by Lily Thomas
Brog’s mission in life was to make Daerk’s life hell, and anyone who liked him would feel the full force of Brog’s animosity. Brog thought of him as a threat, but before now, Daerk hadn’t anything so precious to protect. Now though… now he had a mate, and he would do anything to see her safe. Even challenge Brog, despite his uncertainties of leading a clan.
Chapter 12
Night fell quicker than Aiyre had hoped for, and they were still some ways away. She wished she could get back to the cave and check in on Ezi, but it wasn’t going to happen tonight. Daerk wanted to make sure they wouldn’t push Eron too far, and she understood his concern.
Eron might not look especially old, but he was slowly falling behind them the longer they walked.
“Time to set up camp before the direwolves and bears come out hunting,” Daerk said as he pulled the tent out of his pack. “And before Eron collapses on us.” He added quietly.
Aiyre couldn’t help the snort that flew out of her nose. “With the area smelling of two sabertooths, I think we’re safe from bears and sabertooths.”
He sent her a smirk. “Believe in the ability of your mate to protect you and keep you safe?”
“I believe a fellow predator would respect your space and not risk a fight. I believe in your scent, not you.” She crinkled her nose for added effect.
“If you’re saying I smell, I would have to disagree with you.” He lifted an arm and gave it a loud sniff before sending her a smile.
“Whatever makes you happy.” She stabbed the butt of her spear into the snow and took the tent off the pack he’d placed on the ground. She started to unfold it, so they could get it set up.
Daerk walked over and helped her with getting the tent set up. Once their tent was up, he went over to assist Eron, and she took the moment to take him in.
He was a tall man and a formidable warrior in either form. If she was going to be forced to be stuck with a man, he wasn’t the worst choice. Maybe a little thick headed and demanding… but he seemed to be honest and true. More importantly, she was starting to think he really hadn’t been involved in the attack on her clan and was slowly winning her over.
Aiyre just wished he was naked again, instead of being hidden inside all those thick furs which were hiding his body from her eager eyes. She wanted to share another night with him as they’d done back in the cave.
He didn’t smell foul like she’d told him, he actually smelled like safety and warmth. It stirred her inside and drew her in, especially after all the horrible things that had happened recently in her life.
He turned around and raised an eyebrow when he caught her just staring at him. Blushing she turned away, trying to pretend like he hadn’t been the sole focus of her thoughts.
“You need me?” Daerk’s voice spoke right behind her.
She let out a gasp and spun around. “I didn’t even hear you make a sound.”
His hands made their way to her hips, and he drew her into his body and his warmth. “I wouldn’t be much of a hunter if I always made noise.”
“You made noise the last time you chased me down.”
“Because I wanted you to know I was coming for you.” He growled in her ear, sending shivers up and down her spine.
His lips captured hers and demanded her surrender. She melted against him. She might have some reservations about his clan, but she couldn’t deny the fact that she was attracted to him. There was a pull forming between them that she found hard to resist.
Daerk was a man who would be able to take care of a woman and his offspring. And she was his mate. Just thinking about being his mate sent her heart a fluttering. It definitely appealed to her. More than when Girk had asked to join with her.
His hand made its way to her breast, but she slapped it away. Daerk backed up slightly, his eyes wide with shock.
“Inside the tent.” Aiyre grabbed a hold of his hand and led them over to the tent entrance and walked in, Daerk hot on her heels.
“No need for privacy dear. I’m going to make you scream my name tonight, and Eron will know exactly what we’re doing.” Daerk promised.
She wasn’t even allowed a chance to blush before he tackled her to the ground.
“Won’t it be cold?” She asked.
“We’ll have it toasty warm in here in no time.” He promised her as he shed her fur cloak, and then tugged her fur shirt up and over her head. “Resisting you is impossible. The cave might be warmer, but I need you, now.”
Her nipples puckered in the brisk air, but he didn’t leave them much time to freeze. He captured one of the rosy buds with his mouth and cupped the other breast with his hot hand.
His tongue swirled around her nipple, drawing a sigh of desire out of her mouth. His fingers pinched her other nipple lightly, and she felt her cheeks flush as heat pumped through her body. Lightly, he nipped her nipple between his teeth and sucked the brief shock of pain away.
“Daerk.” Aiyre groaned, as desire built within her.
He abandoned her nipple and spread searing kisses across her chest and up her throat. She turned her head to give him better access, and then he planted a hungry kiss on her lips. The world around them melted away, as he became her sole focus.
Her hands rose to his head, and she dug her fingers into his hair. Her fingernails scraped across his scalp, and he purred into her mouth.
Slowly, his lips coaxed hers open until he was able to slip his tongue between her lips. She sighed in pleasure, as their tongues fought for control over the other. Then he broke away and planted one last kiss on her lips before sliding down her body and quickly undid the leather straps at her waist.
“Lift your hips.” He commanded her.
She obeyed, and he whipped her pants off of her. Then he tore off his shirt, and she took a moment to appreciate the sight before her. He was well built, ready to take on the harsh world they lived in with the many dangers that lurked behind every tree.
Daerk grinned ear to ear. “Like what you see?” He scrubbed a hand across his chest, and then down towards his pants, and her eyes followed eagerly.
“I do, but I’d like to see more.” Aiyre smiled back at him as she licked her lips and waited impatiently for him to undo and strip off his pants.
Daerk did quick work of his pants. Once they were finally stripped off his form, she had the view she wanted. Lusted for.
His cock stood proudly above the dark hair lining his legs. A bead of cum glistened on the tip, and her body responded immediately. He wasn’t the only one eager to join together and experience the bliss that could be between them.
“Spread your legs.”
She did and watched as his eyes darkened with the passion that rushed over him at the sight of her.
The moment she spread her legs before him, Daerk felt his cock twitch in excitement. He couldn’t wait to be back inside her, enjoying the bliss they could create together.
He let his gaze linger on her glistening lips. She was already aroused. His sabertooth purred its approval. His mate was just as eager as he was and it pleased both of them.
“I will attempt to do my best to be gentle with you.” He promised. “Our last joining was rushed, but this time it will be different.”
Aiyre spread her legs wider and shook her head. “I don’t want you to be gentle. I want you to claim me.” Her eyes widened as she realized what she’d just said, but a grin spread across his face.
“You want me to claim you?”
A wary gleam entered her brown eyes, and he wasn’t having it. He leaned over her, his chest brushing over her pert nipples. His lips landed on hers, as one of his hands worked its way between her thighs until it found her wet center. With ease, he found her nub and circled it with a couple of his fingers.
Daerk pulled away from her lips, never letting his fingers stop their work. “You want me to claim you?” He asked again, eager to hear what she’d say.
“Yes!” She moaned, as her hips bucked a bit under him.
He growled at her and felt his canines grow a bit. His sabertooth was pleased with her declaration. Their first joining had been a bit rushed, and he hadn’t had enough time to think about claiming her.
A bite mark… on his mate. His sabertooth purred.
His hand abandoned her nub before she plunged over the cliff of pleasure.
She surprised him when she wrapped her legs around his waist, and her hands worked their way into his hair and drew him down until his body was pressed against her. “I’m ready.”
Daerk shifted his hips until the head of his cock was pressed against the entrance of her pussy. He groaned as he felt her slickness welcome him. He thrust his cock forward and felt her stretch to accommodate his width.
“So wet.” He groaned as his eyes slid shut. She felt so good around him, gripping him and pulling him deeper inside of her. Once he entered her fully, his hands gripped her hips, he pulled out and thrust back into her.
Her hips jumped in excitement as she met him thrust for thrust. “Hmm.” She purred as her teeth gripped her pink bottom lip.
“As much as I enjoy seeing the pleasure sweep over you, I want to hear you.” He growled down at her.
She let go of her bottom lip right before a moan ripped out of her throat filling the tent with the sound of her pleasure.
Daerk drove into her wet sheath with force until he sent her ample breasts bouncing. “Oh, gods!” His eyes watched her breasts bouncing, those pink nipples teasing him.
With a growl, he bent down and captured one in his mouth while he continued to drive into her.
“Daerk!” She cried out as her head fell to the side baring her neck to him.
His sabertooth demanded he brand her as his. He let go of her nipple with a smack of his lips. His canines enlarged, and he dove straight for her neck.
His teeth entered her flesh, and she cried out, but not in pain. In pleasure.
Her hips bucked wildly underneath him, as she began to collapse around him, her sheath pulling him in eagerly. He groaned as he held on tight to her neck. Then she broke, and he felt her begin to milk his cock.
Daerk’s eyes shuttered, as he came in her tight sheath. He felt Aiyre’s nails dig into the flesh of his back until she relaxed in bliss. He slumped against her and then broke his hold on her neck.
Reluctantly, he left her warm sheath. He rolled over and drew her into his arms before pulling a couple of pieces of their fur clothing over them to keep them warm.
“You’re making it hard to hate you, sabertooth.” She grumped as she tucked her head into his chest.
“That’s the point.” He chuckled. He was winning her over slowly, bit by bit. She might resist him, but he was confident he could win her over in no time. The gods wouldn’t give him a mate he couldn’t win over. He was sure of that.
The next morning, Aiyre found it difficult to make eye contact with Eron. Daerk had indeed made her scream his name at the top of her lungs, and she couldn’t believe it.
Her gloved hands did short work with tying up the tent. She was ready to get back to the cave and see Ezi again. She wanted Eron to check up on Ezi’s leg. It would be a shame if Ezi lost the use of one of her legs. It would be one more thing they’d have to deal with, but they’d get through it because she would stay by Ezi’s side and help her handle it.
But maybe she was getting ahead of herself since Ezi’s leg was healing very well due to the care Eron was putting into it. Without the help of these sabertooths, they might already be dead.
She watched Daerk as he assisted Eron. What she’d said last night had been true. He was making it difficult for her to hate him. She still hadn’t forgiven his clan or accepted this matehood, but she wasn’t sure she hated him.
They finished packing and got on their way. She felt her heart sore in her chest. All she wanted to do was get back to the cave and scare away Tor. Daerk wanted her to believe that Tor’s instincts would guide him correctly, but she wasn’t so sure about it, and she couldn’t help but worry.
Thankfully, it took them very little time to trek their way from the campsite back to the cave. The moment it came into view she rushed ahead of her small group. She needed to get in there and make sure Ezi’s leg hadn’t relapsed.
She pushed through the flap at the entrance to spot Ezi sitting by the fire. Tor was standing at the other side of the fire, glaring at Ezi. A strange twist. Aiyre eyed Tor warily, wondering why he would be glaring when just a couple of days ago he couldn’t get enough of Ezi.
“Are you alright?” Aiyre turned her attention back to Ezi.
“Yes.” Ezi sent her a smile. “Look I can even stand.” Ezi used the wall to help her stand up, but then her leg collapsed beneath her, sending her plunging towards the fire pit in the cave.
Both herself and Tor darted forward to catch her, but she was closer and caught Ezi first.
Aiyre pushed her back towards the cave wall. “Maybe we should wait on showing off until you have more time to heal.”
Ezi nodded. “Just a little excited to get my feet back under me.”
“I can understand.” She helped Ezi back down into a sitting position. “Just remember not to get ahead of yourself and make it worse.”
“She’s been trying to stand since you all left,” Tor said, his voice dripping in disapproval.
Daerk and Eron finally made their way into the cave, and Aiyre placed her spear against a cave wall before taking a seat next to Ezi.
“She’s just excited.” Aiyre felt the need to defend Ezi.
“She’ll make it worse,” Tor growled his eyes never leaving Ezi.
“Movement might not be the worst thing but putting weight on it might make it worse.” Eron came to stand on the other side of Ezi and then squatted down to take a look at Ezi’s leg. “It really is healing quite nicely. Better than I would’ve ever thought.”
“Thanks to you.” Aiyre smiled over at him. She looked over her shoulder. “And to you.” She said to Daerk because without him Eron would never have seen to Ezi’s leg.
He inclined his head. “We did nothing but bring him here to you.” Daerk motioned to Tor.
Aiyre wasn’t ready to be friends with Tor though. What she needed was some quiet and some time alone to speak with Ezi.
“We could use some more water.” Aiyre motioned to the sacks made from the stomachs of animals. They really were getting a little low on water.
“I’ll grab some snow to melt then.” Tor grabbed the sacks and left the cave.
She eyed Daerk motioning with her head that he should leave. He took the hint.
“Would you like to join me for a walk?” Daerk asked Eron.
Eron looked between them all and then let out a sigh. “If I must.”
She felt bad to make Eron go back into that horrible weather, but she needed some space to talk openly with Ezi.
Once all the men left she jumped to her feet and peeked out of the cave to make sure they had actually gone, and once she saw they had she turned her attention back to Ezi.
“What is going on?” Ezi sat up, looking ready to bolt if Aiyre said run.
“I’ve been worried about you,” Aiyre confessed.
“Why?” Ezi glanced down at her leg. “Eron says my leg is healing well. I don’t think we have to worry about it.”
“Not that.” Aiyre came to sit close to her lifelong friend.
“What then?”
“Tor… he is your mate, and I wanted to make sure you knew what that meant.” Aiyre cringed, not sure how Ezi would react. “I know we speculated on it earlier, but it’s been confirmed by Daerk.”
“I figured that much out while you all were gone. To say he was attentive would be an understatement.” Ezi confessed. “Even before you mentioned it, I had to wonder if I’d been correct.”
“Did he do anything?” Aiyre was ready to grab her spear and hunt Tor down.
Ezi raised her hands in the air. “He did nothing! I promise.”
“Good.” Aiyre calmed a bit. “
How do you feel about it?”
“Having a mate?”
Aiyre nodded.
“Well… it’s not an ideal time obviously, but I don’t know how to tell him that.” Ezi nibbled her bottom lip as she turned her gaze to the fire burning brightly in front of them.
“It’s probably better to do it sooner rather than later.” Aiyre wondered if she was giving Ezi the best advice. “And as you know Daerk is my mate.”
Ezi smiled. “Yes.” She playfully punched Aiyre’s arm. “Have you accepted his advances?”
“I have.” She braced herself for Ezi’s reaction, but again Ezi surprised her.
“He is a good catch and definitely a man who could provide for you.”
Aiyre was stunned. “His clan attacked ours.”
“Tor explained they weren’t involved, and I believe him. Will it be hard to live among their people? Yes, but what choice do we have in the end?” Ezi tilted her head to the side as she thought about it. “Winter has set in, and it will be too difficult to travel for a long period, especially with my injury.”
Aiyre nodded her head.
“I can’t forgive what happened, but we can revisit leaving when spring comes. For now, we aren’t in a position to leave.”
“If you’re fine with this, then I suppose I am as well but do let me know if you need help with Tor.”
“I will and thank you for your concern.” Ezi patted one of Aiyre’s hands and then squeezed it. “I may just take you up on that offer of help, if he continues to linger all the time.”
“Is it safe to enter?” Daerk popped his head past the fur covering the entrance. “It’s cold out here.”
“It is.” Aiyre rose and made her way over to where she usually sat near the fire.
All three of the men filed into the cave. Tor made his way over to the fire and placed all the bags near the heat of the fire, so the snow would melt, but not scorch the delicate skin bags.
“Have a good talk?” Daerk whispered in her ear as he plopped a seat next to her.
“I’m not repeating it to you.”
