Chapter 111 RESTRAINT
Kael’s voice was low, almost disbelieving, as he said it again: “You’re really in heat.”
Adam whimpered softly on the bed, his body curling slightly, fingers clutching weakly at the sheets. His breathing was uneven, his skin flushed, and the growing scent of his heat —thick, sweet, and overwhelming— filled the room.
Kael closed his eyes for a brief second.
“Ryn… behave,” he muttered under his breath.
The wolf only growled in response.
Mate.
Kael exhaled sharply and leaned down, sliding one arm under Adam’s back and the other beneath his knees.
“It’s okay, baby,” he said softly as he lifted him. “Let me take care of you.”
Adam’s head lolled against his shoulder. “A…Alpha…”
“I’m here,” Kael replied immediately. “I’m right here.”
He carried him into the bathroom, pushing the door open with his foot. The space filled with soft echoes as he set Adam gently on the edge of the tub.
“Stay with me,” Kael murmured, turning on the water.
Adam’s fingers found Kael's sleeve again, weak but desperate. “Don’t… go…”
“I’m not going anywhere,” Kael said, glancing back at him. “I promise.”
The tub filled slowly. Kael tested the water with his hand, then turned back to Adam.
“Let’s get you cleaned up, yeah?” he said gently.
Adam didn’t respond properly, just nodded faintly, his eyes barely open.
Kael carefully removed the rest of Adam’s clothing, his movements slow, controlled, and deliberate. He avoided looking too long, he also avoided letting his thoughts drift.
“You’re safe,” he kept saying quietly. “You’re safe. That’s all that matters.”
Adam shivered as Kael lowered him into the water.
“Warm…” Adam whispered, his body relaxing just slightly.
“Yeah,” Kael said softly, kneeling beside the tub. “Just relax.”
He dipped a cloth into the water and began gently washing Adam’s arms, his shoulders, his neck— careful around the mark wound.
Adam’s scent deepened, spreading stronger and thicker.
It hit Kael like a wave, and his hand paused. His jaw tightened.
“Don’t…” Kael muttered to himself. “Don’t even think about it.”
Adam shifted in the water, a soft sound escaping him. “Alpha…”
“I’m here,” Kael answered quickly, forcing his hand to keep moving. “Focus on me, baby.”
Adam leaned into his touch, his head tilting slightly, exposing his neck.
Kael sucked in a breath, fighting back the possessiveness urging him to do something about the mark on Adam's neck.
His fingers trembled for a second before he steadied them and continued washing.
“You’re okay,” he whispered. “You’re doing so well.”
Adam’s lips parted. “Need… help…”
Kael swallowed hard. “No,” he said gently. “Not like that.”
Adam frowned faintly, confused, his body shifting again. “Hurts… please…”
“I know,” Kael said, voice soft but firm. “I know it hurts. But I won’t take advantage of you.”
Adam made a soft, frustrated sound, his legs shifting slightly in the water.
Kael turned his face away for a second, jaw tight.
‘Need to knot mate.’
“Ryn, I swear—” he muttered.
Mate.
“I know he’s my mate!” Kael snapped under his breath, then immediately softened his tone as he looked back at Adam. “Hey… hey… look at me.”
Adam’s eyes fluttered open.
“Stay with me,” Kael said. “Can you do that?”
Adam blinked slowly.
“Say my name,” Kael added softly.
“A…Alpha…”
Kael shook his head gently. “No. My name.”
Adam frowned, struggling. “K…Ka…”
“Kael,” he said. “Say it.”
“Kael…” Adam whispered.
“That’s it,” Kael said, a small smile breaking through the tension. “Good.”
He finished washing him carefully, then pulled the drain.
“Let’s get you out.”
Adam clung weakly to him as Kael lifted him again, wrapping him in a towel.
“You’re okay,” Kael kept murmuring. “You’re okay. I’m here for you.”
He dried him off slowly, gently, then quickly dried himself enough before dressing Adam in a light cotton sleepwear.
“Comfortable,” Kael said softly, adjusting the fabric. “Nice and soft.”
Adam barely responded, his body still trembling.
Kael carried him back to the bed and laid him down, then climbed in beside him, pulling him close.
The moment their bodies touched, Adam moved, pressing closer.
His leg slid against Kael’s, his body seeking.
“Alpha…” Adam breathed, voice strained. “Need… touch… please…”
Kael shut his eyes tightly. “No,” he whispered. “Not like this.”
Adam’s hands gripped his shirt weakly. “Help… please… want Alpha…”
“I know,” Kael said, voice breaking slightly. “I know you do. But I won’t do that to you.”
Adam let out a soft, frustrated sound, his body shifting again, pressing closer.
Kael wrapped his arms around him tighter, holding him still.
“Focus on me,” Kael said gently. “Stay with me, okay?”
Adam shook his head weakly. “Can’t…”
“Yes, you can,” Kael insisted softly. “You’re strong. Stronger than this.”
Adam whimpered.
“Spell my name,” Kael said suddenly.
Adam blinked, confused.
“Spell it,” Kael repeated. “Come on. K…”
Adam swallowed. “K…”
“Good. A…”
“A…”
“That’s it,” Kael said, his voice soft, steady. “E…”
“E…”
“L.”
“L…”
“Kael,” Kael finished.
Adam’s breathing steadied just a little.
“Again,” Kael murmured.
Adam repeated it, slower this time. “Kael…”
“That’s my mate,” Kael whispered, pressing a kiss to his forehead. “That’s my beautiful mate.”
Adam’s grip on his shirt tightened again. “Hurts…”
“I know,” Kael said softly. “I know it does.”
“Make it stop…”
“I will,” Kael promised. “Just not like that. I won’t hurt you.”
Adam shifted again, weaker now. “Want Alpha…”
“You have me,” Kael said, pulling him closer. “Right here.”
Adam’s voice dropped into soft, broken murmurs, words slipping into incoherence.
“Mine… Alpha… please…”
Kael’s throat tightened.
“I’m yours,” he said quietly. “Always.”
Adam’s movements slowly began to lose strength; his voice faded, the desperate edge softened into soft, broken breaths.
Kael kept talking…
“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered. “Do you know that?”
Adam didn’t respond.
“I love you,” Kael said, over and over. “I love you, Adam. I love you so much.”
His hand moved gently through Adam’s hair, slow, soothing strokes.
“You’re safe now. No one’s going to touch you again. I won’t let them.”
Adam’s body finally stilled. His breathing evened out.
Kael paused.
“…Adam?”
No response.
He looked down… Adam had fallen asleep.
Kael let out a slow breath, his body finally relaxing just a fraction.
He pulled him closer, holding him tightly against his chest.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to Adam’s forehead. “I’m so sorry.”
His voice shook.
“I came too late… I should have been there… I should have stopped it before it even happened.”
His grip tightened slightly.
“I’m sorry you had to go through that. I’m sorry he touched you. I’m sorry you had to feel that pain.”
His breath hitched.
“I failed you.”
He pressed his forehead against Adam’s.
“I won’t fail you again.”
His hands trembled, but he steadied them by holding Adam tighter, anchoring himself in his mate’s presence.
“I love you,” he whispered again, softer this time. “I'm sorry.”
And in the quiet of the room… Kael lay awake, watching his mate, his heart filled with a complex mix of emotions. He stroked Adam's hair, his fingers tracing the delicate curve of his cheek. He inhaled the strong, persistent scent of heat, a heady, intoxicating fragrance that filled his senses… it's like the scent of an Omega…
“Mate is an Omega?