by Olivia Black
Eric hated that he felt intimidated by the large males, but they were all so much taller and bigger than he was. Compared to them, Eric felt downright petite. Eric stayed close to Gru, trying to escape a few curious hands. Gru and some of the other males from the starship surrounded Eric, encircling him so that the other Noglions couldn't get too close. Even though he knew the Noglions wouldn't hurt him, Eric was glad for the protection.
He ducked his head and slouched his shoulders, trying to disappear. Eric didn't like being the center of attention, but he understood it. He looked completely different than the Noglion people. He stood out, his golden-tanned skin among a sea of scales. When the group of Noglion males came to an abrupt stop, Eric skidded to a halt. He heard a beep followed by a swish as the door opened.
"Consort William." Gru gave a slight bow.
"Commander Gru."
Gru stepped aside, and Eric came face-to-face with his worst nightmare. Inside a medium-sized room stood a human, but unlike Eric, who was fully clothed, this guy was wearing only a brown-colored collar around his neck. Damn it.
"The rumors are true," Eric murmured. Spinning around, Eric called out, "Commander!"
Gru stopped, along with his entourage. He turned around and faced Eric.
"What's going to happen to me?"
The male gestured to his men, and they left without another word. Gru walked toward him. The male lifted his hand and gently patted Eric's head. "Do you trust me?"
Without pausing to think, Eric said, "Yes." Gru was the only male he trusted on Noglion.
"Then trust that everything is going to be okay."
Eric really wanted more of an explanation, but unfortunately, it didn't seem as though Gru was going to be forthcoming.
Gru lifted a hand and cupped the side of Eric's face. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to the top of Eric's head. "I need to get ready for the battle."
"You're going to fight for me."
"Was there any doubt?"
Eric shook his head. He knew Gru would fight for him.
"I'll see you in the arena."
"Good luck. I hope you win."
"I don't need luck," Gru said, confidence evident in his tone. "I'm a seasoned warrior."
Turning, Gru left Eric. He stood there, staring at the male's backside until he disappeared from sight.
Chapter Five
Taking a deep breath to steel his nerves, Eric turned around. He stared at the other human before him, unsure of what he should do. Eric felt a little uncomfortable, which wasn't really surprising since the man was naked. And he seemed quite comfortable with his nudity. Eric didn't think he would be able to stand so relaxed if he were exposed in front of a stranger.
"Hello, I'm William Gilbert."
"Hi," Eric said awkwardly. It was a little difficult to carry on a conversation with the man when he was standing before Eric naked.
William grinned. "I'm the welcoming committee."
Eric chuckled lightly. He couldn't help it. William's words broke the awkward tension, helping Eric to breathe a little easier.
"Where did they take Dennis?"
"Don't worry about your friend," William said. "He'll be fine."
Eric sighed.
"I'm here to help you."
Eric arched a questioning brow. "Help me?"
"In a few hours, there will be a contest. Although I think the word battle would probably be a better term. Any unmated male who thinks he's worthy will come and fight for you. The outcome of the battle will determine which male will be allowed to claim you."
Eric nodded in understanding.
"You should also know that the males here on Noglion share a mate with the other unmated males in their household. You will belong to them all."
Eric's eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't been expecting that. But in truth, Eric didn't really know anything about this planet or their customs and traditions.
A thought suddenly occurred to him, and Eric asked, "Does Commander Gru have any brothers?"
William chuckled knowingly. "You're interested in the commander, huh?"
Eric shrugged.
"Well, don't worry. Even if he doesn't win, this planet is crawling with alpha male types."
William strolled over to a small sitting area and took a seat in one of the chairs. He leaned forward and lifted a pitcher and poured the contents into two glasses.
"Please," he said, holding out his arm to the empty chair across from him. "Have a seat. You must be exhausted after the journey here."
Eric only hesitated for a moment. He stepped over the threshold and walked over to the sitting area. Eric dropped down into the chair and groaned. He was tired and filthy. The only thing he wanted was a cold beverage and a shower.
"Have a drink. I'll answer your questions, and then, you can bathe."
Eric didn't bother waiting. He had quite a few questions, and he was desperate for answers. "Why do humans have to wear a collar? Are we their pets, or are we their mates?"
William gave him a pointed look. "You think the collar is degrading."
"Truthfully, I don't know what to think anymore. Before talking to Commander Gru, I would've said wearing a collar is disgusting and a little barbaric. But now, I'm not really sure what to think."
William reached up and touched the collar, running his fingertips over the letters burned into the worn leather.
"It signifies that we are mated and it tells the other Noglion males who our mate is. In human terms, you should think of the collar as a wedding ring."
"Why the leash?"
"We aren't Noglion," William simply said. "We're human."
"What does that mean? Are we their pets?"
William shrugged. "I guess that's one way to look at it. You could say that humans are pampered pets who like being looked after, who like to be kept close and safe. We are protected, loved, and taken care of here on Noglion."
"When you say it like that, it doesn't sound so bad."
"It's not an insult." He smiled. "You'll understand everything soon enough."
Picking up the cup from the tray, Eric brought it up to his nose and inhaled the contents. The scent of honey and some sort of alcohol drifted up from the glass. "What is this?"
"It's chilled mead laced with honey and some special herbs."
William took a sip of his drink, and Eric followed suit, not wanting to be disrespectful. The heady mixture hit his tongue and slid down his parched throat. Eric moaned in delight. It was exactly what he needed.
"This is really good." He finished the glass in three big gulps and held it out for more.
"There's a nice warm bath waiting for you."
Eric put his cup down on the table and rose to his feet. A bath. It sounded heavenly. Without another word, Eric walked toward the adjoining bathroom.
"The water has a cleaning agent in it, so you won't need soap."
"Okay," Eric called over his shoulder.
Eric stripped off his clothes, dropping the brick-colored stained articles to the floor. The bathtub was below ground, carved out of the floor, and it was the size of a small pool. Cloudy-colored water flowed out like a waterfall, pouring in from an opening on the wall. Eric stepped into the water and walked down the stairs.
He waded through the warm fluid, walking toward the waterfall. Eric stood beneath the heavy flow of water and closed his eyes. He stood there for a while, relaxing under the pressure. Eric stepped out from beneath the waterfall and shook out his hair, removing the excess moisture from his curly strands. He strode over to the bench seat and sat down, and the water rose up to his shoulders.
Eric rubbed his arms. And the cleaning agent worked like magic. It removed the dust and sweat from his skin and hair, leaving him feeling squeaky-clean. With the dirt and perspiration gone, Eric finally felt like himself again.
He sat there for a while, relaxing in the water. When he was done, Eric stood up and got out of the tub. He grabbed a towel, shook it out, and dried off. He looked around
for something clean to wear, but there weren't any clothes. So Eric wrapped the soft material around his waist, cinching it at his hips.
Eric sighed as he rejoined William. "Thank you for the bath."
William grinned. "No problem."
He sat down. "I feel a lot better."
"It was the same way for me when I first arrived," William told him. "All I wanted was something cold to drink and a shower to wash off all the grime."
"Exactly."
Eric picked up the glass from the table and downed the contents. As soon as his cup was empty, William refilled it. He leaned back in the chair and sipped the drink.
"What kind of relationship do you have with Commander Gru?"
"We don't have a relationship," he said. Eric had shared a few moments with Gru, but he wouldn't say they were close. "When I first boarded the ship, I was terrified. Not just of him but of all the males. They're so big and intimidating. I'm not sure if it's the scales, the clawed hands, or the yellow eyes. But whatever it is, I was scared shitless."
Soon, the alcohol rushed through Eric's system, making him a bit dizzy and lightheaded. It felt good. And within minutes, a feeling of tranquility and happiness swept over him. All of his inhibitions seemed to drift away until they disappeared completely.
"I wasn't supposed to be here, you know. I was actually on my way to Sweshan, and then, a Glecerian ambassador escorted me to a Noglion starship."
"Your situation has changed, and you must accept it. If you don't, your new life here on Noglion will be hell. If you do, you can find happiness." William paused for a moment before continuing. "When I first arrived, I didn't want to be here. But, everything changed after I accepted my mate, and now, I consider Noglion my home."
Eric sighed.
"I've seen your paperwork, but I still have to ask, are you a virgin?"
"No," Eric scoffed. "I've been with a few guys. But I've never been passed around before."
The idea that he would be shared was both exciting and frightening. Truthfully, it was a fantasy. One of many he'd shared in his sexual personality paperwork. That thought gave Eric pause. Perhaps that was why the ambassador picked him to go to Noglion. Maybe it wasn't random.
"You aren't going to be passed around. You'll be shared with your mates."
Suddenly, Eric started to feel hot. He fanned himself with his hand as he rose to feet and started walking around the room. Eric needed some air.
"Fuck," he said. "It's so hot." Eric felt uncomfortable in his skin. And the towel wrapped around his waist was itchy and confining. "What kind of herbs did you put in that drink?"
Eric tugged on the material, and the towel fell to the floor. A foreign sensation filled him, spreading through his body. He stood inside the room, naked. Something was definitely wrong. He just had no idea what it was.
"What the fuck did you give me? What was in that drink?"
A wave of euphoria wafted through his mind and body. His cock hardened. Eric rubbed his thighs together, feeling needy and achy. At this moment, he would give anything to be bent over and fucked.
"It's a mild aphrodisiac," William told him without any remorse. "Everyone in attendance at the battle will be able to scent your arousal, and the males fighting will become more aggressive and desperate to claim you. And after the battle, the winner will take you in the arena."
The drug flowed through his senses, taking over. Eric was becoming less aware, his thoughts sluggish. Need and desire ruled him now. Eric moaned.
"Take me in the arena?" Eric questioned. He wasn't exactly sure what that meant.
"Fuck you," he clarified. "He will fuck you in the arena."
"Oh God," Eric groaned.
At this point, Eric wouldn't care if a group of males stood in line to fuck him. He was so desperate for cock that he couldn't even think straight.
"I know what you're feeling. I've been where you are. It's intense right now, but soon, it will mellow out and you'll feel more like yourself."
Eric tried to process William's words, but he could barely make sense of what the other man was saying. When the room started to spin, Eric went back to the chair and sat down. It took a little while, but eventually, the sensation started to ease a bit.
"It's becoming easier to bear, isn't it?"
Eric could only nod in response.
The door slid open, and a Noglion male stepped into the room. "Consort William, it is time to go to the arena."
William rose to his feet in one smooth motion. Eric followed the man's lead. Although his legs were shaking, Eric forced himself to put one foot in front of the other. Naked, Eric was escorted to some sort of stadium-tiered seating. He walked up stone-carved stairs and took a seat in the first row among the crowd. The people cheered loudly. They stomped their feet, clapped their hands, and whistled.
Eric folded his hands and placed them on his lap in an effort to cover his erection. Looking around, Eric took in his surroundings. The majority of males in attendance were Noglion, easily distinguished by their reptilian scales. They all wore loincloths, sandals, and bronze bands around their biceps. There were a handful of humans scattered throughout the crowd. They stood out with their unique coloring and features, different from the Noglion males.
All of a sudden, the crowd hushed. Confused, Eric glanced around. Directly across from him, a huge metal door swung open, and a group of Noglion males entered the arena. There were at least a dozen males, and all of them looked like warriors. And among the group stood a familiar male. It was the Commander, Gru. He strode into the arena as if he owned the place. Scaled-covered muscles rolled. He was a sinuous predator in motion.
Their eyes met, and Gru smiled wickedly. Gru held up his muscular arms to the crowd, and they went wild, chanting his name. It seemed as though the male was quite popular among his people. The procession of warriors advanced until they were all in the arena. The warriors stopped in front of a raised dais and bowed toward a huge Noglion male.
"That's the king of Noglion," William told him.
"He's your mate, right?" Eric asked.
"Yeah, he's my mate." William smiled. The look on his face was easy to read. It was obvious that he loved his mate.
"Are you really happy here?"
William turned toward Eric, and their eyes connected. "I wasn't happy when I first arrived. I hated Noglion. I even tried to run away." He chuckled softly, as if recalling a pleasant memory. "But I ended up falling in love, and if you give your mate a chance, you will, too."
Eric really appreciated William's candor. He was open and honest and answered all of Eric's questions. William even tried to prepare Eric for what was to come.
His eyes swept over all the potential candidates. The males were pumped and ready. The winner of this battle would determine who Eric's mate would be. His mate. The Noglion male that would claim Eric inside this arena. His future came down to a battle. It was both terrifying and oddly exhilarating.
Chapter Six
When Gru entered the arena, he inhaled. Gru hissed, his tongue testing the air, and smiled. Eric's scent seemed to fill the stadium. It was a sweet-smelling perfume that reached out and caressed him like phantom fingers moving across his scales. Gru's cock, pressed against his loincloth, hard and ready. As he glanced around the arena, couples and mated family units were kissing and touching, tasting and exploring, as they enjoyed the scent of Eric's arousal. This was a real treat considering Noglion didn't get many humans.
Gru barely listened as the contest was described for the crowd or, at least, to the guest of honor, Eric. The males in attendance knew what was about to happen. Contests of strength were common among the Noglion people. It was a way of establishing dominance, easing tension, impressing possible mates, and expelling the need for violence that went with their overly aggressive nature. It was also the best way to determine which male would be given the privilege to claim a human mate.
All of the unmated males of Noglion were invited to fight. And the competition was fie
rce. There was no doubt in Gru's mind that the battles would be intense.
There were a lot of males interested in Eric. It wasn't really a surprise considering how beautiful the human was. His hair, made up of golden curls, nearly reached down to his shoulders and his blue-gray eyes made him a valuable prize. But there was more to Eric than his unique looks. The young man was courageous and kind.
The time Gru had spent with Eric sealed it for him. Gru knew that he would fight in the arena and claim the human as his own.
There was no way he was going to allow any of these other males to take Eric from him. As far as Gru was concerned, Eric already belonged to him.
Gru wasn't called for the first battle, not that it mattered. He stood on the sideline, waiting for his turn. All of the warriors were experienced fighters. They were fierce. But they weren't him. Gru had been victorious in every battle. He was one of the top commanders on Noglion, answerable only to a few others. So, he just had to sit back and wait for his turn to face off against his opponents.
A horn blared, echoing through the arena, signally that the fight had begun. The males, Rifik and Skol, circled each other. They lunged simultaneously, attacking in an explosion of fists and claws.
Punch.
Grunt.
Duck.
Punch.
Crack.
Crunch.
On Noglion, the males didn't use weapons against one another. It wasn't necessary. They fought with honor using their bodies in an effort to not leave any permanent damage on their opponent. In a society made up of warriors, only the strong survived.
Rifik and Skol collided, their bodies locking together in a death grip as they fell to the ground. Sharp nails sank past scaled skin, tearing and ripping into the rough hide, and blood sprayed everywhere, covering the ground. The crowd cheered wildly, chanting and singing.
Gru's gaze went to the stands, and he stared at Eric. The young man was breathtaking. As far as Gru was concerned, he was the most beautiful creature in the galaxy.