An Ellora s Cave Romantica Publication.

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2 An Ellora s Cave Romantica Publication Primal Quest ISBN # X ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Primal Quest Copyright 2006 Rebecca Airies Edited by Nicholas Conrad Cover art by Syneca. Electronic book Publication: March 2006 This book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora s Cave Publishing, Inc Home Avenue, Akron OH This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the authors imagination and used fictitiously. Warning: The following material contains graphic sexual content meant for mature readers. This book has been rated E rotic by a minimum of three independent reviewers. Ellora s Cave Publishing offers three levels of Romantica reading entertainment: S (S-ensuous), E (E-rotic), and X (X-treme). S-ensuous love scenes are explicit and leave nothing to the imagination. E-rotic love scenes are explicit, leave nothing to the imagination, and are high in volume per the overall word count. In addition, some E-rated titles might contain fantasy material that some readers find objectionable, such as bondage, submission, same sex encounters, forced seductions, and so forth. E-rated titles are the most graphic titles we carry; it is common, for instance, for an author to use words such as fucking, cock, pussy, and such within their work of literature.

3 X-treme titles differ from E-rated titles only in plot premise and storyline execution. Unlike E-rated titles, stories designated with the letter X tend to contain controversial subject matter not for the faint of heart. Primal Quest Rebecca Airies Chapter One Planet Mijohin, 862 Neshan Calendar The risk is necessary, Caidi Satoan thought as she stared out of the inn s window watching the orange sun sink below the horizon. Beyond the squat city dwellings, she could see the dark green blur of the forest and beyond that the purple shadow of a large mountain. The trouble with the trade goods is finally settled. It is time to see to the future. Caidi had always known that finding that one man with whom she could bond for life was improbable. There were just too many worlds. Most of the populated worlds were inhabited by humans and those humans far outnumbered shifter populations. There wasn t much of a chance that she d find the one Zarain meant for her. Her personal precautions also caused some difficulty. She avoided contact with her own kind and when she did meet them, getting close enough to scent them meant something had gone wrong. Over the course of her years as Acine, the alpha female of her pack, she had learned to avoid taking foolish risks. The protection of her pack was her sacred duty and a constant worry when she had to deal with it on her own. Success of tonight s quest was as inevitable as their return home to Carait. The single difference between this and a normal hunt was the choice of prey. Tonight s quarry waited in a tavern, not too far away. Their target, the males of their own kind the Zarain wouldn t suspect anything. Caidi had ensured that. She had used the combined resources of her pack and the Feiral pack which also lived on Carait to make this hunt feasible and safe. Both entirely female packs would benefit from this hunt. The drive, the pull to mate, to be impregnated, grew with each passing day, a throbbing need that couldn t be ignored. They needed to see to the future, to have children. Just as in any other hunt, they would use the habits of their prey against them. Shifter males often had sex with human females, but the hunters knew that they would have to be cautious. Although she wanted a baby, Caidi didn t want to lose her freedom. A male Zarain or Feiral with his senses unsuppressed by a powerful drug would know at the first whiff of their scent that they weren t human and were very fertile. The drugs had been administered to the men to counter that ability. As well, the shifter men wouldn t knowingly impregnate a female of their kind who wasn t their mate. Male shifters searched for their mates for most of their lives and they all knew how hard it was to find that one true mate. They wouldn t have sex with a female shifter who wasn t their mate. Also, shifter males were born with a fierce drive to protect and defend. That drive only increased when females of any species were involved. Those men wouldn t hesitate to take any female shifter they found captive and would hold her until that woman s mate found her. Their plans had been made ronas, months, ago. Bribes had been paid and instructions had been given to those who would be able to carry out the details of the plan. Now, all that remained was the wait before the hunt.

4 Caidi turned away from the window and began preparing for the hunt. She combed her golden hair to a glowing shine and allowed it to hang loose, falling to the middle of her back in soft waves. Her silver eyes danced as a tingle of nervousness coursed through her. At her neck, her pulse pounded a furious rhythm. She took a deep, calming breath. This hunt will be a success. In her mind, she chanted the words. As they made their way down the street to the weathered, wooden building which housed Oshiah s Tavern, Caidi was very nervous. So much of this had been out of her hands, out of her personal control. Most of the plan tonight had relied on the ability of others to fulfill their side of the bargain. It made Caidi uneasy to have to rely on others, non-pack members, for such necessary details, but there hadn t been any other way to do this. The Zarain and Feiral women were strangers to this planet and couldn t stay here long. Their purpose on Mijohin was simple find suitable male shifters, have sex and leave. This wasn t like the other times that she had had to hide her identity from a shifter or group of shifters. This time she would be in bodily contact with the shifter. She couldn t rely on her usual means of fooling them. They had used those methods until they had left the inn, but couldn t risk using them now. The contact was going to be much too close tonight. Caidi received a nod from one of the serving women when she and the other Zarain females entered the large, open main room of the first-floor tavern. Caidi breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed. It was safe. The drug had been served to everyone in the tavern. Caidi and the seven other members of her pack who accompanied her mingled among those in Oshiah s Tavern. It was more of a gentleman s club than a true tavern, with rooms upstairs available for the members use for a fee. Caidi saw Chey across the room and nodded at her in response to her smile and the slight lift of Chey s mug. Caidi smiled. Chey looked as if she was plotting. The cunning nature of the Feiral was very much evidenced by that smile. She knew just how cunning Chey could be and the woman was formidable. Caidi was just glad that they were allies and friends. Both groups were isolated from their own kind, trying to make the most of what they had and had found that their differences were insignificant when compared to the reality they faced. The Feiral animal form a narrow sharp-angled face with a long muzzle and pointed ears, a body built for speed rather than power, sleek furry body and a long tail was much different than the Zarain form which was built for strength and endurance. The hulking Zarain form made the Feiral seem small. Chey s pack lived on the plains near one of the great rivers on Carait, preferring to have the vast expanse of rolling hills around them rather than the verdant forest. Their holding was almost two weeks travel away from Caidi s home. Even with that distance, the two groups managed to keep in close contact, conducting joint trade ventures and offering help when it was needed. Caidi began to hunt in earnest for a man to father her child. As he was part of this world, he wouldn t want a safe home or family or the responsibilities that came with those things. Caidi knew that no man she met here would try to follow or find her after she left. She wrinkled her nose in disgust at the heavy odor of perfume and body odor that assailed her sharp senses as she moved through the room scattered with wooden tables and chairs. Someone had tried to disguise the lack of a bath with a heavy splashing of perfume. Goddess, this was awful. How could any Zarain, male or female, stand this for long? The smells, the restrictions and the lack of space were already beginning to choke Caidi. Even if it were possible, she couldn t endure the confinement of this city for more than a night.

5 As she moved through the crowd, she kept her gaze centered on a group of black-haired shifter males at the back of the room. With any luck, those large men were Zarain. Caidi noticed one of the women from Chey s pack, a woman named Asia, smile and turn away from the men. She walked over to Caidi and leaned close for a moment. They are all yours. The one at the back would be the one for you, very alpha. Although, don t count on him remaining here. I get the feeling that he has had more than enough of this life. Good luck, Caidi whispered as she walked toward the men sitting around the large, round, wooden table. Asia s words rang in her head. It was for that isolated possibility that they had gone to such lengths. There was always the chance that the man wouldn t want to let the woman leave if he knew she was shifter, as well as a chance that the man would just grow tired of city life. The men around the table were large and very muscular, as was normal and expected in a Zarain man. Caidi ran her eyes over the men in a cursory inspection. They all had dark hair ranging from deep brown to shining blue-black and all had dark, golden-brown skin. Every single one of them had silver eyes. Caidi studied them for a moment, noticing their posture and attitude. She decided that Asia had been right. The man at the back was the alpha of this group and, from the way his eyes roved over her body, was interested in her. He had long, straight, black hair that was secured at the back of his neck and he looked harder, more experienced than she had thought that a man who lived on Mijohin would look. For a city dweller, he looked every inch the warrior. High cheekbones and a hard jawline heightened the impression that his hadn t been an easy life. Over shoulders which were impossibly wide, he wore a white shirt which was open to the navel, revealing a chest covered in black markings that seemed to emphasize the corded muscles under the flesh. As her eyes lowered, they traced the hard rippling muscles of his flat abdomen and lean hips. He was sitting back from the scarred, wooden table, leaning against the light tan wood of the wall. Tight black leather pants encased strong, muscular legs. She frowned as she caught sight of his black boots. They were clean but scuffed. Well-worn, they weren t the polished articles that she had expected to see on a man who lived his life in a city. Her gaze swung to his waist. That sword was no mere ornamentation. A tiny warning began to sound within her. Sit. The man at the back of the table gestured to a seat next to him. That deep, rumbling growl tugged at her insides, tightening her abdomen as desire stirred. Caidi pushed down the doubts that plagued her. There was no reason to delay this with idle chatter. She wasn t here to talk. She had a mission to complete and stirring the Zarain within him would ensure that she completed it. No. She shot him a taunting smile. You are not the man I am looking for. She turned and walked into the crowd, looking for a safe challenger, a human. Someone he wouldn t consider a real threat. She didn t have a doubt that he would follow her. Raven Talinian felt unexpected anger rise within him as the woman walked away from him. Determination, hard and urgent, rose within him. She was his. No one else would have her. He rose to his feet and strode after the woman who had pulled him from his sorrows and the restlessness that had been plaguing him. The curves of her body drew his eyes. Full, proud breasts promised a handful of luscious flesh even for his large hands. The sweet curve of her hips and high, round ass called to the beast within that longed to feel those lush curves moving beneath him. He would wager that she had

6 long, toned legs beneath that long-sleeved green dress that begged to be removed. One thing was certain, he was going to know every inch of her. He knew that she was young, maybe in her twenty-fifth year, but certainly not over twenty-six years old. His height and width dwarfed her, though she was of average size for a woman. The light, sun-burnished gold of her skin glimmered in the lamp light. Shining, honey-blonde hair framed her face and fell in glorious waves down her back. His hands tingled in anticipation of touching the soft, rounded contours of her face, to see if the skin was as soft as it looked. Wide-set, tilted silver eyes had stared at him with a curious calmness. High cheekbones, a pert nose and a sweetly lush mouth, the lower lip full and pouty, completed an enticing visage. He stalked after her, catching her as she was smiling at a young, dark-haired human. A low growl rumbled in his throat as he turned her to him with a hand on her shoulder. Irrational jealousy swirled within him. She should be smiling at him. He pulled her away from the other man and crowded her into a corner, letting the Zarain scent take over since she wouldn t even sit and talk with him. Caidi hid her smile as he pressed her into a corner, forcing her to inhale his scent. The Zarain male musk hit her at almost the same instant that a deep, primal part of her recognized him as her mate. With each breath that she took, a fire of physical desire burned higher within her. She drew his scent into her, pressing her body closer to his. Yes, my little golden one, take me into you. Come with me. We will go somewhere private and be together, he encouraged as her arms stole around his waist. I am Raven. Caidi nodded in agreement with his plans. My name is Cate. She barely restrained an appreciative rumble as he turned, still holding her close to his side and urged her toward the staircase near the side of the room. She loved the way he smelled. Rich, masculine, a little earthy. They climbed the stairs together and he led her to a door at the end of the hall. He unlocked the door and opened it, ushering her into a spacious room. The bed was large, spread with blankets and gray and white furs and was exactly what Caidi wanted at this moment. A large fireplace with an ornate mantel graced the center of one wall. Two large, comfortable-looking chairs had been placed in front of the hearth. A table surrounded by chairs had been placed in front of two large slatted doors which probably led out onto a balcony. Caidi tried not to act too eager as she walked with Raven to the bed. All too conscious of the role she should be playing, she held back as he pulled her toward the bed. He threw back the coverings, revealing clean, crisp white sheets. He turned to her and Caidi stared up at his strong features. She wrapped her arms around him, instinctively rubbing herself against the hard ridge of his sex. Raven grasped her with both hands about the waist and lifted her. His lips and teeth nipped at hers until she opened her lips to his. His tongue thrust into her mouth and her tongue followed his as he withdrew back into the dark cavern of his own mouth. He tasted so good delicious and addictive. He sucked at her tongue drawing her taste deep into his mouth. She couldn t get enough of the enticing essence. He lowered her to her feet and ran his hands up her sides to cup the fullness of her breasts through the silky material of her dress. Bending, he brushed his lips across hers and across the soft skin of her cheeks to her ear. His teeth nipped at her earlobe and then his warm breath flowed across her ear.

7 Undress for me. His deep, gravelly, very sexy purr rolled through Caidi as his hands left her. Caidi stepped back and unhooked the clasp at her neck and the subsequent ones down her back. She shrugged her shoulders and the dress fell forward, sliding down her arms and chest. She let the dress fall around her feet and toed the soft new slippers from her feet. For a moment, she stood nude before him. She stepped forward and laced her arms around his neck, removing the leather tie from his hair, freeing it to flow around his face. She threaded her fingers through his hair. The long, silky strands fell almost to the middle of his back. Reluctantly releasing his hair, she slid her hands down to his shirt. She unbuttoned the two buttons keeping it closed and skimmed her hands up the warm, hard muscles to his chest. He was so much larger than she was. Much larger than she had thought that he would be when he was sitting in the chair. As much as Caidi wanted him, she knew that there was something different about him. He was Zarain as she was, but she had never seen a Zarain as large as he was in all of her travels. He brushed her hands away from his chest. Lie down for me, he urged. Don t rush this. It will be good. Caidi smiled and climbed onto the bed, playing the part of enthralled human when she longed to rip that shirt from his body and drive him to a fierce mating. She wanted his fire, his domination, but pushing him now wouldn t be in character with what she was supposed to be. She sighed and decided that trying to incite his dominance would have to wait until later if there was time. Raven unbuckled his belt, took his sword, still in its scabbard, off the belt and placed it on the small table near the bed. He sat beside her on the bed and looked over at the golden-haired woman. There was something about her that urged him to be careful, that all wasn t as it seemed. Conscious of the need for caution, he stood and unlaced his pants, but didn t remove them. He didn t want to frighten her. Cate s luscious body beckoned. The mounds of her breasts drew his eyes with just as much force as the honey-blonde triangle between her legs. He wanted everything, immediately. He wanted her taste flowing in his mouth, those pink lips on his body in any way she chose, the sheath of her cunt wrapped around his cock and her nipples pebbling in his mouth. Caidi shifted her position on the bed. With the absence of constant contact or stimulation, a human would be coming down from the Zarain scent-induced lust. She edged across the bed, keeping her eyes on him, with what she hoped appeared to be wary distrust rather than hunger. Taking one of the furs with her, she scooted backward, pressing the covering to her breasts. Uh um I have to Caidi began in what she tried to make a nervous stammer. Chapter Two Even with her extraordinary eyesight, Caidi didn t see him move. She blinked and then his weight hit the bed. In that rush of movement, she was pushed back on the mattress. His knees straddled her thighs, his hands landed beside her shoulders, securely caging her. He leaned over her, his breath fanning over her face as he gently nipped her full lower lip. There was something about this woman that pulled at the beast within him. He stilled, thinking, but she wriggled and his mind focused completely on the soft woman under him. You have to kiss me, little Cate, Raven instructed. Caidi readily followed his order. She raised her head, slanted her lips across his and

8 tentatively entered his mouth with her tongue. Wanting to put her arms around his back, she lifted her arms, sliding her fingers under his shirt and over his rib cage in a light caress. He stopped her and urged her hands up to his neck. Caidi was a little curious about why he would do that, but everything felt too good to question it very long. His lips left hers after a last nip of her full lower lip and traveled down her neck to the valley between her breasts. He placed a slow lick in the very center before he kissed his way to her right breast. His tongue lapped at her nipple and his teeth nibbled at the hardened peak, alternately stimulating and soothing the sensitive flesh, sending fire straight through her to the pulsing core of her desire. His hand eased her thighs apart and began stroking the warm flesh hidden there. His fingers stroked over her clit with knowing expertise. Caidi looked up into his eyes as he watched her reaction. She had never seen such intensity, such heat in anyone s eyes. Within a few strokes, she was arching her hips into his hand as carnal hunger flared higher with each caress, each nibble. His fingers brushed down her sex to the small, slick opening of her vagina. He slipped one of his large fingers into the heated sheath, smiling when he found her tight. The inner muscles of her slick cunt clenched around his finger as he slowly withdrew his finger from her moist passage only to slide it back into the warmth once again. I am your first. Raven smiled as he stroked his thumb over the hard nub of her clitoris. Caidi frowned in confusion at the possessiveness in his tone. He shouldn t be feeling possessive with that drug coursing through him. His finger slid easily in and out of her with the lubrication from her desire. He then inserted a second finger, letting her adjust and come to enjoy the increased fullness, before inserting yet another. His fingers moved within her stretching her tight, untried channel for his cock. He took her nipple into his mouth and sucked, first gently and then with more intensity. With a slurp, his mouth left her breast, but he promised himself that before the night was over he would feast again on those lush mounds. He raised his head and thrust his fingers farther into her. Raven watched her face, saw the building desire, the heat of lust. Her neck arched back and her hips rolled sensuously in counterpoint to the rhythm of his stroking fingers and the brush of his thumb. Her juices coated his fingers, proving that she wanted him very badly. Ah Caidi s hands clutched his hair, pulling him up to her mouth. She needed his kiss, something. More. Caidi was startled when Raven drew back and flipped her onto her stomach. She followed his guiding hands readily as soon as she realized that he wasn t leaving her. He drew her onto her knees, holding her as she braced herself on her hands. His hands stroked over her sides and back in a sensuous pattern. He widened her legs, kneeling between them. If you want me, say my name. His hands held her hips and he pressed his leather-covered cock against her buttocks. Raven. Caidi arched into his touch. Raven freed himself from the almost painful confinement of his pants. He drew her back against him, letting her feel the length of his shaft against her, as he ran his hand around her, briefly cupping her breast and flicking one hard nipple before he cupped her sex. Long, slow strokes of his fingers over her clit incited her to roll her hips and moan with longing. Oh, I need Caidi pushed back against his hold, begging for more. She was burning with the sensations coursing through her. His fingers between her thighs

9 had brought forth a tight knot of fire and an ache in her groin that was pulsing and relentless. She had never felt like this before. His other hand was stroking over her in a repetitive pattern that was both soothing and arousing. You need me. Raven positioned his shaft, feeling the hot liquid of her arousal coat the tip of his erection as it slid between her thighs. He kept his arm around her waist. His palm cupped her mound, stimulating her, keeping her poised on the edge of climax, but never allowing her to go over the edge and soar. His cock parted the tight flesh in a slow, smooth glide, letting her untried sheath adjust to his girth. Caidi felt stretched. The slight tingle of pain in the skin that surrounded his shaft dulled some of the delicious sensations pulsing through her. His hips surged forward, urging the entire length of his thick sex into her and Caidi gasped as a surge of pain killed all of the pleasure within her. She tried to crawl away from him in a blind attempt to escape the pain, but his arm around her waist locked her to him. She stilled, startled, as she felt him move out of her a little when she leaned away from him. His fingers stroked over that sensitive hood of flesh above the tingling, stretched flesh which surrounded his cock. He ran his other hand over her shoulders and back to soothe her as his fingers began to provoke the heat inside her once again. She rolled her hips at each teasing, provoking touch over her clit. Caidi pushed her buttocks back against him, taking more of his length as the fire blossomed within her once more. Her breaths came in sharp, quick pants. She couldn t stop her body from tensing, expecting a return of the pain, as he withdrew from her to firmly reenter her with a slow, sure surge. She now felt only desire and a delicious fullness as he rocked into her. Her hips rolled as she accepted his driving shaft, riding the fingers rubbing and plucking at her clit. Yes, move with me. Raven threw his head back, his clenched teeth baring the lengthened canines. Caidi gasped and dragged in a ragged breath as her hips pumped down into the stroking of his talented fingers. Her body was on fire. His scent swirled around her, masculine, arousing. She closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on what she should be doing to seem human. She couldn t think of anything but the feel of his hard cock, how tight and full it made her feel, the sharp passion as he drove into her and the strong jolts of sensation shooting through her with every movement of his fingers over her clit. Need ruled her mind and her body. Harder, Caidi whispered. Raven thrust into her, his balls slapping against her with the force of his movements. She moved with him, arching back against him, encouraging him with pleas for more as the strength of his thrusts grew and the pace quickened. Husky cries tore from her with almost every breath and her need only increased with each pounding stroke. The tight clasp of her hot, slick cunt around his cock nearly took his control. His balls were drawn tight, the seed ready to surge into her hot pussy. Caidi moaned, arching her back and lowering her shoulders and head to the cool white sheet on the bed, pushing back into his surging thrusts as the tension within her exploded. Hot ecstasy cascaded over her leaving nothing untouched by the euphoria. Her body trembled and shook and she screamed her release as a wave of fiery bliss poured through her. Raven thrust harder, deeper. Her body seemed to be made for his, her pussy sheathing his cock so tightly it was nearly painful. He rushed toward climax, but he was determined to give her a gift for the exquisite ecstasy she brought him. As the spasms shook him and he exploded within her, he placed his hand on the small of her back. A harsh groan rumbled from his throat as wave

10 after wave of heated bliss hit him and his seed pumped into her hot, clutching pussy. Caidi stiffened, shocked as sensation flowed from him, from his mind, into her. Another orgasm washed over her, causing her muscles to clench and convulse and her eyes to close as a flood of satisfaction rushed through her shuddering body. Caidi lowered her face to the sheets, moaning in ecstasy and would have collapsed onto the bed had he not still held her. She felt boneless, content. Never had she felt such pleasure, such satisfaction. She wanted more. Caidi felt both of his arms come around her just as she felt him pull his length out of her. He lifted her, turning her in his strong arms. Placing her head on the pillows, he pulled a sheet over her body as he rolled to his feet. Caidi basked in these new sensations, in the almost intoxicating bliss still surrounding her and wished that she had more than just this one night with this man. Even as she wished it, she knew that it was impossible. The drugs in his system would only last until the dawn. She would have to be gone before their effect started to fade. When she heard the rustle of clothing, she opened her eyes and turned them to the man, whom she would know only for this one night. He was not the type of man she could take back to the Taivain the main dwelling of a Zarain holding. The thought brought reality back into her mind and saddened her. Caidi caught a glimpse of his chest as he took off his shirt. The markings on his chest fascinated her and she couldn t help admiring the way they seemed to emphasize the breadth of his shoulders. His chest was massively muscled. She enjoyed the sight of those thick cords moving under his skin. Groaning as he realized he still wore his boots, he turned and sat down on the bed to pull them off. She stifled a gasp and then bit her lip. Damn! She struggled for a few moments to keep her swearing silent as the sight before her brought home just what she had done. His back was to her. Now, she knew the reason that he had kept his shirt on while they had made love. She saw the markings inked into his skin as well as two sets of stripes high on each side of his back. The first stripe started on each shoulder blade and curved around under his arms. The second set started just a little below his shoulder blades and curved around onto his rib cage. The only Zarain who bore such markings, the malkit, were the Shadatai Zarain. Fierce, untamed and rough, the Shadatai s reputation had spread beyond the packs and clans of the shifters. Considered barbarians by some, they abided by a code of honor known only to them. They weren t men who took deception lightly. Even among the Zarain, a people feared for their shape-shifting abilities, ferocity and skill as warriors, the Shadatai held a place of awe, fear and respect. Caidi wished that she had known that he was Shadatai before she had approached him. She wasn t an idiot. If she had known that he was one of the Shadatai, regardless of her desire to have a baby, she would never have tried anything with this man. Drug or no drug, she would have walked right out of the building before she had done anything with him. It was too late to walk away now. Regardless of her intentions, she had tricked him. He would be furious when he discovered that he had been drugged tonight. He would discover that she was far more than a human when she drugged him again to prevent any interference when she left. It was the second drugging which would enlighten him to the fact that he was dealing with a woman who was more than human. Just that she did it would tell him that she was hiding something. The speed of her movements would also be a tip-off. Also, she wouldn t leave

11 without trying to explain some of it. She hadn t intended to find someone like him, but she had. Now, she had to face the consequences. Other things about tonight would make him just as angry. He would discover most of them in the morning when he woke. His senses would be functioning perfectly by that time. There would be no way of preventing the most damning revelation. He would learn that she was his mate. There was only one true mate for each Zarain and he d know her merely from her scent. She wanted to leave now, to flee, but that too was impossible. She couldn t very well get up and walk out of the room. He wouldn t let her and if she did try it, he would know something was wrong. A human, enthralled by the desire-inducing scent and sensual skills of a Zarain, would still be reveling in the rapture she had known from his lovemaking. No one walked away right after sex with a Zarain. They stayed for more and then more. Some disastrous quirk of fate had unraveled all of the meticulous work done to make this a safe, uncomplicated night. He wasn t one of the men she had thought that she would find among the group who normally frequented this tavern. A Shadatai male would never make his home here among the humans. They were too intense, too predatory to live the life of a human for long. The Shadatai wandered along the gate paths selling their skills as warriors until the alpha, the leader, found his mate, if he wasn t ready before that time to find and make a home for himself. If the pack his true mate came from was weak or in need of a leader, the alpha and the other males of his pack moved in and took over the pack, protecting and caring for them. Sometimes, the male found his home before he found his mate. In that case, the woman had no choice but to go with him. He would take her from her home, if it came to that. When a Shadatai wanted his mate, very few families tried to stop him from taking her. It wasn t worth the cost in lives to resist the inevitable. Goddess, what was she supposed to do now? She couldn t just take a Shadatai to the Taivain. The change would be too sudden, too drastic. The Goddess only knew that he probably wasn t alone. The men with him tonight were almost certainly some of his mercenary troop. The women at the Taivain wouldn t be expecting one man much less a group of them. Raven finished undressing, climbed into bed and pulled her against his warm body. Caidi fought to keep from stiffening and pulling away from him. Just the fact that he was Shadatai made her nervous. She tried to keep herself calm and try to think. It would be some time before she found an opportunity to get the small, thin box that was concealed in her dress. He wasn t anywhere near content. His cock already pressed against her again, hard, demanding. With a sigh, Caidi decided that she might as well enjoy the one or two more chances she had to mate with him and use the time to find out just how much trouble she had gotten herself into this time. What were you doing here? Raven looked down at her, trailing his fingers across the slope of her breast. Caidi shrugged and kept her eyes on the markings on his chest, trying to ignore the zing of arousal and immediate hardening of her nipples in response to that light touch. I told you that I was looking for someone, but I had just decided that he wasn t here when you came up to me and stalked me into a corner. She looked up at him as if realizing now how strange that was. Do you live here? No, Raven laughed. He would never live in one of these crowded cities. This city isn t my type of place. At least, it isn t my type of place for long.

12 What is your type of place? Where are you happy? Caidi stalled, trying to keep her wits about her, but it was a losing battle. Just the touch of his hand could drive her crazy. I like open spaces, not crowded cities. Raven leaned down, running his tongue over the skin of her shoulder. Why are you here, if you don t like this place? This little jaunt had gone wrong from the first. She just wondered why. Everything had been carefully planned. I came here because I had received news that a friend of mine was killed in this city. I needed to know if it was true and if justice had been served to the man or men who had killed him. Raven nibbled on the column of her neck enjoying the taste of her skin. Was the news true? Caidi could barely form a coherent thought. Tingling darts of wanton need shot through her with every scrape of his teeth, every nibble. Her eyes skimmed over his body. He had ink tattoos on his shoulders as well as his upper chest and arms. The markings on his chest and shoulders were symbols of some kind. The dark ink tattoos circled his massive forearm in a band. She ran her hand over his chest. His skin was hot, smooth. She inhaled. She loved his scent, the one beneath the arousal. Musky, male, it reminded her of the forest, of freedom. Yes. Raven moved up to give her a lingering kiss, nibbling at her lips hungrily. Before I saw you tonight, I couldn t wait for the morning to arrive. All I wanted to do was leave this pit. Your friend lived here? Caidi s hand brushed across the bronzed skin of his chest to his corded stomach. Yes. Raven drew in a harsh breath as her hand wandered close to his cock. Sadness left his eyes as desire warmed them. He took her wandering hand and urged her to take his hardening length in her hand and grip him. He urged her hand up and down its length from base to the tip until she took over the movement on her own. While her hand was busy, his hands skimmed over her shoulders, throwing away the covering sheet with obvious impatience. She was beautiful. His eyes slid over her swollen lips down to her full, round breasts and farther to the golden triangle between her thighs. One of his hands slipped into the thatch of hair at her thighs, finding the sensitive hood of her clitoris and rubbing his fingers over that flesh in arousing circular movements. Her pussy was wet with her need. She rolled her hips as his stroking fingers fired her need. The other hand lifted, caressed and stroked her breasts lazily. He plucked at the hardening nipples with just the right amount of force to send zinging darts of hunger through her. He watched her red nipple poke up demandingly. Gods, he loved that quick hardening. She responded so readily to his touch. Caidi was startled when he took her hand away from his large, hard manhood. She could tell that he was enjoying her touch. His cock had hardened and lengthened as she stroked. He had thrust his hips up into her hand as she had stroked him, had groaned his pleasure when she had circled the tip with her thumb. His response had made her feel powerful, magical. He had seemed lost in the feelings. The hard staff had darkened, tiny drops of pre-cum beaded on the rounded tip. Idly, she wondered what he tasted like. I want to be inside of you, taneen, Raven growled, nipping at her earlobe. The endearment was only the truth. Cate was beautiful. Raven lifted her, settling her astride him but on his stomach, with that hard shaft nestled against her buttocks. His hand insinuated itself between his flat, hard-muscled abdomen and two

13 of his fingers slid into the warm heat of her tight cunt while his thumb settled on her clit. His thumb stroked over that sensitive flesh as his fingers thrust into her and retreated. Caidi closed her eyes, her hips rocking against him in counterpoint to his thrusting fingers as she savored the pulsing heat each movement produced. It felt good, but she needed more. Lean down, Cate, Raven ordered, seeing that she followed his instructions with a tug on her arm. Caidi leaned forward, gasping as a burst of fiery longing rushed over her when the fingers within her touched something wonderful as she shifted position. He guided one of her breasts to his mouth, nibbling and flicking at the dangling nipple with his tongue before he enclosed the reddened flesh with his lips and sucked on it. Raven smiled as he felt her warm honey begin to cover his hand. She rocked against his hand, moaning and sighing as her excitement built. Her hands fisted in his hair. She was so sensual, so ready to try anything. He released the distended nipple on which he had lavished his attention and guided her slightly to the side so that he could pay equal attention to the other full, waiting globe. Caidi s body trembled with the ecstasy pulsing through her. Raven s growling encouragement against her breast resonated through her, enhancing every sensation. She ground her pelvis against his hand as the pulling tug of his lips at her nipple threatened to rip her into pieces. The pressure of his thumb against her and the scissoring movement of the two fingers within her sent a white-hot bolt of pleasure to her core and threw her into a shuddering, moaning, arching climax. She soon discovered that was far from the end. His fingers kept stroking her, reigniting the fire within her, even as his lips continued to draw on her breast. The stroking of his fingers tightened the pulsing ball of desire within her once more. Soon, she was rocking her hips against his hand again, straining to reach yet another peak, to release the almost painful tension gripping her body. She panted, desperate. She clenched her hands into his hair, willing him not to stop. She wanted, ached. The feel of his fingers thrusting into her pussy drove her wild, right to the edge. He withdrew his hand from her, giving her clit a lingering stroke even as she moaned in protest of the movement. Raven released her breast and silenced the disappointed sound of protest with his talented lips as he lifted her and lowered her onto his hard shaft. He moaned as he felt her take his length, sheathe his cock in her slick cunt. He felt her skin stretching around him, gripping him in her tight, wet heat. Ride me, he urged in a rough, deep voice, his hands gripping her hips urging her into motion even as he tried to gain some control over his own needs. He was blade hard and more than ready to come, but he wanted her to find her pleasure once more. She gave so much and still there was more. Caidi lifted her hips, awkward at first, following the guiding pressure of his hands. As she lowered herself with slow deliberation, she closed her eyes at the ferocious delight she felt with each little movement. She could feel all of him and being in control of the pace seemed to enhance every sensation. Soon, she took over the motion on her own, rolling her hips, placing her hands on his wide, hard chest for leverage as she rode him. His fingers plucked and flicked at her nipples. He groaned at the fiery urgency caused by the clenching of her vaginal muscles as she raised and lowered herself on his hard cock. He wanted to thrust hard and fast into her, to ease his aching tension. He tried to concentrate on her pleasure. Satisfying her was more important than rushing to his climax. He reached between their bodies and stroked the hard bud between her thighs. She

14 moaned and trembled, her hips moving faster, and the pace became frenzied as she reached for the bliss that she knew waited for her. He saw the startled look in her eyes as she reached her peak. He felt the grip of her inner muscles and arched his hips upward even as his hands clamped on her hips and pulled her to him, grinding her against him. He let out a loud roar as he came, filling her with his seed. Caidi was stunned, arching her back and squeezing her eyes closed, keening softly as a third climax washed over her before the second had truly faded. Waves of bliss radiated through her, seeming to grow, to intensify as they spread outward. Caidi collapsed on top of him, unable to hold herself up any longer. Still shaking, her skin slick with sweat, all she could think about was him, how hard his muscles were, how strong he was, how much she wanted him. She had no doubt now. Tonight had provided proof of the tales she had heard as a young girl. Male Zarain scent was an aphrodisiac. She thought about everything she had felt tonight as she lay against him. She knew that this extra orgasm was somehow triggered by his release, shared with her through a psychic link. This was one time where she wished she had more contact with those of her kind. She didn t know enough about Zarain males in general to know for certain, but she wondered if all male Zarain could cause their sexual partners to have an orgasm by having one of their own or if it was strictly a Shadatai ability. She had never heard of it before, but she and the rest of her pack stayed away from other shifters. It was safer that way. Chapter Three The man beneath her groaned in satisfaction and cupped her buttocks in his big, calloused palms, hauling her close to him. She closed her eyes and tried to concentrate. She had to get out of here. If she had managed to find a Shadatai, then some of her pack-mates had probably found one as well. They had to leave this place. Zarain, even Shadatai Zarain, seldom traveled alone. This man had definitely not been alone. This night was already going to cause trouble. She could only hope that they would all be able to leave here. If even one of those large Shadatai escaped the second drugging, it would spell disaster. It would be almost impossible to take him down. Go to sleep. Raven closed his eyes, content for the moment, but he knew that he would want her again before dawn. Caidi kept her eyes closed, but sleep was far from her. She waited until his breathing had become even and deep. She waited for an opportunity to escape. Within moments, he was asleep and seemed unaware of her not insignificant weight upon him. When she was certain that he was asleep, she carefully removed his hands from her buttocks. Slowly, she lifted herself, raising her body, feeling his cock slide from her. What do you think that you are doing? Raven s eyes snapped open and his hands clamped on to her hips hauling her back down onto his body. Surely the woman didn t think that he was finished with her. I ve got to go um you know, Caidi invented and dodged her eyes to the side, trying to hide the lie and appear shy of the big man under her when she really wanted to scream and hit him for being what he was, a very large complication in what had been an excellent plan. He was the kind of complication which would create a big, unavoidable problem in the near future. She hadn t realized how simple life had been until she had met him and realized just what he was. Raven chuckled. That door over there. He motioned to a door in the corner of the room. Caidi took the escape without comment and went to the lavatory. Oshiah s was one of the

15 better inns, complete with good plumbing and hot and cold water. A real palace compared to some of the other inns in the city. She prayed that he would go back to sleep, but knew that that wouldn t happen. This man was an inveterate predator. He would never chance his prey slipping so easily from his grasp. He wouldn t make this easy for her. How long can I stay in here before he comes to get me? she wondered, trying to calm the nervousness that assailed her. She couldn t take the chance of him getting his hands on her again. He was too big, too strong to fight physically. She wouldn t have a chance against him. Once she was back in that bed, he would ensure she stayed there and if he caught her trying to drug him, he would want explanations. It wouldn t be a comfortable interview. She knew he was her mate. Caidi washed herself while she was in the bathroom and, when she suspected that she was running out of time, she opened the door and left the safety of the small room. She hesitated as she left the bathroom and walked over to her dress, picking it up from the floor as if she were going to fold it. Hanging her dress over the back of a high-backed chair, she palmed the small, flat box that she needed. While her back was to him, as she pretended to drape the fabric just so, she slipped a small metal pin from the box. Concealing it between two fingers and with a deep breath to gather courage, she turned to face him. He was awake and waiting for her. He had piled some of the pillows behind his back and reclined against the mound. He watched her, hunger burning in his eyes as she strolled toward him. This wasn t going to be easy. Come back to bed. Raven extended his hand to her. Knowing exactly what he was, the next part of her plan required untold bravery. Angering a Shadatai wasn t a healthy or wise pastime. She paced over to the side of the bed where he lounged. She stood there for a moment and then ran her hand across his chest, scratching it with the pin. She knew that the effects were almost instantaneous, but she still jumped back. He moved much too fast to underestimate. Conscious but paralyzed by the drug, he still looked formidable. The drug was temporary and lasted only a few hours, but it would let her escape him, at least for a time. By morning, he would be able to walk, talk and even the drug in the tavern s liquor that had dulled his senses would have faded, with no lingering effects. He would be furious and looking for his mate. I m sorry, Caidi whispered, knowing that he would hear her. I can t stay. I m not who or what you think I am, any more than you were what I thought that I would find here. If I had known that you were Shadatai, that there were even Shadatai in the city, I wouldn t have ever gone near you or come here. You are Zarain. The thought seemed to pop into her head and she could hear his voice, but it was in her mind. She looked at him to make sure that the drug worked, that he didn t merely play with her. She would have no chance if he wasn t under the effect of that drug. That thought had been from him and, while normal Zarain had psychic abilities, telepathy wasn t one of those they had been blessed with. It must be a Shadatai ability. It made them even more impressive than she had thought. Caidi watched him warily, but nodded. You would figure it out on your own before too long, so I will tell you. I came here to find someone to father my child. I m not about to risk the safety of my people on an unknown. There will be no child. In his mind, Raven growled. I realize that I was probably unsuccessful in getting pregnant, even though I am in my

16 fertile time. I remember hearing something in one of the stories about how a Shadatai can control if a woman becomes pregnant from his seed. She hoped to gain some time, maybe some sympathy. This man would follow her and she had to prepare her people for him, for the Shadatai. She didn t try to fool herself with the thought that he would be unable to find her. Somehow, he would find her. Things will be much better for you if you stay and face my wrath now. Don t make me hunt you. There was anger and determination in that mental suggestion. He would be even angrier when he found out that she was his mate. She was certain that wouldn t happen until the drug faded from his body. Right now, he just knew that she was a Zarain female who d drugged him. The drug which suppressed most of his sense of smell hid full knowledge from him. I never intended to make anyone angry. This was carefully planned. The kind of men, Zarain, who are supposed to be here are those that like city life and plan to remain living here. Your plan failed face the consequences now. Those men wouldn t want anything to do with my kind of life, with my people. Your kind wasn t supposed to be here. Caidi glared at him. All of their careful planning had been ruined by the presence of the Shadatai. We are here. Raven returned the glare, angered by the temerity of this woman. Why couldn t I sense you if you are truly Zarain? You were given a small dose of a drug to dull your senses. I told you we planned this. You will be fine. The drug will have worn off and your senses returned to their full strength before you are free from the drug that keeps you from coming after me now. Caidi sighed and shot him an unknowingly pleading look. There is more to this than your desire to leave and not be followed, isn t there? Clear suspicion was prevalent in the angry question. Don t bother to hunt me. You won t find me. Try fooling yourself. You played a game with someone who you should have stayed away from. Raven would have laughed at her anger if he could. Tell me why you do this. Find out for yourself when you are free from the drug. Caidi threw her hands up in frustration before she turned and stalked over to the chair. She pulled on her dress and began fastening it. You will be safe until morning. Everything in her rebelled against leaving him. Caidi wanted to stay beside him even when she knew he was angry. She put on her slippers and walked back to the door. Resolutely, she opened it a little, peering out the small gap to make sure that the hall was clear. With light steps, she slipped into the hallway, shut the door and slipped down the stairs to the tavern section of the inn. Caidi found Chey in the empty common room, sitting at a table. Run as far as you want. I am still with you. Raven s voice floated into her mind in a taunting, triumphant tone. Caidi stumbled to a halt and put a hand to her head. She had hoped that he wouldn t be able to do that after she had left the room. It was unnerving. She decided to ignore him as she thought about why she could still hear his thoughts. Maybe it was because she was still close to him. With luck, he wouldn t be able to do this after she had left the building. She didn t know what she would do if she traveled beyond this world and could still hear him. You will never guess what happened to me. Chey took a gulp of cider as Caidi sat in the chair opposite hers. It can t be as bad as what I discovered tonight. Caidi shook her head. She was certain