Chapter: 27
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As an early riser, Conri stirred from sleep and slowly peered his eyes open to greet the break of dawn. The room was dark with the curtains all shut but silver rays of sunlight were trickling through the gaps in the shutters. He rubbed a hand across his eyes and then pushed himself up into a sitting position, still trying to remember where he was. It took him a moment but finally, the memories came flooding back, as did the last thing he remembered doing. Although they didn't speak much after lunch, still Xiher didn't argue and didn't even ask him to leave. Just as he had offered him lunch, he also offered him dinner and once it was bedtime, he stalled, he didn't know if he was allowed on the same bed as his Mate, but Xiher noticed this and beckoned him to come cuddle, he muttered sleepily that he wanted to feel his warmth whilst he slept. Conri jumped in on the offer like gospel and scooped his Mate so tightly into his chest they felt like one body.

Nothing else happened and shortly they fell asleep. It was the most restful he had since this all began. Even though he still couldn't stop the guilt gnawing at his gut at every given minute, he was glad he accepted him enough to share both warmth and bed. Conri turned to his side to find the still sleeping Omega, he looked so peaceful, so small curled up against his side like a kitten, his long lashes fluttering against his cheeks. His brows were relaxed, and his eyes closed. His lips parted just slightly in sleep. Conri reached out a finger to brush away a stray curl, the soft strands tickled his skin as they passed by and it made his chest ache, but not in an unpleasant way.

He let his fingers trail down the curve of his Omega's jawline. Xiher sighed and shifted slightly closer to his touch. Conri's heart soared, there was no denying how beautiful Xiher looked even while he slept. Without thinking, Conri's fingers explored further, trailing along the length of his nose until they rested lightly upon his slightly parted full lips. Wayward fingertips brushed against soft lips, tracing their perfect shape and his heart rate increased. His stomach clenched at the thought of kissing him, maybe more than he wanted to admit. Xiher moved softly, maybe feeling the fingers on his lips and subconsciously, he poke the tip of his tongue forward and very gently licked around the fingers on his lips. Conri hissed in shock, the sensation was so unexpected, and yet so wonderful, but his fingers never pulled away.

This time, when Xiher's tongue laved against them his breath hitched, his heart stuttered and he tried his best to hold it together. ["Is he still asleep?"] Rafa asked, slowly, Conri pulled his eyes away from Xiher's lips to his still-shut eyes. ["He still is,"] Rafa confirmed and Conri felt a throbbing in his lower half. One more lick on his finger and he wouldn't be so sure he could control his next action, and with that thought in mind, Conri retreated his fingers from those lustful lips and got out of bed completely. He glanced lower to find a raging erection and he groaned lowly, turning to the windows to pull the blinds to let the sunlight spill in. Once the shades were drawn, his attention returned to his Mate, who was snuggled under his covers looking like a child wrapped in a warm blanket.

Conri's breathing became labored and he felt heat pool in his groin, it was impossible not to think about that mouth but something else soon caught his attention, the shades of sunlight tracing his perfect face. Conri pulled the shades further back and sun rays spilled over Xiher's face. At the first rays, his hair shone gold, almost as bright as the sun itself. It slithered over to his face making his cheekbones stand out sharply, the contrast between the two was almost too much. Xiher's lips were now tinged red and the light danced off the smooth porcelain, sending shivers down his spine. The sight before him was mesmerizing, and his heart pounded loudly. The scent of cinnamon and lavender enveloped him, and he wanted so badly to reach for his Mate, to nuzzle his face into the crook of his neck and breathe him in.

["His scent,"] Rafa muttered, ["They keep changing, is this normal?"]

Conri's brows furrowed at his Lycan's observation. "You're right," He replied in a whisper so as to not disturb him. "Yesterday I smelled honeyed chocolate and now it's cinnamon and lavender, this can't be right," He said more to himself than to Rafa.

["Do you think he's lost his Pheromones and only now picks up scents around him?"] Rafa asked, concerned.

Conri's frown deepened as his eyes wandered back to their still-sleeping Omega. "There is only one way to find out," He decided, he needed to be near Xiher in order to determine how bad it might be.

["Do you think it's a good idea? I mean he only just accepted us, shouldn't we wait until he is ready to welcome our embrace?"] Rafa reasoned.

"You're not wrong, brother, but what happens if we wait any longer and the situation gets out of hand? What then?" He retorted back.

["If we must do this then you must promise not to get out of control. We can only take what he gives, if he gives us any at all, and should we arouse him enough to release his Pheromones we stop immediately, deal?"]

"And if we can't smell his Pheromones?"

["Then we must do as Dom suggested,"]

"Command his Heat," They both replied and Conri glanced at the bed once more and began moving toward it. He climbed onto the bed, careful not to wake Xiher, he slid behind him to wrap his arms around his waist and settle his chin on his shoulder, taking his sweet time brushing his thumb across Xiher's hipbone. He kissed the back of his neck softly and inhaled deeply, enjoying the rich, earthy scent. Another scent detected, Conri noted. "Xiher," He murmured and felt Xiher stir awake. Xiher's eyes blinked open and found Conri staring at him, his gaze burning holes through his Mate. He gave a shy smile, but it faltered when Conri's grip tightened slightly. "Forgive me for what I'm about to do," He said apologetically. Xiher's eyebrows furrowed but he said nothing, allowing him to continue. "I must be sure." He added, leaning his forehead against the base of Xiher's neck and inhaling the pungent earthy smell again. It's like he was emitting different scents with different emotions. It confused Conri's senses and he needed to dig deeper.

He sneaked his tongue out and very gently lapped at Xiher's pulse point, sucking lightly at the pale skin underneath, the pulse quickened beneath his tongue and Xiher sucked in a shallow breath, his hands clutched at the sheets. Conri sucked lightly on the sensitive spot and was rewarded by a moan, Xiher arched into the caresses, but he stopped it quickly. "What is it?" Conri asked, "Does it hurt? Are you uncomfortable?" He asked, worried beginning to creep in. Xiher's eyes watered, he didn't want to tell him but lying would only make the situation worse, so he might as well. "Xiher?" Conri repeated softly, and his voice became laced with concern, but not for his own well-being.

With a choked sob, Xiher whispered, "I-It hurts... down there," His words broke Conri's heart.

He was afraid to ask his next question but he must. If they need to fix this, fix them, then this is where they must begin. Conri rolled on top of Xiher, supporting his weight with one hand while the other cupped Xiher's face, keeping their gaze locked. "Since when has it hurt?" He asked, searching his Mate's eyes for answers. Xiher's shoulders began trembling. Tears dripped down his cheeks like waterfalls and he squeezed his eyes tight and shook his head. "Shhhh," Conri cooed, pulling Xiher close, and wrapping him in his arms. "I am truly sorry, my Heart, but please, you must tell me so I can fix it," He said and felt Xiher nod against his chest.

"T-That night, you ceased my Heat and sealed it with the Mark," Xiher mumbled and he took a shaky breath. "...it started hurting after that... and I never went through my Heat Cycle ever since."

Shame and regret flooded his entire body at the memory. "Oh, baby," He breathed, he couldn't look up. Couldn't meet his gaze anymore. "Please forgive me... I'll make it better... I swear to you, Xiher, I promise." He hadn't done anything right since he met him and it made his blood boil in rage. He hated himself for causing his mate so much pain, for taking from him what was most important, for abandoning, and for shooting at him. All these made Conri feel disgusted with himself and should this not have been important, he would have walked out of the room with his head hanging low in shame. "Please, give me your consent for what I'm about to do next, it will hurt but please bear with me a moment, I promise to leave once I have felt your Pheromones, I will not go beyond that," He pleaded desperately and waited for an answer, he could feel him tense up beside him and his heart thumped painfully, it hurt so much to know he was causing this agony to his Mate.

"What is wrong with my Pheromones?" Xiher panicked and Conri had to soothe him quickly.

"I don't know for how long but you have been picking up scents around you as yours and your Pheromones are distant, I can not detect them." He confessed and watched the color drain from his face.

"So, my Pheromones are gone and you cannot smell them now?" He questioned and Conri hesitated.

How could he explain what he was trying to say without frightening the poor Omega? "You are right, I can't smell them and I'm sorry it's all my fault, but I will fix it now, if you let me, please." He begged, and Xiher nodded hesitantly. Conri pulled away, rolled off the bed, and stood, he looked down at Xiher and offered his hand, and helped him to his feet. Standing before him, in a simple cotton shirt and pants, his hair falling over his face, Xiher looked small and fragile in front of him, like glass waiting to break. He reached up and brushed some strands out of his face and pressed a gentle kiss against his forehead. Conri helped him out of his sleepwear and Xiher stood naked and conscious of his exposure under his mate's gaze. A soft flush colored his cheeks and he averted his gaze from Conri's and stared at his feet instead.

Conri smiled at how cute, how innocent he looked while fighting his animalistic urge to devour him. "Look at me," He called his Mate and Xiher obeyed. "You are beautiful," He told him as he trailed a finger along the side of his chest, tracing his Alpha Mark with his fingers; it twitched under his touch and he leaned forward to capture his mouth in a passionate kiss. Xiher whimpered quietly at the sensation, his lips were moist but still warm, and the scent of his arousal mixed with the growing scent of Conri's Pheromones was intoxicating to his senses, it sent chills down his spine and made his body tremble with desire. It hurts, it hurts so bad but the Lycan's Pheromones were starting to cloud his pain and soothe the burning sensation in his lower half.

Xiher whimpered at the feeling of his Alpha's hungry lips upon his. Every sensation seemed amplified now, every movement, each sound, every smell. It made him dizzy. Conri's warm skin against him burned with new intensity. His whole body quivered. This is the first time they'd kissed and it was such a wonderful experience, so incredibly pleasurable. Their bodies were joined seamlessly, his mate's hard cock rubbing against his groin. The heat in his belly grew stronger at every press of contact, the pressure inside him building and threatening to spill forth. Conri broke the kiss with a gasp, he was struggling to hold himself back, to control himself. He needs his right mind to fix what he has spoiled.

Conri stepped back a few feet and very calmly began to undress. He stripped his clothing with slow torturous moves, leaving him bare before Xiher who held his breath when he saw the size and length of him. Remembering how he had taken that length the first time he Mated him. The night he Marked him. Does he not remember that night? Xiher wondered but the thought quickly left his mind when he heard his next command.

"Shift," Conri ordered firmly. Xiher gasped at the abrupt demand and stared wide-eyed at his Mate.

"No!" He exclaimed, shaking his head. He couldn't do it. His Tiger doesn't fully trust him yet. He has met him twice and all two times, Conri had treated him poorly.

"Do as I ask," Conri growled, advancing towards his Mate. Xiher shrank away from him, his body tensing. "Caleb, my Mate, let me see you, please," This time it was Rafa who beckoned his Mate and Xiher could not refuse anymore. He began to shift into his Half Man-HalfTiger form just like Conri stood with Rafa present. A wicked smile split Rafa's face and he held out a hand to his Mate, and Caleb grabbed onto him and Rafa pulled him closer to himself. "You are beautiful," He purred huskily in his ear. "My Mate, my Omega," He continued nuzzling into his Mate's neck, sending shivers down his spine, making his body shake slightly. "Don't fight it," He urged, pressing kisses along Caleb's jaw, nipping at his skin and causing sparks to flicker throughout his body as he did so. "Let yourself be mine," He murmured, his hot breath tickling Caleb's ear.

"Rafa..." Caleb purred, quivering uncontrollably, "...Rafa," He moaned, his voice hoarse and raspy.

"Yes, my Love?" Rafa replied, his voice deep and seductive.

"Take me," Caleb demanded. "Make me yours, please."

Rafa chuckled darkly, the sound filling Caleb's ears, and making him shudder in pleasure. "I will, I swear I will, my Love," He answered and slowly licked along his Mate's neck, earning another moan from him. With great effort, he tore himself away from his Mate and turned his back to him. "But first we must get rid of that Mark," Caleb was yet to register his meaning when Rafa pounced on top of him, pinning him down to the bed and covering his exposed flesh with a possessive and demanding kiss.

Xiher squirmed underneath him trying to escape but the bigger Lycan refused to release his Mate from his grip, he needed him. Needed to Mark him truly. Wanted to feel his scent surrounding him, mixing with his Pheromones. "Mine, my Tiger. My Omega, I accept you as mine from this day henceforth, and I accept all that you are, your Heat, your Pheromones, give me all of you." Rafa's voice slithered into Caleb's head and the Omega became a whimpering mess underneath the possessiveness of his Alpha. "Release your Pheromones and fill my senses with your arousal, breathe me in, and soak up your Alpha's..." Rafa took a long sniff of his Omega and a growl so deep rumbled from him, Caleb cried, his sense drenched with his Rafa Domineering Pheromones, and he felt himself losing control. "Hm..." Rafa groaned and his jaws began to draw back, exposing his sharp fangs, he took another inhale and when he opened his eyes they sparked with colors, and Caleb's golden eyes flashed brighter, he moaned, baring his throat to Rafa.

With pure blissful pleasure, Rafa sank his fangs into his throat and Caleb thrashed beneath him and moaned loudly. As soon as his blood touched his tongue, Rafa drank greedily, unable to contain his thirst. The taste was heavenly. It felt amazing, better than anything he had ever tasted in his lifetime. It was intoxicating, Caleb was losing his mind at this point, not knowing what to do with himself he trashed, and writhed beneath Rafa who held him pinned to the bed, he felt powerless against him. Rafa growled when he began to smell Caleb's Pheromones, they drowned his senses in lust and desire and he breathe him in again and again. That familiar scent of Wood fires and Fresh herbs greeted his needs and his blood roared. His Pheromones began to circle the room, mixing smoothly with his own, a color rush of Gold, Red, and Purples clouded the room and their senses, and Rafa knew it was time to stop before he went overboard.

Retracting his fangs, Caleb collapsed boneless, panting, and exhausted. He felt drained like he just had the best mind-blowing sex of his life, yet they had barely touched that line.

"Shush, calm your breathing." He ordered, licking the wound to seal the cut. Caleb's breathing began to even out yet his eyes remained clamped shut. "Open your eyes, My Love, see the colors of your Pheromones," He urged softly, stroking his cheek. When Caleb finally opened his eyes and focused on Rafa, his vision wavered for a moment but then refocused, his sight was still somewhat blurry.

"Rafa?" Caleb's voice sounded strange as if his vocal cords had suddenly gone rusty or something was wrong with them. Rafa smiled and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead.

"Look," He pointed upward and Caleb obeyed and stared at the room that seemed to have been thrown into a state of flux. The room was a blur of colors. a stray tear escaped his lids and he sniffed softly. This is the first time he would see the colors of his Pheromones and it was beautiful even as the Dominant Red and Gold sucked up the Purple. Caleb knew from the Pheromones that Rafa wanted more, he wanted to eat him up just the same. "But I won't do that," Rafa spoke, and Caleb smiled, he knew he just read his thoughts. "Not today at least, you need to rest, I will fix your breakfast and wake you up when it's ready," He muttered and pressed another kiss to his lips. "Well done, my Love, you did so well..." He whispered, tucking him under the blankets. "....Thank you for trusting me." Rafa met his eyes and whispered. "Sleep." And immediately Caleb shut his eyes and welcomed sleep.

Rafa shifted and Conri emerged, walking into the bathroom. ["You saw that too, didn't you?"] Rafa asked his Half and Conri nodded in agreement.

The second they Marked their Mate, a vision flashed in their minds of the night they rescued a trapped and hurt Tiger, and after they had healed him, he ran away. It was the first time they smelt that scent, of Wood fires and Fresh herbs, and the night they first went into their Rut Period, right after the Weretiger they saved went into his Heat Cycle. They chased after him, caught up to him, and Mated with him. That night was the same they had Marked him. The night he took upon him the Alpha's Moon and became theirs and they became his.

It all made sense now.

But how could they have forgotten such a significant occurrence?

The question that lurks in their minds.

"I am mostly glad that he welcomed our embrace that first night," Conri said, and stepped under the spray. "Agreed, we were a bit too rough on him."

["Let's make it up to him."] Rafa mumbled, shutting his eyes.