The world slowly settled back into focus.
Two wolves—now two men—lay tangled together on the bed, breaths heavy, hearts still pounding from the intensity of the claim.
Kia shifted first.
Ryan didn't.
In fact… Ryan clung.
Like a second skin.
He was sprawled on top of Kia, chest pressed to chest, legs tangled around his waist, face buried in Kia's neck. His body was warm—too warm—and he refused to move even an inch.
"Bunny…" Kia murmured softly, brushing a hand down his spine.
Ryan only tightened his grip.
And then—
He moved his hips.
A slow, desperate, unconscious grind.
Kia's breath caught.
"Ryan…"
Another grind.
Another low sound escaping Ryan's throat—half-whine, half-purr.
Kia cursed under his breath.
This was worse.
Far worse than when they were wolves.
As humans, every emotion was sharper.
Every sensation clearer.
Every inch of Ryan's body pressed against him felt like fire.
And because of the claim… Kia could sense everything.
Every flicker of Ryan's desire.
Every pulse of need.
Every trembling, overwhelming want.
It slid through the bond like smoke—soft but intoxicating.
Need.
Want.
Take me.
Kia swallowed hard.
"Bunny… it's your heat talking," he whispered, voice hoarse. "You're not thinking straight."
Ryan didn't answer.
He only rubbed against him again, heat radiating off him in waves.
Kia inhaled deeply—and instantly regretted it.
Ryan's scent had changed.
Before the claim: warm, soft, tempting.
After the claim: intoxicating, addictive, calling to him like a command.
And now?
Now it was molten.
A scent that said: mine, want, come closer, don't stop.
Kia's wolf pushed hard against his restraint, claws dragging at his control.
But he fought it.
He had to.
He wasn't going to take his bunny just because his heat demanded it.
"Ryan… please…" Kia whispered, jaw tight. "If you keep doing that, I might actually lose control."
Ryan finally lifted his head.
Eyes hazy.
Lips parted.
Cheeks flushed in a way that nearly broke Kia's sanity.
He looked like temptation shaped into human form.
"Don't leave…" Ryan whispered, voice breathless. "Stay…"
Then—
He purred again.
Soft.
Needy.
Inviting.
Kia's entire body shuddered.
The sound vibrated straight through him, down his spine, into his fingertips, making his restraint slip dangerously.
He wrapped an arm around Ryan's waist, pulling him just slightly—just enough so Ryan wouldn't grind anymore.
But Ryan only adjusted, fitting himself perfectly against Kia again, bodies aligned like they were made for each other.
"Bunny, please," Kia groaned, eyes squeezing shut as the bond pulsed again. "I'm trying to calm you. I'm using my scent to soothe you… but you're making it really hard."
Ryan nuzzled his neck, breath hot on his skin.
"Kia…" he whispered, voice trembling with want. "Don't… don't calm me."
Kia's heart stopped.
For a moment, he genuinely forgot how to breathe.
Ryan's scent washed over him again—raw, honest, needy.
The claiming bond pulsed, warm and alive.
His bunny wanted him.
Desperately.
But not in a way Ryan could control.
Kia lifted a hand, cupping Ryan's cheek gently.
"You're in heat," he murmured, voice unsteady. "You're not choosing me, bunny. Your body is."
Ryan clung tighter, purring like he was trying to crawl inside his skin.
Kia almost lost it.
Almost.
He pressed his forehead to Ryan's, breathing hard.
"I won't touch you," he whispered. "Not like this. Not until you're clear… until you're really you."
But his voice cracked at the end.
Because the truth was—
If Ryan kept grinding, kept purring, kept clinging like this…
Kia wasn't sure how much longer he could hold back.