Chương 13: Brute Mending Practice

Volk felt the warmth of Solluha'r's skin against his own as he gently placed her on the bed, her slight nod still fresh in his mind. And he stood there for a moment, just watching her as she lay still, eyes averted, lost in thoughts he could only guess at.

The flickering light from a nearby lantern cast shadows that danced across her face, highlighting the soft curves of her features.

Suddenly, a familiar voice called out from downstairs, cutting through the quiet.

Volk's brow furrowed as he turned toward the door.

The voice was unmistakable—one of the elder elves, her tone carrying an air of urgency that was hard to ignore. He glanced back at Solluha'r, who remained silent and motionless on the bed, before reluctantly stepping away. "I'll be back," he muttered, more to himself than to her, and left the room.

Descending the creaky wooden stairs, Volk's eyes landed on the elf standing at the entrance, holding a rolled-up scroll in her hand.

She was an older figure, her eyes sharp with wisdom earned from countless battles and strategies. Her silver hair was pulled back into a severe bun, and her expression was one of focused intent.

Without a word, she tossed the scroll to Volk, who caught it instinctively, though his thoughts were still upstairs with Solluha'r.

"Read what's inside first," she said, her voice firm. "Before you exchange love liquids, you need to know this."

With that, she turned and left as abruptly as she had come, leaving Volk alone in the dimly lit room.

Volk looked down at the scroll, his mind racing.

The material felt rough in his hands, the animal skin it was made from rough and worn.

As he unfurled it, the symbols and runes on the page seemed to glow faintly, and to his surprise, he could understand them with ease.

The instructions were clear—while consummating the union, he was to channel Mana into the essential parts of his body.

Doing so would not only strengthen him but also extend the duration and potency of his Grum-gar form, a state of being that allowed him to tap into the primal strength of his ancestors.

Volk's heart pounded with excitement as he read on, each word fueling a growing determination within him.

The concept was simple, yet the implications were profound.

This wasn't just about physical strength; it was about forging a bond that would elevate both him and Solluha'r to new heights of power. He felt a surge of energy course through him as he committed the steps to memory, practicing the mental exercises needed to direct the Mana flow as described.

Satisfied that he had absorbed the knowledge, Volk carefully rolled the scroll back up and set it aside. He took a deep breath, trying to steady the anticipation thrumming through his veins, and then climbed the stairs back to where Solluha'r was waiting.

The moment he opened the door, his breath caught in his throat.

Solluha'r was no longer lying down; she was sitting upright on the bed, her body framed by the soft glow of the lantern. Her green hair, which cascaded down her back like a waterfall of emerald silk, shimmered in the light.

She wore only the barest of undergarments now, flimsy pieces of fabric that did little to cover her well-toned, statuesque figure. Her skin was the color of fresh snow, smooth and flawless, with a slight sheen that hinted at the power lying dormant beneath. Her abs, defined yet feminine, moved slightly with each breath she took, and her long legs, toned and powerful, were positioned in a way that seemed almost too deliberate.

Volk's eyes roamed over her body, taking in every inch of her as she tried—and failed—to maintain an air of seduction.

There was an awkwardness in her posture, a hesitance in the way she looked at him, it was obvious with her face flushed with embarrassment.

It was clear she was trying to play the part, but her nervousness only added to her charm, making her look even more alluring in his eyes.

A serious expression crossed Volk's face as he stepped closer to her, his mind spinning.

Wasn't she in love with Luk'Tar?

Why was she trying to seduce him now?

The question began to enter his head, and he felt like he couldn't ignore the strange mix of emotions swirling within him—anger, curiosity, and something else he couldn't quite name.

Without warning, Volk reached out, his fingers brushing against her thigh.

The contact was electric, and Solluha'r flinched, her eyes widening in surprise.

Volk continued, focusing on her body, sliding his hand slowly up her body, tracing a path from her thigh to her stomach, then to her chest, and up to her neck. His touch was light, almost teasing, yet there was a deliberate intent behind it, as if he was searching for something within her.

As his fingers finally reached her face, Solluha'r flinched again, her eyes darting away from his intense gaze.

Volk leaned in closer, his voice low and filled with a quiet intensity. "Are you sure you're just doing this for the tribe?" he asked, his breath hot against her skin. "Not because you like me? Not because you're afraid to admit it?"

Solluha'r's face flushed an even deeper shade of red, her body trembling slightly under his touch. She couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes, instead staring off to the side, her embarrassment clear. "I'm just doing this for the tribe," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

A sly smile tugged at the corners of Volk's mouth. "Really?" he teased, his tone mocking. "For the tribe? Not because you'd feel guilty if you admitted you liked it?"

Her blush deepened, and she shook her head vehemently. "No," she insisted, though her voice wavered. "It's… it's for the tribe. That's all."

Volk studied her for a moment, his gaze piercing as if trying to see through her words and into her soul. Then, after what felt like an eternity, he nodded slowly. "If you say so," he murmured, his voice softening. He reached out and gently held her head in his hands, pulling her closer until their foreheads touched.

For a moment, the world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them, caught in a strange, unspoken understanding.

Despite the circumstances, despite the uncertainty and the lingering doubts, there was a connection between them—a bond that went beyond words or intentions.

Whether it was born of duty, fate, or something more, Volk couldn't tell. But he could feel it, as real and as undeniable as the heartbeat in his chest.

Volk didn't hesitate.

With a fire burning in his eyes, he lunged toward Solluha'r, his hands gripping her with a hunger that only grew stronger with each passing moment. His touch was no longer gentle but urgent, driven by a deep, unyielding desire.

Solluha'r gasped, her body responding instinctively to his every movement as he claimed her with a ferocity that left no room for her to resist.

Soon, the room was soon filled with the sounds of their passion—breathless gasps, desperate moans, and the rhythmic cadence of their bodies moving together in a wild, unrestrained dance.

The bed creaked and groaned beneath them, the wooden frame straining under the intensity of their lovemaking.

Time seemed to blur as they lost themselves in each other, and the world outside seemed to slowly fading until nothing else existed but the two of them, entwined in a frenzy of heat and desire.

After what felt like hours, their movements began to slow. Volk, panting heavily, suddenly froze, a flicker of shock crossed his face. He pulled back slightly, with his chest still heaving as he tried to catch his breath.

Solluha'r, with her body still trembling from the aftershocks of their union, looked up at him with eyes glazed over in a lustful haze. "What's wrong?" she asked, her voice breathy, almost pleading, as if she couldn't bear to be apart from him even for a second.

Volk's gaze sharpened as his mind cleared. He cursed under his breath as he remembered the Mana Bonding Scroll. He hadn't used it. The thought made him pause, and he could see the shift in Solluha'r's expression as well.

Her eyes widened, the realization dawning on her too. "You didn't-" she asked, her voice trembling with a mix of disbelief and fear. She didn't even finish when Volk shook his head, a determined look crossing his face. "No," he said firmly, "I didn't."

Solluha'r's breath caught in her throat, and she swallowed hard, she could feel her throat dry. Beads of sweat began to form on her forehead as the enormity of what he was saying sank in. "Again?" she whispered, with a barely audible voice.

"Yes," Volk replied without hesitation, his tone leaving no room for argument. He could see the apprehension in her eyes, the uncertainty mixed with lingering desire. But there was no backing down now—at least not for him.

Sollahur nodded slowly, her gaze locked on his. She was scared, yes, but there was also a strange sense of determination in her eyes, a willingness to go through with this, whatever the cost.

She braced herself, her body tensing as Volk moved closer again, her womanhood felt his presence overwhelming, making her body heat up once again.