Chapter 3: The Summit's Edge
The neutral clearing was already crowded by the time Kael arrived the next evening.
Torches flickered along the perimeter, casting long shadows that danced across faces and made every expression look sharper, more dangerous. Alphas from six packs milled around low stone tables laden with meat and wine. Betas stood in loose clusters, eyes darting, ready to back their leaders. A few omegas hovered near the edges, scenting the air nervously, hoping for a glance or a claim that might change their night.
Kael hated these gatherings. Always had. Too many egos in one place, too much posturing disguised as diplomacy. But the Elder Council insisted on them every full moon cycle, and skipping one sent the wrong message. So here he was, coat open over a fresh black shirt, sleeves still rolled from last night, scars on his forearms catching the firelight.
He felt eyes on him the second he stepped into the circle.
Not the usual wary glances from lesser alphas. Something heavier. Hungrier.
He scanned the crowd once, casually, like he was just taking stock.
Ronan was there.
Leaning against a thick oak at the far side, arms crossed over his bare chest, jeans the same low-slung black ones from last night. He hadn't bothered with a shirt again. The fresh knife scar on his pec looked darker in the torchlight, almost inviting. His amber eyes found Kael immediately, like he'd been waiting.
A slow smile curled Ronan's lips. Not mocking this time. Knowing.
Kael's stomach tightened. His cock gave an interested twitch, remembering the grind, the blood, the way Ronan's throat had pulsed under his fingers.
He forced his gaze away, jaw clenched. "Focus," he muttered under his breath. "Not tonight."
But his wolf didn't care about summits or politics. It was already pacing again, fur bristling, scenting the air for that cedar-smoke heat that had haunted him all day.
Kael moved through the crowd, nodding to a few alphas he tolerated, exchanging clipped words with the council elders who droned about territory lines and mating runs. Every few steps he felt Ronan watching. Felt it like a hand trailing down his spine.
The council called the first formal circle. Alphas stepped into the center ring of stones. Kael took his place, shoulders squared, expression blank.
Ronan joined last. Slid in across from him, close enough that Kael could smell him over the smoke and meat—musk, leather, the faint salt of last night's release still clinging to his skin.
Their eyes met again.
Ronan's gaze dropped deliberately. Lingered on Kael's throat where a faint bruise from his own claws still bloomed purple. Then lower, to the front of Kael's pants where the fabric was already starting to tent again.
Kael felt heat rush to his face and lower. His cock swelled further, pressing insistently, pre-cum dampening the inside of his briefs. He shifted his stance, trying to hide it, but Ronan's smile widened. He knew.
The council droned on about border disputes. Kael barely heard them. His pulse was loud in his ears. Every time Ronan shifted weight, the torchlight caught the flex of his abs, the deep V dipping into his jeans. Kael's mouth went dry imagining sliding a hand down there, feeling the heat of him, wrapping fingers around that thick length again.
Ronan's nostrils flared. He inhaled slow, deliberate, pulling Kael's scent in like he was tasting it. Then he licked his bottom lip—slow, obvious.
Kael's breath hitched.
A low growl built in his throat. He swallowed it down, but not before Ronan heard it. The rogue's eyes darkened, pupils blowing wide.
The council called for a recess. Wolves scattered to eat, drink, flirt in the shadows.
Kael didn't move at first. He stayed rooted, staring across the stones at Ronan.
Ronan pushed off the tree. Walked straight toward him. No hesitation. No pretense.
The crowd parted without thinking. Alphas sensed the tension, betas whispered, omegas edged away.
Ronan stopped inches from Kael. Close enough that their chests brushed when they breathed.
"You've been hard since I walked in," Ronan murmured, voice low enough for only Kael to hear. "Can smell it. Bet your briefs are soaked. Bet you've been fighting not to touch yourself all day thinking about last night."
Kael's hands curled into fists. "Shut your mouth, rogue."
Ronan leaned in until his lips nearly grazed Kael's ear. "Or what? You gonna drag me into the trees? Pin me against a trunk? Fuck me raw while the council pretends not to notice?"
Kael's vision tunneled. Heat pounded through him. His cock jerked, leaking steadily now, the wet spot spreading on his pants.
Ronan inhaled again, nostrils flaring. "You're dripping for me, Kael. Right here in front of everyone. Your wolf's screaming for it. Mine too."
Kael grabbed Ronan's wrist—hard. Dragged him toward the treeline without a word.
Ronan went willingly. Laughing softly under his breath.
They slipped into the shadows just beyond the torchlight. The sounds of the summit faded to a distant hum.
Kael slammed Ronan back against the nearest tree. Bark cracked. Ronan's head hit wood with a thud, but he only grinned wider.
Kael pressed in close, thigh shoving between Ronan's legs, pinning him. Their cocks slotted together through fabric—hot, rigid, throbbing in time.
Ronan groaned low, hips rolling up once, grinding shamelessly.
"Feel how hard you make me?" he whispered. "Been like this since last night. Jerked off thinking about knotting you. About you coming apart under me again."
Kael's hand shot to Ronan's throat again. Thumb pressed against the pulse point where he'd drawn blood before.
"You talk too much," Kael growled.
Ronan's hand slid down, palming Kael through his pants. Rough. Possessive. Squeezing just enough to make Kael's hips buck involuntarily.
"Then make me stop talking," Ronan breathed. "Stuff that pretty mouth of yours with something better."
Kael's control snapped.
He crushed their mouths together—hard, bruising, fangs clashing. Ronan bit back, tongue pushing in, tasting blood and want. They kissed like they were trying to kill each other. Hands everywhere—clawing at shirts, yanking belts, grinding desperately.
Ronan's fingers found Kael's zipper. Tugged it down. Slid inside.
Skin on skin.
Kael hissed into Ronan's mouth as rough fingers wrapped around his cock, stroking once, slick with pre-cum.
"Fuck," Kael gasped.
Ronan stroked again—slow, deliberate. "That's it. Let go. Let me feel how much you need it."
Kael's hips jerked forward. He shoved Ronan harder against the tree, hand sliding down to grip Ronan's ass, pulling him closer.
They rutted against each other like animals—clothes half-on, breaths ragged, growls mixing with moans.
The knot at the base of Kael's cock started to swell, aching, demanding.
Ronan felt it. Groaned. "Want to knot me, alpha? Or want me to knot you first?"
Kael broke the kiss, panting. "Shut up."
Ronan laughed—breathless, dark. "Make me."
A distant howl cut through the night—the council calling everyone back to the circle.
They froze.
Reality crashed in.
Kael stepped back, chest heaving. Cock still out, glistening, knot half-swollen.
Ronan licked his lips, tasting Kael on them. Adjusted himself slowly, deliberately, letting Kael watch.
"Later," Ronan promised, voice wrecked. "When there's no council to interrupt. When I can take my time breaking you open."
Kael zipped up with shaking hands. "You wish."
Ronan's smile was slow, dangerous. "We both know I don't have to wish. You're already mine."
He walked back toward the clearing first—hips rolling, scent thick with arousal.
Kael stood in the shadows a moment longer, heart slamming, body screaming for more.
He dragged a hand over his face.
This was bad.
This was very bad.
But he followed anyway.
Because some things couldn't be denied anymore.