Before Lucian could react, she shoved him away, horror written all over her face. She could feel it too. And his warmth only made it worse.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness, I'm not feeling well." She shifted away from him. "Could you please sit on the other side?"
Lucian wanted to oblige, to give her space. But damn it, the scent of jasmine was clouding his thoughts.
"Why?" he murmured, inching closer, his voice falling into a dangerously low register. "I'm your mate. Let me help you."
One hand covered her nose. The other pushed against his chest to stop him.
"Your Highness, I am not your mate," she stated firmly.
"Is that so?" he whispered. "Then why is your body reacting to my pheromones?"
"I… I'm not…"
She gritted her teeth, denying it, but her trembling hand on his chest betrayed her.
"So stubborn." Lucian growled, but didn't move closer. Instead, he gave her a cold smirk, watching her fight against his pheromones with every ounce of strength she had.
He wanted her to beg him. To plead for release.
"Say it," he coaxed.
Lucian took her trembling hand and slowly raised it to his lips. He kissed her burning palm, his breath laced with temptation.
"Just say the word, and I'll give you what you need."
Her other hand clenched at the fabric of her dress. She bit her lip and said nothing. Her eyes—both resolute and blurred with need—met his.
Lucian didn't get angry. He chuckled. Then he began tracing kisses along her palm like savoring a delicacy. He had nearly pounced on her, ready to devour her whole, until he saw that look of fear and panic in her eyes.
Even though his own rut was beginning to rise, even though instinct screamed at him to claim her, Lucian managed to rein himself in.
He had never wanted to hurt her.
"Very well. I won't force you." He let her go, leaned back, a smug curve to his lips. "I'll wait until you come crawling to me."
Because only he could satisfy her. Only he could put out the fire devouring her body. And only she could fill the hunger gnawing away at his soul.
Seraphina was slightly surprised by his sudden restraint. But she was in no state to dwell on it. Every nerve in her body was strung taut, trying to hold back the rut.
Lucian stood and moved to the opposite seat, arms crossed, watching her curl in on herself, trying to shield her body, trying to protect her mind.
Everything began to fall into place. Lucian finally understood why she came to Balton twice a year, always at the same time.
Because of the rut. Because she didn't want to touch anyone.
She was resisting even her own nature.
As an Alpha himself, Lucian knew how unbearable it was. He used to simply find an Omega to relieve it. But ever since he realized Seraphina was his mate, he hadn't been able to touch anyone else.
He was suffering through it too.
And he wondered, just how long had she endured this torment?
When was the last time she let someone satisfy her?
Or… had no one ever touched her at all?
The thought struck Lucian like lightning to his core. He shut his eyes tightly, forcing her image out of his mind. If he didn't, he would lose control.
The journey wasn't long, but to both of them, it felt like crossing a thousand miles. The air inside the carriage was heavy with pheromones. The scent of cedarwood nearly smothered the faint trace of jasmine.
Lucian kept his eyes shut, pretending not to hear the stifled whimpers coming from Seraphina. His entire body was coiled tight with restraint, every muscle drawn taut as if about to tear through his clothes.
When the carriage finally stopped, Lucian opened his eyes just in time to see Seraphina hastily flee. Mary, waiting at the gate, rushed forward to catch her and helped her inside.
Only then did Lucian finally exhale. His chest rose and fell with each ragged breath as he tried to relax his trembling muscles. He couldn't step down from the carriage just yet, otherwise, everyone would see the monster straining beneath the thin fabric of his pants.
Damn it.
This hunger was driving him to the edge of madness.
The moment Seraphina locked the bedroom door behind her, she ran straight to the vase filled with irises, Jeremiah's morning gifts. Her hands were trembling so violently they could hardly obey her, tearing through the petals as if searching for something.
It wasn't there. Where was it?
Petals flew everywhere under her frantic hands. If she didn't find it, she didn't know what she would do.
Maybe… maybe she would throw everything away and run to him.
At last, as the final flower dropped to the floor, she found it, one pill, hidden deep within the stamen.
Without hesitation, Seraphina swallowed the suppressor. It scraped down her dry throat, nearly making her gag, but she forced it down anyway.
She had to. Before it was too late.
Her body collapsed onto the cold floor, her head falling against the wall as she gasped for breath. Tremors racked her limbs. The rut hadn't subsided.
"Damn it…"
The curse slipped from her clenched teeth. She had used the suppressants too often. Their effects were growing weaker each time.
She half-opened her eyes and stared at the crushed petals scattered across the floor.
That had been the last pill. She had to find another way to ride out this rut. If not, Lucian would catch her scent.
A kiss pressed to her forehead.
Arms locking around her with possessive hunger.
Breath whispering soft, wicked promises against her ear.
The fleeting memories became hallucinations in the haze of her mind.
And then, Seraphina began to feel phantom touches ghosting over her feverish skin.
"Mary…"
Her voice was barely audible. With shaking limbs, she reached for the door and unlocked it.
Mary burst in the moment the door creaked open. Seeing her mistress's pale, broken form, she dropped to her knees and caught her before she could fall further.
"My lady!"
But Seraphina's vision was too clouded with desire. In her mind, the figure holding her wasn't Mary at all. It was someone else, with strong arms, a deep voice, and eyes that devoured her.
She bit her lip until it bled and clutched Mary's shoulder, clinging to the last shred of sanity she had.
"Call Jeremiah."
Mary froze at the command. Her eyes welled with tears as she looked at the woman she served, this proud, stubborn lady who now trembled in helpless agony.
"My lady…"
"Now!" Seraphina shouted. She was slipping fast. She couldn't hold on much longer.
Mary said nothing more. She sprang to her feet and ran to summon Jeremiah. She knew he was the only one who could save her now.
A flash of lightning lit up the window, casting a harsh glow over the shattered petals on the floor.
A storm was coming to drown everything.
And someone who should never have entered her life… was now walking straight into its heart.
***