Just like nights could smell of damp stone and wood, mornings carried the scent of coffee and freshly baked bread — a place where the ordinary met the ancient.
She had no idea what day it was, but her body begged for mercy. The moment she opened her eyes, she felt something warm beside her: it was her, wrapped in his arms. When she tried to move the slightest bit to free herself, her body sent a clear message — even breathing felt like a bad idea.
Every inch of her ached: her hair, her jaw, her fingers, her back… but especially her center. She didn't know how to feel; it was a strange sensation, unfamiliar — not after receiving so much affection from someone.
The right word wasn't "empty," but "dry."She no longer smelled his caramel scent — nor her own. The white ceiling was still there, quietly imposing itself, unnoticed.
She forced herself out of bed; she needed to know what day and time it was. Still, from the strength of the sun, she could tell it was closer to night than morning.
"Where are you going? Come back to bed, just a little longer," Bastian said, his voice low and husky."I need to pee," Valentina replied, dragging herself across the bed.
She searched everywhere for her phone but couldn't find it. The room was a mess — clothes scattered, sheets twisted, dishes piled up, and the window thrown wide open.
She couldn't bend over properly, and when she finally spotted her phone, it was lying on top of some dishes on the floor. Just bending down gave her such a sharp cramp that she let out a moan of pain.
Bastian startled awake, but when he saw her rubbing her legs, he started laughing and called her dramatic. He told her she shouldn't complain — that he'd been merciful since it was their first time — and that she should be thankful, because next time would be worse.
His words didn't really land. She knew he wasn't wrong; as a beta, she truly had no idea what it meant to go through a rut with a dominant omega — especially unprepared. For a moment, she hesitated, but then pushed that feeling aside and told him she'd do her best.
In the bathroom, she peed with pain and a burning sensation. So many days of sex had taken a toll — her body wasn't used to it, much less ready.
When she unlocked her phone, she froze.
Wednesday. One in the afternoon.Endless messages from her bosses. Piled-up emails. Dozens of missed calls. Even her parents had messaged, asking for her location and if she was safe.
She had no idea what excuse to give her bosses. She hadn't planned to stay for Bastian's rut — it just happened. And she was sure they'd fire her. Anxiety hit her like a wave. She wanted to cry. It was her first time in a big position, and now she'd lose it.
Tears streamed down. She started shaking, her mind spiraling into anxious thoughts.Bastian, hearing her sobs, rushed into the bathroom — and the moment he saw her, he was alarmed. He asked what had happened, and when she explained, he sighed deeply… and called her dramatic.
He told her he was disappointed in her. That he expected more rationality from a beta. That this wasn't a big deal. That she should just say she was with him and it'd be fine.
She pushed back — told him that wasn't possible. That for a beta, life didn't work that way. That there would be no sympathy for her. But Bastian insisted, and even threatened to call for her if she didn't.
Valentina's panic worsened. Out of fear he might actually do it, she made the call with him beside her, on speaker.
She dialed Karl.
"Valentina, for God's sake, are you okay? We haven't heard from you," Karl said, his voice filled with concern."Karl, I'm sorry. I know I'll probably be fired after this, but… my partner went into rut and—" she said, glancing at Bastian, who held her phone."Oh— your partner's an alpha?" Karl asked, surprised."No, he's an omega.""Darling, you should've said something sooner. Don't worry, take the week off," Karl said, laughing.
And just like that, what Valentina thought would be the end of her new job turned into something normal.
Once the call ended, the first thing Bastian said was, "Told you so."He claimed life was easier when you were honest — especially if you were with an omega or an alpha — and that from now on, he'd bring her nothing but good luck.
Valentina didn't respond. She tried to explain how she felt and why she reacted that way, but Bastian cut her off, saying he didn't want to ruin the fact they'd shared their first rut.
They left the room — but not before asking for it to be cleaned. They briefly explained the situation. The hotel staff smiled kindly, telling them not to worry — that it was part of the routine. So, they took the chance to go eat.
"I need to stop by a pharmacy," Valentina said, looking down at her feet in the car."Still hurting? Wait… I never asked you, have you ever been through a rut before?""No, but… you came inside me…" she replied, looking straight at him."Relax, I told you — we'll take care of it," Bastian said, laughing.
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Honestly, the days grew dark faster in his country, but here — even if only by a few minutes — the light lingered just a bit longer. And for that very reason, they made the most of it.
They walked through the town like any other couple, like two lovers whose closeness made it seem as though nothing and no one could pull them apart. To everyone else — friends or strangers — they were just a common pair from an ordinary caste.
"Oh, Andrea, I didn't know you had a boyfriend," said a stranger.
Lucas had heard that sentence so many times, it echoed in his head. No matter where they walked, someone would always approach with those same words.
Lucas wasn't a jealous person. But he also wasn't used to the amount of attention his partner received — or, for that matter, the gazes that landed on him, too.
Andrea's rut still hadn't come. It was Sunday afternoon, and he hadn't heard anything from Valentina either. But he remembered she had been alone for a long time, so she was probably still wrapped up in her passionate novel — tangled in kisses and skin.
What comforted Lucas most was knowing that both he and his best friend had found people who made them feel cherished. More than that, he liked thinking their stories were connected — as if telling one inevitably brought the other to light.
They decided to have lunch out. Since Andrea's body remained calm, they took advantage of the nice weather and kept strolling through the city. Even though it was small and everyone seemed to know each other, there was always a curious detail, an unexpected comment, or an eccentric passerby that made them smile.
"Everything okay?" Andrea asked, calling over the waiter."Yeah… it's just that… everyone seems to know you.""Haha, are you jealous? Go wash your hands — I'll order," Andrea said, brushing a hand-over Lucas's face.
Lucas didn't dwell on it any further. He got up and went to the bathroom, leaving Andrea in charge. When he returned, the appetizers were already on the table, and even the wine had been poured.
They fully enjoyed the meal. They finished the bottle of wine and were so lovey-dovey that they decided to head back to the apartment without delay.
As they returned, Lucas paused for a moment. He wasn't entirely sober — but still had enough awareness left to know he needed to conserve his energy.
But Andrea insisted. He told him that maybe, after drinking that much and with a bit of stimulation, his rut might finally show up. Lucas tried to hold back, but Andrea's kisses on his chest only made him want to give in.
He didn't hold back any longer. He simply followed the rhythm of the moment. He let Andrea take control this time — to do whatever he wanted with him, just for now.
Andrea slowly undressed him, kissed his neck, licked his ears, and started whispering sweet things in his ear:
"Maybe if I behave and give you all of me, my rut will finally honor us with its presence. So come on, get more excited for me… and let me smell you," Andrea murmured.
Lucas wanted the rut to come — badly. He wanted to prove to Andrea that he was the right one. But more than anything, he wanted to heal the invisible wounds that still felt raw… to start over.
He was even willing to let Andrea be the one in control that night — or even the whole week — if that meant they could be something more than just lovers.
As Andrea's kisses turned more intense, and he started biting, Lucas felt his body pulsing with need. Not just his cock, but his hands, his chest — everything buzzed with tension. His heart beat too fast, the air in the room felt thicker, sweeter… or maybe it was just the wine.
He pleaded with Andrea — told him to stop the foreplay. But Andrea refused. Lucas was becoming more and more anxious, more desperate. He stopped Andrea. They were already in bed, Lucas underneath. Overcome by a wave of sensation, he flipped their positions and ended up on top.
"If you want to be the one to start, go ahead… but do it now, or I won't be able to hold back," Lucas said, breathing hard.
Andrea didn't understand why Lucas was so worked up, but he looked him in the eye, kissed him softly, and whispered that he still wanted Lucas to be the one to dominate him.
They began. They skipped the foreplay. Lucas couldn't stop moaning with desperation, and Andrea responded with louder and louder cries. Waves of pleasure — their orgasms — came quickly.
They didn't stop after the first time. They thought that the more they touched, the faster the rut would arrive. But it didn't come — no matter how many minutes passed, how many hours, how many sunsets.
None of it mattered anymore. They kept going. They weren't going to stop under any circumstances — though somewhere between the moans and the cries, one of them did manage to say that maybe… just maybe… they'd pause eventually.