The curse had violated the boy’s fragile claim over his vessel. If the young alpha wouldn’t fight harder for it, Sukuna’s initial judgment of his unworthiness was justified. But the Ten Shadows user was fortunate; the curse had other plans.

Sukuna overlooked the alpha’s intrusion into his omega’s space—an offense that would’ve been fatal under any other circumstances.

Still, punishment was due.

Bound by a vow, Sukuna couldn’t harm him, so he indulged instead, unapologetically nuzzling into Yuji’s neck. Gentle lips brushed against the omega’s scent gland, the tip of Sukuna’s tongue sending a small pulse of energy through his resting vessel.

His secondary eyes gleamed at the sight of Megumi’s paling face, knowing his fangs grazed over untouched skin, threatening a permanent claim.

Yet Sukuna restrained himself, pulling back with a smirk. “No need for a bite. He already bears my marks.” His fingers traced Yuji’s eyes, where Sukuna’s markings resided. “His body is my vessel, our souls intertwined. Far more intimate than any mating bite, wouldn’t you agree?”

Oh, how his fangs ached to tear into the omega, but the sound of Megumi slamming the door in defeat was marvelous. Even if Megumi won this losing battle, Sukuna would always remain, bound to Yuji until—

A palm shot forward, grasping Sukuna’s face and shoving his head back against the cushion. The force was tame but firm, and Sukuna’s smirk faltered under the omega’s glare.

“Stop it. You’re being mean.”

Mean? Sukuna could be far worse than mean.

All intention to prove that statement fell to the wayside when Sukuna thought on the omega’s actions a moment longer, quickly becoming aware of the high possibility that Yuji had woken up earlier than the he had realized.

And if that were the case, the brat had been quite willing to let Sukuna do more than the curse thought he could initially get away with.