Shadows of Pale Sunlight

Ch 22: Bound of Fury

That morning, after days of being lost in the throes of their passionate encounters and countless attempts at cleaning up, only to end up tangled in their desire again, Alban’s rut showed no sign of subsiding. If anything, it seemed to intensify with every passing hour. Xhael had been carefully observing the emperor's behavior over the past few days, unsure if this was a result of Alban’s first rut or something else entirely. Regardless, he was determined to satisfy the emperor’s insatiable needs.

That afternoon, as Xhael moved his hips in the way the emperor desired, a thought struck him—perhaps it was time for a change. Instead of slamming into the alpha with the force Alban had grown to crave, Xhael slowed down, pulling deep and steady against the base. The emperor braced himself for the familiar, delicious friction, but instead, he was met with a slow, teasing push that left him gasping in surprise. Xhael repeated the motion, and once again, Alban found himself longing for the roughness he had come to expect. But Xhael was relentless in his teasing, every slow, deliberate thrust driving Alban wild with need as he expertly pressed against the emperor’s most sensitive spot.

It hadn’t taken long for Xhael to memorize every inch of Alban’s body—the most sensitive areas, the favorite spots, and exactly how to touch him to drive him to the brink. And so, he continued his torturous rhythm, each slow movement designed to push the emperor to the edge of madness.

Xhael was also marking the emperor as his own, releasing his scent over Alban's most vulnerable parts as he kissed him breathless, leaving behind handprints and love bites on his pristine skin. The emperor's body, once unmarred and untouched, now bore the evidence of Xhael’s passion—bite marks and kisses trailing from his neck to his shoulders, wrists, chest, abdomen, back, thighs, groin, and even his very feet.

The slow, deliberate pace was driving the emperor insane. Though it felt good, it wasn’t what he wanted—he needed more, needed it faster. Frustrated, Alban tugged at Xhael’s hair, trying to provoke a rougher response, but Xhael merely pinned the emperor’s hands to the bed and released his pheromones against Alban’s scent glands, sending him spiraling into helplessness.

With the emperor’s thighs resting on his shoulders, Xhael leaned in, bending Alban nearly in half as he kissed him gently on the lips, continuing to torment him with slow, teasing thrusts. The emperor, unusually patient, waited for Xhael to pick up the pace, but as time dragged on—hours, it seemed, though it could have been mere minutes—Xhael’s pace remained unchanged. The slow, torturous pace was almost unbearable for Alban, the gentle pressure against his most sensitive spot was more agonizing than the rough, abrupt thrusts he was used to.

Finally, Xhael pulled out, stepping back to admire the sight of the emperor lying before him. Alban, frustrated and trembling, pressed his knees together, trying to cover himself with the blankets, his body a mess of drool, tears, and unfulfilled desire. Despite the mess he was in, he wanted Xhael to ruin him more, but the enigma seemed content to continue his teasing.

As Alban lay there, overwhelmed with need, he resolved that next time, he wouldn’t let Xhael have his way so easily.

After Xhael had cleaned them up and retreated to the bathroom, Alban decided he wouldn’t let Xhael have his way so easily again. Despite feeling weak, as if his legs were made of lead, he forced himself out of bed, clutching the green hanfu that Xhael had dressed him in. His body still trembled, vulnerable and raw from the relentless passion they’d shared, but his mind was set on leaving the room.

He intended to make his way to his parents' chambers, or even just a different space in the imperial palace, but every step was a struggle. His legs barely held him up, yet he continued down the hall, determined to escape the hold Xhael had over him. However, as he turned a corner, he collided with another alpha, the impact nearly knocking him over.