Chapter 15

Constance eventually pulled herself together enough to think about the future. She took a quick look at the three dead bodies and hastily looked away again. She didn't regret their deaths at all, but the sight of the bodies still made her queasy.

"What are we going to do about… them?"

"Nothing," he said calmly. "I will inform Commander Temel when we reach the farm and let him decide on the arrangements."

She breathed a sigh of relief.

"So we don't have to stay here?"

"Of course not."

"Good, because I want to celebrate our mating and this isn't the most romantic place in the world."

He suddenly started to laugh, his expression lighter than he'd ever seen it.

"What's so funny?"

"A… friend of mine was in a similar situation and I didn't understand how he could be more focused on his mate than his dead enemies. Now I do. But I will follow my own advice and suggest we leave as quickly as possible. I would like to find another campsite before nightfall."

"As far away as possible," she said, the thought of being near the bodies after dark making her shudder.

"In that case, we best hurry." Despite his words, he didn't immediately release her. "I love you very much, my. little mate. I'm sorry it took me so long to admit it."

She reached up to cup his cheek in her hand.

"Don't be sorry. I'm just glad that you finally figured it out."

He lowered his head and kissed her, his mouth demanding and possessive, as if establishing his claim, but all too quickly he pulled back with a rueful look.

"Supplies. Shelter. Then kissing."

"Hopefully a little more than kissing."

A little shocked by her own boldness, she brushed her hand across the front of his pants, delighted when his cock responded.

"Definitely more than kissing. Now stop distracting me."

He gave her another quick kiss then went to gather up their supplies. She didn't offer to help this time, keeping her back firmly to the campsite, afraid her stomach would rebel. He was still back at her side very quickly, tucking her under his arm as they left the clearing behind and she gave a sigh of relief.

He steered them towards the open fields alongside the woods. The sun was still high above the horizon and it all seemed so normal and peaceful that Vexian's intrusion already felt like a bad dream.

"I can't believe Vexian came after - Oh!" She came to a dead halt and frantically tried to grab the pack. "He said there was a tracking device in the necklace - that's how they found us."

He immediately removed the necklace and examined it, swearing when he located what looked like no more than a speck of white paint to her. He pried it off the necklace then crushed it between his nails.

"Civilian life has made me far too soft," he muttered. "I'm sorry, sweetheart."

"Stop apologizing. It doesn't occur to me either." He still looked angry with himself, so she rubbed his cock again. "And I don't think you're too soft at all."

That surprised a laugh out of him and she felt inordinately pleased with herself.

He inspected the other necklace and declared it tracker free, then hesitated.

‘Would you rather we left these here?"

"Not unless you think it's necessary. They might come in useful in the future."

"Agreed."

He stuffed them back in the pack and they resumed their walk, keeping to the edge of the woods. They didn't encounter any streams and she knew he was about to suggest that they go back into the woods when he spotted a structure in the distance.

"Look at that. I didn't realize we were this close."

"Close to what?"

"The farm."

She gave the dilapidated looking barn a doubtful look.

"Really?"

"Well, part of it. This is one of the abandoned properties at the edge of the farm, but there should be a well and possibly even a roof."

‘What luxury," she said dryly and he laughed.

"We could go all the way to the main house but it would be a few hours walk."

"No, this is fine. I'd rather be alone with you tonight anyway."

She was speaking the truth but she was also still nervous about what the other people on the ranch would think of her.

His eyes flashed white and he started off again at a much faster pace as she laughed and tried to keep up.

When they reached the barn they discovered there was a house next to it as well, but it was in very poor shape. The paint was peeling off the barn and some of the boards were loose, but overall it was in better shape and they decided to spend the night there.

He wrestled open one of the big doors to let in some air, then went to get water from the well while she unpacked a few things. She pulled out a few protein bars and put them to one side, then took the tarp and spread it out across a couple of the ancient bales of hay. The hay gave off a sweet, musty smell as she removed her dress and perched there, waiting for him.

"I recognize this place now. We're further east than I thought. H'zim-"

His words died off as he saw her waiting for him. The heat rose in her cheeks but she held out her hand to him.

"Come and join me."

He almost stumbled over his feet in his haste to do so and she giggled.

"I don't think we need the water yet."

He looked down at the bucket as if he'd forgotten it was there, then smiled and put it down.

"You are an extraordinarily distracting female."

"Good. Now take off your clothes and come here."

"Yes, ma'am."

As soon as he stripped off his clothes, his cock rose, long and thick between them and she gulped. It was almost impossible to believe that her body had been able to take that thick purple shaft. But it did, and it was wonderful, she reminded herself.

He put a casual hand on his cock, stroking his fingers along the ridges as he stalked towards her.

"You are a miracle, my little mate. I never thought to experience this again." She bit her lip as he reached her and he gently cupped her face. "I would not have wanted to experience it with anyone else."

"Really?"

"Really."

He leaned down and kissed her, his cock nudging against her belly as she opened for him. His big body surrounded her, filling her senses and blocking out everything else. She was already hot and wet and eager, her clit pulsing with excitement, but he took his time, leisurely exploring her mouth while his hands roamed over her body, dancing across her skin but not lingering.

By the time he reached her nipples, she was desperate for his touch. He teased the erect points, gently rolling them between his fingers. She arched against him, silently asking for more and he finally obliged by moving to her thighs and spreading them apart to cup her mound.

She moaned as he traced the outside of her folds, her entire body quivering with need. He continued to tease her, his thumb brushing over her clit but not making direct contact as he slid a finger inside her channel. When he finally pressed against her clit, she came with a strangled cry, her sheath spasming around his finger.

He purred approvingly, his mouth ghosting down over her neck to linger in the sensitive spot where it met the curve of her shoulder.

"Are you going to bite me?" she asked breathlessly.

He froze, then raised his head so he could watch her face.

"Is that what you want?"

"Yes," she said firmly,

He stroked his thumb over the soft skin.

"You understand that the bond is forever?"

"As far as I'm concerned it already is."

He shuddered, then pressed his lips to her neck again licking and sucking - but not biting - and she gave him a puzzled look when he raised his head again.

"You didn't do it? Did you change your mind?"

"No, my little mate, but it isn't time yet. I won't sink my fangs into you until I'm buried deep in your sweet little cunt." Her mouth dropped open and he laughed. "But first I will prepare you."

"I'm prepared," she protested, trying to pull him closer, but he only laughed again as his clever fingers teased her nipples.

"Maybe so, but I'm not. And I want to explore every inch of your pretty body."

"I- Oh my."

He replaced his fingers with his mouth, sucking in her nipple, and her body ignited all over again. She squirmed helplessly as he nipped and licked his way between her breasts, his hands kneading and stroking in turn, drawing the pleasure out for endless minutes before turning his attention to the other side. By the time he finished, she was practically writhing, but he still wasn't done.

He knelt down before her, his mouth hovering just above her slit. He didn't touch her with anything but his breath.

"So pink and pretty and soft," he murmured and she shivered as the light touch caressed her.

His tongue darted out to taste her, the tip just tracing over her clit, and her hips jerked as she whimpered for more. He growled approvingly and did it again. And again. Long, slow licks, back and forth over her flesh, making her moan and wiggle, but not giving her the pressure she craved. Her hands tightened in his hair as she tried to drag him closer but he remained infuriatingly out of reach.

"Please."

"Tell me what you need, my little mate."

"You. I need you."

"Need me where?"

"Inside me," she gasped.

He pressed his nose against her, inhaling deeply.

"Here?"

He drove a finger deep inside her, pumping slowly in and out and she squirmed on the digit.

"No. More."

"I will give you more," he promised.

He added a second finger and her pussy clenched around it.

"More."

"Like this?"

He licked her again, adding just the slightest flick of his tongue and she groaned in frustration.

"That's not what I want."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Yes, I'm sure. Please."

He made a deep humming noise and then his mouth was on her, sucking gently as he pushed another finger inside her and she exploded in pleasure. She was still quivering when he placed her on her hand and knees on the bale in front of him, his cock sliding easily through her slick folds and nudging her still swollen clit with each stroke.

"Do you think you're prepared now?"

"God, yes."

The words barely escaped before he drove into her in one long hard stroke. He'd never taken her so forcefully before. embedding himself so deeply. Her pussy fluttered around him as the tip of his cock changed shape, widening until it dragged over every inch of her channel as he slowly withdrew, then thrust back in just as hard, sending her flying as she clutched desperately at the straw. He grabbed hold of her hips, his big hands almost spanning them as he held her in place for thrust after thrust.

Her climaxes rolled on and on and each time she started to come down, he'd make some minor adjustment and send her flying all over again. He started to speed up, losing his careful rhythm as he bent down over her back, his mouth unerringly finding that place on her neck.

"I claim you as my mate, Constance. For now. Forever."

Then his fangs sank into her neck.

Her vision sheeted white as pure, primitive pleasure blasted through her body, her climax hitting her like a tsunami, sweeping her down and under in dizzying circles. His cock grew until she was so full she couldn't breathe and he finally came with a triumphant roar, jet after jet of seed flooding her body, the rush of heat adding to the sensations overwhelming her, the force of her final orgasm shaking her to the core.

Then he wrapped his arms around her and rolled, so that they were lying on their sides, her back tight to his front, his cock still deep inside her as he licked her neck, soothing the sting, even that gentle touch making her shiver.

"Is it possible to die from pleasure?' she asked, only half-joking.

He laughed, the vibration sending another quiver of excitement through her body.

"I don't believe so, but we can certainly test that theory."

"You got bigger," she accused.

"Yes. The mating bite is the final piece."

"So you won't get any bigger?"

He laughed again and nuzzled her bite mark.

"Are you disappointed?"

"No. I'm just trying to figure out if I'll ever be able to walk again."

"If you can't, I'll carry you," he promised.

"Deal."

They laid there together for a long time. Her mind drifted in lazy contented circles as an early evening breeze swept through the barn carrying the scent of flowers and sun-warmed earth. Through the open barn doors she could see the sky beginning to darken, color streaking the horizon as a few low clouds floated across the sky.

Then a hulking figure filled the opening and she bit back a scream. Kalpar immediately tensed and crouched in front of her, reaching for the knives he'd abandoned while she pulled the tarp around her body.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" the figure demanded and Kalpar straightened.

"Godsdammit, H'zim, you almost got a knife through your heart."

"No, I didn't. You were too busy mating to pay attention."

Kalpar's voice turned low and dangerous.

"How long have you been here?"

"Too long. I was looking for -" H'zim took a step closer and now that he was no longer silhouetted against the sun, she could see he had a terrifyingly hard face, his green skin marked with scars. "It's none of your fucking business. I want to know why you're here. No one is supposed to fucking bother me."

"Then stay on your own fucking farm," Kalpar snapped. "You don't own this whole sector."

"Are you moving in?"

"No, but I could."

"I don't fucking like it."

"Then go back to your own damn farm."

H'zim gave him a fearsome glare, then turned around and stomped out. It wasn't until Kalpar turned back to her that she suddenly noticed that he was still completely naked - not that either male seemed to care.

"Someone you know, I take it?" she asked, trying not to giggle.

"Unfortunately." He sighed and sat down next to her. "That's not fair. He's a former member of our squad as well but he served several years in jail on a trumped up charge and now he's angry at the world. Well, angrier. He's never been what I would call happy."

"He lives out here? By himself?"

"Yes, he took the most remote farm - although he now seems to think that includes all of the surrounding territory as well. I'll talk to the Commander and his brother S'kal about it tomorrow. Sorry, sweetheart. I know he ruined the mood."

She shrugged, smiling as he immediately focused on her breasts.

"Still better than dead bodies," she said firmly. "Can I have some water, please?"

He looked down, then groaned.

"Sorry. I knocked it over when I jumped up."

"That's all right. I'll go get some more - wearing my dress."

"Probably just as well, but I can do it."

"Why don't you see if you can figure out something for dinner other than protein bars? I have a feeling I'll need to keep my strength up."

"I'll see what I can find."

She gave him a quick kiss, then pulled on her dress and went to refill the bucket of water. After she pulled it up, she paused for a moment, looking around at the rapidly darkening landscape. A flash of yellow in the nearby woods caught her attention.

Curious, she took a few steps towards the woods and came face to face with another woman. The stranger appeared to be around her age and was about the same height, but the resemblance ended there. The other woman had curves for days and an impish, pixie-like face, not to mention flaming red hair and freckles covering every inch of exposed skin.

They stared at each other, then the woman gave her a mischievous look and put her finger over her lips before disappearing back into the woods. For someone with such vivid coloring, she disappeared extraordinarily quickly, leaving Constance staring into the woods wondering if she'd imagined the whole encounter.

Perhaps she had, she decided, returning to the barn and immediately forgetting about everything except her new mate.