by Hope Hart
She raises her eyebrow at me but keeps walking, throwing a swing in her step for the gazes of the warriors as she walks by.
I turn, lifting my brows, and training continues.
Ellie has been nowhere to be found for the last few days, although Vivian told me she’s staying with her. Each night, I found myself at the entrance to my kradi, ready to take her into my arms and carry her back to my furs.
Last night, I made it close enough to Vivian’s kradi to hear the two women’s voices. While I couldn’t hear what they were saying, the sound of Ellie’s soft voice clawed at my guts, and I stood for a long moment, fists clenched as I battled the urge to go to her.
If my tiny female wants me, she will come to me.
This is the mantra I repeat throughout the day. Truthfully, I know I am close to getting on my knees for her. Tonight may be the night that I beg for her to come back to me, desperate for even one more moment with her even if she is to leave me.
I turn from the training arena, cursing. If Ellie does not come to me today…
Perhaps she truly doesn’t want me.
Ellie
My hands are shaking as I look for Terex. It’s now or never. If he still doesn’t want me after listening to what I have to say…
I push that thought away. I’ll burn that bridge down when I come to it.
I ask around, and Arana tells me where to find Terex. I blow out a breath. Of course he’d be surrounded by people. And it’s likely that one or two of them are hoping to replace me in his bed.
I shake my head, blowing out a breath. If I’m going through with this, I’ve got to let the jealousy go. Before I burned our relationship to the ground, Terex only had eyes for me. He never gave me any indication that he wanted to be with anyone else, never even looked twice at the women who constantly threw themselves at him.
He’s loyal, honorable, steadfast. I’m the one who let my insecurities take over.
It’s now or never.
He’s in the common area, near the fire, where he seems to spend most of his time these days. Is he like me—continually searching for distraction? Or would he have enjoyed socializing when I was with him but I prevented it with my jealousy?
I hesitate, palms sweaty while my heart races. Vivian’s chatting with one of the other women, pointing to something on her dress, and the woman laughs, smoothing her hand over the fabric.
Vivian locks eyes with me, raising an eyebrow, and I almost turn and flee, my cheeks heating as the woman she’s talking to turns toward me as well.
I blow out a breath, still unable to take a step forward, and she rolls her eyes. Terex moves toward her, asking the other woman a question, and Vivian leans into him, glancing coyly up from beneath her lashes as she murmurs something in a low voice.
Terex smiles at her, and I grind my teeth. I knew she couldn’t be trusted.
Vivian’s ignoring me now, moving closer, and my mouth falls open as she strokes her hand over his shirt, right overtop his scales, laughing up at him.
That’s it. I stride forward, blood pounding in my ears. It feels like I’m floating above my body, and I watch as if from a distance as my arms shove her.
“He’s mine,” I growl. “Back off.”
Her mouth widens in shock as she stumbles back. And then she grins at me.
What the hell?
“About damn time you grew a pair. I thought I was going to have to flash him or something before you came over here.”
I scowl at her and then close my eyes in mortification as I realize how many people are watching me. For someone who hates attention, I sure create a lot of scenes in this place.
Vivian was just trying to make me woman up and make my move. And my insecurity not only cost me Terex, but it’s almost cost me my budding friendship with her as well.
I open my eyes. “I’m sorry,” I say.
“Think nothing of it.” She smiles at me, and then her eyes flick to Terex, and she moves away, leaving him staring at me.
His eyes aren’t cold, but they’re not warm either. He’s no longer looking at me as if he wants to look at nothing else. Instead, his eyes are wary, as he waits for me to speak.
“Terex—”
“Nothing was happening with her, Ellie,” he sighs, glancing away, disappointment stark on his face. He’s disappointed in me, and it hurts somewhere deep inside.
“I know,” I say, and his gaze meets mine. This is it. Now or never. “I realize it’s not fair to expect other women not to flirt with you. I can’t control that, and I know you don’t encourage it. I know you want me. At least…you wanted me before I ruined it.”
He narrows his eyes, opening his mouth, and I hold up a hand.
“Let me finish,” I say. “Please.” He nods, but a muscle ticks in his jaw with the effort of staying silent.
“I may not feel like I’m good enough for you. May not truly believe that I’m worthy, but that’s something I’ll need to work on. You’ve never given me any reason to be insecure. In fact, you’ve done the opposite, making me see myself in new ways.
“With you, I’m not awkward and shy. I don’t feel like I constantly need to hide away, and I know you’d never do anything to hurt me. I may not understand why you chose me, but if you let me, I’ll spend the rest of my life proving that I’m the woman you think I am. I love you, Terex. And I want to stay here on Agron…with you.”
I blow out a breath, trembling as I reach into my pocket. I pull out the golden bands, and for the first time, I have the experience of seeing Terex taken completely off guard as his mouth drops open.
Shocked gasps sound, and my face flames as I attempt to ignore the crowd around us. Terex’s eyes soften, and I raise my voice, letting the words I’ve memorized carry so everyone can hear.
“Terex. Will you be my life mate? Will you love me, protect me, always keep me safe, and never stray from my furs? Will you give me children and honor us for the rest of our lives?”
Terex’s gaze is fierce, but his voice is hoarse as he holds out his hand.
“I swear,” he says, allowing me to tie the bands around his wrists. My hands are shaking so much that I almost can’t tie them, but finally, both of the gold mating bands are tied where they’ll stay forever.
I open my mouth, unsure what to say next, but Terex growls, pulling me to him with one hand and cupping my cheek with the other.
“My tiny female,” he murmurs. “You are so brave.” He takes my mouth as the crowd cheers, and I gasp against him, certain I’m dreaming as his hard body finally surrounds mine.
He pulls back, his face flushed, eyes glittering with lust. Then I squeak as he lifts me, cradling me in his arms like a child as he strides toward his kradi. I catch Vivian’s laughing gaze, and then Terex ducks his head, and we’re finally in his kradi.
Alone.
I nibble nervously at my lip, suddenly unsure what to say, and then Terex pulls me close, taking my lips in a deep kiss,
I sigh against him, still in shock. Somehow, this incredible warrior wants to be mine. Forever.
Terex pulls away, untying my dress until it falls to the floor, and I blink up at him.
His eyes darken as he scans my body and moves close, nuzzling my neck. “What are you thinking?” he murmurs.
“I don’t know,” I admit. “I think I’m still in shock.”
He pulls his head back, gazing down at me. “You have claimed me in front of the tribe,” he says. “Now I will claim you in private.”
I smile and then shriek in surprise as he lifts me into his arms and strides toward our bed. I shiver as the fur brushes against my naked skin when he places me down, taking my lips once more before he moves back, pulling off his clothes.
I stare avidly at his body, my thighs clenching as he straightens his shoulders under my regard, one corner of his mouth curling up in a sexy grin.
This incredible, loyal, amazing, kind, and ridiculously attractive man is mine. All mine.
And if anyone tries t
o take him from me, I’ll throat punch them.
I blink at that thought, and Terex is suddenly kneeling in front of me.
“What are you thinking?”
“That if anyone tries to take you away, I’ll kick their ass.”
Terex’s shoulders shake as he laughs, his gaze indulgent. “No other females will even attempt such a thing, Ellie.” He holds up his wrist, his eyes lit with savage pleasure as we both examine the mating band. “You’ve claimed me, and everyone in this tribe will respect your claim.”
I smile up at him, relieved. Even if someone was to try, I trust Terex, and I know he’d never do anything to hurt me.
“I love you,” he tells me seriously, and I blink back tears.
He leans down and kisses the tears that escape my eyes, nuzzling close at my choked sob.
“Thank you for still wanting me…,” I whisper, and he leans back with a smile.
“I will always want you.”
He takes my lips again, and I close my eyes, breathing in the scent of him.
“Take me,” I murmur against his lips, and he growls, leaning me back until I’m surrounded by the soft furs and his hard body.
His breaths are harsh, and his jaw is hard. A groan escapes him when I reach down and wrap my hand around his cock.
He’s so big that my fingers don’t meet, and I shiver in anticipation. If I hadn’t already taken him so many times, I’d be worried, but now all I want is for him to hurry up and get inside me.
Terex nibbles his way down my body, smiling as I shiver and then giggle as he nips at a particularly sensitive spot. Within moments, he’s pushing my legs apart, and I arch on the furs as he licks along my slit before sucking on my clit as I bury my hands in his hair.
“God, Terex…”
He pushes two fingers inside me, thrusting them as he plays with my clit, and the world disappears, his talented mouth and fingers the only things that exist.
“Aaah,” I groan as my body blasts apart, and I shudder, engulfed by pleasure.
Terex moves up my body, pausing to place kisses along my collarbone. “I love you,” he says again. He intertwines his fingers with mine, and his large cock slides into me, feeling so incredibly right that I groan as my eyes flutter shut.
“Look at me,” he says, and I meet his violet gaze, trembling at the wealth of emotion he lets me see.
He pulls out and thrusts again, pushing our hands above my head, cradling me beneath him. I feel so small and delicate…protected, with his huge body surrounding me.
I raise my hips, wrapping my legs around him and gasping as he grinds against my clit on his next thrust. He does it again, driving into me faster until everything but him disappears, and I’m groaning out his name, clamping my legs around him as I tremble on the edge.
“Oh, God…”
Pleasure rips through me, and I see stars as I’m consumed by my orgasm. Terex growls, shaking against me as he empties within me, still thrusting until he collapses, pressing against me for a single moment before he twists, dragging me on top of him while we both recover, panting.
“Wow,” I say. I never knew sex could be like this. Never knew it could feel like handing your soul over to someone but getting theirs in return.
“Wow is right.” Terex brings my hand to his lips, pressing kisses against my fingers, and I raise my head, meeting his gaze.
I’ll never get enough of him—this man who forced me to be the woman he knew I could be. He made me realize I’m worthy of love, made me fight for what I needed. Him.
I nuzzle his chest, stroking one hand along the glimmering scales that will never cease to fascinate me.
“This time,” I say, as I straddle his huge body, “I get to be on top.”
Epilogue
Ellie
“Miss Ellie, Miss Ellie, come look!”
I turn, smiling down at some of the kids. I’m not sure who told them to call me Miss Ellie, but my guess is it was Vivian. Since I laid down the law regarding my giant warrior, both of us have come to an uneasy truce.
Like it or not, we’re the only humans here. We only have each other.
Nevada is still gone, and no one has heard from Rakiz. Granted, it’s only been a week or so, but Terex’s face is often hard, his gaze worried when he returns to our kradi. When he sees me, his eyes lighten to the violet color that tells me he’s thinking about “tumbling” me.
A shard of worry stabs me in the gut even as I follow the kids to where something is lying in the grass. The smell hits me before I can get any closer.
“Ew, you guys, get away from there.” I gag as one of the older boys pokes it with a stick.
Whatever it is, it’s dead, and a cold sweat breaks out on my neck as the boy flips over the body with his stick.
“Oooh,” one of the girls says as the entrails slither out, and that’s it for me.
I lean over, puking in the grass, and that’s when the kids choose to be disgusted.
“Gross, Miss Ellie’s sick!”
Vomiting is never fun, but it’s even worse in public and surrounded by curious eyes.
“I can see what you had for breakfast,” one of the boys laughs, and I glare at him even as I lean over and retch again.
“What are you do—Ellie, are you okay?”
I gasp, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. “I will be if these little demons will leave me alone.”
The kids laugh as I meet Rani’s concerned gaze.
She leads me away from the stench and guides me onto a small seat that someone has carved into a fallen log.
I breathe through my mouth, but I feel like the world is dancing around me as the sweat begins to cool on the back of my neck.
“Are you sick, Ellie?”
I put my head down between my legs, and some of the nausea recedes. “I mean, it’s a dead animal,” I mutter. “I’m not really the outdoors type, if you hadn’t noticed. But I still feel a bit off. Maybe I’ve got some kind of virus or something.”
“I’ll go find Terex.”
“No, don’t bother him. He’s so busy right now with Rakiz gone. I’m fine, I just need to go lie down.”
I raise my head and attempt to smile at Rani, but I can tell she’s not buying it.
“Ellie,” she murmurs softly, leaning close. “Is there a possibility that you could be…pregnant?”
I almost clasp my hand over the translator in my ear as I stare at her, automatically shaking my head.
“No, I’m on the…” I trail off, stunned. I’m not on the pill. My contraceptive is currently sitting in my makeup bag in my mother’s bathroom. Actually, it’s more likely to have been collected as evidence when I disappeared.
I had some breakthrough bleeding when I first arrived, but everything had been so crazy that I haven’t even thought about the consequences of jumping my warrior every chance I get.
Pregnant.
I mean, it’s possible.
“Do you know how long we’ve been here for, Rani?”
She furrows her brow, and then her eyes widen. “Actually, I remember you arrived on my mother’s birthday. We were walking back from her kradi, and we stopped to watch when you arrived with Terex and the other warriors.”
“How long ago was that?”
“One moon cycle.”
Okay, good talk.
I blow out a breath, frustrated that I still haven’t learned the basics about this planet. I have a lot of integrating to do if I could potentially be raising a rug rat. The thought makes my stomach clench nervously, and I put my head back between my legs.
“How many days in a moon cycle?”
“Forty-five days.”
Yup, I’ve definitely missed my period.
“Ellie?”
I look up as Terex appears, face stark with concern. One of the kids must have found him. While I didn’t want him disturbed, I’m grateful when he takes me into his arms.
Rani smiles at me and leads the kids away to give us privacy.
&
nbsp; “Tell me what is wrong, my Ellie.”
My heart flips when he calls me that, and I raise my hand to his cheek. “I’m fine, really. I just got a little sick. But, the thing is…” I trail off, suddenly unsure. I’m secure in my relationship with Terex, but we’ve known each other for less than two months. Sure, we lived together immediately and went through life-and-death experiences that brought us much closer together. But what if he’s not ready to be a dad?
I nibble on my lip, and Terex swings me into his arms, sitting back down with me on his lap.
He nuzzles my cheek. “You can tell me anything, tiny female. You know that.”
“I know.” I take a deep breath, and the words leave me in a rush. “I’m pretty sure I’m pregnant.”
His face is blank for a moment, and then his eyes light up, shining bright, and his white teeth flash as he grins like I’ve handed him the moon. “A child?”
I nod, biting my lip, and his gaze drops to my stomach, his huge hand resting on my lower abdomen. I choke out a laugh that’s more like a sob.
“So you’re happy?”
“Happy? Happiness doesn’t come close to what I feel in this moment. The best day of my life was the day I found you in that forest. I promise I will spend the rest of my life making sure you never regret your decision to stay with me.”
My eyes fill with tears, and Terex brushes them off my cheeks.
Terex grins down at me. “Now that I have claimed you in every way, will you finally complete the mating ceremony with me?”
I frown at him. I’ve been putting off the ceremony—not because I don’t want to be his mate but because Nevada’s not here. I know Terex misses Rakiz too. But if I’m knocked up…
It’s not that I’m religious or that I feel a woman should have to be married—or mated—before she has a baby. But if I’m honest, the thought of waiting even one more day…
“I know Nevada will forgive me,” I say. “But won’t Rakiz be mad at you?”
Terex throws his head back, laughing in the way that never fails to make my heart beat a little faster.
