14. Amma

Chapter 14

Amma

A mma felt the tension slowly leave Suni's body. While she couldn't understand why such a strong beautiful male would feel he wasn't deserving of love, she was happy she was the one who gave him peace. While she didn't know if she loved him, she knew she could grow to love him. Suni didn't use his size as a weapon and the gentle way he was towards Gar and Rown spoke of his caring soul.

Are we going to eat? Mike asked.

Amma reluctantly released Suni and took a step back. "The boys are complaining about being hungry."

"Do you need mittens?" Suni teased.

NO! Sam screamed. We are not food!

"Oh, stop your screaming. You know he's joking. Suni, is it safe for them to go out and hunt?"

"It is safe, but I think they should stay." Suni answered. "They are small and there are a lot of hungry animals who will make them a snack."

"They eat grubs." Amma placed a pile in front of the boys, and they dug in. "I'm sure they ate while we hiked. Hey," she picked Mike up. "You need to be nice." She waited until he blinked before setting him back down. She hoped they would eat enough to fall into a food comb and give her some time alone with Suni. Amma returned to the fire and sat cross-legged. Suni was stirring something into the boiling pot that smelled delicious. "What are you going to make? Cast a few spells?"

"Cast spells?" Suni's head tilted to the side. "What do you mean?"

"One of my cousins works with potions. She uses something that looks like that," she said, and pointed at the cauldron. "What are you making?"

"There was dried hukmu and vegetables in the storage containers. I will have to resupply them before returning home, but for now we will enjoy a popular hunting stew."

"My mouth is watering," Amma said. "How long does it take to cook?"

"If you want the flavors to deepen, it will take a while. I am sorry I should have gathered more grubs." Suni looked up. "Would you like me to grab more?"

"Oh no, you have done so much already." Amma felt like she needed to start pulling her weight. "If you tell me where to find them, I don't mind going out."

"It is my honor to protect you." Suni stood and wiped his claws on his pants. "We can go together, and I can show you some edible plants that only flower at night."

"It would be nice to know what I can eat and what I can't." Amma followed him outside. "Can we keep the door closed? Maybe the guys shouldn't take a midnight stroll."

"That is a good idea." He secured the door. "Are they always so active?"

"You think they are active now? Wait until they get comfortable. Nothing beats watching them with the zoomies."

Suni led the way into the forest. "I cannot wait to see these zoomies. Since we are not hunting, we can talk as we walk."

"Okay. Was there anything else you wanted to show me? Something like the lurkers? I wouldn't mind seeing something so beautiful again."

"No, they have all found their mates and are busy nesting. I just wanted to track down some more edible plants. I can tell you what we use them for as we gather them. That way if anything should happen, you will not starve."

"I did pretty well on my own before." Amma bumped his arm with her shoulder. "I'm sure I will survive again."

He grunted.

"Really? I get a male grunt?" Amma teased. "That is the same thing men on Earth do when they don't want to answer a question."

"It is not that I do not want to answer your question," Suni said. "I just know you will never be alone again."

Amma liked the sound of that. The time she had been alone in the cave had been hard on her. She was used to having a bunch of family members around and ducking into her room now and then for a few hours of peace. It had gotten tiring to only hear her own voice. She wondered how Suni would feel about her being extra clingy. She chuckled as she pictured herself wrapped around one of his legs, holding on for dear life.

"What is funny?" Suni asked.

"Oh I was imagining what I would do if you tried to leave me behind."

"And what would you do?"

"Cling like a monkey to your leg," she answered.

Suni stopped and stared at her. "What is a monkey?"

"An animal that almost looks human but not. The young ones hold on to their mothers tightly, even when she climbs trees," Amma answered.

"That did not answer my question, but I think you are saying you would hold onto me like a calf who does not want to go to sleep."

"Exactly." Amma saw no shame in admitting it. "So don't try anything."

"I would rather lose my right hand than leave you behind." Suni cupped her chin and stroked with the pad of his thumb along her cheekbone. "It has only been a short time, but I am used to the noise you make when walking through the forest. I am sure all the animals know when you are coming."

"Hmph!" She slapped his hand away and held her nose in the air. "I am a lady and I walk with dainty little steps."

"Maybe in your language dainty means something different." Suni continued walking and his ears rotated back toward her. "At least I will always know where you are."

"Don't forget I'm a witch, and I know where you sleep."

Suni threw her a smirk. "One day it will be in my furs. And then I will hold your hands down so that you cannot cast your evil spells."

"All I need is my mouth." She almost ran into his back again when he stopped suddenly and spun to face her. "Whoa!" She held her hands up in surrender at the heated look he sent her way. There was no way she could keep her panties dry. His nostrils flared and he huffed out a breath before drawing a deeper one. Amma couldn't look away from his masculine beauty.

"You tempt me, Amma," Suni groaned. "I can smell your slick and it is taking all my training not to mount you right here."

"Why hold back?" Amma covered her mouth and her eyes went wide. She had meant to say that in her head, but it was already out there. She couldn't take it back. She didn't want to take it back. Amma squeaked when Suni grabbed her and tossed her over his shoulder and raced back toward the hut. Her stomach was a little uncomfortable from his hard shoulder, but she wanted to get back as much as he did.

Suni almost ripped the door off, scaring Mike, Sam, and Astro, who had been playing by the fire. "Out," he said, pointing at the door. "Stay close."

Bye . Sam yelled as they left the hut.

"Will they be safe?" Amma asked when he carefully put her down.

"Yes," Suni answered. "Any nearby predator will smell my fresh markings, and I will leave the door open enough for them to get back inside if there is an emergency."

"Aww, you really do like me."

"‘Like' is not the word I would use." Suni sat down cross-legged and pulled her into his lap. "You hold my heart in your hands. Everything I am is now yours to use as you will. My power, my strength is yours."

Amma blinked back tears. On Earth, she had given up hope of finding someone who could accept her as she was. The last guy her cousin Jo had tried dating turned out to be an asshole. She hadn't wanted to have the same thing happen to her, so she had decided to go with a donor when she was ready to have kids. But after only a day, a huge, muscular male was promising her the world and more. Even if he was of a different species, there was no way she was going to pass up what was being offered.

"Suni." She caged his face between her palms. "You make me feel whole. I think you had my heart the first time you stepped from the shadows."