Chapter 56

Hu Yetao automatically spread his thighs to allow Oscar to settle comfortably between his legs, one arm wrapping loosely around Oscar's naked back, his smooth skin warm to the touch. He shuddered as Oscar's naturally warm body heat began to slowly seep into him, chasing away some of the chills that had settled into his body from the cool room.

Oscar dropped his head down to sniff at Hu Yetao's neck, causing him to shiver; no longer from the cold but an oddly thrilling sense of anticipation.

Oscar pressed his lips to Hu Yetao's skin, pausing a moment to inhale his mate's scent, then moved up the side of his neck, kissing each new stretch of bare skin with warm seeking lips. He moved up to just beneath Hu Yetao's ear and then back down again, lingering over his pulse point and then again over the soft juncture of his shoulder.

Oscar's lips parted and he began to lightly suck at the soft flesh, drawing it gently into his mouth and wetting it. Hu Yetao's eyes fell closed as his mate then began to leave the area with his tongue, as though thoroughly cleaning the area in preparation.

Hu Yetao could feel Oscar hardening against his inner thigh as he continued to lap at Hu Yetao's skin, utterly absorbed in what he was doing. Hu Yetao knew he probably would have been aroused as well if he wasn't so exhausted.

Oscar eventually pulled back and Hu Yetao opened his eyes to meet his gaze. "Ready?" Oscar asked thickly.

"Yeah," Hu Yetao whispered back, voice hoarse but sure.

Oscar looked as though he wanted to say something more, perhaps to remind Hu Yetao that it would hurt or that it was irreversible or to remind him of the Nundu venom that would forevermore flow through his veins, but he didn't. Maybe he didn't want to say anything that might change Hu Yetao's mind.

Hu Yetao arched his neck and closed his eyes in clear submission.

He was ready.

He felt Oscar lean forwards, felt warm breath drifting across the damp patch of skin that he'd created.

He shivered, and then suddenly he felt the distinct sensation of teeth closing around his flesh. Hu Yetao's heart pounded and he was suddenly wide awake, body buzzing with instant awareness.

He inhaled sharply through his nose as the teeth slowly began to clamp down, harder and harder, felt the sharp pressure of pointed canines straining to break through his skin. He idly wondered if Oscad's Nundu heritage made his teeth elongate to make a claiming bite.

The thought was soon overtaken as his mate's teeth suddenly, and easily, pierced through his skin, as though biting into a piece of fruit. He stiffened but made no noise, biting his lip hard to stifle a gasp of shock and pain.

Oscar continued to sink his teeth in a little further before finally stopping and letting his lips close around the wound, teeth still firmly embedded in Hu Yetao's flesh. He let out a muffled moan against Hu Yetao's skin, hips reflexively thrusting against Hu Yetao's thigh, erection hard and insistent as his primitive Alpha instincts slowly took over.

Hu Yetao felt dizzy as the stinging sensation steadily turned into an intense burning at the same time that the scent of his mate's arousal swirled around him, confusing him and pulling his body in two different directions. His cock was half hard as Oscar rolled his hips, seeking out any sort of friction to relieve his body's natural reaction at finally claiming its mate.

Hu Yetao gasped as the burning suddenly reached a crescendo and then began to flow outwards from the bite wound, traveling through his veins at breakneck speed. Hu Yetao could feel the venom's magic coursing through his body, curling around his magical core and fusing. The searing pain began to ease as it continued to spread, turning warm and then slightly cool as it reached the tips of his fingers and toes.

He exhaled in relief as the pain finally dissipated, leaving only a deep throbbing sensation where Oscar's teeth were still fastened over his skin.

Hu Yetao was beginning to wonder if his mate was having a hard time letting go when Oscar finally eased up the pressure of his sharp teeth and slowly released Hu Yetao's injured flesh from his mouth.

"Oh…" Hu Yetao's eyes fluttered shut in unexpected pleasure as Oscar began to tenderly lick over the bite mark. All of a sudden, he felt… connected, tethered to his mate in a way that he couldn't even begin to comprehend. His Alpha's tender ministrations as he cleaned the blood and Nundu venom from his wound spoke more clearly than words of how much he cared for his Omega. Hu Yetao could feel it; the love ringing out clear and beautiful, like the pure and exquisite tone of a bell resounding throughout his whole being.

It was a connection, unlike anything he'd ever experienced before, like a Legilimency for the soul.

Oscar's hips had stopped their instinctive rutting but his erection had not diminished in the slightest, pressed long and hard against Hu Yetao's leg. Oscar pressed a single kiss to the mark then sat up, straddling Hu Yetao's hips, surveying his work with approval before turning his heated gaze on his mate.

Hu Yetao looked back at him, blinking in astonishment at the way Oscar's eyes had gone silver and how his pupils had grown distinctly oval-shaped rather than circular.

They were the eyes of a Nundu.

Hu Yetao didn't know what it said about him when he felt a flare of arousal at the visual reminder of his mate's alter ego.