Page 23 of Dark Company

Again, that incessant throb pulses between my thighs. I need something, but I don’t know what. Alexi arches up, her moans rising above the others. She pushes the woman away and turns, spreading her legs before me. Reaching down, she touches herself at the crest of her lips, and tips her head back and moans some more.

Reaching down, I simulate her movements, moving my skirt out of the way to caress myself. I’m already so wet, so wanting, and oh so needy. The moment my fingertips graze the hidden button I didn’t even know was there, my body trembles as pure pleasure zips through me.

I was never allowed to touch myself unless it was to clean. Just this very act is wanton, naughty—freeing. Groaning, I continue to rub back and forth, chasing the high that crashes over me with every flick of my wrists. With my eyes locked on Alexi, I watch as she motions for a man to come lie in between her thighs, his shaft thick and pulsing as clear fluid weeps from the tip.

Looking over at me, Alexi catches my eyes and motions to where he’s lining up his shaft, preparing to go in. She’s showing me everything, teaching me without words. The moment he surges inside her, Alexi sighs as her head falls backwards. The motion arches her body back, lifting her breasts high in the air.

Groans pour from the male’s mouth as he continues to pump in and out. So that’s the sacred act that they’ve kept hidden away. I continue to stroke myself as Alexi grabs the beta woman from earlier and forces her to straddle her face, no doubt to lick her back the same way she was pleasured before.

Pinpricks of sensation wash over me as tremors surge through my body. My insides clench as everything coils tight. Whimpering, I pull back, unsure of the feelings that converge deep inside me. As much as this feels good, it frightens me all the same. Lowering my dress, I inspect the surrounding debauchery, horrified that I got so swept up in my own pleasure to realize that I’m taking part in something I shouldn’t.

As I turn to leave, the omega on the dais cries out as her body convulses under the male. At that moment, the skies open up, drenching us all in its torrent. The others stand and hold their hands in the air, reveling in the cold drops that cool their fevered skin. But I am just grateful for something to hide my tears of shame as they pour down my face.

Chapter 6

Altris

Nothing but sand and death. Everywhere we stop, it’s the same thing. It’s like a path of carnage, but where is it leading us? To this point, we’ve exhausted every known place on the map. The only thing left for us to do is to head home. With our supplies dwindling and morale dipping even lower, I have to make the judgment call to leave and tell Jaxxon and Annora the bad news.

Her sister Karis is either dead or taken by some unknown assailants who will hopefully make themselves known. Stooping down to the ground, I lay my hand against the sand, feeling for any vibrations that could indicate that we’re near another settlement, but there’s nothing.

It’s as if the desert has swallowed everyone whole and never spat them back out. Even the normal creatures that call this place their home are nowhere to be found. With no animals to hunt, we will have to find some way to sustain ourselves if we are to continue on instead of heading back home.

“A stranger approaches.” At Leon’s words, my head whips about, scanning the horizon.

Based on the size and shape of the person, it looks to be a beta male. But why would he be out here all alone? Is this proof that there is another settlement nearby? Leaving Leon to confer with the rest of the men, I jog out towards the setting sun, meeting up with the stranger before he can cross the border into my camp.

“You’re a long way from home, stranger.”

“I could say the same about you,” he spits back, malice coloring his tone. “What are Alphas doing this far from civilizations? I thought you all lived in your lofty towers, not fit to be bothered by the likes of us.”

His voice grates against my nerves, but he’s the first live person we’ve seen since heading out past the Dead Lands. Though part of me wants to rip his head from his shoulders because of his insolence, the other part knows I need to hear what he has to say.

“I’m looking for a woman -.”

“Good luck with that. Out here, they’re nothing but frigid bitches.”

Ignoring his jibe, I pull out my datacom and show him Karis’s picture. If anything, the rage he had before doubles right before my eyes. His face turns a mottled red as he jabs at the screen.

“That bitch is the reason I’m out here.” With every twitch of his lips, more poison shoots out. “She’s a fucking liar. All of them. They deserve to rot.” Pausing, he looks down at the ground, then back up at me, his hand extending as if looking for a gift. “If I tell you where she is, what do I get out of it? The deserts can be very unforgiving.”

It takes all my willpower not to just roll my eyes at him. Of course, it’s unforgiving. We’ve been out here for just as long as he has, if not more. That he’s holding Karis’s whereabouts hostage, however, is beyond forgivable.

Tucking the datacom into my uniform, I reach out and grab the man by the front of his shirt, nearly tearing it as I yank him forward. Once he’s close enough, I switch from his shirt to his throat, wrapping my fingers around the front to dig ever so slightly into his esophagus.

“That is the princess of Stanlion. And if you want to keep that tongue still waggling about in your mouth, you will never speak of her as such again.”

The items in his other hand drop to the ground as he digs his fingers into my fist. His eyes are wild, like an injured animal, as he tries and fails to make me release my grip. It’s not until all the fight is out of him that I finally release him back to stand on the ground once more.

“Where is she?”

He rubs his throat for a moment, refusing to answer. I lift my hand, about to grab him again, when he finally speaks. “Keep heading straight that way. It’s about three days from here, but you’ll find her stashed away in a commune. And just so you know, they don’t take too kindly to Alphas, so good luck getting her from their grasps.”

Leaning down, he picks up his load and starts to walk away. If he were any less hostile, I would have offered to let him stay with us, but as it is, he would be yet one more mouth to feed besides posing a threat to Karis. What in the hell could have made him hate her so much?

Perhaps my initial assessment of her haughty stance was correct, and all she cared about was herself, damning everyone else. Looking out over the horizon, a soft smile curls the edges of my lips. Thank the gods. Not only is she alive, but close. We should have enough supplies for the journey to get her and arrive back home safely.

Trudging back over to the other men, my heart plummets as I realize this trip is soon to be over. Out here, I was free. Once I get Karis back to Jaxxon and Annora, I might consider coming back out to the desert and finding life amongst the Ferals. With no rules or need for decorum, I could live my life as I pleased.