It was harder than he expected to leave her side and he did so with gritted teeth and a furious Instinct.But he had a duty…and he’d never hated that duty more fiercely than in that moment.
First, he informed theVelraxainhabitants that he had returned through the Coms.When the suns rose the next span, he would hold a council for any Luxirians that wished to voice a problem or concern, which he did every half lunar cycle.While no Luxirian could disturb him at his dwelling without invitation, at least his outpost would know that he was in residence once more.As per Vaxa’an’s orders, he intended to keep Sessela’s presence a secret.All the outposts already knew of Vaxa’an’s human fated mate.There had been unrest in some outposts, mostly by warriors, old and young, who did not believe that they should pollute the strong Luxirian blood.
The unrest had been dealt with swiftly, but Rixavox feared that the animosity still remained among a few.The other concern was that desperate Luxirians would try to force a fated bonding.Luxirian females, those that survived the Plague, could no longer bear young.Their race was in the midst of a precarious time in their long history.Many males, Rixavox included, had abandoned the thought of siring young.Unless their researchers found a cure for their females infertility, no full-blooded Luxirian would ever be born again.
Many struggled with this fact, evidenced by the small rebellions that Vaxa’an had had to crush already.The rebellions wouldn’t change their new reality.Luxirians would need to adapt, to continue their race with another species, or they would die out.It was simple.
Not for the first time, Rixavox imagined young.Children were a possibility now, an unfathomable thought.
Nix, he berated himself again.He should not entertain hopes that depended on many outcomes.Siring young with his mate was a distant dream, a fantasy.She could still choose to leave Luxiria, after all, once she was healed.
With a growl, Rixavox paced the floor next to his fire pit.When he felt calm enough again, when he banished the fear that hisluxivamight not accept him, he made contact with Vaxa’an and Privanax, informing them both of their successful journey and his plans for Sessela.Afterwards, he contacted the smallVelraxacouncil for any updates while he’d been away.
Besides a small scuffle over a higher priced fur in the bazaar, nothing too concerning had happened, which was a relief.His priority was Sessela’s health and now he would be able to dedicate more of his time to her ifVelraxawas running smoothly.
Outside his dwelling, over the loud shrill of the winds, he heard the faint hum of a hovercraft landing on the terrace.
Vrax, he cursed silently, striding to the door.If it was who he thought it was, there was a chance hisluxivawould be discovered.
Levrix was waiting for him when he forced open his door, feeling a slash of wind hit his face.Levrix brushed past him before Rixavox could turn her away.
“I will not entertain you,” Rixavox said in Luxirian quietly, feeling annoyance claw up his chest.Not an unfamiliar feeling when Levrix was involved, but usually it was drowned by mating lust.
“Why not?” Levrix asked, cocking her head to the side.She was beautiful, one of about eighty remaining Luxirian females within mating age.While Rixavox had always told her that a mating bond was out of the question, they had still enjoyed one another’s company more often than not.Levrix didn’t get jealous over Rixavox’s other pleasure partners either, which had worked well for their tidy arrangement.
Instead of the usual intrigue and sizzle of attraction he felt for her, all he felt now was a slight sickness, a dread.His Instinct was physically repelled by the scent of another female.
Fates, he thought, shaking his head.This is my reality now.The only female in his life would be the human sleeping just a short distance away.
Unable to help himself, Rixavox’s gaze flickered to the hallway that led to his sleeping quarters.Levrix caught the look before he could avert his eyes.
“You already have a female warming your furs?” Levrix questioned.
Rixavox’s jaw ticked.He was completely thrown off guard and unsure how to handle this situation.He should’ve anticipated that at least one of his pleasure partners would come seek him out.He had never turned away a female before, after all.But his thoughts had been completely on his newfoundluxivathat he had thought of little else, which was so unlike him.It was his duty as a war general to think of all possible outcomes.
Levrix was an honorable female, who he had known for many, many rotations.He trusted her, even though they’d had their differences.Even if he knew that she would not expose Sessela if he asked her not to, Rixavox knew he didn’t want to risk it.
“You need to leave,” he murmured.“I apologize, but you cannot be here.”
Levrix’s face morphed into surprise.“Is this a jest?”
“No.”
“What is this, Rixavox?” she demanded, her voice rising.“You would turn me away for another female you have in your furs?We have known each other for a long time.This is an insult.”
If Levrix knew that the female warming his furs was in fact his fated female, she would not be so brash.Even Luxirian females knew that there was no competing with aluxiva.The females honored their ways, just as much as males did.
Impatience coursed through him.He worried that Levrix might wake Sessela if she continued like this.And his female needed to rest before they began the cleansing process.
“Lower your voice, female,” he said gruffly, his Instinct bristling.
Levrix glared at him for a brief moment, but then her gaze dipped to his leg coverings.When she saw his hardened cock—which was erect only because of hisluxivaand not for the Luxirian female standing in front of him—her demeanor changed completely.She stepped towards him.
“Is this another of your games?” she murmured, her voice ending with a soft purr that would make an unattached male cum in his leg coverings.“I broughttevvaxspecifically for your return toVelraxa.I thought we could partake it together, but I will share you with the other female if you like.We have done that before.”
She was wearing a thick fur coat that had protected her on the journey over, but Rixavox saw she was nude underneath when she slipped it off her shoulders.It fell heavy on the floor of his dwelling.Her mating scent, which had always aroused him before, only served to sicken him.Not to mention the jealousy that swirled in him at the mention of him sharing his female.He wouldnevershare her with anyone.Ever.Nor would he ever be with another female in his entire life span, even if Sessela rejected him.No female would ever arouse him again, except for her.It was the Luxirian way, the Fates’ decree.
“Cover yourself, female,” Rixavox demanded, stooping down to pick up her fur.Her heavy breasts swayed as she approached him, pressing herself against his body.
