Raw

Chapter Eleven - The Time Approaches

The next while passed quickly and uneventfully. I slipped into a routine similar to what I used to do, except with stolen moments spent with Mhor. There was no one I wanted to spend more time with, no one I trusted like I did him. And by the way he looked at me, with a soft tenderness in his eyes, I believed he felt the same way.

One morning, Mother awoke me. "Zora, your heat is due soon."

I sat up, alarmed. "Already?"

"It's been a moon. You should start any time now." She handed me a soft cotton dress. "Your father will go out to find Mhor, and I'll send the young males on a hunt and order them to move in with the retired females. You should go to the waterhole to wash."

Father had chased out the crocodile the day after I was attacked, so the waterhole was safe again. But as I approached the water, I did check, like always. It was better to be safe than sorry.

A whiff of something came on the light breeze. Something that didn't smell right. "Mhor?" I called out.

"Not Mhor," a deep voice came from behind me. "But someone much better."

I swung around just as one of the twins leapt on me. He pinned me down, covering my mouth so I couldn't scream. Once he'd secured me, the other twin appeared to help him tie and gag me. Struggle as I may, I couldn't break free of them. They pulled the gag and ropes tight, making them cut into me. My eyes watered from the pain.

"Let's get her out of here fast," the second twin said.

Together, they yanked me to my feet and dragged me away. I didn't stop struggling for one moment, especially when I realized they were taking me south; to their territory. They wanted to mate with me, but there was no way I'd let them.

Finally, after one of the times I kicked free, one of the twins grabbed me by the mouth, squeezing until I tasted the bitter tang of blood. "Don't make me knock you out."

I kept struggling.

"You asked for it."

Everything went black.

When I awoke, my forehead throbbed. The sun hung over me as my head lulled. But somehow, I was upright. Ropes dug at my wrists as they hung stretched out. My back pressed against a thick tree. Forcing my eyes open, the first thing I saw was golden grass swaying in the breeze. Lifting my head, I scanned, finding a small clearing with bushes lining the edge. None of it looked familiar. My stomach tightened. The twins must have succeeded. I had to be on their land.

But no one else was around.

Sniffing the air, I picked up the faint smell of musk, a sign of territorial marking. The twins had to be securing the area before coming back for me.

Pulling at my wrists, I assessed my dilemma. Both arms were tied to branches, keeping me in place. I still had my clothes on, thankfully, but they'd removed my dagger from the hilt. I had to find a weakness in my bonds.

I tugged at each hand one at a time. The ropes held firm, even tightening with each pull. The branches were sturdy. They obviously carefully chose this tree.

With only one chance left, I lifted my head and called, "Mhor! Father!"

Crashing in the bushes rushed toward me.

"Mhor!" I cried more desperately. "Father!"

One of the twins burst through, running right at me.

"Mhor!"

He covered my mouth, smothering my cries. "Hush!" He pulled out a cloth, forcing it into my mouth. "That's better."

He tied it off and stepped back. I chewed at the gag, groaning in a desperate attempt to do something to escape.

He smiled, folding his arms across his lean chest. "Up close, I can really see how stunning you are." He shuffled nearer, tilting his head as he examined me. "Strong build, bright, clear eyes that reflect your cunning, curves in the right places making you perfect for child bearing. If you are like your mother was, then I can see why she has such a reputation for being the greatest alpha in the region. You are spectacular."

He grasped my chin. I pulled away, disgusted. He grabbed it again, forcing me to look at him. "I am your mate now. Your heat will start at any moment, and when it does, I'll be here ready for it."

I shook my head.

"No?" He pouted. "If it makes you feel better, I have no intention of forcing you. But I know you will come begging to me soon enough. I just need to wait."

I shook my head again.

"You're a stubborn thing. What is your name again? Zora? Well, Zora, so you can scream my name while we mate with wild abandonment, I am Paner."

I glared at him. There was no way I'd mate with him—ever.

He chuckled, backing away. "I hope you're comfortable, because this could either take a while, or not long at all."

He set out a mat and lay back, closing his eyes.

Not long later, the other twin arrived carrying a kill. He dumped the gazelle beside his brother. Paner sat up, nodding. "Well done."

"I'll start a fire."

As the other brother disappeared to collect wood, Paner said, "My brother's name is Tallem. You'll need to know that soon enough. But don't you dare think you can mate with him, is that clear?"

That was something he definitely didn't need to worry about.

Paner returned to his mat. He dragged the gazelle closer and started skinning it. I watched the brothers as they made a fire and cooked the meat. The smell made my mouth water, but I didn't let it show. I had to find a way to escape. Somehow.

"I'll go on first patrol," Tallem said. "There's a hint of her heat in the air, so she'll probably ripen over the next few hours."

Paner nodded, and watched his brother disappear into the scrub. He stood, walking to me. He leaned in, sniffing at my neck and hair. I turned my face away, disgusted by him.

"Mmm, I do smell the heat. Yours is so sweet I just want to..." He nibbled at my neck. I shrugged my shoulders to force him off me. He grinned, stepping back. "Not long now."

He stepped back to his mat, then removed his clothes. I averted my eyes, not wanting to give him any kind of satisfaction. He lay on his mat, stroking his genitals. "Don't fight it, Zora. In a few hours you'll be begging for me to stick this in you."

Absolutely no chance.

He rested back, closing his eyes to sleep.

I shut my eyes too, hoping to get some kind of rest so I could run if the chance arose.

A few hours later, as the moon sat high in the sky, a deep burning in my skin awoke me. I rubbed against the tree to try to alleviate it. My gaze jumped to Paner. My genitals quivered at the sight of his naked body. No, I couldn't! I shut my eyes. Mhor, I had to focus on Mhor.

But my breasts grew heavy, the n*****s tingling. I moaned, rubbing against the tree. I clenched my fists in a desperate attempt to control the heat. But it burned, all over. I yearned...

No, no. I needed Mhor.

I tried to cry out through the gag for him. My noise stirred Paner from his sleep.

Paner sat up, playing with his crotch again. "How are you feeling, Zora?"

I wanted to play with his... no! I didn't. I cried again, moaning Mhor's name the best I could. Juices flowed from within me down the insides of my legs. I needed relief.

Paner stepped in front of me. I shook my head, forcing myself to look away.

"Still not agreeable?" He licked his lips. "Your scent is so potent. I can hardly contain myself."

I shook my head, letting out a low growl.

He pressed against me, inhaling deeply. "You smell incredible."

His warm flesh brushed against my arm. I couldn't take it. I needed relief. I needed him. I looked into his eyes, then nuzzled against his shoulder. Why had I resisted him? He's a strong, healthy male. He could satisfy my needs.

"Oh, yes." His hands ran over my breasts. "You're ready, aren't you? You're purring."

He reached up to untie my hands.