The sound of gravel crunching underneath barefeet echoed throughout the torch lit tunnel.
A large shadow glided across the carved out walls as the warmth from the flames shined upon the wolf king as he made his way towards his private chambers.

When he finally reached his room, he stood in front of the large pelt of fur that covered the entrance.
The muscles under his skin slightly twitched as he immediately picked up the smell of winter and irises that leaked out from behind the pelt.
His nostrils flared slightly, taking in a deep breathe of the enticing aroma that once held his alluring scent once made his heart race with anticipation and yearning as soon as it reached his nose.
But now, he held no want or need to run towards the scent that belonged to the pretty demoness.

Koga sighed heavily as his clawed hand ran through his long dark hair, his insides filling up with dread and guilt at what was about to happen.

He was about to break Ayames heart.

He was hoping to have a little more time before he had to do such a task.
More time so he could contemplate on what he was going to exactly say to her.

Coming up with a plan, breaking the treaty with the North while dealing with Aoki was one thing. But, having to tell Ayame that he was breaking the betrothal with her because he was still madly in love with Kagome and had chosen her as his mate and Queen... instead of her...

His heart stopped.

An image of the redheaded beauty staring up at him with tears spilling from her emerald eyes made his stomach twist in knots.

He didn't want to hurt her.

But, he knew it had to be done.

As another heavy sigh left his lips, he reached out and grabbed the edge of the thick pelt and pulled it to the side.
The strong scent of the demoness slapped him immediately in the face as he made his way into the lightly lit room.

Azure eyes scanned the room till they landed upon a curled up figure that laid soundlessly asleep in the center of his bed.
The white wolf fur that was usually draped over Ayames shoulders was thrown carelessly on the floor next to the bed, leaving her creamy white skin in full view to his wondering eyes.
Her breasts heaved up and down underneath her plate of armor as she slept, while her long auburn hair that was held up in two ponytails swirled around her sleeping form.

Koga sighed heavily as he slowly made his way towards his bed.
Sitting down on the edge, he leaned back, his clawed hand reaching towards the sleeping girl.
Fingertips gently pulled the strands of hair away from her face, now showing her large eyes hidden behind thick red lashes.
He slowly pulled away, his eyes roaming over the sleeping girl; picking up every freckle upon her smooth skin. He once loved tracing over those beautiful specks with his fingertips in the past, they always reminded him so much of the cluster of stars that scattered across the nights sky.

With a soft grown he turned away, placing his elbows upon his knees and his face within his hands. Fingertips kneaded his eyes as the feelings of guilt and dread grew even stronger within him.

What am I going to do?

What am I going to say to her?

Koga didn't know how long he sat there.

His mind raked over and over again on what he was going to say to Ayame once she awoken.
He was so deep into his thoughts that be didn't feel the demoness stir in her sleep next to him and eventually awake.

It wasn't until the red headed girl wrapped her slenders arms around his upper body and pushed her breasts up against his back into a tight embrace did he finally realize that she had awoken from her slumber.

He froze under her touch, his heart pounded away within his chest as alarms went off inside his head; screaming at him that this type of interaction with her was inappropriate now.
He could just imagine Kagomes angry face if she saw them like this.
But he remained still, his own clawed hand slowly reaching up to clasp her own interlocked ones that were gently placed upon his chest.

She pressed her breasts harder into his back as her body slid it's way up just so her lips could reach his pointed ear.
He felt her long hair sliver over his skin as she moved against him along with warm puffs of breath that left her parted lips as she leaned into his ear.

"It has been way to long, my love..." she whispered seductively.

He heard the lust drip from her words.

"Aya-"

Before he could even finish her name, he felt the tip of her warm tongue glide up to the point of his ear, only to eventually stop and to be replaced by her mouth.
Lightly she tugged and sucked upon the sensitive flesh hungrily.

Azure eyes widened in shock at her sudden advances.

His ears were overly sensitive and she knew this. He couldn't tell you how many times she teased him with this technique of hers while they were alone.

But now... such a intimate gesture from her that once sent shivers up and down his spin, his groin hard and his mouth wide and panting... held no effect on him now.

Instead he pulled away causing her arms to fall away from him.
He turned to face her, his azure eyes widening at the sight before him.

She sat there with legs tucked under her as she leaned towards him.
She slightly leaned to the side, her small hands pulling her fire kissed hair to one side, baring her creamy white shoulder and collarbone to his view.
He watched as her skin glowed under the torch light in his room as her breasts heaved up and down under her plate of armor, causing the green stones on her necklace to sparkle ever so slightly.

"Koga..." she softly said his name, causing Koga to break away from the distracting view before him to finally look up into her large emerald eyes that held so much desire for him.

"My betrothal mark has completely vanished."

Azure eyes widened at her words.

"Please, remark me, so everyone can know that I am still yours."

The wolf king looked away from the red headed beauty before him.

There was a time where such words had him devouring her within seconds.
He'd have her moaning as his lips sucked and licked at her creamy flesh; leaving dark purple marks behind so all would know she was his and only his.
And he'd enjoy every moment of it.
He'd enjoyed hearing her moan and pant his name.
He'd enjoy the feeling of her claws dig into his back for support while his wondering hands caressed over her soft curvy body.
He'd have her beg for him to continue further, to just take her chasity and make her fully his.
And he'd enjoy pulling away from the panting demoness, watching as she huffed with aggravation as he told her no, that they had to wait for the mating ceremony.

And now he had no desire to do those loving things to her anymore.

His mind was to consumed with thoughts of the pretty priestess that lived miles away, and how angry and heartbroken she'd be with him right now if she saw him in this predicament.
She definitely wouldn't speak to him ever again.
Or she'd purify him.
Surprisingly her not speaking to him ever again seemed a lot worse of fate than being turned to dust.

Ayame gently touched his cheek and slowly turned his head back to face her once again; bringing him out of his concerned thoughts of the miko and back to the present.

Before Koga could react, she leaned into him.

He watched as she closed her eyes and brushed her soft lips against his own.
Her lips lingered there for a brief moment with no attempt to try and deepen the kiss.
And of course, neither did he... and she quickly took notice.

When she pulled back, her eyebrows slightly lifted in confusion as her eyes slowly opened, revealing her sparkling emeralds to him.
A frown tugged at her lips as her eyes locked onto his, clearly searching for answers.

"What is wrong, Koga?"

He felt her warm hand leave his cheek as she sat back against her heels. Her eyes never leaving his own. "Did something happen? Did Aoki say something to you?"

The wolf king didn't reply, instead his eyes saddened some what as he stared at the demoness before him.
Cerulean orbs roamed over the concerned girl, silently tracing over every detail of her being as if this was going to be the last time he ever saw her.

Ayame huffed at his silence, her arms crossing over her breasts in annoyance as her nose scrunched upwards. "He did, didn't he? What did he say now?" Her lips tugged into a deeper frown, "Did he say something about you not visiting the north? I told him countless times not to mention it to you and that it wasn't that serious. He needs to understand that you are King and have responsibilities and duties."

Koga sighed, "He didn't say anything about that..."

Ayame quirked a thin eyebrow at his response, her eyes lightly widening in worry, "Is he pestering you about the mating ceremony again? If so, then I'm sor-"

"No, he hasn't mentioned it..."

Silence fell between the two wolf demons.
Emerald eyes hardened as she stared into azure ones.
She knew something was wrong. Her lovers demeanor was distant and hard as stone compared to how he usually treated her after being apart from each other for so long; they usually were immediately loving and very... affectionate when they finally saw one another once again.

"Then what is going on? Why are you so... so distant? What has happened?" She questioned, a pointed fang lightly biting upon her bottom lip.

The wolf king ran a clawed hand through his long hair nervously, his eyes staring intently at the carved out floor so he wouldn't have to make eye contact with the demoness.

"We just need to talk..."

"About?" Ayame questioned, her posture stiffening at his unexpected words.

"Are you..."

"Am I what?"

"Are you happy, Ayame?"

Eyebrows rose at the kings sudden question. "Am I happy?" She paused for a moment, as her mind raked over what he could possibly mean. "Am I happy with...?"

"Me... Us..."

"Of course I am." She immediately said without hesitation. "To be honest I wish we would have been mated by now... but, I understand why you wish to wait."
Ayame paused for a moment, her small hand reaching out towards Koga.
Slender fingers intertwined between his own as her emerald eyes bore into his saddened ones. "I'll wait for you as long as you want, Koga... I love you with all my heart." She smiled softly as she continued, "I fell in love with you all those years ago when you rescued me from the birds of paradise. My feelings for you have never swayed and I want nothing more then to be your mate, Koga... to be tied to you and only you for all eternity as one."

The kings eyes widened at her declaration of her love for him.
Once such words would have made his heart flutter a little, but now all he felt was his stomach turn in knots.

His eyes shifted away from the redheaded girl, hating the way she looked at him with so much want and love that he didn't return.

He never loved her, even before Kagome returned back into his life.
He cared for her deeply of course and he'd admit his feelings for her somewhat grew over the last few years, but he never felt complete happiness and actual love for her. He just figured that with time his feelings would eventually grow stronger for her and hopefully turn into that everlasting love that his father always told him about in the past.

And at one time he had accepted that and would try his best to love her the way she loved him so deeply.

But now... all that has changed.

Koga felt the demoness squeeze his hand lightly. "Why are you asking me such things all of a sudden?" She asked softly. "What is going on?"

The king felt his throat grow dry and his body stiffen at her questions.
With heavy sigh, he turned to face her once again, "Ayame... there's something we must discuss..."

The demoness furrowed her eyebrows when the sound of concern reached her pointed ears. She remained silent, slightly leaning towards him, waiting for him to continue.

"A lot has happened these last few months and I..."

"What has happened?"

"Well-"

"My King," a womans voice called out from behind the thick pelt of fur at the entrance of Kogas bed chambers.
He jumped slightly at the call of his title, surprised that he didn't hear anyone approach his room. Pulling his hand out of Ayames intertwined fingers, he turned to face the entrance immediately knowing who the voice belonged to.

"Yes, Tomoe?" He called out.

"I am sorry that I am interrupting your... reunion with Ayame, but there is some urgent matters that we must discuss. May I enter?"

The red headed demoness scowled, her emerald eyes setting into an annoyed glare. "No." She huffed, "Return later, the King and I are in the middle-"

"Ayame."

Koga said her name sternly. "Tomoe said it was urgent. She would not have bothered us if it was something of less."

Ayames scowl deepened as she crossed her arms over chest in frustration.
It has been months since the last time she saw Koga. And finally when she was able to see him again, they get interrupted.

"Enter, Tomoe." The king commanded.

The king watched as his long time friend entered his private chambers, quickly noticing how her eyebrows rose in surprise at the scene before ber.
Her dark amber eyes shifted between him and Ayame upon his bed of furs.

Koga cleared his throat, "What is it, Tomoe?"

The wolf demoness quirked a eyebrow at her King, obviously dissatisfied with his current position with Ayame.
With eyes full of judgement she said, "Scouts... have returned from the borders." She paused for a moment, her eyes briefly landing upon Ayames irritated face before they swiftly returned back to Kogas. "My king, if you will follow me we should discuss this more privately along with your generals..."

"Why?" Ayame interrupted, "You can have your discussion right here, right now. I will be your future Queen, such matters that concerns your King will also be of my concern as well."

"You're not Queen... yet." Tomoe replied curtly.

The redheaded girl snarled, her pearly white fangs baring as her body stiffened. "What did you say?"

Unfazed by the demonesses threatening behavior, Tomoe sighed heavily as she placed her hands upon her hips and ever so slightly leaned forward. Dark amber eyes stared into furious emerald green, "You're not-"

"That's enough." Koga said aloud as he abruptly stood from the bed of furs.
Both women fell silent as they bowed their head in respect to their King.

"Ayame, you need to get more rest from your long journey-"

"But, Koga!" Ayame interrupted, her head shooting up immediately at his dismissal of her.

The king stared into her defiant eyes, "Ayame, you need to get rest." He repeated, his eyes hardening. "We will be celebrating you and your packs arrival to the Eastern lands tonight... I will come to you during the festivities. But, right now I must discuss my tribe matters with my scouts now that they have returned. "

The demoness leaned forward, her dainty hand reaching out to gently grasp his own. "Tonight then?" she said softly.

Koga stared down at the girl, his eyes lingering upon her hand as her fingers interlocked with his own.
His gaze slowly crept towards her face, locking onto her sparkling emerald eyes.
With a light squeeze of his hand he softly said, "Yes, tonight."

Ayames features relaxed at his words as a small smile spread acrossed her pink lips.

With another gentle squeeze of his hand, Koga pulled away, his tall form heading towards the entrance of his private chambers. "Tomoe, come."

Not even glancing back at the redheaded demoness that still sat upon her kings bed, she swiftly followed behind Koga as they exited his room.

They were quiet for a while as they walked down the torch lit tunnels.
Tomoes's pointed ears perked slightly while her nostrils flared as she concentrated on her surroundings; checking to make sure no one was around her before she spoke.
When noticing they were at a safe distance from anyone, her amber eyes glanced up at her kings hardened face, "Well-"

Here we go...

"I know." He said abruptly, already knowing what she was about to say.

"You know?" She questioned, a thin eyebrow quirking upwards in amusement. "You know what?"

The king sighed heavily, "Ayame."

"You didn't tell her did you?"

"I was about to..."

"But?"

"The situation... it's just...I just don't want to hurt her." He said softly.

They continued to walk down the tunnels in silence till Tomoe broke the silence once again. "And Sister Kagome?"

The demonesses eyes widened slightly as she looked up at her king, quickly taking notice to how his bronzed skin glistened a dark crimson hue while a small smile graced his lips.
In all her years of knowing him, she had never saw him show such an expression.

"She hasn't given me reply... but..." his blush deepened as memories from the night before flashed before his eyes. "She was wearing the bracelet when I left her this morning..."

Tomoe smiled warmly up at him, "That's good."

"Yes."

The demoness sighed heavily, wishing she didn't have to break her kings happy moment, but she felt like she had no choice.
She twirled one her many locks of curls around her finger in nervousness. "I wouldn't tell Ayame just yet... about everything."

Koga stopped in his tracks as his head snapped down to look at the girl next to him. Cerulean eyes bore into her amber ones, "Why?" He questioned sternly.

"Not all of scouts have returned... only a hand full."

Koga quirked a eyebrow, "And? Do the other packs not accept my decision and wish to go against me?"

"All the scouts who have returned have informed me that the packs they have visited have all accepted your decision and will continue to follow under your rule; you as their one true King."

Koga felt some weight lift from his shoulders. He'd admit that he was a bit worried that some might have risen up against him due to his decision on canceling the treaty with the North and the betrothal to Ayame.
But, so far, everything has been going as he planned.

"All is going to plan so far. Why should I not tell Ayame?"

Tomoe rolled her eyes at his cluelessness. "Think about it. If you tell her and Aoki about your decision... they'd wreck havoc on your lands while their here. You don't think Aoki wouldn't take advantage of the situation while he's here? You don't think he'd go to the other packs and try to turn them against you?"

She has a point...

"And there's another important factor." Tomoe continued, "Sister Kagomes safety."

Kogas pointed ears perked at his lovers name.
He felt his body stiffen as a frown tugged at his lips.

Would Aoki go that far as to hurt her? Would... Ayame?

"What do you suggest then?" Koga growled.

"Wait till all your scouts have returned with answers from the other packs. Make sure that they all will side with you... then tell Aoki and Ayame of your decision on breaking the treaty and the betrothal."

The king crossed his arms in frustration. "So what am I supposed to do while I wait for my scouts to return? Avoid Aoki the whole time? What the hell am I supposed to do about Ayame?"

Tomoe simply shrugged, "You're just going to have to figure that out."
She paused for a moment before continuing, "If I were you... I would hold off on visiting Sister Kagome as well."

"Why?" Koga dug his claws into his arms to hold himself back from getting even more angrier.

He just asked Kagome to be his mate.
He should be at her side as much as possible during this time of courting till she finally gave him an answer.
He'd have to prove to her that he'd be the perfect mate, perfect provider, perfect lover...
And he couldn't even do that?

Tomoe rolled her eyes. "You don't think they'd grow suspicious with you disappearing every night? Especially Ayame?"

Koga groaned as he ran his clawed hand through his long dark hair.

This can't be happening...

"You're right." He admitted, his cerulean eyes locking onto her amber ones. "Bring Ginta to me." He commanded.

Tomoe raised a eyebrow curiously. "Ginta? Why?"

A frown tugged at the wolf kings lips, "He will be going to Kagome in my stead till everything is settled here... to make sure she is well provided for and taken care of."

Tomoe stared up at her king as his handsome features contorted in aggravation and anger.
She knew he was upset that he'd be sending another man in his place to take care of his woman... but, what else could he do?

She sighed heavily, some what weary on if she should ask him her next question.
As she tugged on one of her many spiral curls nervously she asked, "Are you going to have Ginta inform Kagome that Ayame is here?"

Koga paused, his azure slightly widening.

Should I tell her?

He could see it now.
Her face saddening as she's told that Ayame, his ex fiance, was staying within his mountain along with him.

I'll just be like Inuyasha in her eyes... just like how he was with his dead priestess...

His heart broke at the thought of Kagome pulling away from him.

"No, I'll have Ginta tell her that I have warriors from the North visiting to discuss tribal matters and that is the reason why I'm unable to see her for the time being. Ayame will not be mentioned."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."