5. Jax

5

Jax

Runar doesn’t rush me in any direction. While we wait for any news of my sister or this Varrum creature, I have nothing to do to help pass the time. I can’t stand still for long. Not without letting my concerns take over.

I’m too twitchy, stirring beneath Runar’s gaze. A moment of weakness on my part has done nothing but encourage him to watch over me. Instead of finding humor in watching his enemy struggle, the captain does nothing but frown as his eyes follow my movement.

For a brief moment, I’m distracted by the alien. His behavior is enough to lift some flags and now is the best time to start taking in the shift happening.

Ever since that embarrassing moment with the doctor and her questions, Runar has been watching me closely. I can feel his eyes even now, staring at the back of my neck.

It’s a lost cause to ask him why he’s so curious. None of his answers are satisfying, or the truth.

At this point, I’m ready to find my way back to the training room so I can beat the real reason out of him. My knuckles still ache from the one punch I landed, but it’s hardly enough to itch this scratch to get my hands on him.

I’m beyond frustrated with myself at this point. So much is going wrong, yet here I am, remaining only a few feet away from the bane of my existence.

“Do you feel anything?” He breaks our silence once we’ve strolled back toward the front of the ship. No one pays us any mind as we reach a view of the Inferno . “Anything that you hadn’t before coming on our ship?”

Squinting, I try to process what he’s asking me.

“When I’m nearby, I mean.” He shifts, looking a bit uncertain. For a moment, he looks like he regrets asking the question. However, he doubles down by crossing his arms over his chest as he waits for some kind of answer.

“I feel more annoyed than usual.” The words come out without a second thought. He grunts and I look out at the ship.

I suppose annoyance is only a half-truth. When he’s nearby and he isn’t testing my patience, he’s bringing along the sensation of safety. Ugh, just thinking about it now is enough to make my insides tighten.

“You trust me?”

He sounded so surprised. I did make it seem that way. Asking him to stay at my side only made me sound even weaker. Can I be blamed? That woman looked like she wanted to dissect me in the name of science.

“I feel a lot of things,” I admit with a sigh. “Though, that comes with being a human. There’s a whole range of emotions.”

He almost looks disappointed by my answer. What does he want me to say?

I could admit that my heart rate has been a calm steady thump for the last few hours, only spiking during our sparring match when he was on top of me. I could admit that my heart pounded hard enough in my chest that I thought I was experiencing a heart attack. Maybe it was fear, or maybe it was something else. Who is to say?

There are plenty of things I could admit, but I won’t.

He nudges a little closer to take in the same view as I am. Breathing in, I smell the scent of cinnamon drifting off his skin. When his kind aren’t covered in our blood, they typically smell of spice. He doesn’t smell bad.

Unfocusing from the ship, I take in his reflection. Those golden eyes of his are looking almost orange in this lighting. Not a terrible color. Far prettier than my basic green. They remind me of a constant fire burning, fueling his desire to keep going.

His chest brushes my back and I realize just how close he is. Frowning, I’m caught off guard when I feel his breath against my hair.

Runar is sniffing me, inhaling my scent just as I was him. He’s acting more obvious about it, going as far as grazing my ear with his cheek. One more step forward and I can feel that other parts of him are responding to what he’s breathing in.

Heat crawls up my throat and I stiffen up. My stupid heart picks up in speed again and there’s a small flutter in the pit of my stomach.

“Do you really not feel anything?” His words come out gravelly. Feeling the vibration of his chest with his question, I have no choice but to accept that what I feel is not fear.

“I feel like you’re taking this watching role very seriously.” My voice wavers and I hardly even recognize myself. Cursing my heart and demanding it to slow down, goosebumps form when his knuckles graze my wrists.

He’s not touching me directly, just barely a brush. I feel the contact like a shock straight to my soul. It’s unlike anything I’ve experienced before. Now that is scary.

“You’re making me feel strange,” I murmur, “I’ve never…”

Never let a man sway me like this? Runar is nothing close to the men back at home. He’s bigger and far more animalistic. He’s got this look in his eye that says he can do whatever he pleases.

Daring to get this close after all the times I’ve tried to take him out, he’s fearless too. A man after my heart if this were a normal exchange.

Nothing about this is normal.

Runar pauses, digesting my words. He hums with acceptance. “You must be my Rhis . This meeting of ours…” His hand shifts to the front of my stomach, blossoming a foreign heat. “…must be fate.”

I don’t know what a Rhis is and neither does my translator. However, what I do know is that I must’ve hit this guy way too hard because what he’s talking about right now is complete nonsense. Who does he think he is, freely touching me? I’ve broken fingers for less.

Opening my mouth to scold him, I’m distracted by an approaching ship. Runar is too busy to notice, distracted by my existence, I guess.

“Is that them?” Shifting as best as I can in this new position, I point out toward the new ship.

“Possibly.” He freaking nuzzles me, making it hard to think. The audacity of this captain continues to grow as each second passes. “The healer will take care of them. You have nothing to worry about.”

“What in the hell happened in that head of yours?” Blushing, I bury an elbow into his stomach. Does he need a reminder that we’re enemies? That, only hours ago, I promised to be the one behind his death?

He throws that Rhis word again, mumbling something about a bond. Not caring that the others in this part of the ship are starting to take notice, he keeps me close.

“Runar.” Snapping to get his attention, I press my palm against his chin and shove him away. Being close to this man is not good for either of us.

He takes a step back and tilts his head in confusion. This brick wall of muscle dares to look upset. “You’re rejecting me?”

“I honestly don’t know what the fuck you’re on about.” Wishing the warmth of his touch would go away already, I huff out my embarrassment. “We need to go back to the medbay.”

He doesn’t move. “They’re fine. We can go back to the living quarters for privacy.”

“Yes, because all of these aliens staring at us is the problem here.” How humiliating. Swooping around him, I’m putting distance between us. The more, the better.

He calls for me, well, he calls for his Rhis. I don’t stop. After walking all over this vessel, I’m sure I can find the medbay on my own.

I’m putting a stop to this now before he gets any weirder.

Runar catches up to me in no time. Thankfully, he keeps his hands to himself this time. Though, he encourages me to wait until Flora settles with every step we take. If it’s rough, I’ll only be in the way. He’s got plenty of reasons not to go.

Too much time passes as we walk without his help in guidance. Every minute that passes is another that lets my imagination run wild. I can’t help but imagine my sister bloodied and battered, calling out for me. It’s enough to make my heart ache. The fear of losing her is enough to extinguish all of this foreign heat.

I won’t ask him for his help. He’ll just direct me in the opposite direction of where I want to go.

The further I walk, the more I recognize. Just when I figure out where I am, I hear it.

The familiar shrill of her scream, Flora’s cry is the only reason I need to sprint.

Blood rushes my ears as I reach the large space with beds. I can’t think, not when another cry comes from behind the metal door.

Shinara spots me, urging me to wait. The fact that she’s not already helping out Flora is enough to make me see red. She’s smart enough not to stand in my way, but her words of caution flood out.

“Jax, they need space-”

The door slides open and I’m given an eyeful that’s too much for me to handle.

My poor baby sister is on her back with a Medarian’s head tucked between her thighs. I don’t have time to connect the dots, even though his glistening chin tells all the story I need. She’s naked and crying out fucking moans of pleasure.

What a fucking joke.

“Get off of her!” Screaming, I’m ready to murder this beast before Runar’s arm is suddenly around my stomach, yanking me back in place. I’m too angry to feel anything. No matter how much I wiggle and claw at his arm, my efforts do nothing.

Then this Medarian has the balls to glare at me like I’m the problem. He even goes as far as to bare his fangs at me.

“Varrum!” Flora’s gasp fills the air as she looks our way. She’s lucid enough to cover her chest, blushing heavily. “What’s going on?”

Varrum . The one who kidnapped her hisses at me. “You have no right to interrupt.”

Oh, I need my gun. I need a blade. I need something. Hell, let me use my fingernails. If I don’t see golden liquid spilling from this beast, I’m going to go mad.

“That’s my sister you are defiling!” My throat burns as I screech. “Like hell I’m going to stand back while she’s screaming her head off in here!”

Flora looks like she wants to die. She can’t look me in the eye, not when her little fling assures me that all of her screams were pleasured ones. Ones that were only meant for him.

The whole vessel could hear her screaming.

Runar chuckles behind me, somehow finding amusement in this. “I told you she was fine. You shouldn’t have interrupted.”

Oh, I’m going to kill them both. Nevermind sparring. Back to the original plan. I’ll find something to use on this brick wall. There has to be a medical instrument I can stab into his shoulder to aid in his release.

“Jax.” Flora’s voice is soft as Varrum stands close enough to cover her. “I’m okay. Varrum’s been keeping me safe.”

Despite being caught in such a position, she speaks softly. She’s always been my opposite, calm even in the most dire situations.

Even if I don’t have the whole story here, I can’t be the only one here to think how fucked up this is.

“Yeah, like I’m supposed to believe shoving his tongue up your cunt is keeping you safe.” I roll her eyes as I feel Runar tugging me back. “You owe me some answers–both of you.”

I’m dragged out of the medbay. If I don’t hurt him physically with my nails, my insults must surely give Runar a headache.

“All this time, I’ve been so worried about her.” Out in the hall, I start pacing the moment I’m released. “The only thing on my mind has been saving her. All this time…and she’s been fornicating with the enemy. What the fuck.”

His eyes follow my movement as his arms cross at his chest. “They are no longer enemies. She is his Rhis .”

There is that stupid word again.

“I don’t know what that means!” Crying out my frustrations, he winces like he can feel my pain. If he understood the betrayal, this ache, then maybe he’d stop throwing stupid terms in my direction. “What is it, a prisoner? His toy?”

Runar frowns. “His lifemate. Some refer to it as soulmates.”

“Oh my god.” Turning away, I can’t look at him. Not while I’m like this. Overcome by emotions, I don’t want him to see me cracking open.

Runar called me his soulmate. He thinks we’re…

Does Varrum really believe Flora is his as well?

“You are in pain.” Much to my dismay, Runar approaches me. He wraps his arms around my body and shushes me. “I want to take you somewhere quiet.”

For a brisk moment, my body is screaming to fight him off. To push away and hurt him for being associated with this pain. When his warmth engulfs me, the sensation engulfs this rush of anger.

I’m nodding without another thought. While I don’t know what I need to calm down, this man thinks he knows. So when he picks me up, I don’t put up any more of a fight. I’ve exhausted my will over all these worrisome hours.

Everything I’ve done feels like it was done for nothing.

I listen to the soft thud of his heart beating. The same pace as my own. Slow and heavy. It’s soothing, oddly enough. A similar result to my method of counting to calm down.

“We’re not soulmates,” I murmur to him. “This Rhis thing, you’ve made a mistake. We’re too different.”

He lets me mumble away, in no rush to deny my claims. His hold is strong and reassuring. So warm, too. Once I calm down, he holds me a little closer.

“When we meet our Rhis , it’s something that only happens once in our lives. There’s no mistaking the sensation. You are my queen. If you reject me, then I will live the rest of my lifespan alone.” We reach the living quarters, but he doesn’t stop at the same room he pushed me into the last time. He continues to walk. “There have been cases of different species matching up. Varrum has proved it to be possible with humans. I tried to fight these sensations as well, but there was no point. You are meant to be mine.”

He kept asking if I felt anything, and now it makes sense. However, I don’t know what I’m supposed to feel. If it’s fireworks or something explosive, I must’ve gotten a soggy batch.

“You may not believe it just yet, but you will.” Mouthing the words against the top of my head, he sets me down. With the blur of his fingers on a pad, the door slides open. “You believe Varrum has taken advantage. Let me prove it to you otherwise.”

My pulse races at his words.

“My Rhis . Let me prove that I am yours.” His frown grows. “Or, you can reject this and deny all you want. I’ll let your sister go once she heals us. You will be allowed to go with her.”

He’s completely serious. I know this is his room. I’d be crazy to accept his offer. Hypocritical as well for doing just the same.

I’d be a traitor to my kind.

“Does this offer remain after you attempt to sway me?” Call me a coward, but I need an option to escape. I’m crazy for considering this, but here I am.

He nods.

I’m crazy. He’s made me insane. Why else am I stepping inside the room?

The door glides closed at the same time as the lights flicker on.

“Your room is far nicer than the other one.” Talking to fill in the silence, I shiver when I feel him stand closer.

“I am their king,” he explains in a rumble. “You will have nice things as well.” He strips me of my jacket. “I will heal these scars, just as you will heal mine.”

He’s right back to talking crazy again. I can’t call him out for it, not when he’s gliding his fingers down my arms. So slow and tantalizing, he makes it hard to focus.

When did a little light touch start becoming so effective?

Turning my face, I groan as his mouth brushes my throat. The heat of his breath causes goosebumps to lift across my skin. While I’m doubting everything, my body seems to be on board with this.

“I knew you were special the moment I saw you with my eyes.” His hands reach my hips and a small squeeze does me in. “You never cowered, not even once.”

Barely even touching me, warmth fills my stomach and inches lower. When was the last time I was touched by another person?

Years. Before I got thrown into training. Back when my life was somewhat normal.

I gasp when he sucks a mark onto my skin. He’s pulling me closer to his body, purposely digging his arousal against me.

Oh, god. Does he have the same parts as a human man, or will he surprise me with some crazy appendage? My toes curl inside my boots at all the questions forming.

“I have never responded this way to another female. This hunger is foreign and a fierce battle to fight off.” Confessing his truth, he growls when I arch against him. “Do you want to deny this?”

The scent of cinnamon floods my system and I can’t think. Not when he’s touching spots of my body that don’t need attention.

I need him to address the throbbing that’s growing between my thighs.

My pride won’t let me ask. It’s going to be my downfall.

Turning my head to look at him, the heat I’m experiencing is suffocating. Eyeing his lips, taking in the dangerous gleam of his fangs, I inhale sharply. Ever so hesitantly, I lean toward him.

A moment of weakness, that’s all this is.

Barely brushing our lips together, I’m twisted around to face him.

Before I can figure out what is happening, I’m lifted into the air. Out of all the times I’ve been lifted by his strong arms, this has to be the one time I don’t want to be let down.

“ Mine .” One growled word is all I need to hear to feel the possessiveness down to my very soul. Wrapped with a smoldering heat, he presses me against the wall.

Our mouths meet in a hot fury. Distracting me with his tongue, I feel how thin it is as he licks deep to discover my taste. Pulling away for only a moment, I discover his tongue is forked. Almost like a snake.

He nuzzles my neck and places a kiss against my throat. Every time he presses against me, I want to squirm. This ache is undeniable.

I can’t think about our differences. All this overwhelming heat is making everything impossible.

Despite those differences, I want Runar. My body calls out for him. His touch feels so right. There’s a need to have his hands everywhere.

“ Runar .” I can only do so much from our position. Rubbing against him, trying to get whatever friction I can get, it’s not enough. I need more. “ Please .”

Shifting away from the wall, I’m carried over to the bed next. Flattening my body with his own, he eases the ache with every kiss to my body. Lower and lower, his body shifts. The bed groans beneath our combined weight.

He could tear my pants if he wanted with his brute strength, but I’m thankful he figured out how to undo my pants without popping a button.

Fighting off a chuckle, I hiss when his mouth grazes my lower stomach. Breathing me in, I realize how much I like the way he growls in approval.

“Everything about you is right.” He meets my gaze, those yellow orbs looking like melted gold. “I want you, my Rhis .” Inhaling deeply, his pupils dilate. Like my scent can get this man off, another groan rumbles through him as he sinks his fingers beneath the band of my pants.

I can’t argue, not when I’m lifting my hips to aid him in getting my pants off.

“You are mine,” he repeats as if he thinks I need to hear the words again.

At this rate, I think I’m starting to believe him.