Every Naga knew the legend—the whispered tale of the cursed ones, those who had willingly given up their true nature for something far worse.
It was said that a Naga who abandoned their natural form and fully embraced the curse could only be s̶l̶a̶i̶n̶ by one being: their beloved.The method was precise. The beloved had to pierce the cursed one with a blade, then press a pendant soaked in their own blood to the wound.The pendant would act as poison, unraveling the cursed Naga from the inside out, reducing them to nothing but dust.Ishaan listened in silence, his jaw tense as the elders recounted the myth. His hands curled into fists, nails pressing into his palms as he processed the information.Finally, he exhaled sharply and said, "Everything will be done after the season. For now, family is the most important."His words held weight, and no one dared to contradict him.Ashwin—Ayaan—watched him for a moment before tuThe scent of Ishaan’s rut was suffocating.It clung to the air, thick and carnal, a scent so potent that even the most reckless males wouldn’t dare step foot near his hut, because every one of Ishaan’s brothers knew—their eldest would kill them without hesitation if they so much as lingered in his territory.The females knew better too—none of them would survive if they even so much as breathed too close because even in his exhausted state, Ashwin would rip them apart for trying.Everyone in the clan knew.The first son was in full rut.And his mate was inside, completely at his mercy.Inside the hut, the world blurred into heat, sweat, and raw animalistic lust.Ashwin was on his stomach, legs spread, his ass in the air, body trembling with exhaustion and overstimulation.It was only the second day of Ishaan’s rut.And Ashwin was already ruined.But Ishaan wasn’t done with him.Ishaan
Two more days had passed.Ashwin sat propped against the headboard, legs still weak, body sore, his mind sluggish from the overwhelming exhaustion that clung to his bones. Every inch of him bore marks of possession—deep purples, flushed reds, and faint imprints of teeth that had sunk into his skin over and over again.Yet, despite it all, he was content.Ishaan sat beside him, his powerful form relaxed, but there was still a simmering heat beneath his skin, a faint edge of lingering rut that hadn’t completely faded. His grey eyes flickered to Ashwin, watching him like he was something fragile and precious, yet still undeniably his.A bowl of warm food sat in Ishaan’s large hands, its aroma filling the air—a mixture of savory spices and slow-cooked broth, with hints of fresh herbs that soothed the stomach. It had been prepared by Kire and Oti, their mates, Ravi and Dhruv, having brought it to the hut earlier before qui
The family bathhouse was warm with steam, the earthy scent of heated stone, fresh herbs, and clean water filling the air. The soft glow of firelight flickered against the sturdy stone walls, casting long shadows that danced with the mist curling up from the large bathing pool.Ashwin sat with his back against the smooth stone edge, his translucent silver-white hair damp and clinging to his bare shoulders, the nearly waist-length strands trailing over the surface of the steaming water. His tail lazily coiled and uncoiled beneath the water, occasionally brushing against the twins' smaller, excitedly wriggling tails as they splashed about, their high-pitched giggles echoing softly.Imara sat between her parents, her tiny hands gripping Ishaan's arm while her long white hair fanned out in the water like silver threads. Koa and Kai were curled up near Ashwin, their heads resting against his torso, eyes half-lidded in sleepy contentment afte
The hut was alive with the soft giggles and hissing whispers of the twins. Koa and Kai tumbled across the fur-draped mattress, their small tails tangling as they rolled, shrieking when they landed in a pile of twisted limbs and scales.Imara, ever the composed one, sat primly at the edge of the bed, watching them with mild exasperation. She reached for a discarded pillow and tossed it at them with precise aim.Their hushed laughter filled the chamber, but beyond the walls, the night was anything but quiet.Steam curled in thick, lazy tendrils, perfumed with crushed herbs and the faint mineral scent of heated water.Droplets clung to the stone walls, catching the flickering torchlight, their glow casting shifting shadows over smooth surfaces and damp, glistening scales.The water sloshed gently, the only sound breaking the heavy silence—save for the quiet, breathless gasps that escaped Ashwin’s lips.Ishaan was relentles
The hut was warm, carrying the faint scent of burnt herbs and whatever incense Ishaan had lit the night before. Ashwin was sprawled out on the bed like a discarded offering, his green tail stretched lazily across the soft nest of blankets, still sluggish from—well, from being absolutely ruined.Unfortunately for him, he was not alone.Two other tails—one a deep, shimmery purple, the other a bright, fire-kissed orange—were tangled up with his own. Kire and Oti, his so-called friends, were on either side of him, watching him like he was the funniest thing they’d ever seen.And judging by their barely contained laughter, he probably was.Oti let out a loud, dramatic sigh, dragging a single finger down one of the many bite marks on his shoulder. “Ishaan is a menace,” she announced as if she had just made the greatest discovery known to Naga-kind.Kire, who had been admiring a particularly dark bruise on Ashwin’s thigh, sno
It started subtly.At first, Ishaan barely noticed anything—Ashwin was always meticulous, always particular about his comfort. But then, little things began to shift.Ashwin’s appetite waned. He’d push food around on his plate, eat a few bites, then shove it aside with a wrinkle of his nose. When Ishaan brought it up, Ashwin snapped at him. "Maybe I just don’t want to eat, Ishaan. Stop hovering."That was new.Then came the restlessness.Ashwin was always moving, slithering from one room to the next, muttering about how the air felt too dry, how the furs on their bed were too rough, how everything was just wrong. More than once, Ishaan caught him standing by the bathing pools, dipping his fingers into the water with a pensive frown, as if debating whether to submerge himself for hours.And the nest—gods, the nest.Ishaan had seen brooding behavior before. He had watched females obsess over their nests
The air was cold.A crisp, biting chill that clung to Hayden’s skin despite the heavy fur coat draped over his shoulders. He lay on his side atop the thick bedding of furs, his body aching in a way that left his limbs heavy, his mind foggy with exhaustion. His breath curled in soft puffs of white, vanishing into the frigid night as he stared at the sky above him.The three moons of Kal’Raksha hung in perfect alignment—red, blue, and white. Their glow bathed the frozen land in an eerie, dreamlike light, painting the snow in hues of violet and silver. The sight was breathtaking, otherworldly, and for a fleeting moment, Hayden allowed himself to simply exist beneath their gaze.And then—A shift in the air.A presence behind him.Heat.Ohas.Hayden barely had time to react before a strong, familiar arm wrapped around his waist, dragging him back against a solid, burning-hot chest.
Hayden took a slow bite, chewing thoughtfully. Ohas’ gaze was heavy on him, burning into his skin, and for some reason, it made him restless.“You’re staring again,” Hayden muttered.Ohas didn’t deny it. His tail twitched behind him, a slow, deliberate movement.“You’re eating,” he said softly. “That’s good.”Hayden scoffed. “Would you rather I starve?”Ohas went quiet. His expression didn’t change, but something flickered behind his eyes.Hayden swallowed, unease curling in his gut. Ohas had always been a storm—violent, unpredictable, something that tore through Hayden’s life and left nothing but destruction in its wake. But now… now he was something else. Softer. Almost hesitant.He should have fought against it—should have pushed back, should have resisted. But Ohas was warm at night, and Hayden had been cold for far too long.That terrified him more than anything."We're going back," Ohas
Ohas stiffened slightly before resting his chin on Hayden’s stomach, looking up at him with those sharp eyes."Back when we traveled to the glaciers…" he started slowly, gauging Hayden’s reaction. "The plan was to find it then."Hayden stilled. His brows furrowed. "Wait—what?"Ohas let out an awkward chuckle, rubbing the back of his head. "I never told you, but that was the real reason we went. I wanted to find the pendant before it was too late."Hayden narrowed his eyes. "And?"Ohas’ expression turned sheepish. "And… I was in rut. A bad one. I could barely focus, and then, well, you looked too tempting, and we had to turn back because I wanted to make sure you were safe in your nest."Hayden knew exactly what he meant by that. The smaller male sighed in frustration, resisting the urge to strangle him. "So, you’re telling me we could’ve had this issue handled months ago, but your dick got in the way?"
The evening in Kal'Raksha was peaceful, the air carrying the scent of damp earth and fresh herbs as Hayden knelt in his growing garden.The two visible moons cast a soft glow over the land, painting everything in a pale, silver-blue hue.Ohas lounged nearby, watching lazily, his long tail curled loosely around himself as Hayden worked, grinding herbs with practiced hands. He had been experimenting with a stronger concoction, something more potent for Ohas’ persistent cough. He’d gotten the hang of traditional medicine, refining it to the point where it rivaled even the best healers of the Kaur Clan.Hayden wiped his forehead, glancing over at his mate. "This one should work better," he murmured, holding up the mixture. "Honestly, at this point, you shouldn’t even need the pendant anymore—especially since you’re not feeding on blood."He expected relief, maybe even a rare, quiet smile from Ohas. Instead, his mate’s haz
The bathhouse was filled with the scent of damp stone and fresh herbs, the warm water swirling gently as steam curled into the air. Lanterns cast a soft, flickering glow against the carved stone walls, their light reflecting off the rippling surface of the pool. It was a quiet, secluded space—hidden from the rest of the clan, a sanctuary where the weight of leadership could slip away, if only for a little while.Ohas lay partially submerged in the water, his golden-hazel eyes half-lidded, his expression unreadable. The heated bath should have relaxed him, but instead, he remained still, his mind distant. The depth of his thoughts made him seem almost unreachable, lost somewhere Hayden couldn't quite follow.Soft footsteps echoed across the marble floor, breaking the quiet."Puppy," Hayden called, his voice smooth and familiar.Ohas' eyes flickered open, and for the first time in hours, his lips curled into a faint smi
Nine months had passed, and the long-awaited moment had arrived. The three moons of Kal’Raksha had finally aligned, casting a breathtaking glow across the land. Colors shimmered in the sky like liquid gemstones, illuminating the burrow where Ashwin lay coiled around his clutch of seven eggs. The iridescent blues and purples reflected off his smooth, dark emerald scales, making him look ethereal, otherworldly—like the guardian of something sacred.The air was thick with anticipation, heavy with the scent of damp earth and fresh water from the river that fed their bathhouse. The nest was warm, woven from softened leaves, dried moss, and Ashwin’s own shed skin, all meticulously arranged to cradle his fragile young. Ishaan, standing just outside the nest, was motionless, his piercing silver eyes locked on Ashwin’s still form. He had been waiting, watching, his powerful dark-blue coils tense with instinctual protectiveness.Then,
The nest was ready.Tucked behind their hut, near the gentle curve of the river that fed their bathhouse, the burrow was a masterpiece of instinct and care. The entrance was shaded by thick, hanging vines, their emerald green blending with the damp earth. Inside, the space was warm, lined with layers of woven reeds, dried moss, and soft pelts stolen from the upper caves of the clan. The scent of fresh water mingled with the deep, musky aroma of their den, making it the perfect place—safe, hidden, and waiting.And now, it was time.A massive emerald-green serpent slithered forward, powerful coils rippling as he made his way into the nest. Ashwin’s full naga form was breathtaking, his sea-green eyes glowing faintly in the dim light as he moved with effortless grace. He was over ten feet tall, sleek muscles shifting beneath his glistening scales, and his belly was just slightly swollen—a sign of the life growi
The days passed in a steady rhythm, each one settling into a routine that, for once, felt almost… normal. The kitchen and storage room were finally completed, and Hayden found himself pleased with how well everything had come together. The space wasn’t extravagant, but it was efficient, built into the rock near the entrance of Ohas’ cave. Inside, shelves were already lined with clay pots, woven baskets, and bundles of herbs hanging from the ceiling to dry. The servants, though initially unsure of his methods, had adapted quickly, and Hayden had no problem giving orders.That morning, he had spent hours outside in the courtyard, kneeling in the dirt with his sleeves rolled up, his hands buried in the soil. The large courtyard had been neatly swept, leaving it an open, empty space, but not for long. He was determined to change that. Carefully, he planted the beginnings of his nursery, arranging the herbs in neat rows
Ohas was building something again. Not a home, not a sanctuary—no, right now, he was building Hayden’s pleasure, dragging him deeper and deeper into a haze of unbearable bliss.His mouth was wrapped around Hayden’s length, warm and slick, his forked tongue curling, teasing, pressing in all the right places. He was thorough, like he had all the time in the world, savoring every inch of Hayden like he was something precious, something worth worshipping.The wet slide of Ohas’ mouth was maddening, slow and indulgent, his lips sealing tight around him as he sucked, hollowing his cheeks before pulling back only to tease the head with delicate flicks of his tongue. His hands—large, warm, possessive—held Hayden’s hips still against the furs, preventing him from moving, from thrusting up into that sinful heat.Hayden’s breath came in ragged pants, his body trembling as pleasure coiled hot and tight in his stomach. "Ohas," he gasped, voice break
The air in Kal’Raksha felt different today—charged with something Hayden couldn’t quite name. Maybe it was the weight of Ohas’ presence beside him, the curious gazes of the Kaur clan, or the realization that he was now one of them.A human among Nagas.Hayden wasn’t sure what he expected. Outrage? Resistance? Rejection? Instead, there was a quiet sort of acceptance. A wariness, yes, but also something else—gratitude.Because Ohas was changing.They had seen him teeter on the edge of madness, a beast barely holding itself together. But now? Now, he was stable.And they all knew who to thank.Hayden.That realization sat heavy in his chest as he moved through the clan’s territory.Because Hayden wasn’t just any human to them. He was Ohas’ mate.And that meant everything.Ohas hadn’t prepared him for the sheer scale of the clan. The lands stretched far and wide, golden savanna grasses sw
Hayden sat stiffly on the bed, staring at the ceiling, Ohas’ confession still echoing in his head."I have accepted my fate.""If you ever get your hands on the pendant, I won’t stop you."His fingers curled into the sheets.He should have felt relieved. This should have been easy. Ohas was giving him an out—offering him the choice to end it all.And yet...He didn’t want to.Hayden squeezed his eyes shut, frustration rolling through him.He couldn’t explain it. Maybe it was the exhaustion. Maybe it was the way Ohas had looked at him—raw and unguarded. Maybe it was the quiet resignation in his voice, the way he had spoken about himself as though he had never once believed he could be saved.Maybe it was something worse.Something primal.Hayden’s pulse jumped at the thought, his body flushing with heat that had nothing to do with the thick Kal’Raksha air.Because the