56 - Skaris's Rare privilege (1.80k words)

Skaris's POV (Part 1/2)I was sitting in the shade of a tree, sharpening my claws against a coarse stone in my wolf form. The chill in the air here reminded me of the home I once knew ─ a place wrapped in relentless cold that was mirroring the isolation I felt inside.While other males would have leaped at the opportunity for more stripes, I used to dread the thought. To most, three stripes would mean prestige and attention from their female, but to me, they promised nothing more than a life of confinement by my female's side.Despite knowing I was capable of advancing, I used to suppress my powers just so I didn't have to confront her.She was a beautiful fox, but what hid underneath her pretty facade was a cruel heart. She used her beauty to deceive, and her wiles to manipulate. She loved toying with other males, stringing them along, only to rip their hearts out when they fell.There was a female wolf from the neighbor's village. She wasn't prettiest or cleverest, but she had a warm and a gentle nature. Like most males, I used to have a crush on her too, and tried to court her a few times without success.When the fox found out about the wolf female's popularity, she made it her mission to ruin her. I still remember how she laughed as her new males, previously the wolf females' suitors, drowned the poor wolf female in the icy lake, out of fear of becoming rootless.My anger flared, and the stone shattered under the pressure of my claws. I glanced down, noticing that the sharpness of my claws had improved.Back then, I couldn't do anything about the fox's wicked ways. But now...My lips curled into a dark smile, my wolfish fangs glistening, imagining the stone was the fox's heart, and my claws were plunging into her chest.Oh, how I wanted to hear her scream, to see her beg for mercy. I would laugh at her, just like she did. I would break her the way she broke so many others, and watch her slowly wither away in pain.The next time we meet, the tables will be turned. I promise.As I dragged my black claw across another stone, a familiar scent drifted to my nostrils. I immediately sprang to my feet, changing into my human form and put on the blindfold I always keep by my side.All my dear's males wore these roomy, tube-like trousers that allowed their tails to be free, and I was starting to feel more and more comfortable in them. It covered me up but didn't get in the way, even during my exercises."Welcome back, my dear," I said, keeping my voice even and my posture straight.She stopped a few steps in front of me, "You've grown.""I hope you find me more appealing now," I replied, tilting my head up slightly. My shoulders have become broader, and my body more toned."Not really," she responded, her tone indifferent, "You've always had the appeal. It's the growth spurt that I'm not so fond of. I don't like to crane my neck up when I speak to someone."My lips quivered as I got on my knees, humbling myself before her, "Is this better, my Dear?""No," she declared, "I don't appreciate having to look down either." Effortlessly, she lifted my chin, coaxing me back to my feet. Her breath, subtly warm, brushed against my lips as she whispered authoritatively, "This is the position I prefer.""I see," I breathed, resisting the urge to press my mouth against hers. The long separation only made the longing worse, and now, with her so close, it took all of my self-control to stay still, "I'm glad you're back," I managed to say.My wolf wanted her. Bad.As a former bait, I knew how to keep the prey's attention on me. It was just a matter of patience and perseverance. From the foxes, I've picked up on their cunning, and learned how to be sneaky with my words and actions. It's just my wolf side, my ears and tail that always give me away.However, my dear was not my prey. She was my dear female, the one who held the reins, the one in control of the leash around my neck.Her hand swept toward my back, fingers trailing along my restless tail with a cool touch, skimming through the soft fur. "Tend to Muir first," she whispered before letting go, "He's been carrying me for three days. I'm going to check on Bai in the meanwhile. Once you're finished, wait for me in the bedroom."I sucked in a breath, "Yes, dear."The moment she left, I took off my blindfold and went to assist the large bird.The majestic eagle stared at me, his intelligent gaze unblinking."Is there something wrong?" I asked, taking his fur coat from out of his luggage.Muir shook off the snow from his body and changed to his human form, then put on the long fur coat I handed him, "You should have picked her up, and carried her in your arms to keep your eye-level even.""Won't that get me a punch in the stomach?"Muir shook his head."And you know this how?" I asked, curious. I carried the luggage inside, telling him to take the warm bath I initially prepared for our dear female before it got cold.The large bird-man soaked himself in the tub, "It's better to make a move than to miss out. She was standing very close to you, with her lips just a hair away from yours. If she didn't want to be touched, she would have made sure to create some distance between the two of you.""I see. Thank you for telling me." I grabbed a brush, carefully removing the knots from his hair, "How was the travel?""Smooth," Muir responded, leaning back against the tub and closing his eyes in exhaustion.I've been tending to her males occasionally, as she clung to the old wish I expressed before truly knowing her ─ to treat her males better ─ a wish now turned against me. Instead of allowing me to wash her, she would make me wash the dirt from her male's bodies, massage their tense muscles, or nurse their fresh bruises instead.The first few times, her males seemed a bit uncomfortable. They were used to being the grooms, not the groomed. But when she allowed them, and only them (not me), to wash her body, they became all cooperative, and their discomfort was soon forgotten. It was like I was an extension of her arms, that followed her orders and was a means for her to reach the others.When it was my turn, our very dear female would take charge, declining any help from me in return. This rare privilege was granted only to me, and each time she did it, it left me weak-kneed and dizzy.After bathing and dressing, Muir barely managed to keep his eyes open, murmuring, "I'm leaving her in your care," before collapsing onto the mattress. His breathing deepened, and within moments, he was lost to sleep, utterly spent.I tossed a couple more logs into the fireplace. The flames kicked up a notch, spreading a nice warmth all around. The wood crackled and the fire's glow brightened, cozying up the room and pushing back the cold creeping in from outside.Then, I slipped on my blindfold and focused on the sound near my dear's location. She was in the common area together with Bai and Parker.Parker had to take care of his pregnant female on his own after Tony went into hibernation. I got into fights with him constantly for refusing to leave the house and hunt in his stead. I would help him with chopping wood and taking care of the livestock at most.Bai's pregnancy wasn't very complicated. She wasn't moody, or overly emotional, she just craved odd things at weird times. Her appetite was strong, her health good, and she should be due soon.· · ─────── · ⊱❈⊰· ─────── · ·After my dear checked on Bai's health, she went to take a quick shower and came out smelling like honey and milk.I sat up straight, my back pressed against the headboard. I was trying my best to appear collected, even though I could already feel the heat in my body rising.She got in bed and straddled my legs, "It's been a while, hasn't it?"Her hair was damp. They brushed across my skin as she leaned over and placed a small kiss on my cheek, her fingers gently grazing my wolf ears.I bit the inside of my cheeks. I needed to be strong. I can't lose myself."It has," I replied, forcing myself to sound composed, despite my racing heart.Her fingers continued to stroke the fur of my ears. She was very thorough. She didn't miss a spot, not the insides, not the outside, not the top or the bottom."Dear," I called out. My voice was hoarse and heavy."Sssh." She caressed my head, her fingers running through my hair. "Birdie is sleeping. Be a good boy, and keep your voice down."I swallowed in response.She pressed my head against her shoulder, and started grooming my hair. My hair wasn't very long, so she took her time, making sure to go through every strand.I closed my eyes, and held her tightly against my chest.I could smell the sweetness from her hair, the cleanliness of her skin. I could feel her warmth, her breathing.My body grew hard, yet she continued to be calm and composed, even though she must have known, and was sitting right on it.When her hands finally reached my shoulders, her palms and fingers began to knead the tightness out. She was massaging the tension, the stiffness, and the ache away. Her hands were so skilled, it was as if they could mold me like clay.My breaths grew ragged, and a low growl escaped from the back of my throat. My lips found her shoulder, and I nipped her lightly."You've grown a little impatient, haven't you?" she teased, her voice barely a whisper."A little?" I whispered back, the heat surging through my body. If only.She lifted herself off, and the chill that hit me was jarring. My arms shot out to hold her in place. I wasn't going to let her go this time.She grabbed my wrist faster than lightning, stopping my actions, and guided me to the study room.I stumbled after her, feeling like a helpless pup who had no control over his body.