After spending a tranquil afternoon with the females of his pack, Sesshoumaru's mood had shifted back into that of a warlord as the evening rolled in. He spent the night meticulously preparing for their journey south. His mother had agreed to stay behind to oversee Rin and the shiro, leaving Katsu and Masaru to accompany him and Kagome. The priestess had been appalled when he informed her of Lord Haruto's audacious attempts to claim the southern lands. She ranted about how Sesshoumaru had done all the hard work, and that stupid bear was simply taking advantage. Her fury was endearing—she truly believed Sesshoumaru had shown Haruto kindness in helping out with his war.
By dawn, Sesshoumaru had taken to the skies with Kagome nestled in his arms, flying them swiftly back to his base camp. Katsu and Masaru trailed behind on foot, their demonic speed ensuring they kept pace. The journey was brief, and Kagome let out a relieved sigh as they began their descent.
As they landed just outside the camp, Sesshoumaru lowered Kagome to the ground and immediately unleashed a surge of his power, allowing it to roll across the land like a thunderclap, making sure the bear lord and his treacherous council knew that he had returned.
"Way to make an entrance," Kagome teased, slinging her bag over her shoulder as she stretched, arms reaching for the sky.
Sesshoumaru's eyes darkened as he watched, every inch of her tempting him. The way her crimson futuristic top rode up, exposing the soft skin of her waist, and how her black leggings clung to her body, accentuating every curve, drove him wild. Her ponytail swayed as she stretched, exposing the marks he had left on her neck—visible proof that she was his.
He moved closer, pulling her flush against his armored chest, his lips ghosting over her ear as he whispered in a seductive tone, "Keep moving like that, and I'll have you on your hands and knees, screaming my name with my cock buried deep inside you."
Kagome gasped, a mixture of shock and arousal, her attempts to push him away half-hearted at best. She secretly loved when he told her just how much he craved her, but before she could respond, their intimate moment was shattered.
"About time you showed up! Do you have any idea what that mangy bear has—" Inuyasha's voice rang out as he marched into view, but he froze the moment his eyes fell on the pair. His golden gaze locked onto the priestess, who was still pressed against Sesshoumaru's chest. "Kagome?"
She stared back at him, wide-eyed and clearly caught off guard. For a brief second, Inuyasha's heart lurched at the sight of her. He felt the urge to rush to her, to take her into his arms like he used to, spinning her around until her laughter filled the air. But the memories of their last meeting—and the way he had left things—stung. His left arm ached with the phantom pain of his punishment. Seeing her now, nestled against Sesshoumaru with love bites littering her neck and her scent entwined with his brother's, only made the guilt worse.
Inuyasha clenched his jaw, his eyes hardening before he turned away. "Forget it," he muttered, intending to retreat into the nearby forest.
"Inuyasha, wait!" Kagome called, trying to pull away from Sesshoumaru, but the demon's grip tightened like iron. She looked up at him. "Let me go. I need to talk to him."
Sesshoumaru's eyes flashed red, his aura flaring as his fangs bared in a snarl. His both arms coiled around her waist possessively, pulling her even closer. "You have no business with the half-breed," he growled.
Kagome squirmed against his hold, tiring of this game. "What is wrong with you? Let go of me!"
"No." Sesshoumaru's voice was like ice—unyielding, final.
This was the scene Katsu and Masaru walked in on. Instinctively, Katsu stepped in front of his son, stopping him with a firm hand on his shoulder. The young lieutenant had been ready to act, but his father knew better. Getting between an alpha and his bitch was nothing short of suicide.
"I'll talk to whoever I want, and right now, I need to speak with Inuyasha." She used the same tone she would when mothering Shippo, as if that would somehow reach him. But Sesshoumaru was far beyond reasoning.
"You. Are. Mine." His sneer was predatory, his claws pressing into her hips just enough to sting. "I forbid you from speaking to or going near that whelp."
Forbid. The word hung in the air, sharp and cruel. It cut deeper than any claw ever could. Kagome stared at him, disbelief flickering across her face. That single word obliterated the blissful week they'd spent together, shattering the harmony they'd built. He hadn't changed at all. The demon lord who treated her like an equal now reduced her to an object—a possession.
Anger surged within her, the betrayal too sharp to ignore. Her fingers pressed harder against his chest, sparks of holy power crackling at her fingertips, the air around them sizzling with her rage.
"You better think carefully about what you say next, Sesshoumaru." Her voice was low, dangerous—a storm brewing just beneath the surface. "Because if this is how you plan to treat me if we become mates, then we are done."
The words should have cut through him. Somewhere, deep down, Sesshoumaru knew she was right. Kagome was no demoness who would bow down to him. But the moment she had pulled away, the moment she'd tried to run to his half-breed brother, something primal had snapped. His beast roared within him, demanding he stake his claim, that he remind her who she belonged to. Even now, as she glared at him with defiance burning in her eyes, he could barely suppress the wild instinct gnawing at him.
His grip tightened on her waist, one hand sliding up to seize her chin with a near-painful grip. His face hovered inches from hers, his breath hot against her skin. "If you continue to disobey me, I will take you right here in front of the camp. Let them watch as their alpha fucks his bitch into submission."
The threat lingered like a heavy smog. But Kagome didn't flinch. Instead, the air around them thickened with her power. The scent of melting metal and burning flesh filled the space between them as her purification energy surged into his chest. Sesshoumaru growled in pain, his hands jerking back from the searing heat, but the beast in him didn't retreat. His crimson eyes locked onto hers, feral and unrelenting.
Kagome's voice dropped into a venomous hiss. "You come any closer, and I'll purify your dick right off."
She threw up a barrier as he lunged for her, her holy power flaring between them like a wall of fire. Sesshoumaru snarled, his claws sizzling with energy as he fought the urge to tear through it. But it wouldn't be so simple this time.
Without another word, Kagome turned and sprinted in the direction Inuyasha had gone, leaving the demon lord seething in her wake.
Sesshoumaru stood there, alone, nearly trembling with barely contained fury. His beast was a storm of rage inside him, howling for blood—her blood, anyone's blood. She had dared to attack him. Dared to run after another male. The thought of her in Inuyasha's arms sent waves of bloodlust rippling through him.
Just as he was about to unleash that wrath, a calm voice called out to him.
"My Lord." Katsu stepped forward, his voice steady despite the danger in the air. "Perhaps it would be wise to let the lieutenant go after Lady Kagome. Ensure she is safe… and guide her back to your tent."
Sesshoumaru's aura flared violently, his instincts screaming at him to ignore the general's words and claim what was his. But Katsu held his ground, knowing full well what would happen if Sesshoumaru lost control completely.
After a tense moment, the demon lord exhaled sharply. His decision, though reluctant, was made. "Send your pup to retrieve what is mine," he growled. His now golden eyes flickered in the direction of Lord Haruto's quarters. "You and I have business to attend to."
With that, Sesshoumaru turned on his heel, marching toward his next victim.