Claiming His Champion

by Lily Thomas

  Which was another reason Anara should be rejoicing. If she ever slipped up in the arena, she’d have someone on her side.

  “And if you do die, you can happily know he’d avenge your death.”

  “Because that’ll give me comfort when I’m dead.” Anara rolled her eyes and slid her plate away from her. There was only so much grey goo one could handle.

  Chapter 3

  Anara’s stomach gave an excited flip. She was waiting at the gate for her next battle. Would the Vrak’rir be out there waiting for her?

  “Hey!”

  Anara looked over her shoulder to see who’d called out. A human-like alien winked at her.

  “Heard you had a mate now. If he doesn’t satisfy you, I can give you a good ride.” He made some rude motion with his hands and hips.

  Anara smiled at him. “I’ll be sure to tell the Vrak’rir you said that.”

  She turned away, but caught the alarmed expression on his face. Tiera was right, having him as her mate could prove amusing, even if it was unwanted.

  Turning her attention back to the gate she peered between the bars. There were already fighters in the arena from another barrack. There were a few she’d heard off that would give her a run for her money, but she didn’t see the Vrak’rir. He might still be out there though. She wasn’t able to see every warrior from her position.

  If he was out there, she had every intention of using him to get her to the end quicker.

  Maybe the Vrak’rir would get himself killed, while trying to keep her safe. If only her luck would be so kind.

  Then she wouldn’t have to worry about him breathing down her neck and demanding that he be able to claim her.

  Rauhq’s feet shifted restlessly. He knew he’d handled the other day wrong. He should have approached her with a more level head, but now that he’d had a few days to calm, he was ready to broach the subject with her again.

  Instinct was a hard thing to fight, especially in someone who never thought he’d be blessed with a mate. He’d let his instinct take over, but he’d make it up to her.

  Now that Rauhq thought about the other day clearly, he understood why she ran from him. She was a human woman being pursued by a Vrak’rir male who was at least a couple heads taller. Even among Vrak’rir he would be considered a beast of a male.

  His attention focused on another gate, as fighters lined up behind it. His heart sped up. That was her gate. Would he see her again?

  The gate lifted and several alien species spilled out of the corridor. His eager eyes scanned the fighters, and right there at the front was his mate.

  The sunlight highlighted her beauty to perfection. She moved with such grace, a grace that had delivered a few wounds to his body. His hand went to his thigh and chest, where there was now scars.

  At least the Frirens had good medical bays for their fighters or he might still be limping around the arena.

  She was deadly, and she would fit right in with his life. He never thought he’d meet such a formidable human woman. Usually, they were pink and fragile, but she was tan and beautiful.

  The moment her hazel eyes met his, he sent her a dazzling smile or what was supposed to be a dazzling smile. Her eyes narrowed, and she glared at him. He watched, as she placed herself across the arena.

  Clearly, she still felt like distance was a good idea. Rauhq fought the urge to go over and stand beside her. She might lash out and stab him in the leg again, and she was the only one in this arena he wouldn’t be able to retaliate against.

  But he’d keep an eye on her all the same. Rauhq was sure she could handle her own, but just in case he would be nearby.

  Anara felt the Vrak’rir watching her, so she placed herself on the other side of the arena. There was no need for them to get too close.

  Were the Frirens going to allow two people to win or would they have her and the Vrak’rir face off? Because she was sure they would be the last two standing at the end of this fight.

  The horn blew, and she had no more time to think about it.

  A bipedal grasshopper-like alien jump her, knocking her to the ground. She sliced a sword against his calf, probably severing tendons. The alien went down, Anara bolted onto her feet and stabbed her sword into the neck of her opponent.

  Then she saw the alien who’d told her he could give her a good ride.

  “Time to see if I can use this Vrak’rir to my advantage.” Looking around she found the Vrak’rir not too far away, close enough to come to her aide. Tiera had been right about that at least. “Hey, Vrak’rir!”

  He slit the throat of his opponent, and then glanced over at her, as he moved towards her.

  “Thought you might want to know he,” Anara pointed at the alien man, “was telling me he’d give me a good time between the sheets, if you didn’t please me.”

  She watched, as his onyx eyes turned a shade darker, and he stormed past her. A smile creased her lips. Yeah, this was going to be fun! She’d clap her hands like a kid in the candy store, but she had to keep fighting.

  Hearing a crunch behind her, she ducked and swiveled as a sword came flying over her head. She’d better focus on the fighting rather than using the Vrak’rir. She shoved the blade of her sword into the alien’s body.

  She stood up and looked around.

  The tables had turned on the Vrak’rir. Every warrior left, except herself, was now fighting in unison against him.

  Really?

  The first day he’d come into the arena, they couldn’t team up against him, but the moment she decided he was useful they got their act together?

  Maybe she should just let them finish him off, and then she wouldn’t have to worry about him hounding her.

  The Vrak’rir glanced over at her, and for a second she thought she may have detected hurt in those dark depths that she wouldn’t stand beside him. Her heart pinched, as she watched him dodge an attack, only to be set upon by more warriors.

  “Oh screw this!” Anara jumped into the fray.

  They fought side by side, pushing back the other fighters, and slowly killed them off, until they were the only two that were standing.

  The crowd roared with excitement, and Anara looked up to watch them throwing their hands in the hair, whistle, and just go wild in the stands. The audience appeared to enjoy the champion duo.

  This would please the Frirens, and probably bring in even more people as the word spread.

  Anara turned to smile at the Vrak’rir, but his hand came up to grip her neck, and he planted a searing kiss on her lips. For a few seconds, she forgot herself. Anara melted into him, drawing his tongue into her mouth.

  The crowd roared with more gusto bringing her back to reality. Her hands came up to his chest, and she pushed him away.

  He backed off a little, but sent her a cocky smile.

  “Don’t get too full of yourself.” She muttered under her breath.

  “Aren’t they just amazing?” The speaker addressed the eager crowd. “They are our first power couple in the arena. Will they be able to survive or will one of them get cut down when the other isn’t looking?”

  Anara felt proud, even if she was sharing the spotlight with the horny Vrak’rir.

  With the fight over, Anara sheathed her two swords and made her way back to her gate. Time to clean up, get some food, and settle down for the night.

  Footsteps followed her, so she stopped and the footsteps behind her stopped. Then she began walking again, and the footsteps continued behind her. Anara whipped around.

  “What do you think you’re doing?”

  “Coming with you, or course.” His brawny blue arms crossed in front of his chest.

  Anara snorted, turned on her heel and kept walking to her gate. The speaker would surely correct him and demand he go back to his own barracks. But the speaker never said a word as she entered her corridor with the Vrak’rir hot on her heels.

  “How’d the fight go?” Tiera asked, as she popped around a corner, and then froze. Her yellow ey
es looked past Anara to the Vrak’rir standing behind her.

  Anara stepped to the side, so she could eye them both. “Tiera meet the Vrak’rir. Vrak’rir meet Tiera. She’s a Dekkarian.”

  “My name is Rauhq.” He filled in.

  “Good for you.” Anara rolled her eyes and gave Tiera a weak smile.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Rauhq. Unfortunately, I can’t stay to chat. I have to get ready for my fight, but I’ll see you two later.” Tiera waved.

  “Hope it goes well!” Anara called out after her. She’d hate for Tiera to get killed and never see her friend again. She couldn’t deal with the Vrak’rir following her around and no one to talk to about it.

  Once Tiera disappeared from sight, Anara made her way towards the showers. She needed to get this grime and blood off of her.

  Rauhq’s footsteps were right behind her, reminding her she still had a hulking problem to deal with.

  Damn the Frirens for doing this. Even if they hadn’t known about her being his mate, she still blamed them.

  Anara made her way to a hole in the wall.

  “A new pair of pants and a shirt.”

  The Friren behind the shatter-proof glass nodded, and then disappeared. Anara eyed Rauhq, as he stood nearby. He’d better give her distance and stop hovering, or she’d lose it with him.

  “Here you are.”

  “Thanks.” Anara snatched the new clothing, and then headed for the showers, but stopped.

  “What is it?” Rauhq asked her.

  “Actually grab a shirt that would fit him.” Anara hitched a thumb in his direction.

  “I don’t need a shirt.”

  “Do you want to be around me?”

  Rauhq gave her a nod.

  “Then you’ll have to wear a shirt.” So she didn’t have to stare at those impressive muscles and enticing tattoos.

  The Friren handed her a shirt, and Anara tossed it at him. Turning on her heel she tried to push his footsteps from her mind.

  The moment the shower rooms came into sight, she dashed into one, closed the door, and locked it. Pressing an ear to the door she heard nothing on the other side. Rauhq wasn’t ranting and raving.

  Some tension rolled out of her body. Now she could take a shower without Rauhq’s eyes roaming over her.

  After waiting a few moments, she striped herself of her dirty clothing and turned on the shower. Once the water heated up enough, she stepped in and a sigh of pleasure escaped her.

  This was her true joy after a battle. The fresh water always washed away more than just the physical grime. It helped to clear her mind and get her ready for another day at the arena. She loved the battles, and she enjoyed the free room and board, but there were times some doubt would creep into her mind.

  At some point, she would get too old and a younger opponent would take her out. Or a stronger opponent like the Vrak’rir, who didn’t turn out to be her mate, would come along and kill her someday.

  She leaned back, allowing her head to go under the shower stream and flow over her hair.

  Anara heard the doorknob jiggle. Leaning around the shower stall she watched the door, while holding her breath. The jiggling stopped, and she let out her breath.

  Then there was a loud cracking sound, and the door to the shower room went flying past her face, maybe two inches away from her nose!

  Flinging herself back she clutched her chest. “Holy crap!”

  Leaning back around the shower stall she glared at Rauhq who was now filling the doorway.

  “Never lock your mate out.” He growled at her, as he entered the room, grabbed the door, and put back into place. Or as back into place as he could get it.

  “Want to act anymore barbaric?” As he came around, she threw an arm over her breasts and a hand over her crotch. “Ever think your mate wanted some privacy?”

  “There is no privacy for mates.”

  “You almost killed your mate.”

  He paused, looked her over, and went about his business. “You look fine.”

  Anara huffed at him, as he raised an eyebrow in challenge. Anara wasn’t one to back down from a challenge, so she dropped her hands. He wanted to watch her shower, so be it.

  It wasn’t like she was shy, and she wasn’t about to let him ruin her blissful shower.

  Rauhq couldn’t believe the sight before him. He’d been rewarded with a stunning mate. She was trim from all the arena battles she’d competed in, but still full in her hips and breasts. His Anara made him want to drop to his knees and honor her very presence.

  After his family had been slaughtered, he’d never thought the universe would give him another precious object to protect. This was his second chance to rebuild the family he’d lost.

  Her hands moved over her breasts, as she lathered soap over her soft skin. Her pink nipples puckered, inviting him over to suckle them, but he didn’t move an inch. He knew his advances would not be welcomed, but that didn’t mean he was going to give up and roll over for her.

  She was strong, and she could handle him as a mate and as a lover.

  As she worked the soap around her other breast, his thoughts fled him. It might be the wrong move, but he was going to join her in that shower anyways. His cock was hard and throbbing, and he had to at least touch his mate, even if she rebuked him.

  Standing he stripped out of his pants and boots.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” Anara’s sweet voice whipped at him.

  “I am also covered in blood and require a bath.” Rauhq motioned to his torso.

  “What good would showering do, if you only have a clean shirt to put on?” Her arms crossed over her breasts, and he missed the sight of her eager nipples.

  “I grabbed a pair of pants, before coming back here.” He motioned to the bench where his clean clothing was lying in a neat pile.

  Her mouth opened and closed. He knew she was searching for anything else to keep him out of the shower, but she was coming up empty.

  He sent her a cocky grin. He wouldn’t be denied.

  Rauhq entered the shower in one fluid motion.

  “No funny business now.” She back away from him, but not in fear. She’d never back away in fear. It just wasn’t her way.

  “I won’t touch you in the shower.” He promised her.

  He made sure to wash his body in slow motion for her benefit, which seemed to work. Rauhq caught her sneaking a few looks at him and at his hardened cock. Ever so slowly, he stroked the soap over his cock.

  Anara’s eyes grew heavy lidded, and he smiled. She liked what she saw. Good, because he planned on giving it to at every available opportunity.

  “Okay…” She slipped out of the shower, grabbed a towel, and dried off, but he caught her still stealing looks at his cock. When she licked her lips, he wanted to jump her, but he made a promise, and he would honor it.

  This was his chance to win her over, and he was going to succeed.

  Anara had to admit she was impressed they’d made it back to her room without Rauhq jumping her. That blue cock had been sizable, and clearly he’d found her irresistible in return. Yet he had resisted.

  Was it weird that she felt slightly insulted? Maybe she was going insane, but the area between her thighs was wet, and it had nothing to do with the shower water.

  She turned and blocked his way in her doorway. “I don’t think we should share a room. I only have one bed, and it isn’t big enough for the both of us.”

  “You’ve seen what I will do, if you close the door on me, Anara. Don’t test me.”

  Anara eyed the thickness of her door. It wasn’t any thicker than the shower room door. “The Frirens are bound to get angry with you, if you keep busting through things.”

  Rauhq shrugged his large shoulders at her. “The Frirens don’t terrify me.”

  Not scared of the Frirens? Then he’d be the only one in the arenas not fearful of the Frirens. They held the power of life and death, here at the arena.

  Rauhq stepped into her
personal space. “You’re beautiful.”

  Her breath hitched in her chest. Fearsome. Yes. Beautiful? No one had told her that before.

  She brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. “Yeah?” Anara couldn’t help the pleased blush that crept up her cheeks.

  “Yes.” He whispered in a deep voice, as his head descended, and his lips met hers.

  It was like an electrical shock went through her entire body, the moment his lips grazed hers. She felt her body melt against him. As she opened her mouth on a sigh, his sly tongue slid in and teased her.

  Then his hand slid up against her breast shocking her out of her daze, and she shoved him away.

  “No more of that.” She pointed an angry finger at him, as she backed away.

  He smiled at her. “No kissing then.” He stepped into her room and closed the door behind him.

  She narrowed her eyes at him, but then nodded. He seemed to honor promise-like statements. So she felt like she could trust him to keep his amazing lips to himself.

  “Well, if it’s not a problem, I’m going to get some rest before tomorrow. Who knows what the Frirens might plan for us.” Anara stripped down to her under garments and slid under the covers.

  Then she watched as Rauhq stripped his shirt off. Oh those muscles! Her eyes widened, as she watched his pecs ripple. He had such power under that blue skin. She’d seen him use his battle ax to slice a man’s head clean off, yet he’d touched her during their kiss with such tenderness. It made her heart ache for more tender caresses.

  Heck, he’d even called her beautiful. She hadn’t looked at herself in a mirror for years. There was no need to look good, when you lived in an arena where death was a daily event.

  Rauhq’s hands stripped off his boots, and then his hands landed on his pant zipper. He cocked an eyebrow at her in question.

  She swallowed, and then gave a quick nod.

  One corner of his mouth lifted up in a smile, as his fingers did short work of his pants.

  She sucked in a hard breath. His cock nearly reached the sky! Ok, maybe she was being a tad dramatic, but it was quite impressive.