Rival

by Tatum Throne

  “We can’t run. The contract is enforced.”

  “You can’t become their slave.”

  They rushed through the crowd, parting it as though both of them were infected with something contagious. The looks Yorn was getting now were filled with curiosity and intrigue. He had no time to deal with his adoring fans. They got to the ship, and Kelin got into the pilot seat, taking off quickly.

  When they landed at the compound, there was a ship already waiting for them. Members of the Elite’s entourage were outside. A sinking sensation spiraled through him as he tried to face the rich men who ruled his world. He landed the ship and got out. He would confront these males and find out what they wanted.

  “Your presence is requested in the city.”

  There was no way Yorn could say no. He glanced at Kelin, who was hanging back toward the ship. Their eyes locked. Yorn came in close to him. “Take care of things for me.”

  “What if you do not return?”

  “Don’t worry. I plan on returning very soon.”

  Yorn turned away from Kelin, facing the men who came for him. He was led away toward their ship. The ship took off as soon as Yorn sat down. They flew over the city and landed on the top of the towers of one of the Elite. Yorn had never been this far into the city before. Gladiators were not welcome there. A mighty wind blew through the city as Yorn stepped out. He was escorted into the building where he was taken to a penthouse that looked over the city. The male he had stung first was standing within the room, overlooking the city. Their eyes locked. He looked embarrassed about having the gladiator in his home.

  The house was richly designed. Yorn did not feel comfortable standing there in this room. “You requested my presence.”

  “I have. I wish to have more of your venom.”

  “It doesn’t work that way. I can’t just produce it whenever I want.”

  “I do not completely understand your inbred race.” Frustration moved through the Elite’s perfect face. “How does it work?”

  They were not inbred, but Yorn was not about to correct him on his heritage. Yorn didn’t want to tell him the truth, but he had to tell him something to get him off his back. “It’s more complicated. I need to fight first.”

  “How have you been dealing with it before now?”

  “I had one who could handle the suppression of it.”

  “He’s gone now?”

  “Yes.”

  “What will you do now?”

  Yorn didn’t want to have this conversation, but he didn’t have a choice in the matter. “I don’t know.”

  “I could offer you myself in return for a better fighting contract.”

  The offer was too good to be true. “And in return you want my venom by stinger?”

  “Yes. Unless you know of another way.”

  There was no other way. “You need to find another male who can give you what you want.”

  “What if I want you? Would you say yes willingly?”

  “You know I wouldn’t go willingly to your bed.”

  The corner of the male’s mouth lifted in seductive surprise. “We will see about that.”

  Two of the escorts came forward when given the nod by the male. They locked sensors around his wrists, and he was taken out of the penthouse into a cage for slaves to be held. Yorn was frightened for the first time in his life. He didn’t want to be caged and used by anyone. The door behind him closed with a solid thunk. Yorn went to the window that overlooked a city he would never belong to.

  He pressed his palms up against the glass trying to find a balance he didn’t feel inside. He wanted to find Gage. He wanted the male he fell in love with back, but that wouldn’t be happening. He was now enslaved by a rich, pompous bastard who would use him. If he tried to fight back, he would be killed. This was a no-win situation for him. All he could do was ride out the wave when he should have been trying to swim away.

  Lightning spiraled across the sky. The storms were coming more often lately. They never lasted long. His thoughts were on Gage and the last time they were together. He wanted a life with him. The possibility of never seeing him again sent sadness racing through his heart. As a gladiator, he’d been trained to fight and fuck—not love. He’d screwed himself by falling in love with Gage. He wanted to die. He wanted a way out. He had lost it all. Going on was not worth it to him anymore. Why should he let himself be used by one of the Elite? They would never love him.

  * * * *

  It was the craziest idea Gage had ever had in his entire life. So much time had gone by. How could Gage really expect Yorn to wait for him? What were days for him were months on Earth. As it was, Gage felt as though his connection with Yorn was fading. He couldn’t explain the feeling. It was as though he was in danger, and he needed him there right away.

  If he didn’t get there fast, he knew things wouldn’t be the same between them. That thought had Gage working night and day in the lab, hoping the lightning storms would return. But as the days went by and melted into weeks, it was clear that life wasn’t going to work out for them.

  “Were you here all night?” Hunter asked.

  Gage never heard him enter the lab. “Yeah.”

  “Did you find a way back?”

  “Not yet.” Gage twirled his pen in his hand. “There may not be a way back at this point.”

  “The weather service had issued a lightning storm warning for tonight.”

  Gage perked up. “Yeah?”

  “Supposed to hit in about four hours.”

  “I have everything ready to go. Are you returning with me?” Gage asked.

  “I was planning on it.”

  “Good. Let’s get to work.”

  Gage spent the rest of the morning preparing for his jump back to Yorn’s world. He hoped to find Yorn alive. And if he did, he hoped that he’d be able to find Yorn and that he wasn’t upset for leaving the way he had. There was so much he didn’t understand about Yorn’s world, going back without his protection could hurt both of them. Were they prepared for the worst case scenario? They were, but Gage was hoping it wouldn’t come to that.

  Hunter hovered by the window. “The lightning storm is starting.”

  “Ready?”

  Hunter nodded. “I’m ready.”

  Lightning flashed above, spiraling down toward the lab. Several hard strikes hit the core. The air rippled, creating a flash in front of their eyes. The wormhole opened. It was now or never. Gage felt he was really ready this time. He only hoped he stayed conscious when he had the hard landing on the other side. Gage grabbed his backpack and glanced back at Hunter one last time before stepping through the wormhole.

  A twisting and pulling sensation spiraled through his body as he was sucked through the hole. Ice-cold air stung his cheeks and exposed skin. Gage screamed as he was thrown out of the portal and landed hard on the other side in lush, green grass. As always, he landed in the same spot. Over his shoulder, he heard Hunter make a rough landing next to him. He coughed several times as he rolled onto his back.

  It was nighttime and the city loomed across the way. Just over the ridge was Yorn’s home. A sense of urgency moved through Gage as he got to his shaky feet. He offered Hunter his hand as he stood up. They raced into the night toward Yorn’s compound. All the lights were off inside as they approached. The place looked deserted. Where was everyone?

  “Where are they?” Hunter asked.

  “I don’t know. I don’t hear anyone at the arena.”

  Desperate, Gage rushed through Yorn’s home. It looked as though he hadn’t been there for weeks. “Where are they?”

  “I don’t know. When is the next match?”

  Gage ran his hand through his hair. “Tonight? Tomorrow. I don’t know.”

  Hunter crossed the room and grabbed him by the arms. “Calm down. We got this.”

  “Yeah. Okay.”

  They paced Yorn’s home as they waited for Kelin to arrive. He never came. Worry had Gage unsure of where to go. They headed ou
tside, looking toward the arena. Gage lifted the binoculars he brought along. The arena was thrumming with life. Yorn would be there, fighting. “Come on. A match is on.”

  They headed down the hillside, rushing quickly into the night. The crowd was cheering and on its feet as they entered through the slave’s entrance. Gage went to the viewing area, eager to see the love of his life. Yorn was out there, tearing up the arena. Dust was flying through the air as the gladiators dueled.

  Relief moved through Gage when the fight wound down, and Yorn finished the match, kicking the gladiator out cold. Without warning, Yorn pinned him with a hard stare that Gage felt all the way down to his toes. His heart was hammering as he anxiously watched as the Elite came down from the stands. They came in close to Yorn, whispering something to him before he stepped back, watching as the gladiator on the ground was brought back. He sputtered, sitting up. The gladiator was lifted up onto his feet by the slave masters. His arms and legs were held up, and his ass exposed. The Elite started fucking him.

  “Why isn’t he leaving?” Hunter asked.

  “I don’t know. He usually leaves the arena after a match.”

  Gage wanted to run out into the arena but knew he had to hang back. He couldn’t risk Yorn getting hurt or one of them. They headed through the hallway, looking for Kelin. He always attended the matches. They found him at the other end of the stands. Gage led the way through the crowd. Shock vibrated through Kelin’s eyes when he spotted them. He grabbed Gage by the arm, pulling him into the slave tunnel.

  “You shouldn’t have come.”

  “Why? What’s wrong?”

  Kelin came in close. “Yorn has been enslaved by the Elite. There’s no hope for him.”

  “Wh–what?” Gage couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Yorn was a fighter. He wouldn’t willingly submit to anyone. “We have to save him.”

  “It’s not up to us,” Kelin said.

  “Who owns him?” Gage asked.

  Kelin pointed to the Elite fucking the losing gladiator in the ass. “He does.”

  A spinning sensation went through Gage as disgust swam through his gut. “Has he taken him?”

  “I don’t know, but I’m sure he will if he’s given a chance to.”

  Everything he ever wanted was standing on the other side of the arena. Gage wasn’t going to back down until he got what he wanted. Even if that meant sacrificing himself to do it, he would. Gage pushed his way through the crowded hallway. From deep in the corridor, he barely registered the sound of Hunter yelling for him to stop running.

  Kelin grabbed at his arm, but he shook him off before he could stop him from rushing into the arena. Gasps echoed from within the crowd as they spotted him. He didn’t care. He locked eyes on Yorn, who was in awe that he was there. He wasn’t going to stop running until he was in his lover’s arms.

  Chapter Ten

  Yorn wasn’t prepared to see Gage racing across the arena. He barely had time to register the fact that his male was back and that he was tracking him fast. The crowd went wild. They were on their feet chanting Yorn’s name in a deafening pitch. The male leaped into his arm, wrapping his legs around them.

  Their lips connected in a heated embrace that he felt jolt through his entire body to brand his soul. The spectators roared. Yorn was certain that the Elite wouldn’t be happy by this very public display of disobedience. Their mouths broke away, and their eyes locked. Yorn was a favored gladiator. Despite his class, the Elite wanted to see their gladiator happy.

  “Hi,” Gage said.

  “I never thought I would see you again.”

  “Me too.” Gage smiled.

  Yorn held on tight to him. He wanted to hold onto Gage forever. “You’ve been gone for too long.”

  “What have you gotten yourself into?” Gage asked.

  Before Yorn could answer, Gage was ripped from his arms by one of his slave masters of the Elite. They were separated fast before anything could happen. The need to sink his stinger into Gage was an overpowering chant thrumming through his body. He’d given too much of himself to his master already. He was done. He wanted out. He wanted Gage. He would fight anyone in his way to get what he wanted. As if sensing the discord, his master dressed and crossed the arena to stand before Yorn.

  “Is this the one you spoke of?”

  He gritted his teeth. No one was his master. “Yes, master.”

  From several feet away, Gage was watching him closely. Their eyes met. He could sense his thoughts waving through the air. He wanted him to fight for his freedom. He could, but it would mean their death. He had to act diplomatically if he wanted his freedom.

  “Do you wish to have him?”

  “Yes. And my freedom.”

  His owner circled around him as though he was inspecting a fine piece of sculpted artwork he didn’t want to part ways with. The Elite turned to the others of his class in the stands. “What say you?”

  “Give him his freedom!”

  “Set him free!”

  Someone started to whistle and started the chant. “Free him! Free him! Free him!”

  The Elite raised his hands, silencing the crowd. He came in close to Yorn, giving him a wicked stare. “You’ve been given your freedom. Cross me and your blood will spill, Yorn.”

  It was the first time Yorn had heard his name whispered on his master’s voice. He was inwardly shaking with relief. He’d been given a second chance by this sadistic fuck, but how long would his good mood last before everything he wanted was taken away for a second time? Yorn bowed his head once in submission as he was released. Gage was released too, and they hurried out of the arena before they were stopped.

  “Who the hell was that?” Gage asked.

  “Adan. He’s in charge of the core Elite. He enslaved me the night you left.”

  Gage’s face twisted up, and tears fell from his eyes. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have left you like that. I knew you needed me to stay.”

  “Shhh. It saved me.”

  When they were alone in the undercroft, Yorn pulled him in close, kissing him sweetly. Gage moaned into the kiss, melting against his chest. A rush of need speared through Yorn’s body as he tightened his hold on his male. The cover on his stinger slowly retracted, and his stinger pushed out, readying to sting. It’d been too long since. He needed to bury that stinger into Gage’s ass as he fucked him hard.

  He pulled him around, pressing him face down against the table. Yorn yanked his pants down, exposing the soft flesh of his ass. He pulled his ass cheeks apart, exposing his rim. Gage moaned as Yorn leaned down, licking his forked tongue over his ass. The sweet taste of his male rushed over his tongue as he tasted his ass. He flicked his tongue roughly, sending violent shivers racing through Gage’s body. He was shaking, begging for more. Ready to strike, Yorn stood up positioning his inner cock against Gage’s rim.

  He thrust in with one powerful stroke that sent his talons shooting from his cock and spearing into his ass cheeks. Gage groaned as he set a quick pace. Their bodies slapped together, hard muscles striking hard muscle. Yorn grabbed his hips, loving the way his male arched his back, offering up his ass for more of his touch. One of Yorn’s talons slid between Gage’s legs, snaking its way up his shaft to lock down onto his tip. It started a slow sucking motion on his tip, bringing Gage closer and closer to the edge.

  “Come for me,” Yorn begged.

  Gage moaned as Yorn slid his hand up his spine, rubbing his hand around his neck to give him a hard, possessive squeeze.

  “Come now!”

  Yorn thrust his wet dick in and out roughly, pulling his ass up off the table. He was frantic with need. His cock was lubed and ready to go for hours, but Yorn was impatient. He wanted to get his male home where he could have him all to himself. “Come!” Yorn roared.

  “Oh, fuck.” A deep agonizing cry tore from Gage’s throat as he came hard. “I’m coming.”

  Yorn’s talon locked down tight on Gage’s tip, sucking every last drop of his jizz into its t
ube. The cover on his stinger retracted, and he stung Gage. A moan shattered through the room as Gage’s body shook with pleasure. Pressure built in Yorn’s tongue. He pulled Gage up kissing him hard, shooting his jizz into his mouth. Gage moaned, swallowing ever last drop of his spunk down. Yorn felt his inner cock kick out hard, sending his jizz flying deep into Gage’s ass. For a long time after, Yorn held his lover with his inner cock buried deep.

  “I love you,” Gage said.

  “I love you too. I’m so glad you came back to me.”

  Ever so slowly, Yorn pulled him to his feet as his talons released their hold. He helped Gage to dress. By the time they were dressed, Kelin was at the door waiting for them.

  “Are you allowed to leave?” Kelin asked.

  “Yes. Take us home.”

  * * * *

  Gage was happily settling into his new life with Kelin at his compound. Since his last fight, the Elite hadn’t asked anything else of Yorn. Life couldn’t be better, he sighed as he watched Yorn working out in the courtyard near the mountains. He and Kelin were putting up a fence to keep the beasts from crossing into the courtyard. Last night, one had managed to get in and wake them all up. Part of the veranda had been damaged too. Gage lifted two glasses of water, carrying them out to the hot and sweaty aliens. Their musk smelled like lilies in the spring.

  “Thanks,” Kelin said.

  Yorn thanked him by giving him a quick kiss on the lips. “Thanks, babe.”

  The translator in Gage’s ear was jostled as Yorn ran his hand through his hair. Yorn was quick to fix it for him. Hunter popped up on the other side of the fence. It was clear that he’d been walking deep into the forest which was technically off limits.

  “What were you doing over there?” Kelin asked.

  “Just hiking.”

  Kelin glowered. “You shouldn’t go alone.”

  “Then go with me next time.”

  “Maybe. Or maybe I will tie you up so you can’t put yourself in danger,” Kelin said.

  Yorn chuckled, pulling Gage in close to his side. “It looks like Kelin has found someone to amuse him.”