4. Ashale

From the first moment I laid eyes on Nova and her tattoos, I knew she was the one.

My heart recognized her, even if my brain took a moment longer to catch up.

Tattoo pairings like ours, especially those that mirrored each other in a near perfect harmony, were the stuff of legends on my planet.

They were tales old grandmothers would narrate to eager young ones about fated mates and star-crossed lovers, the kind of story you'd never imagine finding yourself in the midst of.

And yet, here we were, in the very heart of Ikmal prison, amidst cold steel and uncaring eyes, discovering a connection that defied reason.

The essence of her was intoxicating.

Floral, yet with an undertone of something fierce, like a thunderstorm waiting to erupt.

Every inhale brought her essence deeper into my being, making it harder to discern where she ended and I began.

Gazing into her eyes, I found an entire universe waiting for me.

They were the kind of eyes that spoke tales of a foreign place, of rainy days and sunlit afternoons.

But what drew me in were the little flecks of gold, almost mirroring the hue of my own eyes.

I was lost in my thoughts when the feeling of her soft lips against my own brought me back.

The sensation was electric, sending shockwaves through every fiber of my being.

It was like sweet nectar, reminding me of a rare fruit from my home planet, its name now eluding me in the sea of emotions her kiss evoked.

The gentle caress of her hands against the rough texture of my skin brought another layer to our connection.

She felt the inked designs that had been with me since my youth, tracing each one with her delicate fingers.

The space dragon, octar, and tarigon — their alien counterparts inked on her — seemed to come alive beneath her touch.

I tightened my grip around her waist, pulling her closer, wanting to feel every inch of her against me.

The silkiness of her hair brushed against my cheek, and the subtle sounds of her sighs were music to my ears.

Breaking the kiss, I rested my forehead against hers, allowing our ragged breaths to sync.

This was a moment I never wanted to end.

Yet, with the weight of the reality of our surroundings, I couldn't help but marvel at the irony.

In the unlikeliest of places, we had found each other.

The universe, in all its grandeur, had seen it fit to match two souls across galaxies amidst the despair and darkness of Ikmal prison.

It was a testament that love and fate were not bound by location or circumstance.

Love was a force of nature, unyielding, ever persistent.

"Why here?" Nova's voice, soft and melodic, broke the silence as if she could hear my own thoughts.

"Destiny doesn't need a glamorous backdrop," I murmured, kissing her forehead. "It finds its way, regardless of where you are."

She chuckled, the sound warm and melodious. "And here I thought prisons were only good for holding onto regrets."

I grinned. "Seems they're also quite adept at forging connections."

Our laughter echoed, light and carefree — surprisingly, considering the grim walls around us.

At that moment, the prison faded, replaced by a world that was just the two of us.

Resting my chin atop her head, I closed my eyes, savoring the feeling of having found my missing piece in the most unexpected of places.

The tales had been right; fated mates, connected by inked destinies, were a force to be reckoned with.

And I had every intention of cherishing this force, this woman, for as long as the stars shone.

Unable to control myself any longer — my cock had been raging from the moment I first set eyes on her — I gave in to temptation and took her lips again.

Once more, that zing of electricity bolted through me like I was riding lightning.

I parted from her. "It's customary in my culture to respect the spirit animals of our lovers. May I?"

She shrugged her shoulders, and I moved from one animal tattoo to another, giving them each the kiss of respect they deserved in turn.

The space dragon always got the first kiss as it was the most powerful of all the beasts and could be easily insulted if not properly deferred to.

Nova surprised me by lowering her head to my tattoos too, kissing them in the same order I had.

When she was done, she looked up at me through her long eyelashes. "Like this?"

I growled at the back of my throat and launched myself at her.

Her eyes never left mine as I pushed her naked body onto my bed and got to work.

Her body was a map of beauty, and I traversed it with my tongue, making pathways along the smooth surface of her skin.

I sucked on her nipples each in turn, flicking at the hardened buds with my tongue.

Delicious.

I went up onto my knees and fed her my cock, and she was hungry for it.

She took the head in her mouth, although it was a bit of a tight fit - I could feel her teeth around the edges.

I leanedover her and took her pussy in my mouth, gently rubbing at it as I slid my long tongue inside her.

She moaned, her breaths rasping gasps with her lips wrapped around my cock.

When her hips began to buck, I knew she was ready.

I got up and dragged her to the edge of the bed, perching her on the corner with her legs splayed out to either side.

Ready for me.

I wasted no time and slid inside her.

We both gasped at the finality of it.

She licked her fingers and rubbed at herself, repositioning her legs so I could attack her from a higher angle.

She gave me the nod, and I began my strokes in and out of her.

I built up into a faster rhythm as she willingly took every last inch of me.

She was a marvel.

Our tattoo kissed, and I thought I saw white sparks hissing from them… but it might have just been my imagination.

As I drilled her, a slither of sweat formed on my body.

Nova wore a frown that creased her brow that rose and fell with intensity but never disappeared.

Every few thrusts, I slammed my cock harder inside her, and she threw back her head and cried out, half in joy, half in pain.

Then I worked her up, going deeper and faster and faster until, finally, she screamed.

And then I pummeled her even harder.

My orgasm nipped at my heels as I heard her, felt her tighten around me, and my balls clenched and I pumped her with my seed.

Panting with exertion, I lay down beside her.

My scales formed rounder, more bulbous mounds to help reduce my body heat.

Nova clung to me and began to drift off before I could even get my arm around her.

If this lovemaking session was anything to go by, I couldn't wait to play with her every day of our bonding.

* * *

The early morninglight streamed through the tiny slits in the wall, casting soft shadows across the cell.

The air was still, but there was a gentle hum that pervaded Ikmal prison every morning — the vibrations of a facility that never truly slept.

I watched Nova stir, her lashes fluttering open to greet the new day.

The way her hair sprawled over the pillow, capturing the glint of the rising sun, left me captivated.

She looked ethereal, almost as if she didn't belong in this dank and dreary place.

But even as she rose, stretching her arms and yawning adorably, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of discontentment.

The night had been incredible, both passionate and tender.

However, somewhere deep within, I'd hoped for more.

I'd hoped for that indescribable connection between fated mates, something that transcended the physical.

The perfume of her, like fresh blossoms after a spring rain, teased my nostrils, pulling me back from my introspection.

The subtle sounds of her breathing, the light rustle of the sheets, and the soft patter of her feet against the cold floor filled the room, wrapping around me like a familiar tune.

But it was when she spoke, that the weight of reality truly hit.

"I'm glad you were my first in this place," Nova whispered, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness.

Her eyes, full of gratitude, locked onto mine.

I smiled, leaning in to press a gentle kiss on the tip of her nose. "Mine too," I murmured, feeling a rush of warmth spread through me.

It was moments like these that left me wondering if perhaps I was seeking something that didn't exist, a connection born out of myths.

"Really?" Nova chuckled her laughter a balm to my unspoken doubts. "I find it hard to believe you've never Claimed a Prize before. You're such an incredible fighter, Ashale."

I shrugged, the truth more complex than I cared to admit. "I train the fighters, I don't become one of them."

Our moment was interrupted by the clang of the prison's morning bell.

Nova sighed, reluctance evident in her posture. "I guess it's time."

Reluctantly, I nodded, taking her hand and leading her to the exit.

As we walked, the slow and groggy sounds of the other prisoners waking up filled the air.

The scent of morning meals being prepared mixed with the familiar odor of sweat.

When we reached the Prize Pool, Nova turned to me, her eyes searching mine.

We didn't need words.

Pulling her into a tight embrace, I buried my face into her hair, savoring the sensation for what could possibly be the last time.

She stepped back and waved to me as she entered the Prize Pool.

"Stay safe," I said to her.

It was a useless wish.

With no one to watch over her, she would never be safe in this place.

I watched until she was gone from view.

No sooner had I turned around than Larn, my young and eager fighting student, rushed toward me, his usual energy amplified by what seemed like urgent news. "Ashale! You're needed in the Supervisor's office! Sneik has demanded an audience, and you're required to be there!"

I stiffened.

Sneik had taken action faster than I expected.

The idea of being in the same room with him, especially after what had transpired, was unsettling.

Nova's gaze shifted from Larn to me, her brow furrowing in confusion and concern. "Ashale? What did you do?"

I turned and marched away and said softly, unsure if Larn could hear me or not:

"What was right."

* * *

The Supervisor's office,with its sterile lighting and polished surfaces, couldn't have been more different from the gritty cells of Ikmal prison.

The light reflected harshly off the panel walls, making it hard for my eyes to adjust.

Every time I entered this room, the stinging aura of antiseptic would assault my nose, and today was no exception.

It smelled like a place where nothing organic could thrive.

In the center stood Sneik, his face a canvas of bruises from our encounter.

The dark purple and blue contusions stood out starkly against his pale green skin.

His black eyesnarrowed at me, full of undisguised hatred.

Beside him, the Supervisor lounged in his sleek chair, his huge frame bulging around the armrests.

A creature of habit and order, he looked incredibly bored by the entire scenario, but his post demanded he address even the most mundane disputes.

Sneik's voice was thick with suppressed rage. "He stole my Prize! After I won her fair and square!"

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

‘Fair and square' was never in Sneik's vocabulary.

The Supervisor leaned forward slightly, his glittering eyes devoid of emotion. "And why, as Champion, did you not just retrieve her? A fight between two inmates is hardly something to bring to my attention."

Sneik's nostrils flared.

Anyone else would've reacted with anger, but in the Supervisor's presence, it was more like a restrained snarl. "Ashale ambushed me, taking me by surprise! After my victory in the pits, I was still recovering."

The entire room seemed to focus on me, waiting for a response.

I had no intentions of revealing the true reason I was so desperate to claim Nova; that she might be my fated mate wasn't anyone's business but ours.

The truth would just complicate matters.

"I can confirm Sneik's account," I said, my voice calm.

Sneik blinked, clearly not expecting me to side with his version of events.

I almost enjoyed the moment of confusion in his gaze.

Almost.

The Supervisor sighed, his fingers drumming rhythmically on the table. "Very well. The rules are explicit. A rematch is in order to reinstate the Champion's honor."

I nodded, accepting the terms.

It was expected, and there was no way out of it.

Sneik mirrored my nod, a triumphant smirk curving his thick lips.

"Now, if you don't mind…" the Supervisor said, waving a flabby hand.

As we left the sterile confines of the office, the sounds of the prison, distant shouts and the echo of footsteps on metal, filled the corridor.

The air felt cooler, a relief from the stifling atmosphere of the Supervisor's room.

Sneik leaned in close, his breath foul against my ear.

The smell reminded me of rotten food left out in the sun for too long. "Prepare yourself, Ashale. Last time, you got lucky. This time, I won't be holding back."

I looked at him, resisting the urge to chuckle.

If last night was him holding back, I had nothing to fear.

However, I held my tongue.

There was no point antagonizing him further.

Our footsteps echoed in unison as we moved in opposite directions, the taste of anticipation and anxiety blending into one.

I had another fight on my hands, but if it kept Nova safe and out of this mess, it was a price I was willing to pay.