by Pearl Tate
“Was it hard? Are you positive?” Councilor Kirley leans forward, the recording light in her eye flashing as she asks the questions everyone around the world wants to know.
“No. I’m positive.” I can’t help the antagonistic feelings I feel towards our whole society and especially the councilors right now. I know we are just following the challenge laws, but my mate is alone and her anxiety is escalating the longer we are in the tunnels.
We stop three more times at tunnel choices. One of them was a cavern with more than six exits at different points around the room. Jagged rocks and strange shadows move around the area as our lights flash. Hannah’s panic escalates and I yell at Chevepak to go faster even as I wave to the branch he should enter.
“I’m trying Bren, but this is the top speed between the walls and the terrain we are covering. The auto pilot keeps it from going any quicker in this environment.” We are all stunned as we pull up to another tunnel and see thousands of sheevas pouring out of the mouth of it. I know my time has run out.
As I spring from the vehicle, the sheevas dart away from me. They are everywhere on the floor as I cut through them, sprinting into the dark. A yellow haze is descending into my vision as the darkness creeps in, but I see perfectly. Everything is magnified, from Hannah’s accelerated heartbeat to her cries for me that are now bleeding through our connection. I can feel my own body respond as I accelerate, jump, and sprint towards where I know she is.
My clothes tighten and constrict before giving way and I can feel every hair on my body standing up, testing the air around me for the predator I know must be here. I see Hannah then, standing as still as a statue, not looking my way and my eyes are instantly pulled to the medica directly past her. I’ve never seen one in real life before. These are creatures of the caves, depicted in archives and documentaries but left alone to maintain the ecological system of the caverns.
No more! This one has come much too close to my Hannah. Springing past her, my body is on autopilot as I instinctively grab its neck from the back. I startle us both with my speed as it flips and tries to throw me off, hissing and arching.
When its jaws open, I take advantage by clinging to it with my legs and putting its upper jaw in my right hand with its bottom in my left. Sharp teeth graze my fingers as I pull with a mighty jerk and snap its jaw back and to the side. It’s still writhing beneath me as I pull its jaw bone off its head and flip it to the side.
“Bren! Oh, Bren, thank fucking god!” Hannah’s voice is elated as she calls to me from her tether. Grabbing the collar around her neck, she tugs it insistently. “Get this off me!” I’m by her side instantly and grasp the collar gingerly next to her hands, breaking it off her with a slight tug.
She’s climbing me the next second, and I embrace her. I’m so relieved! She wraps her entire body around me, squeezing me tightly.
I just breathe her in. I can hear not only my vehicle pulling up, but also the others behind it, doors opening and closing.
“What is that?”
“Is it alive?”
“Look at Bren!”
“Did he do that?”
The murmurs behind me continue and as I glance over, councilor Kirley Pelack is walking towards the carcass, assessing it for the archives, circling where she can.
Matthias clasps me on the shoulder and I’m surprised to look down at him. “Well, you did it now! You’re fucking huge, Bren. It’s a bit freakish but it will subside.”
“Don’t call him a freak! He’s perfect.” Hannah’s kind words make me speak up.
“I don’t really feel bigger.”
Matthias and Chevepak laugh. “Well you are. It will settle a bit. It’s the stress and a common side effect of the mating. A protective overdrive built into our system. You feel okay? Are your hands bleeding?”
“Bren! Are you bleeding? I’m sorry, I’ll get off you.” Hannah tries to wiggle away but I keep her planted firmly against me with no struggle.
“I’m fine and I am going to be holding you until we get the fuck out of here. I may not be able to put you down for a while.” I’m admitting this to myself as well as her. I feel better with her close. Our hearts settle into a familiar rhythm.
“Okay. I don’t want you to put me down but don’t squeeze too hard. My arm and shoulder are a little sore.” She winces, straightening and curling her arm back in.
“What happened?” I’m berating myself for not checking her for injuries right away.
Matthias pulls her arm from around my neck and starts pushing poking at her torn sleeve as she tells us. “One of those ant things tried to pull me along with it. I think it was trying to tell me to run. Is that possible?”
My heart freezes as the implications of what she says sinks in. “A sheeva bit you?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
- Hannah
“I’m not sure if it bit me…more like grabbed me with it’s mouth and dragged me.” Bren’s brother is tearing my sleeve totally open. Bren has gone still as he holds me.
“Her skin is unbroken.” Matthias’s voice is tense but relieved and I feel Bren relax.
“Let me at least see your hands.” Bren won’t let me wiggle away but I’m thankful his brother echoes my words. To be honest, I’m glad he won’t let me go. I never want him to put me down. He can plan to carry me the rest of the time we’re on his planet.
His friend who drove, pulls out what must be a first aid kit from the vehicle and Bren begrudgingly holds out one hand for inspection. Matthias sprays what must be a disinfectant and everyone breathes a sigh of relief as the blood is cleaned off, running to the ground. His skin is perfect with no cuts or abrasions.
“Fucking lucky.” The dark-haired friend says quietly.
Now that this is over, I feel exhausted. I’m tired but I want to go lay down with Bren and just relax. Be together and snuggle. Maybe more than snuggle? Yes, definitely.
I’m interrupted from my totally inappropriate thoughts by Kirley Pelack’s voice. “Congratulations Bren Khar, you have successfully proved your mating bond to all of Quasar. How do you feel?”
“Like I need to get my mate to safety. Any interviews will be scheduled through Matthias.” When he turns and walks away, I get a perfect view over his shoulder of councilor Kirley’s incredulous face darkening with frustration and anger. I wonder if they’re anything like Earth where there’s compensation to get the first exclusive interview on an event.
Bren arms tighten as he starts to jog. “Are you truly alright?”
Squeezing my arms around his neck tightly, as I watch Matthias, Chevepak and councilor Kirley Pelack climb into the vehicle to follow us.
I kiss his neck before answering. “I’m perfect now, thanks to you. You came just in time. That snake thing was definitely going to make a move on me. But that wasn’t even the worst of it. I just hate snakes!” I shiver convulsively just thinking about it.
Bren’s arms tighten, and his speed picks up, but I hear him perfectly in my ear. “Forgive me for letting that happen. You never should have been left alone. They claimed it was the way of the mating trials, but I believe that Vina Likana pushed for it to move forward that way to try and get rid of you. I hope you can forgive me for getting you into this.”
“Bren, there isn’t anything to forgive. This whole experience has been a turning point for me, but I wouldn’t trade it for you. You are worth it and that fucking bitch Vina knows it.” That fucking bitch needs a smack-down although I don’t think I will be the one to do it. How am I ever going to be nice to that woman? She’s my sister-in-law, just the same!
“Her pride was wounded and didn’t have anything to do with me personally. She just didn’t like having something that was supposed to be hers taken away.” Maybe. Maybe they are just all crazy.
Bren doesn’t hesitate at any turns and when the lights fade behind us because he is going so much faster, I just close my eyes.“You can see okay?” I whisper quietly as I melt into him.
“Perfectly
. We will be out soon. Just relax.” I do and he’s right. I’m not sure if I fell asleep or what but it seems like only a few minutes later, we’re walking out of the catacombs and the end of the tunnel is clogged with people.
“Bren! Wow! You look incredible! How do you feel?” There is a small ring of protection, pushing the crowd back behind a barrier set up near the twenty-foot drop, but Bren answers quickly.
“I feel great! I have my mate and she is safe. No thanks to the council who left her chained and alone in the catacombs.”
“What do you plan to do next to celebrate?”
“Take her to my home. Have a shower. Make love and be happy.” He isn’t looking at anyone but me now. His eyes smolder and I know exactly how serious he is.
“Bren!” Laughing, I slap his chest, smiling at him.
“What? It’s the truth.” The crowd is starting to push forward more as Bren’s brother hops out of the vehicle coming up behind us.
“Come on! I’ll take you home.” Bren doesn’t miss a beat and climbs in the backseat with me still in his lap. This time I know I fell asleep because I am having the best dream. It feels so good.
Smiling, I realize my side is pressing into a soft bed with a big, warm body cocooning my back. There’s a nip to my neck before a rough, spine tingling tongue teases the same area. I shiver slightly as warm breath soothes my skin after those teeth inspire an arousing spike through my body.
I moan. The hand sliding from my hip to the inside of my thigh, grips it firmly and spreads my legs. I can’t help groan from the pleasure as I feel the hard, thick cock tease my clit before lowering enough to enter me in a firm, slow thrust.
Perfect!
I grab at the arm, connected to the hand holding up my leg. I need something to hold onto.
Bren slides deeper into me as he utters a sexy rumble next to my ear. He starts fucking me slowly as I moan louder in response.
Gripping my leg up higher, I instinctively hook my foot behind his leg to get some traction. When his hand traces my inner thigh to my clit, I throw my head back against his chest and buck my hips to meet his thrusts.
His fingers find my center perfectly as they circle over the swelling bud.
Definitely not dreaming. And I don’t want to be. It’s too good to end.
Opening my eyes, I moan and my nails dig into the silky sheets beneath me along with his skin on his arm.
When he shifts his legs between mine, he drives into me a little deeper. Never stopping the perfect, slow rhythm that will drive me crazy.
My breathing gets ragged and I feel my nipples hardening. Bucking against him more frantically, I feel my release so close.
“Faster, Bren.” I’m begging softly. “Please, faster.”
“Soon but not yet.” His controlled growl just makes me hornier.
Gripping the bed sheets tightly to get a good hold, I move my hips, arching and shoving back at him.
His groans match mine as he slides into me harder. Deeper and faster, his fingers never stop applying the friction I need on my clit.
My bundle of nerves swell, loving what he does to them as his cock pounds inside me. He’s going to make me come.
My muscles tighten, the ecstasy is so intense, it’s nearly too much. Screaming, I jerk violently against him while he buries himself deep inside my pussy. The climax tears through me.
Bren roars his own release behind me as his hand leaves my clit and he pulls me tight against him.
I smile and relax as his own satisfaction leaks through our bond. It’s amazing how I can feel his arousal and release through our connection and each time aftershocks rock through him, they shudder pleasure through me and straight to my clit.
It’s soothing.
Turning my head to look at him, I decide that he looks perfect in the morning with his crazy hair. The happy smile on his lips make him look breathtaking. His eyes glint shades of green that I could happily stare into forever.
“I’m sorry I passed out on you.”
He just grins wickedly. “You just made up for it.”
“Did I?” I look at him closely to make sure he really feels that way. I feel kind of bad, but all the stress just really caught up to me. My thoughts are interrupted by a strange noise and for the first time, I take a look around.
The bedroom is small with the large bed dominating the room and Bren moans as he slowly pulls his still hard cock out of me. “That’s the door. It shouldn’t be anyone but my brother Matthias but stay here until I confirm that.”
He’s thrown on his robe before I can even move and I only get a brief glimpse of his fine ass before he shuts the door behind him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
- Bren
When my brother hears the locks release, he immediately enters, barely letting the door open all the way before slipping inside. “I’m sorry to be bothering you. I know it hasn’t been long, but I need to talk to you.” The panic in his voice makes me wonder what is going on now!
Clenching my fists, I try to relax and not jump to any conclusions. “What? Is there more trouble with the council?”
“No, everything is still going as scheduled but…I have a personal issue.” He’s panicking as he slides by me and settles into a chair, dropping his head into his hands.
“Personal issue?” Now I’m baffled.
I’m still clueless as he sits up straight and starts to shrug off his shirt.
“Nice! But I don’t understand?” Hannah’s arm snakes around my waist as she comes to stand by me. But her touch and questions don’t break my stunned stare. “I thought you guys got these naturally from mating? Like we did? Those look like light tattoo outlines.”
“I noticed these this morning. After my daily reflections. During which I had my first vision.”
I can’t help the huge smile that spreads across my face with this announcement. “Congratulations brother! This is wonderful.” I pause. “Tricky but wonderful. Where is she?”
He doesn’t smile or look particularly happy about this. “I have no idea, but she isn’t on this planet. It’s clear that things are not good for her. I have impressions, surprise then fear and now nothing. Almost as if she is not there any longer but the marks are still on me. From what I’ve read, if a mate passes, the marks will fade. She’s out there.” His eyes look tired and haunted as he waves absently into the air.
“But out where? Does this mean she’s human?” Moving to the seating area across from him, I pull Hannah into my lap.
“I’m positive she is human. What are the odds that after three thousand years, within weeks of each other, we find two different species that trigger the mating? No. She’s human.”
My mind is whirling with all the implications. “Travek,” I grit out.
Matthias looks confused, but Hannah is starting to understand.
“Travek must have her! Maybe they are getting close and that is why this happened.” Hannah’s excitement is infectious. I immediately move to contact him, but here is nothing but dead air and no response.
Matthias comes to his feet in anticipation, watching me carefully. When I shake my head no, his face shows defeat. “I know you were planning on taking some time off, maybe even being decommissioned from your station, but I need to go look for my mate.” Starting to pace, his agitation leaks into his hair which is starting to flare around his head.
“Will they let you? Is there anything in the laws about this? The mating urge showing after you have married another?” I think back to what I’ve ever heard but it’s so little.
“No because it’s never happened. When the mating died out, they literally just ended. It wasn’t a sporadic thing. It just ended and it took years before they realized that there would need to be other arrangements made. Our numbers dropped significantly and then by the time births started again, the male births outnumbered female three to one.”
Matthias stops to stand in front of us again. “But, I did find out that when the mating urge came up that you
could file a notice with whatever apprenticeship you were involved in for a six month leave to go find your mate and get things finalized. They were always granted and that’s what I want to do. And I was hoping you would take me. What was Travek’s plan? Can we assume he planned to meet up with the Discovery on the next rotation?”
“I don’t think there was a plan.” Hannah shrugs.
“Oh, there was a plan, but he never shared it with us. He and his men took off to go to Earth and see if the mating urge would affect them, or so he said. You know that isn’t our territory and the Ashen are very dangerous when crossed. What I don’t understand is why this is happening now. What are the similarities here now, that make it how Hannah started showing up in visions, that are now making this happen to you?”
“I have an idea.” Hannah cuts me off and shifts on my lap to turn to look at me. “I’ve thought about this a lot and you’d mentioned that you had visions of me for about a year. Basically, the whole time after I’d left Earth. I bet if you have an exact date of when you first felt impressions, it would have been right after I entered space—not that our dates and time match up, so I never bothered to ask and try and see if that was it.”
I’m starting to understand where she is going with this. “Maybe Travek just got your mate off the planet too. Maybe something on Earth is suppressing, not only you—but all Quasarians, from feeling the mating urge but once humans are in the atmosphere, your natural telepathy can pick them up?”
“I think you’re probably right, but it’s interesting that Travek picked up more than just his own mate while he was there! He was supposed to be just going to see if it would happen for him.” I could throttle him and when I see him, I might do that. What was he thinking?
“Even if that is the case and even though I don’t know what kind of a mate I can possibly be, I can’t thank him enough.” Matthias’s voice cuts in and brings my vengeful thoughts to an end. “I’m petrified but if nothing else, it will get me out of the hellish existence here with Vina Likana.”
