Chapter Four #3
“Uhm… Okay,” I say. Ren stands and pulls me up with him.
I notice we are in a small bedroom. Ren moves slowly but helps me out of my dripping wet clothes.
I am completely naked, but no one is touching me.
I’m confused because I was always taught that I was never to be naked in a man’s presence unless he ordered me to be naked and was my chosen husband.
“Here,” Ren says to Zev, handing him a towel.
“Ren, this is a bad idea,” Zev says reluctantly.
“Brother, I know you are fighting primal instinct right now, but she needs to see that you have self-control,” Ren says.
“I am a leader. I shouldn’t have this issue,” he frowns.
“Check your toxic masculinity at the door, Zev. Not only do you have emotions, but you also have hormones. You are a mutated human with a natural pull to a life partner. Recognize that for what it is, and help the girl dry off. She deserves the version of you that everyone knows you for, okay?”
“One of us is crazy, and I sense that it isn’t me,” I say bluntly. Ren chuckles and pats Zev on the shoulder.
“I’m going up top to talk to the others,” Ren says. “Zev, keep your dick out of the girl unless she asks for it.”
“Yeah. Yeah,” he mutters and wraps the fluffy white towel around my body. When Ren leaves, Zev sits me on the bed.
“Am I supposed to lie down or…”
“Please, God, do not do that,” he says quickly.
“I’m confused. Am I undesirable?” I ask. “I was taught to…”
“Listen to me, okay?” he asks as he sits and turns my body to face him. “Can I be blunt with you and explain something?”
“Please,” I sigh. “I am so confused. I don’t know if I am supposed to pleasure you or serve you in another way. I also want to stab you again, but I don’t know why. Shit. Is your hand okay? You grabbed the blade.”
I grab his large hand and flip it over so I can see the cut. It isn’t bleeding, nor is it terribly deep. I feel terrible for hurting him. “It’s okay, Astra,” he says gently. “I will heal it later. Can I explain what is happening right now?”
“Please,” I say.
“The short version is, I have genetic mutations. All of the people of Torvex do. Numerous people inside Ossara do as well. Those with the genetic mutation have a soulmate. They are a life partner. When I first meet or see my life partner, I will feel a natural pull to her. When I touch her for the first time, it turns primal. It is an instinct ingrained in me to mate. Usually, my life partner would feel the same pull. Hers would develop a bit slower, and I would still have to be accepted, but it’s different with you.
The Ossara government has been feeding you Hydrovita for your entire life.
It suppresses many of the effects of your genetic mutation, except for their ability to use a computer-based mind control. ”
“Is… Is that why I can see how corrupt and evil the government is, but others sing their praises?” I ask.
“Yes,” he smiles. “You are resistant to mind control because of the genetic mutation. The caregivers you had as a child—many of them were spies of Torvex and were able to report back to Torvex the babies who carried mutations. We kept track of you all the best we could, and we have been on a mission to extract those individuals.”
“So… I am like you?” I ask. “I am one of the people of Torvex?”
“You are now,” he smiles.
“And I am your life partner?” I ask.
“Yes,” he confirms.
“But you don’t want me to present myself to you?”
“I do,” he says. “Instinctively, I want nothing more than to take you right now… but I won’t.”
“Have I done something wrong?” I ask. “I don’t want to be in trouble.”
“You haven’t done anything wrong, and you are not in trouble,” he says. “To put it bluntly, I won’t fuck you because you don’t want it. It is important to me that you want it.”
“I want to want it… I think,” I say.
“Why?” he asks. “Without saying that it is your duty or because that is what you were taught.”
“I… You’ve got me there,” I say, and he smiles. “Why do I want to stab you?”
“Because it is ingrained in you to be afraid of me. You are in survival mode, and it’s manifesting in a way that you want to fight.”
“But if I am supposed to feel this pull… why don’t I?” I ask.
“You need to get that shit out of your system and eat real food,” he says. “That drink that Lyra gave you was water, but it was enhanced with things to help flush out your system.”
“Does it work faster than eating?” I ask. “I don’t know how to eat.”
“Let’s get you dressed, and we can go up. They have a meal prepared for us. I have been living on ration bars for six weeks, so I need real food as well.”
“Were you watching me as long as I was with Master Vinny?” I ask. “I don’t know what to call him now.”
“Soon, you can call him dead,” he says. “And yes. I first saw you on your walk to his home. I was in the home across the road the entire time.”
“Oh…” I say.
Zev stands, pulling me up, and the towel drops to the ground.
He takes a long, deep breath and rests his hands on my shoulders.
He strokes his thumbs across my collarbones.
I watch his face as he scans my body, visibly fighting an internal war.
He sighs and slowly moves his hands down to cup my breasts.
He gently pinches my nipples before lightly squeezing them in his palms. Even with his large hands, they are hardly contained in his grasp.
I feel relaxed with his hands on me, even as they slide down my body to my hips.
He presses his thumbs into the bends of my hips, and I gasp softly and lean into him. He doesn’t let up until a small moan slips out. He instantly snaps out of his daze. “I’m sorry,” he whispers.
“It’s alright,” I say. “I still want to stab you, but I’m not afraid.”
“I can accept that,” he smiles. “You really should get dressed before I lose my self-control.”
“Good idea,” I say.
Zev steps back and helps me into a thin white shirt and pants before leading me out of the room. We take the stairs up, and it’s bright again. My eyes adjust better this time, and I locate Ren among the group of people looking at me.
“Ah, he has self-control after all,” Ren jokes.
“Kinda,” I smile.
“I like you,” he laughs. “Zev?”
“Right,” Zev says. “Everyone, this is Astra. She is our newest extraction, and it appears she is also my life partner.”
“So, save her from getting power-fucked before she’s ready?” a woman asks, laughing.
“She doesn’t know what consensual sex is, Marta,” Zev says before turning to me. “Marta is my sister.”
“I understand some people want to have sex,” I say. “I haven’t really understood that until now.”
“Please, don’t say that,” he sighs.
“You are confusing, Zev,” I frown. “That’s probably why I still want to stab you.”
“I’ll fog his brain; you attack,” Marta says to me with a grin.
“I’m sorry… what?” I ask.
“Has no one explained abilities?” she asks.
“Beyond his minimal self-control?” I ask. “No.”
“Seriously, guys?” Marta scolds her brothers. “That should have been the first fucking thing you explained. Her abilities are going to start coming forward. Without an understanding, she could hurt someone.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” I ask.
“Genetically mutated humans have special abilities,” she says.
“I can create brain fog, which essentially is like memory manipulation. We are all telepathic. Ren can manipulate electronics. Lyra can manipulate sound; that is how she was able to talk to you without getting caught. Zev has mind manipulation. He can read minds, manipulate thoughts, and alter emotions. For example, the guy who came down the stairs in the tower could have had his mind manipulated so that he would kill himself or go after the others who were trying to find you and kill them.”
“Oh, he can also control your brain functions that control your body,” Ren says. “Like… In your case, he could pin you down and make you come with his mind alone.”
“I… don’t know what to say to that,” I respond. “I’m not saying you’re insane, but… can you… prove it somehow?” I ask, looking at Zev.
“You need to clarify what you are asking before I assume,” he smirks.
“Read my mind,” I say.
“Think of any color and a three-digit number,” he says. Easy. Pink. Four thousand five hundred and twenty-one.
“I said three, but pink. Four thousand five hundred and twenty-one,” he says.
“How…” I start to ask, but stop.
“Astra,” he smiles and steps closer to me.
The closer he gets, the more I want to touch him. I don’t know why, but I do. My mind keeps going back to just how large his erection was pressed against me. I wonder if there is a way I could experience it without pain.
“There is a way, and I have every intention of showing you,” Zev says, gently grabbing my chin.
“Zev,” Ren says.
“Shh,” I say, wanting Zev to continue. “How?”
“I want that crap they fed you out of your system first,” he says. “When you can truly feel that connection, I will show you.”
“What are you showing her?” a man asks. Zev sighs but doesn’t seem annoyed. “Zev!”
“This is my father,” Zev says. “He is an elder of Torvex.”
“Astra,” the man says. “Is he pressuring you?”
“No, sir,” I say softly.
“My name is Kiem,” he says.
“Zev is being annoyingly respectful,” I say, and he smirks.
“Good,” he says. “The meat is ready, Zev. Save the sex talk for later and feed the girl.”
“Come on,” Zev smiles. I nod, and he leads me through the room and into another.
“How long until we get home?” Marta asks.
“Two days,” a woman says before coming to me. “I am Nora, Zev’s mother.”
“Astra,” I smile. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Zev has me sit next to him before Nora sets two bowls in front of us. It smells heavenly, but I have no idea what it is. “Potato soup,” he says. “Soup will be a good starting place. The contents are soft from the broth, so it will require minimal chewing.”
“Uh… Okay,” I say, staring at the bowl.
“Drink this first,” Nora says, setting a glass of clear liquid in front of me. I know what this is, so I pick it up and drink it. I try to be respectful and not gulp it down, but it’s amazing.
“Go slow,” Zev says, resting his hand on my thigh. I relax and manage to slow my pace before setting my empty glass on the table.
“That’s… really good,” I say.
“That is plain water,” Zev says. “Until Ossara started messing with how humans get nutrients, this was vital for survival. The Great War poisoned the water for a while, but Earth has a way of restoring itself.”
“Why would Ossara tell people the water is unsafe?” I ask.
“Because where the mind control fails, the fear will keep everyone dependent,” he explains as he gathers soup onto a spoon. “Open.”
I open my mouth, and when the soup touches my tongue, an explosion of pure joy sinks into my brain, making me groan as I savor it.
“Good?” Zev asks with a grin.
“Oh my God,” I say. “This is incredible.”
“I’m glad you like it,” he says sweetly. “You keep eating; just take it slow. Okay?”
“Okay,” I smile. I take the spoon from him and eat from my bowl as he eats from his. I try to go as slowly as I can, but it is just so fucking good. Anytime I end up eating too fast, Zev lays his hand on my thigh, and it reminds me to pace myself.
When my bowl is empty, I sit back in my chair and groan. My belly is so full. I have never felt this before, and I can’t tell if it’s a good feeling or a bad one. “I think we should get you to bed,” Zev says softly.
“You mean…”
“God, no. You’ll throw up,” he laughs. “You need to sleep.”
“Do you all have a set sleep cycle I have to abide by?” I ask.
“No,” he says. “Without the Hydrovita, you will be able to sleep freely.”
“Oh… well, I’d like to sleep for a few days,” I say.
“It’s because your body wants to detox, and it does that best when you are resting. I can wake you when we reach Torvex,” he says as he stands and pulls me up with him.
“Are you sleeping with me?” I ask, and Ren laughs. “No. I mean…”
“I know, you’re not used to sleeping in a room alone. After the group home, you had Lyra,” Zev says. “I will stay with you.”
“Your hand,” I say.
“It’s healed,” he says, showing me his palm. “I took care of it while you were eating.”
“Oh, good,” I say, yawning.
“Come on, sleepy,” he says. We go back downstairs, and he stops me beside the bed. “Slip off the pants. You’ll be more comfortable.”
“Okay,” I say sleepily. I take off my pants, and he pulls back the covers so I can lie down. He moves to the end of the bed and starts to undress.
This man is my life partner? My God, I am lucky.
When he slips off his boxers, he already has another pair in hand to change into.
My eyes go wide when I see how huge his dick is.
That is almost unrealistic. How would that fit in a human of my size?
Are they called savages because you’ll sound like a wild animal in heat when you get fucked?
Something about the way his muscles flex and his cock visibly grows harder by the second has me growing curious along with it.
“Girl, you have got to get my dick off your mind, or I won’t have manners for much longer,” he says as he steps into the boxers.
“Stop poking me with it and showing it off, and I won’t think about it,” I say as he walks over and gets into bed beside me.
“I can’t promise anything,” he says as he pulls me back against his chest and wraps his arms around me. I move back and inadvertently press my ass against his cock, making him groan and tighten his grip on me.
“I’m sorry,” I say.
“It’s okay,” he says. “Go to sleep, Astra.”
I try to open my eyes, but I can’t. “Not fair,” I mutter.
“Sleep,” he repeats softly before kissing my shoulder.
“You too,” I argue. He chuckles but doesn’t say anything, allowing me to drift away.