Chapter 35

LEONA

Stripped of all my clothing, I stand in the middle of the bedroom, waiting for Zahhn to begin my body cavity search. Nerves dance in my stomach even as warmth quakes in my center. I watch as he inspects my clothing, running his fingers carefully along all the seams, apparently searching for non-existent weapons and contraband.

"I told you I don't have anything on me. You're wasting your time."

He glares at me and tosses the clothing aside. I swallow hard as he closes the distance between us. He's still completely dressed, which makes me feel extra vulnerable and exposed. I glance at the bedcovers, tempted to grab them so I might shield my nudity from him.

If you attempt to cover up, human female , he sends down the bond in a warning tone, I won't allow you to wear clothing for an entire moon cycle.

His threat causes a pang of heat in my center, and I press my legs together as I wait for him to get started.

He nods at the bed. "Bend over and spread your legs."

I tremble as I approach the bed and assume the ordered position. Breathless and achy, I'm eager for his touch, but I'm still nervous about a body cavity search. Will he shove especially deep in my orifices?

God, my arms. They won't stop itching. It's a struggle to remain in position because I'm desperate to scratch. I glance at my left arm, the one that itches the most, and I gasp at the sight. Three more markings have appeared. When I hear Zahhn's quick intake of breath, I know he sees it too.

He sinks down next to me and examines my arms, tracing the glowing markings. He meets my eyes, then takes his shirt off. I glance from the markings on my arm to those that cover his chest. They're exactly the same. A perfect match.

He leans down and kisses my arm, and I can't help but melt. Affection flows from him straight to my heart, an emotion so strong it brings tears to my eyes. I attempt to return the same level of warmth, and I hear his appreciative growl in response.

"Beautiful," he whispers in my ear. "So beautiful. I never thought…" His voice trails off for a moment. "I never believed I would have a mate. And now I do, and a heartbond is forming between us. You're wearing my ancestral markings. Praise be to the Star Gods." He strokes a hand down my back before he rises and moves to stand behind me.

My stomach flips. He's going to search me now.

Be a good female and hold still , he sends down the bond. The more cooperative you are, the quicker this will be.

I will try , I answer. My legs tremble and I can't catch my breath. Heated pulses affect my core, and my inner thighs are already coated in my wetness.

I hear a snapping noise, and I glance over my shoulder to find he's just donned a protective glove on his right hand. My pussy spasms.

Trembling and aching, I remain bent over as I await the invasion of his long alien fingers.

He nudges his gloved hand between my legs, prodding my slick entrance. A finger brushes over my clit, but not for long. He soon focuses on spreading moisture from my core over my bottom hole. I whimper, knowing he's about to push inside the snug orifice.

He places a hand on my lower back, then breaches my anus with one thick finger.

"Oh!" To my mortification, my hips undulate in a wanton manner, and more arousal escapes onto my inner thighs. I blink as perspiration runs in my eyes, and suddenly I'm burning up.

He presses further into my bottom hole, and my clit throbs and throbs. He pokes and prods, twisting his digit this way and that, until finally he withdraws from my ass.

I heave a sigh of relief, and when I glance over my shoulder again, I witness him removing the glove.

He wastes no time in checking my pussy for contraband. Stepping close, he nudges two fingers into my slick center. I brace myself as he shoves so very deep, and a cry escapes my lips when he curls his fingers inside my channel as he continues his inspection.

Good little female. It appears you were telling the truth. You are not in possession of weapons or contraband. But he doesn't withdraw his fingers. Instead, he places a thumb to my clit and swirls moisture over the sensitive bit of flesh.

Oh God. Oh yes . He brings me to a release quickly, and I writhe over the bed, my thighs still parted wide, as he expertly strokes me to a climax that leaves me gasping for breath. Shudders afflict me in the aftermath of the quaking pleasure, and I summon the energy to peek over my shoulder when I feel him step away.

My desires heighten when I see he's removing the remainder of his clothing. His hugely muscular body gleams in the overhead lights, and for a few seconds, I forget how to breathe.

He approaches me with his lower shaft, his largest appendage, in his hand while he gently strokes the base. He observes the area between my legs and a lusty growl emits from his chest.

What happens next is frantic and almost violent.

He claims me hard, over and over, mounting me from behind and pounding me with his shafts. He plunges into my slick center with one appendage, fills me with his seed, and then immediately drives his unspent shaft inside me.

The process repeats until I'm so sore, I doubt I could stand on my own. And yet I don't wish for him to stop. The more he ruts me, the more at peace I feel.

Ancestral markings keep appearing on my arms. Each time the itchiness spikes, I glance at my arms to find another one.

With each spurt of Zahhn's seed inside me, I'm able to better sense his thoughts and emotions. I even learn some of his secrets—he was originally planning to steal me today, but at the last minute, he learned I was his assigned mate. Also, he's been sterile for years, but he believes the heartbond might help change that.

He pauses in his thrusts and his fingers dig into my hips. I sense his sudden surprise, and I turn my head to meet his gaze as I attempt to decipher his latest thoughts. But his voice soon echoes in my head.

I can see the complicated situation you found yourself in, human female, with your father and your bar and all the happenings on the worldship. He caresses my back and sends me a wave of affection. I know that you wanted to warn someone about your suspicions, but you didn't have any good options. Not without implicating yourself, and not without being the cause of a mass execution.

I exhale with relief. I was so worried when I didn't hear from you for a few days, I send down the tether. The thought of you being sick or dying… it terrified me. I was so happy when I learned you were safe. I was happy when I realized The Saviors' plan to deploy a virus on the Haxxal failed. I never wanted any part of a rebellion. I never wanted anyone to die.

We communicate for a long time, mind-to-mind, while his huge stiff lower cock remains submerged in my core. His balls also keep vibrating against my clit, a blissful sensation that's somewhat distracting, but I don't wish for him to withdraw from my center. I like having him close.

He shares his findings about heartbonds altering a Darrvason male's genetic makeup, and the hopefulness that radiates from him touches my heart. Children. There's a chance we might have children together. Just a few days ago, such a prospect would've scared the hell out of me. But the developing heartbond allows me to sense his integrity, his true character, and I find myself hoping for a miracle.

He readjusts his grip on my hips and rides me to another completion. We climax at the same time, and after we catch our breath, he cradles me on his lap. He strokes my hair and peers into my eyes, his gaze brimming with devotion. Devotion for me .

Our telepathic secret sharing session continues as we piece together the events of the last three months. Misunderstandings are resolved. Apologies are issued. Promises are made.

After he glimpses the day of my arrest, combing through my mind to acquire every little detail, not only does he show concern for Mandy's sister, but he insists he'll visit the Jansonna to help her soon. He also says I can accompany him, as the last of his ancestral markings have just appeared on my arms.

As it turns out, he won't have to keep me locked up out of fear that another male will attempt to claim me. I shiver as I push away thoughts of the unpleasant encounter with Doctor Ammdox, and I'm grateful the heartbond has finished forming between us so quickly.

I stare at the glowing markings on my upper arms, then look at his chest. I also notice his flesh is cooler to the touch than it was an hour ago. His mating fever must be abating. Considering how many times he mounted me and erupted in my depths, I'm not surprised.

A smile tugs at my lips as I recall how this all started. The dreams. The dreams about glowing purple eyes set in a face obscured by shadows. I hold his gaze as my soul does a little dance.

My precious mate. He presses his forehead to mine and tightens his arms around me. I bask in the comfort of his embrace, and as I drift to sleep, I hear him whisper, "Mine. My sweet Lee-oon-ahh."