Arie licked her lips thoughtfully and shifted in Rager’s embrace. She pulled herself up to straddle his legs, and with one hand she gripped both his cocks and lined him up. This was going to be a tight fit but she practically quaked with the need to try. Warol had stoked her passion, but she needed more to satisfy it. Rager froze in surprise as she pressed them against her cunt.
She huffed and whimpered as she gradually slid down over them. She knew her body could stretch to accommodate the girth of his cocks, and sure enough she was able to sink on to him bit by bit. There was a painful burn, but her pleasure rode higher and she moaned loudly when she finally took the fullness of him into her. Rager groaned and dropped his head back as he struggled with his own pleasure, his cocks throbbing inside her as if threatening their own imminent release. Arie gasped and shifted forward, pulling herself partially off of them before sinking back down, making them both shiver.
By the gods, it was fantastic!
She rode him at a gentle pace, allowing herself to become used to the feel of both his cocks stuffed inside her pussy. Kyx panted as he paced behind them, his cocks bobbing with his movements, copious fluid seeping out of them as they seemed to also become more engorged. Arie sat one hand against her tailbone and leaned forward, beckoning him closer with her fingers. He seemed to get the message because he was on her within seconds, his primary phallus sliding into her fingers. She tilted her ass as she gripped his primary cock tighter and began to stroke it. She bumped his pleasure shaft against her back entrance in silent invitation. She wondered if both pleasure shafts might be stimulated to vibrate.
Kyx needed no further encouragement. His bumpy member slid easily into her hole, well-lubricated from her own wetness and Warol’s seed. She squeezed her fingers around his cock as he thrust into her, his cock sliding between her fingers with every quick movement of his hips.
Rager chose that moment to jerk his hips up and growl, his eyes rolling back into his head, and Arie was nearly bucked off when he began to drive into her pussy from below in time with Kyx. Their growls of desire surrounded her, their claws scraping erotically against her skin as they adjusted their grip upon her. Rager’s mating bulge swelled inside her, locking them together even as she felt Kyx’s bulge become firmer and harder against her palm.
When the two pleasure shafts began to vibrate, Arie screamed out her ecstasy. It was so strong that her body felt like it shattered. All her senses seemed to disappear, and only dimly did she hear the dual roars of her mates and felt the hot splashes of their cum, Rager inside of her and Kyx over her ass and hips. It seemed to take forever before she sank back down into full alertness, still pressed between the bodies of her mates. Warol looked on with the corners of his mouth tipped up.
“I want to try that next time,” he said with a chuckle.
Both males groaned out their sated, exhausted pleasure, and Arie, draped bonelessly between them, couldn’t find the energy to do more than laugh.
24
Warol inhaled the cool spring air and turned to look at his family exiting the cave just behind him. It was the perfect day to begin their journey home. Days of rain had delayed them, but it had done its work melting much of the snow. Now the warm sun shone down on them, and the snow was shallow in most areas. There were plenty of bare patches with grass and flowers shooting through, and few deeper drifts. He found himself grinning like a rog at the sight of their mate exiting the cave, her eyes squinting against the sun, a pleased smile on her face. Rager, as was his norm, hovered behind her, his ears and eyes alert.
As Arie stopped to adjust the supple skin of her leather dress, Kyx bounded past them, making her laugh. Rager’s ears flattened, startled by the younger Ragoru bursting past them, but even he huffed in amusement. Spirits were understandably high. They were finally leaving for their territory. Although the sudden appearance of huntsmen had been dealt with, none of them wanted to chance lingering any longer than they had to.
Even Emala and her mates were preparing a wagon they’d acquired to transport their possessions. Although Kyx was unhappy leaving his parents behind, Korash had insisted they would meet Warol and Kyx at the bordering markers of their territory within a week’s time. Until then, the den was well-hidden, and Korash was confident that he could protect his family if any huntsmen were unlikely enough to cross into their territory. Warol, having seen two of the males in action, did not doubt it.
Rager shouldered the leather pack that Arie had made containing her spare dresses and the travel rations that Emala had gifted them. Made from meat cooked down in fat with harvested summer berries, they were filling and didn’t taste all that bad. They would make traveling much easier than their previous practice of relying on the stores of dried meat that they’d stocked their caves with over the summer months.
There was something to be said for human ingenuity. Not that the Ragoru didn’t have their own skills; it had just never occurred to him to make a fatty, energy-providing food that could be carried with him when hunting and drying meat had worked well enough.
With his peripheral eye he watched Kyx disappear through some trees, but kept his primary eyes on his surroundings. Finally, he turned to move out in the same direction, knowing that Arie was directly behind, guarded on both sides by him and Rager. It was in that manner they traveled uneventfully through the forest. Every now and again, Kyx reappeared from out of nowhere as he circled back to check on them or suggest an alternate route to Rager. This part of the forest was familiar to Kyx, and his sires had not allowed any predatory plants to take root anywhere near their territory.
Still, call it his particular brand of paranoia, but Warol couldn’t help but feel like everything was happening a little too easily. After their encounter with the huntsmen four days ago, he’d been vigilant, expecting another attack that didn’t come. It didn’t seem likely that they wouldn’t have tried again, or at least attacked them while they were vulnerable traveling through the forest. But there was no sign of huntsmen, and though the forest seemed quieter than normal, it was otherwise undisturbed. That didn’t stop the itch between his shoulders that told him something would happen.
The cave Kyx led them to was small, much smaller than they were accustomed to sleeping in even when it was just their triad before Arie had joined their family, but it was still suitable for shelter. Rager, who carried their exhausted mate the last few miles, deposited her gently on the floor. This cave had no furs to pad their resting place, but they’d make do for the night. Kyx pulled Arie onto his chest so she could rest easy while he stretched out beneath her, his own eyes half-shut in exhaustion.
Warol looked down at them with a wide grin. He glanced over at Rager as he circled what little room there was available in the cave.
“I don’t think Kyx is going to move any time soon.”
Rager glanced down at the couple curled up together on the ground, the corners of his mouth kicking up.
“Kyx has earned his rest and then some. The cave appears to be secure. I will go out to see if there is any fresh game available. It is best to save the rations if we can.”
Warol nodded, his attention focusing on the entrance of the cave. “While you hunt, I will scout a bit farther around the cave for any sign of a threat. I wouldn’t care to have huntsmen, rival Ragoru, or any manner of predator sneak up on us while we sleep.”
Rager sighed. “It does seem as if things are not quite right. I would have expected something more, unless our encounter with the huntsmen truly was an isolated group. They surely had plenty of time to attack us at any point during our travel today. Be thorough, Warol, and I will also keep an ear to the wind.”
Warol parted from the cave with a sense of urgency. The quicker he was able to verify their security and get back, the better. Even as he left the cave, he couldn’t help the gnawing feeling in his belly that there was something he was missing. He sniffed the air, drawing it into his lungs, his eyes and ears alert. When nothing greeted him but silence and the clean, s
harp taste of the air, he loped away from the cave, his senses alert for any possible discrepancy.
Arie curled into the soft fur of Kyx’s belly, her breath stirring the strands with every exhale. Kyx rumbled beneath her, his mouth curving in a content smile. Leaning forward, she pressed her lips against the side of his muzzle. All four of his arms immediately wrapped around her, pressing her close to him. Arie smiled, relishing the closeness. She didn’t think anything could possibly disrupt the peace of that moment. Without Rager and Warol there, the cave was silent save for the soft sounds of their breathing.
Kyx arched beneath her as her fingers trailed down his pecs and abs, neither of them able to resist the sweet torment of the way they rested against each other. Arie began to slide her hands down Kyx’s belly when a light sound, like the faint jingle of metal, caught her attention. Before she could even turn her head, her mate spun her beneath him, his body rigid. A threatening growl rose from his chest, his arms braced around her, protectively caging her in as several men burst into the cave.
They came out of nowhere and in such numbers that they were quickly surrounded before Kyx could properly assume a defensive position. They were left vulnerable in the center of the cave where they’d been resting, all sides exposed to the enemy.
That didn’t stop Kyx. He valiantly tried again and again to strike, but every time he turned at an angle to protect against an assault from one, another pushed forward to attack.
Whenever they were able to get close enough, the huntsmen stabbed at Kyx with their knives. Not one raised a rifle against him, but shooting him probably would have been a mercy compared to the torture they submitted him to. The humans were clear in their desire. Their faces were twisted cruelly with hatred as they struck, the shallow cuts slowly draining blood from her mate. He yelped with every impact but refused to allow her up from beneath his cover no matter how much she begged him.
When two of the huntsmen looped chains around his neck at either side, Arie wept and clung to him, trying desperately to work the chain off. Her fingernails broke below the quick, drops of her blood smearing across his fur, but it was to no avail. By seizing the chains, the men were able to pull Kyx away from her. He snarled and roared with helpless fury even as Arie fought off the hands grabbing at her. She cried out, her heart breaking as the men dragged Kyx back against the wall of the cave and cut into his flesh with their short blades.
Arie’s view was obscured by the huntsmen restraining her, but their laughter taunted her. Even though she couldn’t see him, she could still hear every pained cry and every desperate growl.
He was suffering.
She screamed and jerked forward, breaking free of her captors’ grips only to be knocked to the ground without mercy. A hard boot pinned her between her shoulders, pressing her chest flat.
Finally, one stepped just far enough that she was able to see the blood flowing freely from one of Kyx’s eyes. Arie wailed out her horror, her grief swallowing her as the man pinning her yanked back on her hair with one hand so she would be forced to watch her mate die. Arie wouldn’t have turned her eyes away even if she could. Kyx deserved better than that; he deserved her to be present with him as he suffered so he didn’t die alone with no kindness or love looking upon him.
His right eyes shifted to stare at her with deep sorrow. Yet there was also love. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she realized that he was using the last of his strength to tell her—however silently—that he loved her. She mouthed the words back to him and he smiled just as his eyes closed. His weakened body sagged between them, and the huntsmen dropped him to the ground, chortling as they did so.
From among the cluster of dark-blue capes, a familiar man stepped forward, an unpleasant smirk on his lips as he looked down at Kyx. The insignias of his accomplishments were embroidered near the neckline of his cape, but it was the cruelty stamped into his face that she recognized in Huntsman Merik.
Arie renewed her struggles, but he didn’t offer her so much as a glance. Instead, he clasped the man nearest to him on the shoulder. It was one who had been holding Kyx’s chains, the youth no doubt earning Merik’s favor.
“Should we end the beast?” he asked Merik, his voice nearly trembling with his lust for the Ragoru’s death. Merik shook his head, his smile widening.
“No, I think not. A quick end would be far too merciful. Let it die painfully and alone and serve as a warning to the other males to steer far from humans if they do not wish for the same end.”
His cold eyes settled on Arie and she felt her breath lock up in her lungs for a terrible moment as he walked toward her. He pinched her chin with his index finger and thumb and forced her to look into his eyes. She stared at him with all the hate she could muster. He chuckled and released her chin to pat her condescendingly on the head.
“And you, my dear girl. You have been quite the trouble for the Order. Your village contracted me to find you and recover anything of value you may have absconded with. I was to return with you to the village to mete their justice, which I would have been all too happy to help them with. I don’t look kindly on those who would… cavort… with Ragoru. It is unnatural and against the will of the Divine Mother.”
“The Order and the horrors you commit are against the will of the Mother,” Arie bit out. Merik frowned and nodded to the huntsman at her side. The butt of a rifle jabbed her in the gut, making her wheeze painfully.
His brow wrinkled with regret and he turned away with a flick of his wrist. “Word travels quickly within the Order, and apparently your dear grandmother is very well-connected. She has specifically requested your return, which means I have my orders to bring you to the Citadel. However, since there are still my clients to satisfy, I will be taking this,” he laughed as he ripped her pack away from her, “and returning it to them myself after we see to your… safety.”
Merik stepped away from her, wiping his gloved hands off as if touching her had contaminated him. His smile chilled her to the marrow of her bones. “Bring her to the camp.”
Arie’s head dropped, her eyes instinctively seeking out the prone form of her mate. The entire side of his face had been savaged and appeared to be a bloody mess. He was dying, if not already dead, and Arie could do nothing more than weep bitter tears as they dragged her away.
Part III
The Huntsman
25
The tent Arie was thrown into lacked any sort of comforts. The tan canvas was soiled in many places by sweat and substances she did not even want to identify, some of which she suspected may have been blood. It had a foul and musty smell to it that made her dry heave. She was tossed onto a sleeping pad with zero consideration for possible injury that could have been done to her. She cracked open one of her eyes, swollen from weeping, and watched as her two “escorts” filed out of the tent, leaving her to her isolation.
At least, she thought she was alone. Movement in the back of the tent had her stifling a shriek as she backed away. The lump that raised off a far pallet rose up from its furs and hobbled toward her, its body battered and bruised. Dried blood caked its fur and the long locks of hair. As it neared, Arie squinted. There was something vaguely familiar about the wretched creature.
“Red-hair? Yes, it is you. They found you. Now they will let me go home, yes?” The female’s voice grew more excited as she spoke.
Arie’s mouth dropped open in horror. It was the feral woman who aided Warol when he’d recovered Arie from the ehurmu village. But that was months ago! How did the huntsmen capture the feral woman? And why?
“What happened to you?” Arie whispered, her hands reaching out to touch the larger woman, but the woman shied away from her touch.
Essi shambled to the side, her head lolling a little, her heavy brow drawn down over her eyes. Her three breasts were scarred over as if someone had attempted to amputate them, her body bare of fur where the red scars stretched over her.
“The flat-face men came to Ehurmuvale saying they are looking for red-haire
d woman.” Her eyes narrowed with hatred. “They were looking for you. They killed the ehurmu one at a time. They would have killed me, but I traded for my life. I told them that the beast-men were with you. I say I can find you—ehurmu are good trackers. They hurt me bad, but now they have you. I will be free…!” she laughed, her voice rising with giddy laughter.
Essi barreled past, pushing Arie out of her way as she rushed to the side of the tent, her hands slapping against the canvas.
“Let me out!” she shrieked. “You have the ugly red-hair. Let me out. I want to go home.”
Arie recoiled as the flap of the tent suddenly flung open and Merik stepped in, his face coldly detached, devoid of any expression as he stared down at the pitiful creature. Arie could not detect an ounce of compassion in him as she watched him arch an eyebrow.
“What is all this noise, Essi?” he inquired with a polite, even voice.
He spoke as if he was merely inquiring about the welfare of an inconsequential guest. Filled with a sudden dread, Arie slinked back, hoping to remain unnoticed in what was sure to be a disaster. Essi, ignoring any self-preservation instinct she must have had, ran toward him eagerly. Her fingers plucked at his cape as she bleated at him.
“You have the red-hair. You promised to set me free. Please do it now. I want to go home.” Her voice breaking down into a long wail as she clung to the fabric.
Merik’s face distorted with distaste as he pulled his cape free of her grip. His hand tucked down against his hip as he reached forward to grip her shoulder.
“Essi, you have done well,” he crooned. “You are right. You deserve to be free and with your brethren again. It is remiss of me to have delayed your reunion. Am I right?”
Red: A Dystopian World Alien Romance Page 19
