Chapter 4

I had underestimated the pain that comes with my coming of age. Immediately after the closing ceremony for graduation I was whisked away by both my grandparents. I was reassured that my surrogate parents have explained the situation to an extent since they are monkeys. I was escorted by my grandparents and a large group of five bodyguards to a secluded room in a high class hotel that accommodates every needs of Madararui.

The room is secured from intruders and occupants, only when the set time is up will the door open, the only one way in and out. Everything I will need to pass my mating season in seclusion can be found in the suite that I'm locked in. I lied on the bed in loneliness waiting for the pain that will surely come. At midnight the spell fell, the spell my mother placed on me to protect me from the Madararui world. My body ignites in fire as a pain course through my every vein inside me to reform itself to its original form. I felt my organ burn changing back, I felt my body change and shift themselves in mere moments, changes that females normally have weeks or months to slowly accommodate the adjustments when I have hours to adjust to. Slowly, parts of me in the lower body shrink the organ I have become accustomed to disappearing as if it never was there, gone. My chest begins to hurt as it swells and grows.

The female body that I have been born with grew from when my mother cast her spell when I was young to my current mature age of adulthood in an hour is painful. The pain was excruciating, like the incorrigible liquid fire trickling over my unprotected skin. A male wolf pup of heavy seed may be dangerous if left alone, but a female wolf pup of such linage left alone is far more than dangerous. I made myself walk to the bathroom to see the change and hoping the cool water that is filling the tub will be able to ease some of the pain.

Two hours later, the water did its job taking away a small amount of the pain. However, the pain lingers and burns with every step I take toward the bed. I collapse on top of the thick covers letting the cold air in the room take away the heat that comes with mating season. My mate no-where near me, the pain burns stronger every moment that my mate is not here to take away its pain. Tears stings my eyes, as the pain continues, I can only abide for it to pass. Residing myself to this torturous pain as my body burns hotter and hotter calling for my one and only.

He would never be mine.

He would never come to elevate this pain.

He would never recognize this bonding.

I knew this when I made the decision to walk away. Nothing can be done. I can only live through the choice I made. I keep telling myself that I cannot spend the rest of my life living in regret of what could have been.

In my state of pain, I felt hands upon me, igniting my body yet at the same time taking away the pain. I smell the scent of the one I long for. I don't care if this is but a dream. I don't care if this is a delusion that my mind produces to shield me from the pain. I latch onto it as if it's a life line. I enclose my arms around the body of my beloved above mine. If this is a dream, I hope I never wake up. "Please don't leave me Yonekuni."

"Never."

Even the hiss of his voice sounds the same; I thank the moon for such a dream. Foolishly, "Promised?"

"…"

Silence was my answer, perhaps this dream isn't as complete as I had thought, but I'll take what I can have. I pull the body above mine closer with both my arms and legs. Pressing my lips to his, I give in to my weakness, if this is but a dream I am going to take full advantage of it.

Yonekuni POV

As graduation draws closer, the president continues to avoid me. In the beginning I thought nothing of it, but slowly I miss the present that sat next to me during lunch. Where he was silent and comforting it was replaced by the clingy, noisy female of the school. Outside of the female population no one other than him and my family dare to approach me under normal circumstances, the president was different. By the end of the second week I was willing to give in to my pride and seek him out. However, he avoided my every approach with ease.

I didn't expect that Kunimasa was able to approach the president with such ease. I did not even realize that they knew each other till I witnessed their conversation on the rooftop. Kunimasa with social skills that matches his feline counterpart, knows of the president? I couldn't figure out how they meet, much less who they are talking about. I tried to ask Kunimasa about it, but he too avoided the topic at every turn. Too can play this game, I tried to ignore both of them and indulge myself with every advance of Inujininn.

Till the graduation ceremony I ignore both the weird behavior of my brother and president. Amiss all of the problems that arise. My body decided to burn, in heat, going out of my normal mating season. No matter how many females I bedded nothing elevates this thirst of desire. The partner I bedded long slipped into a state of dreams, yet my body still hungers for the unnamable source of heat that provides calamity and sincerity.

As soon as I left the room, I was enticed into the sweetest scent I ever came across. It calls to me like no other. I followed it to the highest floor of the hotel. The single suit on this floor was guarded by both monkeys and Madurai, both were easily taken care of. However, the door was not. The door was designed to contain or guard against intruders even Madurai with heavy linage. I wonder if what lies behind the door is worth the trouble, then all of the sudden the enticing scent becomes even stronger. It calls, no, it screams to me, without a second thought I threw everything I have against the door. The defense fell under the pressure. Once I entered the room I erected a barrier once again sealing the room against intruders.

I inhale the scent around the suit, drifting from room to room. I follow it to where the scent is the strongest, emitting from the bedroom. Throwing caution to the wind I enter the room. Immediately I found the source of the scent, withering in pain on the bed. A female Inujininn in heat, one that has just entered her first mating season, not only is she an Inujininn, but a wolf Inujininn. Any question I had flew away when she emitted a whimper of pain. My soul screams at me to take away her pain, to touch her. No encouragement was needed, the heat that she is emitting was familiar, but I could not recall the source of it.

She asked me not to leave her. I would have never willingly left her. Her touch kindles a fire that I have never felt with any female partners before. She fit so well in my arms; the pain on her face hurts me more than it hurt her. I would have done anything in my power to take it away from her. I do as she asked of me. Promising myself to never leave her, to protect her from any pain or danger that comes near her; when I realize my line of thought I realize who she is.

My mate.

Only MINE.

My soul growled in agreement. I did not know how much time had passed since I entered the room. All I realize is that she's gone when I woke up. Frantically, I searched around the suit; neither hide nor hare of her could be found. Her lingering scents grow weaker from her lack of presences. However, the evidence and outcome of our intimacy lingers in the air. The scent never lies, I will find her. No them, I will find them.