From the Ashes |18+| ✔️

33: Understand?

Ryken

Stepping into my adjoining closet, I quickly dress in fresh, black, faded jeans and a soft natural cotton long-sleeved Henley. Even though I'd rather strut around my personal dwelling in nothing more than a simple pair of bottoms, I won't give the Mistresses the satisfaction of feasting their eyes on my body.

It's a new feeling for me. Normally I would feed off the attention with open arms, unlike Kyrios. It repulsed him. He had eyes only for Jessaphina, period. Even before she confessed her love for him, it was I who only fucked on our behalf. Sure, he was along for the ride, but he never heeded or paid any mind to my promiscuous ways. Instead, he'd busy himself with Alpha King duties. Honestly, I preferred it that way.

That said, I was privy - front and center, partaking in his intimate, sexual times with Jessaphina this past week. It was hard not to be. The way she moved, touched, tasted, moaned - I too was lost within her. I was experiencing her in a way I never shared with any other.

She was perfect.

Fuck!

My heart tightens for so many reasons. I miss them. And I can't... fuck! I can't help but keep referring to both in the past tense. Why is this?

'Ky, please... I beg you... please answer me. Give me a sign that you're still with me, please?'

Fatalist silence.

'Jessaphina?' I question even though I know what the outcome will be.

Closing my eyes, my fingernails sink into the wooden door frame as I pull on every ounce of patience I possess. On a much-needed exhaled breath, I open the door along with my mind. The catty chatter infiltrates my momentarily quiet abyss as the shrill sounds of a dozen women, both shifter and human, lounge around my bed-chambers like they own the place.

Moistening my lips catches the shroud eye of Nicola. She is one of three human mistresses that remain and causing shit who has been and probably still is, a favourite among male and female shifters.

When Kyrios shut the role of the Mistresses down just before we left to rescue Jessaphina, they revolted. I can't say I blame them. It's hard to let it go when you get used to a particular lifestyle, especially when you are on top. Still, they broke the rules have been for far too long.

"My King," she bows, showcasing her ample breast squished together in what appears to be a rather excruciating-looking bustier. The garment is angular with its formidable hard plastic and ribbons pulled incredibly tight around her torso. Can she even breathe in that mechanism? Fuck me. Had you asked me a week ago, I'd thought she looked fuckable, and would have challenged Kyrios to mount and fuck her raw - which of course, it would never happen considering she's human.

That was Kyrios' absolute rule when it came to me. Shifters in wolf form only. I didn't put up much of a stink, as I was mainly attracted to my kin anyhow... until now.

The others practically purr and crowd around me, prime to my preference and openly presenting themselves. I see the slightest shove here and the distorted, bitchy look there, as they fight for my attention. Another attribute I used to love. Women fighting over me - scratch that - beautiful women fitting over me.

Now... I feel nothing aside from numbness and shame with a heavy dash of repugnance that I created this.

"Take it off," I direct as my eyes dance around the aroused faces. "All of you. Remove your clothing, jewelry, footwear - everything." Eagerly, without question, they begin to strip seductively. Turning, I stroll back into my closet and grab large bath towels only to return, tossing them in their direction.