Chapter 18

The storm came and the snow with it, heavy flakes drifting down. There was little wind, however, like she had hoped, the storm more of a simmering giant than a chaotic demon like she had expected. Still, the snow would give her some cover as would the dark.

She'd hardly been able to get her heart rate to slow. The adrenaline was coursing through her, keeping her alert but unable to keep calm. She needed to go. It was now or never.

As silently as she could, she lifted herself an inch and peered down, afraid she might see him waiting down on the ground below. She searched for any sign of movement but could see none with the snow.

Quietly she took her pack, searched around for a canteen, and took sips before capping it and shoving it back in. She placed the pack back over her shoulders, then with careful movements, she slid herself from the edge of the boulder down the leaning rock she'd climbed up the first time, letting herself slide down slowly till her feet touched the ground.

She had a plan. Lead him a ways down, trying to place her scent where she could then backtrack and hope that threw him off. The storm would also help to mask her. If she was lucky, she'd find a cave as she turned more west. She'd seen larger amounts of steam rising in that direction from her perch on the boulder and hoped there'd be some caverns nearby.

With light steps, she took off, her gaze settling lower to the ground to watch where she ran since it was hard to see too far ahead anyway with the snowfall.

The sky brightened in flashes as lightning sparked overhead, thunder shaking the earth at her feet. The sound made her fly faster, made her heart hammer. She wouldn't be able to hear him coming now, nor likely see him.

She moved northwest, the towering rocks becoming more spread out as the ground became smoother. She slowed to peer across.

One landmark stood out against the snow, several mounds connecting each other making one giant hill. Close to the top, where several broken rocks leaned inward, she could make out several small cave entrances.

She went for the hill, digging her feet into the ground. She didn't slow down again until she came to the edge of one mound and started to climb.

The hairs on the back of her neck suddenly stood on end, her breath catching in her lungs. He was behind her.

She dared to glance over her shoulder and see for sure. It was still hard to see through the snow and the dark. But when a flash of lightning cut across the sky, lighting up the place she'd just run across, she saw a figure stalking in her direction, coming straight for her.

Her heart leaped into her throat.

Oh, shit.

She turned and took off up the hill, scrambling toward the top. Get into the caves, came a panicked thought, Get in and he might not find you.

But in her heart, she knew, as she started to slow, her vision blurring, she knew she'd lost.

She made it up the first mound and saw a cave entrance. Whisps of steam crawled along the roof, drowned out by the drifting snow. A little ways up the next mound was another entrance, only this one was much smaller, one she knew Draka wouldn't be able to fit through. She steered away from the larger cave for that one.

Just a little farther, just a little--

She pushed her legs forward, reaching out for the rock, when Draka swiftly yanked her back by her pack. Yelping, she slid her arms out, freeing the pack from her, and lunged for the hole once again.

She got halfway in when Draka reached inside and grabbed her by the collar of her coat. She wasn't quick enough to get it off this time before he was dragging her out.

She kicked and flailed. She actually fought him, like a goddamn wild cat, not letting him have this victory easily. Still, he kept a firm grip on her, his arm locked around her waist as he lifted her off her feet and swung her around, bringing her back down to the wider cave entrance.

She writhed in his hold which only tightened. He dragged her inside the cave, striding into the dark but out of the snow. Here it was surprisingly warm from the steam venting along the roof. There had to be a stream somewhere deep within.

When he got far enough inside, Draka released her. As she fell to her knees, she went to crawl away and was promptly grabbed by the ankle and pulled right back.

He pinned her down, one hand gripping her shoulder. The other went down the small of her back. He ripped off her coat first. Then, with his claws, he tore a line down the back of her suit from collar to waistband, exposing her flesh. She shuddered as his claws trailed across her naked skin. He tugged the suit down more until her backside was completely exposed to him, feeling the air down between her thighs.

She tensed as a guttural growl escaped. A sound she'd never heard from him. Her hands curled into fists as he pulled her hips up, spreading her legs.

Just breathe, Ria. You can handle this.There was no sense in fighting now. Her blood raced, feeling his hot, heavy body at her back. She just hoped he didn't split her open, making her lose her will too.

His claws came down and gripped her hips as he brought her flush to him. She felt his hand undoing his coat and the bottom of his suit to release himself, his shaft settling at first on her back. He rubbed his cock along her ass, then down along her center, already slick with his natural lubricant. He rubbed against her clit, and the movement made a moan tear from her throat. He didn't stop until her body was wet, mingling with his. Her center ached, pressure already beginning to build little by little.

He pulled back, then pressed against her center and, without hesitation, slid deep, sliding down past his knot.

Her breath hitched at the movement, making goosebumps crawl along her skin. She was stretched thin, her hips bucking, her back arching. Unlike before, he didn't start slow. He moved like he was already on the verge of release and desperation now clawed at him. He lowered himself, one hand now planted on the ground, the other sliding down her back, then gripping the nape of her neck. He kept her down, his thrusts jolting her forward, but his hand keeping her in place. She turned her head, her cheek against the cold earth as he took her hard and without restraint, gritting her teeth as the pressure and heat between them built to a peak, one that would have them both spilling over. His hand splayed across her head and face, claws in her hair, his thumb curling over her mouth. Some instinct made her bite down hard. He didn't move his hand, groaning in response, as if he enjoyed the pain she inflicted. His thrusts quickened, becoming wild, and she writhed under him, biting down and not letting go.

Her body tightened, coiled, then broke. The orgasm hit her like a violent surge, and she rode it, a scream crawling up her throat and spilling past her teeth. She jerked under him as he lifted himself, and a low growl tore from him, turning into a deep roar. She felt his heavy throbbing, his heat filling her, his body shuddering against her.

Without warning, he pulled out of her, his hand releasing her. He lifted her, and before she could wonder what he was doing, he brought his mouth down, biting her between her neck and shoulder.

She gasped, feeling his teeth puncture her skin. Before she could utter a word or move to break his hold, he released her, leaving a row of teeth marks along her shoulder. Beads of blood rose from the marks, trickling down her shoulder.

He brought his mouth down again, and this time she flinched.

"Tykara…Draka," she panted, a whispering plea in his ear.

He paused, his fangs still exposed. His heart hammered at her back as he hugged her close to him, his arm wrapped possessively around her.

"Don't be afraid," he breathed against her shoulder. "My heart." Gently, he trailed his tongue over the skin, cleaning away the blood.

She shivered, watching him lick away the blood before kissing the marks. He lifted his head and their eyes locked. For a clear second, she saw his darken into that distant, hard stare.

"It's gone isn't it? The heat," she said.

He dipped his head.

She tensed, readying herself to see him look at her and wonder what the hell he was thinking.

He stared at her, his eyes raking over her face and body. But they didn't grow cold or indifferent. They glowed.

"It's done." He smiled, and it was like the sun breaking away the storm. His hand lifted, brushing his fingers over her jaw. "We can rest for however long you need, my mate, then we will go."

Her mouth grew dry. "Mate?"

He hummed, nuzzling her neck. It dawned on her how calm he was now, how entirely…peaceful. Satisfied. Content. "It's an old way, I admit, the mark. But when we are off world, I will find an elder to have a proper one made for us both."

She gently pushed him away so that she could study his face. "You're serious?"

He frowned at her, appearing confused. "I wouldn't joke about this. Especially with you, Oza."

She watched him, as if seeing him anew. For the first time since coming to Arkona, she felt light, like a weight was gone, like she could float away. "Ria," she said softly. "My real name is Andria Reeves. But everyone calls me Ria."

The slits of his pupils widened. "Ria," he breathed. He cupped her face in his hands, brushing his mouth against hers, and she felt him smile. "My beautiful mate."