Chapter 5

Chapter

Five

TARUK

" I think we should start calling them Yumz," the little human huffs beside me as she attempts to keep pace with my longer strides as I make my way back towards the stables.

"What?" I ask, as she's broken me from my thought process. I'm still trying to decide the best way to capture the small monsters. The containment foam normally used would be too risky to them; it could easily cover their mouths and suffocate them.

"Well, I started to name each of them after food," Zoe continues at my side, "and they are so freaking cute that I could just eat them up!" Zoe's voice rises to an excited pitch, her eyes alight.

I stare at her contemplatively. In my time training with beasts, I've had to handle all manner of creatures. Some used for warfare, others for carrying heavy loads when machinery is not easily accessible. I never considered the idea that these beasts might be farmed for food.

"Do humans make it a habit of eating their pets? You were adamant you didn't want me to kill it before," I say, frustration souring my words. We are only in this mess since she was so adamant to protect the beast. Now she wants to eat it!?

The smell of dried grass fills my nostrils as we step into the stables. Thankfully, no guest has brought a pet for me to care for, as of yet. It's only a matter of time. I have to get this mess sorted before I have more workload.

With haste, I search for items I might use to capture the little monster. I need to get this task done as quickly as possible. Every moment I spend in Zoe's presence has me unsettled. I'm constantly aware of her—her scent, her little breaths and gasps…

It's been a long time since I laid with any female, and it shows. As soon as this drama is sorted, I am going to have to take myself in hand. Of course, it disturbs me even more that the face I will envision is Zoe's. My cokas hardens further as I imagine her kneeling at my feet, looking up at me with those bright eyes, a small smile playing at her lips. A hint of shyness overcoming her as she reaches out her tiny hand towards my throbbing member …

"I'm just going to go ahead and grab it, okay?"

"Huh?" I jolt out of my musings. I look over my shoulder at the little human as she hovers at one of my workbenches. If I turn now, she'll see the tent pitching in my trousers, and that will undoubtedly scare her off.

I realize in that moment I don't want her to run from me. I kind of begrudgingly want her around.

"I'm going to take this net. I mean, if you're not using it," Zoe says as she points at the multi-weave cloth folded neatly on the wooden tabletop.

"It's not a net, it's…" I hastily stuff my cock into my waistband, hiding the action by strapping my tool belt around my waist. Only then do I turn to her. "That's a specialty fabric meant to hold cargo in place when being shipped across terrain. It's made out of various alloys that are nigh indestructible when exposed to a variety of elements."

"So you use it to throw over something and hold it in place," Zoe nods dramatically towards me. "That's the definition of a net. So, can I use it?"

I open my mouth to correct her, again, but I force myself to reconsider. It is a net. True, its purpose isn't meant to be used to catch beasts, but there's no reason why it couldn't be used that way.

"Hey, so look, I know we didn't get the best introduction," Zoe says as she gathers up the lightweight cloth. Her eyes stay pinned on her hands, for once unable to meet mine. "I'd really like it though if we could have a fresh start. We are both adults, we should be able to do that, right? We're stronger working together as a team, after all."

"You want to hunt the beasts together?" I ask her, somewhat shocked that she truly wants to undertake this endeavor. Most females I've ever met would demand this task of their mates, though I guess Zoe doesn't have a mate… So why does that thought make my blood pump and my chest soar? I swore off females a long time ago. I swore to keep my distance from everyone, didn't I?

"Friends?" Zoe steps in front of me, holding her hand out, palm facing sideways. The scent of her anxiety fills the air, souring my stomach. I have no idea why this is so important to her, that we can work together, but for once I want to believe that it comes from a genuine place. If anything, these humans have proven themselves different from Volscian females. All she is asking for is friendship.

"Sure, friends," I tell her as my heart hammers in my chest. I can't decide if I am equally thrilled or terrified, of this tiny little human. A strong, virile male like me shouldn't be afraid, and yet here I am.

Zoe's face shines. Her eyes brighten and a large smile splits her face. Before I can react she throws herself against me in a furious hug.

"Thank you," she says, her heated breath somehow ghosting through my clothing and brushing against sensitive skin. "You have no idea what it means to have a friend here."

As if suddenly realizing what she's doing, she pulls away just as abruptly as she came. Her face flames bright red, and my throat seizes at how she starts to remind me of a Volscian female. "I mean, I've got the other girls as friends, but most of us are friends only because we are in the same situation. Not because we get along, you know? It really means a lot to me if we can be real friends."

As I stare down at her, I realize she is being genuine. Nothing about her scent or expression suggests otherwise; she truly wants a friend.

Friends…

I hate to admit it, but I am lonely. I haven't been able to look Sutek or Rist in the eye since… I breathe out a heavy sigh, trying to dispel the unpleasant memories. It would be nice to be around someone that doesn't remind me of my failings. Of course, I can't get too attached or comfortable around her. But to be friends—I can do that.