Venomous Hunger (Eok Warriors Book 2)

by Mary Auclair

  “Why would you do something like that?” She fought the intruding thoughts, the intruding image of two naked bodies, glistening with sweat, panting. Pursing her lips, she stared hard into his eyes, seeing only a depthless cloud of fog. “What are you going to do after it wears off? It’s not like we’re in love.”

  “Eoks mate for life.” Kamal’s fingers turned stronger, and he held her jaw in an iron grip. “You are mine as I am yours, until Death rips you from my hands.”

  Her heart beat against her ribs, painful and frantic. She was swallowed in Kamal’s hunger for her, his lust penetrating her skin, warming the blood in her veins.

  “And I have no say in that?”

  “Whatever say you had, you renounced it when you smuggled yourself aboard my ship.”

  A hard mouth closed over her lips, cutting off any answer she could have thought of. Kamal kissed her like she was the last female alive in the universe; with complete focus. His taste invaded her mouth, clean and male, consuming her thoughts, reducing them to ashes in the back of her mind. She answered the kiss, opening her mouth to his exploration, unable to resist. Unwilling to resist.

  A moan escaped her, but it was swallowed by Kamal’s increasingly hungry kiss.

  His hand gripped her nape, immobilizing her head in a domineering grip. Another hand closed around her waist and she was pulled in to his hard body. The push of his erection against her belly flooded her mind with need, and soon, her hands reached between them, running along the flat, fit lines of his chest, down his abdomen and to the swell in his pants.

  She wanted him on her, inside her. She wanted his raw, rough possession, the male claim that came with his body. She hungered for it like she’d never hungered for anything before.

  Kamal broke the kiss abruptly. His eyes gleamed anew, the intensity of the light making her head swim in circles. As he locked gazes with her, there was a depth of emotions in his eyes, something she couldn’t exactly grasp. He was so alien to her, in every sense of the word. Were his feelings the same as hers, or was it something else entirely? He wanted her body, that much was clear. He claimed he’d linked his life to hers irreversibly, but how could he make that choice? After all, they barely knew each other.

  I don’t even care why.

  Maybe there was no such thing as love for the Eok warrior, but the way he was looking at her, like the world was contained in her eyes… it was almost too much.

  Kamal’s hands left their former place and reached, fast and confident. He grabbed both her thighs, then lifted her, parting her legs on either side of his hips. Just like that, she was straddling him, the hard bulge of his erection pressing against her sex, the contact sending her lust into overdrive.

  This time, it was she who closed her mouth on Kamal’s. The taste of him was a drug, and even if her mind was remotely aware that it was the Mating Venom that made her crave him so much, she didn’t care. She was too far gone.

  Her passion seemed to spread oil on Kamal’s fire, and he pressed her closer to his hardness, rubbing her up and down as he started to walk.

  “You are the most intoxicating female I ever met.” Kamal broke the kiss and spoke in her neck, his nose buried in her hair. “How was I supposed to resist you? You were mine as soon as I saw you that day in the clearing. Even then, I couldn’t take my eyes off you. Every day you lay in that medical bed, I came and stared at you, sometimes for hours.”

  Aliena stared at him. She was too shocked to even think. Yet, as shocked as she was, she didn’t question a word of it. Somewhere deep inside her, she knew he was telling the truth. She sensed it in herself, in the instant attraction she’d felt for him. Somehow, he had been a constant fixture in the back of her mind since that day he’d found her in the forest.

  Her eyes trailed across the room. Kamal had covered the distance between the doorway and the back wall. They were standing just in front of his bed. The words he’d said to her the day of the attack on the Breeding Facility came back to her mind and a long shiver trailed down her body, ending straight between her legs.

  I could shackle you to that bed.

  The image came to her mind, clear and vivid like a memory. Her body naked, totally vulnerable, her arms spread wide, offering her breasts and body in full view, each wrist firmly tethered to the posts of the massive bed. Totally at the mercy of Kamal and his most male instincts. The thought made her core clench and quiver, and she felt a hot, wet need spread between her legs.

  Kamal’s nostrils flared, and his ridged nose moved as she saw the understanding show on his face. Somehow, he could smell her arousal, that female scent that spoke of forbidden pleasures and surrender of the flesh.

  She opened her mouth to speak. She had no idea what she wanted to say, but in any case, she never got the chance. Kamal pressed his lips on hers again. His tongue pushed inside her mouth, the possession as clear as the hands that squeezed her ass, pressing her against the delicious hardness of his erection.

  He took the final step toward the bed, his mouth still locked on hers, and she felt her body tilting backward as he laid her down, still holding her pressed to him with one hand, bracing both their weight on the bed with the other. Her back met the soft surface of the bed, and she was imprisoned by the large body of Kamal, covering hers entirely.

  His large hands ran along her legs, up to her breasts, and then hooked at the base of her neck, at the collar of her insulating clothes. Sharp talons grew by an inch and in one long, fast motion, he ripped through the length of the fabric with both hands, right down to her calves.

  The shock made her whimper, a sound so small and frightened, it was like a bird.

  Little Bird.

  Yes, she was quivering prey under his touch.

  Kamal straightened, towering over her, resting on his knees. He reached up, and his shirt landed on the floor, exposing the broad expanse of his chest. Her eyes latched on to the metallic blue of his skin, on the twirling constellation of scars covering every available inch.

  It was a dizzying display of mental strength, of the capacity to endure and swallow pain, use it. A control over the sovereign strength of this body, this glorious lethal weapon that was Kamal’s entire being. Those large, strong hands reached down, and in a few quick, efficient movements, tossed away his heavy synthetic leather pants.

  She stared at his naked body, from the ripples of his abs down to the jutting length of his sex.

  His erection was long and thick, surprisingly similar to a human’s, except maybe for the size. A twinge of fear spread inside her at the sight of it. She’d had a few lovers before, but the experiences hadn’t left any lasting impression on her, either negatively or positively. This time was going to be different. This time wasn’t just going to leave an imprint, it was going to brand her for life.

  Kamal bent over, reaching with his taloned hands ever so softly, pushing the remnants of her clothes away. She locked gazes with him as he lowered himself over her body, parting her legs with his knees. Looking at the sheer size of him, at the raw power that radiated from his marked blue skin, fear fluttered anew in her belly, stronger that her arousal.

  “You’re too big for me.” She forced saliva down her suddenly tight throat. “You’ll hurt me.”

  “You were made for me,” Kamal answered, his gaze sliding down her body like his hands; slow and possessive. “I will make you feel so much pleasure, your throat will be hoarse from screaming my name.”

  Then there was no space left for words. He kissed her again, but this time, it was soft and tender, entrancing in its gentleness. Hot hands ran along her skin, from the sensitive spots behind her knees to her waist, kneading her flesh, spreading blazing agony along the way.

  Her need for him was like a brazier, consuming her, one cell at a time.

  Kamal broke the kiss and Aliena inhaled greedily, her head swimming in a thick haze of pleasure. He buried his face in her neck, kissing and nipping with his sharp fangs, teasing the line between pain and ecstasy all the way down
to her left breast. More Mating Venom entered her bloodstream, turning her lust into a painful torment, a need akin to starvation. Finally, his mouth closed on her nipple, his other hand pinching the other lightly. She gasped and moved, but his broad hand flattened on her shoulder, pinning her to the mattress.

  “Don’t move, Little Bird.” Kamal’s voice was a vibrating growl, sending a rush of wetness straight between her legs. “I want to feast on your body.”

  “Oh, Gods!”

  Aliena pushed her head back on the mattress as Kamal resumed his assault on her breast, stopping only when her moans turned tortured and pained, then he switched, nipping on the other breast until she begged for mercy. His hot mouth left her nipple, his tongue sliding over her skin and down to her navel.

  Kamal’s mouth traveled slowly down her hipbone, licking and nipping, torturing. His hand moved from her shoulder, making a beeline for her leg and down to the secret, soft place between that made her female and wanting. He slid a talonless finger down her folds, spreading her juices up to her nerve bundle, then down to her core. In one fast, merciless movement, he inserted a thick finger inside her, pushing all the way inside.

  Aliena jerked on the bed at the sensation as her walls clenched around his finger, trying to suck him ever deeper. His mouth moved down to the hollow at the base of her throat, and he inhaled deeply as her hands closed on his head before traveling down the strong lines of his shoulders. Every bump, every mark on his skin under her fingertips was an erotic touch, his skin like warm silk.

  Finally, time stopped as Kamal’s mouth came to rest just over her sex, the heat from his breath making her shiver with anticipation. Never had any man made her feel like this, made her want his touch so much.

  If he stopped, she would beg him to continue.

  Then he did it. His mouth closed on her sex and he kissed it, softly at first, then with his tongue, like the most intimate kiss she could imagine. His finger inside her moved, pushing in and out in slow, deep movements. Soon, the combined sensations of Kamal’s mouth and finger were too much and Aliena threw her head back on the mattress.

  She screamed as rapture unfolded in her body. The intensity of the pleasure wiped her mind clear of thoughts, leaving only a blank space behind as she finally quieted down, her body a limp mass on the softness of the bed.

  “You’re mine, Little Bird.” Kamal climbed up her body until his eyes were level with hers. Her legs were parted and the hardness of his sex pushed at her entrance. “I want to hear you say it. I need to.”

  Her mind rebelled against the claim, against the branding he wanted to apply to her very soul. His eyes locked with hers, the clear fog-like blue filled with a need that had nothing to do with power, with control, but that ran deeper.

  A need for her.

  “I am yours.”

  The words hung between them as Kamal stared into her eyes, his expression intense and serious. His hand trailed up to her face, cupping her chin, immobilizing her, forcing her to look at him.

  He lowered himself, and Aliena inhaled sharply as he pierced her body, stretching her without pausing until he was fully seated inside her. Her breathing came fast and deep as he entered her. His size was impressive, and he stayed there, unmoving, giving her time to adjust to him.

  “You weren’t just made for me.” His voice was deep and low. “We were made for each other.”

  He didn’t wait for an answer. None was needed.

  He moved slowly at first, withdrawing almost completely, then pushing until he was inside her to the hilt in one controlled, continuous motion. Soon, sensations built anew, increased by the size and length of him inside her.

  After a few more minutes, she was panting again, moving her hips against Kamal’s, losing herself to the sensations, to the need for release. The second orgasm blindsided her, more powerful than the first, taking root deep inside her body.

  She screamed his name again and again.

  A few more thrusts later, a deafening roar started above her head as Kamal released his own pleasure, his seed spilling inside her. With that, a third wave of pleasure overcame her, and Aliena kept screaming his name until her voice gave out.

  Finally, when both their bodies were satisfied beyond measure, Kamal lifted himself off her, then lay down at her side. He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her in to the heat of his body, molding her back to his chest and belly, his legs pushing into hers.

  The exhaustion of the last long hours wrapped around her, and Aliena allowed her eyes to drift closed. Fingers brushed her temple, pushing the hair away from her face, and a kiss landed in the curve of her neck.

  “I told you you would scream my name until your voice gave out.”

  She could hear the smile in his voice. That wicked grin that made him appear as ruthless as he was irresistible. Her own smile stretched her lips, and she snuggled closer inside the heat from his body.

  “You were right about at least one thing.” Aliena chuckled. “I am hoarse.”

  Kamal chuckled at her back, and Aliena allowed the darkness to blanket her in its embrace, knowing that the fight was far from over, and that her heart might be lost in the battle.

  But not tonight. Tonight, all she wanted was to sleep in Kamal’s arms.

  Chapter 13

  Kamal

  She was sleeping at his side, curled up like a youngling. So soft and delicate, so enticing.

  Mine. My bloodmate.

  The word permeated the very essence of his being, remade who he was to put her at the center. His hand reached of its own accord to land on the silky softness of her honey colored skin.

  Yes, Aliena was soft and delicate, but she was also strong. Before meeting her, he had never thought a small and dainty female like the human could force his respect as she had. So brazen, so courageous. He would not fail her.

  Moving cautiously as to not wake her, Kamal got up and out of bed. Aliena stayed deep in slumber, but then, she was not accustomed to space travel as he was, and slept like it was the middle of the night. It was hard at first, the body not knowing which rhythm to follow in the absence of sun and night, so he let her sleep. She needed it after spending so much time in the freezing cargo hold.

  His internal clock told him it had been at least four hours since he’d tasked Marmack with finding Wyol and Sheegar. He exited the room as silently as he could, then headed straight back to the command center.

  The room was empty when he got there. Kamal stared, uneasiness growing in his mind. The command center was never empty.

  He walked away from the command center and to the only place that made sense, the gathering hall, where his crew would meet and talk when they had free time. There, he was met with startled, cautious gazes.

  “Captain.” A male Cattelan named Arrend inclined his forehead to him. “I must congratulate you on your mating.”

  Kamal walked into the middle of the room, stopping just at the foot of the platform where Aliena and he had stood such a short time ago. He turned and met the eyes of his crew members, at least eight of them. The tension was easy to spot in the various alien features, and each pair of eyes darted quick glances at the only exit, a few paces to Kamal’s left. He knew why. They had threatened the life of the female who had become his bloodmate. They were petrified by the idea that he might be seeking retribution. And rightly so. All his instincts pushed him to reduce them to a meaningless heap of flesh and bones—all to better protect the one he called bloodmate—but it would be a mistake.

  These males were his crew, sworn to him as he was sworn to them. He would not harm them. Not if they didn’t threaten what was rightfully his.

  “Thank you, Arrend.” Kamal inclined his head to him in thanks. “Have any of you seen Marmack or Tailan?”

  Eight heads slowly shook in negative response. Kamal frowned, then turned away.

  Where were they?

  His feet brought him to the lower level, just above the cargo hold. It was a part of his ship he seldom visited, a level
that mostly consisted of the crew’s sleeping quarters; individual rooms, small but comfortable, as well as the kitchen and, at the back of that, the access to the cargo hold. As he neared the kitchen, familiar voices reached his ears.

  He walked in and met the eyes of Marmack and Tailan, surprised, but not shocked.

  “Wyol and Sheegar are not on the ship anymore.” Marmack turned to face him. “But there’s no one else missing. We just finished searching the cargo hold. We didn’t trust anyone else to do it.”

  “They were acting alone, then.” Kamal walked in, stopping a few paces from Marmack and Tailan.

  This time, Marmack did not push his mate behind him. “There is no mutiny.”

  “Only two of them?” Kamal frowned. “It seems unlikely.”

  “Yes, it is.” Tailan nodded. “I think it’s a trick.”

  “And I believe Wyol was always a traitor at heart. The pod’s most likely landing place will be one of the Relany controlled planets or moons. They’re the closest to our position.”

  “Allies of the Eok nation.” Kamal locked gazes with Marmack. “They won’t find an easy refuge there once I send word of their treachery to my brother Karian.”

  “What now?” Tailan said.

  “Not a word of this to the crew.” Kamal shot a glance at both of them to make his seriousness clear.

  “They’re bound to ask questions,” Marmack countered. “Wyol was the medical technician. He’s going to be needed, sooner or later.”

  “Then we’ll tell them the truth.” Tailan surprised Kamal with the confidence in her face, her voice. “Wyol and Sheegar tried to start a mutiny and sell Aliena as a human slave on the black market. They won’t question it. Most of them had the same thought at one point or another.”

  Silence fell between them. Tailan was right; the crew would not question it. It was still a terrible risk.

  “You are afraid for Aliena.” It wasn’t a question, and Marmack didn’t wait for an answer. “You want to bring her back to Earth.”

  Again, not a question. More like an accusation..