Untamable Lover (Worlds of Lemuria: Earth Colony Book 2)

by Rosalie Redd

  She accepted him for who he was, flaws and all. He’d never known a love like this. It humbled him.

  “Aramie—”

  She nipped his bottom lip. Shhhh.

  Taking over, she pushed him, forcing him to roll over. She straddled his hips, taking him deep inside and rode him like she owned him. A high like this he’d never experienced before. He pushed into her, letting her scent and her touch drown him. Her soft breaths turned into shallow pants, and her sheath contracted around his cock, squeezing him with her release. A soft cry escaped her lips. He couldn’t hold on any longer and joined her with his own surrender.

  When they were both spent, she lay on top of him, her sweaty skin mixing with his own. Their combined scent was heaven to him. He petted her hair, twirling the short ends between his fingers.

  For the first time in his life, he felt whole, healed. There wasn’t a better feeling in the world than holding his female in his arms. She relaxed and her breathing slowed. The last thing he remembered before drifting off was her barrette, the bright red spot peeking out between the sheets.

  *****

  “Good evening, tough stuff.” Demir’s baritone voice stroked Aramie’s nerves, awakening her from the best sleep she’d had in years. Must be the ramifications of their day together. They’d flipped between great sex and cat-napping over the past several hours. A warmth heated her insides at the memory.

  His strong arm wrapped around her waist, cuddling her body next to his, the sheets tangled around their entwined legs. The obvious press of his erection against her bottom let her know how awake he was. A rush of excitement pooled in the warm spot between her legs.

  She rolled onto her back so she could gaze into his chocolate brown eyes. What she expected to see, she wasn’t sure, but his eyes twinkled with amusement. His lip curled into a mischievous grin, revealing a pointed fang.

  She purred and rubbed her face against his chin, marking him with her scent. His answering growl was all she needed to hear to set her heart racing. “Demir, my mate, my love.”

  “Aramie.” He trailed kisses over her cheek to her throat. His breath tickled her ear, sending a shiver along her nerves all the way to her buttocks.

  She never felt so loved, so cherished in her life. Trusting him with her life, he’d proven himself to her. She loved him more than words could say. As his kisses continued down her body, she arched into him. He was as much a part of her as she was of him. Mating to a male was the last thing she’d ever wanted, but he was everything she’d ever needed.

  He glanced at her, his lips tenderly pressing against the soft spot between her breasts. Love and passion radiated from his eyes.

  She held her breath as a sense of completion and well-being filled her. “I love you,” she whispered.

  Her favorite smirk played along his mouth. “Tough stuff, I love you, too.”

  As he captured her lips with his own, she drifted along with him, forever in his embrace.

  Chapter Fifty-One

  Aramie leaned against a tree trunk and stared at the moon. The giant orb seemed larger tonight, brighter, clearer. She inhaled, and the ever-present smell of pine and dampness that permeated the forest made her smile. With deliberate care, she traced the scar at the base of her throat. The two round puncture wounds were rough against the tips of her fingers. I’m a mated female… Her heart swelled with a newfound sense of peace and contentment.

  Demir had agreed to meet her after his check-up with Gaetan. He’d be along soon and they’d go for a run. She kicked at a small rock with the tip of her shoe, overturning the stone. Worms squiggled in the fresh loam, and a spider ran for cover under a nearby fern. Aramie tensed, but then relaxed, a soft giggle easing from her throat. “Little creature, to think I once feared you.”

  The crack of a breaking twig echoed in the forest. Aramie’s senses went on high alert. She glanced around and inhaled, reading the scents of the forest. The whiff of an unknown Panthera caught her attention. “Show yourself. I know you’re there.”

  A male Panthera, one she didn’t recognize, appeared from behind a large boulder. He was bigger than most, his broad shoulders bulging with firm muscles. Yellow eyes peered from beneath his furrowed brow. The cat took several steps forward and stopped.

  Aramie swallowed, her hackles rising along the base of her neck. “Who are you?”

  The panther transformed into a man. He wore ragged blue jeans and a torn, white T-shirt. Thick, dark hair covered his head and the shadow of a beard coated his strong jaw. Deep brown eyes reflected the moon’s rays. “My name is Aramond.”

  She stared at the male and couldn’t ignore their shared resemblance. With tentative steps, she approached him.

  “You must be Aramie.” He had a deep, soothing voice, one that called to her. A smile of pure adoration crossed his face, and his eyes moistened.

  “How do you know who I am?” She could barely speak the words through her tight throat, and they came out a whisper.

  “Chantre…your mother. I ran into her a few months ago. I never knew I had…a daughter.” He clenched his teeth and visibly swallowed. “I’m sorry. Had I known, I would’ve raised you, protected you.”

  Aramie’s chest constricted and tears blurred her vision. An urge to race into this male’s arms overwhelmed her, but her past got in the way, preventing her from seeking what she so desperately wanted. Her fingers trembled, and she balled her hand into a fist. “How did you find me?”

  “You weren’t easy to locate, believe me. Your mother said she’d heard from a few other strays your Pride had headed this way. I searched for months before I stumbled across your scent. Strawberries, your mother said it was always her favorite.”

  Her stomach twisted, adrenaline pumping through her veins. Light-headed, she wasn’t sure how to respond. “This is happening so fast. I don’t know what to say…”

  He raised his hand. “I don’t want to interfere in your life, but I had to…” he visibly swallowed, “come meet my daughter.”

  At his words, the walls around her heart tumbled, and she took a step forward, then another until she was close enough to smell his unique scent—earth and fresh rain. He enveloped her in his arms, and the floodgate of tears broke, spilling over her lashes. Her chest ached from bittersweet happiness, and her throat constricted. She fell into his embrace, soaking up the attention she’d craved for so many years.

  “Aramie, my little Aramie.” He stroked her hair, caressing her. “From the looks of you, you’ve turned into a fine female—a warrior…and a mated one at that. I couldn’t be prouder.”

  She pulled back and stared into his eyes. “Father…” The unfamiliar word lodged in her throat. A tear crested over her lash, and he wiped it away, his own escaping from the corner of his eye.

  “Tell me of your sister. She wasn’t mine, but from what your mother says, she’s your best friend.”

  Her chest clenched at the painful memory, and a new round of tears flowed from her eyes. “Sidea, she’s gone. I miss her so much.”

  “I’m so sorry, Aramie.” He pressed his forehead against hers. His unique scent infiltrated her senses, relaxing her. They stayed that way for several long seconds. Then, he pulled away and cradled her face in his palms. “I wish there was some way I could make it up to you…all the years I wasn’t around.”

  “I have so many questions.” She stared into his eyes, searching for what, she wasn’t sure.

  He took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Come, let’s sit for a few minutes, get to know one another.”

  She nodded. They sat on the edge of one of the larger rocks in the area, and she told him about her past and about her new mate Demir. As he told his tale, the timbre of his deep voice soothed her and she listened…

  *****

  Demir was late and he clenched his jaw as he raced through the forest. Gaetan had detained him longer than expected, insisting on one more test. Demir’s shoulder was fine, mended, but he couldn’t say no to the old haelen. Even
Gaetan had somehow weaseled his way into the friend category. My, how I’ve changed. He shook his head. Hopefully, Aramie was still at their meeting place. His chest tightened, and a sense of urgency raced through his mind.

  As Demir approached, an unfamiliar Panthera scent brought him to a halt. His hackles rose. A deep voice rumbled between the trees, distant enough Demir couldn’t make out the words. Aramie’s scent blended in with the stranger’s and the fact they were so close sent a spike of adrenaline into his bloodstream. He fisted his hand and changed into his panther.

  He closed the distance, racing over the ground, leaping downed tree branches, and pummeling the soil with his claws. His recklessness announced his approach to the couple, but he didn’t care. Aramie was with another male…

  He skidded to a stop, mere feet away from the male and Aramie sitting on the log. He knew without a doubt they were kin. Not sure what he’d expected, but a family resemblance wasn’t it.

  Aramie stood at his arrival and held out her hands. “Demir, it’s okay. He’s my father.”

  Father? She’d told him about her mother, how she and Sidea had been abandoned by the female, but she’d never talked about either of their fathers. He changed into his human form.

  The male stood. Tall and muscular, he was an alpha, one that wouldn’t bow down to another. He glanced at Demir and took a step forward.

  Demir growled, the threat clear.

  Aramie placed her hand on Demir’s arm, calming him. “Please, Demir. I don’t think he means any harm.”

  Demir locked gazes with her, studying her, assessing her state of mind. Was she in danger? Was she worried? She seemed relaxed, in control. The tension in his shoulders eased.

  “Don’t be too hard on him, daughter. He’s an alpha male protecting what’s his. I can’t blame him.” Aramie’s father peered at Demir. “I’m Aramond, and I’m not here to challenge you.”

  But you won’t submit either, will you? Aramond was a rogue alpha, one that fought the war on his own terms. Demir respected his decision, he’d have done the same under other circumstances. He nodded in a sign of mutual respect.

  Aramie wrapped her hand in the crook of Aramond’s elbow. “Father, will you stay with us, join our Pride?” With a quick move, she pulled away from her father’s grasp and looked at Demir. “That is, if my mate and Pride leader agrees.”

  Aramond spoke before Demir could answer. “Daughter, I’m an alpha male, a Pride of one. Things wouldn’t…work out for me here. I’m sorry.” The tension in his voice left no room for discussion.

  Her lip quivered, but when she spoke, her words were firm, determined. “Will I ever see you again?”

  “I’ll be around. We’ll cross paths again, I’m sure.” In a quick move, he pulled Aramie into an embrace and kissed her on the forehead. Before she could say anything further, he transformed into his panther and disappeared into the forest.

  Aramie’s soft hitches made Demir’s chest ache. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her against him. He stroked her soft hair, comforting her as best he could. Leaning down, he murmured into her ear. “I’m glad you got to meet him.”

  “Me, too. He’s different from what I imagined, but he’s my father. You have no idea what that means to me to be able to say that.” She pulled back and lifted her chin. Though there were tears in her eyes, a soft smile curved her lip. “You know, you still owe me a run. Bet you can’t catch me this time.”

  Endorphins rushed to his head, his love for his mate filling him with joy. Tough and resilient, she challenged him at every turn—and was perfect for him. “You’re on. You better get moving…”

  Chapter Fifty-Two

  “Jax, please give us some privacy.” Noeh twirled his ring on his finger. The familiar movement helped ease the tension in his shoulders, but only for a moment.

  “Of course, of course. As you wish, Your Majesty.” Jax bowed as he backed toward the large double doors. His bottom rammed into one of the wooden sentinels that guarded the entrance to Noeh’s Throne room.

  Jax glanced up, his face turning a scarlet shade of red. “I’m so sorry, Your Majesty.” He continued to bow profusely as he closed the doors behind him.

  Gaetan is laughing. Melissa’s thoughts invaded his mind. Her soft words were like a gentle caress. His chest clenched at his beautiful female. He was thankful she was here. Yesterday, his one weakness had finally beaten him, won the war as he knew it would. The deafening silence was eerily peaceful.

  The last sound he’d heard—Anlon’s laughter.

  Noeh turned to face his haelen. The old male wiped his eyes, as if he hadn’t seen anything so funny in a long time. Maybe he hadn’t.

  “Well, well, so Ram is finally dead. Hard to believe.” Gaetan shook his head.

  Melissa interpreted the words for Noeh. She filtered out some of the trivial stuff, but he’d been working on reading lips. That got easier every night.

  “That’s what Demir said.” Noeh ran his hand through his hair. “But Jakar still lives.”

  “As you well know, there’s always another one to fill the shoes.” Gaetan sat down on one of the cushioned chairs. He winced and rubbed his knee. “That’s not what worries you though, is it?”

  Noeh exhaled. “This war has gone on for thousands of years, neither side gaining much of an advantage. Time is running short.”

  “I’m all for ending this war.” The lines around Gaetan’s eyes made him appear old.

  “Not,” Noeh caught Gaetan’s gaze, “unless we win.”

  “We have to win. I won’t consider the alternative.” Melissa cradled Anlon in her arms.

  The babe had grown considerably over the past few weeks. No longer an infant, he was on the verge of crawling. His fast metabolism even had Gaetan baffled. Noeh shook his head. Melissa was right. The Lemurians must win this war.

  What would happen to them if they lost? The humans would be enslaved and forced to ship water back to Lemuria. As for Noeh and their kind? Their souls would return to the character board on Lemuria and remain there in a state of hibernation until the next war on another planet. A chill ran over Noeh’s arms.

  Gaetan and Melissa both looked at the door.

  Someone knocked. Melissa’s smooth voice clued him in. So far, they’d been able to keep his deafness a secret. Outside of the two of them, Gaetan and Saar were the only others that knew.

  “Enter!” he shouted.

  Speaking of Saar, his Commander of Arms rushed into the room. His shoulders moved up and down in synch with his ragged breaths. “Noeh, Mauree…she’s missing. I wanted to tell you in person, so as not to raise an alarm.”

  Gaetan lowered his head.

  Noeh glanced at his queen. What did he say?

  As her shock wore off, she interpreted for him.

  A rock formed in his gut. He narrowed his gaze on Saar. “How can she be missing?”

  “Someone let her out. I found her lock on the ground, the door open.” Saar raised his shoulders, palms outstretched.

  “Who would do such a thing?” Noeh paced the room. Thoughts of Mauree roaming the Keep sent a sharp jolt of fear into him. He turned and looked at Melissa and Anlon. She’ll come for you.

  No you don’t. You’re not locking me up, again. Melissa placed her free hand, the one not holding Anlon, on her hip.

  His chest clenched, but the determination in Melissa’s eyes eased some of the tension. Don’t worry, I learned my lesson.

  Gaetan rose from his chair. “Does Tanen know about this? She’s his responsibility.”

  “That’s the other piece of news. No one can find him either. I have to assume he’s the one that let her out.” Saar shook his head. “Two of my warriors, Revin and Quoron followed their scent down the hallway into the bowels of the Keep. We’ll find them.”

  “I trust you will.” Noeh nodded at his friend. If anyone could find them, Saar would be the one.

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  Books in the Worlds of Lemuria: Earth Colony series:

  Novels

  - Untouchable Lover - book #1 - Available now - here

  - Untamable Lover - book #2

  - Unimaginable Lover - book #3 - Coming Fall 2016

  Novellas

  - Unforgettable Lover - prequel - Available now - here

  Short Stories

  - Come to Me: A Love in a Bottle Short Story #1 - Available now - here

  - Be with Me: A Love in a Bottle Short Story #2 - Available now - here

  - Catch Me: A Love in a Bottle Short Story #3 - Coming June 17th, 2016

  Turn the page for a sneak peek at Unimaginable Lover…

  Book 3 in the Worlds of Lemuria: Earth Colony novels…

  Unimaginable Lover

  A Worlds of Lemuria: Earth Colony novel - book #3

  Coming Fall 2016!