Chapter 16

Blaide

Blaide let Liz rest despite not being able to fall asleep himself. His mind buzzed over the new sensations coursing through his body, keeping him awake even though he should sleep while he had the chance.

He'd actually claimed her.

Despite his assertion and her acceptance, he'd half-expected the little omega to balk at the last moment, so he was still in shock over the fact that she was now his.

Forever.

And he was hers just as much, his entire plan for the future morphing to include his sweet little Red. He could feel her anxiety over her grandmother simmering under the contentment born of their mating, so he knew they'd need to go help as soon as Liz was ready to leave.

The first step would be to find the woman. Liz mentioned her nana lived near Rontu, but if she was like many of Jun'gale's residents, that could leave a lot of territory to cover. With enemy troops already on the ground, it would grow more dangerous to travel, especially near settlements.

Blaide swallowed his sigh so he wouldn't disturb his sleeping mate. Staying where they were wasn't an option, as much as he'd like to keep her distracted in his bed for as long as possible. He knew how much it would hurt her if he went back on his promise, and there was no way he could do it. He'd just have to put his all into keeping her safe.

His knot finally deflated, releasing a gush of fluid that had Liz startling awake. Sitting up, her cheeks flushed a darker red as she blinked at him, some of the green having returned to her eyes. Flipping them over, he gave her a naughty smirk before the scent of their fluids drove him to dive between her legs.

Small hands pushed at the top of his head, a garbled protest dying on her lips as his tongue swiped through her folds. When he pushed into her entrance, her legs tightened around his shoulders, fingers tangling in his hair to hold him in place as she whimpered and rocked her hips.

A chuckle rolled through him as he kept up his attentions, feeling her pleasure rising through their bond. Just as she was about to crest, he slowed, moving his tongue to her outer lips and thighs.

Liz growled, pulling at his hair until he lifted his head to grin up at her.

"Something you need, sweet mate?"

Narrowed eyes met his smile, one corner of her lip lifting to bare her teeth at him before a calculating look crossed her face. The sly smirk that followed had him sitting up just in time for Liz to spin herself around.

Her hot tongue lapped at his length as she spread her legs open in invitation. Hands pulling on his sides, she encouraged him to lean over her and continue his feast, but her lips wrapping around his tip distracted him.

Groaning, Blaide buried his face between her thighs as he fought to hold his hips still. She couldn't move her head much in their position, and he longed to feel her hot mouth take more of him, but he didn't want to hurt her.

Latching onto her little nub, he sucked and flicked it with his tongue until he felt her rising again, but this time he didn't stop. Sinking two fingers into her entrance, he felt her tip over the edge, her orgasm pulling an answering one from him. She did her best to keep up with the flow, but he knew it was too much, so he tried to pull away. She refused to release him until she'd taken every drop.

Sitting back on his heels, he stared down at his mate, his seed smeared over her chin and cheeks. Her satisfied grin had him burning to continue their explorations as her tongue darted out to lick her lips clean, but he knew she'd feel guilty if they didn't get on their way soon. Cupping the back of her head, he pulled her up into his arms, crushing her to him as he stole a lingering kiss. With their fluids smeared over both of their faces, Blaide wished he had the time to paint her entire body in them before licking her clean.

Liz's eyes were closed when he finally pulled away from the kiss, chest heaving as the scent of fresh slick teased him. Reminding himself of their mission, he waited until her eyes blinked open before helping her sit up. Her pupils were still wide, and he was sure his were too, but the smell of her heat had already faded.

"Come, let's wash up and get ready to go."

Her brow furrowed before a surge of guilt and worry hit him through the bond. Liz scrambled from the bed. Nodding to the door on the side of the room, he followed her into his little bathroom, flicking on the lights.

If she was expecting what they'd had in the city, she was going to be disappointed, because he only had a traditional shower that used rainwater collected in a cistern. He didn't even have a tub, only a floor drain to take the used water out to the garden.

Clearing his throat, Blaide rubbed the back of his neck as he stared into the shower.

"I didn't have any way to get one of those automated showers out here, so this is all I've got. It'll take a few minutes for the water to warm."

Liz turned and looked up at him, her soft smile doing nothing to ease his worry, but he couldn't ignore the acceptance she pushed through the bond. He returned her smile as she slipped her hand into his.

"Good. It'll give me time to clean up the nest first."

Relief and heat mingled in his blood, leaving him torn between following her back to the bed or doing what he knew was the right thing. A sigh slipped from him when she turned and walked back into the room, her tails lifted behind her.

Moving to the shower, he set the water and turned it on, hissing at the chill when it hit him before he got out of the way. Looking back into his room, the image of Liz kneeling on the bed, straightening the blankets they'd disrupted during their romp, caught him. It was something he hoped to see every day.

After making sure the water was warming, he walked into the room, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist to bury his nose in her neck.

"I love the scent of me on you," he rumbled in her ear.

He couldn't help his stiff cock. She wiggled her hips against his eager flesh. They both groaned.

"So do I."

The words caused his heart to thump as he gave her a tighter squeeze before releasing her.

"But it'll draw every alpha in the area, so it's time to wash."

Holding onto his hand as he helped her step out of the bed so she didn't muss the sheets, she gave him a saucy smile.

"You can get me all smelly again once Nana's safe."

Winking, she put her back to him and walked into the shower, leaving him staring after her. He didn't know how he'd gotten so lucky, but he was ready to drop to the ground and worship her for the rest of his life. Anything to keep her happy.

And that meant rescuing Nana first.

Groaning and trying to get his erection under control, he followed her to the shower, taking the soap from her. Lathering his hands, he let them wander over her slim frame, touching every bit of her as he washed away the dirt and sweat and slick from their trip and her heat. It was torture, but he loved every second. Even more so, he loved how much she enjoyed it, both her emotions flowing through the bond and her purr thrumming through the space between them telling him how happy she was.

Not letting him beat her to it, she returned the favor, her small hands caressing his muscles in a way that had him so hard he wasn't sure he had enough blood left in his brain to think. It took a moment to realize the noise in his ears was his growl and the rising arousal wasn't only his own.

Peeling her hands from his thighs as they approached the one place she hadn't reached yet, he ignored her pout as he gave his cock a rough scrub, fighting back the need to bend her over and take his pleasure. They didn't have the time, and if she'd touched him there, there would've been no way he could have stopped himself.

"Out. Clothes. I'll make food."

His words were rough, and Liz's expression saddened, but her amusement bubbled along their connection. Shooting her a mock snarl, he wrapped her in a towel before popping her bottom and sending her out so he could have a moment to pull himself together.

When he didn't feel like he was ready to pounce on her at the slightest provocation, he stalked into the room and dug out a fresh set of clothing for himself. Every article she'd worn during their trek was filthy, but they didn't have time to wash them.

When he remembered the extra outfit he'd bought at the market, his lip curled, but he dug it from his bag. It wasn't the dull colors he'd prefer as they tried to sneak through the jungle, but it was clean, and it wouldn't matter if it got ruined.

"I grabbed these too. They aren't the best…"

He trailed off, holding the cloth out to Liz. With her hair wet and his large towel wrapped around her, she looked even smaller and more delicate, and he worried again that he was making a mistake by leading her into more danger.

Taking the outfit, her other hand gripped his wrist as she looked up into his eyes.

"Thank you. I know you want to keep me safe, but I can't relax knowing she's out there alone."

Nodding, Blaide swallowed his worries and began getting dressed so he could prepare their food. He had more rations they could take with them, but he wanted Liz to have a hot meal before they set out again. Even if she felt fine now, her stamina wouldn't hold, not after her heat and their trip through the jungle. He wouldn't let her wear herself down any further.

He walked out to the kitchen as she dressed. Once he had the fire going and the meal cooking, he went through his pack and made sure he had the essentials they'd need. Adding a medical kit, rope, rations, and a few extra knives, he had everything packed back up when Liz emerged.

She was wearing the orange top he'd given her, but instead of the white leggings it came with, she was wearing the black pants he'd first seen her in.

"White didn't seem like the best idea, and these weren't too dirty. The other ones you gave me smelled too much like my heat."

She ducked her head until he rumbled his approval and stepped closer to cup her cheek.

"Smart thinking."

Dropping a kiss to her forehead, he had to step away when she leaned into him. His control was too frayed to risk the contact he longed for, but the spike of pain in his chest made him reach out and brush her cheek with his fingertips.

"I want you too much for that now, or we'll never get out of the house."

Her eyes widened, irises shrinking as her tongue peeked out to lick her tempting lips, but she gave him a nod. Turning to the food, he pulled it from the fire and headed to the kitchen to serve it. It wasn't long before he sat across from her at his tiny table, watching her take the first bite. Her smile had warmth blooming in his chest, and they both focused on cleaning their plates.

Once they'd finished every bite and he'd cleaned up, he took one last look around before snuffing the fire. He was leaving his den again, still not knowing when or if he'd ever return, but he found the thought less painful this time. Now he had Liz, and as long as she was by his side, he would feel at home.

Stepping outside, the sight of the rising sun surprised him. It didn't feel like they'd been inside for so long, and the need to move quickly rose within him. There'd be nothing worse than arriving too late.

Taking Liz's hand, he turned east, hoping they'd make it in time.