Bonding and Bite Marks

Mending Fences

Mai entered the office quietly. She was nervous. Her heart thrummed in her chest as she tiptoed in and closed the door with the quietest click she could manage. It would be her first time seeing Naru since his heat. He'd closed the office for a few days since Lin was busy taking care of John, and he hadn't felt ready to see her by himself. He hadn't told her in those words, but that's the feeling she got. She almost breathed a sigh of relief when she found the main office empty, though she knew Lin and Naru were there. She could smell their blended scents lingering in the air. It always smelled stronger when they were in the office.

She headed to her desk and threw her coat over the back of her chair, though the weather was rapidly getting hotter and she didn't really need it anymore. She stretched. She was still wearing her long-sleeved school uniform. They'd be switching to the spring ones in a few weeks. It was quiet. Almost too quiet. She knew they'd sensed her arrival. It was impossible for them not to with their heightened senses. She hurried to the kitchenette to make tea, knowing they'd be ready for a cup by now. They always were when she first got in from school.

She stopped by Lin's office first, knocking on the door almost hesitantly before opening it. He turned his chair to look at her and gave his usual nod of greeting before returning to work. He paused in his typing as she reached across his elbow and put the cup steaming down. She froze anxiously as he looked up at her. His face was always hard to read, but she knew he had something to say. Her heart picked up again as she tried to work out how much trouble she was in.

"You shouldn't have done that." His eyes softened as her cheeks flush in shame. Of course, Naru had told him. Lin was his legal guardian and closest confidant. She fiddled with her tray, holding it in front of her chest like a shield. "I won't say I disagree with your intentions...of all Kazuya's potential mates, you would be the top of my list. However, you know well how vulnerable an omega is during their heat...Promise me you won't do it again. During his heat, Kazuya is off limits unless he gives you prior consent." His tone was calm and serious, heavier than usual. This was the first time she could recall him truly sounding like Naru's guardian. It was also the first time she felt like he was seriously telling her off. Waves of guilt and shame that rolled off her as she scrunched her nose.

"I'm really sorry..." she murmured with a low bow. She was pretty sure she'd disappointed him. He'd trusted her to take care of Naru and protect him during his heat. He'd given her the key to the office and believed that she would keep an eye on things. He'd clearly never imagined that she would do what she did, and take advantage of Naru's vulnerable state. She was still surprised at herself. Before it happened, she'd never imagined the thought would cross her mind. It took her a few moments to realise she hadn't actually replied to his warning. "I won't do it again."

"Good, now go and talk to Naru...Oh, and Mai. Thank you for the tea." Mai hurriedly bowed out of his office. One down...Mai sighed, heart pounding as she picked up the second cup. This would be the biggest test. She hadn't seen Naru since it happened, so she had no idea how he'd react. She wasn't even sure he knew himself. The one small comfort she had was that if things were truly beyond repair, he would have fired her already. Her hands felt a little clammy as she headed to his door. She knocked and entered without waiting for him to call. He rarely did. The scent of his heat was gone. It had been replaced with various chemical cleaners and bleach. His desk was shining. The patches on the carpet were clean and dry. She assumed his chair had received similar treatment since he was sitting in it.

"Naru, I brought your tea." The forced cheer in her voice was obvious she walked stiffly to the desk and placed the cup in its usual spot. Her chest felt heavy as she waited, hoping he hadn't picked up on the fake tone of her voice. Naru gave a small hum of acknowledgement. He didn't even look up from the papers he was writing. That wasn't unusual. He was busy. She was hesitant to leave. It would be so easy to turn around and retrace her steps to the door. So very easy. Naru's scent had lost the sweet intensity it had during his heat, but it was no less intoxicating to her. "Naru..." She wasn't sure what to say next.