The aphrodisiac was already working its magic, setting her body ablaze with a heat that seemed to seep into her very bones. Her breaths came faster, shallow and uneven, as she stared at the shoji doors across from the bed. The anticipation had her stripping the robe she wore and laying back on the bed of furs and silk.

When the moon was high the shadow of her mate-to-be appeared on the other side, and her body instinctively tensed. His silhouette was unmistakable—tall, powerful, and deliciously male. The smooth glide of his movements beyond the thin paper barrier told her he was just as bare as she was.

The doors slid open, and Kagome's heart skipped a beat. She'd been warned that Sesshoumaru's beast would take over, but nothing could have prepared her for the primal, breathtaking reality of seeing it for herself.

He was a vision of otherworldly perfection, his pale skin glowing under the moonlight, each muscle carved as though by a master sculptor. The shadows played along his form, emphasizing the sharp angles of his jaw, the broad expanse of his chest, and the taut lines of his abdomen. But it was his eyes that held her captive—crimson and teal, feral and unrelenting, pinning her in place with their intensity.

Sesshoumaru stepped into the room with the grace of a predator stalking its prey. His lips parted slightly, revealing gleaming fangs too long to allow his jaw to close properly. The sharp points glinted in the light. He inhaled deeply, his nostrils flaring as he took in her scent, and a low, rumbling growl vibrated in his chest.

Kagome's thighs clenched involuntarily at the sound. She lay still, trying to calm the erratic thrum of her pulse, but Sesshoumaru's piercing gaze raked over her form as though he could see every secret her body held.

His shoulders rotated, muscles flexing as he crawled onto the bed. His claws, elongated and gleaming, catching the furs as he moved closer. Kagome shivered, but she didn't move. She couldn't. She felt like a rabbit caught in the jaws of a wolf, every nerve alight with a mixture of fear and arousal.

His massive frame bent down and settled between her legs, and she bit her lip as his nose pressed to her damp folds. The tickle of his breath made her gasp, but she stayed still, not daring to pull away. The beast might take that as her trying to get away, and she wasn't about to provoke him—not when his low growls sent delicious shivers racing through her core.

Sesshoumaru dragged his nose and tongue up her body, as though marking every inch of her skin with his scent. When he reached her breasts, he let out a crooning sound of approval, his fangs grazing her sensitive flesh before he latched onto an erected nipple. The sudden tug of his teeth and the greedy pull of his mouth made her cry out, her hands flying to his face in reflex.

He responded with a snarl, wrapping an arm under her back and holding her firmly against him. His strength was devastating, the primal dominance in his touch both terrifying and exhilarating. When he finally moved on, ignoring her other aching breast, his fangs dragged up her throat instead, leaving faint red streaks in their wake.

Before she could fully process the dangerous sensations, Sesshoumaru flipped her over onto her stomach, his claws deftly positioning her on her hands and knees. The rough swipe of his tongue along her spine made Kagome whimper.

When he pulled back she could still feel the heat of his body hovering over hers. His massive frame caged her in, and she dared to glance back at him, only to be met with a sharp snap of his jaws. A squeak escaped her, and she faced forward again, her heart pounding as his hot, rigid length pressed along her folds.

His first attempt to enter her missed, the tip sliding up to bump against her rear entrance. Kagome bit her lip to stifle the cry that threatened to escape. Another snap of his jaws, more impatient this time, had her instinctively obeying and going quiet as he pushed her torso down onto the bed.

"Spread yourself," his voice deep and guttural, the beast and his normal voice blending as one.

Trembling fingers slid over slick skin until she found her lower lips, spreading herself open as she'd been commanded. The approving rumble that escaped Sesshoumaru's throat made her toes curl.

Sesshoumaru leaned forward, the curved tip of his arousal pressed against her entrance, and with a measured roll of his hips, he began to push inside. Kagome hissed, her body arching as the stretch overwhelmed her senses. It was almost too much, but with the help of the aphrodisiac, her body welcomed him, moulding around him like he was meant to be there.

A snarl tore from Sesshoumaru's as he buried himself fully, his claws tightening on her hips as though afraid she might try to run. He held still, his broad chest heaving with the effort it took to stay in place.

The moment ended when his claws flexed and broke her soft flesh. He moved, thrusting with a brutal precision that stole her breath and had her clutching at the furs for stability. The sound of skin meeting skin filled the air, wet and lewd, mixing with his guttural growls and her breathless cries.

Lowering further, Sesshoumaru's chest pressed against her back as he shifted the angle of his hips. One clawed hand slid under her, gripping around her waist, while the other braced beside her head. His movements grew sharper, faster, the short jabs of his thrusts sending her spiralling higher.

The stretch of him filled her completely, and she wasn't sure how much more she could take. He felt impossibly larger than before, his every push hitting spots that had her moaning incoherently into the bed. The edge of her pleasure was razor-sharp, each stroke dragging her closer to a bliss she'd never known.

A choked gasp escaped her lips as his fangs grazed her neck before just barely sinking into the sensitive flesh at its base. The vibrations of his growls against her skin only heightened her delirium, her body convulsing around him as he drove deeper, harder.

When his knees nudged her legs further apart, the next thrust pushed at the entrance along her cervix causing Kagome to scream. The sound was raw, torn from her as a wave of ecstasy ripped through her body. The undeniable pleasure was so consuming that she didn't even register his teeth piercing her skin even further, drinking deeply from her as holy sparks danced along his tongue.

Sesshoumaru purred, the taste of Kagome's blood combined with the tight grip of her sex was intoxicating. The beast was not ready to complete their bond just yet, it wanted more.

As his knot began to swell, the bulbous base slipped inside her with surprising ease, locking them together. Kagome's body responded instinctively, her inner walls clenching around him as his first release surged into her.

He roared as his jaws released their hold on her neck, his powerful frame hunching over as he emptied himself into her. Each spurt was accompanied by a feral snarl or whine, the ferocity of his release leaving him momentarily undone. When he finally collapsed with his head resting beside hers and his chest heaving as he caught his breath.

They stayed locked together, their bodies coated in a thin sheen of sweat as they came down from the heights of their passion. Kagome's soft breaths mingled with Sesshoumaru's as they lay still, neither able to move.

When her breathing finally steadied, a soft sigh of contentment escaped her lips. Had they done it? Were they truly mates now? The thought made her heart flutter with excitement. Turning her head, she found Sesshoumaru's face close to hers, his sharp features softened by his peaceful expression. His eyes were closed, and a deep, resonant purring sound rumbled in his chest, the vibration echoing through her body where they were still connected.

The arm wrapped around her waist kept her lower body raised, pinning her securely against him as though to remind her that she belonged to him. But Kagome's curiosity got the better of her. Wondering if his knot had subsided, she shifted her hips experimentally.

In an instant, crimson eyes snapped open, their glow sharp and dangerous. Sesshoumaru's beast narrowed his gaze at her, the warning clear. Before she could stammer out an apology, he bucked his hips. The sudden gesture drove the tip of his length against the soft, tender spot deep inside her, forcing a startled moan from Kagome's lips. Her walls clenched reflexively around him as a fresh wave of pleasure pulled through her.

"Sessh—" she rasped, her voice barely a whisper. But the beast was already on the move. With a snap of his fangs, he withdrew his waning knot from her, the sensation leaving her momentarily bereft. The emptiness was almost unbearable, her body instinctively yearning for the connection they'd just shared.

Sesshoumaru shifted her with ease, lowering her hips before rolling her onto her back. Silver hair spilled over his shoulders, creating a shimmering curtain around them as he leaned down. His nose brushed against her neck, then her cheek, his warm breath ghosting over her skin.

Powerful hands roamed over her body, the beast exploring every curve as though committing her to memory. Kagome's earlier exhaustion began to ebb away, replaced by a growing ache, a renewed hunger that demanded more of him. Wetness gathered between her thighs again, her body responding eagerly to his attention.

This time, Sesshoumaru's beast seemed content to slow down, to savor her. His tongue darted out, tracing the marks left by his earlier bite along her neck. The sensation was both soothing and electrifying, sending tingles racing across her skin. He paused occasionally to suck and nip at random places along her collarbone, each sharp bite followed by the soft swipe of his tongue. When his teeth sank in just a bit too hard, a bead of blood would well up, and he would lap it up greedily.

Kagome could only watch in a daze as the demon continued his exploration, his focus unwavering. He treated her breasts like treasures, his mouth worshiping each peak.

His hands drifted lower, tracing the curve of her stomach and hips before settling between her thighs. Kagome's breath caught as he spread her legs further, lowering his head to tend to the aftermath of their earlier joining. His tongue was thorough, dragging slowly over her swollen folds, cleaning her as though it were his divine duty. The wet, obscene sounds filled the room, mingling with her quiet moans.

She ached to touch him, to reciprocate the pleasure he was giving her, but InuKimi's advice echoed in her mind. Until his beast is sated, let him take what he desires. The abstinence was maddening, her fingers twitching with the urge to run through his silken hair or rake down his broad shoulders.

Sesshoumaru seemed to sense her struggle, his lips curving into a wicked smirk against her inner thigh. His crimson eyes flicked up to meet hers, gleaming with feral amusement. The predator in him delighted in her submission, in the way she surrendered herself so completely to his control. And as his tongue found her sensitive bundle of nerves and flicked it with precision, Kagome's back bowed, a broken cry spilling from her lips.

Sitting back on his knees, he allowed his ruby gaze to roam over the vision sprawled before him. Her rich, sun-kissed skin was mottled with the evidence of his claiming—darkened bite marks and faint streaks where his fangs had grazed her. Her onyx waves spread like a halo, a stark contrast to the flush of her skin, framing her features with a chaotic elegance. Her oceanic eyes, heavy-lidded and brimming with desire, peeked through the shadow of thick lashes, their usual clarity darkened by lust. And her lips—soft, swollen—parted slightly as she panted, drawing his attention to the faint bruising she'd left with her own desperate bites.

The sight stirred something within him. This woman, this enchanting creature, was the embodiment of everything he craved. She was his conquest, his salvation, and his undoing all at once. His Little Goddess, laid bare for him to worship and ruin in equal measure.

The beast could sense the shift in his consciousness, his other half stirring, fighting for dominance. Sesshoumaru's rational self was clawing at the edges of their shared mind, demanding to reclaim control and tend to Kagome with tenderness. But the beast bared its mental fangs, refusing to yield just yet. Not until it had taken her once more, wholly and without restraint.

A wolfish smirk tugged at his lips as he pulled her pliant body up with ease. Kagome let out a soft moan as her chest pressed against his, her legs instinctively wrapping around his waist. His claws traced down her back, the pressure just enough to leave a tingling burn, before gripping her ass and hoisting her higher. The motion sent his cock gliding against her, teasing them both with the friction.

"Beautiful," he rasped, voice barely comprehensible through his primal haze.

Before she could respond, Sesshoumaru surged forward, claiming her mouth with a bruising kiss. His fangs scraped against her swollen lips as his tongue swept inside, a searing invasion that left her moaning into him. She tasted of sweetness and surrender, a flavor the beast devoured like a starved hound.

Without breaking the kiss, he shifted his hips, the pointed head of his cock nudging her entrance. With a sharp thrust, he buried himself inside her, the sensation making her cry out against his lips. The sound only spurred him on, his hips grinding upward until he was seated fully within her heat.

Kagome clung to him, her nails digging into his shoulders as her body adjusted much more quickly this time. Her head tipped back, breaking their kiss as a broken moan was torn from her throat. Sesshoumaru's mouth was quick to claim her exposed neck, his tongue soothing the marks he'd left earlier before sinking his fangs into the tender flesh once more.

Her sex spasmed around him in response, drawing a sneer from deep within his throat. His hips moved of their own accord, driving into her with unrelenting force. Each thrust up was precise, punishing, and maddeningly deep, leaving Kagome gasping for air as pleasure sparked through every nerve in her body.

"You take me so well, Little Goddess," he growled against her neck, his words slurred and muffled as he withdrew his fangs. "Mine."

The declaration sent another wave of euphoria coursing through her as nails raked down his back as she cried out his name. Sesshoumaru's beast grinned at her reaction, the sting of her scratches only feeding his hunger.

Leaning forward, he pinned her beneath him again. His hands found hers, fingers threading together as he pressed her arms above her head, holding her in place. With her body stretched out before him, vulnerable and willing, he began to move again, his pace quickening.

"Let go," he commanded, crimson eyes boring into hers. "Scream for me, Kagome."

And when another release consumed her, she did as she was told. Her back bent, her body tightening around him as she crumbled beneath him, her scream reverberating through the room. Sesshoumaru followed moments later, his roar echoing hers as he poured himself into her, his knot locking them together once more.

The crimson fire in Sesshoumaru's eyes cooled to molten gold, and with it, the beast retreated into the recesses of his mind.

His clawed hand brushed damp strands of hair from her forehead, his touch gentle. Then he leaned down, his fangs sinking into her neck with much more care this time, the act imbued with purpose. This wasn't the beast's wild abandoned urge. This was Sesshoumaru binding her to him, not just as a mate, but as an equal. As a partner for all time.

A surge of his powerful aura enveloped them like a celestial storm. Kagome's reiki flared in response, bristling against the strength of his aura. For a moment, they clashed—opposing forces testing the boundaries of their union. Then, as if realizing their shared purpose, the energies began to weave together in a graceful dance. Hesitant tendrils reached out, intertwining like ribbons of moonlight and sunshine, merging into a harmonious rhythm that settled within them both.

Kagome gasped as his power surged through the bite, spreading through her veins with a burning sting that melted into a liquid warmth. Every nerve came alive, crackling with a heady fusion of pain and pleasure so intense it left her trembling. And when Sesshoumaru finally lifted his mouth from her neck, she knew—down to the very marrow of her bones—that she had been irrevocably changed.

He captured her lips in a bloody kiss that was the antithesis of the wild fervor they'd shared earlier. This was slow, gentle, and deeply sensual. His lips moved against hers, pouring all the emotions he struggled to express into the new connection. His arms wrapped around her, pulling her flush against his chest as they remained on their side facing each other.

When the need for air became too great, Kagome broke the kiss, her chest heaving as she gazed up at him.

"Did he hurt you?" he asked, his voice husky but rich with concern.

Kagome's lips curved into a satisfied smile as she shook her head. "No," she whispered, nuzzling into the strong planes of his chest. His scent surrounded her, a heady mixture of pine, rain, and something wild that made her feel safe. "Not at all."

A pleased sigh escaped him as he tightened his hold on her. For a moment, they simply lay there, their breathing synced as the knot binding them began to loosen. But Sesshoumaru wasn't ready to let her go just yet. He withdrew just long enough to turn her so her back was to him before slowly sliding back in. The motion drew a breathy moan from Kagome, her nails curling against his arms in silent encouragement.

He repeated the motion, his pace unhurried, savoring the way her body responded to his every move. Her thigh rested over his hip, but Sesshoumaru shifted, gripping it and lifting it higher, opening her to him. The angle allowed him to bury himself deeper, eliciting a shuddering gasp from her lips.

This time, there was no rush—no frantic urgency, no wild desperation. Only the slow rhythm of their bodies entwined, a deep cadence that spoke of something more profound than mere desire.

Sesshoumaru cradled her jaw in his clawed hand, tilting her chin upward until their eyes met. "I want to see you," he murmured, his voice like silk against her skin. "Every expression. Every gasp. Every moment you come undone for me."

Kagome's breath caught, her heart hammering against her ribs. Her cheeks flushed a delicate pink, but she couldn't—wouldn't—look away. Not when he was watching her like this.

He rocked into her, slow and deep. She could feel him everywhere—his warmth, his strength, the way his body surrounded her, owned her, cherished her. There was no space between them, no room for doubt or hesitation.

She was falling again.

Falling into him.

But she wasn't afraid anymore.

Because she knew—without a single doubt—that Sesshoumaru would always be there to catch her.

Her hands slid up his arms, fingers curling around the taut muscles, holding on as he moved against her with a steady, hypnotic rhythm. Each crest stole her breath, each retreat leaving her aching for more. Her lips parted, and in the midst of it all, in the quiet storm of their union, the words spilled from her in a breathless whisper.

"I love you."

Sesshoumaru faltered.

His rhythm stuttered for half a beat before his hips met hers again, but this time, the tempo was different. More urgent. More needy.

Love was such a human emotion. One he had never dwelled on, never thought to grasp, never needed to understand.

And yet—

As those watery ocean eyes gazed into his very soul—He felt it.

Like the first breath of spring after a bitter winter. Like sunlight melting through frost-covered leaves.

Kagome loved him.

Not because of his lineage.

Not because he was powerful.

Not because he was Lord of the West.

She loved him for reasons that had nothing to do with conquest, legacy, or dominance.

And he loved her.

Sesshoumaru's fingers curled into the sheets beside her, claws piercing through silk. His lips parted as if to speak, but no words came. Instead, he kissed her. To give her something he had never given anyone else.

The tempo of their bodies increased, their breath mingling, their souls entwining in a dance that went beyond flesh and instinct. It was a slow unraveling, a descent into something deeper than passion.

Something that tasted of devotion.

Something that felt like forever.