Lina
LINA
I stood frozen, my eyes darting between Tharion and the holographic image of Dr. Heylarth floating above the ship’s comm panel. The familiar, wizened face of my employer now seemed alien, his eyes glinting with a sharpness I’d never noticed before.
“General Hondarth,” Tharion said with surprise. “I never expected to see you again, sir.”
Dr. Heylarth - or General Hondarth, apparently - chuckled, the sound warm yet edged with steel. “Tharion, my boy. Still getting into trouble, I see.”
My head spun. I gripped the edge of the console, steadying myself. “Wait, you two know each other?”
They both turned to me, exchanging a glance that spoke volumes.
“We’ll explain everything later,” they said in unison, then looked at each other again.
A bubble of laughter escaped my lips, bordering on hysteria. “Of course you will. Why wouldn’t two people I thought I knew turn out to have some secret past together?”
Tharion’s arm snaked around my waist, steadying me. “, your safety is what matters now.”
Dr. Heylarth nodded, his holographic image flickering slightly. “Tharion’s right. We can discuss old war stories another time.”
Right. Another time.
I blinked, trying to process this new reality, focused on what was important. “Is it... is it safe for me to come home to Adtera?”
Dr. Heylarth’s expression hardened. “I’ve dealt with the Obsidian Dawn, but-”
“You’ve what?” I interrupted, my voice rising. This kindly old man who needed help remembering where he’d left his spectacles had “dealt with” a notorious criminal organization?
He sighed, suddenly looking every bit his age. “, there’s much you don’t know about me. About a lot of things.”
“Clearly,” I muttered.
Tharion’s grip on my waist tightened slightly. “Perhaps you should explain, General.”
Dr. Heylarth - Hondarth - whoever he was, nodded. “It turns out that Arin Tal was smuggling rare spices. A number of syndicates are very, very interested in his sources.”
My mind reeled. “Arin? But he was just a tea merchant...”
“A cover,” Tharion said softly. “A good one, apparently.”
Dr. Heylarth continued, “The Obsidian Dawn believes Arin told you the location of his source before he died. That’s why they’ve been pursuing you.”
I pulled at my hair, trying not to scream. “But he didn’t! He just told me to run!”
“We know that,” Tharion grumbled. “But they don’t.”
“And the Trefter?” I asked, thinking about Grax and that damned cell.
“They went after you because they knew the Obsidian Dawn wanted you,” Dr. Heylarth explained. “They hoped to use you as leverage.”
“And the bounty?” I rubbed my head. This was too much.
“Well,” Dr. Heylarth, coughed a little. “That was me. I wanted to make sure you were back safely. It seemed the fastest way.”
I slumped against Tharion, suddenly exhausted.
“I’m working with the Alliance to clear things up,” Dr. Heylarth said. “But , I don’t think it’s safe for you to come home just yet.”
Tharion’s other arm came around me, enveloping me in his warmth. “Perhaps,” he said, his voice a deep purr that sent shivers down my spine, “you’ll need to find a new home.”
Heat rose to my cheeks, acutely aware of Tharion’s powerful body pressed against mine. Dr. Heylarth’s holographic eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I saw the fierce general he must have been.
“Now see here, Tharion,” he began, his voice sharp. “I appreciate you finding her and keeping her safe but…”
He paused, seeming to deflate slightly, then shook his head, a wry smile crossing his face. “Well, I suppose I can’t stand in the way of... whatever this is. Not when I’ve apparently been the matchmaker.”
I squirmed slightly in Tharion’s embrace, unsure how to respond. Dr. Heylarth - General Hondarth - my employer and apparently so much more to the rest of the galaxy, fixed us both with a stern look.
“I expect to see you both soon,” he said. Then, with a mischievous glint in his eye, he added, “I bet you never expected to have a Mondian for a father-in-law, did you, Tharion?”
Tharion stiffened behind me, and I felt a rumble in his chest that might have been a growl or a laugh. Before either of us could respond, the hologram flickered and vanished, leaving us alone in the suddenly quiet ship.
I turned in Tharion’s arms, looking up at his sharp features.
“It seems you have some explaining to do.”
I opened my mouth to press for answers, but Tharion’s intense gaze silenced me.
“Explanations can wait,” he growled, his voice husky. “All I want now is to make you mine.”
The force of his kiss sent a jolt through my body, and I melted into him. My arms wrapped around his neck as I pressed myself against his muscular frame.
Tharion’s hand fumbled with something on a nearby panel. There was a soft whir, and suddenly a bed slid out from the wall.
Our hands roamed frantically, pulling at each other’s clothing. I tugged at his shirt, desperate to feel his skin against mine. He obliged, breaking our kiss just long enough to yank it over his head. His chest was a marvel of musculature, covered in intricate markings that seemed to shimmer in the dim light.
As we reached the bed, Tharion paused.
“,” he said roughly. “There’s something I need to explain. About the claiming bite.”
I blinked, trying to clear the fog of desire from my mind. “Claiming bite?”
Tharion’s hand gently cupped my face. “It’s how Vinduthi males claim their mates. It... changes you. Makes you stronger, enhances your senses. You’d bear my markings.”
I stared at Tharion, my mind reeling from his words. A claiming bite? Something that would change me fundamentally?
I leaned back, needing space to process this. Tharion’s hand fell away from my face, and I instantly missed its warmth.
“I... I need a moment,” I murmured. “It’s a lot to take in.”
Tharion nodded, his red eyes never leaving mine. “Of course. Take all the time you need.”
I sank onto the edge of the bed, my legs suddenly weak. What did it mean to be human? I’d never really thought about it before. It was just who I was, what I’d always been. But now, faced with the possibility of becoming something... else, I examined my humanity in a way I never had before.
Being human meant being vulnerable, fragile even. It meant having limitations, both physical and mental. But it also meant being adaptable, resilient in the face of adversity. It meant having the capacity for great love, compassion, and creativity.
And what would it mean to be something other than human? To bear the markings of an alien race on my skin? Would I still be me, or would I become someone - something - else entirely?
My eyes drifted to Tharion, who stood patiently watching me, giving me the space I needed. From the moment he’d touched me in Grax’s cell, something had clicked into place. It was as if a part of me I hadn’t even known was missing had suddenly been found.
I thought back to our harrowing escape, the way we’d worked together seamlessly, as if we’d known each other for years. The way his presence made me feel safe, despite the chaos all around us. The way my body responded to his touch, as if it recognized him on a cellular level.
Could it be possible that we were meant to find each other? That despite our different species, we belonged together?
The idea both thrilled and terrified me. To tie myself to Tharion so completely, to become his mate in every sense of the word... it was a huge step. One that would change my life irrevocably.
But as I looked at him, taking in the features that had become so dear to me in such a short time, a sense of rightness settled over me. Yes, we hadn’t known each other long. Yes, this was all happening incredibly fast. But sometimes, when you know, you just know.
I stood up, my decision made. Tharion’s eyes widened slightly, a flicker of hope crossing his face.
“Tharion,” I managed to say, my voice steady despite the butterflies in my stomach. “I want you to claim me. I want to be your mate.”
Tharion’s eyes blazed with an intensity that made my breath catch. He stepped closer, his hands coming to rest on my waist.
“Are you sure?” he asked, the thread of hesitation making my heart crack.
I nodded, unable to find my voice. Tharion leaned in, his lips brushing against my ear.
“I’ll be gentle,” he murmured. “I promise.”
His words melted away the last of my hesitation. I tilted my head up, capturing his lips with mine. The kiss was soft at first, a tender exploration. But as Tharion’s arms tightened around me, pulling me flush against his body, the kiss deepened, igniting a fire within me.
Tharion’s hands roamed my body, his touch reverent and careful. He laid me down on the bed, his eyes never leaving mine. Slowly, he began to undress me, his fingers trailing over each newly exposed inch of skin.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered, his voice filled with awe.
My cheeks flushed at his words. “Tharion,” I breathed, reaching for him.
He caught my hands, bringing them to his lips. He kissed each fingertip, then each palm, his eyes locked on mine. The tenderness of the gesture made my heart swell.
“I want to savor this,” Tharion said, his voice husky. “Savor you.”
He leaned down, pressing soft kisses along my collarbone, then down my chest. Each touch of his lips sent sparks of pleasure through me. I arched into him, desperate for more, but Tharion maintained his maddeningly slow pace.
“Please,” I whimpered, my fingers tangling in his hair.
Tharion looked up at me, a smile playing on his lips. “Patience, my love,” he murmured. “We have all the time in the galaxy.”
His hands and mouth continued their exploration of my body, finding spots that made me gasp and moan. The pleasure built slowly, a smoldering fire that threatened to consume me.
“Tharion,” I panted, my body trembling beneath his touch. “I need you.”
He moved back up my body, his lips finding mine. “I need you too,” he whispered against my mouth. “More than I’ve ever needed anything.”
Slowly, oh so slowly, Tharion joined our bodies. The feeling of completeness overwhelmed me, bringing tears to my eyes. Tharion noticed, his hand coming up to cup my cheek.
“Are you alright?” he asked, concern evident in his voice.
I nodded, smiling through my tears. “I’m perfect,” I assured him. “I just... I love you, Tharion.”
His eyes softened. “And I love you, . Now and forever.”
Tharion began to move, each thrust slow and deliberate. He stared into my eyes, his gaze filled with such love and tenderness that it made my heart ache.
The pleasure built gradually, a rising tide that threatened to sweep me away. Tharion’s movements remained measured, each touch calculated to bring me maximum pleasure.
“You’re everything to me,” Tharion murmured, his voice strained with effort. “My mate, my love, my life.”
His words pushed me closer to the edge. I clung to him, my nails digging into his shoulders. “Tharion,” I begged. “I’m so close.”
He increased his pace slightly, his hand sliding between our bodies. “Let go, my love,” he urged. “I’ve got you.”
The pleasure crested, washing over me in waves. I cried out Tharion’s name, my body shaking in his arms. As I came down from my high, Tharion’s movements became more urgent.
“,” he growled, his voice thick with need. “I need you. Are you ready?”
I nodded, tilting my head to expose my neck. “Yes,” I breathed. “Please, do it now, Tharion.”
With a low growl, Tharion buried his face in the crook of my neck. The sharp sting of his teeth pierced my skin, followed by a rush of warmth that spread through my body.
A wave of dizziness washed over me. The world began to spin, colors blurring into a kaleidoscope. My last conscious thought was of Tharion’s arms holding me tight as darkness claimed me.
When I opened my eyes, everything had changed. The world was sharper, brighter, more vivid than I’d ever seen before. And I felt... different.
Powerful. New.
Tharion lay next to me, the warmth of his smile the same as it had ever been.
I reached for Tharion, my fingers tracing the contours of his face. As I did, a flash of green caught my eye. I froze, staring at my arm in wonder. Delicate swirls of emerald now decorated my skin, intricate patterns that matched Tharion’s own markings perfectly.
“Tharion,” I breathed, my voice filled with awe. “Look.”
He took my arm gently, a smile spreading across his face as he examined the new markings. His thumb traced one of the swirls, and I hissed at his touch, like sparks dancing along my skin.
“Beautiful,” he murmured. “Just like you.”
A giddy sound bubbled up from deep within me. “Flatterer,” I teased, but I couldn’t keep the smile off my face.
As I admired the new markings, a thought occurred to me. “Tharion,” I wondered aloud. “How long do you think we have before Dr. Heylarth clears things up back in Adtera?”
Tharion’s pulled me closer. His eyes met mine, a mischievous glint in their depths. “I hope it’s a long, long time.”
I raised an eyebrow at him. “Oh? And why’s that?”
He grinned, showing off those sharp canines that had so recently claimed me as his. “Because,” he said, leaning in to nuzzle my neck, “I’m not ready to share you with the rest of the galaxy just yet.”