I froze when he licked my wrist and the whole length of my arm. What the. It almost felt like a cat’s tongue. Complete with that abrasive tongue of his. But it wasn’t too rough like sandpaper. It was just right. I felt a stinging though and noticed that one of my wounds felt too hot. I took it nearer to my face and what do you know, it was healing right before my eyes.
I was pretty sure my eyes were rounded with wonder. So, their saliva has healing properties. How convenient.
I took down my arm. He was looking at me as he started to lick the wounds on my legs. First at the left, then at the right.
At least he did not use his teeth to peel off my clothes. My tunic is already torn open where there are wounds. Giving him easy access to lick and heal them.
I probably spent the whole afternoon with him licking my wounds. When my stomach grumbled at some point, he made me eat something like a beef jerky. I do not wish to know what it was made of. As usual, it is very salty. I had to use his water flask to get some water. And thank God those were fresh water. I drank more than I ate the jerky stuff.
It’s strange how they can eat salty foods when my neighbor’s cat back home doesn’t like to eat salty foods.
At some point, I fell asleep. And felt him curling around me, not too much so I can still feel the cool breeze from the surrounding hills. How I wished I can just stay here and be at peace at least for a moment. Or days. And not think of anything at all. Of being abducted, betrayed, the deaths.
Strange that I can feel at ease now with Zirc. I must tell him when I learn his language. His silver beast acts more gentlemanly than his human self.
The jerk.
16
Zirc
The beast is content. He and I were always in sync. Looking at the alien female beside me, it is a wonder he doesn’t have the urge to eat her. Her wounds are now closed. Still, I continued to lick at her wounds. I only do this to select Manasties. And some feared my beast. To be honest, the only one who is calm enough around my beast is Roqs. Though his alpha beast is also something to behold.
Strange why I separated Roqs’ pillows from the rest. That tiny pillow he said encompasses his care for me. In reality I knew it was his tolerance on how long we can be separated from each other. We grew up together, slept together, and dreamed of being lifetime mates. But the gods were not kind to us. Especially to me.
Everyone, including me and Roqs, thought we were mates and will lead the Silver Tribe.
The female stirred. Her small nose scrunching. She looked so strange. She said she came from a distant planet. I searched our database and uploaded her image but nothing came up. She might be an exotic creature. Axad mentioned the ship that blew up is a pirate ship of the highest kind. Another ship showed up and was fast enough to take in the other life capsules that floated around our space. The High Council did not even bother to stop them.
The High Council beasts are getting old. How can they not care about the slaves in space?
Brin. She did mention she came from that blue planet. No one must know. There are many tales about the blue planet from that region in the universe. That sector is forbidden by the Galactic Council. If one of the tales is true, then her life is in danger.
I cannot bring her with me. What happened last night proved that she cannot join me in my journey to the High Council. This place is safe. It is surrounded by my smell. The boundaries will keep others from encroaching my territory.
And there are enemies everywhere. Even the most peaceful tribe on this planet has deserters. Hah, who am I kidding? A quarter of this planet is made of deserters who enslave the weak among us. The minority. I am not surprised that the gangs have spies in each tribe. But why did that deserter take my female to Aocs? The betrayer was a slave to Axad’s parents for more than a decade. At the last minute, I do not understand why he took my female and then defended her.
The Aoc leader is foolish. And he’s not significant among other gangs. But the other Manasty with him. The one with the many guns. He emitted a dangerous aura. But he is not a match to my Silver Beast.
Even though I’m in my beast form, I can clearly see, hear and remember everything. Unlike the last time I unleashed the beast. There are very few people who can live the tale when I took this form. Strange that the beast also does not consider her a threat. Stranger still my beast was frantic to get her outside than kill the others.
I felt her small hands squeezing my tail. She squeezed again then snuggled up to it with a slight tilt to the corner of her mouth. In her sleep, she grabbed onto it like a pillow. Something tugged inside me seeing her smile.
Fuck, I need to get away from her soon.
Yet my beast and I, always in sync, settled down alongside her. Curving my body to protect her from the strong winds.
Tomorrow, I will show her around this place my parents bought for me as my sanctuary. Maybe they knew as far back as I was small that I’m not meant to lead the Silver Tribe. What they did –
I slammed those thoughts. Now is not the time to dwell on those memories.
What is important is I have this place. Only a few beings know of this place. Surrounded by high mountains and hillside, very few venture into this area. And the mist surrounding it is enough of a deterrent even for gangs to occupy.
I wanted to take her to Crix so he can fix her auditory problem. So I can understand her. I am headed in that direction and feel it will be safe for her to be at Crix’s palace. Yet, my beast took her here. My safe haven. Even Roqs does not find this place appealing. It was okay for us to meet here for twenty sun rotations. But never more than that. His beast knew that their place was at the Silver Tribe.
The High Council needs the crystal I am holding. It is like a heavy stone that is almost pulling me down. Funny how I can envision myself, Roqs and the female here. Our friends can visit every now and then. But no, Roqs is the Alpha of our tribe. He needs to lead and spending days, months, years on my sanctuary is just a whim. Maybe I am at that point in my life when I am trying to settle down. All of these years working as a mercenary. There does come a point in a Manasty’s life when we need to settle down. Mine I imagine is not going to be anytime soon. In fact, I see myself dying in a joyous battle. With Roqs at my side.
The female is moaning. I can smell her arousal yet again enough to stir my desire. Good. All of these musings are making me doubt myself. Hah, who am I kidding? I’m always aroused by her. Many Manasties had sex with other female species but we unfortunately are sterile.
She’s waking up. I smelled her again. It is best I switch to my other self. I will savor these last few days with her, training her how to survive, and in between thoroughly sate my appetite. And forget about her.
No, the beast whispered.
The more reason I need to get away from her. Why is she triggering the Silver Beast’s protective instincts? So she’s small and defenseless. But this place, this is my sanctuary. My domain. No one will attack her here.
My beast continues to grumble but it too knows the dangers I am about to face in the future. I can always come back here anytime I wish. And the crystal I will leave with her will protect her.
THE END
