Raw

Chapter Sixteen - Scattered Bones

Days had passed since I last saw Mhor. I missed him terribly, so much that my heart ached. So, while out "hunting" I slipped away. That time I searched the river for the safest crossing, and found a shallow section with plenty of rocks to hop across. Once I reached the other side, the strong scent of Mhor's musk and scratches on trees and in the dirt overwhelmed me. He'd made his border perfectly clear.

I pushed through, excited to see him, but mostly taking note of where I was going. This would be my home soon, and I didn't want to get lost.

As I climbed through a thicket, I entered a clearing that was all too familiar. Cautiously moving out, a knot formed in my belly. The ropes that held me still hung from the tree. The blackened charcoal of a fire lay not far from the tree, with a mat folded over in the grass.

As I approached, a group of vultures took flight from behind a boulder. Slowly, I headed over. A hint of death filled my nostrils as I approached. I knew what I'd find before I saw it. Scattered lion bones, with blood in the grass and torn clothing around it. Paner's remains.

"A vicious battle."

My head snapped around to the vulture sat atop the boulder. "You saw?"

"The sounds of a fight like that means only one thing. So, I came." She shuffled closer to me. "If you are from his pride, his brother left right away and rounded up the rest of the females and the cubs. They headed south."

"South." I stared at the bones, startled by the feelings they gave me. Only days had passed since I'd mated with him. His face and touch still lingered with me. Not that I cared for him, but being that intimate, and now he was dead seemed... jarring. "Tell me what happened?"

The vulture shuffled, flapping her wings. "A great battle. A newcomer to this region fought this one, with the Great Krosh and his mighty sons. By the way they fought, it was over breeding rights. The newcomer has favor with Krosh and probably earned rights to his daughters and this one challenged it."

"What makes you think that?"

"By the way they battled." Her head bobbed. "The newcomer fought with passion and fierceness. Krosh and his sons simply kept the brother at bay. The newcomer beat him until he lay bleeding and near death, then he removed his genitals. A classic case of claiming mating rights."

I shuddered at the image that flashed through my mind of Mhor slicing into Paner.

"The screaming, even in his near-death state made even me tremble. His brother fled then, knowing he was defeated and would be next. Once this one drew his final breath, the newcomer ran northward, while the sons of Krosh chased the brother."

"How brutal," I said, leaning against the boulder.

"Yes, but it's life, isn't it? I was able to eat and feed my young from his flesh, and so life continues."

Her head snapped around and she took flight. I was pounced on. I hit the ground winded and disorientated.

"Zora?" Mhor climbed off me, pulling me into his arms. "You shouldn't be here."

"I came to see you," I said with a cough.

"Did I hurt you?" He touched my cheek.

I shook my head.

"Good. Let's get away from here."

He led me from the clearing, and soon we entered a small, abandoned encampment. There were only two huts, and three tents flapped in the light breeze.

"It's so... creepy," I said.

He shrugged. "It will do for now. It took me a while to remove the scent of the twins, but now it's mine."

He led me toward the largest hut. We entered, and inside were a handful of his things; clothes, a spear, a mat bed. "This will be your hut. I chose it not only because it was the largest, but because it was the best built. I'm working on strengthening it, then I'll clean up the others."

I clung to his arm. "We will be happy."

"Yes, we will." He stroked my cheek and kissed me.

Things heated up quickly, and he had my clothes off within moments. Our time apart drove our need, and we were covered in sweat as he pounded into me and I clung to him. I yielded to him completely. He had my heart, body, and soul.

When it was over, he rolled beside me, keeping me in his arms as we panted to catch our breath. Gazing into his dark eyes, I had no desire to move. I wanted to stay with him forever. "I love you, Mhor."

A smile brightened his face. "How can such simple words brighten my existence?"

I kissed him softly and we soon dozed off.

A rustling outside the hut woke me. Peering out the door, I watched a jackal sniff around the camp.

A deep growl made it flinch. Mhor leaned over me, tense and ready to pounce. The jackal scampered away.

Mhor nuzzled my cheek, turning instantly from protector to lover. He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me back to the mat. He touched me, caressing my skin with his fingers, and brushing soft kisses over my neck and collarbone.

But I wanted to please him. I wanted to try something new I'd learned. With a soft growl I pushed him over onto his back. He stared up at me, confused, but with a playful gleam in his eyes. Stroking his beautifully toned abdomen, I lowered my lips to his cock. He shuddered, opening his legs to give me full access.

Up close, I took a moment to really admire his manhood. It sat up tall and stiff, thick and moist. Hungrily, I wrapped my mouth around it.

He moaned, throwing his head back as he pushed it deeper. I bobbed my head, and his soft moans of pleasure turned to purrs as he grasped my hair. I stroked his testicles, making him cry out my name. Then, he yanked my head back just before he squirted. We both watched as the creamy fluid burst out. I tried to lick it, but he held my head back.

He rolled me onto my back, pushing my legs open. He gave me a long lick. I shuddered.

"Zora!"

Mhor shot up at the sound of Hektos' voice. We both scrambled for our clothes. Mhor yanked on his pants and burst from the hut. Afraid he might hurt Hektos, I rushed out after him. Mhor ran at Hektos standing at the edge of camp.

"Hektos!" I cried.

Hektos swung to Mhor just as he knocked him to the ground. They disappeared into the long grass. I ran over, terrified for my brother. But when I reached them, I found them wrestling like brothers. At some point, they'd bonded.

"I knew you'd be here," Hektos said to me from under Mhor's hold. "You can't help yourself, can you?"

"She is my mate," Mhor responded as he playfully bit Hektos' shoulder.

"If Father finds out, he'll be furious." Hektos batted Mhor away so he could stand to face me. "Father's looking for you. He's concerned that you've been gone too long and is worried you've been kidnapped again."

Mhor walked to my side, nuzzling me in his arms. "I wish you could stay."

"Soon." I kissed him and rested my cheek against his shoulder.

Hektos sniffed. His eyes widened. "Zora! You've been mating with him!"

Mhor's hand flew out and he crushed Hektos' arm. "Do not speak of this to Krosh."

Hektos pulled free. "I'm no fool. I'd never get my sister in trouble like that." Hektos glanced at me, tilting his head. "We'll stop on the way so you can wash."

I kissed Mhor softly. As I stepped away, he held my hand until I was out of reach, and watched us leave.

"He really does care," Hektos said as I glanced back to see Mhor stalking us.

"Yes." I wrapped my arm through Hektos'.

"So you know, our brothers and I will make sure Father hands you over to him. We know you've given Mhor your loyalty."

I smiled, delighted by the devotion of my brothers.

As we passed onto Father's lad, Mhor stopped stalking us, and watched us leave. I glanced back, yearning for the day when I would be able to stay.