Chapter 28

ATOX IM GRAK

Itip my female’s face up, to look into her deep brown eyes for what may be the last time. She respects the truth, so this, I will give her.

“I did take you to breed you. The agreement with your people says we receive five females after two months of guarding their borders.”

Her jaw clenches, but she doesn’t yell or run from me. Instead, she straightens her spine, as if she’s a warrior preparing for battle.

“I don’t want to leave, Atox,” she whispers. Not a plea of desperation. Something more.

I run my hand through her hair and down her cheek one last time.

“I see something in you. A greatness that is more than a male fit to be grak. But I won’t stay if you only want me for my ability to have younglings. I’ve spent much of my life being shamed by others for my body. It’s an awful feeling. Being wanted only for my ability to have babies isn’t any better. I’m so much more than what you see and touch. I wish you could understand that.”

I understand. More than she realizes.

Those deep brown eyes capture me as securely as if she’d tied a rope around my heart. The idea of letting her go violates everything that makes me who I am. She’s my female.

Myfemale.

Mine to protect, mine to hold, and mine to mate in the risha. If she lets me. If she forgives me and takes me as I am. A grak who has to make tough decisions. A grak who makes mistakes.

“Even if you cannot carry a youngling. I need you, female, because you help me be a better grak. A better male. I want you. For me. Atox, the warrior. I want you in my furs, I want you challenging me, provoking me, stirring my heart and soul with your fierceness and wisdom.”

Tears leak from her eyes, but her face softens.

I scratch my head. “It appears I’ve said something wrong. Again.”

“No, Atox. You’ve said everything right.” She wipes the tears away. “These are happy tears.” She runs to me, jumping into the air, knowing I’ll catch her.

My hands support her under her plump ass, which gives me ideas I shove aside until I know we have come to an agreement. I cannot, will not, lose her.

“You will explain these tears,” I say, squeezing her ass. I have my priorities, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t enjoy touching her. Especially with how she presses herself against me. No male should be expected to ignore such temptation.

“It’s simple, really. Tears reflect emotions, but not all emotions. Happy tears mean I’m happy. And then there are sad tears.”

“How do I know the difference?”

“Based on my expression, voice, body language. Everything together.”

“Confusing.”

“I want to make this work between us, Atox. But what about what you have to do as grak? I mean, you need a baby to carry on your rule.”

“I will choose another warrior to pair with a moxxel. Whether you conceive or not, you are mine and I will not give you up.”

“What about an heir?”

“If I do not have an heir of my flesh, then so be it. I will find a worthy warrior. Verig, perhaps.”

Paloma throws her arms around my neck and kisses me. I can smell the lush area between her thighs, and it is all I can do to keep from pressing her against the gorja and fucking her long and hard. My cock already strains against my loin cloth. This will be an uncomfortable ride home but a joyous one.

“Verig,” I call. He appears in seconds, which means he wasn’t as far as he should have been. I suspect he heard much of our conversation. “Run ahead and prepare for a risha.”

“Yes, Grak.” Verig races off.

With my female’s legs still around my waist, I pull us onto the gorja.

“What is a risha?” Paloma asks. “The translation came through as witnessing. What will we be witnessing?”

“Not us. Our people. They will witness our union.”

“We’re getting married?”

I treasure the excitement in her voice. When I entered the treaty with the humans, I expected the female they’d give me would follow my orders, like any of my warriors. But a mate is much different from a warrior. Much more vulnerable… and yet very strong in a way warriors are not. Paloma cannot be controlled, but she can be reasoned with, and I find that much more pleasing. She has much to offer me and my people, even if she cannot give me younglings.

“Risha is a binding ceremony that ensures no one and nothing can break us apart, even in death.”

“That’s rather romantic, Atox. Up until the death part.”

“Remaining bound in death is an honor.”

She leans into me as I coax the gorja onto a path with fewer trees. This female fits perfectly against me, reaffirming that she is destined to be mine for all eternity.

“What’s involved in this binding ceremony? Do we exchange rings or vows?”

“I will vow to protect you with my life.”

“You’ve already done that.”

“But this will be witnessed. I must prove you belong to me, Paloma. I will be permanently bonded to you.”

“Really?” Joy resonates in her voice, adding to my pride for this female.

“No one will question our bond after the risha.”

“I’d like that. What do I do? Repeat what you say? Promise to protect you with my life?”

I laugh. “You humans have odd ways. It is for the male to protect the female.”

Oof… My female elbows me in the chest. “As part of these vows, I think we need to add that you don’t make fun of humans anymore.”

“Very well. After the claiming.”

“What claiming?”

“I will mate you in front of the witnesses.”

“You mean sex? In front of everyone?” she asks, her voice squeaking.

“No.”

“Good.” She relaxes against me.

“Only my top warriors.”