“Where did she find so many Lionese men to join her army?” Hunter asked.
Surprised, Chrissie jerked up her head. “She didn’t. It’s not only Lionese men, but Manruvians, Humans, even wolf shifters. This is so much bigger than you know. They use a drug on the unwilling that turns them into beasts. Once addicted to the substance, they’d do whatever they needed to keep getting the drug and even sell out their own family members to get it. Nice, polite men have become monsters right before our eyes.”
Amy licked her lips, nervous now that the time had come for her to identify the planet she could see from her window. Pulling out the compu-pad from her jacket, Amy handed it to Chrissie. “Is this the planet you saw? This planet is called Drimada. Is this what you could see from the window in your cell?”
Tears welled up in Chrissie’s eyes then spilled down her cheeks. She began to sob into her pillow. She nodded then whimpered as her eyes rolled into the back of her head before fainting dead away.
* * * *
Hunter knew getting any other information out of her would be nearly impossible in Chrissie’s current state. Maybe after she calmed down some, she’d remember more details. For now at least, they had enough rough information to begin formulating a plan.
He walked over toward the women and reached for Amy’s hand. “I think we’ve bothered Chrissie enough for now. How about we leave her alone for a little while? I’m sure she doesn’t really want, or need, an audience right now.
Amy nodded but Maryann shook her head. “I’d like to stay here with her a while. I don’t think she should be left alone with just her memories for company.”
Hunter was torn. Chrissie was a prisoner, not an informant, but as he looked at her he couldn’t help but feel compassion for her. If the situations were reversed, he wasn’t sure what choice he would have made. Would he give up others to protect his family? He’d like to say he wouldn’t but unless faced with that choice in real life all this speculation wouldn’t get him anywhere.
You wouldn’t have sacrificed others to protect your family. You would have found another way, Hunter.
I hope so.
I know so. Should we leave Maryann here?
I don’t see any harm. Place a guard in here if you’re worried about her safety. Let Maryann help Chrissie if she can.
Thank you. You are very wise.
Amy snorted then spoke aloud to Maryann. “Go ahead and stay as long as you like, Maryann. We’re going to give Mikel this new information then go to our quarters. You can find us there if you need to talk later.”
As Chrissie lay unconscious, Maryann nodded. After pulling Amy to her feet, he guided her out of the room, his thoughts already on Amy and their night ahead. For the last standard hour, it had become increasingly difficult to concentrate on something other than her and the lovemaking he planned on sharing with her this night. He had to get control of this need soon or he’d get naught done.
“You aren’t the only one. I feel like I’m about to crawl out of my skin. This isn’t normal; especially considering a few days ago I couldn’t stand the touch of a male, any male. Craving your touch this much, no matter how wonderful it feels, seems wrong somehow.”
“It’s the bonding. We’ve gone too many hours without intimacy. Usually, we celebrate the bonding over the course of an entire day and night—completely naked for the first twenty-four hours. This craving will grow worse until we give into it. After the first day, we’ll still feel the need to touch, to be close to each other, but it won’t control our rational thoughts as it does now.”
Amy let out a gusty sigh. “Thank the goddess. If felt wrong to have thoughts of running my tongue down your tummy while you questioned Chrissie.”
“Not as wrong as wishing it was you kneeling at my feet sucking my cock when Maryann knelt down in front of Chrissie.”
Amy snorted then began to chuckle. He couldn’t hold back his own laughter. Thank the Goddess Alana, Amy could find humor in this situation.
Before she could respond, Mikel approached them from the other end of the corridor. As they grew closer to him, Mikel stopped, tilted his head to the side, closed his eyes, and inhaled.
“Where have you been recently?” His normally calm voice had grown husky, rough.
“Why?” Amy asked, though Hunter had seen this reaction from a Manruvian once before. That man had scented his mate on another and a brawl had ensued. Was Mikel’s mate aboard this ship? One of the women, maybe?
Hunter answered his question. He wanted nothing more than for Mikel to find his mate. Mikel had been lonely long enough as he hunted for a mate. “We spent some time in Eve’s quarters then visited with Maryann, the woman I carried on my back off the ice planet, Visara. Then we went--the three of us--to visit the prisoner, Chrissie.”
“That’s it?”
Hunter nodded and smiled. “That’s it my friend. Happy hunting.”
Mikel gave them a distracted nod then took off down the corridor, following their scent trail, Hunter imagined.
Amy just looked confused as she watched Mikel walk away. Her brows were furrowed and she was frowning. “What just happened here?”
Hunter chuckled. “He smells his mate, and since Eve is taken and Delilah is unlikely since he’s been around her before, chances are that either Maryann or Chrissie will soon be the focus of a Manruvian mate-hunt.”
“Oh, I see. I hope it’s Maryann then. She deserves a family of her own and I’m not sure a Lionese woman and a Manruvian merman can reproduce. But there has to be a greater chance for a Human woman and a Manruvian, I would think.”
As they continued to head toward the transport tunnel at the end of the corridor, Hunter grunted. “Probably, but the Goddess Alana chooses who our mates will be, genetics aside.”
“Oh, I see.”
“Now how about we head to our quarters and order in a meal, then spend the evening getting to know each other better?”
“Getting to know each other, or making love?”
Laughing, Hunter shook his head. “Both, my love, both.” With that said, and his intentions clear, they entered the transport tube. “Computer, take us to our quarters.”
“Yes, High Prince Shi’Lan.”
Chapter Ten
Within minutes, Amy and Hunter were safely ensconced once again in their quarters. This time she knew exactly how the night would end, and instead of feeling terrified she was impatient to begin. She really did feel like she’d crawl out of her own skin if she didn’t get to touch him soon, taste him. What had gotten into her?
Even before her capture, she’d never felt this need for one man, this overwhelming desire to make love to one man and only one man. Hell, she hadn’t even played the field as a teenager when all of her other friends seem to have a new lover every other weekend.
She drummed her fingers on the table as she waited for their meal to arrive. She wasn’t sure how long she would last, being this close to him and alone. “Where the hell is it?”
“Where is what?”
“Dinner. I’m starving.”
Hunter grinned. “Liar. You just wanted something to do to take up the time. I can feel your need to jump my bones from here.”
Amy put her hands to her burning face. “I’m going to take a bath. You wait here for dinner.” She stomped from the room amidst his laughter.
She entered the bathroom and started the water running. She wished she had some bubble bath, but had no idea where to find anything like it. Besides, it was the hot water that relaxed her, the bubbles were a luxury. After stripping, she stepped into the steaming water and groaned. The water felt so wonderful, she leaned back against the edge of the tub and closed her eyes. Only a few minutes had passed when the water splashed and her eyes flew open.
Covering herself with her hands, her face burned as Hunter settled next to her and pulled her into his lap. “I’m sorry if I frightened you. Do you wish me to leave?”
Forgetting about their mind link, she shook her hea
d, mortified that she wanted him to stay, yet wasn’t sure what she should do. Should she be the one to initiate sex, or leave it up to him?
“Just relax, moya.” He wrapped his arms around her, letting them rest just under her breasts.
Leaning her head back against his shoulder, she allowed him to pour the warm water over her shoulders, relaxing her even more. He pressed a kiss to her shoulder, moving his mouth to her neck and she groaned.
“This is your night, moya. You need only relax and allow me to please you or you may take the lead. Your wish is my command.”
Amy sat up, pulling away from him. She felt his disappointment as he watched the water sluice down her skin as she stood and moved away. He watched her hungrily, partially filled with hope and disappointment.
Grinning, she moved closer and sat back onto his lap, facing him. He pulled her closer, wrapped his arms around her and brought her mouth to his. He sucked her bottom lip into his mouth, ravenous for a taste of her. She felt his arousal, could hear his thoughts. He could smell her arousal, taste it on her skin and he would never get enough of her.
Her hands moved up over his shoulders and fisted in his hair, pulling him closer. If she could have crawled inside him she would have. She groaned when his hands slid down over her sides to cup her rear, gently kneading the full globes. His fingers brushed over her plump labia and she groaned into his mouth, grinding herself down onto his lap. She needed this. She needed more, so much more, and she wasn’t sure how to tell him.
She nearly screamed her pleasure when his fingers slipped though her wetness and found her clit, circling it with his fingers as his thumb found the entrance to her channel. His hard cock pressed against her gate and she groaned, moved closer. She didn’t know how she could need a man so much, so quickly but she knew there would be no rest, no comfort for either of them if they didn’t finish this soon.
Taking the lead, she sucked his tongue into her mouth. He tasted of a hint of the wine he’d ordered for their dinner. “Started dinner without me, did you?” she said against his lips before sliding her tongue back into his mouth. Their tongues moved together as she ground herself onto his lap, waiting for his inevitable penetration.
The head of his cock moved past her gate and she arched back in an attempt to take him deeper inside her. Breaking their kiss, his lips traveled down to her neck, suckling her shoulder before his mouth closed over her nipple. Tunneling her fingers through his hair, she cried out her pleasure as his tongue circled the light pink bud he stroked into pebbled readiness.
Lifting herself from his lap, she dropped down on his cock, driving him deep, all the way inside deep. His hands molded her rear. The thumb of his right hand moved over her thigh to between her legs. He unerringly found her clit, circling it, taking her over the edge of a massive climax. Arching her back, she pressed her chest harder against him, rubbing her breasts against the stubble of his face as he continued to suckle her breast.
Grabbing his hair, she continued to ride him and couldn’t believe what she was about to say. “Fuck me. Please, Hunter, I can’t go slowly now. Now I need you pounding deep inside me. Fuck me, please!”
* * * *
The delight of hearing the words he never thought to hear her say, nearly made him lose control as he brought her down onto him and raised his hips to deepen his thrust.
“Yes!” she screamed as he wrapped her legs around his waist and he stood. The water sluiced down over his legs as he continued to raise and lower her over his hard cock. It had grown impossibly larger when she begged him to fuck her, more immense than he’d even thought possible. His size had grown to that of a Lionese male mating with his lioness. She screamed again, her nails digging into his shoulders and he stopped. Sweat poured from his brow, droplets of water and sweat ran down his shoulders and legs. His chest heaved as he stopped and asked the question that could very well kill him—and she knew it.
“Have I hurt you, moya?” He gritted his teeth, trying to regain control over his raging hormones. “I’ll stop if I’m hurting you. I swear it.”
“Only you stopping could possibly hurt me now.”
“That’s not going to happen, Amy. There is no way I’d stop now unless you asked, not after such a bold request, nay, demand, for me to fuck you.”
“Then stop talking and start moving already.”
Hunter grinned. How could he not? She couldn’t be more perfect. Even after the tremendous emotional and physical trauma she suffered at the hands of her rapists, she was growing, changing into the woman he knew her to be inside. And he couldn’t be more proud of her.
When her woman’s cream began to slide down the length of his cock, he tenderly took her clit between his fingers and pressed. Amy screamed her pleasure, wrapping her legs around him even tighter. Her body shook with pent-up need. One more good tug on her clit and she’d explode. Hunter held back, waiting…waiting.
When she almost pulled a clump of his hair from his head and screamed, ‘NOW’, at the top of her lungs, he couldn’t make her wait any longer. With one sharp pull on her turgid clit and one hard deep thrust into her channel, Amy exploded. He could feel her channel clasping his cock, tightening around it until he had no choice but to spill his seed. With one last thrust, he lodged his cock at the mouth of her womb and bathed it with his life-giving fluid. With the Lady Goddess’ blessing, a cub would be born of this union. A cub made in love and raised in love.
He placed a tender kiss against her temple and held her as the trembling in her body subsided. Before he could gently raise her and pull out of her well-sexed channel, the ships breach alarms began to blast through every nook and cranny of the ship, from personal quarters, to transport tubes. Everyone had been given notice than there was a hull breach.
“Hunter, Hunter, what’s going on?” She tried to unwrap her arms and legs so he’d let her down but there was no time. No time at all.
“Trust me, Amy. When the hidden compartment opens—and there is one in every room on every ship in the Manruvian Fleet—find a gray bodysuit that seems closest to your size and put it on. We may only have seconds before we lose all air pressure and environmental controls onboard.”
Amy nodded. The fear in her eyes replaced the hazy afterglow of lovemaking she’d just worn. He quickly eased out of his mate, and without even putting her down raced toward their closets. He stopped halfway between the “his and hers” closets, not approaching either of them but the empty wall space between them.
After pressing a hidden release switch in one of the seams along the wall, a huge double hanging rack of uniforms and Manruvian pressure suits came sliding out of the wall. The pressure suits needed to be donned immediately in case of a loss of atmosphere or air contamination. Let’s just hope they both managed to get into them on time.
After selecting a suit for himself he looked up over at his mate. A look of grim determination was all he could see as she slipped her legs into the form fitting material. The material was the same as that of the mate bonds.
Hunter snorted.
What’s so funny?
I’m just thankful we completed the mating before this happened.
Why’s that?
Because once Manruvians scent their future mate, they go into mating heat. If this happens while wearing the suit, it becomes a part of them and can’t be taken off. The suits begin to affect the two mates and their libidos. It also works on other shifters. His gaze became thoughtful. I don’t know about full humans though.
What do you mean?
If one or both fights the union, the suits will make any unmated pair sexually frustrated to the point of pain before allowing the suits to dissolve just enough that intercourse can happen. And that can only happen if there is no danger to their bodies and both people are mentally accepting of the mating. Until then, all that’ll happen is an extreme case of sexual need and no release in sight—for either of them. Only once the male is lodged in the woman’s channel, the mating heat begins to subside and only
when all danger has passed in the atmosphere will the suits completely dissolve into the mates’ skin as with the mate bonds.
Amy’s eyes widened. Oh crap, I sure hope Mikel either has already started bonding with whoever his mate is, or doesn’t fully catch her scent until the danger is past then.
Hunter nodded. He couldn’t agree more.
They were both pulling the fitted masks over their faces when Mikel burst through the door of his cabin. He’d already donned his pressurized suit. In fact, now that he thought about it, the title of the suit and what it was used for compared to what it looked like might be cause for explanation.
Because, Mikel fully adorned in the Manruvian pressure suit looked like he was about to go diving in an ocean. The only thing missing from the suits were an air tank and those were unnecessary as the material converted the outside, polluted air into breathable, oxygenated air.
“We’ve got to secure the decks. We’re putting all the non-warrior trained women and children in one central location so they’re easier to protect. All the other men and women with training will be searching the ship, one level at a time until we find whoever is causing trouble on this ship,”
Amy looked from him to Mikel then lifted her head proudly. “Do you have an Empath on board? It would be helpful to have several who could catch someone lying about why they are where they are.”
“I have about half a dozen, Amy Shi’Lan. What do you suggest?”
“Then I suggest each team or each level have one Empath put in place that can question stragglers on the levels, those that don’t seem in any hurry to be somewhere.”
Hunter nodded. “That is a very wise idea.”
“And I’ll be on one of the teams. I’ve always hidden my abilities.” She paused. “Among my people on Earth, I would be considered a freak so I’ve always suppressed them, but I think it’s time I used them how they were meant to be used,” Amy added.
Worlds Apart 2: Hunter's Revenge Page 10