The training grounds had not lost their rhythm, the steady cadence of sparring continuing across the field as Damon stood near the edge of one of the cleared circles, his presence calm in contrast to the aftermath that surrounded him.

Vaelith sat on the ground a short distance away, his usually composed posture broken as he leaned slightly forward, his breath heavy though controlled, while beside him Eric lay sprawled on his back, his breathing uneven, his body marked with bruises that stood out clearly against his skin.

Mira knelt beside him, her hands hovering gently over the injuries as a soft golden glow spread from her palms, the light warm and soothing as it worked through the damage with quiet precision, her expression focused yet gentle as she attended to him without hesitation.

Eric let out a strained breath before muttering weakly, "Y-you are a goddess, Miss Mira..."

Mira’s lips curved into a small, awkward smile at the praise, her eyes softening slightly though she said nothing in return, continuing her work with the same quiet care.

Damon observed the scene for a brief moment, his gaze steady, as though assessing the outcome rather than reacting to it, but before he could speak—

A voice came from behind him.

"It looked like ya gave ’em a good beatin’."

Damon turned.

Khaira stood there, having approached without much noise, her arms relaxed at her sides, her gaze flicking briefly toward Eric and Vaelith before settling on him.

"What do you want?" Damon asked, his tone flat.

Khaira didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, she asked her own question.

"Where’s Zarhka?"

Damon paused briefly before replying, "She wasn’t feeling well, so she went back."

Khaira’s brows furrowed slightly at that, her expression shifting into something more thoughtful as she muttered under her breath, "Is it really her mate-in’ period... but it ain’t that time yet..."

Her gaze returned to Damon as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a small vial, extending it toward him.

"It’s somethin’ she asked of me," she said, placing it into his hand, "give it ta her fast... real fast... otherwise there’s gonna be trouble."

Damon looked down at the vial, his brows drawing together slightly in suspicion as he turned it lightly between his fingers.

"What’s this?" he asked, his tone edged with mild irritation, "and why don’t you give this to her yourself?"

But Khaira had already turned away, clearly uninterested in explaining further as she began walking off.

"Don’t go askin’ so many questions," she said over her shoulder, her voice carrying that same rough ease, "just remember—it’s urgent."

Then, with a grin that carried unmistakable excitement, she added, "Instructor Barrack finally agreed ta spar with me."

And just like that—She was gone.

Damon remained where he stood, the vial still in his hand as his gaze followed her retreating figure for a moment before shifting back toward the others.

Eric had already pushed himself up—

And without waiting—Ran.

"Oi—"

Damon didn’t even get to finish before Eric disappeared across the field at a pace far faster than his condition suggested he should be capable of.

Damon’s gaze moved to Vaelith.

Who had now stood up.

Calm.

Composed.

Arms crossed.

"I assume you—"

"It is beneath me to enter a beastman’s room," Vaelith said smoothly, cutting him off without even looking at him.

Then he turned and left.

Just like that.

Leaving only Damon and Mira behind.

Mira stood up slowly, brushing her hands lightly against her skirt as the golden glow faded, her expression softening as she looked toward Damon, offering him a small, reassuring smile.

"D-don’t worry..." she said gently, her voice carrying quiet sincerity, "I-I will go."

A visible sense of relief crossed Damon’s face, subtle but unmistakable, as he exhaled faintly.

...My potion bag is still the best, he thought dryly.

But before Mira could take even a step—

Another voice entered the scene.

"Let’s go, Mira."

Serena.

She approached with her usual composed demeanor, her gaze flicking briefly toward Damon before settling on Mira as she continued without pause.

"I have some work with you," she said, her tone firm, leaving no room for refusal, "don’t stay with this scumbag any longer."

Damon’s brows twitched.

"Hey—"

But it was too late.

Serena had already taken Mira with her, the two of them walking away without looking back, leaving Damon standing alone in the middle of the training ground.

Silence settled around him.

Just for a moment, as he lowered his gaze—

Looking at the vial resting in his hand.

***

Zarhka lay naked on her bed, the cool sheets against her skin sending shivers down her spine. She reached out a hand and gripped the smooth doorknob, feeling its weight in her palm. Her breath came faster as she began to stroke it back and forth, imagining what it would feel like inside her.

Though it’s a bit small... it should do fer now.

The soft moans escaped from her lips as she slowly slid the cool metal between her legs, preparing herself.

She pushed harder, sinking lower onto the mattress until her clit was pressed against the knob as she began thrusting it inside her.

"Ahhh...ooOoh!"

With each thrust, she moaned louder, her hips bucking upwards in search of more pleasure. Her fingers dug into the fabric of the sheets, leaving behind small impressions as she lost control of her body. The sensation was overwhelming, and she could feel herself getting closer with every passing moment.

"M-master D-damon...ahh...j-just...yeah!"

Zarhka rotated the knob, changing the angle of penetration as she continued to pump herself. The friction between her swollen folds and the hard metal was driving her wild. She felt her walls tighten around the intruder, begging for release. With one final push, she inserted the entire length of the doorknob deep inside her, crying out in ecstasy.

"Ahhh... yeah... Ohh... dis... j-just like dis..."

Her orgasm hit her like a wave, crashing over her body in an intense rush of pleasure. Her muscles contracted violently around the knob, milking it for all it was worth.

Zarhka’s moans turned into high-pitched screams that echoed through the room, muffled only by the mattress beneath her. Spasms wracked her body as she rode out the wave of satisfaction, eventually collapsing onto her side, spent but satisfied.

Slowly, she withdrew the knob, watching as it slipped out of her wetness with a soft squelching sound. She lay there panting heavily, feeling the aftershocks of her climax roll through her.

This is what it feels like...

Zarhka lay sprawled across the bed, her body heavy and unresponsive, her breath still uneven as the remnants of her earlier attempt lingered faintly in her system, though the frustration of it remained far stronger than any fading warmth. For a moment, she simply stared upward, letting the silence settle—until her gaze shifted lazily toward the door.

And then—

It stopped.

Her eyes widened.

Her entire body stilled as if frozen in place, the realization striking her all at once.

"M-master Damon...?" she muttered, her voice catching slightly, her heavy beastman accent rolling through the words as disbelief mixed with embarrassment.

Damon, who had already been discovered, paused for the briefest moment before letting out a small, controlled cough, as though acknowledging the situation without truly reacting to it, and stepped fully inside the room. His movements remained composed, his expression steady as he walked toward the desk and placed the vial Khaira had given him down beside it with quiet precision.

"This is what Khaira asked me to give you," he said simply, his tone even, as though nothing about the situation required further comment.

Zarhka, still caught between shock and flustered confusion, barely seemed to process his words, her usual composure nowhere to be found as she remained where she was, her voice coming out uneven.

"Y-yes... o-okay..." she replied, her accent heavier now, her words stumbling slightly as she struggled to gather herself.

Damon turned slightly, intending to leave—

But his gaze fell on her hand.

Onto the object still loosely held within it.

The doorknob.

His brows furrowed faintly as he paused.

"...Next time," he said, his voice carrying a slight, almost reluctant edge as he spoke without looking directly at her, "don’t use that... it can be harmful."

Zarhka’s entire body jolted slightly at that, as though the words had struck deeper than intended, and she quickly pulled her hand back, hiding the doorknob out of sight, her face flushing visibly as her gaze dropped.

"I-it ain’t like that..." she muttered under her breath, her tone low, defensive yet embarrassed, her accent thick as the words slipped out almost instinctively.

Damon had already begun to turn away—

But he paused.

Something in her tone—or perhaps the moment itself—made him stop as he glanced back over his shoulder, his expression returning to its usual calm.

"Can I ask you something?" he said.

At the exact same moment—

Zarhka spoke. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"I-I wanna say somethin’..."