Page 49 of Captured By The Alien Barbarian
“And mating marks? How do you show that you have mated already?”
His heartbeat quickens beneath my ear, although he displays no outward sign of his nerves.
“When humans choose to get married, we often exchange wedding bands. Metal rings that go on a finger. We don’t get tattoos.”
Taccit sounds incredulous. “You choose your own mates? What if someone has already claimed a mate, only to come across their mishara?”
“What is a mishara?”
“My people get their markings as soon as we find our mishara. That means our perfect mate—the one who binds our souls. Without you, I would not live a good, long life. I would have no hope of ever being truly happy.”
Mishara. Soul mate.
My heart races. Taccit believes I’m his soul mate.
I slide off Taccit’s lap so that I can look up at him. This time, he lets me go, though his hands reach out as if he can’t bear to be fully separated from me. He looks upon me with such adoration. He looks at me as if he loves me.
I might just love him too.
ChapterThirteen
TACCIT
The last time I hunted this frequently was back when I was just a youngling. Back then, it took days and multiple hunting trips to actually catch anything. Now, I need to provide for two mouths. I fear I don’t have enough food stored to last us the entire bitter season.
An amused smile crosses my face as I consider the possibility of soon having three mouths to feed. My little Nika’s body has ripened, and her scent indicates that she might be nearing her fertile season. If I am a lucky male, she could be carrying our offspring by the time the bitter season ends.
Worst case scenario, we will undoubtedly enjoy many attempts at creating new life together.
With a snort, I refocus on my task. Walking around with an erection isn’t exactly comfortable. The distraction might cause me to lose my prey, wasting precious moments I could be spending with my mate.
My feet tread softly as I examine the leaves and soil, searching for animal tracks. This task would be simpler with drolvden and their keen sense of smell, but I decide to leave them guarding Ariana.
I find evidence of a drear passing through recently, stripping leaves from low-hanging branches. The creature’s trail is not hard to follow. As my familiarity with the beast grows, I can track it faster and faster. Its heavy imprints into the soft soil suggest an adult. Its hind leg is stiff and occasionally dragged, perhaps having been damaged from a fight. If it is a male, it most likely is old and has lost its territory to a younger male. If it has been injured, the hide will be damaged and would not serve to make Ariana decent clothing. I could use it, though, and the scraps would prove useful for various other projects. The abundant, tough meat would be perfect for storing and tenderizing in stews if we were to become snowbound.
I hurry after the creature, intent on the hunt. Nothing will stop me from bringing the beast down.
Except for that.
My steps halt, and my heart skips a beat at the sight of new tracks. They bear the unmistakable shape of human footprints, like the shoes my little mate wears to protect her delicate feet. Never have I seen humans venture this near to our home.
Could they be searching for Ariana? I thought they had given up their pursuit.
A cold dread seeps through my clothing and chills me to the bone. Would Ariana abandon me in favor of her own people if they presented her with the opportunity?
Recalling our conversation from a previous day, she shared that humans choose their mates, but she never explicitly chose me.
These men, threatening our home and Ariana, will find me a formidable opponent. They will not find it so easy to bring me to my knees. However, Ariana has the power to utterly destroy me if she decides to leave willingly. Her loss would undoubtedly be my downfall. I wouldn’t survive.
She wouldn’t leave me, would she? Hunting is now the furthest thing from my mind. I need to find Ariana. I need to know she is safe. I must confirm that she is at our home where I left her. She needs to know that she is mine, that she belongs to me and me alone. I will not share her.
I sprint towards our dwelling, abandoning any semblance of subtlety. Leaves and mud fly up in my wake, splattering against my legs and leaving a clear trail behind. Ducking branches and leaping over boulders and logs with powerful strides, the forest’s obstacles don’t slow me down.
My pace is relentless as I push myself beyond my limits just to know Ariana is alright. I long to lay my eyes on her, to take her into my arms.
When our home finally comes into view, I am nearly breathless, my heart pounding so powerfully that it feels like it might burst from my chest. Gasping for air, I search for her.
She isn’t in the clearing in front of the cave where she likes to sit during the day. She isn’t perfecting her aim with her weapon.
