by Ivy McAdams
Now that peace has been restored in the pit, all my thoughts go to Eva and how happy I am that she’s here. That she’s accepted and joined our tribe. That I no longer have to worry about hurting her when I show her how much she means to me.
A swirl of emotions drives me forward. She’s been asleep for three days and I missed her more than I care to admit. I can finally tell her how I feel, and I can finally claim her body the way a warrior is meant to claim his woman.
Calina's eye opens when I step too close. It twists and sharpens to focus on me. At first, there is alarm in her energy, but it settles when she sees me.
I step over one of her young and put a hand on Eva’s shoulder to wake her.
I’m ready for the rest of my life to begin.
Chapter 13
Eva
The last thing I remember before falling asleep, cradling a levadon pup’s chin on my lap, is that I hope Drek is safe. He’s been gone a couple hours and I don’t know this place well enough to try to go looking for him in the dark. After the two beautiful babies are born―with no more complications for Calina once she’s calmed down―we snuggle together and wait for the males to return.
Apparently, everyone drifts off, because the next thing I remember is a strong hand on my shoulder and Drek's handsome face staring down at me when I open my eyes. The dinosaurs are sleeping and the cave is quiet. The green light glowing behind the warrior is peaceful.
Everything seems perfect. Especially the flirty look in Drek’s eyes.
I gently set the pup’s head to the side and let him pull me up from the floor. When I’m on my feet, we’re standing incredibly close together. Energy jumps back and forth between our bodies like static. It sends a buzz up and down my skin, kissing every inch of me as I drink him in.
“Looks like you’ve been busy in here,” he growls in a throaty whisper that makes my heart thump.
“We have,” I whisper as I place my hands delicately on his chest. “I’m glad to see you back.”
My fingertips smooth over his large muscles and his eyes grow darker, hungrier. His chest expands in a deep breath.
“Did you not expect me to?”
“I was worried,” I admit quietly.
His hand slides up my neck to cup my jaw beneath my ear. “Nothing will keep me away from you, Eva.”
A shiver runs through me as he pulls me closer. Then his arm dips down to snag me beneath the knees, hoisting me up against his chest. I cling to him as the smell and spark of his arousal moves through me.
It’s delicious.
He carries me into the back cavern of the cave and my head spins in anticipation.
Finally alone with my big warrior.
The fire pit in the center of the room is unlit and the space is near pitch black. Only a few licks of the green light from the front room leak in. Just enough to make out the outline of one side of Drek’s face as he brings me to the pile of furs against the wall. My body is glowing with heat by the time he lowers me to my feet, and before my heels touch the rocks, I reach for him.
Our mouths meet in a flurry. Hot skin and slick tongues. Kissing and touching him is just as electric as last time we were in this cave, but we’re better matched. I can stand close enough that my breasts and stomach touch his torso, and each brush of bare skin sends energy bolts firing through me. Hardening my nipples and moistening between my legs. My body feels more sensitive than anything I experienced as a human, and when one of his hands slides up to palm my breast, I moan.
Drek answers with a rumbling growl as his mouth finds my neck in the dark. Kissing and nipping at my skin. My body hums in response, like the purr of a cat that I can feel over every inch of me.
His hands move down to my hips, my ass, pressing his fingertips into the muscle to grab a handful. A sound of surprise leaps out of me, unprepared for how just that can feel so good. When he lifts me off the ground, my legs part and settle around his hips. They feel a mile long, but they fit just perfectly around him.
Teeth nip at my collarbone and his hot tongue trails along the top of my shoulder. It’s such a contrast from the cool air in the cave, making it feel all the more amazing.
I’ve wanted his mouth on me for so long now that I can barely keep up with the sparks of excitement that hit me, over and over. It feels even more perfect now, and I want more.
Much more.
Drek must read my energies, because he squeezes my ass again, pressing my molten core in tight against his abdomen. My moan is deep, and even more so when he shifts and I can feel the tip of his cock prodding me from below. Things get hotter and wetter real fast.
“You have no idea how difficult it was to control myself with you last time,” Drek growls against my chest, moving his kisses to the sensitive hollow of my throat.
I circle my hips gently against his to feel his cock jerk beneath me.
“Probably as hard as it was not to beg you to fuck me anyway,” I groan, pressing down until his hard tip prods me harder.
His breath hisses between his teeth as he pulls back to look down at me. I can just make out one side of his face in the dark and an eye that glows with need, piercing right through me.
One of his hands grips me around the chin, fingers pinching on either side and demanding my attention. I stop moving my hips long enough to really look at him, even while my body continues to burn hot.
“I would never hurt you,” he says in a deep, delicious voice.
The thrill that takes me over, from his intensity to the strong fingers on my face, swirls a fire right through my bones, surging heat between my legs and into his body.
I move my head in one solid nod between his fingers. “I know.”
Then he’s on me again. Mouth crushing mine. Hands up and down my back, pressing against my ass to rock my hips against him, fingers dragging roughly over my muscles like the best fucking massage I’ve ever gotten in my life.
He lowers me to sit on the stack of furs, never breaking the claim he has on my lips. As soon as I’m settled, my arms drop from his neck and I spread my hands down his abs. His hips are still locked against the pulsing center of my body, and it feels wrong to let that go, but I can’t reach him otherwise. I push him back just enough to grab at the laces of his loincloth. They’re gone in an instant, and my hungry hands go searching again.
I’m surprised by how huge his cock still feels in my fingers.
Like a forearm is right.
His breath catches as I stroke and squeeze him tentatively, testing his inches in my hands.
His smooth skin is perfect and I could do this all night, but there’s an ache between my legs I know only he can soothe.
I need him inside me. Now.
On the last stroke down his length, two inquisitive fingers dip deeper. He has a tight sac below much like a human and he groans when I touch it. The sound is sexy as hell and I tighten my grip on him, pulling him closer as my hand slides over him.
I lead him right into port, removing my fingers as the head of his cock brushes between my folds and teases at my opening. The gasp that escapes my lips tenses my entire body. His slicking along all my sensitive parts is enough to make me see rainbows, but when that big cap pushes to gain entrance, I nearly gnaw through my bottom lip.
It’s the most delicious pressure I’ve ever felt and I want it to last.
But I also can’t wait to take every last inch of him.
My fingers grip his forearms as they come down on either side of me, propping against the furs.
Just a wiggle of my hips presses him further in, and I feel as if I might explode already. Suddenly I can’t take the wild teasing anymore and lift off the furs for him. He groans as he surges forward and settles that big cock deep within me. A wantonly moan slides up my throat.
He withdraws and sinks deep inside again. My hips press up into his, legs wrapping around his back. As he moves within me, his ridges bump and drag against a bundle of nerves that nearly has me screaming.
I feel as if I’m c
linging to a raging fire. I’m a sorceress that can’t be burned. I have traded my old life for a new beginning. Sealed with a searing flame. Right here, right now. Nothing can be as close to the white light as the feeling of becoming one with Drek.
Because I’ve gone beyond being able to feel. He’s pushed me so far to the edge that I’m not sure I can detect my body anymore.
That’s when I feel the energy.
Drek’s happiness. His primal need and arousal, yes, but even more so, his feeling of relief and contentment. He’s head over heels to be here with me, and I can relate. So much. To the point that even my eyes are leaking, and I cling to him as he claims my body in the darkness. Bright red and pink lights pinball in my brain as he rocks me into oblivion.
Suddenly I can feel everything again as the tension breaks within me, flooding me with more pleasure and raw energy than I can contain. I cry out, throwing my head back as he slams into me again and again. I am so wholly aware of his thick cock reaching deep over and over, feeling so fucking good, that I’m not sure my orgasm will ever end. I scream his name, fingernails snaring his flesh.
His groan is so loud when he releases that the cave seems to shake. His cock tightens within me, giving me one last twist of pleasure before he stills and leans over my body. I lie silently beneath him for a long time to catch my breath.
When I open my eyes, I’m afraid I’ve blacked out before remembering where I am. The small flicker of light is just enough to silhouette his sides and wide shoulders over me as his hand moves to my face, caressing my cheek, and I smile up at him. Even if he can’t see it.
I’ll always smile for him.
* * *
Drek
The mid-morning sun warms the rock wall of the pit, winking between the tree leaves above. Eva and I sit against the opposite rise in the shade, my back pressed against the smooth red-gold rock and my beautiful woman lounging between my legs, relaxed against my chest. One of my arms is draped over her, and I draw delicate circles on her arm.
Her fingers flick absently over the end of the stick in her hand until one of the pups returns for it. She hands it off and her shoulders move in silent amusement as the dusty brown baby crunches into the wood and shakes its head around. Its rust-red sibling stands with Calina near the center of the pit, sniffing around while she eats from an extra-large platter of meat we put out this morning. Rhux lingers near the mouth of the ravine, blocking the entrance with his big body, even though most of the other levadon have moved on for the day.
The air is perfect. I’m surrounded by those that I love. Even the birds are singing a chipper song in the trees overhead. I don’t think I could wipe the smile from my face if I tried.
“Bring that back,” Eva coos at the baby as it destroys the stick. “What a destructive thing you are.” She snickers and the pup snaps its teeth and waves its tail in the air.
My mouth rests against Eva’s dark hair and I breathe her in. I’m amazed at how much she still smells like I remember from before. It’s no wonder they sleep so long in between the swaps. The body must undergo many changes to readapt. It’s an amazing process. Our Shaman is a genius.
“When do the other levadon meet the babies?” Eva asks, making a scene of reaching for the stick even as the pup backs up. She’s playing with the thing as if it’s a child, and I can’t help but find it adorable.
"Most likely tomorrow. They won't like being away from the pit for so long. But we can allow it for the day, while our new family is adjusting."
“That’s good. Family time is important.” She makes faces at the baby again and it wags its tail.
I chuckle. I love her voice even more now that I can understand her, and to have her cooing at the levadon of my heart makes me love her all the more.
A stone’s throw behind the small one, its sibling wanders the pit curiously while their mother eats like she hasn’t in days. Which is somewhat true. The poor thing spent far too long weak with no appetite. She was recovering nicely after Eva’s help when she began prepping for her birth, holding out on food again. Now that she’s on the mend for good I hope, she can eat every bit of that food. I’ll fetch more if I need to.
Rhux watches her eat as well, and I can only imagine he has the same sense of relief as I do. His mate will live, and his children will flourish.
The red pup, similar in hue as its father, wanders between Rhux’s legs, sniffing the outside world and exploring all it can. It must catch wind of a few of the other levadon, some of which don’t care to stray too far. It skips a few footsteps down the path, surely searching for them. Its squawk is soft and throaty.
Just before it turns into a high pitched squeal.
We all jump and Rhux swings around with a snarl.
But it’s too late.
A lone vulture snatches the pup and dashes away.
Calina screeches, leaping into action, but pulls up immediately to look back at her remaining pup. The indecision on where to be burns in her eyes.
Eva cries out and reaches for me as we jump to our feet.
I wish I could stay and comfort her, but there’s no time to waste. Rhux is already thundering away, lost behind the corner of the ravine wall.
“Stay here,” I say as I sprint to the spear propped near the cave entrance.
“I can help,” Eva sputters behind me.
I face her before I go and she grabs my hand, squeezing in earnest.
“Get these two inside and watch for vultures,” I breathe, kissing her knuckles. “Stay safe.”
And I mean it. I’ll stay right here in the pit with her if I need to to be sure she’s safe. Rhux may catch the vulture on his own, though I’m not sure how gentle he can be snatching back his infant.
When Eva nods, I let her go and run.
She’s a strong woman. She can care for herself. I wouldn’t go if I didn’t think so.
With one last good look at her, I tear after the dinosaurs, hellbent on putting this new family back together again.
Chapter 14
Eva
I can’t stop shaking after watching that vile raptor grab up the new baby. Calina lifts her head and squawks from somewhere deep in her throat. The second pup huddles close to her legs, standing high on its toes and making a low rattling noise in utter confusion.
My feet don’t want to move, and it’s all I can do to just stand there and watch Drek sprint away. I want to chase after him, but he’s right. These levadon need to get back in the cave until the threat is gone.
“Calina,” I choke, walking on stiff legs to her side.
The baby stares up at me with big, round eyes. The poor thing has no idea what’s going on. I pat its head, then rest my hand on Calina’s side. She jumps, growling when she turns on me. I leap back too, caught off guard, but she blinks and the raging haze clears from her eyes. She bumps my hand with her nose and whips back around to watch the end of the ravine.
My hand moves to her neck, and I stand propped against her, watching too. A deep roar that can only be Rhux’s shakes the trees. It sounds far off, though I can hear other screeches in return. Calina snorts, head moving in tiny jerks like a bird’s as she tries to catch every small sound.
Behind us, footsteps come thundering up. Calina and I turn to face the front of the pit, and I’m glad I’m bigger now so she doesn’t take me out with her tail.
One of the Kutarian warriors slides to a stop at the top of the wall, carrying a spear and a concerned expression. Gemma and Trinity are behind him, pushing and ducking around him to see.
“Eva!” Gemma shouts, all but shouldering the guy out of the way to talk to me. “What’s going on?”
“Gemma, get down here!”
The male looks as if he’s about to stop her, but she’s handsy and not afraid to push. She hops onto the ladder and Trinity follows. My chest fills with relief when they get to the bottom and run over.
Gemma wraps me into a hug immediately and I realize I must look horrible. I squeeze her back and pull her
out to arm’s length to look at her.
“Can you watch this guy?” I ask, waving at the pup behind my hip.
Gemma looks at the baby and nods with certainty. Behind her, Trinity puts her hands to her mouth and her eyes well.
“Oh my God, how cute.”
“Get him in the cave and keep an eye out,” I order.
The warrior’s followed them down and that makes me feel better too.
“There are raptors about,” I say, loud enough for him to hear too.
The girls’ eyes jump back to me.
“Raptors?” Gemma asks.
“Yes. Drek calls them vultures. They stole a baby.”
Trinity gasps, ushering the remaining pup closer to her.
Gemma blinks in concern. “There was another? What happened?”
I’m already backing away and Calina is following. “A second, yes. It got snatched. Drek is already after it.”
The women’s eyes grow huge suddenly, and Gemma points.
I nearly trip turning to look.
Two raptors with the same rusty hides and blue crests on their heads run by the ravine opening. Calina snarls.
My feet move fast in reverse, but not enough because she's already nosing me out of the way.
I give my friends a final wave. “Watch him. I’m going to help.” Then I turn and grab onto Calina’s shoulder. “Mind if I bum a ride?”
She gives me a sidelong glance, picking up her pace. From what the others have told me about levadon bonding with Kutarians, I’m going to assume no one’s ever ridden her. I could be asking to get my leg ripped off, but there’s still a deep knowing in her eye. A look of trust. And I take the leap.
Pulling myself up over her shoulder, I slide onto her back. Even before I’ve settled my ass in place, Calina is sprinting down the path. I squeeze my knees in tight and say a little prayer for myself.
I need some damn reins.
The ride is bumpy and my legs are already burning once we get out of the pit. I put all my focus on searching the trees and brush around us to get my mind off my nerves.
