Define The Relationship Novel - Chapter 23

This was the week Karlyle was scheduled for a business trip to Vancouver. It was his first time going to Canada with Kyle, so Karlyle was quite looking forward to it.

This trip was to finalize a development contract for the eastern side of the Fraser River, one of the areas owned by the Frost family. His schedule included listening to presentations from major development companies he had in mind and receiving reports on the business progress during his absence. The trip was four days long and included the weekend to account for travel time.

And this meant that he wouldn’t be able to see Ash this weekend.

“You seem to have changed a bit in the last few weeks, Karlyle.”

While Karlyle was lost in thought, Luther opened the door and entered. Karlyle only turned his head after Luther, who had silently sat opposite him, spoke.

“That can’t be.”

His dark gray hair, swept back to reveal his forehead, and his perfectly tailored suit, complete with cuff links, were all as usual. There was no change in his weight, and since he hadn’t altered his exercise routine, there was no apparent change in his appearance either.

At Karlyle’s words, Luther opened a file. It must have been the previous consultation records and examination results.

“You seem to be in a good mood.”

“……?”

Karlyle blinked slowly. His hands, resting on his knees, twitched imperceptibly. It was true that he had been somewhat emotionally agitated recently. But, if anything, Karlyle’s current mood was neither good nor bad. Rather, it leaned slightly towards the not-so-good side, by a very small margin.

…Because he couldn’t see Ash.

But there was nothing he could do. Karlyle straightened his back and remained silent. When there was no answer, Luther, as if accustomed to it, moved on to the next topic.

“Alright, then, please tell me comfortably. How is your physical condition these days?”

Luther nonchalantly asked about a topic that couldn’t be spoken of comfortably. Karlyle remained silent for a moment, rubbing his knee.

No matter how much it was for medical purposes, talking about having reached climax multiple times after letting an Alpha take him from behind required a bit of preparation. It was pathetic, but it was true.

In the past, only self-loathing and shame about finding himself in this situation would have filled him. But now, it is slightly different.

Karlyle no longer disliked the act of this treatment. Of course, that didn’t mean he had gotten used to it. He probably would never get used to it in his entire life.

At the word ‘entire life’ that he unconsciously thought of, Karlyle frowned for a moment. His thoughts were short-sighted. He wouldn’t get used to it even during the next five times. In fact, penetration had only occurred for the first time last week.

Unbelievably, he had felt pleasure that led to ejaculation even through penetration, but Karlyle hadn’t yet fully grasped how that fact had changed him.

“For now, I’d say it’s effective.”

“You mean there were no problems with the entire process, from orgasm to ejaculation?”

“Yes.”

Rather, the problem was that it was too easy. Karlyle raised a finger and rubbed his chin. It was understandable that prostatic stimulation from penetration would induce ejaculation.

But… then why did he reach climax while showering with Ash after sex, shamelessly rubbing their genitals together? Karlyle was confused.

“However…”

“Yes.”

Luther clasped his hands, as if telling him to speak. Karlyle ran a hand over his forehead and spoke. It was a slightly anxious gesture.

“I was able to ejaculate without penetration.”

“Are you saying you experienced orgasm through foreplay?”

Karlyle nodded slightly.

“As I said, your young master’s anorgasmia is ultimately due to the burden of the act of sex itself. Unlike usual, the sexual partner or situation is unrelated to rut, and new stimulation that you hadn’t experienced before was given, so such a result could occur even without penetration.”

Then Karlyle wondered if the affection he felt for Ash was related to his changed situation. Ash had shaken him for various reasons, but Karlyle lost his composure every time his body touched Ash’s.

“In that case.”

“I’m listening.”

“Due to the relationship, towards the other person…”

Karlyle paused. Luther watched him silently. Luther would ultimately record everything that happened to Karlyle. Karlyle ran a hand through his hair.

However, Ash was an Alpha. Even if Karlyle felt these emotions now, nothing would happen between them. This was merely a question for understanding the situation.

“Is it possible to feel some kind of attachment?”

Karlyle had slept with many Omegas. So this question wasn’t necessarily limited to Ash. Even if Ash was the first to make him feel such attachment.

A brief silence fell. Luther looked at Karlyle with a smile, then spoke as if it were obvious.

“Yes, many chemical substances are secreted during sexual activity. Attachment to a sexual partner can form due to vasopressin. In fact, this hormone also causes hostility towards other Alphas in Alphas.”

Luther affirmed. Karlyle felt a strange mix of relief and disappointment.

“Besides that, sex can also increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels and suppress serotonin levels. That’s why sex and love have always been linked throughout human history and culture. Lust and love are not the same, but lust can be a medium that ignites love.”

The word ‘love’ briefly halted all his thoughts. His blood vessels tingled as if a weak current flowed through his body. Karlyle’s lips tightened.

Love was the most worthless thing in Karlyle’s life. His grandfather had no restrictions on discussing love in works of art, but he utterly detested romanticism in reality.

For Karlyle, who had to work much harder than Kyle, falling in love and wasting his life would be the most disappointing thing for his grandfather, so Karlyle himself had never been curious about it. He wasn’t ignorant of love. Karlyle loved his family very much. He loved his beautiful younger brother very much. That was enough.

If anything, Ash was probably not in love. It was just an initial liking and affection towards another person. Affection wouldn’t necessarily culminate in the final stage of love. He could no longer deny the feelings he felt for Ash, but Karlyle tried to believe that this was still somewhat within his control.

Of course, he wanted to keep seeing Ash. If circumstances allowed, just a little longer… he wanted to see Ash a little longer even after the five sessions were over.

But he knew that was a big desire. Ash had no reason to meet Karlyle anymore. But what if Ash, more than before, let Karlyle into his life? Then, wouldn’t there be a possibility?

His thoughts bounced around. They didn’t flow in the desired direction, constantly getting caught in futile hopes. Even knowing it was useless and would eventually end, it was still so. It was both agonizing and overwhelming. Karlyle finally opened his mouth.

“Thank you for your words.”

“It seems like they’re a good person.”

“Was it Ash Jones?” Luther asked. At the question, Karlyle thought of Ash. His soft, smooth, slightly curly hair swept back neatly, a straight nose, thin, clear lips that curved upwards at the corners, and beautiful eyes.

A man who seemed like a gentle large dog, but exuded a dangerous aura when pinning Karlyle down in bed. As Ash’s image in bed naturally followed, Karlyle flinched and frowned.

Luther watched him silently. His lower abdomen tightened slightly. Karlyle gently bit and then released his lip, finally speaking.

“…Yes.”

“That’s good. Then what will you do during your rut next week, Karlyle?”

The slight arousal that had risen at the thought of Ash subsided at the mention of rut. It was already time for his rut next week. The excitement faded, and a sense of pressure washed over him at the thought of his heat cycle approaching.

Karlyle thought of an unknown Omega. He also thought of himself, spreading his legs, burying himself in a wet interior, and moving solely to pursue sexual sensation without feeling anything else. His stomach churned. Seeing Karlyle like that, Luther added.

“If Mr. Jones allows, how about spending your rut together?”

His mood fluctuated wildly. The drastically low mood slowly returned to its normal trajectory. Karlyle stared at Luther, confused by the two words: rut and Jones. Luther wrote something on a paper and closed the file.

“Since your aversion to the act itself has lessened, it would be good to experience your rut in a new way, to counteract your previous experiences.”

“Are you saying an Alpha can spend rut with an Alpha?”

“It won’t be a complete release, but it’s possible. After all, you’re currently having difficulty spending your rut even with an Omega.”

He rubbed his forehead again. He couldn’t even grasp the situation. However, Luther’s words were always based on solid evidence, and Karlyle had never refused his physician. And the other person was Ash Jones.

Karlyle ultimately had only one answer.

“Understood.”

“Good.”

Luther smiled as if pleased and stood up. Karlyle, who had been watching him for a moment, also quietly rose from his chair. He pushed the slightly moved chair back into place, then gave a slight bow. Luther returned the greeting.

Before Karlyle left Luther’s office, Luther said to him, “I think it’s best for you to do what you want, young master.”

It was an unexpected statement. Karlyle quietly looked at Luther. His grandfather’s words came to mind.

‘A person cannot live doing only what they want, Karlyle.’

He had also said that it was the natural order of life that those born with privilege should clearly engrave in their minds. The conveniences, financial rights, and all these things that Karlyle Frost had naturally enjoyed were precisely that privilege. His grandfather spoke of responsibility.

The responsibility tied to his bloodline and privilege.

Karlyle did not answer Luther’s words. He merely turned the doorknob and opened the door to leave.

The afternoon schedule was awkwardly empty. He still had over two hours before he had to take Kyle to Heathrow Airport. Kyle was currently looking at baby products with Nicholas and his family. A month ago, when Karlyle had finished his diagnosis and came out, he had run into Nicholas and Kyle for this very reason.

Nicholas was pregnant. Since then, Kyle always had a smile on his face. At least, he did in front of Nicholas and Karlyle. Seeing his younger brother’s happy face was a great joy for Karlyle as well, so Karlyle was always grateful for Nicholas’s presence.

Naturally, Ash came to mind. Reflecting on it, their relationship was truly complicated. Ash hadn’t mentioned Nicholas since their first meeting. However, he couldn’t know if Ash had completely forgotten Nicholas.