Chapter Twenty-Four
The past few days have been a whirlwind of passion and adjustments.
My apartment has become our unofficial headquarters, with both Eunho and Dohwan more or less living there full time.
The dynamic between them has shifted dramatically—where there was once tension and rivalry, there's now something softer, though no less intense.
Eunho seems to float through his days, grinning more than usual, if that's even possible.
But it's Dohwan who's undergone the most striking transformation.
His protective instincts have kicked into overdrive, and not just toward me.
Yesterday, he nearly took off a guard's head for brushing against Eunho in the hallway.
I stifle another yawn as I watch the students practice their forms. My body aches in the most delicious way, but seasons, I'm exhausted. Neither of my males shows any sign of slowing down, though. And last night was particularly vigorous.
Dohwan paces beside me like a caged animal, his eyes tracking every movement in the training yard. His jaw clenches each time one of the male students glances my way.
“Coach Seo?” One of the students approaches, concern etched on his face. “Are you alright? You seem tired.”
Before I can answer, Dohwan whirls around, a growl rumbling in his chest. “Eyes on your forms,” he snaps, baring his fangs.
I place a restraining hand on his arm. “I'm fine,” I assure the student, who's already backing away. “Just didn't get much sleep.”
Dohwan's growl deepens at that, and I feel his muscles coil under my palm. I squeeze his arm gently, trying to ground him.
“You're particularly touchy this morning,” I murmur, keeping my voice low enough that only he can hear.
His nostrils flare as he scans the yard again. “They're all staring at you.”
“They're students. They're supposed to look at their instructors.”
He makes a noncommittal sound, but I notice his eyes narrow when two female students whisper and giggle while looking our way. This possessive behavior is new—and if I'm honest, a little concerning. I've never seen him this on edge.
I keep half my attention on Dohwan as I circle the training yard, watching the students practice their forms. His mood radiates off him in waves of heat that make the air shimmer. Not unusual for him to be surly, but something about today has him particularly wound up.
Near the end of class, I notice Kihyun struggling with his wielding forms, his movements stiff and mechanical. I approach, careful to maintain proper distance as I demonstrate the correct positioning.
“Like this,” I say, moving through the sequence slowly. “You want fluid motion, not rigid steps.”
Kihyun attempts to copy my movements but stumbles slightly. He laughs, shaking his head. “These moves only look sexy when females are performing them.”
I arch an eyebrow, unable to resist teasing back. “Oh? Are you trying to say I'm sexy?”
A bone-rattling growl tears through the air. My spine stiffens as I whip around to see Dohwan stalking toward us, his eyes blazing, irises glowing like molten metal. Flames lick across his palms, growing larger with each step.
The raw fury in his expression sends ice through my veins. I throw myself between him and Kihyun, planting my feet. He walks right into my braced hands, and my palms firmly on his chest halt his tracks.
“Control yourself,” I hiss, meeting his burning gaze. I feel Kihyun trembling behind me and flash him an apologetic smile over my shoulder. Turning back to the rest of the stunned class, I call out, “That's enough for today. Class dismissed!”
The students scatter like leaves in a windstorm, leaving me to deal with my seething mate.
Once the last student retreats, I wheel on Dohwan. “What is wrong with you today?”
He flashes his fangs, eyes still molten. “Don't flirt with the students.”
My body moves before my mind catches up. In one fluid motion, I sweep my leg out, catching him behind the knees. Dohwan hits the ground with a satisfying thud, blinking up at me in shock as dust settles around him.
I bare my own fangs, smaller but no less sharp. “Don't order me around. And don't flash those fangs at me unless you want a taste of mine to remind you whose mate mark you're wearing on your skin.”
Dohwan stares at me for a long moment before the fire dims in his eyes. He nods once, pushing himself up and brushing dirt from his clothes with precise movements.
“I can't help it,” he mutters, straightening his jacket. “The mate bond only makes me more possessive than I was before.”
“And I can't help that I have to teach males too. It's literally my job to interact with them. What do you expect me to do, only train the females?”
Dohwan crosses his arms over his chest, jaw set in that stubborn line I'm becoming all too familiar with. The lack of apology in his stance makes me want to knock him down again.
I blow out a breath, running a hand through my hair. “Let's just go home. Whatever's got you wound up today, we can work it out in private.”
He gives a curt nod and falls into step behind me as I lead us off the training field toward Ember Unit. His sullen silence follows us like a storm cloud, but at least he's not growling anymore.
I push open my apartment door, still fuming from Dohwan's behavior at training. The first thing I see is Eunho stretched out on my couch, looking perfectly at home with Soot sprawled across his lap like a giant lapdog.
Soot's head perks up at our entrance. He lets out an excited bark and bounds over, nuzzling against my hip in greeting. He gives Dohwan a perfunctory sniff before snorting dismissively and padding away.
Dohwan rolls his eyes at the sprite's attitude. “Your dog hates me.”
“He has good taste,” I mutter, still irritated.
Eunho sits up, his easy smile faltering as he takes in our expressions. “How did class…” He pauses, reading the tension. “Not well, I'm guessing?”
I throw my hand toward Dohwan in exasperation. “He won't stop grouching at my students. And it's getting worse by the day.”
“I'm only doing what comes naturally as your mate.” Dohwan crosses his arms, jaw set stubbornly. “It's instinct.”
“You have the ability to reason that I'm not going to come onto another male right in front of you!” Heat rises in my voice. “You're not some mindless beast.”
Dohwan's eyes narrow dangerously. “Would you prefer if I got cozy with the female students instead?”
A growl rips from my throat before I can stop it, my fangs baring instinctively at the thought.
“See?” Dohwan's lips curl into a knowing smirk.
Eunho watches our exchange with thoughtful eyes. “Maybe you two just need to work off some of that restlessness,” he suggests, voice smooth and reasonable.
I throw my hands up. “How could we possibly be more active than we already are? At this rate, we'll run out of positions before we reach our limits.”
Dohwan's head snaps up, a wicked grin spreading across his face. “There is one we haven't tried yet.”
Dohwan crosses the space between us in a few long strides, and I glower up at him as he stops close enough for his wildfire scent to wash over me. The air crackles between us, Dohwan's thumb digging into the soft flesh beneath my chin.
“How about I offer you a deal? If you agree, I'll put a leash on the hovering mate antics during class,” he rumbles, fangs glinting as his gaze drops to my mouth.
I scowl but hold his gaze. “What deal?”
Dohwan's lips curve. “It's simple. You take my cock and Eunho's at the same time. Both of us, together. And you follow my direction. No backing out.”
My pulse thrums against his fingertips. Both. I've never taken two cocks at the same time before. Caution prickles up my spine, but it's matched in equal measure with a curl of curious heat in my belly. “And you'll stop snarling at every male who breathes near me?”
His grin turns feral. “Cross my heart.”
I glance at Eunho lounging on the couch. His lazy smile doesn't hide the hunger darkening his eyes, hand already working open his belt buckle with deliberate clicks.
“Fuck.” The word escapes as more breath than sound.
Dohwan's teeth scrape my earlobe. “That's the idea.”
Heat floods my veins. I shove against his chest, meeting his wildfire gaze. “You break your word, I'll pin you to the mats and let Eunho wreck that pretty ass of yours.”
Eunho's rich laughter rolls through the room. “Don't give me ideas, Gawon.”
Dohwan's mouth closes over mine before I can retort—all claiming pressure and sharp nips. His palm scorches through my shirt, rough fingers pinching my nipple until I arch into the sting. Fabric tears as he yanks the garment overhead.
Cool air kisses my bare skin a heartbeat before Eunho's lips find the dip of my waist. His tongue paints wet trails up my spine, hands spanning my ribs as he murmurs against my shoulder blade, “Always knew you'd look perfect between us.”
Dohwan captures my gasp with another brutal kiss, all teeth and dominance. Eunho's mouth travels north, sucking bruises along my throat until he claims the other side of my lips. They hover there—twin points of heat—breaths mingling as their hands roam.
Dohwan's fingers slip beneath my waistband. “Soaked already.”
“Shut up.” I bite his lower lip hard in retribution.
His growl vibrates through my bones as he tears my pants down. Calloused fingers plunge into me without preamble, crooking against that sweet spot that makes my knees buckle. Eunho's arms band around my waist, holding me upright as his erection presses against my back.
“Incredible,” Dohwan rasps, working me faster. “Taking my fingers like you were made for it. Imagine how you'll scream with both of us stretching you open.”
Eunho's teeth prick my shoulder. “Fuck yes.”
Fire licks up my spine, muscles clenching around Dohwan's thrusting hand. He withdraws abruptly, licking my arousal from his fingers with a dark chuckle. “Not yet, little hellcat. You don't come until we're both buried in you.”