Chapter 50
Survii
Alanna was anxious.
She was trying to hide it. She had been her usual friendly and dreamy self while making friends with the two security guys on the flight with them. She even talked to the pilots on the inflight phone – apparently, the cockpit was kept sealed for security reasons.
But despite her energy, he couldn’t help but notice the worry that crept into her eyes whenever she started looking out the windows.
When he asked her what was wrong, she repeated her concern about her dream. When he asked what it was about, she said her dreams were abstract but almost always bad omens.
Her human instincts were riled about something. And though he didn’t know what, that she was upset was enough for him.
He found himself getting more aggressive and agitated, growling at their security team as they did nothing but sit there – reading and napping. It got bad enough that Alanna was the one who had to calm him down.
She did this by pulling him into the bathroom so they could join the mile high club.
Which, apparently, was a human concept wherein you had sex while in a flying, sub-orbital craft.
The bathroom of the jet, which was bigger than commercial planes, gave them an excellent opportunity to do so out of sight of the others.
Though, being out of sight apparently meant nothing because, when they returned – Alanna beautifully mussed and still in her dreamy post-orgasm state – the still conscious security male gave them knowing glances before offering them water.
The flight was a long, but comfortable one.
The connecting flight on the much smaller plane was less so, but it was also shorter.
The island it landed on was populated and the people living there tended to service the various surrounding islands – most of which were privately owned and either lived on for only a short time or rented out to others.
Their two male security team remained in a small, rented house on that island while Alanna and Survii were given a lovely little boat. Alanna knew how to pilot the boat and she was the one who pulled it out of dock.
The moment they were in open waters, however, she taught him how to do it and he eagerly took hold of the controls and had them zooming across the water.
Partially because the high speed as they bounced over the waves was exhilarating, but mostly because Alanna stood near the bow, her hair free and natural, buffeted by the wind, as she leaned into it, screaming in delight.
And finally, that unease that had settled over her was gone.
The private island they were going to was owned by a very wealthy male who had offered the stay to them as a gift before they even had their wedding.
He was a businessmale by the name of Phillip Morrison, and Survii was fairly certain he was just trying to get in with them so he would have an advantageous, friendly relationship when it came time for the actual trading process to begin.
Survii also didn’t care that the gift was offered for that purpose.
The island was stunning. The overwhelming amount of blue on this planet was beautiful.
It filled the sky and the water around the speck of land.
The bright, vibrant green of the plant life over the golden white sands seemed almost unreal – like an enhanced image made to entice customers into buying an expensive vacation package.
The dock sticking out into the water connected to a beach that led right up to a beautiful, white, three-story house that looked over the ocean.
It was very square in design, with flat roofs and squared windows and doors, but it wasn’t plain or boring on the eyes.
Gossamer drapes around the entrances blew in the gentle breeze, beckoning them inside.
Survii encouraged Alanna to run ahead as he got their luggage out of the back of the boat. They hadn’t brought much, but he didn’t really intend to spend that much time wearing clothing.
When he joined her – on the second floor, since that was where the steps from the beach led – she had discovered that the TV had a basic signal – though it was fuzzy – and found chips that she had already pulled from the pantry and opened, as well a wine rack that she was investigating.
She had also kicked off her shoes by the door to avoid trailing sand inside.
He did the same and walked past her to the open door of what must be their bedroom.
It was close to the kitchen and the bed was turned down.
There was a note on the blanket, so he thought it a safe assumption that it was theirs.
He couldn’t read the note, so he brought it back to the sitting room right as Alanna found the radio and began playing music over the scratchy program broadcast on the TV. It looked to be some kind of small, local news station.
“This place is gorgeous!” Alanna declared, dancing around as Survii took the comm out of his pocket and set it on the counter.
“It really is lovely,” he agreed, grabbing some of the chips. “Shall we explore a bit?”
“Yes!” She chirped, eagerly bouncing towards the door.
Survii smiled as he followed after her.
They went down to the beach and walked around in the surf. The golden sand was warm but not hot while the water was cool and rushed over their feet and calves. It was so clear, he could see the fish swimming happily just offshore.
Once they finished on the beach – for now – they put their shoes back on and walked deeper into the island itself.
The tropical plants, so bright and green and fragrant with beautiful, jewel-colored flowers growing wild and free under tall, strangely shaped trees, danced gently in the breeze.
Their hike wasn’t long. Shortly after walking under the trees, they found a well-worn trail with signs he couldn’t read but, according to Alanna, directed them to various sites around the island. Apparently, the man who owned this island rented it out frequently if those were there.
Not that Survii minded. He appreciated the consideration, in fact.
Alanna chose which place she wanted to visit and led the way. It was hot and humid and, before long, he had doffed his shirt and tucked it into his back pocket. His skin immediately turned green with just a few hints of golden brown.
Alanna didn’t notice at first, too absorbed in the tropical paradise. Not until a short time later when she turned around and started in surprise.
“Wow,” she declared, coming to a full halt and turning.
“What is it?” He asked, stopping as well.
“Wait. Wait. Wait.” Giggling maniacally, she gestured back with her hands. “Step back a bit. Off the path. Yeah. Just like that. Keep going… Keep going… Wow.”
“What is it?”
She bit her lip, shaking her head. “Incredible.”
“Care to share?”
“It’s just… I’ve never seen a domini camouflaging like this. Like, actively, disappearing into the scenery. If you stop moving, it’s like you disappear.”
Survii threw back his head, laughing. Aside from his jean capri pants and his sandals, he was now naked. His skin was free to camouflage to a natural environment and not a brightly lit, clean, artificial room where anyone would stand out no matter how perfectly their color matched.
Nature wasn’t made of perfect lines or clean surfaces, though. When he was surrounded by the natural messiness of nature, it was much easier for his body to disappear.
“This is so cool,” she said, reaching out and running a hand down his chest.
“Want to play a game?” He asked, fangs glinting in the light.
“Is it hide and seek? Because I don’t think I can find you if you’re in full camo mode.”
“I’m not the one who would be hiding, Vitralai.”
It took her a moment to understand. She blinked once. Twice. Her face darkened. Her eyes widened. He could see her pulse jumping in her neck.
“Like that idea, do you, my little toy?” He asked, growling for her. Just a bit. Leaning closer until their lips nearly touched. Her skin had broken out into those little bumps that he knew meant she was feeling something particularly strongly.
“Survii…” She moaned his name so softly. Filled with such yearning.
He kissed her cheek. Then, whispered directly in her ear-
“Run.”
She turned and sprinted. Like her life was in danger. Feet pounding on the soft soil. He threw back his head laughing wickedly. A delicious thrill rushing through his veins.
He kicked off his sandals and, with a growl of excitement, took off after his mate.
Even with a head start, he closed in on her quickly.
She was making no attempts to silence her footsteps or rapid breaths as she rushed through the tropical trees.
She stayed on the footpath, pleasing him.
As much as he wanted to hunt her, he didn’t want her to hurt herself. She was safer on the walking paths.
Until, suddenly, her sounds stopped.
Survii stopped running himself. Ears pricked. She was hiding now.
He grinned as slowly, silently, he stalked into the clearing ahead.
The path led to what appeared to be a natural spring that had been artificially enhanced.
Large stones created a small grotto. Someone had smoothed the edges and enlarged the area, then added stone benches designed to look natural.
The water was moving, leaving the pond in a small stream, so it must be coming from somewhere underground.
It was a beautiful little scene. Idyllic.
And his mate was hidden somewhere within.
Grinning, he stalked around the edge of the clearing.
Keeping under the trees, hidden behind the large fronds of the ground plants.
He wasn’t the greatest hunter. He didn’t often get to do it the natural way since he was almost always in space.
But he made sure to go at least once when he was soilside on Turv so his skills wouldn’t lessen.
He made not a sound as he circled the clearing. Eyes scanning the area. Alanna had been wearing a bright purple, tunic style shirt. It shouldn’t be hard to find.
And he was right.