“Female,” Vaxa bit out, tugging down his shirt swiftly and meeting her eyes.Uh oh.His irises were turning gold again.“Have mercy on me among my men.”
“What?” she asked innocently.Maybe he didn’t smell her yet.
He approached again, leaning down, nuzzling the tip of his nose against her ear.“My female has claws.I like that.I like that you fight me.But to know that your cunt is wet after a fight will be my undoing.”
Her mouth dropped open.Don’t blush, don’t blush, don’t—shit, she thought, resigned as she felt her cheeks warm.“I—I amnot—,” he cut her off.
“But I am the Prime Leader.My men expect a level of control…control that I cannot give them when my female tempts me with her scent and when I can think of nothing else but mating her.”
Kate set her jaw, cocking her head to the side.“Then maybe I should stay here,” she suggested, her voice sugary sweet and yet still mocking.
Vaxa did the strange purring/growling noise again.His horns looked a bit straighter than they had a few moments before.Did that mean he was angry…or turned on?Or both?She didn’t know.
“Or maybe you wish for me to lick your cunt again before we take our meal.”
Kate sighed, trying to ignore the tingling in her spine at his suggestion, trying to ignore the memory of last night when her legs had been wrapped around his face like a vice and she’d screamed so loudly that she’d worried the entire ship had heard her.
It had been worth a try at least.
* * *
The meal deck was near the command center.Vaxa’an knew word had traveled about his victory at the Pit.Most men that they passed only glanced at his female with curiosity, not surprise.Vaxa’an supposed that carrying her around completely nude last span hadn’t been his greatest idea.But he’d been eager to get his female onto his ship so they could depart for Luxiria.Now, he was wondering how many of his men had seen his female’s enticing backside and he couldn’t keep the scowl off his features.
Luxirians’ might be liberal with sex, but they certainly didn’tsharetheir Breeding partners or mates.Just imagining hisluxivawith another male made his scales bristle in possessiveness and jealousy.
Kirov was stepping out from the meal deck just as they reached the entrance.
“Prime Leader,” his friend greeted before turning his attention to his female.He inclined his head respectfully.“Lavrix’an.”
Something tightened in Vaxa’an’s chest.Lavrix’an.He hadn’t heard that word since his mother was alive, since before she was taken by the Plague.That title would be his mate’s title from now on, not his mother’s.
Kat’s face, he was finding, was quite expressive and her confusion showed.She tried to repeat the word back to Kirov but had trouble with the last syllable.“Lave-ricks-eu-non.”Clearly, she thought the word was a greeting.
Kirov’s lips twitched, but his features remained blank.Vaxa’an tugged her closer and said, “Lavrix’an.It is your title, Kat.Kirov is showing you respect, as you will be myluxiva.”
His female glanced up at him, her eyes narrowed a bit as if she was angry.“You should tell him that I will not be your lucks-zi-va or whatever that means because Iwillbe returning home at the first opportunity.”
A sharp exhale blew threw Vaxa’an’s nostrils.His stubborn female…“You may tell him yourself.He has your Ang-lish implanted.”
Kate whirled on Kirov, who had been watching the exchange with interest.“You speak English?”
Kirov glanced at Vaxa’an as if trying to gauge his position in this conversation.“Yes,lavrix’an.”
“Canyouhelp me get back home?” she asked without delay, taking a step closer to his technology advisor.Vaxa’an growled, not liking her proximity and Kirov took a step back.
“Wearegoing home,lavrix’an,” Kirov wisely said.He switched languages and asked Vaxa’an, “She does not wish to go to Luxiria?”
“She is not taking the change well,” Vaxa’an admitted to one of his closest friends.Only a few in his life would have thevarxto ask him a direct question like that and Kirov was one of them.“She will adjust with time.”
Concern touched Kirov’s tone.“We will be home in two spans.Hopefully that will be enough time for her adjustment.If she does not wish to be yourlavrix’an, our people will reject her as well.The fact that she is human…it is already a mark against her.”
“I know,” Vaxa’an growled.“She is myluxiva.I feel it.It goes beyond even the Instinct.They will accept her.”
Kirov inclined his head.“Birth right or no, you may be challenged by those who do not want a humanlavrix’an.You will be busy.It will be easier if she wishes to be claimed by you.”
Vaxa’an sobered.He knew that well enough.“If I am challenged, then I will meet them.It has been too long since I’ve had to prove my right to rule.Perhaps this will be the reminder my people need.”
“I will stand with you,” Kirov said.“As will Lihvan, Rixavox, Cruxan, and Vikan.”
