by Anna Hackett
The death borers would haunt her dreams for a long time to come.
The Badlands were thankfully behind them, and they were now in the rocky foothills of the Illusion Mountains. The mountain peaks reared up above them—sharp, jagged spikes that made her think of monsters’ fangs. There was no vegetation, and everything around them was a beige color.
She noticed that Vek seemed tense. Suddenly, he went still and crouched. He touched the ground and sniffed.
“What is it?” she asked.
“The scent of the Neralla flower is growing.” He shook his head. “It’s much stronger now.”
She watched him carefully. She hoped to hell the Neralla scent couldn’t affect him like it had when the Nerium had injected it in him.
They moved on, Vek moving up beside Corsair in the lead. Mia prayed they were headed in the right direction. She looked up at the peaks again. She hoped that Dayna, Ryan, and this other survivor were close by.
Stay strong. We’re going to get you out of here.
She watched Vek prowl ahead, making a low growling sound in his throat. Mia frowned.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
A single, curt nod. “I do not like this place.”
There was a little vegetation now—stubby, spiky plants suited to the climate. As they climbed higher, the sunlight started to wane, and the temperature thankfully dropped from scorching to bearable. The shadows deepened around them, and Vek grew more agitated.
“We need to set up camp,” Corsair called out. “It’ll be dark soon, and we don’t want to be roaming the mountains at night.”
“Any predators we should know about?” Galen asked.
“Nothing that I know of. But the mountains themselves are disorienting in the light, let alone the dark. A person wandering around is likely to end up at the bottom of a ravine.”
Vek was wandering ahead. He stopped and pointed. “Caves.”
The openings were farther up the slopes. There were several dark, yawning mouths, looking like the gaping maws of monsters.
“We have our tents,” Corsair said. “Unless we get hit with a storm, I suggest we don’t risk running into any unfriendly wildlife.”
The gladiators set to work, setting up the tents. They were plain, circular affairs, just tall enough for a man to stand up inside of them.
Mia helped Vek set his tent up a little away from the others. She knew he wouldn’t sleep, if he was surrounded by lots of people. Raiden and Thorin lit a small fire and Galen disappeared into the shadows. He came back in minutes with a lizard-like animal.
Corsair nodded. “An ashen. Good eating.”
Before long, the creature was roasting over the flames. Mia sat down, listening to the quiet murmurs of the gladiators. Vek appeared, choosing the choicest pieces of meat for her plate. He seemed determined to feed her, much to the amusement of the others. But he didn’t join them. Instead, he prowled the edge of the camp. Restless.
“Is he okay?” Harper asked.
Mia frowned. “He was, but now that we’ve reached the mountains, he seems…off.”
“Maybe his injury from the death borer is bothering him?”
“I don’t think so. It’s almost healed.” She watched as he vanished into the darkness.
“You care about him.”
Mia looked at the other woman. “You fell in love with your alien. Vek can be a little wild, and looks different with his blue skin, but he’s no less loyal or protective than Raiden. Beneath all of his…alienness is a man. A protective, loyal man. And I know he cares about me.”
Harper smiled. “Believe me, after everything we’ve been through, if you can find someone who protects you, cares for you…even if he’s blue…you hold on. You hold tight.”
“He’s suffered so much,” Mia murmured.
“Make sure what you feel isn’t sympathy, Mia. Because if you go there with Vek, something tells me he won’t ever go back.” Harper looked into the night shadows. “That once he claims you, you’ll be his forever.”
“I know.” Excitement, fear, hope, and a number of other emotions whirled around inside of Mia. She’d never been in love, never felt that anyone would put her first. No one had ever made her feel special…except Vek. God, she wished she had one of her journals so she could write down the lyrics bursting inside her.
She made up a plate of the meat and headed to find Vek. She found him standing at the edge of the camp, staring out into the darkness.
“I brought some dinner for you.”
He turned and took the plate. “Thank you.” His voice was low and raspy. She watched as he wolfed it down.
“More,” he said.
Mia guessed he’d expended a lot of energy running through the desert today. She went back to the fire, and loaded up another plate. He devoured the food again, shoveling it into his mouth.
She watched him with a frown. Something was wrong. Vek was usually a careful eater. She reached up and touched his face. His skin was molten hot. “You’re burning up!”
“Fine,” he growled.
He wasn’t even speaking in full sentences anymore. She peered into his face, and suddenly he swept an arm around her. The empty plate dropped to the ground as he pulled her in close.
Heat pumped off him, and she could see his corded muscles straining under his skin. “Vek—”
His mouth slammed down on hers, strong and unyielding.
The power of the kiss forced her head back. Her heart was pumping hard, but she wasn’t afraid. She slid her hands into his hair and kissed him back. This was Vek. Everything about him sang to something in her blood.
But as he took control of the kiss, his tongue plunging into her mouth, she realized that tonight he was more aggressive, more out of control.
Suddenly, he pulled back, and Mia swayed on her feet. He stared at her with that burning gaze, then he growled and prowled back into the darkness.
Mia wrapped her arms around herself. She hurried over to Galen. He was seated on a rock, his long legs stretched out in front of him.
“Something’s wrong with Vek. He’s agitated, amped up.”
Galen frowned. “It’s been a tiring day—”
All of a sudden, a roar echoed through the night. Vek.
Galen shot to his feet, and Mia spun. She ran toward the sound, conscious of the others right behind her.
Vek’s shape appeared in the darkness. He was on his knees, his head thrown back.
She skidded to a halt beside him. “Vek, what’s wrong?”
“I can smell the Neralla. So. Strong.”
God, it was affecting him. Was the scent powerful enough to impact him the way it had when he’d been injected?
“So hot.” A groan ripped from him. His eyes looked like liquid gold as they locked on her. “Mia. I want Mia.”
There was hot possession in his words. Her gaze dropped down of its own accord and she saw the hard bulge at the front of his desert trousers. Her mouth dropped open.
Vek threw his arms out and roared again.
“Drak.” Thorin pushed forward, shaking his head. “I recognize this.”
“What?” Mia spun to face the big gladiator. “What’s wrong with him?”
Thorin stared down at her, with a hard look on his face. “He’s going into a mating frenzy.”
Chapter Nine
“Into a what?” Mia felt like her heart had stopped beating. She watched Vek leap up and prowl around in circles.
He shot her a look that melted her bones. “Won’t…hurt you.” He sprinted away, moving agilely over the rocks. He headed toward the mouth of the closest cave.
He disappeared inside, and a second later, a roar echoed from the confines of the cave.
The sound was so angry, so alone, so afraid. Mia pressed her clenched fist to her aching chest.
“A mating frenzy,” Thorin said. “It happens to certain species that have more primal animal instincts. It usually hits at specific times through their life, but it’s different f
or every species.”
“What triggered this?” she asked.
“The scent of the Neralla, maybe?” Thorin answered, his gaze heavy on Mia. “Or the presence of his mate. The one person who ignites his beast within. I don’t know enough about his species to be sure.”
Regan had told Mia that Thorin’s beast rose to the surface at times. He clearly knew what he was talking about.
“What’s going to happen?” Mia asked.
A muscle ticked in Thorin’s strong jaw. “It’s going to get worse. His body will be on fire, and without some release…”
Mia’s heart knocked hard against her ribs. She grabbed the gladiator’s arm. “What?”
“Most likely, he’ll slip into a coma.”
She gasped. No.
Galen cursed, running a hand through his dark hair.
Mia swallowed, realization dawning. “So he needs…sex?”
Thorin nodded. “And a lot of it. Usually a mating frenzy lasts for several hours.”
“What if we contain him?” Galen suggested. “Sedate him?”
Thorin shook his head. “The overload of hormones in his body needs to be purged. He’d still end up slipping into the coma.”
“A coma?” Mia repeated in disbelief. She pressed her hands together, terrified for Vek.
“And he’ll be in agony until that happens,” Thorin finished, a sympathetic look in his eyes.
Mia straightened, her thoughts racing. “I’m going in.”
Galen stepped in front of her, blocking her way. “Mia.”
Harper joined the imperator. “Mia, you don’t have to do this.”
“He could hurt you,” Galen continued.
Mia shook her head fiercely. “Vek would never hurt me. He’s mine.” A sense of rightness filled her. He needed her help. No one in her life had ever really needed her. Her family were all composed, smart, and highly competent. None of them had ever asked her for help or needed her to do anything for them.
Galen looked into her face, that one, ice-blue eye staring at her like he could see right through her.
“Harper, grab Mia and Vek’s gear, and take it up to the cave. I doubt that Vek will tolerate a male near him or Mia right now.”
Mia gave Galen a shaky smile. “Thank you.” She set her shoulders back and walked up to the cave entrance.
She stood there for a second, hesitating, and another deep roar echoed from inside. Oh, Vek.
Harper appeared, dumping blankets, pillows, and packs at Mia’s feet. She cleared her throat. “Mia, you don’t—”
“It’ll be fine.” She looked at her friend. “If it was your man in there, what would you do?”
She saw the answer in the woman’s eyes. Harper had fallen in love with Raiden, and Mia knew the woman would do anything to save the man she loved.
“Vek saved me. He stood up for me. But I won’t pretend this is all about him,” Mia admitted quietly.
Understanding echoed on Harper’s face. The woman reached out and gave Mia a tight hug. “You’re hiding a gladiator’s courage in that small body.”
“I’m making this up as I go. I just know I’m not abandoning him.”
As Harper left, Mia turned, blocking everything out except Vek. She crouched and scooped all the gear into her arms and stepped into the cave.
Inside was nearly pitch black. She set the blankets and pillows down on one side, and then reached into a pack and felt around until she pulled out a small travel lantern. She touched a button and a golden glow filled the space. It didn’t illuminate the entire cave and she stared into the darkness at the back of the cavern.
She wondered how far back it went. And where was Vek?
She heard a low growl.
The sound raised the hairs on the back of her neck, but Mia pressed her lips together and made herself walk forward.
Vek needed her.
She pulled in a deep breath and reached up. She opened the buttons on her shirt and shrugged it off. Her breasts were so small that she hadn’t bothered with any sort of bra or support. Then, she quickly undid the fastenings on her trousers and let them slide down her legs.
Wearing only her panties, she stepped forward. “Vek?”
There was a predatory silence. Heavy and weighted. She swallowed, her skin tightening. She knew something hungry was watching her from the darkness.
She saw a slide of something in the shadows, and forced herself to stay still, even though some deep, old, instinctual part of her brain wanted her to run.
Then he stalked out of the darkness. His hot golden gaze on her.
He was naked. Her gaze was drawn to his large, muscled body. She took it all in—his ripped muscles, his strong arms, his powerful thighs. The huge cock that made her heart trip. He was wild, primal, fierce.
He came in close, and she smelled him—man and musk. He circled her, making low growling sounds in his throat. An electric tingle spread over her skin.
“Pretty,” he drawled.
She trembled. As he crossed back in front of her, she saw that his markings were the darkest she’d ever seen them. A black the same color as deepest space.
He stepped up close, his chest brushing hers. He leaned down, and she felt his nose touch her cheek, then slide over her skin. He breathed her in, and she felt his breath panting against her skin.
Mia tilted her head back to give him better access. He growled and pulled her onto her tiptoes, his tongue licking along her neck. She shivered, spiky sensations racing through her. She went damp between her thighs. Then he scraped his teeth down her skin and she cried out.
“Mia.” A guttural, hungry growl.
Sweet relief filled her. He knew who she was. “I’m here, Vek. For you.”
He lifted his head, and his mouth landed on hers. His tongue swept into her mouth, devouring her. Like he wouldn’t survive if he didn’t get enough of her.
Vek let out an untamed growl, his big hands sliding up and down her back. Mia felt his thick cock brushing against her belly. She reached between them and circled her hands around it. God, he was so big. He groaned, rocking his hips against her. She stroked him, marveling at how hard he was.
“You like that?” she asked.
“Yes.” His hips bucked against her touch.
She saw the veins and muscles straining under his blue skin. “Touch me, Vek.”
His big hands cupped her breasts and she choked back a cry. Just one rough touch and her body was going up in flames.
Then he stepped back and slid a hand into her short hair, cradling her skull in his big palm. “Mia.” A strained sound. “Can I have you?”
Everything in her, every cell, vibrated with need. With the sense of rightness that was growing stronger every second.
“You can have me, Vek. I’m all yours.”
Another untamed growl. He dropped to his knees and then gripped her panties. With one violent flick of his wrist, they were torn off. As the silky fabric fluttered to the ground, his arms wrapped around her. He surged upright and lifted her into his arms. As he carried her over to the pile of blankets, she felt the brush of his cock against her thighs.
Mia’s breaths were coming fast now, anticipation clawing at her.
Vek lowered her down and pushed her onto her back with a big palm pressed to her belly. He was staring at her, his gaze focused, and his chest heaving. He stroked his hands over her, touching her everywhere—her breasts, down her sides, across her belly, down her legs. He touched her like he was memorizing every part of her skin. Then he leaned down and pressed an opened-mouthed kiss to her belly. She writhed, her fingers sliding into his hair.
Then she felt his hand traveling up her thigh. His fingers delved between her legs, and she rocked against his touch.
She looked into his face and gasped. A set of fangs had descended in his mouth. His normal white teeth were still there, but there was also a pair of black, glistening fangs. They looked like they were made of obsidian.
“Vek?”
His lips parted, and she saw two golden drops of fluid form on the end of the fangs.
Before she could wonder what it was, he kissed her again. A glorious taste filled her mouth. Oh. Oh, God. Her belly contracted, desire racing through her. She still tasted Vek, but she realized the fluid mixed with her desire and enhanced it—like drinking a glass of exquisite wine.
She surged against his big body. “Vek, I need you.”
He crouched over her, his gaze never leaving her face. Then he sat back, his hands circling around her thighs. He tugged her closer, making her gasp, until her legs were splayed over his hard thighs.
He paused, his gaze traveling over her, an unsure look on his face.
Mia reared up and brushed her fingers against his cheek. She had to remember that this was his first time. “Take me, Vek.”
That was clearly enough to reassure him. He circled his cock and brought it between her thighs. She felt the broad head brush through her folds. Oh, God. She tensed, and reached out, her hands gripping the blankets beneath her.
Vek thrust inside her. She made a strangled sound, and felt the burning sting that accompanied his entry. She was stretched so far, she could barely stand it.
Any uncertainty he’d felt was gone. With a deep groan, he pushed forward, lodging himself deep inside her. He was following instinct now, and he started thrusting into her, over and over.
Mia’s breasts bobbed with each thrust. She was pinned between the fabric beneath her and the hard man above her. He gripped her bottom, lifting her up to meet the hard drive of his cock. He was making a wild snarling sound that mingled with Mia’s cries. Her body was alive with fierce need, a massive rush of sensation drowning her.
“Vek. Vek!”
He slammed relentlessly into her. She felt his muscles tensing, and knew his release was getting closer. He reared forward, his chest close to her, covered in a sheen of perspiration.
“Touch my clit,” she panted.
He reached down, his thumb brushing the swollen nub between her legs. Pleasure crashed into her and she grabbed his shoulders, her nails sinking deep.
Mia’s orgasm sucked her under, bigger and wilder than anything she’d experienced before. As she rode out her release, she watched Vek’s body stiffen. He thrust deep one last time, buried to the root, and threw his head back.
