Raw

Chapter Nineteen - Precursors to War

Mother secured the hut, locking in my scent as my heat grew. Hours passed as my body caught fire, juices pouring from my genitals.

"Mhor," I moaned.

Mother placed cool clothes over my forehead and my crotch. "Shh, Zora. Don't say his name."

"I need him."

"Yes, but if Voch hears it, he could kill him."

She rubbed the cloth over my nub, stimulating me and providing me with some relief. "Mother?"

"Yes, my sweet?"

"I know about you and Halali."

Her stimulation stopped abruptly as she looked into my eyes. "Zora, I love your Father. Don't think—"

"I know. Mhor explained it all to me." I rubbed at myself to ease my discomfort.

"Your father doesn't approve, but betas are normal." She stroked my hair. "Just because she loves me, it doesn't mean I love your father less than he does me."

"I know." I smiled weakly. "Shouldn't you leave before Voch comes and tries to take you as well?"

Her face turned pale. She glanced around, her brows knitted. "Zora..."

"Please, I must do this, but you should stay away."

Tears rolled down her cheeks. "Stay strong, Zora. I love you."

"I love you too, Mother," I said as she hurried from the hut.

Alone, in the dim light, I struggled to keep in control. Voch would notice any moment, and I needed to give Father as much time as possible.

The flap moved aside. A low whistle came as Voch dropped it behind him. "You smell delicious."

He knelt by my feet and I snapped my knees shut. "I'm not ready."

"Not ready?" He shook his head as he shuffled to remove his pants. His c**k was dark and thick and ready for action. My genitals quivered, releasing more juices. I drew a sharp breath, forcing myself into a sitting position. "I'm not ready."

"Your name is Zora, isn't it?" He laid on his side, facing me as he stroked his c**k. "You're beautiful, Zora. I'd dare say finer than any of my daughters. And you're strong to resist your heat."

He brushed his fingers over my bare thigh. I yanked it away, but my resistance hurt. I wanted him to touch me, to relieve my needs. But I couldn't. I just couldn't.

He caught my ankle, pulling me toward him. I yelped, swiping him across the face.

He chuckled, looking into my eyes. "You're a fighter. But now isn't the time to fight."

He kissed my arm as he stroked my leg.

"N-no..." But it felt so good. I shut my eyes as my breathing grew heavy.

"Yes, Zora. Just relax and let me in."

Moaning was all I could manage. My resistance buckled, and he knew it. He moved in, sliding the loose cotton dress off my shoulder. He kissed the bare skin, grazing his lips up my neck. I groaned, rolling my head to give him better access.

"Good girl. Now let me see that gorgeous body of yours." His fingers caught the hem of the dress and he slipped it over my head. Then he pressed my shoulder for me to lay on my back.

I lay there as he stroked my body slowly, his eyes taking me in carefully. He bent over and sucked on my n*****s, each for only a moment. I groaned, pushing my chest toward him for more.

"Shh, we're going to take this slowly." He pressed my chest down, then he grabbed my knees and pushed them apart. He slid in, opening me up. I moaned loudly at the relief.

"Oh, yes." He stroked my neck. "You're so warm and moist. I'm really going to enjoy you."

He rocked into me slowly, caressing my hips and breasts as he took his time with me. Then he shuddered, smiling. He withdrew and collapsed beside me.

I touched myself and my finger came back with his sticky release. I hadn't come anywhere near my own release, and I realized; he knew exactly what he was doing. He knew from years of experience how to draw out a heat. He wouldn't be so easily tricked like the twins.

He grabbed my hand, pulling it away, and wrapped me up against his chest. As he dozed off, he kissed my shoulder softly. "Relax, Zora. You'll enjoy this."

The heat soon dragged me into sleep.

Someone entering me woke me with a gasp.

"Shh." Voch's hand wrapped around my throat as the other held up my leg.

He rocked into me slowly, steadily from behind, like he was savoring me. He nibbled at my shoulder, but kept a tight hold of my throat.

Father entered the hut. He averted his eyes from my body, glaring directly at Voch. "I said I was to be present."

"She needed relief," Voch said, kissing my ear.

"I gave you my rules," Father said with a growl as he sat cross-legged in front of me.

"Stop talking and let me enjoy myself." Voch bit my neck as he thrust faster into me.

Whimpering, I submitted to him. Despite my logical thoughts, my drive for mating made me enjoy him inside me.

A finger pressed on my nub. My eyes flew open, meeting my Father's. He pressed a finger against his lips for me to keep quiet as he stimulated me. He was going to make me come, to end my heat. That's what he meant by Voch would attack him. But he'd come prepared with a knife strapped to his hip, and thick skins over his torso.

Carefully, he stroked and twisted my nub in a way Voch wouldn't notice as he pulsed into me. I felt it. The tingling. My muscles quivered, but I bit my tongue to hold back my cries of pleasure. Father glanced between me and Voch as he intensified the stimulation.

Then... "Oh!" My muscles clamped around Voch.

Voch released my throat, flying up with a growl at Father. "What have you done?"

Father stumbled back, grabbing his knife.

"No, no." Voch pinned me face down, thrusting into me as he tried to finish off. It hurt, and I cried out.

Father lunged at him, forcing him off me. "No one hurts my daughter."

I grabbed my dress, pulling it over my head as Father forced Voch onto his back. Blood ran down Voch's arm as the blade cut into his hand.

Glancing around, I saw the spear in the corner and lunged for it.

Voch let out a roar, calling for his sons.

"Zora!" Father yelled, looking to me. "Get out before they come for you!"

"No!" With a swing, I dug the spear into Voch's shoulder.

Voch wailed.

Father launched off him, shoving me out the door. "His sons are coming. Go. Now."

"But you and the pride—"

"The pride is hidden, and I'm prepared. Now run!"

Hesitantly, I broke into a run, glancing back as Father stood ready to fight by the fire pit.

As I passed from the perimeter of the camp, I caught the rustling of someone following me. No, more than one, three. With a quick glance, I saw three sons of Voch chasing after me. Frightened, I pushed harder. I knew the land better than they did, so dodged and weaved, keeping them at bay.

With a roar, Fennir and Keenan burst from the bushes in front of me. They flew by, lunging at the sons of Voch. I swung around to help, but I was pulled back around.

"Zora!" Mhor planted a kiss on me as he wrapped me in his arms. Then, just as abruptly, he released me and ran to help my brothers.

Swinging to face them, I knew I could help. With three on three, I could easily turn the odds in our favor. Darting over, I leapt on the back of the male fighting with Keenan right before he swung. My force threw his swing off, making him miss as he stumbled forward. I clawed at his face as he tried to pry my hands off.

Keenan swung his fists, hitting him over and over in the belly. Then with a smooth s***h, he cut his side open. The male stumbled forward, hitting the ground. I released him, knowing Keenan had beat him and ran for the next closest male, the one fighting Mhor. But Mhor had him on his knees.

Changing course, I ran for Fennir. I pounced on his opponent's back, repeating my attack. But his opponent was stronger and swung me over his shoulder. I slammed onto the ground, winded. Fennir roared, shoving his opponent away from me, before digging his blade into his bicep. Undeterred, his opponent grabbed me by the hair.

Fennir stabbed him again as I hissed, clawing at the male's hand. The male shoved Fennir off and pounced on me. He raised his dagger over me. "No one shall have you except my father."

I caught his arm, holding it back as he flexed, pushing it closer and closer to my throat. He was easily three, maybe four times stronger than me, but I refused to let him kill me. I strained under his sheer weight and insane strength, while Fennir slashed and stabbed him, trying to force him off me.

Out of nowhere, Mhor appeared over him, sinking his teeth into his neck. Mhor's arm wrapped around his body and plunged a dagger into his heart. The male gasped and fell. His mass drove his knife into my shoulder. I screamed.

"Zora!" both Keenan and Fennir wailed.

Mhor rolled the body off me to reveal my injury. "No, oh, no, no, no!"

His hands lingered over the knife as my brothers hung by us. My arm and chest felt wet and sticky as I grew cold.

"She's shivering." Fennir bent down, sliding his hand under my head. "We have to get her to the pride."

"Mhor." The world blurred.

"Zora. I'm so sorry." He touched my cheek right before I passed out.