by L G Nauck
Alena found her face turning to press into his chest, allowing him to pet her as she sobbed. He was the one who did this to her. He had taken everything.
She wished she could tear his heart out like he had done to hers.
But instead, she just allowed herself to sob and feel miserable. They sat like that for what felt like hours. Until Alena’s heart gave up and blissful numbness overtook her again. It was then she was able to allow the comforting touch to send her away into a dead sleep.
Even if that touch was a lie, it was all she had right now.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alena was never one to give up.
She had fought her entire life.
She had learned how to live on the streets by herself, fending off those who wanted to take advantage of her.
She had taught herself how to catch prey and feed herself.
She had survived off scraps for most of her life.
She would not allow herself to be defeated.
So, here were the problems she currently had.
A bond had formed which meant she was somehow unable to kill Tane.
He was somehow in her head, able to read her thoughts.
This meant he would be able to read any of her plans to harm or escape him.
He could track her for long distances.
So, where could she go from here?
She needed to learn about how mating worked. How the bonds formed and what she could do to control it. If he was able to read her thoughts, wouldn’t that also mean she could read his? That could be helpful in the future.
Feeling energized, Alena had all but ran to the library and began to sort through books like a mad-woman. She had found one book on Meticians and began flipping through it, finding various information on different breeds and their histories. Each had a small section on mating practices but didn’t go into details.
She had found out some Meticians were less aggressive than others though. Remarkably enough, some were quite tame and peaceful. It seemed to all depend on the spirit within them. This would be useful in the future if she ever ran into any other Meticians. Perhaps she didn’t need to hate the whole species.
Alena was so absorbed in reading through a stack of books that were subtly related to Meticians and mating practices that she did not notice someone else entering the room.
“It’s good to see you up and about. I also heard you have gotten to be even more of a badass. You’ve been channeling your inner tigress, I see.”
Alena swung her head around to glare at Serena who was slowly approaching her, a confident grin on her face.
“Don’t you have somewhere else you can skulk around?”
Alena knew she sounded angry, but she didn’t care. Although the Metician had sort of helped her in the past, Alena had no doubt the other woman had no interest in helping her. She only cared about what gave her the best show. Alena didn’t like being a pawn.
“Tsk, tsk. You should be more aware of your surroundings. You jumped about three feet in the air when I announced my presence. I know you have some fighter skills but that is something you definitely have to improve on. Someone could have easily come in and slit your throat before you even turned a page.”
“Noted.”
Alena grated out, turning her attention back to the paragraph she had been reading, dismissing the tiger Metician that was now leaning her hip again the table Alena was at.
“Metician history? Looking for some weak spots?”
Alena ignored the other woman.
“I could give you some information. I have a wealth of knowledge I am all too happy to share. Anything in particular you would like to know about?”
Alena paused, considering the offer. She didn’t trust the other woman, but so far, her information had not been wrong. She worked in the best interest of the king though… but she had also helped Alena in some ways. It might be worth a shot, especially since it seemed she wouldn’t find any answers in these books.
“What can you tell me about mating bonds?”
The self-satisfied grin that spread across Serena’s face made Alena regret her decision.
“Trying to decide how to get out of it? Or how to manipulate it?”
Alena froze, unsure of where to go from here. What was the other woman thinking? Would she report everything back to Tane so he could develop some kind of new control method over her?
“No worries. To those outside of the Metician world, mating would be overwhelming. Hell, it is overwhelming to most of us. It is a practice developed to make both parties stronger. I guess you could call it a defense mechanism. To increase the whole ‘survival of the fittest.’ Two are better than one… blah blah.”
Alena paused but decided to ask her questions. What could it hurt? She was already in the deep end.
“He’s in my head. I cannot…control my body all the time.”
Serena’s grin…or perhaps it was a smirk, grew.
“That is the bond increasing. When one’s energy enters another, that is what happens. But that can go both ways.”
“Both ways?”
Serena pushed her ass onto the table and crossed her legs. The slit in her dress parted to reveal her long, toned legs. The way she was perched on the table made her think of a cat. Her every movement appeared graceful and poised. However, whenever the other woman perched herself somewhere or walked, it seemed as if her body was always alert and ready. To pounce perhaps.
“Tane poured his energy into you by marking you. That is usually done through a bite. But it should be possible for you too. The mating bond is not meant to control but to benefit both involved. Typically, the male will do most of the biting and transfer of energy for biological purposes. I’m sure you’ve heard of all the tricky ways in which evolution has adapted animal penises to boost reproductive success. The same goes for Meticians. As for being in your head… well that is another bond perk. To communicate telepathically. However, no one can take up residence in your head without your permission.”
Alena’s teeth snapped together, “I certainly didn’t allow him in my head!”
Serena chuckled, never losing her aura of being at ease and in control. Alena envied that to a degree.
“You just do not know the power you have yet. You can send him spiraling out of your head easily, you just haven’t had to do it before. All the tools and information you need is within yourself. Hell, I heard about some of the beasties you have been summoning, and I have to say, I am quite impressed. All that from pure will-power.”
Alena glanced at Sasha who was currently playing with a ball of string in the corner. She had summoned the creature again without a thought. The green fox would come and go sporadically but it always seemed to be there when Alena felt like she needed some support. Perhaps the spirits could sense her emotions.
“How do I begin to do those things?”
“If I told you, that would take all the fun and self-discovery out of it. However, I can tell you that you won’t find anything in those books. Everything you need is within that pretty little head of yours.”
Alena sighed tiredly, “That’s not very helpful.”
“I can’t give you all the answers.” The cat-like woman flashed her fangs before leaning backwards to prop herself up on her elbows, her long red hair cascading around her.
“Now, I find you fascinating. How did such a powerful girl come to be at an orphanage all alone? How did she survive?”
Alena scoffed and turned away.
“That’s none of your business.”
“Perhaps. But I have come to think of us as a type of…friends. I enjoy seeing you grow and develop. And even though you may not think it, I really do want to see you succeed.”
Alena gave Serena a skeptical look, but the tigress simply shrugged her shoulders, the smile still firmly in place.
“I grew up in a family that did not like females. My father only wanted sons and the fact that his mate only ever gave him a daughter threw him in
to a rage. I was trained mercilessly. My father would fight me every chance he could get. Not because he cared about developing my skills, but I think he just enjoyed taking out his frustration on me. I went to bed with bruises and broken bones many days. He also made my mother’s life miserable. He loved to make others suffer. I killed him as soon as I could.”
Alena gave Serena her full-attention then, surprise clearly broadcasted across her face.
The tiger shrugged, seemingly uncaring as she recounted the story. Had she blocked out the emotions or did she simply not care?
“I see your look but that is all part of life. Especially within the Metician world. Tane was also pushed beyond his limits many times. He was raised to believe he was the only line of defense for his kingdom against countless foes. And I guess, in many ways, that is true. A kingdom is only as strong as its’ king.”
Alena looked away, not wanting to think about Tane’s upbringing or anything that would humanize him. He was evil.
“I don’t know how I came to be an orphan, I only remember being alone. I lived off the streets until I was about eight and was picked up by the orphanage. There’s not much to my story.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
Alena glanced at Serena to see her staring at her intently. The focus on her was unnerving.
“Of course, there were difficult times, those who tried to take advantage of a lonely little girl. But I survived. I dreamed of building a life for myself. One where I could finally be in control.”
If the other woman felt guilty, she didn’t show it.
“You have power within yourself. Don’t be a victim.”
She wasn’t sure how to respond to that. She was a victim. A victim of selfishness and someone else’s plan. It wasn’t fair. Alena’s eyes widened as she realized that her entire life had not been fair. Neither had Serena’s. But she had survived. And Serena had taken back her power. Just as she could. She just needed to find out how.
What did she currently have? She had survival skills from living on the streets alone. She had powers she was beginning to develop. And she was currently a queen. She had tools she could use. And she would. If she couldn’t kill him now, she would figure out how to take everything away from him and hurt him until he wished he was dead. She would build herself up so no one would be able to touch her again.
Alena turned to address Serena again but found the tiger Metician had slipped out without her knowing. Alena felt a smile curving her lips. The tigress had given her something important and she wouldn’t squander it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was time.
Kathal was moving and Tane had received intel that they were moving further into his territory. They would be at Omnu soon. He would need to gather his division and meet them before they unleashed fury on the city. And, of course, the king needed his special weapon.
He found her in the middle of sparring with one of his soldiers. He stood to the side, watching her body swiftly twist and turn, her sword making contact with her partner’s weapon before she would roll away. She was gorgeous.
When he had watched her during the competition, he had been marginally impressed by her skills. But this female? She now had a confidence, grace, and deadly intent that made her appear all the more dangerous. And even more intoxicating.
There was a blur and then a hiss. The subtle scent of blood hit him like a ton of bricks. Tane’s instincts automatically kicked into over-drive as he surged forward. His soldiers immediately noticed and moved away, standing straight as they awaited command. The Metician that had been fighting his mate immediately dropped his sword and bowed, realizing his error.
Tane could feel his rage as he lifted his hand, claws sharpening. Pure rage filled him as one thought entered his mind.
Someone had dared to harm his mate.
They would pay.
The offender knew his punishment as he hung his head, accepting his fate. You could not argue against the king. There was only compliance.
As he raised his hand, preparing to deliver the crushing blow, his path was blocked. The scent of her blood surrounded him and causing him to snarl, his eyes meeting her violet ones.
“What do you think you are doing!?”
“Move.”
“No.”
The was a ripple of unease as his men prepared for whatever kind of backlash there would be. A Metician mate would occasionally refuse her male. It was not common though. And the fact that she was human made it unheard of. It was her male’s right to strike down those who had caused her harm. It was his job to protect her. She should be proud and grateful.
Tane’s eyes narrowed but hers followed suit.
“I don’t know why you are now trying to pick a fight with my sparring partner, but you will have to wait your turn.”
“You have been hurt and the cost of that is death.”
“That is ridiculous! The only way I’m going to get better is to learn from my mistakes and get hurt. I told him to fight me with all of his strength because I was tired of your servants treating me like I am a porcelain doll that cannot defend herself.”
Tane’s eyes narrowed.
“They should have never accepted such a ridiculous request. You are my mate and therefore must be protected.”
He went to push her out of his way, but she batted him away.
“How do you expect me to be able to fight if I can’t train? Do you want me to be an easy target?”
His eyes narrowed as he studied her, the logic penetrating his protective instinctual haze. He did admire his mate’s spirit. But the fact she was placing herself in danger would need to stop once she starts gestating. Luckily, that was not a pressing concern since he needed her for the upcoming battle. Perhaps her training would be valuable. He looked from the cut on her forearm to the soldier who was currently kneeling behind her, awaiting his fate.
His instinct demanded that he kill the male for daring to get close enough to his mate and harm her. But his logical brain told him he was being irrational.
He turned his attention back to his little mate and grabbed her, swinging her over his shoulder. Her surprised yelp and feel of her soft body against his shoulder did wonders for quieting his beast. Though it awakened other urges.
“Carry on with your business.”
He ordered as he walked off, his prize in possession.
“You are the definition of primitive.”
He ignored her, moving until they were out of sight from everyone. He gently moved her off his shoulder and set her on the ground, kneeling in front of her.
He ignored her look of surprise as he moved her arm so he could inspect the cut. It was not deep. Only more of a surface wound.
“I’m fine.”
Alena studied Tane, eyeing him suspiciously. Yea, the beast loved blood and violence, so it would make sense that he would want to kill one of his lackeys. Of course, he would be upset that his broodmare was potentially damaged. But this pretense at gentleness…
Even when she had been riding on his shoulder, he had moved with a pace that would ensure she did not jar against him. He had moved her slowly and cautiously. He tilted her arm back and forth before drawing it towards himself, forcing her to lean forward on her knees. Her eyes widened as she saw him bring her arm towards his mouth.
“What are you-“
And then he was licking at her wound. She sat there stunned as he gently licked away her blood. Not only was she amazed by the look of serenity on his face and the way he was treating her, but she was also amazed at the tingling numbness that was originating from her arm. Did he have some sort of healing salve in his saliva? She watched silently as he worked, unable to form any kind of verbal response. What was she supposed to say?
She waited patiently until he moved away. But he lingered before letting go of her arm, allowing her to withdraw once again. She sat back down against the ground, glancing at her arm before allowing it to fall to her side.
“I guess
I would need to say thank you at this point but I’m sure it would have healed on its’ own. And I can lick my own wounds.”
They sat there silently, neither one speaking for some time. She was uncomfortable. What did he want? She preferred the side of him that was cruel. Because that was who he really was. It wasn’t confusing her mind with thinking he could have another side. That he could be humanized. He was a beast who enjoyed inflicting pain. There was nothing else to him.
Neither one of them spoke for some time, choosing to instead sit in silence.
Finally, she decided to break the uncomfortable silence.
“I need to train.”
She forced herself to look up at him and noticed him looking directly at her. The heat in his gaze made hers’ drop once again. Even though it made her feel ashamed to show weakness, it made her even more uncomfortable to see emotion coming from this wolf.
“Yes. But you must also be safe. You will train with me from now on.”
She looked up then, fury filling her.
“There is no way!”
“This is the only way. Either you train with me, by yourself, or no one. No other creature will touch you.”
“That’s what this is about!? Some kind of possessive nonsense!?”
“There will be no discussion on this. This is just how it is.”
She bristled as she glared at him. This is what she liked. No pretenses. She wanted the hate.
“Is this my degree of freedom?”
She spat out angrily and braced herself for some kind of backlash. After a couple minutes of silence, Alena glanced up and saw him still studying her, but the heat was now replaced with a different kind of interest.
“There is an approaching army coming from the South.”
Her eyes widened as she processed his words.
“What does that mean?”
“How ready do you feel to step out?”
She paused, surprised that this time had finally come. Somewhere in her mind she thought she would never be used as a weapon. To just keep training until she could fight back against her kidnappers. But to go to war? That thought had long since left her mind.
