Ronan was unable to answer. He was unable to hear anything but the sound of blood rushing past his ears. Why was it that Lucien had such power over him? He was the Alpha, but he was completely at Lucien's mercy. The man's kisses were more intoxicating than the strongest wine and his cruel words were more devastating than any natural calamity.
"Why?" Ronan asked, his voice hoarse from the turmoil in his heart. He grabbed Lucien's face and held it close to his own. "Why did you say that?"
Lucien's lips trembled slightly. "We are not good for each other, Ronan."
"I don't think so."
"I don't love you anymore."
"Liar."
The knot at Lucien's neck bobbed up and down. "If it were a lie, then I would not have asked you to reject me seven years ago."
Ronan pinched Lucien's chin between his fingers. His thumb rubbed against the man's chin thoughtfully.
"Your kisses stemmed from love."
"That was not love."
"Lulu!"
Ronan tightened his grip around Lucien's waist and shortened the distance between their faces effectively. Their lips brushed lightly over each other. "No," Lucien said in a low voice. "That's enough."
Ronan was not sure if his persistence was a blessing or a curse. He just knew that he could not give up now.
"What was that if not love?"
"..."
"Tell me!" Ronan pushed for an answer.
Lucien's eyes snapped up. Cold light gleamed in his eyes. He raised his hand and rubbed at the tear wound on Ronan's bottom lip slowly. Ronan winced when the man pressed at his wounded bottom lip without hesitation. And yet the pain was incomparable to what Lucien had to say next.
"It was nothing but animalistic lust. I have never denied your attraction to me. It just isn't love."
Ronan slowly exhaled. Despite the cruel retort, he still did not want to let go. It was as if he was a glutton for punishment. The body that pressed against his was comfortably warm, but the person himself was as cold as the harshest winter in the north pole.
The wounds on Lucien's body were ripped open again during the tussle with Ronan. The dark sweater and pants effectively drowned out all the discoloration from the blood that seeped out, but Ronan naturally could smell it on Lucien. He grabbed the end of Lucien's sweater and pulled it upward.
"What are you doing?" Lucien asked, throwing Ronan a glare.
"You are hurt again. Let me help bandage you."
"No need. I can do it myself."
"..."
Ronan continued his efforts to undress Lucien. Lucien gave up and cooperated. Ronan narrowed his eyes at the loose bandages around Lucien's body. The ends were not tucked in neatly between the folds. Lucien basically covered his whole torso, arms, and legs in bandages. It was a wonder that he did not overheat under the many layers.
Lucien glared at Ronan, challenging him to say something. Ronan gave him a deprecating look.
"Lulu, your bandaging technique sucks as always."
Lucien gave Ronan a slap across his cheek.
"Shut up," he hissed. "Did I ask for your opinion?"
Ronan responded by ripping the soaked bandages from Lucien's body and making him scream. "Where did you put the stuff you bought this morning?"
In pain, Lucien pulled his lips into a line. He pointed inside the bathroom. Ronan climbed off the bed and went into the bathroom. He emerged a moment later with a plastic bag full of medicine, fresh bandages, a huge bowl of water, and a towel.
Ronan carefully loosened Lucien's bandages with the towel while Lucien sat on his lap, facing him.
"Ngghh...!"
Ronan pressed a kiss on Lucien's shoulder.
"You can bite me if you want."
Lucien clawed at Ronan's back every time Ronan ripped a bandage from a wound. After being tortured for some time he ended up biting into Ronan's shoulder. Ronan chuckled.
After Ronan finished with Lucien's upper body, he unbuttoned Lucien's pants and grabbed the waistband to pull them down. He was stopped by Lucien.
"I can do this myself."
Ronan cut him a cynical smile.
"Lulu, you can't do it even if you grow another pair of hands."
"..."
Despite Lucien's protests, the pants came off a while later.
Ronan's eyes were quickly drawn to Lucien's hardened penis.
"..."
Lucien turned away from Ronan, determined to not look at him at all. He sucked in his breath when his legs were yanked up and a pair of warm lips pressed against the inside of his thighs. A pair of bright, mesmerizing greenish-blue eyes stared into his own when Ronan lifted his head again. The Alpha continued cleaning and bandaging Lucien conscientiously.
After Ronan was done, Lucien gingerly went to fetch some clothes from his wardrobe. The Alpha's eyes never left him as he put on fresh clothes. His movement was no longer impeded by layers and layers of overused bandages thanks to Ronan.
"Lulu."
Hot chest was pressed against Lucien's back, then a pair of arms wrapped themselves around Lucien's waist.
"It has been seven years. I understand if you want to move on, but I cannot deny my feelings any longer. Please consider, alright?"
Lucien closed his eyes and put his arms on top of Ronan's. He leaned his head on Ronan's shoulder and inhaled the latter's scent. Thanks to the mark at his nape, Ronan's pheromones gave him a calming effect. But no. Lucien peeled Ronan's arms away from him and freed himself.
"Ronan, don't say irresponsible things. You are an unmarried Alpha. Instead of chasing for a broken werewolf who cannot give birth to your children, you should go marry a fertile she-wolf, make her your Luna, and get yourself some healthy alpha pups."
Ronan grabbed Lucien by his elbow.
"So if I am willing to throw away all of that, you will be willing to consider rekindling our relationship?"
A crease appeared between Lucien's eyebrows.
"Stop spouting nonsense. Take your position seriously. Your whole pack is depending on you."
Ding dong.
Both Lucien and Ronan glanced in the direction of the house door. Ronan put his hands on Lucien's shoulders and kissed the mark he gave him. Lucien flinched from the sensation. Ronan smirked. Kinnon only smeared some blood on Lucien's chin, but Ronan bit into Lucien's nape. That should be enough to declare his intention. A decent werewolf should know when to back off.