The Avroxee Mates Series: Boxset Bks 1-3

by Amelia Wilson

  “What is this one?” she asks, disrupting my train of thought. I study it for a moment, finding the strange looping patterns of the crooked wall carvings. I feel my heart beat a little faster as I read them.

  “It’s a love story,” I say. “A long time ago, an Avroxee had a mate, and he realized he felt something more for her. But the traditions were much harsher back then, and she had to be sacrificed after giving birth, so they couldn’t stay together. I guess this is his love note to her.”

  “That’s horrible,” Lora says sadly. “Did you ever have to find a mate? You know, before they changed everything?”

  I shake my head. “My grandfather was the last of the Avroxee to participate in sacrifice,” I tell her. “Avrox has come a long way since then, and I’m proud that my people have found a better way.”

  “But the mating program has been around for a while. Have you never tried looking for anyone before?”

  “I’ve thought about it, but it just wasn’t something I was interested in. I have my training, and my future to think about.”

  “And what’s your future?”

  “To be happy, like everyone I guess, and to show the galaxy my true strengths as a fighter.”

  Lora stands up, examining a nearby painting of ancient practices of mating. “Sounds lonely,” she says.

  “So does researching in a library,” I reply. She turns to me, making a face at my remark. “That’s one of my fears, I guess,” I say. “To be alone. I spent my life whole training, as soon as I finished my lessons as a child. I never knew my mother. She was allowed to stay, but for some reason she didn’t want to. Father died in one of the more recent wars, so it’s just been me ever since.”

  Lora rocks on her feet. I remember that it’s polite to also ask about others personal lives. “What about you?” I ask. She shrugs.

  “I’m very fortunate, I guess,” she says. “I still have my parents, and I have a job that I like for now. I guess I really want is to do something great with my research. I’ve been trying to get money to study ancient languages. If I could publish my work so others could see it and understand it, it would mean the world to me.”

  She smiles sadly at me, and I realize how important this must be for her.

  “I think you can do it,” I tell her, reaching out towards her hand. She slips her fingers in between mine.

  “I bet you’ll be a great fighter too,” she says. Something about this brings me back to my worries from before, remembering the words I heard today in training. I brush them aside, not wanting them to get in the way of this moment.

  We walk back through the jungle, and I help Lora over some rocks in our path. “So, was that one of the things on the list?” She asks me.

  “What list?” I ask.

  “The one they gave us for the program,” she says.

  I laugh, throwing my hands up. “I threw it away,” I told her. “Half of that stuff was just ridiculous if you ask me.” I’m glad to hear that she’s actually laughing with me.

  “You’re right,” she says. “It’s all a little ridiculous, really, trying to shove us together like this.”

  “You don’t like being shoved?” I ask with a raised eyebrow. She chuckles, and suddenly I jump towards her and knock her to the ground. I quickly sit up, checking to see if she’s all right. Leaves and vines are strewn through her hair, but she’s fine.

  “Was that part of the joke?” She asks, but I’m distracted by a sudden shift in the air, as a large screeching sound pierces the air.

  “It’s a Quetsie,” I tell her, bringing her to her feet. “We have to get out of here.”

  “A Quetsie?” She asks. Before I can even explain, she gets a firsthand look, as an enormous sharp-toothed bird lands in front of us. There’s no time to run now. If we do we’ll be snatched up, for sure, by those razor-like teeth.

  “Get behind one of those rocks,” I tell her calmly. The Quetsie hops forward, cocking today back and forth curiously. Lora follows my instructions, just as its gaping beak lunges for us. I roll out of the way, gaining the high ground. The Quetsie screeches again as I jump onto its back, and wrestle it onto the ground.

  It’s a terrifying struggle as I’m almost grabbed by its talons, but I manage to swivel under it and grab it by the neck. We wrestle like this for a while, Lora calling out to me with worry. Finally, I’m able to choke it down, and the Quetsie coughs roughly before falling unconscious to the ground. I’d kill it, but I wouldn’t want to upset Lora in any way. Instead, I grab her hand and we make a run for it through the jungle. I sweep her up in my arms and we find a safe place to hide behind a tree. We collapse on the ground, breathing heavily.

  Suddenly, Lora starts laughing. “That was insane,” she tells me. “Wow, do those things kill people?”

  “Everyone except me,” I say with a wink.

  She leans over and kisses me on the cheek. “My hero,” she says proudly, and I feel a rush of warmth wash from my face down to my loins. I look her in the eyes, thinking of the love story we read in the temple. I’d long for a love like that, but maybe one that can actually last, and I’m hoping with all my might that maybe I have it right next to me.

  CHAPTER 7: TRUE LOVE EFFECT

  LORA

  The trek back to Asch’s house is exhausting, especially after our treacherous encounter with the Quetsie bird back there. We’ve finally made it out of the jungle, and walk through a rugged path that leads back to Asch’s house. His hut is a little further out than the rest of the village, since Asch mentioned that he liked having his privacy whenever he can get it.

  Asch leads me around to the back of his hut, where a small shed made of sticks and a thatched roof awaits. “Probably feeling a little gross from the hike, huh?” He asks me. I’m too embarrassed to tell him that I reek of sweat, and that I’m not used to the tropical climate of Avrox.

  “Do you have a shower?” I ask him.

  “Right here,” he says proudly, pointing to the small shed. “Built it myself.”

  He opens up the door. It’s a little dark inside but there are lanterns on the outside that cast a soft glow into the interior through the windows. Attached to the wall is an interesting system made of bamboo-like pipes that twist together until they reach a bowl at the top, shaped like a showerhead.

  “How innovative,” I say.

  Asch shrugs humbly as he reaches for a cord, pulling it towards the floor. Water flows effortlessly from the showerhead, draining through the cracks in the bamboo floor.

  “Do you often make stuff like this?” I ask him.

  “Whenever I feel like taking on a project,” he replies. “I tend to get creative when there aren’t a lot of fights going on to train for.”

  I’m very impressed at the design, and fascinated at his interest in making things like this. I bet he could come up with all sorts of interesting devices, and I’m surprised that a fighter would take the time to put this together.

  “I’ll leave you to it,” he says, headed for the door. “I’ll get you a towel, though.” He closes the door, leaving me completely alone. I can feel a tug, a yearn for him to stay as soon as he’s gone.

  I remove my clothes, feeling strange getting naked in such a foreign place, and neatly fold everything to place on a table in the corner. I start the water. It’s cool, but not freezing, and perfectly refreshing as I feel it wash away the remnants of my adventure in the jungle today. I find my mind wandering to thoughts of Asch, how impressive his fighting was today as he saved me from that creature. He was so thoughtful to bring me out to that temple too, a real surprise that I wasn’t expecting, and one that I actually wanted.

  My thoughts swim with images of him, the warmth of his body next to mine as he sat and translated those glyphs with me, his soft expression as he tenderly told me the Avroxee love story. He was so tough when I first met him, but he’s really shown just how sensitive he can be.

  I can feel myself getting excited. Here I am, naked in his shower, and he’s nowhere
to be seen. After thinking about last night, I think it’s time for me to really get something going. Tonight, I’m going to bring out that glow the facility wants from us so badly.

  There’s a knock on the door.

  “Got you a towel,” Asch says coolly, and I feel a chill go up my spine. Today he showed he cared about me, now’s my chance to show how much I care about him. I’m nervous, of course, but I’m filled with a charge of sensual energy, a thirst that I so badly want to quench, especially after feeling so unsatisfied from last night.

  I take a deep breath, and open the door. Asch stands there, a towel draped over his arm. I slowly emerge, revealing more of myself until I’m completely exposed in front of him. His eyes widen.

  “Sorry to interrupt,” he says, almost a little nervous. I’ve never done this before, but I’m so overwhelmed by this rush that I ignore any feelings of being awkward in this moment. I walk up to him, pressing myself against his chest like I did last night.

  “You want to join me?” I ask softly.

  “Sure,” he says, matching my tone and following me back into the hut. I walk towards the water, watching him as he pulls off his tunic, then his trousers, until he’s finally in the buff. I run the water over my hair, eyeing between his legs. He’s incredibly hung. I mean I knew it was big, but when he’s standing here, I can really get a good look at his package.

  He joins me under the water without hesitation, water flowing over both of our bodies. He reaches above me for a bottle, filled with a colorful soap.

  “May I?” he asks, and I nod. Asch takes the contents and pours it into his hands. It smells sweet and fruity as he casually rubs it over my shoulders, gently massaging the soap into a rich lather. He makes his way down towards my breasts, and I can feel myself shaking. But I won’t tell him to stop. I want to keep feeling this way as he rubs his thumbs into my nipples, soaping up my breasts as they slide in between his firm hands. He caresses my stomach, resting his hands on my hips as he presses that amazing body against mine, his rock hard abs getting all sudsy.

  We’re kissing now, softly and sweet. Soon desire wells up inside us and they grow more deep, both of us longing for the taste of each other’s lips. I slip his tongue into his mouth and he moans, his hands slowly reaching down as he grabs for my ass. He kneads me, gently, but still wanting to grab more of me.

  “Still want to take it slow?” He breathes. Forget going slow. We’re going full throttle, and I want all of him tonight.

  “Absolutely not,” I tell him, grabbing for his cock.

  The water gushes over my hands as I slide my hand up and down his shaft. He leans his head back, moaning louder while I pick up the pace. I realize it’s time to step up from this hand job. He already got a taste of that last night, and I really want a taste of him. I get on my knees, a little nervous, but riding this wave of confidence. I’ve got him right where I want him.

  I slowly wrap my lips around his tip, inching him further until I’ve swallowed him entirely. I’m surprised I can fit it all, and it takes everything in me not to choke on the massiveness between his legs. I gently suck on him, bobbing my head back and forth, wanting to cover every inch. He tastes salty sweet, to my delight. The noise he’s making tells me I’m executing all the right moves.

  “Get up,” he roughly commands, in an incredibly dominant tone. I take him out of my mouth, and he picks me up in his strong arms, rushing me over to the table in the corner. He places me down and spreads my legs apart.

  “I got to get you in my mouth,” he says as he gets on the floor. He clutches my thick thighs tightly as he teases me, lightly kissing in between my legs until he reaches my vulva. I let out a quiet moan as he licks around my lips, sensually tasting every part of me.

  He works his mouth around me, slipping his tongue ever so slightly inside. I can feel myself pulsing as I grow warmer and wetter, and it’s not from the shower. He gently takes my clit in his mouth, sucking on it softly until I’m moaning for more. This pleasure is almost too much for me to take, a tingle spreading from my head down to the most sensitive areas that he’s attending to.

  I can feel myself approaching an incredible thirst, and I need him inside me to really satisfy it.

  “Are you going to give me that cock or not?” I ask. He looks up from between my legs, surprised at my suggestions.

  “I’ve been waiting to hear you say that ever since I saw you,” he says, fueled by a sudden rush of lust. He lunges for me, pressing me harder onto the table as he spreads my legs further. “Can you take it all?” He asks me.

  “Only one way to find out,” I say. There’s no going back now, and I’m ready for this ride until we’re over the edge.

  I reach down and spread apart my lips for him. Warmth seeps through my fingers, and I’m ready for him to enter. He reaches for his cock, gently teasing me with the tip of it. “Just be gentle,” I whimper. “I’ve never done this before.” He smiles mischievously as he guides himself into me. I take him in eagerly, feeling his thick veins throbbing as he inserts himself inch by glorious inch.

  He grabs me by the waist, slowly pulling himself further into me until he’s deep inside. I cry out as he grinds into me, water dripping from his skin onto mine, our bodies sliding against each other as he works into a gentle thrust.

  “You’re so tight,” he moans, struggling to fit himself in. He slides in and out, and soon I get used to the feeling of him penetrating me, and I find myself wanting even more. He grabs for my tits with one hand, the other on my ass as he burrows his face against my chest, sucking on each of my nipples as he keeps thrusting. He wants me so badly he’s practically pulling me off the table. I quickly realize that he is, and he brings me back under the pouring water, slamming my back against the wall of the hut.

  The shower pours over us, washing off our sweat but not the dirty sex that we’re having. I wrap my legs around his waist as he holds me with incredible strength. I grind further into him, coming out just enough to tease him before letting him all the way in again. He moans in my ear as he thrusts harder, his hands wrapped tightly under my ass to guide me up and down.

  My tits bounce in his face and he’s in awe at the sight of them. I feel like a goddess in his arms, giving him everything he wants while he satisfies an urge I never thought I had in me.

  “Fuck me harder, Asch,” I demand, and he moves me off the wall so we can take it to the floor. I sit on top of him and gyrate my hips, playfully bouncing my ass up and down to give him a good time. He reaches up to shut the water off as he lays me down, giving me what I want by pounding into me. I’m dripping onto him as he hits just the right spot, his veins bulging inside.

  “Gods, I’m so close, Lora,” he breathes. But I’m not finished with him yet. I lean my head back and moan, enjoying every second of this as I spread my legs further to let him keep hitting that spot.

  “Don’t stop,” I scream. Nobody can hear me all the way out here, and Asch has to know how he’s sending me reeling into an orgasm. He rams me harder and harder until I’m overcome with a wild rush of passion spreading all the way up my body. My thighs quiver as I contract around him, practically pouring onto the floor while I let out a final cry of pleasure. My breath is heavy as I lean up and let him pull my hips closer into him, still spiraling into a blissful climax.

  I breathe him in as he closes his eyes and moans.

  “Fuck, Lora!” He exclaims, “I’m going to cum.” Sure enough I can feel him pulsing as he keeps thrusting. He cries out as he fills me up with warmth while he finishes, and just like that, I’ve completely given myself to him.

  I lie on his bed now, still naked, not bothering to put my clothes back on after our steamy shower. I lie back, replaying everything over and over, wanting to experience that feeling of penetration again, wanting to welcome him back inside for another round.

  Asch comes out of his bathroom, and instead of being greeted by a smile I see a distressed look on his face. It tears me from my fantasy and I sit up on the bed.


  “What’s wrong?” I ask.

  He examines his body. “Do I seem different to you in any way?” He asks, sitting on the bed next to me.

  “What do you mean? Do you feel ill or anything?” I reach for his forehead. He feels fine. Maybe a little warm but it’s nothing different from how he usually feels.

  “Something’s wrong,” he says, and I immediately know what he’s talking about. My stomach churns as my feeling of bliss soon turns into a dark pit of a terrifying realization.

  He’s not glowing.

  The True Love Effect is supposed to take over once an Avroxee has found his true mate. Typically this is first noticeable after intercourse, and sometimes during most physical interactions. Any time I’ve touched Asch he’s never had a reaction. I’m suddenly overcome with dread. I just had the most amazing experience of my life, giving everything that I had in me towards Asch, and yet it didn’t do anything.

  “Were you thinking about anything else?” I asked him. “You know, during all of that time?” He thinks for a moment. “All I was thinking about was you, and your body,” he says. “So was I,” I say. I can feel myself shaking, and I wrap a blanket around myself, feeling ashamed of my nakedness now.

  I can’t believe this has happened, and I can’t even figure out where we could have gone wrong. We did everything we were supposed to, and I knew I meant everything back there in the hut when I gave myself to him. But I guess it wasn’t enough. What does this mean about my mate?

  “When do you leave?” He asks me, and I can tell he’s thinking the same thing. I just realized that I’m approaching my last day on Avrox. I’m going to have to go back to Earth with nothing to show the facility that Asch and I are in love.

  Tears well up in my eyes. I know I love Asch, but if the glow isn’t there, then that means something must be wrong. Maybe, and it pains me to even think of this; maybe he doesn’t feel the same way about me. I’ve never felt so foolish. I stand up and start collecting my clothes, frantically putting them back on.