.

Hobi moves to rise instead, pausing in his half tilt when Jin hyung rounds the table to nudge him back, the gesture gentler and softer. Touch tender and caring.

"You.. stay seated. I'll go over, start eating." He encourages.

Minnie slumps down beside him, eyeing the stack of files with disdain and anger. Lips curling into a frown at the knowledge I'd shared on the drive back. Fangs poking at his lips as he tugs the first one to him.

Tilting silently towards the rub to his ears, orange fluffy tips drooping to chase more of the touch.

I hated seeing any of them like that.

"Reckon we'll ever court her without the threat still remaining? It feels like we're giving her a downgraded, limited experience." He mumbles, poking at the stew half-heartedly before ripping a chunk of bread off and gnawing at it.

Tail wilted.

The other two share similar expressions, small frowns they can't smoothen out.

"Of course! Min-Jun's getting better every day. His therapy is almost complete and then he can be classed as ready to be adopted." Hobi bolsters.

Injecting enthusiasm as he spoons stew, shaking off the negativity with a twirl of his ears. If the children were healing, it'd be safe to ask questions. Questions would bring answers and answers would tighten the noose.

I wish I was that optimistic. Wish I could say I'd soon be able to court her properly with all the stops pulled out. That the case was its close.

But it kept opening, kept wide open with its gaping, glaring blanks and tears that couldn't fix or be sealed no matter how much we tried.

"(Y/N)'ll be sad. She loves Min Jun." I say quietly, spooning a steaming mouthful.

"But... she's done so much. She's rehabilitated a baby bear groomed to be a sex slave. She saved him from that fate." I add. Ears perking up with pride.

That was our mate.

And I add the words conversationally.

"I'm surprised she hasn't been courted before. Not when I want to do everything for her as a courting partner."

Hiding my smile as my head ducks at the startled sounds, grinning into the bowl, head tilting when fingers curl around my nape; the scent of citrus blooming pleasantly with surprise.

A gummy smile tugging at soft pink lips.

"Finally got there did you pup?" He teases.

"He's been pining for months. But never said." He coos, tapping my nose as he rounds the table.

I feel the accusatory weight of three gazes. Minnie looks downright betrayed.

"And Yoongi hyung knows this how?" He demands, eyes tearing away from the file.

I shrug, feeling my cheeks heat.

"You didn't think all he ever talked to me about was my radio show did you? He's harboured quite the protective crush." Yoongi hyung candidly shares, eyeing the fruit before grabbing a bowl of stew for himself too, tail swishing with contentment and satisfaction.

"You've been sharing your pining with Yoongi hyung? But not your mate? Namjoon!" Jimin gripes.

I laugh, shrugging my shoulders.

"You teased how good (Y/N)'s scent was... how my scent always changes around her. I thought you knew." I say nonchalantly even as my tail thumps against the chair leg, giving me away.

"I saw the smitten looks, the pining, the little whines when (Y/N) left." Yoongi hyung divulges happily, nosing at Tae's proffered cheek in greeting, scenting him.

Soft and sweet and gentle.

"Hyung!" I hiss, cheeks burning now.

A warm laugh bubbles past Hobi's lips, eyes gleaming with giddiness.

Pointing his spoon at me.

"Does sweet alpha pup want to woo the pretty flower fawn?" Hobi singsongs, nudging bread at my lips.

My fingers loop around his wrist before taking a bite, nodding as I chew.

"I've wanted to protect and look after her for a long time. I've also wanted to be her alpha and care for her as a mate for some time too."

Tae's tail curls and swishes happily. Chuffing deeply as he stares at me with a wide, fangy boxy grin.

"Then what are you waiting for?"

My eyes drift over how happy they all look, all invested in this happiness, in this pack courtship that was steadily growing. Entangled bonds and relationships that seemed to naturally slot into place. Some biologically driven, some emotionally stemmed, some an innate sense of trust and faith in the other predators; a balance that flowed between the pack with a seamless fluidity now.

What was I waiting for?

The answer comes when Jin hyung returns a while later, relief on his face and the scent of arousal once more clinging to him, fingers plucking at his clothes. The scent of anise is headier now, stronger than the cotton as if it's swamped the light scent, clouded it with intoxicating pheromones. The claim of being bred is tangible, almost able to be tasted on the tongue and Jin hyung takes one sweeping gaze of the room before he tugs his shirt off, balling it away to get rid of the scent that saturates it and turns away.

Broad shoulders marked with thin red lines and wings flaring and flapping as he turns, as if to shield the scent from seeping back in.

"I'll shower."

Heat. Rut. That's what was stopping me.

But once that was over then I'd say.

Once (Y/N) recovered in her post-heat I'd ask.

If I could have the honour and chance of courting her.

Of being her alpha in every way.

And an alpha, I think as I scoop the files away from the table, away from the others, settling onto the couch, protects and defends his own to his last breath.

I'd save and protect (Y/N) from this, and end this long before that.

KOOK POV:

My rut slams in heady and strong. And it's satiated with just as much fervour and intensity. Where my body takes and takes, craving to drown in that heady floral syrupy sweetness, hers gives and gives, so easily submitting and so easily, her cycles slamming and entangling with mine, the breeding haze turning into a frenzy of instincts going wild and desperate with the need to rut and brand my scent into her own fertile, rich one.

And she submits.

So easily. So willingly. So readily. Scent going pliant with pleasure, throat arched and presented and body curving back, taut with ecstasy and anise sticky as it brushes against my mouth.

My nose rubs at her shoulder, scenting the bare curve as I hold her, gather her satiated, loose figure to me, draw her onto my lap, hand splayed at her back when I feel her shift, knuckles rubbing against skin.

"That was... something." I murmur, voice ragged, ears drooping as my head hooks over her shoulder, rubbing my chin back and forth, watching her fingers splay across my thigh.

"You're telling me... insatiable bun." Voice breathless as she teases me, ears flickering against my jaw. Hand curling around my arm, breath warm and shuddery as she exhales, both of our heartbeats yet to settle, yet to calm, bodies heated and pressing together.

I feel my lips curve, head dipping to press a kiss to one of the many marks colouring her shoulder, nosing gently.

"For you... always. But thank you..." I murmur, hands squeezing gratefully.

She had no idea just how much her saying yes changed everything.

How rutting, going through cycles, unhindered and unrestrained for the first time in what delt like infinity made my body feel looser, made energy thrum and channel into pleasing her... that caginess expelled by drawing her body closer, by helping each other reach pleasure, reach a coherency once that breeding urge had been satisfied temporarily.

That being said, the slight shift of her hips as she settled more securely, drew my eyes to her thighs, marked and sprawled across my lap, inviting soft skin to mark and grip. The need to rut simmered like a dull ember under skin, instincts satiated enough that holding her was more than enough.

"Don't thank me. You're helping me just as much." She murmurs, groaning when I shift, body stiffening under my touch.

I feel a pang of guilt, wondering how stiff and sore her body must be.

"Food... then shower. The warm water should help... Jin hyung had a salve that helps." I murmur.

She nods against my shoulder, lips trailing to my throat.

My body going taut at the small mark she sucks into skin, teeth closing around skin and nipping, tongue flicking to lave over the sting, fingers curling tighter around inked skin.

"Reckon you can hold out that long bun? You smell like you're raring to go." She murmurs.

My hand tightens on her thigh, clutching. Shaking my head to dispel the flare of heat in my gut, ears flopping around my cheeks.

"Ruts aren't just breeding and filling you up curvy baby, it's about satisfying your needs. And that includes feeling safe and taken care of."

It wasn't all breeding.

It was providing.

It was satisfying every need. Biologically it was proving to your mate you could match their needs, that you were compatible on every level.

And this rut... these cycles that merged and blurred into an intoxicating mess of limbs, of bodies arching closer and moving in sync... they'd made me feel satiated in a way that I hadn't ever felt.

It made me feel settled to be able to slump down or on top of an equally needy and satisfied fawn, body just as stuck in this loop of wanting... of craving.

It made me feel normal.

Normal because that pleasure was met, because it wasn't stifled. Because (Y/N)'s body moulded to mine, because she presented without the slightest bit of urge, body arching and pushing back, hands feverishly trailing over me, gland coloured darkly, swollen and seeping out rivulets of pheromones drowning in heady pleasure.

"And that means I fill you up. With food first." I say with a huffed smile, stretching out and grimacing at the ruined sheets.

"I just..." I begin, hands drawing her off, tucking a pillow under her hips when she hisses slightly; discomfort smoothening out as she shoots me a small smile.

"Stay there."

She smiles, hands clutching at the sheets as she reclines slightly, chest no longer heaving rapidly as she nods, a beautiful canvas of marks and claims across her curvy splayed form.

"Won't dream of leaving." Eyes tracking me as I gather the ruined sheets, tugging them away with this antsy feeling of a ruined, dirty nest. Of having (Y/N) lie in a soiled nest, fretting as I draw them away.

Body stiffening when there's a knock at the door, straightening, ears perking as I eye it. Gaze drifting to (Y/N) whose own ears flicker, clutching at the pillow, eyes flickering with pooling need.

"Kookie don't go." Plaintive and unsettled.

I dither before scrabbling back besides her, curling protectively around her and shielding her body, hands fumbling for a shirt to draw over her bare body.

Arm weighting across her torso.

"Bun... it's me." Jin hyung's familiar voice calls, the stiffness in my spine loosening, head curling over (Y/N), fingers curved around her waist as my head tilts to the sound. Perks at my mate's voice.

"Jinnie." His name whimpered and muffled against my shoulder, doe eyes peeking over as I call out, voice hoarse and rough.

Watch as the door opens, gently slipped open, the rustle of wings and ever familiar scent of vanilla curling through. (Y/N)'s body jerks against me, a whimpered, keening cry when the caramel laced with it reaches her nose, nails scraping against my chest, against my nipple; body bucking immediately at the touch.

Hyung's wings flap, receding slightly as he eyes the situation.

"I tried scrubbing it off but scent blockers would make it worse." Voice soft, setting down a tray on the nearest dressing table, hovering and about to recede, move away when (Y/N)'s plaintive call for him has him stilling.

Eyes widening and softening, flicking to me in silent question.

It doesn't even take a single moment of hesitance to nod, other hand curling out towards him and watching him cross the distance to grip it, lips pressing a kiss to my knuckles, free hand brushing damp hair and floppy ears away from my face.

"You look... better." he remarks softly.

Eyes creasing when doe-eyes peek at him, bending carefully to brush a kiss to her temple, cupping her cheek when she leans closer.

Tilting into the touch.

Registering him as safe. As welcome.

I doubt any of the pack would register to her biology as a threat or unwelcomed during her heat. And without the same biological response to want to mount and breed her, to claim that fertile mouth-watering scent, she isn't pushed into another heat cycle.

But his presence has my gut tightening. Tilting my throat in submission to him even as the embers flare into small flames, licking at skin.

"Hungry?" and at the two nods, he slips away to bring food forward, sinking on the edge of the bed, not broaching the barriers of a nest he's always been welcomed in, until (Y/N)'s hand tugs at his sleeve and coaxes him closer.

"Tae cut the fruit, Yoongi made the stew and I baked the bread." Watching me as I carefully sit (Y/N) up, body cradling hers and spooning it for her, bringing it to her lips, nose scrunching with a deep relief when she eats, managing mouthfuls, swallowing down the food without a heat flaring and pushing her body into another cycle of need.

I watch her chew the bread with this bubbling feeling of pride, a smile curling her lips as she eats the fruit. In small ways her courting mates were there for her. Helping and providing for her in her heat where they couldn't tend to her.

And feel the weight of Jin hyung's eyes on me, gathering up empty bowls with a fond, pleased smile, pressing soft kisses to our temples as he sets down spare bottles and snack bars.

"Use the patches if the salve doesn't help. You can go about the apartment if you want, I've banished the others." a wry grin.

"But what if you see—" (Y/N) begins. Pink colouring her cheeks when he looks at her.

Eyes crinkling, wings rustling as he leans in to whisper confidently.

"Nothing I would mind. Pretty bun and pretty fawn." Teasing.

"I'm just saying..." he trills before stepping away with the tray, eyes softening when he sees (Y/N) curl closer; substituting the lack of vanilla and caramel by burrowing against my side.

Fingers curled around my waist and lips brushing against my arm.

The door closes with a soft click and her hand closes around me, a soft jerk as she tugs, my eyes flutter with surprise.

Groaning and bucking against her touch, rutting messily against her hip as she makes the want bloom into something aching and impatient, groaning against her skin, fisting the shirt to tug it up and away.

"(Y/N) what..." breath shaky, head falling forward to rest against her shoulder as her hand moves, hips shifting slightly, her eyes drinking in my expression when I raise my head, lips parting in a silent cry.

"How about you clean me off in the shower Kookie? Take care of me... my needs." voice warm and heavy with suggestion.

I nod, jerking and groaning against her as she continues her ministrations, hand clamping on her hip to drag her close, skin brushing against skin.

"I'll take care of you so so well. Of every need." I murmur, promises spilling from my lips when my body stills, the scent of my arousal clinging to her and the shirt she wears when I finally draw myself away.

Hands curling under to hoist her up, cupping her backside and drawing her against me.

Grinning loosely when a buck of my hips has her legs tightening around me.

"Not close to a cycle are you?" I ask, even as my nose chases out her scent, so attuned to even the slightest dips and flares in it.

Right now her scent smells steady. Has the heavier sweetness that her heat has brought about but none of that flared syrupy sweetness that clings to skin and sits heavily on my tongue.

A small shake of her head. Tongue flicking against my scent gland as she rests her head on my shoulder, fingers curling around my nape.

She might not be close to a cycle.

But she's poking and coaxing me another wave of mine.

"Dangerous games (Y/N)." I mutter, stepping out of the room, nose startled by the sudden void of sticky anise and cotton, at the lack of the merged scents that had become our nest's identity. In response, (Y/N) burrows further against my gland, nose pressed to it and coaxing out more.

"I like playing with risks." She retorts.

And when the bathroom door closes, clicking shut. I set her down on the counter, eyes narrowing onto the sight of her legs as I bend over her. Tug them open before lowering my mouth to the soft, giving flesh, teeth scraping and tongue marking a line to her centre.

Feel her body jolt and fingers tremble as they sink into my hair, legs parting at the slight nudge, jolting at the first brush of my lips and tongue.

"I like playing with you." I murmur before closing my mouth around her.

-------

Water makes our bodies slick, burning with feverish need as I mouth along her wet skin, sinking my teeth over her hip, feeling her jolt against me as her body bucks forward and arches away from the glass, water clinging to her lashes as she peers at me.

"Koo please... stop teasing." She gasps, body curling with sensitivity even as she tilts into the touch, body feverishly twisting for relief. The heat radiating off her seems to scorch and burn, melding against the rut cycle I can feel my body steadily mount to, head beginning to swim pleasantly with her scent.

"But you teased." I croon, admiring the dark red curling across skin.

Her fingers clutch tighter, trying to draw me away and there's a glassy haze in her eyes, a sheen of want and dazed as she tugs me upright, tugs my body closer to pin hers to the shower wall, leg curling around my calf, nose brushing against my cheek as her mouth trails over skin.

"Please. Please. Tease later... tease after. Be a good mate Kookie... Koo I—" she rambles, voice tinged with thrumming want, heavy and cloying anise pulsing under the water spray.

Mate.

It's heat-driven, it's stemmed from that innate biological need wired into us, it's said as a spur of the moment but it makes a tether snap.

Groaning as I stand, body pinning hers and fingers looping around her wrists to guide her hands to my shoulders.

"Hold on."

Hands curling around her thighs, lifting her up and body pressing hers to the wet glass, feel her hips grind against mine, a relieved sob tearing past her lips when I angle my hips to hers and thrust in, a sharp groan at the way she so easily takes.

How her body draws me closer, hands curling onto my shoulders and head falling back as I set a quick, deep pace, chasing this ever-constant burning want to get pleasure through giving it to her. One of my hands unravel from her leg, squeezing her thigh and feeling her body curl closer as she tightens her hold, my hand brushing and skimming across the curve of her waist to grip her breast, hand moulding to it, finger teasing and tugging until she's twisting to free herself from the touch. Fingers marking a path through slick skin, thumb digging and pressing to her scent gland. Lips slotting over the thick stream of anise that bursts out, swallowing down the tremor of her body as she goes boneless in submission, head tilted back, water soaking her hair to curl around her back and breasts, ears folded against it.

My hips slam forward against hers, her body pinned to condensed glass, relishing in the punctuated cries that brush against skin, hands tightening as she grips at me, hips bucking forward to meet each thrust with a roll of her hips.

"I'll breed you good. Breed you round and full of my buns. Keep you full." I ramble against skin, ears soaked and hair brushing against skin, feeling her shudder around me, her back arching, breasts flush to my chest as she groans out my name.

"Going to keep you full. All round with babies." I promise, hips continuing to move, coaxing her to another peak of pleasure as the first abates, feel her legs jitter around me and curl my hand around her to keep her splayed and wide open, hips moving deeper and dragging against her. Feel her breath shaky against skin as she tugs at my hair, fingers scrabbling for purchase.

"Going to leave me smelling of you?" she asks, voice wavering.

I groan against her skin, mouthing at her throat, chasing the syrupy headiness of her scent, nose burning with it and the fever spiking under my own skin, an inferno that ignites hotter with every tug of her hands, with every giving thrust of her own hips and her skin pressing against mine. With every shaky plea and murmur driving me to go harder, to satiate and satisfy her.

My body burns and bubbles with the blistering need to satisfy, to keep my scent permeated more than skin-deep, to keep her marked and claimed for days after this all ends.

And as I move closer, my body pressed to hers and keeping her caged, feeling her legs tremble; a tell-tale as she begins to twist and sob with pleasure, I don't want it to end.

Don't want this rightness, this feeling of deep satiation and wholeness to end.

Don't want to move away or out her body.

Don't want or think this need to be the reason, the source of her pleasured, wrung-out moans has to eventually end. I want to stay buried in her, drowning in her scent and keep her encompassed and snared in my own.

It's as if her scent tugs out my need for her more and more, makes it intoxicating to be lost in her, ears perking at the sound of her cries getting shakier, her grip tighter as her nails rake over skin, a bite of pain that morphs into pleasure, the heat of her touch battered at by the water, pleas brushed against her, lost under the downpour, bounces off the glass walls.

I want.

I could drown in this feeling.

Lose myself entirely in it.

And when her body goes taut, strung up and a guttural sob muffled against my chest, lips shaky, her legs jolt.

Tremble violently as her grip goes lax... no longer able to hold herself steady, my hands curling around her inner thighs, fingers imprinting into the soft sensitive skin. Slumping against me.

"Better?" I ask.

Needing to hear I was doing a good job.

Keeping her full and satiated. Bred and happy. Caging closer; her own voice ringing in my ears.

I like being pinned. Caged. Taken.

Pleasure continues to wash over my body in dizzying waves of relief and ecstasy, the simmering under my veins abating only in the slightest, raring to go again at the small pained sound that bubbles past her lips when my hips retreat; wanting that feeling of being full just as much as I wanted to relish in the sensation of keeping her filled.

Hips circling and grinding deep and her body goes lax, arching as she presents her marked, swollen glands, small whimpers slipping past her lips. The rut instincts bloom at the sounds, hot and heavy at the pit of my stomach, aching to fill her again. To breed her until I can smell that claim in her fertile scent, can smell that she's bearing my buns, head swimming with how overwhelmed her scent pools out, heavy on my tongue.

Hands cradling her slumped body towards mine, knuckles rubbing up and down the side of her legs and feel the jitters as she goes boneless, trying to keep her legs locked around me but her hold loosens. Threatens to slip away, a small guttural sound of need punched out of my lungs as my hands tighten on her legs, twisting the water off after rinsing us off.

A carnal part of me groans aloud at the sight of slick release dripping down her legs, fingers curling inside, swollen and sensitive, as I help, mind already thrumming impatiently to fill her, to keep my scent claim deep in her body, to keep her plugged and full.

Her hands clutch at my arms, body sagging against mine and voice shaky. Legs closing around my hand as she twists. Caging my touch in her, between soft thighs.

"So empty." Needy and wanting, eyes glassy with tears and sensitivity.

Hear the slur in her voice, the feverish scorch of skin and know she's still deeply in the throes of her cycle, whimpering at the thought of not being full. Not being taken.

My rut barely manages to reach a duller flame, flickering softer before everything and anything she does has it flaring back with a vengeance, rut not ready to quieten yet.

"I'll fill you up again. Fill you until you're swollen with my release." I promise, mouth brushing against her temple, steadying her jittering frame as I wrap her up, hands padding the water off her skin dry; flushed pink cheeks and damp hair curling enticingly over her back and the swell of her hips.

Fingers sweeping over the top of her cleavage, aching to sink my teeth into the softness.

"I'll breed you until you're incoherent." I mumble against skin, stomach clenching tightly when she takes a wobbling step away, towards the door, instincts thrashing with the need to keep her close and the need to ease every discomfort. Arms sweeping her up to draw her to my chest, teeth scraping against her jaw.

Feel her restless shifting as I slip out the bathroom and back towards the room, a small sigh of relief at clean sheets now stretched over the bed, nest untouched but cleaner. Ready to be drenched in our scents again.

"I want... it hurts." (Y/N) sniffles, plaintive as she clutches my shoulders, pleas brushing against my gland, breath curling and brushing feverish skin. Spiking that heat back up into molten liquid desire that burns and soaks through every nerve cell and inch of skin.

Body hovering over the bed, watching hers jolt against the mattress at the small toss, watch her scrabble up the sheets as my lips quirk in a grin. Watch how delectable she looks, towel loose and slipping off to reveal the generous swells of her chest, heaving as she watches me kneel on the edge of the bed, hand brushing up her calf and tugging the hem of the towel, watching it fall open.

Body splayed across clean sheets; ready to be ruined.

See her raise herself up on shaky arms, eyes pooled with want and legs parting in invitation; the scent of her arousal enticing, mouth-watering with the physical ache for it.

Watch her hand rest on her stomach as she peers at me.

"Want to be all round. Want to feel you so deep it hurts."

And when my body snaps and moves to cage her, legs on either side and hands clutching at the dip of her waist, I feel my mind blur with the urge of anything but this. Breed, breed, breed.

And when I sheath myself inside, a deep groaned sigh of relief, of tightness loosens the curve of my spine.

This. This is how it's meant to be. Hips circling deeply against her.

Feverishly I wonder whether the scent of her own pleasure and relief just fuels my own need, fuels my rut into something insatiable and primal. Tearing past respite because I'm drunk on the scent, touch and taste of her.

But don't care, that familiar blanketing haze coming to settle at the first plea of my name. Every thought washed away when molten want makes the air thicken.

Cloying and inescapably sweet.

Drowning me in the saccharine sweetness.

————

The heat that pulses and blooms under my skin drags at my sleep, nudges it aside to allow for the prickling want to spread across each limb, to cloud my mind with vestiges of arousal instead of that cool darkness.

Tugs at my body until it's too restless to stay still, blindly searching and fumbling for the warm curves and giving body beside me, a needy sound exhaled against the pillow as I rut forward, hips bucking and chasing friction, hand curling over her body to drape closer, worming forward until our bodies are flush and my arousal presses to her lower back, drags against it.

Nose burying into her nape to breathe in sweet, settled anise; loose and hazy and curling softly off her, heavy with sleep, fingers brushing over her stomach and tugging her back, needing... craving that respite that he body provides.

Hand tightening when pleasure curls around my gut, tight and quick, mouth pressing open-mouthed kisses to bare skin, nose trailing over soft anise and a low grunt slipping out at the small shift, sleepily stirring in my arms, my eyes fluttering open to the sight of her body moving.

Unconsciously shifting back before a sleepy exhale sounds through the silence, her outline a shadowed silhouette, voice a fatigued murmur.

"Kookie..."

I groan, chasing the sweet softness of her voice, bucking forward and messily grinding, circles against her backside and feeling her plush warmth as she pushes back, tugged back against me as I rut to keep her close.

"(Y/N) need—need you. Need you so much." I choke out, voice shuddering as my lungs burn with the cloying sweetness still lingering in the air and the light anise that loses its sleepy quality as she stirs awake, hand dropping to my own, fingers clutching at my wrist.

Head tilting back to rest against my shoulder, hazy and even in the dark, soft rays of filtered moonlight brushes across warm skin, see dilated pupils blink slowly and trustingly at me, hand coming to cup my cheek, draw me down to her swollen gland and sighing with shaky, soft contentment when I bury my face against her throat. Draw in lungfuls of settled anise, pheromones steadily seeping out as she goes limp. Giving up control as I rut against her hips, knowing how easy it would be to lift her leg and slide in, to bury myself in the slick heat. How easily I would be able to thrust deep, her body moulded to mine, the shape and feel of each other imprinted against skin.

"Going to use me Koo? Use me for your pleasure?" voice still sleep-hazed, eyes fluttering as she lets herself sink against the pillows, my nose coaxing out more sweet scent as that pleasure thrums through my body, heady and heavy. Arousal mounting as I tug her hips back and chase release, chase that numbing edge of ecstasy, breathing shallow and ragged when I finally still.

Crying out and teeth closing around her gland, sinking into the swollen, sensitive tissue and biting down, feeling her body jerk before stilling, going lax once more.

"Made a mess." She mumbles.

But all I can smell is the scent of the claim, hips still jerking forward, that fire no close to being abated or soothed, rearing stronger at her sleepy softness, curling away.

I whine, chasing closer, mouthing at her gland, feeling it pulse and throb as her scent pours out; sticky molasses on my tongue, stoking the urgent bubbling need fiercer. Curling behind her, trying to bury my scent into her gland.

"Need more... (Y/N) please... fawn please." I babble against her skin, hand drifting from her stomach to curl over her hip, trying to draw her around to lie on her back.

Ears drooping at the sleepy whine as she wriggles away.

"M tired. Want to sleep."

"Please... I can do it all. You just lie there and take it. Make you feel so good. So, so good." I promise, shifting to rise over her, eyes drinking in the dip of her back and her hips, the soft thighs rucked and tangled up in sheets.

"Koo...." She whines, face burying into the pillow as she shifts to the side, eyes blinking and fluttering slowly.

"Please please. I'll tire you out so well and then wake you up that way too. Be the best bun for you." I vow, voice breathy as my hand slides to rest on the base of her back. Kneading the stiff muscles there, watch her eyes flutter shut and the shaky moan of relief making my body swell with need, glands pouring off heavy cotton; sharp with musk, with that instinct to breed and mate.

Watch as she shifts her legs slightly, the softest curl of arousal to her scent making the feverish heat flare under my skin, pulsing and rushing to the surface as she parts them, hand reaching over for me, entangling together and resting over her hip as I slowly guide my body to hers, hips rolling until I'm flush.

Groaning at the heady sensation, her fingers squeezing in permission before I draw my body back, hips retreating to slam back in, gripping her hand tightly as the urge to rut overwhelms coherent thought, hips dragging against hers and relishing in the soft keening whines, delicate and breathy and swallowed almost by the night as she parts her legs in further invitation. Soft murmured encouragements between breathy gasps, muffled against the pillow or bitten lips to keep the sounds swallowed down. Fingers tugging her bottom lip free, mouthing at her ear, teeth nipping at her lobe, tugging at it.

"Let me hear how I make you feel little fawn. Let me hear how good I breed you." I croon, feel the tip of her tongue brush against the pad of my thumb, teeth nipping before her breath rushes out in a wavery exhale at a sharp slam. Crying out as her body tenses, spine loosening as I nose at her nape.

"I want to devour you. Want to bury myself into you. Want your body to remember how mine feels. Want you to ache without me filling you up." I ramble, words spilling out, pushed and tugged out, hindbrain thrashing and keening with pleasure at being the one to satisfy her like this, to be the one who makes her scent, soft and light, turn thick and honeyed, to hear her moans as if they're punched out her lungs.

Body continuously moving against hers, hand feverishly drifting from the column of her throat, down the valley of her breasts, tugging and toying, aching to get my mouth around them, sliding down the tight spasms I can feel as her stomach goes taut, press down and groan at how deep it makes me feel inside her.

"I'll fill you up, make your stomach full with me. Keep you full." I swear, feel her hips move back, slowly circling mine, the heady scent of her desire and want pushing me to take more, head beginning to buzz with the influx of pheromones steadily seeping into the air.

The air's warm and stifling, presses down on me from all ends, caging me in, spiking that need until it's insatiable and all-consuming, washing over me as I draw her closer, peppering feverish kisses to the curve of her shoulder, mouth clamping down when her back arches, chest pushed out as she stills, going boneless at the sharp claim, my hips stuttering into erratic thrusts as her pleasure triggers my own, body temporarily stilling against her.

Breathing in her deeply-bred scent, the scent of cotton intertwined so deeply with anise it seems permanent, mind buzzing at how her body trembles with the release I've brought her.

Watch her sink back into the sheets, chest heaving as she tries to calm herself down. Breathing wavery and unlevelled, shaky as she presses her nose to the pillow. Relaxed and loose limbed, a small whimper when I slip out, my hand smoothening over her calf, dragging the sheets away.

Leaving her body bare, hang impatiently swiping out for the lamp, tugging on the bedside light.

And watching as her spent body is bathed in a dim warm glow, casting a golden hue over her skin, hands aching to press on the low dip of her back.

"Now... sleep Koo." She calls tiredly, burrowing against the pillow, body going lax as it comes down from its high, legs stopping their jitter as they settle, tail flicking and ears drooping, folding as she sinks into the sheets.

But my hands smoothen over the side of her thigh, curling around marks and pressing; hear the soft garbled moan as she tries to twist from reach, her scent settled.

"No... I can't. I need... it hurts to stop." I say plaintive, voice shaking and trembling because that arousal still burns, makes my lungs shudder and concave around the overwhelming need, ears drooping at the rejection until her head turns, eyes softening and soft lips curling.

"But I'm tired. And sore." She complains, my hand closing around her ankle before tugging, watching her body slip off the pillows and sprawl across the sheet at the drag, my hands flipping her over, watching her head fall forward and back arch at the gesture.

"I'll do it. I'll do all the work, just let me." I beg. Body slotting over hers, caging hers in, thumbs rubbing circles into the base of her spine, into the small grooves, rutting messily against her. A keening whine when it makes desire jolt and sear over my spine at the brush against her skin.

Hands gripping her thighs, sliding lower and dragging her legs up, parting them until she's kneeling on the mattress, hips raised into a presenting position.

My hand smoothens over the curve of her backside, feel the tremble as she pushes herself up on shaky arms, eyes hazy but nodding. Softening at my desperation.

Head dipping in submission as she presents deeper, back bowed and knees widening their stance.

"Breed me good bun." A soft plea.

Tired but willing.

And though her body slowly moves against my quicker movements, less-coordinated thrusts and rolls against my own punctuating a litany of sounds, a slew of whimpers the pillow swallows, she still gives.

Presents and gives. Hands curling into sheets to keep herself anchored, legs trembling when the pleasure only mounts, skyrockets but doesn't dip, doesn't lessen, when her body thrashes and arches and jitters under my hold, hands dragging her hips back when she can't move them herself, body looming over hers.

Mutter praises and thanks into skin, mumble drunk on her scent how it makes me want to always touch and give pleasure, give her everything and anything, that all I want is to make her feel good.

And when her arms buckle, crumpling into the sheets, face buried against the pillow as she cries out, my body looms and settles over hers, drapes and curl my hands around her to wind around her torso. One hand moulding to her breast and the other over her stomach as I continue to thrust into her, feeling her tighten and go taut, sob with pleasure against the sheets. Hear tiredness morph to pleasurable need morph to deep-satiated broken cries.

Hear her plea and writhe to free herself, arms trembling as she tries to keep herself presented, push herself back up but her body buckles forward, fisting loosely at the sheets, lips swollen with how tightly she bites down, eyes glassy with tears.

"I can't.... I can't... too sensitive." She sobs, writhing as my hands draw her up, her body flush with mine, back arching and hands frantically curling around my hips, trying to still me.

Body curling closer as I ground my hips, feel her head fall back and my mouth crushes to hers, lips urgently chasing the whimpered cries, the salty tang of sweat and the heady honeyed anise as I swallow the sound of her groan, thrusting against her, her tongue weakly batting against mine, curling close and mouth going pliant when I tilt her face, throat arching.

"Please... please. Just want to be good for you." I mutter back against her lips, tugging at the bottom lip, tongue brushing over its swollen heated flesh, tongue curling through her mouth to chase hers, hand gripping her waist.

The bubbling intensity keeps getting stoked hotter and higher, body restlessly shifting against hers, hating every inch of space and fingers curling to drift to her centre, feeling her jolt before arousal blooms, tangible and enthralling.

Swallow the shaky sob and feel her body go lax and limp, weakly gripping at me and cries softer, shakier, strained.

My hands lower her down, lower her until her cries brush the pillows and my hands plant on the base of her back, sharp snaps forward, arousal curling tighter at her body's own reactions. Her biology responding to mine, heat simmering under her skin whilst the rut engulfs and burns my own.

Slumping down and going boneless, too overwhelmed and overstimulated to keep herself upright but my instincts keen at pleasuring her to such an extent, at the way her legs part wider, try to draw me in deeper as she pushes her hips back, skin gleaming with a sheen of sweat, flushed and feverish.

Pleas and praise and need spills deliriously off my lips, words too distant as they ring in my ears, every sense narrowing down to her.

Her pleasure.

Her body.

Her arousal.

Her release.

Her whimpered, breathy whines as she stills, hips stuttering as they still against mine and back bowing, the curve of her spine pronounced; my hand running over it. Teeth sinking into the nape of her neck, hair brushed forward and feeling her slump, pliant with pleasure and pheromones heavy with submission.

"So good for me. So good... my sweet fawn. My sweet fawn. Mine. Mine."

Cupping her stomach, taut and swollen, feel the full body shiver that wracks her frame when I press, hear the keening cry, head floating and mind cut off and detached.

"Bred. Full of buns. Round with my seed." I mutter, ears perking and grazing against her shoulder, wanting to keep her plugged up and full.

Not wanting to draw my hips away but press closer, tighter and feel the tremors of her legs, splaying over her.

Caging her against my body and onto the sheets, hand cupping her stomach.

Round and full. Bred deep. Swollen with babies. My mind sings, hazy and drunk on the thought, swimming in that cloud and fog of pleasure.

"My fawn. Mine."

Teeth sinking into skin to add marks to colour the canvas her pliant figure makes, to mark and map the trail of my claims with tongue and teeth.

Distantly, the smallest part of coherency flickers in and out of reach, wondering why it is no matter how much I rut, why it never abates. Why it seems like my body has been lit alight from inside, burning with a need that sears through every touch, makes every brush of her body against mine a drowning sensation that my body willingly falls and surrenders too.

Why despite breeding her over and over it's not enough.

Why my body craves and my mind screams with the need to wring out every drop of pleasure from her and then keep going.

To wish for her to crave just as much as I do.

Why my body feels like it unravels and falls apart at every touch from her and yet it cannot stop chasing it.

Why the rut seems to never end. Seems to continue, seems to only burn deeper, my very soul aflame with want.

And why my biology moulds to hers. And never wants to let go.

Cradling her pliant body to me, breathing ragged as my hands rub gently, nosing at her cheek, nuzzling at dewy skin and feeling her sigh with relief, face tilting to mine.

Lips brushing against mine softly and needily, clinging as she cups my jaw and her lips part, tongue sweeping over mine in a silent plea. Nose brushing against mine and pressing to my temple as she breathes in the scent of us.

So fiercely entangled I don't ever want to smell them apart. Don't ever want to be able to tell my scent from hers.

Why my craving for her runs beyond scent deep and burns with a fever that neither rut cycles nor heat cycles can catch up to.

Why when she sinks bonelessly under me, my body thrums with the need to keep her protectively caged and covered. To keep her claimed, pliant scent from seeping away.

Wanting to protect her from a threat that doesn't exist, wanting to hold her and gather her close.

Wanting to soothe away every ache and press kisses over every mark.

I wanted her.

Craved her.

And maybe that was spiking my rut up before it could ever settle truly.

A shorter respite because my body wasn't craving and chasing pleasure for myself but for her, because my relief, pleasure and ecstasy came from hers.

And that's all I wanted.

Keep her a happy satiated fawn.

Drunk on pleasure.

Drunk on me, just as I was intoxicatingly lost in the taste and touch of her.

(WHEW.... 17K FOR THE HEAT CHAPTER. I AM EMBARASSED, MORTIFIED, GOING INTO PERMANENT HIDING, DEEP COVER AND CHANGING MY NAME. NEITHER OFFICER PARK OR KIM SHALL BE ABLE TO HUNT ME DOWN! GAHHHHH- Midiiplier  MY LOVE, IT WAS NICE KNOWING YOU, TRY HUNT ME DOWN COS I'M NOT WILLINGLY SURRENDERING OR PEEKING OUT! AND I HOPE... I HOPE ABOVE AND THROUGH THE STEAM YOU SEE THE FACT THAT KOOKIE AND BABY FAWN SLOTTED TOGETHER SO WELL. THAT HE'S DELIRIOUS FROM THE PLEASURE OF MAKING HER BE OVERWHELMED WITH PLEASURE; EVERYTHING WAS ALREADY PRE-CONSENTED TO AND NEGOTIATED BUT THAT BEING SAID I HOPE NOTHING FELT FORCED AND WAS NATURAL. I HOPE THE CHAPTER WAS ENJOYABLE AND CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT YOU THINK. TAKE CARE AND STAY SAFE!)

QUESTION... punishment for the Lee's? And every other person entangled in the trafficker plot?

Mine is... DEBATEDLY UNETHICAL FOR POLICE OFFICERS.

Borahae! 💜💜💜

PurpleQueenie <3