Beyond Midnight

|21|

Fray

My breath comes in harsh pants. I stare down at my mate, full of fear that won't pass. I press the shell of my ear to her teat, listening to her heart thud evenly in her chest. The strength of her reassures me, but I'm still not completely convinced by it.

I was so close to losing her, twice. Once when those despicable males tried to dispatch her with a blade, and a second time when she was washed away by the harsh river.

Watching her struggle through the water, so little and helpless to save herself. I knew her only chance of survival rested on my shoulders. It instilled so much fear and dread inside of me. I have never known such terror in all my life.

Still, my body quakes with barely leashed emotion.

Staring down at Soleil, I replay the events from only moments ago. Dragging her from the water, trying to push the water from her lungs. She was unresponsive, and so pale. I was terrified that I might push down too hard and crush her delicate rib cage with my brute strength.

Killing those human men so easily, it haunts me. What if I accidentally kill Soleil?

I begged her to stay with me, and ordered her not to leave me. I was beginning to lose hope when my efforts finally paid off.

She opened her eyes only moments ago after emptying all the water from her lungs. She murmured my name, and then she was gone again, falling into a slumber.

I push the hair from her precious face, looking around the rain filled woods. I need to get her out of here, and soon.

I find that my legs and arms are weak, my muscles drained from the trauma.

Leaning forward, I force my hands under the tiny female's soft body. She doesn't make a move, sleeping so still that I'm tempted to check her pulse once more. I shake my head. This female has made me a new male. My priorities, my fears, all of them are new. These are things that I've never felt before.

But I wouldn't change it, I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Hauling Soleil into my arms, I make quick time walking through the forest that continues to weep with rain. As I move, my fear shifts into unquenched anger.

The face of the human male that threw my Soleil to the rapids is imprinted in my brain. I will have his head for that mistake.

The sooner I get my sweet Soleil safe, the sooner I can go after him.

It's not lost on me that I need to go back to Soleil's home to gather the females. I knew I shouldn't just let her go in and deliver the news without me at her side. The males hated our offer so much that they sentenced my female to death.

I have to look down at Soleil to try calming myself, but seeing her pale and cold and wet only fuels my fury. How dare they? They will see how real males treat females.

The rain drives me forward, and soon I'm stomping up the ramp and onto the ship. I pass many curious males, shooting questions and desperate glances my way.

They all knew today was the day that the females heard the news, and now they want to know when they will get mates of their own.

I ignore every single one of them, determined to carry Soleil until my feet ache if that's what it takes to make her safe.

Locanas appears in the chaos, running around the corner as if he just heard of my arrival. His eyes grow wide at the sight of my mate crumpled in my arms. She looks like a wreck, her face already bruised, her hair tangled and wet, her skin icy cold.