Adriel's restraint was unraveling by the second. His breath came hard and hot against Eren's skin, his hands restless as though no matter how tightly he held, it would never be close enough.
Eren arched into him, gasping when Adriel's lips trailed lower, teeth grazing but never claiming. The heat between them was molten now, every brush of skin to skin sparking a fresh wave of need that neither could smother.
"Adriel…" Eren whispered, breath catching, his scent spilling in heady waves, sweet and sharp and utterly intoxicating. His omega instincts were laid bare, pleading without words.
Adriel groaned against his throat, his control stretched so thin it was a miracle he hadn't marked him. His hands roamed Eren's body with reverence and hunger, pulling him closer, grinding against him until they both shuddered.
"You're mine," he growled, voice rough with conviction. "Even without a mark—don't forget that."
Eren smiled faintly through the haze, his lips brushing Adriel's as he whispered, "Then prove it."
Something in Adriel snapped. His mouth crashed down on Eren's, deep and consuming, his body pressing him down into the mattress with a force that brooked no escape. Hands tangled, clothes tugged away in impatient motions, their scents thickening, mingling until the air itself seemed fevered.
Every touch burned. Every kiss demanded. Every breath was shared, ragged and desperate.
And when Adriel finally surrendered to the craving, to the fever between them, it wasn't the bite of a bond that sealed them, but something deeper—two bodies moving in raw instinct, clinging, consuming, worshipping.
The room filled with the sound of gasps and muffled cries, the scent of heat and need.
And then—darkness claimed the edges, the world narrowing to nothing but them.
Fade to black.
The storm between them had finally ebbed, leaving only heat clinging to their skin and the steady rhythm of their breaths. The sheets were tangled around their legs, damp with sweat, the air thick with their mingled scents.
Adriel lay on his back, one arm wrapped protectively around Eren, pulling him close as though he'd vanish otherwise. His chest rose and fell in deep, uneven breaths, his lips brushing Eren's temple every so often without thought.
Eren was quiet, curled against him, his cheek resting on Adriel's shoulder. For the first time that night, there was peace in the silence. No arguments, no doubts—just the bond of two instincts sated but still aching to be closer.
Then—
Grrrrooooowl.
Eren's stomach broke the quiet with a loud, protesting rumble.
He stiffened, then groaned and buried his face against Adriel's chest. "Seriously?" he muttered, voice muffled. "After all that, now you decide to embarrass me?"
For a beat, Adriel was still. Then a low chuckle rumbled through him, shaking his chest. He tilted Eren's chin up, smirking despite the lingering flush on his face.
"You're unbelievable," Adriel said, lips quirking. "I practically ruined the bed trying to feed your instincts, and your stomach's still asking for dinner?"
Eren pouted, cheeks pink. "I didn't finish the plate, remember? And the little one seem's hungry this time."
Adriel's laughter deepened, the sound warm and rare. He pressed a kiss to Eren's hair, unable to help himself. "Red, you're going to kill me one of these days."
"I mean, you could go make us something," Eren teased, eyes glinting.
Adriel raised a brow. "After what we just did? You think I'm letting you out of bed? Forget it. I'll bring the food here." He tightened his arm around Eren, burying his nose against his neck to breathe him in. "You're not going anywhere."
Eren smiled, soft and sly, letting his body sink into the warmth of Adriel's hold. His stomach growled again, and this time, Adriel only laughed louder, kissing him to smother his own grin.
"Come on, sit. Finish your food."
Adriel's voice was firm but quiet, the kind of tone that left no room for argument. He guided Eren back into the chair, his hand warm and steady around his wrist, his scent wrapping protectively around the omega like a low growl of reassurance.
Eren sank into the cushions with a sigh, his own pheromones softened, pliant. Still, his lips curved into a sly smile.
"I want something else," he said, watching the way Adriel's brows knit instantly.
Adriel raised a brow. "What now? Strawberry?" His alpha scent spiked faintly, tinged with impatience, but it only made Eren grin wider.
Eren shook his head.
"No strawberry?" Adriel echoed, mock-offended, his scent flaring with exasperation. "That's new. What's the little one craving now?"
"Ice cream," Eren declared, pointing shamelessly to his belly.
Adriel blinked. "Ice cream? At this hour?"
Eren's grin softened into a pout, pheromones curling sweet and coaxing. "It's not me—it's your child."
The words hit low, deep. Adriel inhaled sharply, his alpha instincts snarling in response to the reminder. His hand slid automatically to Eren's stomach, covering it like a vow. "My child," he repeated, voice low and rough, his pheromones flooding the space with possessive warmth.
Eren's cheeks flushed under the weight of it, but he didn't look away. Instead, he leaned forward slightly, lips quirking. "So… are we getting ice cream?"
Adriel sighed, feigning drama, though his body betrayed him—shoulders relaxing, pheromones smoothing into something softer, indulgent. "No ice cream tonight, Red," he said, chuckling when Eren pouted harder.
But then he leaned down, placed his hand gently over Eren's belly, and brushed his lips against the curve of it. His pheromones deepened, thick with quiet reverence.
"You hear that, little one?" he murmured. "Behave. Your papa's already too good at getting his way."
Eren's breath hitched, his own scent spiking faintly sweet, embarrassed and pleased all at once. He tilted his head back to hide the heat in his cheeks. Adriel kissed the curve of his stomach one more time before straightening, his gaze lingering on Eren's flushed face.
Later, curled on the couch beneath a blanket, Eren's eyes drooped. The steady pulse of Adriel's scent still clung to him, grounding him, pulling him toward sleep.
"I'll clean up," Adriel said, brushing a hand across Eren's hair before pressing a kiss to his forehead. "Stay here."
Eren mumbled something soft in response, too drowsy to move.
But Adriel wasn't in the kitchen.
He was in the hallway, phone in hand, his voice low and commanding when Roen picked up.
"Find a shop that's still open. Bring back ice cream—strawberry if they have it. And hurry."
He hung up before Roen could reply.
Adriel leaned against the wall, exhaling, then glanced back at the couch where his omega lay asleep, curled protectively around his belly. A faint smile tugged at his lips as his pheromones thrummed in satisfaction.
"I'll spoil you," he murmured. "Even if it kills me."
Adriel slipped out the back door, keys clenched tight, heart thudding with a ridiculous kind of thrill. The night air was cool against his skin, heavy with dew, but his alpha instincts burned hotter than the drive ahead. The nearest convenience store was ten minutes away, and he didn't care—it didn't matter how late it was. What mattered was the way his omega had whispered ice cream like it was a secret wish he didn't believe would ever be granted.
Twenty minutes later, Adriel pushed back into the mansion, breathless, triumphant, carrying a plain paper bag like it was treasure.
On the couch, wrapped in a blanket, Eren blinked at him in confusion, his scent soft and drowsy. "Where did you—?"
Adriel didn't answer right away. He grinned and pulled out a pint of strawberry swirl, still cold, condensation beading on the carton. He set it down with a flourish.
"You said you didn't want strawberry," he teased, sliding onto the couch beside him. His pheromones rippled, smug, indulgent. "But I know you. You always want strawberry."
Eren's eyes widened, lips parting. His scent spiked—sweet, startled, touched. "You went out just for this?"
Adriel shrugged, already peeling back the lid. "You're carrying my child," he said simply, voice low, matter-of-fact. "You get whatever you want." Something inside Eren softened instantly. He leaned forward and kissed him—quick, grateful, warm. Their scents tangled in the air, clinging.
"You're ridiculous," Eren murmured against his cheek, though his omega instincts purred under the alpha's care.
"And you're spoiled," Adriel shot back, lifting the spoon to Eren's lips.
Eren opened obediently, the bite melting on his tongue. His lashes fluttered, and a quiet sound of delight slipped out before he could stop it. "God, that's good."
Adriel watched him, aching in the best way. His alpha instincts hummed with satisfaction, pheromones pouring around his omega like a protective cocoon. "I'd drive to the moon if you asked," he said, meaning every word.
Eren opened his eyes, meeting his gaze with a small, tired smile. His hand drifted to his belly, as if echoing the bond that still lay unmarked but thrummed between them.
"I won't ask for the moon," he whispered. "Just stay here. That's enough."
Adriel exhaled, his chest tight, and fed him another bite—quiet, steady, unable to look away.