Page 112 of The Hunter

She hadn’t been injured, but his mate was standing here in the middle of the jungle, naked, trembling, and embarrassed, with far too many sets of eyes nearby that could fall upon her at any moment.

But Telok would not tolerate another male’s scent upon her skin.

He crouched over his bag and pulled it open, thrusting a hand inside. He tore out his blanket, unfurled it with a snap of his wrists, and swept it behind Lacey, drawing it over her shoulders. She quickly grasped the cloth with both hands and pulled it tight to cover herself.

Making no effort to quiet their approach, Garahk and those who’d followed him returned. Droztar and Koss carried a dead kurghest between them, lashed to two spears.

“It did not stride far before it fell,” the white thornskull declared. “Cole’s hands were steady, and his eyes true.”

“Can’t lie, that shot had me sweating,” Cole replied with a chuckle.

Tas hummed, and his voice was soft with disbelief when he spoke. “Three… Telok fought three at once.”

“I…have never witnessed that sort of fighting,” Ayali said hesitantly.

Okkor chittered. “Nor I. It is true under sun and sky.”

“Mating sure does make vrix…possessive and vicious,” Sophia said.

“I need to go,” Lacey whispered, moving to step past Telok.

He scooped her into his arms and clutched her to his chest.

She fought and pushed against him, but she was unable to escape his hold. “Telok!”

“Finally, Telok and Lacey have mated,” Garahk said with a trill. “All Kaldarak will take joy.”

“Oh my God,” she groaned, pulling the blanket over her face as she curled against Telok like she wanted to disappear into his arms. Voice muffled, she said, “Please kill me.”

“Never,” Telok growled, the entirety of his body, hearts, and mind railing against the very thought. Embracing her protectively, he crouched to snatch up their bags, stuffing Lacey’s boots into hers, and collected their spears before setting off toward Tovuunshai.

“Hey Lace, at least your first time together was nothing if not memorable,” Cole called.

“Ugh.” Waves of heat radiated from Lacey’s body as she shrank further into the blanket. “Then kill him instead.”

Telok chittered. “Ask again later and I may, vi’jatai.”

For you…anything.

CHAPTER 26

Telok carried Lacey through Tovuunshai with swift strides, having long since left the others behind. She remained curled against him, wrapped in the blanket with only her bare feet sticking out over his arm and some tousled locks of hair brushing his chest.

He neither spoke to nor made eye contact with the winddancers he passed. Each time he and Lacey were greeted, he felt her bunch up a little tighter, and thorny vines coiled around his hearts to match.

Their mating scent was potent, clinging to them both, making tendrils of desire tease at the edges of his mind. Though it bore many familiar elements, it was a new smell. One they had made together, one that marked their bond, one that belonged only to Telok and Lacey. And by the Eight, it made him hunger.

He flexed his lower hands, squeezing the bag straps and spear shafts he held. Their mating had been disturbed by kurghests, and it was his fault.

For so long, Telok had resisted, had avoided mating with her out in the Tangle. He’d always known the dangers. But he’d let his instinctual need to conquer and claim her trample his instincts for survival. He’d brought her to an isolated place, where they’d both lowered their guards completely.

There had been no stopping the mating frenzy this time, and he’d come devastatingly close to having claimed Lacey and lost her within moments because of it.

And yet he could not deny the truth of his hearts…

He would’ve changed nothing if given the choice, even knowing the kurghests would attack.

What sort of mate did that make him? What sort of protector?