CHAPTER 62: TWICE STRONGER THIS TIME!

The next morning...

Rin woke up with his mouth dry and his stomach growling loud enough to echo across the room. At first, he groaned and rolled over, burying his face deeper into the pillows... pretending it wasn’t morning yet. He was too lazy to stand up. He wanted to sleep more till his heat arrive. Niblet was curled by his feet, warm and snoring softly.

The sunlight filtered in through the gauzy curtains, casting golden stripes over the messy floor of his room. He winced, his hand rubbing his stomach. The same place Ezra didn’t stop touching yesterday.

He felt his cheek burn as he remembered his hand on his stomach.

’Why the hell am I thinking about that?’

He frowned and sat up. The growl came again from his stomach.

"Ugh! Why does my stomach feel like it’s trying to eat itself?"

His brain, still halfway between dreams and reality, had one clear thought: Ramen.

There was no way he could have forgotten his ramen.

Dragging himself out of bed, Rin walked towards the closet. Evan’s closet.

He didn’t know why he walked straight there when it was Evan’s room. He could have searched through his little luggage but it was in his other room. He has been wearing Evan’s shirts and a few old pants ever since Evan forced him to sleep in his room.

He scanned the room and saw the perfect one for a cold morning. Immediately, he threw on a loose hoodie and padded down the stairs in mismatched socks.

He looked around the living room and saw it was empty. Relief washed over him when he noticed Ezra’s absence. Without wasting any time, he went straight to the kitchen.

The kitchen was unusually quiet. Ezra was probably still meditating with his holy books, trying to purify the ’taint’ of breathing the same air as him.

"Well, that’s good," Rin mumbled, opening the pantry. "One less headache this morning."

He scavenged up some eggs, scallions, leftover grilled beef, cheese and other ingredients. He pulled one cup of ramen from his inventory and tossed it all together in a pot.

The warm scent of broth started to rise into the air, and for a brief moment, Rin allowed himself to smile. He rubbed his palms together, trying to make his body warm and also to hide his excitement. He couldn’t wait to shove everything down his throat as he grabbed the chopsticks and separated them.

But then...

DING!

[SYSTEM WARNING: Heat Cycle Progression - 72%]

[Condition: VERY CRITICAL]

[Estimated Time to Onset: 00:02:59]

[Host Recommendation: Return to private space immediately]

[System Action: Temporary scent-lock activated - 15 minutes]

Rin blinked, nearly dropping the chopsticks in his hand.

"What..? Already? It’s morning! It can’t start this morning! No way!"

His knees buckled slightly as warmth flared deep in his abdomen. He clenched his thighs instinctively, feeling the telltale throb of something low and hungry pressing between his hips. Sweat prickled across his skin, and his heartbeat suddenly felt too loud in his ears.

"No, no, no, no," he hissed under his breath. "Not now. Not in the goddamn kitchen..."

DING!

[ALERT - Pheromone Leak Detected.]

[System’s Omega suppression engaged. Initiating Emergency Lock.]

[Estimated stability: 15 minutes.]

Rin gritted his teeth, slamming the chopsticks down on the counter. He turned to leave... but stopped.

Ezra stood in the doorway, arms crossed, face unreadable.

Rin’s body went stiff. His hoodie suddenly felt too heavy, too hot, and he was all too aware of the faint dampness forming between his legs.

"Where are you rushing off to?" Ezra asked, his voice neutral but his eyes sharp.

Rin tried to push past him, but Ezra didn’t let him through. He blocked his path, putting his hand between both of them.

"I said, Where are you going?"

"To hell," Rin snapped. "Want to escort me there personally?"

Ezra narrowed his eyes, stepping forward.

"You look pale. What’s wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong. Maybe it’s because I haven’t eaten yet."

Ezra frowned, clearly unconvinced.

"But you’re sweating... Is that a sign of hunger?"

Rin brushed past him roughly.

"Ever heard of people sweating when they’re near annoying priests? Yeah! It’s a fucking side effect. Now, get out of the way."

He climbed the stairs two at a time. Every step sent another pulse through his core. He could feel it now... his body shifting, twisting with heat, hips growing sensitive, his inner walls tightening and leaking slowly.

DING!

[System Alert: 02:01 Remaining]

[Recommendation: Report to your private quarters immediately.]

Ezra didn’t follow him. Rin didn’t know if that was a good thing or not. He just needed to get to his room before it got even worse.

He slammed the bedroom door shut behind him and locked it. The moment the bolt clicked into place, he collapsed to the floor, panting hard.

Niblet jumped up with a loud bark, heading toward Rin.

"Not now, Niblet," Rin croaked, crawling toward the bed.

The little dog whined, trying to nudge against him, but Rin was already trembling. Sweat dampened his hairline. His thighs squeezed tighter together. The feeling was unbearable... burning, tight, hollow and full at the same time.

DING!

[System Alert: 00:55 Remaining]

[Core temperature rising... Hormonal balance is unstable.]

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!"

He ripped the hoodie off, his skin damp and flushed. His nipples brushed against the inside of the cotton shirt and he let out a moan as it was too sensitive. He felt every breath like fire, every shift of muscle like lightning under his skin.

"Why is it worse this time?" he whispered, climbing into bed. His finger dug into the sheet as he pulled himself up. He let out a satisfied moan as his body pressed against the bed.

He curled beneath the sheet, gripping the fabric close to his chest, breathing fast. His legs twisted together, hips grinding against the mattress as he tried to relieve the ache... but it wasn’t enough. It wouldn’t be enough.

His fingers trembled as they slipped lower, brushing over his lower stomach, his navel, and then further.

DING!

[System Alert: 00:00]

[Heat Cycle Progression - 100%]

[Suppression unavailable.

[Heat Duration: 72 hours]

[Ovulation Rate: 71%]

[Partner Bond: None registered.]

"What the hell does ovulation rate mean?" He grumbled. "Wait... Don’t tell me it’s the risk of me getting pregnant,"

DING!

[Positive]

Rin gasped.

The ovulation rate was another reason he couldn’t have any bond partners. He can’t afford to get pregnant in another world. He’s a man and he has never taken care of kids before. Don’t get him wrong, Rin loves being around kids but he doesn’t like the idea of them growing inside his stomach.

"I guess now is not the time to think about this," he said to himself.

He could feel it now... the wetness sliding down his inner thighs, a low pulse between his hips that screamed for contact. No matter how much he clenched, it wouldn’t stop. His body was begging for it. It didn’t care what his mind wanted. His scent was locked for now, but when it wore off after fifteen minutes...

Niblet barked again, getting closer to him. Rin groaned into the pillow.

"I’m sorry, Niblet. I need you to go away for a bit."

He reached over and gently scooped the dog up, placing him near the door. Niblet gave him a confused look but padded away obediently.

Once alone, Rin sank deeper into the bed, curling into himself. His lips parted as he let out a slow breath. A single finger brushed over the slick skin between his legs, and he shuddered violently.

It wasn’t enough.

He tried again. One finger slipping in, hesitant and slow. It was tight and wet.

His heat had come before... but this time was different. This time it was cruel. His body was more aching, hungry and wild. It wasn’t just warmth; it was fire.

His breath hitched as his body clamped down on his own finger like it was something foreign. Something... wrong.

But at the same time... also right.

DING!

[System Alert: Self-stimulation detected.]

[Warning: Effectiveness will decrease without a suitable partner.]

[Ovulation rate - 80%]

Rin gritted his teeth, tears stinging the corners of his eyes. He didn’t want to cry, but it hurt in ways he couldn’t explain.

Not any stinging pain... just desperate, twisting needs.

He bit down on the sheet and curled tighter, rocking his hips slowly as he tried to satisfy the craving building inside him. He tightened his entrance around his fingers and groaned.

He slipped it out, staring at his small, girlish hand with small fingers. They weren’t able to reach anywhere. He needed something long and strong, like...

’Lucien...’

He shook his head, trying not to think about Lucien.

"No," he whispered. "I can handle it on my own. I always do."

He stretched his hand and reached for his inventory, taking out the monstrous toy he got from Madame’s boutique. He had no idea how it was going to fit into his small hole, but he had to do it himself.

Even without pushing any buttons, he could feel it pulsing in his hand. He swallowed hard and pulled the sheets off his body.

"I guess I have to do it. It’s now or... I have to receive help from... Someone,"