Despite the back alley town of Suar being poorer than Mataharisma, the people had smiles on their faces. Markets, tailors, smiths, all the people worked together to keep the town running regardless of what was happening in the Capital and the barracks. A peaceful life that Topan and Fuxiao could never dream of.

They passed by a tailor’s store, glancing at their worn out clothes.

“Let’s prepare for tomorrow,” Fuxiao said.

Inside the small tailor store, Topan’s hulking body barely squeezed in. His dirty, bloodstained cloak stood out against the clean, soft fabrics lining the walls of the store.

“Um, sir,” the nervous tailor sweated a bucket, “I don’t think we have anything in your size at the moment. If you could wait a day, we could make something to fit.”

Topan hesitated. “Uh, just a… robe or something is fine. Not picky.” He didn’t remember when he last had a proper conversation with another person. All his life, he was in the battlefield, swinging his swords, yelling for his comrades, and roaring his Tiger Bloodline to life.

The tailor didn’t notice Topan’s nervousness. “Yes, sir. I’ll find something suitable.”

Topan watched the tailor scurry around. While he stillstruggled to hold a conversation with the people here, Fuxiao seemed to assimilate no problem.

Out of all the clothes in the store, Fuxiao chose a slim-fitting white dress shirt and black pants, similar to his worn out ones. The plainness of his attire made the silver tag around his neck shine.

“You sure that’s enough for you?” Topan asked, “You’ve got the money, don’t you want something… nicer?”

“These are enough for me.” Fuxiao glanced over at the racks of dresses, “Unless you want me to wear one of those.”

“Ugh, that’s not what I mean. You… you look good in whatever you choose.” Topan willed the heat away from his cheeks. Well, if he could feel emotions and arousal, that meant that he was still human after all. He had thought a lot about it while trapped in the dungeon but the feelings he harboured for Fuxiao was something he hadn’t had before. It was similar to the loyalty and respect he held for his king but it was also… more intimate.

Like a beast towards its mate.

A protective desire to keep him by his side and be close to one another forever.

To mark him as his, to show the world that Fuxiao belonged to him.

“Dresses will be too difficult to move in for the distance we’re going. It’s not an optimal piece in battle either.”

Fuxiao’s voice snapped Topan out of his thoughts.

“That’s true, forget it. Just pick what you want.”

Although he was a beast, he was still a man and Topan couldn’t deny the little desire to see Fuxiao–the person he lusted after–in a provocative attire. During the small reprieves between wars, Topan and his comrades had visited bars where escorts comforted them. His memories were hazy but now with Fuxiao by his side, his Bloodline shivered just with the smallest touch and his manhood throbbed as though he was in a constant rut.

Maybe it was just his instinct to survive and mate.

The more he thought about it, the more he was convinced he was an animal.

Then, Topan noticed the golden sash around Fuxiao’s waist. “That…?”

“I’m keeping it.”

“Even though it’s all dirty?”

“It’s something you gave me.”

Topan didn’t argue. They were both men of few words who spoke more with their actions. So seeing how insistent Fuxiao was over it made him warm inside.

Topan caressed Fuxiao’s soft cheeks. Such a precious being. How he wished these little peaceful moments could last forever so Fuxiao would never have to stain his hands with blood again. He needed to be stronger, more powerful. To the point that no one, not even Lord Senjahari, could push him down. All for the sake of this beautiful man who had saved him.

He didn’t say it out loud.

But Topan swore that he would protect Fuxiao with his entire being.

-

Night quickly took over. Fuxiao booked a room above the tavern for the two of them. He sat on the double bed in the middle of the room, glancing out at the dark sky through the window. How long had it been since he woke up into this nightmare? A world where he had no part in. A world where he didn’t quite belong to.

“Fuxiao,” Topan walked in. “The room comes with a shower. We gotta at least wash up before we head out tomorrow.”

“Right.” Fuxiao walked over to Topan and placed a hand on his thick arm. “Shall we now?”

“Huh?”

“The tavern lady said an extra bucket of water would cost more. We don’t have enough for two.” Without missing a beat, Fuxiao unbuttoned his shirt and looked over his thin shoulders at Topan. “You coming?”

A little tilt of the head, a heated gaze from underneath lashes, a soft inviting tone. It was all a silent gesture to reel in the animal, promising that if it obeyed the commands and followed the master, there would be a delicious treat. Killing was easy. But owning a possession was more satisfying.

Fuxiao allowed Topan to kiss the back of his neck. Their clothes piled on the floor and he led them into the bathroom. His blood cells in Topan’s veins rushed in adrenaline, riling up the animal to take more control over his mind.

Fervent lips found each other. Rough hands cupped soft breasts. With his back pressed against the wall, Fuxiao hooked his legs around Topan’s waist, pulling them closer and rubbing his wet heat against the rock hard dick. Being together in the safety of a town seemed like a dream but the hot touches of their bodies against each other reminded them that this was all very real.

The heat rushed through Topan’s body and he fumbled to position himself against the hole before shoving the length in, earning him a gasp. He stayed buried in the delicate folds for a second, relishing in the rhythmic squeezes.

“I could stay inside you forever,” Topan grunted in a daze.

“I would welcome that, but,” Fuxiao whispered against Topan’s lips, “I’m sure you can attain more pleasure. Hold me tighter, fuck me deeper, mark me as yours as you are mine.”

As if he was hypnotised, Topan grabbed Fuxiao’s ass and slammed it down his entire length. With an animalistic growl, he thrust deeper into the tight pussy with the unhidden desire to break the beautiful man apart. He’s no longer a knight. Not a human. He’s just a beast satisfying his primal instincts.

Moans and grunts filled the room and with another buck of the hips, Topan shoved his massive cock deep inside.

Fuxiao gasped, head thrown back as the electricity shot through his body. The violent thrusts continued to smash the cock deep into his precious place and bulged out his stomach. The pure and raw ecstasy drove away all of his thoughts. Bloodlines, Dormants. Who cares? Right now, he only wanted to be drowned in the pain and pleasure of being nothing but animals.

Topan shoved his tongue into Fuxiao’s mouth as though he was going to devour him. Sharp teeth bit plump lips, drawing blood. The sweet, sweet nectar that brought out his Tiger Bloodline. Black stripes clawed across his body and he shifted more into a beast form than a human. His already enormous cock grew larger and harder, gorging inside Fuxiao’s womb, taking away his breath and rationality.

It took Fuxiao all his remaining strength simply to hold onto the beast. His lithe body sat impaled on the thrusting member like a cock sleeve and he relished in the sensation of being filled up. His Blood knew. If Topan came inside him now, he would surely be impregnated and the mere thought of it sent a wave of orgasm from his brain to his cunt.

What powerful creation could he make with this beast?

Would it be far stronger than the original?

Would it kill everything in sight?

His body submitted to the beast devouring him and he didn’t mind one bit. His Blood told him that this was right. To give himself up to such a powerful beast. To be dominated by this alpha male. Like a moth to a flame, he would fly to the Blood that burned the strongest.

-

Setia, Kirana and Yuda headed towards the town of Suar in disguise of casual clothes with Kirana holding Yuda’s hand to prevent him from running amok.

“Chill, Kirana, I’m not going anywhere. There’s nothing interesting about the Dormants here.” Yuda rolled his eyes. “These humans living here without a care that they can be eliminated any time, by the hudoqs, or by a Bloodliner. Yet they just live about like mindless pests.”

“Cut it out. We’re trying to keep a low profile.” Kirana reprimanded Yuda who didn’t pay attention to her. “You’re aware that there’s a divide between us and them so don’t cause any more problems. We have powers that can hurt them, kill them even, so it is up to us to keep it under control and use it for the greater good. Not a mad rampage.”

“What’s the fun in being a goody-two shoes? If they truly don’t want to live under our powers, then they should stand up and become stronger.”

Kirana had to restrain herself. “You’re an amazing partner to have when fighting hudoqs but you really have seven screws loose, don’t you?”

“That’s enough, you two.” Setia interjected. “Yuda, you have the right to think however you please but as long as you are part of the Sunrise Boundary under Lord Senjahari, you have sworn an oath to follow him and his words. Despite all the hardships and enemies he had to face, the Lord continues to lead with his head up. And once he wears the crown, he will create a kingdom where everyone can live together regardless of their history. A kingdom where Bloodline does not matter.”

-

Lord Senjahari walked through the main hall of the Royal Palace for the first time in many years. Gold and crystal ornaments hung from the ceiling. Intricate decorations lined the walls and pillars. A place that fulfilled every commoner’s impossible dreams. Sparkling. Expensive. Excessive. Some things never changed.

At the end of the hallway, Princess Kipassalju stood in a grand armour, ready to head out to plunder more gold from unsuspecting towns with her terrifying command over ice and snow. Her golden brown hair was put up in a high ponytail, adorned with a shining feather accessory that only the Royal Family could wear.

“It’s been a while, Senja.” Princess Kipassalju smirked from behind her fan.

“How have you been, sister?” Senjahari said in a cold voice.