Taming the Beast World with a Frying Pan-Chapter 197: Climbing Mount Hottie**

When Ren reached the edge of the waterhole, Kael was already in.

He stood in the center of the pool, the crystal-clear water lapping just around his waist. His broad, muscular back was turned to her, the sunlight glistening off his wet skin and highlighting every ridge of muscle like a topographic map of Mount Hottie.

Ren’s face heated up instantly as she swallowed dryly.

"Okay," she whispered to herself. "Don’t stare."

’But what’s wrong with staring?’ she argued with herself. ’He’s my husband! I’m free to ogle the goods!’

And damn, the goods were good.

With a huff of irritation, she grabbed the hem of the itchy abomination and pulled it over her head.

The dress landed in a heap on the grass. Ren stood there, letting the warm breeze hit her skin for a split second before she scrambled into the water.

"Cannonball!" she didn’t yell, but she definitely splashed.

"Oh my god," Ren moaned as the water surrounded her.

It was heavenly. The sun had been baking the surface all day, so it was like stepping into a perfectly heated bath.

"Five stars," Ren sighed, dunking her head under to rinse the mud from her hair. "The Beast World lacks Wi-Fi and toilet paper, but the water quality? Top tier. No chlorine. No floaties. Just vibes."

She surfaced, pushing her wet hair back.

Before she could wipe the water from her eyes, a wall of heat pressed against her back.

Strong arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her flush against a chest that felt like wet marble.

"Let me help," Kael rumbled in her ear.

He didn’t wait for permission. His large rough hands began to scrub her arms, washing away the remnants of her short-lived pig-wrestling career. He was thorough, moving with the efficiency of a car wash, but with the tenderness of a man handling fine china.

Ren leaned back into him, closing her eyes.

"Mmm," she hummed. "You missed a spot."

"Where?" Kael asked, his voice vibrating through her spine.

"Everywhere," Ren grinned.

She turned around in his embrace, splashing a little water as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She stood on her tiptoes, the water now reaching her collarbone while it barely passed Kael’s navel.

She cupped his wet face, her thumbs brushing the water droplets from his cheekbones.

"I missed you," Ren whispered, her voice soft. "I’m so glad you’re back to normal.’

Kael leaned into her touch, turning his head to kiss her palm.

"Yes," he lied smoothly. "Back to normal."

Inside, Kael’s heart clenched.

He wasn’t back to normal. His beast was silent. The connection was severed. He was a Beast King stuck in beastman form—a tiger without claws.

’If she knows, she will leave,’ his insecurities whispered. ’No female wants a mate who cannot shift. I am useless. I am weak.’

He looked at her adoring eyes. He couldn’t let her see the fear. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

He needed to prove—to her, and to himself—that he was still her mate. That he was still a King.

He captured her lips in a searing, desperate kiss, silencing his own dark thoughts.

"Mmph!" Ren gasped as he pulled her tighter.

The kiss wasn’t gentle. It was possessive. It was hungry. Kael’s tongue swept into her mouth, devouring her sigh. His hands slid down her back, gripping her butt cheeks and lifting her effortlessly.

"Wrap your legs," Kael growled against her lips.

Ren obeyed instinctively, wrapping her legs around his waist. The buoyancy of the water made her feel weightless, but the hardness of him pressing against her core was very, very real.

"Kael," Ren breathed, breaking the kiss to gasp for air. "We’re in public and it’s the middle of the day."

Ren cried out as he entered her in one smooth, powerful thrust. The water did little to dampen the friction; the heat between them was scalding.

"Oh!" Ren threw her head back, her nails digging into his wet shoulders.

Kael began to move. He held her suspended in the water, his powerful legs acting as an anchor while his hips hammered into her. Every thrust created a splash that echoed in the clearing, mixing with the wet, slick sounds of their bodies colliding.

"Ren," Kael panted, biting gently on the sensitive cord of her neck. "You feel so good. So tight."

"You’re... too... big..." Ren wheezed, burying her face in his wet hair.

"I fit perfectly," Kael corrected, picking up the pace.

He was relentless. He pounded into her with a rhythm that made the water around them churn. Ren felt like a ragdoll in a hurricane, completely overwhelmed by his size and strength.

’Does the concept of foreplay not exist here?!’ Ren screamed internally, biting Kael’s shoulder to stifle a moan. Kael had entered her hard and fast with zero prep.

But she loved it.

She tightened her grip on him, matching his rhythm, meeting his thrusts with her own desperate need. The pain, the pleasure, the danger of the open forest—it was intoxicating.

"Mine," Kael roared, his voice rough and guttural.

He drove into her hard, hitting that sweet spot deep inside that made Ren see stars.

"Kael! Yes! Right there!"

Her body tightened, clamping down on him. The pleasure built rapidly.

Kael felt her grip him and lost the last of his control. He growled and drove into her with three final, earth-shattering thrusts.

Ren screamed as her release hit her, her body convulsing in his arms. Kael followed her seconds later, pouring himself into her, holding her tight against him as he shuddered through his own climax.

They stayed like that for a long time, chest to chest, breathing heavily as the ripples in the waterhole slowly settled.

Ren rested her forehead on his shoulder, her legs still wrapped around him. She felt like jelly.

He waded to the edge of the waterhole and set her down on the grass. Ren wobbled, her legs feeling like cooked noodles.

Kael climbed out after her, water cascading off his impressive physique. He didn’t seem tired at all. In fact, he looked energized. Validated.

He picked up her wool dress and handed it to her, but he didn’t let go immediately.

He looked at her, his golden eyes serious and intense.

"Ren," Kael said.

"Yeah?" Ren asked, shaking out her wet hair.

"I want to have cubs," Kael stated firmly.