by Kracken
And if he didn't? What if Tamarind discovered that his old life was preferable to a perverted one with a werewolf?
“If it is meant to be, it will come to pass,” Shang told him, guessing his thoughts. “You cannot force destiny. It is or it isn't.”
That was wisdom, but Shakra's heart didn't care.
Kyrill chuckled and he said to them as he rose, “Lormar and I are going to... look at the stars.”
Lormar smirked and said nothing as he followed the werefox into the rocks and scrub brush. Shakra felt a hot blush, not too innocent to understand. Shang hissed in disgust, not because he disapproved of them, but because he saw it as an unnecessary danger. The weretigress was still out there and there was no telling whether her mercenaries had decided to pursue them or not.
Tamarind was oblivious. Stomach over full and distended, he was flopped over on his side, a stomach with arms and legs. Shang hissed again. “How will he travel like that?”
“He can,” Shakra recalled and smiled fondly.
“I think that I will prepare myself for my ancestors,” Shang said under his breath. “I have little confidence that we will survive this idiocy.” He moved off, composed himself, and seemed to meditate.
Shakra felt alone and that gave him time to think. His eyes went to the darkness of the rocks and the scrub brush. His thoughts went to Lormar and Kyrill and a thing he knew nothing about. He felt embarrassed, ashamed, but the thought that, someday, he and Tamarind might have that same closeness... He had images of hurting Tamarind, of making a serious mistake that might drive the werelion away. If he could see, if he could learn...
Shakra went very low to the ground, ears flat and tail trailing the ground, as he used his odd spots to make him one with the shadows. Kyrill was a pampered son, but Lormar was canny. Shakra knew that he would have to one with the night breeze to escape his notice.
He heard them talking softly first and then he heard Kyrill sigh in pleasure.
“I love when you do that,” Kyrill said with a light chuckle. “Are you sure you weren't trained in a harem?”
“It's all natural ability,” Lormar replied.
Under a low bush, Shakra saw them lying together just ahead. Lormar was sensually licking Kyrill's large ears, paying particular attention to the areas around his earrings. He was almost on top of Kyrill, as if he had pinned him down. Kyrill was smiling though, blue eyes half closed and the moonlight playing over their bodies.
Kyrill rolled suddenly and then he was looking up at Lormar. He reached up and played in Lormar's hair, in his ruff, and then he was pulling him down for a kiss. His thick tail swished back and forth along the ground and Lormar's was stiff and bristled.
“Who knows what will happen when we go into the tall grasses,” Kyrill said. “We should be together, in case our days end there and we never have another chance at love.”
Lormar snorted. “I thought you believed that we go on past death?”
“I might be wrong,” Kyrill replied and then they were kissing again.
Lormar moved off of Kyrill then, but Kyrill was smiling and parting his legs. Lormar rubbed his face along Kyrill's fur there, making a sighing sound, and then his head was dipping down between them. Kyrill gripped Lormar's hair and groaned, throwing his head back as Lormar's tongue stroked what was hidden by Kyrill's fur. It didn't stay hidden long and Shakra found himself swallowing hard, only his fear of discovery and his youthful uncertainty keeping his own body in check, as he saw a swollen, red erection present itself to Lormar's lapping tongue.
“Beautiful,” Kyrill moaned. “You are my king, Lormar.”
Lormar chuckled. “And you are my Spring after a hard Winter.”
“Poetry from a mountain were,” Kyrill marveled breathlessly.
“Don't tell anyone,” Lormar grumbled and then his head moved lower and Kyrill gripped his hair, legs rising higher as he groaned. It sounded like a growl, but it was deep and full of passion.
Shakra knew what Lormar was doing. With great care, the mountain were was preparing Kyrill to receive him with his tongue, his clawed fingers held away from sensitive flesh. Shakra wondered how he kept himself under control. He could see Lormar's excitement, large and ready as it protruded from his fur, and he could see the small, involuntary thrusts of his hips from time to time. Lormar was ready and his scent was earthy and full of heated hormones as it mingled with Kyrill's lighter scent.
Lormar waited, though, patience itself, until Kyrill flushed a deep red and then turned and presented himself. Kyrill's tail settled back and over his spine and his upper body bowed to the ground. Lormar was on his back then, legs and arms on either side. His teeth bit into Kyrill's ruff and Kyrill moaned, blue eyes rolling back, as Lormar entered him, slow and careful.
Locked together, Kyrill filled with Lormar, they paused as if savoring the moment, and then Lormar couldn't hold back any longer. His thrusts were powerful, primal, and Kyrill was moaning and lifting himself to meet them. His earrings jingled and his arm bands clashed together. He looked exotic, beautiful, and submissive. Lormar was strong, powerful muscles flexing and bunching, dominance itself.
Lormar came first, grabbing Kyrill around the middle and driving in deep with hard spasms. Kyrill came a moment later, spilling hot seed over his belly and the rocks. They didn't part immediately, though. Lormar settled on Kyrill's back, still joined together, and cleaned Kyrill's ears with his tongue, a smile on his face and his eyes drooped in contentment. Kyrill was languid beneath him, obviously happy.
Shakra slunk away, his own excitement heavy between his legs. He found a very cold rock and pressed himself down flat against it, allowing the shock of cold to make his own desires fade. It wasn't as easy to drive the images from his head, especially when he imagined himself and Tamarind in their place. Could he? With a werelion? Would it be the same? At least a werefox and a werewolf had common ground when it came to instincts. A mistake with Tamarind could end in a very messy death for himself, Shakra knew, yet he wanted to try.
Kyrill's words came back to Shakra and he knew that he was right. They might all die when they reached the Savannah. There might not be another chance to be together. As Shakra returned to the camp and settled near Tamarind, he decided that he would make Tamarind his before they moved down into the tall grasses.
Tamarind burped and rolled onto his back, exposing his distended, furry belly to the moonlight. Not tonight, Shakra thought with an affectionate grimace. He nuzzled Tamarind, curled up beside him, and then went to sleep.
**************
“I don't sense any pursuit,” Shang said with a frown. “Either the mercenaries are very clever at hiding themselves or they are too lazy to follow us.”
“Too lazy,” Lormar decided with a snort. He was in a relaxed mood and Shakra blushed when Kyrill nuzzled him, from time to time, as they walked. He wanted that with Tamarind, that sure knowledge that they were a couple.
Tamarind was uncomfortable, but he walked beside Shakra, his body language telling Shakra that he was irritable. He was going against a nature that told him to find a sunny spot and sleep until his heavy meal was digested. His belly still looked full, but not as badly as the night before.
Tamarind gave Shakra a suspicious look. “You're staring,” he said with a warning growl.
Shakra dared to ask, “Why do you eat so much? We're not starving.”
“We don't have servants to kill, cook, and serve our food on the plains,” Tamarind explained. “We have hunting parties. Sometimes hunting is good, sometimes it isn't. You eat when you can.”
“Why?” Shakra asked and then added quickly, when Tamarind looked annoyed, “Why live that way? Why not live as my people do, by raising your own food, living in homes, and warming yourselves with fire?”
Tamarind gave Shakra a disgusted growl. “If someone wishes to live that way, they know where they can go,” Tamarind replied. “The forests weres to the south live that way. On the plains, things are different, but good. We like
our life.” His silver eyes sparkled. “Don't judge a life you haven't lived.”
Shakra nodded and then looked down the steep trail they were trying to negotiate. “I guess I'll have my chance.”
Tamarind sobered then and replied, “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” Shakra replied without hesitation.
“How can you be?” Tamarind demanded as if they were about to have an argument.
“If you have to ask, then maybe we don't feel the same way?” Shakra replied and it pained him until he saw Tamarind nod in understanding.
“I know. I just wish-” Tamarind began, but Shakra cut him off.
“I've decided and you know my reason for it,” Shakra told him. “Don't try to convince me to stay behind, Tamarind. I won't.”
Tamarind sighed. “I don't know what we are going to do. It's...”
“Frightening, I know,” Shakra finished and ignored Tamarind's bristling and the lash of his tail, “I'm frightened too. I don't know what will happen to us, but I do know that we need to face it together.”
Tamarind suddenly leaned and kissed Shakra. He head butted him and smiled as he said, “I've never met anyone like you.”
“Good,” Shakra replied with a grin, “because I'm the only one for you.”
Tamarind grinned, showing all his sharp teeth. He turned and his tail lashed Shakra in the face. “You are very confident of that,” he said.
Before Shakra could reply, Shang snapped, “Stop mooning over each other and watch how you travel! This trail is dangerous.”
Admonished, Shakra indulged in a last snatch at Tamarind's tail. He closed his teeth on it, gave it a tug that made Tamarind laugh, and then brought his concentration back to where it belonged.
When night came, the sky was clear and Tamarind's fur caught the glow of the moon on the tips of his fur. His eyes were silver fire as he looked at Shakra in a way that made Shakra tingle all over. Lormar and Kyrill settled together and seemed to sleep, but Shang was the self-appointed guard, and it was hard to face his frown as Shakra finally rose.
“Tamarind, would you... would you walk with me?” Shakra asked nervously. “We can see the moon better from over... there.” Shakra felt himself go hot and cold as Tamarind looked at him curiously, as if nothing could get him out of the warm spot that he had made for himself. Then, with his ears cocked oddly, he rose. He looked over at Shang.
Shang hissed in disgust. His crest rose and then settled with a rattle of spines against each other. He grunted and deliberately turned his back on them in disapproval.
“Bad tempered werelizard,” Tamarind growled under his breath.
“It's his way,” Shakra told Tamarind with a chuckle and then decided that playing the romantic wasn't in his nature. “I want you, Tamarind. Come with me and we'll be... together.”
Tamarind blinked, shocked, but then he understood. “We may not have another chance...”
“No,” Shakra agreed softly, but he didn't want it to be a time of sadness. He caressed Tamarind's cheek and breathed in his ear with a smile, “Come.”
Tamarind's ears came forward and he warmed. Shakra could feel it against his skin. “Yes,” Tamarind replied and he followed Shakra into the rocks.
They found a flat spot bathed in moonlight and then lay together until it warmed under their bodies. They kissed and caressed, Shakra licking Tamarind's delicate ears. He was pleased by Tamarind's soft growling purr of contentment, but that purr ceased when they both looked at each other in nervous anticipation.
Tamarind, surprisingly, was first to begin. He nosed into the fur between Shakra's legs and Shakra lifted one leg aside. He wasn't sure about what Tamarind intended until he felt the rasping tongue lap along his length. Shakra twitched and refused the urge that wanted him to start away and close his legs. He was rewarded by Tamarind closing his mouth around him, warm, wet, and tight, and sucking him in.
Shakra's hands locked into Tamarind's short mane and he bowed over the werelion, groaning. His scent was heavy on the air and Tamarind's scent danced around it, mingling with it, and driving him wild with want. Tamarind was careful to keep his sharp teeth in check and Shakra wondered where he had learned to do it. He exploded into Tamarind's mouth all at once, unable to keep himself from coming.
Tamarind finally released him and Shakra was panting as Tamarind looked up again into his eyes, smiling as he licked his lips.
“That...” Shakra tried, but then couldn't say anything more as he struggled against a bodily satisfaction that was warring with his mental disappointment.
“I saw Lormar and Kyrill do it,” Tamarind said, his smile dropping and concern suddenly in his eyes. “Was it... you look... Was it wrong?”
Shakra shook his head, embarrassed that Tamarind had been watching Lormar and Kyrill as well for lessons, but then replied, “It was wonderful, but... I wanted this to be different. I wanted us together.”
Tamarind laughed as he turned and lifted his tail over his back. Shakra felt himself go stiff and hot at the sight. His body wasn't done yet and Tamarind knew it. “If you are done already, I'll return to camp,” Tamarind teased.
Shakra was capturing Tamarind then, locking strong arms around his waist and pulling him back until his pelvis met against Tamarind's ass and his obvious excitement. “I'm not done yet.”
“Good,” Tamarind purred and his eyes half closed as Shakra nuzzled against him.
“So, “Shakra whispered into a rounded ear. “You watched Lormar and Kyrill as well. Did you see everything they did?”
Tamarind nodded and said huskily, “Yes.”
“Is it something that you would like to do?” Shakra wondered.
“Yes,” Tamarind breathed and pressed back against Shakra. “With you. I don't know why, but it must be with you. I only want you.”
“I feel the same,” Shakra told him. “Careful,” he warned. “Slow. I don't want to hurt you.”
“And I don't want to hurt you,” Tamarind replied.
A werelion was not a werewolf. Shakra kept that firmly in mind as he released Tamarind and made gentle, tentative, touches on Tamarind's body. When Tamarind sighed in pleasure, Shakra was confident enough to go further. He leaned in and used his tongue to prepare Tamarind, every nerve alert for any sudden, negative reaction. Tamarind lifted his tail and couldn't help a wonton rise of his hips to meet Shakra's tongue. His claws scratched the rocks.
Submissive, Shakra thought. He is my mate. I will have him. I will be his dominant. It was hot instinct raging through him and centering heavily between his legs. When Tamarind opened to his tongue, Shakra lost control. It was a trigger, a last surrender. He found himself gripping Tamarind and biting down on the nape of Tamarind's neck. His mouth filled with scent, werelion fur, and heated skin as his hips started forward to push into the body beneath him.
Tamarind went limp, completely limp, as if he had fallen asleep. He hung in Shakra's jaws, falling out of position and foiling Shakra's aim. He stabbed into cold air repeatedly before he gathered enough sense to rein himself in and let Tamarind go.
“Tamarind?” Shakra exclaimed, worry bringing him back to himself.
Tamarind became alert at once, his muscles coming back under his control as he looked over his shoulder at Shakra. “Why did you do that?” he demanded angrily and then one paw lashed out in his fury. “Were you going to force me?”
Shakra jumped back and the claws rent the air. “I- I don't understand!” he exclaimed in confusion.
Tamarind was glaring, his silver eyes fire in the moonlight. “You don't?” he demanded suspiciously.
“No,” Shakra replied anxiously. “Tamarind we are... different.”
Tamarind took a deep, steadying breath. “Don't do that again. It's...” It was hard for him to admit to his vulnerability and Shakra didn't want Tamarind to continue.
Shakra dared to come forward and nuzzle Tamarind's face. Tamarind allowed it. “I'm sorry,” Shakra told him. “I won't do that again.”
They lay
together then, deciding not to rush to continue. Shakra was ready to let the chance go all together, anything to comfort and reassure Tamarind, but Tamarind was suddenly moving and rubbing against him suggestively.
“Again?” Tamarind purred.
“Again,” Shakra agreed with a soft smile.
Shakra took his time preparing Tamarind again and he had his instincts under tight control as he settled on Tamarind's back. Instincts were strong and to be fought against. Lormar had told him as much. That lesson was even more important at that moment. Shakra pushed into Tamarind slowly. Tamarind groaned and his claws spread out on the rock, but he allowed Shakra to continue.
“Feels... strange,” Tamarind breathed.
“Hurt?” Shakra choked out as he was squeezed in a tightness that was making his every sense go mad.
“Mmm,” Tamarind said as if he wasn't sure how to answer.
“Tamarind?” Shakra prompted, knowing that he was on the edge of his control.
Tamarind pushed back. “All right... good...” Tamarind replied at last. “Need... I need...”
“I know, “ Shakra groaned and fell over that edge. He gripped Tamarind around the waist and could only keep himself from grabbing Tamarind's nape as he claimed his mate at last.
Strong, thrusting, bodies joined and exulting in that joining, every sense pulled under by an all-consuming need. It lasted an eternity or only a few moments, it was impossible to know. They seemed suspended in time, bodies crashing together frantically as they both struggled to achieve release and an answer to the desires within them.
Shakra came first, drawing Tamarind's hips up as he claimed him by filling him with his hot come in violent spurts. Tamarind cried out, and his orgasm hit him hard, his come splattering over his furry belly and the rocks beneath them. They stayed locked together afterward, settling, Shakra still on top and Tamarind stretched out beneath him, eyes half closed and his expression of someone completely sated.
With a smug and loving smile, Shakra cleaned Tamarind's ears tenderly.