His head hung low, watching her circling him with glowing eyes. His whiskers pulsing with his heavy pants like he was out of breath or something. Had he run the whole way to her? With no warning, Ohlen’s beast pounced. Wrapped his strong legs around her to wrestle her to the ground.
Andi could feel him in her thoughts. Feel him searching through her emotions. Testing her scent while they grappled and played. Even rolling around on the forest floor, Ohlen was making certain he didn’t push her past her comfort zone.
That alone, caused her beast to submit. To relax beneath his heavier body and let him snuffle at her throat. Exposed the vulnerable underside to him with the certainty it was safe. He didn’t disappoint her. He rubbed his cheeks over her throat. Chuffing his victory as he left his scent on her fur. Licked his chops with satisfaction when she was thoroughly marked.
He nipped at her haunches to get her on her feet. Earning himself another smack of her tail across his face. The ginger beast stayed right beside her, almost on top of her while he herded her towards the rest of their group.
Exhausted, Andi slumped to the forest floor. She was a small distance away from where Clary was snuggled up to Tarek. Smiling at her from her human face as she sat between Tarek’s enormous paws. Ohlen stood over where Andi had collapsed for a while. Lifting his nose to scent the air. His eyes touching on every shadow until Tarek turned his head and barked a short sound. Jerking his golden head up.
He keeps doing that. What does it mean? Andi asked. Yawning so wide she felt her jaw pop.
Ohlen lay down half over her, grunting when she went belly up. All four paws in the air.
-To settle. Rest, my one. We will be here until the sun rises.
So long?
-Yes. If any potential mates are in this forest, they will come.
You sound really certain, Ohlen.
-I am certain. The scent of humans is not a difficult trail to follow.
He grunted and lay his chin on her shoulder. Resting, but alert to every single bit of movement in the trees around them.
Are you saying humans are easy to smell because we stink?
She teased him. Thumping him with her paw. He thumped her back.
-First, my one. You are no longer human. Evident by the fact that you lay here in your fur. Second, no. Humans do not stink. The scent is simply unique. No Sarazen has ever smelled the like.
Oh. Gottcha- Andi yawned again, turning to better curl into Ohlen’s fur. - I’m so exhausted after that hike. Can I sleep?
-Of course you can. The altitude is different on this planet. I am not surprised you are fatigued. I will stay right here with you and wake you when it is time to go.
****
Ohlen stayed curled around his dainty black beast until the sun came up. There was not much light under the canopy of the trees. Barely enough to tell that it was morning. Andi had slept deeply throughout the night despite the constant cacophony. The trust it took not only for her, but for her beast to have allowed her to sleep so deeply, was immeasurable.
Ohlen nudged Andi’s shoulder, calling to her softly to wake. She groaned, uncurling from the little ball she’d made of herself. Stretching out from whiskers to tail. Languishing for a moment before opening her eyes. He got lost in staring at her. At the deep brown of her eyes. Her pupils enhanced by the jagged ring of purple. Unique. He almost wished that somehow in the exchange of blood, that dark brown of her eyes might have ringed his pupils. Some visual sign that he belonged to her too.
What? she grunted.
He bent and bumped her muzzle with his. Rumbled for her softly.
-Nothing. Just looking at my mate. D’anick has blankets and gowns in his pack if you wish to change back.
Andi grunted at him and rolled over to wrap her smaller paws around his neck. Nuzzled at the underside of his jaw before she lay back to yawn again.
Nope. Walking back on four legs will be easier than two.
-Pity. I had intended to carry you back.
She paused in her grooming. Tilted her head over to where Tarek was shrugging into a pair of trousers. Clary was already standing on two legs, wrapped in a blanket. Andi looked back at him, blinking her long lashes over her feline eyes.
It’s a long way.
His beast chortled, -You are very small, my one. I could carry you across half this planet and not tire. If you remain in your fur, I will show you how to hunt down breakfast.
She made a strangled sound of disgust and pushed away from him. Swatting him with her tail when his laughter echoed along their bond. Despite the desire of her beast to hunt prey, Andi found it distasteful.
I’ll change back.
After making a short stop, Ohlen carried his mate out of the forest with a smile on his face. They returned to the ship and passed the officials waiting with the scent of a very successful mating fresh on their skin.
Seventeen
Andi did not like waking up alone. She was so used to Ohlen’s big body curled around her now. It put a serious knot in her tail when he wasn’t. Locked in the cabin on their interplanetary transport. Alone. No mate to keep her warm. Having to eat the weird, Sarazen version of MRE’s because some asshole might have poisoned her food.
This trip sucked.
-Good rising, my one.
She scowled at the warmth of his voice. In her mind, and obviously not in the room with her. He was back to flying the transport because Tarek didn’t trust anyone else with their safety. That sucked, too. She knew it was bitchy of her, but she couldn’t help it. Ohlen had spoiled her.
It would be a better rising if you were still in bed with me.
Andi could practically feel the smugness rolling off of him. Picture the look of it on his face, despite the regret in his tone when he answered.
-It would be a better rising if that were so. Perhaps I can offer something to cheer you up?
Like what? she grumped. Heading into the enzyme wash.
-I was thinking. Instead of attending the celebration at the citadel we might visit the territory where I grew up. Would you like that?
She stood froze with her hands up in her hair. Enzyme wash all over her, staring sightlessly at the blank wall of the shower stall.
Just us?
-Just us. he confirmed.
Andi didn’t question if he was serious or not. She was pretty sure he wasn’t able to make a joke. But she was shocked. After how he had acted about them being separated during the festival? She had truthfully been expecting him to keep her locked away in a tower until the villains were vanquished.
-Andi?
I would love to see where you grew up. How will we get there? How long will it take?
Ohlen’s chuckle filled her thoughts. She thought about the forest he had shown her, her very first time in the holo-room. The beautiful forest so much more peaceful and serene than the one they’d just been in. A memory of running through the snow played through her mind. But she’d never seen snow, so it had to be Ohlen’s memory. His experience of running through the snow and the trees.
She thought about how amazing the information download was. It was like she was standing in a library. Her mind the library itself, his memories stored on the shelves in front of her. Hundreds of thousands of books. All waiting for her to explore. She wasn’t constantly overwhelmed with images or scenes that belonged to him. His memories didn’t overlap hers. She had to purposefully take down a book and open it to look at his memories.
-I have purchased us a transport. It will take only a few hours to reach our destination.
She spluttered. Coughed a little as she sucked some enzyme down her throat on accident.
You bought us a ship?
-It was the most logical option. Transports linked to the military channel can be compromised. A privately owned transport is much more difficult to tamper with.
But…you bought us a ship.
She had no idea how expensive that must have been. She was certain it wasn’t something to just be picked up at
the corner market.
-Every warrior is paid a stipend once his required term of service is met. That term ended several hundred of your Earth years ago, my one. I assure you purchasing the cruiser will in no way limit my ability to take care of your needs.
Andi winced at the edge of pride that bled into his tone. Pride that had been pricked by her reaction. Crap. She hurried to explain what she meant, not wanting him to be upset with her.
I know you can feel that I’m just shocked. Not doubting you or your ability to take care of me. You keep doing the most unbelievably thoughtful things. It catches me off guard and I don’t know how to react. I’m sorry if I upset you.
The huff in Ohlen’s voice was easy to hear.
-You did not upset me, my one. You tell me that I spoil you. Thank me for things I have done. Or say that I am being thoughtful. When in truth it is my duty, my honor, to ensure your health and happiness at all times. I forget this is not commonplace behavior among your people.
I’ll um, I’ll find a way to get used to it.
She ducked her head into the whirl of warm air. Unable to hold back her smile.
-See that you do.
****
The cruiser he had purchased was the perfect size for two to travel in luxurious comfort. Ohlen led Andi through the corridor, showing her the large cabin at the center of the craft. The bathing facilities. The cockpit designed to be flown by one person. Or two. She seemed rather baffled by the interior. Not disappointed, but delighted.
“I thought perhaps we would travel a little bit at a time until you decided where it is you would find the most happiness.”
Her head whipped around to look at him in shock. A rush of fear and uncertainty, hurt, flooded their bond. He realized in a heartbeat what that must have sounded like. He swept his arm around her waist to hoist her up into his arms. Touched a soft kiss to her lips,
“Our home, my one. I mean for you to decide where it would bring you the most happiness to live. I told you, if you would allow it, you would never be farther from me than this. It is small enough for you to learn to fly, but not so small that we will feel confined.”
She shook her head slowly at him. Her fingers combing through his mane while she stared.
“You bought us a ship, so you could teach me to fly.”
The reverence in her whispered words made him feel like puffing up with pride. He had pleased his mate.
“It was a deciding factor in the purchase, yes. It is a multi-functional fighting class vessel. Created for space travel, interplanetary travel, aquatic submersion, and carries a rather impressive armament system. So, my one, we can safely fly from stars to the seabed and everywhere in between. Anywhere you like.”
Andi rolled her lips together. Touched her tongue to her teeth and rubbed at the still flat edge of her canine. He could smell her rising desire. See it flush across her cheeks. Hear it in her husky voice.
“Anywhere?” she asked softly.
“Anywhere, my one.”
She hummed, giving her hair a shake off her throat. Lifted her chin to indicate at the space behind him. “Then how about, you take me to our bedroom? There are some things I would like to explore in there.”
He immediately secured the ship and obeyed his mate. He and his beast eager to see just what all she had in mind to explore.
“Oh, and Ohlen? I think I have control of my teeth now.”
****
This time, Andi woke to her mate’s lips pressing soft, slow kisses up her spine. Every single one sent a ripple of pleasure through her. Her lips, still swollen from last night’s intensely pleasurable discoveries, curled into a crooked grin. No matter the act, no matter the intensity of it, all she felt was beautiful. Cherished. Utterly adored. Safe.
“We have arrived in my home territory, my one.”
Ohlen’s voice was an intimacy all on its own. It held a softer edge than when he spoke to Tarek or any other warrior. A rumbling purr in his tone one he used only with her. She wasn’t quite sure how to describe it in its entirety. She just loved the way it sounded. Loved the way he spoke to her.
His lips touched the ultra sensitive patch of skin right where her nape met her hairline. Right over her spine. Her muscles screamed at her for mercy as that kiss created a chain reaction of pleasure filled shivers. Her entire body was deliciously sore. Like she’d spent all night running uphill. Or being ridden hard and put up wet.
“Oh, good.” she groaned.
His lips curve in a smile on her throat. “I also have good news and bad news.”
She groaned again. “Bad news first.”
“I have been recalled to duty. We must return to the citadel by the next rising.”
Her eyes snapped open immediately. Flipping over onto her back to stare up at him in disbelief. Sore muscles totally forgotten.
“Recalled to duty? What does that mean?” she sounded panicked. Even to her own ears.
He soothed her with a sound. Shifted to curl himself around her. Propped his head up on his elbow to look down at her.
“That would be in part, the good news. It seems we missed quite a celebration last night. In the wake of the treachery aimed towards the potential human mates, T’mai has stepped down and given his place as Asho, to Tarek.”
Andi frowned harder. Still not sure what that meant for them. Ohlen sort of petted her. Stroked his hand down over her back again and again like he was smoothing her imaginary fur.
“Tarek is placing only those he trusts around us. I have been ordered to assume the position of liaison to the humans. It is a very great honor but it means we will only have today to explore the territory. I am sorry, my one.”
That was it? That was the bad news? Ohlen was sorry that their trip was being cut short because he’d been given a promotion? Her sigh of relief felt like it was pulled up from her toes. Jesus. She’d almost had a heart attack thinking he was going to be pulled back into active duty as a pilot.
Andi pushed her knee between his thighs and scooted closer. Folding her arms up between them, her hands pressed over his steadily thumping heart. He continuously searched her expression. Testing her emotions from his side of their bond. She wasn’t upset that their trip was cut short. Not even a little bit.
They had time. Plenty of time now that Gwen had confirmed their new metabolism. The mutation of their base DNA meant a much longer life expectancy. Much longer. By about several hundred years.
“Don’t be sorry,” she murmured. Stretching up just a bit to press her lips to his jaw. “There will be other days to explore.”
“Many others,” he agreed.
Eighteen
For the last three months, ever since Ohlen’s promotion, Tarek had been on a rampage. Working like a mad man to get to the bottom of the very serious, very intricately woven plot to weaken or destroy the pride.
Every day there was some new task Ohlen was asked to oversee. Some duty that required him to work in conjunction with Ne’tare and Te’sha. Even between the three of them, it seemed like Ohlen was gone all day. From the time the sun rose to well after it had set.
Andi had not expected the position of liaison to the humans to have been such a time consuming one. Especially since there was only one human currently not mated.
Andi tried not to bother Ohlen with tons of questions. Able to sense that his mind was occupied during the times when they were apart. He never shut her out of his thoughts completely. There were times for certain that he did put up a door between their minds. Though he warned her immediately beforehand so she wouldn’t be shocked or worried.
She still missed him anyway.
Today Clary had been the one on a rampage. Insisting, as it had been three months with very little progress made, it was time for a break. Andi had watched Clary give Ohlen a huge list of what a ‘break’ meant to her and expected him to see it fulfilled. Everyone except Falken, Brennaugh and their women, were to leave the fortress on a three-day vacation.
End of story.
Ohlen politely informed Clary that Tarek might not be too receptive to the idea.
Clarylaughed. “I don’t care if he’s receptive, so long as he goes. I want the two best pilots you have in a transport by the time the sun starts to sink. Understood?”
Ohlen cleared his throat and inclined his head. “Understood, Asho’na. Your destination? I will have the transport cleared and packed before-“
“I’ll take care of that. I just need the pilots and the transport from you. When you’re done, take Andi someplace warm. She looks cold.” With that, Clary marched out to go yank the beast’s respective tail.
Ohlen turned to her and looked her up and down. Tilting his head at her curiously,
“Are you cold, my one?”
The winter season was beginning to hit and never having experienced snow before, yeah. She was freezing. Ne’tare had been very courteous to all of the hybrid humans. Making sure their clothing reflected the changing of the season. Enough to keep them warm and help them adapt. Even still, the cold was pervasive.
“I’ve just never experienced winter before. I’ll get used to it. If we’re going to go on a little excursion, I’d really like to see your forest.”
Ohlen’s violet eyes darkened to amethyst at her eagerness. “Then you will see it. Go and pack up while I arrange the particulars. Mm?”
Bouncing to him on her toes, Andi stole a quick kiss and ran from his office to get packing. Before something else happened and they had to cancel again.
Sarazen's Vengeance: Book 1.1 Page 11
