Chapter Twenty
The doorbell's chime pierces through my foggy consciousness, followed by Soot's deep barking. My first thought is Dohwan's back again, but then I register the solid heat pressed against my spine and the heavy arm draped over my hips. Memory floods back—Dohwan's already here, in my bed.
I try to push myself up and immediately regret it.
Pain lances through my shoulder where his teeth broke skin, and what feel like a hundred other aches make themselves known.
My thighs tremble, muscles protesting even this small movement.
The sheets slide away, revealing scattered bruises and scrapes across my skin.
Dohwan makes a low rumbling sound in his throat but doesn't wake, his arm falling away as I extract myself from the tangled sheets. I grab my red silk robe from where it's draped over a chair, wincing as I slide it on. The fabric catches on tender spots, making me hiss.
Sunlight streams through the partially burned curtains, and I blink in surprise. I hadn't realized we'd gone all night. The apartment shows evidence of our … activities. Scorch marks mar the walls, and there's a suspicious crack running up one corner.
“Soot, heel,” I command as I make my way to the door. He falls into step beside me, his eyes still glowing with protective intensity.
I pull open the door and freeze. Eunho stands in the hallway, hands tucked in his pockets, brow furrowed with worry.
Eunho opens his mouth, likely to apologize for showing up unannounced, but the words die on his lips.
His eyes widen as they scan over me, taking in what must be quite a sight—my disheveled appearance, the bruises dotting my skin, my split lip.
I shift uncomfortably under his scrutiny, debating whether to slam the door or drag him into the hallway before—
Too late. Eunho's nostrils flare as he catches Dohwan's scent all over me. A low, threatening growl rumbles from deep in his chest.
“Eunho—” I start, but he moves with preternatural speed, gently grasping my shoulders and setting me aside like I weigh nothing.
He strides past me into the apartment, Soot trotting happily at his heels and licking at his fingers, completely oblivious to the tension.
Eunho halts in my living room, jaw dropping as he takes in the destruction—the scorched walls, overturned furniture, shattered glass.
His shoulders go rigid, muscles bunching beneath his shirt.
“Wait—” I try to catch up to him, but he's already moving with deadly purpose toward my bedroom, following Dohwan's scent.
I catch up to Eunho just as he flips on the bedroom light. He sucks in a sharp breath at the sight—shredded sheets, scorch marks on the walls, my dresser knocked sideways. Feathers from my destroyed pillows drift lazily through the air.
Dohwan sits up in bed, his usually pristine hair sticking up in wild tufts. He blinks against the sudden light, fangs flashing as he lets out a warning growl. When his eyes adjust and he takes in Eunho standing in the doorway, his lips curl into a mocking smirk.
“What the hell did you do?” Eunho snarls, his hands clenching into fists at his sides.
Dohwan snorts and stretches languidly, the sheet sliding down to pool at his waist. “I claimed my mate. What does it look like I did?”
“It looks and smells like a battle scene in here.” Eunho's voice drops dangerously low.
“That's the way she likes it.” Dohwan cocks his head to one side, his smirk widening. “Though you wouldn't know that, would you? I've gathered you're something of a vanilla lover.”
Eunho's fangs flash as he bares them fully, his eyes beginning to take on that telltale amber glow. “If you harmed her, I will end you.”
Dohwan rolls his eyes dramatically and gestures toward me with one hand. “Does she look broken to you?”
Eunho's head whips toward me, his eyes blazing. I open my mouth to explain, but his warm fingers catch my chin, tilting my face gently as he examines every mark and bruise. I jump when his thumb brushes over my split lip, the touch sending tingles across my skin.
A deep growl rumbles from Eunho's chest as he shoots Dohwan a murderous look.
“That wasn't me,” Dohwan scoffs from the bed, stretching his arms above his head. “She did that to herself.”
“I'm okay, really—” I start to say, but as I move, the silk of my robe slips down one shoulder. Eunho sucks in a sharp breath, his fingers immediately moving to tug the fabric lower, exposing the deep bite mark marring my skin.
“And this?” Eunho's voice comes out rough as he traces the edges of the wound. “This wasn't you either?”
Dohwan gives him a chagrined look and holds up his arms, displaying an impressive collection of bite marks and scratches across his skin. “Fair's fair. She gave as good as she got.”
I wince, heat flooding my cheeks. “This looks worse than it is.”
“Is this how you were taught to properly care for a female?” Eunho's words cut through the air like ice as he glares at Dohwan. “By brutalizing her like a feral beast?”
I press my lips together, fighting both embarrassment and arousal as Dohwan sighs dramatically and swings his long legs over the side of my bed.
“Look,” he drawls, “you take your mate how you want, and I'll take her how I want. If you're so concerned about comparing notes, we can always place bets on who makes her come more times.” His lips curve into that infuriating smirk. “Though I think I've already set quite the high score.”
Eunho opens his mouth for what I'm sure will be a scathing retort, but the words die on his lips.
His whole body goes rigid, and I follow his stunned gaze to see that Dohwan has stood up, letting my shredded sheets fall away completely.
Every magnificent inch of him is on display, all lean muscle and golden skin marked with evidence of our night together.
My breath catches. Even after hours of having my hands all over that body, the sight of him still makes heat pool low in my belly.
Eunho's fangs flash as he snarls, “Get some fucking clothes on.”
Dohwan stretches lazily, completely unbothered by his nudity. “You're the one who barged unannounced into the room I was sleeping in.” He cocks an eyebrow at Eunho. “If you sleep in your mate's bed with clothes on, that's hardly my fault.”
I press my palm to my forehead, caught between wanting to laugh and wanting to sink through the floor. The testosterone-fueled tension in the room is thick enough to choke on.
I press my lips together, watching as Dohwan bends to retrieve his pants from the floor, making quite the show of it. He looks over his shoulder at Eunho, his lips curving into that infuriating smirk.
“What's wrong? Bitter that she's wearing my mark and not yours?” Dohwan's voice drips with false sympathy as he pulls his pants on. “Seems I beat you once again.”
Eunho's snarl echoes off the walls as he steps into Dohwan's space. “I claimed her first. We both know you couldn't be bothered to touch her until I did. So who's really trying to beat who?”
“But I mated her first,” Dohwan sneers, his fangs glinting.
I lean against the doorframe, noting absently that they barely fit in my bedroom.
Both of them tower over me, nearly matched in height and build.
The testosterone-charged tension crackles between them like lightning about to strike.
Maybe I should intervene before they destroy what's left of my apartment.
“You didn't even want her,” Eunho scoffs. “You only tried claiming her after I'd been with her.” His lips curl into a taunting smile. “It was my scent on her that got you going, wasn't it? That's what really drove you wild.”
Dohwan moves like a striking snake, gripping Eunho's shirt in his fists and getting right in his face, fangs bared. “Watch yourself. Sharing a mate doesn't make you immune to getting your ass handed to you.”
Eunho throws his head back, laughing. “I'd love to see you try.”
Flames erupt in Dohwan's palm, the orange glow reflecting in his dark eyes. Eunho breaks away from him, matching fire bursting to life in his own hands. The temperature in my bedroom spikes as their power builds.
“Don't you dare,” I warn, but they're too focused on each other to hear me.
Before they can unleash their fire, I lunge forward and clamp my hands over theirs, smothering their flames. The heat tingles against my palms but doesn't burn—fire affinity has its perks.
“Out. Both of you.”
Neither male moves, continuing their staring contest. Fine. New tactics needed.
I release their hands and grab the sensitive tips of their pointed ears instead, yanking down hard. Eunho lets out a startled yelp while Dohwan snarls in outrage. But with their heads forced down to my level, they have no choice but to stumble along as I march them through my apartment.
I get the front door open with my elbow and shove Eunho through first. Before Dohwan can smirk about it, I plant my foot against his hip and kick him out after.
“No blasting each other inside my apartment,” I state firmly as they right themselves, Eunho looking wounded and Dohwan irritated. “Go cool off. I need to wash the smell of male and smoke off me anyway.”
Eunho's frown deepens. “When do you want me to come back?”
“Come back?” Dohwan's head snaps toward him.
“Obviously I need to return to Gawon's side.” Eunho meets his glare evenly.
“You'll be sleeping on the floor then, because I intend to sleep in my mate's bed.” Dohwan's fangs flash.
They bare their teeth at each other again and I roll my eyes.
“You'll learn to take turns or you can both snuggle up with each other in the hallway.” I bite back a laugh at their matching expressions of outrage and disappointment.
“Make yourselves scarce. I need to call maintenance about…” I wave my hand at the scorched walls and cracked plaster.
“All this. And I don't think Elder Nam is going to be thrilled about the repair costs.”
Dohwan's lip curls as he glances at the damage. He opens his mouth, probably to argue, but thinks better of it and stomps off down the hallway instead, his bare back rigid with irritation.
Eunho lingers, his eyes traveling over me again with that same concerned assessment. The warmth in his gaze makes my skin tingle.
“I'm fine,” I assure him softly. “Really.”
His expression softens and he reaches out to brush his fingers against my cheek. “Call if you need anything?”
I smile and make a shooing motion. “Go on. I'll see you later.”
He backs away reluctantly, keeping his eyes on me until he has to turn to follow Dohwan's path down the hall.
I shut the door and lean against it, letting out a long breath. Soot pads over and sniffs at my hand, his steady black eyes studying me. I scratch behind his ears.
“This is probably only going to get harder before it gets easier, isn't it?” I mutter. Soot whuffs in agreement. I look up at the scorched ceiling and cracked walls. “Thank the seasons this building is fireproof.”