by Catty Diva
Travlr
The Mating Game series
Book 2
By Catty Diva
Cover by Jesh Art
Editing by Eagle Editing
2015 Copyright by Catty Diva
All rights reserved. This story is completely the imagination of the author. Any resemblance to person or persons living or deceased are merely a coincidence. Any locations or events are fictitious or used in a fictional manner.
Razar
The Mating Games series
Book 1
Razar needs a mate but on his planet there are nine males to one female. Humans look like they are compatible but if they find out the secrets of his kind they will refuse to send them mates.
Lista needs money for her mother's operation or she will die. Her sister has volunteered her to be a bride for an alien. If she wins the mating game she will be free to keep the money and return home.
Can she outwit him or will he claim her heart before it's game over?
Prologue
Travlr was the happiest male on the planet, or about to be. His brother Razar had finally completed his mating and Travlr would be allowed to participate in the next mating game. There was also the possibility of mating before the games. Lista’s sister was coming and would be here any time now. He knew that Lista and her sister didn’t get along but how bad could she be if she was part of Lista’s family?
Narcissi was disgusted because nothing good ever happened to her. She had finally gotten rid of one of her siblings only to find out she had sent her to a rich and powerful man. That would never do, now she had to hurry there to separate Lista from her husband. The male was worth Narcissi’s time and she would have him twisted around her finger in no time.
Razar was worried because he knew that having Lista’s sister visit wouldn’t be pleasant. After talking with Lista he knew Narcissi was aptly named as she thought only about what she wanted. He did not want her misery coming to Oison and causing heartache for his brothers or any of the males he knew. His brother, Travlr, wanted to meet her thinking she was like Lista but Razar wanted to keep her away from him. If she tried to cause trouble she might find herself mated to half a dozen less than desirable miners. Those guys were hard working and salt of the Earth types, but they would know how to keep her from causing trouble and they would tire her out.
Chapter 1
Narcissistic
Narcissi clung to Razar’s arm and sent a victorious look Lista’s way. She couldn’t understand why her sister didn’t seem more upset that her male was being so helpful. Narcissi took it as a sign that he was swayed by her good looks and the sweetness she showed him. Once they arrived at the house, which was alright but nothing as grand as she’d expected, he helped her into a chair and distanced himself from her. That would never do.
Razar went straight to his mate hugging and kissing her. “My brother should be here soon. He wanted to meet you first.”
Narcissi perked up. “Does he have money and an elevated station like you do?”
“No, he lives with my parents and he works in the mines. Once he finds his female he will build a house much like this one for his mate and the anticipated offspring.” The look Razar sent her wasn’t friendly but she overlooked it.
“I want someone like you.” Narcissi pouted as she sent him looks intended to capture his attention. It didn’t work, his attention was all on her worthless sister.
“Tell me how Mom and our young brothers are doing.” Lista hadn’t seen or heard from them in the three months she’d now been off Earth.
“No need to worry about them. Your sacrifice served them well.” Narcissi wished she’d made the sacrifice instead. Lista had it made here and that just wasn’t right. Narcissi was the oldest and she should have the good things in life not her worthless younger sister.
She tried to move closer to Razar. Why couldn’t the male see she was better than her sister? Narcissi was the pretty one. Small and delicate, she was what men wanted. Smarter, slyer, more everything that was valued than her sister, she couldn’t understand what was wrong with the male that he wasn’t all over her already.
“Travlr, glad you made it. This is Narcissi, Lista’s older sister.” Razar made the introductions from the couch where he sat enveloping Lista like a second skin. This was not how it was supposed to work.
Giving the newcomer a casual glance, she could see he was big, strong, and attractive. Big deal! She already knew he wasn’t rich or powerful. The older brother, the rich and powerful one, was hanging onto her sister for dear life. Narcissi just needed a plan because at home everything always went her way. Once she settled in and discovered what was what, she would run things here too. Through Razar, she would run the whole world not just the household. Lista would be out in the cold again. Maybe she would take the next oldest brother once Narcissi had Razar. It didn’t matter to her, she just wanted to be on the top of the pile and she didn’t care if Lista lived or died in that moment.
“Narcissi, are you alright?” Travlr had apparently been talking to her. It was something she needed to discourage. Only Razar mattered so he was the only one she wanted attending to her.
She gave him a cold look. “I’m fine.” That should send him running. Narcissi could imagine no possible use for him and if she discovered one later, she could lure him back. Males had a hard time resisting her.
Travlr looked at her with confusion marring his handsome face. He was slow on the pickup. It was just another reason to push him away. Narcissi was annoyed, she was supposed to be the one getting the attention. Maybe there was something wrong with these Mazlans. They didn’t seem to recognize her superior characteristics and unmatchable beauty. Maybe Lista had talked bad about her? It would surprise her since Lista knew how wonderful Narcissi was and had never said anything bad about her before although she had argued with her.
“What now?” Narcissi asked her voice set in an annoying whine.
“Now we will find a place for you to stay.” Razar said with little warmth in his voice.
“I won’t stay here? This is no way to treat a guest.”
“An uninvited guest.” Razar clarified.
Narcissi looked at Travlr for some support but he just looked away. “I’m family.” She insisted.
“Only when you want to be.”
“Lista, you’re my sister. You can’t mean to let him send me away.”
“Since you’ve gotten here you’ve insulted my brother in law and tried to steal my mate. I don’t owe you anything and I wish you’d never come.”
“You’ve poisoned your husband toward me because you knew he’d prefer me, they always do. She’s just jealous because I’m smarter and prettier.”
“Why’d you really leave Earth, Narcissi?” Lista asked.
“You know there aren’t any men. Even a great catch like me can’t find a decent man. Here, even you found one.” Narcissi didn’t understand why everyone was staring at her. She looked down to see if there was a stain on her dress or something peeking out that shouldn’t. “Why are you all staring at me like that?”
“You don’t even know what you’re doing is wrong.” Razar shook his head sadly. Narcissi didn’t understand what they were talking about. Her plan had been to come here so she’d be treated like the queen she was.
“I’ve done nothing wrong. The fault is with you. You don’t recognize beauty and perfection when you are presented with it.”
“Travlr, take her to the other females awaiting the mating games. The gods and goddesses have mercy on whoever catches her.”
“I don’t want to mate one of you unless I get you.”
“The males in the games all h
ave enough money to keep you reasonably happy. It’s that, or you go back to Earth. What is your decision?”
“I can’t go back,” she whispered.
“Take her to the check in point. Thanks Travlr.”
Narcissi couldn’t believe this was happening to her. Her plans never went wrong this badly. There must have been something she’d overlooked. She followed behind Travlr stunned at how things were turning out. He helped her get into his car and in mere moments they arrived. As he escorted her into the building, she was almost overcome with anger. How dare they do this to her?
“Hey, Needar. I’ve got a potential bride for you. Her name is Narcissi.” Travlr explained as he waited to see if he could escape now.
“Aren’t you signed up for this hunt?” Needar asked as he looked between Travlr and Narcissi.
“I am.”
“And why don’t you just claim her?”
“She’s not the one for me.”
“Okay. She needs to fill this out and designate where her money goes.”
Narcissi grabbed the paper and the marker. If there was money to be made, she would get it and not anyone else. She filled out the form quickly and handed it back to the weird guy behind the counter.
“Follow me.” He said as he led her back to the rooms the females stayed in. Travlr made his escape as quickly as possible. Asshole!
“You’ll have a roommate and she’s already picked her bed, you’ll get the other one.” Needar stared at her.
“I’m fine. You can leave.”
“I’ll stay if you want.”
“No, you can go.” Needar left reluctantly. Narcissi couldn’t believe he thought she would be interested in him.
It wasn’t long before she heard the sounds of footsteps in the hall. A female with red hair slipped in and smiled at her. “I didn’t know I had a roommate. You missed some of the education about the area.”
“Too bad. I’ll make do. Which bed is yours?” Narcissi asked.
The female dropped on it as an answer. Narcissi dropped on the other one. “My name is Saari. My grandmother was East Indian. What’s your name?”
“My name is Narcissi and I don’t want to be friends. I only want to talk when we have to and if you need something, don’t ask me.” Narcissi ignored Saari who was struck speechless and rolled over on her bunk trying to get comfortable.
It would have been easier to sleep had her roommate not changed clothes and then studied. The turning pages rubbed just as Narcissi started to drift off. It was almost like she was being punished. Even fate seemed to be jealous of her.
Chapter 2
Preparing for the Hunt
Travlr went home irritated about Narcissi for Lista and Razar’s sake. To have your own sister try to take your mate away was unfathomable to him. He thanked the gods that she was not his mate, at least he hoped and prayed she wasn’t. He’d not yet gone through the cleansing process but he just knew or maybe he wanted to know she wasn’t his. Fate wouldn’t be that cruel when he’d had to wait so long that it would give him someone like her. In his mind he was certain she would be the worst choice of all.
Washing up before bed and flat out refusing to jack off, he put on PJs and went to bed. Narcissi was on his mind and not in a good way. It terrified him that there was any possibility that female could end up as his. Never in his wildest dreams would he have imagined Lista’s sister could give him nightmares, yet here he was. Sleep finally came for him but Narcissi chased him all night long. He just kept running faster so she wouldn’t catch him.
When morning came he was crabby, that was unheard of for him. Everyone shot him uncertain looks and his brothers jumped out of his way. It made him feel like shit. His family was everything to him and he wanted to explain but it sounded weird unless you knew that female personally. He needed to get to the temple so he could be cleansed and prepared for the hunt tomorrow. Yesterday he’d packed his gear and went out to the desert to explore the area. It was after that when he’d gone to Razar’s to meet Narcissi. A shiver ran through him. That female had to be someone else’s, but that thought made him feel guilty.
Dressed to work, he headed to the temple first to deal with the cleansing. It shouldn’t take more than two hours. “Wellness and health to you, Travlr. We are glad you have come for your mating cleanse early.” Judsl said as he led him into an empty room.
“I’m sure you will be busy later.” Travlr said politely. This afternoon when most of the males in the hunt descended on the temple for their cleansing, he would be happy not to be a priest.
Stripping naked, he put on the robe Judsl handed him before he followed him back out into the hall and went to the empty baths. The water in the first was red, this mineral would seep deep into his body to chase out all the impurities and sins. In ten minutes, he moved on to the next which was purple. Only the priests knew for sure what was in the holy waters but the smell gave away some of the ingredients. The next was blue, then white and he stayed in that one longer.
The brown water and the black one after it reminded him of dirt and they smelled that way too. The last colored water was rainbow with multiple bright colors simmering in the water. A shower cleaned any remnants of minerals or miscellaneous materials off him. Last he was sprayed with a liquid and walked through a room with smoldering essences. It made him cough until he feared he’d puke. Nasty stuff but he hurried out when Judsl motioned it was time.
“You’re ready for tomorrow. Good hunting, my friend.” Judsl smiled and smacked him on the back.
Travlr was relieved he was finished. No matter how hard he concentrated, he could think of nothing more he needed to do. He decided to head over to Razar’s to find out how it felt when he first saw Lista. Razar was lucky to get such a good female. Travlr could only hope and pray he was given a female like her.
Moving up the steps, he could smell food cooking. Razar cooked more than ever because Lista was with offspring. They hadn’t told anyone yet, but everyone knew. She smelled distinctly of young which Razar should know. Travlr said nothing, what was the point? Let them be happy thinking it was their little secret. Meanwhile the whole family knew and all were glad. Razar had taken the first steps for them all and they would all watch and learn from his mistakes. It began with mating and would continue with parenting.
Moving on through the door, Travlr hollered out to his brother and mate. “Razar and Lista!”
They were in the kitchen cooking together. “What brings you here on the eve of your hunt?” Razar bumped shoulders with him.
“He’s just looking for a good meal so he can keep up his strength. His female may be big and mean which will make things tiring for him.” Razar laughed heartily at the picture his mate had painted.
“I always thought you were nice, Lista. That was just mean.” Travlr fought the laugh to attempt to make her feel bad. If she did, she might give him a special treat. Lista was a wonderful baker. How she could bake so good and only cook with a minimal skill, he couldn’t imagine.
“Yeah, just cry me a river.” Lista giggled.
“That’s just not nice. I think Razar is ruining your sweet disposition.” Travlr nodded wisely.
“Here, take the plate of food and sit down.” Razar pushed it to him.
“Finally someone feeds me. You know tomorrow I will be on the hunt looking for my mate. The desert is hot and dirty. Don’t you feel sorry for me?” Travlr asked before shoveling food into his mouth.
“Not really. You will find your mate and have your happy ever after.” Razar counseled as he glanced at his mate. “Rest up and you’ll be fine.”
Travlr wiped his plate clean and sat there looking pitiful. “Is there any more? Growing boy here in need of food. Could you tell me how it felt when you found Lista?” Razar described it to him as he cooked and Travlr felt more confused than ever. “Okay, I understand.” He didn’t really but maybe it was just because, males had a hard time with feelings.
Lista giggled finding the whole conversat
ion funny. Razar slapped some more food on his brother’s plate once it was done and then emptied the pans onto his and Lista’s plate. Lista and he sat with Travlr and they all ate in a companionable silence. Razar was an exceptional cook Lista not so much. Once he was done eating, he knew he had to go to give them some alone time. Once he mated he would want that too. He said his goodbyes and left knowing the next time he saw them he would have a mate of his own.
Travlr drove by the place he had started building the home for him and his mate. There was hope that he would mate a female that would help him make their home but if she was like Narcissi, he could expect no help at all. It was about a mile from Razar’s place and just off the same road. It was a good location since it was near the water and not far from other family members but it still had some privacy.
Going in to work would help pass the time and Travlr’s job was important. He was in charge of all the gold mines on the planet. All the brothers had important jobs that helped make their father’s job easier. Travlr was in charge of commerce and helped their father with many other things. The learning curve had been steep since they had gone from prisoners to being in charge of a world. They had met the challenge and things were going well. Once they were all mated, life would settle down.
Travlr entered his office and began to go through the paperwork. This was well over half his job even though he’d rather tour and work in the mines. He’d only been in charge here for two years. His secretary was a huge help and Fargar, who was not related to Travlr, would be in the hunt next time it was done. Fargar was older than Travlr and needed to mate soon but had not gotten his application to mate in by the deadline. Travlr suspected he was nervous about the whole mating thing.
After working for hours, Travlr left to go home telling Fargar to head home too. The plan was to get a good night’s sleep and head out in the morning early to check in before he tracked down his mate. He felt lighthearted right now and somehow he just knew there would be a special female waiting for him. Okay, running from him might be a better way to describe it. Fixing a big supper so he would fuel up. He ate until he could hold no more. Food was packed in his gear but it wasn’t the best tasting or most filling stuff. The meal he had cooked was good. Travlr lived on the top floor of his parent’s house in the apartment Razar had once had. He cleaned up and put everything away. He wasn’t supposed to take a shower, it might unbalance his cleansing so he stripped and went to bed naked.
