Rut.

Magnus

After leaving Ariel’s room, I headed straight to mine, my mind a battlefield of turmoil and desire.

Every step felt heavier than the last as the fire in my veins burned hotter, my body betraying me at every turn.

The primal instincts of my kind surged to the surface, relentless and demanding, but I fought them back with every ounce of restraint I could muster.

Closing the door behind me, I leaned against it, exhaling a shaky breath. My chest heaved as I struggled to maintain control, my thoughts consumed by her. Ariel.

The thought of her soft, inviting lips and the lingering scent of her on my skin was intoxicating.

Every attempt to think of a way to survive this rut without losing myself ended with vivid images of her—images of what it would be like to finally have her, claim her, and ma……