Killorn was an insatiable husband. By the time they were done, there were marks all over her skin, her legs twitching every second, and his seed planted far too many times inside. Even so, she kept to her virtues. She didn't dare to address him by his name, even when he put her in enough positions for her body to go slack.
Killorn drained her energy, but filled her thoroughly. Even now, as Killorn bathed her, she was slipping in and out of consciousness. He patiently cleaned her, his lips curled at the discoloration of her skin. She was filled with his love bites and areas that'd be red for at least half a week. He nuzzled his face into her soaked hair, but she barely responded.
"Ophelia, my lovely wife," Killorn kissed her forehead tenderly. He helped dry her off, but she could barely stand. He was thorough in his aftercare, first massaging her thighs and then her arms.
Ophelia was like a spoiled house cat. Once he was done helping her dress, she curled in his arms immediately. Breathing in softly and exhaling, she was the epitome of beauty. Her silver hair was sprawled across her chest, her lashes long, and her lips parted.
"I will protect you until the end of dawn. And those that pained you will suffer a fate worse than death."
Her heart skipped at his words, his tone low and cruel.
Killorn was tempted for a kiss. He brushed his mouth upon hers, but stopped himself. Only when she was begging for him was he going to give it to her.
- - - - -
Killorn had brought Ophelia to the doors of pleasure more times than she could fathom. By now, she was lying on her side and he was behind her, his arms coming around to grasp her breasts and softly squeezing it. He palmed her lovely chest, but felt her shakingly clutch his forearm.
"N-no... no more... truly."
Killorn let out a soft laugh. All this time, yet she didn't utter his name a single time. Just how stubborn was this woman? He had shown her no mercy, but she still bravely met him head on. He couldn't help, but be both humorous and irked. Then, he felt her head go limp.
"Ophelia?" Killorn slid out of her, hissing and gritting his teeth in pleasure. Then, he saw she was completely asleep, even going as far as to softly snore. He let out a quiet chuckle and shook his head.
"Sweet dreams, my sweet."
Killorn slowly untangled himself from her. He tenderly tucked her into the bed with the same hands he had used to stretch her insides and fondled the bud at her entrance. Then, he patted her on the head, kissed her goodnight, and left the room without a second glance.
- - - - -
Even the servants were deep asleep. When midnight was quickly approaching, the moon hid behind the clouds, recusing her moonlight to onlookers. None of them deserved her beauty today.
A lone footsteps advanced down the corridors. He stalked with stealth, not a single soul daring to disturb him. If there were ghouls wandering the hallways, they would be flinching back in fear. His presence was ominous and choked everyone in his path.
Killorn's cold gaze flickered upon the dark hallways, where only lanterns were in sight. He took a seat and read through the crumbled parchment from Everest again.
'The entire continent heard about her striking resemblance. It won't be long before delegations yap at my father. You know his personality. If you keep him waiting, he might just give her away. She is, after all, human.'
Killorn lit a match and held it to the parchment, watching the letter go up in flames. Then, he let the ashes fall onto his desk, to be blown away just like her auction dress.
Killorn's fingers curled into fists. He was nothing like his father--he swore to it. Wordlessly, Killorn settled into his study in time for his men to arrive. He took a seat just as Beetle breezed through the doors. What made this irritable bastard always so happy?
"Geez, you were the one who prevented me from joining a woman in bed, but you're the one with the irritated expression, Alpha," Beetle commented whilst revealing the baskets in his hand.
Killorn narrowed his gaze.
Beetle suppressed a shudder--that'd give the brute too much satisfaction. "I have what you wanted, but not all, Alpha."
Killorn's brows shot up in disbelief. To fathom that Beetle, their best tracker, was unable to locate everything. That was practically impossible. Beetle had the best hunches and nose out of every werewolf this world had ever witnessed.
"10 bottles were named, but Reagan only located 9, Alpha." Beetle unclothed the baskets and settled it onto the table.
Killorn glanced at the vials in disbelief. They were huge and the size of milk jugs. He blanched at how much could've been taken from Ophelia. Just how in the world did she not die? His body hummed with fury just as the thought.
"We've tracked down every source possible of this unsettling silver liquid from black markets to underground dealings to auction houses, but everyone has only talked about 9 bottles being in existence, not ten, Alpha." Beetle frowned to himself. "Could Nathan that fucktard have miscounted?"
"It'd be impossible," Killorn stated. "Why settle for an odd number?"
No one knew this was Ophelia's blood. When Killorn ordered the search, he knew exactly what he was looking for. He married Ophelia knowing what coursed through her skin. The blood running through her veins was red in her body and silver when exposed to the air. He witnessed it first hand when the Vampire Overlord shoved him before a dying girl. How many years had it been since then?
"We'll continue looking," Beetle said. "We've slaughtered everything and everyone that has learned of this alchemy, Alpha."
Killorn nodded his head with a deep frown.
"Additionally, Alpha," Beetle murmured. "The Monster Trekkers have ventured deep into the caves and discovered something horrifying."
"I know," Killorn responded in a dark voice. "It's Winter. Monsters hibernate this time, but they're breeding like rabbits. Their nests have multiplied around our vicinity since my return."
"We've yet to decide what's causing it, Alpha," Beetle responded. "Reagan came to me this afternoon for the trekkers' detailed report, he is stating the scholars we ordered are taking too long to arrive. He's struggling with the investigation you asked for a few days ago--the one about the monster's increased intelligence."
Killorn deeply scowled. He could feel Beetle's pressing stare. "Inform Maribelle to not enter the forests for longer than a hour. It'd be dangerous, even for her."
"You might as well keep her locked in the dungeons, Alpha," Beetle dryly said. "Keeping her from her favorite forests is good as death."
"Good, let her suffer."
Beetle couldn't even rebut. He could only let out a wistful sigh. "Guess both of us need to get laid tonight, you're grouchy as ever, Alpha."
Killorn let out a warning growl.
Beetle jumped and held his hands up in defense, but slyly grinned. "I know, I know, our dearest lady starves you for what you've done."
"Get out," Killorn hissed just as Beetle snickered louder.
"If you ever need tips on how to seduce women--"
"I'll have you castrated," Killorn calmly responded, rising to his feet in warning.
Immediately, Beetle was already skipping to the door.
Before Beetle left, he called out, "Better than being blue-balled!"
Killorn headed for the doors, just as Beetle made a run for it. His mocking laughter filled the hallways, just as Killorn pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. He was irked, but then glanced out the window, and saw the sun was rising. Soon, his men would've finished breaking their fast with their morning meal.
Killorn decided it would be best to let Ophelia sleep and he met his men in the field before his departure tomorrow morning. But the longer Killorn stared at the silver jugs on his desk, the more he knew this could not be delayed any longer.
With that thought in mind, Killorn rose to his feet. He made up his mind and there was no changing it now.