Finding Trix (Felines of Furyne Book 3)

by L. M. Brown

  Delta cursed Gray under his breath, though he had a feeling his father might have caught his expletive as he walked past.

  “I’m only stopping overnight,” Delta explained. “Hardly enough time to sleep and refuel the ship, and certainly not time for social engagements.”

  “A short visit to your own parents is hardly a strain on your busy schedule,” his mother replied.

  “Now, let’s not argue,” his father interrupted. “After all, Delta is making excellent progress with young Gray. Taking him on as a co-pilot is an excellent idea.”

  “Temporary co-pilot,” Delta told them. “And it wasn’t as if he gave me much choice in the matter. He has no experience in flying a ship at all.”

  His mother frowned with obvious disapproval. “If you’d just take him as your mate, you wouldn’t need a co-pilot. Gray’s family is one of the wealthiest on Lupalia. Gray doesn’t need to work at all.”

  “Shows strength of character that he does,” Delta’s father commented. “He’s not one to simply waste his inheritance or be idle. He’s a fine, hard-working canine, and a credit to his family.”

  Delta sighed and sat in his favourite chair. “I am not going to take Gray as my mate. I don’t really want him on my ship.”

  His mother sat opposite him. “I don’t understand why you don’t want to settle down. The wolf blood in you should make you want a permanent mate.”

  “Mother, don’t start.”

  “But it’s true. Those with the fiery blood of the wolves in their veins are known to mate for life.”

  “It’s all nonsense,” Delta replied. “Even if that healer did do something to make me more wolf than canine, I won’t let it rule my life.”

  “You weren’t nearly so argumentative before the healer.”

  Delta snorted. “I was a child before the healer. I’m an adult now and perfectly capable of making my own decisions.”

  His father perched on the arm of the chair his mother had taken. “Delta, son, you have to understand that the longer you leave it, the more likely it is that Gray and his family will hear the rumours about your blood. Even though we lived on the other side of this planet when you were a child, canines do gossip.”

  Delta shook his head and picked at a worn thread on the arm of the chair. “I don’t believe that my blood is anything other than what it’s always been. Furthermore, I don’t want to take a mate who would reject me if he knew about my so-called tainted blood.”

  “You can’t deny you’re part wolf,” his father reminded him. “Your line can be traced back far enough that it can be proved by anyone who looks at the charts.”

  “I know that.”

  “Our family has done it’s best to dilute the wolf over the generations. It’s only because of that charlatan that you have more wolf in you than you should have.”

  “Or maybe I’m a throwback?” Delta suggested with a snarl. “And what’s wrong with being descended from wolves anyway? Who decided that those like me aren’t as good as other canines?”

  “That’s not what this is about. You know as well as I do, that other canines are scared of the more powerful and volatile wolf lines.”

  Delta’s mother made an annoyed snort. “It doesn’t help when you keep getting into brawls in bars, I might add.”

  “It was only a couple of times,” Delta pointed out. “And neither incident was my fault.”

  “It doesn’t matter who started it. What matters is that a canine with tainted wolf blood won those fights.”

  Delta leaned forward and rested his head in his hands. He really wanted to get a good night’s sleep so he was fresh to put up with Gray tomorrow.

  “Why don’t you take Gray as your mate? If you did, no one would question your bloodline.”

  “I have no intention of being tied to Gray for the rest of my life.”

  His father huffed. “If things didn’t work out between you, you could always separate.”

  Delta barked a harsh laugh. “I thought you wanted me to claim my mate fully, as tradition dictates.”

  “We do.”

  “Which means separation wouldn’t be an option, as well you know.”

  “Then don’t bite him and keep your options open.”

  Delta glared at his father, who had a knack of simplifying things, while at the same time completely missing his point. “I want to be able to fully claim my mate.”

  “There’s nothing stopping you from doing that.”

  “Father, you’re not listening to me. My chosen mate will be someone who can accept me, wolf blood too. You know as well as I do, that Gray will never do that. He’s as prejudiced as all the rest of the canines against those with wolf heritage.”

  His parents had no argument against that.

  “What if I were to take a mate from another species?” Delta asked.

  “Have you met someone?” his mother questioned. “What species?”

  “I was speaking generally, but what if I were to choose a mate who’s an avian, say, from the swan clan, or what about a feline?”

  His mother pursed her lips. “The swans rarely take mates outside of their clan, though their habits are certainly more refined than other avians.”

  “And the felines?”

  “You want your mate to be unfaithful?”

  “No, of course not. Felines can be true to their mates.”

  “If that were the case, why do they need to renew their claims on their mates? I’ll tell you why, it’s because they cat around and lose interest in their mates and move onto the next one.”

  “Not all felines are like that. They just have a bad reputation because of their diet. Besides, even canines don’t strictly stick to one mate these days. Only pure wolves continue the tradition of binding their lives together. Many canines these days don’t even bother marking their mates.”

  “Those who have been raised properly do,” his mother snapped. “You can’t possibly compare canines with felines when it comes to fidelity.”

  “Why not?”

  His father coughed politely. “Have you claimed a mate already?”

  “No.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “Of course I’m sure. If I had, he’d be here in my home, wouldn’t he?”

  “But you have someone in mind.” It wasn’t a question. “Avian or feline?”

  Delta sat back in his chair. “Both.”

  His mother gave a strangled cry. “Two mates?”

  “Why not? Many canines are following the examples of the avians like the hawks and falcons, with multiple partners.”

  “You’re not an avian, you’re a canine, and you should remember that when you choose your mate. Your one mate.”

  Delta opened his mouth to point out to her that he had not yet made up his mind to take any mate, but his mother didn’t give him chance to speak.

  “If you must take a mate who isn’t a canine, I would strongly suggest you consider the avian. I will not see a son of mine lower himself by taking a common feline for a mate.”

  Delta growled and shot his mother another glare. His knew his eyes would be flashing yellow right now. “I will choose my own mate, or mates, and there is nothing you can do to stop me.”

  His mother blanched, and even his father inched back a little. He didn’t like bringing forth the wolf, not against anyone, and certainly not against his parents, but he was tired of being told how he should live his life.

  If this is what it took to live on his own terms, then so be it.

  Chapter Six

  Trix wasn’t the least bit surprised to find that the rest of the felines on the Pleasure Station were as furious as he was to find themselves homeless.

  Brak, who had never been shy about holding back his opinions, stood in the middle of the dock, shouting abuse at the humans as they urged everyone onto the waiting ships. “Fucking arrogant humans, coming in here and telling us how to live our lives. If they had to survive on cream and milk they wouldn’t be so quick to judge us.
They’re turning us out of our homes to starve.”

  Even though he had never liked Brak, he couldn’t help agreeing with his assessment of their situation. Too many space stations had no feeding felines policies and many species were in the process of outlawing prostitution as well.

  A group of avians who had clearly been visiting the station stood near their ship, listening to Brak rant. One of them drew away from the rest and approached them. “We’ve got room on board for three of you.”

  “Payment?” Brak asked.

  “As much cream as you want.”

  “And credits?”

  The avian laughed. “What do you need those for?”

  “Clothes, travel expenses.”

  “You’ll be travelling with us, and as for clothes, you’re hardly going to need those. We prefer our felines to be naked.”

  Trix stepped forward. “I’ll come with you.” The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them.

  Brak gave him a nasty sneer. “These avians clearly prefer cocks, not pussy.”

  The avian shot Trix a sharp look. “You’re dual-gendered?”

  Trix hung his head. “Yes.”

  A second avian approached. “I’ve never fucked one of those before. Let him come.”

  Trix considered that at least there was no longer any danger of pregnancy for him. It was already too late for that. He grabbed his trunk and dragged it over to the ramp.

  “Is this all your stuff?” the second avian asked.

  Trix glanced at the ship. “Do you have room for more?”

  “Sure.”

  “I’ll go fetch the rest.” He hurried back to his rooms and gathered together all of his pillows in a sheet with the corners tied together. Fearful that they would leave without him, he raced back with his load, and boarded the ship.

  He found Brak on board along with a third feline, a female named Cheri.

  “Got everything?” the avian asked.

  “Yes,” Trix confirmed.

  “Your room is on the lower level at the far end of the corridor. The three of you are sharing.”

  Trix wasn’t surprised, but Cheri appeared disappointed. Brak was apparently too busy flirting with the pilot to notice.

  With his pillows in his arms, Trix clambered down to the lower level in search of some peace and quiet. He realised, as he put together a cosy nest in the corner that he hadn’t even asked the names of his hosts.

  Cheri came into the room behind him. “You avoiding Furyne because you’re dual-gendered too?”

  “Yes, you?”

  “Yes.”

  Trix smiled at Cheri. “The avians seem to find us something of a novelty.”

  Cheri flopped onto one of the beds—at least there were three of them crammed into the room—and rested her head on her hands. “I hope they aren’t expecting much action from my cock. I took the supplements once or twice to see how they worked, but quite frankly I’ve no interest in taking them again. I don’t know how you male dominants put up with the damn things, always getting hard at entirely the wrong moment.”

  Trix chuckled. “Do you have any supplements on you?”

  “No.”

  “Then you probably don’t need to worry about it. I doubt our hosts know enough about us to realise that female dominants need to take them to get an erection.”

  Trix curled up on his pillows and closed his eyes. A rumble came from behind him and the ship lifted for take-off. “Any idea where we’re going?”

  “No. Does it matter?”

  “I guess not.”

  * * * *

  Trix woke when Cheri shook his shoulder. “You’re wanted up on the flight deck.”

  He sat up and realised he had slept through Brak joining them. He should be thankful for small mercies.

  Cautious against angering his hosts, Trix hurried to the flight deck where he found one of the avians. He realised he didn’t recognise the species. There was a trace of falcon about their features, but the feathers on their heads were the wrong colours. He guessed they were hybrids, something that was becoming increasingly common as the various clans became more accepting of inter-species relationships.

  “Ah, there you are,” the avian said. “Are you hungry?”

  Trix was. He hadn’t fed since yesterday, not that he’d been hungry after his prolonged session of vomiting this morning. Or was it yesterday? How long had he been asleep?

  “Well, what are you waiting for?” the avian asked as he opened his kilt and gestured for Trix to kneel in front of him.

  “I thought you’d want to fuck me,” Trix said as he got down on the floor.

  “I do, but not until you’ve fed. Brak tells me your name is Trixi.”

  “Trix,” he amended, annoyed all over again at Brak. “Do you have a name?”

  “Yes, of course. It’s Poltan, and my brothers are Yori and Myton. Myton prefers to bed females and Yori appears to have claimed Brak.”

  “So you get me by default?”

  “And by choice. I wanted you as soon as I heard Brak say you had a pussy as well as a cock.”

  Trix stifled his sigh of annoyance at the insult, as well as the realisation that once again he was being seen as nothing more than a novelty. This was the best offer he was going to get and he had to remember that he needed to feed for his litter now, as well as himself.

  Pushing aside his reservations, Trix took Poltan’s cock into his mouth and sucked it with all the professional skill he could muster. He hoped Poltan would be sufficiently satisfied to keep him around for a while, at least until Trix figured out what he was going to do.

  Trix returned to the room he was sharing with Brak and Cheri a couple of hours later. He ached all over and wanted nothing more than to curl up in the warm embrace of someone who cared for him. Poltan had fucked him hard, in the mouth, in the arse, and in the vagina. Then, after feeding Trix a second time he had sent him on his way with a hard smack to the buttocks.

  “How was it?” Cheri whispered.

  “He was very energetic,” Trix replied as he curled up in his pillows.

  “Did he fuck you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Where?”

  Trix knew what she was asking. “Both.”

  “What if you end up pregnant? I have no seeds here, have you?”

  “No.”

  “Aren’t you worried about a litter?”

  Trix gave a fake snore and ignored the question. He was worried about anyone finding out about the litter he was already carrying, but he had no intention of revealing his pregnancy until he had no choice. He guessed he would start to show in about three more weeks, but he had high hopes of keeping it hidden longer.

  He had seen the flight plan of the craft and knew they were headed to a spaceport about a week away from the Pleasure Station. With most of the credits Delta had paid him still unspent, he would purchase a few of the more modest togas and hope they hid his bump better than the kilts would.

  It would be hard, especially since he was now living in such close quarters with loud-mouth Brak, but if he was careful, he might be able to keep his pregnancy hidden until he figured out what to do and where to go.

  A tear slid from his eye.

  How could he have been so stupid?

  * * * *

  Farron checked every ship in the spaceport, hoping to find Delta’s craft still there. Unfortunately, the canine appeared to have wasted no time in leaving Cygon.

  There was no shortage of public ships heading off-world in various directions, but Farron would have preferred to travel with Delta again.

  With no possibility of that happening, he booked passage on the first ship heading to the Pleasure Station and settled into his room for the journey.

  The ship took the same route Delta had, just in reverse. It included one short stay at a spaceport for refuelling, and then on to the Pleasure Station.

  By the time the ship docked Farron was a bundle of nerves. He needed to calm down and instinctively he kne
w what it would take to accomplish that. Maybe he could persuade Trix to give him what he needed, after they had talked about their future.

  Farron frowned as he disembarked. Assuming his guess was correct, Trix would be just over two months pregnant now, and according to Farron’s research he would be starting to show. He hoped Trix was doing well. He hated to think that the feline must have believed he’d been abandoned.

  As he looked around the Pleasure Station, Farron thought it seemed different, but he couldn’t quite see how. He had only been there once before and his most prominent memories were of the time he had spent in Trix’s room.

  He recalled enough about the layout of the place to find his way to the core, but when he reached the room where the reception desk had been, he found a barrier in place and a team of workers on the other side moving furniture about.

  “You can’t come down here,” one of the workers told him. Farron didn’t recognise the species. He definitely wasn’t avian, nor canine or feline.

  “I’m looking for one of the residents.” Farron pointed to the corridor he had gone down with Trix and Delta. “He lives down there.”

  “Not anymore.”

  A cold feeling of dread settled in Farron’s gut. “What do you mean?”

  “We’ve cleared out the slaves and the whores.”

  “Where have they gone?”

  “The slaves have been returned to their home worlds, though I understand a few are from planets so distant they’re probably not there yet.”

  “And the whores?”

  “They made their own arrangements to move on. There are a few still here, those who do other jobs besides fucking. They’ve moved into some of the cheaper hotel rooms while we’re renovating the core. You can see if your friend is there.”

  Farron didn’t like the tone the male used, so even though he had a lot of questions he would’ve liked answers to, he held his tongue and went back to the other part of the station. Trix had been working on one of the gambling tables, so perhaps he was through there. It was a slim hope, but it was all he had.

  Unlike the residential area, the gambling halls were much the same as they had been on his last visit. Farron kept his eyes open for Delta as well as Trix. Delta had told him he loved the card games, so there was a chance he might be there.