Surrounded on all sides by layers of loose shale, the walls crumbled where they dripped, hinting at the ancient riverbed that had left layer upon layer of fine sediment to harden over countless millennia. A river that might have been magnificent, once, but had since dwindled until all that was left was the gentle creek bubbling outside. Quiet and unassuming. Rich in minerals, stained red, it left their prison damp. Dripping and moist. The groundwater filtering through the many fine layers of soft stone. Beneath them, a floor of granite bedrock, slippery with ancient algae that needed no light to grow.
It was a miserable place to heal. Rife with potential for his wounds to fester, but Giaus made no effort to escape. Not while his every breath was laced with hurt, not with his precious mate already sniffling with the onset of fever. Even through the gloom, he saw the way her brows bunched, eyes squeezed shut as she tried not to whine. The sour stench oozing from her pores stuck to the back of his sinuses, obliterating the heady scent of a breeding, healthy female with one that was quickly becoming ill.
Restless.
Pacing, pacing,pacing.
He followed her progress with an obsessive vigilance. Watched her feet skip and stumble over the sloped floor, her fingers clinging to the jagged walls.
Monitoring her for the signs of descent he knew so well, so he might be ready for her inevitable fall.
All the while, admiring the rounded cheeks of a tight ass bruised with his fingerprints, scored by the tips of his claws. His eyes fixed to the flex of muscle. A thick, full bottom that was achingly absent the flick of her tail. He mapped the exquisite curve of thighs that met and blended with a trim waist. Scrutinized where her spine was etched with the markings of her treasured lineage. A harem Omega, born to breed for a prince. She was meant only to submit and be dependent on the charity of her master, and yet, here she stood. Absent the poke of bones through skin that spoke of a female willing to do anything for a meager bite of food.
A true marvel, his mate. One made just for him. Given by the Nine themselves, for how else might she have wandered the wilds without the journey showing on her delicate skin? In this place that bowed tohim. Where he’d carved out a territory even the hordes of doomed infected dared not breech.
But he had none of that now.
He’d abandoned his dominion…
… to claimher.
His Renegade Omega.
It was a name that suited her odd temperament. Rebellious and fierce, despite her low-born nature.
Hissing, ears laid flat, she turned and paced toward him once more. Her feet careful on the slippery slope of their intimate den.
Giaus’ amber gaze dropped to her nipples. Caught on the bounce and jiggle of fatty, ripe flesh. Held utterly still despite how he wanted to touch, he waited. Anticipating the perfect moment to strike, for her pacing to falter when his little warrior finally burned herself out. Hungry for the looming tantrum to boil over, so he might soothe her temper then knot her pliant. Let her drink down as much of his seed as she could swallow so she might sleep well in his arms after so vigorous a claiming.
Her belly full of him.
Luminous dark eyes flicked toward his face, then skittered away. His female nervous to be in his presence. Trying to deny the comfort he offered—that she sodesperatelyneeded—she scoffed and twisted away. Hiding her nudity from inspection.
Rumbling, Giaus’ lips twitched, but that was all.
Even now, after he’d won her most precious gift, he wanted another taste. Her defiance an aphrodisiac that saw his sack swell with another loaded dose meant to tame her. The muscles in his throat itching to sing for her. To soothe her wildling spirit and make her see the beast she’d claimed for what he really was.
But he didn’t move.
Merely settled in to wait her out. Back pressed to a wall of uneven, loose shale, tracing the bandage with the point of his claw.
The wound had been packed, stank faintly of sweet herbs. Ached only when he prodded the edges in a way that suggested there was some sort of numbing herb added in the poultice.
It started with a sniffle.
Reddened nose and cheeks, drooping ears and glassy eyes. Shivering uncontrollably in the damp chill of their prison, Renegade’s hand dropped to her side. Rubbing as if in pain, she ended her furious pacing at last, twisted and sent a glare over her shoulder. Scowling at the bandage wrapped about his ribs, she said, “Stop it.”
And for a moment, he simply continued to watch her. Trying to recall what he knew of her kind, of the Hathorian mating bond and all its many curious attributes the stuff of legend. Privileged knowledge meant only for the most elite Anhur with the largest harems.
Certainly not for the likes ofhim.
Until she’d laid her claim in blood and treasured scars.
Lips spreading over a taunting grin, Giaus tilted his chin toward her.
And then, hidden from her narrowed gaze, he dug one finger into his wound.
She sucked a breath between her teeth, pupils tiny pricks of seething black. Fists clenched at her sides, she turned to face him. Forgetting her nudity, ears pinned flat, she bared the smooth line of her teeth. “I said,leave it alone.”
