Chapter 24
Tsok
Anger, raw and choking, powered Tsok’s limbs as he stalked into his manor. His robes were still open, billowing behind him with each furious step. He hadn’t bothered to tie it back. He hadn’t even bothered to finish eating before storming out of the orbital and back to his shuttle.
He couldn’t even let Misty finish the food, because he had no idea what might have been cross contaminated with those damn righsling berries.
Berries he didn't know she couldn’t have. But apparently Davard did. And his aid never once said a word to him about it.
Even though his mate had very nearly died because of it!
“Davard!” He roared, stomping through the manor, heading for his aid’s room. Davard lived at the manor, and this time of day, if he wasn’t in his office, that’s where he would be. And since Tsok had given him the afternoon off while he was with Misty, it was the first place he’d look.
“Tsok,” Misty called, chasing after him. Her high-heeled shoes clicking against the tile as she struggled to keep up.
“Davard! Get out here!” Tsok bellowed, turning into the hallway where he rested.
Sure enough, the door to his room slid open and Davard came out, still in a lounging robe, a confused look on his face, his ears already back with contrition.
“Honored char?” He greeted him cautiously, eyes darting between him and Misty. “Is there something wrong?”
“You did not tell me Misty nearly died!” Tsok roared, stopping right in front of him, so close their muzzles were nearly touching. “My mate was this close to death, and you did not see the need to share that information with me?”
“What are you…” He blinked as his memories caught up with him. And Tsok had to resist the urge to slam his fist into the older male’s face. How did he not remember immediately? How was it not the single most vital thing on his mind. “You mean the righsling berries?”
“You knew and you didn't feel the need to tell anyone?”
Davard frowned, affronted. “I did tell someone. I informed the staff, especially those in the kitchen. All berries and anything derived or created from them have been banned from Fellbud Manor.”
“Well, at least you’ve done that much. Is there any reason you didn't feel the need to inform me of this event.”
“You told me not to.”
Unprepared for that simply spoken response, Tsok blinked once before snapping, “When did I ever tell you that?”
“You told me not to tell you anything unimportant about the charina that I could not handle.”
Tsok stared at him, stunned.
“I handled it,” Davard said, like it was that easy. “There was nothing in that situation that needed your approval or oversight, and she was released from the healer without any permanent damage, so I considered it to be unimportant. As you said.”
“That is not what I-”
The words choked in Tsok’s throat. Because that was definitely not what he intended when he gave Davard that order. But he also couldn’t say he was wrong, because Davard had no mate. He didn't understand the deep seated need to make sure she was safe. He took Tsok at his word and couldn’t imagine why a fully treated medical concern needed to be reported – even if it was one that had almost taken his mate from him.
Tsok leveled a finger at him. “You will tell me if anything happens to harm my mate. I do not care how treatable, temporary, or trivial it may be to you. Do you understand me?”
“As you say, honored char,” Davard agreed, but he still looked confused.
And Tsok couldn’t even be angry at him for it. Not when he was so furious at himself.
Turning, he caught sight of Misty behind him. Of the confused look in her eyes. Because she believed he heard she almost died and just didn't care. Not even enough to check up on her. And the guilt of that was eating him alive from the inside out.
Stalking past, he grabbed her by the arm and pulled her after him. Shortening his stride so it wasn’t so difficult for her to keep up but taking her along with him to his room.
He had to apologize to her.
He had to explain…
He couldn’t explain this. It was no wonder she had been so furious. So irate. She refused to tell him about this because she didn't want him to try to earn forgiveness. Because what he had done, what she thought he had done, was unforgivable.
He was shocked she’d even given him the time of day after that. She was well within her rights to completely cut him from her life.
A terrible, neglectful mate, she’d called him.
And he felt every bit of one.
Tsok’s private room was on the top floor of the manor. It was a large space, offering views in every direction through the large, glass windows. They were mirrored on the outside, so no one could see in while offering him an unobstructed view. Misty let out a gasp of appreciation when they walked out of the lift that took up space in the very center of the room. His living area surrounded it. One end of the suite had a relaxation and fun room, while the other end had his bedroom. He finally let go of her there, giving her a chance her look around his space curiously as he stormed to into his privy.
He had to clean his mouth. His hands. He wanted to take a shower in case any part of those berries still clung to him. He did so quickly. Furiously.
Mad at Davard. Mad at himself. He could still taste his female on his fur. His cock was still achingly hard, stuck outside of its sheath, despite the disgust he felt at himself. It had fully extruded and wouldn’t go down until he took care of it.
But how could he, knowing what he’d done?
One careless order, that had been all it nearly took to ensure his female hated him forever. And he couldn’t even blame her if she did. He was shocked she’d tolerated him to this point.
When he returned, it was to see that Misty had sat on the end his bed. The sight of her just made all the self-directed rage rise up again and he began pacing. She watched him for a while. He could feel her eyes on him, though he couldn’t face her in return.
“You really didn't know, did you?” She finally asked some time later.
He winced, coming to a halt. He wanted to ask if she really thought him to be so cold that he wouldn’t care that she nearly died, but he already knew the answer. She believed his determination to wait for her permission to approach had been his negligence. She had no reason to think he’d be concerned about her well-being after neglecting her.
“Why did you tell Davard that?” She asked, cocking her head curiously. “Not to tell you anything important? Did you not care?”
“Of course, I cared!” He replied quickly. He didn't dare hesitate and let that thought sink any further than it already had in her head. “I just…”
“You just what?”
“I just… didn't want you to think I was spying on you. I would hear every minute of your day retold to me if you allowed it, but I would not ask for that from you, especially not so soon. I wanted to hear only things that I needed to take care of or fix in his reports. The rest of it, I prefer to hear directly from you. Someday. If you would have permitted it.”
His jaw tightened as he looked away. Had that decision been a mistake too? Had he done even a single thing right since she got here?
Thinking back, he couldn’t recall a single one. Everything he’d done, every choice he made, had been a mistake.
He truly was a terrible, neglectful mate.
He heard his female’s heels clicking against the stone floor. She came to his side and reached up. He winced, half expecting her to hit him. Almost wishing she would.
But her hand was gentle as she touched his face, turning him to look at her.
And her eyes were soft. Adoring. Happy…
No. He must be seeing what he wanted to see. Imagining that his mate could be pleased with him.
“You really are a big dummy,” she laughed, stepping up against him. Putting her arms around his neck. His hands twitched with the desire to hold her in turn, but he didn't think he deserved that.
“I’ve neglected you.”
“Uh-huh.”
“I ignored you when you were near death.”
“Sure did.”
“I tried to kill you with those berries.”
“Yup.”
“I cannot do a single thing correctly when it comes to you.”
“It appears you cannot.”
“So, why are you still holding onto me?”
Misty laughed, taking one of his ears and pulling, forcing him to bring his muzzle down to her mouth as she smiled. “Because, you big dummy, no one has ever tried as hard for my sake as you. You’ve messed up everything, but damn if you didn't give it your absolute best shot.”
“Why are you not furious with me?”
“Oh, I was for a while.” She pressed a quick kiss to his muzzle. “But it was like trying to hold a grudge against a kid. You didn't know any better, and you actually had good reasoning. I mean, you came to the wrong conclusion, but you gave it your all every time.”
“Misty…” He shivered against her. Hearing that warmth and approval in her tone was like a balm to his heart. Because he’d done everything wrong…
…but she was still somehow… pleased?
“Let me ask you,” she started, running her hands down his chest. “In all those tendays you weren’t saying a single thing to me, did you want to?”
“Of course,” he breathed, hands twitching again. “I thought of you every day.”
She smiled. “But you waited, because you needed my consent to approach me.”
“I would have liked it. Stated plainly because-”
“-because of your people’s whole mating rut thing.”
His heart skipped a beat in delight. She did understand. “Yes.”
“And you didn't want to spy on me, so you gave Davard an order that he didn't understand. But you’ve been patiently waiting for me to tell you about everything I’ve been up to?”
“I’ve been eagerly awaiting. I’m desperate to learn about your salon and how you spend your day and to hear your thoughts. You’re fascinating to me. The way you live, what you think, your past. I would hear it all if you would tell me.”
Misty smiled. It was so bright and pleased. Like he’d done everything exactly right. Like it was only the intention behind his actions that mattered.
Oh. That’s what she meant.
He had made all the wrong decisions, but he’d shown her his effort. His dedication. He pleased her not with the results of his work, but by the genuine intention of them.
He finally smiled, bending over, grabbing her thighs and lifting her up. She let out a laugh of delight as her legs went around his waist. Reminding his painfully erect and drying shaft that she still wasn’t wearing panties. And she had a nice, warm, wet hole perfect for his aching cock to rest in.
“Are you still mad at me?” He asked, walking her towards his bed as she trailed her fingers through the fur at the back of his neck.
She hummed thoughtfully, smiling as her eyes roved around, like she was looking for the anger and displeasure she felt towards him. “Maybe not.”
“No?”
“Hmm… No.” She dropped her eyes back to him, smiling. “No. I’m choosing to forgive you. But going forward, you have blanket consent to talk to me. You are allowed to ask me about my day. In fact, I will be offended if you do not.”
Finally.
Those words cut off every dark thought and emotion he’d been feeling since she gave him that cold glare over the restaurant table. He had been flailing in the dark since the beginning, trying his best to do whatever he could. He asked for her guidance, but she’d blatantly refused to give it. Because she did not deem him worthy of even telling him what she wanted from him.
But now, she was talking. Explaining-
“I like the flowers. Keep doing that. And dinners are fun. I like seeing what you come up with. And dates don’t have to just be us eating. We can go out; we can have fun. Get creative with it. And show me the things you want to do. I want to see what you like doing. What you enjoy.”
Pride flared in his chest, burning away the shame that had just weighed so heavily on him. This, at long last, was progress. He’d done something right, and now he had earned her interest.
Dropping her back on the bed, he covered her, pressing his muzzle against her lips. She eagerly kissed him back, stroking one of his ears with one hand, the other going down his back until she reached the lump of his tail where it emerged at the base of his spine.
He grunted as she started in surprise. Before he could stop her, she pulled her mouth away, her hand now grabbing the base of his tail. He hissed, cock throbbing.
Misty grinned wickedly before saying in a sing-songy voice. “Got your tail.”
He grunted, hips flexing against her.
“Let me see,” she begged, pushing her free hand down, under his robe. Down his back. “Let me see your tail, Tsok. Show me, please.”
He was helpless to resist her. His eyes were crossing because of her grip on his tail, but he had enough mental capacity left to shrug off his robe and toss it away. Leaving him only in the gray pants underneath, his tail hanging out the back. Completely bare and helpless to her touch as she stroked the fluffy appendage.
His people all had long, fuzzy tails. But it was obscene to bare their tails outside of their clothes equal to walking around completely nude, cock fully extruded, because tails were erogenous zones. Her hand moving up and down his tail sent bolts of lightning straight to his cock. His member jumped and twitched in time with her movements, like she’d found the joystick that controlled it.
Which she, as someone who studied fur care over the entire body, would very well know.
With a growl, he struck. Grabbing her by the side of her neck with his teeth – hard enough to pinch, but not break the skin. She gasped, movements coming to a halt in surprise. It was just for a moment, but long enough that he could grab her hands and put them over her head. He held them there with one hand as he sat up, looking down on her with a shiver.
Too close to the edge. She’d nearly pushed him over, and he didn’t think he’d be able to control himself if she did.
Before he allowed that to happen, he had to ask-
“I need your consent,” he said, voice rough. Hands shaking. Struggling to hold himself back. To not ravish her right here. It was like there was a swirling pool of madness in the back of his mind trying to suck him down as he thrashed about in the current, desperate to stay afloat.
It was mindless and wild and frightening. Some part of him was standing on the edge and looking out over the abyss. Knowing there was something dark and dangerous down there. A monster sunken deep in his subconscious that needed to rut, to claim, to breed his female.
There was a block there though. Like a fence. A barrier made of metal and jewels placed over his nose that resisted that beast within him. The beast was struggling to breathe. Pulling in deep breaths through the filter, struggling to scent her. Because it knew once it had her scent in its nose, it could break free, take over. Fuck. Claim.
But without that scent, it was merely a threatening presence there in the back of his mind. One that made it hard to think when it came close to taking control. One that knew he wanted her, even without her scent to break it free.
But Tsok was still there. Still fighting against that part of him.
That shameful part ought to remain buried. The part that his people had been fighting against for centuries. He couldn’t indulge it. There was too much at risk.
So, he fought for control. He kept himself in check, her hands above her head, as he struggled for that control. Until he heard her say it was okay. Until he had her distinct permission. He had to have that before he went any further.
However, the sight of her now, laid out underneath him, was testing the bounds of his restraint. The webbing of the lace covering her dark skin was barely concealing black tattoos of flowers and images he didn’t recognize – but ones he dearly wanted her to describe to him. It was unbelievably tempting. The tight black satin underneath left little to the imagination, but it was still hiding those heavy breasts from his eyes, the tips protruding against the fabric. But the way he lay between her legs forced them apart and the dress up around her waist. The lack of panties meant he had an unobstructed view of that brown and pink flower opening for him, petals dripping with dew.
Pure temptation. He needed her. He had to be inside her. He had to taste her again. Her lips were moving. Was she saying something?
“Yes,” she repeated, smiling. Canting her hips up. Welcoming him. “You have my absolute permission. Please, honored char. Take me.”
It took a long time to decipher those words. To understand them.
But the moment he did, he moved.
Keeping her hands up, unable to bear her touch without losing control, he used his other hand to reach under the lace. He grabbed the top of her dress and yanked it down. Freeing her breasts. They bounced back, an unexpected shine catching his eye immediately.
Her nipples. Dark brown and heavily pointed. They had bright silver bars through them, little balls on each end. Piercings. She had both her nipples pierced. It was the most erotic thing he’d ever seen. Just the sight had his cock throbbing.
“I need you,” he croaked, struggling to part his pants. To free his member.
He hissed the moment it hit the air. It had been too long since it fully extruded. It was moist skin, meant to be protected – either inside his body or hers – but once fully extruded, it couldn’t just shrink and go back without being relieved. He’d been walking with it out since before the restaurant, and he was suffering now as it was drying and cold and still painfully hard.
But there was a warm, wet, welcoming hole right there, waiting for him. Spread open and still damp from where he had tongued her earlier. Proof of the fact that she wasn’t angry with him. That she had enjoyed seeing him angry for her sake. That she wanted him still.
“Forgive me,” he begged, grabbing his cock and notching the head at her entrance. “I will give you more finesse later. I need you now.”
He slammed deep. Misty cried out, her head dropped back, her legs tightening on his hips, her eyes going wide with shock. But he gave her no chance to adjust to his size. He began to fuck her into the bed, ruthless and demanding of her pleasure. The slick heat of her cunt squeezed around his cock, finally beating back the pain of his prolonged extrusion.
That primal instinct at the back of his mind hadn’t fully taken over, but its influence was unmistakable as he rutted over her, barely clinging on to the edge of madness.