She babbles feverishly in a language I’ll never understand, fat tears slicking down her red cheeks.
“Leeenuh, please be calm. I need you to make a decision.”
Her breath stutters, and she wipes some fluid from beneath her nose with her unmarked hand.
“Good girl,” I say, slowly approaching.
She allows my advances, taking deep and measured breaths, as she tries to regain control of herself. Her exhalations hit me like a warm and sweet caress.
Mine! The bond screams, wanting me to snatch her into my arms. To wrap my foretentacles around her beautifully decorated body and never let go.
But I don’t—because I am not hers.
I reach for her injured hand, and she tenderly presents it. Trembling gently, I remove the cloth from her palm. My heart aches as I see the mark left by my barb.
Although the flesh is red and swollen, I can already make out the faint purple-maroon mark that my venom is etching into her warm beige skin. We’re running out of time.
I take her hand and press it against my chest.
“Leeenuh, you have taken my mating sting,” I tell her slowly. She sniffles as I use my other hand to brush her tangled mane from her wet cheek.
“I have marked you as my own, but I know you didn’t understand what you did. I need to know what you want me to do.”
Leeenuh’s brows knit together, the confusion on her face a universal gesture.
“My sting, my venom, will force your body into heat. If you’re anything like the females of the Andjin—and I assume you are if my barb was even present to begin with—you will cycle through three heats over the next moon’s pass.”
Leeenuh’s mouth falls open. It closes a few times before producing noises I can’t comprehend.
“I will do nothing you do not wish to do…not before the heat takes hold.” I raise my hand and show her my palm. “I will not fall into the mating rut; you have not marked me as yours. If you wish to never consummate as my mate, it is your choice. I will respect any decision you make.”
My voice almost cracks. I will never hurt or abuse her. I want nothing more than for my mate to want me.
Leeenuh bites her lip and stares at her hand on my chest for what feels like some eternity, not the few seconds it actually is.
My mate pulls her hand back from my chest and inspects it. She traces her delicate fingers around the mark and looks up at me.
She shakes her head.
“No?” I mumble as our eyes lock. Leeenuh waits for my reaction as if I could do anything but what she wishes of me.
“No,” I affirm again. Just as something breaks deep within me, I can feel a new mission snap into place.
Protect Leeenuh, even if it’s from herself.
“I promise you are safe with me,” I say as I puff my chest out. The Great Mother has chosen a different path for me, and I will respect my purpose.
“Do your people go through heat?” I ask, a to-do list clicking together in my brain. My focus intensifies on being exactly who Leeenuh needs me to be.
I grimace as she shakes her head no.
“It will be overwhelming. You’ll stop at nothing to find a cock to mount.” My mate gulps. “But I will ensure you are kept safe and unmated, as are your wishes.”
Leeenuh lurches toward me, her arms wrapping tightly around my neck. When she buries her face into me, I can feel her tears roll down my neck, welling up by my collarbone.
She is mine, and…that’s all that matters. I draw her scent into my lungs. I have no idea what the future holds, but even if this is as close as she’ll let me get—I’ll happily take it.
Putting some space between us, I cradle her chin in my hand. I stroke a tear away with the pad of my thumb, trying to convey the glowing adoration I feel inside.
