The Last Pure Human By: Twisted Hilarity Work in Progress Chapters 1-39a Free Read M/M Romance

Kasan, a prince of the feline Kyashin race, is in deep shit. Hes in heat, he needs a consort to help him survive it, and his uncle has locked him away from every available candidate. When hes offered a small human male at the last moment, hes quite happy to accept. His new consort, on the other hand, is a little less than pleased with the situation. So whats a human to do when he finds himself in the bed of a hot, sexed-up alien? Were about to find out. Chapter 1 - The Last Pure Human Kasan snarled to himself, prowling through the small confines of his cell on long muscular legs that trembled with the need to run. If he had to stay inside this windowless cage for another day- which he did- he thought he might go crazy. And he was fucking

going to take everyone else along with him when he went, starting with his asshole brother. He snarled again, remembering what Nolluz had said. We should preserve the dungeons. Theyre a historical landmark and an important part of Kyashin history. As someone who was now living inside the historical landmark, the same one hed been imprisoned in for two stinking weeks, he desperately wanted to see Nolluz again so he could tell him to take his history and shove it up his ass. There was nothing, absolutely nothing, intrinsically valuable about keeping a working dungeon in this day and age. The entire damn thing was carved out of the mountain, for the love of God! Huge wooden doors, bolts with chains that were inches thick, and dammit, the stone might look golden and warm, but it was fucking freezing! He had a pile of hay between his ass and the stone floor, and considering his ass had nothing over it except his own waist length hair, that wasnt even close to enough covering. He really needed to lobby his father for uniforms for any prisoners, because nudity and old dungeons were a shitty combination. He turned abruptly as he reached one wall, his black hair flying out behind him and clouding his eyes before he shoved it out of the way. If only the ridiculously archaic dungeons werent so damn impenetrable, the guards loyal to him might have been able to help. As it stood, the mercenaries Shovak had hired to guard him until his father returned had taunted him every time his guards rescue attempts had failed. They laughed, discussing the harsh punishments that Shovak had meted out while all Kasan could do was rage and grind his teeth at what his men were being subjected to. He was proud of his mens loyalty in trying to smuggle someone in for him, but he had to admit that the continued reports of failure were taking their toll. He didnt wish to die, which he would if he stayed here alone much longer. Every failure was one more person who suffered because of him, one day less that he had to find some solution. Still, hed managed to hold on to a sliver of hope until Esgard had infiltrated the mercenary troop and pulled guard duty. Esgard had come in to give Kasan his morning rations and offered himself to the prince as a potential consort during his Lords heat. When Kasan realized that his friends were desperate enough to start trying to smuggle in men to him, hed essentially given up hope. His inability to couple with other males was a running source of amusement for most of his friends and family. The few times hed tried, especially on the battlefield when women were scarcer than snowfall in the low valley, were practically legendary for their abysmal results. He simply couldnt keep his body aroused when sex and other men were both involved. He honestly didnt know why he had to be handicapped that way. The rest of his brothers were fine enjoying themselves with either sex, like almost everyone he knew. Hell, Jolan and Tisu even had male consorts! But for him, it looked like whatever throwback genes affected everything else in his body also kept him from enjoying his own gender. No matter how hard he tried, he found nothing but bland indifference or outright distaste at the thought of sexual relations with other beings as big

as, or bigger than, himself. Warriors just couldnt turn him on, and even knowing that everyone was so certain of failure that a rather effeminate, beautiful man was their last resort. They all knew there was nothing left: he needed sex, and he needed it now. So even knowing it was useless, hed damn well tried to stay aroused long enough to take Esgard. It would have been a lot easier if his race werent so damn resistant to drugs. Hell, one good neural aphrodisiac could have had him up for days if he was from a different species. But no, Kyashin didnt work that way. Damn stupid genetics. So, hed blocked the sight of Esgards manhood from his eyes, pretending it was a woman he was entering, and he hadnt even been able to last for 5 seconds before his member went completely limp. Trying desperately, neither of them had managed to make it rise again and theyd had to give up as Esgards shift ended. Esgard had been discovered the next day and they hadnt been allowed a second chance. Kasan hoped that the young man still lived. He felt the need inside him buzzing so hard his skin burned with it and he kicked at the creamy stone that made up his prison. Dammit. Dammit, dammit, dammit. His heats end was so close that he could practically feel his remaining time dripping out. It was almost too late. He had today, maybe not even that, before his mating heat passed and he was well and truly fucked. His body would simply stop working, slowly killing him over the next few weeks until he died a withered dried up husk. Still stuck in the damn dungeon, the last moments of his only opportunity to find someone to bond with ticking away, he growled and cursed to himself. This type of situation was exactly the reason that Kasan had spoken out against accepting mercenaries into the section of the military that guarded the palace and royal family. They were too easily controlled when someone with a sufficiently large sum of credits backed them. Of course, because he was well known for that opinion, every mercenary had been rather uncooperative to switching sides to Kasan's payroll. Closing his eyes as he almost ran into the far wall, Kasan leaned his heated face against the cool stone. If only he hadnt been such a sensitive little idiot, Shovak wouldnt have had the opportunity to set him up. As usual, hed gone to a dive of a brothel just because he hated how the more affluent courtesans treated him- like some kind of animalistic precursor. Once his heat had arrived, preventing him from leaving for his familys annual spring hunt, hed presented Shovak with the perfect opportunity to end him. Shovak had simply waited until his father was a few days gone, well into the mountains and practically impossible to find, and then hed persuaded one of Kasans whores to cry rape. Kasan had been irritated, but not expecting anything other than a typical attempt at extortion from the woman. After shed been murdered, however, Shovak was able to use a rather archaic law to have Kasan imprisoned until his father returned.

During the Second Wave of Occupation, thered been so many rape victims killed to prevent their accusations that the Lord King had finally had to make legal changes. If a rape victim was killed, the accused rapist was confined until the Kings men could conduct a formal inquiry into the affair.however long that took, which could be years if the Lord King was pissed off enough. Murders had dropped rather rapidly at that point. For Kasan, however, this meant that he was imprisoned until his father returned, which should be within a day or two, but too late to make any difference. If he didnt take a consort during his heat, it was a death sentence. He hissed to himself and started moving again, his black ears twitching on top of his head as he prowled back and forth, his claws flicking in and out of his fingertips and his tail a black blur that twitched in agitation. He wanted blood, and he wanted the blood to be Shovaks. His father would likely let him have it, too, once it was discovered that the bastard had violated one of their most sacred rules: no one was denied an adult partner during heat unless he was already condemned to death. Yet here Kasan was, completely alone in his cell with only hours remaining until his own death would be absolutely assured. Shovak, he was sure, would find some way to shift the blame. Hed accuse one of his own followers of being at fault for the oversight, most likely. Although Kasan could admit to himself that he was a bit surprised that Shovak was willing to risk it. His uncle was usually so meticulous, with every detail worked out to leave him blameless and innocent. So what was he going to come up with to explain such a gross lapse in adherence to their laws? What was he doing? It would do him no good to achieve Kasans death in the only way that was considered natural causes if he did it in such a way that he was accused of a violation that could get him banished. What was that little weasel planning? Kasan was startled by the sound of the door creaking open. The stupid thing was so thick he couldn't hear a damn thing unless they opened the door or the small viewing portal near the top. Fucking made him jumpy as hell. He backed up to the far wall, a habit hed quickly learned to avoid being beaten away from it as the guards entered. His first attempt to defy them had ended with laying unconscious on the floor for half a day and he still had faint bruises remaining from the encounter. Not that it would have done him much good to escape his cell, anyway. There was no way out from the inside without help on the outside. And he had no way of contacting anyone. Shovaks annoying flunky Liosh walked in, carrying someone wrapped in a thick blanket over his shoulder. The man's tawny ears were held erect, his matching hair perfectly confined in a tight braid that swept against his loincloth as he sauntered in. Little Bastard. Kasan couldnt imagine what the man thought he was doing; was Shovak actually giving him a consort? It didnt make any sense. The person over his shoulder was obviously a woman, by the size. On the small side for one, actually, so what was wrong with her? Was she disease ridden? So old and ugly she was almost guaranteed to repulse him and

render him incapable of taking her? Not that he would want to, in that case. But Shovak would never grant him the opportunity to take his place as the third heir, would he? Unless he was planting a spy? Was the female someone loyal to him and he thought Kasan would be so desperate that he wouldnt question the gift? He eyed the bundle with distrust. Liosh remained oblivious and smiled at him toothily. Responding to the smile, Kasan sneered at him. What a surprise to see you.. And here I thought for sure Shovak had managed to forget all about Hinta law. Especially considering his actions over the last week. Shovak is a law abiding citizen of the kingdom. Liosh said, still smiling as his eyes glinted. Youre still in heat, and you now have access to a viable mating candidate. He hefted the female over his shoulder a bit, readjusting her position, and she let out a low grunt of discomfort. In fact, Shovak found a very special consort, in honor of the princes position. An off planet find, no less." "You know very well we can't breed with non-Kyashin, you bastard." This was sloppy, even for Shovak: giving him some other species wasnt in compliance with the law. "On the contrary, there is one species that is still listed as compatible in the records. Shovak currently has papers proving that this particular creature does, indeed, meet your genetic requirements. Personally, I think the choice is perfect for you, throw-back." Liosh tossed the bundle to the floor and stepped outside quickly, figuring rightly that Kasan might attack him out of sheer annoyance if he didnt retreat immediately. Kasan wasn't exactly known for keeping his temper. Yeah, don't let the door hit you on your tail-less ass on the way out, twit. The little slimy bastard called back through the small window of the door after it closed. "Shovak sends his best wishes to you on enjoying your consort-to-be." He let out a highpitched giggle before slamming the small portal shut and leaving Kasan alone with the candidate. Kasan stared at the pile of fabric, not bothering to move towards it. One species still listed? There weren't any other species they were compatible with, there hadn't been for hundreds of years, not since "You fucking son of a bitch," he breathed slowly. He was trying to play off another throwback as some sort of human. That had to be it. He'd paid someone to fake the genetic tests and claim that he'd somehow found a 'pure' human. Now he knew why Shovak wasnt worried about the fall out. His weasel of an uncle had followed the exact, letter of the law: humans were still listed in the ancient texts as compatible with Kyashin,

as the race itself had a little bit of Terran mixed in somewhere in the past. But to his knowledge, there hadnt been a pure human seen anywhere in the galaxy in hundreds of years. They had interbred so much that their genes were mingled with innumerable other races. Those cross-breeds had proved to be incompatible to his own, so far, but if that bastard had managed to get a throwback like himself, only one who looked more like her human parentage, then as long as he had paperwork to back it up, Shovak was free and clear. Hed found him a legitimate candidate, legally speaking, even if it was all a bunch of shit. Kasan sighed, looked down at the bundle that still squirmed, unseen, underneath the large cloak, and he stepped forward to have a look. Crouching down, he pulled back the cloak rather ungently, and stared in surprise. His first impression was pink skin. Lots of pale, cream and pink skin. What a rather pretty color, he thought, feeling his over-heated body respond slightly to the sight of all that naked flesh. His second surprise came as he saw that the small person was actually male, rather than female. Looking at the male member resting on pale golden brown, curling hair, he was more surprised than he wanted to admit that he wasnt losing his arousal. He didnt believe that had ever happened before when he looked at the male body. It was just, this males body was so unlike any hed ever seen before. It wasnt that he wasnt fit. He could see the taut muscles of the mans arms and legs, the flat ripples of his stomach, the rounded strength of his chest. He was fit, but he wasnt anywhere close to having the large muscles of Kasans fellow Kyashin. Even most of the females Kasan knew had more muscle mass than the male in front of him. He was staring at his body so long that he was almost reluctant to look at the mans face. Sighing, expecting to be disappointed, he moved his eyes up and saw pale brown hair, wavy and short, only to his shoulders. And the mans eyeswere they blue? Hed heard of some races that had that color in their people, but hed never seen it himself. It was really lovely. And earshe had two pinkish pale round ears, small and cute as hell, one on either side of his head. They were absolutely adorable. So tiny. He looked at the face, trying to decide if it was attractive or not, aside from the coloring. It most definitely was. His bones were good, with straight clean lines, a well-made jaw. A broader face than he was used to, but still appealing. The lips were rather full as well, the lashes around his eyes long and dark, and his cheeks were flushed. He looked like he'd just made love rather than come from the shoulder of a little weasel. Had he? Had Shovak tried him out first? He scowled at the thought, his eyes darkening almost to black as his tail slashed behind him. He leaned forward, baring his fangs aggressively as he inhaled the man's scent, testing. It would be the final slap in the face, to not only give him a useless candidate, but take him first, too. Rather than the musky smell of recent sexual release, however, he was bombarded with the bitter smell of Argenta. It was most often used to keep more valuable slaves docile for short periods of time in some of the illegal markets, he'd heard, so what was it doing

on this small man? Perhaps Liosh hadn't lied and he'd truly been a purchase from off world rather than being another throwback from here at home. Or they'd drugged the man just for realism. Either one was within the bounds of possibility. However, the fact that he was a male almost completely negated his being a spy. Shovak wouldn't expect him to take him; he knew his difficulties with men as well as anyone else. Shovak could have just sent in a man and been done with it. It showed just how serious he must be to add on this extra layer of insurance against the consort actually being suitable. Poor little one, he thought, watching the man stare at him with wide, surprised eyes. The fake human tried to sit up, failing, flopping bonelessly backwards on to the blanket underneath him, and Kasan took pity on him. He reached down and put his arm around the man's back, holding him up. Those attractive blue eyes stared back at him and a curious hand came up to rub at across Kasans face and up to his ears. Kasan could feel himself arching his head slightly into the touch. He always was a sucker for a good ear stroking. But not from a male before, he thought. And right now, a male was touching him, and he liked it. How amazing. If only the man really was a human, it might have given him a chance to get out from this. But if he was human, if he was a viable candidate, his scent would be clear to anyone in heat. He would smell like something edible and sweet, something delicious and crisp that was made to slide down his throat and make him moan in pleasure at the taste. Rather like he was doing right now. He swallowed heavily. Why was he thinking of food so strongly right now? He sniffed again, and caught it. Underneath the bitterness of the drugs was the sweet, bright scent of something tasty. Like tarts and berries, but colder in a delicious kind of way. Shovak wouldn't have known the scent was there, not unless he'd found someone in heat to come in and smell the little man. And if he had obtained him off world, the xenophobic bastard would never believe an outsiders word that the pale-eyed male was genetically human. After all, everyone knew there were no pure human's left. Which meant Shovak didn't know. He didn't know that this man actually was, amazing and impossible as it seemed, a pure human. Kasan smiled, he teeth bared again, and his consort-to-be tried to lean away from Kasan rather drunkenly as his eyes widened. Shhhh, little one, I wont hurt you. Kasan said, holding his hands palm down, fingertips

tucked under, trying to seem non-threatening to the startled man. "I feel soooo out of it, you have no idea," the man said, blinking at him. "Didja know, I'm even seeing cat ears on your head? I musta drunk something really, really good last night." Well, that might be a problem, Kasan thought. What WAS that language was he speaking? "Do you speak Hinta?" Kasan asked slowly. "Woah, I can't even understand what you're saying. Pretty. Is that Portuguese? I thought I knew how to speak Portuguese. Do I? Wait, has the colony landed already? I'm supposed to be doing--something--with them. I think. Aren't I? Oh my. I think I'm going to be sick." Kasan watched him talk, amused at the incomprehensible rambling even as he wished he could understand it, at least until the man started to look alarmed. He finally figured out what was about to happen and picked him up just in time get him face first over a free piss pot. If the poor man hadn't been about to lose the contents of his stomach, he likely would just from the smell in there, Kasan thought sympathetically as he heard the man retching. Another wonderful 'historic' touch from his brother. He really needed to beat Nolluz after he was done with Shovak. After the man slumped against him, Kasan wrinkled his nose and moved them both to the opposite side of the room. Feeling the man's sleek skin against his chest as he carried him, and looking down at his still flushed face, he still felt aroused and interested. He had the first ray of light since this whole miserable business began. He had someone with him who he could take before his heat ended, and he actually found the man attractive. Shovak could kiss his ass. After settling him down on the little one's blanket again, he put an arm around him to support his back, holding up a small cup of water for the man to rinse out his mouth. He handed him a small bit of mint root to clean off his breath, as well. Thank God for the last bit from Esgard, he thought. He was about to try and communicate to the man again when he felt a painful spike in his arousal. Dammit. He wouldn't have long then before the end, then. He didn't have time to woo the little man, or do much more than relax him and try to make things as good as possible. Even if

he hadn't had the necessity of his duty to the kingdom on his shoulders, his body wouldn't allow him to ignore the opportunity in front of him. He was going to take this young man, no matter what either of them might want. Although he could admit it, he and his body pretty much agreed on this one: the man was just so damn cute. Kasan looked over the body next to him, admiring as he turned him slightly. He was sleek and strong, if rather slight and delicate to be considered male, in Kasan's opinion. He was also significantly smaller than Kasan himself; a small miracle, considering that Kasan had, to date, only met one other adult male smaller than himself, ever. And that had been his grandfather after he'd been bent with age. His skin looked creamy and appealing, his smell was right, and looking at his manhood, Kasan still found him attractive. Well, what a surprise. It was actually the large size and muscles of males that turned him off, not the actual maleness itself. Meet Kasans new consort: an alien, and a male. His brothers were going to laugh themselves silly over the irony. He took in a deep breath and reached his hand around from the man's back to curl around his face and cup his cheek. It had just the slightest rasp of stubbly hair on it, rather downy really. What a curious thing. "Uh. What're you doing?" The man asked, his head resting completely against Kasan's arm. Kasan was fairly sure that if it weren't for the support, that head would have flopped all the way over until he hit the floor. "You're really pretty, for a giant kitty man. Did you know I have a cat? Had a cat. Couldn't take it with me. Poor kitty." Kasan held the finger from his other hand against the soft lips that still spouted the man's native language. "Shhhhh. No more talking," he said. Looking down into the curious, almost innocent blue eyes, he smiled. Such a pretty man. "I'll try to make this good for you. Don't worry, I won't simply take you." Kasan murmured, bringing his face close to his consort's until he felt lips underneath his own, soft and surprised and so easy to penetrate with his tongue that he slid in, tasting. Ice and fruit. He smelled so of fruit that he even tasted that way. The man's hands went up to press weakly against Kasan's chest as he tried to jerk back. He was completely startled, his eyes wide as they stared in utter surprise at Kasan. And then they slowly hazed over as Kasan continued to taste his mouth. Feeling his tongue, his mouth, his slick teeth and the soft plumpness of his lips, Kasan moaned softly against him. God, the man tasted damn good. Kasan held the little man's head still, or rather kept it from falling backwards again at this

point, as he continued tasting him, running his lips over the smaller man's and finally sucking slightly on the lower lip before drawing away. He looked down into dazed eyes, the soft hands still resting against his chest but no longer pushing him away, and he grinned. He'd always been told he was a good lover. He was glad to know that it would make things easier this time around. He pulled on the head within his hand again, kissing him deeply as he let his other hand trail down the man's chest to his aroused member. Baby soft skin over a hard column that fit in his hand like a small, hot, ice pop. It was oddly erotic. He'd held himself in his hand before, but he was quite a bit bigger than the male in his arms. Feeling same shape in smaller dimensions, touching it while he continued to feel aroused and wanting, was a positively wicked feeling. He experimented, kissing greedily with his mouth as he started to play with the firm erection in his hands. Gripping it tightly as he tried to recreate the feelings he was able to elicit in his own body, he smiled triumphantly as the beautiful young man moaned. "That's it, precious," he murmured against his mouth, moving his hand down to his back again. He could feel the man's muscles flexing against his fingers as his hand moved lower to the beginning swells of his bottom. "Woah, careful!" His hand whipped back up as the human started to topple backwards. He chuckled. "I think we'd better get you all the way on the ground before you hurt yourself, beautiful." He let the man lay back in a controlled fall and ended up kneeling over him. He pulled his one hand from behind his consorts back, the other never leaving the man's firm erection. He smiled, seeing the dazed eyes and aroused flush to the man's face. "Are you really a kitty woman? I'm not into guys. Nope. So you gotta be a woman if I let you touch Mr. Happy. Definitely you do. Um, how'd you get so big?" Kasan really wished he could understand what words were coming out of his consort's mouth. He had the feeling they would give him a good laugh, considering the rather disgruntled look on the little ones face. He felt the man's prick standing upright and ready within his hand and squeezed encouragingly, happy to see it respond. He looked down at the smooth planes of his chest and licked his lips. Again, the differences between the male chest and the women he was used to was odd, but still beautiful. The nipples made small, dark circles as they lay across the flattened, rounded muscles that clenched a moment as Kasan pulled again on the man's member. The man moaned, thrusting upwards even as his eyes watched Kasan with an unfocused stare that merely made him seem completely aroused and at Kasan's mercy. "Th--that feels really good. Think you should win an award. Do they make hand job awards? Doooooooh, yes. God, that's so--" he moaned again as Kasan let his fingers play over the silky skin of his chest and leaned down to let his tongue flick out to taste

the small nipples in front of him. He played with the slit at the tip of the man's penis with his other hand. "Aaaah, what-- It's, um, oh God." Kasan purred against the smooth skin as he heard the young man babbling. Even in another language, incoherence was rather obvious, he thought smugly. Feeling his own member in need of attention, he was contemplating just how to press against his consortto-be when he felt his arousal spike again. Shit, he had less time than he'd thought. If he was spiking that close together, he had almost no time at all, barely enough to prepare the man and take him. Shit. He kissed the man once more across the chest and sat up a little straighter before pushing himself off of his legs. "I'm sorry, little one, this is going to be a bit fast for our first time," he murmured, releasing his hold on the member in his hand. "It probably won't be as deep this way," he mumbled to himself as he pulled his lover by the waist and turned him over onto his stomach. The little man was still for a moment, as though unsure exactly what had happened, before he tried to push himself up onto his hands and knees. Kasan leaned over him, his arm around the man's waist the only thing that saved the poor, drugged youth from nosediving into the floor. As it was, his face fell and almost hit the ground while Kasan's grip kept his hips in the air. Kasan lowered him a few inches until his cheek rested against the blanket and he chuckled, enjoying the position immensel "That eager, eh?" he teased, wishing the man could understand him. His voice softened as the man moaned softly underneath him. "I'm sorry, precious. I would take my time with you if I could. We just don't have enough time left." Kasan held him close, feeling the strong length of his consorts back along his stomach as his other hand milked his own prick for its lubricating fluids. He could at least take a moment to try and widen the little one up. Even if the man was experienced, it was likely going to be tight fit just due to the size difference. Taking a deep breath, he pressed a finger into the small opening exposed below him, holding tightly as the man bucked against the sensation, grunting. Kasan bit his lip at how tightly his finger was being gripped. If anything, his imagination had failed him on this one. His consort was even tighter than he'd expected. He needed to get the little one used to him or the poor thing was going to feel split in two. He angled his wrist on the arm around his consorts waist so that he could hold onto

the attention-seeking member again, noting with a grin that it was still hard and firm. He started caressing, moving his finger in and out of the youthful body in time to his grip around his member. When he and his consort were both moaning faintly, he withdrew his hand and milked himself again for fluids. It was odd. He'd thought to use the man's own secretions, but he didn't seem to be making any. Was something wrong with him, or were all humans lacking in lubrication? It seemed a rather painful way to make love, honestly. He inserted two fingers together this time, getting a whine of discomfort in response. He bent his neck down so he could reach the small, already irresistible ears as his fingers slid slowly back and forth into the mans body. He licked across the rounded edge of the man's ear, marveling at the lack of fur, and took a chance based on the plaintive vocalizations and introduced another finger. It slid in a little smoother than the first two, the man's body still slick with Kasan's fluids, and he could hear small, insistent moans coming from his throat. He groaned to himself, feeling close to peaking, and withdrew his hand. He had to be sheathed inside before he came or everything was ruined. Gritting his teeth, he guided himself to the little man's entrance and pushed in, carefully. The man started bucking again, trying to move away, and he flinched. He knew it had to be hurting, but he had to! He had no choice. He tried to ignore the little man's distress, flattening his ears against the top of his head as he slowly pushed in. He didn't have time to do it too slowly. He'd done as much as he could, but he had to reach completion or the bonding wouldn't be finished in time. He had to, dammit! "Sssshhhhhh. Relax, precious. Just relax and it won't hurt so," he murmured, to no avail. Kasan finally embedded himself completely and stayed still. He thought he had a few moments, just a few, that he could give to get used to him before going farther. He listened, surprised when the man whimpered and moved against him slightly. That hadn't seemed like a bad sound. Kasan was relieved; he wouldn't have felt good if his consort had such a hard first time, especially as being surrounded by the grip of the small body underneath him kept him hard as a rock. He didn't want to hurt him. Frankly, he would have preferred to wait and woo the young man in a regular fashion, but he didn't have a choice. The heat drove him now. He had to take this body. He wanted it desperately; wanted to own it completely. He started to move, pulling out and thrusting back in with slow even strokes, struggling to keep from pounding into him without restraint. At least the man under him was still aroused, in spite of his obvious dislike of the pain, and Kasan tried to keep touching his body, kissing along the back of his neck, his ears, running his hands over his back and giving the man's own member something to thrust against. He almost cried out himself as he felt the other man's body start to respond more noticeably, thrusting against his hand. It made him pound into him more fiercely, his need for release growing tight and hard within his body. Please, let the little one find pleasure with this, he prayed silently. Don't let this be just a terrible memory for him. He

pushed his hips harder, hearing the other man gasp in time to his thrusts and Kasan leaned back, both hands grasping his hips as he pounded into him in the last stages. He felt like he was racing his heat, trying to finish in the last few seconds before he lost the chance. His consort writhed under him now, little cries escaping every time Kasan thrust in, and Kasan couldn't tell if it was from pain or pleasure. He couldn't stop himself in any case. He couldn't even control his body's need for this young man, taking him fiercely, finally feeling his body come into him as he shuddered in reaction. He pressed hard as his seed pulsed out of him, holding the man's hips against his groin to get the last moments of sensation, and he felt the bond take in that final pulse as he slumped over him. He reached around, wanting to hold tight as golden light flashed around him, and as he gripped the man's member, the little one came, white fluid spilling out over Kasan's hand as he smiled in relief. He'd come. The little erotic cries hadn't been pain, or at least not entirely. He wouldn't have a memory of only pain for their first time. Kasan sighed in relief. It wasn't that it would have been an insurmountable problem, but he was glad that necessity hadn't caused him to harm his consort beyond repair. The man went boneless underneath him as the amber light faded and Kasan gently laid him down, withdrawing from his body as he did so. He'd heard that consorts were often overwhelmed by the bonding, sleeping for hours afterwards. It looked like it was more than rumor. Gathering the edges of the cloak around him, Kasan turned him over and scooped him up until he held him in his lap like a child. A large, flushed, and sweaty child, but the position reminded him of the role anyway. Glancing at the door, he tried to decide what to do. He would never mock his idiot brother again for ordering the thick doors, at least. The rest of the stupid prison he could do without, but if he couldn't hear the guards, it was guaranteed that they couldn't have heard him, either. They would have no idea that he'd actually managed the passage to adulthood, if he was careful. With a sigh, he carried his consort over to a corner and laid him down on his side. He couldn't be caught showing interest in the little man, so he couldn't keep him on his lap any longer. "I really need to come up with a name for you until you can tell me what yours really is," he said, brushing back a damp lock of dark golden hair from the man's sleeping face. "How about Gisho?" A pretty little flower with dark golden petals the same color as his hair. It was strong enough to grow in the mountains while the snow was still on the ground. A good name for his consort. He went to one of the messier corners of the cell, rubbing his fingers in the disgusting muck along a crack in the wall, and rubbed it on his chest, right over the small golden crown that had already started to take shape. His family's symbol, it very clearly told that he was now able to take the crown should the heirs before him fall.

Gisho's mark was hidden by the cloak, and Kasan was within his rights to ask that no others touch him. And if Shovak thought he was trying to fake the bond, so much the better. Hed leave them alone for longer, and the bastard would be setting fire to his own home if he actually tried to disprove it. It would only help Kasan's case to have Shovak suggest that the bonding hadnt been possible. All he had to do right now was wait. His father should be home within a day or two, and once he was free of this unpleasant cell, with Gisho, he would be in a tenable position once again. He would have the support of his family, and he had Gisho to get to know better. He just needed to wait. Chapter 2 - Waking Up in the Land of the Cats The dull click of the door to his cell opening woke Kasan instantly. Hed been waiting all night for the sound and he was crouched on the balls of his feet before the thick slab of wood had moved more than a slivers worth. Gisho hadnt woken yet, thank God, so Kasan simply had to keep the bastards away. If he had them thinking he was going to fake a successful bond in order challenge Shovak, theyd probably leave him alone. Why would they need to do anything, after all? Hed die within a week or two if he hadnt found a consort, and they could easily disprove the bond if he was released before his own death. If he had been as unsuccessful as they thought, that is. He didnt have to force the growl that came from his throat, his claws emerging involuntarily as he readied himself, until he realized who was walking through the door. Leero, his first in command of the palace guard, burst in, flanked by Esgard of the pretty face andwas that his cousin Shira? Leero took one look at Kasans eyes, no longer the neon green of Kyashin heat, and he swore, turning to slam his fist into the wall behind him until his knuckles bled. Fuck! Leero turned back to Kasan as Esgard and Shira hovered behind with flattened ears. Dammit KasanIm so fucking sorry. I swear to you, Shovak wont get away with this, Ill Leero, stay calm. Kasan wasnt sure how theyd managed to get by the guards to him, but he doubted they had time for unnecessary self-recriminations. Theres nothing to be sorry for, understand? No! I failed in my duty. Dammit, we all failed! I should have found a way to get to you in time instead of allowing that bastard to try and foist off some mutant as a human and Leero! Enough. How had he found out about Shovaks plans? All I care about right now is leaving. How long do we have to escape?

Leero growled in agitation. Dont worry, theres plenty of time. The guards are gone. Theyve all fled the city. Youre free now, as far as were concerned. Tension rushed from Kasans shoulders in a torrent. Gisho and he were safe. He didnt have to worry about protecting him. But he still didnt know how Leero had found out about Shovaks ploy. Did my father return then? Is Shovak in custody? Your father was sighted on the Main North Road. Hell be here by nightfall. Leero took a deep breath and released a frustrated snarl, his fingers twitching spasmodically in what Kasan knew was a remnant from the days when all Kyashin, not just throwbacks like himself, still had claws. Shovak is still missing; we cant find him anywhere in the citadel. Kasan growled. Damn. Hed really wanted to sink his claws into his uncle as soon as he got out of his cell. You have men out looking. It was a statement more than a question. Of course. Behind Leero, Esgard reached for Shiras hand nervously, rubbing his fingers over the smaller females palm in a soothing manner. So, thats the way the wind blew. And still, Esgard, and now his cousin if he wasnt mistaken, had both come to offer themselves to Kasan if hed still been in heat. That type of loyalty was precious enough that he wouldnt forget it. Leero cleared his throat and Kasan looked back at him. He cant be far. We started searching the moment your father was sighted. Im sure you did. Im not faulting you. Although Ill admit Im curious how Shovak could be smart enough to escape and yet still leave enough evidence behind to reveal what hed done. Leero smiled viciously. Liosh wasnt quite as quick to bolt as his master, and he can be quite talkativewith the right persuasion. He spilled everything just before the mercenaries jumped ship. Kasan winced a little. Hes still in one piece? Just. Wellat least you can only be tried for assault, then. A months sentence right now, isnt it? Kasan tried to keep his voice casual to avoid thinking about how much he wanted to wrap his claws around Shovaks throat and squeeze the life out of him.

Well worth it to be able to finally beat that little rodent. Although I dont think hell be filing any charges. I doubt I could prove he broke any laws, so I had him sign a confession and then released him. I doubt hes even in the city. Kasan nodded. Probably for the best. Although he would really miss the chance to pound on Liosh a bit. Still Fathers return isnt exactly unexpected. Shovak should have planned for this. Why the hell would he run? Liosh snorted. Probably because, for the first time since I can remember, Shovaks little plotting all fell apart. Since you were in heat, Shovak managed to persuade your family to stay an extra three weeks to give you and your new consort some time to get used to each other before the new unknown female had to deal with them. According to Liosh, Shovak planned to present your dead body to the Lord King and claim that you were one of the few throwbacks whose mating heat rages out of control. None of the guard were able to see you except for Esgard, and he could only vouch for what he saw in the hour he was here, so we wouldnt have been able to honestly claim he was lying. That explains his running like a squickling, then. Kasan murmured. But why is father back early? No ones hurt, are they? Leero smiled. No. Ever since that last disaster when Aosh nearly died, weve been working on a system to keep in touch with the hunting party, no matter how far into the mountains they go. It took a while with the fog coming down from the heights, but we managed, and the Lord King started for home as soon as they got the message. So now, with you living, and the Lord King returning, Shovaks entire plot isnt worth a load of shit. And thank God the damn mercenaries he hired figured out which way the wind was blowing and fled on their own. It would have been a stone bitch trying to root them out from here. We were worried wed have to ransom you back from them Cant say I would have enjoyed that. Kasan grumbled. So, thats what had been going on since he taken Gisho. Too bad his uncle had managed to get away, especially since they had Lioshs confession. Damn, he muttered. I was really looking forward to challenging Shovak as soon as I got out. Imsorry. Leero lost his smile and his eyes grew shadowed. I will challenge him in your stead if we cannot find him before yourpassing. You will not be denied your revenge. Kasan nodded. Thats right, they didnt know he had a true consort. Theres no need for that. Ill be challenging that bastard as soon as they find him. KasanI dont think well have him that quickly. Shira stifled a small sob at Leeros words and Esgard wrapped his arm around her soothingly. It doesnt have to be quick, Leero. I have a consort.

They looked at him blankly and he flashed them a grin. This was rather fun. Im not dying, you idiot. Three sets of ears started to twitch in confusion. Notdying? But how? No one got to you in time, just Shovaks little fake human Actually, the little human, it turns out, wasnt quite as false as Shovak thought. Kasan grinned more broadly. He screwed up, Leero. He didnt give me a human looking offworlder. He gave me a humana pure human. I HAVE a consort now, Leero. I bear the mark. Kasan licked his finger and rubbed at the blackened muck on his chest until the small gold crown could be seen. Shira gasped while Leero and Esgard looked at it in shock. Still staring, Leero started to shake his head. A human. He bought some little alien off planet and it turns out to actually be an honest to God human. You have to be the luckiest bastard in the world, Kasan, just like the troops have always said. Leero started to smile back at Kasans engaging grin. Theres actually a pure human woman still in existence in the universe, and you got her. I cant even imagine the odds Kasan felt his skin flush slightly. Well, thats not quite true. At their looks, he sighed and finally stepped aside so that they could see the blanketed Gisho. Uh, you see, the last pure human isa man. A man. Leeros smile faded. Shovak picked a man for you. At Kasans nod, Leero swore. That fucking cocksucker. Not enough that he tries to give you a non-Kyashin, he has to make it a male as well? When everyone knows you find them unappealing? Leero reached over and patted Kasans shoulder sympathetically. Im still sorry, then. I am more glad than I can tell you that we wont be losing you, but I am truly sorry for your loss. There is no loss. Kasan huffed, shifting his shoulder. Kasan, dont try to soften this. We know you dislike- I dont dislike him. Kasan, you cant pretend to- Im not. I find the little male attractive. Leero raised one eyebrow before he shook his head. You cant expect us to actually believe that after weve known you for all these years? Kasan shrugged. I didnt say I could explain it. The little one turns me on. He really does. Iwell, look for yourself. Kasan said wryly, gesturing to his naked groin. Leero

looked down to see Kasans burgeoning arousal from just the brief look hed given Gisho, and Kasans first in command quirked an amazed smile. Thats for him? Yeah. Trust me, having him as a consort is NOT a bad thing. His shoulders relaxing, Leero continued to look at Gisho. Ill be damned. You took a human male for a consort. Yeah. Leero smiled slowly as he glanced back at Kasan. I dont suppose I can watch when you tell your brothers? Hell, no. And right now, you can get me some damn clothes. Its fucking freezing in here. Shira giggled and Kasan looked over to her. I want you to know, I appreciate both of your offers to sacrifice yourself for me more than I can say, he said quietly before he grinned a bit. But for nowmaybe you two should be thinking about spending some time with each other, instead of worrying so much about me. Esgard started blushing as Shira smiled again. AndLeero, how many people know what Liosh said? A few of the guards only. Were all keeping it to ourselves. Make sure they continue to do so. We need to carry Gisho to my room without his ears and face being seen for now, and I can reveal my mark to everyone before letting them know the unusual nature of my other half. The people had a hard enough time accepting someone as much of a throwback as me in the first place. I cant let there be any doubt as to the legitimacy of my consort. Of course. No one will say a word. Good. Kasan went over and scooped up Gisho in his arms, Leero helping him cover the mans head and face with the blanket. Kasan thought a moment and sighed. It grated on him to let anyone see his little Gishos body, but it could help him quell any rumors that might come up later. Leero? Can youpull the blanket up a bit and bare his bottom? We can walk through the courtyard on the way. Leero nodded. and everyone will see the mark. Nice touch. Leero peeled back the ratty cloth, tucking it in odd places in Kasans arms to make it seem accidental, and looked down at the side of one exposed cheek of the smaller mans rosy ass. A small

silver crown glittered there, the delicate scrollwork on it an exact match to the golden symbol on Kasans chest. A real live human. I will be damned. Probably. Leero rolled his eyes. I cant believe hes so damn small. I always imagined them to be a bit moreintimidating. The stories always painted them as such an aggressive species. Yeah. Esgard and Shira walked out the door as Kasan gestured to them with his head, and Leero continued to study Gishos ass in a way that had Kasan growling for a moment. The sound merely caused Leero to smirk at him. Growling? Just for looking at his ass? Hell have more bare skin in his clothes than he does now. What are you going to do then? Ill think of something. Kasan grumbled, wondering about it himself. He couldnt say why, but the idea of anyone ogling Gisho made his hackles rise. And Leeros knowing grin wasnt helping. Maybe he should have let Leero think he was dying for just a while longer. The man had been almost respectful there for a while. It had been a refreshing change from his usual smart-ass self, he thought, and then he carefully followed his friend out of the cell, looking forward to being able to relax in his own room again. He really, really needed a bath. ********** Max woke up slowly, feeling like his mouth was full of cotton wool and his head was being pounded on by evil little men with hammers. He didn't bother opening his eyes, just moaned quietly. They'd told him that coming out of cryo-sleep would be unpleasant, but this? This must be how his mother felt when the doctors told her labor would be 'uncomfortable.' The reality was far outstripping the prediction in actual suckiness. Why'd he even agree to do this? He didn't want to go to outer space. He'd been quite content to putter around discovering dying languages, or already dead ones, and recording them for posterity. If it weren't for the fact that he'd wanted his parents to be proud of him He sighed. Not like it had mattered. At least they'd died proud of him. His application for linguist of Beta Colony, section two, hadn't even been fully processed before his fathers plane had crashed and ended both his mother and fathers lives, but they'd known he'd applied, at least. They'd been so excited for him. More so than he was himself, really.

Most likely because hed known what his real chances of making it into a colony had been. The programs looked for the best, the brightest, and the most experienced. He didnt feel that he did too badly in the brains department. Hell, he was only 23, with his PhD. already obtained. However, without the slightest bit of official experience, whether he was the best was most definitely debatable. Somehow, he didnt think tagging along with my folks all over the world added up to much in the resume department. Not that it hadnt been fun going from country to country, discovering some new botanical wonder of the twenty-first century...it just wasnt exactly his field. So he hadn't been surprised when someone older, and with more experience in diplomacy, had been chosen. He had been fairly surprised he'd made the list of alternates, however, even if he was at the very bottom. And he had been stunned when he'd gotten the call on Christmas Eve that they wanted him to go to the Beta Colony. The stupid idiot they'd originally picked had suffered a bizarre aneurism, 1 hour before the launch, and everyone else on the list lived so far away that they'd never make their launch time. Although he got the impression that that theyd tried to contact all of them, just in case. The irony of his presence on the ship still managed to make him sigh. He got one of the most coveted positions for a linguist, on a trip that was the most newsworthy thing to happen to earth since the founding of Alpha Colony, and how? Just how did he get it? By remaining unemployed so long that he was flat broke and forced to live in a shitty part of town next to the airport. He was sure the entire colony would be just awed by their luck in acquiring him in such a competitive way. He just hoped they didnt lynch him once they came out of cryo-sleep and discovered what had happened. So. This was the beginning of his new life. This was the beta colony. His head was killing him, he was freezing, and an odd, spicy smell was tickling his nose uncomfortably. Beta Colony was lookin pretty crappy right now. Why had he agreed to this again? He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He could do this. Hell, he didnt have a

choice. The trip to Beta Colony was a one-way ride. Maybe in a few decades when the second wave came he could catch a ride back, if he lived that long, but for now, he was stuck. Stuck in a situation that wasnt exactly making him jump up and down doing the happy dance. He hadnt met anyone but the Captain and the few crew that had been awake for the launch. He hadnt had time to read up on what languages were actually spoken once the final colonists had been chosen. Hell, he didnt even know if he was going to have his own home or if hed end up having to share with one of the families. It was a bit terrifying to contemplate but he could cope with this. He could. It was just like the traveling hed done as a child: arriving in some completely unknown part of the world and finding their way around by the seat of their pants. Among people they couldnt understand, trying to find new plants in places they didnt really know the exact location of, theyd still managed. Well, hed managed. His parents had wandered around like the absent minded professors that they were. Sometimes, he wondered if hed gone into linguistics simply because hed had to learn so many languages as a kid, just to keep himself and his parents from being mugged and killed everywhere they went. He took a deep breath. Okay, he could do this. Another deep breath. He could do this. It could be fun. And his fellow colonists couldnt be too bad. After all, he was here, wasnt he? Hed stepped in and bailed them out. Things could be a lot worse for them. Hell, they could have been stuck together with no translator between the different groups at all. That was what the military men whod talked to him had implied, anyway. The guilt that thought had produced was probably what pushed him over the edge from stunned denial to tentative reluctant acceptance of their offer. Especially after they let him know that the first linguist's death hadn't been an accident; they were fairly certain it was the pro-earth terrorist faction. A chemical compound they commonly used had been found in the linguists pre-launch cocktail, although at least the poor man had drunk his early and thus spared many of the others whose drinks had been spiked as well. Considering that the time and date of the actual launch had been secret, however, the military was frankly terrified that delaying their departure was what the terrorists were aiming for. As a result, they were willing to put up with Maxs less than stellar qualifications in exchange for sticking to the original time table. All of that should have been enough to persuade him to go, but if he were honest with himself, hed had a cowardly little flinch when theyd reminded him of the contract hed signed. If the linguists higher on the list were unable to perform their duties, he had agreed to take his place as Beta Colonys linguist. The penalty for reneging on that sort of government contract was paying a portion of their lost revenue for an interrupted launch.

In other words, hed be in debt until his great-grandchildren had grandchildren. He sighed again, refusing to open his eyes. So. Again, here he was. Beta Colony. This should be interesting. He turned his head, pausing at the sensations it produced. He was face up, the right position for what he last remembered, but why did his capsule feel so oddly silky? He moved his head back and forth again, shifting his body as well and realizing that not only was his capsule's fabric no longer the cheap, scratchy synthetic he remembered, he was feeling it with his whole body. He was fucking naked. Great, someone was playing pranks on him already and he wasn't even fully awake yet. Just great. He grumbled to himself and rolled over, careful not to move too much and bang the sides he knew were there. If they were going to strip him, then he'd damn well go back to sleep and be mooning the assholes when the came back into the cryo center. And it didn't hurt that rolling over hid the fact that he was already blushing like crazy just thinking about unknown strangers looking at and commenting on his nude body. That was, honestly, disturbing. What did this say about the people he was going to be spending the rest of his life with? He lay quietly, absently squirming his hips to try and itch his stomach on the fabric beneath him. It slid with him, giving him no friction and absolutely no relief whatsoever. "Stupid cloth," he muttered, trying to slide his hand underneath his body to itch himself covertly. He groaned when he hit the spot. God, the only thing better than scratching a good itch was good sex. He humped forward slightly as he scratched furiously at his stomach, and felt a twinge of pain inside. What in the world was that from? He moved his hips again, felt the same pain, and was suddenly bombarded with memories of hands and lips and someone Dear God, he remembered someone taking him in the ass! Someone with a deep voice and soft hands and, he knew he was fucked up now, cat ears and glowing green eyes with slits for pupils. He had to be hallucinating, right? He had to be. There was no way that he was really remembering someone fucking him- just no way that some-some guy had sex with him. And no FUCKING way that he remembered enjoying it. No way. It was a side effect of the cryo-sleep, that was it.

He clenched his buttocks in response to the very idea of someone actually getting into his body, and as his insides stung again he started to panic. That wasn't a hallucination: it hurt! His body hurt in a place that he sure as hell hadn't been doing anything to! What the hell had happened? What had the bastards who piloted this ship done to him before he'd woken up all the way? He fought the urge to panic, trying to focus on his anger instead. Hed been raped in his sleep. Some bastards thought they could get away with raping him. And it had to be more than one person, because there was no way you could do this without being monitored from the deck. The fuckers. Did they think he wouldnt notice, or did they simply think he was too much of a wimp to say anything about it? It wouldnt be the first time someone had thought he wasnt much of a threat, although he didnt have a fucking clue as to why. Dammit, he was six foot one! And he worked out! He didnt look like a wimp, as far as he knew. But the moment people found out he was a linguist it was like their estimation of his masculinity went down the toilet. Well, these bastards were going to learn pretty damn fast that they couldnt just molest him and get away with it. They were going to pay. He opened his eyes and pushed himself up suddenly, reaching out for the side of the capsule and flopping forward with a soft fwump as his hand met empty air. He shook his head, and pushed himself up again, his vision processing the room around him. He froze as his brain caught up to the images his eyes were sending it. "Where the hell is this?" he blurted. He was on some weird kind of bed half sunken into the floor. At least, it was a bed only if a bed could be made out of one enormous silk pillow. Although it had enough small pillows littered over it to make another bed entirely, he thought. The creamy walls around him had recesses filled with oversized tables and benches, jewel-toned jars and oils topping them, a few mirrors showing his naked body staring back at him, flushed and wide eyed. The weirdest thing of all was some odd, roughly hewn pole that angled sharply from one side of the room to end at the top of the other, exiting into some hole in the side of the wall. What the hell was this place? The colony didn't even have fully constructed buildings yet, if he hadn't been lied to. Yet, this room looked not only modern, in a rather sybaritic way, but old. It had too many small imperfections to be newly made. "What the hell is happening? Where am I?" he yelled, and heard a brief scuffling of movement to his right. He looked over quickly, seeing only the wall at first, and then realized that some of the decorative beige streaks across it might actually denote a doorway, if he was lucky. He looked around, hoping for some sort of covering, and finally settled for holding a black velvety pillow against his privates as he approached the possible exit. He couldn't figure out what was going on. Had something gone wrong?

Were they at the first colony, possibly? It was over three decades old, right? It could possibly have something like this set up, he told himself, trying to believe it. Reaching the door, he looked at it closely. One small oval on the side was inset, and he carefully stuck his finger in, pressing sideways. A panel almost twice his height slid back silently and he stared, mouth agape in shock. Two of the fucking biggest men he'd ever seen in his whole damn life turned smoothly to face him. Fuck, they were like basketball players crossed with Conan, he thought in disbelief. They're even wearing loincloths! As he stared up at them, he felt himself start to shake. While their skin was human and a light golden brown, their faces were oddly thin and harsh, their eyes had slit pupils and on top of their heads cat ears! They each had a set of small cat ears matching their dark mahogany hair. His first thought, that they must be costumes, died a swift death as the furry things swiveled back and forth. They stared down at him expressionlessly. "Shit!" He managed to squeak. They weren't human! He was looking at--at fucking aliens! Were these here when the ship had already landed? Was he a prisoner then? Was the entire colony a prisoner? Or had they been boarded by these people while they were still in flight? Hell, nobody had even fucking seen an alien before! He didn't know what the hell to expect. The only thing he knew was that he really, really didn't want to piss something that lethal looking off. He backed away a few steps carefully, relieved that they didn't follow. Glancing back at the bed a moment to make sure some freaky thing hadn't snuck up behind him while he was distracted, he was reminded of his hazy memories of sex and he looked back to the cat men in horror. Has one of them actually--fucked me? He'd been so sure it had been at least partially some wacked out dream. He didn't doubt he'd been taken that way, but the man he remembered had fucking cat ears, for God's sake! But now, now he was looking at men with--with fucking cat ears! What had been done to him? If they'd raped him while he was still loopy from cryo-crap, were they done with him? Or were they planning on doing it again? He backed away a few more steps, blushing and, he admitted, really damn scared. He could defend himself, sure, but not against some kind of super giant barbarian cat thing! Shit, he was so fucked. Shit, he really wished he hadn't thought those exact words, he thought, cringing. "What do you want?" he finally choked out as they continued to stare at him. He clutched the pillow to himself tightly, wishing it was at least three times as big so it could cover his whole damn body rather than just his groin. "Where am I? Wh-what did you do with everyone else?" he stuttered, feeling rather hysterical, and he clamped his lips together as one of them finally moved. Oh God, he'd

pissed one off. Shit, he was a fucking idiot! He backed away more, watching them closely as one reached for something beyond the edge of the door where Max could see. Crap, what was he doing? He stood perfectly still, staring at them. Wait, were you supposed to stare at cats or was that considered aggressive behavior? He couldn't remember! Did that even apply when it was cat aliens instead of actual cats? This was crazy! He heard the sound of someone coming near, outside the door, and the two guards, he assumed they were guards, swiveled swiftly and closed the door with the same motion. Great, he was locked back in. Without the cat guys, as least. He sighed shakily. He was being kept in a room by huge, alien cat dudes. What the hell was he going to do? Chapter 3 Introductions Kasan fidgeted on his cushion, annoyed at having to listen to Nolluz droning on about the cleverness of the new visual communication system. Frankly, he didnt know how the damn things worked yet, but he wasnt going to reveal his ignorance to his idiot of a brother so he had to just shut up and nod his agreement as the little suck up monologued the subject to death. Damn but he wanted to just finish their discussion and get back to his little Gisho. Aside from a dazed waking when Kasan had helped him pee, the human male had slept like the dead until Kasan had to greet father and the rest of the horde as they arrived back home. As far as Kasan knew, he was still sleeping. It wasnt unheard of for a new consort to sleep for over three days after the bond was cemented. Kasan sighed to himself. He didnt care: hed be happy to simply look at him for right now. He wanted to look at that sweet, luscious ass and beautiful face and just fucking fantasize. And maybe live out a fantasy or two while he was at it. God, he had been so tight Kasan swallowed and glanced at his father. He hadnt told anyone in the family about his consort yet. Not that theyd asked. He was sure theyd been curious on the way back from the hunt, but when theyd arrived and found out just what had been going on in their absence, every male in the family had started raging. It had been a very loud afternoon. Now that they had finally calmed down and he and his brothers had retreated to talk and finish up their evening drinks, Kasan figured hed soon be interrogated over the new

member of the family. Thank God the consorts and the children had gone back to their quarters already. He could just imagine what the entire herd would be like when they found out hed mated with a male. His brothers were going to be hard enough to handle as it was. Kasan, taking a male for a mate, after years of saying how he wasnt attracted to them? They were going to tease the ever-loving shit out of him. Fortunately, at the moment all his family knew was that his heat had completed, he'd found a consort, and said consort was healthy but taking a much needed rest. Hed only assured them of those necessities before Leero interrupted to inform them of Shovaks actions. Everything else consort related had been lost in the maelstrom. For a while, that is. So here he was after dinner, listening to every tedious detail about the hunting trip as he tried to calculate how long he could politely wait before heading back to his own chambers while avoiding any further discussion of the subject until morning. He smiled a moment, thinking about Gisho, and flinched as Jolan punched him in the arm. "Hey, no fantasizing in the conference room," the crown prince mocked, grinning at Kasan. Kasan thought Jolan was just happy he finally had a chance to say the phrase Kasan had tormented him with for years now. He grinned back. "You're just jealous," he said, spouting Jolan's traditional response, and the two of them chuckled as the other four brothers groaned. "Lovely, that's all we need, another wise-ass." Nolluz said. "Better that than a dumb ass." Zonta retorted, and nodded his support to his older brother with a wink. "I'd rather have a piece of ass," Aosh said, leering. "That's because you ARE an ass." Tisu responded, earning himself a swipe and a growl. "Enough." The six men turned to look at their father, Kyoru. He glared a moment but couldn't hold the expression before breaking down and smiling ruefully. "Six full grown men and you act like a room full of pre-pubescent boys. I shudder for the fate of the kingdom, sometimes. Truly." Nolluz was the only one who looked even remotely chastised, and he started to speak again in subdued tones. Kasan was silently thanking his familys typical banter for making them forget about his consort, again, when there was a knock at the door. Everyone frowned. The guards did a good job of keeping frivolous interruptions at bay, so if someone had made it to the door, it was likely to be serious.

Gisho! Had something happened to Gisho? "Come in." Kyoru called out, his sons watching intently to see who came through the doors. Leero walked in with no expression on his face, and Kasans heart starting beating wildly in his chest. God, something had happened to Gisho! "What's wrong?" he asked, his voice already rough with stress. Leero stared at him a moment before answering. "Prince Kasan, your--" he paused as though considering, and went on with a bit of a smirk, "your consort has woken up and, I believe, may be in need of some reassurance." Oh thank God, he had woken up. "That's all?" Jolan asked, surprised. The other brothers all watched Leero curiously, and he was surprised they didnt start questioning him immediately. Now that theyd been reminded, he was sure they were rabid with curiosity over his new consort. "Don't be an ass, Jolan. I asked him to fetch me as soon as it happened. There are some-special circumstances involved. I'm sorry, but we'll have to finish this later." Kasan was already heading for the door. "This, yes. But if your consort is awake and feeling well enough, bring her down," Kyoru ordered. "Its much easier to welcome her to the family for the first time in a less formal setting like this. We'll arrange for the consorts to meet her tomorrow, as well. Perhaps at firstmeal" Kasan swallowed and nodded. Well, everyone would definitely be in for a surprising night. He contemplated telling them about Gisho beforehand and dismissed it. It was usually best to try and keep the upper hand when dealing with his mob of a family, and anything that could throw them off balance was usually a good thing. Hed surprise them when they came down. "Of course. I'll bring--my consort down in a moment." He bowed briefly and turned, heading out the door and over to his suite of rooms as quickly as he could without actually running. Leero followed, smiling at him as they walked. You didnt tell me he had such pretty eyes, he commented lightly. Kasan spared him a glance. Did he try to come out or did you go in? He opened the door. He was gaping like a country bumpkin and covering his privates with one of the black velvet pillows Tisu gave you last Naming Day. Funniest damn thing

Ive seen in years. I think Im gonna like this one. Kasan bit his lip, imagining it. The black velvet ones, huh? Leero smirked. Uh huh. Little tassels brushing over his skin and everything. Very sexy. You look too long at him with that kind of thinking and Ill poke out your eyes, Leero. Kasan was a bit horrified to realize that he was half serious. Leero laughed at him. And now we discover that buried deep inside, Kasan is actually a jealous lover. I can hardly wait to watch the little one make you squirm. Shut up, you ass. And now youre starting to spout sweet words of love, too. Fuck off. Oh, please, stop. Youll make me blush. Kasan gave up and punched him in the shoulder hard enough to make him stumble, and still Leero kept laughing. I liked you better when you thought I was dying, Kasan grumbled. Oh now that hurts. Truly. I think I might cry. Leero wiped a false tear from his eye before turning his head to watch Kasan. Think your little one is any good at comforting a poor, wounded guard? You really need to shut it. Right now. Leero did, taking the opportunity to smile suggestively at a maid as they passed, and Kasan shook his head. He was incorrigible. A few minutes passed in silence before Leero broke it. I never did get a chance to ask: whats your consorts name? I really have no idea. He doesn't speak any language I can understand." Leeros eyebrows shot up. Well, thats unusual. My consorts unusual as well. Maybe we just suit each other. I hope so. Kasan ignored Leeros serious tone with an embarrassed look to the side as he watched

the wall slide by as he walked. He didnt want to admit how much he wanted his bond to work. It was simply a physical connection, after all. Some men had little to nothing in common with their consorts aside from the sex. Some barely even tolerated that much. But even though he hadnt held even one actual conversation with Gisho, already Kasan felt more for him than was comfortable. Possibly because for the first time, Kasan had someone around who was even more different from the Kyashin than he was. It was a connection of sorts, even if it was fairly tenuous. But with something in common, perhaps one day there would be enough affection between them to allow them to become friends as well as lovers. He barely allowed himself to think of it becoming any more than that. It would bealmost too much to hope for. Finally reaching his doors after an uncomfortable silence, he was relieved to see Esgard stationed by it, and more relieved to notice his relaxed stance. "Is he all right?" he asked. Esgard inclined his head. To my knowledge, my lord. Hes barely stirred since we closed the door. Kasan nodded to himself and opened the door as Leero and Esgard turned to face the hallway. He found Gisho sitting, or rather hiding, in the middle of the bed, pillows piled around him like some sort of cocoon so that only his head and arms showed. His consort clutched the pillows and looked up at Kasan with wide blue eyes as the door was closed. It was practically criminal how damn cute the man was. It made Kasan want to just pick him up and cuddle him on his lap. Kasan smiled at his own odd thoughts and walked forward slowly. He visually took inventory of his consorts health. His eyes were clear and he didnt sway drunkenly, so the Argenta had probably worked its way out of his system. However, he looked positively terrified the closer Kasan came. That wasnt something Kasan had expected at all. He thought the little man might have been nervous about being in a strange place, or angry at the speed of their last encounter, or even frustrated by his inability to communicate, but terror? Why was he so frightened? Kasan knew Gisho had enjoyed being screwed. The little thing had come, hadnt he? Kasan hadnt hurt or abused him. He hadnt even spoken a harsh word! He couldnt think of what was so terrifyingunless it was a result of the drug? Argenta was said to have some affects on memory, so it was possible that the entire night before was rather hazy. What if the little one didnt even remember him at all? If Shovak had bought him from slavers, so who knew what his life had been like, or what he remembered of it. For all Kasan knew, his last memories might be of the slavers themselves. If that was the case no wonder hes terrified. Poor thing wouldnt even understand that hes safe now. Kasan tried to look non-threatening, obviously failing as the man tensed with every step

he took. He lowered himself onto the edge of the bed, kneeling on the floor next to it so he could rest his elbows on the soft surface, and stared at him. "It's all right, precious. I'm not going to harm you. You're safe." His voice was a low, soothing murmur. Gishos eyes grew positively huge and he scrambled back, scattering pillows wildly as he shoved himself across the bed until he perched, trembling, at the far edge. Kasan stayed still. It wouldn't do to startle him more. Poor thing probably didn't have a clue what was going on, and Kasan couldn't even tell him. He settled for making soothing noises and keeping perfectly still until the pulse point in Gishos throat slowed to a more normal rhythm. He shifted and Gisho stiffened again, poised to flee. Hey. Hey, now. Shhhhh. I wont hurt you, little one. He laid his hands on the bed, palm up and non-threatening. Look. Im just sitting here. Nothing else. Just sitting right here and not moving the slightest bit. There, see? Theres no reason to be frightened. No ones going to hurt you anymore. Kasan felt a little like he was trying to tame some skittish animal as he continued speaking in soft murmurs. Every time he moved at all, he could see his consorts body jump and flinch. Kasan really hoped that didnt mean he had been abused. Even thinking about the dainty man being hurt was enough to make him slightly nauseous. He continued his soft chant of reassurance, concentrating on Gishos reactions until Kasans shifting ceased to alarm the little man so badly. Maybe he could finally make some introductions. Little one, he changed his tone, tapping his nose so Gisho would pay attention. When he had blue eyes looking at his face, as opposed to staring at his bare chest, he pointed to himself. "Kasan." A blank look was all he got and he tried again, gesturing. Kasan... He saw a faint glimmer of understanding-he thought- and made his first real attempt at communication. Whats your name?" He pointed towards Gisho, watching to see if he would figure it out. This should be interesting. # The door opening had Max instantly on edge. Was it them, the huge cat dudes? What did they want? Were they going to? He stared at the open door way and tensed as one male walked in, closing the door as he entered. He waswell, he was freaking huge. So what if he wasnt as tall as the previous two, he was still just as wide. Max looked at the

rippling muscles covering the mans-cats-body and he shivered in reaction. He was absolutely positive the man could break him in two like a twig. With his pinkies. Long, loose black hair hung down the mans back to his waist, matched by silky black pointed ears on top of his head. Max couldnt stop staring at them. It was so unreal. He was looking at a man with body parts hed never seen on a human. Thinking of it, he looked at the mans face. It was broader than the guards, a little less alien with smooth skin, high cheekbones, and full lips that made Max think of male models. His gaze shifted to the mans eyes and he flinched. The cats face might look more human, but the eyes gave him away. Long black lashes surrounded golden brown eyes that looked human until you noticed the slitted pupil instead of the rounded one he expected. It was so disturbing. More disturbing than some little grey space alien would have been, in all honesty. It reminded him of how hed felt the first time hed ever seen a musk deer. Hed been traveling with his folks, smiling as hed caught a glimpse of the little deer, and then hed screamed as it had turned to face them and revealed two giant fangs. It turned out that they were merely tusks, not an indicator of some bizarre carnivorous deer, but the sensation of wrongness hadnt left him. Seeing something so unexpected and different attached to something so familiar was just wacked. Just like an eerily human looking alien. Something twitched and Max looked quickly to see a tail switching behind him. Wait, a tail? This one had a tail? The other ones hadnt had a tail. So what did that mean? Were there merely variations, or were these different kinds of aliens entirely? This ones hair coloring was so much darker, matched by the inky ears and furred tailit could be more than one type of alien, he thought, biting his lip. He felt tense and on edge, trying to notice everything about the man for later. Whatever was going on, if he didnt pay attention, he might not survive it. Its just like traveling with the folks, he tried to tell himself as he struggled to stay calm. Well, struggled not to completely and utterly panic, was more like it. But still, a new place, a new language, new customs, and trying not to get raped or killed. Its nothing new. Just because its an alien place and an alien language and alien customs and trying not to get raped or killed by aliens. Dammit, he couldnt believe some cat guy had taken his body like that! And now there was a new cat man and he was coming over to Max. And the bed. And Max was on it. Max was sitting on the bed that seemed more suited for a bordello than a bedroom. Oh Godwhat if thats what this is?! Fuck, what if this is aa a whorehouse? An alien whorehouse! He stared at the man, terrified that he was right. Hell, he was naked, he was on a silken bed covered only with

pillows, and now guards were allowing someone to enter the room who was barely clothed. He couldnt take his eyes away from him, thinking hysterically that he might be in a real, damn live cat house! God, what did they want with him!? And damn it, had none of these guys ever heard of a shirt?! The black haired man was dressed just like the two guards outside, in some odd kind of cream and blue loincloth with a flap hanging in front and covering up hisno, he really wasnt going to go there. He was not going to think about that part at all, especially as large as that part looked to be under there. He gulped. Butdarn it, the man had no shirt, no shoes, just a gold torque kind of thing that hugged his neck. He was an alien; wasnt he supposed to be dressed all hi-tech or something? Dressed and completely covered and totally uninterested in low-tech aliens like Max in any way except helping him get back to the colony. If Max wasnt already there, and if that was the case, God help him. Unless he was merely captured and not in any type of place where any type of person wanted any part of his body whatsoever. Then God would get a big thank you note as soon as Max could write it. As the man glided forward, Max tensed even more. What was he going to do? What was the alien planning to do to him? Why couldnt he put on some fucking clothes and cover up all that bronze flesh so Max wouldnt have to think about the fact that it might possibly be touching him soon!! The man knelt fluidly by the bed, and Max was profoundly grateful that he wasnt crawling onto it, until he spoke. Max froze for just a moment and then he found himself at the far edge of the bed before he completely registered that hed moved. Because he knew that voice. That was the same deep, silky, resonant voice that he remembered hearing as someone caressed him body, as someone thrust into him. This was the man who had used his body. The eyes were different, but there was no way he could mistake that voice. God. Oh God. Oh Dear Fucking God Almighty What The Hell Do I Do!?? The man moved and Max got ready to run. If he damn well came anywhere near him, Max was going to get the hell away andGod, he really hoped he could get away from him! When the cat dude simply sat and started talking, Max tried to calm down. He wasnt jumping him. Thank God. He wasnt jumping on him. He was merely talking and murmuring and, well, the tones in his voice made Max feel a bit stupid, actually. It sounded just like Max when hed first been talking to the cat hed rescued as a stray.

Hed try to sooth it, spouting words as though the cat had a clue what he was saying, keeping his voice low and his rhythm even. Just like the cat guy was doing. The man shifted again and Max couldnt help himself: he froze. He just didnt know what the man was going to do, and considering what the man HAD done, he was too nervous about the possibilities to calm down. More soothing sounds flowed from the aliens mouth and Max stared at him cautiously. Was he treating him like a pet? Was that what he was now, some aliens pet? Better than some kind of novelty Terran whoreunless cat guys fucked their pets, too? Because this one most definitely had. And any man who had taken his body made him really, really nervous, no matter how good they might have made him feel. When all the man did was talk constantly and move hardly at all, however, Max started to relax. Hed only been up for a whilewas it even an hour? Already he was exhausted. His muscles felt shaky and too tense and he could feel a headache starting behind his eyes. If this man wasnt going to do anything to him right now, he could relax a little, couldnt he? Just a little bit. He didnt take his eyes from him, but Max let his muscles soften just slightly. His brow furrowed when the man tapped his nose, his voice changing. Was that an order? Did he actually expect Max to have a clue what he was saying? Because he was pretty dumb for an alien if that was the case. The man said a different word, pointing to himself, and Max stared. He was introducing himself? The man whod taken his body when he was obviously too messed up to deny him was freaking telling him his name?? How could he even think Max would want anything to do with him when hed, well, hed done things to him? Lots of things to him. Max had remembered quite a bit as hed huddled under the pillows on the bed. He could remember calloused hands touching his penis, massaging it until it was hard and aching. He could remember lips and warmth caressing his chest and back. Worst of all, he could remember the feeling of being on his knees, exposing his ass as someone slid something slick and smooth into him. He could still practically feel it; the odd sensation as something larger entered, as his body felt tight and stretched when the man had impaled him. And what made him want to just run and hide was the one memory he wished he could wipe from his mind: he remembered liking it. More than liking. He remember the feeling of something inside his body, rubbing against him, making him feel like he was about to die if it didnt continue. This man in front of him had taken his body, and his body had loved it. He could barely stand to think about it. How could he have liked it? How could he have not only let someone do this to him, but actually enjoyed it? It was honestly more terrifying than waking up and finding himself in a room guarded by aliens. And now his seducer wanted to exchange names? Maxs first thought was to tell him to go to hell. As that would be pointless and hed feel really stupid if the dude couldnt understand him, hed settle for ignoring him. Like hed want anything to do with someone who had molested him. Jeez. He stared at him silently as the man repeated the same word again, like Max was too stupid to figure it out the first time.

No, dude, Im not stupid, Im ignoring you. His eyes went to the ears again as they twitched, and he was suddenly reminded of the guards outside. He bit his lip as the possibilities for the future suddenly ran through this head. This was the man who haddamn it, whod had sex with him. BIG point against ever even talking to him again. On the other hand, he was a lot less scary than the two guards. He talked more than the two guards. He was more human looking than the two guards. And most importantly, he, and therefore his dick, was smaller than the other guards. If Max was going to be some kind of human sex toy before he managed to get out of here, who would he rather have to deal with: the giant scary cats or the smaller friendlier cat? Not even a contest, was it? Except, was future sex even going to be an issue? What if it was a one-time thing? What if all he had to do was say stop and the alien would leave him alone? Butwhat if he said stop and this alien left him alone and another bigger one came to take his place? Or they hurt him? Did he have the option to refuse to have anything to do with this cat, or would he be forced if he didn't do what they wanted? The fact that he had no way of finding out before anything happened was absolutely terrifying. He started to hyperventilate and concentrated on his breathing. First rule: don't panic. He needed to remember that. For the moment, the man wasn't bothering him, right? He HAD bothered him, but he wasnt right now. He was just talking. Max hadnt ever had to face someone whod forced him to have sex before, but hed dealt with plenty of people whose intentions he wasnt sure of. So, hed do what he always did in those situations: watch every thing around him like a hawk until he figured out what the hell was going on, and run like hell if he needed to. He started breathing in and out in slow even breaths. Okay, so what had the man said? He looked at him, pointing and trying to repeat it. "Kah-sahn," he said slowly, and the man smiled and made encouraging little sounds. Max scowled. The mans tone of voice made him feel like a trained poodle being rewarded. He did NOT want to be a pet. He was a person. He had a name. Max. He pointed to himself. There, trained poodles, or pets, couldnt name themselves, now could they? "Mah-ks" Kasan said, and smiled again as Max nodded. Max watched as the man frowned, muttering to himself. Kasan finally held up one finger. "Mah-ks," he said, wiggling the finger. He held up and wiggled another. "Kasan." Then he put the two fingers close together and twined them around each other while speaking in completely incomprehensible syllables and Max felt like he was going to hyperventilate all over again. What did that mean? It looked sexual; it looked so sexual Max wanted to leap away instead of sitting there and smiling cluelessly like he was doing. Or maybe he wasnt. Kasan was looking at him, a worried expression on his face. Could he tell what Max was

thinking? What was he going to do? Kasan moved forward just slightly and Max pushed himself right onto the floor, holding one of the pillows in front of himself. Kasan looked at him, muttered to himself some more, and slid back before rising to his feet gracefully and gliding to the wall. Man, the guy could really move, and in that teeny little loincloth, you could see every muscle, showing that he glided ALL over. Max couldnt help envy him. He just knew that no one would dismiss his masculinity ever again if he moved like that. Kasan pressed on the wall with his palm and Max's eyes widened as a panel slid back to reveal a set of shelves with cloth on them. Looking back and forth between the cloth and Max, Kasan finally pulled something out and brought it towards him. It was a very long, thin rectangle of fabric and Max stood up from his heap on the floor and backed away nervously as he looked at it. It looked an awful lot like something that might be used to tie someone up. And as he was the only other person in the room, Max was afraid it might be aimed at him. Was this Kasan guy planning to tie him up? Was this because hed backed away? Maxs breathing sped up and he got ready to run again. He wasnt going to let him tie him up, dammit! Kasan stopped at seeing Maxs reaction. He held up the cloth with one hand and proceeded to point to his loincloth and then the cloth. He repeated the gesture and the word as Max looked at him, and Max finally noticed the similarity in width between the tie and the front flap of Kasans loincloth. Air escaped in a whoosh as he let out the breath hed been holding. Clothing. Kasan was just getting him clothing. Max had backed away from him, and his response was to get him something to wear. That wasso much better than hed been thinking that he felt a bit giddy. He laughed out loud from of sheer relief. Just clothes. Kasan was just going to dress him. Thank God. His laughter subsided to a few relieved huffs and he took one, deep breath to try and calm himself. Clothing. Crap, he needed to get a grip on himself. As Kasan approached again, however, Max got a grip on the black pillow instead. He was, at this point, very fond of that pillow. Extremely fond. So fond that he had no intention of releasing it any time soon, he thought, shifting nervously from one foot to the other. He looked at the cloth in Kasans hand and bit his lip. How exactly was he going to figure this thing out? Kasan was wearing a fully made loincloth, flap in front and twisted strip over each hip. How did he get from a long cloth to a loincloth? Max supposed hed just have to ask for help by looking as stupid as possible. That usually seemed to work when he couldnt communicate with someone. Look helpless and you tended to get help. Or attacked, so it was rather important to use caution with the method. And it was really, really damaging to the whole ego thing, honestly. Hed stopped trying to look helpless as he got older for a reason. But right now? It was an easy, familiar thing to drop back on, and he could really use something familiar at the moment. He stared at Kasan who was standinga lot closer than he should be, actually. Max swallowed a moment as he had to lean back to little to look up at him. His eyes were like

honey and dark, warm coffee. Max swallowed again with more difficulty and tried to smile. Uh...I could really use whatever help you could give me with this loincloth thing. And Id really like you to stay the hell away from my body and most especially my ass. So, the cat dude couldnt understand him. So Maxs voice was mild and not in the slightest bit angry or threatening because it just might piss off the huge alien in front of him. Hed still told him to stay away, hadnt he? That had to count for something. Hopefully. Chapter 4 - Loincloth With Kasan looking down at him, Max felt rather stupid. All right, so Max had told him to stay away from him, because he wasnt going to become some alien play toy if he could help it, but who was he trying to fool? Was the alien going to do what he asked? It wasnt as though the cat man had asked permission the first time, now was it? So the odds that Maxs permission would be sought for any future activities was highly unlikely, even if the big alien had a clue what Max was saying, which he didnt. Of course he didnt. Otherwise, he wouldnt still be standing so close and looming over Max like some barbarian. A calm, focused, huge, half-naked barbarian who was staring at him so intently that Max would have felt naked even if he actually HAD clothing on. Max returned his stare, but as Kasan continued looking into his eyes without saying a word, Maxs nerves slowly frayed, one thread at a time. Why was he juststanding there? Why was he looking at him? It was disturbing, both the worry over what he was planning, and the larger worry over how his body was reacting to having the big man this close. It was frightening and intimidating, like waiting at the top of a roller coaster just before the big plunge. He just didnt know if the big plunge was going to be good, or bad. And his body seemed a little interested in finding out, which was highly unsettling. This was the man who had used his body. Max should be keeping as far away from him as possible. He should WANT to stay as far away from him as possible. He DID want to stay as far away as possible. It was justKasan was so close. And he was watching him. What did he want with him? Kasan smiled suddenly, and for a moment the only thing Maxs mind could manage was, Wow. Who cared about the cats pupils, the alien had the sexiest smile hed ever seen. Ever. And while the crowd Max had hung out with in college had tended more towards the ivory tower than the runway, hed seen enough T.V. to recognize sexy. Hed just never thought there would come a time where he would recognize it in a man and find his breathing affected at the same time. Who could have guessed it: big cat men had facial expressions so erotic that they crossed the sex barrier. And their eyes did a pretty good number on the senses too, he thought as he looked up into golden brown at close range. The huge half-naked man was standing so close to him that hed be able to see the individual hairs on his chest if he could manage to drag his

eyes from the other mans gaze. Not that he seemed capable of that for the moment. Everything felt slow and thick, and Max felt his cheeks flush at Kasans silent, focused attention. He licked dry lips. This was too weird, and too scary, and too strange: the bed, the giant men, the ears and tails, and now the man was looking him over like he was something to eat, but not in a devour him as an alien delicacy kind of way. Besides that, the look was making him feel kind of hot. That was probably normal though. If someone, boy or girl, human or alien, looked at you as though you were the tastiest thing since chocolate, it was bound to turn you on a little, even if it was scary and intimidating and confusing at the same time. At least, he thought it probably would. It wasnt as though anyone had ever looked at him that way before, so he didnt really have a baseline to compare it with. He didnt know that hed ever seen anyone looked at that way except in a movie, and faced with someone looking at HIM so covetously, inches away, he thought that a movie couldnt possibly convey the full impact of that stare. His skin felt all tingly and hot, and he started to breathe a bit quicker, noticing the mans rich, rather musky scent hit his nose. He started breathing even faster. Crap, he was going to hyperventilate again. Max held his breath on each inhalation as he tried to calm down. As holding his breath seemed to simply concentrate Kasans scent in his head, and his dick twitched in response, Max wondered in a panicked way if he should just hyperventilate and let himself pass out. Maybe that would be better. It wouldnt be so confusing. He wouldnt be standing so close to Kasan and finding him too scary and too sexy and too big and he could just stop worrying about every stupid, terrifying thought that was crossing his mind at the moment. Max tensed to take a step away and stopped as he saw Kasans mouth above his head. That mouthit was Wow. He wondered if it tasted as pretty as it looked. Max blinked at the thought and took a quick step away from Kasan, staring at him in horrified negation of the question that refused to leave even now that he was aware of just how wrong it was. He didnt want to know what Kasans mouth tasted like! He didnt want to know what his lips or his jaw or his cheeks or hischestor stomachor Max found himself looking at Kasans loincloth and he choked. His eyes whipped back up to safer places and he found himself looking at the oddly seductive mouth again. Kasans lips quirked slightly at the corner and he chuckled, which really made Max start to have worries about mind reading or other talents. Could alien cat barbarians read minds?? Was Kasan only chuckling because he thought Max made a quirky looking little pet, or because he knew Max had thought of his body in ways that were just wrong? Wrong, wrong, wrong.

He stared at the lips again, wondering suddenly what they had done to him. Had that mouth kissed him? Licked him? A sudden clear image of Kasans mouth sliding over his penis hit him and he stared. W-was that a memory? It had to be, didnt it? He would never think of something like that on his own. Uh uh. No way. But then that meant that his dick had been between those lips, moving in and out as it grew harder and wetter andoh darn it, and harder. Max pulled his pillow in close to his body, hoping to God that he didnt lose it and expose his aroused state. He didnt want to give the man any ideas, and he couldnt help it! The man had given him oral sex, right? He had to have, that was the only reason Max would think of something like that, and there was no way sex would fail to turn him on. It would turn on any guy; that was part of BEING a guy. Sex was sexy, and oral sex wasreally sexy. It was. Those lips Max flushed even brighter, watching them continue to smile at him. It didnt seem right that lips could do something so intimate to him and then smile so nonchalantly. This Kasan had no shame, having a mouth that could look like that at a person. Kasans lips twitched again and he reached up with his free hand, running the back of his knuckles against Maxs cheek as Max stared up at him. Swallowing, the thought crossed Maxs mind that he should really run away screaming now. The man had been inside his body, and Max had been inside the mans mouth- he had, hadnt he? and now he was standing next to him and hed touched him again and only an idiot stood naked in front of someone who had already made love to him unless they wanted it to happen again. And he didnt. So what if it felt really good. Fantastic or not, it had been sex with a GUY. Amazing, stunning orgasms made no difference whatsoever in deciding who to make love to. Sex was only something to have with someone who Well, who Dammit, someone who didnt have to penetrate his body as part of the process! Having someone do that was justkind of embarrassing, and he thought it might have hurt a bit too, and it was with a GUY. And Max hadnt been the GUY guy, hed been the GIRL guy and that was just wrong. If he was going to have sex with some sexy, gorgeous cat guy, Max wanted to be the GUY guy. He flushed as he realized what hed just thought and his eyes widened while he stared up at Kasan. Please oh please let him not be a mind-reading alien or I think Im gonna be in big trouble, Max thought, feeling slightly panicked. He didnt really want sex, of any kind, with Kasan. None. He really didnt, because he just wasnt interested in that type of thing. Especially when he still wasnt sure exactly what he was doing here and it might just be something tawdry and cheap like to be a little human whore for huge, feline males. He felt a little cold in the gut until Kasan rubbed his hand across Maxs cheek again and slid it towards his ear, moving it across his hair until it cupped the back of his

head. Max looked up and gulped as Kasans face leaned towards his. Kasan was going to kiss him! Kasan was going to use those soft lips and kiss him and he should move away now, really quickly, except there was a hand embedded in his hair and honeyed eyes were staring at him and those lips Those lips were hot and sweet and they were sliding against his own as a slick tongue ran across his mouth. He pushed away with his head, groaning as his small jerk failed to move the palm cradling his skull. Max groaned again as Kasan gently forced his tongue inside Maxs mouth and Max tasted honey and coffee. He would swear that the man tasted exactly as his eyes looked: warm and bitter and sweet. The heat of it flowed down his throat as Kasan continued to move his tongue across Maxs, rubbing along the curves of the inside of his mouth. He felt the heat pooling in his belly and up to the palms of his hands. Warm, smooth silky heat that flexed within his groping hands. Um. Max pushed, his hands shoving against the chest that hed just been rubbing like a sexdrugged idiot, and he stumbled back as Kasan released his head. Hed touched him. Max had touched him. His palms could still feel the heat from the mans really smooth, slightly furred chest andhed touched him! Kasan looked down a moment and smiled rather wickedly as his eyes went back to Max. Max couldnt help it; he looked down as well. Laying at Kasans feet was a tassled, black velvet pillow. There hadnt been a pillow there a minute ago. Maxs palms itched again. His hands twitched. But they shouldnt be twitching, should they? They should be clutching the damn pillow that was currently lying at Kasans feet. When in the world has Max gone from clutching his pillow to clutching Kasans chest? Why had he been touching the cat man in the first place? And why was he standing still like an idiot while his erection was sticking out for the whole world to see, especially the big honkin pervert who was currently staring at it like he was going to lick it all over and swallow it whole. And why, why didnt that sound as bad as it should? Max covered himself with his hands, blushing again as Kasan chuckled at him. He really wished the big cat would stop that. Looking down to make sure hed covered himself completely, he yelped as he looked up and Kasan was standing immediately in front of him again. Dont DO that! Kasan smiled crookedly and made a soft shushing sound before he knelt gracefully in front of Max. The only reason Max could think of for the man to be kneeling with his sensual, flexible mouth near Maxs gripping hands was enough to send his pulse soaring.

Kasan brought his eyes back up to Max's and Max felt like squirming. Why was he looking at him like that? What was he doing? Was he just playing with him? Was he going to touch him or wasnt he?! Max frowned at him as he tried to figure it out and Kasan chuckled deeply again. "Jerk," he muttered, and then froze as Kasan gently took Maxs hand and moved it to the side. As he did the same with Maxs other hand and then stopped to stare at the firm member in front of him, Max panted. He should really move, or kick him or hit him or yell at him. Slap him at the very least. Staring at the avid rather hungry look on the mans face as he stared at Maxs nude, aroused body part, though, Max couldnt move. He was horny, and aching, and the mans mouth was so close to him and he wondered what it would feel like. He wondered if those lips would feel like the vivid picture in his head, if theyd be warm and strong and sucking him hard. Thinking of the possibilities, he quivered, unable to make himself move. Hed movesoon. Any minute now. As soon as he found out what Kasan was going to do. Kasans hand returned to his groin and cupped his penis, pressing it firmly against his body. Max closed his eyes and gasped softly at the feel of something hard and hot touching him, biting his lip harshly as soon as he heard himself. He knew Kasan was a guy, butdarn it, it had been a long time since someone had played with him this way! And it wasnt like he was having sex, he was just being touched. And it felt gooood. Moaning inside his mouth, his bodys focus shrank to the size of his groin as Kasans fingers curled and enveloped his entire member, squeezing lightly. His eyes popped open as he thought he felt something wet slide over the tip of him, and he looked down. Kasan was bending forward on his knees, staring at Maxs member and smiling up at him wickedly. Max stared stupidly, unable to move as he watched Kasans mouth edge towards him. The man was going to give him a blow job. He was going to take him in his mouth andMax swallowed convulsively, his hands clenching in tight fists at his sides as he watched the sexiest lips in the entire damn world come closer to him. Close enough to feel breath blowing across his body. He was almost there Max jumped a foot as someone laughed. He looked wildly around for a second before realizing it had come from outside the door. Oh God, for a moment there hed thought someone was watching him while Kasan Wait, while Kasansucked on his penis? No, he wasnt letting this happen, was he? This wasnt right. He shouldnt be letting Kasan do this. Kasan was trying to touch him again and and it felt really good but that was beside the point! It was wrong. Letting the cat man touch him was wrong. Because because Because it just was. Before he could change his mind, Max shoved Kasans hand away and he clutched at himself . N-no touching the merchandise, Maxs voice trailed off as Kasan looked at him

quizzically. The man had no clue what he was saying, did he? Kasan made soothing little rumbles in his throat and reached for him again, and Max smacked at his hands. N-no! I mean it. Dammit, stop! Kasan paused, staring up at him. When Kasan grabbed both of Maxs wrists with one hands and pulled them away, uncovering Maxs groin, Max whimpered slightly. He was still aroused, his body still wanting, but his erection was fading as he worried about what was about to happen. Kasan was touching him. And touching led to kissing and kissing led to caressing and that led to things that were making him really nervous and a little frightened to think about now that there werent any distracting, skillful hands on Mr. Happy. With one last look up at his face, Kasan grumbled a moment and huffed out a sigh before he started making soothing murmurs again as his other hand reached for Maxs groin. No! I said I dontwant to? Something silky rubbed over his member, and Max blinked in surprise as Kasan pressed Maxs hands to his own chest, forcing him to grip something. Huh? Wasnt he just about to Looking down, Max realized that Kasan had handed him one end of the cloth that the cat man had pulled from the wall. After giving a reassuring smile to Maxs perplexed, nervous look, Kasan leaned against the front of Maxs body and reached around behind him to grasp the edge hed just slid between Maxs thighs. Max thought it was going to be a tie whether he was going to die from embarrassment, or faint from relief. Hed thought Kasan was going to give him head. It had really seemed like the big man was about to give him a blow job, and maybe a lot more than that, considering what had happened before, and instead, he was just helping him dress. Max closed his eyes. God, he was an idiot. A stupid, ridiculously paranoid, perverted idiot. Why did Max keep doing this to himself? He had the dirtiest thoughts about the man, and every time, he was embarrassingly off. Well, except for the first time, when he hadnt really had any dirty thoughts at all, just dirty memories, but so far, Kasan hadnt done anything to him in the last few minutes. Except for the kiss. Kasan HAD kissed him. He hadnt imagined that. Somaybe hed done THAT to him. Andwoah! Kasan palmed his ass. Max jerked and would have yanked away but the man had him completely immobilized as he essentially hugged him around the legs, his shoulders braced against Maxs groin as his hands played with his ass. And now he was Hey! Cut it out! Max wriggled, dropping the bit of fabric Kasan had placed into his hands. He pushed and punched down with his fists on Kasans shoulders as the man pulled at his bottom, prying the cheeks apart. What was he doing?! A twisted bit of fabric pressed into the middle of his ass and his bottom was released. Kasan stayed still until Max stopped hitting him. When Kasan continued to kneel, unmoving, Max slowly

calmed down and adjusted to the feeling of the cloth. Felt like a loose wedgie. Well.darn it. Clothes again. Max felt a humiliated flush scour his cheeks for the umpteenth time that day. He was just helping him with the stupid loincloth. It was just the loincloth. Dummy. He was a complete and total idiot. Did it again. It was like he was wearing beer goggles, but they made everything dirty instead of pretty. Sorry, he muttered and pushed his hand down between their bodies to grab the cloth that had been wedged there by Kasans shoulder. He stayed still as he felt the fabric shifting between his ass cheeks, trying to ignore the strange, intimate feel of it. Which he couldnt quite manage; it was so tight it was touching his anus, for goodness sake. A little hard to ignore something like that. Kasan placed one hand against the small of Maxs back, anchoring the fabric that was now twisted into a small rope, and then drew the rest of it around one side of Maxs hip, across the fabric he still held over his stomach and chest, and back around his other hip until it reached the small of his back again. After a few more embarrassing pulls at the cloth, Kasan had the end twisted around and anchored and he sat back on his heels, staring at Max still clutching the little flap to his chest. He smiled and reached forward, carefully cupping Maxs balls in his hand as he adjusted the fabric over it, ensuring that all of his privates were covered. Max squirmed as fingertips and palms brushed against the inside of his thighs, his balls, and oh God, his dick. His skin shivered as each spot anticipated the small near- caresses, and he wished his stupid body would just stop noticing stupid things like that so he wouldnt feel anything at all. But there was no way to ignore it. He was getting more aroused, and the stupid cat alien could see how his touch was affecting Max. There was no way to hide how he was feeling when the mans eyes were staring right at him. Right at IT. Max wasnt sure hed ever been quite so embarrassed in his life. The man was just helping him with his clothing, and he was acting like it was a prelude to sex. Not only that, his body was reacting as though it expected normal sex, instead of sex where he ended up with a man coming inside his body. It wasmortifying. Kasan reached up and started to pry Maxs hands from the flap he was holding until Max realized what he was doing and dropped the cloth like a hot rock. The loose bit of cloth fell over the twisty rope around his waist and covered his front with a little hanging flap. Which was goodbut nothing was covering his ass. He had the stupid fabric that started twisting right behind his balls and ran in thin, ropy splendor right up the middle of his ass like a thong, andwas Kasan expecting him to just wear THIS? He stepped back a few steps warily, and glanced back at his ass. Bare. His bare ass. Ass rope did NOT count as clothing. Dont you have anythingmoreI could wear? he asked plaintively as he looked back at Kasan, gesturing to his butt and covering it with his hands.

Kasan stared at him, his eyebrows lowering until he looked really rather frightening before he stood abruptly and went back to the wall where hed first retrieved the loincloth in the first place. Opening the wall panel again, he pulled out another blue edged piece of cream fabric, a much wider, shorter rectangle this time, with some elaborate embroidery edged in around the middle. Gliding back to Max, Kasan dropped the cloth over his head before Max could say a word. Max hadn't even a chance to protest before there was a yank on the cloth and his head was pulled through what turned out to be a hole in the middle. He blinked as he looked at Kasans face, inches from his own as the man leaned down towards him and fiddled with the odd poncho hed just shoved onto Max. Swallowing, Max looked down and tried to ignore the hands that were once again touching his body as they dressed him. Kasan was overlapping the sides of the poncho around Maxs chest and waist, wrapping a blue, silky rope around his body several times to tie at his waist and keep the cloth in place. Max relaxed slightly once Kasans hands stopped their soft meanderings around his waist and the cat man stepped back to look him up and down. Max looked back at his ass again and was relieved to find it covered. The odd little tunic thing hung all the way to his knees. It would flap open a heck of a lot whenever he walked, but at least he wouldnt feel so much like he was constantly exposed. Thanks, he sighed, and looked at Kasan warily as the man stared a moment before he started to laugh in a light, liquid voice. He felt like he was being laughed at somehow Now that he was dressed, Max stared at Kasan, wondering what was next. If the cat man had gone through all the trouble of dressing him, he wouldnt be about to take his body again. He hoped. So what was going to happen? Was he going to leave the room? The thought wasnt as terrifying as it had been before when Max thought he was all alone. Actually, he was still all alone, buthe didnt feel quite so isolated. He was trying very hard not to think too closely about what had happened between this man and him, because aside from that, and the sexy lips, oh, and the kiss, and the fact that his hands felt really good Well, if he ignored all that, Kasan made things feel a lot less terrifying. All the man had done was help him put on some clothes, but at the moment, that was the only help hed received since hed woken up, and it was much better than being hurt or raped or killed, soKasan still made things seem less scary. Maxs hand nervously tucked his hair behind his ear as he thought about it. Hed adjusted to new situations before, sure, but did anything compare to waking up to an alien place where aliens had used your body and might do so again if you didnt figure out what was going on really darn soon? He gulped as Kasan focused his eyes on Max again and came closer. What part of his clothing needed to be adjusted now? He was still worrying the thought as Kasan wrapped one arm around the back of his head and dragged him close as his other hand glomped onto his ass. The man leaned down low and those amazing lips covered Maxs again. This wasnt clothing. This wasnt clothing, he wasnt adjusting clothing, he was doing the kissing again! Max tried to wriggle free with absolutely no effect. He didnt want to hurt

him, because he didnt want to be hurt back, and he didnt want to lose the one person whod interacted with him at all, but he didnt want to have sex and Nnnnnn. Good kisser. Felt really, really good. Really great. Max relaxed slightly, leaning into Kasans body and barely registering the hand on his backside moving until it was underneath the poncho and fingers were sliding over his ass. Hands were on his bare butt, and they were squeezing and kneading and one finger wormed its way underneath the little thong rope and was pushing, pressing along his crack as it started gliding down. MMMMMMPH! Max started struggling again. Kasan was going to touch him THERE, and he couldnt. No matter what, heThey both stopped moving at a knock from the door. Kasan called out in a hoarse voice and stiffened at whatever answer he receieved. He released Max, panting. Examining Maxs face, Kasan grinned and patted his cheek, laughing again as Max shoved his hand away and stepped back. Mah-ks. Kasan. Kasan did his little wriggly finger thing again, then snuck in and kissed Max so quickly that he wasnt able to push away before the cat man was already halfway to the door. He turned and looked at Max standing like an idiot watching him, and left, closing the door behind him. Max rubbed at his lips before biting them. The man had kissed him again. Hed helped him find clothing, but hed kissed him. He hadnt forced him to have sex, but hed touched him and his hand had been about to touch the opening to his ass. His eyes widened and his buttocks clenched as he stared at the closed door. Putting him in a room with silk and velvet pillows, dressing him up, kissing him, and now touching him again Max gulped. Kasan still wanted Max to be the GIRL guy. Chapter 5 - The Horde Descends Max waited tensely after Kasan left, his eyes glued to the door like flypaper. In other words, he was sure he could tear his gaze away, eventually, but it was going to hurt like hell. So, he simply stared at the wall where the door would open and let his mind wander a bit as he tried to stay alert. He was sure his body and his ass and his pride would really appreciate a heads up if someone decided to enter the room again, so he needed to stay aware of his surroundings. He couldnt let his guard down again and let Kasan start touching him. Maybe the man would just help him with something again, but considering the kiss, Max thought that Kasans motives were too potentially sexual to trust him. Although what was he supposed to do about that? Everything was so strange, and he knew no one. Even if the colonists were nearby, he didnt know them. Hed exchanged, what, 10 words total with the captain? There probably wasnt a single person on the entire planet that he knew. The thought sunk in and he shivered. An entire freaking planet of people, and not one of them cared if he lived or died. Hed never felt so alone and

insignificant in his life, not even when hed first told his parents that he was going to study languages. That had been the first time hed actively done something against their wishes, and theyd turned their backs on him and walked away. Studying a subject that most considered obsolete was not what they considered a good use of his mind. It wasnt until theyd applied to be the botanists for beta colony that theyd started talking to him again. After all, the colony needed people to help it function in the expected low-tech that was all that would be available after a few decades on their own. The traditional translating computers didnt qualify, so they were looking for human linguists. And as quickly as that, his folks were excited and talking to him again and urging him to apply for the position. Which was, honestly, the catalyst that led him here, completely alone and getting kissed by aliens. He licked his lips and his eyes popped open as he realized that he was seeing images of Kasans face behind his eyelids. He needed to stop freaking out and pay attention. Total, complete, focused attention so he could figure out what Kasans intentions were and what was going to happen to him. The sooner he figured that out, the sooner he could decide what to do. He stared at the door again, his eyes burning until he realized he was forgetting to blink. Periodic low murmurs from the guards flowed in from outside the door, distracting him, and his mind wandered off again. When he remembered Kasans hand gripping his ass as he flossed between his cheeks, Max smacked himself in the face. THAT wasnt what he needed to focus on! He needed to keep physically aware of his surroundings. What the hell did Kasan want with him? He chewed on his bottom lip nervously. Was Kasan the only one who DID want something with him? Were there going to be other men coming in toto touch him? He didnt want to think about the possibility that they might want more. Or what if it was just going to be Kasan? And was the cat man even going to try anything ever again, or was he just going to kiss him? And what should he do if Kasan did? He didnt want to encourage him. Max thought about the word and snorted. Great, now he sounded like some Victorian heroine discussing her marriage prospects. Encourage him, what a stupid thought. What the hell was wrong with him? He didnt want to make Kasan think that he was okay having sex again, thats what he should be thinking. He didnt want Kasan to think that Max in any way wanted to be touched or kissed or caressed or penetrated. Max bit his lip so hard it almost bled as his mind supplied visual aids for every scenario that hed just recited to himself and he scowled. This was insaneand lame. Insanely lame. Why was he thinking of the stupid cat man like this? Maybemaybe it was thatwhat was it calledStockholm thing, where people fell in love with the people holding them captive. Did that cover starting to feel sexually

attracted to his captor? If he was a captor, and if Max really was sexually attracted to him. He might not be. He could just be really horny today. Because waking up to meet aliens for the first time tended to do that to a persons libido? He snorted. He was such a dork sometimes. Sighing, he continued to watch the door, his eyes starting to wander the room randomly as more time passed without Kasan returning. When Max ran out of things to look at without being able to touch them, boredom finally overtook his nervous desire to keep watch and he started investigating the room. While the room was cathedral-like in its massive size, there really wasnt much to see. Frankly, everything he DID see matched the rest of the room in its design scheme. Alien chic meets brothel sensualism. Why did everything he saw have to reinforce his belief that he might be in some sort of whorehouse? It was scaring him every time he thought of anyone coming through the door except Kasan, which made him feel so stupid and weak he smacked himself again. What, was he going to be like some prisoners bitch, giving himself to some stronger guy to keep all he other guys away? He glanced at the door, thinking of the guards outside it, and swallowed. He was kind of disgusted with himself that he didnt instantly reject the thought. Those damn giants were freaking scary as hell. Butno, he wouldnt do that. He wouldnt. Although, again, did he have a choice? He stared blankly into a huge mirror on the wall, suddenly realizing he was seeing the bed. He turned and looked around the walls. Every mirror along the wall was set up to reflect the beds occupants back at themselves, from every angle but the floor and ceiling. Againwhore house. Or 1970s cheesy, gigolo-style decorating. With wank-worthy 70s music popping into his head, Max fervently wished he hadnt seen so many porn movies. He had too many images of things that could be done in front of those mirrors. Although all the images were girls and boys together. Except for a couple of threesomes in that one really hot video, but that wasnt the point. The point was, he knew enough about sex, well sex in general, or rather sexual intercourse in front of mirrorhell, he knew enough to get flushed over the sight of all that reflective potential. Taking a deep breath, he wandered over to the wall with the only furniture aside from the bed: small alcoves with embedded shelves and numerous bottles and jars. Lifting the stoppers randomly, he found what he assumed were oils and perfumes. They smelled like perfume, anyway. And when he poured a bit onto his fingertips, the substance was oily and slick. Rubbing it off on his leg, the slippery feel of skin on skin brought to mind exactly what it might be used for: lubrication. He flinched and stepped away from the tables.

He needed more clothes. And he was fairly certain he knew the spot where Kasan had opened the wall for both his loincloth and little tunic, so he was going to get them immediately. After fruitless minutes of pressing and pushing, however, Max gave up trying to open the wall. For all he knew, the darn thing was thumbprint coded, or genetically coded, or he was just an idiot and had the wrong spot entirely. He looked around for something to take his mind off the fact that he was starting to feel a little chilled, and wished he hadnt. There wasnt much else to see. The few alcoves and mirrors, the bed and pillows, and the only other thing in the room was a log. Why in the world was there a big, rough cut, barky log in a room where everything else seemed geared for sensual indulgence? Because scratching post was popping into his mind, but that seemed tooclich. The huge thing was odd enough that Max had a brief hope that maybe it spelled a way out. If he could leave, maybe he could find the other colonists. There were no windows in the room and nothing whatsoever to tell him whether he was anywhere near them, but he should try to find them. He didnt know them, but they WERE human. Maybe that would be enough to stop feeling so alone Envisioning Kasans smile turning into an angry snarl, Max paused. He didnt want to do something that pissed off the cat guys until he was sure they werent going to kill him for it. Kasan had seemed nice, sexual but nice. Actually really thoughtful, if he ignored the sexual, which he wasnt sure he could do, but What would he do if Max tried to get away? Again, why the hell was Max being kept in this room? Had Kasan rescued him from somewhere? Was he merely taking care of him until Max could be returned to the colonists and the man had merely gotten a bit too friendly? Hey, a little alcohol had made colleagues of his do a lot stupider things than one night stands. It was possible. Or Or had they brought him here to be a little sex slave. He snorted at himself. He kept worrying about that, but Sex slave. That sounded so stupid when he said it out loud. Who would ever want someone like him as a sex slave? Honestly, did anyone even HAVE sex slaves? It wasnt as if he was in some cheesy sci-fi B movie where everyone wore togas and clear plastic clothes and had orgies at the drop of a hat. Although if you squinted when you looked at his tunic, it DID kinda resemble a toga UGH! He kicked out at the bed. Why did he think of stupid crap like this? His brain was just warped. Linguistics and fifteen languages worth of dirty words had warped his brain, that was it. Trying to shake himself out of that line of thought, he walked over and

examined the log. It was absolutely huge, at least five feet wide, and it went up at a steep enough angle that he was going to need some type of physical help if he ever wanted to climb it. Looking at it, he decided that he most definitely did, because the log left the room. The top of it disappeared into a rounded hole high in the wall with enough clearance that he could easily slip through opening with room to spare. Could he get out that way if he needed to? He bit his lip as he looked at it. Could something get IN that way? What if there was more than one way in? Ears straining, he listened carefully, still only catching the vague murmur of sound out in thehallway? Wherever the guards were, anyway. Nothing that sounded like it was coming from up there, but hed rather not turn his back on it, just in case. He wandered around a bit more, keeping an eye on the log and the door both, touching and poking at odd spots on the walls in case something else opened up. It never did. After hed run out of blotches and blurs of color to try out, Kasan still hadnt returned and Max was running out of things to do. If he knew how to rewrap the darn loincloth, hed unwrap the thing and see if he could use it to climb the tree. Hed seen lumberjack competitions before; he knew you could do something with a rope and wrap it around the trunk to help you get up. He could figure it out. As long as he had enough time to try it without getting caught, and as long as knew hed have clothes at the end of it. That way he could come back down if it didnt work and no one would be the wiser. Should he just take a chance and go for it? He could probably wrap the stupid thing around him SOME way so at least he wasnt naked and then escape. Except what if he couldnt find any more people? What if it was just a whole bunch of huge cat dudes walking around looking for little men to molestor something like that? And he couldnt believe he was thinking of himself as a little man. He needed to find the colony soon or he was going to have a complex about the whole size thing. And not THAT kind of size thing, he thought, feeling his penis rubbing against the loincloth like it was asking for something, Or someone. Stupid dick. Talk to my ass and see what HE thinks about all of this. Looking at the log again, the idea of escaping tumbled around in his head like a little pebble. He might be able to get out, but he had no idea what hed be getting into as a result. So far, hed seen two humongous cat guys, one small cat guy, and no people. He was really in trouble if that ratio was repeated once he got out of the room. But if he stayed, Kasan might come back and start kissing him again anddoing other things and Oh shut up, dick.

He closed his eyes and took some deep breaths as his prick tried to stand up at attention in the loincloth. This was really not good. Not good at all when he was thinking about Kasan and his dick liked it. Worse when he was thinking of Kasan maybe doing something sexual to him and it liked it. Had Kasan drugged him or something? Max licked the inside of his mouth, testing for weird tastes before biting his tongue to stop himself. Like he could still taste it if they had? He hadnt seen anyone in what had to be hours. And what if they did? If it made him like sex that they were going to force on him anywaywouldnt that be better than not being drugged? Not if it made him loopy and kept him from getting away if he needed to, but if it kept things from hurting? It would be like a- a medical drug or something, right? Like a pain reliever, but just for sex. Yeah right. If they had given him something to make him horny, he was going to kick someones ass. Or at least their knees, because he wasnt sure he could get his foot high enough to reach their damn butts. Stupid freaking giants. Max shivered and he winced as his stomach growled. Great, now he was cold and scared and horny AND hungry. He bet hed have to pee soon, too, and he had no idea where the hell he could go. Looking at the log one last time he sighed and headed to the bed. He just couldnt do it. He didnt want to be here, but it was a lot less scary then the idea of leaving when he hadnt been hurt yet. And he felt so stupid and pathetic even thinking that way that it made him cringe. No matter how it felt, how could he view having sex with an alien as not harmful? Maybe because it might feel a lot worse if someone a lot bigger tried it, he reminded himself. He hated feeling on the edge like this, though, unable to tell if staying or running away would be worse. Hed hate himself if he left and got seriously hurt. Hed hate himself more if fear about something new kept him in the room and the next time it wasnt Kasan who came in but someone else who wanted the same thing. Max climbed onto the bed and started to pile the pillows on top of him. It made him feel oddly homesick. When his crappy college apartment heater would go on the fritz, sometimes hed wait to dry his laundry until just before bed so he could pile the warm clothing on top of his blankets to help warm up quickly. The shifting tumble of pillows had the same heavy feel to them. Not quite as warm, but enough that he burrowed underneath them all, plopping one on top of his head in a childish effort to ignore the room around him. Hed be okay. It would be all right. Hed find a way to get through this. Hed managed before on his own, he could do it again, he told himself, slowly falling into a half doze. As long as he avoided those B-movie orgies

Max woke with a start, sitting up with a half strangled exclamation as he looked around in confused fright for what had woken him. He froze as he saw five men standing by the log, staring at him. Five huge, loincloth wearing, angry looking cat men were in the room with him. He looked from one to the other in rapid succession, terror creeping up on him when there was no familiar face. Kasan wasnt there. Kasan wasnt with them. Max was stuck all alone with a small herd of massive alien men, and he didnt like them. They had long hair and cat ears and bronzed skin and obviously whatever drug theyd given him had worn off, because he didnt find them sexy at all. They were freaking huge and scary as hell. And they were coming over to the bed! He tried to make his body move and couldnt. He huddled in the middle of the bed as though he was glued there until the damn things were surrounding the entire bed and it was too late to get away. And now they were looking down at him and oh God, what did they want? He couldnt understand a word they said and he worried when they talked back and forth at each other as they watched him, their thin faces tense. What were they saying? Why were they here? What did that want with. oh shit, one of them was leering at him. That was so definitely a leer. Oh God, what were they here for?! Please oh please oh please let this not be a B movie. The leering one reached out his hand towards him and Max had to back away to avoid him only to almost bump into the one on the opposite side of the bed. He thought he couldnt be any more frightened than he already was when a couple of them laughed at his reaction and he found out just how much more terror his body could actually hold. Gang rape. Thats all he could think. Trying to watch them all at the same time, hoping to see some way out, Max couldnt stop himself from trembling inside. They were all so damn huge and they were trying to touch him and laughing at him and they didnt seem to care at all how awful this felt to be surrounded like this and he thought they might be going to rape him. They were nothing like Kasan and his soft voice and beautiful face and gentle hands and it was fucking scaring the shit out of him! Where the hell was Kasan? He wasnt supposed to kiss him and then leave him so these huge men could come in and Dammit, he wanted Kasan back! # We shouldnt do this.

The inebriated voice echoed down the corridor and was followed by a heavy thud. Shut up, Nolluz! You know Kasan can hear better than us! Another thud. Dont hit Nolluz. He needs his brain more than you do, Aosh. Tisu glared a little drunkenly at his little brother crouched next to him. Not his little one. If the idiot has any more children, were going to need to start taking over other countries just to feed them. Aosh looked at his brothers groin as though contemplating where to hit next. You should be thankful, Aosh. Zontas soft voice cut through his twins thoughts and had everyone looking at him. His little ones are the only heirs we have so far. So unless you prefer to limit yourself to females when your heat comes, Id celebrate your nieces and nephews rather than mocking them. Aosh deflated slightly. Zonta, you know I didnt mean Shut up. All of you. Jolan gestured with his hand and everyone went quiet as they rose and followed the crown prince around the corner, padding silently towards the two guards in the middle of the hallway. Winking at the two males, Jolan was about to open the door behind them when two spears blocked his way. I cant let you pass, Prince Jolan. Shhhh, hell hear you! Jolan shushed frantically before whispering. Esgard, you cant really mean to stop us? You know he zinged every single one of us on our First Nights. Esgard nodded. I know. He lowered his voice, but his weapon remained in the way of the males that all wove slightly as they tried to keep their balance. His nose wrinkled at the rather strong smell of alcohol coming from Nolluz and Tisu. So move aside. Im sorry to say that I cant do that. Esgard Jolan sighed. Care to tell me why not? Esgard smiled. Because Kasan is responsible for the guard. Out of all of you, hes the one who has the right to punish me if I fail in my duties. Its not worth a beating simply to let the five of you play some ridiculous First Night prank. Nolluz glared, his earlier reluctance taking a back seat to being insulted. Thish is not just a prank.

With an approving pat on Nolluzs back that almost knocked him to the floor, Jolan nodded. Esgard, payback is practically a family creed. Getting Kasan tonight is an imperative. Its a matter of honor. The guard next to Esgard snorted as he choked back a laugh. Honor. Surprising Kasan and interrupting his First Night with his consort is all for the sake of the familys bruised honor, is that it? Esgards small smile didnt grow, but to Jolans satisfaction it didnt disappear either. Of course. Jolans lip twitched as he turned to his brother. Nolluz, isnt there a law that guards may not interfere if one of the royal family is attempting to regain their lost honor? Uhwell, I think theres still one law in the First Book of Gorin, but the words arent quite Good enough! Jolan looked to Esgard. Wouldnt you agree? Esgard and his fellow guard exchanged looks, sighed, and moved their weapons from the brothers path. At least its a better excuse than having Aosh seduce one of us while the other was relieving himself. Aosh shrugged. Its a gift. Tisus First Night needed the excitement, anyway. Tisu growled. You little Clearing his throat, Esgard chided Aosh You have no idea how much trouble that guard was in for leaving his post. If you recall, the punishment for dereliction of duty is quite severe, even if its for the purpose of sexual intimacy with the prince. Might be worth it, the other guard muttered as he eyed Aosh, and the younger prince looked back and mouthed the word, later. The guard blushed and Jolan rolled his eyes. Dont unwrap your cloth just yet, idiot. Jolan pinched the tip of Aoshs ear and looked at him sternly as the teen yelped. After a pause to make sure he was behaving, Jolan turned and put his hands on the door. Esgard interrupted. You may want to wait until later. Hes not here. Leero had to discuss something with him. Jolan laughed quietly. Nice try, Esgard. Esgard shook his head, smiling back. Im serious, Prince Jolan. He isnt in there. Like wed believe that. Aosh retorted. Its been so long since he was supposed to

come down with his consort that fathers already given up and gone to sleep. Even HE knows what Kasan is doing right now. And its not talking. Hes talking. Well then theres no harm in us going in, now is there? Jolan smiled again and Esgard shrugged. Dont say I didnt warn you. And besides, Kasans consort - Jolan waved him down. Dont worry. Well be good. That wasnt my concern, I was simply going to say- Youre not going to stop us from doing this, Esgard, Jolan said. So no more talking. After a pause, Esgard finally nodded. As you wish. Their torsos wrapped with short ropes and small bundles, five men eased open the door, slipping inside and closing it quietly behind them. The guards just shook their heads. There were going to be some disappointed princes in a few moments. The brothers stared at the pile of pillows on the bed, dismissing it almost immediately. There would be no way to miss Kasan and his consort if theyd been occupied on the silken thing. With a rather lackluster attempt at military precision, they made their way over to the odd, roughly hewn pole that ran from the floor up through a hole high up in the wall, untying their ropes and bundles as they went. Tisu put his fingers to his lips to signal quiet and faced the pole. He tried to wrap the rope around it and failed as he dropped one end. Hitting his head on the pole as he reached over to get it, Tisu cursed. Here, let me. Jolan grabbed the rope from his hands. Im fine. Tisu insisted, grabbing for the rope and missing entirely. Yes, I can see that. Still, Im the oldest, so Im claiming my rights. Ill go first. Jolan wrapped the rope around the pole and grasped an end in both hands. Using it to help him slowly climb, he held the steeply sloping log between his legs every time he shifted the looped rope up, and then shimmied forward to until he and the rope were even. After a few minutes he disappeared through the opening and the others waited impatiently for him to signal. They were surprised when he peered through the hole almost immediately, sitting himself on the pole and jumping down with an angry thud. He actually did it. Esgard wasnt lying. Hes not up there. Jolan whispered the words, looking around the room as though trying to find some hidden place inside that he simply hadnt explored yet.

What? After all the crap he did to the rest of us, he thinks he can just go off to hide on his First Night and avoid this? Tisu looked outraged, but took his cue from Jolan and kept his voice quiet. Nolluz and Jolan growled. When Aosh and Zonta just looked at each other, their three older brothers glared at them. He WILL get you two. When you get consorts of your own, he will get you both just as good as he got the rest of us. Trust me, you will regret it the rest of your life if you miss this opportunity. Jolan finally gave up on finding anything in the room and sighed. Tisu snarled. DAMMIT! He punched the pole as he yelled, swearing at the pain as soon as he did so, and then froze along with the rest of his brothers when he heard a surprised squeak from the bed. Five heads turned as one entity and they all stared at the small being that had dislodged most of the pillows it had obviously been laying under. What the hell is THAT? Tisu growled, still angry. What, Kasan hides on First Night and leaves us a consolation gift?? Ill take it if you dont want it. Aosh said, staring at the small creature as they all walked over to take a closer look. Surrounding the bed, they peered curiously at the pale colored little alien that shivered among the pillows as it looked up at them. What IS it? Ive never seen something like it before. Jolan said quietly, his head tilted as he examined it. Well its obviously a It must be a Nolluzs voice faltered and he swayed in place as he tried to stay standing. Admit it, you have no idea. Aosh gloated, pointing a mocking finger at him. And who the hell cares what it is? Its male and- And how would you know that? Nolluz interrupted in a muddled grumble. Because Kasan dressed him in his own clothing, idiot. And its huge on him. Look at the shirtits hanging all the way past his ass. He looks like some kid playing dress-up. Aosh reached out and the small male scooted away from him frantically only to freeze as the movement forced him closer to Jolan. Aosh laughed. Ha, hes shy. Hey sweetie, dont worry. I dont bite. Dont listen to him. Ive heard stories Jolan trailed off, laughing a little as the small male moved back from him as well. I admit it. Youre a great distraction, Little One. Those naked little ears are just so Naughty. Aosh supplied.

for lack of a better word. Jolan conceded, shaking his head at the fascinated looks Aosh was giving the small male. So whats your name? Blue eyes stared at him without saying a word and Jolans voice softened. Hey, we didnt scare you, did we? Dont worry. Its not you were mad at. Youre not in any trouble. He reached out a hand as well and the man scrambled away from him, bumping into Tisu and yelping as he careened away from him as well to huddle in the center of the bed. His eyes jumped from one to the other as he turned and tried to keep them all in sight. I dont think he understands us. Zonta said quietly, frowning as he watched. And hes frightened. Would Kasan really leave this man Where is he? Tisu growled angrily at the stranger and the little alien started breathing in panicky bursts as the largest brother scowled at him. I doubt Kasan has told him anything. Jolan said dryly. Its not as though we cant intimidate the poor thing. Do you really think Kasan would leave that kind of information in the hands of something this helpless? Use your head, Tisu. Tisu scowled. Well how the hell do we find him, then? That little brat Kasans older than you are, Tisu. Jolan pointed out. Hes a throwback. They mature slower, and considering that Ive already had a mate for three years now, I THINK I can get away with calling him a brat! Jolans eyes twinkled as he conceded the point. All right, so hes a brat. Little shits more like it. Nolluz muttered. Just because he got you both He put a swarm of keerac under my bed, Jolan. Do you know how long it took me to calm Roto down after something like that? He was scared to death! Tisus hands clenched into fists at the thought and Nolluz nodded in rare sympathy with his brother. Aosh smirked. Oh, and you didnt enjoy comforting him? We could hear you all the way over in the training grounds. You scream like a girl when you come. He had to duck the fist that came flying at his head. Snarling at the miss, Tisu jumped at Aosh and the two of them went tumbling to the floor. Their brothers ignored them and continued to watch the bed. Do you understand us? Jolan asked. Blue eyes looked up at him before moving back towards the small battle taking place behind him. Little one, over here, eh? Wave if you

understand what Im saying. Jolan got another glance, but no wave, and he sighed. I think youre right, Zonta. I dont believe he understands a word. Or hes a simpleton of some sort. Zonta paused in answering as his twin limped back to the bed sporting a few new bruises and a lovely case of floor burn along his side. Aosh deliberately stood on the other side of Zonta, away from the still angry Tisu. Tisu wasnt going to hurt the little thing. You didnt have to divert his attention that way, you know. Zonta whispered to him. Aosh merely shrugged and watched the bed. They all watched silently, thinking, as the alien started fidgeting nervously. Why in the hell would Kasan leave a little male here for us who doesnt even speak Kyashin? Jolan wondered, examining. Is it just a slap in the face for us? He must have known wed be coming Who cares, Tisu snarled. We need to find Kasan NOW! He slammed his fists on the bed and the little man jumped with a startled cry and finally broke. He scrambled towards Aosh and Zonta, darting off the bed in between them. Putting out a hand to stop him, Zonta fell back as the alien stomped on his toes. They turned to watch as the man ran towards the middle of the room, panting hard as he faced them. Are you all right? Aosh asked. Oh, Im fine. What did he do to you? I think he was trying to break my toes, Zonta murmured, looking down at his foot. Youre hurt? Jolan asked, growing concerned as Zonta continued to look at his toes. No. Maybe a little bruised. He looked up and smiled slightly. Little guys not all that strong. Ive had worse bruises running into a wall. Tisu, Nolluz, and Jolan came around from the far side of the bed to join the other two and they all stared at the trembling male facing them. I didnt mean to scare him, Tisu muttered. You probably should have held onto your temper, then, Jolan said lightly. Or covered your ugly face with a bag, Aosh added, and dodged another swipe. His stance is pretty good. Tisu noted after a few moments of silence.

I noticed that. Jolan chuckled. Although I think he needs to grow a bit before its going to impress anyone. He reminds me of you when you were five, Tisu, trying to convince father that you were fully capable to joining the military. Smiling finally, Tisu nodded. I wonder if hes fully grown. If hes still a kid, with a stance like that we might be able to make something out of him once he puts a little height on himself. Thinking of adopting, now, Tisu? Jolan teased. When Tisu didnt answer right away, everyone turned to look at him and he flushed. Roots been talking about it, he muttered. Words of congratulations were merely forming in his brothers mouths when Aosh spoke. Well you cant take this one. Hes too old for you. There is no possible way you can determine the age of a completely unfamiliar species simply by looking at him. Nolluz said. Aosh snorted. How the hell can you be drunk and STILL be this much of a pedantic ass? Do you think I cant actually used my brain and figure out if the little ones an adult? Nolluz sputtered as Aosh gestured towards the still trembling man. Look at his frame. His shoulders are too wide for him to still be a child. Maybe his people start out that way, Zonta said quietly. His muscles are very small, after all. They have that same wiry slimness that someone whos young would. And maybe thats how his people are built, too. Nolluz concluded with an over exaggerated nod. We just dont know! Theres no way to know until we find out what in the world thiscreatureis. We should leave Kasans room and leave IT and go back to bed. We can talk to Kasan about it in the morning. We are not giving up on finding Kasan. Jolan said, Tisu echoing his words within moments. And were not leaving this little thing here all alone. He might get lonely. Aosh took a step closer, his eyes traveling over the aliens body in appreciation. Yeah, hes tinybut its absolutely adorable. Can you imagine how tight his Aosh! Zonta glared at him. What? Its not like he can understand what Im saying. Aosh murmured. Its the principle of the thing! You shouldnt say something like that in front of the poor thing! Especially when he might be

Might be what? Aosh asked absently, still staring at pale skin and furless ears. Its nothing. Just leave the little thing alone and go play with the guard you were flirting with. Aosh and the others looked to Zonta. Youve thought of something, havent you? Its just an idea, and a stupid one at that. Most of your stupid ideas have a great deal of validity. Jolan said quietly. Tell us. Breathing deeply, Zonta looked at his oldest brother. I was just wondering. What if Kasan really is talking with Leero right now? If Esgard was telling the truth and Kasan is busy, then the person he left in his room would have to bewell. His consort? Aosh blurted out. You think this little alien male is Kasans consort? You know I think youre the smartest person Ive ever met, but no way. Theres no way. I know that! Zonta snapped. But theres the possibility... If we all didnt know that he cant stand to take another man. Jolan concluded, patting Zontas back. Truly, if Kasan found a way to bond with some little alien male, he would have told us. Thats not the sort of thing to keep to yourself. And thats disregarding the fact that we CANT bond with any aliens, male or not. There- theres humans, Zonta replied, not quite defending his idea. We can bond with them. "Theresh no humans left. Nolluz interrupted. I know. B-but if there weretheyre supposed to have small ears. The old texts mention their ears. Zonta and the others looked at the man still standing defensively in front of them. Jolan finally shook his head. I just cant see it. Kasan wouldnt keep something like that from us, and Nolluz is right. There arent any humans left, and if there werewhat are the odds that something like that would show up here on Kyashin just at the right time for Kasan to mate with? Its too far fetched. Creative, though. Yeah. For an insane person, Aosh teased. Are you sure you didnt drink as much as Nolluz? Zonta threw him an obscene gesture and Aosh laughed. Think about it. Even if it were true, thered be an easy way to tell, right? All youd have to do is grab him and check. Aosh startled them all as he ran quickly at the small man and had him over his shoulder in seconds. The man yelled out in surprise. Aoshs ears flattened a little as legs kicked and small, blunt claws tried to rake across the skin of his back. He patted the

mans bottom a moment and smiled at his brothers as small fists punched up at his head ineffectively. Aosh. Zonta said warningly. What the heck are you doing? Put him down. Youre scaring him! Hes fine. Im not hurting him, and this is the quickest way to prove my point. And its going to be a lot of fun, too. Aoshs hand breezed up the back of the mans thighs and over his ass, moving cloth out of the way as he did so until pale creamy skin was revealed. See, if he was really Kasans consort, thered be a mark righthere. They all stared at the small silver crown that shone metallically on the round cheek where Aoshs finger rested. Son of a bitch. Aosh breathed. I dont believe it. Jolan murmured, walking over to cautiously touch the mark. The man over Aoshs shoulder yelled out and continued fighting as Tisu and Nolluz came over to examine the silver marking as well. Hes frightened! You need to leave him alone, Zonta ordered, trying to push through his brothers. This cant be. Hes not Kyashin, and theres no humans. Theres no humans left. Its impossible. Nolluzs voice was faint and confused. Hes not Kyashin. So how the hell did he get a mark then? Aosh demanded, and yelled out as Kasans consort managed to rear up enough to grab Aoshs ear and yank on it, hard. OW! Let go, you little hellion! Aosh reached up with his other hand and pulled his ear free, Tisus surprised laughter ringing in his uninjured ear. Aosh just managed to move his head to the side as the petite male over his shoulder tried to get his ear again. Hey, stop it! When hands grasped handfuls of hair instead, pulling in small, stinging yanks, Aosh raised his hand to slap the bare ass over his shoulder. I said STOP! Before he could bring his hand down, there was a bellow from the doorway. WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING TO MY CONSORT?!! Everyone froze except for the man over Aoshs shoulder who yanked and kicked even more vigorously. Kasan snarled and stormed over. Kasan, Im sorry, we didnt realize- Zontas mouth choked as Kasan pointed one finger at him that trembled with rage. Get. Out.

Zonta gulped and stepped back, hurrying around him as he scrambled for the door. Tisu tried to bluster. You did it to us first, Kasan. You know you did! We were just here for First Night and- Shut the fuck up! And put my consort down before I fucking break your arms, Aosh! You stupid assholes, you- You deserve it, Ka- Tisus words cut off as Kasan charged him and he clumsily tried to fend off his shorter brothers flurry of punches. He was on his knees, gagging, in moments. Jolan and Nolluz took a step back as Kasan turned on them, snarling. You-youre being unreasonable. Nolluz stuttered, and yelped as Kasan simply punched him in the face and knocked him over. Kasan growled ferally at Jolan who was backing up as he tried to keep a smile on his face. He stopped as his consort finally regained his feet and Aosh backed quickly away from the little man. Kasan took the few steps up to Max and held him by the shoulders, looking into his eyes carefully before dragging him against his chest. Shhhhh. Youre safe now. The assholes arent going to do anything to you. Its all right. Ill kick their asses for you, dont worry. He scooped up Max, scowling as the smaller man trembled slightly in his arms. He carried him over to the bed, putting him down gently and brushing the soft brown hair out of his eyes before he turned back to his remaining brothers. Jolan walked towards him carefully. We didnt mean anything by this, Kasan. You know we didnt. Its a tradition now to prank one of us on First Night. You fucking scared him, Jolan. Kasan snarled, gesturing back to his consort on the bed. Hes fucking terrified! Cant you damn well smell it, you ass?? Jolan paused. You know we cant smell at your level, Kasan. We werent trying to Kasan didnt bother to respond and whipped his leg around, kicking Jolan in the chest and knocking him over. He walked over to his brother as he sat up, looking at him. You were letting Aosh damn well molest my consort!! Kasans hands clenched as he hissed through his teeth. Get the fuck out of my room, Jolan. Youre still here after Im done with Aosh and I will REALLY kick your ass. Jolan took the better part of valor and helped Tisu and Nolluz to their feet, retreating towards the door as Kasan stalked Aosh. N-now, Kasan, I didnt do anything Aosh stuttered. You touched him. You were fucking going to SLAP his ASS, Aosh! MY consorts ass! I should fucking rip of your hand!

Well how the hell was I supposed to know it was your consort! He was in my room! I dont fucking care whether you knew it was my consort or not, he was in my room! MY room, MY possessions! You will damn well learn to stay the hell away from whats mine, Aosh! Kasan swung out a fist and Aosh flinched as he tried to dodge. Aw shit Ten minutes later, Esgard and his fellow guardsman turned as the door to Kasans room opened and the prince shoved a bruised and slightly bloody Aosh at them. Get that idiot back to his room. Healer? Esgard asked. I didnt hurt him that badly. He just tripped like a dumbass and hit his head on the floor. Hell be fine. Kasan glared at both of them as they took his younger brother. However tomorrow you and I are going to be having a little conversation. Understand? The two guards winced and nodded. And ask the kitchens to send up something. My consorts probably starving. Kasan saw Esgard nod and start to reach over for the summoning box to fetch help as he closed the door and turned back to his consort. He worked on calming his breathing as he looked at the wide blue eyes watching him from the bed. His poor little Gisho; he couldnt believe his moronic brothers had done something this stupid. His little consort was so frightened. Max was kneeling on the bed, his hands clenched tightly to each other on his lap as he trembled slightly. Kasan stared at him, the mere sight of his consort starting to turn him on in spite of his anger. Especially as the oversized clothing hanging off of Max and pooling on the bed around his bent legs was incredibly cute. And his face looked incredibly sexy. And he was also still incredibly upset, and would probably need a LOT of comforting. Kasan finally smiled. Maybe the night wasnt a complete disaster. Chapter 6 - The Heat Max couldnt get his body to stop shaking. They were gone. He knew that. Kasan had come in like some hero in a ninja movie, punching and kicking, and the larger men had retreated with their figurative tails between their legs. Watching Kasan snarling furiously as hed lashed out so fast Max could hardly keep up, though, had been pretty damn scary. Hed never seen anything move that fast and he was sure he never wanted to be so close

to that level of lethal looking violence any time in his future. Hed been happy to see him, but still Kasan was, quite honestly, the deadliest looking thing hed ever seen in his life. When hed been stuck over some aliens shoulder and hed heard Kasans yelling, hed tried to yell back. Desperately hoping that the furious sounding voice meant that he was about to get some help, hed been stunned at how quickly he was dumped on his feet. But seeing the end of Kasans attack on the largest cat man there, hed been afraid to even breathe wrong when he turned towards him. With Kasans eyes cold and hard as they glared in his direction, Max had been certain for a moment that he was about to be beaten. Instead, hed been embraced and carried off like some damsel in distress and gently dumped on the bed. And treated to the sight of Kasan proceeding to kick some more feline ass. Now, everyone else was gone and Kasan was the only one here and the big cat was smiling at him and Max felt like a complete idiot but he STILL couldnt stop shaking. He didnt understand what was gong on. Hed woken up to those men in the room and started having his brothel worries, and then theyd yelled at him and that leering one had charged him so quickly hed barely been able to see him move. Bastard had picked him up like he was a damn toy and hed never felt so helpless in his entire life. Even in situations where the people around him were a hell of a lot tougher than he was, theyd never been so damn BIG. It had been like trying to fight off a troll. Hell, his attempts to break free had been so laughably ineffective that the cat had completely ignored them until Max had managed to reach his head. Even then, yanking on sensitive ears and hair, Max hadnt managed to get free. He thought he might have just pissed the stupid thing off. Considering how quickly and viciously hed just realized the cats could fight, the fact that hed annoyed one and lived amazed him. It also reinforced his conviction that he did NOT want to make Kasan mad, ever. Hed never survive it. Hed thought the bigger ones were terrifying, but if Kasan had chased them all off; that said something about him, didnt it? Whether it meant he was a better fighter or stronger or nastier, Max wasnt sure, but he didnt want to experience that part of him. Unlesscould Kasan teach Max how to be just as lethal? That would be good. If he could learn to actually fight off cats on his own, that would be really, really good. Staring at Kasan slowly approaching the bed, he wished he knew exactly what was expected of him right now. The men whod come in had said Kasans name more than once, so he knew they were at least familiar with him. But Kasan had obviously been pissed that they were in the room, so Maxs first fear, that hed been expected to entertain them, was obviously wrong. The fact that Kasan had come in again, and looked like he was going to stay for a while, gave him hope that he wasnt in a brothel, as well. Whorehouses didnt work that way, did they? Wouldnt people usually, well, screw the whore and then leave? Not screw, leave, come in and dress him, leave, and come back and kick peoples asses.

Right? Maybe? Except what did that mean for him? He still didnt know where the rest of the colony was, or how hed been transplanted from his cryo-tube to this room, or even WHY hed been taken, or moved, or rescued, or whatever the hell had happened to him. Kasan had done things that made him squirm uncomfortably thinking about, but he hadnt hurt him. If it werent for the fact that Max had been naked, and molested, and then almost gang rapedhe might think he was rescued. He just couldnt quite make that stretch. Wouldnt they be making some effort to keep him with the others, if that were the case? Or trying to communicate with him to find out where he and the ship were from, orsomething. So far, the only thing Kasan had tried to do was wiggle his fingers in an attempt to imply that he and Max had a sexual relationship. Not exactly rescue behavior. To top it off, Max had noticed that as furious and lethal as Kasan had been, he hadnt seriously injured any of the men whod attacked Max. It wasnt that Max wanted other people to be hurt, but the fact that attacking Max didnt merit serious pain was frightening. What was he to Kasan, exactly? Had Kasan been more angry that the men had invaded what might be his space, or was he angry that theyd touched his property? If Max was property, that is. He didnt think Kasan was going the route of upset because theyd insulted a guest. Hed have to be a pretty big hypocrite for that to work. And Max was desperately hoping that he wasnt upset because theyd touched his whore before he was done with him yet. Because that would mean that at some point in time, Max WOULD be done with him, and then hed go away and other men would come in anddo things to Max and hurt him because they were really, really big and hed just been shown pretty thoroughly that he couldnt fight them worth a damn, and and I dont wanna be a whore! Max wailed, and then slapped a hand over his mouth as soon as he said it. God, he was such a stupid dink! Kasan stopped and tilted his head curiously before smiling with a slow, sensuous uptilt that had Max blushing vividly. The smile felt like liquid heat being poured over his skin. He shifted on the bed, trying to ignore the slight thickening of his dick as Kasan continued smiling. How could he smile like that? And why did it make him feel this way?? It shouldnt feel so nice to be smiled at by another man, especially when the same man might be thinking sexual thoughts about him! Watching nervously, Max gulped as Kasan started walking towards him again. Kasans smile deepened as his eyes roamed over Maxs face. Max had to swallow noisily again as saliva pooled in his mouth. Kasan was just so beautiful. Max had thought he was sexy the first time hed seen him, but he really was justbeautiful. In its own way, the fact that the thought entered his head at all was scarier than anything the other men had done. His mind was finding another man attractive, and his body was starting to feel flushed and aroused as well. He didnt understand this. He shouldnt be feeling this way! Kasan was a guy. It didnt mater how

pretty or exotic he was, he was male! Max had NEVER felt this way about another man. Never, ever, ever, ever, ever. Not even at the last Christmas party, because hed been too drunk for that one time to count. Feeling his body respond again as his eyes unconsciously focused on Kasans chest, Max clenched them shut. Hed been ogling! Hed been looking at Kasan and ogling! I really, really wish you were a butt ugly ogre, he muttered. He didnt last for more than a few moments before he opened his eyes. It was too nerve wracking to know Kasan was coming near but not know where he was. And he wasalmost to the bed. Max gulped again as Kasan glided the last few feet towards him. The mans body was flowing smoothly, his feet treading soundlessly along the floor, and Max tried to console himself with the thought that at least he wasnt angry any more. Max wasnt going to be attacked. Looking at Kasans loincloth and what looked like a growing erection inside of it, he changed his mind. It looked like he WAS going to be attacked; he just wasnt going to be killed. Max scooted backwards on the bed. He didnt want this, he didnt care what his body was telling him. His penis was stupid, and his skin was stupid, and the lips that he needed to stop chewing nervously were stupid too. He knew he couldnt want anything to do with some big huge cat who looked like he was going to jump his ass any second now. He really couldnt. Except if he refused, what would Kasan do? Would he call the others back in? Would he hurt him? And how the hell was Max supposed to tell ahead of time? What was he supposed to do? Maybe he coulddistract him? Uhthanks for the rescue, and everything. Max smiled rather weakly and blinked as Kasan paused in his last few steps before the man started laughing. Shaking his head and still laughing, Kasan came over sat down far too close for comfort as he continued chuckling. Max started chewing on his lips again. What in the world was so funny? #

Kasan tried to stop chuckling as he sat on the bed, but it was all he could do not to start laughing harder. God, Max had said it again. He didnt know what it was his consort was actually trying to say now, or what hed been saying before Kasan had left with Leero, but that one sound in there was so close to a Hinta word that Max couldnt help but hear

it as such. And what a word! My delicate ass. It sounded exactly like my delicate ass and Kasan just knew that if he heard his delicate consort say it again he might start laughing so hard it would be difficult to breath. His little Gisho was a complete and utter cutie. Kasan leaned towards Max and frowned as his consort tensed. Sitting back, he castigated himself. Of course the poor thing was going to be tense. He still didnt have the slightest idea what was going on, in all likelihood. And then Kasans brothers had to come in like a rampaging horde at the end of a battle. Kasan couldnt believe they had touched his consort on First Night. Touched him! It was so far beyond acceptable pranking that Kasan would still be pounding on them if it werent for the fact that it would have likely frightened his consort. Max probably thought he was about to be raped by the idiots. Thinking of the scene hed walked in on, with Maxs ass essentially bare over Aoshs shoulder as all his brothers examined it, he scowled. He really had let them off too easy. His consort should never have had to suffer through that, and he wanted to beat Aosh all over again as the image ran though his head. His young brother had been about to slap Max in the ass. Aosh was really, really lucky that his hand hadnt connected or the young lech wouldnt have been able to walk for a week himself. Kasan looked up as Max shifted, and when the little ones eyes widened he realized he was still scowling and probably doing nothing to help calm Max. Sorry, little one. Its been a hard night for both of us, I think. Kasan debated for a moment and then decided that he was going to have to be a little aggressive. If he were simply seducing Max outside the bond, hed have the ability to give him some space for a few days and take things slowly. He truly wished he had that option, but he didnt. The way his heat was building, they would need to make love again before the night ended. Already, he could feel the characteristic almost painful increase in his own arousal that told him he should have had this done hours before. Drinking in the flushed skin and lithe body of his consort, Kasan tried to comfort himself. Yes, it was going to be rushed again. There wasnt any help for it; but it wasnt any hardship to take Maxs body. In fact, the thought of being able to play with it, to give Max pleasure and make him practically incoherent with need, was enough to turn him on without the bonds interference. It could have been so much worse. His cousin Warans bond came to mind almost immediately. Lost during a hunting trip, Waran had gone into heat and been forced to bond with the first ripe person he came across, who happened to be one of the ugliest, nastiest beings it had ever been Kasans displeasure to meet. And even though the very thought of touching the other man had made his stomach churn, Waran and his consort still had to have sex every few days if they cared to live, at least until they were old enough that the Kouloc was no longer active. The soonest Kasan had heard of that

happening was 16 years, and that extreme case was at least five years less than the norm. Kasan had asked Waran once what it was like. Hed had a hard time understanding how a couple COULD copulate when they found the other so unattractive. How could they stand it? Kasan wouldnt have had to ask anymore. This was the second time hed been a victim of the heat, and it felt distinctly different than his normal arousal. Without it, he found Max adorably attractive, and as he knew from the time hed spent away from him, Kasan quite enjoyed fantasizing about the things he could do with the little one. The heat, on the other hand, only affected his bodys need for sex, which was growing steadily by the minute. It didnt affect his mind, his heart, or even his bodys attraction to his consort. It simply made him HAVE to have sex with him. The need would become a painful burn the longer he waited, and it would ensure that he stayed up and potentially even forced himself on Max if he didnt follow the dictates of it. At least Maxs body would be feeling the same affects, although to a much lesser degree. And Kasan was fairly certain that hed seen Max eyeing his body, which gave him some hope for the future. The bond would never affect how the man thought of him, after all. Until Maxs heat arrived, the mans nanites would simply respond to the pheromones Kasans body was producing and create a corresponding need for sex in Maxs system. Truly, the scientists had done a very thorough job when theyd created the heat. The only problem was that theyd been more concerned with saving lives than with creating stable relationships. So now, Kasan was going to have to make love with Max far sooner than he thought the man was ready for. Not that he didnt want to take Maxs pretty little body in any case, but courting would have made it so much gentler for his consort. His lovers mind would have had time to settle after all that had been happening, and perhaps Kasan would have managed to find a better way to communicate. His body, however, didnt look as though it was going to give him that luxury. Sighing softly as he thought about the upcoming night, Kasan wondered if the throwback genes that made his heat delayed by a few years also increased his need for sex. Perhaps it was the fact that Max was human? He wouldnt have left Max for so long if hed thought the heat would hit him this early; he would have wooed him as aggressively as possible with every minute hed had. This quick build up wasnt what he had been expecting at all. After all, if his familys example was anything to go by, he shouldnt have been feeling this pressed for at least another few days. If he was going to need the genetic exchange this frequentlyhe would be spending a large amount of time in the bedroom for the next few years. Glancing at Max next to him, the little man fidgeting with his top, he had to grin at his own whining. Oh, the agony, having an excuse to make love to his consort at all hours of the day, every day. Jolan and the others were going to be terribly jealous. And hed run out of time. He had to at least touch the man in some way or he wasnt

going to last, and considering how nervous Max looked, it would likely be best if he did this as quickly as possible. Kasan leapt softly at Max, flicking out his claws as he did so. Max had time to squeak in startled surprised before Kasan sliced through the shoulder and ties of the top, tossing the remnants aside. The loincloth was cut open and tossed with the same speed and Kasan enjoyed Maxs wide-eyed expression of shock before he knocked him down sideways onto the bed. It only took another moment before Kasan was gripping him around the waist, lying behind him with Maxs ass cradled against Kasans still clothed erection. He sighed in relief even as Max finally started struggling and yelling. The feel of Maxs skin against his chest and underneath his arm was giving him the respite he needed from the strong desire to bury himself in Maxs body. Admittedly, the wild squirming was making Kasans erection even harder, but that was a natural reaction, not a heat induced response. Even as sexually arousing as he personally found Max, he could hold out against the heat for a while, as long as he was holding Max. Hopefully, the extra time would be long enough for Max to calm down as well so that they could both enjoy this rather than have the need hit the little man out of no where. If he was lucky, he might even have enough time to seduce Max completely before he even noticed the strange sensations of the bond. Kasan would prefer that to having sudden, uncontrollable need frighten Max unduly. And no matter what happened tonight, tomorrow night he was going to seduce Max on his own terms rather than waiting for the push from his body. He WAS going to manage a slow lovemaking session soon, even if it killed him. For right now, however, he was in for an uncomfortable time of it until Max calmed down. Shhhhhh, calm down, Gisho. Kasan spoke in a soft, almost singsong voice. It seemed to be a good choice of tones as Maxs movements slowed when he heard it. Thats right. Im not going to hurt you. Im just going to make you come until you scream with it, sweetheart. Nothing to be afraid of. Youll have a wonderful time. All you need to do is calm down a little. Max finally gave up struggling and lay stiffly within Kasans arms. Kasan could feel his heart pounding heavily, however, and he resigned himself to a painful hard-on for a while until Max was relaxed. His little consort was so skittish. He hoped it didnt take too long. Moving his hand in small, brushing movements over the waist he was still holding rather tightly, Kasan wished again that Leero hadnt interrupted him earlier. Hed been so close to having a taste of the little thing. Kasan smiled to himself as he continued to hold Maxs tense body. Although Max had been terribly frightened when hed first seen the cloth to restrain his privates, hed calmed down rather quickly once hed understood its purpose. Kasan still wasnt sure what the poor thing had imagined at first, although from his reaction it must have been rather terrifying. After they were past that, however, Kasan had seen how Max was reacting to him. Maxs pupils had been completely dilated, his breathing heavy, and his eyes had followed the planes of Kasans body so closely Kasan

felt them as if the little man had touched him. Hed responded so well to the kiss, too, his little sigh as he started to enjoy it Kasans lips had been so breathy and soft. The flustered surprise when hed grown too shy to continue and pushed away, only to leave that small little pillow lying in the dust? It had been so sweet. Kasan had been truly looking forward to exploring his body before theyd gone down to meet his family. There was just no way hed been able to resist, after seeing that face. Hed been so close, too. As important as Leeros news had been, it was still quite a pity that Leero had been as diligent as he had in bringing it to his attention. Maxs bottom gave another little push against him as he squirmed, and Kasan blew out his breath slowly. That felt positively sinful, it was so good. And wasnt that just about the damnedest thing that he was thinking something like that about another male. Aside from the fact that his attraction made the bond so much more palatable, there was a part of him that feltcomplete for the first time. Suddenly, a part of his personality that had always been relegated to the status of another throwback oddity was gone. He wasnt only attracted to just one sex anymore, and it was wonderful. He couldnt believe how much he was enjoying the feeling. Maxs small body in front of him, his muscles flexing underneath Kasans arm, his softly curving head around the level of Kasans chin, Kasan enjoyed it all. His little Gisho seemed so strong and delicate at the same time. He truly was like the little mountain flower. At least, that was his impression of him. It was amazing how much one could discover about a person without even the benefit of understood speech, but if he were honest with himself, he really didnt know anything about his consort at all. To date, most of his knowledge of the man had been gained when Max had been drugged or terrorized. The only trait of his consort that might still exist in every day life was that Max seemed rather prone to panicking, in a rather cute, startled kind of way. If it happened as often as it seemed to, Kasan looked forward to being able to comfort him once they could speak to one another and grow closer. Thinking about the language barrier, Kasan had to wonder a bit about how long that might be. How long until he could accurately inform his consort of their connection? It was a little bitcomplicated, after all. Complicated enough to be universally known, literally in this case, although Max didnt seem to recognize them as Kyashin. He would have surely said something if he had, wouldnt he? If Kasan was lucky, Max had never seen any Kyashin images, but would recognize the name once hed heard it. Kasan had a feeling that might not be the case, however. Any humans that were isolated enough not to be discovered for this long might be isolated enough to be out of the normal news loops. If that was the case, how exactly was he going to inform Max that they HAD to mate, and not have him think it was a lie designed solely to obtain sex? How, exactly, did one help someone understand Kyashin history if they couldnt speak the language? Terms like genetically engineered plague and nanites werent exactly easy terms to define with hand gestures. He supposed he could show him how Kasans mark disappeared when he grew aroused, as the dormant nanites that made it up entered the appropriate parts to collect genetic samples from Gisho.

Would that ever happen to Max? He frowned, pulling the man a little closer to his body as he thought of it. It might not. Consorts were always mature enough to mate, but their hormone levels hadnt yet reached the proper combination to trigger a mating heat. Their own nanites would engage as soon as they completely matured and their bodies required the genetic exchange to heal themselves. But since Gisho wasnt Kyashinwould he ever need the nanites? He hadnt thought about it before, but if Max wasnt born with the Kouloc, his maturation would never trigger the disease and hed never need the salvation that the nanites offered. Hed never even experience a mating heat, either, would he? Which meant that the human male could have survived without needing a consort of his own when he had fully matured. Looking at him, Kasan realized that Max might actually be old enough that he would have had his own mating heat, had he been Kyashin. Max might even be older than Kasan, which was a bit odd to think of. Consorts were almost never older than their mates. It was practically impossible with two Kyashin. Besides, Max was so small and slim, he looked far younger than a mature adult. Thinking further about the implications of his human consort, Kasan was struck by the realization that if Max didnt have the disease, he would probably be able to survive the death of his mate. The thought had Kasan scowling, his body tensing until he managed to relax it, muscle by muscle. He should view this as a good thing. He had no intention of dying any time in the near future, but based on what Leero had just showed him in Shovaks abandoned quarters, his uncle and he had quite different views on what his life expectancy should be. It was oddly reassuring to think that unlike a traditional Kyashin couple, his consort would live past his mates death if it happened when the bond was still needed. If, for some ungodly reason, that bastard Shovak actually managed to have Kasan killed, or whatever the hell else he was planning, Max would be safe. Kasans family would look out for him, and his body would just continue as it was, without the need for sex that Kasans own nanite-induced pheromones were screaming for Although, if Maxs body never needed the nanites, would that cause problems later on? If the nanites never fully engaged to fight off the Koulac, would it break the bond?? He tensed at the thought, his hand automatically rubbing over Maxs stomach to reassure himself until his brain thought it over. He was letting his fear and his lust cloud his thinking, he decided. Nothing would happen. After all, according to the stories, once the Terrans had aided in stopping the plague and their genetic material had been used as part of the cure, many Kyashin had taken human consorts. And from what he remembered, the humans had been immune to the disease, so they wouldnt have had their mark disappear either. It had worked for them, or at least hed never heard anyone talk of it not working in the histories. So it should work for Max and himself as well, wouldnt it? He thought about it another moment. This might be something he should take up with Nolluz when he talked to him next. He wouldnt lose his little Gisho, though. That was what was important. Kasan bent his lips to the soft hair in front of him, kissing it gently, and he recognized the soft, even

breathing of sleep. Poor little dear. He was probably still exhausted from the bonding itself, especially with no initial nanites of his own. His body would be using up a lot of extra resources for a few days as the nanites tried to replicate themselves from those Max had received during the bonding. They would be attempting to reach high enough levels to be ready for Maxs eventual, if non-existent, heat. Perhaps that was the actual reason the two of them needed intercourse so soon. Maybe it was Maxs body initiating it rather than his own. Not that it mattered: they would have to heed their bodys needs, unlike earlier. Kasan sighed at the recurrent thought. While Leero had been the one to stop the kiss that Kasan could still taste in his mind, the mans laughter beforehand had really done the most damage. If it hadnt been for that, Kasan was fairly sure that Max would have given in with enough time to consummate the relationship before being interrupted. After all, Kasan had just about had his consort in his mouth when the damn laugh had startled him and Max had been so upset hed practically fled. Kasan hadnt wanted to force anything on him when he was so frightened, of course. So hed stopped. As painful as that was. He couldnt resist one last kiss before hed left, but he HAD left him alone. And dressed him, which was pretty damn fun, considering how aroused it had Max. He was so sexy when his cheeks turned rosy and red. And nowKasan was going to have to try again. Third times the charm, wasnt that what they always said? Max was asleep, and Kasan really, really needed to be inside him. Kasan would rather have seduced him, but perhaps it would be better this way. He could have Maxs body aroused before he even woke up. Hopefully, Max would be a bit sleepy and disoriented as well, so the pleasure should hit him before the fear could. It would be less upsetting for him this way. Not as enjoyable as mutually pleasuring each other, but mentally, this might be the best he could hope for tonight. Especially as both his libido and his heat were growing hard at the very thought of being inside his consort. He groaned low as his member pressed against the lovely, firm bottom in front of it, but smiled as something hard and insistent started pushing against his arm around Maxs waist. He leaned up on his elbow and looked over, smiling as he saw Maxs hot little prick growing firmer as well. Sleeping he might be, but his body seemed happy to be there. Good. Kasan would cover Max in his scent and his touch, and with any luck Max would be too overwhelmed NOT to enjoy it. The bond might ensure that he came, but it wouldnt have the same impact as a climax with actual desire involved. Kasan wanted Max to be happy that they were making love, and he knew that the small man was not happy with things right now. When awake, he was obviously nervous and unsure, with fear rearing its head far too often. Kasan would do everything he could to make that fear go away; it was just difficult to figure out how when he wasnt sure exactly what was scaring his little Gisho. Other than large, idiotic brothers assaulting him, of course. He hoped that this brief physical seduction would be enough for now to keep him content, or at least not wildly frightened. He thought it might work best if he simply made Max incoherent with sensation and took him until he was completely limp. What a

hardship THAT would be, he grinned to himself. Even if it were, hed do it. At least that way Max would be too involved to be frightened, even if it wasnt the ideal way to do things. And if Kasan were honest, the idea of seducing Max in his sleep gave him an erotic little kick, as much as it shamed him to admit it to himself. His consorts face was expressive enough when he was awake and trying to control his reactions. What would it look like when it was sleepy and befuddled, when he woke in the midst of arousal rather than easing his way into it? Grinning rather ferally as he anticipated, Kasan eased his hand from around Maxs hip and slid it across the small hollow near his hip bone. The skin there was so soft it was almost silky, pale as though it had never seen daylight. Kasan brushed his thumb across the small valley, following it as it led down to crisp curling hair. He rubbed the pads of his fingers across the oddly textured fur and then moved to the prize: the soft, hot skin of Maxs member. He cursed under his breath as his body was hit with another jolt of lust that made him grip Maxs body tightly. Dammit, he had really wanted savor the next time with Max. This quick fuck lovemaking was not what he wanted. Well, not enough of it. Hed had plenty of experiences that were simple screws when hed used prostitutes for release. With his consort, he had really been looking forward to taking his time and enjoying himself, and helping Max do the same. It felt like this time and the last, hed had no chance to get to know Maxs body at all. No playing with his body, or kissing him all over, or rubbing oil into his skin. Instead, Kasan had to go right for the end. Admittedly effective, and so tight that it still got him hotter than hell, but he had wanted a chance to play with Gisho for a while, and he was damn well going to make sure they got to do that soon. In the meanwhilehed do his best to enjoy this as well. Feeling Gishos small form against his own, he didnt think hed have to try too hard for that to happen. Pushing against the sleek body in front of him, he grasped Maxs member in his hand, enclosing it carefully. It was partially hard already. Max moaned in his sleep, squirming a little, and Kasan sucked in his breath as the little bottom in front of him rubbed against his groin again. He pressed his hips forward and scowled as his loincloth impeded the sensation. Releasing Max for a moment, he sat up and clawed off his only covering, throwing it almost violently behind him as he resettled himself. He felt like purring as his freed member managed to press intimately between pale cheeks. Maxs body might be small, but he wasperfect. Kasans hand gripped Maxs hip, palming the side of it and pulling back to wedge himself more firmly against his consort, and Max was the one to groan this time. He still didnt wake, however, and Kasan had to smile at his determined sleeping. Moving his hand back to the prize between his consorts legs, a few brief strokes was all it took to get Maxs smaller member completely upright and eager. Maxs foreskin moved smoothly in Kasans hand as he played with the tip, caressed the sides, tightened his hand around the column of flesh and pulled back towards Maxs body with a strong, steady motion. His consort started pushing against him in his sleep, murmuring in alien

words. Kasan hoped it was a VERY good dream right now. Kasan nudged against Maxs body from behind again as he continued to play with his front. The yielding feel of the valley in the center of the smaller mans rather lush bottom made Kasans palms sweat with the desire to take him just as quickly as he had the first time, if not quicker. He groaned to himself, trying to fight it. The heat was pushing so hard, he couldnt hold out for much longer. Even with the physical touch, it wouldnt be denied. With almost all of Maxs body soft with sleep in front of him, he forced himself to release his penis and reached up to play with the mans chest. Gently stroking his fingers across responsive little nubs, he caressed along the hard curves of Maxs chest. He stroked the lines of muscles, letting his fingertips feel the sleek skin, flicking lightly whenever the curves led him back to increasingly hard, pink nipples. When the heat spiked another notch, he started to pant and ran his hand down over the tight muscles of Maxs stomach to play with the fully erect penis that still felt a bit small and fragile in his hand. He just wasnt used to holding a dick in his hand that didnt belong to himself. He played with the staff of it, gripping and squeezing, pulling and pushing firmly as he started to buck against Max from behind. When Max started pushing back against him with more sleepy, hoarse moans, Kasan almost swallowed his tongue. It hadnt been more than a few minutes, and Max was already aroused. It took so little time to ready him, and Kasan was so grateful, because hed reached his limit. He had to have him now. Still stroking his consorts erection, he used his other hand to gently press against Maxs bottom, nudging the cheeks apart until his own erection was settled in between, ready to penetrate his partner. His own cock was leaking the necessary fluids in preparation and he rubbed against Maxs opening, spreading the slippery liquid over it before he began to push with his hips. Max moaned louder, shuddering as Kasan played with his dick more strenuously to distract him. He had to laugh a bit at just how long his consort had managed to sleep, but he had to admit that it was going to benefit both of them. It was giving him the time he needed to make this as pleasurable as possible before Max woke up. Although he wondered a little if Max was going to wake up at all, sleeping this deeply. It might be the easiest solution to Maxs fear, but Kasan didnt really want to finish coupling all by himself. He wanted the little one to wake up and enjoy this. Continuing to play with Maxs cock as his own inched in, Kasan slid into such tight heat that he had to grit his teeth at the feel of it. Making love to Gisho was the most wonderful feeling hed experienced in his life. He never wanted it to end. Partially encased in his consorts body, still trying to carefully enter, Kasan moaned deeply when Max finally woke and the mans insides clenched around him. Wha- Max mumbled sleepily, shifting his hips a little before his entire body stiffened. What are you Aaaaaah! What are you doing?! You cant bennnnnnng, Oh god, that feelsshit!

Kasan thrust in so that he was embedded fully and he stayed there despite Maxs struggles, holding him close by clasping his erection, squeezing carefully as Max pushed against his hand. Max continued squirming in small jerks, his muscles clamping down on Kasans member, and Kasan groaned. Gisho, youre going to make me embarrass myself and come too soon unless you stop that, he groaned against his consorts hair. Feeling the tight muscles massaging him with every movement was making it very, very difficult. Please, youve got to stop moving, little one. His hips twitched and he pressed forward in a quick, involuntary jerk that had Max freezing. Kasan sighed in relief. His self-control could only last for so long. Thank you, precious. Now hold on just a little longer. We can make this better for you, love. Kasan shifted position slightly and did a small out and in thrust that he knew would rub against the pleasure point inside Maxs body. He wasnt disappointed as Max gasped immediately. Struggling desperately for control, Kasan continued the small thrusts against the same spot, gritting his teeth at the desire to pound into Max, until his movements had the little one quivering wildly with small, incoherent exclamations. Ah, ah, ahwhat are you d-doing to meeeee?!! Max was almost wailing. It shouldnt feel Fuck! Ah, ah, aaaaaaaah. FUCK! Kasan smiled and started to thrust faster. His Gisho was so easy to seduce this way; it was wonderful. He released Maxs erection to hold onto his hip to keep him still as he entered him. He couldnt get enough angle to properly fuck him into the ground, but he could at least give them both an orgasm that made them scream rather than whimper. As though hed heard Kasans thoughts, Max came with a plaintive yell, fluids pulsing out of his body onto the bed while his convulsions milked Kasans cock. Kasan came before Maxs climax even ended. Hell! He kept his arm over Maxs hip as his breathing slowed, refusing to let Max pull away as his wits returned. Kasan kissed the top of his head. You are absolutely adorable, Gisho. Just wonderful. He snuggled close, enjoying the feel of his cock growing slowly more limp until it slid slickly out of his consorts body. He reveled in the small, sleek warmth of him, resting against his heat, purring low as he nuzzled the top of his head. You suck, Kasan. I cant believe you did this to me again. Prick. That did not sound like loving words from his consort, but he didnt sound frightened at least. He seemed frustrated and upset more than anything else. Honestly, Kasan was a little saddened that Max wasnt happy now that they'd made love again, but he wasnt surprised. And besides, his reaction was rather cute, like an angry baby bird. Sleep, little one. We dont need to do anything further tonight. Max struggled another moment or two before going limp in Kasans arms with a deep,

exhausted sigh. A freaking sex-fiend. Stupid, nicest cat here and youre a freaking sex-fiend. Their quiet breathing was the only sound for a long time, and Kasan finally let himself start to drift off, holding onto to Max as the small mans heart rate slowed. Maxs small voice stopped Kasan at the edge of sleep. I dont want to be a whore. Kasan hugged him tighter at the rather plaintive tone and rubbed his hand across his stomach as he nuzzled his head again. Poor confused little thing. He wished he could tell him what was going on. Well figure this out, little one. Dont worry, well figure it all out, he murmured quietly. He rubbed his hand softly over Gishos hip until his consorts soft body went limp. Thats right, just sleep it off, precious. Things will look better in the morning and well see what we can find out about each other, hmmm? Kasan kissed Gisho on the top of his head again and finally let himself drift back to sleep. Chapter 7 - Hungry Kasan woke to a soft knocking at the door. He eased himself from Max as gently as he could, yawning hugely. It felt as though hed hardly slept at all. Feeling the sudden cold on his cock as he walked, he looked down and realized that his own fluids were still wet and drying on his skin. Hell, obviously he HAD hardly slept at all. What did they need him for at this time of night? Kasan opened the door to two new faces. Well, at least hed slept long enough for the guards to change shift. As he saw the third man there, he wanted to hit himself in the head. The food. Someone in the kitchens had brought him food for Max, just as hed asked. His lack of sleep was going to be his own damn fault. Closing the door to ensure Max couldnt be seen, he nodded his head at the guards and took the food from the kitchen servant with a muttered thank you. He waited for the servant to depart before speaking. Everything goes well? The tallest guard nodded. Its been a quiet night so far. Suddenly the guard smiled and glanced at Kasan. Well, its been a quiet night out here. It sounds as though other rooms might have been more interesting. Kasan smiled back. Mine certainly was. Chuckling along with the two men, Kasan was interrupted as his body decided to start yawning again. If anyone come before its time

for first meal, tell them Ill see them at the formal greeting, unless its an emergency. Of course. And if you could pass the word for Leero to meet me beforehand. Ill want him to be taking my consort in personally. As you wish. Kasan brought the bundle inside and closed the door behind him. The younger guard looked at his companion. You didnt mention Jolan. I dont believe there was need. We kept him from intruding on Kasans first night, after all. I suppose. I really wonder why the others werent involved, though. Theyre usually united on that type of endeavor. Im assuming they had an actual moment of thought. You know Jolan gets away with far more than any of the others when it comes to Kasan, anyway. Thats true. The two guards were quiet as they watched the hallway carefully. The younger guard spoke again on a sigh. I wonder what its like. Hmmm? Having a consort. I wonder what its like. His elder smiled at him. As long as you get along, it can be absolutely amazing. I know they say that, I justwonder. Maybe youll be in luck and someone will take YOU as a consort so you can find out earlier. The older guard smiled as the younger one blushed slightly. If the sex is as good as they say, I might not mind. Its not as though its forever. What about you? Would you have been willing to be a consort? With a female, maybe, but I wouldnt have done well as a male consort, I dont think. As it stands, Im happy to be a mate. Hmmm. Dont worry about it so much. Itll happen soon either way, wont it? Youre already 19, right?

18 still. Ill be 19 next month. So barely a year until your mating heat arrives. You could probably be a consort right now if you wished. If its something you want so much, you could always let it be known youre willing. The younger guard shifted his feet as his eyes still looked along the hall. Im not entirely sure I AM willing. I dont want children, so it would have to be with a male. He avoided his superiors eyes. Ive never bottomed before. I might not like it. The older guard looked at him and smiled more broadly. I have some friends who could help you decide. Ill pass, thank you. The youths ears flicked back and forth. I dont want to practice with a bound couple. And I know you rarely associate with my age group outside of the guard room. Nodding his acknowledgement, the other male dropped the subject with one last comment. If you change your mind Yes, Ill let you know. Their sensitive ears caught the muffled sound of Kasan moving inside the room and soft murmurs as he obviously rejoined his consort on the bed. They were a little disappointed that no sounds of sexual activities followed. The younger one sighed again after a few minutes. I wonder what its like # After cursing Kasan for his weird desire to cuddle, while sighing in relief that the alien didnt want anything else, Max had been thankful to finally fall asleep. Hed drifted off with the thought that this might not be as bad as hed been thinking. Kasan wasnt trying to have sex with him again; he was just snuggling. It was weird, and really darn annoying to be so much smaller that he couldnt kick the big cat out of bed, but it wasnt awful. His first coherent thought after waking was to call himself an idiot of titanic proportions. Because his first incoherent thought on waking involved confusion and nearly mindless arousal as the other man slid into his ass. That was NOT the way he wanted to come to awareness, and he was really unhappy that the psycho perverted cat had tricked him into letting his guard down so completely that it had been possible. And the jerk still managed to make him climax so hard he could barely think!

He had to let him know that he wasnt going to put up with that sort of shitin a way that wasnt going to get him killed, that is. He knew he had to, but the deep, satisfied lassitude from coming so completely had hit him like a freight train and all hed wanted to do was fall asleep. He would tell him off later. He was safe now, after all. Stupid man had taken his body again; hed be safe for a little while. Besides, Kasan wouldnt damn well let go and didnt seem affected by much of anything Max was doing to force him to. So, Max postponed working on his release from Kasans embrace and fell asleep again. The dream started sometime after hed lost consciousness. Max sat naked on the edge of a bed covered in aqua silk that stretched out behind him for miles. A petite red heads lips were around his dick as she gave him a very nice blowjob when Kasan was suddenly there and shoving her out of the way. He pushed Max back onto the bed and loomed over him. Maxs dream self did nothing more than watch as Kasan pushed in between his legs and brought his mouth down to Maxs chest, licking lightly. The small, slick touch made his skin tingle as soon as it connected and he moaned. One arm leaned on the bed next to him as Kasan pushed up, a large hand stroking through Maxs hair. Kasan stared down into Maxs eyes, smiling gently before he brought his face down and plunged his tongue into Maxs mouth. Fisting his own hands in Kasans hair, Max thrust back with his own tongue and groaned as the big cat growled against him. The mans taste was unreal; some combination of spices that he had no words for but which filled his mind with heat and sex. Kasan licked in between his lips, sliding into the recesses of Maxs mouth until Max felt limp and faint. Drawing back, Kasan gave him no time to recover before he started licking Maxs chest again. Max felt small shocks of pleasure shoot down into his groin with each movement of his lovers tongue. It had his cock erect and begging like a dog against Kasans stomach. Ignoring that needy part of him, Kasans hand moved from his hair to caress along Maxs skin in feathery strokes until it slid under his body and cupped his ass. A hot, skilled mouth sucked and laved his nipples into small peaks while the cat mans hand gripped Maxs bottom firmly and began to knead. Maxs hands were tangled in the yards of hair that spread out behind Kasans head, and he yanked spasmodically as Kasan left his nipples and started working on his stomach. As Kasan moved even lower, Max suddenly lost the ability to breathe properly, reduced to small, desperate gasps of air. His eyes hunting for something to focus on, he saw Kasans ears standing upright. His vision blurred as the silky triangles descended while Maxs cock was taken into Kasans mouth. Nnnnnnnn, oh my God! Kasans lips were down to the skin of his groin as his dick was completely enveloped. Kasan started moving his lips to the head of Maxs dick and back down slickly, and Max couldnt think of anything he wanted more than for Kasan to continue doing this until Max went blind from it. His legs splayed wide around Kasans chest, his feet just touching the floor, he tried desperately to thrust, groaning with need

and frustration as his muscles refused to work in their awkward position. Max was so aroused he was shaking with it, his body jerking desperately as the tension wound tighter inside his skin. He cried out when Kasan drew back, his mouth leaving Max just on the verge of coming. No! No, please! With soft murmurs, Kasan move the both of them further onto the bed and turned Maxs squirming body onto its side. Something slick and hard pressed against Maxs ass and he arched against it as it started to push into him. Still shaking, frantic to have his climax, Max keened as the hard length pushed in and rubbed inside him. His body started getting tighter, his hips twitching as he tried to thrust and arch back at the same time whenever Kasan penetrated him. Something fantastically soft and silky stroked his thigh and Kasans hand clamped onto his hip to hold him completely still as the man continued to enter him, slowing his pace until Max writhed with the need for movement. Please! Please, let me just move! Kasan didnt answer, but his pace did pick up and Max gasped at how deeply Kasan was inside of him. His body sang in rhythmic shocks every time he was entered. His skin felt on fire, his blood pulsed and he wanted to come so badly he could scream. Just when he finally reached the peak, when he was, thank God, about to come he woke up. He woke up still craving climax, still hearing his own voice moaning and crying out, because Kasan was plunging into his body in the exact same rhythm as his dream. Panting for breath, Max struggled to understand what was happening as his hips were pushed forward, Kasans groin slapping against his ass. No. A dream. It was just a dream. He wasnt Max couldnt think anymore as he finally came, only moments before Kasan shouted hoarsely into Maxs ear and pulled on his hips tightly before his body went limp against Maxs back and bottom. Minutes passed with only the sounds of heavy panting and his own pounding heartbeat echoing in Maxs head. Hed just Kasan had taken him , and hed fallen asleep, and hed dreamt, and now God, it wasnt just a dream! He had really come again! Kasan had really taken him again! He couldnt catch his breath as he tried to use climaxweakened muscles to push away from the man whose body was still embedded inside of him. Kasans forearm draped heavily over Maxs hip, practically unmoved by his struggling. His hand pet Maxs penis absently in soft strokes. Feeling something else stroking up and down his thigh as well, Max looked down in confusion to find the mans tail moving back and forth on his skin. Son of a bitch, the man was even molesting him with his darn tail! Max drew in one shuddering breath and closed his eyes, doing his best to ignore his bodys usual request for post-orgasm sleep. This was no time to be vulnerable again.

Im never going to fall asleep next to you again, you perverted cat, Max muttered angrily. He felt the oddly helpless sensation he was starting to get used to around the stupid big cats as Kasan held onto him with no effort whatsoever. Max didnt know what to do. He couldnt get away. He couldnt even turn to hit the man. Max was lying on his side, impaled on the other mans cock, and it made it impossible to move until Kasan let him go. But he didnt want to just lay here! If he didnt move, Kasan might get the idea that he actually enjoyed being used this way. And that was not what he wanted at all. He really didnt! He felt flushed and his skin still tingled along his ass where Kasan was plastered against him and he was a little worried that his dick was thinking of coming to attention again if he couldnt get Kasan to stop touching him with his hand and that really soft tail, butbut so what? J-just because the stupid man had amazing hands and did things to him that felt so good his toes curled didnt mean anything at all. He wasnt a playboy. He wasnt! He was The broad hand stopped stroking and wrapped itself around his dick completely. His thoughts derailed at the tight, hot sensation and he tried to push forward before he could stop himself. He didnt get far, still filled with Kasan, although the movement rubbed something inside him and had him moving just to feel it again. Kasans tail slipped up higher, the tip flicking back and forth as it brushed against his stomach. He moaned out loud and hearing his own voice jolted him back to awareness. What the hell was he doing?! He was letting him do it again! Dammitno! Kasan couldnt do this again! He reached down and slapped at the tail before trying to pull at Kasans hand. After a few more smacks and a lot of yanking, he finally succeeding in rescuing his penis from the mans damn marauding appendages. He wasnt going to think about whether or not Kasan had moved on his own, or been forced to. He needed whatever victory he could get right now. Especially when the hand merely retreated to Maxs hip and the tail snaked back around his thigh. Dont you even think about touching my dick, Kasan! Enough is enough! He covered the body part in question with his hand, and shivered violently as Kasan laughed at him. He could feel the deep vibrations of it spread through his body as even the cock inside him moved. The hard length twitched once and he yelped Did the man NEVER get soft? He squirmed. Why was Kasan doing this? Why was he screwing him and touching him andcuddling? It didnt make sense. It wasnt like Max was that good of a screw.was he? Or maybe cats just got off on having sex with humans. Was this happening to everyone else in the colony? Were they all littlelittle cat toys?! And how the hell do you make it feel good?! Bad enough that he had this huge man after his body; his body didnt have to enjoy it, too. He couldnt understand how that

could be. He could appreciate that Kasan was sexy, but that didnt explain why his hands made Maxs skin burn, or why his lips made him completely lose touch with reality. It didnt explain why seeing the man made him feel rather breathless and flushed, and it sure as hell didnt explain why he seemed to get hard as a rock when Kasan started manhandling him. And there was still the sex. How could his body betray him like this? Dammit, he was still having little aftershock shivers and it had already been a few minutes since hed come! He shifted, feeling the huge still-hard length inside of himself, and he moaned as it rubbed against something good again. But it was so wrong. He was feeling another mans cock INSIDE of him. INSIDE! He couldnt stop his muscles from tightening every time he thought of it, but they couldnt do anything. They were held open, stretched wide and impotent as Kasans dick rested within a part of himself that Max had ignored for most of his life, frankly. It was justit made him feel really damn helpless. The man was so big Max felt like he was being completely overwhelmed, inside and out. And the man was still hard! What the hell did he do, take Super Cat Viagra?! Max couldnt move until Kasan either pulled out or grew soft, and he was just lying there stroking Maxs hip and thigh, the jerk. Kasan shifted again, pulling out slowly, and Max sighed in relief. Thank God, he was done. Max could get away and his skin would finally stop tingling like this. Max squeaked as Kasan moved back in, rubbing against Maxs prostate so wonderfully that Maxs eyes almost crossed. N-no! You just did this! I- I- I dont wantaaaah, ah ah ah ah YESI mean no! No, I dont want you to! Its noteeeeee, God! Oh God. Oh God oh God oh God oh God oh God oh my FUCKING GOD! Kasan finished his sudden burst of energetic thrusting and squeezed Maxs prick as Max came violently. Again. Max lay spooned up with Kasan behind him, panting at his second orgasm of the morning. Kasanbastard. Cant touchno fair. Fucking made me come! Twice How?? Max tried to catch his breath enough to use full sentences and couldnt quite manage. He could finally feel Kasans member start to grow smaller inside of him and slip out as Kasan pulled away slightly. Max didnt like the empty feeling left behind and flinched as he realized what he was thinking. He was getting used to this. Hed only been in this place a day, maybe two, and his body was getting used to being used by this man. And now Kasan had finally done what Max wanted and removed himself from his body, and Max couldnt even get away. He was too damn tired! What was wrong with him? What had warped inside him that made him enjoy having some man he didnt even know screw him like this? Why wasnt he fighting it tooth and claw when Kasan was touching him? Instead, even if he could have stopped him, Max wasnt certain that he really would have. It had felt so good a part of him was actually

unhappy that it was over. What is WRONG with me? he asked, closing his eyes so he didnt have to look at his own flushed, dopey face in the mirror across from him. I dont want to be a whoredo I? Do I have some sort of complex or something? Kasan chose that moment to finally pull completely away from Max, kissing him on the back of the head as he moved off the bed. Kissing does NOT make this better. Max muttered. He refused to turn over and see what Kasan was doing, sure the man was standing there staring at him. A few moments of silence had him starting to tense. Was Kasan still watching him? Was he standing there, looking down at him and thinking of what sexual things he was going to do next? Because if he wasshit, hed be looking at Maxs ass! Max turned over quickly and had to readjust the path of his eyes as he found Kasan halfway to the wall already. Damn, he hadnt even heard the man move!. Max watched Kasans muscles as the cat man glided away from him and he wanted to scream in frustration. He should have kept his stupid eyes closed. Completely shut. He should darn well blind himself if this was the way his body was going to react, he thought. And still, he couldnt help but watch Kasans naked buttocks flex as he walked. The sight of them turned him on. He stared at the small furring of dark hair that started at the mans lower spine and grew heavier until it flowed into an ebony furred tail. The fact that Kasans spine seemed to so naturally change to that sinuous length of fur surprised him. The mans body was human, the tail shouldnt fit like that. It should seem completely weird and wrong, just like it had the first time hed seen it, but it didnt anymore. It just seemed like a normal part of Kasan now. Kasan, the perverted cat-eared giant man with the tail. With possibly the best looking butt Max had ever seen in his whole damn life. What the heck did the man do to get buns like that? They looked so round and firm he could just imagine holding on and biting a little at that golden flesh Eyes wide at his own thoughts, he groaned under his breath and brought his hands up to hide his face. He proceeded to mumble into his palms. It IS a complex. Ive got a huge, freakin complex. Im a nympho. A big, male nympho who loves anal sex. He peeked through his fingers, caught sight of Kasans naked back and phallic tail and edible ass, and his lip quivered while his penis did the same thing. He tried to divert his thoughts and stared at Kasans massive arms. Flexing as Kasan reached the wall and started fiddling with something in the alcove, his arms were impressive. Pretty darn amazing. Verydammit, they were sexy too! Big arms are not sexy! Theyre scary and intimidating and they just mean that you can do

things to me and I cant stop you! He gulped as he thought of what Kasan actually HAD just done to him. It was completely insane that the very thought of it made him flush and had heat pooling in his groin again. Realizing that Kasan had turned around to look at him curiously, Max fought and lost the battle to keep his eyes above the mans waist. Holy crap, even THAT part looked sexy. Oh God, Im a submissive, cock-worshiping, anal-loving nympho! Kasan turned back to whatever he was doing, chuckling as he did so. Max bit his lip and covered up his face again. He wanted to just curl up and die, he really did. He didnt want to know this about himself, and it was all Kasans fault that he did! If the bastard hadnt done all these things to him, he never would have known that he was this way! He didnt WANT to be this way! It didnt matter howintenseit felt. He didnt want to be the GIRL guy! Althoughhe looked at Kasans ass again. It was so tight, Max didnt think his dick had the strength to even get in there AAAGH, now Im thinking about anal sex again! This is your fault, Kasan! ALL YOUR FAULT! Kasan turned as Max finished yelling and walked back holding some odd little scrap of cloth and an emerald bottle of something that looked oily and thick. Max shut up and watched him carefully. Oil? What the hell did Kasan think he was going to do with oil? There was nothing that they should be doing with lubrication that they hadnt already done. Nothing at all. So Kasan had better not be thinking of doing it a third time this morning, because it just wasnt going to happen. Max wasnt going to let it happen. No way. He was not going to feed this weird sex obsession of Kasans, or the even weirder one that his own body seemed to be experiencing. Besides, his bottom hurt right now. Max pushed himself to a wobbling kneel and yanked a pillow off the bed, a blue silky one this time, to cover his groin. Too damn bad if it got dirty. Kasan shouldnt have been touching him in the first place, right? He watched as Kasan poured a little of the liquid onto the cloth and rubbed it over his own skin, commenting to Max as he did so. It looked like he was cleaning himself. Which was good, right? He wouldnt be cleaning himself if he was going after Maxs ass again, Max didnt think. Which meant the weird stuff was hygienic, not sexual. Thank God. Although when Kasan started to rub the cloth over his prick, leaving behind slick, clean skin after each stroke, Max started to sweat. He couldnt move his eyes away, focusing on Kasans hand as it moved along his shaft, up and down in even, gripping strokes.

Kasan started to grow hard and Max stared. The man was huge! And he just kept getting bigger, his member sleek and golden. The skin looked so smooth Max wondered what it might feel like to touch. He blinked, shaking the thought away. Stupid. He was freaking stupid as all hell. Why was he watching Kasan clean himself? And just how long did it take to wash your own prick? It shouldnt take this long, should it? Kasan had been finished with all the other parts in just a few seconds! What was he doing? Max looked up at Kasans face to see him watching Max through half closed lids as he continued to stroke and Max pushed himself backwards on the bed, clutching at his pillow. Oh no you dont! No way! You can justjust keep on stroking, buddy, because the ass is closed right now! Kasan laughed at Maxs reaction, moving his hand away-finally- and pouring more green junk onto the cloth, completely unconcerned with the raging hard on he still had. Max had a difficult time taking his eyes from the loaded weapon pointing at him until Kasan got onto the bed. Tensing as the big cat reached out with the cloth towards Maxs body, Max yanked it out of his hands and backed away. I can wash myself just fine, he said quickly. He knelt on the bed, pillow still covering the important bits. Wary eyes watched Kasan as he rubbed the cloth over his skin furiously. The dampened cloth flowed over him like silk, leaving behind a shiny, soft feel to his skin and the spicy scent that Max had first noticed when hed found himself in the room. Maxs movements slowed as the odd liquid made the experience a little bit more sensual than hed expected. But after each pass, the dirt and grime and.dried stuff he didnt really want to think aboutjust washed off. This stuff is awesome, he said softly, still rubbing. He shifted as his hand got close to the pillow over his groin and stopped. His face felt awfully warm, and it felt like He looked up to see Kasan watching him. He KNEW it! Turn around, you perv, Max ordered. Kasan quirked one eyebrow at him and did a rather human looking shrug as he stared. Turn around. Max made a twirling motion with his fingers and sighed huffily as Kasan continued staring. He really hoped that this was just a communication thing. Cultural voyeurism was not something he wanted any more than he wanted to be a darn sex toy. Max took a deep breath. He was still feeling sticky and a little sore and embarrassed and angry and frustrated and so many other emotions that he didnt even have a name for them all. But he was also stuck in this room with this alien man, and he didnt know where he was or what he was doing here other than being used for sex. Often. He closed his eyes and took another deep breath. Okay, no more acting like an idiot. No one had spoken to him in English, so it looked like if he had a chance in hell of talking to them, he

was going to have figure out how to communicate. Stupid cat probably wouldnt care if his little sex toy never learned how to say no properly, but MAX certainly did. Besides, if he learned how to talk to these aliens, he could ask them what was happening, and where everyone else was, and what they wanted out of him. He wasnt sure he would be happy with the answers, but at least it would be something! And the first thing he was going to do was learn how to tell Kasan to turn around, because he was not going to wash his privates and his ass in front of him! Taking his cushion with him, he slid off the bed and stared at Kasan, thinking. Finally he turned his body around once and when he faced Kasan again, he pointed at him. Now you do it. Turn around. Kasans head tilted. He smiled and turned around completely to face Max. Max growled. No! NotRrrrrr. Here. Max took a deep breath and rounded the bed. He could do this. He really could. The man wasnt going to jump him every time he came near, right? That would be way too obsessed with sex for any normal person and What if it wasnt too obsessed for alien cats? Max bit his lip hard and worked on breathing some more. He didnt want Kasan to do stuff to him again, but as much as he hated even thinking this way, after being screwed almost three times in a damn row it wasnt quite so scary, at least not when he wasnt being touched at the moment. It made him frightened that his body could enjoy something like this as much as it did. It was frightening thinking that he was a sex toy, too, which it really looked like he was considering how many times Kasan had fucked him in the last day. But Kasan had seemed to have some minor bit of concern for Max while he did it. At least the big cat guy had tried to make it feel good rather than just worrying about himself and hurting Max. And considering how big the jerk was, he could have really messed Max up if hed wanted to, or even if hed just been a little less careful. Max looked at Kasan again. He really could have, couldnt he? Kasan could have really, really hurt him, and instead hed done just the opposite. He hadnt really given Max a choice in the matter, but Max felt the smallest bit of the tension knotting his insides ease slightly. Max had no intention of staying here and letting himself be used for sex everyday. No way. But if he couldnt get away for a while, or make Kasan stop, it was a relief, a HUGE relief, to think that he wasnt going to be hurt while he was stuck here. God, such a relief. The man hadnt let those other cats have him, and he hadnt hurt him. Those were pretty big issues, right? Not being traded like a sexual baseball card, and not injured or in agony. If he could just get some damn food soon, he could cope with this. As long as he got Kasan to turn around. He dithered a moment and finally took the last few steps, closing the distance between

them. He grabbed Kasans arm, pulling. If he got jumped, hed justhed try to get away and probably end up screwed anyway, butat least it would feel good, wouldnt it? Max was not disappointed, not at all, when Kasan let himself be turned away from the bed at Maxs urging. Max watched carefully as he drew his hands away, but aside from Kasans tail starting to sway back and forth, and his ears quivering slightly, Kasan stayed where he was. Thank God this was working. His first successful attempt at trying to communicate something. It was always a huge rush. And in this case it was a hell of a lot less embarrassing, too. Max went back to his safe haven across the bed, tossing the pillow to the side. Sighing in pleasure at finally being able to clean himself off, he drew the cloth along the inside of his thighs and up higher where fluids had leaked out of his bottom. It still felt a little tender and he moved the cloth very, very carefully. The soft stroking of the silky liquid felt lovely against his skin and he hummed in pleasure. In just a few moments, he moved onto his penis and started cleaning it slowly, wrapping his hand around in a way reminiscent of what Kasan had been doing only minutes before. To his embarrassment, it started to harden before he finished, but at least he was clean. So what the heck did he do with the cloth now? Did Kasan want it back? He looked up and froze, his hand holding the cloth to his penis as he met Kasans eyes in a mirror. He looked around frantically. He could see Kasans face in at least half of them. Which meant that Kasan could see HIM in that many. You perverted bastard, Kasan. Max glared at him, blushing as Kasan smiled wickedly. The big cat turned around to face Max and held out his hand for the cloth. Hearing Kasan laugh as Max covered his privates with another pillow, Max lost his temper. Hed put up with enough crap in the last few days. He really had! He didnt need some big cat jerk peeping at him and laughing at him on top of everything! Maxs fist tightened over the cloth in his hand and he threw the soiled, heavy piece of fabric straight at Kasan. Kasans hand whipped up to catch it just before it hit his face. Oh God. Max looked at Kasan, his stomach falling to his toes as his anger drained out so quickly he was dizzy. Had he just pissed him off?? Hed been so happy to find out he wasnt going to be hurt during sex, he hadnt thought. There were a hell of a lot of ways he could be hurt other than sex. What was Kasan going to do to him? # Kasan grabbed the cloth out of the air and stared at it absently a moment before he tossed it behind him at the cleaning alcove. His little Gisho was so quirky. Hed done his

cleansing striptease that hed wanted Kasan to watch through the mirrors, and then acted as though he was angry at Kasan and done his funny body hiding again. It had been so adorable Kasan had to laugh. Which had prompted what looked like a little temper fit and now Max was looking nervous and worried again. Gisho was cute, but Kasan really had no idea what motivated the little thing. Kasan looked at his consorts exposed skin and smiled to himself as he recalled the past few hours. Hmmm. If Max grew too upset, Kasan should really try to comfort him a bit. He smiled as a few ways to do so sprang to mind. He could sit down and put Max on his lapnaked. Or he could help him lie down on the bed and hold onto his thighs before Kasan sucked him into a mindless frenzy so that he forgot all his worries. Or he could bend him over the bed and massage his back before he took him from behind. Kasan groaned as he was once again as hard as stone. He really needed to stop thinking this way. Hed already made his consort come three times in the last eight hours; he wasnt sure it was healthy to make him come again. If it was even physically possible; how often could humans orgasm without damaging themselves? The little one seemed exhausted already and theyd barely started the day. Although if the heat was pushing at him, maybe the nanites would compensate They wouldnt have any choice in that case, after all. Kasan paused to take stock and sighed as he found no evidence of peaking heat. Damn. Groaning as he tried to keep his hands to himself, Kasan let his eyes admire Maxs face. It was so precious. Everything about it, from the lips that Max was constantly nibbling on to the red that bloomed across his cheeks at the oddest times, turned Kasan on. Kasans eyes dropped to the pillow blocking his view of Maxs privates and he cursed under his breath as he felt himself firm up again. Leero had better get here soon before Kasan forgot all about his family, and most especially his father, expecting him. Kasan really needed to get ready for the Greeting so he could get it over with. Ignoring his dicks opinion of what the following hours should involve, Kasan tried to remind himself of what he needed to accomplish. It wasnt much, in reality. He just needed to show up and have his mark seen by everyone, and have Maxs recognized as well. At least he didnt have to worry about proving his mark was real rather than wait the three weeks until his continued existence proved that hed mated. One look, one damn thought about Max was enough to get him hard, and thats all it took for the nanites to bleed into his system and cause the mark to disappear. Kasan was a bit more nervous about having the mark seen in the first place, as he couldnt seem to get erotic pictures of his consort out of his head. Hell, he doubted the nanites had been inactive long enough to form the mark all morning long. He had to take care of that before he entered the Greeting Room. Actually, he should probably part from his consort as soon as possible to ensure that he could tone down the lust a little.

At least long enough for everyone to see the mark. After that, he was planning to indulge his and Maxs bodies until neither of them could walk, hopefully. Taking a fortifying breath, Kasan returned the cleanser to its proper place and rummaged through his clothing for something suitable. A formal ceremony was one of the few times where hed put up with the highly embroidered cloths that Aosh always favored, so the damn things were practically new when he brought them out. Grabbing a pretty blue tunic as well, he turned back to his consort. He smiled at the sight of him, his eyes gliding over his consorts skin, and knew he was making the right choice in picking something that would hide all that flesh. Not that he wasnt going to catch hell for it. Tradition had the consort dressed in the sexiest, sheerest fabrics possible for the Greeting, to ensure the mates libido responded appropriately. The fact that Kasan planned to cover up as much of Max as he could get away with was going to be talked about. At length. For years, knowing his brothers. But better that than Kasan attack someone for looking overly long at his consort. At the moment, even the thought of everyone looking at the little mans bottom as they verified the mark had Kasans hackles up and his ears flat. Kasan had to swallow a growl to keep himself from scaring Max. Looking at Maxs nervous little face, he wasnt sure if hed succeeded. Why so nervous, little one? Youve done this before, remember? Clothing. Its clothing. Kasan placed Maxs loincloth, tunic, and cording on the bed and stepped back to wrap his own cloth. He smiled as Max edged forward to grab the loincloth before retreating to the other side of the bed. Max looked from the cloth to the pillow he clutched to his member and his entire body flushed as he dropped the pillow and covered his penis with his hand. Why did he keep doing that? Did humans feel the cold there more keenly? Kasan hadnt even thought of that as an issue. Hed have to keep an eye on him. If his consorts groin seemed to need a different sort of covering, perhaps he could arrange to have something in thicker fabrics made for him. As Kasan started to arrange the long cloth, he noticed Max copying his movements and smiled at him again. Trying to do it yourself this time, hmm? All right then, Ill slow down for you. Kasan moved slowly, watching Max bite his lower lip as the little one worked on mimicking his creation. Kasan made no move to correct the one error he saw developing along the way, although the mistake itself made it clear that Max was unaccustomed to wrapping his own loincloth. Everyone always made the same mistake when they first started dressing themselves, after all. They had to experience its results at least once before they really learned to tie it properly. And the effects were always enjoyable. Max smiled at him triumphantly as he finished, letting out a happy little shout just before his cloth untwisted and slid down to his knees. He yelled and grabbed at it

unsuccessfully, toppling over as it tangled around his ankles. Seeing Max naked on the floor as he walked over to him, his legs practically tied together, started Kasans mind down a path he hadnt explored yet. Not that the little thing was strong enough to fight him off under normal circumstances, but a little bondage was always rather fun. Once Max trusted him a bit more, of course. Kasan cleared his throat as his erection once again grew rather prominent, and Maxs eyes latched onto its obvious presence immediately. His consort started yelling as he scooted away on the floor, his legs still bound up by the loincloth. "Oh no you dont! Dont you come near me, you damn sex-fiend! Kasan stopped. He didnt want to scare the little one too badly just before the Greeting. It was stressful enough for a couple who could actually talk to each other. It might be cutting it close, time-wise, but he could give Max a few more attempts before he interfered. There was a knock at the door in a familiar pattern and Kasan cursed. There went the extra time. Hed have to do it himself. Well need a few minutes, Leero. Kasan was walking towards his consort before Leeros voice even muttered his acknowledgement. Im sorry, Gisho, but were going to have to do this damn fast. Youll have to practice later. He reached down and scooped Max into his arms, pulling the tangled loincloth from his ankles as he did so. Max yelled out before he grabbed at the loincloth. Give that back! I can do it on my own! Kasan tried to stand Max on the bed and clothe him as quickly as he could, but the little thing dodged away from him as soon as his feet touched down. I can put it on myself! Just stay away and give me the darn loincloth! Max pointed at the cloth in Kasans hands before tripping over a pillow and sprawling onto his back. Kasan had to laugh at the stunned expression on his face, and he reached over and quickly scooped Max into his arms again. Hed rather not upset his consort too much, but they were out of time. Put me down, you huge honkin cat!! Sitting on the edge of the bed, Kasan put Max on his lap and started arranging the loincloth. His erection was pushed at provocatively as Max squirmed and fought while Kasan worked on getting hold of the little ones member to arrange it for wrapping. He finally managed to grasp it and he held on firmly as he shifted to reach the cloth.

NO! Bad touching! Leave that alone! Pervert! Lecher! Freaking cat nymphomaniac! Stop touching me, dammit, and let me do it myself!! Maxs small hands pulled and clawed at him, but Kasan felt the mans cock swell within his hand. As the increase in size grew even more noticeable, Max started to blush and Kasan grinned. Using his consorts momentary discomfort as a distraction, Kasan lifted him up by the waist long enough to slip the cloth underneath him, sliding it up the middle of his bottom and twisting everything together while Max was still squeaking in outraged surprise. With the loincloth on, Kasan let Max crawl off of him and onto the bed. Kasan had one foot on the floor and was about to call out to Leero when he heard Maxs stomach growl loudly. Ah damn, thats right, he still hadnt eaten! You poor thing, youre probably starving, arent you? Here, precious, I should have brought this out earlier. He trotted over to the alcove where he had tossed the food earlier and grabbed it. He didnt want to starve him, but they didnt have much time. By the time hed turned around, Max had taken the tunic from the bed and pulled it over his head, wrapping the cord around it in a sloppy but still serviceable series of loops. Good enough, sweetheart. The others dont like it, they can keep it to themselves. Plopping the bundle onto the pillows, Kasan opened it quickly under Maxs wary eyes and groaned as he saw the contents. First night. Of course. How could he have forgotten. Damn cooks had put just about every sexual food in the whole damn world in there. Looking carefully, Kasan couldnt see one single thing that wasnt either phallic, hollow, or an aphrodisiac. He only hoped that Max wouldnt notice. Glancing at him, Kasan was fairly certain he wouldnt. The little man was hovering at the far edge of the bed, staring at the entire assortment as though it might jump out and bite him at any moment. Blue eyes looked up at him with a clear question, and Kasan picked up a seeded bun reputed to increase stamina and tore off a small piece. See, its food. He popped it into his mouth and chewed. Maxs face lit up and he scrambled forward to pick up the bread. Zee, iz food, he said haltingly, pointing at it with his other hand. He was trying to talk to him? Kasan smiled slowly. Leero could damn well wait a few more minutes. Food. Its food. Food. Max took a tentative bite and groaned in pleasure before stuffing the rest of it in his mouth. He reached for a piece of canto fruit and paused as he looked at it. Food? Kasan nodded and watched him pick up the cream colored, phallic fruit. Max moaned in pleasure again, licking the sticky juices from his chin as they splashed out, and Kasan cleared his throat uncomfortably.

Not that he wasnt enjoying the sight of pale white fluids dripping down his consorts face. And he sure as hell didnt mind watching Max sucking the elongated thing into his pink lips before he bit off an end. But he was supposed to be avoiding arousal right now and it was entirely too erotic to see him eat the damn thing. Not to mention that Leero was probably prowling with impatience by now. Kasan raised his voice. You can come in now, Leero. Leero entered and stopped dead, staring at Max. Thats just cold, Kasan. Making me wait and now throwing your recent activities in my face? Although if you were trying to turn me on, youve done a superb job of it. Leero smirked at him and Kasan looked at his consort, seeing him kneeling on the bed chewing on the end of the fruit. Gisho stiffened as he continued to eat, watching Leero warily. The entire pose was so blatantly sexual that Kasan cursed. He punched Leero in the head and then took the fruit from Gishos hand. He almost gave it back at the look of loss that crossed his consorts face Leero tsked at him as he rubbed his jaw, sitting on the floor. Crueler and crueler today. Poor little human looks like hes about to cry. How your father raised you to be such an unkind mate, I have no idea. Shut up, you dumbass, Kasan muttered. He tried to avoid watching Maxs forlorn expression as he bundled the rest of the food away. Leero stood and looked more closely at Max. The human was sitting on the bed and somehow managing to stare after the food being carried away without taking his eyes from Leero. Seriously, IS he going to cry? His eyes are positively glistening. Theyre always like that, Kasan said absently as he concentrated on shoving things into the alcove. Hes just got pretty eyes. Another look by Leero had him shaking his head. I still say he looks like hes about to start weeping any second. I dont think Ive ever seen someone look that covetously at phallic food in my life. He doesnt understand why he cant eat and he probably thinks Im simply taking it all away. I cant exactly tell him that hell have some at firstmeal in a little while, now can I? And this is the first thing thats gone into his stomach since weve bonded. Hes starving. Kasan looked up and finally saw Maxs face. Oh sweetheart, dont look like that. Im not taking it away forever, we just need to get down to the meal Max bit his lip. Food? Fuck. The longing in those blue eyes was completely irresistible. Theyll just have to wait for you, Kasan muttered and pulled out the least juicy, least phallic looking thing he could find. He handed it to Max, his entire chest warming at Gishos grateful look. Give him enough time to eat before you bring him, Leero. Ill take my time getting

down there, so you should be fine. Leero nodded, and then gestured towards Maxs tunic. You have thought about what to do for people to see the mark, right? Its pretty much covered up right now. Yeah. Kasan sighed again. He pulled Max to his feet. As his consort stared at him nervously, he reached behind Max and pulled on the back of the tunic, tucking the end on one side up under the ties until one cheek of his consorts bottom showed with its pertinent silver crown. Max glared at him, his cheeks bulged out with the food he was practically inhaling, and yanked the tunic out until it covered his ass again. Holding his lips together to keep from smiling, Kasan shook his head and put one hand on Maxs shoulder to hold him still. Trying to look stern, he rearranged his clothes again. A glare and a yank later, Maxs bottom was shielded from view. Kasan heard suspicious snorting from Leero and growled at him. Shut up, you idiot. Youre the one who reminded me that he should stay exposed and you know it. Max was craning his neck to glare up at him and Kasan smothered another smile. Rearranging his clothing one last time, Kasan took a deep breath and forced himself to scowl back. It made Maxs eyes widen in fright and he took a step back, his hands coming up defensively. Ah no. Gisho, no, Im not going hurt you. Dammit Kasans hand hovered and Leero snorted again. What?! Kasans voice snapped harshly as he looked at his friend. I just never thought Id see the day that a pair of eyes would be enough to drop you to your knees. Leero gestured with his head to Kasans hand, still hovering as though he might relent and let Max pull the tunic down over his bottom. You cant tell me you werent about to let him cover up in spite of the trouble it would cause. The scowl came naturally this time as Kasan turned it on Leero. Fuck. You. The little things frightened, he doesnt understand whats going on, and so far his only two words are Kasan and food. It wouldnt kill us to be a little compassionate towards him until he adjusts. Leeros smirk only widened. Uh huh. Compassionate. Thats one word for it. I think I prefer completely wrapped around his tiny fingers. It has a nicer ring. Kasan took a deep sigh and his hand dropped. He looked silently at Max, worrying at the lingering fright on his consorts face. Did you bring the cloak? he finally asked. Leero nodded. Dont worry, no one will see him before he enters the room. And before you ask, I have extra guards posted in case Shovak has more spies in the palace than we

know of and tries anything. I didnt see any evidence of interest in your little one among the papers we discussed, but I know. Once he finds out Max is a true consort, they may try for him. Kasan reached out and stroked his fingers down Gishos hair before taking his hand. Patting it gently, Kasan led him over to Leero. He held out his hand to Leero for the cloak, taking the heavy fabric and arranging it over Maxs shoulders before pulling the hood up. The bottom trailed in a heavy pool behind his consorts feet. Kasan leaned down to look into confused blue eyes and gestured towards his friend. Leero. This is Leero, Max had to lean back so far to look up into Leeros face that the large Kyashin finally crouched down to stare back. Leero, let me formally introduce you to my consort, Max, Kasan said softly. Max. Leero nodded at him and the little man nodded back hesitantly, looking between the two of them. Leeero. The voice wasnt the high pitched voice of a child that Leero half expected, but the deep tones lacked the typical low grumble that came with age. Stay with Leero, Max. Hell protect you until you see me. Kasan pushed Max next to Leero and stepped away from them before he turned stiffly and headed for the door. Ill guard him with my life, Kasan. I know. Kasan blew out his breath. Wish me luck. With YOUR family? Take it as a given. And dont forget to braid your hair. You look like a barbarian with it down like that! Kasan left with a chuckle. Leero turned back to find Kasans consort staring at the closed door with horrified eyes before staring back at him. When Leero reached out, Max backed away, his food falling to the floor as he gesticulated and talked rapidly in incomprehensible gibberish. Hey, squirt. Theres no need to get all excited now. Just a few minutes and you can get back to leading Kasan around by the balls so that the rest of us can enjoy it, eh? No ones going to hurt you. Max continued to babble and Leero shook his head as he couldnt understand a word of it. Well, this looks like itll be interesting, now doesnt it? Looking down at the food on the floor, Leero sighed. Not interested in eating anymore, eh? Well then, why dont we go down and get this over with? Looks like youd much rather be with Kasan. Reaching out, he grasped Maxs hand and started to pull him

gently towards the door. His grip tightened as Max started to fight him, kicking out at his legs violently. Shush now, its all right. Im not going to hurt you, Max. Max continued kicking for a moment, and when that proved ineffective he started clawing and pulling at Leeros hand. Im sure youre trying, but trust me, theres nothing you can do thats going to make me let go--Ow! Leero looked from his bleeding hand to Kasans consort who was already on the far side of the room. You bit me. Leero looked at the small round set of indentations on his hand in admiration. I didnt know you had that much fire hiding in there, little one. Looking at him, Leero grinned. Thats much better than just a cute face and a pretty little body. You are going to bring Kasan past being on his knees and all the way onto his back. Max was shaking his head at him as Leero approached again. He started pointing to the door and back at himself, saying Kasan over and over. Leero stopped, the frantic, fearful gestures and wide azure eyes putting a little hitch in his chest. Hell, I see why you get to him. His protective streak must be going absolutely crazy when you throw that look at him, sweetie, he muttered before nodding slowly and pointing to the door. Kasan, yes. Thats where were going now, to see Kasan. Hes waiting for us. You just need to come with me, little one, and youll be with Kasan in no time. Leero tried to get close to the little man at a slow walk, but Max refused to let him near. Every step he took had Kasans consort scrambling backwards or scooting along the wall. Now dont be that way. Im taking you to Kasan. Kasan. You like Kasan, dont you? I can bring you to him. To Kasan. As Maxs eyes followed his finger and glanced to the door, Leero leaped, trying to grab hold of him. He cursed as Max ducked under his arms with a yelp of fright and ran to the other side of the room again. After quite a few minutes playing a frantic, disjointed game of hunt n chase, Kasans consort went so far as to run for the door, rearing back as the two guards still stationed there turned to see who was coming out. No matter how many times Leero said Kasans name and pointed to the doorway, Max wouldnt let him near enough to touch him. Leero cursed again as he realized just how much time hed wasted trying to simply get Kasans consort out the door. If the guards had been listening at all, which they likely were, hed be hearing about this for years. He took a deep breath to prepare himself for one last attempt before he had to give up and ask for help from the guards. Kasan is damn well going to kill me for taking you down for the Greeting like this, but its for your own good. So, lets get this over with, shall

we? He charged Kasans consort, leaping over the bed as Max tried to run, and just managing to snag him by the end of his cloak. As Max yelled out, Leero wrapped the cloak so tightly around his body that it bound up his arms, and tossed him over his shoulder. Thank God! You are harder to get hold of than money from a misers purse! Foreign sounding yells and muffled curses came flying from Maxs mouth as Leero hurried him out of the room and into the hallway. The two guards stared at him with identical mocking smiles. Sir Not a word if you dont want to be cleaning the dung heap for the next month. Ah, no sir. Leero nodded and practically sprinted down the hallway as he tried to make it to the Greeting on time. The two guards could hear the yelling bundle of cloth over his shoulder long after he disappeared around a corner. They looked at each other and shrugged. Im sure well find out about it later. I dont believe that I even want to know. Chapter 8 - What IS That? A piece of dark blond hair had fallen out of his braid and into Leeros eyes, again, and he sighed as he blew it out of the way. It flopped back down, tickling his nose, and Leero looked pleadingly at Niku. The older guard was standing where the hallway began its turn for the Consorts Entrance. Hed been laughing silently at Leero since Leero had shown up with Max over his shoulder. If Leero was lucky, his mentor would actually come over, even though he was on duty. Considering that Leero was currently kneeling behind Kasans consort, both hands occupied with holding slim shoulders through the cloak, he really hoped Niku was feeling compassionate at the moment. Obviously in a merciful mood, Niku stepped close and tucked Leeros hair back into his braid, chuckling. It looks like Prince Kasan is going to have his hands full with this one. I certainly hope so. Nikus laugh was deep and rich. Oh, so do I. That boy needs someone to take his mind off his troubles. He turned his face to Maxs shadowed face inside the cloak. Dont worry, little one, you just let us know if Kasan gets out of hand and well make sure to

help keep him in line. Niku waited for a response until Leero shook his head at him. The squirt doesnt speak Hinta. Making sure to raise his voice so the other guard who stood next to the actual door to the Greeting room could hear him, he went on. Poor thing cant understand a word we say, so the entire things been a bit of a shock. Aaaah. Niku looked down at Max and patted the top of his head, chuckling again as Max jerked his head away from the touch. Did Shovak kidnap some poor girl from the borderlands, then? It seems like something the bastard would do. Something like that, Leero muttered. He didnt feel right lying to someone who probably remembered him still learning to run, but he could completely understand Kasans desire to keep things private until after the Greeting. At least that way, the Greeting itself would be seen before any rumors started flying. Thats a hard way to become a consort, Niku murmured. Although if it had to happen, Kasans as good a man as any to have as a mate. He might be grumpy as hell, but hes fair, and hes usually kind to the littles. Im sure theyll come to terms. Most likely, Leero said. He looked up to see the guard by the door carefully shutting the small window into the Greeting room and gesturing briefly. Kasan had come into the room, then. Leero had hardly been able to believe it when hed come down and found out that Kasan was still waiting at his own entrance, but at least it gave him time for his friends consort to calm himself a bit. In theory, anyway. He honestly wondered if Max might be wriggling more now than when theyd first arrived. Not that it mattered so long as Max didnt try to run away once the door was open. Trying to traverse the path to the Knot while holding onto a struggling little man was not something he wanted to do in front of Kasan. He didnt honestly think that hed make it through the entire Greeting without having to restrain the little thing. So far, every attempt to let Max down while keeping him in place had resulted in more biting or the near loss of the cloak. Holding him from behind, and in a spot where his teeth couldnt reach, seemed to be the only way Leero could watch out for his own hide and still keep Kasans consort safe. It was a shame he had to be the one doing this, in a way. If hed had to watch Kasan dealing with his frantic little consort, he knew he would have laughed until his teeth ached. As it was, he could hardly wait to pass the little one off to his rightful mate. Niku cleared his throat and Leero looked back at him. Not to interfere in your duties, Leero, but you may want to ask Prince Kasans consort if she needs to relieve herself. Leero looked at him blankly. Excuse me? Ive simply noticed that she seems to be squirming an awful lot under there, and I know

that my granddaughter moves just that way when shes about to pee herself. Oh hell. Was he right? Did Max need to pee, or was he just trying to get away? Damn. There was an alcove right off the hallway for just this purpose, but they hardly had the time. Max squirmed again and Leero stood up, moving quickly towards the facilities while still holding onto Maxs shoulders. If he were lucky, theyd be quick enough that they wouldnt hold up the ceremony. Sliding the door to the side, Leero pushed Max in and closed it behind them. The small depression with water flowing through it took up half the small room, and Leero looked at it skeptically. It was made so that an adult could stand over it easily, the wastes falling into the water, but it was going to be a bit of a straddle for Max. Hed probably do better with the childs size, but this room wasnt equipped with that. It was solely intended for consorts, and whod ever seen a consort this size before? Leero looked at Max, who had plastered himself against the far wall since Leero had released him, and he sighed. You have no idea what this is, do you? Of course not. How lovely. Not only do I get to chase Kasans consort around his bedroom, I get to teach you how to pee, too. He pointed to the water. You pee here. Uncomprehending eyes stared at him. Leero sighed again and pointed to Maxs groin and back to the water. You use your dick here, got it? Another blank stare. Obviously not. He rubbed the back of his head as he contemplated what to do, his golden hair starting to frizz in reaction. He finally loosened his loincloth. I cannot believe Im doing this. Honestly. A pissing demonstration was not what I signed up for. Kasan is going to owe me so much for this, little one. Looking up, he saw Kasans consort trembling, his face white as he watched Leeros hands. Hey now, whats What do you think Im going to do?! Im just going to pee, for the love of Here. Here, this is what Im doing! Leero tried to relieve himself and nothing came out. Now is not the time to be contrary! he snarled at his dick, trying to relax as his head worried about the time this was taking and the fact that he was actually taking a piss in front of someone. Hell, this is practically obscene, he muttered to himself. With a little more effort, and a lot of visualizing himself in a nice quiet patch of forest, Leero finally managed to a pathetic little dribble. He stepped back and gestured to Max. There, now do you understand what this is for? Ill leave you alone and you canor maybe not. The little man had already dropped his loincloth completely to the ground and was currently holding up his top and cloak and using the elongated basin with a look of bliss on his face. Really had to go, I guess. About to tighten his loincloth back up, Leero grimaced as he saw Maxs cloak about to drop into the water. Woah, dont drop it in there! Leero snagged the cloth just before it

fell from Maxs hands. Max startled violently and shied away, stepping back frantically. Its all right! God youre a jumpy littleaw shit! Leero jumped back, tripping slightly as his unsecured loincloth started to slip down, and looked at his wet shins and feet. Max had stumbled away from him, but he hadnt stopped peeing You peed on me! I cant believeshit. Now Im going to have to Hey, wait a second! While Leero had looked at his legs in disgust, Max had started to edge towards the door. The pale skinned man slid it open frantically, his eyes huge and frightened, and ran out. Leero started to follow and stumbled as his loincloth slipped again. Dammit! Niku, stop him! He twisted his clothing together as he heard the guards startled exclamation, and sprinted out the door after him while still trying to tighten it. Leero saw Max skid to a halt as Niku stepped out to block him from running down the open hallway. The little man whipped around and sped past Leero to the Consorts door. The other guard assigned there froze as the cloaks hood fell from the little ones head and exposed his human features. What the hell is THAT?! The guard growled. With one aggressive snarl, the man leapt at Max while Leero yelled desperately. No! Dont hurt him! He neednt have bothered. Max slid under the guards charge, slipping on the floor while the guard slammed into the wall. He yanked the door wide, darting inside and ramming it shut behind him. Leero cursed to himself as he tried to catch up. Kasans consort was terrified and running free in the Greeting Room, his loincloth still laying in a tangle on the floor in the piss room. Damn. Kasan was going to use Leeros dick for sausage. # Kasan cursed under his breath as he braided his hair into one long plait. Working on it as he walked quickly down the hallway, he was already on his third attempt and he had a feeling that he was still going to need a fourth before he got it right. He absolutely hated braiding his own damn hair. By the time he was done, it usually looked like hed had a drunk with two twigs and a rake do it for him. Which is why Zonta should have snuck away and damn well helped him. What were younger brothers for if you couldnt use them to do your hair for you? Hed even have put up with a night of smirking from Aosh if the brattish lecher would have bailed him out.

Growling, he yanked out the messy, knotted braid as he turned the last corner before the Mates entrance. About ready to simply cut the annoying stuff off his head rather than try braiding it even one more time, he almost yelled in relief as he saw who was waiting for him. Thank God! Zonta, you are forgiven for everything! Kasan walked over and embraced his brother enthusiastically. Im glad to see you too, Zonta said with a relieved smile. I thought you might not make it to your own Greeting. If I remembered I had to braid my hair for it, I might not have, Kasan muttered as he released his sibling and automatically turned to let his youngest brother run gentle fingers through his hair. How is it that I could beat any one of you in a fight but my own hair does me in? I take it as a sign that the universe has a sense of fairness, Zonta teased, trying not to pull as he worked the tangles out. After a brief pause, he cleared his throat nervously. Im sorry about last night with your consort. Kasan grunted. I know you probably tried to stop them. Not hard enough. Zonta protested quietly. He smoothed a hand over Kasans hair and started braiding it with light, efficient twists. Were you able to calm the little one down after everyone took their leave? You know very well it was more a case of being thrown out rather than leaving. Kasan chuckled. Or did the guards dump Aosh in a separate room for once? I dont think hes grown up enough to have his own room yet, Zonta commented with a smile in his voice as he tied off the braid with a slim gold chain. Maybe in a couple years when we take our own consorts. God help the poor things. Kasan laughed as he turned and looked up. He touched Zontas lips in thanks. Youd better get in before father sends the guards after you. You can apologize to Max after the Greeting. Im sure he would appreciate one face that wasnt leering at his ears. Ill see what I can manage. I dont promise anything about not leering, though. The little things are awfully cute. Kasan smacked him lightly on the shoulder. Go, you faker. The day you have a truly lecherous thought, Ill eat my own tail. Zonta smiled cheekily and hurried down the hall to the main entrance of the Greeting Room while Kasan took deep breaths and tried to calm himself. Hed need to wait a few

minutes to give Zonta time to get back. Feeling his mind shifting to thoughts of Maxs ears, he tried to take even deeper breaths. He HAD to keep his mark showing until hed walked the entire room. No lustful thoughts. None. His mind needed to be a pure as new snow, or still water, or Maxs skinshit. He heard a low rumble through the door and mentally latched onto it. How many people had to be inside for it to be heard through the thick door? Brothers and cousins, at the very least, and most likely aunts and uncles and anyone else his father had guilted into attending. A huge, crazy, noisy, wild mob, in other words. And he was about to go in and let himself be seen by the whole rampaging horde, and he had to let them all gape at his consorts ass. There, that took care of the lust, he thought angrily. So far, his Gisho had only had to deal with himself and his idiot brothers, and that had been difficult enough. Having to cope with an entire roomful of people when he didnt know what was going on was going to very hard on the little one. Everyone had better get a damn good look when he walked to meet Kasan, frankly, because he wasnt going to let them look for more than a few moments before he was taking Max away to Firstmeal. Although even that was going to be a challenge. After all, Kasan would still have to face his father. Considering that Kasan hadnt yet informed him of the rather unique characteristics of his consort, the meeting would be memorable, to the say the least. Not to mention disturbing, once Kasan revealed what Leero had discovered about Shovaks recent activities. Finding out how the Lord Kings younger brother had betrayed the family was going to rend a hole right through his fathers heart. Kasan only hoped that everyone dealt with the revelation without completely losing control, otherwise Maxs first few hours after the Greeting were going to be an absolute nightmare, for both of them. Maybe Kasan would be blessed and the heat would hit him again right after the Greeting. He could pull Max away for some quiet time with just the two of them. Otherwise, the way things were likely to progress today, the poor thing would be plastered against Kasan for the entire Firstmeal. Although that wouldnt exactly be a bad thing. Kasan breathed out sharply, hoping Zonta was in place because if Kasan waited any longer, his damn mark was going to disappear again. With a nod, he signaled the guard to open the door for him and he walked through the entrance. The tiled floor underneath his feet was patterned in different shades of gold, forming a path that wound through the room in a sinuous line that would eventually allow everyone the chance to see his mark up close. He smiled and nodded at familiar and friendly faces, winking at the littles who peeked in between their parents legs and even receiving a brief hug from one the smaller ones as she ran out and grabbed onto his calf for a few minutes before he sent her back to her mother. Every time the path crossed tiles in shades of gray and silver, Kasan had to think boring, un-sexy thoughts just to keep his mark in place. Jolan coating his tail with glue and feathers. Aosh borrowing his bed for his own private

orgy. Nolluz talkingat all. When thoughts of his brothers stopped working, he reminded himself that the path was a symbol of just how far Max would have to walk with his little ass cheek showing to everyone. That thought worked to keep him limp and irritated for the rest of the path. As he continued to walk, Kasan couldnt help but notice how much of the room was covered in tense silence. The silence only lasted until he came close, then dissipated into relieved and congratulatory smiles as soon as his mark was noted. Kasan found himself touched more than hed imagined himself capable of. Everyone here was worried, for him. It was common knowledge that of the few throwbacks born, some never made it through their mating heat without it raging out of control. He hadnt realized that so many of his own relatives had feared that the same fate might be in his future, as well. On the last segment of the path, walking the inner circle, Kasan passed his close family and beamed as he saw his brothers. The only unbruised face among them was Zontas. Which was probably for the best, considering that Aosh was the most beaten one among them. The lecher would need his healthy twin to nurse his sorry ass back to health over the next few days. Still smiling, Kasan met his fathers eyes. He silently acknowledged the question in them, debating how much to tell the Lord King about the previous night. Hed have to decide how much to share based on how well his brothers behaved during the Greeting and Firstmeal. His beating was nothing compared to what their father would do if he heard theyd touched his consort on Firstnight. A few more steps, and Kasan was finally in the center of the room, standing on an elaborate knot made up of silver and gold tiles. He faced the Consorts Entrance and tried not to let his tail switch too obviously. Everyone was already arranging themselves to clear the silver path for Max, and Kasan restrained the growl in his chest as they settled themselves so that theyd be watching the back of Max once he started walking. The only ones completely facing Kasan were those closest enough to see the mark; they would vouch for its disappearance when Max entered. The thought of how many would be staring at Maxs bottom made it very hard to hold onto his calm. At least it wouldnt be long. Leero would walk Max down the path; not the most common arrangement, but not unheard of for those unfamiliar with the castles rather elaborate Greeting room. Hopefully Leero would hurry Max through the entire thing and Kasan could cover his little one up before his desire to hide Max away became too much to handle. A few minutes wait had many members of his family shifting impatiently. Theyd just have to wait. Max had probably taken a little while to finish his food. Everyone could live with the brief time spent standing so that his Gisho wasnt starving before the ceremony. Concentrating on controlling his rebellious tail again, Kasans ears swiveled as he heard a loud exclamation from behind the door. Leeros voice yelled out, followed by a muffled thud, and then the door was slammed open and a small, cloaked figure ran in, closing it behind him. Kasan watched, stunned, as Max faced the door only a moment before whipping around. The little ones hood was off and Kasan had a clear look at Maxs terror stricken face as he froze and stared open mouthed at the crowd in front of him.

Feeling his ears flatten as he saw his consort completely alone and frightened, and without Leero, Kasan scowled. Where the hell was Leero?! He was supposed to have brought Max down and looked after him, dammit! A low rumbling ran through the crowd from those who happened to be facing the right door, and Max flattened himself against the wall as more and more eyes turned his way. Screw the damn ceremony, he thought. Max needed him. Kasan opened his mouth to call to his consort, but was drowned out by one of his nieces who happened to notice the heads turning around her. Mama, whats that? Like the rest of his family, Nolluzs consort was facing Kasan and the center of the room. She smiled as she murmured a response, glancing back to see what had prompted her daughters outburst, and her jaw dropped. My Goodness Her stunned exclamation got the attention of everyone within hearing, and before Kasan could try to call out again, every last person in the room had turned to see what was going on at the Consorts door. His poor little one was plastered back against the wall, completely panicked, when the door slid to the side and Leero loomed in the open doorway. Ha, caught you! Leeros hand reached down, catching hold of the cloak. Max dropped to the ground, yelling, and the overlarge cloak slipped over his head as he freed himself. Bolting as Leero tossed the cloak to the side, Max sprinted into the crowd. Son of a- Come back here, you little squirt! No ones going to hurt you! Having caught sight of more bare skin than he should be able to see as Maxs tunic flapped open, Kasan snarled and finally managed to find his voice. LEERO! What the hell happened to Maxs clothes? Running after Max, Leero yelled back, Later! Let me catch him first! Max ran desperately, dodging through men and women as Leero chased after him. The little man hit a clump standing too close together for him to weave through and halted, staring. Looking behind, he caught sight of Leero closing in and he dove to the floor, crawling through the groups legs. Leero, leave him be! Youre scaring him, dammit! Kasan cursed, trying to locate his consort in the mob. Catching a brief glimpse of pale limbs and golden hair sliding frantically around two of his aunts, Kasan left his assigned place to run after his consort. If he didnt get to him before one of his relatives, who knew how traumatized the poor thing was going to be.

Leero had better have a damn good explanation for all of this. Kasan The Lord Kings voice trailed off as his newly mated son ran after the small being that could be seen weaving in and out, and under, half the crowd. Jolan started laughing and Kasans father turned, looking at him. His eldest son seemed awfully unconcerned that there was some unknown, odd creature currently scampering through the room. Jolan, what is going Jolan was running out into the crowd before his father finished. Sorry, father, I need to help Kasan for a moment! Turning to address Nolluz instead, Kyoru was somehow unsurprised to see him close on Jolans heels, followed by Tisu, Aosh, and finally Zonta in quick succession. Left with a small number of surprised consorts and a large space, he shook his head and settled himself to watch. Whatever was happening, he was sure it would be entertaining. Events surrounding his children usually were. Infuriating and unbelievable, but entertaining as long as he could cultivate the right frame of mind, and hed had a number of years to do just that. Seeing the small, pale skinned little thing burst out from behind his eldest cousin and dive into a group of females, Kyoru squinted, trying to figure out what he was looking at. Nolluzs consort stared with him. What IS that? He heard his own fascinated interest in her voice. Catching another glimpse as a male he couldnt even identify reached for the creature, Kyorus mouth fell open as the small body jumped over outstretched arms and its tunic flared out behind it. Something small and silver glittered a moment on a pale cheek before the tunic covered it back up. Hmm. I believe that may be the newest member of the family, he answered slowly, ignoring the surprised murmurs around him. Another leap, this time backwards as someone stepped in front of the little consort, and Kyoru blinked. The tunic had flapped up again. Kasans consort was quite definitely of the male persuasion. It looks like Kasan has quite a bit to tell me once this Greeting ends. The quick footed boy ran in front of him and Kyoru chuckled as two of his brothers collided with each other trying to catch it. Looking around as over half the family ran, hid, or sprawled in heaps on the floor, he smiled broadly. He had a feeling he was going to enjoy getting to know this one. # Kasan snarled as yet another interfering member of his family got in between him and his

consort and prevented him from catching up to Gisho. At this point, everyone was either chasing his little one or calling out advice to those who were. Its over here! Hurry, you can get it when it comes by you! No, its on the path. Not thereby the Mates Entrance! Its behind you, on your left! No, your other left, you idiot! Ieeee, it went between my legs! Ive got it! Ive got it! OW! It bit me! All right, that is IT! EVERYONE STAND STILL! NOW, DAMMIT! Kasan bellowed over everyone and his various relatives stilled and looked at him. Looking around the frozen room, he was finally able to spot Max sliding along the wall near the mating banner. Maxs lungs were heaving and his eyes were wild. I need everyone to stay where you are and Ill take care of this! Kasan paused to make sure he didnt have to intimidate anyone before he started towards his panicked consort. Max! Kasan called out and the little one looked over at the sound of his voice and froze. Kasan kept talking as he made his way through the crowd. GishoMax, little one, its all right. No ones going to hurt you. Shhhh, its all right. Max looked at him and Kasan smiled as the man noticeably relaxed. Then Gishos eyes drifted over Kasans shoulders and he suddenly backed up against the wall. Kasan looked back to see Leero, Tisu, and Nolluz approaching behind him and he snarled at them. You dumb ass morons! I said for you to stay where you were! Hes terrified of you still! Why the hell are you coming anywhere near him? Were merely trying to help. Nolluz said in an offended tone. Then keep your nosy asses out of my way and out of his sight!! Kasan turned just in time to see Jolan and Aosh moving up on either side of Max and he snarled again. Aosh, dont you fucking Aosh leaped for Max before Kasan finished speaking, his red braid slapping the wall as grabbed him by the arm Got ya, you littleurrrrrgggg. Aoshs eyes bulged, his hands releasing Maxs arm to clutch at his privates as he fell to the floor. Max drew his fist back and stepped away frantically, looking to his other side to see Jolan approaching. The crowd had edged forward and surrounded him in a tight semi-circle with Kasan and his brothers on the inside. Kasan could see Max looking for somewhere to run and he could practically feel the panic rising when he couldnt find any openings. Max, sweetheart, calm down. I know hes an asshole, but I wont let him touch you again. Youre all right now; youre safe. Just come over here. Kasan slowly walked

towards him, keeping his voice low and soothing. He knew he was in trouble when Maxs eyes looked over Kasans shoulder again at Leero and the stupid mob that was somehow related to him. Looking at Aosh on one side trying to get to his feet, Jolan on the other, and back out at Kasan, he turned and started climbing the banner behind him. No! GishoDammit! Zonta darted out of the crowd and Kasan ran forward, both leaping up to try and catch him. By the time they reached the wall, Max was already higher than they could reach. Kasan snarled, looking up to see Maxs pale bottom in full view as his consort scrambled upwards. You all better take a good look at his mark right now, because I am not staying here for another damn minute once I get him down! Kasan yelled angrily. Silence followed his pronouncement before the rush of murmuring as everyone looked up and finally noticed the small silver mark glittering on Maxs slim ass. The fact that they could see everything from this angle, including Maxs balls pulled up tight in terror, made Kasan want to tear someone apart. And he knew just who to start with. Aosh, get your pathetic ass up off the floor and get me something to climb so I can fetch Max! Without taking his eyes from Max, who was almost shivering with fright as he clung near the top of the banner, Kasan growled to the man behind him. Leero, can you tell me why the hell I just had to chase my consort around the greeting room? What the hell were you doing? He could hear Leero coming up close and saw his friend bowing formally out of the corner of his eye. I- Dammit, I apologize, Kasan. I should have kept a tighter grip on him when he was.. A tighter grip?! Why would you need a tighter grip? You were just supposed to be taking him into the room, not marching him off to the dungeon! Leero grit his teeth. I dont think hes made the distinction yet. He completely panicked as soon as you left. I had to carry him just to get him out of your room! Swearing, Kasan looked away from Max for a moment to stare at Leero. What did you do to frighten him, Leero? Nothing!! Kasans claws slipped out from his fingertips a moment and Leeros eyes widened as he backed up a step. Kasan! I swear by my mother, the moment you walked out the door the little thing just panicked. I didnt even have a chance to say a word before he was across the room and spouting words like a monsoon! Hes been acting like Im about to attack him ever since you left!

Kasan stared back up at Maxs pale face looking down at them and he swallowed a bit of his anger. It was true that his little one did seem prone to bouts of frantic fear. Besides, there was a reason Leero was his first in command, and it wasnt because he liked to hurt the weak and helpless. So what happened then, he asked, trying to keep himself calm. Leero cleared his throat and his ears flattened just slightly against his blond hair. All of Kasans attention, as well as that of his brothers, was instantly focused on him. Ignoring the continued murmurs and exclamations of his relatives as they stared at Max, Kasan glared suspiciously at Leero. What happened, Leero? He had to take a piss, Leero muttered. He had to piss? That doesnt explain why he ran in all alone andand what the hell is that damn smell? Leeros golden ears flattened to his skull and his cheeks flushed. The little brat peed on me and ran away. Kasan choked and he heard his brothers startled laughter. He peed on you? Cant you tell? Its all over my legs! Kasan gave him a glare. My consort took a piss on your leg, so you let him go? Leero didnt answer, but Kasans brothers laughed harder, Jolan holding his stomach as he collapsed against the wall. Nothing to say? It wasnt like that, I just wasnt expecting him to Hell, hes a quick little thing when he wants to be, and I had to-- Aw dammit, I screwed up, and Im sorry. Kasans arm swung up and he caught Leeros jaw with his fist, knocking him back onto his ass. Apology accepted. Tisu was practically hooting as he started to guffaw, and Jolan finally managed to find the breath to speak. Maybe we could use this to our advantage, he huffed, still gasping slightly for air. If piss is enough to defeat Leero, then we should definitely be teaching the technique to our men. Or we could form it into some type of weapon. Tisu added, nudging Leeros leg with

his toe. The pissing gun. Every man would be able to carry his own ammunition. Zonta added, smiling as he gave Leero a hand up. Well, an enemy wouldnt be able to hide after theyd been hit, because I can tell you now, the smell alone would give them away. Jolan waved a hand in front of his nose and Leeros face flushed again as he glared at him. Now that hed been able to let out his temper with that momentary swing, Kasan ignored them as he looked up at Max. His consort had a death grip on the cloth and didnt look like he was coming down any time soon. Poor dear. Zonta came near just as he was wondering if he should urge the little one to jump. Aosh was taking too damn long with the ladder. Youre very calm about him being up there, Zonta said in an undertone that no one other than Kasan could possibly hear over the teasing Leero was still receiving. Trust me, Im pissed as hell. Damn family couldnt just back the hell off and let us deal with it and now Max is even more terrified than ever. Youre notworried? Worried? No, I can calm him back down. I wasnt referring to his emotions. Youre not worried hes up there? What if he falls? Kasan smiled and patted Zontas shoulder. Its not as though hed get hurt, Zo. Im not that overprotective. Zonta looked even more worried and Kasan started to get nervous. What did his brother know that he didnt? I thought you would have had a chance to do a little research on your consort by now, Kasan, or I would have said something. I looked up a few things in Books of Rebirth; humans dont do well if they fall from that type of height. What? Kasan stared at Zonta. There were a lot of warnings about how to be careful of human consorts in the early days. It sounds like they dont land well at all. I thinkI think he could die if he falls from up there. Zonta finished quietly. What! Kasan looked up at Max, seeing again the white-knuckled grip he had on the fabric, and realized for the first time that it might not be fear of the Kyashin beneath him

that had him clutching the banner so tightly. Fuck! Kasan snarled to himself as he realized that Aosh still hadnt turned up with a ladder yet and struggled inside for just a moment before he turned to his brothers and Leero. Zonta says humans can die if they fall from up there, he said loudly, instantly stopping the laughter and jokes. Ill go up and get him, but you have to be ready to catch him if he falls. Leero and the others nodded, understanding more than he said. Kasan turned to the wall and let his claws come out fully. He slowly started climbing, using the tips of his nails to anchor himself with the small ripples and crevices in the rock. He focused completely on the wall, moving upwards as quickly as his muscles could move. A sharp rip brought him a rush of adrenaline and he looked up, certain the banner had torn until he realized that it was someone ripping down the banner on the opposite wall. He could hear them rush it over and set it up underneath Max to help them catch him if the little one fell. Would that be enough to keep him from getting injured? Kasan blocked out the sounds of his brothers soft voices as they commented on how amazing it was to watch him climb. He usually hated to hear them talk about it. Outside of the family, exposing his claws and tail, not to mention his slightly enhanced senses, always resulted in stares. Too often that led to leery avoidance or angry confrontations. As a son of one of the ruling families in the Kyashin Alliance, he was the most well known throwback on the planet. People were always watching to see if he developed any of the genetic defects that seemed to plague his particular anomaly. Considering that the Greeting was surely recorded and broadcast for the daily records, he knew that the majority of the planet would see everything, including the reminder of his abnormal features while he climbed the wall. For once, he didnt give a shit. If he could get to Max on time, he would fucking go down to the temple and thank God for making him the way he was. As long as he could make it before anything happened. He looked up from his grip on the stone wall, more than halfway to Max and started trying to get his attention without startling him. Max, sweetheart. Im coming to help you down, love, just hold on. Hold on tight and Ill be there in just a minute. Maxs head swiveled down over to him and his consort almost lost his grip as he startled. Watching Kasan with huge eyes, Max looked from him back down to everyone watching from below and clutched the banner more tightly. He hung there a moment and Kasan was close enough to see his jaw tighten before he released the banner with one hand to start climbing again. Kasan tried to hurry himself, feeling the tension in his fingertips as they struggled with keeping him from falling off the wall himself. Everyone froze when a sharp crack sounded above them both. Kasan saw the bar holding the banner start to give

way, saw Max scramble frantically to try and get to the bar itself, and everything froze in his head as Max lost his grip and start to fall with a scream. Kasan pushed off from the wall, leaping out over everyone as he reached Max in mid-air and pulled him in close. His thoughts raced as he tucked in his knees and somersaulted to get in the right position to land. What made humans so fragile? Would Max even be able to survive landing with Kasan holding him? Would his body be that delicate? Kasan tried to hold onto anything he thought might jar, tightening his grip over Maxs head and neck, hugging his torso as close as he could manage. Maxs yelling was muffled as Kasan kept his face pressed against his chest. He could feel the sounds vibrating against his nipple until the moment he landed, and then the sound stopped. All Kasan could do was breathe heavily as he slowly stood and clutched Max to him. Max wasnt making any noise; he never did that. Kasan couldnt understand what he said, but his consort was constantly talking and yelling and muttering under his breath. God, had he been injured in the fall? His brothers were surrounding him, his father in front of him, and his family surrounding them all before he finally managed to loosen his grip and look down at Max. Beautiful, adorable blue eyes looked back up at him from a face that was pale and shocked. But he was conscious. However fragile humans were, his consort was conscious. Kasan let himself smile and he hugged Max tightly. Within a few moments, small shivers crawled across Maxs skin and Kasan put him down to look him over, just in case. Max turned to look behind him up at the banner that was now hanging from the damaged bar and then back down to where they both stood. Kasan began to grin as Max started talking in amazed tones, gesturing back at the banner and making swooping motions with his hands as he looked up and back down to Kasan as though confirming the distance. Kasan finally let himself relax. The one sign he took as proof of Maxs health: constant chatter. Kasan put his arm over Maxs shoulder, turning him towards his father, and flinched as Maxs chattering ceased in a high-pitched yell. Max started pointing and shaking his head back and forth as he looked at Leero standing a few paces to the Lord Kings right. Shhh, shhhh, Leero wont hurt you. Hes harmless, little one. Leero, get over here and look harmless, dammit. Leero stared at him a moment. And how the hell am I supposed to do that? Ive worked my whole damn life to look as far from harmless as I can! How should I know?! Justsmile and move slowly. Leero looked around to find everyone smothering their grins and he sighed. Smiling tentatively, he walked towards Kasan, muttering under his breath at the same time. He was just as surprised as everyone else when Max started yelling and shaking his head

even more violently, pushing himself back. Leero stopped moving before Kasan said a word. Hes terrified. Leero said, appalled. Hes actually terrified of me. What did you DO to him? Kasan growled, wrapping his arms around Max and pulling him tightly against himself. I told you, nothing! I dont know why the little things so frightened of me It could it be your size, Zonta speculated. Kasans the smallest of us all; perhaps Max feels safer with someone closer to his own height? It could be your face, Jolan said. I know it sure as hell scares me when I see all that ugliness in one place. Shut up, Jolan. Kasan said, rubbing his hand up and down Maxs arm. This isnt funny. I need to figure out whats wrong. He looked around at everyone. Im sorry, but I need to have some time with my consort. Im afraid well have to just wait the three weeks to finish celebrating Why in the world would we do that? Tisu blurted out. Trust me, we ALL saw your consorts buns, Kasan. Everyone knows hes your consort. My mark hasnt faded, Tisu, you idiot. You know I beg to differ, Jolan said with a rather mocking grin on his face. He looked around at the crowd where a number of matching grins were sprouting. How many saw Kasans chest after he looked up at his consorts naked ass? Dozens of hands went up, and Kasan groaned. Oh dont tell me Your nanites bled into your skin so fast they were practically breaking the sound barrier. Jolan smirked as Kasans cheeks prickled with heat. And the little ones even wearing a full tunic! I never knew you had an enhanced libido along with everything else Jolan, you ass. Kasan tried not to smile and failed miserably. Jolan looked to his father and went on at his nod. Then the Greetings completed! Welcome the newest adults in the family: Kasan and Max! A thundering boom of voices yelling out their welcome made Max practically jump out of his skin and Kasan picked him up to cradle in his arms. He couldnt hear over the

crowds roaring as they walked out, but from the open mouth, he thought Max was yelling at him again. Chapter 9 - Firstmeal Max sat on Kasans lap, still shivering in reaction as Kasan ran fingers in smoothing strokes over his head, or maybe the shivers were from Kasans fingers. He wasnt sure, but he sure as hell wasnt giving Kasan credit for it. Jerk. How could he? Max shivered again as the mans other fingers brushed against his thigh before draping themselves possessively over his knee. On the verge of hyperventilating, Max felt like his body was a suicide jumper he was talking down from the ledge. Good body. Nice body. Just calm the heck down so you dont leave yourself unconscious and vulnerable to the Grand Molester, you stupid body. Cmon, it was over now! He wasnt surrounded by the seething horde of intimidating cats anymore, so there was no need to still be freaking out. Freak out time was over. Done. No more complete and utter terror because there were no more crazy, scary-ass cats running after him. Just Kasan. Asshole. Taking a deep breath and holding it, Max looked around him as he tried the no-freakingpaper-bags-in-cat-land method of NOT hyperventilating. The room he and Kasan were sitting in was almost as large as the one theyd left. A point against it, because that might mean that more cats could actually come into it, just like the last one. The less cats there were, the better off he was, as far as he was concerned. He took another deep breath, held it, and continued to look around. It was like being in an opium den. Of course, his experience of opium dens was 70s kung fu movies, but still, they couldnt be that far off, right? They did real kung fu; wouldnt they do real opium dens? And why the heck did he even care if it was right or not? What, he thought Kasan was going to get him drugged up and He wasnt, was he? Max let out his breath as he searched quickly for drug paraphernalia um, what exactly would that look like? but he didnt think he found any. No smoking looking things, no pokey-needle looking things, and no cooking-up-meth looking things; just the furniture and the room. Empty tables, low to the ground, filled the center of the room, with tables almost as high as Maxs head lining the sides. Every wall was draped with bright, jewel-toned fabrics. Matching pillows surrounded the lower tables in piles and artistically messy jumbles. What is it with all the pillows? Jeesh, cats have a total pillow fetish or something. Max muttered. Kasan shifted underneath him and Max swallowed uncomfortably at the intimate feeling of someones muscles flexing and softening against his ass. If he had his way, he would just turn and punch Kasan in the nose and stand up and walk out of here

andinto a mob of alien cats, probably. Which was why he was going to stay right where he was: seated near one of the tables with some pillows under Kasans butt and the mans hand on Maxs head and thigh. Max wasnt even going to push his hands away, as much of a wuss as that made him. Kasan wasnt trying to touch private places, and right now, Max was really freaking scared that Kasan would ditch him again, so he didnt want to make any wrong moves. Swallowing at the thought, and the memory, he looked around some more. He didnt want to think about this. Really, really didnt want to think about what had just happened. Really. Freaking never, ever, EVER think about it. Which of course meant that his brain tried to recall everything almost immediately: running and dodging and climbing and falling. Max shuddered and tried to find something new to look at. There had to be something he could distract his mind with! His eyes followed the drape of the fabrics on the walls; it was a nice pattern, right? Flat, hanging fabric for most of the wall, with just the color for the design. Along the top and sides the silky cloths were more bunched up, hanging in upside down arches along the top and falling in straight drops to the floor in the corners. It was kind of like being in a giant four-poster bed, come to think of it. There were even pillows. His brain stuck on the bed thought before he could stop it. Big beds. Big bed meant big cats. And big cats had sex with you in big beds and then fucking handed you over to other, bigger cats like you were nothing but garbage and you had to freaking run the hell away or they were going to Max caught himself starting to panic again and wrapped his arms around his chest as he breathed slow and deep and not freaking like he was hyperventilating! He was okay now. No more cats, or running, or being sold, or anything else. He was not scared. Dammit, he didnt want to be scared! It was so stupid, but how could he stay calm? Because hed been so right: it WAS a whorehouse. Or a slave house, or some screwed up thing that was close enough not to matter. And he knew it. He knew it because that stupid, dumb, lying, backstabbing Kasan had given him away! Why? Why had he done it? Max couldnt figure that out. Hell, even as afraid as hed been since he woke up, that one moment was still such a shock that he almost couldnt believe it. How could Kasan do that to him? The way the alien had been acting, hed thoughtwell at the very least hed thought that Kasan was possessive of him. Whatever he was to Kasan, it had seemed as though Kasan was going to keep him, and keep him away from the others, too. He might force orgasms on Max whenever he tried to sleep, but at least Kasan had been protecting him from those honkin big cats. Hed seemed nice. A huge, scary, perverted alien kind of nice, but nice. Not hurting him or scaring him on purpose or throwing him to the wolves or whatever their cat equivalent was. Nice.

And kind of sexy and beautiful, too. With a really amazingMax shook his head at his runaway brain. Stupid dork. He wasnt thinking that type of thing about Kasan. Was. Not. Because Kasan wasnt nice; he was a jerk. A deceptive, mean, nasty, cruel bastard. One moment hes letting Max have some food, which was freaking amazingly good, and then the next moment that dirty blond cat had come in and Kasan just walked away! Hed left him! Hed gone from being all molesty with the loincloth and thoughtful with the food and then suddenly hed just given Max to that other damn cat, Leero. Kasan had punched the man once and Max had thought he was going to fight him off like hed done to the others. Instead, hed simply walked Max up to Leero and sauntered out the door, done with him. WHY had he done that? He hadnt seemed angry with Max, or even upset! But maybe Max wondered if maybe hed done something wrong. Kasan hadnt reacted badly when Max had tried to make him go away and leave him alone, but maybe he just wasnt the type. Maybe he just had his way with Max and then handed him over to someone else so easily because he didnt care anymore for a whore who wasnt doing everything he wanted them to. It was justhow was Max supposed to know what was going to make Kasan do that if he couldnt talk to him yet? The fact that hed been discarded was scary and awful and it made him feel completely rejected, which was so stupid he thought he should be hitting himself for it. He shouldnt be feeling rejected by someone he didnt even want to embrace him! He was a moron. Hed made such an idiot of himself, and the worst part was, hed probably do it again if it had any chance of success. When Kasan had left, Max had been so desperate for him to come back that hed tried calling for him, hoping there was someone outside the doors who could actually understand him and tell Kasan what he was saying. He was such a pathetic weenie that hed practically screamed for him until his voice started to hurt, trying to dodge the bastard chasing after him the entire time. Hed been a complete and utter wuss, yelling to Kasan that he wouldnt fight him any more, that hed do whatever the hell Kasan wanted if hed just come back and take him away from the blond cat. Hell, hed even tried to run after him, only to be stopped by the big guards at the door. Maybe he could have run by them, but he hadnt wanted to take any chances. Because Leero was terrifying. Along with the more elongated, feline face, Leero was so large that if he put Max to the same use as Kasan had, Max really thought he might bleed to death. His penis had to be huge! And so were his freaking arms and his freaking legs so he could vault over the huge bed like it was nothing and finally grab Max and bind him all up in that hot, itchy cloak. Even then, Max had been hoping maybe someone would help him, or Kasan would be near enough to hear and might change his mind. Kasan would realize hed made a mistake and hed come back for him and kick Leeros ass and and well, then hed probably take Max back to the bedroom and screw him silly again, but that was okay! Compared to the Leero jerk, that would have been okay, except hed never come. Leero had carried him down the hall while he tried to yell at the top of his lungs and looked around desperately for Kasan or other humans or anyone who might be able to help.

Kasan had never come. There were no humans. And the others who saw them had laughed at him instead of helping. If seeing some human carried off against his will was no issue in this culture, he knew hed get no help from anyone in escaping. No one would empathize with him. No one would try to free him. No one would help him while this stupid, terrifying cat molested him to death. Why had Kasan given him away?! Why hadnt he justlet Max know that he was pissed, or unhappy, or whatever the hell he was that made him do it? Whatever he wanted might have been scary, or upsetting, or downright humiliating, but Max would have sucked it up as long as he knew Kasan was going to give him away unless he did! Well, at least until he figured out how to escape. Kasan had to have known what Leero had planned for him, though, right? He couldnt have just thought he was handing him over to someone who was going to keep him to himselfcould he? Besides, Max was pretty sure that Leero was, well, much kinkier than Kasan was. Hed made Max stand there in the stupid hallway until his bladder was about to explode before Leero had taken him to a room to pee in; that had to be deliberate. A person didnt just suddenly realize another adult had to pee. Well, maybe not. But considering that Leero had made such a production out of forcing Max to watch him pee, and then practically jumped Max when he peed himself, Max thought he knew what had been going on. The man had a pee fetish. People had them, so alien cats could have them too, right? Considering that the man hadnt touched him sexually the entire time, it made it even more likely. Kasan hadnt gone that long without touching him, so if Leero had, it was obviously for a reason. The lack of sex had obviously pissed him off, too, because Leero had been snarly and snappish and if Max hadnt had to pee so badly, he would have stayed away from him even after he found out what the little basin with running water was. Instead, hed peed, Leero had attacked him, and Max had peed on Leero. The big cat looked so angry that Max had run for it. A huge alien with a peeing fetish was bad enough; a huge, furious alien with a peeing fetish who was likely going to fuck him now that Max was done peeing wasutterly terrifying. He hadnt cared if he still hadnt seen any humans, or if he was still scared to death of how badly the aliens could hurt him; hed been more frightened of Leero. Hed still been running under full-scale terror when hed been forced back towards Leero by some guard. After successfully dodging Leero and yet another guard, hed had a moment of hope. Hed thought he might actually be able to get away. Hed actually been almost nauseous with relief as he escaped through a door. Until hed turned around and realized that the new room was so, so much worse than where hed been. Hed tried to see a way through, panicking even as he worked on figuring out what it was.

No one had any food or liquids. Not a banquet. Children present. Not an orgy. Thank God. No stage or music. Not a concert. A number of people had small pouches tucked under the sides of their loincloths, and before long, all of them were looking his way. Staring his way, actually. Staring and talking and pointing and goggling. Shit. As hed become the focus of everyones attention, a thought had bubbled up through the terror and hed sucked in his breath. Had Leero been heading this way? Theyd been standing right outside the door for quite some time before hed been allowed to pee; was this where Leero would have taken him when he was done? This place where everyone seemed to be free enough to stand around and gape at him what kind of place was it? What kind of place was it where everyone was lined up almost as though they were waiting for him. If they were waiting for him, why were they What if it was aslave auction? They had pouches; it could be money of some kind. It could! Slave auction? They could be waiting around because they were planning on buying something that was coming through the door. Like a shrimpy, easy to beat up, alien. Was it a whore house showing him off, or a slave auction or Max had been absolutely frozen, unable to even move, when Leero had come through the door, mad as hell, and Maxs paralysis broke. Fleeing as quickly as he could, hed searched desperately for another door, hoping he might still have a chance to get away. Only everyone had freaking tried to grab him!! It had been like reliving the nightmare where he was naked and running and monsters jumped him from every corner so all he could do was keeping running if he didnt want to die. It had been so awful, and hed been so relieved to see Kasan that for a moment hed forgotten that the cat didnt care about him at all. Max had been forcefully reminded, though, when Leero and the cats whod first attacked

him followed behind Kasan, and Kasan didnt do a thing to them. He hadnt fought them off, and so Max had started backing up. When his back had hit the wall, Max had looked to his sides to see two more cats whod attacked him earlier. Kasan hadnt done a thing to the two of them, either, and Max had lost hope. Kasan obviously hadnt been trying to rescue Max from the others anymore. He hadnt cared. It made Maxs stomach clench just thinking of it again and Max clutched his chest more tightly. Kasan made low, rumbling sounds in the back of his throat and he started moving his hand on Maxs thigh, rubbing his thumb in small circles along Maxs skin until he relaxed slightly. Max clenched his teeth, still lost in thought. At least hed managed to rack the one red headed cat, stupid leering bastard. Although hed lost it then, because before he knew it, hed been up a giant banner and hanging at least 20 feet in the air. Another great idea from Maxs brain, because the cats would never find him clinging on the wall that they just watched him climb up! What an idiot. Why had he even bothered trying to escape if he was too stupid to do it and use his brain at the same time? Especially as he wasnt especially good at climbing down the stupid banner, even if he wanted to give himself to the cats again. There was a reason he never climbed trees as a kid; it was too freaking scary trying to get back down. So hed decided hed just have to hang there until he starved to death or something. At least until he couldnt hold on anymore and so wouldnt feel like he was just giving in. It was better than being raped to death by a giant cat, even if that was what hed been expecting as soon as he climbed down.. And then of course Kasans voice from close by had shocked the hell out of him. Hed looked over and almost fallen right then. He still felt a little faint over it. Kasan, alien cat man, was also a freaking superhuman fly who could stick to walls. Crap, if it wasnt so scary it would have been beyond cool. Although if Kasan, who didnt want him, was coming for Max if Max had screwed up his auction or whatever this was Kasan would probably be a pretty pissed superhuman fly, wouldnt he? Max had started climbing higher, trying to put off whatever bad stuff was going to happen until later, when the banner jerked down slightly, Hed looked up to see the bar about to go, scrambled to try and reach it, and missed. And was caught in mid-air by, again, a- a super alien. He still couldnt believe that part. Hed looked back up and seen just how far theyd fallen and hed had a geek moment in spite of it all. The man had jumped from the wall and freaking snatched Max out of the midair like it was nothing! Kasan had moves like a damn superhero!

Max had been screwed by a superhero and he hadnt even known it! Leero had taken that moment to show up in front of him and remind Max that Kasan might have some cool moves, but he wasnt a very good superhero. Maybe a Super Villain; Super Enslaving Catman. Or Freaking Horny Bastard. Orwhatever the hell he was that Max hadnt been able to think about anymore because hed had to back away from Leero, and then Kasan had started yellingat Leero? Max didnt get that. Rather than hand him right back over like hed expected, Kasan had grabbed him for himself and left. Hed carried him down a short series of hallways to this room, pausing to speak to what looked like another guard at the door before hed brought them both inside. And if Max could only figure out what had changed Kasans mind about giving him away, maybe he could actually calm down. Was it something Max had done? Something hed said? Something from the others? Max couldnt see anything different except that hed climbed up something, so what had it been? And what had that look on the guards face been? Kasan had been carrying Max into their current room and the big cat guard had looked at Max like he was an alien from another planet. Which, technically, he probably was, but if the guard made a face like that, how likely was it that there were other humans around here? Where the hell were they all? And if Kasan wasnt handing him back over right now, what was he doing? Why wasnt he giving him back to Leero? Max jumped as someone knocked on the door to the room and Kasan called out to them. He recognized the voice as the guards and wondered what the heck was going on now. Couldnt everyone just leave him alone for a while so he could catch his breath for a moment? That wasnt too much to ask, was it? A few minutes to not have to worry about being molested or chased or sold? Watching, muttering unhappily, Max saw the door slide open and yet another strange cat came in. Another blond cat like that Leero bastard, he thought, watching him as fright started to grip him by the throat. Had he been wrong? Was Kasan actually still planning to get rid of him? Was Kasan going to try and give him away again?! Max couldnt take his eyes away from the stranger, watching while Kasan and the alien exchanged words, and then the big, stupid cat was kneeling in front of him. As the cat stared at him, Kasan felt the fright creeping into the range of full out terror. The cat was obviously looking over his body. Max was being inspected. The new man wasnt even glancing at Kasan now that he was in front of them. God, Kasan was going to give him away again!! The new cat finally moved, reaching out to touch his leg. Get the hell away from me! He kicked at him. He wasnt going to let anyone touch him

anymore. Not ever. Hed been nice and sat on Kasans lap and not tried to punch him like he wanted to and the man was STILL going to give him away? They could both just piss off! Nobody, especially not Kasan, was going to touch him. Max ignored the fact that he was currently plastered against Kasan, with the mans arm around his waist now instead of his thigh. He could only be expected to deal with one threat at a time, right? Hed keep away the new cat maybe - and then hed try to keep away Kasan. One thing at a time. The other man pursed his lips and reached for Maxs other leg, getting another kick for it and laughing slightly. Well, at least we know his legs are in working order. Max stared at him hard, listening. He was going to fight this as hard as he could. He was. He didnt want to get hurt, or killed, but he couldnt think of anything hurting more than being taken in the ass by one of these damn giants. His butt was still sore from freakin Kasan! Two hands reached for his arms and he raised his fists, desperately pressing against Kasans chest in some futile hope that the man would continue to hold onto him and keep this new cat away from him. Kasan didnt let go and continued petting his head, and the other man backed off. Thank God. And the arms look fine as well. Otherwise, Im afraid I can only say that I think hes healthy. I dont know anything about this this Human. Really? A pure human? I will be damned. Id love to be able to look at him a little more closely sometime Later. If he wants to. I need to know if he was injured when we landed. You cant tell me anything? I dont think you have anything to worry about. The mans voice was soothing and Max wondered what the hell he was saying. His pupils are staying round even with the brighter light here, but Theyve been that way since I took him as my consort. Well, then, thats probably normal for him. He seems to be aware and noticing the world around him. Hes not favoring any body part that I can see, either, so I thinkmy best guess is that hes fine. Arent you, little one?

The strangers hand reached out suddenly and started fuzzing Maxs head next to Kasans hand. Max jerked away. First that guard in the hallway patting his head, then Kasan petting him, and now this manwhat was it with these cats and his head?? It didnt fill him with confidence when the man whod touched him laughed. Hes adorable. Kasan smiled broadly and Max wondered, again, what the hell theyd just said. I dont think he agrees. He looks like he wants to bite off your hand. Well, from what I saw in the Greeting Room, Id believe it. Sounds like youve got a real little spitfire to deal with. He's definitely got a lot of energy. I think he may calm down once he can understand whats going on, however. Maybe. There was a pause in the conversation and Max looked between the both of them, listening for all he was worth for the next words. He couldnt understand yet, but he was damn well going to as quickly as he could. At least he could listen to the for the cadence and sounds and some repeated phrases. He watched everything: he wasnt going to be taken by surprise again. Taken, maybe, but not by surprise! Shall I go and tell Kyoru and the rest that they can come in now? I dont suppose you could use your powers of persuasion, uncle, and get him to just let my consort and I go back to my room? Every mate and consorts wish, but no, Im not stupid enough to go up against Kyoru merely so you two can have some time alone. The other cat was smiling and Kasan snorted. What did that mean? Were they talking about him? Coward. Well, that was said with some definite affection there. Was that a term of endearment? Never mind then. Would you stay for the firstmeal? I worry that we might need a physician if theres something weve missed. Youve already seen him, and you ARE family. The other cat did a curious kneeling bow and Max worried theyd reached some sort of agreement. What if it was an agreement over when the man was going to take Max away with him? Id be honored. Ill go and let the others know youre ready and then Id be very happy to join you. Thank you, uncle. I appreciate it greatly. Truly, my pleasure. I look forward to seeing what the little one does.

You and everyone else. Chapter 10 - I'm What?? Max breathed a heart-felt sigh of relief as the door closed behind the cat with the roaming eyes. Tension flowed in droplets from his skin and he licked his lips as he finally felt like he could relax. If only he could get something to drink. He was so damn thirsty. Poor little thing, still trying to figure it all out, arent you? Kasans voice was warm and actually a little soothing as he tightened his arm around Maxs waist. With another sigh, Max let himself be pulled against the stomach behind him. Heat slowly melted through the back of his tunic and seemed to slide along his skin until his entire body felt flushed. He shifted a bit, felt his tunic move underneath him, and stopped. He only had one light piece of fabric between his behind and Kasans lap, and he wanted to keep it there. He did NOT want to feel sleek muscles moving underneath him without some sort of barrier. If he wasnt careful, first it would be bare skin against his ass and then it would be bare skin inside his ass. That was just not going to happen if he had anything to say about it. He wasnt sure he did, but he could hope a little. A person could always have hope, right? Of course, hoping wasnt getting him anywhere at the moment. Hoping hadnt found him the colony, or another human, or a way out of this place. Hoping wasnt even getting him away from Kasan. Away and off of Kasans really comfortable andsleek and hot lap. Max scowled at his own thoughts, jerking his hand off of Kasans embracing arm as he realized he was running his fingers over the smooth skin there. Stupid damn cat. Thought he could freaking be nice to Max a little and Max would forgive and forget? Was that what Kasan was doing? Max bit his lip. Did Kasan even care? Well- well, it didnt matter, because if he was, it wasnt going to work. Max was still really, really pissed. And, he admitted, pretty damn scared. It wasnt like being held right now took away anything that Kasan had just done to him. Max wasnt going to be placated by some comforting gesture by some stupid giant cat who smelled really good Max shook his head, wrinkling his nose. Cant you stop smelling like this, you jerk? Why was his body acting like this? Everything about Kasan was announcing itself like a neon sign against his senses and it was just wrong! Kasan had been a total asshole! He was NOT someone who Maxs body should be thinking of like this. And he was a guy, dammit! A guy whod given him away, besides! Although hed taken him back, too. Maybe hed changed his mind? Or felt kind of bad that hed just tossed Max to Leero like a leftover cookie? Dammit, Kasan should feel bad. Because Max was not a cookie that should be thrown away; he should be saved so Kasan could be the only one to eat him and

Max blinked. What the hell am I thinking? Im not a cookie, Kasan! So d-dont even think about eating me, got it? Maxs lips clamped together as he heard, and felt, Kasan laughing behind him. Bastard was always doing that. What the hell was so funny? The muscles underneath Max flexed a moment as Kasan shifted to a more comfortable position and Max swallowed hard. This shouldnt be happening. It was wrong, and stupid, and it should NOT be happening. He was still mad. He really was, but surrounded by heavy thighs and a broad chest and strong arms, Max felt a bit like he was covered in golden skin. It set his nerves tingling, and it wasnt fair. Why was he feeling like this about the stupid jerk whod put him through all the shit that Kasan had? It shouldnt be possible. Kasan was pushy, he treated Max like a pet, and he wouldnt keep his hands to himself. And that wasnt even mentioning that hed screwed him in the ass! And given him away! And screwed him in the ASS! Max felt his cock respond to the salacious memory and he flushed. Why did his body find the jerk so sexy? GUY! Hes a GUY! G-U-Y! And he was a guy whod dumped him! In an alien, youre-just-a-slave kind of way, but wasnt that even worse? Max had ended up pursued by cats, hed just been inspected by yet another cat, and now he didnt even know what was coming next. He was tired of being scared all time. It made him feel like a total weenie; wouldnt a real man stand up for himself more? Except, how much could you really do against a race of perverted giants? Would that just get you killed? Max leaned his elbow on the large arm around him, his head dropping into the palm of his hand wearily. All he wanted was just a few minutes of peace, for Gods sake. Just a few minutes where he wasnt being chased or molested or screwed with. Max rubbed his temples with his fingertips and sighed as Kasan started to pet his head again, the heavy stroking smoothing the jagged edges of his mind. He couldnt keep this up, he thought, his body softening as the broad hand continued to caress his hair. Everything was just so messed up and weirdhe didnt know what to do. What was the right thing to do? Dammit, he was so tired of all this shit! Freaking scary cats and their freaking rooms and their freaking slave auctionthingies. Kasans hand rubbed the back of his neck, gently pressing in against the tense muscles there, and Max leaned his head back against the firm warmth. He arms lay limply on top of Kasans embracing limb as he let himself be massaged. It was so nice. His head bobbed a little back and forth as Kasan kneaded his neck; it was like floating in a pool and letting the water move his whole body. Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. He drifted, his eyes half-closed, as Kasans hand continued to slide across his skin. It felt wonderful. It wasnt so bad being here with Kasan when he did things like this. He could live with this Maybe he could compromise or something, Max thought fuzzily, arching a little as Kasan changed tactics and slid his hand in between Maxs shoulder blades to caress stiff

muscles into warm putty. If Kasan wouldnt give him away, maybe Max could stay. For a little while. Kasan would keep him, and Max would keep himself from trying to get away. Until he had somewhere to get away to, at least. He moaned under his breath as the arm around his waist loosened, shifting until Kasans hand was cupping Maxs hip. One soft finger lay on the sliver of skin exposed between the cloth of his tunic, rubbing gently. Max shivered. It would be so much easier if he wasnt trying to figure out how to run away all the time, if he just went with the flow for a little while. Kasan wouldnt be a dick, and Max wouldnt try to get away. Maxs brows furrowed. There was something wrong with that, though. Something important that he should remember. Something hed have to do if he stayed and Maxs eyes closed as Kasans finger slipped underneath his tunic and led the way over the top of his thigh, caressing it carefully. Mmmmmmm, nice, Max murmured. His skin felt hot and tingling, everything in his body completely focused on the pressure across his flesh. His hips arched a little and then he froze. Something large and hard was pushing noticeably against the rear of his bottom and his lower back. Kasans erection was pressing against him! Sex! He wanted sex! Kasan was going to want sex all the time if he stayed! Shit! he squeaked, starting to squirm. Max was stunned to feel his body tighten with anticipation even as his mind yelled at him that he should be up and running away already. Was he crazy? He couldnt stay here! His body ignored him, his hips twisting slightly so that Kasans dick pushed at his ass provocatively. No! This was sex with a guy here! Sex! Screwing! Fucking! Sodomybestiality? It was sex and HE was going to be the one getting it in the rear! That wasnt compromise, that was it was His body jumped as Kasans hand found his cock underneath his tunic and grasped it carefully. Stop it! Im not done thinking about this yet! You freaking cut it out! I cantI have to ohhhhhhh. Kasans hand closed completely around his cock and squeezed. I think we both need something to get our minds off of everything, Gisho. If were lucky, we might even have time to finish. Kasans other arm moved from behind Maxs back and cupped Maxs jaw, easing his head to the side as Kasan leaned forward and began to kiss along his jaw and down his neck. K-Kasan! Oh God, I cant believe Max arched back as Kasans mouth slid across his skin. The mans lips felt so damn good; how the hell could Kasan sucking on his neck do this?? And his hand was so big it completely covered Maxs cock; it felt more like Max

was being taken into someones body than a hand job! Kasans hand squeezed as he drew his fingers up from the base of Maxs penis to its head and Maxs hips pushed up at the tight vise around him, his eyes closing. Kasans hips pushed against him from underneath and Max couldnt stop his body from arching even more. He knew what must be coming. His body knew what must be coming; Kasan the sex fiend was planning on screwing him silly again. Instead of tightening up in utter terror, Max was writhing, panting at the pulling heat scorching his lower belly. This was crazy! His body was rubbing against the long length that was prodding him from behind, and he was anticipating feeling it inside him with an almost desperate need that scared the shit out of him. He was aroused, and rather than looking for something to pound into God, except Kasans hand; it was fucking amazing he wanted something to pound into him! He really did! He could practically feel Kasan inside him already; that huge cock stretching and burning in his ass as it rubbed over the spot that made Max see stars. He couldnt get the feeling out of his head, and the more Kasan touched him, the more he wanted it. He wanted something inside of him. He wanted to feeltaken. This was wrong! Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong! He gasped, his body squirming desperately. God, he was a freaking cock whore! Max tried not to moan as Kasans hips pushed up at him again. He did moan rather pathetically when Kasans hand left his cock unattended and moved around his waist to pull him back and down against Kasans body. The mans lips left his neck as his fingers tilted Maxs head up and back until Max was arched and straining. Then the cat curled over his body and kissed him. Max didnt have more than a moment to notice the odd angle before he was totally consumed by the mans mouth. Tongue and lips and teeth played with Max until he was reaching up over his shoulders without thought, grabbing at Kasans hair to pull at him. The man was the best damn kisser Max had ever had; it was like he knew every little spot inside Maxs mouth that would tingle and spark and zing across his skin and into his brain. Max couldnt think of anything but that amazing mouth and trying to keep it there as long as possible. He began to whine as he felt Kasan try to move away and he tightened his grip on the cats head. # Kasan sighed into Maxs mouth, trying to draw away and chuckling under his breath as his consorts fingers fisted in his hair. He was fairly sure his braid was already completely ruined from the little ones grasping hands, and he knew hed have a ridiculous grin on his face whenever he thought about it. Gisho wanted him. His consort had enjoyed their sexual release before, but hed never really participated. This time, his hands were making it very obvious that he wanted to be a part of this as well, and Kasan was immensely pleased, not to mention as aroused as hell. Even so, they needed to stop. He didnt mind touching his consorts body in public to a certain extent, but much more

of this and he might forget where he was and who was watching him. Everyone, at this point. Kasan reached back and pulled Maxs hands from his head. He smiled as Max whimpered like a little child and tried to pull him back down. I would like nothing better, Gisho, but its no longer the right time. Its time for Firstmeal, sweetheart, everyones here already. Kasan reluctantly put his arm back around Maxs waist to try and keep it from straying somewhere more interesting. He looked over at his brother Zonta, the only sibling brave enough to join him at the table so far, and nodded at him. I dont believe he wants to stop, Zonta said with a laugh in his voice, fiddling with his flame colored braid. Maxs eyes popped open at the sound of his voice, the little ones head dropping down as he looked around. He yelled in fright and Zonta jumped, his ears vibrating. Max slammed back into Kasans stomach, his eyes darting around the room that had filled up with relatives while Kasan had distracted him, and he grabbed onto the arm around his waist with panicked hands. A bright blush slowly covered Maxs face as he continued to look around at the various tables and met smiling eyes and good natured smirks. The bright cheeks were as cute as everything else about the little man, but Kasan wished he wasnt so frightened again. I was hoping it might relax him, Kasan murmured. Hes just so frightened of everyone. Its not that surprising, is it? Zonta asked quietly. Kasan answered with a sigh. Not really. I thought if he saw that he wasnt going to be harmed, he might start to adjust, but it doesnt seem to be working. Theres just too much he doesnt understand. Zonta muttered vaguely in sympathy. I know your studies have been fairly intense lately, but I would appreciate you talking with the archivists about him, Kasan said. You know they dont get along with me too well Smiling at him, Zonta nodded. You dont think thats because you lose your temper every time you try to research something and end up practically destroying whatever document you happen to have? Possibly. Kasans mouth curled into a smile, his hand once again stroking over Maxs head as the man sat stiffly in his lap. Ive noticed that the more fragile records are somehow impossible to find when I wish to see them.

Zo smiled back. Dont worry. Well find out about your little one. You dont even have to ask. I appreciate the support. Kasans voice was warm. He could always count on Zonta when things were emotionally iffy. So, when Kasan, I mean it. You dont have to ask. Its already done. Kasan looked at him, head tilted. I told you I did some research last night, remember? I already asked them to dig up whatever they could find about humans and especially human consorts. Theyve been working all night to find them and make a copy for us. All night? Damn, Zo Kasan shook his head. It was a very good thing that his ego wasnt more fragile or hed feel positively incompetent next to Zo sometimes. Did they give you any idea of what they have? Zonta smiled again, his eyes bright with the excitement. They have some of the original writings from the Reconstruction! Theres a lot of information on human physical needs, but I think the one that might help you for now is a series of lists with Hinta phrases and human writing. No one can read the human anymore, but it looks like it might actually be a translation of some of the language. And well get copies, you said? Translations? Would Max be able to understand him then? Kasan gripped Max so tightly that the man squeaked in surprise and he loosened up with a flush. Zo laughed softly at the chagrin on his brothers face. They should have them soon. I was hoping maybe before the Greeting, but its taken a little longer than they were anticipating. Soon, though. Zonta looked down into the blue eyes of his brothers consort and smiled carefully. Kasan made a mental note to have Zonta give some lessons to Leero later. His brother was very good at looking harmless. So, may I be introduced? Kasan moved his hand from Maxs head to point to Zonta. Max? He waited as Max stilled. This is Zonta. Zo-n-ta. My youngest brother, Zonta. Zonta cleared his throat and Kasan snorted. Youngest by a few moments is still youngest, and you know it. So Zonta, let me introduce you to my consort, Max. Max stared at Zonta and bowed his head just a hair before Zonta did his own seated bow. Kasan grinned. The little one paid attention; there might be a little competition for Zonta there. Finally.

I am very pleased to meet you, Max. Zonta said in a soft voice. His auburn ears flicked back and forth excitedly. Kasan could just imagine Max biting his lip before he answered. Zon-ta. Eyebrows went up and Zontas ears paused before perking forward. He does that very well. I certainly think so. I wonder if all humans are such good mimics? Zonta wondered out loud. Maybe Jolans voice interrupted him. Zonta gets the first introduction? That hardly seems fair. Im the oldest after all. Kasan looked up to see Jolan holding hands with his pale-haired consort Ko. The two stood shoulder to shoulder as they both looked curiously at Max. Kasan felt a growl welling up and he let it out slowly, his ears flat and his tail swinging wildly behind him. He didnt care for Jolans unease enough to control either reaction. Be glad Im introducing him to any of you, asshole. After the crap you did last night Jolan paled as his ears flattened. Kasan smiled in grim satisfaction. Obviously, Ko hadnt known what his mate was up to. Jolan grunted as Ko punched him in the side. Ow! Ko! That hurt! Really? I had no idea. Ko smiled sharply. So, you were having a little drink with your brothers last night, were you? Just celebrating your brothers mating? You lied to me. Jolan smiled weakly. I didnt lie...exactly. You have to admit that I said nothing about what we did after we were done drinking. Ko glared at him, not breaking eye contact as he commented to Kasan. Dont worry, Ill make sure he regrets whatever crap he did. Ko stepped closer and stood nose to nose with his mate before he leaned up and whispered into his ear. Dont make any plans for tonight, Jolan. Youre going to be punished. Jolans pupils dilated slightly and his breathing sped up. Kasan felt like rolling his eyes. Sometimes, having better hearing than everyone else let him know far more than he wanted to about his brothers and their private lives. Although it was nice to be reminded that the crown prince had at least one person on the planet who could keep his obnoxious ass in line. They all appreciated someone who could take him down a peg when his head grew too big for his ears. Ko kissed Jolan on the cheek and knelt down on the other side of the table. Jolan hesitated before joining him. Struck a moment by how alike they were, Kasan stared. Ko

was quite a bit fairer than Kasans chocolate haired brother, with sharper features, but body-wise, the two males could have been twins as they knelt by each other. It was an odd reminder of just how much size turned him off. He would have hated having a consort the same size, let alone one who was so dominant in their relationship. The idea of making love to someone his own size seemed odd, already. The only images that filled his head when he tried to think of sex were Maxs small limbs, his sweetly rounded head, his adorable nude earshis amazing, tight, hot sheath. Kasan cleared his throat as he envisioned what he was next going to do with Maxs body and startled as a cousin with serving duty reached in front of him to place the first of their food onto the table. He tightened his arm around Max automatically as the little man suddenly tried to lunge forward he was not going to chase him around the room again and he tried to figure out what had his consort so upset. No one had approached the table but the servers, and all theyd down was lay small dishes of food across the table along with the water Well son of a bitch. Im so sorry, sweetheart, I didnt even think! Kasan let go of Maxs head and reached for the nearest glass, dumping water in and handing it over to Max. His consort grabbed the large ceramic cup in both hands and gulped it down frantically as everyone stared. He held it out for more before Kasan could do more than blink. One more, Gisho, and then youll need to wait. Youll make yourself sick. And if youre starting the meal already, wed better get you settled, eh? Kasan took the cup and set it on the table. He grasped Max by the waist, enjoying the firm muscles underneath Maxs tunic, and physically set his consort next to him on the nearest cushion. They should eat next to each other; hed enjoy the physical closeness of having him on his lap again once the meal was over.. Refilling the glass, Kasan watched Max gulp it down just as quickly before setting it to the side. It looked as though he knew enough to stop himself without Kasan having said anything. Smiling his approval, Kasan turned to Jolan to make the introductions. He paused when the outer doors opened two of the archivists apprentices came in carrying a few sheets of paper. Here they are. Zonta stated the obvious with such a happy grin on his face that Kasan didnt bother mocking him for it. He was just as anxious to see the papers as his brother. Would he finally be able to talk to Max now? # Max watched everyone with heated cheeks. He could not believe hed been so caught up in kissing Kasan that the entire room had filled up, and hed never even noticed! No, no, that wasnt right. Hed been caught up in Kasan kissing him; he hadnt kissed him back. Yanking on the mans hair to pull him down so he would suck on Max until he thought hed collapse was not kissing back. It wasbeing curious. Hed just been curious about

what it might be like to participate in a kiss from a guy and.. Hell. Stupid, stupid, stupid Kasan and his hot, really damn sexy mouth. Where in the hell had the man learned to kiss like that? It had been so.amazing. Max was certain his lips were still shiny and wet from it and he couldnt bring himself to so much as touch his mouth to check. He wasnt sure hed be able to stop. Lips tingling and raw, it felt like they were waiting for Kasan to start back up again. Maxs blush flared up again and he mumbled to himself. He needed to either melt into the floor, or beat up Kasan. Not that hed be able to accomplish the latter feat, but he could darn well try. How could the man have continued kissing him when everyone was watching? Thank God he hadnt done more! But still, there were dozens of cats everywhere! One of the assholes from the night before was even sitting across from him with a much scarier looking blondie. And on top of that, the room was filled with strange cat men and cat women and even cat kidskittens? There were more of the assholes he was worried about sprinkled among them, too. Why couldnt they all have disappeared so he didnt have to worry about when one of them might come up and Kasan would actually give him away again? It had been so nice not to worry there for a moment, darn it. At least it wasnt as many as had been in the other room, but there were plenty enough to make him nervous as hell. Even that bastard Leero was there, standing and leaning against a far table, his legs and feet all shiny like hed just used that cleansing oily stuff. Guess he hadnt liked piss on his legs, Max thought. Wellhed better just watch out, because if Leero came near him again, Max was going to he was going to Well, he could pee on him again! It had worked once, after all. And now he finally had enough liquid in him to do so again. Thank God theyd finally brought something to drink. Hed thought his tongue was going to turn to dust before that happened. Licking his lips, Max looked around some more as he tried to figure out what had everyone at the table so interested. It wasnt the food, although that was something he had noticed from the moment some younger cats had brought it through a small side door. This was something different. Someone new had come through the larger set of doors; they were headed right for his table. Two someones, actually, and the first males hed seen who were actually wearing anything other than a loincloth. They had tunics very similar to his own, just a little less embroidered. They came up to the table, bowed to the rather nice cat, Zonta, and handed him a few papers as they exchanged words. Max didnt even have time for his curiosity to grow as

the cat pushed the few papers across the table until they settled in a messy pile in front of Max. Everyone at the table stared at him and he stared back. They wanted him to do something with these? He couldnt speak their language, what made them think he could read it? Kasan reached over and rubbed over his head, ignoring his scowl over the touch. Well, hed better see what the hell this was. Biting his lip, Max looked down. It took him a moment to understand the rather oddly formed letters, but when he did, he honestly thought he was going to cry. It was covered with words! Words he could understand! Someone here actually knew words that he could understand! Yes! He ignored everyones growing smiles as he feverishly examined the papers. There were only five of them. On the first page, one side held words in what looked like a slightly odd dialect of Spanish, although the other side had letters he didnt even recognize. Was it something to help communicate? To help translate? He looked at the next page and saw more Spanish combined with the unknown language. The next two held the same combination but with Mandarin, which he could read as well, and the last page had some Slavic language he didnt recognize. He knew some Czech, which helped with quite a few from that region, but this one was just too different for him to understand. He pushed that paper to the side. Oblivious to the interested stares around him, he scanned the papers The Spanish pages were single words or phrases in rows all the way down the pale blue paper. It looked like someone had taken a few leaflets from a phrase book and given it to him. He read along the list: Yes, no, hello, Im hungry, Im thirsty, Im tired, Im hurt, I have to urinate, I need help.exactly the kinds of words someone might try to learn first with a new language. A few words had letters missing, a few more were too butchered to make any sense to him at all, but most of them were legible. Putting the first page aside, he started on the second. It was a little more puzzling, with many of the phrases obviously referring to something that had no direct translation. Those type of things were always the most challenging in any new language, but at least hed have a start. He stared at them, his teeth worrying his lips constantly as he concentrated. They were truly odd. The sexual need of maturity? What the heck was that? And then what about the whole slew of words regarding well, he assumed it was marriage. The first night of the bond, the witnessing of the mark, the mark of bonding? And then the number of names for spouses was impressive. the bottom or silver husband, the top or golden husband, the top or golden wife, the bottom or silver wife. The constant references to spouses and bonding made him squirm a bit, and frankly, having it side by side with the sexual need phrase was rather disturbing in a page that was obviously full of beginner phrases. What kind of people discussed sex with you as a beginning phrase? What kind of people had sex with you as a beginning action, he reminded himself. The cat who had given him the papers cleared his throat and pointed to the side with the unknown lettering system. He said a short burst of syllables and then pointed to the Spanish side and then at Max, waiting.

Max started to smile. Hello, he said, looking at what was chosen. He figured he might as well respond in English; it wasnt as though the cats would know any different. The cat repeated his own phrase while Max listened carefully, and then Max tried his hand at the cats language. From Kasans approving murmur, he gathered that he hadnt done too badly. H-heello. Max blinked as the red headed Zonta tried English as well. They both grinned at each other. They were talking! Kasan said a few phrases to the cat, then moved the paper over so that he could touch it more easily. He put his finger down on a short phrase, saying it slowly. Mate. Max read the Spanish translation for the word: the top or golden husband. Great, the one word he was speaking and Max had no clue what he was saying. He looked over at Kasan and shrugged a little. Mate. This time the man pointed to himself, and Maxs face crinkled in confusion. He was sayinghe was married? Maybe? Did they have more than one type of ceremony or something? Was that the reason for the different terms? Whoopee for you, youre married. Max squirmed as his gut rolled unpleasantly. So, Kasan was married. Obviously Max wasnt anything more than a fuck toy or a concubine or s-something. His enjoyment of the entire endeavor plummeted. Kasan waited expectantly, the tip of his black tail twitching slightly, and Max tried the word as his shoulders slumped. Kasan smiled broadly at the attempt and pointed to the word underneath. Consort. His belly still churning, Max read dully. The bottom or silver husband. Great, now Kasan was going to show him more married cats. Like Max cared. Biting sullenly at his top lip, he looked up and his eyes crossed as he focused on the finger pointing at his nose. Kasan spoke again and began to point back and forth between the two of them, repeating the two phrases. Top husband and bottom husband. Top husband and bottom husband, Top. Maxs eyes opened wide, his entire body flushed and he started shaking. He couldnt mean Are you trying to tell me were m-m-married??? The small touches the two large men across from them kept doing took on an entirely new meaning. This culture hadgay marriage? Was that it? It couldnt be, could it? Max tried out the phrases, pointing to the couple as he did so. Kasan was smiling and

nodding, looking extremely pleased. He pointed between Max and himself again and repeated it. Maxs face felt unbearably hot. Oh. My. God! His breathing sped up as he thought about what that meant. I cant be married to a guy!! He was supposed to be married? Like til death do us part- sickness and health- sex all the time- married? That was crazy! He didnt want to be married! And what the hell did a bottom husband do, anyway? Was it likelike a housewife or something? Was he supposed to cook and clean and shit like that?? I HATE cleaning! I dont wanna be married; I wanna go back to being a whore!!!! Kasan looked at him with a bemused smile, reaching out to gently cup his cheek. Max just stared at him. It was How the hell When How can we be married!? I never agreed to this, dammit! How could he be married?? A laugh from across the room brought his attention to Leero and Max scowled as he saw the man grinning at him. He turned his glare to Kasan. He wasnt a slave? He wasnt a whore?? So what the hell was that thing with stupid Leero?! You left me with him and he chased me around the whole damn bedroom! Everyone in that whole stupid ROOM was after me! If youre the the top husband, youre supposed to do something about it! You should be beating them up or something!! Kasan didnt even flinch as Max poked his arm hard with a finger. He just looked down at him and chuckled, his thumb rubbing across Maxs cheek. Youre very excited, little one. I hope thats a good thing. Kasan leaned over, but his lips had just brushed Maxs own when Max leaned back and pushed out at him. Kasan didnt move. We are not married, cat boy! Got it! No way. Kasan moved his hand behind Maxs head and started to pull him back in for another kiss as a few cats around them called out. Max punched him in the eye, and Kasan finally stopped. The big cat released Maxs head and sat back, feeling his eye and looking rather shocked as at least half the room laughed out loud. Max looked at everyone, seeing their eyes on him, and he suddenly realized what other activity there was that gathered people together to watch just one person. Or rather, that gathered people together to watch a couple: a wedding. Im too young to be married! Max wailed, and threw himself forward over his bent arms, burying his face into the table. This is so messed up Chapter 11 - Welcome to the Family Kasan looked at Max face down on the table and reached out, running his hand over the back of his hair.

I cant believe that didnt work, Zonta muttered, distressed enough that his ears were laying flat again. Kasan was sure they matched his own; hed been excited about the new papers as well. Now, after a few minutes of happy excitement, Max was back to being upset. Kasan was very afraid it was related to Max being his consort. Hed thought Maxs status as a consort might be a surprise, but considering how frightened Max had been, surely it would have been a good one? Max knew now that he had a legitimate status on this world, even if he didnt know much about where he was. For someone whod been in the hands of slavers, that should have been a huge relief. And Kasan knew that his little one had been enslaved. Maxs unique genetic heritage, combined with the argenta hed been drugged with for their first meeting, had already made Kasan fairly certain that Max had been acquired illegally. The notes Leeros men had found in Shovaks room, the ones that had interrupted his night, had confirmed that hed been sold to Shovak by the Niandrin. Considering Shovaks complete lack of interplanetary resources, Kasan needed to know how hed even made contact with the grotesque birds. He needed to know what had been done to Max. If Max was always so frightened, had they hurt him? Abused him? Kasan held back the growl that always rose up when he thought about it. He concentrated on the fact that Max had at least survived it physically intact. Niandrin were known to alter their property to try and increase the visual appeal, even when it might decrease the poor bastards value. It had never made sense to him. He had no idea how a race that cruel AND stupid hadnt killed itself off by now. And where the hell had they found Max? Shovaks notes made no mention of it, and until Max could tell them, they had no way of contacting his people or his family. Kasans hand stopped caressing Maxs head as he took a deep breath. Could Max have someone else back on his home world? Could that be why he was so upset? He shook his head. Couldnt be. Every time Max had cum for him, it was as though Max was startled by his own reactions. He didnt seem aware of what really pleased his body, like one who was only beginning his foray into sexual pleasure. An experienced man, a man with a mate or consort of some kind, would know his body better. Max was his. But if there was no one else, and Max knew he wasnt a slave, did Maxs reaction mean that he simply didnt want to be with him? Maxdisliked being with him? Guess he doesnt like being a consort. Jolans voice was just a touch smug until his consort Ko smacked him in the side of the head. Maxs face popped up at the first ow and he watched with large eyes as Ko smacked Jolan again. Maxs body went very still. He turned to look up at Kasan and the miniscule bruise forming around Kasans eye, and his shoulders hunched defensively. He slowly pointed a finger at the abused Jolan. Consort?

Jolan stared at him, smiling. Ha, he thinks youre going to beat on him! Ow! Dammit, Ko! After one snarling glare at Jolan, Kasan shook his head in response to Maxs soft voiced question. No, Gisho. The asshole here is the mate; Ko is the consort. See, asshole, Mate, but Ko, Consort. Max watched as Kasans pointing went from one to the other and he finally repeated it while gesturing to Jolan. Asshole, mate. Ko started laughing. Oh, I like him. Jolan rolled his eyes, about to correct things when Max started gesturing very carefully. He was obviously trying to say something, but it wasnt until he smacked his own hand that Kasan understood. Can consorts hit their mates?? Aw sweetie, is that whats worrying you? The answer is no. A consort should never hit their mate. That would be the worst thing a consort could ever ow! Jolan rubbed the back of his head from Kos newest assault. Dammit, will you stop! Ko shook the sting out of his hand, poked Jolan one more time in warning, and smiled at Max. Yes. You should hit Kasan as often as possible. He needs somebody to keep him from turning into a grumpy old man. Max looked confused until Ko leaned over the table. Yes. Max hit Kasan, Ko said. Quickly grabbing Maxs hand, Ko brought it up and made Max slap Kasan in the face. Kasan grunted while Max jerked his hand back with a start, staring at them both. Ko, you sadistic son of a bitch that actually hurt! Kasan fingered his stinging cheek, growling under his breath. He stopped as Max scooted back from him. Little One, its not you. Dont worry. Im not mad at you. Im Kasan looked down at the paper and found what he was looking for. He pointed to it, smiling quickly. Im happy. Max looked down at it, mumbled under his breath, and took a deep breath. Ahm happy, he repeated. Yes. Happy, not angry. Its all right There, see? Ko leaned up against Jolan and smirked at Kasan. Now he knows he can hit you and youre not going to hurt him. I think, anyway. He still looks a little worried about it. What have you been doing with him? Looking down at his consort, Kasan could see that Max was eyeing him warily. Was he expecting to be attacked? Poor little thing, he was so nervous of everything. Kasan had the feeling he was going to have to treat him very gently for quite a while if he wanted

him to adjust. Hopefully it wasnt simply a part of being human. Wondering if he could project harmless as well as Zonta, Kasan smiled and brought his hand up to rub at Maxs shoulder. Max didnt pull away and Kasan relaxed a little. Its all right, precious. Im not going to hurt you over something as ridiculous as a slap. Its all right. Jolan sniggered. You wouldnt hurt him, period. Look at you, youre so wrapped up in him, youreOW! Jolan glared furiously at Ko, and Kasan was positive he did not want to know what Ko had just done to him under the table. Ignore him, Kasan. Its nice to see you found someone whos more to you than just the Need, Ko said, running right over Jolans muttered cursing beside him. So, before my idiot says anything else, could we be introduced? Max, this is Jolan. This is his consort, Ko. Jolan, Ko this is Max. His brother tried to reclaim a little of his lost dignity. Im pleased to met you, Max. Ko rolled his eyes at Jolans uncharacteristic formality, but repeated it anyway. Im pleased to meet you, Max. Watching them, Max responded with a bow like hed given Zonta. Ahm pleeeased to meeet you, Jolan. Ahm pleeeased to meeet you, Ko. Kasan beamed at the twos surprised looks. Picks it up quick, doesnt he? Jolan and Ko stared for a moment, and then Jolan started to snigger. Kasan scowled at him. What the hell are you laughing at him for? Hes just learning, its not going to be perfect, so dont Jolan was shaking his head and chuckling louder. Not him, you! Someone this quick to pick up the words has got to be smart as hell. Which means you mated an intellectual! You! You and Nolluz fight like wild shokan, and here you married someone just like him! Dont be an idiot. I dont fight with Nolluz because hes smart, I fight with him because hes a prissy little know-everything snot. Jolan shook his head. And because he knows more than you do, admit it. And now, your consort is probably a little bookster, too and Ko sighed and stood, yanking on Jolans ear until the man rose with a yelp. Come on, lets leave them alone.

Oh you cant tell me you dont see the humor in this? Jolan asked, stepping up to Kos side as they walked away. Thats not the point. You know youre dying to giggle about it too, Ko. Jolans voice fell to a murmur, his hand moving to Kos back before falling to cup one side of his ass as they walked away. Kos response was low enough that Kasan was sure no one else could hear, but the mans hand crept over to Jolans ass as well and they walked that way over to visit with Leero. Kasan looked down at Max and saw him staring at them, his mouth agape. What has you so surprised, precious? he murmured, smiling carefully as Maxs head swung around and he found himself looking into darkly lashed blue eyes. The man chewed on his lip and Kasan focused on it. Rosy and soft, his lips looked extremely edible. Kasan swallowed and leaned down. Damn. You are so Maxs eyes widened and he suddenly grabbed a paper from the table, leaning away from Kasan as he looked at it. He pushed it up between them and pointed to a word frantically, his finger tapping at it so hard that Kasan was worried hed rip the thing. Here, little one. Calm down, Im paying attention. Put it on the table. Kasan pushed at his hand until the paper lay flat and then looked closely at the small, stabbing finger that was poking at it. His ears went down. Oh. I see. What? What is he trying to say? Zonta looked over curiously. Still touching the paper, Max waited for Kasan to tell him what the word was in Hinta. With drooping ears, Kasan touched the same word. No. Thats how you say it, precious. That word is no. No. No! Maxs voice rang out loud enough that the entire room quieted and he looked around nervously. When Kasan sat back up and didnt attempt to kiss him again, he visibly relaxed. I wouldnt have thought he disliked it that much, Kasan said quietly. Thats not necessarily it. Zonta reached across and behind Max and rubbed Kasans shoulder. It might be any number of things. Considering how, eh, occupied you both were when we came in, I cant imagine he dislikes it very much at all. Kasan smiled slowly at the reminder before looking back at Maxs wary face. True. I just wish I knew what it was. He reached out and stroked a hand over Maxs hair while Max watched but didnt say anything. Maybe my poor little one just wants some control right now. I can give him that.

Or maybe hes upset about kissing in public, Zonta ventured. Upset about. I never would have considered that. Dont the Dograthra consider that obscene? Highly. It wouldnt be unusual that he might have some cultural taboos were unaware of. They both stopped talking as one of their uncles stopped by the table to wish Kasan and Max a brief congratulations, and before they could start after he left, Tisu and his consort came over, along with another cousin bringing a few more dishes of food. Watching Tisu help seat his little consort Roto on a cushion, Kasan was struck by how gentle the man was with him. It was something that was easy to forget when they were alone, without their consorts - when Tisu was a bit of a bully. It had always been a little irritating that Kasans younger brother was the biggest one in the family. He was even taller than their father: an intimidating mountain of a man on his own. Roto, on the other hand, was only slightly taller than Kasan himself, and was one of the sweetest people Kasan had ever met. In all the chaos of the last few days, Kasan hadnt even thought about the fact that Tisu and he had something similar in their lives right now. Closest in age, they now had another common bond: delicate consorts. Tisus size difference, when compared to Roto, was almost as great as the difference between Kasan and Max. And just like Max, Roto tended to be moreemotionally prone to upset, not that everyone didnt understand why. Roto had been so terribly abused when Tisu had found him; Kasan didnt think any of them would ever forget it. Tisu had been on his first tour of guard duty for only a few days when hed come across Rotos father, beating Roto almost to death, the still-warm corpse of the mans own consort lying on the ground next to them. After hitting the man so hard his neck had snapped, Tisu had personally carried Roto all the way to the citadel to care for himself. The Lord King had turned a blind eye when Tisu insisted on installing Roto in the room with him after that point; it had been obvious Roto had wanted to be there just as much as Tisu had wanted his presence. Frankly, Kasan thought that Tisus body had even done its part to keep them together. Roto had ripened a bit younger than was normal, most likely due to the stress. Tisu had already been legally ripened for 6 months at that point, but as soon as Rotos body changed, Tisu had gone into heat, almost a year earlier than he should have. Irritating for Kasan, when his younger brother went into heat so many years before him. Still, he was happy for them. He didnt think that being mated to a different couple would have kept either of them apart, but it would have beenawkward. Tisu was most definitely the jealous sort. With his experiences, though, he might finally be able to help Kasan out with something as opposed to being a pain in the ass. He had to have a few good ideas on things to be careful of in a small consort. What they were afraid of, what they worried about, what

body parts might be more delicate. Kasan should probably have a talk with him. Soon. With plenty of room for whatever violence was needed when Tisu tried to give him too much shit about needing his help. It was damn odd to be feeling, in any way, sympathetic towards the big ass, but there it was. Right now, he could completely understand feeling highly protective of ones consort. Max was so precious and tiny; he looked like he could break at any moment. All Tisus slow movements around his consort, his constant touching and checking on Rotos comfort and safety - it all struck a cord. Tisu, out of everyone, was actually probably most likely to understand what Kasan was feeling about Gisho. A sure sign the world had gone mad. Movement from Max brought Kasan back to watching him. Slender arms were reaching out, and Kasan saw Max heave up the pitcher of water not far from his seat. The rounded sides looked enormous in Maxs little hands and it wobbled dangerously before he got a good grip on it. Here, precious, thats too heavy for you. Why dont you let me No! Max pulled the pitcher closer to himself and out of the reach of Kasans hands as he tried to grab for it. With a suspicious gaze fixed on him, Kasan put his hands back into his lap and tried not to laugh. Somehow, having the little one angrily defend his right to pour his own water made him seem utterly precious. And it helped a little over the kiss as well; it wasnt just Kasan, obviously. It was likely he was just happy to be exercising some form of control over the world around him. He hoped. He had to admit that Max didnt spill a drop as he poured it out. When Max had put the pitcher back down, he carefully lifted the cup with both hands again, drinking heavily. Kasan was glad the little one had the cup back down before Roto squealed happily; the high-pitched sound was loud enough to startle everyone at the table. Tisus consort was smiling and almost bouncing on his cushion as his soft brown braid bounced with him. He is sooo adorable! Oh, I want to just pick him up and squeeze him! Kasan smiled. Please, dont squeeze him til we know how strong his kind are. I dont know if he could survive it. Besides the fact that he might object to being treated like a toy. Blinking, Rotos golden eyes looked at Max carefully. Oh, are they fragile? Tisu said he was human, but I didnt realize Tisu put his arm around him and leaned down to rub his chin across Rotos ears. Dont worry about it, sweetie. Im sure hed be happy to have you give him a hug when he can

understand what youre asking for. Really? I wouldnt want to hurt him. Rotos ears twitched as he smiled rather earnestly at Max. If he was strong enough to get thoroughly screwed by Kasan, he can deal with a little hugging. Kasan casually held his hand up, palm in, and flicked his claws out a moment, a tacit signal between them that he was going to be kicking Tisus ass later. Tisu merely smiled and nodded. He wasnt drunk this time; it wouldnt be nearly as easy. Neither of them would say it aloud, though, not in front of Roto. Oooooh! Look! Hes picking the Kalla! Hes eating the Kalla first! Roto started giggling while Zonta and Tisu smirked at Kasan. A few other chuckles could be heard around the room as Rotos voice carried, and Kasan had a feeling his cheeks might be a bit ruddy. He hadnt even thought about what food Max was going to choose first; thered been too much going on to even wonder. But the damn firstmeal after the Greeting was always filled with even more sexually explicit foods than theyd given him last night. And now, Max had picked the Kalla: long rather thick rolls, filled with white icing that spurted from the end when you bit into them. Max startled as it did so, obviously caught off guard by the white goop covering his hands, and then he started to lick it clean. He paused as there were more chuckles around the room from others who were watching, unabashedly curious. He doesnt know that theres a meaning to the food. Kasan muttered as Tisu continued to laugh at him. Obviously, otherwise he never would have told us that you two were at it all night and he got such a full roll, too. You must have been really good. Kasan flicked his claws again, held them out a little longer, and Tisu just smiled. Zonta snorted, and looked away when Kasan glanced at him. Ah, nose tickled. It was nothing. He looked back at Max, his eyes glinting with suppressed laughter. I do wish wed thought of a way to tell him about the food, though. Then he really could tell us what he thought of his First Night. I dont think it matters. We all know what he would have chosen. Tisu picked up a tiny sausage link from a small plate of them and popped it into his mouth. If he was choosing sausage, it would be this one. Kasan plucked out an enormous column of meat, lying in solitary splendor on its own platter, and took a large bite. Oh, you wish your dick was that big, midget! Tisu laughed.

Kasan growled, then smiled. He swallowed carefully and picked up a brilliantly crimson flower from an azure glazed plate. Still smiling, he made a production of eating it one petal at a time. It was Tisus turn to squirm; Roto had chosen that for their first food. Having Rotos choice informing the world that Tisu had been as gentle as a delicate flower had been enough for his brothers to howl with laughter at the time. I think its sweet, Roto sighed. Even if it isnt true. How many times did you make him come? he asked curiously. Roto, thats not something to ask during firstmeal, sweetheart, Tisu said gently. Thats something you can talk to him about afterwards, all right? I dont think Kasan minds, do you? Kasan squirmed under Rotos look. He didnt know how the man did it, but not giving in to Roto was like trying to lie to his father: impossible. No, I dont mind, he said, clearing his throat. Goodie! So how many times? Kasan cleared his throat again. Three. Tisu finished chewing on his sausage, nodding while Roto bounced with another little squeal of glee. A few cousins drifted closer to try and listen to what was going on. All right, so that could have taken most of the night. At least hes not too far off. I would have done more, butIm not sure if it would be good for him. He came so quickly Get over yourself, Tisu snorted and Kasan glared at him briefly before looking down at Max. He swallowed, watching a thin dribble of white icing dripping slowly down Maxs chin from the corner of his mouth. His voice was soft as he went on. Im wondering if it might be a racial trait. If hes built to orgasm that easily, maybe he shouldnt have too many. Kasan looked to Zonta and his brother shrugged. I havent read anything about it. Ill see if the archivists know of any restrictions, but nothing came up when I was looking for health differences. If the writing survived all these years, Kasan added. All of them looked at Max, speculating as he continued eating. His chewing slowed as he noticed. When he started shifting nervously, Kasan patted his head softly and he jerked it away.

No. He pointed one frosting covered finger at Kasan and frowned as he saw it. He popped it into his mouth and sucked it clean before pointing it back at Kasan. Kasans cock stirred and he groaned under his breath. How can you possibly be any more sexy, Gisho. ### Kasan stayed away, just staring at him with his eyes warming the air between them, and Max went back to the clair thing. Cat boy was watching him, but he wasnt doing anything, so it was safe. Kasan wouldnt try to touch him. Hed actually listened to him; Max had told him to back off, and hed understood and actually done it! Max was talking with aliens, and they were listening. He was like that horse whisperer guy, but with aliens. Hed made a humongously big alien cat do what hed asked. He was the alien whisperer. Except that sounded lame, sohe was something. Hed think of it eventually. He took another bite of the clair, and satisfaction floated to the top of his mind as heavy sweetness filled his mouth. The taste of both lingered after he swallowed. He brushed the corner of his mouth and absently licked the frosting his fingers found there, enjoying the sugary white caramel of it. Sowould that do it? Would being able to refuse sex be enough to keep him from getting screwed? Max licked his lips, thinking of the last kiss, and quickly popped the last bit of clair into his mouth. Chewing, he looked down at the table, ignoring everyone as he tried to think. It was a little warm in here. And the married thing. He was married. To an alien. To a man. To a huge, honkin sex fiend alien man. Was no going to keep him away forever, or would he be willing to divorce him or something? And he couldnt believe he was feeling a little weird about that idea. Stupid. Just because his mother and father used to go on and on about the sacred institution of marriage did NOT mean that they would have expected him to stay married in a situation like this! Him, married to a guy? There had to be some kind of of legal precedent for this, right? Annulment for reasons of a really huge cock. Max grabbed a small sausage, barely hearing the deep laugh from across the table as he chewed on it, staring to the side at Kasans crotch. It really had been huge: sleek and richly golden. Hard. Taking him He began to cough as he realized what hed been thinking. Dammit, Kasan! Stop having such a big dick! Kasans ears perked up as he looked at him, and Max groaned. Yeah, that had helped. His entire body felt hot and flushed, his own dick already hard. He was actually hard! He began to mutter under his breath.

Idiot. Staring at his dick like its a naked woman or something. You just think what the other colonists are going to think about this when you find them! Theyll What the hell would they think about it? Their linguist, acting like a slut over some huge alien cat. What was he going to TELL them? It was a form of interplanetary diplomacy? Ass screwing as a political statement. Yeah. Max grabbed a handful of sausages, eating them quickly. Stupid dink, he mumbled, his mouth full. Swallowing, he tried to distract himself and looked around the room. It was a lot more informal than he would have expected for a wedding. People were sitting at the shorter tables, or standing at the taller ones, or gathered in groups in open spaces. They shifted around as he watched, children going from table to table, adults visiting and chatting on their way to other tables. Couples hands brushed over shoulders and waists, and touching one anothers lips was so common he wondered if it had some type of meaning. He looked at Kasan again. It was weird; he was starting to get used to all the skin. Bare or barely covered chests, thighs and buns, and a lot of the youngest little kids werent wearing anything at all. It was like being in an alien nudist camp. Hed always thought that would be kind of neat, well, just a normal nudist camp. Okay, maybe a Captain Kirk worthy alien nudist camp with lots of hot alien women might have crossed his mind when he was a stupid teenager, but hed never expected something like this. Naked flesh everywhere just made him feel rather hot and flushed and really, really aware of Kasan sitting next to him with hardly anything on. Nothing covering Kasans legs but skin. Practically nothing covering his prick but a little piece of cloth, and utterly nothing blocking his view of Kasans huge, broad chest. Max started to sweat as he stared at it. It was right in his face. Literally. He licked his lips. What did the cat do with his days to get his chest that perfect? And his nipples werepretty. Flat and dark like burnt caramel, they were staring at him, and they were even a little hard. Kasan couldnt be cold it was so damn hot in here he couldnt possibly be cold. Did that mean he was? Max looked down at Kasans crotch again and noticed the bulge there, larger than it had been a minute ago. He giggled and grabbed a few of the flowers Kasan had eaten earlier, tossing the whole lot in. They were like sweet citrus. Would Kasans mouth taste like that, since hed eaten them too? What would his nipples taste like? Max leaned forward before he caught himself and he blinked as he found himself inches from Kasans chest. He sat back so quickly he almost fell off his cushion. What the hell was wrong with him, thinking about something like that? Kasans damn nipples could taste like rum and coke, that didnt mean Max was ever going to find out! Like his lips. Should Max ever have found out what his lips tasted like? No! He shouldnt know that they tasted hot and sweet, with that bitter aftertaste that he wanted to feel on his tongue again just like he wanted coffee in the morning. And life was not worth living

without coffee. He looked at them, rosy beige and sensual, and he leaned forward again, staring. Kasan would let him taste them. He knew that he would. He would. He would fuck him in the ass if Max started going shit like that! What. The. Hell! You! Youre doing something to me Kasans head tilted to the side as he watched him, the pupils in his eyes so dilated they were almost as round as Maxs. Justcontrol your lips! Kasans body felt far too close. His legs next to Max felt so hot it was as though Kasans skin was melting the air. Max squirmed. Damn tunic was itchy as hell, all of a sudden. So was the stupid cushion. Hed much rather be touching something smooth and yielding. Something warm he could grip and pet. Yeah. Like that. Uh, wait a second here Max looked down and blinked at seeing his hand running over Kasans thigh. What was he doing? He wastouching Kasan, on purpose, like a lover. He was fucking touching Kasan! And he hadnt taking his hand off yet, crap. Max yanked his hand back and pointed it up at Kasan. What the hell did you do to yourself? You are not this sexy! Kasan reached out and wrapped his hand around Maxs wrist, staring into his eyes. Max opened his mouth to tell him no again, and got stuck as Kasans eyes continued staring at his. Maxs balls drew up tautly against his body, his dick hardened completely, and his skin was on fire as licked his lips. Sweet flavor hit his tongue as he caught some forgotten bit of frosting. Oh man. Kasan leaned forward with a teasing look and carefully sucked Maxs finger into his mouth. Max whimpered as the heated swirl of Kasans tongue. The deep pull of Kasans mouth had his mind completely befuddled. It was fantastic. Just that one touch had his erection pressing up so rigidly it hurt. He whimpered again as Kasan released the finger from his mouth and let go of Maxs hand. He wanted it back in there. It was hot and warm and wet.would Kasan do that to his dick? He would, wouldnt he? They were married, right? They could do sex things any time they wanted. They could do it right now if he wanted, and Kasan would do it for him. Max could get him to do that; hed get that silk and heated, polished stone feel around his dick. Except Kasan wasnt doing anything. He was just sitting there looking, gripping the table in front of him. What the hell was wrong with him? You didnt suck someones finger in

that way and just leave him hanging. You always followed finger sucking with smooth, barely furred chests and lush, smiling mouths and and why the hell did the tunic feel so freaking nasty? He hated that damn thing. Didnt know why he was wearing it anyway. Nobody ELSE was wearing a tunic right now, not except for those little paper holding guys, and theyd left. Why should he wear a tunic when no one else was? Pushing up onto his knees, Max began pulling at the ties. Kasan put his hand out and Max smiled until it stopped him from touching his ties. He slapped at it. Fuck off! I can take it off it I want to, Kasan! Kasan interfered again, taking Maxs hand in his and pushing down until Max was kneeling again with Kasans hand in his lap. Feeling the closed fist heating the top of his thigh, Max pushed up a little. If he moved just the slightest bit, Kasans hand would be over his dick. If he could just get the damn thing off, Kasans hand might even go around his dick. Max could have something hot and tight around him. He looked down at Kasans absolutely bulging loincloth. The man was going to strain something if he didnt take that off soon. He should really take care of it. What would it taste like? Would it be citrus too? Or would it be musky and spiced, like Kasans skin smelled? Or something else It was hot, he knew that much. And hard, and it burned a little when it went inside your body, and the painful body-thrumming punch every time it slid home was.God. Kasan sat still, looking at him another moment before releasing his hands, and Maxs eyes roamed over his skin. He wanted to lick it up. He wanted to feel it, so why the hell was Kasan staying so far over there? Couldnt he tell what Max needed? They hadnt had I want sex in the translating pages, but they shouldnt need to! Wasnt it obvious? If he could just get the damn tunic off, Kasan would know what he wanted. He just had to get it off, and Kasan would touch him some more. Suck on his skin. Press into him and make him quiver and scream anddammit, he wanted to be fucked! Maxs hands shook as he still tried to work the ties on his tunic and he grew desperate. He had to get the damn thing off! Kasans hands were there again, laid across his torso, and he looked up. Had he understood? Nono, Kasan looked worried. He put a hand up to Maxs forehead and Max leaned into it; it burned him all the way down to his toes. He could tell it had jolted Kasan as well: he was almost purring under his breath, his hand moving down Maxs cheek and over his jaw. And then he started cursing and stood up, scooping up Max as he went. ##

Fuck! Kasan turned from the table, cradling Max who had started to rub against his body. He took two steps away from the table before Tisu was up and his hand was on Kasans arm. No way, you horny bastard. You have to suffer through this just like the rest of us did. Tisu smirked at him and Kasan had to reach deep to find the willpower not to claw him. Its not the same. Tisu snorted and Kasan pulled, yanking his arm away. Look at him, dammit! Its not the same! Max was squirming wildly in his arms, and Kasan clutched him tighter as his consort ran his hands over Kasans bare chest and began to suck at one of his nipples. Dear God. Woah, heseager. Hes fucked up! WE fucked up. The damn Chera root What of it? So youve got a nice horny buzz going: everyone else had to wait until after his post-greeting meal to take care of it. No way were going to let you get special privileges. Uh uh. Growling, Kasan shivered. Think about it, dammit! Its intended for us! What would that much root do to someone Maxs size? You know the nanites dont neutralize Chera! Tisus eyes widened as he watched Max whimpering in Kasans arms. He let out a low growl. Son of a bitch. No wonder hes writhing like that. Kasans legs shook as Max bit him and plastered his small body against his chest. Shit. Justfucking talk to the cooks and get them to make something without any root! I have to help him with this or itll be bad. Tisu nodded quickly and turned away. Pausing, he looked back and smirked once. Have fun. Kasan snarled out an unintelligible reply and walked for the door while Max began to reach up and pull at his hair. He could hear people calling out behind him, teasing or asking what was going on, and he ignored them, getting out into the hallway as quickly as he could. He could feel the buzz of his own lust going already thank God he hadnt eaten more than a bite. Hed been too preoccupied with watching Max. It was hard enough right now with the little one going crazy within his arms. Max had to feel on fire by now, from the way he was acting. If he came, though, hed be okay. The little endorphin rush combined with the orgasm would make the drug dissipate quickly, but he had to do it fast. Kasan looked around, trying to find somewhere private he could get to, almost running

down the hallway, and he slapped open the door to the greeting room as he came to it, hugging Maxs waist to his body with one arm. Maxs legs wrapped around him before he finished closing the door. It was empty: everyone was on his way home or at firstmeal. He was going to have to make Max come fast. Hed just bring him to orgasm, it would be faster than taking him, and then theyd get back. Maxs tongue and lips were moving along his collar bone, nipping at the skin fitfully while his hands slipped on Kasans shoulders. Kasan took them straight to the nearest wall. He pushed Max back against the brilliantly red hanging, pulling his legs off of Kasans body and sliding him up along the fabric until he was raised high. Kasans arms were practically parallel to the ground as he hooked them under Maxs knees. He planted his palms against the wall and spread his arms apart, supporting his consorts spread legs on his biceps as Max curled in on himself a little against the wall. The little ones tunic was hanging down behind him, and Kasan looked at the covering in the front a moment before grabbing it with his teeth and pulling it to the side. He grinned as it put his face close enough to Maxs penis to be tickled by small, crisp golden hairs. Max was practically incoherent, reaching for him until Kasan bent his head and took the small, erect cock into his mouth. Then hands fisted in his hair and Max moaned low in his throat, the muscles in his thighs straining as he tried to push his hips. Kasan kept him there and tongued the underside of his cock, sucking softly as he drew back on it. He tightened his lips around Maxs shaft, curling them around his teeth to protect the soft skin as he drew it back into his mouth. Crying out, Max moaned with incoherent whimpers from his own language. Kasan drew back again and then took Max into his mouth until his lips touched the flesh at its base. He didnt have time to play, really. He should just do it quickly. A few more bobs of his head, and Max was already close to the edge. He knew it. He should do it. Instead, Kasan drew him out, one last time, and paused. It was be a moment or two more before Max orgasmed if he didnt continue, butthere was something he hadnt done with Max yet. And Max would probably really, really like it. Pulling his mouth free, he leaned in and up with his arms, curling in Maxs body just enough that Kasan had his bottom completely open and exposed in mid-air. He salivated as he looked at it. Pink. His consorts entrance was as pink as his lips, and he couldnt wait to see how Max reacted when he tongued him there. Hold on, precious, almost there now. His head dipped forward, his tongue slipped out, and he licked the soft, wrinkled skin carefully. The spicy musk of cleansing oil invaded his senses at the same time Max squeaked adorably. Max twisted, his legs pushing out as Kasan tasted him again, licking him in small circles as his consort yelped and pleaded for only a few moments before he came. His legs stiffened like marble before his entire body went boneless, and Kasan chuckled against his skin. And resigned himself to an uncomfortable few more hours. Max would recover now from the Chera root, and they should go back, no matter how enticing his body looked as he

was draped over Kasans arms and pinned against the crimson banner behind him. Completely luscious. Like creamy ice and berries. Kasan closed his eyes and took a deep breath as he tried to keep himself from lowering Max down onto himself. He should be good. He should be controlled. He shouldbe noticing that Max was beginning to moan again rather than coming back to himself. Kasans eyes widened as he looked at Maxs body and saw his erection standing proudly again in front of his face. God, how much of an overdose had Max gotten? Max moaned rather pitifully, trying to move, and Kasan swallowed. Max needed to come more than once. As much as Kasan was appalled at how much his consorts body seemed affected by the damn stuff, the fact that he was going to be able to take him now, the fact that Max needed him to take him Ohhh, he was really going to enjoy this. Maxs soft blue eyes were desperate as he tried to talk to Kasan, eventually just reaching for his own erection to thrust against his own hands, and Kasan barely paused as he slid his hands along the wall until they had wormed their way behind Maxs back. With a quick twist, he flipped their positions. He had himself leaning with his back against the wall, holding Max by the waist. The little one leaned onto him, wrapping his arms around his neck as he tried to drag Kasans head down to his level. Kasan pulled him up higher instead, biting feverishly at his lips, sucking on the pink softness until it was swollen. He pulled at his loincloth while Max shimmied and squirmed and tried to devour Kasans mouth. It only took a few minute to disrobe, but it was as twice as long as it should have, and that was too long by half. When he was finally naked, he pulled Max closer, his mouth moving along Maxs jaw until he reached his ears. He began to lick along their edge while reached down between them and snagged the front of Maxs tunic, pulling it out of the way. While Max wrapped his legs around him, Kasans hand slipped down and cupped his bottom. He could feel the mans skin against his groin, the hard little erection thrusting frantically as Max keened and arched against him. Maxs head shifted and his lips pressed against Kasans again. Small hands gripped at Kasans hair until it pulled against his ears. A slim, pink tongue shoved into Kasans mouth as Max growled like a little kitten. Aggressive, Max was even more fucking adorable and sexy than hed been before, and Kasan hadnt dreamed that was possible. Feeling Maxs hips jerking against him, Kasan spread the fingers of his hand where it supported Maxs bottom. He could just see what it looked like in his head. Pale cheeks opening as Kasan lowered the little body, his own dark erection threatening that pale, rosy entrance. He could feel it, a soft pressure as he nudged Maxs tight, sensitive little hole. He was so hot for Max, his erection had probably been leaking lubricating fluids since hed seen Max earlier in the same room. God, he wanted him right fucking now! Pressing his back against the wall, Kasan pushed his hips forward. Maxs legs were up high and twined around Kasans torso, his lips were still trying their best to attack Kasans mouth, and he looked and smelled of lust and sex. But could he take this? If they

did it this way, it was going to be deep, and Max was so small. Had they been mated long enough for the nanites to make the proper adjustments? The microscopic machines usually worked quickly, from what hed heard, so his consorts little bottom might be flexible enough to take him more easily now. Max hadnt seemed to have too much discomfort from this morning. That should be a good sign. He hoped. God, Kasan wanted him, but if it hurt him too much, he was going to have to stopif he could. With another groan blending with Maxs frantic whimpers, Kasan began to push himself in. Maxs lips never left his; he just began whining until Kasan shoved his tongue into his greedy mouth. The little one began sucking on it as his legs curled up higher around Kasans hips. His body dropped even further, giving a better angle for Kasan to thrust upwards, and he embedded himself completely with one smooth stroke. Max took him in with a delicious, gripping shudder, but his body seemed to be enjoying it rather than trying to push him away and he held onto him tightly with his thighs. Kasan groaned into his mouth. The fact that Max was so hot for himKasan wanted to ravish him. His legs were shaking from need. He was gripping Maxs ass so tightly he might be leaving marks, and his arm had moved from around Maxs waist to his back as he kept him still. And Max obviously loved it. He was pushing his hips down onto Kasans shaft and crying out into Kasans mouthand then doing it again. Max wanted him. The Chera root was making Maxs need to come desperate, but Kasan had seen others who had taken too much Chera before. They would refuse people they didnt like in favor of their own hand, if it came down to it. Which meant that Max wanted HIM. Kasan pulled up on Maxs bottom until he could feel the tightness of the small outer muscles gripping the head of him and then let Max slide back down. His consorts erection rasped along his stomach as he did it again. And again. And again. He wrapped his other arm around Maxs waist again, drawing him up with his bottom and pulling down at his waist until Kasan was seated fully within Maxs heated body. He needed to push in; he couldnt wait. His legs quivering on the floor as he thrust up, bracing himself against the wall. His lust-fogged mind tried to keep the rhythm with his hands and his hips. Max was whimpering and shifting to force him deeper, and faster, and Kasan found himself doing exactly that. His arms began to tire as he completely supported the little mans weight before each thrust, slamming his hips home as Max yelled hoarsely into his mouth. Maxs tunic was dark with sweat, coarse as it rasped against the skin of Kasans chest and arms: erotically painful. Both of them clutched at each other, their hips jerking wildly, and Kasan pulled his head free, screaming as he slammed Max down one last time and came into him. His legs stayed stiff, cramping,

before he realized he hadnt heard Max release. Except Max was leaning against Kasans chest right now, breathing hard, his body quivering and shaking. Kasan shifted, and felt Maxs erection begin to fade, slipping between their bodies along fluid that hadnt been there when theyd begun. Kasan hadnt even noticed when it had happened. Thank God Max had come. And Kasan hoped to hell it was enough, because too much longer and his legs were going to give out. He needed a bed. Or at least a cushion. He shot away from the wall as the door to the room opened with a bang, Ash charging in withthe ladder. He was yelling as he ran in. Out of the way! God dammit, everybody get out of the way, Ive gotit. Aosh stopped inside the doorway and stared at Kasan and Max, and the empty room, for a long, silent moment. His eyes traveled down to where Kasan was still embedded in Maxs body, their connection hidden by the back of Maxs tunic hanging down, and his entire body relaxed. He smirked, leaning the ladder against the wall, and crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned next to it. Tsk, tsk. Cavorting in the greeting room? While everyone else isat firstmeal, Im assuming? What would father say? Kasan glared at him and carefully withdrew his cock from Max. From the mans murmurs against his chest, he wasnt certain Max was entirely conscious. He settled him sideways in his arms, carefully making sure to hide his bottom from Aosh. Stupid lecherous idiot was staring at Max with much hotter eyes than he liked. Hed say to mind your own business. And if you dont stop staring at my consort like that, hes not going to say anything at all to you, because youll no longer be among the living. Aosh smirked even more. After the noises I just heard as I was coming down the hall, youll have to forgive a little staring. Here I thought something must have happened and instead. Hmmm, Id never heard that you were a screamer. Or was that the little one? Kasan sighed. He leaned back against the wall with Max curled up in his arms, murmuring against him with his eyes closed. He wasnt sure if he could walk just yet. Shut up, Aosh. No, really, Im curious. You know how running all over the citadel looking for some huge, heavy piece of shit that was obviously unnecessary tends to spark my curiosity. So Id really like to know: what the hell are you doing here? And WHY the HELL didnt anyone send someone to tell me you didnt fucking need the ladder anymore! Aoshs

smirk disappeared as he glared at Kasan. Kasan glared back. A little exercise wont kill you. Oh, is that why you and your consort are here? How foolish of me to interrupt your training. I can see how that is so much more important than anything to do with me. Oh forLook, brat, things happened I can see that. Kasan snorted. Youre a regular little snot when youre pissy. Im not pissy, Im pissed. Huge difference, Aosh replied. Kasan shook his head and stood away from the wall again. Shaky legs or no, he should get back. Just shut up and lets get back to firstmeal. You can bitch all you like to Zonta when we get there. And then you need to get this ladder put away. And stay away from Max. He walked passed Aosh, watching him carefully, his tail smacking his brothers legs as he went by. Aosh didnt bother to disguise his small laugh as he followed. Kasan could feel him staring the entire walk down the hallway, and he couldnt stop re-checking Maxs tunic to make sure he was covered. His tunic looks like its making you nervous. Are you sure you wouldnt rather take it off of him? Not with a lecher like you around. Im sure the view would beinteresting, Aosh murmured. Stop it, Aosh. Dont push me right now. Im not in the fucking mood. Really? You looked like you were in the mood just a minute ago. Kasan glared at the second set of chuckles that joined Aosh: the guard by the door to the dining area. Dont you have anything better to do? The guard smiled lazily. Nope. Just standing here guarding. Sounds like it would have been more fun to be guarding another part of the citadel this morning. It was definitely louder, Aosh said with a grin, and he and the guard laughed again. Kasan gave up and walked past him. He entered the firstmeal and ignored everyones

stares as he went back to the table hed settled on before. He wanted Max to be near Zonta, and it looked like his brother had planted himself there, guarding their papers. Kneeling, he lowered Max onto a large cushion next to him. Max muttered and curled up, sleeping, while Kasan ran his hand over his back. He looked up at the snorting laugh from across the table. Tisu and Roto had left, and now his brother Nolluz was there with his consort. Just what he needed. Neera was a lovely woman, which was why he had no idea how she tolerated Nolluz. Whom he stilled owed a good beating for preserving the damn dungeons. That last punch had been solely for Maxs sake. The man was pompous and rude, and while he was highly intelligent, the fact that he knew it and waved it in their faces had most of his brothers gritting their teeth around him. Daily. Right now, he was snickering as loudly as Aosh, who sat down on the other side of Zonta. Neera smiled brightly, her eyes sparkled, and she gestured with cheerful little wave. Well, I have to say that I am honestly surprised. I hadnt realized you were so traditional. Traditional? What in the world was she talking about? He never Kasans cheeks flushed as Aosh finally started to guffaw. Didnt even realize, did you? Aosh chortled. I was hoping for maybe for half the hallway, but you made it all the way here! Kasan threw a cup at him and Aosh just caught it before it hit him in the head. Zonta, dont let the lecher here lay a finger on Max. Ill be right back. He glanced at Max, who was sleeping through the entire thing. At least it wasnt just sex that didnt seem to wake him up, he thought, grinning in spite of his own discomfort. He got up and tried to keep his dignity as he headed back to the door. Oh, by the way, no hard feelings over the ladder, Kasan. Im feeling much better about it now. Kasan ignored him, and everyone else who was watching with broad smiles. Somehow, he had a feeling he was going to be seeing looks like that all day long; the entire morning had all the makings of a true disaster. And dammit, it wasnt as though he minded going traditional, but he really would have rather done it on purpose than be caught totally unaware. With a light shove, he closed the door behind him, and slapped his cousin guarding the door in the stomach. You could have told me, he muttered, walking past. What, and miss the sight of you going back to the greeting room? I wouldnt dare. Kasan gestured obscenely with his claws as he proceeded down the hall, his tail swishing over his naked ass while he went to retrieve his loincloth.

Chapter 12 - Father and the Pink Blob Max sighed sleepily, rubbing his face on the soft cloth underneath him. He hadnt felt so rested and boneless in ages. Man, he loved sleeping in. Just letting your body rest while your mind zoned out, warm and soft and petted. Why was he being petted? He opened one eye and stared at the browned skin a few inches from his face. Huh? He sat up, peering around blearily in the bright light, and the cats and voices crashed over him like a wave. Kasan was next to him, smiling, and he had Oh my GOD! Did we just- ? You just -? What did you do to me?! Max jumped to his feet, slipped on his cushion, and fell sideways into Zonta. His legs smacked into the table on his way down, and the water and plate of flowers went flying. Kasan caught the water pitcher before it landed on the floor, and ended up with a pile of red flowers decorating his hair and ears. Max stared at him as Zontas hands helped him to his feet. For the love of God, theyd just fucked against a wall! A WALL! And Max had been the one to come onto KASAN!! Hed gotten so horny just looking at Kasan that hed actually wanted it! Hed practically attacked him! It was worse than being a cock whore! At least if he was a whore, he just lay there and enjoyed things. Now he was attacking other men for sex! He was a a an ass commando or something! How could he have done that? He let out a pitiful moan and whimpered as his throat hurt. Why would his throat hurt? It wasnt A shiver ran through his body as he remembered screaming Kasans name. He had actually screamed himself hoarse. From sex. And he was suddenly aware of stinging and aches in very freaking intimate places. Every detail about how hed gotten them slammed into him. It made him a little hard again. Noooooo! Its not fair! How can you make guy-sex that good?! Max clamped his lips shut. He didnt want to like this, but it was like he was getting worse! He was getting addicted to Kasan. Was that possible? He looked at Kasan and the slight sheen on bronze skin made him pant suddenly. Fuck! It was! He was an anal-sex-with-aliens addict! Why is this happening to me? I was a good kid! I went to church, dammit! I- Kasan stood and Max shut up as he looked high into Kasans face. He gulped. He was just never going to get used to having to look up so high at everyone. It was too nerve wracking. Youre way the hell too tall, Kasan. A flower fell off of Kasans hair and he shook his head irritably until petals rained down

onto Max. Waving his arms, Max brushed them away. Hey! I dont need a flower shower, okay! Kasan ran his hand over his own head, picking out a few remaining petals and unraveling the remains of a long braid in the process. He reached down, picked up the papers that were still on the table, and held them out to Max. Kasan screwed him until he passed out, and now he wanted to act like nothing had happened? That was just just Just like the first time. Max grumbled. Crap. Why did no one think this was a problem but him?! Kasan wasnt upset about it at all; Max could tell. Those ears of his were all perky and happy looking. Didnt Kasan realize what a big deal this was? It was huge! Hot sex, WALL, multiple orgasms in the middle of a party kinda like a spy film, if you thought about it just right. He sighed and rubbed his face. Yeah, if the big, badass spy was the one getting screwed. He suddenly felt a lot of sympathy for all the women in those action movies. What would a movie chick do if she just got screwed against a wall? Like he even needed to ask. Theyd go back to the party like nothing happened. And then theyd turn out to be the double agent and try to kill the spy later. Stupid randy spies. If he ever got to name a spy film, he was going to call it: Badass Spy Gets Exactly What He Deserves for Being Such a Horny Bastard. Damn. He looked up at Kasan. There was a bright petal still stuck next to one black ear. Fine, Kasan was acting like nothing had happened? Max could do the same thing. Hed just pretend and make sure he never did something like this again. Sort of like his first blind date. Except it had been so good. He shook his head. No more! Kasan was smiling at him, still holding onto the papers, and Max concentrated on that instead. He was not going to think of the darn sex, hed think of what was happening, thats all. Think of right now, when Kasan was being nice and helpful. He looked rather sexy when he smiled like that. Max ground his teeth and tried again. Think of something else. Anything else! Kasan wasnt going to give him away. Thank God, because if someone else screwed him up against a wall hed

Crud. Kasan was He was Oh yeahmarried to him. How often did married couples HAVE sex here, anyway? Aaaaaagh! No more stupid sex thoughts! Max wanted to pound at his head. He was NOT going to think about Kasan and how gigantic he was or how smooth his skin was or how sexy his smile was or Moaning under his breath, Max grabbed at his hair with both hands. He had more selfcontrol than this! Dammit, if he could learn over a dozen languages, he could go five minutes without thinking about some pushy alien and how fantastic the sex with him was! Think. He had to think of something that wasnt sexy at all. Putting his hands down, he stared at Kasan. Kasan stood there, waiting, holding out the papers. He rustled them at Max as though he didnt know if Max had seen them, and Max suddenly had an image of his fourth grade homeroom teacher. Shed always rustled the homework papers she was returning if she thought a student wasnt paying attention. He pictured Kasan dressed in the baby blue sweater, tweed skirt, and granny glasses shed always worn. Muscles would be bulging out and Kasan would look at the clothes in confused disgust and accidentally smash the glasses as he looked at them. Max laughed once. Not sexy in the least, just funny. Finally. Max reached up to take the papers from Kasan, and the big cat smiled. He looked relieved. It was like hed been expecting Max to completely freak out or something. Hmph. If he was flipping out, it was all Kasans fault anyway. Stupid, sexy jerk. Still smiling, Kasan handed the translations over and leaned down at the same time to kiss him. His hand full of paper, Max stared into Kasans eyes as their lips touched. Soft and warm, it only lasted a few moments. Just long enough for Maxs entire body respond before Kasan pulled back. There were a few laughing comments yelled out around the room and Max flushed, shaking himself free from whatever haze Kasan seemed to have poured over his brain. Kasan! How can you- We just screwed, you stupid sex fiend! You- You- Maxs fists clenched, crushing his papers, and he felt like throwing them at the big pervert. Fine! Youre so happy I didnt lose it that you go and kiss me? Im gonna freak out for the rest of the night! How do you like that!? A deep voice spoke from just behind him and he jumped. He turned quickly. These stupid

cats and their stupid quiet walking and Shit! His throat closed up; all he could get out was a ragged squeak. He started backpedaling frantically. The perverted cat! The big, red headed pervert whod grabbed him last night! Max backed right into Kasan and he didnt say a peep as the man wrapped an arm around his chest to anchor him there. Kasan groping him? Perfectly fine! Kasan taking him away to screw against a different wall? Freaking fine! Anything that kept the other pervert away was perfectly, wonderfully fine!! Ive got people to seduce before all the good ones are spoken for, Kasan. Can you get it going with the introductions to your little cutie pie here? Max, Aosh. Aosh, Max, Kasan said in a irritable tone, pointing between the two of them. Aosh bowed quickly and said their little greeting. Max got out a pleased to meet you so fast it was probably incomprehensible, but he didnt care. Almost everyone seemed to leave after they said it, so he was hoping the perverted bastard would follow the same pattern. Kasan relaxed his hold on Max as Aosh turned to walk away, and everything in Max calmed. Crud. The ass-molesting jerk had been close enough he could have picked him up again! He shivered. Bad enough that the entire race towered over him, they had to have giant perverts, too. If he ever got back to earth, he was making them list that as one of the dangers of outer space exploration, dammit. Watch out for big damn space perverts, all you earth midgets. That was still so frustrating. He wasnt short, yet he felt like such a Lilliputian with all these cats around. Especially as everyone was even more humongous than Kasan. Bastards. Max glared at the back of Aoshs head as Kasan sat back down at the table. About to join him, he saw Aosh turn back a moment. The big cat looked at Kasan, already distracted by Zonta, and smiled slowly before he blew Max a kiss. He laughed at Maxs gaping mouth before he turned away again. That damn pervert! Thought he was hot shit, didnt he? Thought he could do anything he wanted cause the little human couldnt do a damn thing about it, huh? Stupid jerk! Well, Max had just fucking had enough of that! Justenough! With a frustrated growl, he ran the few steps separating them and kicked high and hard into stupid Aoshs leg. It hit the cat in the back of the knee. Aosh grunted in surprise and stumbled forward, catching himself in a kneel. Take that, asshole! Thought I couldnt do anything to you and now youre on your knees, arent you?! So much for being a super barbarian; Max Renwood takes you down! Max hooted and made obscene gestures as he danced from foot to foot, euphoria and adrenaline singing in his veins until Aosh shifted. The cats back rippled with muscle as it braced itself to push back to its feet, and he suddenly realized that he was looking at the back of Aoshs head. The cat was still on his knees, and he was a little taller than Max.

And Max was standing on his feet. Oh shit. He gulped and took a step back. What the fuck was wrong with him!? Aosh COULD darn well do whatever he wanted because he was A FREAKING GIANT! Crap, the cat would kill him! With more speed than hed ever used in his life, Max sprinted back to Kasan and crouched down on the other side of him. Hiding. Kasan was big. Kasan had beat up this Aosh guy before. Please oh please let Kasan be willing to not give him away right now! Or better yet, let him beat up Aosh. Oh God, Max was going to freaking die! He peeked up and saw Kasan staring down at him. The cat looked confused and amused as Max shooed at him with his hands. Crap, dont look or hell know where I am! Max whispered frantically. Dammit, did Kasan WANT his consort to get killed?! Aosh muttered something that sounded nearer than it should be and Kasan turned away as Max made himself as small as possible. He stayed that way until Kasan looked at him again. The mans eyes were round and he was smiling broadly. Maybe he didnt mind that Aosh character getting a good kick in the knee? As long as he kept Aosh from doing the same thing to him One little blown kiss, thats all I did, Kasan. Aosh chuckled and Kasan turned back to him again. Max hoped Aosh wasnt about to do something to him. Kasan would stop him then, wouldnt he? Maybe? What a funny little brat. I guess if you come downstairs limping tomorrow well all know what happened. Very funny. Youre lucky thats all it was or Id be the one kicking your sorry ass. Oh dont worry. Im well aware that hes your consort now. Id never touch the little thing. There was a long silence, but Max didnt hear anyone leave. Of course, hed never heard Aosh walk up behind him in the first place. What if the cat was creeping up on him? Right now? Kasan would probably help him out, but could he really be sure of that? He might need to run again. Max bit his lip. Putting his hands on Kasans side, he risked a look around the cats torso, peeking behind his back. He gulped as he stared into Aoshs face just a few feet away. There was a snort, and then Aosh was shaking his head and laughing Damn but he is the funniest thing. Promise me youll find out where he came from? I think I might like one of my own. Those ears are beyond adorable Aosh laughed again and turned away.

Max took a deep breath and let it out slowly, yelping when Kasan turned, picked him up, and plunked him onto his lap. Hey! Cut it out! Its theres people here! Kasan purred and chuckled into his hair. Im happy. Kasan happy. Max happy. No I am not happy! Let me down! Kasan happy. He picked up a soft neon pink fruit and handed it to him. Food. Yeah, I know its food, lecher cat, Max muttered. But damn, he was still hungry. He took it out of Kasans hand and tried to ignore the fact that his tunic had shifted and his naked ass was resting on Kasans legs. But Aosh was gone. He let that sink in. Hed kicked the jerk, and nothing had happened to him. Ha! Take that, stupid cat! You got taken down by a member of the kick-ass human race! Eat dirt! Grinning, he took a big bite of the fruit and lay the papers that were completely crumpled in his fist onto the table. He tried to focus on the language as he flattened them out. He hadnt been hit, he had been fed, and hed been given a way to begin talking to the cats. And hed kicked that big pervert and taken him down! Double ha! It could be worse, right? A whole lot worse. If he could just figure out this new language and see if he could keep from getting screwed again His face heated and he squirmed, feeling Kasans skin heating up his backside. Um, yeah. Language. Learn the language, and thenother stuff. Words, words, words. Just do the words right now. There werent that many phrases; not much more than 100, and almost half of them were just different words for family members. With that many, family must be a really big deal in this culture. It made learning it all a heck of a lot easier, though; thered probably be a lot of repetition in there. So he could do this. Hed had to learn more phrases than this in one of his cram sessions; this should be no sweat. Especially not for someone whod stood up to a giant cat pervert. He grinned to himself. If that nice cat, Zonta, helped him a little, he could figure it out before they finished eating, maybe. If Kasan and he didnt leave again and get all sweaty together. His smile faded and he felt a little flushed at the reminder. If he could get his penis to stop thinking about Kasans leg underneath his naked butt. He took another bite of fruit a little desperately and turned to Zonta. Words, not legs.

Words, not legs. He swallowed heavily as he felt Kasans muscles flex underneath him. Kasan had really nice skin. Gaaah. Stop moving, Kasan! Im trying to work here! He looked up backwards at Kasans face and glared at the total lack of comprehension there. Max NO happy!

Kasan grinned. Max isnt happy, he corrected, and kept grinning as Max nodded and repeated the phrase back to him. He couldnt believe the little thing had kicked Aosh! Damn, he wished he could have seen more than the aftermath; hed probably still be laughing. My little warrior, huh? He fuzzed Maxs hair fondly and Max jerked his head away with an annoyed humph. Max cast him one last glare and then looked over at Zonta, belligerently pointing to the paper and talking to his brother as though trying to prove Kasan didnt exist. Kasan grinned again. Let the little scholars enjoy each other; he was going to enjoy Maxs pert little bottom against his thighs. Damn, he could take him again already. His brother Nolluz cleared his throat from across the way. While that was undeniably entertaining, in a rather crude sort of way, there are things that you need to finish, Kasan. You havent introduced us yet. Youll have to wait. Max is busy. Not that a little research would have stopped him with any other brother, even Aosh, but Nolluz was such an That is insufficient reason to delay an introduction, Kasan. I shouldnt even need to remind you of your duty. You are not some ignorant, pre-ripened child. uptight, condescending prig. Reason enough for me. Kasan smiled and crossed his arms. By the way, I didnt get to thank you for the dungeons yet. Nolluzs ears were tense and down. I dont see what the dungeons have to do with this conversation, brother. Nothing whatsoever. Im just pissed about them. You shouldnt let your personal feelings interfere with aaaaaaaah! Nolluzs voice rose an octave as he yelled. Max pushed himself back into Kasan with a frightened squeak as Nolluz reared up to his

knees, grabbing at his backside. With an outraged glare, Nolluz turned to his consort so quickly that his dark brown braid swung out and hit the table. Neera smiled sweetly at him. Dont mind me. Go right ahead with what you were saying. You- you- Nolluz seemed unable to finish his sentence and Kasan waited to find out what had just happened. It was bound to be good; there was a reason he really like Neera. I was just checking. Sorry to have interrupted. You can continue talking. You were checking for what!!? Oh, it seemed like that stick must have snuck back into your bottom. I was going to take it out for you. Kasan laughed at Nolluzs shocked look. When Neera merely raised an inquiring eyebrow at her mate, her honeyed ears innocently curious, Nolluz finally snorted once and sat back down. A reluctant smile twisted his lips for just a moment. Brat. Nolluzs voice was soft. Neera smiled back and leaned against his shoulder. You need a brat. Be happy you got one or youd be so insufferable no one would have anything to do with you anymore. Kasan smiled. Completely true. Neera, you have done a wonderful job keeping him from being the man he could have been today. My brothers and I are eternally thankful. He looked down at Max, who was beginning to relax again now that no one was yelling. And now that Max is no longer busy Max, this is Neera and Nolluz. Neera, Nolluz, this is my consort, Max. Max was already bowing and repeating the phrases, still a little nervous until Kasan pointed to Nolluz. Max? Nolluz is happy. Happy. Nolluz looked at him. What in the world are you talking about? Im not happy. Zonta spoke quietly and drew Maxs attention back to the papers while Kasan answered Nolluz. You saw the archivists; they brought in a few pages of text that are helping us communicate. I dont have a lot of choices in vocabulary. And the best you could do was Im happy? Why would you Neera poked Nolluz in the side. Obviously, he doesnt have the words yet to say my brother here is having a small conniption and isnt really about to leap over the table to try to eat you. Would that be about it, Kasan? Pretty close. He didnt get a chance to say more before there was a high pitched crying

from the corner of the room. Neera laughed lightly. That would be my signal to leave. Wed better go see to the little ones. I was wondering about that. Why didnt you simply bring them to the table? It was a rare thing for parents to be away from their children at a gathering like this. He was actually surprised theyd managed to get this much time to themselves, now that he thought about it. Neera looked at Max. I didnt want to do anything to upset your little one there. If hes as fragile as he seems, well need to have quite a bit of being gentle practice before the children are going to be allowed near him. She looked at Kasan seriously. You may want to take that into consideration if anyone else comes by with their littles. He leaned over and touched her lips briefly. Thank you. Ill make sure to take care. She nodded, smiling, and she and Nolluz left with their hands entwined only to be mobbed by a small pile of children when they made it across the room. Kasan took a deep breath and looked down at Maxs head. That was the last of his brothers. His father Kyoru would be coming over now. Not every family operated that way, but his father usually assumed that their new consorts might be a little nervous meeting the Lord King of the Hinta and he tried to let them enjoy the other siblings first before he showed. Kasan had to smile to himself; somehow, he didnt think his fathers position would worry Max any more than every other person hed met. One Kyashin probably looked just as intimidating as another to Max. He hoped so, because his father was already on his way over. Kasan moved his tail forward and wrapped it around Maxs waist to keep the tip from twitching. Max squirmed and petted it absently as he continued to talk with Zonta and Kasan almost jumped. His cock hardened underneath Max and his belly clenched with shocked arousal. Max was touching his tail! Dear God above, hed not even thought of it. No one touched his tail. He might smack someone with it occasionally, but there had been too many pranks and yanks in his childhood for him to tolerate any other contact. He kicked anyones ass who touched his tail now, and they all knew it. Except for Max, and Kasans breath hitched as dexterous fingers ran through the short fur. Ohhhh that felt nice. A purr started low in his throat and his felt his body start to arch before he shivered and stopped himself. He didnt have time to continue this. He was so very happy Max seemed comfortable with Kasans embrace, andoooooh damn, they were going to have to do this again when they had privacybut now wasnt the time! He needed to be able to concentrate. With a rather jerky push, Kasan reached his arm forward and insinuated it between Maxs hands and his tail. Max continued talking and his hands quieted against Kasans skin. Good. Kasan glanced at Zontas animated face as he spoke with Max and smiled, trying his best

to control his arousal in the last moments he had before his father arrived. Max seemed very comfortable with his little brother. That should help if the Lord King made Max nervous. Kasan admitted that he was a bit uncertain about how this particular meeting was going to go himself. His father tended to be a bit unpredictable. It wasnt helping his nerves that his body was still focusing on Max and his hands. He shakily inclined his head as his father sat down across from him. After all the couples whod been funneling through, his fathers solitude touched a small ache in Kasans chest that finally cleared the lust from his head. He hadnt seen his father sit down with his consort since Kasan was a small child. Their mother had died of a fever soon after the birth of Aosh and Zonta, a few months after fathers heat had ended. Memories of her teasing his father into laughter always hit him the hardest at family gatherings like this. How is your consort adjusting? his father asked softly. His deep brown eyes were watching Max curiously. Max was so engrossed in his conversation with Zonta he didnt even notice the mans presence. I think having a little of the language is helping him quite a bit. The Lord King nodded. I am correct in thinking the little creature is male? Kasan flushed and nodded. He wasnt quite sure how to interpret his fathers expression until Kyoru spoke again. And this isnt a problem for you? The elders have been worried about the effects on both of you if you havent any desire for one another. We dont need another tragedy like that in the family. So tell me the truth: do you need to wait until the heat hits before you can perform with your consort? Kasan chuckled. Maybe he shouldnt have bothered to control himself. Then everyone would have known exactly how little they had to be concerned about. Honestly? I think hes the sexiest thing Ive ever seen in my life. There is NO problem at all in that arena. His father smiled broadly. I was hoping that was the case. Kasans hand rubbed over Maxs stomach and his consorts body relaxed slightly. My preferences seem to have aligned themselves nicely with Maxs looks, Im happy to say. Im more worried about wearing him out than anything else. Kasan exchanged another smile with his father over Maxs head. Kyoru quieted, watching Max attempting to copy Zontas pronunciation of Im thirsty. His ears twitched with interest. Jolan tells me hes human. Kasan nodded. Im curious as to why I had to hear it from him rather than you.

Kasan flinched. He should have known father would get right to the point. Kasan had already called himself five kinds of idiot for not letting everyone know that Max was human. He could have gotten him killed, and all because he wanted to come out ahead in he and his brothers constant games of one-upmanship. He knew hed made a huge mistake. Knowing hed screwed up didnt mean that he wasnt going to pay dearly, but acknowledging it might mitigate his punishment slightly. My apologies, father. It was foolish of me and Im well aware the results could have been fatal. He shuddered as he imagined Max seriously injured. If something hed done had caused Max to be hurt, he didnt know what he would have done. Kyorus voice was still soft when he spoke again. Im sure you are. Youre far from an idiot. And to tell you the truth, watching that little chase of yours around the Greeting room was quite entertaining. He smiled briefly before looking serious again. Im sorry to say that the elders didnt find the spectacle as enjoyable. Kasan winced. His fathers two aunts were the eldest in the family at the moment, and if his father was mentioning them, it could only mean theyd given him a message to relate. He glanced around, trying to get a feel for the mood of the room. Jolan was smirking. Tisu was positively gloating at him every time Roto wasnt looking. Nolluz was busy pontificating to some young cousin and Aosh was off in a corner kissing the face off of a visiting dignitary that he must have smuggled into Firstmeal. The smirking and gloating had him worried. What had the elders decided on? You withheld information from the family that we needed to know, Kasan. As a result, your consort was frightened half out of his mind and put into a situation where he could have been seriously injured. His father stared at him and Kasans ears flattened. He swore he could hear Tisu enjoying this. A Recompense has been decided on for your actions. I understand. Dammit. He really didnt need this right now! What exactly is required of me? It could be practically anything. The two women were nothing if not creative when it came to dealing with problems within the family. Sometimes he hated the old biddies almost as much as he loved them. The Lord King smiled and held out a long, heavy red ribbon tied into a decorative loop at one end with a gold clasp. Kasan heard Jolan and Tisu make quiet, celebratory whoops and his tail tightened up on Maxs waist before he could stop himself. Max started petting his arm.

Service?! But Your little one is too small to treat endangering his health lightly. One top of that, it has some concrete significance so that it can be understood by your consort. His father grinned at him with a little sympathy. Be glad they were in a good mood and they want your consort to feel he has had justice more than they want you to learn a lesson. Kasan took a deep breath. He didnt entirely agree, but he was a part of the family. Father was right. It could have been worse. For how long? I managed to talk them down to one day. Youll need to introduce your consort to them at the end of your service. Im sure Jolan will love to hear it. And he was sure the bastard and all his brothers would taunt him over it as well. All day long, as often as they could. Why did it have to be Service?! Damn. The Lord King chuckled at the expression on his face. You start tomorrow morning at Firstmeal. Since the little one may not understand what is involved, Im trusting you with the collar. Im sure you can find a way to explain to him what your duties will be. Kasan took the ribbon and placed it in front of him, trying not to look at it. He was going to get so much shit tomorrow! He couldnt keep his ears off his skull right now if he tried. Yes, father. Taking a deep breath, his father smiled broadly and turned his focus back to Max. So, now that were done with that unpleasantness, tell me about your consort. Where does he come from? I dont know. He wished he did. Kyoru frowned. Do you not know where his family is, then? We dont even know if he has a family at this point. Im hoping I can talk to him about it later today if hes learned enough Hinta. He hated what he was going to have to say next. He was drugged with Argenta when Shovak had him given to me. Kyoru was very still. Kasan could see the effort it was taking him not to react. His father knew the drugs prevalence among slavers. The thought that his own brother had dealings with slavers, after all those bastards had done to the Kyashin before theyd been stopped, must be utterly devastating. Almost worse than the knowledge of how badly Shovak had betrayed the family was going to be. Kasan really wished he wasnt the one who was going to have to tell his father all about this. Father? He kept his voice soft. The family needs to gather today. Leero has found some things that we shouldnt wait much longer to discuss.

Kyoru sighed deeply, his eyes losing some of their shine. Involving Shovak, I assume? Kasan nodded. He hated seeing the pained look on his fathers face. Kyoru didnt deserve to have a brother like Shovak. No one did. If one of Kasans siblings had acted so dishonorably It was impossible to even consider. Do you wish your consort to be included? his father asked, looking at Max. Id prefer he have some time to himself. I think hes had enough for the day. He may be excused then. We can use the Great Room after Firstmeal. His father was silent, and they both watched Max and Zonta for a few more minutes. Kyoru cleared his throat. So, are you going to introduce me to the little one? Kasan rubbed Maxs shoulders until his consort looked up at him and he pointed. Max, this is my father, the Lord King of the Hinta. Father, thisis Max. His father smiled slowly and bowed with careful precision. Im very, very pleased to meet you, sweetheart. Welcome to the family. Max looked at him seriously, his brow furrowed at the slight change in structure and he worried his lip before he spoke. Ahm pleased to meet you, the-Lord-King-of-Heenta. Even Zonta chuckled a little. You may call me father, if you wish, little one. At Maxs blank look, Kasans father adapted and simply pointed to himself. Father. Father. Maxs eyes brightened and he tilted his head to look back to Kasan. Kasan father? Yes, Kasans father. Kyoru reached across the table and laid one large hand over Maxs. No one should be without a family, little one. We may not be able to find yours right away, but until then, we will do all we can to make up for such a great loss. He took Maxs hand and pulled it up until Max was reaching across the table, touching the Lord Kings chest. Maxs father. Kasan took a deep breath, touched. His father had made the same offer to Roto, and the poor thing had been nearly incoherent with the honor. To be taken into another family was not something his father could simply offer. The elders must have discussed this along with his Service. He wouldnt forget their generosity. Maxs body was tense on his lap, and his voice was a little confused when he answered. M-Maxs father. Kasan took Maxs hand and pressed one finger against his fathers lips. Thank you, he

prompted in Maxs ear. Thank you, Maxs Father. His father smiled and took a moment to give in to temptation and fuzz the earless top of Maxs head. Kasan laughed as Max pulled away. He could just imagine that familiar disgruntled look on Maxs face. Kyoru smiled at them both. Best wishes on your mating, Kasan. Im happy it has worked so well for you. Well talk after the meal. Kasan bowed his head as his father stood. Hed barely raised it before more relatives were coming by. His eyes strayed to the red ribbon lying on the table. Everyone would know what was coming as soon as they set eyes on it. What a huge pain in the ass. Trying to smile and look threatening enough to keep anyone from making a snide comment, Kasan sat through the introduction of countless cousins and aunts and uncles. Everyone was making sure they dropped by so they could at least get a glimpse of Max. He took Neeras advice and asked the few with children to keep them across the table from Max until they could be sure hed be safe. Hed thought the entire thing might be overwhelming for his consort, but the man hardly seemed to notice. Every spare moment he was questioning and repeating words and phrases with Zonta; he only paused to repeat an introduction before hed be back to Zonta and the pages on the table. Kasan had to explain that the little one couldnt speak Hinta, and was a male, and wasnt Kyashin so many times he thought he should simply create a sign to set up at their table. He kept them both there until almost no food was left on the tables and his relatives started withdrawing from the room. When Leero gestured at him with his head, he finally interrupted Zontas attempts at speaking human. I need to take Max back to our room now, Zo. The rest of us are gathering in the Great Room right after the meal. Do you think you might have time afterwards to help finish teaching Max the rest of these pages? Hed really rather just cuddle and caress Max for the rest of the day, but the language would be more important to him. Hes done. Pardon? That couldnt be right. Hes finished the pages. Theres one that doesnt seem to be something he understands, but all the rest weve finished. Hes been teaching me his language for the past few minutes. All of them?

Hes very good with words. Id be happy to keep working with him on the language, however. His is fascinating. I can hardly wait until I can - Zonta began to mutter, thinking to himself, and Kasan shook his head, impressed. Well talk afterwards, then. He nodded to Zontas head, snagged the ribbon in one hands, and scooped up Max as he stood. Heading for the door, cradling Max, he had to grin as his consort sputtered and gestured at him. Max quieted as they left the room. Crossing his arms over his chest, his face adorably flushed, he glared up at Kasan while they walked. Kasan felt his mood lift. Max was just too damn cute. He was glad his rooms werent too far, though. It would give him a little time to get Max settled before hed have to head back. As soon as he was inside his room and let Max down, however, the little one started gesturing wildly again and pointing at him. No! No, Kasan! Max, Kasan - no on top of bed! No THERE! Kasan saw him pointing to the bed and shaking his head and he smiled. It was lovely to be able to hear Max trying to make himself clear. It also had some possibilities he hadnt considered before. Ahhhhh, I see. No sex? Kasan reached down before Max could move away and he pulled him close. Are you sure, Gisho? No sex! NO sex! Kasan let him go and Max was halfway across the room before he finished speaking. He scowled as Kasan laughed a little. He took one step towards him and Max backed away again. Shhhh. Its all right. No sex. We wouldnt have time anyway, as much as I might like to. No sex right now. No sex? Max stopped retreating. None. No sex. Youre cute behind is quite safe at the moment. Safe? Nodanger? Yes. He needed to take a look at the Zontas papers and see just what words were there. Hed grab them on the way down. Right now Here, precious. I have something to show you. He tossed the ribbon into a wall alcove and walked to the far wall. He gestured for Max to come over. Eyeing him suspiciously, Max sidled closer. Kasan had to wait until he was within reach before he could continue. Showing him the small green streak that designated the door, he pressed Maxs hand against the wall and purred reassuringly when Max jumped as the door opened. Max followed him out and his reaction to Kasans private garden was more than Kasan had hoped. He was glad Max liked it. He didnt have a lot of entertainment for someone Maxs size who couldnt read, but at least Kasan could let him spend some time here while he was gone. It was well within the walls of the citadel, and with the privacy enclosure around it, this was as private and safe as Kasan could get for Max without locking him in their

room. Max? Max was staring up at the sky as though hed never seen it before, and it startled Kasan to realize that it was an actual possibility. Had Max ever seen the Kyashin sky, or had he been too drugged when hed arrived on the planet? Kasan personally loved the outdoors, being outside under the blue sky, or at night when either of the moons shown. Max looked fascinated, and he was so glad hed shown him the gardens. He wished hed thought to do it before. Max. Max finally looked at him, swallowing. Max, you need to stay here. Here? Max here. Kasango. Kasan there. He pointed towards the door into the room and Max nodded carefully. Max, youre safe here. A smile finally. Safe. Yes. Safe here. Kasan sighed. Thank God, the little one learned quickly. It was such a relief not to see that frightened incomprehension on his face now. Crap.he needed to show him a few things. Max, in here. He gestured inside and left the door opened as he pointed to the alcove. Theres food and drink. Understand? Max looked at the food and nodded slowly, gesturing to his mouth. Then he bit his lip, his feet shifting. His voice was very soft when he spoke. Kasan? Maxfamily? Kasan nodded slowly. Yes, were family now. No. No. Uh Maxs face screwed up as he obviously tried to think of the words he needed. I need my family. MAX family. Max family here? The other humans, Kasan thought. I dont know where they are, Gisho. Im so sorry. No Maxs family here. Seeing the small shoulders slump, he wished like hell he could have told him differently. Well find them, Max. He stood awkwardly. He hated leaving Max unhappy like this, but there wasnt anything he could think of that would compensate for what his consort was going through. It made his gut churn that he couldnt make this better. Max began to squirm and drew his attention. Um. Ihave tourinate? Kasan nodded and showed him the door on the opposite side of the room. A quick slide of Kasans hand against the wall taught Max where to put his hand in order to open it. Before Max could disappear inside, he stopped him. Ill be back soon, Max. Kasan go now. Maxs big eyes stared up at him and he groaned. That sweet face was so delectable. He leaned down and kissed him quickly, just because he couldnt think of

anything else he could give Max to express how he was feeling right then. That, and he wanted one last taste of Maxs lips before he had to leave for a few hours. He ran a hand over Maxs head as he pulled back. Max glared at him, panting slightly. No Sex, he said, pointing at him. Kasan backed away with his hands up. Keeping me honest, hmmm? All right. No sex. Youre right. I need to get going. He went to the door out and turned back as it opened. Ill be back soon, Precious. Max shifted his feet a little and did an odd wave with his hand. Ahll be back soon preshus. Kasan nodded, biting his tongue until the door closed behind him, and smacked Esgard as the man smiled. Dont say it. I wasnt going to speak. Good. Son of a bitch. He wondered how many of his brothers were going to be calling him Precious by this time tomorrow. ## Max watched to make sure Kasan was actually gone before he used the facilities. Looking around the room as he came back in, he headed straight for the door to the outside. He needed something to cheer him up. Hed really been hoping Kasan and the others knew where the colony was, but it didnt look like Kasan had a clue. Where the hell WAS everyone? How the hell had he gotten here when no one else had? It made no sense! He sighed, rubbed his hands over his face as he walked out the door, and groaned as his lips tingled. Stupid cat, kissing him all the time. Was there ever going to be a time where Kasan wasnt molesting him? Flushing, he glanced back inside at the bed and imagined what might be happening there when Kasan came back. Then he growled at his bodys response and leaned back to look at the sky. No more thinking of cats, or Kasan, or the colony, or anything other than the fact that he wasnt stuck inside a building. He was actually outside. It felt like hed been trapped inside forever. He hadnt seen one single window since hed first woken up with the cats. He should enjoy this while he could. He blinked at the bright blue of the sky broken up with a few wispy white clouds. It was strange. Who knew how far it was from earth, but the sky was still blue. Just not quite the

right blue. He kept blinking, trying to get the color to change to what he expected. The color was just so intense, like an azure sunset across the whole sky. Pretty, but disturbing. His gaze dropped and he looked at the plants instead. One brief glance and he was glaring at them nervously. This was definitely Kasans garden; all the freaking plants were damn giants. It was like a wall of vivid green. Surrounding him were bushy ferns and thin reeds and tall, straight trees that looked a bit like pines, with small thin paths of pale rock winding their way into the jungle. He could hear running water somewhere nearby, but there were too many plants to see into the greenery any great distance. Hed have to push leaves aside just to walk down a path, the growth was so thick. At least he could see glimpses of a wall a ways back behind some of the taller trees. A garden jungle was a hell of a lot less frightening than the real thing. It was supposed to be safe, he reminded himself. Kasan had said it was safe. He knew that word now. If this was safe, that meant there couldnt be anything like man-eating pod plants or poisonous trees or blood sucking crickets. He knew there was something alive in the place; there were strange whistles and chirpings and rustles among the leaves. If it was safe, though, he could relax and just check it all out. He didnt have to be afraid. He could just look around, without anyone watching him or screwing him against a damn wall. He could explore. He took a few steps onto the right-hand path, wincing a little as the pebbles dug into his feet. There were round, but they still hurt a little. Had to toughen up his feet if he couldnt get any shoes. With a deep breath, he pushed his way through a fern on the path and started walking. It was cooler in the shade of the trees, without the sun beating down on his legs and keeping them warm. The smells were rich and pungent, with an odd waft of fruity sweetness every once in a while whenever he passed small, broad-leafed shrubs with colorful flowers. He followed the path as it led deeper under the trees, and started to relax as he made his way through without encountering anything but plant life. Whatever was rustling nearby was staying away. This is actually really nice, he murmured. He was congratulating himself when he pushed aside a broad leaf in front of his face and something pink caught his attention. Slime covered and bright, as large as a Galapagos tortoise, it sat on the path ahead of him and he wondered at first if it was some kind of mammoth fungus. You are one butt ugly piece of plant life. A giant gelatinized lump of Pepto-Bismol was all that he could think of, and he felt himself gag at the thought. Blech. Kasan had some weird tastes in plants. Walking on the edge of the path, he was about to skirt around it when it trembled and moved. Towards him. He scooted back, eyes wide. Was this freaking thing some kind of animal, or had he just imagined it moving? A ripple ran across its surface and it slid along the trail a few inches in his direction. He started walking backwards. Safe garden or not, that was the creepiest,

grossest thing he had ever seen in his life. He was damn well going inside! He glanced behind him to make sure he wasnt about to hit a tree and then continued walking backwards while he watched the jello critter to make sure it stayed the hell away from him. He was almost out of sight of it when its surface shuddered and small spikes jutted out like a slimy hedgehog on steroids. He froze. Oh crap! The thing started sliding at him soundlessly. Really damn fast! OH CRAP! He backed up so quickly he went off the path and hit a tree. Ow! He spun around it with a jerk and ran. What the hell was it?! He could hear it crushing leaves and twigs behind him as he ran. Jumping over ferns and leaping to the side as he tried to dodge trees in his path, he ran until his legs were numb and the thing just wouldnt stop! He had no idea where the hell the door was anymore; he just had to lose it! The slick rustling behind him seemed to get louder and he looked back in a panic. He grunted as he tripped over a fern. Rolling head over heels, he face planted into the dirt just in time to save himself from hitting the wall with his nose. Dirt in his eyes and mouth, he scrabbled desperately, trying to get to his feet as the thing closed on him. Panting with terror, he ended up splayed against the wall as the mound of spikes advanced. Moments away from being impaled, brown fur jumped down from the nearest tree. It stood, growling, in between him and the giant pink loogey. He had a glimpse of sun glinting off needle sharp claws as a large paw slipped under the charging jello blob and flipped it up onto its back. Gulps and gasps were all he could manage as he tried to get his shaking legs to bear his weight enough to run away from the new animal. The furry thing leapt onto a pink belly, plunging its head in with a snarl. Max couldnt move as the slime covered head emerged from a gaping hole it had torn in the underside of the blob. It was chewing on something pale and slippery, and the pink stuff slowly started to deflate almost before the creature jumped off. Ewwwww! The creature shook itself like a dog and slime flew into Maxs legs and face. Gross! When it finally stopped, Max watched it, readying himself to defend against whatever the hell this new thing was, and then he gaped stupidly. Hed been saved from the gelatin blob by a puppy. It wasnt exactly, but aside from the slime it was currently cleaning from its brindled fur, it looked like an adorable, fluffy little puppy with floppy ears. The size of a small terrier, it was cute as a button, and with a long tail that seemed more like a monkeys. A wet black nose on a blunt snout and large, orange eyes looked at him once and then went back to cleaning, obviously unconcerned with his presence. Maybe this was why Kasan had said it was safe? He had a guard dog? Thank God! You are the best damn thing Ive ever seen in my life! The little thing stopped licking itself and stared at him, its tail swishing like a cats, and it bared its teeth

just slightly. Im sorry, shhh. I didnt mean to yell, little guy. Here, smell me. See, Im okay. He crouched down and held out his hand. The puppy crept forward and sniffed at him. You are just gorgeous, arent you? He really was a pretty thing. The slime was already licked almost completely clean, leaving behind thick and silky fur. Browns and creams blended together until it looked almost like it was made of velvet dirt. He stood very still as it rubbed its damp head against the palm of his hand. Do you like to be pet? Huh, boy? He stroked carefully and smiled when it not only let him scratch it behind its ears, it began to rub over his arm and higher, its body undulating up to his own until the dog was squirming with small, odd little growls while Max petted its fur and fuzzed along its belly when it reared up to rub against his chest. He tried to push it away as it began to lick his face clean of the small bits of slime still there. Soft orange eyes stared up at him and he grumbled. Hell, puppy dog eyes really do work. With a sigh, he let it continue cleaning him until it seemed happy. The little thing had saved him, the least he could do was let it satisfy its urge to get the slime off. He smiled when it finally subsided and lay across his knees while he stroked its back. Well, youre not a cat, but then again, I think Ive had enough cats for a while. The little beast let out an odd humphing sigh that felt like agreement and he laughed. Right. Dont worry, I wont tell your buddies a cat owns you. Wouldnt want you to be embarrassed or anything. He dug his fingers into the fur and scratched until the puppy started to whine. Guess I get to name you until Kasan comes back and tells me what your name is, huh? It should be something heroic. The little guy had saved him from spiky horror-show reject; he should have a name to reflect that. How about Androcles? He saved the lion first instead of the lion saving him, but I can at least promise that Ill help you out if I ever get the chance. Androcles looked up at him, stretched his forelegs out while extending his claws, and rubbed his head against Maxs belly with a soothing trill. Okay. Androcles then. I need to find one of the stupid paths. Dont suppose you know where they are? Androcles got off his knees and waited while he got up from his crouch before it walked away. He stared at him when the puppy stopped as they crossed one of the paths. No way. You actually found one! He followed Androcles along the path until he came out from under the cover of the plants and saw the door to Kasans bedroom. You are freaking Lassie! Awesome! He felt safe until he wondered if any more pink things were around, and whether any of them had slipped inside when he was wandering the garden, running for his life.

When Androcles trotted into the room, the things tail swishing happily behind it like a giant sideways pendulum, he was happy to follow. He stood at the entrance until hed seen Androcles explore the entire room before it came over to rest its cool nose in Maxs palm. Androcles definitely deserved a hug, and he crouched down and gave it to him. Thanks, boy. Ill tell you, that pink thing was even scarier than the damn cats. Androcles bumped up against his arms and then wriggled free. With an odd grunting sort of bark, it trotted over to the log that went from the floor to the high hole in the wall. It sprouted claws like a cat and climbed until it had gone through the opening at the top. He looked up to see orange eyes peer down a moment as it barked once more before it disappeared. So thats what the damn thing was for. It was a tree climbing, alien dog run. Nice to know what that was now, anyway. He turned from it with a sigh, noticed the still open door, and went over to close it with a quick, nervous look outside. Relieved as he got it closed without anything coming in after him, he looked at the room around him. How long was he supposed to stay here? His stomach growled, reminding him of how little hed actually eaten at the meal, and he went over to the shelf on the wall with food wrapped up on it. He could start with eating something and worry about what to do to pass the time later. Maybe he could try leaving the room when he was done. With another sigh, he bit into a pastry that looked particularly tasty, and went over all the new words hed been learning as he chewed. This looked like it was going to be a long, long day. Chapter 13 - Time to Party Growling deep in his chest, Kasan stared at the guards who blocked his path. He only had a brief time for the mid-day meal, and then hed have to go back to what had turned into a truly miserable gathering. All he wanted was to spend his few minutes of free time with Max, and now he ran into this shit! He could hear laughter from inside the room behind the two men. These useless doorstops had let people into his room, with his consort, after everything that had happened today. And they were keeping him OUT! Tail lashing wildly, his body rippled as he prepared to assault them both. They had one chance. He forced his voice out with a hoarse snarl. Move. We cant, Prince Kasan! Rui was very new to the guards, barely ripened. An idiot who shouldnt have been allowed guard duty if he was doing anything but getting the fuck out Kasans way! Please, we cant! He looked to the other guard for aid, and Kasan hoped for the other mans safety that he had more brains than this one. MOVE! The consorts came, Prince Kasan. Davis voice was gruff and matter-of-fact. His

relaxed stance informed Kasan that while the mans younger partner might be nervous about confronting their prince, he certainly wasnt. The fear for Maxs health winked out of existence, and a new worry took its place. The consorts? Theyre Welcoming him now? No wonder there had been so few consorts at the gathering. They must have talked to his father first. But why now? Dammit, he wanted to see Max! Shrugging, Davi flipped his dark braid over his shoulder. I can only assume they wanted to take advantage of the mates presence at the gathering. You know how frustrating it is when this many consorts disappear at the same time. And you can understand why I will not open this door, I hope? Kasan scowled, his tail calming as the twitching of his ears took its place. His glare took in both of them. I could assign you to dawn picketing on the edge of the mountain, you know. Ruis golden eyes widened until his partner snorted. Ive known you too long to fall for false threats, Prince Kasan. Besides, the elders punishment for letting you in would be far worse than anything you could dream up. Were not moving. Laughter echoed from the room again and Kasans claws worried at his fingertips. He didnt hear Maxs laughter. Hed only heard it as that drugged little giggle during firstmeal, but the light sound had been fairly distinctive. It would stand out against the deep tones he was hearing right now. Why wasnt Max laughing with everyone else? Was he all right? Rubbing at his face, he sighed under his breath. He didnt need this. Ever since hed left Max, things had only grown worse until all he wanted right now was to hold his little Gisho on his lap and forget about it all. He and Leero had just had to spend hours explaining to his father and the others how deeply Shovak had betrayed the family. The bastards attempted assassination of Kasan, his presence within the previously unknown purist group, and his dealings with slavers had been presented and dissected until every last detail had been wrung from them both. Watching his fathers and uncles faces as their brothers intentions became clear had been heartbreaking. As best they could figure out from the few notes left behind, combined with what Leero had beaten out of Liosh, Kasan should be dead. The purist group had wanted him to be kept from any potential consorts, and then the bribed guards would attest later that his heat had simply raged out of control. Neither he nor Leero were certain why that was important, but his status as a high-profile throwback, and the claim that his heat had rejected taking a consort, had been vitally important to the group for some reason. Greed was the only reason Kasan was still alive, although theyd only just found that piece of the puzzle before todays gathering. One of Leeros guards who was still

working through the notes had found the first message between the Niandrin and Shovak. To their complete surprise, the slavers had contacted Shovak rather than the other way around. Although no one could think of a reason to have done so, they had offered Max up after hearing about Kasans heat in the interplanetary gossip mill. Theyd given his bastard uncle a huge sum of credits if he would give Max a chance as Kasans consort. From the way the note was worded, it was possible one of the slimy little birds had been outside Kasans cell when Max had been tossed in. They hadnt wanted to pay without confirmation that the little human had truly been given away. Disbelieving the Niandrins claims about Maxs heritage, Kasans uncle had probably thought he had nothing to lose. Hed kill his nephew and still make a profit. When Leero had made the point that Kasan truly had been meant to die, without a doubt, the Lord King seemed to wilt. The elders had unanimously decided to strike Shovaks name from the family record. The punishment was worse than death for most Kyashin; no family would take in an outcast. Old enough that hed already parted from his consort, Shovak would never have another Kyashin to call his own for the rest of his life. It wasnt surprising that most outcasts took their own lives within a few months. Who could live like that? After the pronouncement, everyone had taken a break for the mid-day meal, although he honestly thought the pause was more to allow them to reconnect. He and his brothers had simply embraced out in the hallway for minutes, immersing themselves in each others scent. Kyoru had been surrounded by his own siblings inside the gathering room before the rest of them even made it outside the door. Poor Leero had been forced to stay inside with the Lord King. His beating of Liosh hadnt been forgotten, and hed been given one month of service to Kyoru as a Recompense, starting immediately. Considering that usually the punishment for an abuse of power of that type was sewage scrubbing or worse, Kasan thought the elders had made a strong statement about how little they truly disapproved. It was also a fairly good indication of how worried they were over the Lord Kings reaction to his brothers perfidy. Leero would be staying in Kyorus rooms during his service; Kasan wouldnt be surprised if the elders took him aside and gave him more detailed instructions on how he was supposed to watch out for their King. He did not envy his friend in the slightest. At least his own service would only last a day. He swallowed, trying to remove the unpleasant thoughts from his head. All Kasan wanted was a little time with Max right now. He wanted to feel Maxs skin under his fingertips, the light weight of him in his arms. He wanted to see that grumpy, suspicious little scowl when he reached for him. He needed to touch him or he didnt think he could rid himself of this empty ache in his gut. Dammit, if he could simply have one moment to stroke pale, soft skin and reassure himself that his little one was all right, it would at least be something!

Son of a bitch. Why did the consorts have to choose now, of all times? Because if the consorts were giving a Welcoming, the elders would be on Kasans ass again if he interrupted. Mates were not allowed at this sort of thing, but he needed to see Max. Besides, what if his consort was frightened? Would the others even notice? Knock for me, he ordered, keeping his voice from lashing out like his claws still wanted to. Davi stared at him. Pardon? Ill accept responsibility, butI need to see that Max is well. Please. He bowed his head stiffly. Knock for me. With a look at Rui, the elder guard finally shrugged and knocked loudly. The noise inside cut off almost instantly, and after a minute Ko opened the door. He raised an irritated brow at Kasan, and shook his head, his blond braid swinging. The guards stepped back immediately to leave Kasan solely responsible for the breach of tradition. Unless theres an emergency, I dont see any reason not to have the elders string you up by your balls for trying to gain access right now, Kasan. I need to see him. Ko snorted and started to turn away. You need to go back to whatever youre doing. Hes fine, worry-bird. Ko, Kasans claws were out and he tried to keep his hands loose and non-threatening, even though he failed at retracting his nails. Hes been too stressed today. I just need to see that hes well, Ko. Im not trying to interrupt, but I need to know this. Ko stared at him a moment with a light, mocking smile. Worried about the little one? How sweet. Ko, dammit. Kasan took a deep breath. The gathering has been Just please, let me see him. Ko straightened, his face sobering. Bad? Bad enough. I can tell you for certain that Jolans going to need you tonight. Ko nodded, staring at him for a moment, and then closed the door. Kasan heard murmuring from inside and shuffling until the door slid open again. His consort stood looking up at him with a bright blush on his face, his toes curling nervously against the floor while he swayed slightly. Kasan could smell yakkin on his breath and wondered how much his precious had drunk. He was still upright, although not very steadily. Hed probably had

quite a bit, not that the effects would last the nanites would clear it out of his system fairly quickly. Anything that interfered with arousal wasnt tolerated for long by the little bugs. He was awfully cute while he was still under its influence, though, with his huge eyes and wobbling pose. Kasan watched him without speaking, taking in the pale skin and sleek muscles with a stirring in his belly. He managed not to groan as Max licked his lips nervously, leaving them slick and shining. He even stood firm when Max twisted his hands in his tunic, lifting it up until it almost exposed his little cock. But focusing just over Gishos head in an attempt to control himself backfired. Golden brown hair curling over the smooth curve of his head was more temptation than Kasan could overcome and he reached out to run his hand over it gently. Silky strands tangled under his fingers, but for once, Max didnt pull away. He simply watched him with a confused furrow in between his eyebrows. Kasan stroked over his head softly, petting him to keep himself from doing anything more invasive. Max is happy? Kasan asked, keeping his voice to a low near-whisper. The little one cleared his throat, not answering. His face flushed and bright, he glanced behind him at the swarm of consorts that covered Kasans floor briefly before looking back at his mate. Frowning, his head tilted before he slowly reached out and touched Kasans hand where it hung down. Kasanhappy?" Something thumped in his chest as he felt small fingers brushing against his own. The little one was asking after him? He tried to swallow past the lump in his throat. Max actually wanted to know how his mate was doing. Earnest blue eyes looked up at him; was he worried for him? Kasan reached down and wrapped his arms around Maxs waist, picking him up off the ground and holding him tightly against his chest. The delicate feel of Gishos body in his arms calmed his nerves immediately. He smiled against the soft skin of his consorts neck as Max squeaked in surprise. Moving his head to nuzzle up his throat, Kasan murmured against his skin. He rubbed his face over him until their cheeks brushed, and then he kissed him with a slow, invasive lick before pulling back to drink in his features. The exotic cast of his face stirred Kasans body immediately. His cock was hard and straining against his loincloth, but he simply looked. Hed touched him, but he had enough control not to proceed any farther. Hed be content to watch him for just a moment, he thought, and then Max reached out and touched his face. The little one stared at his cheek curiously, as if he werent sure what he was feeling, and that small, confused look drew him in again until he kissed him softly, savoring the subtle warmth of delicate lips against his own before he sighed. This would have to do. If he didnt step back now, he was going to run off with Max or something equally as stupid. He knelt and put the little one back on his feet. Maxs disheveled hair and flushed face had him smiling.

Kasan happy now, he said, reaching out to brush the hair out of Maxs face. He touched Maxs lips with his finger and kissed him on the forehead. Thank you, Max. Ko cleared his throat from behind Max. While that was admittedly hot and sweet at the same time, we need to get back to playing now. Dont worry so much, Kasan. Well keep the little one safe. You can see him at Last Meal. Max and I are having Last Meal in my room. This gathering doesnt seem likely to end before then, so its the only time well have today. Be careful. Youll wear the little thing out, Ko laughed, shooing Max back into the room with little hand motions. Why dont you tell Jolan to order the same thing for us when you see him? Kasan nodded, touching Kos lips briefly as well with his hand. The door closed and the two guards looked at him. What, no thanks for us? Davi teased. Kasan flicked them both in the mouth lightly and chuckled as Rui stared at him. Why so surprised? Im not completely lacking in manners. With a flush, the younger guard nodded. I- ah- yes. Of course not. When Kasan had gone around the corner, the two guards looked at each other. He wouldnt have done that two weeks ago, would he? Ruis ears shifted uncertainly. Possibly. Davi looked over and smiled, stroking the soft, nervous ears with a touch. He does seem quicker to smile. Usually he would have brooded for days once he got that look in his eyes. I think the human is good for him. He seems so happy. I just wish - Youthful eyes looked wistfully at the closed door behind them. Itll come soon. Dont be in such a hurry to mate. A soft sigh and both guards went back to monitoring the hallway. When Rui sighed again, he felt a soft stroke across his ass and jumped. He looked over at Davi. My consort has been wanting to have a threesome, the elder said softly. He thought you had nice eyes. The younger man swallowed loudly. He did? Hmmm. And other features. The same hand flitted across his bottom again.

Oh. Just think about it and let me know. No hurry. Theres plenty of time. Yes. Ruis voice cracked. I-Ill do that. The hallway was quiet as they both stood at attention again, Ruis thoughtful face the only change.

Max was aware that it was impossible to die from embarrassment. He had proof; if humiliation were deadly, the cats would already be burying his cold, dead corpse. He sat on the floor, leaning against Kasans bed with the object Ko had just handed him, and stared at it with stunned eyes. Smiling weakly with crimson cheeks, he accepted another glass of orange punch from the cat next to him and gulped it down. The too-sweet flavor burned down his throat strangely, but he didnt care. At this point, anything that distracted him from the cats around him was a good thing. For the first time, he was very glad Kasan wasnt with him while other cats were. He didnt know where the big, hot, sexy No, that wasnt right. Pervy, that was it, the really pervy, not-sexy-at-all cat. He didnt know where he was right now. He hadnt come back since hed left that morning. But it was good he wasnt here, because Max would have disproved his own theory and died. Mortification would have killed him off. Kasan and what was going on right now were too deadly for a poor human to survive. The knock had started it, a stupid little knock that he should have ignored. Remembering it, he just wished hed stayed on the bed. Stupid cats and their stupid knocking and their stupid presents

Bored to tears, he was trying to coax Androcles to come down and play when he heard it. Soft and tentative, the sound barely registered. It took a few moments to penetrate that it was coming from outside the room. The growl from above him followed as he walked across the room. Calm down, Androcles. Itsits probably nothing, right? It was, wasnt it? Consoling himself with the knowledge that he had a dog capable of ripping something pink and spiky to death, he kept gong. As long as he had a guard dog, hed be fine. Super AlienKicker Max and his dog, the Blob Assassinator. Shaking his head at his own stupidity, Max slid open the door and looked up.

Beaming cats filled the hallway. He stared, blinking in shock, as a few them yelled out something, laughing with each other and continuing to smile. The entire group seemed odd for some reason until he realized that there were quite a few more women in the group than hed seen before. Hed had Kasan and other men around so much he was barely used to seeing breasts. Not that he got to see actual breast, he thought, looking up at the nearest woman and noting her large musculature with a nervous little tic. They used what looked like the loincloths to wrap around their tops, winding it around in a straight band or criss-crossing it over boobs and the back of the neck. He stared at one of the women, wondering just how damn BIG their boobs must actually be. You could shoot those things out of cannons! He was nearly hypnotized by the sights above his head when a familiar voice spoke and drew his eyes again. Welcome to the family! It wasRoto, wasnt it? Hed been with that absolutely huge catTisu, thats right. Among the rest of them, even the women, he looked a little small, but still big enough to be intimidating. Max would love to find out what these stupid cats ate to grow this big. Super veggies? Gigantor Wheaties? Uh. Thank you. There was a happy squeal and Roto reached out as though he were going to hug him. Max backpedaled to keep away and the cat brigade invaded. All the cats poured in so quickly he couldnt keep track of them all. Backing up rapidly, hed managed to hit the bed like an idiot and his knees buckled, knocking him back. Why did he always do that?! Stupid pillow-strewn monster was like a freaking leg magnet. As he struggled to get enough traction on the silky fabric to push himself up, the cats closed the door and spread out across the floor. Did cats form herds? Because this was definitely a herd, he thought as he sat on the edge and watched them, nerves tight. Or maybe a swarm. A cat bumped against him as it walked past and he nearly toppled off the bed. The apology and pat on the shoulder afterwards almost knocked him over again. A stampede, thats what they were, he decided, rubbing his arm. A huge, dangerous, crush- everyoneunderfoot, stampede of giant cats. Although at least theyd brought food. Hed been getting hungry, and hed eaten everything Kasan had left him. Actually, theyd brought a lot of things. Brightly colored rugs covered almost every inch of Kasans floor. Trays held pitchers of a drink that looked like liquid pumpkin. Small, bready rolls and buns lay next to them, and leafy bundles were piled near the bed. He breathed a small sigh of relief as the women and men arranged themselves on the floor rather than accosting him like the men had done before. Did he have a different status now? Was that why, for the first time, people werent trying to jump him? Maybe it had been the meal, he thought, chewing nervously on his lower lip. Max! Kneeling on the floor next to him, Roto gestured until he finally understood what

was being asked. Sit. It was next to, but not ON, the bed, and with a quick glance up to reassure himself that Androcles was still watching, he allowed himself to be coaxed onto a pillow. His entire body stayed tense as he tried to keep an eye on everyone. A few nice gestures didnt mean they werent going to do something to him. He knew that well enough from Kasan. The cat would be nice and sweet and then wham he was screwing him against a wall. Squirming on the pillow as he worked really, really hard to ignore the fact that his bottom still felt a little tender from that encounter, Max tried to distract himself. The women. The cat women were new. Hed concentrate on them! Looking around at the large females and their muscles, he realized a number of them could break him in two just as quickly as any of the men. Wonderful. He was the biggest, weakest wuss on the whole planet! Next the cat kids were going to be smacking him around! And those breasts! Crap, the things were huge! He realized he was making cupping shapes with his hands in his lap as he tried to figure out just how big they were and he stopped with a flush, dropping his eyes. Bare thighs and cloth-covered loins surrounded him and he just managed to stop himself from making gestures again as he wondered about cock size. Was everyone as big as Kasan? Hed felt the big cats penis inside his body more times than hed seen it, but it had beenHis buttocks clenched as he remembered what it felt like, and even the tightening of his muscles reminded what it had been like to clench them around something. He took in a deep breath and stared straight ahead, flushing as his body shivered. He just needed to stop thinking about about that right now. It wasnt happening at the moment, right? And hed just stare at something else. Stomachs werent dangerous, he told himself. Hed look at stomachs. Taut abdomens took up his field of vision and he swallowed. One cat a few feet away fanned his face, a bead of sweat rolling down his chest to slide into his loincloth. Max couldnt breathe as he watched, although his blood seemed to be pumping just fine it was all going to his dick! When a familiar voice on his left asked him a question, he latched onto it desperately. The blond cat from before, the one whod said hello at the meal. He didnt really care who it was, as long as it wasnt the pervert. H-hello, Ko. Kos sharp features relaxed into a grin and he nodded back, holding out a smooth, leafy bundle to him. Max. Reaching out for it, plopping it on his lap to hide his growing erection, Max stared at what he had in his hands. It was almost as long as his forearm, the dark green leaf folded intricately to provide a smooth, rounded finish to the oblong shape. The leaf had to be huge to be folded this well.

Great, yet more gigantic stuff. Was everything bigger here than on earth? His eyes fell to Kos groin and he yanked them back to the leaf. He was not thinking about that! Stupid brain, look at the leaf. A leaf was much more interesting that anything related to big cats and body parts and... Leaves were fascinating. He could watch a special on the various colors of leaves and hed never be bored. Loved the leaves. He peeked at Kos loincloth once more before going back to the heavy thing in his hands. What was this supposed be? Was it edible? Um, food? Ko and a few of the others laughed in a rather friendly way. No. No food. You open it, Max. Open, like this. Ko reached out and worked at one of the folds until it peeled apart and then moved Maxs hands to do the same to the others. Its a gift, Max, to welcome the familys newest consort, little one. Open, like this. Watching carefully to see if he was guessing correctly, he slipped his fingers underneath a fold and worked the edge free. Open likethis? Ko nodded back and watched as Max continued to peel apart the leaves. Max open. Ko reiterated, obviously for his benefit, and he repeated the phrase gratefully. When the leaf lay in bent glory on his lap, he could only stare at what had been wrapped inside. Dear. Fucking. God. It was a pretty color at least, he thought a little hysterically, picking it up at the urging of the people around him who smiled and giggled on seeing it. And smooth. A little cool in his hands. But he would give up his first born for it to not be what it looked like. Because it looked like a freaking dildo almost as long as his forearm. Please oh please let this not be a giant crystal cock, he prayed to himself. Roto poured something out for him into a cup and he put thepenisdown and drank it without even looking, still staring at the thing in his lap.

And now here he sat, on the verge of death by humiliation, and he couldnt even move it off of himself. It was just.it was HUGE. The God of all Phalluses. Penis-zilla.

What the hell was wrong with these perverted cats?! Ko chuckled and picked it up, moving it over to his side. For Kasan, he whispered with a salacious grin. Max finally ripped his eyes away from it and stared at him, horrified. No! he blurted. There was no way he was giving Kasan that thing! What the hell were they thinking? If Kasan used that on him He stared at it again, breathing hard. Crap, hed never walk again! After a surprised look while Max cringed and leaned away from the goliath of the dildo world, Ko started laughing. He laughed harder when Max ignored him and poked the monstrosity away from him with stiff fingers. No. No, Max. Ko still chuckled as he picked it back up, commenting to the others until they were grinning as well. Ko forced Maxs fingers around the base of the thing while Max flushed bright red, and then gestured. For Kasan, he said again, and moved Maxs hand in a thrusting movement. Maxs. For Kasan. Ko laughed again as Max dropped it as soon as his hand was released. They wanted him toto stick this into Kasan? Were they insane?! Hed have to want sex with Kasan first whichwell, it wasmaybe not as bad as hed thought it would be, but it was still sex with a giant. They couldnt possibly think hed even want to do something like that, let alone that Kasan would let him. Really, why the hell would a huge guy let someone penetrate that luscious, golden backside withhe swallowed. That was not a thought that had any business being in his head. Stupid Kasan. Get out of my head, he muttered, and gulped as a smiling Roto passed him another gift. Looking at the pile of them, probably one from every cat in the room, he prayed fervently that they werent all the same caliber. Thats all he needed, a mountainous pile of dildos. Maybe he could let Androcles use them as chew toys, he thought grimly. Taking another quick sip of punch, he took one deep breath and started to unwrap the next one.

A half hour and six glasses of punch later, he was feeling a bit more relaxed about the whole thing. They werent so bad, he thought, squinting at the newest gift. He wasnt sure if it was one or two pairs of velvety handcuffs. They kept blurring in front of his eyes. They were soft, though. Petting them with his fingers, he laid them on the pile next to him. Feathers, ribbons, and chains lay underneath, along with two illustrated books. He kind of liked the books. He snorted into his hands as he thought of them, glancing over at Roto who giggled along with him. They saw each other, stared with matching, glazed eyes, and started laughing. Max lost his balance and leaned into Roto, still laughing. He thought of the drawing in the book, with a small cat Rotos size being bent over a bench and taken, and guffawed.

It looked just like you! The black haired cat taking another one against a wall popped into his mind and he giggled so hard he almost slid off of Rotos side. And Kasan! We did that wall thing! I bet you didnt even know, did you! We screwed against a wall! Were just like an alien sex book! Max laughed so hard he started to hiccup and he reached for more punch. Ko plucked the cup out of his hands just before he dropped it. Hey! Im thirsty! With a little shake of his head, Ko handed him a glass of water instead. Not as good as the punch, Max muttered, gulping it down anyway. He choked, dropping the water over himself as he coughed. Looking down at his wet chest, wondering how to wipe it off, he licked his lips clean. It was a little cold. Staring, he watching the water droplets running down his chest, making trails around his nipples and down his stomach. A number pooled in his belly button and he giggled a little. Look, its a water drop party. Kos hand ruffled his hair and he stared up at him. Ko said something, waiting for an answer. With a lopsided shrug, Max shook his head. I have no freaking idea what youre saying. You could be telling me that youre all hoping Ill have sex with you, and Id have no clue. Uh uh. Wait. How do you say we all want to have sex with you? I should really learn how to say that so I can say no. Nodding sagely, he pointed at Ko carefully, just avoiding poking him in the stomach. He didnt want to have sex with them, anyway. They were all too big. Needed someone smaller. Like Kasan. Another cat asked Ko a question and he turned away. Max reached over and grabbed a glass of punch sitting near Roto, gulping it down quickly. The little cat smiled at him, almost toppling backwards, and took a glass of punch for himself as well. Ha, so there, stupid, punch-thieving Ko. Roto and he were doing just fine. He was staring at the nearly empty glass in his hands when Ko turned around and grumbled, pulling it out of his hands. Max slapped at him. Quit taking my punch. Ill drink it if I want to. Feeling a bit light headed as he glared up at him, he tried to get another glass. Someone had moved the tray holding the punch and replaced it with water. Thats not cool, switching it when I wasnt looking. You know that. Didnt they, he wondered muzzily, sipping some water. Maybe it was normal for cats to move stuff around like that. They werent humans; they wouldnt think like people did. His mind floated hazily while he thought about it. He missed people. Being smaller than everyone was so frustrating.especially when they stole your punch. He scowled up at Ko and figured out how to move his head away a minute after it was already fuzzed by the mans hand. Why did everyone keep doing that?

And why couldnt they find any more people like him? Kasan hadnt known where any humans were. What if he never found any? What if he were the only person out here? After a brief search of the room, where everyone was bigger than him, with pointed ears and slitted eyes, he sniffled. Roto looked at him and patted his head clumsily, leaning over him with a delicate little belch. At least they seemed nice now. If he couldnt leave, and he stayed as some kind of husband/wife thing to Kasan.it was a life, wasnt it? The food was nice, he reminded himself, picking up a small dumpling from a plate next to him and tossing it at his mouth. He missed and had to grab it off his lap before he could pop it in. Chewing, he leaned into Roto. Maybe he could stay with him, if Kasan was being a pain. He was nice. And he didnt steal a persons drinks. He stared at Ko and pointed at him. Drink thief. Dont think Ill let you do that again! Im watching you now. Ko raised one eyebrow in his direction and shook his head, turning away to talk to the others. Max hiccupped and slipped back from Rotos side to lean against the bed. Staring around the room again, he realized that he wasnt scared at all. The cats were huge and unfamiliar, and more than one had chased him around and scared the shit out of him earlier, but they hadnt hurt him. He couldnt say that about a lot of places hed been. Beatings and muggings hurt him worse than anything that had happened here. It was actually kind of nice. And he was married. That was so weird. He was married to Kasan. His head flopped to the side as he laid it on the bed and watched everyone. Men and women were touching each other constantly. Not sexually, just small, light touches across shoulders and lips and legs. It was comforting and a little erotic at the same time. He noticed they didnt do the same to him and for a split second he felt rather left out. It was hard to be amongst all this bared skin and constant physical closeness and not be affected, he told himself. Anyone would want a little of it. He patted Rotos leg and felt a little better when he got a little brush against his arm in return. There, that was nice. Now he was just like a cat, right? Just a part of the herd. Or had that been a stampede? Had he decided? He murmured to himself, blinking with dark eyes as he looked over the room. He bit his lip as he saw a dark haired cat brush his hand over anothers lips as he fed him with a laugh. Imagining Kasan doing the same to him, he flushed. It wouldnt be so bad with Kasan. His skin tingled thinking of what Kasan and he had already done together and he moaned softly. It felt good, right? Would that be so awful? Kasans body wasit was really hot. So were a lot of these cats, now that they were sitting around and not trying to touch him, but they were still so huge they didnt quite feel real. Like he was expecting someone to pull off a head and show a smaller man inside a costume. Kasan felt more like a real person, he decided. If Max had been a woman, he would have

totally gone for Kasan. Totally. But since he wasnt, it was different. Wasnt it? His hand rested on his thigh and he moved it up his leg as he thought about it. Kasans fingers had been hot and amazing when hed touched him there before. And his tongue. Theyd been against the wall and hed touched him there with his tongue! And God, that had been His hand had just crept under his tunic when a knock quieted everyone. Ko got up looking worried and pissed at the same time. Max heard him talking through a warm fuzzy haze, and then stared at him, surprised, when he came back and helped him up. Kasan is here, Ko said softly, helping him walk over. When he got to the door, he stared up at Kasan and the first thing to pop into his head was the huge dildo waiting for him back by the bed. His cheeks flushed so brightly they burned. Stupid dildo gift. Swaying, he tried to grab the ground with his toes. That would keep him up. Kasan looked down at him, and something about his face made him feel even more flushed. The feel of Kasans fingers over his hair feathered across his scalp and seemed to flow down his back while he stared, mesmerized. Kasan was really, really pretty. That skin was so silky it was unreal. Did they make skin out of silk? His hair was flowing down is back again; hed taken out his braid. Light shone off it in blue highlights and he blinked at the effect. It was making it hard to focus. Looking back up at him, he frowned at his eyes. What was wrong with his eyes? They looked so sad. Was he all right? He was asking about Max, but he looked so unhappy. And he was asking if Max was happy. How sweet. Of course he was happy. He felt just fine right now. He looked back to check on the room. Was there punch anywhere near them? Kasan shifted slightly and he looked back up into Kasans face. Such sad, sad eyes. He tried to pat his hand, misjudged the distance, and just barely touched it. Kasanhappy? Max wobbled, trying to figure out what that new look was on Kasans face. He wasnt expecting the sudden glomp and he yelped when he was picked up like a toy. His body swayed dizzily, Kasan burrowing against his neck. Soft, wet heat slid up his throat and he gasped, panting until lips covered his own and a tongue delved in deep. Insides quivering, his lips burned from the small touch. He stared at Kasans face in front of his. Kasan was always kissing him. All the time. He had really nice skin. It was unreal how gorgeous the cat was. His skin couldnt be as smooth as he remembered, could it? He reached up to touch his cheek and check. It was like golden

cream, he thought. How could he be this pretty? His body was rocked by another kiss before Kasan put him back down on the floor while his head spun again. Befuddled, he could only stare as Kasan messed with his hair. One broad finger touched his lips gently and lips brushed his forehead before Ko was shuffling him away. Pressing against the spot with his own fingers, Max stumbled back to the bed, sitting on the edge with a dazed thump. Kasan kept doing that to him. How did he do that? Did they have kissing classes on this planet or something? Had to be something. Hed never had a clue kissing was so nice before he came here, but his lips were still tingling. Actually, all of him was tingling, he realized. He held up his hands and looked at them, moving his fingers. He couldnt feel them very well. He lay down as things started to feel a little too fuzzy for comfort. After a minute, Ko and Roto leaned over him and said something, but he pushed at their hands until they stopped. Hearing them argue with each other, he started giggling. Its a cat fight, he muttered, still giggling. Roto flopped onto the bed next to him and Ko dragged the other cat back up with an irritated grumble. Max wasnt sure how much longer it was before people started leaving, but when Ko pulled him up and forced him to drink some water, nearly everyone was gone. He spluttered, swallowing, and Ko stroked his head once before helping him lay down again. There was the sound of the door opening and closing one last time, and then quiet. He lay there, watching the ceiling twisting above him. He closed his eyes as Androcles jumped down and licked his face, settling in on the pillows. Im just going to lay here a little while until the room stops spinning, he slurred to Androcles. Ill get up soon. Will. Closing his eyes, he enjoyed the curious feel of the whirling bed underneath him. He wondered when Kasan was coming. His lips were still tingling.

In the third hour after hed seen Max, Kasan was in the middle of asking for help in finding the other humans when the pain hit. He sucked in his breath, staring, as he rode out the spike. A smile lighting up his face, he turned to Leero and asked him to finish. Leero stared at him until he turned and bowed to the family. The Need calls. I must return to Max. So soon? His fathers words were immediately followed by his aunts. His grandfather was the same that old throwback mated almost every night for the first year. The elders sly smile might have embarrassed him but for the dimple in her cheeks. Go. Enjoy your consort. We will do what is needed for him; you neednt

worry. He bowed again. Thank you. Very much. I will see you at First meal, then. Hurrying from the room, he walked rapidly towards his room. He would have rather caught this earlier he still had to go quickly with the little one when the heat was pushing him. It was so frustrating. He wanted them to be able to take their time! Hopefully Max wouldnt be too frightened by whatever he was feeling. Hed looked like hed consumed a fair amount of yakkin when Kasan had last seen him. That would help considerably, if he was still drinking and keeping it in his system. Kasan could just see Max, soft and relaxed from the drink, reclined against the bed, reaching for him. He walked a little faster. He could hardly wait to get back to his room. Chapter 14 - Leero, Lust, and Mirrors Leero watched Kasan leave the room, hoping his eyes didnt betray how desperately he would love to join him in departing from the inquisition. He tried to take a deep breath to calm himself and could have cursed as it only succeeded in making things worse. Every movement caused the heavy velvet collar around his neck to shift just enough to remind him it was there, and his ears flattened before he could stop them. At least the leash wouldnt be attached until it was time to follow Kyoru out of the room, but having to stand as the center of attention with this around his neck was excruciatingly humiliating. The servility of the situation dug under his skin like hot needles. He hated service. There was a quiet clearing of the throat by Kyoru and Leero looked over at him curiously until he realized hed been standing silently in front of everyone. Cheeks flaming, he quickly resumed speaking. His eyes ran over the flowing text on his hand-comp with an unsteady stare and he continued breathing in deep pants, nearly floundering again. The soft rub of velvet around his throat was creating a disturbing, sensual counterpoint to the scent of ripe Kyashin. He hoped his discomfort went unnoticed, but if that failed, at least most would assume it was due to the service. Answering questions as fully as he could manage with his mind wandering away from him every few sentences, he inhaled carefully, mouth open. And then he did his absolute best not to look at any of the unmated Kyashin around him for more than a few seconds. Taunting him, his mind provided him with images of what Kasan was most likely already doing with his dainty little consort. He kept himself from moaning out loud by the skin of his teeth, and read faster. The follow-up fantasy, involving a number of mated Kyashin in the room doing wild, wonderful things with their own consorts, broadsided him and he felt his cock straining against his clothing. He had to pause and bite his lip to keep from making another sound. Composing himself after a few seconds, he began to speak again. As the words flowed mindlessly, Leero wondered what he had done to merit a day like today. A few days before had been one of the happier ones in his life. Kasan had lived, Shovak and fled, and they finally had the evidence to prove that the traitorous keerac had betrayed them all.

Hed been so pleased by the end of it; everything had felt as though it were coming together perfectly. After all, even with the shock of Shovaks treasonous behavior, Kasans family would survive. They were always rock-solid in their love and faith in one another. Before hed met them, hed never even realized there could be a family with so much mutual affection. Loyalty and commitment were a given, but love? That was something precious. He was always deeply honored that hed been allowed to become such an integral part of their family. The elders gave him punishments as frequently as they did their own, after all. It was a sign of how close to their hearts they held him, even if hed never been officially adopted. And so todays events, the utter and complete catastrophe of them all, were still a surprise. Chasing Max around the bedroom had been exhausting and more stressful than tracking down a family traitor could ever be, but he could laugh about it later. Being pissed on had been more unpleasant. It had taken two scrubbings of cleanser before he felt like he could come to Firstmeal. Still, he could laugh about that as well, even if it would be a lot later. But Service wasnt something he could smile over for a long damn time. And to finish the day, to make everything else shine in comparison, there was This. He twitched his nose as his nostrils flared, catching Aoshs and Zontas scent, and he shuddered as he looked at them. Leaning against each other for unconscious support, the stressed young men stroked the soft ends of their braids, rubbing at the fluffy hair with uneasy fingers. It drew the eye, making him think of those same fingers rubbing over his skin, and he dragged his mind out of the piss room and back to the hand-comp. He shouldnt be near them. Hell, their presence was the reason hed stayed away from Kasan during Firstmeal. It was also the reason he was cursing himself every moment and trying to keep his eyes down and his breathing shallow. Because his body had rebelled and decided that now was the best time to go into heat. Hunting Shovak and searching for a hidden cache of humans and surviving a months service werent enough for it, obviously. He had to go into heat as well and make the entire day just fucking perfect. And now Kasans youngest brothers were heading his bodys list of persons of interest, simply because he was most familiar with their scents in the first place. Gods ears are vibrating with laughter by now, he thought morosely. Hed started to feel it in the beginning of Firstmeal an all over bodily tingle that would build to a heated burn over the next couple of weeks. His sense of smell was already

overly sensitive, and every Kyashin who was ripe and unclaimed, and near, was driving him out of his mind. He could keep himself from taking them, that wasnt the issue. But he didnt want simply anyone. A quick, satisfying fuck was far different from choosing someone hed be with for over a decade. He wanted He wanted what Kasan and his family had. Every one of them had found a Joining consort as well as one solely for the mating heat. Theyd all made permanent vows before their heats had ended. Every last one of them whod been together for over a year it was practically unheard of to have that many love matches within one family, but seeing them all, he couldnt help but want that for himself. And he had no damn idea how to do it. He should have had a few months, where he could tease and flirt a little, get to know all the potential consorts out there. Its what hed been planning to do, before he had to help prepare for the annual hunt. And before hed had weeks of scheming and plotting to try and rescue Kasan. And before hed had to head up the investigation and pursuit of Shovak. Right now was about the worst possible time he could go into heat; he couldnt have planned it more poorly if hed tried. The only consolation was that no one knew. His irises might be a little greener, if anyone cared to look, but like other green-eyed Kyashin, his eyes werent changing much during his mating heat. A fact for which he should be thanking God hourly. He had no desire to be distracted by an inundation of interested men and women. He wanted a little space to make his choice before everyone knew. He wanted to find someone special. And he wanted to complete a little of his service before he had to inform Kyoru and the elders of the situation. He wanted as little of it left as possible to distract him from a new consort. He damn well wanted to go back in time and look at the Kyashin around him without the heat clouding his mind. He snorted as Aosh and Zontas scents tripped back into his awareness. Not. Them. Aosh would make him crazy within days, and Zonta was far too sweet. If only his body didnt find them as appealing as everyone else who was unmated. The scent of everyone in the family swirled in his head as though trying to help disguise the twins, and he almost moaned out of sheer frustration as he realized that he was even finding mated Kyashin a bit arousing. He should ask someone to simply pee on him again - at least then hed have one problem that he could deal with easily. ******

Max sat on the silky pillows on Kasans bed and reflected on pets. His pet, specifically. Androcles was the best dog in the world. It didnt matter how many dogs existed on this planet, or what tricks they could do, because Androcles was the best. Androcles did housework. And he really seemed to like velvet and feathers. Watching as the dog dragged the last kinky feather up the log and through the little door atop it, Max would have sighed in relief if he werent still so impressed. Hed only been awake for a little while now, feeling a bit jittery and horny but a hell of a lot better than hed ever felt after drinking as much as he had. It would have been one of his first peaceful moments in a bed since hed gotten here, if the cats hadnt booby trapped the stupid thing before theyd left, the bastards. He was betting on Ko setting him up. Because when hed roused himself, the sex book was opened, propped up right in front of his face. The first thing he saw on waking was an illustration of a male cat being screwed by two others. So he did what any red-blooded, sleep-muddled male would do when confronted by an alien-gay-threesome as soon as he opened his eyes. He screamed like a little girl and tried to shove himself away from it. It had looked freakin real when it was only an inch from his nose, dammit! But then hed hit the booby traps. His hand had tangled in a pile of feathery sex-toys, his foot had caught on a length of chain as he tried to free his hand, and hed fallen off the bed when his knee slipped on the pair of fuzzy handcuffs. The stupid things ended flipping into the air and hit him right on the head as his ass hit the floor with a bruising thud. Just in time to give a wonderful impression to the two guards from the hallway who rushed in to check on the noise. He tried not to think about how he must have looked, splayed out on the floor and covered with sex paraphernalia. Like a one-man-band orgy or something. It was enough to know that theyd helped him to his feet, grinning, and then fuzzed his head and left chuckling to themselves. Dammit. As soon as theyd gone, though, Androcles had come down. The first thing hed done was to glare at a large feather and take it in his mouth before scrabbling up the log with it. When hed come down and treated a velvet whip the same way, Max had sat down to watch. Hed been sitting on the bed ever since, awed by his dogs dedication to rid Max

of every embarrassing, indecent, warped gift hed received. He hoped Androcles chewed them all to bits. Actually, he hoped he hurried up and came back down, because there were still the two books and the thing left. Crouched obscenely on the silky fabric of the bed, they looked like they were taunting him. He waited another minute, curling his bare toes against a green, fuzzy pillow while he sat there. Androcles? Androcles! A furred head peeked over the edge, looked at him, and disappeared again. Max poked at the three objects left, thought of Kasan seeing them, and the room suddenly heated. He tried to cajole the animal down Are you sure you dont want a- a nice bone? He picked up the crystal phallus and waved it in the air. It was heavy and almost slickly cool. Like a honkin big, erotic, stone cucumber. That Ko had suggested he insert in KasansFetch, boy! Fetch? Do you play fetch here? he said quickly, his voice squeaking. He cleared his throat and tried again And then you can just take it and bury it just like a boner crap, bone. He flushed, staring at the stupid thing in his hand. Androcles peered down at him again, his mouth open and panting. Laughing. I know a dog laugh when I see it, he muttered, turning away as Androcles disappeared again. What the hell was he supposed to do with this stuff now? He couldnt let Kasan see it God forbid the big cat got any more ideas! He had far too many of his own without inspiration! No need to bolster a perverted imagination with new material. Looking around for a suitable hiding place, he tensed at murmuring out in the hallway. Everything happened in a frenzy of movement as he heard something scrape against the door. He shoved the books onto the floor, tossed the dildo on, and kicked off a small pile of pillows on top of that before jumping in front of the bed. His body was awkwardly posed, one leg still on the bed, when Kasan open the door and stepped in. Stumbling to get both feet under him, Max stood stiffly, a weak smile on his face while he tried to figure out what the hell he was going to do now. How could he move the stupid things without Kasan seeing? When Kasan went to pee or something? Or maybe hed want to go out in the garden. Actually, what did Kasan want right now? Last time, hed Max blushed brightly and shifted, his body feeling awkward and exposed. He was uncomfortably aware of his naked ass underneath the flimsy-feeling tunic. Did he even have to ask about the cats motives? What did the cat always want to do? Kiss, and touch, and stroke, and lick, and bite -

Different train of thought needed, his mind yelled, and Kasan provided it. The cat smiled, his teeth shiny and sharp and white before his lips covered them and he came closer. Max better now? Uhbetter? Ye-es. Better. Max would have taken a step back but he was right next to the bed. He wasnt getting any closer to that than he had to. Uh uh. Good. Kasan winced, his hands clenching, and started coming forward. Sorry. Will be fast again. Uh, what? I dontuhunderstand. Wha- aaaah! Kasan scooped him up, taking him right to the bed, and Max flailed as he was pressed into the mounds of pillows. Kasan was on him instantly, hard thighs pushing his legs apart. His tunic flapped upward, exposing him, and it gave Kasan the opportunity to rub his own cloth-covered erection against Maxs uncovered groin. He felt his body twitch, his dick growing hard at the sensation with a suddenness that was actually frightening. No! No sex! No sex, Kasan! He pushed out at Kasans chest as it was coming down towards him and began to pant in relief as the big cat pulled back. Kasan didnt go far enough, though. Max still couldnt bring his legs together and they spread wide, supported on pillows and sleek, muscled cat. He struggled with his hands. They were sweating from the heat of Kasans body, slipping a little, and he wondered suddenly what it would taste like. Such smooth skin would be just like licking coffee flavored cream, wouldnt it? His eyes widened. His stupid body was going rogue! NO SEX, Kasan! Staring down at him, Kasan looked, for the first time since Max had met him, frustrated. With an uneasy shift, Max finally scooted away from him a little, his head slipping down as it hit the space where hed scooped out pillows to conceal the Super Pseudo-Dick. He froze as he noticed his new situation, with his hips propped on top of the pile still on the bed. It made Kasans groin push against him at a different angle, closer to his ass than his cock. This was not the position he was trying to get to, he thought wildly, feeling aroused and keenly nervous at the same time. Max. must have sex, Kasan said quietly, his eyes very dark and serious and he put one hand around the side of Maxs hips. Max swallowed. He didnt think he was going to like where this was going. Kasan wasnt smiling at all, not even that little bit with his eyes that Max hadnt even realized he was used to seeing. Max wanted the smiling back. It made the fact that he was staring at a bead of sweat sliding down Kasans chest less nerve wracking if it was the sweat of someone smiling.

Which was retarded and stupid, but it was in his own head so it didnt have to make sense, dammit. N-no sex, Kasan. His voice felt a little wobbly and he moved his eyes away from Kasans chest. It was too toned. The muscles were almost as rounded and big as a normal persons ass, for Gods sake. It was so fucking hotobscene! It was obscene! Muscles that big were wrong! Notreally, really arousing. Kasan released his hip and reached out to stroke Maxs hair with his hand. He leaned forward, his hips settling against Maxs pelvis and his face only inches away. His voice was a rich murmur. Max. Max, no sex with Kasan, Kasan die. Max stared at him for a moment. The cat was trying to tell him thatwhat? Hed die if he didnt make love to him? He blinked, running over the words in his head to make sure he hadnt misremembered any of the new language, and then he shoved hard at Kasans chest. Kasan leaned back again. Kasan, that is the cheesiest line I have ever heard, he said in English, scowling up at him. What, you think I was born yesterday? No one ever died for not having sex, you big pervert! EhI not understand. Kasan stumbled over the words, obviously trying not to use any Max wouldnt know. Max had a brief moment of thanks for the consideration, but it was quickly buried under the annoyance of getting hit on, badly, by his ownhusband. Crap, thats right, he was married. No sex with Max, Kasan die? he finally said in Hinta. Kasan nodded, his face coming down towards Maxs again. Feeling Maxs body lean into him, Kasan started to get the sexy smile back on his face. Max realized what he was doing as soon as he saw it and stopped himself in shock. He quickly pushed the flat of his palm into Kasans nose to keep him away. Hold up, Romeo! He panicked, unable to think of anything but English for a moment. Kasan peeled away Maxs hand as Max tried frantically to make his cat-obsessed brain think. N-no funny! Kasan safe! Kasan no die! No sex, Kasan! Bad Kasan! Crap, what else, what else, what else?! Oh! Max tired! No sex, Max tired. There. That should do it, shouldnt it?

Max stiffened as he saw Kasans fists slowly clench on the bed near his head. Enormous biceps flexed so close to his face that he could see the tendons shift with the movement. What was Kasan going to do? Max was still under him, with the big mans body pressing him down into the cushions and making him feel like he could be crushed at any moment. Was Kasan angry? Hed seen what he did to the other cats when hed been royally pissed. He barely had time to shiver with the briefest beginning of fear when Kasan kissed him on the forehead with soft lips. The big cat pushed himself up from the bed so quickly Max squeaked, cringing in embarrassment when Kasan looked surprised. Everything but Kasan faded from Maxs view for a tense moment, and then Kasan took a few deep breaths and turned around. He wanted to be happy. Hed stopped him. Kasan had stopped, even though it looked like hed really been ready for sex. And it was a little flattering, he realized, his belly and groin still taut and missing the contact of another body. Really, how often did a guy have someone want their body so much that they had a hard time stopping? Unless you were a perverted prison warden handing out pardons, it never happened. But hed stopped, Max thought, slowly sitting upright on the bed as Kasan began to walk away. His eyes drawn by the tail, and the ass it connected to, he suddenly thought of the Great Dong of Doom behind the bed. Sweating, he couldnt help watching the globes of Kasans backside flex with every step, the soft fur of the tail brushing across golden skin as it swished back and forth. Harder than hed been before, he refused to look down at his own body. If he didnt look, his erection wasnt there. If he couldnt see the small tent in his tunic, then it hadnt been pitched and was really packed away somewhere in another room. Tent pole? What tent pole? He didnt see a tent pole. There was no pole at all, he thought, feeling his confidence slipping away as his cock firmed even more. He couldnt understand this. The slightest glimpse of another mans backside and he was feeling like this? He really was some kind of nympho. Except, wouldnt he have known? Unlesscould he just be a cat nympho? Or Kasan bent forward to pull something from a shelf and Max found himself watching the tail as it swished, wondering if it would move all the way to the side so he could see the tight rope of the loincloth between Kasans legs. He choked when he realized what he was doing. Why do you have to be so fucking sexy? he whimpered softly, and his face bloomed with color as Kasan turned to look at him. When the cat started back towards the bed Max scooted away. Why was he coming back? He relaxed as Kasan sat down and held up a small, square, computer-like screen that looked a bit like a tablet. There was no way that could be sexual. A game maybe, oror the alien internet? Something totally non-sexual.

Unless it was porn. Biting his lip, he tried to see what was happening on the screen without actually getting any closer. But when Kasan began to flick at the screen with his fingers in odd little gestures, Maxs curiosity finally got the better of him and he crawled back across the bed to see what he was doing. You couldnt have sex when you were fiddling with a computer, right? And if it was porn, there was that whole hand-and-dick pose that gave it away, wasnt there? Kasan finished just before Max got within sight of the thing and the alien angled it towards him. With a valiant attempt at self-control, Max tried to focus on it and ignore the huge bulge behind Kasans loincloth that was a lot more interesting. He pursed his lips as he quickly picked out the outlines of four people drawn on the screen. Kasan was drawing? He was sketching little people. Max looked at them hard, wondering at first if he was imagining the utter, well, crappiness of them. Ive seen five year olds who draw better than that, he finally said, looking way up into Kasans slitted eyes. You have to be the suckiest artist alive. It almost felt good to know that there was at least something he could do better than the Kasan. He wasnt stronger than him, and he was pretty positive he lacked his amazing skill at kissing, but he could sure as hell draw better than him! Kasan carefully took Maxs chin in his hand and directed his face back to the screen. He pointed at the first figure while Max pulled his face free of the constraining fingers. It was an effort to ignore the heated tingle those callused digits left behind, but he did his best to concentrate on the pictures. Kasan. The cat was pointing to a small outline of someone with pointy ears and a bunch of colored dots inside him. Max. The dotless, human outline was ridiculously small compared to the other. Im not that short, darn it, Max muttered. Kasan gestured to the two figures more forcefully and Max nodded. I know! Max, Kasan. I know. I understand. No sex, Kasan said, pointing to the two again. Kasan and Max have sex. He pointed to two new figures, each with colored dots in them now. If no sex, Kasan die, Kasan said, and began to draw more and more and more dots in the pointy-eared body, finally ending in a large X that covered Kasan and Max both. Kasan die if no sex, he said again, and then he waited, giving the board to Max to look at. Max stared at them, his mind racing. No sex, no dots. Sex, and suddenly he had dots. And then no sex again, and even more dots. What the heck was that supposed to mean? Sex gave him dots, and then sex kept the dots under control after that? What the heck was-

Oh no. Oh that just wasnt possible! Was it? Youyou gave me an STD? Kasan stared at him uncomprehending as he started to gesture. Sex andKasan and Max sexuhbaduhneed s-sex.. he managed to sputter, trying to breathe and not hyperventilate. There was a huge smile as Kasan relaxed, nodding, and Max dropped the screen as if it had bitten him. He stumbled off the bed, teetering on his feet and fighting the urge to scrub at his privates as though he could get those invisible dots off of him. Oh my god, oh my GOD. You gave meyou freaking gave me alien herpes? I have alien sex herpes! And now we have to have sex? I cant You have to be kidding me!! Kasan stared at him and shrugged and he realized he was speaking in English again. Kasanneed consort? Kasan no die? he finally got out. Kasan nodded carefully, studying him with eyes that stared a little too intently. Max choked, turning around and walking in a jerky pacing around the room. What the hell type of planet had sex diseases where afterwards you had to have sex? Sex diseases were supposed to make you stop having sex! You have the fucking pervert planet of all time, Kasan! The fucking planet of perverted cats and perverted diseases and and perverted, damn sex toys! What the hell. I dont want to do this, dammit! He whirled around to scowl at Kasan only to find him standing right behind him. Naked. The huge cat reached out and pulled him close, running a large hand over his head as he rumbled in his chest. Max struggled to pull back. This wasnt happening! Just because he had the Pervert Disease of Constant Fucking did not mean that he was going to He wasnt just going to let himself Kasans hand crept down and cupped his ass, pulling it close so that his erection pressed between the cats thighs and he lost his train of thought. Ohhhh, that was nice. He moaned once, and then his brain twitched just enough to remind him what was going on. Big cat, big hands, and big dick were about to screw him silly. And he. Was he going to have to let him? Closing his eyes, Max stood there, shaking, as his face rested against Kasans chest. He felt a hand stroking slowly over his head and down his back, over and over again. It calmed his body a little, his breathing slowly altering to match the pace of the slow caresses, but his mind was still trembling. When was this stupid crap going to end? Every time he thought it wasnt going to get any weirder, any worse, thats when it did! He wasnt just a fuck toy, he wasnt just a

husband, he washe was contagious. And that meant he was stuck. Even if he got out of here now, he might never be able to have sex with another human again, would he? If he got it, that meant he could infect other people, and he could just imagine how well that would go over with the colony. Yeah, sorry about inspiring the colony-wide orgy, everyone. At least the climaxes were good, though, right? He was stuck with the cats forever, unless he did the whole monk-celibacy thing. Feeling the body against his, still rumbling and stroking him a little more firmly now, he didnt think he was cut out for that. But could he deal with this? The cats were so They were so Actually, they were obsessed with sex all the time, as far as hed seen. Was this disease why everyone here was so touchy? They all had to have sex or theyd die? That was really kind of sad. Well, for him it was. He supposed if he was on top it wouldnt be quite as bad. Most guys would think it was pretty cool, actually, if you really could come up to some chick and say, I need to screw you or Ill die, and be telling the truth. Except he was the guy someone was saying that to, and it was a totally different thing then! Wasnt it? Taking a huge shuddering breath, he kept his eyes closed and leaned against Kasan. He couldnt let Kasan die, could he? And he didnt want to die, and that big X had been over his body as well. Which probably meant he had to have sex too, didnt it? He swallowed, unsure of where to focus. Hands over his back and softly kneading his ass, bare chest and abs against his own, soft murmuring against his ears, and that was just from Kasan. He own body ached almost unpleasantly near his groin, his brain skated around life and embarrassment and desire and death. He had to do this, didnt he? He wished he were still drunk, he thought, as a small whimper of arousal escaped his throat when Kasan pulled his body in tightly. Drunk, or so frenzied that he didnt know what he was doing, like earlier in the day. Then he could just say it happened. He didnt have to watch and participate, fully aware when it actually WAS happening. Standing really close to musky, silky skin right now, a large erection pressing against his stomach, the thought of sex was more frightening than it had been when hed woken to it. He was going to have sex with Kasan, he thought, swallowing painfully. He really was. He was really going to do this. He finally opened his eyes and leaned his head back to look up, way the hell up, into Kasans face. A large hand squeezed his buns as Kasan smiled down at him.

Kasan and Maxno sex? he asked tentatively, still hoping that maybe he wasnt understanding this right and Kasan would laugh and hed find out it was all some stupid alien joke. The hand behind his head grazed gently over his ear until it cupped his chin. Kasan leaned down close. Kasan and Max have sex. Now, he said softly, and he kissed Max with a lingering press of lips before Max could pull away. Standing very still, Max let the now-familiar taste of honey and coffee enter his mouth with Kasans tongue. Maybe he could view it as being seduced, he thought faintly. He was being seduced by a cat lecher; he wasnt actively getting himself taken in the ass. He closed his eyes as Kasans tongue ran over the edges of his lips. The hand on his backside shifted, sliding underneath his tunic to cup one of his bare cheeks. He lost his breath at the heat of it. The man was too good at this. His thoughts were just coherent enough to groan about that excess of skill as the fingers caressing between the cheeks of his ass moved in concert with the tongue invading his mouth again. Sliding, prodding, flicking with teasing little bursts, the mans body was making it impossible to do anything more than keep on his feet. Lips came off abruptly, leaving him gasping and panting. He stood, shocked when Kasans hands moved off his ass so quickly it felt violent after their soft stroking. The ties to Maxs tunic fell apart and it was pulled over his head with one quick shove. Completely naked, he couldnt move as Kasan stared down at him, the cat breathing heavily and clenching his fists again. He felt devoured without Kasan even touching him. Those alien eyes, warm and soft for so much of the afternoon, were dark, the pupils almost round as he ran his eyes over Maxs body. Max restrained the urge to cover himself for a moment, and then gave in and did it anyway. N-no look, Kasan. They could have sex without looking, couldnt they? Maybe they could just close their eyes totally and he wouldnt feel this visual molestation that was so deep he felt penetrated already. Kasan smiled slowly. Kasan and Max have sex. Max beautiful. Kasan look. Beautiful? I not understand It was familiar, but he couldnt remember what the word meant and he didnt have time to try and puzzle it out before Kasan suddenly turned him around to face one of the mirrors on the wall. He stared at himself, his skin rosy and flushed. His body looked like a midget compared to the huge cat behind him. And he didnt understand why his skin seemed almost delicate with the caramel flesh that was hovering behind, coming around to spread its fingers over his stomach. His cheeks

bloomed with color. He panted as Kasan moved that large hand down to wrap around his cock while a black tail wrapped around his thigh. Max beautiful, Kasan whispered in his ear, leaning down. Max had no idea what he meant, but he couldnt move his eyes away from the image of the two of them in the mirror. He watched as the large hand gripped him tight and began to move. Hips jerked even when he tried to keep them still, and he closed his eyes and moaned as Kasan licked his shoulder. Unable to keep silent as another moan welled up, Max moved against the hand around him. The hard erection against him from behind was hot and it slipped against his skin. Musk surrounded him as much as Kasan did. He couldnt get away from it; it was like it was settling against his damn skin. It shouldnt feel this good, not this fast. But his body was already arching. His ass clenched and throbbed as though it was asking for something to come inside of him. He hadnt even been there for more than a few seconds, how could he be this aroused? How could he want this? He opened his eyes just in time to see himself gasp as Kasan pulled back on his foreskin and brushed his thumb delicately over the tip of him. He lookedsexy. Is that what that word had meant? There was a slow build up of erotically charged pressure against his neck as Kasan sucked the flesh there into his mouth, leaving a brilliantly red mark as he released. Max stared at it. It throbbed with a sweet kind of pain and drew his eyes so completely that he barely noticed Kasan moving behind him. Kneeling, the cats free hand moved up, fingers teasing across Maxs nipples and finally settling his full palm across the middle of it. He released Maxs erection. Kasan? Uh, what- Aaaahhh. Broad fingers pushed apart the cheeks of his bottom and his knees buckled as Kasan licked him right in the middle with a broad swipe of his tongue. He would have fallen except for the supporting hand around his chest, although that still let him sag until he was bent forward. His head fell at another slick caress. Oh dear God. He tried to push back up Kasan wasnt forcing him there, he was just keeping him from falling but when that wicked tongue did it again his legs went completely limp. Looking up, his eyes were glazed as he stared at the figures in the mirror, the small man being held like a toy and thoroughly molested by the alien behind him. Their bodies were already slick with sweat, their faces flushed, and there was a steady moaning from somewhere that happened in time with every movement of the cats head. He couldnt support his neck and let himself fall completely against Kasans arm again. The mans muscles were quivering as he held Max there, tight and hard against his ribs. Hes so fucking strong, Max marveled, just before Kasans face pressed in closer and made burning heat spread deep inside his body. It drove everything from his mind but the

desperate need to tend to his cock and the burning heat in his belly. His weak legs tried to push back against Kasan, but the cat merely tightened his grip over Maxs ass and continued to lick him so slowly it wasnt sex anymore, it was fucking torture. Kasaaan! Please! Kasan chuckled against his skin and finally kneeled back, his ass settling over his heels. His arm around Maxs chest tightened and pulled. Without the energy to even protest, Max let himself be dragged back to sit on the cats bent legs. His own legs splayed out over heavy thighs. He could see the cats cock as it was pressed down from the weight of his body, thrusting out underneath his own. It rubbed against his seam and made him feel like a little kid seeing his fathers dick for the first time. That cock was the most impressive thing hed ever seen. And it wasshiny. Slick. He could feel it sliding against his body with slippery, shining fluids already. When had Kasan had time to oil his cock? Hed never even seen him do it. Kasan moved his head down behind and nibbled at Maxs shoulder near the small bruise hed made earlier. Max arched into it, and then squeaked as he felt himself lifted. Kasan had one thigh in each hand, spreading his legs up and out, and he was meeting Maxs shocked eyes in the mirror. Swallowing, Max saw the sleek cock underneath him move as the weight came off of it, rising until it was high andaimed at him. Max beautiful, Kasan said again, nuzzling his ear, and he began to lower Max onto his cock. Wait! Max squirmed, a little frightened. He couldnt move, and they were about to and he shouldnt want this, but his body was twitchy and tense, waiting for it. Kasans cock looked so large, though! And Max was aware of what was happening and he didnt know if he was ready and Shhhh, Gisho. Max Beautiful. Kasans eyes held his through their reflection, that sensual smile in them still, and his fingers ripples against the thighs they held. I dont c-care! We should wait. We can do this t-tomorrow, or n-next week, or Shhhh. No hurt. Max safe. No danger. Kasan nibbled at his shoulder again, still lowering, and Max felt something large and firm against the cheeks of his backside. He could see himself in the mirror, eyes shocked and wide as his body was about to be taken. He wriggled again, embarrassment and nerves churning in his gut. He didnt want someone to see him this way, even himself. It was too personal. Too private. Really kind of hot and that was not what he wanted to see! I still think w-we shouldohhhhhhhhhh. Kasan began to enter his body. He could feel him pushing in, stretching him, opening him up, but there was no pain. All that hit his senses were pressure, heat, slick sweat and bitter musk and the bare rasp of hair against

his palms as he gripped Kasans hands and pushed to try and keep himself cock free. He saw it go into him, though. He couldnt stop it. That huge, sleek column was disappearing into his body, inch by inch, and he could feel it as it slid inside. He could feel the tip of it as it finally passed his prostate and the rest of it followed, rubbing within his body, making him writhe. He was finding it hard to think, but he couldnt stop looking. It looked so good. It didnt seem like he was watching himself. He was looking at someone else, some pale, tiny person who was being completely breached by a huge, fantastically beautiful, cat-eared man. And it was so erotically sexy. He loved seeing cocks enter someone. He always had. He just hadnt known that watching them go inside a man would be so amazing. The swells of his ass were smooth, Kasans cock and his thighs were smooth everything was curved and sleek and glistening. His balls clenched as Kasan was finally all the way inside of him, their bodies pressed tightly to each other. Max is so, so beautiful, Kasan purred against him, the rumble against his back causing a chain reaction that trembled all the way down to his ass as his muscles clenched tightly. He could barely see, but he wanted to. He wanted to feel Kasan moving in him, he wanted to see that enormous cock sliding out and thrusting into something, and he had only enough time to register the desire before it came true. Kasan lifted his body up, the cats erection sliding free of his body reluctantly and then sliding back home as he pushed him down. Max gasped hoarsely. Oh crap! A-again, he whispered hoarsely, trying not to look, wanting to see it anyway. Kasan moved him again, and he felt completely helpless. Would he ever stop feeling helpless with these giants, he thought frantically, gasping again as his head fell back against Kasans chest. He flailed at another thrust into him that pressed against his prostate. The man nipped at his neck again, the tiny pains timed to meet each withdrawal so Maxs muscles contracted at just the right point to feel the tip of Kasans cock slip against the sensitive opening. He was penetrated again as he tried to think of what to do. It was so hard to think. His brain felt sluggish and dazed, his body desperate, and he could only watch as he was taken, watch as the thrusts grew stronger, as the heavy flesh entered him more quickly. His voice grew hoarse and needy and thin the faster Kasan went. Sliding against Kasans chest, he saw himself pulled down hard onto the mans heavy erection, over and over. Strong arms were the only things his hands could reach and he clung to them, nearly sobbing at the building pleasure every time his body was entered. Oh God. Oh God. Oh God. The sound of his ass hitting Kasans thighs matched his voice and it seemed almost too soon when he finally cried out as his climax rocked him. Seed poured from his body to spill over the floor and Kasans legs while his ass gripped

and pulled the semen from Kasans body on one last, stunningly deep thrust. His legs more weak and useless than before, Max leaned back against Kasan as his bleary eyes watched the reflection of their glistening bodies. He looked like a limp rag, he thought, noticing his hair flat against his head from the sweat coating him. And fucked. He looked thoroughly fucked. Staring, his breathing slowed along with his pulse. Kasans hands moved up, stroking his chest again with soft hands as the man murmured incomprehensible, soothing, arousing words. Hed just been fucked. The realization settled into his mind. Hed just watched himself get fucked, and it had been better than the best porno video hed ever seen. Holy crap. He knew he was going to blush. He knew it. Max wanted to close his eyes and avoid seeing it, but he couldnt. It wasnt hot or erotic, it was justlike a train wreck. He didnt want to watch, but he couldnt look away. His eyes saw the bright red start at his forehead, traveling across his face and down his torso with a tingling rush he could physically feel. The sensation didnt stop until his entire body was pink and prickling. He looked ridiculous. Kasan smiled slowly as he noticed it, playing with Maxs nipples for a second before Max smacked his hands away. I- He couldnt believe hed just done that. How could you- And he couldnt blame Kasan for screwing him, because they had to, right? The mirrors- Watching himselfthat was Kasans fault. This horrible, frantically embarrassed feeling in his chest, that was Kasans fault. Max pushed, trying not to notice how useless his movement was until Kasan helped him stand and he came free of the mans cock with an ass-clenching slide. He stumbled and would have fallen if Kasan hadnt caught him by the waist, steadying him. Turning around within the clasp of Kasans hands, he took a deep breath and stared at him. He saw the interested, carnal look to the cats eyes and he was sure his damn blush got darker. If he had to to have sex to live, there had to be, what was the word? Ground rules. He pointed to Kasan. Kasan. And himself. Max.

And the bed. Bed. And then the mirror. He waited, looking at Kasan to see if he figured out what he was asking. The cat smiled, kneeling on the floor casually as though they were at a naked garden party. His hands slid up from Maxs waist in a slow glide until they curled around his back. Kasan, Max, Bed, Kasan inclined his head towards the mirror. Mirror. Max nodded, repeating the word to himself. He pointed firmly to Kasan when he felt he had the pronunciation right. Kasan? Kasan, NO sex mirror! Kasans eyes opened wide and then he burst out laughing, the deep sound vibrating Maxs entire body as he was pulled into a tight hug. He squirmed, yelping as his legs were scooped out from under him and he ended up sitting in the cats lap. He scowled up at him, trying to ignore the slippery feel in between his ass cheeks as he sat on the smooth thighs. He jabbed him in the chest. Kasan! No funny! No sex mirror! Kasan just kept laughing until Max finally gave up. He punched him and grumbled under his breath. Stupid pervert cat. Kasan ignored him and continued to laugh. Chuckles still rumbled in his chest when Kasan stood up, carrying Max towards the bed. He almost started laughing all over again at the renewed muttering it produced. He was growing to love this quirky grumpiness of Maxs. It happened so often now, it felt as though it were a normal phase of their lovemaking. Part of the mans pattern. The nervous, frantic panic before they touched. Then the passion, loud and hot enough to singe the fur from his ears. And at the end, Max either passed out or he wascranky. Kasan wasnt certain why he always ended this way. Why so crabby when hed enjoyed himself just moments before? Maybe he needed a nap, like the littles did after they ran around a lot? He wasnt that much larger than an older child. It could be. Worth looking into. Or it could be the speed of it all. Aside from the few times when Max was half-asleep or drugged, theyd only had heat-driven couplings. Those were always rushed and raw hed heard others describe them that way before his own heat hit, and now that hed experienced it himself, he had to agree. An orgasm during a heat spike was still gut

clenching, but there was something missing. There was no time to savor his consort. He wanted that, a chance for them to explore one another with a little more finesse. Could the little one want the same thing? Was that why he seemed so upset? Glancing down at Maxs folded arms and pouting face, he grinned and nuzzled the top of his head. Max growled, hunching his shoulders. With a frustrated grunt, he pointed to his own head as he glared up at Kasan. Hmmm. More words, or something else? Head? NO head, Max said emphatically. Kasan choked on another laugh. I cant agree to that one, precious. Therell be quite a lot of giving head in the near future. Max looked at him suspiciously. I not understand. Dont fret over it, little one. You will soon enough. Kasan kissed the tip of his nose it was so damn cute, all small and snub and he got another long grumble. If he had to guess, hed say it was a long stream of cursing. It had him wishing again that he could understand the little one. Hed give quite a bit of money to know what the hell went on in that clever mind of his. Although whatever was going on in Maxs head, Kasan would find out soon enough. As quick as his consort was picking up the language, hed be chattering away in Hinta in no time. Good thing, too, because there was no way Kasan was going to learn human. Hed barely been able to learn galactic; it had taken him years longer than it should have. He and Max would still be trying to say hello if they had to rely on Kasans language skills. Thank God he had the talent Kasan lacked. Staring at him, Kasan wondered how it worked out that way. What were the odds that Kasan would get a consort who meshed so well with his own skills and personality? A million to one? A billion? But Max made Kasan feelwhole, like all his jagged edges had been filled in, smoothed, so they finally fit together in a way that made sense. Even Kasans lack of height suddenly had a purpose who else in the family could have mated Max that first time without tearing him open? Looking at Maxs face, rosy as the man began to blush at the concentrated attention, Kasan swallowed heavily. Leero had been right; he was the luckiest bastard in the world. Feeling Maxs nude body sliding against his chest as his consort moved in his arms, he swallowed again. He clutched him so tightly Max started to protest, cussing Kasan out in his incomprehensible human until he relaxed his grip. Kasan really wasnt sure why Max

seemed to fit him so well, so quickly. They hadnt even had a conversation that lasted more than a handful of sentences yet. Still, he could so easily see their future. Feeding the little man, laughing with him, celebrating his brothers matings when they came, and his nieces and nephews after that. He could see himself growing old with him. He tried to force down the lump that was growing in his throat. That wasnt a mating; that was a joining. He was actually thinking about joining. That was insane. A life-long commitment, based on a few days knowledge? Insane His fingers rubbed against Maxs skin as his steps slowed. Insane. Besides, he wasnt sure if Max wanted that level of commitment yet. His consort wouldnt even know what it was. And even if the idea of being with Max for the rest of his life felt so damn right it was making it difficult to think of any other way, it didnt matter. Thered been enough decisions made on the fly lately. This one needed serious thought. Kasan had should wait a little. Think about it for a while. Another step and he found the one flaw in his decision to wait. Every time he got close to Max, his brain was only focused on one thing: getting inside of him. So far, thats what he thought about away from him, too. How the hell was he supposed to contemplate something as important as a joining if he couldnt get his brain off the image of Maxs tight ass? Damn. Maybe Jolan would have some idea. Hed been mated the longest. His body began to burn again, just lust and impatience rather than the heat, but riding him just as strongly. Groaning under his breath, he tried to ignore the mans compact little body pressed against his nipples like a brand, sliding over his skin with every step he took. His cock swelled slightly. Max squirmed and Kasans cock hardened so fast it ached. From the corner of his eye, he saw the faint golden outline of his mark, just coalescing now on his chest, fade away as the nanites flooded back into his system. He couldnt stop the stray thought that the little things were just as eager for him to take Max as he was. Stupid, really. They were just responding to his own lust, like theyd been built to. Dammit, how the hell was he supposed to think clearly when Max was so damnably cute that Kasans own mark couldnt even form properly? The man was too sexy for his own good, But it was too soon, for sex, for joinings, for anything but going to bed. Waking up the night before had taken its toll; Kasan was looking forward to getting to bed early. He would ignore how Max hair was curling around his pink ears, or how his lower lip stuck

out just enough to seem like an invitation, or how good his bottom felt when Kasan squeezed the firm cheeks in his hands, or how being able to see and feel all of that for the next couple of hundred years made his heart stutter. Shit. Although There was his grandfather. Another throwback, hed joined with his consort within the first week, and the two of them had been deliriously happy together. It had been a huge scandal, making such an important decision so quickly, when the body had barely recovered from the first mating heat. Maybe the family was due for another scandal, Kasan thought. He purred deep in his chest, inhaling Maxs scent and rubbing his chin over the top of his little head as he carried him the last few steps to the bed. He got a dainty grunt and a slap to the chest in response. At least the little one wasnt afraid any more. He didnt think Max would have dared hit back at him so casually even earlier in the day hed reacted as though he was going to be attacked every time he lost his temper. He seemed much more relaxed now. Was he as relaxed as Kasan? Kasans body was loose, soft and fluid after his orgasm and the lack of heats edge. Even getting hard again, he still felt better than he had in weeks. Kasan laid Max on the bed, admiring the attractive flush that covered his skin, and wondered if they were both feeling the same way right now. Max could be getting aroused again. His rosy cock was still half-hard, and when they made love, he seemed to flush just like he was doing now. He could be just as aroused as Kasan. Crawling up next to him, Kasan felt like purring again. This time, they could take it slowly. He could run his hands over Maxs skin as long as he wanted. He could kiss him until Maxs lips were swollen in a permanent pout, lick down his stomach and make Max come with his mouth at least twice before they did anything else. They couldNo sex mirror, Kasan. Max said sleepily, pointing his direction with an emphatic finger before he rolled over on the pile of pillows and presented Kasan with his back. Well damn. No sex. Although the little thing was either very trusting tonight, or very cruel, he thought, watching Maxs backside jiggle slightly as his consort tried to get comfortable. Telling Kasan no, and then presenting such a tempting target? Kasan swallowed, trying to relax and keep to his section of the bed. After all Max had been through today, if the little

one didnt want to do anything else tonight, the least Kasan could do was try and respect his wishes. Especially when theyd just finished making love. Maybe Maxs little bottom was simply sore; Kasan had been in deep this time. He shook his head. Stupid idea. The nanites would have taken care of that by now. The sex-obsessed metal beasts should have altered Maxs body enough to accommodate Kasan before the little one had even woken up after their first mating. Thats what hed been taught, anyway. And now that he thought about it, he could remember Tisu talking to him about his First night. The big lummox had been shaking over how difficult Rotos first mating was, no matter how gentle hed tried to be. But the next time they made love, after Tisu's nanites had activated Rotos, everyone in the citadel had been able to hear that there were no more problems. Roto wasnt exactly quiet when he was enjoying himself. Talking it over later with Tisu, his brother had said it was like someone had cast a magic spell. Their bodies had fit perfectly. Like they were made for each other, Kasan thought, watching Max and thinking about how their lovemaking had been so far. A little rushed, and Max had definitely been upset a few times, but Kasan couldnt think of any time other than that first night where Max seemed in pain. He just took Kasan smoothly into his body now, small and tight. And so hot. Kasan groaned under his breath, clenching his fists. Remembering the feel of that gorgeous ass around his cock and the shocked, aroused look on Maxs face in the mirror, Kasans skin suddenly tingled from the tip of his toes to the top of his head. He blinked, surprised. His skin buzzed in the wake of his reaction. It waslike music. That physical reaction to a moment of true beauty when he heard something pure that gripped his heart. Something that was as close to perfect as the world made. He focused on him again, noting the sleek skin of his consorts back as Max turned away from him, the sweet backside, the strong legs. His skin tingled deeply all over again. Even his body thought Max was perfect. He smiled despite his discomfort. They were going to be all right. It felt stupid thinking it again how many times was he going to need to reassure himself like this? but it was true. Max would have to learn a little, and Kasan needed to think a little, but this was going to work out. So what if it was too early to feel this way. It wasnt like any other part of his mating was normal, was it? A late heat, a mating at the last possible moment, and an alien for a consort. An early joining was hardly worth mentioning, after all theyd been through. Maybe it wouldnt happen, but if this feeling didnt go away, and he could get Max to understand Hed have to get Zonta to help him decide on what words they should teach Max next. Just in case. Joining consort was definitely going to be one of them. Zonta wouldnt give him any shit over including the word. And he would be able to come up with some of the more

crucial terms they might need, especially for finding Maxs family. If they could find out more about them, it might help them locate any other humans. Max would have his family again, and that couldnt help but make him happy. Watching Max as he began to shift on the bed, he smiled at the mans sluggish movements. Max was already beginning to fall asleep. He must be completely worn out. After the day hed had, was it any surprise? Carried about the greeting room, treed up a wall hanging, overdosed on Chera, and then hed had to meet the family it had been a damn full day. Who wouldnt be exhausted? Poor thing, he whispered. He ran his fingers over Maxs hair while his consort continued to grumble, arranging himself among the pillows again. The little one finally flopped face down in an ungainly sprawl after one last glare and another pointed, rather slurred, no sex. Rubbing Maxs back softly while his eyes traced the enticing curve of his calves up to his thighs, Kasan purred quietly to himself as the little one finally fell asleep. He reached behind him and over the edge of the bed, finding the hard button embedded in the side that dimmed the lights. You always fall asleep so quickly, Gisho love. He wondered if that was another trait of the species. Did humans usually sleep this much? Or was it a sign that Max was doing more than he should? He frowned, running his hand in soft strokes over Maxs spine. He needed to find this sort of thing out if he didnt want Max to be hurt. A mistake like the Chera at First meal could have been fatal. Kasans chest felt a tight as he stared down at the soft slope of Maxs shoulders and back. He shifted, turning further onto his side to slide his hand down Maxs bottom. I wont be so negligent from now on, precious. No more mistakes. Max grumbled in his sleep at the words, squirming until Kasan palmed his pale backside fully and he settled back down. It was nice to see that his touch made the little one feel better. Ill take care of you. When you wake up tomorrow, I can- Well, actually, he could do whatever Max wanted him to, he realized. Because Service started as soon as First Meal did. Shit. The teasing that went along with it would be a huge pain in the ass, but he could put up with it. Annoying as hell that he wasnt allowed to retaliate to anything his family said, too, even after his Service ended something he knew his brothers would take full advantage of but still survivable. But being at the complete beck and call of his temporary Master, or anyone else if Max wasnt around, was usually enough to raise anyones hackles. Watching Maxs sweet body, his back rising evenly as he slept, Kasan realized he wasnt dreading it like he usually did. Hed only earned Service a few times in his life and hed hated every moment of it. But being in service to Max didnt seem that bad. Max barely understood what was going on. And he didnt seem like the type to lord it over someone,

not like Jolan or Tisu. Or, god forbid, Aosh. And Max wouldnt know that requesting something sexual wasnt allowed. Maybe being fully in charge might finally give him enough security that hed feel able to approach Kasan, wide awake, instead of the other way around. It made Kasan salivate, thinking of it. Kasan had a brief image of Max wearing the collar instead, the deep red velvet vivid against his pale skin, and he began to pant. If Max ever did anything to earn Service to him, Kasan wasnt letting him out of the room. He wasnt letting him even leave the bed. He couldnt order him to have sex, but he could sure as hell make it difficult for his body to ignore the idea. He could only hope that Max might choose to do the same. Hed much rather spend most of the day closeted with Max than go out among his family and face the constant crap theyd dish out. But he supposed hed find out what would happen in the morning. Goodnight, little one. He let his head rest back on the pillows, moving his hand off the tempting curve of Maxs ass to the familiar smoothness of his back. The warm, steady breathing helped keep his mind calm and edge closer to sleep. Theyd solve this. His sangfroid disappeared moments later when Max grunted in his sleep and rolled over, his arm slapping Kasan in the chest. Kasan shifted his hold, splaying his palm over Maxs stomach. Almost immediately, he had to move his arm out of the way as Max shifted again, rolling all the way over until he faced Kasan. Kasan could see him frowning in his sleep, wrinkles forming between his eyebrows as he felt blindly with his other hand until it found Kasans body again. His forehead smoothed as soon as he found it, his body scooting forward until his face nuzzled Kasans chest. Kasan froze as Max muttered in his sleep and started sucking at a small patch of skin next to Kasans nipple. His fingers kneaded at the muscles of Kasans chest, stroking and gripping in tiny, convulsive grabs. Well, damn, he was doing it again. Hed done the same thing the night before, the little lirling. Kasan cupped Maxs head and tried to ease him away. Sweetheart, you need to stop. Max growled and gripped tighter, licking at the skin hed had in his mouth. He arched towards Kasan, his cock a hard heat next to Kasans. Whimpering when Kasan didnt thrust back at him, his small body began to pulse forward until Kasan reached around and held his bottom close, trying to keep him still. Max, no sex, remember? Max whined and squirmed against Kasans body, his hips trying to move while Kasan

tried to hold onto his own decision to leave the little one alone tonight. If Max had fallen asleep, then he needed to sleep. Kasan shouldnt wake him up. Kasan should leave him the hell alone so his little body could recover from the day, but this was just like last night. Theyd gone to bed, Max had passed out, and then hed damn well seduced Kasan in his sleep. Kasan slipped his hand between their two bodies and managed to push Max away from him. No sex, Max. Max rolled over. Kasan let out a sigh of relief only to choke as Max scoot backwards. The moment his body hit Kasans, Max sighed softly and his body went limp again. Kasansdidnt. Max had pressed his backside against Kasan, the cleft still slick their previous play, and it was pillowing Kasans cock. Actually, that was just like the night before as well. Obviously, Kasan needed to put up a damn barrier between them next time. Kasan swallowed and closed his eyes, moving his hands to gently grip Maxs shoulders. He needed to push him away so the little one could get the rest he needed. His own cock was throbbing, slick again with lubrication that was leaking onto Maxs skin like pearls of oil. He could just imagine the sounds Max would make when he came again. But he was going to leave it at that, because he was going to move his consort over and let him sleep. Kasan kissed the top of his head, his hands shaking, and in the end, he scooted away. He didnt think his self-control was up for touching Max now or else he wasnt going to make it. Max started keening softly, something Kasan couldnt understand, as soon as Kasan moved, Please please please The man arched back, his legs stiff, and one of his heels hit Kasans shin. He backed up as soon as he touched it, plastering his back and bottom against Kasan again. Kasan could see his smaller cock in the shadow of his body, erect and trembling. He wanted to taste it so badly it made him shake. Max, he whispered, trying to scoot back again and cool off. He just needed a little distance. Maybe he should get off the bed. Gisho. Scoot over, sweetheart. If youre this close, I dont think I can stop- Max squirmed around uncomfortably until he was facing Kasan again, his palms splayed over Kasans chest. One leg bent up until it flopped over Kasans waist. The poor little thing had to be wildly uncomfortable his legs were spread wide just to get one of them over the thick muscles along Kasans side. But he still wasnt opening his eyes. How the hell could he sleep through this?! Maxs hips started to move, pushing his cock along Kasans body. The open v of his legs

made the little hole of his ass slide along Kasans length as he ground against Kasans stomach. He moaned in a higher counterpoint to Kasans involuntary thrumming. Oh fuck. Kasans cock slid slickly between the cheeks of Maxs bottom again, feeling the slight give in the middle that felt like it was begging to be taken. He lasted one more sliding grind and then he cursed and grabbed Maxs hips. All right, dammit! You win. Well have sex again. He began to thrust slowly, letting his cock slide along his consorts body. The happy little humming Max was making had him shivering. Leero was right; Kasan was wrapped around this little things fingers.

Ruis body flinched noticeably at the muffled keening from the room behind him. How many times are they going to do this in one night?! he asked. His golden ears flattened at a string of loud, incomprehensible babble. The high-pitched, desperate voice was quite obviously not Kasan. This is only the second time, Davi said, lips quirked. Its too much already. Dont be such a worry bird. Just relax and enjoy it. This has got to be good for at least a few fantasies. Rui flushed and shifted uncomfortably. Kasans voice took on a rhythmic type of grunting that seeped from the room, surrounding them both, and Ruis voice cracked when he tried to speak, his eyes as strained as the material of his loincloth. What time is it? Hmmm. A couple tics til Late Fifth. Thank God. Davi chuckled again, and his arm stopped in the middle of brushing over Ruis in sympathy as they both heard foot steps and muted voices from around the corner. Davi brought his hand back down to his spear. His ears started twitching wildly as he suddenly stood straighter, blinking in surprise. Korosh? A bright red pair of ears popped around the corner followed by a broadly smiling face.

Surprise! The man sprinted down the corridor and flung himself at Davi. Korosh! Davi sputtered, trying to juggle cat and spear at the same time. Damn, man, you almost gutted yourself! Never happen, the red head said cheerfully, planting a kiss on the other guard that quickly moved to a full-body molestation. Rui cleared his throat, his ears so flat they disappeared into his hair as moaning from the room meshed with the groping in the hallway. His cheeks darkened until they matched the new cats hair. Eyes wild, he began looking anywhere but behind him and his grip tightened as he looked back down the hall. The redhead hadnt been alone. Another young man was following behind hesitantly, spear in hand. Dark brown hair hung down in a sleek braid to a waist that was young and a bit too thin. His eyes were a nervous gold. It matched the trembling of his ears. The cat nodded to Rui as he drew near. His teeth nibbled at his lip. They both pretended not to notice the strenuous near-humping going on behind Rui. Was there a change in the shifts? Rui finally asked. The boys ears flattened slightly. Oh! Sorry. Im not he flushed. First time I got called on my ready period. Im replacing Esgard for the next shift. Why is Esgard- Rui squeaked as a hand pinched his ass. Whipping around, he stared as Koroshs golden eyes sparkled at him. The man was leaning against his mate as he waved at Rui with a happy little flutter. Hes in heat, pretty boy. Along with about a dozen others. Davi groaned as he hugged Korosh to him. Dont tell me Kasan set off a frenzy. The redhead looked back over his shoulder and patted Davis hands. Looks like it. I wouldnt be surprised if half the ripened in the citadel end up mating before the month is out. Thats going to play hell with the schedule, Davi muttered. Korosh rolled his eyes and leaned back against him. Believe me, I know. Which is why Im not actually here to drive you mad with lust, love. Im replacing Leero until his Service is up. The newbie is Esgards replacement. Davi cursed. Korosh rolled his hips slightly, grinding his ass against his mates groin, and Davi cursed again. Not fair, Korosh. Just making sure youll appreciate me when I get home. He turned and gave Davi one

quick kiss before shoving him away. Now, go and get yourself something to eat. You know youre a real shokan when you dont eat enough. Korosh- Shoo. Youre shifts over and were fine. The redhead looked to Rui and smiled slowly at him. We have enough food at home for three, you know. Rui flushed while the new boy looked at all three of them as though trying to figure out what fairy tale hed walked into. I ah Im not sure- ah- Leave him be, Korosh. He hasnt decided yet. No? Too bad. Im really in the mood tonight, Korosh pouted slightly. Theres always tomorrow, though. Davi sighed, shaking his head, and turned to go. He paused before he took his first step. Did you get Leeros instructions if Jolan- Yes, yes. I know all about that. Now go feed your self. I think youre gonna need the energy tonight. Davi walked away, Rui following behind and glancing back a few times before they turned the corner. Korosh and the new guard arranged themselves in front of Kasans door in silence. S-soyoure a consort? the younger guard finally asked, his voice cracking slightly. Mmm hmmm. The redhead glanced at him, but his mind seemed elsewhere. Do you - uh - like it? What? Being a consort? Y-yeah. B-bottoming as a consortdoes it hurt? Korosh snorted. Never after the first time, and that time hurts only if your mate is a complete idiot. And if hes too stupid to treat you nicely, beat him until he learns better. He looked at the ducked head next to him curiously. Why dont you find out for yourself, if youre wondering about it? Thats what my partner said this morning too, but I dont think I could. Not just to know what it felt like. It seems too cold. Its practical, not cold. Howre you gonna know what you like if you dont try it? Doesnt do you any good to wait until the mating heat hits or you get taken, cause then

youre stuck with whoever you screw. My advice? Go have some fun now and find out what you like best. And if you like to top, find out how to do it well, so your consort doesnt have the need to beat you for poor performance, eh? The young guard flushed and didnt answer. There was a small cry from inside the room, high pitched and climactic, and then silence. The dark haired man swallowed nervously and glanced at the door. H-have you seen Kasans consort yet? Korosh nodded. Yup. Strange looking thing. I cant imagine mating with something that tiny. Really? So hes really A human? Yeah. Whered you see him? I had my regular shift at the Consorts entrance today. Korosh grinned, his red ears shifting fluidly along with his smile. The little guy is faster than greased ice on a skillet, thank God, or I would have hurt him. Thought some alien had gotten into the citadel for a few moments. Shit. Korosh nodded. Wish Leero would have let us know ahead of time, but you know how he and Kasan are. Secretive little brats. The boy nodded as though he understood, his eyes uncomprehending. They stood in silence again, breathing evenly as they both kept watch, until Korosh gave him a sly grin. Sooooo, what do you think of Rui?

Soft knocking woke Kasan in the early morning and he untangled himself from Max carefully, stroking Maxs fingers as he got up. Damn but he loved touching him. Looking down before walking to the door, he frowned slightly at the nude body splayed bonelessly across the bed. A quick glance at the door and then he put a number of pillows over Maxs body. Strategically, until there wasnt the slightest hint of skin showing except for the mans head. Kasan looked at the small mountain hed made over his consort and felt an embarrassed flush as he turned back to the door. There was no reason to hide the mans body everyone was going to be seeing it every

day of their lives but it made him want to growl when he thought about it. He wanted to keep Max all to himself right now. Shaking his head at his own stupidity, Kasan opened the door to a guards apologetic face. The man whispered softly to him after glancing beyond to see Max still fast asleep. Kasan was glad hed covered Gisho up. Zonta just sent a message. Theres been some news on the galactic channels about your consort. He said he can tell you later or you can Where is he now? The main vid room. Tell him Ill be right there. Kasan closed the door behind him and grabbed his wrinkled loincloth off the floor, wrapping it quickly. Leaning over Max, he ran his fingers over the edge of his round ears before he left. He was out the door in moments and talking to the guard. If Max wakes up and comes looking for me, let him know Ill be back soon. He can understand a few words of Hinta enough that you should be able to get the point across. Kasan turned to go and then turned back. He pointed at the more experienced guard. Dont let him leave. He doesnt know his way around yet. A pause. And page me so I know hes up. Another pause. Dont talk too loudly. Or look threatening. Hes fragile. And he gets frightened easily. The guard pressed his lips together, his eyes sparkling. Anything else, mother? Dont crack any jokes, Kasan said immediately, getting a snort in response. Kasan sighed, his ears flicking. Hes so damn vulnerable; you have no idea. It was bad yesterday I heard. Then you can understand why I want today to be a lot calmer. The guards voice softened. Of course. Well be very careful with the little one.

Kasan nodded, leaving, while the guards watched after him. He heard them whispering behind him as he left. Someday, he really should make it clear just how well he could hear. Calling him mother? I didnt know you were so close to Prince Kasan. I was one of his tent mates in last years Battle. He doesnt stand on ceremony much, anyway. Kasan reached the corner and was just about to turn when he heard the last comment. Ah. Silence. Is it true what he can do with his tail? Kasan chuckled as he turned and lost the rest of their conversation, and then realized what he was doing. The hair on his tail stood on end, he was so shocked. The two men were talking about his tail, and not only didnt it bother him, he found it rather amusing. He hunted through his mind as he walked, looking for the usual irritation that came with hearing people discuss his throwback characteristics. It wasnt there. All he could find was a keen interest in seeing what it would feel like to have Maxs hands over his tails fur, and now Now, he was very curious to discover what the rumor about his tail was. He didnt do anything special with it, but the tone of the question had been decidedly sexual. What if he could do something with it? Something sexual? Something sexual with Max. He distracted himself with potential new sexual fantasies until he finally reached the right room. His heart thudded painfully he looked at the door, barely seeing the guards on either side, all his concerns from before rushing in. Now maybe theyd find out something about Max and where he came from. If Zonta had found something worth waking him up over, this must be important. He just didnt know if it was good, or bad. But he needed to find out. The two guards pushed open the door before he could lift a hand, nodding to him as he walked past. He hardly noticed his surroundings, closing his eyes as he took a fortifying breath and wondered what he was going to find. And then the door closed behind him, his eyes opened, and he found himself in the dark. Son of a bitch! He should have fucking paid attention. What the hell was going on? His hackles rose as he realized that not only was it dark, no one was there. The walls were covered with blank screens that should be full of news and gossip from the stations they monitored. The rows of desks were empty of people. The handcomps were all tucked away in their alcoves underneath the screens instead of being used by the people who were supposed to be working here already. He didnt hear anyone breathing inside with him, and the guards hadnt seemed concerned at all, but this was reallywrong. He started to back towards the door when the main screen glowed to life. The rectangle showed him a vividly colored version of the

greeting room from the day before, brightly lit, with full sound blaring loudly into his ears. But the scene wasnt from the greeting. Kasans jaw dropped as the video panned closer to the only movement that had been in the room, Kasan holding Max against the wall while he took him into his mouth and his consort writhed in his arms. What the fuck! Kasans entire body reacted as he saw himself curling Maxs knees towards his stomach to lick the middle of his ass. His cock filled with blood. His mind went blank and he fought to catch his breath as Max came and then started crying for release again. And all he could think, as his video double turned and pulled Maxs body down onto his cock, was that he wished the camera had another angle because he couldnt see enough with Maxs tunic hanging down over his backside. Dear God Staring, it was all he could do not to reach around and cup himself. This was better than the damn mirrors. He jumped and spun as he heard Nolluzs voice at the opposite end of the room, the door to a side alcove open behind him. Its amazing how smoothly he opens when you enter him. Ive never seen such a good example of how quickly the nanites can adjust the body before. Kasan could only stare at his brother, gaping as he realized that Jolan, Tisu, and Aosh were standing next to Nolluz in the dark. Their eyes went from the screen to Kasan and back again. You cant see it as well with that stupid tunic, but I have to hand it to you, your consort has a damn fine ass, Tisu added. I never realized just how easy it is to pick him up and fuck him like crazy, Aosh commented. And we cant thank you enough for doing it in a public place when the recorders were still on. Jolan finished, turning to look at him with a huge, smug grin. I was just trying to get an audio of the two of to play at first meal, but damn if you didnt set up one better! When Aosh told us when youd gone in there, before the scheduled recording had finished? You made my whole damn year. The four of them turned then, grinning like theyd just outwitted the Great Trickster. Jolan took two steps forward in time to Maxs aroused gasping that filled the room. His voice was smooth and unbearably smug. You are my fucking hero. The only one of us to avoid the First Night Prank, and the only one to as good as arrange his own

pranking the next day. This is gonna make great entertainment at first meal, Kasan. Kasan felt his claws come out. Lust had already started to fade as soon as Nolluz had started talking, and now rage was quickly taking over. I dont fucking think so. You should have just fucking done it without this stupid-ass gloating, cause theres no damn way youre getting this shit out of here. Jolan smirked, the others grinning behind him. Ha, you cant do a damn thing. You think were stupid? You just head on back to Max now. Were gonna enjoy knowing all you can do is wallow in anticipation of your upcoming humiliation, little brother. After everything youve done to us, you SO deserve this. He bared his fangs. Paybacks a bitch, aint it? Kasan could still hear Max on the screen and he stalked towards Jolan with his claws noticeably bared. Turn this the fuck off, and give me the damn recording. Jolan took one surprised step back. Uh, Kasan. Didnt you hear me? Go back to Max now. Thats an order. Turn the fucking video off! Kasan readied himself to leap. What the hell are you doing, Kasan! You cant attack me! Youre in Service today! Kasan grinned ferally. Do you see a fucking collar on? Jolans face paled, highlighting the faint bruises from the beating the night before, and his eyes veered down to see Kasans neck, bare of even his torque this morning. Kasan bared his fangs back at them. Service doesnt start until First meal, you moron. You are SO fucking dead. Oh shit Kasan pounced. The guards outside the vid room both jumped as something slammed into the door behind them. The larger one put a hand on his partners shoulder before he could burst in. Dont. There was a loud snarl followed by a shattering crash. Holy shit. It doesnt matter. Their ears both flattened at furious cursing and another door rattling

thud. The guard tightened his grip on the other man. Its the princes. Trust me; you dont want any part of this. Just turn around and look down the hallway. They heard a concussive thump combined with a snarling scream. Really. I guard Prince Jolans door periodically. There are just some things you can never un-see. Turn around and let them work out their personal tiffs without us. The other guard finally nodded and they both stood stiffly outside the door, trying not to cringe too often at the minor apocalypse going on just beyond their sight. I really hope youre right about this, the small guard muttered, glancing at the door after spine-tingling shriek. I am. Someone yelled again, his voice ending on a high-pitched yelp of pain followed by what sounded like a small explosion. With the Lord Kings family, discretion is ALWAYS the better part of valor. Chapter 16 - Waking Up is Hard to Do You know, this didnt go quite as Id planned, Jolan slurred, his lips swollen and bleeding. Aosh snorted, wiping at a cut on his forehead with a ripped piece of loincloth. No shit. Glaring at his younger brother while he crouched to gather up assorted pieces of glass, Tisu grumbled under his breath. It would have been fine if youd mentioned Service didnt start until later. You need me to do everything for you? I found the recording, I faked the call from Zonta, and I found out there was going to be service. If you cant be bothered to double check the actual time, dont blame me! Tisu stood up and smacked Aosh in the back of the head and got a snarling swipe in return. Shut the hell up, Kasan barked, pushing a tumbled desk upright again. He winced as one slender leg collapsed and dumped it back onto its side. Looking around at the room, Kasan cursed quietly under his breath. The others gave similarly discouraged looks and continued with their own clean-up efforts. There were only two intact screens on the wall, plus one hanging slantwise with a smoking hole taking up most of its center. The rest were shattered in pieces on the floor. Hand comps were scattered over the rugs like leaves. Most of the desks would have a better chance at walking out the door under their own power than being returned to a shape even vaguely resembling a piece of furniture.

Fuck, Kasan muttered, throwing his desk onto the pile of broken ones in the corner. Father is going to kill us. Of course he is, Nolluz said. He wiped a hand over his limp bangs, brushing them out of his face. You destroyed the vid room! The main vid room! Kasans ears quivered before lying flat against his head. I destroyed the room?! We certainly werent the ones foolish enough to start this altercation in the midst of extremely expensive, and fragile, equipment. Nolluz said calmly as he looked down his bloody nose as Kasan. You damn well were! You all fucking started this! You cant blame us for not having a proper hold on your temper. Honestly, Kasan! Im amazed your human consort hasnt tried to run from you, if youve this little control. With a furious snarl, Kasan started for his brother. Jolan and Tisu jumped between them. Kasan, calm down. Jolan said, bracing his palms against Kasans chest and getting hit for it in return. He looked back over his shoulder. And quit being such an ass, Nolluz! Tisu shoved Nolluz away to a safer location ignoring him after he fell sprawling on the other side of another broken desk and then glared at Kasan. I dont know what youre so fucking pissed about still. You got the damn recording. There shouldnt have been a recording in the first place. Kasan glared back. Tisu continued to talk as though Kasan hadnt said a word. He spared a glance at the youngest brother in the room. Of course, if someone could have kept his big mouth shut, maybe youd still have a reason to be such a shokan. Aosh raised his fingers to flick them an obscene gesture. Dont even give me shit over that, he said, pausing with a hand full of shards. You heard him; he was going to tell Zonta what weve been doing unless he got the video. A beating is one thing, a furious Zonta is something else entirely. I did not agree to pay for this with the next few weeks of my life! Tisu and Jolan raised their eyebrows, Jolan snorting dismissively. Yeah. Baby brother is terrifying. Im shaking. Aosh glared. Id rather be up before a meeting of the clans elders than have Zonta well and truly angry with me. Hes evil when hes pissed off! Tisu laughed at him. He sure as hell makes you flatten your ears like a little, you squickling.

Go ahead and laugh, Tisu. See how funny you find it when you wake up with your hair shaved off and your hand glued to your cock! Tisu started laughing again. That was him? I thought it was Kasan! Ha, how drunk do you have to be for Zonta to actually get one up on you? Fists clenching, Aosh got ready to leap at him when they heard the door open. Turning in unison, ears flattening at the same moment, they all stared guiltily at the group of men and women who usually manned the communications room. Choked gasping escaped the oldest tech as he stared around the room with huge eyes. What the hell did you do!? You said you just needed it for an hour, Aosh!! Aosh swallowed before pasting a sensual smile on his face. With a roll of his hips, he walked towards the sputtering male who was quickly turning an unhealthy shade of puce. The other techs alternated between staring at the smooth saunter of his body and the destruction of the room. Aosh reached over and ran his hand over his victims shoulder. Ah, as to that things might have gotten a bit out of hand, but- Out of hand! You destroyed the entire room! Shit, everyone was right I never should have listened to your damn pillow talk. Im going to be in Service for a decade for this! Aosh shushed him with a finger on his lips. Its not that bad, is it? Weve already cleaned up most of the mess- The pale haired man snarled and yanked his head back. This is cleaned up!? He wavered where he stood, his ears getting flatter with every new thing he discovered in the room. A strangled growling was coming from his throat. Well take responsibility, Kasan and Jolan said at the same time. They glanced at each other, frowned, and nodded once. Well pay for repairs. Kasan said quickly. And clean it up, Jolan added. What am I going to tell the next shift?! Well miss the rest of the news packet for the entire fifth! And theres not even enough equipment left for everyone on shift to use! Kasan came forward and patted the shoulder Aosh wasnt clinging to. His brothers sped up their cleaning efforts. We have a few extras in the militarys surplus. Ill get them out for you. Well have you back up before First Meal, dont worry. And you can get the

first half of the packet from another group later tonight, cant you? The man looked around and finally sagged against the nearest wall. Theres no way. The Elders are going to skin me alive. Its completely destroyed. Aosh lightly shoved Kasan out of the way. Dont worry. I wouldnt leave you in the lurch like that, not after you helped me out. He reached out and lightly touched the mans ear, stroking it between his fingertips. Kasan shook his head as the man shivered, his eyes suddenly hazy as he leaned into it. The techs body sagged forward and Aosh pressed against him. Well fix it for you. I promise. Just relax, he whispered. Kasan sighed. His baby brother, the universal seducer. He nodded once to the others huddling in the doorway, inviting them in, and went back to cleaning. A few of the techs pitched in, although most just stood at the edges of the room, watching and shaking their heads. Kasan did his best to keep his temper in check. Every time he looked up at the screens still on the wall, he saw Maxs body in his head. It made him want to leap on his brothers for seeing Max at all. Come on, Jolan finally said. We better get this cleaned up damn quick. He smiled at Kasan, licking at the blood that beaded up as his split lip opened again. We wouldnt want you to miss your Service, now would we? Kasan snarled at him and went back to cleaning. It was a shame, but the headman was right. Even with everything fixed up, the Elders were still going to skin them alive. If they found out, of course. Kasan hoped he was remembering right about what was in storage, or they were in for it. _____________________ The nearly silent thump as a large animal leapt to the floor didnt register in Maxs sleeping ears. Nor did the pad of paws across the floor, or the huffing grunt near his ear that blew his hair against his scalp. He merely huffed in return and turned over onto his back, dislodging pillows and scattering them across the bed to expose himself. He didnt make as sound as a large, furry head bumped against his side and rolled him onto his stomach. He grunted once without opening his eyes as another thump against his body rolled him again. And he was silent for one last moment as a shove pushed him the last inches off the bed and onto the floor. He woke up with a garbled yelp as his head thumped painfully on hard stone and his legs fell with a jarring thud immediately afterwards. Ow! Max lay on the floor, rubbing at his head and blinking as he looked up at the ceiling. Wha--? His head ached, his legs were vibrating painfully, and there was something poking into

his butt underneath the pile of pillows that was arching his back up off the floor. He grumbled, eyes and mind glazed with sleep, and rooted around under the pillows until his hand grabbed something hard. Pulling it out with a fumbling yank, he lay on his back and stared at it. It was familiar, but he couldnt quite figure out what the hell it was. Too early, he mumbled, squinting as he brought it closer to his face. Long, thick, crystalline.phallic. Crap, its the cock! The Dong of Doom was stalking him now! With a convulsive jerk, Max flung it across the room. He didnt realize what hed done until glassy clattering rang in his ears. Oh shit, Kasan! His stomach squirming and tight, he rolled to face the bed. He closed his eyes just before he would have looked up. Please dont wake up, he thought desperately. Sleep like the dead! Dont notice the dildo! Cringing a little, his arms fisted defensively over his chest as he lay on the floor, Max opened one eye, expecting to see Kasans face staring down at him. Relief slithered through his belly when he saw Androcles peering over the edge, instead. And laughing at him, like always. Something was off about the head, but it was definitely a dog. Not a cat, thank God. Although if Androcles was there, then that meant that hed been the one whod moved Max down to the floor. Youre a menace, he muttered, and froze as he realized how loud his voice was. The damn room echoed like a freaking stage. When Kasan didnt instantly pop up behind Androcles, Max got his priorities in order and rolled onto his hands and knees. This might be his only chance. He crawled quickly over to the phallus. He wanted to peek and see if Kasan was watching, especially when his naked ass was hanging out all over the place, but his memory was waking up along with his body and he didnt think he could face Kasan at all right then. Maybe not for a couple of years. Max flinched, his skin prickling from the blush that started from the top of his head and quickly spread down to his toenails. He hadnt even known toenails could blush! Swallowing, he tried desperately not to think about what theyd done during the night as he crawled back with his prize. His hands gathered up pillows to pile on top of the Damn Penis and the two books he could see peeking out underneath. And then he slumped against the bed. How could they have had sex like that? Not just in front of the mirrors, but again in the bed! Stupid cat had molested him in his sleep for the second night in a row! - and been half-way inside his ass before Max even woke up. Made him too aroused to fight him off

that way, the jerk. And Max had been so nice and let the both of them not die and let Kasan do all those things to him and He swallowed again, the prickle growing fiercer over his cheeks. He sat on the floor next to the pillows and put his face in his hands. He couldnt believe the things that theyd done. Or how unbelievably hot the damn sex had been. Pressing his palms against his eyes, he sat and tried not to remember the feel of Kasans skin and his hands on Maxs thighs. Or the sight of his cock disappearing inside of him. Or the feel of slickness and jolting pleasure with every thrust while Kasans bitter-sweet scent wrapped around him. He didnt want to be this way! It was crazy that remembering the night before already had him hard and swollen. He could almost feel the cat taking him right now, in a way that made his body feel empty and small. In a way that missed being full, he realized with an unwilling shiver. Dammit, he hadnt asked for this! He hadnt asked to get the damn alien STDs, had he? He hadnt wanted to be screwed by some big, honkin alien and come multiple times and and He whimpered, pulling his hands away from his face to look around the room. Everything was alien: the size of the doorway into the bathroom, the log slanting up to the wall, the cleaning oil against the wall, the bed he was leaning against. Max couldnt keep from thinking about what Kasan had told him last night as he saw at it all. He was all alone. Kasan didnt know where any other humans were; it was just Max. And that meant he had no way home. He didnt know any star charts, or whatever the hell hed need to find Earth, or the colony, or anything! Even without the stupid STD thing, he was stuck here with Kasan. And who knows how long thats gonna be for, he whispered to himself, reaching out to stroke the comforting softness of the nearest pillow. The thought creeping up into his brain was freaking scaring the crap out of him, but it wouldnt go away. He was all alone, he didnt know where the hell he was, and he had an alien who claimed they were married and was willing tohelp him. As long as they had sex. A hell of a lot of sex. He flushed and covered his face again. He wanted to hate it. If the sex was hurting him, if Kasan was a real bastard who beat him or something, then he could hate everything about this. But the sex wasnt horrible. God, it felt so amazing he was almost wishing Kasan was sneaking up behind him just to do it again. It made him feel like a man slut, but crap. Kasan was really good at it! How was Max supposed to hate it like he should if it felt that good? And besides, Kasan was well, he was a horny bastard, but he wasnt a bastard bastard. Breathing into his hands to stave off the umpteenth hyperventilating fit since hed woken

up in Giant Land, Max rocked a little against the bed. It would be okay. He could do this. It was only marriage. He could do marriage, right? Hed watched his parents do it for years. No problem. His breathing began to slow. Just marriage to an alien cat who was hung like a whale and lived a bazillion miles from other humans on a planet where everyone could pick Max up and smack him around like a piata. He started to breathe in gasping pants again and clamped his hands down tight over his face. It wasnt helping. His hands began to tingle almost immediately. His head swam. He had to calm down or he was going to pass out! Its not bad, he repeated frantically, its not bad. Kasan wouldnt hurt him. Hed been really nice. He was a good guy. A good, big, freaking hornier than hell guy. He screwed me blind in front of a mirror. Maxs breathing got even faster and everything faded to gray. ______________________ He woke up to slime lapping against his face. Bleh, he slurred, pushing at the furry thing attacking him with its tongue. What had just? Oh, yeah. Just great. Hed hyperventilated himself unconscious. Opening his eyes, the edge of the bed was the first thing he saw. Kasan was sure taking a hell of a long time waking up. How long had Max been out? A few minutes? A half hour? And his hhusband still wasnt looking for him? What type of callous sleeping was that! And dammit, Maxs head hurt now, both from the knock on the ground when hed fallen out of bed, and now from fainting like a sex-triggered narcoleptic. Ow. Did the cats have pain pills on their planet? Shaking his aching head, hearing Androcles panting next to him, he turned to pet him once before he confronted Kasan. He froze with his hand outstretched. Holy shit! He stared at the dog sitting next to him. It was the same color as Androcles. Same eyes, same shape of the head, same pose Androcles seemed to take when he was sitting and watching Max make a fool of himself. But now Max finally realized why his head had looked so odd on the bed. The dog was huge! Max tried to call for Kasan, terrified at the size of the animal that was sitting so close its fur brushed against his legs. All that emerged was a terrified whimper of sound, and the dogs mouth opened up just like when Androcles laughed at him.

His head was right at the level of Maxs, so near that Max got a good, close look. Shit, the things teeth were as big as his little finger! Why did everything here have to be so damn big! He wanted Androcles! Or Kasan! Max tried to catch his breath. He didnt want to faint again, not when this thing was sitting right next to him, ready to Ready to lick him again? Dumbass. If it was going to eat you, it would have done it already, you idiot. It had had all the time hed been out, hadnt it? It could have chewed his face off! But it hadnt. He felt his heart slowly calming back down to normal. Just because its not small like Androcles- It yipped at him softly as soon as he finished speaking and scooted closer, leaning in to rest its chin on top of his head. Oh not you, too, he grumbled, shoving it off. I dont need something else thats messing with my hair. I just want Androcles. It yipped again. Max stared at it. Why was it doing that? It stared at him, the orange eyes strangely intense as they watched him. What? I dont even speak cat-language, dude. Theres no way Im speaking dog. After another minute of staring, it suddenly leapt away, startling him into slamming back against the bed. He watched as it scampered up the log. His jaw dropped as it came back down with one of the feathers that Androcles had hidden up there. No! What are you doing? he hissed, waving at it. Androcles already Another yip as it stomped on the feather dropping from its mouth. Staring at it as the dog began laughing at him with that wide open, panting mouth, Max bit his lip. There was still no sound from Kasan, and there was something about this stupid dog. It justacted exactly like Androcles. Except it was over twice as big as hed been the night before, but it acted just like him. Maybe they werefrom the same litter? Or something? Because they couldnt be the same dog. Dogs are not blow up toys. You cant grow that much in one night, he whispered nervously. The dog sat and stared at him calmly. Max shook his head. Look, thats just crazy. It panted in his direction and he scowled. Your breath stinks, you know. And Im not calling you Androcles.

It yipped again and he shushed at it. Shut up! Im not calling you Androcles, you dumb dog. It yipped louder and he just knew it was going to wake up Kasan. Fine! Fine already! Look, you take that stupid feather, and this stupid crap the real Androcles left here, up into that room at the top of the log. You do that, Ill call you whatever the hell you want, you stupid He gaped as the dog leapt back up the log before he finished speaking, the feather disappearing with him. When the big animal came back down and started pawing through the pillows, it grabbed both books in his mouth and finally the stupid dildo and took them all away. Max could only swallow nervously when the dog came back and sat down in front of him again. Shit, how smart were these dogs?! A-all right, then. Ill call you A-Androcles. Waiting for another noise, he sighed in relief as the dog finally settled down, resting its head on its front paws. It was a LOT less disturbing when it wasnt so big looking. Except now that he wasnt making any more noise, and the stupid crap from the pervert cats was tucked awaythere was no reason not to wake up Kasan. Max glanced up at the corner of the bed again and took a deep breath. Then another. Married, he reminded himself. And stunning, mind-melting sex. And Kasan. What would Kasan look like when he slept? He sucked in his breath, seeing all that golden skin in his head. Kasan hadnt looked over yet, so that meant he had to be asleep. So Max could look at him for a little bit and get over all his embarrassment before he had to talk to him. He could do this. As quietly as he could, he got to his hands and knees and crouched behind the bed. He reached up the couple of feet to the top and inched his head up to see. There was nothing up there but pillows. Oh thank God. He slumped down and leaned his head against the bed, studiously ignoring the way his cock started to soften at the lack of big, naked Kasan. Kasan was gone again. Maybe he went to work in the mornings or something. So where did that leave Max? What am I supposed to do now? He looked down at himself and grimaced at the mess he finally noticed covering his stomach from the night before. He wasnt really sure which of the pretty bottles of liquid Kasan owned was the oily cleansing stuff, but he sure as hell hadnt seen anything that looked like a bath. No way he was getting dressed when

he was this gross. And really no way he was walking around naked all morning. Not when Kasan or anybody else could just walk right in. Finally taking a chance on the oils, he figured out which was which from the smell. It felt as good as it had the first time, and he was a bit embarrassed that he already had a hardon as he picked out a new loincloth and top. He was pretty damn proud that he actually got them both on without any help, though. It didnt last long enough to keep him from getting bored, sadly. Androcles wanted out into the garden after only a few minutes of boredom, and when he disappeared into the greenery, Max closed the door behind him. There might be more pink porcupine blobs around, and he sure as hell wasnt letting them invade the room. Androcles the small had taken one out; Androcles the Great-freaking-Dane would have NO trouble defending himself. Another few minutes and Max was eyeing the door that led to the hallway. What was taking Kasan so long? Unless maybe they were just waiting for him to come out? Kasan had come back that first time after Max had stepped out, hadnt he? Maybe they needed to page him for Max or something? Hed feel pretty stupid if that were the case, buthe gulped. He could do it. It wouldnt hurt to try, right? Probably? They hadnt messed with him yet, they were just so so freaking big. Suck it up, Max. If youre not going to leave for a while, then you need to he closed his eyes as he remembered the guards from before, towering over him. Y-you n-need to face these guys. He swallowed heavily, dragging his feet as he went towards the door. His heart was beating painfully loud in his ears, thumping in his chest so hard that he felt like he should be able to see it move the cloth of the little shirt covering it. He heard his breath coming in harsh, quick pants and started holding his breath for a few seconds each time he inhaled, trying to keep from hyperventilating yet again. God, he didnt want to do this. He wanted to be home! Just home and in bed and listening to airplanes flying overhead and making enough noise to rattle the windows. And even so, slithering in between the fear and the freaking out was a tiny bit of pleasure, because maybe these guards would go get Kasan for him. And if Kasan came, maybe they woulddo things. Youre such a damn nympho you should wear a sign, he growled at his cock, feeling it rising up. Youre a a sex fast-food chain. With one last sigh, he carefully opened the door and stared as the two large cats standing there swiveled to look at him. He tried not to whimper in fear. His brain couldnt keep that size in his head! How could they be that damn huge!?

He couldnt speak, staring at them, and it was oddly surreal when he finally realized that they were staring at him as curiously as he was watching them. Not as scared, that was for damned sure, butthey looked at him like theyd never seen anything like him. He cleared his throat, flushing as the bigger one of the pair smiled at him. Uh. Wh-where K-Kasan? They both smiled now. One of them crouched down to talk to him, a bit humiliating, really. He felt like the man was treating him like a toddler. Hes in the main vid room, little one. Well get him for you. Well. That was a hell of a lot more words than he knew. He recognized one phrase, especially one that Kasan seemed to say to him, little one, but that didnt help a whole hell of a lot. I Hell, how did he say it again? d-dont understand. The big one crouching next to him talked way too fast for him to follow even if hed understood, and the smaller one went over to a box embedded into the wall. When he pressed a button and talked into it, Max was wondering if he was reading too much into it, thinking it looked like an intercom. But when a voice spoke back out of the speaker looking part, he gaped. It made no sense. The guards wore freaking loincloths and carried spears, for gods sake. How the hell could they have an intercom thingie and still have spears?? He wished something about this stupid planet made any sense at all, dammit! Kasan come here soon, little one. Max watched as the man pointed to where they were, and hope to god it meant what he thought it did. Kasan was going to be here? He was coming? Kasan come ere soon? he repeated. They both nodded, smiling, and the one in front of him stood up, reaching over to fuzz his head as he did. Max scowled and stepped back. He would give a hell of a lot if they would stop freaking patting his head like a dog. He jumped as the door hed come through suddenly closed with a soft click. He hadnt heard it sliding shut! Staring at it, panic started to creep up on him. He was out in the hallway with just these two big cats, and no Kasan, no Androcles, no room. He backed away, staring up at them both as he moved until he could feel the door against his back. It wasnt opening. And a look around him made him feel even more nervous. The freaking hallway was

ginormous. Maybe it felt good for freakishly large cats, but now he felt even more like a midget! All he could think of was the last time hed been in a hallway, running away from the blond cat whod tried to molest him in the bathroom. Shhhhh. We wont hurt you. You dont have to be so nervous, little one. He tried to stay calm. They werent making him go back in the room, werent pointing him to go somewhere else. Werent trying to molest the crap out of him. Should he wait here, then? They seemed to expect it. Watching him, their bodies relaxed when he didnt move past huddling near the closed door. Maybe they didnt know what to make of him, either? He leaned back against the wall and tried to pretend he was just waiting, simply a a tourist interested in looking around the hallway. Listening, he worked hard to recognize anything familiar as they began to talk to each other. Hes so small, the smaller one said quietly, looking at him. Talking about me, he thought. What the hells he saying? Yeah. You couldnt quite see it as much when Leero had him all wrapped in that cloak. They both stared at him again and Max tried to look like he didnt care. He would have given anything to know what they were actually saying, because the look in their eyes was making him blush a little. The smaller one spoke again. I think Im going to put some money in the pool. For or against? For. I bet Kasans tail can do something to a little thing as small as this. Isnt like a tail would have to be that strong to penetrate an ass this tiny, is it? How about you? Ten against penetration, fifteen for something sexual. I could see caresses, but penetration? I dont think a tail would be that stiff. The big one looked at Max and smiled in a way that made him squirm. He must be absolutely adorable when he comes, dont you think? I can see why Kasan is so protective of him. What a cutie. The other ones head tilted and stared at Max for a moment with those slanted, alien eyes and this time he did squirm. Well, hes cute, but hes so skinny. He doesnt have any muscles, and he seems rather nervous, doesnt he? I think thats even cuter that way. Eh, not me. Not my type at all. Id rather have something fully grown that you can really hold onto, not someone Id have to worry about breaking all the time. Something

you can get a good grip on. Good thing youve already got a nice, big mate then, eh? They both smiled and chuckled a bit and Max smiled too, automatically, wondering if it was a joke at his expense. Not that he minded, as long as it was something he was being included in. He just felt soalone. He didnt know these two, didnt know anyone here. Not really. He didnt know anyone. Feeling his eyes start to sting, he bit his lips to stop it. He wanted Kasan so badly his entire body ached like an open wound. He waited so long, listening to them talk back and forth, that his back grew frigid. The stone behind him was seeping cold into his skin, and he knew hed start shivering soon if he didnt move away. But he didnt want to get any closer to the guards. He was getting ready to try and talk to them again, see if he could find out more about Kasan, when the big cat finally came around the nearest corner. Max blurted out his name the second he saw him, and Kasan grinned at him so hugely he couldnt stop himself from smiling back. The cat opened his arms like he was expecting a hug and Max took a few steps towards him before he caught himself. He froze, his face burning, as the cats next to him chuckled again, obviously commenting on his reaction. He bit his lip again. What, a couple days of constant sex and he was ready to run into the aliens arms? What the hell was wrong with him? He looked as Kasan came towards him anyway, still smiling, if not as widely, and the same melting sensation hit his middle that had snuck in the moment he saw him. He was just sorelieved. He knew Kasan. As well as he knew anyone here, but he felt safe from everything but sex with him, and even that didnt hurt. It was just embarrassing as hell, and Kasan had stopped periodically, hadnt he? Except when he seemed to think they had get it on or die. And when Max was asleep, the molesting bastard. But Kasan reached him and scooped Max up in a hug as he struggled. Hey! Put me down! Therespeople are watching, Kasan! Jee-mmmmm He lost his train of thought as Kasan kissed him. By the time he came back to himself, his legs were wrapped around Kasans waist and he was holding onto the cats hair. And the guards behind him were sniggering again. He thought he was going to die of embarrassment. Pushing frantically at Kasans chest, he sighed in relief as the cat let him down.

The caress over the edges of his ears that followed shouldnt have surprised him as much as it did. It was kind of erotic. Gave him a shiver, at least. He tried to ignore it, flushing anyway as Kasan looked him up and down. Kasan tilted his head and then crouched down, fingering the cloth of his tunic. Max do? He pointed to the loincloth and mimicked wrapping it. Max do? This? Kasan nodded. Y-yes. I do. Kasan smiled, hugged him again and made him feel like a freaking plushie, and put him down to take his hand. Food, Max. Oh thank god. Im Crap, what was the word? hungry! They took two steps, or rather Kasan took two steps and Max took four, when one of the guards called out. Kasan stopped, his ears going flat, and Max started worrying. What the hell would make the big cat do that with his ears? That seemed like an Im pissed kind of thing, and he didnt want to be the cause of anything like that. Kasan? Not happy? Angry? Shhhh, Gisho. Im not angry. Kasan fuzzed his head and went back to the room. Stay here, Max. Ill be right back. Max stood where he pointed, watching the guards nervously, a bit relieved when they didnt do anything but watch him back. He stared at what Kasan brought back. Something wound up in his hand, red and velvety looking. The guards smiled at Kasan, almost like they were teasing him, and he wondered exactly what it was by the way Kasan growled back at them. What the hell? Come, Max. Its time for Firstmeal. Firstmeal, he knew that one. Like breakfast. He could do that. As long as they didnt chase him around again. Trotting along side Kasan even though the cat was obviously walking slowly, he watched the halls around him, trying not to feel intimidated. Chapter 17 - Service Clasping Maxs smaller hand in his own, Kasan eyed his consort as they walked. He could see pale thighs flashing from the sides of the tunic as Max tried to keep up, and it was more than enough to catch Kasans interest, especially when a few beads of sweat began to decorate Maxs skin. Kasan swallowed and glanced away. He couldnt stop and

lick Max clean at the moment, as much as he would love to. And dear God but he would love to. With no more than a moments thought, he could envision Max raving incoherently while Kasan laved the soft flesh between his thighs. It was far too easy to imagine the salty taste of Maxs cock on his tongue, the swells of his bottom when Kasan held them in his palms and pulled him close, the sound of Maxs alien babbling when he was tics away from coming Kasan turned a corner of the hall and stopped, panting. He felt Maxs eyes drop down to where Kasans erection strained the fabric of his loincloth. It was rather sweet how quickly the little one turned his face away, looking frantically around the hallway as though trying to pretend Kasans groin didnt exist. Not that he would have fooled anyone, not with his face as going as red as a berry. Kasan crushed the collar in his hand to keep from reaching out for his consort nearly impossible, these days. Dammit, he had to stop thinking like this, even if Maxs lithe body did invade his senses every few minutes. They had to get to Firstmeal. Kasan closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When that didnt help, he relaxed his hand and rubbed his fingers together over the velvet collar and leash. The strange fuzz combined with the cold metal clasp brought his body to heel enough to start moving again. It was only for one day, he reminded himself. Leero was going to be stuck in Service for an entire month. One day really wasnt all that bad. Although Leero didnt have five brothers waiting to pack in as much humiliation during his Service as they possibly could. Not that Leero would escape them, either, of course. Theyd happily torment the both of them. So, again, one day wasnt too bad, all things considered. He glanced down at Max to see how he was doing. The color still filled his cheeks, and Maxs hair fluttered in front of his face. The little man glared at it as he walked, shoving it out of the way with his free hand. He looked so disgruntled that Kasan smothered a smile. That expression was becoming almost as familiar as Maxs scent. When Max growled under his breath as his bangs fell in his eyes again, Kasan reached out to help. He paused when a murmur rumbled down the corridor: the guards outside the dining rooms doors. He'd mooned over Max so much that theyd arrived before hed even realized. His ears lowered just enough to be noticeable, his hand dropped, and the murmur grew louder. He saw Shoru, his cousin Warans consort, griping to the other guard; Kasan grimaced. The mans sour frown was the only expression a person saw when they met Shoru for the first time, and it didnt improve any on subsequent meetings. Everyone would be glad when the heat no longer bound Waran and Shoru, and the unpleasant

bastard left and went back to his own people. About to walk by the two guards, Kasan caught the disgusted look Shoru aimed at Max. He growled low in his throat. If Shoru said one thing to upset Max, Kasan was going to let out his claws until the man bled. He kept an eye on him, but other than a sneering grunt, the man held his tongue. The other guard smiled at Max broadly as though trying to offset Shorus rudeness. It seemed to work; Max was smiling back, at least. Although with Shoru guarding the Firstmeal doors today, Kasan didnt want to stay outside the doors and chat, even if it might have won him a few more minutes of freedom before the meal. With a heavy sigh, Kasan urged Max into the room, hoping they were early so he could be done as quickly as possible and pick some obscure corner where he could at least hope that not all his brothers could get to him at once. He saw an appropriate table as soon as he walked in, just big enough for three. He had one moment to enjoy the sight before he realized it was too late. Jolan and Aosh were already waiting to ambush him on either side of the door. As soon as he saw them, they smiled broadly, the bruises on their faces twisting to make the expressions as much a brotherly promise of humiliation as a greeting. How lovely to see you here at Firstmeal, Kasan. Jolan put his hand on Kasans arm as he spoke. And your shiny, new consort as well. Aoshs attempt to put his hand on Kasans consort ended as Max shifted to the side. Max stumbled slightly, his body bumping up against Kasan, and the little one clutched at him to keep from falling. Kasan used the opportunity to wrap his arm around Maxs shoulders. His claws flickered out in warning and Aosh took a quick step back. Im sure you dont want to keep us waiting. We saved you a place, Jolan said, tugging at his arm. Kasans ears went flat as he saw the rest of his siblings and their consorts at the nearest, and largest, table. He would have yanked free, except he noticed Tisu watching from his cushion at the table. His brothers would have no scruples about forcing him to join them. Glancing at Max, whose body was tense as he watched them all carefully, Kasan didnt protest. Max had been through enough the past day; he and his high-strung nerves didnt need to witness another brawl. Kasan wasnt letting anything upset Max today. Kasan smiled, willing it to look normal and hoping his ears wouldnt give him away. Max wasnt completely fooled; he still leaned against Kasan as though he were seeking comfort. Come along now, Kasan, Jolan said. I would hate for you to have to go through your

Service alone, after all. I would rather slide down the mountain on my face than have breakfast with you this morning, Jolan, Kasan said in a friendly sounding drawl. I bet you would. How disappointing that youll have to avoid such an improvement to your looks and spend the rest of the day with us, instead. Only if Max wants to. Im in Service to him today, not to the rest of you. Jolan and Aosh both stared at Max Kasan thought that if the man had furred ears, they would have instantly wilted with nerves and then they glanced at each other with another smile. I bet we can persuade him to give you to us for a little while, Aosh said. He licked his lips. I can be very persuasive. If you try and persuade Max with anything other than a polite question, I will tie a knot in your cock, Kasan said softly. He tried to keep it light, but Max tensed anyway. It might be due to the fact that Kasans tail accidentally hit the little one in the back as it twitched violently. Kasan, I wouldnt- Aosh, stop bothering Kasan, Zonta called out. Aosh grumbled under his breath but left them both to return to the table. It would have been nice if Jolan did the same, but he refused to relinquish his grip until Kasan was standing at the table. Kasan made sure he sat down with Max kneeling between himself and Zonta; his youngest brother would help him relax, if he could protect the little ones other side. And it didnt hurt that Kasan had taken Jolans seat before his brother sat down, so Jolan had to move to another side of the table with Ko. Kasan took what pleasure he could in the small irritation. Hed better; he didnt have much time before he wouldnt be able to do a damn thing to them. Not that it would distract him from what was really important. With a smile, Kasan looked down at Max. Max, are you good? Max nodded just as Kasan patted Maxs thigh below the tunic. The soft, curling hairs on his consorts leg brushed against his fingertips. Nice, but not as attractive as the suddenly straining loincloth or Maxs pink face. Kasan couldnt stop a grin. He would never get tired of how quickly the man reacted. Mmmm, Max not good, Max happy.

Max is not happy. Max is hungry. Maxs attempts at looking offended failed miserably as Kasan slipped his hand up higher and the tips of his fingers brushed over the cloth covering Maxs groin. His consorts hips jerked and Max inhaled so quickly that he started to choke. He was the focus of every eye at the table by the time he recovered. Max sunk low into the cushions when he realized how many people were watching, his face scarlet. With a soothing purr, Kasan curled his tail around Maxs waist, smoothing the fabric of his tunic with delicate strokes. Poor little thing. Maxs flush spread, disappearing into his neckline as the tip of Kasans tail brushed over his stomach. His scent grew just aroused enough to detect. Kasans tail paused and then the tip began twirling lower. If Max were interested enough, he might be willing to order Kasan back to the bedroom. And after thatKasan, Jolan said from across the table. Kasan deliberately stiffened his ears as he looked up at him, his tail clamping tight around Max. If he were lucky, Jolan would be worried enough about what that meant that he might leave entirely. The dishes are arriving. Hmm. He pretended not to look; Max was far more interesting to watch than bright bits of pottery placed on the table. And Kasan would much rather focus on his consort than on what the newly arrived food represented. Tisu leaned over the table, grinning widely. Firstmeal has officially started. Time to Serve, big brother. To add to the humiliation of the moment, Kasans face heated visibly, he was sure, based on his brothers reactions. He gained a few seconds as he looked around as though to make sure they werent making it up. It was a small insult, but anything he could use today without actively going against his Service was something he was grabbing with both hands. A few of the farther tables had dishes covering them with color and steam; his cousins working in the kitchens today had already gone back for more. Jolan cleared his throat loudly and Kasan spared him a glare before he looked at the red collar and leash hed piled on the table in a pyramid of velvet. He reached out and nudged it with his fingers, then nearly jumped when a small hand reached out and did the same. What on top? Max stared at the bright velvety ribbon with a fascination that was entirely different from Kasans. Whats on the table? Thats a Service collar, Gisho. Max glanced up and then back at it. Service collar.

Or a Fuck-me collar, Tisu said. Aosh wasnt the only one to laugh as Max tried to repeat Tisus words as well. Why do they call it a fuck-me collar, anyway? Roto asked. Its not as though you can force someone to actually have sex when theyre in Service. Tisu flushed a little and cleared his throat. It was gratifying that the man was paying for being an ass. Its because Kasan has to bend over whenever we ask him- Aosh grunted mid-sentence. Kasan looked over in time to see a narrow-eyed Zonta move his elbow away from his brothers stomach. Dont even start in on him, Aosh, Zonta said with a sharper tone than Kasan usually heard. I know you were up to something this morning. Aosh stiffened as Zonta stared at him. His brother was practically sweating at the look in Zontas eyes. It was too bad that Jolan interrupted; seeing Aosh intimidated by his twin was always enjoyable. Oh, Kasan? Collar, still on the table. The elders will make you wish you could crawl back into mothers womb if you dont get it taken care of. Zontas eyes let go of Aosh and glanced over. Kasan didnt want to acknowledge either the worried look or the obnoxious comment, but Jolan was right. Not putting on his Service collar at the proper time would be cutting his own throat. He didnt need to find himself in worse trouble than he already was. That was even more of a concern after this mornings battle in the communications room, if anyone found out about it. Kasan grimaced and picked up the collar, the soft fabric tangling on Maxs fingers. Zonta smiled at Max as the man mumbled to himself while he tried to unwrap them. Yanking every time there was the smallest bit of slack, Max ended up with a bigger tangle than ever before Kasan managed to free him. Kasan wondered if the poor man was going to ever get rid of that flush this morning. He lifted the thick ribbon off the table and paused. Breathing deeply, Kasan rubbed a hand over the smooth skin of his throat. He was glad hed been in such a hurry this morning to get to the vid room that hed never put on his torque. With a low growl he couldnt stop, he fastened the heavy velvet collar around his neck with a small click as the clasp hooked onto the other side. The thinner band of velvet that made up the leash hung down, tickling his chest. It was an unpleasant sensation that hed managed to avoid aside from a few rare occasions, but the merest brush of it against his skin had his ears down flat enough to disappear into his

hair. God, he hated Service. Jolan started chatting with his consort as though nothing momentous had just happened, a deliberate pause, Kasan knew, because the man lived to be a pain in the ass at times like this. Kasan growled again, repressing it as he wasnt allowed to lash out at anyone for the rest of the day, now, and he looked down to avoid seeing at any of his brothers. His gaze collided with Maxs. Max stared up at him, his eyes nervous while he chewed on his lower lip in that endearing way he had. His eyes flipped from the collar to Kasans face and the furrow between his brows deepened. Kasan could nearly see the wheels in his consorts mind turning as he tried to figure out what was going on. The little ones eyes went rapidly through all the people at the table, trying to gauge their reactions, and came back to his looking just as confused. Kasan didnt think that handing the end of the leash to Max would calm him any, but Kasan had an obligation. Taking Maxs hand in his own, Kasan placed the leash in it, the stark red reminding him of the bloody wounds hed want to make on Jolan and Tisu probably Aosh too by the end of the day. He closed Maxs fingers over the lead and then released his hands. Max looked down at the leash in his hand and dropped it back onto the table like a live wire. I dont even want to know what game this is, Kasan, but you can count me out. Im not playing some cat S & M thing! Or pet kitty. Or Maxs eyes stared at the collar and ran down Kasans chest, following the lead. Damn. You look like you should be on Playgirl or something, Max muttered, and Kasan could see his throat work as he swallowed heavily. His pupils widened and the scent of arousal jumped up a notch. Kasan picked up the end of the leash again and put it back into Maxs hand. Max, hold this. Please. Max look at him and would have dropped it again if Kasan hadnt kept his fingers wrapped around Maxs to keep them closed. The little man started babbling again and Kasan couldnt think of a damn thing to help him. Why is he so upset holding the leash? Kasan wondered out loud. Why else? Because everything upsets him, Aosh remarked off-handedly, popping a bit of fruit into his mouth. Thats unfair, Aosh, Zonta said, defending Max where Kasan couldnt. Just think how youd feel if you were the only one of your kind in an entire planet. I doubt Id flatten my ears as often as he does. Aosh looked at Max, tilting his head

before he shook it and smiled. Although I dont think Id look as cute doing it as he does, either. Maybe Id do it more often if I could pull off frantic and sexy half so well. You are impossible when you get like this, you know that? You act as though Max is doing it on purpose. Zontas face was becoming flushed as he glared at his brother. Hes scared. How else is he going to act? And besides, for all we know, leashes could have some negative connotation where hes from. Aosh nodded, placating. You could be right. I imagine Max has probably worn a lot of collars in his time plays off that delicacy of his nicely, I would think. Aosh grinned teasingly in response to Zontas renewed glare. Jolan spoke before he could say anything, however. Actually, I can see what you mean. He would look sexy with a little collar and a leash. Kasans pet human, ready to service him whenever he needed. Jolan and a few of the others grinned. Kasan wanted to growl at them, but he was too focused on the image Max kneeling naked on the bed with only a red velvet band around his throat, the leash of it resting in Kasans hand. God. He had never so desperately wanted his heat to spike so that he could head back to their room. Jolans consort, Ko, interrupted the fantasy. I dont think Max is the only one whod look sexy in a collar. Ko stared straight at Jolan. Jolans eyes widened and color crept up his neck. Yes, wellthats not Licking his lips nervously, Jolan looked around a bit desperately. Kasan thought Ko might very well be looking for some velvet ribbons later today, knowing him. It almost made Service worthwhile, just to know his oldest brother was going to be paying for it. Although the fact that Jolan would climax at the end of his play took some of the fun out of it, but not much. There was a moment of quiet as Ko smiled wickedly at his mate. Maybe Max simply doesnt know what to do with the leash, Zonta said slowly. Kasan wondered if his youngest brother had even really heard what Jolan and Ko had been saying or if hed been thinking about Max since hed reprimanded Aosh. Aoshs ears perked up as soon as he heard Zonta. Kasan wished terribly that he could respond to whatever was coming. Max? Max turned his head to look at Aosh suspiciously while his hand clamped down on the

lead of its own volition. His body leaned back into Kasans until their legs touched. Aosh smiled. Are you wondering about the collar and leash, little one? I can tell you all about it. Kasan has been a bad, bad boy, and he needs to be punished for it. A spanking would be good, Ko said with a smirk, and Aosh snickered. Kasan took back any good thoughts hed had on Kos perverted behavior. Max looked at them both with that strange combination of blank staring and focused attention that Kasan was beginning to figure out meant he was listening, but really didnt have much idea what they were saying. Ko directed his next words to Zonta. We should really put Kasan needs a good spanking on the short list of words Max needs to learn right away. Ko! Zontas cheeks flared. Kasan heard Aosh mumble to Zonta under the volume of Kos laughter, How someone who masturbates as much as you do can still blush Zonta must have heard as well because he glared at him again and his older twin turned a bit frantically to talk to Max as though he hadnt said a word. Instead of a spanking, you could make Kasan carry you around all day like a little. Actually, it might be fun to carry his consort around, feel the supple strength of his body within Kasans hands. Maybe Nolluz spoke up in a peevish voice. My research quarters need a thorough cleaning. If you let me borrow Kasan for a few hours, he could do that. Or you could make him clean the piss rooms of the entire wing," Tisu said. "That always does a good job making Service hit home. Kasan clenched his jaw, not allowed to say a word as the suggestions for his Service grew filthier and more disgusting as they ran around the table. Roto was the only exception, wondering how well Kasan might be able to plant some flowers, but that was met with such laughter that Roto gave up. Kasan tried to remain unmoved, especially as Max glanced at him after each comment by one of his brothers or their consorts. As hard as he tried, though, Kasans ears wouldnt do anything but flatten, and the fur on his tail bristled where it encircled Maxs waist. Max pressed closer, the entire side of his body flush against Kasan, his hands clutching the leash tightly. When even that didnt seem to help and Maxs scent began to change, Kasan got set to blast them all for making his consort frightened, whether or not it would extend his Service. Zonta beat him to it. Max seems really upset, Jolan. We should stop.

Jolan took a look at Max and sighed as he saw how Max huddled against Kasan. We can wait until Max is a little bit more acclimated to Kasan in a collar. He grinned at a silent Kasan with sharp teeth. Like maybe at an hour. We wouldnt want you to be too bored today. Kasan glared at him. Quivering, Max watched everyones reactions nervously. Kasan reached up a hand to brush gently over his hair. He smiled when it wasnt moved away. A small issue, maybe, but even those were important. The steps that mattered toward a joining were often the smallest thats what they always said, anyway. His brothers began talking amongst themselves normally again while Kasan continued to stroke Maxs hair. Ko dragged Jolan over to go try a new dish two tables over. When Max finally began to relax, rubbing the velvet leash between his fingers rather than crushing it, Zonta started talking to Kasan again. Hes much calmer today, isnt he? Zonta asked quietly. Yeah. Kasan wondered how quickly he could make the little one lose that calm if he started licking him again. Wore him out last night, eh? Aosh asked Kasan winced. It figured Aosh would have caught that. It was nice that Max was feeling safe enough for the moment that he didnt tense as Aosh spoke, however. The little ones eyes went to the food as the servers added more dishes to the table. Zonta chewed on bundle of steamed leaves. I know Aosh is teasing, but you might want to be careful about that. I couldnt find any records on human sexual habits, and none of the archivists knew of any. Im not certain how much his body can take. If hes so exhausted that he isnt reacting normally any more... Its not fatigue. At least, I dont believe so. We came to an understanding. I managed to explain a few things last night that helped. Do tell. Aosh smiled broadly when Kasan glanced at him across the table. And I mean that literally. Do tell. It wasnt personal enough for Kasan to have the right to refuse, although it was definitely skirting the edges. Aosh was too slick to screw up in that regard. Kasan repressed an irritated snarl something he knew hed be doing most of the day. Max knows about the nanites now. It made it easier for him when the heat spiked last night.

Nolluz cleared his throat next to Aosh, shaking his head sadly as though Kasan were the most deluded fool hed ever met. You managed to inform your consort of the existence of our nanites and the Kouloc, where neither Zonta nor I would know the proper terms? I highly doubt it. Kasan grit his teeth. No snapping, no angry words, he reminded himselfand his claws. He swallowed down the anger and coiled it in a hard ball in his belly. He could hold back now. As long as he used his anger and funneled it into thinking of what he was going to do to Nolluz after Service had ended. After all, retaliatory pranks were acceptableas long as he didnt get caught. I used one of the hand comps and drew him a picture. It wasnt that difficult to get my point across. Kasan was proud there was only a hint of irritation in his voice. Aosh choked on his water, spewing it over the table. Nolluz started coughing on his own food while Neera and Zonta bit their lips. Tisu started laughing heavily. Roto tried to smile but it ended in a nervous little giggle. Aosh was the first to start speaking. You drew him a picture? Im not surprised hes calmer today, then. He probably thinks no one else is here, now that hes been blinded by your artistic talent. What talent? Kasan doesnt have any artistic talents. Hes got an artistic curse. Jolan said, stepping back up to the table with Ko. Kasan should have know he couldnt stay away too long. Kasan reached for his food and tried to ignore them. It was the only thing he could do, after all. Thats not fair, Zonta said quietly, his lips twitching. Kasans art isnt thatbad. He choked on the last word and Aosh pointed at him triumphantly. Ha! Even you cant say that with a straight face! The last time he drew a picture of father it looked like a bilious lizard attempting to molest himself with a plate of sausages. That was a long time ago, Zonta countered. It was last year. Ill admit, Im still scarred from the memory, Jolan added, seating himself near Kasan again. I cant see sausages without shuddering. He looked at the plate near him and pushed it away with an ostentatious grimace. Kasan rolled his eyes; his art wasnt that bad. It simply wasnt all that good. That didnt

mean he couldnt inform with his drawing, if the need arose. Irritated, he tried to change the subject. Even in Service, he still had some things he needed to get done. Zonta? Do you think you could help teach Max some more Hinta today? Zontas ears popped up as his eyes brightened. Of course. I dont think there would be any trouble with pausing on my studies for a day to help out the little one. Nolluz straightened in his seat, his lips pursing. You havent even asked. You shouldnt presume that simply because you think it will be fine that I will allow you to skip your studi ow! His consort, Neera, smiled at him and pulled back her elbow. You go ahead and help Max. Nolluz can work on his own today. Kasans consort seems to trust you, so I think that would be a fine idea. Dont you, dear? Nolluz stared once into the bright smile and hard eyes of his consort and nodded after only a moments pause. Of course. That would be lovely. The topic changed to more serious items after a few more small comments: Shovaks crimes, how the family was taking it, whether the news packets had contained anything of interest. Kasan and most of his brothers went silent on the latter when one of their uncles at another table wondered about the technical difficulty that had delayed the news. And then Kasan lost track of the conversation as he realized Max wasnt eating. After taking a few nibbles himself to show it was good to eat, he handed Max a small violet petal in oil. The man pushed it away, and then refused the small sausage he was offered next, and even a leaf and berry dish. Max finally glared at Kasan and mumbled under his breath, NO sex food, Kasan! Kasan was glad hed swallowed his own leaves or he would have choked as he realized what Max was worried about. No, no sex food, Max. Good food. Max took a bit of coaxing, including Kasan popping a small fried blossom into his mouth, before he started going after the dishes voluntarily. When nothing happened to his body after a few bites, Max began eating steadily with his small hands flitting from dish to dish. As amusing as watching him was, though, Kasan felt like he was waiting for the next hailstone to fall. There was a subtle tension building at the table. Combine that with the fact that his brothers werent done teasing him and it didnt bode well for his peace of mind. He knew he wouldnt have been done teasing them if theyd been in Service. They werent going to be any easier on him, that was for sure.

Especially not Aosh. It wasnt often that his younger brother was able to tease him without fear of retaliation. And something about Aoshs tone of voice, or maybe the quivering of his ears, drew Kasans attention. He was only talking about Rotos last visit to family in one of the outlying areas, but still. This was Aosh. One should usually be ready for about anything, with Jolan and Aosh involved. Tisu mentioned you saw Akam this time, Aosh said around a mouth of food. There. Wasnt Aoshs voice a little louder than normal? Roto nodded absently, taking a drink before he answered. When he was visiting Uncle Rilan before the hunt. Aosh smiled slyly; it was enough to send tension slithering over Kasans skin. Did I hear right that you saw all of him. Roto giggled once before covering his mouth and nodding. He spiked while we were there, and they forgot to lock the patio door. Roto flushed and giggled again. Akams a lot more flexible than I thought. Aoshs eyes slid to Kasan for the briefest moment before he continued talking. Sois it true, then? Roto looked at him blankly, taking another sip of his water. Is what true? You know what. Aoshs voice was leading. Tisu pulled Roto against his side. Aosh, dont mess with Roto. Im not. Im just curious if Roto noticed Akams size, thats all. Roto perked up, his face brightening. He leaned forward, barely noticing as Tisu sighed in resignation and let go of his shoulders. Yes! Oh my God, you should have seen! Hes almost twice as big as he was when he used to live here! Zontas ears quivered. He didnt look like hed gained weight the last time I saw him. Roto giggled again and Aosh snerked. Not weight, brother, Aosh said softly. Length. Maybe girth, too, although youd have to ask Roto. Zonta looked at him blankly and Roto blushed. Jolan laughed softly as he met Aoshs eyes. He means his dick size, Zonta, Jolan said.

His member grew? Why so surprised? Aosh smiled at Zonta, taking his moment of superiority while he still could. Zonta spluttered before he glared t his twin. Were talking about a mans penis they dont simply increase in size! Aosh shifted, and Kasan realized hed found a way to strut without leaving his seat. Can it be that there is something my beloved genius twin doesnt know? Zontas ears lowered and his eyes narrowed. Of course there is. Im not omniscient. But surely youve heard the rumors? Choosing your consort wisely and all that? Zonta glanced between him and Roto, his ears twitching thoughtfully, before he finally shrugged. Aosh sniggered again. Nanites, dear. Youve seen the size of Akams consort havent you? The man is almost as big as Tisu, and Akam barely Rotos size. Poor cousin probably didnt have the surface area on his dick for enough nanites to get across the skin to his consort when he was pounding away, Aosh leaned closer, his tongue curling around the words like a sweet candy, so his cock grew to compensate for the size difference. Zonta stared at him, his cheeks flushed even while he swallowed. I-I suppose its ppossible, but that type of size change seems a bitextreme, compared to some of other changes nanites have made that were aware of. Roto gestured excitedly across the table. No, I saw it! Akam is HUGE now! I had a really good Roto paused and giggled one last time. A really good angle, if you know what I mean? Akams dick is amazing! Aosh nodded smugly. Youre always going on about how much the nanites do to make the bond work, Zonta. Stretching the muscles, dealing with infertility issues, correcting erectile dysfunctionit shouldnt be that much of a surprise. Although it does beg the question, doesnt it? Aosh smiled and turned to Kasan. Aw shit, Kasan thought, here it comes. He knew it was going to be something. Since we know nanites adjust mates to match their consorts - just how small is your dick now, Kasan? Kasan growled in place of putting his head in his hands, and he closed his eyes as Aoshs teasing set off another round by his brothers. Max didnt seem to be paying as much

attention now that he was eating, at least. This time, though, Zonta didnt have a prayer of stopping it. They were all on a roll. Kasan wrapped his tail tighter around Maxs waist, flattened his ears to block as much of the sound as he could, and concentrated on eating. It went on long enough that Kasan wondered if they might make it through the meal with nothing more than teasing a good thing considering the beginning of the day when there was an irritated clearing of a throat. Leero stood behind him, the mans cheeks as flushed as Kasans as he stood with his collar on and the leash looped intricately down his chest before weaving back into the clasp. Leero had such dark shadows under his eyes that they seemed to glow in contrast the man looked like he hadnt slept in days. The Lord King asked me to come fetch you, Kasan, he murmured quietly. Leero might as well have shouted; everyone was sitting in silence as they watched the both of them with rabid curiosity. Leero lowered his voice even further. His ears were stiff as he stared over their heads rather than meet anyones eyes. You need to introduce Max to the elders now. Kasan stood before his brothers could interrupt and scooped Max as he rose. Max yelled out, dropping the handful of roasted vegetables hed been holding. It was unfortunate, and a bit rude to leave the mess for those who had kitchen duty today, but the faster Kasan got away from his brothers, the better off hed be. Hed have to make it up to the servers later. He turned while Max jabbered at him irritably, shoving at his arm and his chest. Ill let you down soon, Gisho. Kasan kept his voice down as he took a step away from the table. He winced in sympathy as he heard Jolan speaking to Leero behind him. Im surprised you and father showed up today. Jolans voice wasnt raised exceptionally high, but it was still clear enough to hear from a table or two away. Its Firstmeal. Kasan could practically hear Leero rolling his eyes as he readied himself for whatever Jolan had planned. That doesnt mean anything. Theres been plenty of times father missed Firstmeal, or sent someone to grab him a bite or two. And I would have thought youd still be attending to your duties. In the bedroom. Or didnt father have any Services for you to perform last night? Kasan stopped dead and had to turn back to look. Smiling wickedly, Jolan had leaned forward into Leeros space, and Kasan could see his friends profile as the man flushed as

red as the velvet collar around his neck. He knew nothing had happened he couldnt imagine his father demanding anything even if it were allowed but that didnt mean there werent decades worth of jokes about sex and Service. Kasan was surprised that Leero reacted so strongly to it. Youre awfully red, Ko said, pressed against Jolan. They both leaned forward a little more. Anything interesting happen that you should be telling us about? Nothing happened, Leero ground out. Oh? Jolan looked him over and finally leaned back out of Leeros space. Kasan saw Kos hand trail over his mates chest and they exchanged a glance. Kasan had to turn away. He couldnt help feeling relieved that the man about to be ribbed so thoroughly was Leero instead of himself. Youre very brave to fess up, Ko said, just loud enough that Kasan could still hear. Most men dont like to admit when nothing happens. Have you had this problem for very long? Jolan took up the gauntlet before Leero could respond at all. It would explain a lot, wouldnt it? Kasan could just imagine them nodding sagely at each other. Grumpy all the time, shoving all that energy into training rather than other pursuits. All this time, and we never knew. How brave, to suffer in silence for so long. You must be looking forward to when the heat hits and your nanites will correct that little problem. Are you done? Leeros voice was strained. Kasan knew the feeling. Not by a long shot, Jolan said happily, his voice nearly bubbling. I am going to enjoy your Service to the fullest, just possibly not as much as father will. But for nowId really like to have some Chera root added to my drink, Leero. Why dont you go and fetch some for me in the kitchens? Kasan could imagine Jolans wide grin as easily as Leeros flattened ears. Unless his father had told him to return immediately, Leero was stuck catering to whatever shit those idiots came up with until he was called back. And it looked like they were in a mood to play, now that theyd been denied Kasan. Poor bastard, he murmured. Max was quiet now, staring up at him. He pulled on the leash, soft as a butterfly testing a webs thread. His eyebrows were drawn together in the middle as he searched Kasans face, and Kasan smiled slowly and hugged him closer. Its all right. Max and Kasan safe. Meet family. As positive as he made it sound to Max, it was still a trial to make it across the room. It felt as though everyone in the family made a comment as he passed. Kasan was grateful hed been summoned and had a reason to deny their thinly veiled commands to join them

at the cushions and pillows. Although maybe that would have been better, he thought, looking into the eyes of the elders as he neared their table. The two matriarchs were seated side-by-side and staring at him with cold glares that made an icy sweat break out over his skin. Fathers three uncles, and Father himself, were seated by them. While they looked a bit more amused, they were not amused enough to make Kasan feel the least bit comfortable. You wished to meet my consort? he asked as he approached them. He knelt on a free cushion, settling Max on his lap, a comforting armor against their attentions. Not that it could keep him safe if theyd heard about the main-vid room. Aunt Nerin raised one eyebrow and glanced at her sister before growling faintly. It was enough to have Kasan wishing he was stuck doing work on the dung heaps. It would be less painful to his senses than if the elders decided to have it out with him. Nerins sister placed a parchment-skinned hand on her older siblings arm and nodded to Max, who was frozen in Kasans lap as he stared at them. The little one will not understand our irritation. She smiled at his consort. Max, I am Asha. I am pleased to meet you, consort of my nephews most difficult son. Max relaxed by a hair at the familiar words. Pleased to meet you, Asha, he said softly, testing his memory of the words. And this is Nerin. Pleased to meet you, Nerin said, her voice barely making it past a growl. Pleased to meet you, Nerin, Max said faintly. He gripped Kasans leash with white knuckles, rubbing the ribbon between his fingers and coincidentally moving upward, drawing Kasans head down if he cared to let it move. Kasan had to smile as he let himself be drawn down until he was curled almost entirely over Max. His consort blinked in surprise as Kasan blocked his sight of the rest of the table, and Kasan couldnt help kissing him once on the tip of his blunt little nose. Max squirmed, staring at the upside down face of Kasan, and then he kissed Kasans forehead bird-quick as his eyes slid to the side as though he couldnt quite look at what he was kissing. Then he flushed and released the ribbon. His hands fidgeted in his lap. Seeing Aunt Asha soften as she watched Max, Kasan knew he was going to be spared the worst of it. Aunt Nerin would probably find Max irritating anything soft tended to offend her sense of how the world should be. But Aunt Asha would put a damper on any fury that got out of

hand, as long as she wasnt too irritated herself. Which meant his consort was even saving him from getting his tailed chewed by the elders. Kasan would have to reward him tonight with something special. Max hungry. Food? Max looked up at him to get a positive nod. Kasan wished he could figure out what was going on in the little ones head, he thought, handing him some marinated leaves he thought Max might enjoy. Kyoru stayed Kasans hand before he could get some for himself. If Max agrees and Im sure he will well need to talk after the meal, Kasan. About this morning and our curious lack of a news packet. The fur on Kasans tail stood on end. Oh damn. Kyoru nodded to Max. Im sure that you dont want your little one worried with this. Why dont you start off his day with Zonta right after first meal. You can find a way to explain the situation properly so that hell agree to loan your Service to us, cant you? Theres a lot for you to do today. A lot. Kasan flinched as the elders smiled at him almost cruelly. They knew. He should have known theyd find out. I believe you should start with doing a complete inventory of the citadels military supply warehouse that holds our computer equipment, Aunt Nerin said. Kasan swallowed heavily. That would take him days, not simply todays Service, and he couldnt say a damn word about it. Aunt Nerin smiled at him with the sweetness of a sour grape as she saw him nearly biting his tongue not to say anything. Then her eyes slid over to the table where his brothers sat laughing over Leero, blissfully ignorant. I believe youll have four young men joining in to help you, along with the entire morning staff of the main-vid room, so it shouldnt take more than a day. She turned her glare back to him. It will not take more than a day. Understand? Yes, Aunt Nerin. Maxs bottom shifted on Kasans lap and reminded Kasan that once again, he was unlikely to get to touch his consort without the heat driving him. It was becoming ridiculous. How much was it going to take for him to simply make love to Max without something forcing it on both of them? Aunt Nerin stared at him as though trying to find some fault with his answer. She grunted when he kept his eyes on Max and didnt say another word. Aunt Asha continued the speech. Zonta will do well enough with your consort, Kasan. Hes always been a responsible

young man and hes gentle enough that he wont scare the little one. Like thats an issue? The human needs to toughen up or hell be jumping at shadows for the rest of his life, Aunt Nerin growled. Asha tsked at her. Give him time, Nerin. She turned back to Kasan. Youll walk Max to Zontas room, settle him in, and then report to the computer warehouse as quickly as possible after Firstmeal. And then well see what else we think may need to be done, once we get the second packet tonight and determine the importance of what was missed. Her smile was soft, but it carried more threat than Aunt Nerins Kasans shoulders hunched along with his ears. Yes, Aunt Asha. Max looked nervous again, nibbling on the leaves and pouring himself a large cup of water from one of the bundle of clean cups in the middle. He glanced up at Kasan and whispered as Kyoru spoke to his aunts about his brothers. Kasan safe? The warmth that spread across Kasans gut surprised him in its intensity. Kasan and Max safe, he murmured back, running his hand over Maxs head and down his bare arm. Popping another blossom into Maxs mouth, he enjoyed the way the man grumbled over it. Officially, he could have been reprimanded for doing something like that, unasked, while in Service, but Max didnt know any better. And he was the one who would have to take him to task. Leero finally showed up, his hair dampened against his forehead from the heat of the kitchens, and Kasan shared a sympathetic glance with him. The Lord King detached the leashs end from the clasp and put it back in his hand absently as Leero knelt next to him. Kasan wasnt surprised to see Leero flushing from the gesture. More color spread down his neck as Kyoru ordered him to eat something. Even the elders have noticed how often you and Kasan miss Firstmeal when you start to work on a project. Its not healthy. Eat. Kyoru pointed to a dark, sweet smelling sausage again as Leero hesitated. Kasan wondered how many of the guards would have paid to see their superiors ears droop like that. Leero picked it up and chewed it with painful slowness. He never had liked eating his meat. Thank god Max didnt Kasan eatthat, Max suddenly said. Kasan looked down at him, staring as he saw Max looking from him to Kyoru and Leero. Max looked up at him again, his hand tight on the leash, his voice a little more hesitant as he pointed to a floral dish that Kasan wasnt all that fond of during the normal course of things. Kasaneat? The elders beamed in approval. Kyoru chuckled. Learns fast, just like you said. Youd

better get to it, son. Hes in charge today. Kasan reached over and popped the unappetizing food into his mouth, trying to swallow before his tongue could taste it. Max was watching him intently. This might be a very long meal.

Firstmeal had ended, the hallways finally cleared of people, when the guard Shoru turned to the man watching the door with him. My heats spiking. Ive gotta go. The other guards brown eyes narrowed, his ears flicking irritably. You said that yesterday. And the day before that, too. So Im as virile as a damn throwback. What the fuck do you care? I care because you always seem to go into heat half-way through shift. This is bullshit. You saying Im a liar? The other guard stared at him and gripped his spear tightly as he turned to face him completely. Im saying that if this happens again tomorrow, Im reporting it. Yeah, go ahead and do that. See if I give a fuck. Shoru turned and left, stomping down the hallway as the man behind him started a request through the summoning box for someone to replace Shoru. Stopping at his quarters, Shoru sneered at his mate as the man opened the door. You left it long enough. The other mans voice was tight. Fuck you. Im here, arent I? Neither of them said another word as they headed to the bed, disrobing as they went. The sex was silent, perfunctory, and quick. Shoru didnt move as his mate pushed off the bed the moment they were done and began cleaning his skin as though hed been contaminated. Lying on his back with flattened ears, sweat drying on his thighs, Shoru pretended to be asleep as he watched his mate pull out new clothes. The man dressed down in a pair of breeks and a collarless shirt with short sleeves. He tied a small bundle that jingled with coins to the inside of his shirt and left the room with almost as much speed as theyd had sex.

Shoru was up off the bed and dressing as quickly as he could the moment the door close. Think youre so damn smart, you smarmy bastard, he growled to himself. See what youve been up to and then well see who everyone thinks is an asshole. Shoru slipped silently out the door and sprinted down the hallway. He peered around the corner in time to see his mate disappearing down another corridor. Keeping pace, Shoru followed his mate out of the citadel and into the city surrounding it, through the residences, then all the way past the merchant sector. When the man started looking at bars in the pleasure quarter, Shoru smiled nastily as he whispered to himself. Knew you were a freaking deviant. See what that high-and-mighty family of yours thinks when they find out what youre doing, huh? Shorus mate finally walked into a small bar, the building squashed between two inns instead of the alley that should have been there. Shoru stepped in a minute after him, just in time to see him heading to the back of the building, through a hallway labeled privacy. Pervert. What the hell are you doing? Shoru muttered. He walked through the bar, ignoring the bartenders eyes following him, and crept quietly into the small hallway. There was a row of three rooms, each just big enough for a stool and a small screen, separated from the hall by privacy curtains. Only one of them had the curtain pulled closed. Glancing around, Shoru let his claws come out his one throwback trait - and pried the edge of the seal away from the wall. He pressed his ear to the break in the privacy field. His mate was grumbling to himself, cursing as he rifled through something that sounded papery and thin, and then Shoru could hear the clicking of buttons, and finally his mate started talking. You wanted to talk to me? The voice replying was too low to be heard outside the stall. I thought we didnt want him. No, we didnt get the news this morning. Some kind of glitch. A pause as he listened, and then Shorus mate laughed shortly. Well shit, no wonder then. Tonights damn soon, though. I dont know if I can arrange it. The sounds of the bar trickled down the hallway and Shoru cupped his hands around his ear, trying to keep any sound from getting into the booth and giving him away. Yes, its large enough to fit through, but theyre fucking each other constantly. I dont know when the hell were going to get him alone. I know its time sensitive, dammit! Dont blame me for this shit! If Shovak had used his damn brain, wed already have

him. Shorus free hand rubbed nervously at the pommel of a dagger tucked into the waistband of his pants. His other ear flicked wildly as he continued to listen. Nowyou dont have to do that. His mates voice wavered nervously. I didnt say I couldnt get him in. You know you can count on me; its just going to be tricky. With a loud swallow, he whispered. The main tunnel, then, yeah. Well vid you when weve got him. The soft humming of the screen went dead, and Shoru heard his mate cursing up a blue streak. That was all he needed. Shoru ripped open the privacy curtain with a vicious grin, his dagger out. You fucker, you are so fucking dead, now. I dont know what the hell youre doing, but I bet the elders will kick your bitchy, pathetic ass if youve got anything to do with Shovak, you- Shorus eyes went wide as his mate pulled a small laser pistol and aimed it at him with cold eyes. I may not be able to kill you, Shoru, but all I need is a hole to fuck for the next few years until the heats done. That leaves me with a hell of a lot of body parts that arent really all that necessary. Including your tongue. Shoru didnt move. Drop it. There was a muffled clatter as Shorus dagger hit the ground. You are such a fucking bastard. Someday theyre all going to see it, too, you piece of shit. I doubt youll be able to enjoy it, his mate sneered, and gestured him out into the hallway. Shoru went with a snarl. The bartender watched them leave as silently as hed watched them enter, and then went back to pouring drinks. Chapter 18 - The World According to Max Kasan hovered inside the door to Zontas room. If hes upset, keep your voice low; loud voices startle him. And if he asks for me, Ill be in- -the military supply warehouse. Zonta smiled, his eyes twinkling as he watched Max clinging to Kasans leash. I believe I remember that from the first two times you mentioned it. Kasan felt himself flush. The pressure of the collar against his throat was negligible, but at times like this, he would swear that it made it harder to swallow. Slowly blowing out his breath, he tried to ignore the murmur of the guards voices outside in the hallway as he composed himself.

No matter what he did today, he damn well knew he was going to be in a constant state of embarrassment or humiliation, and it was, quite simply, going to take a bite out of his ass. Zonta waited, trying to make eye contact with Max while Kasans face lost its heat. Max asked about his own people last night, Kasan finally said, smiling in spite of himself as Max looked up at the sound of his name. I had to tell him that we dont know where any other humans are. Zonta murmured sympathetically. Hes holding up well. Kasans ears flattened. Im worried its one of the other reasons hes calmer today. I dont Kasan dropped his gaze to watch Max, reaching out to caress the round curve of his ear. I dont want lost hope to be what takes the fear from him. I see. Zonta looked down as well he seemed fascinated by Maxs wide-eyed stare as it darted along the perimeter the room. The little one had already examined everything down to the dust motes, all without leaving Kasan. He had a white knuckled grip over Kasans red leash as though it were the only thing keeping him alive. Zonta spoke softly, still watching Max. If hes been thinking that someday he could see his own family, to have that taken away Exactly. I cant let him fall into a despair. I need him to feel like a part of our family. Kasan had seen inclusion work before on a man whose family had been killed in a giant mudslide. With luck, the same sense of belonging would help Max, too. Im going to have a talk with the others- Kasan, Father will crucify you if you have another fight so soon. Zonta looked far sterner than a baby brother had a right to, and Kasan flicked his ear for it. Not that type of discussion. Kasan rubbed a hand over Maxs head again, more for himself than his consort. But I need them to pull back a little so Max can adjust. Like you did for their consorts? The wry twist to Zontas ears was enough to make Kasan feel like squirming. Sometimes, Zonta had a streak that was pure Father. Worse, he was right as often as the Lord King was, too. Kasan hadnt endeared himself to his brothers when it came to their new consorts. Kasan could admit - to himself- that rearranging Nolluzs entire bedroom just before his brothers First Night hadnt been very kind. Hed known Nolluz was too anal to make love before hed put it all back to rights. And hed laughed himself silly when hed heard that Neera had been more than a little irate over waiting to take care of the heat while Nolluz obsessed over his furniture.

And releasing a horde of Keerac into Tisus room just before Roto had arrived hadnt qualified as considerate. Funny as hell, but considerate of Roto and what the little one would think when he saw what seemed like a pack of fluffballs scamper across the floor? Not in the slightest. Kasan cringed as he thought of how Max would have reacted, especially if hed had Rotos knowledge Keerac didnt travel in groups, only their more vicious cousins, the shokan, did. Theyre going to give me hell, he muttered. I imagine so. I probably would, tooif Id mated yet. Zonta smiled again. I imagine Aosh and I will reap the benefits of Maxs influence. Kasan nodded, but didnt reply how unlikely Aosh was to escape a good First Night prank. Hed touched Max, and that meant Aoshs ass had a debt to repay that Kasan wouldnt forget. Just like his brothers wouldnt forget his own damn debts. They wont do anything to upset Max, Kasan. Just let them know about his family. You know theyll move their teasing to you alone. Zonta put a hand on his shoulder as Kasan nodded again. With a small sigh, Kasan hugged him briefly, ending with a thankful finger against his lips. They both smiled as Max watched them. The little one frowned and gave a tug on the leash. Kasan let it pull him away from Zonta. I think he may be jealous, Zonta whispered. He looked on the verge of a childish giggle. Maxs hand softly reaching for Kasans hand added to the impression. Kasan caressed Maxs fingers against his palm, trying to get back to the topic at hand before he did something insane like take Max back to his room and suck on his pretty little cock until the man passed out. Today was going to be a long damn day. He had to stay focused on what Max needed right now, not what he might enjoy. Even if Kasan was sure that hed really enjoy it. Zonta, can you teach him about our people as well as our language today? I thought it might give him more of a connection if he knows more about the Kyashin. Zonta nodded. Drawing a few images got the point across last night; if you drew a few of the finer points of our history - Zonta started chuckling. Or I could put on one of the vids that we use to teach the littles about the heat. Its made to teach, after all. And as most of the small ones dont understand nanite anymore than your new consort does, I imagine it should be basic enough. Kasan grumbled as he realized how much effort he could have saved himself the night

before. But still, hed put across the most important point. I taught him about the nanites last night just fine, remember? Mm hm. Zontas lips were pressed together seriously, but his ears had a playful angle to them. You dont believe I did it any more than the others do. Zonta laid his hand on Kasans arm with a smile. Lets just say that Im sure you found something to calm him, but Im not certain exactly what Max got out of the conversation. Youre only saying that because I didnt think of using a video instead of a line drawing. Kasan tried not to smile and failed. I probably would have thought of it if my blood hadnt been pooling in the wrong head. Zonta laughed, flushing slightly, and they both glanced at Max again. The sound of the little mans muttering was soft, but clear. It was better than the bells some parents attached to their littles clothes Kasan didnt think hed ever have a hard time tracking Max, as long as the man talked to himself as often as he did. Zonta? Kasan waited until his brother took his eyes off Max. Can you teach him about joining? Zonta stared at him for a few moments before answering. You think hell need to know? I hope he will, yes. Then it shouldnt be a problem. Kasan was certain Aosh wouldnt have passed up the opportunity for a round of sexually charged teasing. Dealing with Zonta was, in so many ways, a relief. He hadnt been certain even Zonta would react so calmly to his request: thank God it had been so easy. The hard part was going to be saying goodbye to Max for the day. He didnt want to have a repeat of Leeros free-for-all chaos again. Hopefully, if Kasan found the right words, he could avoid it. With that in mind, he chose his words carefully as he began to pry Maxs delicate hands from the leash. XXXXXXX Max sat on Zontas bed and watched as the big cat rooted through the shelves on the far wall. Unlike Kasans space, Zontas had two rooms, and Max would have been happier if Zonta had been all the way in the next one. Because Zontas rooms were both bedrooms: little, tiny bedrooms with big, damn hedonistic beds. Through a wide, doorless

space, Max could see the other sex-trap of a mattress, lurking within walls covered in velvety swaths of emerald, crimson, and azure. He wished the damn place were as dull as a bankers tidy whities. Then he could ignore it and Zonta and assume that everything was going to be fine. But no, it had to be like everything else on this damn planet: suggestive and aggressively sexual. He wasnt in that room, though, he reminded himself. Hed been encouraged to sit on the bed closest to the door, in the room filled with shelves and small tables trapped under coatings of books and plastic tablets. Still, Zonta had wanted him on a bed. And while this room might be more functional than alluring, the bed was covered with blankets, velvets and furs piled so thickly Maxs lower half disappeared where he sat. Like it was trying to keep him from escaping. His lungs burned as he began to gulp his air. Calm down. He had to calm down. It was okay. Kasan wasnt giving him away. He freaking wasnt making a gift of Max to the nice, bigger than Godzilla, Zonta. Kasan had said he would be coming back for Max when hed dropped him off here, hadnt he? Max might not know a hell of a lot of this language yet, but he knew enough to figure out Kasan was trying to say, in essence, Im not giving you away as a plaything to Zonta. Hed understood enough to stop him from panicking. Max watched Zonta bend over, the bulge in the front of his loincloth hanging down low enough to be seen from between his legs. With a ragged choke, Max cupped his hands around his mouth and nose as his lungs seized and then began to rev up to hyperventilate and pass out mode again. He caught Zontas smile as the man looked back at him for a moment and he tried to smile back. When that proved impossible without moving his hands away, Max gave up nodded as he kept his hands in place so he didnt pass out. Okay, so maybe hed panicked a little, before Kasan had said anything. And maybe he was still panickinga little. He gulped the stale air inside his palms as he tried to calm down. A teeny, tiny bit of panic. Thats all. But the last time Kasan had left him with someone had been pretty damn bad. Who would blame him for some well-earned terror? That other bastard cat had chased him around like some mustachioed, melodrama bad guy after a pretty virgin, and that had been in the safety of Kasans room. Now Max was being left in someone elses room with another cat, and even if Zonta seemed very nice, he was also very God-awfulginormous. And what did Max know about this whole marriage thing, anyway? He was all set to be monogamous, but that didnt mean Kasan was. Had the big guy said anything about monogamy? No. So what if Kasan was already married, say, to Zonta?

Because that fucking hug hadnt seemed very platonic at all. But what if? What if Kasan was already married, and what if Zonta and he thought they were going to share Max? Max didnt fucking want to be shared, and the fact that Zontas first move was to park Max on his bed didnt help him feel safe one damn bit. Max had absolutely no interest in polygamy, and neither did his ass. He was absolutely positive that he had a religiously monogamous ass. And even his kindergarten teacher had pointed out that Max was terrible at sharing. Im going to run like hell if you come anywhere near me with anything even resembling a dildo, Zonta, Max said, trying to look stern as Zonta glanced his way again. The moment Zontas eyes hit his, the look disappeared and Max smiled weakly. He couldnt help himself. It was becoming an automatic response, like chanting nice doggy at a growling Rottweiler, just before you ran the hell away. And wasnt that pathetic? This was one of the cats he liked, and he couldnt relax with him. Not like he could with Kasan. Max bit his lip he wished his husband were with him. He shouldnt want Kasan around that badly; the man had sex on the brain every moment of the day. Except right now, Max might have beenokay with getting off. Hard. And he would be okay with Kasan taking care of the erection that had snuck up on him and was right now invading his loin cloth like a pushy relative that wouldnt leave. And why the hell did this always happen now? Why were thoughts of Kasan almost instantly followed by an erection now? Wait. Max ran every encounter through his head. Hed thought Kasan was sexy from the first moment hed seen him, even when hed been scared shitless. That couldnt be normal. It had to be something else. Had to be, and the only thing that was involved that that might affect it was That damn STD. Holy crap. Max wasnt some kind of sex addict with a fetish for hot asses and body builders, he was afflicted with an- an ass-craving STD! He watched Zonta dig through the towers of junk as he flushed and wished like hell hed never even heard of this planet. A disease that made him crave sex like a drug that had to be it, didnt it? And now- now Max might even want sex with anyone he was

noticing Zontas package, wasnt he? Max was diseased, and addicted to sex. Max wasoh dear God. Max was literally a freakin poxy whore. Max flumped back onto the bed, pressing a hand against his eyes to push against the headache starting behind them. This was insane - comic book worthy insane. He stared up at the ceiling and told himself it didnt matter. So what if he wanted sex all the time? So what if Kasan walking around with butt-floss and a smile got Max hard? That should be good, right? Because he could keep up with Kasan when the cat wanted to screw his brains out. Except, what if the disease was the reason Kasan wanted Max, as well? Max swallowed as the thought settled in the pit of his stomach, an unpleasant lump. Kasan might not really want Max at all. Max sat back up and punched down at the bed a few times. He tried not to growl to loudly. It didnt freaking matter. He did not care if Kasan wanted him because he thought Max was fuckable, or because the honkin cat had nympho-pox. It didnt matter. Right? Maxs dick didnt care why it liked Kasan, his ass didnt care why Kasan liked him, and the rest of Maxneeded to shut up. Max wanted to hit himself in the chest. Maybe then the ache that was building there would just go the hell away. And he felt the same way about his stupid, trigger-happy dick. It hadnt behaved all day long, especially with that stupid leash that wouldnt have looked out of place at a bondage club on Valentines Day. The ache in his chest faded as Maxs skin warmed. His cock thickened instantly, and he had to punch the bed again to keep from touching himself. What the hell was up with that collar? There hadnt been anything like that before, and then both Kasan and that Leero had shown up with them on today. Hed never seen anything so erotic in his life it was better than the damn mirror sex. His cock twitched and he hunched his shoulders. Okay, so it might take an orgy to beat the mirror sex, but the collar was stillstunning. A bright slash across Kasans throat, dripping red down his chest and bringing out the bulges of his pecs. It should have been gory, like a slashed throat, but Max had been terrified hed come if he thought too much about Kasan in that bondage gear. Especially when hed seen freaking Ko and the Crystal Dildo of Olympus sprang into mind. The erection had only faded when Max had figured out what the collar really meant: anyone could order you around if you wore a collar. Master and slave were universal

concepts, it turned out. Although Max didnt know why Kasan was on the slave end of this. Yeah, it had been nice for a few minutes to mess with Kasan and be on the master side for once. But that had ended as soon as Max watched one of the old women at his table order Leero to do something. And the big ass cat did it. His eyes had narrowed as hed caught Max watching, but Leero had obeyed. The implications still had Maxs ass puckered. The old cats werent the ones who were holding the leash, but Leero still had to do what they said. So what did that say about Max and Kasan? Could just anyone come up and order Kasan around? Could anyone make him leave Max all alone at the damn table? Could they order him to give Max to someone else? Max had stopped giving any orders at all the moment hed thought of that, and pressed as close to Kasan as he could. Hed hoped that if he were quiet enough, no one would remember he was there to make orders about in the first place. It should be better now, away from all those people. It should be better with just one cat. But it wasnt. It felt exactly like what Max had been afraid of: Kasan had left him alone. It was with Zonta, and Zonta was simply gathering up supplies, but Max missed Kasan. Right now, no matter what reason Kasan wanted Max, being without Kasan made Max feel naked in a room filled with barbed wire. If he held very still, he might be all right, but he wasnt going to relax until he either got some clothes or left the damn room. He wanted Kasan back, collar and all. Max? He looked up and jumped a foot as Zontas face peered at him from less than an arms length away. He scrambled back on the bed before he could stop himself, and then he wasnt sure he wanted to stop himself anyway. Not until Zontas ears flattened slightly and the man knelt on the floor next to him. Clothes intact, no erection in sight, and not invading Maxs no cat personal space, thank God. Max safe. No danger, Max. Here. Zonta held out a dark, plasticky tablet. Max swallowed, trying to control his breathing as he reached for it. Language. This had to be language. Hopefully. The alien was going out of his way to make himself seem nonthreatening, and that was completely different than when Kasan had left him alone before.

It was hopefully a step in the right monogamous direction. The screen was blank until Zonta reached up and pressed a few indentations on the side. And then it was like watching a movie. Zonta turned down the volume a bit a good thing, because Max couldnt understand much of what the thing was saying, anyway and tapped the screen. Well start with this, Max. History first, words second. You need to know where you fit in, I think. And this should take your mind off of whatevers got you worked up. Max smiled at him and felt proud how little he flinched when Zonta slowly rose to his feet and then settled himself on the bed. As long as the tablet wasnt going to follow Kasans pattern and imply that Max had to have sex with Zonta, too, then Max would be okay. Crap, he really wished he hadnt thought of that. Max took a deep breath and tried to focus on the screen. Just keep his attention on the screen and he could ignore Zonta. That was all he needed to do. It wasnt as hard as he thought it would be. Pictures of Kasan flashed on, lasting only a moment before flickering to another. After a few shots, with Kasan looking as freaking sexy as he always did, Max realized he was starting to look kinda cute as well. It was weird, almost like Wait, are these Kasans baby pictures? Kasan was getting younger and younger in the still shots, and Max had to admit, he was adorable as a kid. His ears looked too big for his head, just like a damn kitten. His hair was a short, silky black, and solemn, sad eyes stared at whoever was taking the picture. There were shots of him holding his fathers hands, shots of him with a smile on his face as a toddler and held in a womans arms, and then it started to go faster. The images flickered too fast for him to see, just hints of cats getting younger, the background changing, until Max finally figured out what Zonta was trying to do. He looked away before the images gave him a worse headache, putting his hand over the screen. Enough. I get it already. Youre showing me something in the past, right? Zonta pressed a button and stared at him. I understand, Max said again, and sighed in relief when Zonta finally smiled and fiddled with the damn thing again, taking away the seizure-inducing slide show. Obviously, epilepsy wasnt an issue for cats.

The screen ran a computer animation of more cats instead of the stills. The images reminded him of a costume drama all bright colors and elaborate setting. Then the screen stopped and words in odd characters flashed along the bottom of the screen in bright, bouncy letters. Okay, costume drama, or Kitten TV. Planet of the Cats, for Kids? Cat Planet, anime style? He really, really needed to get a grip, he realized, and made sure to grip the covers rather than anyone nearby. As it began to tell a story, Max forgot about Zonta sitting next to him. The video was fascinating, not to mention sad, frightening, and sometimes as confusing as a concert of alien frogs. And he could sum it up in three words: Max was screwed. Because while he couldnt understand some of the story, he got enough to realize that he was so far from Kansas that not even ruby slippers were ever going to get him back home. And in Maxs Oz, the only Toto with a tail and ears wanted to screw Max into oblivion. Although at least he knew a little bit about where he was right now. And hed always loved history. Not as much as languages, but enough that he could focus on the story and lose himself in it a little. He thought he probably would have guessed this was a history, or at least a fictional story, just by the differences that stood out. Like clothes all the cats in the story wore clothes that actually covered their asses, the lucky bastards. Every cat was also covered in a full-body coating of short, silky fur, and like Kasan, they all had tails. Not to mention that they had technology better technology than Earth, even - couldnt miss the flying cars all over the place. But with the extra body hair, Max couldnt escape the feeling of watching Neanderthal cats with higher tech. Weird, but the story had a simple beginning, thank God. Mahogany cats had a society. Tawny and ebony cats had a society. Neither society was terribly fond of the other and they had a smack-down, drag-out brawl in the form of a nasty world war. Sci-fi proponents of the humans are the most violent race in the galaxy theory were going to be sorely disappointed, if this was the history that he was assuming. Although he really wished they hadnt tried to recreate things so graphically. He hated horror movies in general, and seeing a war and realizing he was seeing a retelling of something that had actually happened was so awful he felt sick to his stomach. Especially when it was clear that part of the war had been biological. Neon purple clouds

drifting over a city had been followed by hundreds of cats dropping like flies in the streets. And then hospitals full of cats with silent, wasted bodies, or screaming and tearing at their mummified skin. It looked like even some of the animals were affected. Big felines the size of horses lay dead in the forests, little ones the size of rats scrabbled in death agonies on the floors of the hospitals as the cats screamed along with them. You poor fucking bastards. He heard a deep murmur and glanced over to Zonta to find the cats ears flat as his eyes focused on the screen. Turning back, Max tried to swallow the lump in his throat as the images kept coming. The damn scene just went on and on, like a bad movie that couldnt realize it had already made its point. When it finally ended, the view pulled back with a less depressing but somehow creepier global image. The deep purple color oozed across one continent after another until every landmass was completely covered. Max thought it was over when the shots of empty cities and countryside came on, until he noticed the small bands of ragged, starved little cats. City after deserted city, children crept through the wreckage in every one. But not one damn adult. What the-? It just killed the adults? He looked up at Zonta and tried to ask the question. No Big? He pointed to Zonta for lack of a word. Kyashin? Max nodded, looking back at the screen. It hurt to look. That was one thing that had landed him in trouble everywhere hed gone on earth the street kids. Made his whole chest ache like his lungs were full of sand. No, no big Kyashin, Max. The Kouloc killed everyone past puberty. Zonta looked at the screen and made a strange gesture with his hand, touching his chest and then his lips. It reminded Max of people making the sign of the cross when they mentioned someone whod passed away. Max swallowed and went back to watching. It had skipped ahead to show small communities of kids, the teens obviously taking care of the smaller ones, but it was clear that they were barely hanging on. And when the older teens started sickening, and dying, just like the adults before had, it was damn obvious that no Kyashin were getting big. They were dying as soon as they started looking like an adult. Puberty, maybe? Crap. Even Earth had never fucked up quite that badly. Close, sometimes. World War III had been a horror, from what hed read, but it had never taken out as much of the population as the cats war had. As he watched the screen, though, Max couldnt understand what came next. It made no sense. Not like hed finally lost his mind from too much sex, but against the laws of physics no-sense. Because huge space ships that made Maxs colony ship look like a

rusted out hulk landed on the planet, and the aliens coming out of them were all shapes and sizes, but some of them were most definitely Maxs shape and size. Some of them were human. What the hell! How can those be Humans, Max. We call your kind humans. That just wasnt possible. Humans didnt have ships that looked like that, and they sure as hell didnt know any aliens, let alone fly around space with them, landing on alien planets like some Lewis and Clark of the freaking stars. So how could humans have come here, to this planet, with other aliens? In this planets damn past, when no human except for Max had even screwed an alien yet, let alone met one?! Orthe other way around. Crap. Watching while his brain sputtered, Max saw people from the ships find pockets of little kids, giving them food, coaxing them out, treating them and then studying them in a lab. Looking for a cure? At least we get to be the good guys, Max muttered, rubbing a shaking hand over his face. Why did things keep getting more confusing, every freaking minute he was here? Life should not resemble a Twilight Zone episode! With slow, even not panicked, dammit! breathing, he watched the human/alien contingent trying to save the kids, and just as obviously failing. The little cats died just as horribly as ever when they grew up. He couldnt watch once the screen showed the humans fail. He had to close his eyes until the screams stopped. When he opened them back up, there were some of the animals that had been dying, now in the labs with the aliens and humans studying them. And in one wasThats Androcles! A little one rather than the incredible anti-shrinking dog that Max knew, but it was still the same kind of animal. Zonta patted his hand. Its a Shokan. He didnt want to watch as the dogs died as well it was too close to seeing Androcles die, and that stupid laughing hyena was one of the only two things on this whole damn planet that Max felt close to. S-so. He looked up at Zonta and tried not to hear the death throws of the poor animals. What does Kasan call his shokan?

Zonta shook his head, confused. Kasans Shokans name He couldnt think of the words. The sounds on the screen were too awful. Zonta smiled shook his head. Dont worry, Max. Kasan wont let a shokan near you, little one. Max safe. Max couldnt even get frustrated over the obvious miscommunication; he hadnt meant to sound scared of Androcles, as though he needed reassurance. But the horrible cries on the screen finally stopped and he dropped it. It wasnt worth the effort, at the moment. Hed ask Kasan later. They werent done with the animals, though. On the screen, the humans injected something into the dog, with a camera close up of the syringe. It reminded him of the way all the old medical dramas would enter the human body and show you the blood inside to show you the problem. And as the screen magnified the syringe, inside it wereholy shit, machines? Are those robots? Its teeny little robots, isnt it? Humans, with freaking nano-tech, which they didnt even have yet! What the hell was going on? Nanites, Max. Zonta paused the screen and pointed to one of the miniscule robots as he repeated it. And things just got more complicated after that. Dogs living, cats dying, more tests and more aliens and finally a picture of a couple dozen human men and women. It was a real picture, not a cartoon, and each person was paired with a cat. Seeing them together, Max realized the cats were all a hell of a lot shorter than hed thought. Nowhere near as big as they were now. The shortest was barely a head taller than the humans next to it. Each human was highlighted while the screen read off names, some of which he would have been comfortable hearing on Earth. Which put paid to any idea that these werent really humans. What were the odds that there would be another planet of human-like people with names like Pauline, Mick, Jaime, and Wait, did it just say Kasan? Zonta nodded and paused the screen to point to the smallest human in the group, a young Asian man standing in the front row. Kasan Yoon. Your mate was named after one of the Saviors, little one. Its good luck. Well holy shit. That was justweird. And it made him feel the oddest connection to Kasan. The connection felt a bit more like history repeating itself when he saw what the

humans and the Kyashin were doing together in the story. Each one was injected with what he assumed was the nanites, and then he knew they were getting it on. It was sobering to see the next picture, though. It was another photograph or whatever they had here and had only half the number of original volunteers, with their partners beside them. And then it showed a small funeral service for all the other humans, mostly woman, and the Kyashin theyd been partnered with. Max felt so incredibly stupid, but it made his throat close up. In that second picture, the people looked devastated at the loss even while they were smiling over the success. They were long dead, but the looks on their faces was too raw to ignore. He felt like a bastard, whining about Kasan and sex, when these people had gone through what he had, had died for it, all to save another species. Except he hadnt volunteered, he reminded himself, and they must have. That didnt make him feel a whole lot better. He couldnt separate the guilt from going through this and not being brave about it, and his bright new spark of panic as he realized he might have little, teeny nanites inside of him now too. It was too much. He glanced at Zonta, trying to avoid the screen again, and it only made it worse to catch the big cat sniffle as he watched the screen, clearing his throat to try and hide it from Max. Max reached out and patted him on the back lightly before trying to finish the story. He wished it would just damn well end so he could stop thinking about it. The next scene finally had something happy in it: hundreds of thousands of humans possibly millions arrived in their bad-ass-shouldnt-even-exist ships. All male and all getting hooked up with Kyashin men and women. And then the ships left and a butt load of humans stayed behind with cats that were holding onto their waists and arms. Zonta turned it off. He sat quietly as Max tried to figure it out. Humans had been here before. Humans had saved these guys. But Earth didnt make space ships like those on the screen, and they sure as hell didnt know any aliens. So what the hell was going on? Max swallowed, wracking his brain, and all he could come up with was the cryo-sleep. How long was I freaking asleep for? Just how long had it taken him to get to this planet? Did he even want to know, if Kasan didnt know where any humans were anymore? If hed been separated, or his tube had been broken and left in a garbage heap for years and years, or his tube had pulled a Buck Rogers and headed out to the middle of nowhere for freaking forever Were there any humans left anywhere?

Max felt the bed move as Zonta shifted. He looked over at him. If all those Kyashin had little half-human babies, then there were a lot of part-human descendants right here. Right? He studied Zonta as he tried to see it. Zontas skin could be human the coloring was right. He hadnt seen any cats who had blue or green or purple skin or anything it was all human colors. So no matter what, Max wasnt the very last human, justthe last human without cat ears and gigantism. He wished that were more comforting, because Zontas face made it harder to feel welcome in the bosom of semi-humanity; it was too thin and alien to be human. Scanning down his body, Max paused. Zontas ass was sure human. Max swallowed and dragged his eyes away as his mind thought of Kasan and what parts of him were human too. Then again, he thought most of Kasan might be too freaking sexy to qualify as really human. Zonta tapped his nose suddenly with a gentle little flick and interrupted his train of thought. Are you good, Max? Max shrugged uncomfortably. Yes. Good enough, anyway. It seemed to be the right answer. Zonta started pointing to various objects, naming then, and Max was thankful he could immerse himself in something that actually made sense for the first time that day. Something concrete was a welcome relief. And maybe he could finally learn something useful for keeping people away, like kiss my ass, you stupid cat. Or He thought of screaming More! as Kasan took him. Um.maybe hed just learn how to say blanket, instead. XXXXXXX Leero stood next to the Lord King and tried to stare into the wall rather than at the people around them. It was the only way he could avoid seeing the leash trailing down his chest and ending in Kyorus hand. The sight frayed the ends of his nerves every time he noticed it. Leero took a deep, silent breath; he had to deal with this, and he had to deal with it now. But dammit, hed thought that he was prepared for this. His finding out hed been

mistaken was like a hot poker up the ass. After Kasan had been imprisoned, making the decision to beat answers out of Shovaks little pet had been easy. Hed known this would follow it was the most commonly chosen punishment for that type of abuse of power. But the Lord King was so casual about ordering Leero around, while Leero had to stand or kneel nearby all day and and inhale that damn smell that was driving him slowly mad. If Leero had gone more than a few tics in the last day without an erection, he couldnt think of it. Swallowing heavily, Leero could feel the scent dragging his eyes over to look at Kyoru. They met the Lord Kings as the man glanced at him at him at the same moment, one side of his mouth quirking up. Leero stiffened and stared straight ahead again. When had the Lord King started smiling like that? Leero couldnt remember. He could remember Kasans father chuckling over his sons foibles, laughing outright when they got into some ridiculous scrape and dragged Leero along with them. But this knowing half-smile? That was new and, quite frankly, disturbing. It was one of the reasons that Jolans and the others teasing had Leero reacting like a barely ripened idiot with his first sight of a mate in heat. Every salacious joke had him envision Kyoru with a taunting, sexual smile on his face. And then Leero would flush fit to burn the citadel down around them. A man old enough to be in heat was too old to react this childishly. And the Lord King wasnt flirting, he reminded himself. Kyoru was exacting in his propriety. He was calm, as Leash Holder should be. Polite, firm, in control he acted no different than he ever did with his other subjects. No different at all, if it werent for that odd smile. Not that Leeros body cared. Kyoru was the only one in the room under the age of 120. His scent wasnt as strong as the twins, or anyone younger and ripe, but right now, it was enough to make Leero sweat. And after having slept next to him all night, Leero couldnt get him out of his head. His ears flattened. That damnable bed had shocked the hell out of him. Hed been prepared to spend the next month on a few cushions on the floor of Kyorus rooms, or a small cot somewhere. Instead the Lord King had made a disgusted sound his first night of Service and told him to stop acting like a martyr and get into bed. Kyoru did have a huge mattress fit for a king might be clich, but it was the only term that really fit a bed that could have taken up an entire room. And there was nothing sexual about it, of course. They had slept on it nearly a mans length apart. Or theyd tried. Leero hadnt had much luck finding any sleep at all while the nanites

raged through his body and fired his blood in preparation for taking a consort. Most especially when he was so close to one who smelled like berries that had been on the vine long enough to be rich and musky-sweet on the tongue. Leero swayed and startled as he realized hed nearly fallen asleep standing up. He was worse than a new recruit, acting like this. Hiding his heat, nearly falling asleep and neglecting his duties. He had to get control of himself. Kyorus scent hit him again and he bit back a groan. This was simply not going to work; the heat was more encompassing than hed understood. It was going to be too difficult to ignore. He needed to let the elders know about his heat. It would get him out of Service until hed dealt with it. He would simply find a consort that appealed to him and get through the next few years without incident. He didnt have to have as close a relationship as Kasans family, no matter how it clenched his gut unpleasantly to think about it. Hed take what he could find and be grateful that he was no longer stuck writhing silently on someone elses mattress while he wished desperately for some privacy to ejaculate in peace. And then he could ignore his imagination, which couldnt stop thinking of stroking himself in the dark and having Kyoru lean over, offering to help finish him off. When he was starting to think like that, it was time to admit defeat and cry mercy. Kyoru might still be in the prime of his life. He might still be more fit that was good for Leeros mental health, especially when he turned to talk to his oldest brother and flashed the side of his buttocks at the edge of Leeros vision, but he was Kasans father. He was the Lord King. He was not a cute piece of ass that Leero could take as a consort and fuck for the next few decades, and that was the only person Leero should be wasting his time with. If he could just get off the damn leash and start looking. He grunted softly, shifting and doing his best to ignore his erection. Staring straight ahead again was the only way he could pretend the people around him hadnt noticed it. At least they were all mature enough not to comment. He hadnt thought it would be so much of a problem. How the hell could he know that hed be spending all his service trapped in a room with smirking elders and their peers? He needed to get out and see some young blood, even if the elders berated him for not telling them the instant the heat had hit. It was pathetic. He hadnt even lasted a day before he gave in and avoided Service. Not that he was using his heat to do so, but he was sure Jolan and Tisu would accuse him of

it, in that obnoxious way of theirs. Too damn bad. He simply didnt care anymore. He had to find a consort. Lord King, he said softly, hoping the elders would continue their conversation and not pause to listen in. They were all involved in discussing what more should be done about the purists that Shovak had been associated with, now that there had been some communication with a few of the other clans. In a moment, Leero. He bit his tongue, waiting. He couldnt leave service until they released him. And he couldnt honestly claim that he had to be released this moment to take care of his heat. Leero continued to stare at the wall as he waited for Kyoru to finish his conversation. Before he had his chance, there was a brief scratching at the door and a tec came in. Her scent followed her, but it barely tightened Leeros groin. She probably already had a consort or a mate of her own. The Kotas head tec sent me their morning news packet, Elder Asha. Leero noticed the woman stared resolutely only at Elder Asha. He could appreciate that. Most people preferred to deal with her than her sister. With his training to oversee the military in case anything happened to Kasan, hed been around them enough to know how foolish that was. They were both terrifying in their own way, but in a pinch, hed prefer to piss off Nerin rather than Asha. Asha was usually milder, but when she was angry, she tended to get creative in ways that made you remember never to disappoint her again. Im assuming there was something worth seeing, then, if you bothered to bring it to our attention? The tec nodded, her ears moving with a nervous flutter. Theres been news of Prince Kasans new consort. It involves the Niandrin. Her ears flattened entirely and her lip curled up for a moment to expose one white fang as she spit the last word. Leero was only just able to control his own urge to do the same. Thank you for bringing it up so quickly. The Lord King held out his hand for the small square of data and handed it to Leero as the tec took her leave. Code it up for us. Well need to look at this ourselves. Kyorus voice slipped underneath Leeros loincloth to give his cock a pet. Dammit it to hell; he needed to get out of Service now and get some ass before he went utterly insane.

He kept himself from ripping the leash out of Kyorus hand with an effort as he waited for the man to release him. Hoping his erection wasnt as visible as he knew it was, Leero hooked up the hand comp to the main screen. He stepped back to Kyorus side as one of the major gossip news shows lit up the screen. A petite, silvery-blue commentator was in mid-speech, making an obscure joke in galactic standard. As he talked, the screen showed images of the greeting room with Max running through the crowd. The male alien made some irritating comments on the willingness of the Hintas newest royal consort, some speculation over whether or not Kasans status as a throwback might have something to do with Maxs behavior, and then Leeros ears perked up along with the rest of the room as the man continued. rumor has it that Prince Kasans consort is actually a human, although the Kyashin liaisons have yet to confirm or deny the rumors. But considering that this is the first successful alien mating with a Kyashin in centuries, the gossips may be on to something. The alien smiled hugely, his canines showing prominently against purpling lips. For those of you who dont recall, the Kyashin were the last race to benefit from the Infinitum Coalition before the group was eliminated by the Triad. The humans within that community were the last ones to mate with Kyashin, the lucky devils. And not only- Leero stared at the screen. How did they- Be quiet, Ro. We need to hear this. Leeros cheeks heated painfully at Kyorus tone, and the name. Hed been eight the last time someone had called him by that name. He kept his eyes on the screen and tried to act as though hed never said a word. is taken as further corroboration of human sales on Kiensa in the past two months. Leero could feel the tension in the room jump. As usual, Kiensas regent has been impossible to pin down, but our sources in various markets there say that the Niandrin were attempting to pass off some of their newest slave stock as genetically pure humans. After a number of failed attempts at convincing buyers that they werent falsifying the genetic results again - they pulled them off the market with the news that they would soon have proof to offer for their claims. Could Prince Kasans new mating be the confirmation they were waiting for? And if it is, what does this say about the Kyashin and their previously violent anti-slavery stance? What will this do to the usually united cat men when every detail has come to light? Well keep you posted on this, and, as always, on the sexy men and women of Kyashin The silence lasted just long enough for Kyoru to turn and face Leero. His half-smile was gone. Go fetch Kasan and his brothers leave Zonta with the little one. Come directly

back. Well need you here when Kasan hears the news. Leero merely nodded and headed for the door. The heat could wait another few minutes. XXXXXXXX Amber eyes watched coldly as a shadow emerged from behind the deeper black of a large tree. Slipping to the side, the shadow tightened to the shape of a large cat, checking a heavy blade strapped behind his back. His body was nearly invisible as it slipped from tree to tree. The eyes followed as silently as oil as the cat worked his way to the garden door set against the citadel wall. Pulling out a box that glinted in the moons light, the cat clicked his fingers over it, pushing it up against the doors lock after a few moments calibration. There was no sound as heavy paws crept up behind him. There was only the wind against the leaves of the trees as a large body crouched. And there was no time to scream before sharp teeth clamped down on the cats windpipe and dragged the still-struggling body back into the heavy brush and disappeared. Chapter 19 - Rescuing Humans Standing in the room with his family around him, Kasan could barely breathe as his mind processed the news from the screen. His brothers and their consorts were almost as upset as he was; at the edge of his awareness, he could see ears flicking downwards, hear their angry murmurs even while they tried to offer comfort. There was the brief touch of Aoshs hand brushing against Kasans shoulder, considerately avoiding the leash hanging over his chest. Rotos fingers rubbed at his ears. Even Ko and Jolan were patting his arms gently, but it wasnt enough to take the shock away. Did the Niandrin really have Maxs people? From the large, paternal hand petting the top of his head, it was clear his father believed they did. The elders must believe it as well or they wouldnt have put their punishment on hold to call him in. Kasan didnt want to believe it. It made Kasan and Max into a damned test case for the Niandrin, and one that might help sell the rest of Maxs people. Kasan thought he might vomit, knowing what the humans would end up as: whores, concubines, pets to be kept in a collectors zoo, or worse, specimens to be experimented on. At least they were too small and frail to make good competitors in blood sports. Hopefully, that meant they would live long enough to be rescued. And then Kasan would

like to see the slaving sons of bitches try to get them through the Guardian Satellites of Kyashin. Bastards like these were exactly why the grid of satellites had been installed in the first place. Now some of the Saviors technology that still remained would help protect some of the very species that had built it. If they could get to humans in time. Kasans growl grew as he stared blindly at the screen while his family huddled close and touched him soothingly until he got a sliver of control again. He wanted to believe it would take the Niandrin a long time to off-load their human cargo. Everyone knew that theyd successfully faked genetic tests in the past; it would hamper their attempts to claim that Maxs people were really humans. They would never get what the humans were worth. Or they never would have, if it werent for Max. Because everyone, especially the filth in the slave trade, also knew that Kyashin couldnt survive puberty without another Kyashin, or without a genetically pure human. They didnt know the details, but they knew enough to always try to capture Kyashin in pairs. So theyd used he and Max to get the best fucking price for Maxs family. Kasan shuddered, choking back the rage before he lost control. Stupid, damned gossipmongering idiots had helped them do it, too; his own mating would have been all over the social news hours after it happened. Max had people of his own, people he probably loved, and right now they were being sold as slaves. Kasan vibrated with growls so deep his collar shivered against his throat. He partially crushed the screen control in his hand before his father took it from him with a gentle touch. With a throat that felt raw from unuttered screams of rage, Kasan finally managed to speak. Were getting Maxs family back. Every last one of them. Jolan pinched his ear. Dont be stupid. Of course we are. Theyre part of our family. The elders and his father nodded sharply, not that Kasan needed the reassurance. Hed simply had to say the words. He needed to know that they were true. He needed Max. The screen was paused on an image of Maxs pale face, frozen in a moment of terror during their greeting. Kasans whole body ached, remembering the little ones fear, imagining what it could have been. What were the odds that the Niandrin had picked Max out of all the humans they had? It could have been anyone in Kasans cell with him that day, and Max would have been sold to someone else. The terror on his face, blown up to enormous size on the screen,

would have been just as real. But no one would have cared. Red clouded Kasans eyes. His beautiful, amazing, helpless little Max, with some lowlife, slave-buying bastard who wouldnt give a damn how frightened Max was. Kasans claws emerged entirely. His body shook with the need to attack the Niandrin and rip them apart so savagely he would feel blood spray across his face. I will fucking kill them. You will stay here and take care of your consort. Kyoru looked at him with eyes like sharp stones. Everyone else took a few steps back. And Shovak still needs to be dealt with. Ears flat, Kasan refused to look away. These were his consorts people. He wanted blood. They have the other humans! Kyoru looked at him without speaking. Even with the collar on, Kasans fingertips tingled as he flexed his claws. He didnt know what might have happened had Aosh not interrupted the unspoken challenge. His baby brother stepped between them. Ill go get them. Kasan, the Lord King, and everyone else stared at him until Aoshs ears wilted. Aunt Asha yanked at one of Aoshs braids. You so much as think about it and I will strip the fur from your ears. Aosh stood straight and met her glare, even as his ears flattened protectively. You know its feasible. Zonta and I are known to be brothers to Kasan and we dont have consorts. If we dont deny the slave purchase outside of Kyashin, then they might believe that wed want a human for ourselves. Aosh and I could get into the auctions. Besides, Zonta is fluent in practically every damn language he comes across, including the humans, if he can study it a little. We can- You can stay here where you wont be picked up and sold. Aunt Ashas biting voice was lethal and she yanked at his braid again so hard that he was forced to lean down until they were face to face. You think were going to let two barely ripened Kyashin offplanet? And identical twins, at that? She glowered at him scathingly. Youd be snapped up by a whore house in seconds. Even if they only had a year before you both died during your heat, theyd make enough profit to make it worth their while. The very harshness in her voice made Kasan stare at her hard before he looked away. His claws sank bank into their sheaths as he was reminded of an old rumor hed heard and discounted, that Asha had managed to sneak off planet when she was very young. According to the story, shed been found in a child brothel on Tiensa.

Aosh stood as the Elder released his hair. We wouldnt be alone! People expect guards and servants with royalty. We could have an entire ship of trained- Youre also needed here, Aunt Nerin said. Aosh turned to confront at her with a frustrated scowl. You have dozens who can do what I- Dont argue about this. Youre too young, the Lord King said. Kasan completely agreed. His youngest two brothers werent ready to leave the planet yet, even if Aoshs gesture helped Kasan keep his claws in. His father wasnt done talking. and youre definitely too fond of making people squirm to be let out on your own, yet. Aoshs jaw tightened. I am not a child. Zonta and I- We have diplomats, leaders, and warriors who would all make better choices, and thats only in our own family. If we ask for the aid from some of the others clans, there are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of people I would choose before Id let you and Zonta endanger yourselves that way. Kyoru paused before a small smile softened his features as he reached out and flicked the tip of Aoshs nose. Besides, I have a feeling youre almost as interested in finding a human for yourself as in a rescue attempt. Aosh didnt look amused. Kasan felt about the same, but for entirely different reasons. Father was going to ask for help from the other clans? I agree that Aosh and Zonta are too young. He touched his finger to Aoshs lips when his brother began to growl. Not that I dont appreciate the offer, Aosh, but you are. You dont even have a consort yet. But- Youve only had yours for a few days! Aoshs snapping reply stopped Kasans next words in his throat. He didnt care about jibe; it didnt matter that Kasans mating was so recent. It did matter that he had a consort now. He deserved a punch in the head, reacting like this, like someone still ripe. Kasan might ache for the Niandrins death with a stomach-gouging need, but painful as it was, it wasnt nearly as consuming as his need for Max. The little one was far more important. And if he followed through on what he wanted and went after the Niandrin himself, where would Max be? With Kasan, close enough that they could mate nightly as they needed to? Vulnerable to any group who wanted a human of their own? Kasan would never put the Max at risk like that. He couldnt leave the planet.

Kasan swallowed the words Aosh had halted, and thought before he spoke. It felt like the first time since hed watched the news that his mind had started working beyond the lust for Niandrin blood. Father, we cant waste too much time contacting the other clans. We need to get someone out there now. It would take over a week to get to Tiensa. Whether Kasan went or not, they didnt have time to spare for interviewing too many candidates for a rescue mission. Kasan thought he could ask for volunteers and have enough men from their own forces before the end of the next fifth. That was as much time as he wanted to spare. His father raised an eyebrow and Kasan added, No, it will not include myself. Ill keep Max safe. The acknowledgement of what was needed for his consorts health seemed to ameliorate some of the tension among the older members of the family, especially his father. Im glad you finally calmed enough to think of his safety. Kasans ears flattened. He knew a backhanded reprimand when he heard one. Aunt Nerin shifted close enough to touch his hand. I know youre worried, but impatience and an ill-planned attempt will help no one. Therell be no one to help if we take too long. Theyll all be sold. He couldnt believe the Niandrin wouldnt be prepared to put the humans on the market immediately. The elders had to be as aware of that as he was. If theyve been sold, then we will track them down, Kyoru said, his tone soft. He passed by Leero to stand closer to Kasan. We will not let your consorts people be harmed, if we can help it. But we will not dive into this and endanger our own men foolishly. We must check with our allies, find out if the humans are already for sale, and by then we will have enough people to make the journey. With luck, it will require nothing more than funds to pretend we wish to purchase them ourselves. The Elders snorted their contempt at the idea of dealing with the Niandrin, but they didnt speak against it. It is more likely we will need to help them escape from other owners. Kyoru hugged Kasan tightly, rubbing his chin over Kasans head. We will not forget them, Kasan. There are other problems this report causes, however. The other clans have already begun to ask questions. They want to know if we bought you a consort. Jolan snarled. As if any Kyashin would purchase a slave! Ko touched his arm and gestured to their father. Kasan saw the moment that Jolan recalled Shovak, who had dealt

with slavers, even if he hadnt actually bought Max. That is Damn. This could be bad. Kasan was very glad that he wasnt the one who dealt with diplomatic issues; Nolluz was going to have a firestorm on his hands. All Kasan had on his plate was a list of who to send, and his consort's feelings. What was Max going to think when he found out what was happening? Max is going to be devastated. His voice was muffled against his fathers arm. Kyoru slowly released him, stepping back before he spoke again. Will you tell him, then? I dont know. Would the little one feel the same guilt Kasan did, knowing their mating had paved the way for this atrocity? Maybe I should wait. Tisu spoke for the first time. At least wait until the rescue team is gone. You dont want him trying to get involved and get hurt. Little things like him are fragile. Roto flushed as Tisu wrapped his arm around him and the smaller Kyashin elbowed Tisu in the side. He added his opinion before poking Tisu again. You should trust Max. Tell him. Let Kasan make his own decisions about his consorts needs, Kyoru said. Kasan, dont worry about who to send. Leero knows as much as you do about our men. He can provide me with couples who are both capable of taking this on, or men and women beyond the heat who are willing to volunteer. Kyoru tugged Leero forward with the leash and Leero flinched noticeably. Kasan had never realized how bright green his eyes were when his cheeks flushed like that. Youll need to do this before next meal, Leero. Any other request for your services by someone other than myself may be ignored until the task is complete. Releasing the leash, Kyorus fingertips ran lightly down Leeros spine as he pushed him forward. Kasan thought he saw Leero jump before the man nodded stiffly and left. Kyoru turned as soon as the door closed behind him. Nolluz, youll need to let the other clans know about Shovaks involvement. They are already aware that his name has been struck. Kasan, reporters from multiple races have been sending requests for interviews about your new consort. We need to discuss what you will say. Youll need to- Stall them, Aunt Nerin croaked out. Kasan had no idea what she meant. So you dont want me to speak to them? Of course I do. Thats not what I meant. She tottered forward until she was staring down at him. Her hands teased at his leash. Lie, boy. Give an interview, look sickly, put

some gray on your face, say were not certain the mating is taking as we thought, perhaps because your consort isnt what was claimed. They hardly know a damn thing about mating; theyll believe it. Itll delay any sales the Niandrin try to make, if others believe their goods are tainted. Theyve done it too often. Stalling might get us enough time to get to Tiensa ourselves. Kasan nodded slowly. Nerin looked at his other brothers and their consorts. And the rest of you, go spend some time with each other. This needs something joyful to wash the taste of it from your mouths. Roto bit his lip, looking up at Tisu as they all hesitated. What about the inventory they were doing? Aunt Nerin waved her hand. Theyll still do it. Tomorrow. Go on now, before I change my mind. The others made it out the door before Kasan had even turned, Neera giving Nolluz a quick pat on the backside before she left him standing next to Kasan. His father spoke to him as Nolluz began talking to the elders. Well try to make this as quick as we can. Two or three of the more reputable reporters should do our job well enough. Kasan followed them over to the screen to prepare for the talks. He wanted this over with so he could hold Max again. Whether he told him about the Niandrin or not, he wanted the feel of the little one in his arms for the rest of the damned night. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Kasan hadnt realized how tense he was until the moment Zonta opened the door, and Kasan realized Max wasnt with him. Where is he? A brief touch was the only thing that stopped him from charging out of the room to find him. Hes simply out in the garden. My, you must really be getting a lot of teasing today if youre so disturbed by a few seconds without him. Zontas smile fell flat as Kasan failed to return it. Kasan hated to ruin his mood, but he needed to be told. Weve found out where Maxs humans are. Thats wonderful! Theyre being held as slaves by the Niandrin.

Zontas ears quivered. With a sympathetic murmur, he hugged Kasan around the shoulders. The leash was crushed between them. Im so sorry. Kasan reached up to gently push him away and found himself holding onto his brother instead. He couldnt let go until Zonta spoke against his hair. Ill get ready to help retrieve them. As opposite as they were in personality, in some ways, Aosh and Zonta were so alike it was eerie. No, you wont. Not according to father. Aosh already tried to volunteer the both of you and it was discarded. You cant do this, Zonta. ButI know more human right now than any of them! The offended surprise on Zontas face was about what Kasan would have expected. Aosh wouldnt have volunteered them both if he hadnt been sure Zonta would want to come. The two of them had probably discussed something like this as soon as they all started trying to find out about Maxs origins. It was very touching. Zonta, you havent even had your first heat and you have no experience off-world. Somehow, I dont think that makes you and Aosh the most qualified for a mission like this. Kasan tempered his words when his brothers ears wilted. But I appreciate more than I can say that the both of you are so willing to offer. Zonta shrugged awkwardly. His mouth and shoulders were tight. I hate not being able to help, he murmured, looking out towards the door leading to the garden. I know. But considering that youve been teaching my consort how to speak Hinta all afternoon, I cant imagine why you dont believe youve been doing just that. It doesnt seem enough. Trust me, it is one of the most important things you could be doing, as far as Im concerned. Anything that helped Max acclimate and took the fright from his eyes was vital. Until the little one felt safe, Kasan didnt think he could give Max information that would upset him even more. Kasan scanned the area as Zonta led the way into the fading light of the garden. Sundown should be soon, but it was always dimmer inside the enclosed gardens. He looked around, not seeing Max immediately, but as the insects and birds quieted at their presence, Kasans ears caught the barest hint of human muttering farther back in the recesses of the garden. A tight knot inside his belly eased into a mere tangle at the evidence of Maxs well being.

He could already imagine his consorts unfocused stare as the little one talked to himself. Walking towards the sound, Kasan thought he recognized Dont touch that. My touch now. being repeated over and over in Maxs smooth voice. Kasans ears fluttered as he chuckled under his breath. Funny little thing. Thinking of how much he was looking forward to finding out what went on in Maxs head kept the smile on his face. Every step closer to him smoothed out the tension in Kasans shoulders. If he could touch Max, he could believe they had a chance to retrieve the other humans. As long as he had Max, he had the feeling he was capable of almost anything, these days. Zonta stepped around a large bush on the winding path and Kasan followed him impatiently. It was difficult not to push Zonta aside and hurry past him. He could still hear Max, but the foliage was so pungent Kasan could only catch a hint of Maxs scent. Unpleasant. Hed never understand why Zonta and Aosh let the caretakers take over the planting of their garden and put in crap like this. Thorn-ridden, head-high shrubs that needed little care who wanted an entire garden of this? It masked peoples smell, it constantly stung the skin, and unlike Kasans garden, there was nothing he could climb and leap off of to speed things along. Cursing at another set of scratches as he brushed too close to a high shrub, Kasan wished he were already back in his own garden with Max. Hed love to take the little one up into one of the bowers hed built in a few of the largest trees. They needed somewhere they could both forget about the rest of the world for a while. The vision was enticing: Max flushed and moaning softly underneath him, surrounded by velvety petals and shining leaves. Perhaps they could even manage it today, even though Kasan could feel the smallest prickle of the heat in his fingertips. It would still be at least a couple hours until he was in dire need. He shoved aside an overgrown bush from the path. Zonta, has Max eaten anything for Lastmeal, yet? It was a bit early, but Zonta tended to have meals in his room at least a few times a week, especially when he got caught up in his studies. Zonta turned his head, smiling. Youre in luck. I thought you might be in a rush when you were done with the inventory, so I had food brought in. I wasnt expecting you so early, but as it standsas soon as you two wish, you could have some time alone. Zontas flush ruined whatever teasing he might have intended. Opening his mouth to reply, Kasan stopped as he realized he couldnt hear Max any more. He waited a moment for the little one to speak again; a stray breeze eddied around them, rustling the leaves. Max still wasnt making a sound. Kasans hackles rose at the relative silence. Stupid, to feel a moments quiet meant anything. Max didnt have to talk constantly to be well. But Kasans tail began to twitch, and his ears strained to hear Max speaking yet again. Kasan? Are you-

Max screamed, high-pitched and terrified, and Kasans stomach dropped to his toes. He plunged into the brush, a small limb of thorns slapping viciously at his stomach. Maxs scream echoed in his head so loudly he wasnt certain if he was hearing it again or if his mind was playing tricks on him. Max had to be all right there was nothing here! So why did Kasans entire body crawl with superstitious dread that he was about to find Max bloody and gone. Because of the Niandrin? Because of the scream? Dammit, Max screamed all the time! But not like this. Kasan leapt over another bush as high as his head, tripping as it caught at his feet. An alarm from the top of the walls screeched and Kasan stopped thinking entirely. He sprinted towards Max, whose screaming kept Kasan focused if the little one could scream, he was still alive. Kasan clawed through the brush in front of him, unwilling to weave around it. Blinded by the leaves in his face, he nearly knocked Max over when his consort sprinted around the next brush. Maxs blue eyes were so huge in his face that they looked warped. Kasan caught him, cutting off his scream as they both grunted from the impact. Stumbling back and nearly falling into another bush, Kasan put Max beside him and stepped in front. He couldnt hear anything following behind. Maxs terrified panting was too loud in the air, even with the birds scared off by the alarm. Whats wrong, Max? He didnt take his eyes off the brush in front of them as he spoke. Max pulled at his arm, back towards the door to Zontas room. Its the freaking pink blobs again! Come on! Max, I cant understand you. Shit! Uh, uhbig, sharp animal! Chase Max! Kasan, run! Kasan tried to figure out what the hell was in the garden with them, pushing Max a littler farther behind him as he scanned the trees quickly in case one of the larger raptors had gotten in. The guards had seen something, if they set off the alarm. Max reached from behind Kasan and tried to yank at his leash. Kasan! Run! Kasan barely heard him as an animal screamed in agony near the rear of the garden, so high pitched it made Kasans head ache. Zontas tosa the only sounds they ever made were so high they were almost inaudible. And very few things attacked a tosa. Of the animals that did, only one could climb well enough to get into the walled garden.

Kasan turned, picked Max up in his arms, and sprinted back towards the door. Zonta! Get back inside! Max held onto the leash and collar as Kasan ran, nearly choking him until the little one let go and finally hunched himself into a small ball. Kasan leapt through the bushes again, curling around Max to keep the thorns from him. He would swear he could feel something gaining on him, breathing against the back of his neck. Not that hed hear a damn thing if there were - hed feel the claws before he heard a damned thing. And then theyd tear into Max. He ran faster. Bursting through the last shrub, seeing Zonta sprinting ahead of him, Kasan pushed himself so hard that he stumbled headlong into Zontas room, flipping over onto his back at the last moment as he hit the ground. Max and he went skidding along the floor and Zonta stared at him as he flew past. Close the damn door! Close it! Zontas hand snapped the lock and Kasan didnt start breathing again until the door slid completely shut. He couldnt talk in more than repeated curse words. His legs trembled in reaction. God. Max. I almost lost Max. Kasan held him tight to his chest, ignoring when his consort squirmed to get free. I swear to God, Im never letting him out there alone again. Shit. Zonta swallowed and stared at them both. What happened? Shokan. I heard your tosa die in the garden behind Max. It must have distracted the damn thing so it didnt go after Max. God Kasan stared down at Max as the man started to shake. Shhhh, youre safe n-now. He couldnt keep his voice steady. Panting, he tried to calm Max for another tic when he realized the shivering was his own arms, shaking as they held his consort. He put Max down on his lap so he wasnt jolting him so much, but he couldnt make himself let go. I cant believe I could have just lost him. Zonta came over and knelt down on the floor next to him, patting Max, who looked more terrified now than he had before when hed been running. Kasan? Animal outside? No danger here? The little ones voice shook. Kasan stared at him before he nodded. Absolutely right. Nothing was getting in here at

Max. Kasanhurt. Kasan felt a small sting on his arm. Looking down at Max touching his bicep, Kasan saw thin rivulets of blood beading up and running down. The pain started as he looked at it, stinging stripes that covered his arms, legs, and chest, one hot line down the side of his face, and his entire back burned from where hed skidded across the floor. Kasan hurt big. Maxs hands hovered over the small wounds covering Kasans skin. No, Max, not big. Theyre small. Youre the one who Kasan swallowed and hugged him tighter. Max almost eaten. A tremor rattled Kasans entire body. It wasnt the loss of his own life that bothered him, if he lost his consort. It was losing Max. Max in pain and torn to pieces, poisoned from a shokans claws, paralyzed as the pack carried him away and ate him the moment he died. First the Niandrin, and now a shokan in the gardens. He wasnt letting Max out on his own for a long damn time. Like the next five years. They were still on the floor, Zonta gathering a few bandaging supplies, when the guards burst through the door. There was a shokan sighted on top of Zontas wall- We know. Kasan got to his feet, taking Max with him. We got inside safely, but it got his tosa. He headed to the bed. There would be more guards coming, and hed feel safer if Max wasnt going to get stepped on by the crowd. The younger of Zontas guards gasped as he saw Kasans back. Your wounds! Did- Its from hitting the floor. I dont need an antidote. He made a note to keep that one out of the garden. If the man didnt know enough to realize Kasan would already be paralyzed if hed been clawed, he shouldnt be getting anywhere near a shokan. Have they surrounded the garden yet? he asked over his shoulder. The older guard shook his head. Not when they contacted us, but they had more men coming. If its not secured by now, it soon will be. Kasan put Max on the bed, smoothing his hair from his eyes. Zonta joined them with an antiseptic that smelled like tea flowers. I need to treat these. Kasan shook his head as he stood. Im fine for now. You can help me with them once I come back in. Right now, the others will need me to help in the garden when they locate the pack.

Snagging the now-ragged ends of the leash, Max surprised them both. Kasan, sit. Kasan paused. Zonta smiled sharply. Forgot you were still in Service? It was tempting to ignore it and take whatever punishment came his way, but Kasan couldnt make himself do it. He flushed, sitting down next to Max, and let Zonta start cleaning the small cuts. He could hear the guards chuckling, wondering how much his consort ordered him around when they were in private. Or in bed. A quick glance at Max made it clear the little one wasnt listening to them at all. He was watching Zontas hands as they smoothed the cream over Kasans skin. He was oddly focused on it, and after a few more strokes along one of Kasans arms, Max held out his hand. I do it. Do what? Zonta continued rubbing in the cream, leaving behind a pleasant coolness. Max gestured towards the bottle. Make hurt better. I do it. Kasan would swear he heard him mutter, Kasan mine. The guards chuckled louder as Max took the medicine and tried to use it himself. He ended up with a goopy mess that dripped off his hand as he spread it over Kasans other arm. Kasan shivered violently. The cream was cold enough when it was only a thin film. A full slathering of it was icy. Max, not so much, little one. Its cold. Maybe he can warm you up, then. The older guard smiled at them both. Max froze, glancing at him and flushing before he poured out a much less generous portion. His fingers shook. Kasan watched Maxs eyes, alien and round, framed by those feathery, dark lashes. The little one was worrying his bottom lip, his white teeth forming a sharp indentation in the plump flesh. Kneeling to reach Kasans body, Max seemed completely focused. He ran his hands over each small scratch, lingering over the marks. Starting at his stomach, Max spread the slippery lotion over his body, working his way up an inch at a time. Kasan couldnt stop his reaction. He was certain everyone noticed, too, except for his oblivious little consort. The guards had quieted, clearing their throats and watching so closely Kasan felt like he was in the middle of a peep show rather than receiving first aid. He cleared his own throat. Max, I think thats enough. You dont need to do any more. Not until they were in private. Then he could rub lotion, oils, and himself all over Kasan.

Max poured out another dollop of antiseptic. No. Kasan help Max. Kasan hurt. I help Kasan. Starting on another scratch, both of their breaths hitched as he followed it over Kasans nipple. Maxs fingers stopped over the dark beige erotic point the moment it hardened. He flicked it once. As it hardened further, he massaged it curiously, rubbing small circles with his finger until Kasan groaned deeply. Max jumped, stared up at his face, and yanked his hand away as he flushed violently. I- I- Max dropped the bottle of medicine and it clanked loudly as it missed the bed and landed on the floor. They stared at each other and Maxs eyes went to the scratch that was now throbbing along his cheek. He swallowed heavily. I help Kasan, he said softly, getting up higher on his knees. The little one lifted up his lotion-covered hand, still flushing like mad. Small fingers slid gently across Kasans skin, skimming over his cheek and up past his eye. Kasan didnt think Max realized how close he was until they were both breathing into each others warmth. His consorts hand didnt move, heating Kasans skin, until Kasan couldnt help himself and touched his lips to Maxs. His consort tasted of his last meal, sharply sweet with a little heat. Kasan let his tongue enter Max leisurely, savoring his taste, memorizing the velvety feel of his mouth. He couldnt bring himself to smile as he pulled away. He felt too raw, thinking that he might have missed this. One moment too late, and Max would have been gone. Thank you, Max. Maxs tongue darted out to lick his lips. His nod was shaky as he sat back down on the bed and clasped his hands together over his groin. I h-help Kasan. Yes, you did, Gisho. Are you sure you want to help with the pack, Prince Kasan? Kasan glanced over at the guard who was smirking fondly at him. The older ones tended to do that, unfortunately. Your consort looks as though hed rather have some time alone with you. Id say he could really use yourServices. Zonta coughed as he started to laugh. Kasan thought the guards might have teased him more but the summoning box rang and interrupted. They werent laughing when they came back from getting the message. Theyve secured the garden, but they cant see a pack from up on the walls. Kasan cursed. Zontas garden didnt have enough coverage to hide an entire pack. Either they were dealing with one animal, a rogue or one separated from its pack, or the pack had escaped before they secured the perimeter. Or it was one animal and it had escaped. The work involved in searching the entire

citadel if that happened would be immense, and risky. It was dangerous enough trying to clear shokan from an outlying farm, when they could use modern weapons. Having to keep to the more traditional weapons if they didnt want to set off the citadels defenses made things potentially deadly. He revered the Saviors as much as anyone, but he would never stop wishing that plans for this citadel had survived the centuries so some of the defenses could be disarmed in a situation like this, at least temporarily. Kasan knew the Yanta were able to do that; they ribbed the Hinta all the time for losing their own schematics. As more guards finally started trickling in, including a couple with a few throwback traits like himself, he tossed aside the regret and they started discussing the best way to search Zontas garden. They wouldnt worry about an escaped shokan unless they came up empty-handed. The planning didnt take long; most of them had dealt with the animals before, on the battlefield or the outskirts of a town, if not in a situation like this. All Kasan needed before they started was a weapon. Zonta stopped him as Kasan headed through the open door to Aoshs room to find a spear he didnt have time to excavate Zontas for something useful. Kasan, are you certain you wish to do this? We have enough guards. But not enough throwbacks to give us an edge. Zonta let go with a soft sigh and nodded slowly. He knew as well as Kasan that against shokan, they needed whatever edge they could get. The deadly predators were nearly silent, had almost the same scent as a Kyashin, and were faster than lightening. Not to mention they outweighed even a giant like Tisu. When Kasan came back with a spear and a small collection of knives that he tucked into the sides of his loincloth, he paused by Max. He leaned down and hugged him quickly, smearing him with antiseptic as he kissed him hard. Stay with Zonta, Max. Ill be back soon. Kasan joined the group guarding the door as they slid it open, and when nothing attempted to charge inside, they slid out the door as rapidly as possible. With the door was secured behind them, Kasan said a small thank you for Maxs safety, and then he and the others fanned out and got ready to hunt shokan. Chapter 20 - Hunting for Blobs and Dogs The dusty rustle of disturbed sand from a stray Kyashin foot rattled Kasans nerves. He was already too tense, what with the shadows now crouching over possible tracks, the sharp scents blinding his nose, and the nervous ears of his party flickering wildly in the corners of his eyes.

Young Rui jumped as leaves fluttered around them. His dart gun jabbed up defensively. Kasan would have sighed if the noise wouldnt have been audible. At least Rui reacted appropriately to a possible threat, although Kasan would have felt better if the guard could calm his ears. Kasan wasnt even sure what was bothering Rui. The man was the youngest guard allowed on the hunt tonight, but he was supposed to be experienced at this; he shouldnt be so tense. Living in the outlying villages, he would have been a part of their yearly efforts to relocate encroaching packs since before he was ripe. He might have been more used to modern weapons, living outside the citadel, but hed handled his blowgun competently enough in training. So when his ears waved like moth wings on his head, it was impossible to write it off as youthful nerves. Kasans own ears ached with the need to swivel just as wildly; it made every step through the garden a test of will. He managed. After a minor eternity, theyd covered a quarter of the garden without finding any sign of a pack. Another nerve-wracking eon and Kasans small party had made it halfway with just as little to show for it. They were coming up on the spot where Max had first started screaming, however. And none of the other groups had called out a sighting, yet. Everyones eyes and ears quivered from moving constantly, the tension rising with the certainty that there would be a confrontation soon. Rui was the one who discovered the tosa. Flipped over and already deflating, its fuchsia body had been gutted for the small organ inside. A clean slice marred the glistening surface, the only evidence that something had attacked the harmless herbivore. Kasan tried to scan the ground for tracks while keeping his eyes on the brush surrounding them: forgetting to keep an eye off the ground was a mistake he might not live to regret. This isnt right. Rui hunched his shoulders as his mumble drew everyones attention. What do you mean? Kasan returned to scanning the brush and the trail as he waited for an answer. He couldnt let down his guard until theyd found shokan. Even his speech was whispered so quietly he could hardly feel the breath leave his mouth. Rui softened his voice before he answered. Its whole. Kasan felt as unenlightened as the others looked. Unlike Rui, he hadnt lived near the animals. He hadnt studied them more than he needed to hunt and tranq them. And whole means...? Well That is A pack leaves tosa alone unless its the birthing season. But they always tear it apart. You never see one left like this if a packs gotten to it. They were silent for a moment. Kasan quickly appraised the tracks on the ground,

searching for variety. He couldnt use the path of the tracks to help him: shokan were known for going over their own tracks dozens of times, to hide their numbers and make them more difficult to track. More than once, Kasan had wondered if the animals had always been so cunning, or if the nanites from the saviors had added something more than the ability to survive the Kouloc. After hed looked over all the tracks in the vicinity, he could only come to one conclusion: it was one animal. The tracks were the same depth, same size not fully grown - and if he was seeing it clearly in the growing dark, there was a ragged claw on one of the back feet. Just one shokan but it was a young one. Davi and the others with him must have reached the same conclusion as he; one of them cursed softly. A rogue? Ruis question hovered reluctantly in the air. No one answered. It might have been a pack member that had been separated, but with the half-sized track, it was much more likely that it was searching for a mate. Shokan always left their packs at the first signs of puberty, visiting other packs and choosing a mate just after they achieved full growth. But a rogue was always unpredictable, and usually vicious. If a rogue had escaped the garden, the next day or so were going to get ugly. The efforts needed to find a single animal hiding in an entire city Hed rather inventory every storehouse in the citadel, first. Moving past the dead animal, Kasans ears flickered nearly twice as fact as the others, trying to catch a sound that wasnt the other cats combing the foliage to either side of them. His eyes brushed over the ground, noticing faint tracks leading onward, and he hoped they veered to the side soon. But by the time they all reached the far wall, the tracks stopped. There was nothing to be found by any of the teams whod been searching. Whatever had killed the tosa had escaped the garden. One guard signaled to the guards on the wall the best he could in the dim light, while another ran back ahead of them to get to the summoning box and give them more detailed information. Theyd need to clear all the gardens and the citadel walkways: everything would need searching now. The rest of them headed back to Zontas room with flattened ears, walking heavily. Kasan spoke with one of the older guards and arranged for his own garden to be searched immediately. Kasan had time to help with one more place before his heat hit; he was making sure Max had a safe place to go. And he was making sure that a throwbacks senses would ensure that it was absolutely safe. His garden was a nightmare of hiding places for a partially grown shokan. They were going to need spotlights to search the tops of his trees while the men searched

below. He might have to climb some of the trees to make sure nothing was missed. Because the thought of making a mistake over this terrified him. A shokan, jumping down from the trees to take Max? Kasan shuddered. The man beside him cleared his throat and Kasan realized hed stopped in the middle of a sentence. Sorry. Ah, youll arrange for the next group to meet me in my rooms? Of course, Prince Kasan. Ill get a few more to help search your garden. Its a bit Large. Yes, I know. Hed never regretted it, before now. Kasan heard the young Rui speaking to someone behind him. Ive never seen a shokan come this far into the citadel before. Always a first time. Ah, that was Davi. Hopefully the last, Kasan whispered to no one. He didnt want to think of Max in danger like this; hed had no time to teach his consort about their world yet! Max didnt know what the alarm had been for, or even what to avoid or where to go for help. If Kasan hadnt been there, even if Max had been given warning, he would have been killed. Kasan couldnt think that there was a lot he could have done differently, but he was shaking in his chest, realizing how dangerous it really was for his consort to do something as simple as visit the garden. Hed have to ensure someone was with him at all times, now, until the little one learned more. They opened the door and found Zonta teaching Max again. The little one didnt look like he was listening; he jumped up before the first guards foot was inside the room. The way Maxs body loosened when he saw Kasan was obvious, even without the relieved smile that followed. Kasan smiled back as he made his way over. I want to take him back to the room, Zonta. Of course. Zonta urged Max off the bed. Kasan found it difficult to move, absorbing Max with his eyes to reassure himself that his consort was still whole and undamaged. The other guards left them alone and Max was standing in front of him before he could overcome his paralysis. All Kasan managed was dropping to his knees in front of his consort. Closing his eyes, Kasan clung to Maxs waist, breathing in the scent of him as Max stood

stiffly in his arms. A tentative hand stroked his ear after a moment and Kasan halfchuckled against Maxs stomach. I cant believe hes all right. Zonta heard his words despite their being muffled by Maxs body. But he is. Kasan released Max, still kneeling by him, and looked into his eyes. They were so round; he looked like a perpetually surprised, open-faced child. The look was still too new not endear itself to him. Lets go back to our room, Max, he said softly, swallowing, and he held up the end of the leash to Maxs hand. Max took it with a tight grip, glancing at Zonta as though his brother might steal it before he had a chance to hang on. He started to flush as Kasan stayed on his knees. Kasan couldnt take his eyes off of him. His consort was soperfect. Neither of them spoke, Maxs cheeks growing redder until Kasan finally hugged him one last time, kissing his belly softly as he wrapped his arms around him as gently as cupping a seed fluff in his hands. K-Kasan? Its nothing, little one. Imhappy youre all right. Zonta tried to fill the silence as Kasan kissed Maxs chest and stood. Ill think of some new words to- The door slapped to the side, and Aosh stormed in. He passed by Kasan and Max, his eyes giving them the briefest of once-overs before he went to Zonta. Are you all right?! Zonta instantly switched gears. He smiled at his brother and waved his hand dismissively. Im fine. The guards said there was a shokan- We didnt even see it. You were outside? Kasan could see Aoshs ears flatten and he tried to loom over Zonta it didnt work very well when they were the same size. What were you thinking? You could have been killed! You have to use your brain for more than books, Zonta! What if- Aosh, Im fine. Zonta reached out and touched Aoshs lips with the tip of his finger and Aosh stopped. Its not as though we went looking for trouble; Im perfectly aware that hunting is not one of my skills. We happened to be outside when the alarm sounded.

Aosh barely paused. If there are shokan coming into the citadel now, you need a guard before you go outside. You cant- Kasan turned to go, guiding Max as the man glanced back and forth between the twins. This was likely to take a while. Aosh never dealt well with thoughts of Zonta in serious danger; hed likely have to vent for an hour or so. Zontas placating voice followed them out the door. Aosh, dont work yourself into a panic. Im uninjured. Besides- The door closed behind him and Kasan could almost forget the leash in Maxs hand as he shared a look with the guards at the door. Aosh playing the worry-bird? The blond guard smiled down at Max as he spoke. Hes trying to persuade Zonta to have a personal bodyguard. At all times. The two men by the door shook their heads, smiling. Dont know why the boy even tries. Between the both of them, theyve gotten into more trouble than the rest of you. Kasan nodded and gently pushed at Maxs back so they could leave. It wasnt usually the way Service was done, but Max wouldnt know how to get back to their rooms, otherwise. This way, Max. Max held on to the leash and followed along, almost like an erotic pull toy, until Kasan took his other hand in his own and walked down hand in hand. Maxs face flushed again, but he didnt draw his hand away. He seemed to need the comfort; hed startle and clutch it tighter, his knuckles turning white, whenever someone said hello as they passed. A tec nodded as he crossed the hallway, and the pressure over Maxs family returned full force. Max jumped again as another tec turned the corner and nearly bumped into them; it made the decision easy. With so much happening, and all of it upsetting to Max, he didnt need to know about one more thing that was only going to upset him. Not when neither of them could do much about it. The little thing was too emotional to put one more burden on his shoulders. When they knew more, or had the other humans in hand, then Kasan would tell Max about what was happening to them. Hed do everything he could to keep Max happy until then, just in case there was bad news. A large contingent of men and women were already in Kasans room by the time they arrived. They stared at the cuts covering Kasans body, and a few of the younger ones glanced at Maxs nails as though trying to compare the size of the cuts with them. Always the newly mated ones who put a sexual context to everything. Of which he was one of, he admitted.

As the grip on his hand grew nearly painful, Kasan rubbed a hand over Maxs head, ignoring how everyone watched the two of them. Theres nothing here, little one. Youre safe. Maxs hand relaxed, and he let go of the leash entirely. He still grumbled. Say garden safe, too. Kasans tail snapped to the side at the reminder. He had to protect his consort better than he had been. It was shameful that luck was the only thing that had kept Max alive. And Max needed a lot more than luck to protect him, Kasan admitted, watching the little one trip on his own feet. Max didnt seem extremely capable at times like this. Maybe it was the situation he was in that showed his clumsy side, but Kasan wasnt certain that was the case. Max needed a lot of care to keep him safe. And happy. Once they were done clearing his garden, Kasan thought they should have time to further their connection. It would be close to the heat again, but this time, he was hoping they could talk. What about, he didnt know, but tonight had reminded him: every day was a gift. He was going to use as many of those gifts as they both had left to them, and he was going to do his damnedest to make sure he spent them all with Max. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Max was trying to relax on Kasans bed, but the more time that went by without Kasan returning, the less success he had. He mumbled under his breath. Wait on the bed, Max. Yeah, like thats going to help anything? Like it was easy letting himself get vulnerable on the silken altar of sex, anyway. And now? How could anyone freaking relax when Kasan and an angry horde of cats were hunting for pink jellies of doom? Especially when no one would listen to him. Max had tried to tell them that Androcles had already killed one, and everyone had verbally patted his head and assured him he was safe and that theyd take care of it all. Jerks. He knew he was safe! He didnt need super cats telling him that all the time! Well. Kinda. It was nice that Kasan seemed to care enough to reassure him now that Max could understand what the hell he was saying. But hed already seen Kasan kicking ass on his behalf; he expected it at this point. When that damned pink blob in Zontas garden had come after him again, he knew that his first thought had been to run for Kasan. But right now, when Kasan was out there facing those things, Max was starting to worry. The horrid things had almost eaten Max twice now. It had to be some kind of spiky,

blobby infestation, the way everyone had reacted. And now Kasan was out there with them and their spiky-blobbiness. What if he got hurt? Maxs body tightened up again and he go to his feet, pacing. It was so easy to think of Kasan as some unbreakable superhero sex fiend, but even he had run from the blob when Max had told him what it was. Max jerked to a halt, his hands fisting. Hed never seen Kasan look afraid before. Hed never so much as thought about the big honkin juggernaut having something that scared him as badly as the cats freaked Max out. Not that he was stupid everybody was afraid of something, right? but to actually see it He hadnt realized how much he was already relying on Kasan to kick everythings ass and keep it away from Max. The other cats, yeah, but alien monsters? God, he was a selfish, self-centered dork. What, was he expecting the cat to take care of him like a freaking little kid or something? Or a concubine. Haremboy? His cock thickened a little. No! This wasntit wasnt fair! He hadnt asked for this. He hadnt asked to come here, to be screwed up the ass, to be married, none of it! He hadnt asked for some stunning, god-like man to touch him for a half-second and turn his brain to goo like this. To go out and face pink blobs for him. Max cursed and punched the wall, then cursed again and popped his screaming knuckles into his mouth. Darn it, what was he supposed to do, charge out and kill the evil jello, too? He flushed and looked to the door again. What was taking them so damn long? They should be done by now, shouldnt they? Unless something had gone wrong? What the hell could those neon lumps do that scared the cats so much? Could they throw those nasty spikes? Some kind of projectile freakozoid? Absorb people like an alien amoeba? Shit, what if they had, like, acid for blood or something? Hed seen that freaking movie; he didnt need to live it! Max gnawed on his lip. Whatever freako powers the blobs had, if they were enough to scare Kasan, it could mean that Kasan could bekilled. A chill spiked down his spine and his ass clenched so tightly it made his shoulders jump. He reached for the door and then punched it with his closed fist instead. Hed be no help at all. He didnt know how to kill those damn things, and he didnt even have a damned weapon to do it with, anyway! Kasan and the others all had spears and dart guns and one even had what looked like a crossbow. But Maxs knowledge of martial arts had never involved fighting blobs. So

what was he going to do, yell the thing to death? Unless he had some banshee blood, that wasnt gonna do a lot of freakin good. And besides, what if he went out and Kasan heard him, what if it screwed everything up? Max turned and stomped away from the door, chewing his lip so hard he thought he tasted blood. Kasan might be hurt if he tried to rescue Max and got caught by something. And Max was kind of shocked to realize that he knew Kasan would do it, too. Hed been so terrified for so long, but right now, he couldnt imagine Kasan abandoning him. Not to something that would kill him. The sex issues were still up in the air sexy and scary and too much to deal with right now - but Kasan would never let him get hurt. Max believed that utterly. And it scared him. Max grabbed one of the pillows on the bed and flung it against the wall. This was pathetic! Max was totally useless right now. And he was a freaking coward, because no matter what he wanted, the thought that he had to wait here for Kasan, rather than enter the garden with the blobs, made his stomach soften into relieved jelly. Except what if Kasan didnt come back? His stomach curdled the jelly and froze solid again. Kasan didnt deserve to be hurt just because he was protecting Max. And besides, Max didnt want to lose hisshit, his husband. Kasan had to stay alive, and come back, and and kiss Maxs stomach in that weird and really erotic way hed just done. He had to. Max had only just gotten used to having a husband; he couldnt lose one before hed even figured it out! Theyd never even had a freaking honeymoon, dammit! The door drew his eye again and he walked over to it. Maybe he could just open it? Peek out and see if he could hear Kasan? Both the pink things had been far away form the doors last time; they probably didnt like coming close to the building. Maybe? Crap. His hand was actually touching the door itself when there was a soft scratching from the other side. Holy crap! Stumbling back, he fell onto his ass and didnt even bother getting up. Hed almost opened the damn thing, and something was on the other side, just waiting for him to come out and get sucked into its jelly tentacles and impale him andAnother soft scratch made him crab-walk back a few more feet. He should go for the guards that were still outside the door, shouldnt he? They were huge and ass-clenching scary, but they had weapons; they could take care of this and then Kasan wouldnt be in danger, right?

He turned to do just that and heard a whine and another soft scrabbling. The blobs hadnt whined. Theyd never made any noise at all, actually. So whatThe scratching started repeating, one scrape after the other in a high-powered scuffling, and it whined again. Just like a freaking dog. Androcles? Max kept his voice low, and he wasnt even certain why. It wasnt like the blob or Androcles was going to answer. There was a barely audible yip from outside the door and Max shoved it open so quickly it nearly bounced back onto itself. Androcles leapt inside. The dog was a little wild-eyed, panting hard and quivering. And if the dog was terrified, what the hell was chasing him?! Max slammed the door shut; Androcles whipped his tail out of the way just in time. Maxs knees gave out and he knelt next to Androcles. The dog nuzzled his face with his cold nose Poor boy. What happened to you? Did those big cats scare you? Please let it be the cats and not something even worse than the blobs. God knew that mass of cats had scared Max jumpy. Thered been so many of them in their room Max thought he was going to be crushed until Kasan put him on the bed. And they all looked seriously unhappy. Even Kasan had looked furious when hed come in with them from Zontas garden, the fur on his tail a little puffed, his ears lower and tense. Not at all like hed looked when hed let Max put that medicine on his body. Max looked down at his hands; the skin still buzzed from where the medicine had touched it. The orange and sage smell of his own palms teased his nose every time he paused enough to pay attention. And the feel of it, flowing across a fantastic washboard stomach and bulging pecsAndrocles licked him in the face and he turned his face away, gagging at its breath. He shoved his own hands over his nose to cover the smell. Androcles! Jeez, something crawl into your mouth and die? Your breath is rank! Max pushed himself to his feet and realized Androcles head seemed even higher than it had before. You had better not tell me that youre going to grow to be their size, or Im disowning you. With one last look at the door, listening vainly for the sound of Kasan returning, Max went back to stomping around the room. Androcles kept pace, following alongside and bumping against Maxs body as they neared the bed. Strands of silky fur stuck to his body where Kasans lotion had smeared over him at their last hug. Careful, boy. Androcles bumped him again; Max stumbled against the bed and caught

himself with his hip. Watch it. Youre gonna knock me on my ass if youre not careful crap! Androcles jumped up and planted his paws on Maxs shoulders, tumbling him to the bed. One leap and it landed on top of him. Androcles! Get off! The big dog rested its front paws on his chest while he tried to shove it away. The damn thing weighed a freaking ton! And then it started to sniff him all over. Androcles! What the heck are you doing? The dog got nose-drool all over him: his bare chest, his face, his stomach. It was like Androcles was trying to memorize his body. He tried to shove the dog again when it scooted down and started nuzzling at his legs. And thenDont you dare go for the crotch, Androcles! Will you stop snorting me! Androcles nuzzled at him again, snuffling and burying his face in the loincloth, and Max thought he was going to have to start punching him in the head when the dog finally shifted off his legs and let him up. Max tried to give him a shove for good measure, but the dog was so massive now that he barely moved. With a grumpy sounding herrumph, Androcles settled himself on the floor, between Max and the exit to the garden. Max was still eyeing him when Androcles jumped to his feet and growled at the door. Max leapt back onto the bed before his brain had time to think. Demons growled like that, deep and thundering. Not dogs. No freaking dog growled like that! It was a frightening reminder that as much as he might resemble a canine, Androcles was still an alien animal. Max stayed very still. Androcles was just growling at the door, and hed never hurt Max, right? He wasnt growling at Max, it was only at the door andAndrocles looked over at Max. N-Nice doggy. Im not doing anything scary right now, right? Just- Maxs throat closed up in terror as the dog leapt at him, closing its mouth around his arm. He opened his mouth to scream. Androcles was going to eat his arm! Hed rip it off and swallow it whole! Kasan! He was going to be left with a bloody stump! Hed be dog food! Alien puppy chow! He was going to die! And Androcles had been his friend! Dammit why would he do this? Why would he attack him and bite him and start pulling him across the floor by the arm, which oddly enough wasnt hurting even the slightest bit.

Maxs heart rate dropped as he pulled back. There was no blood, no pain at all. What theHe took stock of his arm as he stumbled across the room. Oh thank God, Androcles was mouthing him. Not biting, not picking the flesh from his bones, not eating him. Mouthing. Max dug in his heels and got a yank hard enough to have him stumbling after Androcles again as it backed up towards the slanted beam on the floor. Dammit, what the heck was it doing? Yes, thank God it wasnt eating him, but what the heck was it doing? A-Androcles? What are you What the heck were you supposed to say to a giant dog that was supposed to be a friend but was now dragging you somewhere against your will like an evil Lassie? L-let go, boy. Im not a chew toy. Androcles, let go now. Cmon. Release. Stop. Cease. Bad dog. Nice dog? Androcles stared at him he would swear the dog looked annoyed and pulled at him again. Max was already most of the way across the floor to the log-beam-thing, and he wondered suddenly if the dog was going to try and drag him up as well as over. Because that would hurt like hell! And he was about to try poking the dog in the eye to stop it. Just a little poke, to get his attention. But the dogs face turned at the last moment, and just before he growled Max heard faint voices coming from behind the door. He was reacting this way because of the cats? Was he trying to protect Max, maybe? That was so You arent an evil Lassie after all! Max hugged him around his head with the one free arm, scrubbing at his muzzle and trying subtly to make Androcles release. The jaw was massive and heavy, the velvety fur covering it made it almost harder to try and get a grip. Hey, now, I know theyre freaky big and as comforting as a football squad on a bender, but you dont have to protect me from them. Honest. As long as Kasan was around. Max pulled at Androcles lips, his fingers scraping up against truly massive teeth. Kasan had to be around. Swallowing, Max tried to listen for his voice as he was dragged along again. Androcles had his back paws on the log and Max pulled onto his tiptoes when he finally heard it Kasan! Oh God, he was okay! The blob hadnt got him; Kasan was all right! Androcles stopped, his head cocking and nearly sweeping Max off his feet as it kinked his arm. Kasans voice was clear for a moment, answering someones question, and Androcles stared at the door hard before he suddenly released Maxs arm.

Max promptly fell on his ass, rubbing at his arm with his hand. It ached oddly from being up at such an awkward angle. Androcles watched him, leaned down to lick his finger once, and then started climbing the wooden log up into his hidey-hole. Androcles, stay, boy. The dog ignored him and continued climbing. Nothing ever listens to me here. He watched Androcles climb and rubbed at his arm again, trying to get off the slobber. Nothing is ever small here. Stupid giant planet. With a sigh, he headed back to the bed. If he didnt want to get trampled, hed better get on higher ground. And then he could wait for Kasan. Who was not yelling, or screaming, or anything else that would mean hed been hurt more than the scratches from before. And he was coming back to the room. And Max was on the bed. He stared down at his crotch as his cock decided to express its opinion on the whole thing. Chapter 21 - Living in the Moment The moment Kasan saw Max kneeling on their bed, he wrapped his arms around him and picked him up. His consort groused at him, but the little one was safe and alive. Not the fate of whomever the shokan had dragged into his garden. None of them had found a body, but not only was his gardens tosa dead and dead over a day thered been blood as well. The guards said no one had entered his room or the garden while theyd been on duty, but someone had been attacked there. With that amount of blood, there was no way the person had lived through it. Theyd have to start checking to see who was missing from the citadel. It made him ill, thinking that someone had already died. Worse, he had a guilty relief that the blood didnt belong to Max. For the second time that night, Kasans hands shook as he held onto Max. He buried his face in Maxs hair. Kasan didnt know how far the shokan had roamed, but one thing had been clear from their search of his garden: it had been hiding out there. For days, long enough to have marked a number of the trees near the back wall and dragged off the poor bastard whod likely been its dinner. Hints of paw prints were in the soft mosses and grasses and shed hair draped the lower branches near the markings. The scent might be nearly indistinguishable from his fellow Kyashin, but the signs had been there. There was no excuse for this. Kasan should have noticed something had invaded his private space. If Max hadnt once again been luckier than anyone could have expected, hed have been killed. And Kasan would have been responsible. He couldnt stop

shaking, thinking of the odds that Max had come outside during whatever brief time the shokan hadnt been in the garden. Kasan put one hand underneath Maxs ass and brought him in closer, trying not to jostle the little one in his arms. The room smelled like stressed Kyashin and nervous Max sweaty but it didnt feel safe. The damn carnivore had been out there with them tonight; they all knew it. Although no one had caught a glimpse of it, the signs near the door had been new newer than when they went out the door. His garden still wasnt fucking cleared. They needed more men to hunt the damn thing down. But he wasnt going to be one of the hunters. The search had taken too long. Sex soon, little one. Kasan kissed Maxs forehead and pulled him flush to his groin. Their cocks sprung to attention almost as soon as they touched. Maxs head popped up nearly as fast at Kasans whisper and he stared at him with huge eyes. His face slowly flushed. Most of the guards had stayed in the garden to wait for reinforcements, but a few had followed him in. My apologies for not joining you for the rest of the night. My heat is spiking. They all nodded. Most of them had probably seen the signs already. Give me a moment and well clear the room. Youre welcome to use whatever you need during the search tonight. Honeyed ears twitching, the highest ranked guard gestured towards the door. You might want to try for the green rooms. Davi was complaining that the blue and red rooms were full. Davi nodded sharply. Good luck finding somewhere. The other guard smiled. Its quite the frenzy youve set off; half the ripe in the citadel have gone into heat, from what I hear. Kasan cursed under his breath. He should have thought of that. With this many couples looking for rooms that werent occupied by roommates, privacy was going to be hard to find. Kasan, what wrong? Kasan loosened his hold on Max, smiling for his sake, and noticed shokan hair clinging to his arm. His smile froze and his stomach roiled unpleasantly. Shit. I didnt mean to get you covered in that damn things hair, too. The beasts fur had been everywhere outside. Every time Kasan had brushed against so much as a leaf, the hair had clung to the medicine coating Kasans body. He couldn't stand that hed brought anything from that thing back inside to contaminate

Max with. Growling under his breath, Kasan let Max down and grabbed a small rag, wiping the hair off them both with angry swipes. It took him an extra minute to get it off of the velvet of the leash and collar. Kasan? Shhh. Sorry, Gisho. Its fine. We have to go to a new room for the night, though. Kasan ran a hand over Maxs shoulder at the mans confused look. Another room, Max. Sleep in another room. Did Max look disappointed? Not withKasan? Warmth blossomed in his middle at the forlorn note to Maxs voice. Max and Kasan sleep in another room. Blood filled Maxs cheeks again. Kasan wanted to touch him desperately, but his emotions were scattered even as the heat made his body burn. The Niandrin, the shokan, Maxs near death, even the poor soul whod lost his life - he didnt want to have them in his head when he was making love to Max. It was hard to put into practice what hed been taught: to live with the heat meant to live in the moment. Everything from arguments to raging battles had to be put aside whenever ones body required it. They all knew it. This was the first time Kasan had been so tested with it, though. Davi cleared his throat. If you dont mind some advice? Kasan didnt look at him as he nodded. He stroked the soft, naked curve of Maxs ears while he listened. It helps if you can immerse yourself in your consort. Focus on Max try something new if you need to and deal with the rest of the world after youre done. Davi sighed quietly. It does get easier, with practice. Another guard snorted. I think these two practice enough that its gotta be plenty easy by now. Kasan ignored him. If he could think of it as concentrating on Max rather than trying to forget the rest, he could do it. The little one was on his mind constantly. Kasan only needed to concentrate everything in his head on Max. Kasan tightened his awareness to the tips of his fingers, stroking around Maxs ears. He would likely never stop enjoying how lovely they were. He liked the way his fingers could glide over the furless skin. Smooth and curled, with finely made whorls decorating

the inside. And the small, fleshy lobe underneath was far too tempting. He wanted to nibble on it and hear Max squeal. His cock thickened, but it felt natural, no longer an invasion to his state of mind. Images ran through his head and he closed his eyes to let them flow faster. He wanted to see Max spread underneath him, flushed and panting with need. He wanted to caress Maxs skin and hold him so tightly that they melted into each other. His cock wanted to embed itself in the little ones warm body until Kasan could forget the sight of blood spattered ground and the rotting corpse of the dead tosa. Davi touched his shoulder. Go on, well take care of the garden. Remember, if things start to overwhelm you, just empty your mind- He grinned. - and fill your consort. Kasan thought Max understood the last, because he started flushing again. A hand rubbed over the top of his head distracted him and Max grumbled. Kasan couldnt quite let go. Be careful. If someone else was killed while taking care of my garden- Well take every precaution. You neednt worry. Kasan nodded abruptly and hustled Max out the door. Velvet brushed against some of his scratches as he scooped Max up; he placed the hanging leash into Maxs hand. The extra pressure as Max held on tight should have felt restrictive. It didnt. By the time he made it to the green rooms, his mind still hadnt settled completely, but his erection was a permanent feature. He walked down the hallway, nodding to the guards, finding room after room with busy, no company needed markings on them. One of the guards spoke up. Cleaners just finished with the last one on the left, Prince Kasan. Kasan thanked him gratefully. They might have a little while before Kasan had to be inside Max, but that didnt mean they would have had time to find somewhere private, if the frenzy was this bad. Heat and Death waited for no one. Max didnt understand what that meant yet, Kasan was sure. Privacy for their mating wasnt a given. But it wasnt necessarily comfortable out in public, and he wanted Max to be happy. His consort had been dealt with more than enough already. And Kasan couldnt help worrying that he was going to go through so much one day that he grew sick of them all.

Well get through this, little one, Kasan murmured. He triggered the door with his shoulder and carried Max in. ~~~~~~~~ A trio of guards stood close to each other in the hallway, watching Kasans black tail flick once before the door closed and blocked their view. Two sets of golden ears slanted towards each other. Was that the princes new consort? Looks like it. And its really a human. Looks like it. Hes small enough to tuck under your arm. Looks like it. How do they even- A third voice interrupted. Thats none of our business. The other two looked at him and back to each other. Why didnt he use his room? Who knows. Maybe his heat caught him by surprise. They always say throwbacks need it more often. Maybe it hits them faster, too. Could be. The sounds of masculine and feminine moans drifted through the closed doors and the guards sighed, stoically trying to ignore their own responses. One with black hair had to adjust his loincloth to accommodate his erection and turned away. His ears flicked forward as he caught sight of a brown haired cat that resembled Waran passing by at the end of the hall. Poor bastard, he murmured.

Hmm? Just thinking of Waran. Oh, yeah. Shorus a real asshole. Waityou havent heard? The other two stared at him blankly. About Shoru? No, but I swear Ill kiss you if you tell me someone finally called him on that Im in heat shit. Like hes some kind of throwback or something, the ass. Someone beat him. The taller guard grunted. About damn time. No, I mean really beat him. Hes in a coma in his rooms right now. Blond ears went flat. Shit. What the hell happened? No one knows. From what I heard, the town guard heard him yelling, but Shoru was unconscious in an alley by the time they got there. Someone used a laser pistol on him. The other two touched their chests and mouths reverently. Is he going to live? Sounds like it. Nasty head wound, though, maybe some other injuries. I saw Korosh on the way here. He was up when they brought Shoru in. Said Warans pretty shaken up. I can imagine. Hate to be him, if he spikes before Shoru wakes up. The black haired guards ears were flat against his head. Happened to me once, he whispered. The others stared at him. Guadalupe had the flu last year. The nanites took care of it, of course, but she was still out of her head with fever when we spiked. Itit was like I was raping her. His pupils dilated and his body shivered noticeably. The others left their posts and came over to stroke his hair and ears. Hey, its not your fault. Happens to a lot of people. Yeah, the heat never leaves anyone unscathed, you know that. They stayed close until the shivering stopped and he touched their lips gently. Thank you. His ears were upright again as the other two returned to their posts. ~~~~~~~

Even being held in another mans arms, Max could admit that they were in a nice room. Blue and green silk on the walls, deep teal rugs all over the floor, and a bed that was a built la orgy, because it would have fit at least five cats into it at a time. He wasnt confused about why they were here sex soon was pretty clear, even without Kasans hands all over him on the way over. But why not their room? Was there something wrong with it? Was this going to be their room now? What did it mean that all those cats were still in his room and the garden when theyd left? More of the pink blobs had invaded? At least Kasan wasnt out there with them, this time. He was safe. Kasans hand under his legs drifted up towards Maxs ass and Max tried to grab it. Why am I not surprised that even blob invaders dont stop you from wanting sex, huh, Kasan? Kasan looked at him politely, finally putting him down. Maxs feet hit the floor at the same time his stomach bumped against an erection already nearly bursting out of the loincloth. He stepped back with a small gulp. It was all right. He could deal with this. Besides, after everything Zonta had showed him, Max knew Kasan couldnt help himself. The big cat had sex-fiend nanites, right? Although Max had a sneaking suspicion that Kasan was probably born horny anyway. Or, wella horny infant didnt sound right at all. Born with a lot of potential dick energy was more like it. Or should that be kinetic dick energy? There was movement involved at the end Max looked over at him and shivered as he realized Kasans loincloth was already on the floor. The big man didnt move towards Max, though. Just stood there, cock at attention, muscles taut, and so covered with lacerations that Max felt the strangest urge to try and comfort him. That one on his face had nearly cut across his eye. Max imagined kissing it better and cringed at his own stupidity. Yeah, like he could do that? What the heck did Kasan need coddling for? The man was a freaking pillar. He was hard, and bronzed, and tall, and Max turned around as he realized he was staring at Kasans cock. Hard, bronzed, and tall, yeah, that pretty much described it, too. He focused on the only thing in the room worth looking at the bed and rethought the decision almost immediately. It was taunting him. Like he needed a reminder about what they were there for? Max knew they had to have sex. Knew, knew, knew they had to have sex, but last time, theyd had some sort of super sex frenzy in front of the mirror that had wrung him out so much he was surprised he could even walk today. And Kasan was going to take him in the ass again today. And tomorrow, again. And

again, and again, and there were so many agains ahead of them that it was hard to even think about it clearly. Maybe if Max just thought about today. He could do this one more time, for one more day. But forever was still a little too much. What about if they found more humans? What the hell would he do then? Max couldnt leave Kasan or hed die, right? If the sex had to be with Max and only Max he thought thats what hed seen on the video - thats what it would mean. And as for going to live with another colony, if they found one? Max couldnt even imagine Kasan walking among throngs of people, towering over them and flashing his backside in that thong of his. It broke his brain. But then that meantwhat? Could he live with Kasan like this? Forever? With Kasan risking his life for him, and wanting sex with him, and Max doingsomething. Max? He looked back at Kasan again and was reminded that the cat wasn't completely nude; the deep red collar was still on. And the way Kasan looked in it? Max had never seen anyone look so much like a sex slave in his entire life, and considering hed thought he was a sex slave, he figured hed know. Kasan looked like some captured barbarian prince from the land of unending sexual pleasure. Kasan took a step towards him and Max nearly fell over as he backed up and bumped against the bed. Okay, maybe a captured barbarian prince that had already broken free and was looking for a little sexual payback, actually. Kasan. He didnt flinch much when Kasan came in close and wrapped a hand around Maxs bicep. The cats fingers almost touched. Great. Maxs arms were so puny here he might as well be a twig. Just great. He could hire himself out as a scarecrow. Although maybe then hed get more clothes to wear, so when Kasan looked at him like this he wouldnt feel so completely and utterly naked and vulnerable and exhilaratingly terrified. Need sex soon, Max. I know. They didnt move, staring at each other. Kasan sat on the bed and pulled Max down next to him. Max I know! Justgive me a minute, okay?

Max? Crap, hed spoken in English. Kasan wait. Cant wait long, little one. Not if we want to do this right. Kasan leaned down and nuzzled the top of Maxs head. Max grabbed his leash and yanked. Wait! He didnt know what he was going to do, but Max felt like he should be thinking of something that would make everything easier. Things shouldnt be this difficult; he and Kasan had sex every day now! It wasnt like it was new! His fingers tightened over the leash and he looked at them in disgust. Like the leash was going to help him figure things out? It wasnt going to do a damn thing for him. It was as useful as the time hed tried to walk a St. Bernard on a skateboard. The only thing he could do with it was close his eyes, hold on tight, and pray everything worked out okay. Actually, hed ended up with a raw ass after that one, too. But Kasan wasnt moving. He was smiling, his grin white and a little lusty, but he didnt pull away. His head tilted and his ears kinked forward before he smiled broader. Holding onto Maxs hand, he stroked the end of the leash. And then sat there, running his eyes over Max. And Maxs stupid, stupid, body thought that was just the hottest thing it had ever seen and went boneless and shivery. And a little empty. Dammit, what is going on with my ass!? It was happening again. His entire body felt like a piece was missing, and it was just the same size as Kasans dick. What did you do to me? My ass- Kasan tilted his head again and Max couldnt finish the statement. What the hell could he say? Not what gay, porn star ghost just possessed my ass, and how do I make it go away? It wasnt like it was painful, but it made him feel needy. Like he couldn't do without Kasan, and he didnt like it! He didnt like worrying about him and watching him get hurt and scratched up and actually caring that he was hurt and scratched up. It wasnt his fault that he was married to an alien and doomed to be fucked in the ass for eternity. Orgasmic eternity. He looked down at Kasans dick again and wondered if that was the bad kind of eternity or not. Probably the going to hell for this eternity. Although he couldnt go to hell if he was eternally being rimmed, anyway, could he? So God, he really needed to stop going insane. Soon. Max dropped the leash, and Kasan handed it back, very slowly wrapping Maxs fingers

around it. Max, this is yours. Hold on. M-mine? As inhe was going to be wearing it soon? Blood rushed to his face. Kasan is yours. Tonight. His ears flicked and he grinned again, leaning in so close that Max could see the flecks in his eyes, the pupils widening slowly into dark moons. Max is in charge now. Maxs brain couldnt process that. It did some sort of internal dance, screaming barbarian sex slave, I knew it! But he must have heard wrong. Except everyone told Kasan what to do today, and if hed done everything they asked, did that meanhed do everything Max asked? A flush went from his ears to his groin. Max was horrifically embarrassed that without even trying, he could think of five different things he could do with Kasan. Graphic, penetrative things, with pre-arranged dialogue, that could not have possible come from his head unless hed thought of them before, but he sure as hell didnt remember thinking of them, but they were there so Nono sex? His voice came out as a bleating kind of whisper, but Kasan shook his head, his hand over Maxs bicep sliding down to hold onto his hand. The cat lifted Maxs palm to his mouth and kissed the tips of his fingers. We need sex, Max. But Max can decide. Kasan is in Service to Max, to you, now. You are in charge, until tomorrow. Max stared at his hand, wondering at the sharp darts of lightening that zipped all the way up his arm with each kiss. He felt so self-conscious over the feeling that he yanked his arm back, but he didnt let go of the leash. Max was still trying to get used to having sex. He wasnt really sure he would ever be completely comfortable with always having sex, butif he had to. Would Kasan really do what Max said? Anything he said? What if Max were the one on top? Maybe he didnt have to be the girl-guy at all! Except his ass was feeling so empty, so freaking needy that he wasnt really sure Dammit, he kind of didnt want to be on top. He wanted to feel something big and thick inside him, and he thought his face must be as red as the damn leash as he admitted it to himself. He looked at the leash itself, pulled at it a little, and Kasans body bent supplely from the waist until their eyelashes were close enough to kiss. Max didnt look away. Did he want to look away? Maybe he should. He was in charge, wasnt he? Shouldnt he know what

should he do? Dang it, shouldnt he know whether looking into someones eyes like this was a good thing, so close that the smallest jeweled flecks in their eyes were as big as teardrops? Except he didnt have a clue. He didnt know what to do at all. How did he make a decision about which way to get screwed in the ass? He was still getting used to Kasan and marriage and even the idea of getting screwed in the ass. And now Kasan wanted him to be in charge of the sex, too? Why didnt you tell me I had to be in charge? I dont know any gay sex positions! Crap. What if I choose wrong? It would be terrible! And youd still do it, wouldnt you? Youd go right along and let me pick something horrible and do everything I said and wed end up like a bad movie and then youll think I suck at sex and youll never let me be in charge again! And Id be damn good at it if youd just tell me ahead of time so I can figure something out, dammit! He didnt understand why Kasan found that funny - because it wasnt! - but the stupid cat chuckled and kissed Max on the nose. My poor little Gisho. I think Ive finally figured out something that you might like, and you still surprise me. Kasan leaned down and kissed him softly on the lips. You certainly make it easy to keep my focus on the two of us. Now, whats wrong? Are you still frightened, little one? You neednt be. Youre safe now. Nothing can hurt you in here. Or is something else upsetting you? Max caught some of it, but only enough to know Kasan was asking how he was. Probably. Im fine. Kasan chuckled again. Im sure you are. Beautiful and delicate and fine and absolutely delicious. Max flushed, his cock swelling. Kasans voice was hot syrup running down his stomach. Not beautiful. Yes, you are, sweetheart. Now, youre in charge. Come. Tell me what to do. Kasan looked down at Maxs cock and the stupid thing took the initiative to bob up inside its clothing like the attention seeking whore it was. Ah, I see. Max needs a little attention? Kasan practically slithered off the bed to his knees, and Max yelped such a freaking unmanly sound when Kasan crept between his legs. Kneeling on the floor, Kasan looked at Maxs loincloth like someone waiting for a curtain to go up in a play. And Maxs curtain was rising so fast it was making him lightheaded from sudden blood loss.

Kasan? Kasan put a hand on either side of Maxs hips, brought his face in close to Maxs loincloth, and looked up at him with slitted eyes. He licked his lips so close to Maxs clothing that Max thought he saw a damp spot appear on the cloth. Swallowing the cock-sized lump in this throat, Max froze. Kasan licked his lips again, then brushed the insides of his forearms against Maxs legs. His tail slid over the side of his naked ass and drifted down to Maxs leg. It was unreal how soft it was when it curled around his calf. The tip drifted up and down the back of his knee, like a tongue of velvet. What would it feel like around his cock? Kasan His voice squeaked out before he could stop it. Yes? So innocent, like Kasan didnt know exactly what he was doing! Max couldn't look at him. It wasnt that he didnt know what he wanted, but how could he ask for it? He couldnt- there was no freaking way he could ask Kasan to do anything to him! It washell, it was embarrassing. Worse than his first time realizing hed just being screwed, worse than agreeing to be screwed and asking for more. To ask for Kasan to wrap his tail around Maxs cock, or his mouth, oror To stick something inside of Max? His ass tightened, fluttering open and shut for a few seconds like hed had a mini-orgasm. Oh dear God, thats what his freaking body wanted him to ask for, something inside of him. Soon. Kasan purred, bringing Maxs eyes down to Kasans cock, eager and ready over his heavy thighs, his balls thick and heavy underneath. He tried to shift his eyes somewhere safer, and realized that nothing was. Even Kasans mouth was magnetic. Max couldnt stop looking at it. Bronzed lips with a hint of rose to them, flexible and hotter than hell. He knew them so well he could feel them over his own mouth again, working their way down his body. He couldnt ask Kasan to fuck him. It was just impossible. He freaking couldnt! But those lips of his were so sexy and soft looking, maybe Max could ask that. Maybe that. Kasan His voice cracked and he yanked at the leash on accident. Kasan let it drag him closer. K-Kasantouch Shit, he didnt know the word! Zonta had never taught him the word! Dammit! Touch you where, little one? Max swallowed and couldnt say anything.

Ahhh, you dont know how to name the body well yet? Well, we have enough time for a few lessons. And I need something to focus on today, little one. A game, that will help. So, would you like me to teach you some new words, Max? Max nodded stupidly at Kasans face. He wasnt sure what he was agreeing to, but with that look on Kasans face, and his eyes they were so fierce, like Max was the only thing in the world that mattered. At that moment, Max thought could do whatever he had to, if it meant Kasan looked at him that way some more. Or smiled like he was doing now, too. So where would you like me to touch you, sweetheart? Your feet? Kasans fingers smoothed over the top of Maxs feet and moved up. Or your calves, perhaps? His huge body was completely at ease as he knelt at Maxs feet - even if his eyes didnt quite match. And then Kasan slid his hands up the back of Maxs calves, massaging gently with small waves of his fingers. They eased their way up by inches. Max swallowed a small moan. It felt good! Do you like my touching your calves, little one? Kasans hands stilled. When they remained there for a minute without moving, Max tugged on the leash to try and get them to caress him again. Calves. Kasan rolled the world around in his mouth as he squeezed them gently. The small movement made Maxs toes curl into the carpet. You have to say the word if you want the touch, sweetheart. Calves. C-calves. Maxs hips squirmed against the bed as Kasan not only used his hands but twisted and leaned down to nip at the fleshy part of Maxs calves. Kasan! Mmmm. You taste so sweet, Max. Kasan You like this? Max gasped with barely a sound as Kasans teeth grazed the back of his calf again. Or maybe youd rather I play with your knees? Kasan chuckled, kissing the skin. A moment later, Maxs legs were lifted just enough for Kasan to lick the soft crease behind the knee. He had to fight not to fall over backwards. Holy crap. Knees were almost as sensitive as freaking nipples!

You like that? Max shivered and tried to nod. His entire body felt too aroused, like Kasan could lick his freaking chin stubble and it would feel good. Althoughwait. Max hadnt shaved the whole time hed been here. His face should have been all stubble now. What the Kasan brought his hands around and rubbed his thumbs over the inside of Maxs knees and it ceased to matter. His brain couldnt think past Kasan and his hands. Barely touching, the movement should have barely registered. It was on his freaking knees. How could it bring so much of Maxs attention to those two spots on his body? Wh-what are you- Pushing gently with only his thumbs, Kasan pressed Maxs legs apart and insinuated himself between them until Maxs thighs were splayed wide. Feet barely touching the floor, almost falling off the edge of the bed, Max couldnt bring himself to move. He didnt want Kasan to stop touching him, and for some reason, Kasan was acting weird tonight. Like he might stop. These are knees, Max. Huh? I dont understand. The word, sweetheart. Can you remember the word? Knees. Oh, the word thing! If he said itwhat would Kasan do? Max had to take a deep breath before he spoke. Knees. Kasan smiled at him. With a small kiss on the side of Maxs knee, he slid his hands around and up Maxs legs. This time, he lifted until Max fell back on the bed, his feet in Kasans hands, and Kasans mouthright back at the same spot. Oh God, he was going to do it again. Kasan dragged his tongue over the back of Maxs knee slower than dripping ice cream. Max squirmed, moaning softly, and his cock jumped as Kasan continued to lick at his skin. Thats it. Let yourself enjoy it. Give me something else to think about. Kasan dragged his tongue up. Max knew his stupid legs were quivering like a virgins, but he didnt freaking care. Lowering Maxs feet to his shoulders, Kasan wrapped his hands around Maxs thighs and pulled until Maxs ass slid off the bed. A little shocked, Max tried to squirm back onto the mattress. Kasan tightened his grip to prevent it, holding Maxs ass in mid-air with no apparent effort at all. He licked at Maxs thighs just as softly as hed touched Maxs knees, and then looked at

him. The corner of his mouth curved softly. You are so beautiful, Gisho. And you have such pretty thighs. Max stared at him, still holding onto the leash as though he could do anything with it. He tried to watch as Kasan leaned forward and nipped at the inner skin of his thigh, but his head fell back on the mattress the second he felt lips on him. Thighs. Kasan paused, licked the pinkened skin carefully, and looked back up at Max. Thighs. He nipped it again, higher and closer to Maxs groin. Dont forget to say it. Or do I need to make sure you know which body part I am teaching? Kasan nibbled. His hair brushed against the line where Maxs loincloth ended and his thigh attached to his body. Max sighed the words in a long, drawn out treble Thighs. Beautiful thighs. More caresses and nips eroded any thoughts Max tried to form and he couldnt speak until Kasan finally stopped. B-Beautiful thighs. Kasan shifted, his shoulders shifting closer to support more of Maxs legs. Max could feel Kasans breath on his calves. One broad finger drifted up and along the edge of the loincloth, not quite pushing underneath the fabric but making it clear that Kasan could if hed wanted to. And Max really, really wanted him to. Kasan? Kasans fingers stopped at his waistline and Max bit his lip. He had to do this. Max wanted to do this. Take off theuhthis? He pointed and Kasan smiled slowly. Your loincloth? Id be happy to. Kasans eyes strayed to where Maxs body was shouting its little phallic hallelujas, and Maxs cock twitched. Its looking a little snug, sweetheart. Kasan reached under him and after that, all Max was conscious of for a long while was Kasans fingers over his body. Every touch drifted along his skin, lifting his hips even higher, sliding along the edges of the loincloth and running down his groin and the depths of his ass as though taking off a loincloth was supposed to be another word for having sex. Max came close to coming; his hips twisted wildly as Kasan seemed to take every opportunity to drag the cloth over his cock. And when Kasan peeled the last of the loincloth away, his breath tried to create a new one made of warm, sweet air. It curled around Maxs cock, under his ass, over his hipbones. And Max couldnt even look at him to see where the next puff of air would come from. Hed closed his eyes the second

Kasan glanced down, his feline grin far too knowing. Max wanted to watch, but he didnt want to watch, but he wanted to feel Kasan touching him andwhy wasn't Kasan touching him anymore? Opening his eyes, Max saw Kasan with one hand inches from Maxs balls, set to cup him. Warmth and a soft, sensual pressure embraced his sac as soon as Kasan saw Max was looking. Max stopped breathing. A little pair of balls. Kasan said, and he squeezed softly with each word. Oh my God. Balls, little one. Kasans smile was wicked as he continued to roll Maxs sac in his palm. Then he stopped again. Balls, Max. Kasan! Please! You can do it, sweetheart. B-a-ll-s. Balls. One tiny, teasing squeeze. Crap! B-balls! Gooood, Max. I knew you could do it. And then he let go!! Kasan, dammit- Kasan canted forward and lifted Maxs hips up at the same time. His tongue lapped gently over the soft fuzz on one of Maxs balls. Yelping, Max kicked out in surprise, nearly clipping Kasans ear with his knee. Kasan moved his head away and Max couldnt help flushing. Who kicked someone licking their balls? An idiot, thats who! S-sorry, he muttered, his cock throbbing miserably. Accident. Shhh, little one. No harm done. But I think well have to arrange you a little differently. Kasan grinned and slowly pulled Max up by his legs. Maxs body left the bed until he was barely supported by his shoulder blades and his head. He could feel Kasans face between his thighs, his legs dangling over the mans heavy shoulders. Kasan, you cant! I- Ohhhhh Kasan kissed his sac with the barest hint of suction, then licked over it carefully, leisurely tasting. His nose brushed the base of Maxs shaft. Max jerked desperately on the leash but Kasan ignored his rather feeble attempts at control. He took both balls into his mouth, sucking on them just enough to make Max whimper and try to move into him. The scent of the lotion covering Kasans body drifted around them, so strong the flavor of oranges and sage filled Maxs mouth. Max squirmed.

As Kasans tongue moved over him, Maxs insides grew so hot his bones felt like they were melting and pooling in his groin, leaving him weak and aching. When Kasan took pity on him and released his balls, his lips slipped off with a soft pop. He leaned over to look down at Maxs face, curling Maxs body in on itself a little. His smile was wicked. Max held on tight to the leash. Kasan? What was Kasan going to do? He had to be heading to Maxs cock, didnt he? His lips were right freaking there. So close Max could flex his muscles and have his cock bump against those damp lips. Should he? What if KasanMa-ax. Kasans fingers tapped him on the nose. What shall I do next, little one? His breath was twirling around Maxs cock as his free hand held onto Maxs ass. Max stared up and tried to move his cock against his mouth, but Kasan shifted his head with a teasing grin. Oh, youd like me to worship your thighs again? Kasan turned his head and kissed the inside of Maxs thigh. He tried to move lower and Maxs hand tightened over the leash frantically. He didnt want him moving away from his cock! Kasans low, rather lecherous laugh made Maxs cheeks flush, but he still didnt let go. So, Kasan knew what Max wanted. There was no reason that was embarrassing. Every man liked lips around his dick! Every man hed ever met, anyway, and Kasan was so freaking close and he seemed to want this sort of thing all the time so why the heck was he just sitting there, letting his fingers make stroking lines down Maxs thighs while Kasan held him up to his lips like a buffet. Not your thighs? Youll have to tell me what to do, then, little one. Youre in charge, Max. Max was in charge? He didnt feel like he was freaking in charge! But Kasan didnt look like he was going to do what Max wanted unless he said something, and asking for sex was nothing, no big deal. He could do this. Right. Maxs face burned with heat when he mumbled, Touch me. He felt like he was naked on a stage in front of his entire freaking highschool class Kasans smile didnt change, but Max would swear it kind ofsparkled. Like Kasan had suddenly painted his lips with wicked lip balm so they twinkled salaciously and coated his words when they came out. Touch you where, sweetheart? Here? Something warm and soft slid up Maxs thigh and grazed the cheeks of his ass. Kasan! He should be embarrassed, but all he could think about was the look on Kasans face, so freaking happy that it made Maxs body wriggle in response, close to coming.

There was that same teasing chuckle and Kasan palmed Maxs ass, bringing it flush with Kasans mouth. His tongue tickled the portal to Maxs body as Max began to whimper helplessly. God, it felt so good. His ass opened and closed, trying to draw it in, or make it go faster, or anything that would help him come. It ended with a teasing prod that didnt quite enter. Not there, then? Perhaps here? he purred, lowering Max and kissing up the length of Maxs cock. When he reached the tip of the erection, he kissed the rosy flesh there, too. It was moist where the foreskin had pulled back already, hypersensitive. Max could see it disappear into Kasans mouth and he watched, stunned, as Kasan licked a few pearly drops from it. Max stared up at Kasans lips, trembling violently. Kasan licked it again, then ran his tongue across his lips. You taste good here, too, little one. Maxs whole body quivered, but Kasan only licked him one more time, the barest touch that made Max cry out. Was that really him, all high and needy? Kasan. Yes? You wanted something? Kasans voice didnt sound like him, either. It was so hoarse. Kasan Kasan didnt move, his hand kneading Maxs ass like a heavy, slow massage. And Max suddenly realized that Kasan wasnt going to swallow him down until Max said something. He didnt understand Kasan didnt act like this, but there was something different tonight. Dammit, Max wanted a cat blowjob! Kasan Why the heck was it so hard to say? Touch methere. Kasan raised an eyebrow. What did he want? Uh...please? The word, Max, whats the word. What is there. Max stared at him and wanted to wail. Had Kasan said? Max couldnt remember. He wouldnt really keep Maxs cock lips free just because Max didnt remember the word for cock, would he? Kasan wasnt like that. Kasan ran his tongue over the slit on Maxs dick, humming, and pulled back. The word? I dont know. I dont remember! I- Please-

Kasan stared at him in surprise, his eyes wide, and then he slowly flushed, laughing softly. Poor little one. I never told you, did I? You make me forget everything, do you know that? Cant even remember what Ive said. Here, let me thank you and make it up to you. Thank him? What- Max groaned deep as Kasan took him into his mouth, all the way to the hilt and beyond, a little of his balls getting enveloped by that slick, tight cavern of warmth. He thrust as soon as he could, and Kasan let him, taking Maxs abortive little movements as suggestions for him to pull all the way back and sheath Maxs cock in deep. Max couldnt remember any woman, ever, feeling as good as the inside of the cats mouth. Kasans tongue was doing something against the underside of Maxs cock, adding extra heat and pressure in places that it seemed impossible to hit all at once. The tip of his tongue rubbed against the ridge of Maxs glans. Maxs body tightened so much his toes nearly curled in on themselves. God, what are you freaking doing to me? Kasans hand shifted where it palmed Maxs backside, a few fingers holding up Maxs cheeks on either side, and one long finger pressing in the middle like some heavy phallic symbol reminding Max what was coming. Maxs brain responded with less thought and more blood to his cock. He closed his eyes, lost in the feel of Kasan over his erection, the muscles of the mans shoulders playing underneath Maxs thighs while his feet hung over them. He even enjoyed the pressure against his own chest where the rest of his body pushed down on it as most of him was held off the bed. And then Kasan began to rub his finger back and forth over the crack of Maxs ass, brushing against the bundle of nerves right in the middle, moving in counterpoint to his mouth. Maxs hips slammed up into Kasans mouth and then tried to impale himself on the finger behind him. He bit his lips to keep from screaming as Kasan took him closer to the edge. Just when he was about to spill into Kasans lips, the bastard pulled off. Max tried to thrust back into his mouth and he wriggled wildly, desperate when Kasan wouldnt let him. He couldnt even speak; he was so close, it just needed another minute! Cock. Wa-huh? Maxs lips wouldnt work right. Kasan licked the head of his cock, fully exposed now. Cock. This is your cock. Max couldnt figure out what the heck he was saying. It was too hard to think right now.

Was Kasan asking if he should finish? Please? Kasan laughed, shifting and lowering Maxs entire body to the bed, and then moved out from under his legs. He kissed strategically as Maxs body slid from him. Balls. A light licking. Thighs. He nibbled down the line of Maxs thighs. Knees. A small kiss. Calves. A warm squeeze. Then Kasan wrapped his hands around Maxs cock and Max thrust into it with a relieved moan. Cock. Kasan took his hand away when Max didnt respond with anything else. Max? Max, sweetheart, do you remember the word? Max nearly cried. Cock! I know, cock! Yes, touch the cock, for the love of- please! Kasan smiled and pumped him a few times, then let go again. H-hey! I said it! I did! Cock! See! Cock, cock, cock, cock, cock! See! I say it! Max yanked at the leash with frantic jerks that didnt do a damn thing to the big cat on top of him. Kasan crawled up onto the bed, chuckling as he scooped Max up along with him until they were side by side in the middle of the giant thing. I know, Max, shhh. Youre quite smart. His hand rand down Maxs side, fingers lingering over his hipbone, and Max grabbed at him. Kasan wouldn't let him pull his hand to Maxs cock Later, sweetheart. If youre to climax when Im inside you, youll have to wait. Theres not much time. Kasan gently pulled the leash from Maxs hand. Do you want me inside you soon, little one? Max flushed, craving release like his next breath of air. And he knew some of those words. Inside he knew that! That aching, empty feeling that crawled from behind his balls and up his spine? He could get something to fill it up and make him come so hard he saw stars Inside. Yes. Now. Kasan smiled and Max found himself whirled in the air and suddenly sitting on top of a fantastically muscular chest. Maxs thighs splayed wide over Kasans stomach. With little kisses over his fingers, Kasan handed Max the leash again. Kasan lay back onto the bed and stared up at Max. Max in charge. WhatKasan was expecting Max to do something? With a nervous start, Max clenched his legs, feeling the muscled body between them. But he pushed himself backwards just

enough to bump up against something hard and blunt. It nestled snugly against his ass as it pointed to the ceiling. Max didnt even look back to it. But god he wanted it inside. He could feel his body yearning for it already, that deep sensation that drove the air from his lungs and sizzled low in his belly. Max rocked back against it with a small moan, but he couldnt get as close as he wanted. His knees were barely touching the bed; he was more resting on his thighs over Kasans stomach than he was kneeling on the bed. And Kasans cock was jutting up like a skyscraper, inches higher than Max could reach. God, he wanted to be on that stupid cock, but how the heck was Max supposed to do this? Biting his lip, Max looked at Kasan, almost ready for the cat to be laughing at him again, but Kasans eyes were solemn, intent, staring at Maxs face with such concentration that Max couldnt look away. If Kasan wasnt going to do anything, if he was letting Max do somethingMax could do this. They needed sex he didnt care if it was because of nanites, or STDs, or leprechaun fairy rainbows, Max needed sex. Right now. His skin was going to burn off his bones and leave him an empty husk if he didnt get Kasan inside of him. And Kasanhe was flushed and sweating, too. His hands were clenched on the bed Pushing up, Max tried to kneel high enough to sit back on Kasans dick. Taunting him, it slid along the crack of his ass. He wasnt high enough! Dammit. Youre dicks too tall, Kasan! Max looked back at it. It really wasimpressive. The erection engorged and thick, barely curved towards him, with that shine to it that Max was used to seeing all the time now. But he knew there hadnt been any oil this time. There hadnt been! Was Kasans dickself-oiling? He wasnt going to ask. Not right now. As long as it was slick and it wasnt going to hurt, he just wanted it in. Maybe if he knelt on top of Kasan Hed only just got his knees on Kasans stomach when the cat grunted painfully and grabbed his hips. Id rather not get your knees in my diaphragm, little one, even if they are particularly adorable.

Maxs legs slid to either side of Kasan again with a self-conscious slump. Just how the heck was he supposed to do this? He wanted sex, dammit! His cock was aching, and his head had no blood left in it at all. What was he supposed to do? Biting his lip as he looked around, he finally braced himself on Kasans chest with his hands. Dont move, he ordered. Kasan gave him a small smile, but he did as he was told must be because Max had hold of the leash, still. Trying to balance, Max raised his ass in the air by straightening his legs, straddling Kasans body. He nearly lost his balance and caught himself again on Kasans chest. But hed done it! His ass was finally over Kasans cock! Although the angle Crap. Could he squat? He wasnt sure if he could keep his balance, and hed have to grab behind him to put it in, anyway, and- How the hell do gay men figure this out!? Giving a soothing rumble from the back of his throat, Kasans hands latched onto Maxs hips again, one on either side, fingers wrapping around the sides and clutching his backside. Someday youre going to have to assume this position when I can see from the other end, Max, Kasan murmured. But it looks like you need a little help, for now. Help? Kasan smiled broadly. Id be happy to. Here, hold onto my arms, little one. He motioned to his forearms with his head, and Max tentatively reached for them, unable to lower his ass since Kasan had taken control of it. And God but it felt good to have him hold him there. Embarrassing as hell, but good. Almost like it wouldnt have been right without Kasans hands on him. Kasan sat up and shifted them back towards the edge of the bed, his feet on the floor. Max ended up kneeling over Kasans lap, his ass cupped in those enormous hands, and holding onto Kasans shoulders. Kasans dick was along the crevice of his ass, slippery and so close Max squirmed to get it inside. And then Kasan lifted up his hips and it was. Maxs arms gave out as Kasans cock pushed in; he face planted against Kasans chest with a deeply satisfied, relieved moan that didnt stop until Kasan was fully embedded. One of Kasans arms released his hips and wrapped around his back, slippery with lotion as it pulled him in close. Max shivered, his ass clenching tight over Kasan, emphasizing his size. Kasan hugged him tighter. Max his voice wasnt the wickedly slow drawl from

before; it was frantic andpossessive. Max looked up at him. Kasans head was thrown back, his eyes closed, and Max stared, gasping as Kasan lifted him up again before thrusting in hard. Harder than normal. Max had a fleeting thought for Kasans cuts Max was plastered against them. They had to hurt! but Kasan thrust in again and the thought burst apart like bubbles. He tried futilely to move himself. He was supposed to be in charge, wasnt he? But he was so close his body wouldnt stay obey him. His legs wobbled and twitched rather than helping him impale himself. The pressure in his balls and behind his belly button was growing stronger, a pressure that he thought might explode any second if Kasan didnt go faster. Kasan! H-hurry! Kasan bent his head, taking Maxs earlobe in his teeth and biting lightly as he held him tighter and thrust deeper. His body curled around Max until it was everywhere. Inside him, over his skin, underneath his thighs. They slid together as the lotion smeared over them both when they moved, Kasans grip tightening to keep Max still to thrust into. Kasan growled low in his throat, the barest hint of claws scoring Maxs ribs where Kasans hand wrapped around from his back, and thrust in so deep it knocked the breath from Max. Kasans hips jerked convulsively as he held on, growls growing higher pitched for a moment before his body stilled. Max squirmed once, desperate to get Kasan to rub against his prostate. Not again! He was left on the edge again! Kasan! Move! Kasan tilted his head and stared down at him. Max realized the leash was still in his hands and he yanked at it sharply, pulling Kasans head down. Please! Move! He knew the man understood him as his eyes suddenly sharpened and he pulled Max up and thrust again. Max whimpered in his throat. The tension was urgent. He had to finish before Kasans body went limp, because It speared him again and he didnt care. Yessss. Yes, please, like tha-a-at His voice wavered as Kasans thrust interrupted his air. He panted. His skin was slick with fluids and lotion and sweat and he just needed to come, oh please Yes! Maxs vision went double as he came, the fluid slicking up his stomach even more, trapped between their bodies. His seed felt so hot it should have burned him. He wobbled, his grip on the leash falling away. Holding him close, Kasan reached up to push his head down against his chest. Poor, tired little one. Kasan kissed the top of his head, his hands rubbing down Maxs

arms. Thank you so much, sweetheart. I needed that. Thank you. Shhhh. Rest now, Max. He laid back, his feet still on the floor. Still five yards up Maxs ass. Max struggled, rather embarrassed that the full, stretched feeling in his ass wasnt disturbing, was almost fulfilling a need. Kasan. Get out of Crap, he didnt know the word. Kasan kissed him again, chuckling softly. His hand reached down, circling the tight, fragile skin where Kasans cock was still embedded. Mmmmm, this? Get out of your wonderful, sweet little hole, Max? Or your pretty, pretty backside? He clamped his fingers over a round handful of flesh and squeezed. Maxs ass clenched again and had him shivering as it pulled Kasan inside and put more pressure on his prostate. Kasan! Yes? Kasan, get out ofmy Dear God. This was not something he even wanted to know what to say! Get out of my hole. The last word was a whisper that was not half as showy as his blush that accompanied it. Kasan grinned without an ounce of shame. Im sorry, little one, I shouldnt tease. I cant pull out yet. I dont believe the nanites are done. Im too engorged. Max couldnt figure out what he was saying and Kasan nuzzled the top of his hair like he always did. Soon, sweetheart. Ill withdraw soon. Kasan didnt let go of Max, or pull out, but he shifted until they were fully on the bed, his arm curled around Max. He nuzzled Maxs hair again, then tucked his chin over the tangle. Sleep, little one. Ill watch out for you. Just sleep. Max wasnt sure he had enough energy left in his brain to understand what Kasan was saying, but it didnt really matter. He was sated, his body was exhausted, and Kasan was holding him like Max was somethingprecious and wanted, no matter how many problems they had, or what might happen in the next few minutes His backside stretched and somehow comfortably, erotically full, Max closed his eyes and fell asleep to the sound of Kasans heartbeat in his ears. Chapter 22 - Wishing for Normal Passing the green rooms, Waran shifted his eyes to glance at the opposite wall. He didnt acknowledge anyone standing guard. Head down, with a clutch-sack over his shoulder, he shuffled past another set of rooms, then the last of the North residences and into main storage. A few guards recognized him well enough to call out and he nodded, mournfully,

without a pause. The closest Kyashin eyed the sack. Waran gave him a wan smile. A few things to trade at family storage. Theyve got one of those teal lamps from down south and Shoru. Hes been meaning to try and buy. Warans voice petered out and his ears flattened jerkily. I wanted to make sure Shoru had something nice to wake up to. The others all nodded; a few of them patted his shoulder. Waran extricated himself with suitable reluctance. His shoulders were slumped as he turned away. Storage was empty of people but for one older man behind the old stone-slab of a desk. He grunted at Waran, standing up to take the sack and sliding over until he was standing at the door, facing the hallway. Neither said a word as Warans stride changed. Ears sharp and erect, feet slapping the ground angrily, he stomped into the cavernous maze of permanent shelving and headed to the far side. Dodging small items that had yet to be returned to their proper places, Waran started growling as he walked. He turned left at the fifteenth shelf in, then started counting under his breath each time he passed another opening. A turn to the right and then he swore, his shin bumping up against a small cabinet in the aisle. He kicked it so hard it tumbled down the space between the shelves, cracking audibly against stone. Swearing again, he stomped after it and shoved it out of the way, clearing a space against the back wall. This edge of the room was exactly the same as the other three walls, the ever-present creamy stone older and less polished than most places in the citadel. Waran glanced back at the shelves to his back, shifted one step to the right and verbally marked the stone blocks up from the bottom, counting under his breath again. His fingers tapped in seemingly random spots and then with one push on a rougher block, low on the left side, a small section of the wall slid aside. Waran walked into the shadows, waiting to continue until the door closed behind him. He stopped at a harsh whisper from the dark. Wheres Antal? Dead, I think. Dead? The shadow voice snarled a few times. Did he give us away? I doubt it. Im pretty sure a shokan got him. There was a long pause. A shokan. In the Hinta citadel? Right in Prince Kasans garden. What happened?

I gave the map and the guards schedule to Antal, waited for over an hour for him to meet me here, but he never showed. Then a shokan was spotted in the citadel and blood found in Prince Kasans gardens. Nasty way to die. Another long silence. There was nothing about an attempt on the human? Not a sound. I doubt Antal even got into the room. Waran shrugged. Still, it puts us in a difficult position. If any part of his body is left to be identified, it could expose us. Im keeping an eye on the situation. So far, they have nothing. Yet. We need to get the human immediately, before they do find anything. Youre going to have to take care of this. Warans ears flattened. Me? Thats ridiculous. My training isnt for- Youre here, youre trusted, and you have access. And we dont know how much time we have. Pay Antals family for another professional, Waran snapped. Negotiations take weeks. We were lucky last time that wed already hired Antal when the news broke about the humans authenticity. Warans eyes were slits, his ears flat against his skull. The human isnt going anywhere, and the lab is well hidden. We have plenty of time to hire another from Antals family. But if I do it now, everyone will know exactly who took the human. Obviously. Thats not acceptable. Waran growled low, a deep rumble in his chest. There was a matching rumble from the darkness. Its not negotiable. I might agree with the True Kyashin, but that doesnt mean Ill give up my name for it. And we agreed that having me in this position was better for us all! With Shovak gone, Im fourth in command of the military. Without Kasan, Ill be third, and with the sympathy from Shorus permanent disability, Ill make second or first. Im not giving up everything Ive worked for, dammit. That was before we knew about the human. Having access to him is more valuable than having you here. We wont need you here, once we have him. And you knew what might

be required of you when you joined. Whatever it takes, to purify the race, even if that means being cut off from your most distant mothers cousin. Waran growled again, his teeth grinding audibly. That was never part of this. I will not do it. There was a shift in the unseen Kyashins voice. Im surprised you let Shovaks fate frighten you into running like a squickling. Warans ears stayed low and flat. Shovak has nothing to do with this. Hes always been an arrogant ass, and he paid the price. I have no intention of doing the same. Dont be nave. The voice hardened. And dont be more of a fool than you already are. Its too late to change your mind now. That human is our best chance to finally prove which genes have been corrupting our bodies all these centuries. You will get him. No! I can get the family to understand once Kasan is gone, but not if they know I was the one who took his consort. You dont have a choice. I wont. Sweat dripped down the side of Warans face. Theyll strike my name from the family record. It can be reinstated, when the Hinta realize what a service was done for them. Waran shook his head. Prince Kasan will be dead. They wont forgive that. His father is the Lord King. He has greater concerns than the well-being of one tainted child out of many. Waran didnt speak for a moment, his ears still flat. Youcant really believe that? Hes family. A small sacrifice, paving the way for the cleansing of the race? It may take a while, but I fully believe the Lord King will understand in the end. Once the truth comes out, they will reward you for it. Have you forgotten the story of Ayame? She was reviled, too, her name stricken, until everyone realized what shed done for the clans. Warans ears shifted enough for the tips to be seen above his hair, but his voice snapped as he spoke. Thats a fairytale, not history. I wont sacrifice my place within the family on the slim chance that- Hard, bare feet scraped rapidly against stone and a long spear darted out from the darkness to nearly touch Warans throat. Would you prefer to make your sacrifice here and now?

Waran stumbled back and the spear followed. What are you doing? You are either loyal to us, or you are not. Of course Im loyal! Ive done everything thats been asked of me. Warans hands twitched, clenching, but the rest of his body was still. Then continue to do so. Bring the human through the tunnel tomorrow. I told you- The other man stepped out from the darker shadows of the tunnel. Dressed in a green tunic and pants, the small blond male stared at Waran with cold eyes. His ears were perfectly still, and the hand holding the long-handled blade never wavered, keeping it close to Warans throat. Loyal or not, Waran. Decide here and now. Youll be rewarded as greatly as the rest of us if you see this through, but only if you see this through. Waran opened his mouth and the man smiled coldly. Id think very carefully before you answer. Warans eyes darkened. He stared at the spear a long moment. Ill do it. But youll still have to wait. I need to get my consort. I cant smuggle both he and the human out that quickly. There was a long pause as they stared at each other, and then the man let the spear drop. As you say. Another half-day, then. Shoru hasnt awoken? Warans eyes left the spear and stared at the other man hard. Not yet. Not for another day, at least. The family thinks Im sending him to a relative in the town proper. I need one of the cells for him. The man stepped back into the shadows. Pick one, then. Get him taken care of, and get the human. Dont disappoint us on this, Waran. Actions speak louder than words, when it comes to loyalty. The voice was retreating down the corridor. And True Kyashin do not suffer disloyalty. Waran glared coldly into the darkness, waiting. The sound of footsteps grew fainter, and then there was silence. Hitting the wall with his fist, he turned with a snarl and headed back to the storage room. ~*~*~*~*~*~ Leero woke up humping the Lord Kings leg.

He should have realized who the limb belonged to, but the thick, muscled thigh, with its faint furring of crisp hair, felt so fucking good that Leero couldnt think at all. He just kept humping, rubbing his cock against it so hard that he could feel his foreskin slipping off the weeping head as he tightened his buttocks and thrust. Something shifted and he tightened his legs to keep the friction in place. His arms wrapped around a broad waist, pulling the body closer so he could nuzzle it. The skin smelled so much like sex that he growled. He wanted to lick it all over and then hed keep pumping his hips until he found something to slam into and thenSorry to interrupt- The deep, amused voice stopped Leeros body in mid-thrust. -but Im afraid Ill be needing my leg back now. Leero jerked away so fast he probably pulled out some of Kyorus leg hair. He blinked in speechless horror at the large man next to him in bed. This was worse than Kasans consort pissing on him. Worse than the time Kasan had glued his loincloth to his ass. Worse than Service. Hed been humping the Lord Kings leg! And he had to dig his hands into the mattress to keep from doing it again! Kyoru met his frantic stare with an amused smirk, shaking his head. Its a natural reaction. You neednt act as though youve eaten my youngest child. Leero closed his eyes and tried not to moan. His dick was still stone-hard and crying to keep rubbing up against Kyorus massive leg. The Lord Kings lack of outrage only made it that much harder to keep away. Leeros body was clamoring for him to go back and finish what hed started. Dammit, this never should have happened! He should be out of Service and searching for a consort, right this minute, but every damn time he tried to tell the Lord King that he was in heat, something interrupted him. One of the Princes, the Elders, or even a simple Quiet, Leero, from Kyoru. And now his heat was making him sexually assault the Lord King in the mans own bed. Leero was taking this as a sign. He had to get the words out. Now. No matter what tried to interfere. He had to end this before he attacked someone. Lord King? Kyoru lay casually on top of the silken sheets, watching him with half-lidded eyes. Yes?

Im Leero paused, almost surprised that nothing stepped in to cut him off. Im in heat. He waited to be relieved, his emotions swaying with the realization that he would have to go search for a consort now. No more time with the Lord King; Service would be put on hold. He didnt feel as relieved as hed expected. I thought as much. I know its a sur- What? Kyoru chuckled. He sat up, stretching and getting out of bed as though Leero had told him that they were low on cinnamon for firstmeal. Youre not the first person whos gone into heat, Leero, nor the first to wish to keep it private for a time. The signs are fairly obvious. His eyes twinkled as he smiled. I think the Elders were about to take bets on how long youd last before you told us. Leeros ears flattened. He should have known. The Lord King had seen four sons through their heat and an untold number of siblings and cousins. He probably knew the signs inside and out. Why should Leero be exempt from his notice, especially trapped in close proximity with him nearly every hour, for days? Leero raised his hand to his collar and dropped it with a start as Kyorus voice stabbed out. What are you doing? Hed thought it was obvious. Taking the collar off . You have to be given leave. ButIm in heat. Kyoru stared at him hard. As I said, Im aware of that. That doesnt negate your Service unless youre in the final stage. Are you? Leero shook his head slowly. But usually- There is usually, and then there is the actual law. And according to the law, you need to be given leave. The collar stays on. The Lord King turned his back and walked across the room to choose a loincloth, his nude body drawing Leeros eyes along like a cord. His voice softened. If this situation were usual, Id have taken your collar off the moment I knew about the heat, whether I was told or no, but your circumstances are complicated. Kyoru stared back at him after an odd pause, his eyes running over Leeros face. Leero heard him, but it was difficult to focus on his voice when the mans body was right there. All this time with the Lord King had finally made him realize why the older guards

were always teasing the newly-ripe about older men. The idea that Kyashin didnt reach their sexual peak until after heat was over, at forty, was a common boast. At fifty was even better, when the heavier muscles developed fully. The Lord King was an uncomfortably good example of that; his muscles were harder than his sons, somehow. More defined. And Leero shouldnt be noticing, so he shifted his eyes to stare past Kyorus body at the far wall. He ran back the conversation in his head. Complicated circumstances, yeah. Leero nodded, slowly. That described his life, these days. Shovaks betrayal, the discovery of other humans, the shokan still at large, and Leeros heat following so closely on Kasans heels? Complicated was an understatement. Because if Kasan and Leero were unable to fulfill their duties, Shovak should have stepped in. Now, it would be Davi, and with everything happening so quickly, Leero hadnt even had a chance to speak to him yet about what was going on. If Leero mated now, it could be a disaster. He glanced at Kyorus body again and swallowed heavily, yanking his eyes back up. Complicated. Definitely complicated. Leero addressed the wall, just above the Lord Kings ears. I- I can see what you mean. It, uh, it will be difficult for Davi to step in before hes brought up to date. Kyorus ears stilled, and then quivered oddly, almost as though he were laughing. Yes. Davis new role would definitely be part of the difficulty. He stared at Leeros face again for another moment. Are you able to keep from going feral for another week? Or at least until we choose a contingent for Tiensa? As you say, it would be excessively difficult to lose two Kyashin of high position at the same time. Leero made the mistake of looking back at Kyoru to answer and found it impossible to look away again. He nodded absently as his eyes drifted down. Months ago, he remembered seeing Tisu playing with Roto, down in the baths, and hed been impressed by the mans size. Now he knew with absolute surety that Tisu had come by his assets naturally. Leero stared at the Lord Kings cock, thick and long between heavy thighs. Leero? Hmmm? Can you last that long? Leeros cock twitched and sucked more blood from his brain. Could he last? Of course. I can last a long time. A really, really long time.

The Lord Kings impressive example of male endowments rose under Leeros scrutiny. It disappeared as Kyoru turned away. Leero, are you focused on the proper subject right now? His voice was definitely amused. Leero swallowed as he stared at Kyorus ass. It was very round, so muscled he would never be able to span it with his hands. Leero? Dont worry, he mumbled. Imcompletely focused. And damn, Kyoru still smelled fantastic. The smell was getting stronger as the man turned again and started coming towards Leero. He was- Ow! Leeros head snapped back. He rubbed at the tip of his nose where Kyoru had flicked it. Hard. Leero, Kyorus eyes were very dark, all amusement gone. Leero attempted to push aside the hot blood taking over his body so that he could listen. Im truly sorry that I have to ask this of you, but I need to know if you can wait for a partner a few more days. Can you do this? Closing his eyes, Leero made another attempt to regain control. He couldnt imagine not doing what the Lord King asked, but it was hard to imagine what good Leero would be to anyone. Every part of him was focused on sex, and on top of that, his body was spending too much time with Kyoru. It was starting to attach itself to Kyoru, and that was a very, very bad idea. Not that late-stage matings didnt happen usually before 150 years of age, of course but not with the Lord King. Sire, Ill do what I can, but with the heat, Im not sure. His body didnt feel like it was his own to command anymore. If you feel as though the heat is taking over, you can let me know. I have no desire to see you act so precipitously that you choose an unsuitable partner. Kyorus ears twitched oddly again. Thank you. Ill make sure and keep you informed. Leero would just have to look for consorts while he was finishing up his service and preparing Davi for his new role. Do that. Kyorus head tilted, and he smirked suddenly. Would you like a little time to take care of that before we start our day? Leero stared at him stupidly until Kyoru gestured. It took him a moment to remember he was still nude, and his erection was standing as tall as a pine. He flushed; only his collar

kept him from growling at the joke. There would be no relief from that until the moment he took a consort, no matter how much Leero needed the release. I appreciate the concern, he said, his ears flat. Kyoru laughed, already on his way out the door. Come find me at firstmeal when youre dressed. And no straying. As I said, I dont need you getting out of control and taking a consort before everything is properly prepared. The door closed on the sound of renewed chuckling, but Leero ignored it. He was already grabbing his cock, no matter how futile it was, and thinking of that round, bubble ass and the musky sweetness of adult Kyashin. ~*~*~*~*~*~ Lying in bed next to Kasan, Max wondered when a morning after would feel normal. Not that hed had many of them with his husband, considering Kasan loved sneaking away before Max even had a chance to wake up, but normal had to happen some time, didnt it? This was his life, now, right? Maybe it had only been days since he had been woken up with vague dream-like memories of Kasan making love to him, and maybe everything after had been like a rollercoaster of sex and giant aliens and sex and marriage and dogs and pink blobs. And more sex. But this was what his life was going to be like now. Max really wished his nerves didnt feel like tassels at the whole concept. And not the pretty, silky, braided kind of tassels, but the ratty, half-chewed ones that his cat had mauled while Max slept. Everything was so strange and overwhelming, was it any surprised he felt at the edge of his rope? Hed get used to it eventually, though, right? Of course he would. Every cross-racial, uh, cross-species couple probably just needed some Kasan mumbled and pulled him in close, his cock pushing against Maxs ass, and Max bit his lip to keep from moaning. needed some adjustment time. Purring in his sleep, Kasan cuddled Max closer. He started to thrust leisurely with his hips. Oh crap. That felt really, really good. K-Kasan? Uh- Kasan? A-Are you awake Aaaah, God! Mmmm, no, Kasan said. He kissed the top of Maxs head and thrust again.

Kasan! There was a chuckle against his hair. Kasan scooped Max up onto his chest. You are too adorable, Gisho. He pulled Max higher and looked at him, something bright in his eyes. Max licked his lips, bracing his hands on Kasans shoulders and stared. Something was different. Wait, the scratch across the face. Where the hell was the scratch. Max squinted, staring, and just caught the faintest line over Kasans face, as though the cut from the night before was weeks old. You have freaking super-fast healing, dont you? Max sighed before Kasan said anything. Why am I not surprised? Couldnt Kasan do anything like a normal, nonsuperhero person? Kasan blinked at him slowly and it completely derailed Maxs inner-gripe. Was Kasans face a little closer? It was, wasnt it? Were they going to kiss? Or his hands, Kasan was moving his hands, definitely. Maybe not kissing. Maybe something else, something morepenetrative? Or was Kasan going to smile blindingly at him, squeeze him tight, and then roll them both off the bed to stand up and head over to their discarded loincloths, taking off his velvet collar as he walked. No dawdling, sweetheart. Time for firstmeal; we slept in late, today. No sex? Max frowned until he realized what he was frowning about, and he tried to focus finding where in the heck hed tossed his clothes the night before. Okay, so Max was going to need a lot of adjustment time before he figured this all out. And it was for more than the whole marriage thing. There was the entire culture, and the barbarian cats, and the freakazoid animals, and the weird, incomprehensible blend of computers and freaking spears. And, again, the cats, who watched him constantly whenever he wasnt alone with Kasan. He wondered if all barbarians were natural voyeurs. The thought hit him again the moment they left their room; he heard the guards whispering amongst themselves across the hall. Kasans voice cut in. Has the shokan been found? No, Prince Kasan. Andthe person it injured? No body, and no one has been reported missing, although we havent heard any news

since the last fifth. Kasan nodded, his ears low against his head. Max wished he could figure out what was so upsetting, but no one said anything to him as Kasan led him away. Max couldnt stop glancing back at the guards. No one was looking - for once - but three sets of ears swiveled in their direction. He thought that counted, when it came to catmen. Likelike peeking, rather than staring. Looking up at Kasan, he noticed the black ears flicking back once before they rounded a corner. So Kasan was peeking, too. What Max wouldnt give to be able to understand a little more, though. Kasans hand reached down and took Maxs. His calluses were a little rough, in a comforting, my-husband-could-kick-your-ass kind of way. Whats wrong, sweetheart? Are you upset we didnt have time for some bed fun this morning? Ill do my best to meet you earlier, today, so we can have time together, but Ill need to finish the inventory first. And we have to take care of the shokan so you can be safe in the gardens. Ill need you to stay inside until its found. I think you can Max let the words flow over him, not really trying to pay attention for once. It was rather nice just listening to Kasans deep voice, even if he was worried about what had Kasan so tense. The big man was looking like he had last night, before sex. On edge and tense. Max squeezed Kasans hand to try and let him know he was there. Not that Kasan necessarily cared, but what else could he do? And when Kasan squeezed it back, he figured it meant, well, something. Maybe not much, but something. They turned a corner and Max bumped against Kasans hip. The hairs on his arm stood on end where theyd touched, like his husband was made of static electricity. Dropping his head, Max tried to look at their feet instead of Kasans naked thigh. If they werent having sex, then he needed a distraction. A boring distraction. Nothing was more boring than dirty feet. Like Kasans. They were broad, the same caramel as the rest of his skin, with nice toes that looked odd at the same time the toenails were claws. Max hadnt really noticed that before. And it should have been really weird, or disgusting, or reminded Max of just how alien everything was, of how alien his husband was. Instead, like everything else with Kasan, it made Maxs insides quiver. Because it was actually a little hot. That is so completely unfair. You should at least have ugly feet. Maxs feet were ugly. Skinny things with long toes. A girlfriend had once called them

elegant. He figured that was a classy way of saying your feet look like they belong on an anemic, inbred Duke. Not that he cared. Who cared about feet, for Gods sake? That was just stupid. No one went around comparing their feet to their husbands and giving themselves a complex just because their husband had sexier feet. Besides, feet arent sexy. Good skin is hot and sexy. Asses are hot and sexy. Cocks are hot and sexy. Max choked on his own words as he heard them out loud. Uh, that is. Glancing up, he realized Kasan had stopped talking and was watching him. Maxs entire body tingled as a flush started working its way down. Oh God. I didnt mean. He couldnt help it. He didnt want to, but hed just said it, and he couldnt help looking at it. Covered by the loincloth, it didnt matter. Max could imagine Kasans cock in his head well, sort of. He hadnt seen Kasans cock all that much, actually. Hed done a lot more feeling it. Inside. Huge and thick and Okay, fine! Your cock is hot, too, dammit. Kasan smiled at him, rubbing his thumb over the palm of Maxs hand. Gisho? Youre not speaking Hinta. What are you saying, little one? Max was going to blush a hell of a lot worse if he met Kasans eyes so he looked at the ground again. And got hit with the attractive cat feet like a slap. Even your freaking toes really are sexy. Everything about you is Dammit, how can you be so sexy and hot andand Im just some? A hand ruffled his hair, drawing Max in close and chuckling at the same time. Its not funny, Max muttered. You are such a quirky little thing. I have no idea what you just said, but I bet it would annoy me if I did. And dont think that smiling-kissing-fabulous sex thing will make it better, either. Even though it probably would. Maxs glare should have helped make himself understood, no matter what language he was speaking, but Kasan didnt seem to clue in. He only pulled Max in closer, still chuckling. I am so looking forward to understanding when you tell me off, little one. They stared at each other until Max blurted out something just to break the tension. Im hungry.

Ah, of course. My apologies, Max. Kasan loosened his grip and his hand moved up until it was resting gently on Maxs shoulder, guiding him into a right turn in the maze of golden hallways. Only a few turns later, and Max recognized the door to the dining room, although only one of the guards was familiar. Davin, Loro. Kasan frowned at the two guards. You had a double shift, Davin? The cat nodded. The frenzy there were too many new matings to compensate for immediately. I hear theyll have the schedule set by tomorrow. I thought Shoru was supposed to be with you? The other cats ears flattened. You havent heard, then? Heard? He was attacked last night in the pleasure quarter. Kasan sighed heavily. By himself, Im guessing. Davins ears went low. Yeah not that anyone ever said he was a good consort, but I was still surprised that he went down there alone. He got hurt bad. How badly? I dont know. Korosh spoke to Waran about it. Shoru was still in a coma this morning; Waran is going to take him to a cousin in town who can look after him until he regains consciousness. Kasan frowned again and Max reached out for his tail. He wasnt sure why he did it; his own cat would have kicked his ass for it. But Kasans ears were so flat, his body tense all over again, and the tip of his tail had started twitching. Max just grabbed without even thinking. The velvet-furred tail settled down in his hand, and Kasans body softened. The other two cats stopped speaking and both guards stared at Maxs hands with huge, rounded eyes. Kasan spoke as though he hadnt even noticed. Not that Id wish Shoru more than a regular beating to get some of the attitude out of him, buthe would be the one to run into trouble. I only hope his stupidity doesnt put Waran in danger. M-me either. Davins eyes drifted down to Kasans tail again, where Max stroked the fur softly. Have a good meal, Prince Kasan.

Kasan nodded to them as they passed through the door and his tail pulled itself from Maxs hand, slowly, like a happy little snake reluctantly sliding away. His loincloth was noticeably swollen in the front. Max glanced back at the tail. Had that? Max reached out behind Kasan to stroke it again and Kasans stride hitched. The big cat glanced down and deliberately pulled his tail away again. Not now, Gisho, he whispered. His hand stroked the edge of Maxs ear. Later. He ushered Max ahead of him, and this time, when Max reached back, the tail flicked out of the way. Kasan grunted at him. Okay, fine. Later. Max whispered back. It wasnt like he wanted sex now. It was just hed never managed to touch something like that and see Kasan react, like that. He looked around, and was suddenly very, very glad that Kasan had stopped him. Because as usual, barbarian voyeurism was everywhere. The room was mostly full; hordes of cats, of all ages, stared at them both. Max avoided their eyes until he saw the table Kasan was aiming for. He could recognize most of the people. Zonta, and the Aosh jerk, Jolan and the pale haired Ko, too. Roto cast him a smile and waved his fingers like a little kid the gesture was weird from such a large guy, but it matched his eyes. Sitting down, Max was thinking it would be easier this time. He knew these people, right? Hed gotten drunk with some of them; he was pretty sure that was male bonding no matter what planet you were on. But as they sat there, he couldnt forget that every eye was on him, studying him silently. Hadnt they seen him enough already? The largest one there, the one holding Rotos hand, started talking. How much did you tell your consort about the Niandrin? Kasan shook his head quickly, glaring and pouring a drink for himself and Max without asking. Max could feel his shoulders hunching defensively the second Kasan looked irritated. He didnt want to be around the cats when they were pissed off; the first time in Kasans room had been scary enough. Was the table big enough he could duck under if things got too rough? Everyone started talking at once, too fast for Max to follow, even if the tension at the table made it clear this was not a happy subject. He thought he saw one of the cats poke the big one whod spoken first. Roto gestured widely and Max had to duck to avoid an elbow in the eye. Kasan dragged

him against his side and growled. Everyone ignored it and kept right on arguing. Max found himself on Kasans lap scooped up, plopped down, and wrapped up in Kasans arms like a present. He shivered as Kasan leaned over him. Dont worry, Max. Theyre just upset. Not mad. Ill keep you safe. Kasan kissed the top of Maxs ear and Max shivered again, shifting to try and get out of Kasans lap. He was not coming in front of the whole room. Exceptit felt so private. With Kasans hair draping over both of them, Max could barely see anyone. The large arms made a warm cage around Maxs body. And his cock was long and getting harder under Maxs ass. With a swallow, Max reached up and put his hands on Kasans arms. They were hot Kasan was always hot but they werent doing anything. He wasnt even paying attention to Max anymore. Kasan had lifted his head and was talking with everyone else, now. Quieter, yeah, but that justsucked. He just tucked Max on top of his dick, made him think of sex, and then what did the big ass cat do? He talked. What the hell was up with that? If you were going to make your husband think of sex in public, then you should darn well have sex in public Okay, maybe not - definitely not - sex, but, wellthere had to be something Kasan was doing wrong, because now Max was really horny and he didnt get to do anything about it. Last time hed been horny, Kasan had taken him out and theyd screwed against a wall. What made today so different? And why did it even freaking matter? There was no wall-sex today. He should be glad. I am still a nympho, Max muttered, not feeling glad at all. No, he wasnt going to let this get to him. He didnt have to think about Kasans cock! He had plenty of stuff to think about. Things that would help everything seem normal. Right. Normal, that was it. He couldhe could eat the food. He was hungry anyway. It didn't take him long at all to get started, trying different dishes, picking out the words he knew from the conversation around him. All perfectly normal for breakfast with in-laws. His eyes drifted around as he listened, noting the little kids running all over the place, the adults following suit at a walk, and everyone talking a mile a minute. It really was kind of normal, wasnt it? Just one big - really big - family.

He looked at the bodies, trying to see them as people rather than scary-ass, half-naked aliens. The hair caught his eyes first, something that had more variety than the everpresent loincloths. Most of it was fairly simple. Kasans black mane was down his back in a long, flowing waterfall. Zonta had a simple braid down his back. Most of the women had braids that were wound back up against their scalps. And a lot of the men had a braid like Zontas, but Aoshs was braided into small, intricate twists and pulled up high before falling over his shoulders. There was no makeup, no piercings, and only a few big pieces of gold or silver jewelry. Armbands and torques and a couple circlets here and there he wondered if they were worn to highlight the tattoos, because almost everyone had those. Those were gorgeous. Brilliant silver and gold scrolls and curls in some small symbol, with very little variation that he could see, even for the placement. You either saw it on someones chest, or on their ass. There was so little variety, he wondered if they might be clan markings. And if they were, was he going to have to get one? God, he hoped not. Needles made him queasy. He twisted his head behind him to look at Kasan; nothing on his chest. Max had stared at Kasans ass enough to know that the big cat didnt have one there. Did they not have to get one, or was it something that happened later? Like, after marriage? Kasan? Kasan had been glaring at the big cat next to them Tisu, that was it but he looked down as soon as he heard Max. Yes, little one? You get He sure as hell hadnt learned the word for tattoo. You get little body picture? Kasan and the others stared at him blankly, and Max pointed to the large cat with Roto. Like him? The color, on front. You get body picture like him? Or not like? Kasan stared at the larger man and glanced down at his own chest. Ah, the marks. Of course, ItsHere, let me show you. Max was scooped again what was he, ice cream? and put on the cushion next to Kasan. Sweeping his black hair behind his back, Kasan gestured to his bare chest and then slowly flushed. Chuckles spread across the table in a dark wave. He hasnt ever seen your mark? Roto asked.

Kasan shrugged, and Max yelped as he was grabbed up again and popped back onto Kasans lap. Idont think he has, Kasan muttered. Roto squealed. Ever? Thats so romantic! Tisu snorted. Because my big brother is so horny he cant stop being aroused near his consort? I dont know if romantic is the word Id choose. Max squirmed a little closer to Kasans stomach. That cat was just too damn big, even in giant cat land. Youre only saying that because youre not romantic, Tisu. Zonta smiled. Roto was doing some sort of happy dance on his cushion, his ears flickering back and forth. What about his? What does his look like? Is it different on a human? I didnt pay attention last time. Kasan blinked at them, and Max wondered what had been said. What was a mark? Were they talking about him? Everyone turned to look at Max and he gulped. Yeah, talking about him, definitely. Max looked up at Kasan to gauge if he should be worried. The smile that broke out over Kasans face made heat pool low in Maxs belly. When Kasan turned that smile on him, with eyes just as bright as his smile, Max had a hard time catching his breath. I havent seen it since the Greeting. Kasan said the words as though they were a surprise to him as much as anyone, and when he reached out and drew his finger down Maxs nose, ending at his lips and pressing there gently, Max couldnt say anything at all. Not that anyone would have heard him as Roto squealed. The two of you are just adorable! Tisu, isnt it so romantic? Tisu grunted. So they are both so horny for each other that their nanites hardly ever stay out of their private parts. Again, I dont think- Well I think its romantic. Roto glared up at Tisu and the big man wilted. Max was stunned to see him actually smile after a moment and kiss Rotos forehead. Then I suppose it has to be. Max bit his lip. He didnt think it would be a good idea to laugh at what was obviously an Im so whipped moment, although he heard a few others snorting into their hands. It seemed to break the tension, whatever it was. Peoples voices fell in volume, their ears came up off their skulls, and Kasans arms around Max lost their tension.

Which meant that Maxs brain could focus on sex all over again. And he didnt want that. His whole life here was not going to be about sex. It couldnt be. Could it? There had to be other things that hed learn to do here. He had to think of something, likeactivities. Non-horizontal activities. Maybe Max could go outside on a walk, see the sun, in some non-blob area? No one was running around anymore, so that had to mean good things about the blob-infestation, didnt it? There had to be, like, blob-free zones or something. And right now, Max could really, really use some space where he wasnt staring at the inside of a building. Max squirmed, feeling Kasan grow hard under his ass again. He lacked that empty feeling that hed started to associate with Kasans need sex times, but the heavy length against him was filling his head with images that were going to make it impossible to walk without limping. His voice hissed between his teeth. I can think of things other then sex. I am not just a nympho, dammit. Not sex. What the hell did he want aside from sex? Maxs mind blanked for a minute. Oh, yeahhe wanted to go outside. He didnt want to have to go near the blobs. He wanted to spend time with Kasan. That made him pause. He really did. Max wanted to go on a walk with Kasan. He wanted it to be simple for once, with no one watching him, nothing attacking him. A plain old walk in a garden, like any stupid cat on this stupid planet would do with their stupid husband. Because he wanted to be just like any stupid person on this stupid planet, if he was going to live here. Justshorter. He wanted to fit in, the way hed never quite fit in back home. Max swallowed, closing his eyes. Yeah, like that was going to happen? The only human on the planet; sure, hed fit right in. Like a crab on a tricycle. Kasan shifted, pulling Max in close, and Max bit back an embarrassingly aroused sigh. It was so strange that he felt like he fit with Kasan at moments like this, no matter how nervous it made him at the same time. But he was pretty sure that wasthat it was just the mind-blowing, amazing, gay sex. Which didnt count. Knowing an alien in the biblical sense still didnt mean thatWaitcould you call anal sex biblical? Maybe it was more anti-biblical. Not that it mattered, because he just wanted to go outside, thats all. His gay sex life with his giant husband wasnt the problem. I cant believe I just thought that. Exceptwas it? Or wasnt it? The damn sex was so

intense that it scared him, but at the same timeMax? Kasans ears swiveled his way. N-nothing. Flushing, Max sopped up some sour lavender sauce off a plate using a spongy little piece of bread. Eating first, walk second, and sex He looked up at Kasan and swallowed the food in his mouth with an audible gulp. Sexas often as Kasan wanted it? This is going to take a long, long time to feel normal, he muttered, and grabbed another piece of bread. Chapter 23 - Time to Get a Job Maxs belly was taut with food by the time Kasan and most of the others finally decided it was time to leave breakfast. Feeling a bit like a kid, Max stood obediently when Kasan popped him on his feet. He squirmed, struck once again as Kasan held onto his hand and led him through the maze of tables towards the door. When had he last held someones hand before Kasan? The big cat did it so naturally, like holding hands with Max was nothing special. All of them did. Half the cats around him were clasping hands or arms or waists. Naked hands and arms and waists. His parents had never touched each other, or Max, this frequently. And Max had never even attempted it with the few women hed dated. Holding hands was such a sappy, romantic thing to do that it seemed entirely too un-masculine. Geeks dont hold hands. Max was pretty sure hed seen a t-shirt saying that once. But Kasans hand enveloping his own made him feel safe, and cared for, and that was pretty damn impressive for five fingers and a palm. So as always, Max didnt try to pull away as they headed out the door and down the hall. Returning the smile aimed at him, he even got a little shiver when Kasan squeezed his hand reassuringly. And then the damn cat ruined it all when he yelled out right above Maxs head. Scared the crap out of him! Zonta, wait! Zonta stopped, looking back down the cream-colored hall.

Kasan started talking as they headed over. Can you watch Max today again? Shifting his feet, Zonta smiled at Max before he answered. I was hoping to use today for research. There are a few sources on humans that were a bit obscure; I thought perhaps now that we have Max, we might be able to figure out what they mean. Kasan ran his hand over Maxs head and Max nearly lost track of the conversation. Could you take him with you to the archives, then? Youre not going to spend the day with him? Kasans ears flattened slightly. No. I was going to participate in the hunt, but the Elders have brought in more people to search for the shokan, so Im free to finish the inventory. Zonta chuckled. How terrible for you. Forced to confront boxes instead of deadly beasts. Brat. Kasan flicked at Zontas ear. Truly Im sorry to ask, but I think it would be better if he didnt work on inventory with me. Max cant really help yet, and youve seen how he is; hell fret himself into a frenzy if he doesnt know whats going on. Besides, I dont think well be done until after Lastmeal. Thats far too long to ask him to sit nearby, doing nothing. Zontas ears twitched. I suppose Kasan ran the hand down Maxs back, making small circles over the tunic. Thank you. Hes usually so nervous left to his own devices, and with new people. But he trusts you. Zonta smiled and offered his hands as he nodded. Dont worry, then. It shouldnt be an inconvenience. But I was wondering- The red-headed cat looked down at Max and smiled at him. Nice smile. Kind of sexy and innocent. Oh god, Max was analyzing mens smiles now. Gay, gay, gay. Kasan, what does Max want to do today? Have you asked him? Kasan shook his head, ears a little flatter. His hand spread across Maxs shoulder, enveloping the muscle there and wrapping around it. He doesnt know enough to make that decision. Zontas eyebrow rose and Max seriously wondered what was going on. He knew they were discussing him, and something about boxes hed managed to catchmaybe Zonta was going to go over more stuff with him again today? Hed been looking forward to it yesterday, but there was a surprising twinge of

disappointment at the thought of not being with Kasan. Again. Didnt spouses ever get time together? A honeymoon month? Even a honeymoon day or two? A honey hour? Kasan, Max might be human, but dont you think he has the right to make his own decisions? What if hed rather come with you? Kasans tail wrapped around Maxs waist and Max pet it while he watched them both. If Kasan looked unhappy, this was likely something that would make Max unhappy. Another time. Zonta, hes too delicate to take a chance right now. As soon as things settle down and Max knows how to get along, then itll be different, but right now, I need to keep him safe. Max is not going to take well to being babied. Anyone can see that, Kasan. Youd better be careful or youre going to have a very angry little consort. Zonta paused as Roto and Tisu passed through a cross hallway, Roto very obviously chastising Tisu. He smiled and gestured to them. And you know how much trouble that will get you. Kasan grinned sheepishly and looked down at Max. I can imagine. I think youll be very good keeping me in line, hmmm, little one? Or do you think I will be far too difficult? Max saw Zonta nodding and mouthing yes with a small grin and he repeated it. Kasan laughed and fuzzed his hair. Max, will you be all right going with Zonta today to study? My job is more unpleasant today. Kasan wants Max to be safe. You stay safe with Zonta today? Max frowned. Thats what hed been afraid all this was about getting dumped off with Zonta and not Kasan. Not stay with Kasan? Not this time. Never stay with Kasan, he grumbled, annoyed, and Kasan sighed. To Maxs surprise he nodded. I know. Not for long, though. Soon well have some time together. Max understood enough to relieve the odd pressure in his chest. This notnormal? What? No Kasan and Max together. Apart all day. All nightuh Max looked at Zonta and cut himself off before he said any more. Zonta grinned into his hand. Max was aware that Zonta knew exactly what he was going to say, but as long as it stopped here, he was going to pretend that the man hadnt a clue. No, Max. This isnt normal. Well have more time together soon, I swear.

Smiling, Max nodded, feeling like a goof at the tension that disappeared. But he couldnt deny that it had. With one last head fluffing, Kasan stepped away from him, and it was like some giant heater that had turned off; Max felt cooler almost immediately. If you need me, Ill be doing the inventory with the others, and then Im visiting the elders to see whats been done about Maxsabout the Niandrin. Zonta nodded, almost turning away before he shook his head. I still cant believe you all destroyed an entire vid room. What were you thinking? How badly I wanted to pound on them. You all think about that far too much. Youre just lucky youre the baby or youd be wanting to pound them all too. I have patience, thats all, Zonta said lightly. Kasan snorted. Max swallowed as Kasan turned his attention back to Max. With a small smile, Kasan leaned over him. He tilted Maxs face up, and Max felt the briefest brush of lips against his own while Kasan stroked over the back of his head. They looked at each other briefly, and with an abrupt twist, Kasan turned to go. Maxs hand, caught in an abortive movement to reach for him, dropped back to his side. Bye, he whispered. Kasan looked back and smiled, waving quickly before he turned the corner. Something about it felt false. Or maybe that was the smile on Maxs face as he waved back. Self-involved dork. Youre a grown man. Suck it up. Max swallowed, staring at the last place hed seen Kasan. Hed really wanted to stay with Kasan today. Come on, Max. Well be going to the archives today. Zontas hand touched Maxs elbow with a gentle dexterity that seemed out of place in a man as large as he was. The day will be done and Kasan will be back before you know it. Max swallowed, nodding as though he understood it all, and followed Zonta. As they walked, the floor under his bare feet changed until it was slicker, like amber glass worn smooth. The smell shifted to marble infused with dust and vaguely reminiscent of the small downtown library hed liked to study at when he was in college. Looking around, Max thought even the walls were subtly different than they had been. Rougher, less polished, with the cream color deepening to a brown flecked golden. Light reflected poorly off the stone. Doors along the hallway appeared with less and less frequency, until Zonta turned a corner and the only exit was an enormous door at the very end. The thing was huge, feet

above even the cats heads, and made of something that looked like enormous wooden planks, if wood were yellowed stone. A pair of very elderly guards stood in front of the massive thing. Max was almost expecting some moldering tomb, but instead, once the doors opened and they hiked through the long doorway, he found a room that looked surprisingly like an enormous, slightly tidier version of Zontas room. Books, papers, scrolls and little mini hand computer screens were everywhere. Enormous shelves were built into the walls, some stretching from floor to ceiling in the middle of the room. Smaller bookcases had obviously been added later and they decorated the room at random intervals. A very, very old looking cat came over to greet them, his dark braid striped with shades of silver and gray. Staring down at Max with an expression he hadnt seen yet on the cats: distaste. Did he have food on his face or something? Max reached up to check unobtrusively while the man spoke in a quavering voice to Zonta. What is this? Zonta smiled, but his hand tightened where it had curled over Maxs shoulder. Kasans human. I was going to- This is the human? The old cat's eyebrows came together in a furry car crash of dark fuzz. That cant be right. Humans are the same size as Kyashin. Zonta tilted his head, eyes unnaturally wide and even more innocent than usual. Is that so? How curious. Apparently, this one is smaller than normal. The other cat stared at Max and muttered to himself for a moment. Well, what is he doing here? Kasans consort should stay with him. They were just mated, werent they? Or was that Tisu? Its Kasan, Minoru. Zontas voice softened as he spoke. Hmph. Well of course it was. Max? Let me introduce you to Minoru. Minoru, this is Max. Max discovered that it was much harder to speak when a giant that was looking at you as though you were a strange looking bug. P-Pleased to meet you, Minoru. Yes, yes, pleased to meet you, Max. Minoru waved a hand at Max after a few moments. Sowere done here. Go on now. Back to your mate. Zonta has work to do. Max stared at him, and Zonta choked back a laugh. I need to keep him with me today,

Minoru. Kasan is working elsewhere. I was hoping to finish up some of the uncompleted human research. Under the circumstances, I really should get to work on it as soon as possible. Minoru scowled slightly, his ears back. He looked like an grumpy Cheshire cat. Max almost expected the shadows behind him to come out and leave nothing but a strange, glowing frown afterwards. Im not certain Im comfortable with him around some of the more fragile papers. He is Kasans consort. A consort is the shadow of his mate, you know. Zontas hand tightened over Maxs shoulder again and Max knew there was probably something in the translation that he was missing. I have every faith that Max will be perfectly safe among the more ancient of the papers. You can tell by his size; he is a scholar, not a warrior. Minoru stared at him and finally grunted. I suppose thats true. I dont see what help he could be, however. I was thinking of those papers from the Reconstruction. They are in human, arent they? Those are priceless! We cant have someone in there who might damage them. Minoru growled under his breath in an hoarse treble. Zonta looked around them ostentatiously and leaned in towards Minoru, whispering, But what if he could translate them? Minorus ears popped up. The human can read the language; he already read through the papers that were sent up to teach him Hinta. With his help, we might have the first translation of these in over three hundred years. Zonta glanced around again, making Max think of some pathetic spy just asking to be caught. Just imagine. If it works, perhaps even the other clans would give us access to some of their Reconstruction texts so that Max could translate them. Minoru glanced down at Max like someone finding a $100 bill in the middle of the street. It was almost worse than the scowl. His ears quivered. The man turned to go, gesturing them to follow with an irritated hand. Well? If were going to get these translated, we dont have all day! And I have just the piece. Julian you remember, Zonta, hes that pompous windbag from the Yanta he was looking at it just last month, claiming he had translated the first three paragraphs. As if that hack could figure it out? Preposterous. Hell be chewing holes in his ears over this!

Max swallowed and looked to Zonta. The big cat smiled and pushed him along. He leaned down to whisper. Dont worry, Max. Minoru just needed the right motivation. Its safe now. They followed behind, working their way deeper into the stacks of books and records, until they were in front of another large door. Max recognized a controlled environment the moment they stepped in. There were scrolls and a few books, but no computer bits in this section. The lights were dimmer. The air was a bit cooler and he shivered, wishing his tunic was thicker. Or that he had anything covering his legs at all. When he sat down on an enormous chair the first hed seen and it nearly froze his butt to the chair, he amended his wishing for something to cover his ass as well. The older cat muttered to himself as he tottered around the room and eventually brought out three very fine, very old-looking papers. A slurry of words that Max couldnt understand at all preceded his being allowed to so much as breath in their direction, but finally, Max got to take a look and see what they were doing here. Translating. The papers contained only two languages, English and Portugese. The first was an old list of supplies gathered for some type of journey. The second was a letter to someones husband, best he could tell, and the author was explicit enough in what he was going to indulge in when the husband returned that Max couldnt stop blushing. He wondered if his body would even bend that way. The last was instructions on some sort of machine, if he understood correctly. After some verbal fumbling, Zonta finally got him to understand that they didnt have the Kyashin version of these papers, unlike the ones theyd given him before. They wanted him to help them make one. Translating languages, just like he was supposed to do for the colony. Max swallowed, staring down at the papers. He had to blink when his eyes started to sting. Dumbass. So what if he had something to do now that wasnt sex? That was no reason toMax? He cleared his throat and turned his head away. Im good. Its nothing. Taking one deep breath, he gave a wobbling smile to Zonta and looked back at the papers. His eyes wouldnt focus at first, but he finally managed to get started.

Reading the second paper helped him calm his pathetic ass down; it was good to remember where he was. Sex planet. He wasnt sure if Zonta and Minoru would want the translation when they found out it was ancient letter porn, but knowing the cats? Of course they would; it had to do with sex. Minoru started working with Max first, but it was clear almost immediately that Minoru and Max were like peanut butter and pickles. Clashing was an understatement. After five minutes, a cat sucked into a vacuum would have been happier than Minoru was. Max knew so few words in Kyashin that he had to try and find out what a new word was through a combination of bad Kyashin and charades. And Max had always sucked at charades. He was panicked that they were going to give up on him altogether when Zonta put aside his own papers and scooted over to help. Dont worry, Minoru, I can help with this. Thank god. I dont know how humans were able to help us in the past, if they were all like this. Pardon my saying so, but Kasans consort must be some sort of genetic anomaly. Possibly a mental aberration. I need to go recover. Of course, Minoru. Shall I meet you here in the archive later today once Max is done? Certainly. Where else would I be? Minoru left the room, and Zonta and Max got started. Zonta seemed to be about as good at guessing in charades as Max was in presenting them, so it was a long, slow process of Max learning Kyashin words just so he could tell Zonta what a human term meant. No matter how long it took, though, every new word had Max and Zonta beaming like loons. Translating a word was better than discovering diamonds, damn. They had a quick break for food, but then it was back to the letters. Hours passed, and Max spent the early afternoon immersed in the language and words of someone long gone - some human long gone. He felt oddly less alone. Until they finished. When Maxs eyes started to see double, Zonta called a halt to it all. He called for someone to put the papers back in their containers, and theyd been heading out of the library when Minoru stopped them. He seemed very insistent that Zonta stay to finish something. Max wasnt sure what it was, but in the end, Zonta had nodded and talked to the guards. One had spoken into one of those little intercom boxes they used, and theyd waited until yet another cat had come trotting down the hall.

Which led to Max standing here as Zonta chattered faster than he could understand to the new cat. The big stranger was supposed to escort Max back to his room, then stay with him until Kasan came back. From what Max could follow, Zonta didnt even think Kasan would return before their next meal, so Max would be eating with the new one, as well. Max swallowed, frustrated. Hed been feeling so good about the day. Exhausted, but good. And nownow it was hard not to feel like a sex toy prisoner again. Max was going to be utterly sick of that damn room if he had to wait there until Kasanwell, until he had time for him. Biting his lip, he glanced at Zonta and caught a smile as Zonta looked down at the same time. Okay, so that wasnt a prison guard smile. But Kasan had better get back to the room soon. Max didnt want to be stuck with a bunch of strangers, and he really didnt want to eat with them. Looking up at the big male Zonta was talking to, Max quickly looked away. He still wasnt fond of new cats, especially ones like this big bastard, where he couldnt read his face. The two guards at the door would have been easier. They were smiling, at least. This one was as stiff as a tree trunk. Max? Zonta was waving in front of his face and Max startled. Zonta patted his head. Max thought it was supposed to be calming, but Zonta was a bit clumsier than hed been before. The soft thunking against Maxs skull just rattled his brains a bit. Can I introduce you? This is my Mother cousin Waran. Max swallowed. Mother cousin. Hed learned that word; cousin from my mothers side. So they were related? Shouldnt that have made him less frightening? Max looked up and tried to distract his run away from giants reflex by looking for a resemblance. The alien was big, he was a cat, and he had ears. That was as much resemblance as Max could figure out. Not good enough. He tried to step back without making a production out of it, but hed rather have backed to the wall. Up close to the new man, he had to crane his neck back so far that the cats size was intimidating as hell. P-Pleased to meet you, Waran. Pleased to meet you, Max. He didnt sound pleased. He sounded annoyed. Max took another unobtrusive step back. Waran is going to take you to Kasans room, Max, and stay with you. You wait with

him until Kasan can join you. Max swallowed again and watched Waran. He tried to smile. Why did he feel so creeped out? Max? You understand? Yeah. I understand. He just wanted Zonta to tell him that hed changed his mind and was coming along too. Or that Waran had a sudden case of the runs and one of the other guards was coming. Zontas voice lowered. Its safe, Max. Waran wont hurt you; hes family. He reached back, put a hand on Maxs back, and gently pushed him towards Waran. Kasan will see you soon, Max. Do not worry. Max nodded slowly, and when Waran started down the hallway he tried to keep up. And stay at least an arms length from Waran. He felt his breathing starting to speed up the second they left the hallway and the big library door was no longer in sight. No, he wasnt this stupid! It was just like just like Just like whenever hed traveled with his parents as a kid. Nothing to worry about. Theyd walk unfamiliar streets and listen to unfamiliar languages, and he would so desperately wanted to know what the people around him said so he could ask where to find food since his folks hardly remembered to eat once they were immersed in their work and Maybe not the best way to think about it. Just the walking part, though, he could do that. When hed been surrounded by color and smells and sounds that were completely different and new. And that could be good. Just like now. He was walking with someone new, through an enormous complex that he was still unfamiliar with. Exploring. But without poisonous snakes. Or pink blobs. Max glanced at Waran and looked away again. The man wasnt talking, wasnt even looking at Max more than the odd glance here and there. Max would rather do the same. He looked up on the walls, pretending interest, and finally realized there were small plaques attached at intervals, usually at the corners. Something like street signs? Waran, what those? The cat glanced down as Max gestured. He smiled, and Max nearly shuddered. Waran had one of the long cat faces that looked particularly alien right about now. Warans face looked more feline than most of the others Max had met, like a god out of a old Egyptian myth. The smile on his face seemed as wrong as seeing a real cat smile.

Max jumped as the man finally grunted out an answer. Directions. Max tried to smile back while his insides shivered as though he were in an icy fog. But this was good, dammit! Here he was, no Kasan, no Zonta, all alone with a strange cat, and look! No running! He was doing this. He could do this. Max took a deep breath and hoped that the chant in his head would sink into his bones and feel like more than a line from a musical. They walked for a while in silence, although he could feel the other cats eyes on him like theyd been popped out and rubbed on his skin. Which was such a gross thought that he gagged once. He hated silence. Uh, how are you doing, Waran? Good day now? The cat looked at him with his ears popping up and then slamming back down a moment before they slowly shifted neutral as though the cat were forcing himself. Yes. I am having a good day. Things are fine, human. Waran started walking faster. Oookay. Max trotted after him, barely able to keep up without running. He was ready to cry uncle so he could catch his breath when they turned another corner, and there was Kasans door. He recognized the small symbol painted above it on the wall. Waran slowed down. Thank God. Thank you for the walking. Max was hoping if he said thank you soon enough, Waran would leave sooner. Waran hardly glanced at him, continuing to the guards at Kasans door and Max remembered what hed seen the other cats do, that lip touching thing. Maybe Waran was pissed that Max hadnt remembered? It felt pretty stupid, but he trotted ahead and tried to reach up to touch Warans lips and say thanks. The cat took a quick, almost startled, step away from him. Youre welcome, Waran said quickly and walked towards the guards who were watching them both with a strange combination of expressions. They nodded to Max and one opened the door. The bigger guard smiled. Stay inside, little one. I know Kasan doesnt want you out in the garden until we find the shokan. Max worked on that one. Inside, and Kasan not wanting something about a garden and a

shokan. Not out in the garden without his shokan. Got it. Yes. I understand. Max turned to go inside. Kasan wanted me inside with him, Waran said. Ill be taking him to Lastmeal as well. Max paused, foot on the threshold, and nearly flinched as Waran started his way. No, no, Im fine. Waran frowned and took another step. Kasan wants you to have company. Max wasnt sure exactly what he was saying, but Waran was still coming towards him. No. Max good. No need Waran. All good. Max happy. Thank-you-good-bye! He darted inside and closed the door, leaning back against it and listening hard for any sounds on the other side. He could hear talking, but no one was coming in. A guard laughed. Kasans consort is still a little nervous, Waran. Dont take it personally. Hell be safe enough in the room alone. Kasan didnt want him left alone. Im sure he didnt mean in his rooms. Hell be fine. You can always come back to fetch him for Lastmeal. There was a long pause. Is his garden secure now? Waran asked. Not entirely, but theyve checked it over thoroughly. Dont worry. Truly, hell be safe enough. I suppose. Waran was quiet another moment and Max strained his ears. I heard that someone was killed. Did they find out who, yet? No, theres nothing left but those few bloodstains. No ones reported missing. Waran made sympathetic noises. I wonder who the poor soul was. The other cat piped up, his voice still the higher-pitch of a teen. The Elders are worried it was someone visiting town. Warans voice was a low grumble. Max could almost hear the frown in it. But that would mean that the shokan has been all the way outside the city and chosen to come back. Would one actually do that? I dont know, but the Elders seem to think its possible. Thats why were supposed to keep Kasans consort out of the garden. It might be safe for the moment, but were not certain how long that will be the case.

I see. Yes, that is disturbing, thinking that a shokan might be in Kasans garden at any time. Waran sounded annoyed again. Max pressed up hard against the door, wondering if he could do anything to keep the cat out if he tried to force his way in. He didnt know why it bothered him so much, but Waran really gave him the bad-vibe heebie-jeebies. Maybe the cat just didnt like humans? The younger voice spoke up. Uh, Waran, did you need something else? Hmmm? Oh, sorry. My mind was wandering; Shoru There was another long pause before Waran started talking again. Max wished he could understand exactly what they were saying. Difficulties all around, these days. Waran took a deep breath that was half sigh. Actually, since Im here I do have one problem you might be able to help me with. I have next shift, but Im a bit worried the heat will hit early. Its difficult to get out to Shoru now without a little more time to reach him. Ah. You need someone to cover for you? Only for the last two hours. I would have arranged it through official channels, but with the frenzy, scheduling is overwhelmed. I thought this might be easiest. Its not a problem. Dont worry. Id be happy to help. I cant let you do it without compensation, though. Please, let me take the last hours of your shift today? Waran, you dont need to- Its no bother. I wouldnt feel right, asking this of you without giving something in return. There was a long pause. Please, its the least I can do. You feel that strongly about it? Another long pause. Well all right, then. Zerard, you dont have a problem working with Waran for a few hours, do you? Of course not. Id be honored, Waran. Ive always admired how well you deal with your consor- Uh, that is. Oh god, Im sorry! Max thought he heard the youthful voice cracking and he was almost tempted to open the door to see what was happening. But not tempted enough. Warans voice lowered into some semblance of soothing. Dont worry, Zerard, Its not more than the truth. Shoru isdifficult.

The other guard spoke again. I heard about what happened. Im so sorry you have to go through this. Yes. Thank you. But I shouldnt be surprised, I supposed. Shorus always been this way, ever since we mated. I know, but no one deserves to have their consort comatose with the heat. Its I know. Waran cleared his throat. Let me go and arrange a few things and then Ill be back to take over the last few hours. Say, just before Munchies? That works. There was silence for a long minute and then the two guards were speaking again in lower tones. Do you think hell be all right? I dont think hes been all right since he mated Shoru. Hes never been the same since he came back from that trip. Just wish hed had better luck than ending up with that asshole. Max waited another minute, pressed against the door, but there was nothing else. If Waran was still there, he was talking to low for Max to hear. Shaking off a case of nerves, reminding himself that Waran wasnt in the room with him, Max blew out his breath and peeled his body away from the door. He took two steps before he was half-tackled. Androcles head-butted him, nearly knocking him over, and latched onto to the flap of his loincloth to play tug of war. Max tried to yell and whisper at the same time; he didnt want Waran to have an excuse to come in, if he was still outside! Androcles! Stop it! Andro-eep! The loincloth tightened with a strong tug and gave Max a groin-crushing wedgie. Androcles! Max could barely speak, holding onto the loincloth with both hands as he tried to keep it from pulling tighter. He was getting better at tying the stupid thing, but it wasnt built to withstand Androcles yanking at it! He hissed at the dog. Let go, dammit! Androcles released him with a giant, obnoxious dog-grin. Max flailed and fell over onto his butt. He pulled his cloth from where it had lodged between his asscheeks and glared at Androcles, who was still bigger today. Great, the dog was now officially bigger than a great dane. He was like a small mutant pony.

What the hell do they feed you? Growth serum dog chow? Crap. Androcles let him get up without messing with him, but then he crowded into Maxs space. Trying to shove his way clear, Max ended up backed into a side wall. Androcles started licking him all over. And againstop with the crotch licking! And the LIPSdo you know how gross dog slobber is? It doesnt matter if its alien dog slobber or not, Androcles, its still gross. Max shoved the heavy muzzle away from him and made a face at the slimy mess left on his hands. There was a reason hed always liked cats a little more, and dog slobber was definitely one of the reasons. Not that he hated dogs, it was simply that cats were better. Kasan came to mind and he flushed and shivered at the same time. That was NOT the reason I liked cats, he muttered. After another minute of struggling, Androcles finally stopped attempting to give him a bath and headed to the garden door. Max wondered if Kasan had forgotten to come over to let him out. Andwait, was he supposed to clean up after the dog? He hadnt actually noticed any giant piles of dog poo out in the yard, but maybe Kasan usually cleaned up? Would he expect Max to do that? Somehow, that seemed like an awfully big chore. And getting bigger. I think Im going to pretend ignorance and just let you go out on your own. Youre okay now, right? They said I could go out with you, so I could if you need me to. He slid open the door as he talked. Androcles scampered out like a gamboling t-rex, pausing to stare at Max once at the edge of the trees. Then he slipped into the shadows. It was amazing that something that big could disappear so completely. Guess you dont need me. He waited a second to see if Androcles was coming right back and then started to get nervous and closed the door. The pink spiked blobs were still to much on his mind. They were freaky. As. Hell. He was more and more glad that Kasan had a dog. With a sigh, he drooped over to the bed, floomping the pillows into a good nest shape and curling up in them. He could have kicked them all off, but it was kind of fun to make a big mess of them to rattle around in. Must be the latent monkey in him. Or the cats were wearing off on him.

Either one wouldnt surprise him. Especially with how tired he was all the time; he thought hed had a siesta every day since hed woken up. Obviously, dealing with big-ass cats took a lot out of a guy. Although right now it was his eyes that were giving him trouble. They were exhausted from reading all day; hed just close them for a little while. Lying in the pile of fluffiness, he caught a familiar scent close by and started sniffing. It was the pillow next to his face, a little black velvet one, fuzzy, with tassels. And it smelled exactly like Kasan. He pulled it close to his face and closed his eyes for a nap. ~*~*~*~*~*~ Wiping the sweat off his face with a damp towel, Kasan looked around him with a relieved groan. The men and women whod been on duty in the Main vid room had been allowed to leave earlier, but his brothers were seated against the wall with him, panting in the sweltering warehouse room. The boxes were all neatly put away, the numbers tallied up on the hand comps theyd been using half the day. Kasan had been bitching at everyone the entire time, working double-time, hoping to finish early so he could get out to see Max. It was nearly five hours earlier than expected, but they were finally done. Kasan might even have enough time to go have Munchies with Max. He usually skipped the snack between meals, but hed take what he could get today. Especially as hed missed the little one at Midmeal. Kasan had thought hed have a chance to see Max until Leero had shown up with food, courtesy of their father. A little smack that reminded them all that they werent being allowed to stop working until theyd finished. Leero had looked like hell, though. His body had jumped when Aosh spoke to him, backing up a step like a new recruit. Jumpy as Rui hunting the shokan. Kasan hadnt been able to figure out what was wrong this wasnt like Leero at all but Aosh had. The lecherous brat had started to laugh as soon as Leero left. What? Tisu took a bite of his meat roll while he looked at his brother. You cant tell? I finally figured it out. Aosh grinned maniacally and wouldnt say another word until Jolan threw a sausage at him. Aosh caught it in mid-air and took a large bite, but it did get him to talk, at least. Fine, spoilsport. Leeros in heat. Nolluz snorted dismissively. Ridiculous. Father would never allow him to remain in Service if he were going into heat. Aoshs eyes narrowed instantly. Trust me, I can tell when someones reacting to me, and Leero never has. Just now, he was so hard when I spoke to him youd think I was his long lost lover. I would bet my braids that hes in the middle of heat.

Nolluz continued the argument, the small spat escalating until Aosh dumped his salad on his older brothers head. Kasan ignored them with the ease of long practice and chewed his own food as he thought about it. There was a good chance Aosh was right. Little bugger was seldom wrong about sexual things, no matter what else he screwed up. And it wasnt as though it was unexpected. Leero was the right age for heat, a couple years younger than Kasan. Add to that the fact that there was a frenzy currently going on? It made sense. But if that were the case, why was he still in service? Kasan would have to go talk to father and make sure he knew what was going on. It was entirely possible that Leero wasnt saying anything because of some strange sense of duty. He always took too much onto himself. And Kasan wanted to make sure Leero got a chance to be with someone who could make him happy. He could still remember when Tisu and Roto were mated. Kasan had been complaining about his little brother going into heat before him, and Leero had still been blurry from yakkin. Sighing drunkenly about how he was looking forward to his own heat, Leero had blathered for nearly an hour over how much he wanted a consort like the others in Kasans family. Someone he could Join with. Leero had denied it vehemently the next day, but Kasan had kept his eye out since then for a potential consort for his friend. He hadnt found anyone yet who seemed just right. Kasan damn well hoped Leero had. Considering Leeros high standards, there was a good possibility that if he hadnt have some time to look, the heat might take over and hed go feral. At least Kasan had avoided that with Max. The damage he could have done to Max if hed lost himself in the heat like that he could have nearly killed the little one. As mindless as some Kyashin were close to the end of their heat? He shuddered. His heat might have been hard to control, but not to the extent hed heard about. Kasan had to think that the old wives tale was true: throwbacks werent hit as hard. Thank god. Kasan couldnt have forgiven himself if hed hurt Max like that. He doubted Leero would forgive himself either, if it were to happen to him. Tossing the towel to Nolluz, he stood up. Max was what he wanted, enough to make his guts ache right now, but Leeros issues had to be addressed first. With that in mind, he said quick goodbyes to his brothers, glad that hed finished the damn inventory before nightfall. After nearly an hour of searching and redirection by various family members, he found his father in consultation with the elders. He managed to wait a few sentences before interrupting. Father, may I talk to you for a few minutes?

Of course. Ill meet you in the main room. With a nod, Kasan left them to their discussion it looked as though they were eliminating candidates from those who had volunteered to go to Tiensa. It was gratifying to see how many people were on the list on the wall, and amazing that theyd managed to collect so many names already when nearly half the guards were still trying to hunt down the shokan. Done with the citadel and already into the city now, the last hed heard. He should check to see if they had finished the city, yet. Another delay in seeing Max. Dammit. Perhaps they were lucky and it had left the area entirely. That would be the best he could hope for, but it still left an uneasy taste in his mouth. The thought that they might have missed the shokan lingered in his head. He wasnt leaving Max alone outside for a few weeks, if they didnt find any sign of the animal. It was just too chancy. Perhaps he could teach the little one some moves to protect himself. With the spear, one of the shorter staffs that the littles trained with, or a sling. Something. Max could learn. He was frightened a lot, but he didnt give up. Spirit was something you couldn't teach, and the little one had that in spades. Excitability too, but the spirit Kasan grinned again, seeing Max in his head from the night before. So gorgeous, his face flushed as he tried to figure out what to do. Adorable, and sexy as hell, and.Kasan lost his train of thought as his father came in, but the Lord king could probably tell what hed been thinking about. It was awfully hard to hide an erection AND a lack of tattoo on his chest at the same time. The knowing grin from Kyoru made Kasan get right to the point before his father started in on him. Leeros is in heat. Kyorus ears quirked once before he smiled. I know. He hadnt expected that. But hes still in service. Why hasnt he been released yet? I have need of him; hes agreed to stay in service until the heats end grows too close. But- Kasan, Leero and I have already spoken of it. Its decided. Kasan tried to speak again and Kyoru cut him off. Dont worry; he wont be put in jeopardy. I care for him as much as you. He suddenly grinned. He doesnt need much time to choose, in any case. Theres a candidate lined up already.

Kasan wondered what the hell was going on. There was something in his fathers eyes, like when he used to tease them as littles. He hadnt seen this look on the Lord Kings face in a long, long time. Aosh and Zonta had almost never seen it at all father had stopped playing for years after mother died but he used to be even worse with pranks than many people accused Kasan of. Along with his genes, pranking was something Kasan came by naturally. Now he was wondering whether this grin was aimed at him, or whether he should be worried about something happening to Leero. Are you feeling all right, father? Im fine, Kasan. Are you sure? I know that its been difficult with everything thats happening. I know. Kyoru sighed, losing his smile. Its not an easy time right now, of course. But you are still alive. I have a new son in your consort, and Leero will be gaining a new partner as well. Despite the Niandrin and my brother, there is enough joy to focus on, Kasan. Dont worry yourself into an early grave. Father, I- Kasan. Kyoru shook his head and flicked Kasans ear with his finger. If you must do something, make sure you bring your little one to last meal this time so that I may see him again. Hes quiteentertaining. Of course. He couldnt argue that. Nodding carefully, he withdrew, pausing before he completely left the room. The search for people to go to Tiensa? It goes well. We will have people ready by tomorrow, and our allies have someone already there who confirmed that there are humans for sale. But Kasanit does not sound like there are many. The rumor is that one has already sold, and they are only putting up three or four more for bidding. I dont know if this is all they have, or if they are trying to get the best price and hiding the rest. We will need to find out. Kasan nodded quietly, swallowing as he left. That few? That couldnt be all of Maxs family. No one could survive on their own for this long with so few people, and for Max to be as unaware of their species as he was, they had to have been isolated. He should have asked before what size group Max was used to, but things had been so chaotic. Kasan would find out when he spoke to him next. Which would still have to wait a few more minutes. He needed to check and see if the citadel guard needed anything, check how the hunt for Shovak and the shokan went, what the other clans were saying about their own purist groups if theyd spoken to Nolluz about it already, and if anything else needed his attention, and then he could finally go see his little one.

The day was far too short for everything he needed to do. He needed another pair of arms. The sudden image popped into his head of just what he could do with Max if that were the case and he ended up walking down the hall with a huge smile on his face. Chapter 24 - Protecting Max Pacing between the shelves in the public archives, Kasan lashed his tail irritably. Max was taking too long. Kasans tail lashed to the side again with a quick snap. He heard it topple a pile of scrolls right before he felt the rolled parchment ruffle his fur. Damn, not again. Within seconds, three archivists converged, making tching sounds in their throats as Kasan tried to stuff the paper irritants back on the shelf. They politely urged him to go stand somewhere else. Hed heard that same phrase enough in the last few minutes to make him want to let out his claws and see if he could make the scholars scatter. And Zonta wonders why I hate this place. Kasan kept his voice low, but he didnt really care if anyone heard him. He disliked the archives intensely. In his opinion, the reason their forefathers had kept rooms and corridors wide and open was because Kyashin originally had tails. All the shelves added to this room in the past 200 years made it so cramped that Kasan was in danger of knocking over something every time he forgot to keep his body reined in. And Zonta had kept him waiting for almost ten minutes now. What was taking him so long to bring Max over? Zonta had to know that the older archivists wouldnt let Kasan enter the sections containing the oldest papers. But waiting like this, when all Kasan wanted to do was see Max, was pure hell. For the first time since they were mated, Kasan could spend the entire evening with Max getting to know him instead of satisfying the heat or keeping him calm. They could make love slowly for once, just because they both enjoyed it. Considering how quickly Max was learning Hinta, Kasan thought they might be able to actually talk. Kasan could finally learn more about his husband. Like the actual size of his family that they should be looking for, or how Max got here. What hed done before the slavers had acquired him, what he liked to eat, what he enjoyed doing. What he really felt about Kasan. Kasan lashed his tail again, bumping against a stack of hand comps. He winced, the clacking, metallic slither echoing like a screeching yowl through the archives. He had to stop doing this. The archives were not hell, and he didnt have to dwell on hellish, nerve wracking worries every time he came here. But he usually did, which was another reason why he avoided the place like it was

infected with kouloc. The last time hed been in the archives had been - before last years battle? Yes, that had been it. His first time as the Battle Leader, when hed had Zonta look up a strategy that would work better in hill country. By the time hed left, Kasan had been second guessing his choices already, wondering if he was ready to lead, or if hed lose the Hinta their concessions for the year. Competitions in warfare might be a quick way to sort out political disputes, but they were still a pain in the ass. Kasan had managed to avoid thinking of it, but after waiting in the archives, the old concerns were creeping back in. He growled under his breath, dodging another low shelf. No matter how complicated his familys situation was currently, there were only a few months left until this years battle. Preparations had to be made. And he had no idea what to do about Max. How was he going to keep the little one safe? Kasan had to participate, and that meant so did Max, but all the other consorts would be trained and able to defend themselves. And Maxwasnt. Not that thered been any deaths in years, but there were still some debilitating injuries. Any one of which could kill someone of Maxs small stature. Kasan shuddered, fighting against an image of Max lying on the ground, broken. That would not happen. Slavers and shokan and this years battle it didnt matter. Kasan wasnt letting anything hurt Max. If he had to, hed work with Zonta and Tisu on making sure of that. They could figure out a way to keep Max safe. Untested newbies had been forced into the battle before. It could be done. Hed simply never done it with someone he cared about so much. Kasan took a deep breath, wrapped his tail around his own thigh, and closed his eyes. God but he wanted Max. His fingers twisted in on his palms just thinking about running them over that fluffy, golden brown hair. He wanted to see the soft blush over Maxs cheeks when Kasan flustered him into incoherency, that little smile that Kasan had only witnessed a handful of times now. It wasnt right that the expression Kasan was most familiar with on Max was fear. Kasan growled under his breath, his tail jerking once against his leg. Dammit, he wanted to be able to look into Maxs face and tell him that everything was going to be all right. That Maxs family would be fine. That nothing was trying to hurt him anymore, not wild animals or rogue members of his family or fanatics. That Kasan hadnt failed him. He wanted to Max to be happy. And he wanted Max to be his.

Kasans ears flattened. He couldnt explain it, but every time thoughts of Max entered his head, he knew he wanted something more than mating. Yes, right now, Kasan was Maxs, and Max was his. Most people would be content with that; theyd be mated for at least a couple decades. Plenty of time for feelings to deepen between them. If only his previously sane emotions would agree; right now, it didnt seem to matter that they had time and that Kasan barely even knew Max. Even a moment alone with his consort reminded Kasan how viscerally attracted to Max he was. How Max looked, and spoke, and acted it was permanently etched into Kasans bones. He didn't know how Max had invaded his mind so easily when Kasan didnt even understand yet what went on in his consorts head, but at the same time? The thought of life without Max felt flat and colorless. Kasan started pacing again. How would Max react to joining with Kasan for the rest of their lives? Zonta had taught him the word, hadnt he? So Kasan could ask, but if he did, what would Max say? What if he didnt want such a commitment? What if he didnt feel the same way? Of course he doesnt feel the same yet. Kasans sharp growl startled one of the younger archivists and she jumped before scurrying away. The little one had been through so much in such a short time. How could Max possibly feel as deeply as Kasan? Gisho might be enjoying their sex thankfully but he was separated from his family, newly mated, and on a strange world. How could there be any place left in his mind for an equally strong attachment to Kasan? But what was Kasan going to do if it never developed? Kasan lost control of his tail again and groaned as it toppled a small stack of books. Dammit, he wanted Max! What was taking Zonta so long? Destroying the archives again? Finally! Kasan turned, his ears rising off his head, but they stopped half-way as he faced Zonta. His brother was clinging to a large sheaf of papers. Max wasnt with him. Kasan peered around Zontas legs, just to be sure. Wheres Max? He couldnt help the snap to his words. Max? Zontas own ears fluttered, then drooped. Didnt Waran get in touch with you? Max is already back in your rooms. No, he didnt get in touch with me! Max wasnt here? What the hell are you doing

here if Max isnt? I asked you to watch him, Zonta! Zontas eyes narrowed. I did. For most of the day. But hes alone now! What if he tried to go outside on his own and the shokan was there? Kasan whipped around to find him when Zontas voice cut him off. Did I say he was alone? Zontas voice was flat. Warans with him. I thought you would feel more comfortable with family watching out for Max, so I asked him to stay until you were finished with your work. Kasan stopped, his stomach still trembling from the adrenaline rush. He inhaled deeply to get back some control before he could turn to face his brother. I asked you to watch him for a reason. Max doesnt know Waran. What if Waran frightened him? Zonta put aside the papers in his hand, laying them on the nearest table. His ears flickered in annoyance. Hes cared for, Kasan. The poor thing was exhausted, and I was detained here. I was not going to make Max suffer because I cannot keep up with my own workload. Besides, hes an adult. If he were worried over Waran, he would have found a way to make it clear. Hes fragile, and high-strung. And youve seen how he acts when hes startled; he might hurt himself trying to get away. What if Waran couldnt keep track of him? Zonta snorted. Do you really think thats likely? Kasans ears went back as he heard the tone in Zontas voice. His youngest brother used it primarily when he thought one of his older brothers were acting like an idiot. Kasan flicked his ear for it. Dont be a brat. Its a legitimate worry. For a first time parent, perhaps. Dont be so overprotective. Give Max a little room. Zonta sighed, closing his eyes. He looked tired. Kasan caught himself before he spoke again. He wasnt going to apologize Max needed special care, and Zonta of all people was aware of that. But he could calm down. A little. As long as Max was safe Waran knows what he was supposed to do? He knows to stay with Max until you arrive. He was going to take him to Lastmeal, but obviously thats not necessary now. Zontas ears fluttered back to their normal position. Im sorry that you wasted the trip here. I should have thought to have one of the other guards get in touch. Waran has so much on his mind right now Kasan nodded. Zonta looked exhausted. Had it been that difficult today? What about for Max?

Reaching out to touch his finger to Zontas lips, Kasan softened his tone. Forgiven. Im sorry the day was so arduous. Zonta shook his head, a smile creeping in. Only the last hour or so. Max was an enormous help. Elder Minoru retrieved some of the documents from the Reconstruction, and Max was actually able to read them. The translation is still going to take some time, until Max learns more Hinta, but we made definite progress. With his knowledgeI cant tell you what a benefit having Max in the family is going to be, Kasan. Even for other clans. There are so many records that weve never been able to understand, including some that might pre-date the citadels creation. He paused and his ears lowered. There has to be something in there that would help us reprogram the citadels defenses. Kasan caught the stress in his voice and suddenly Zontas irritability made sense. He reached out again, rubbing Zontas ear. Worrying about Aosh? Zonta nodded jerkily. You know how he feels about our tec constraints. Its been wearing on him lately how little he can contribute, hamstrung like that. If something doesnt change soon, Im worried hell try and leave for another family. Kasan nodded, adding that to the growing pile of concerns to be dealt with. He should mention this to father. Ill talk to him. No, please. Dont. Itll just put his back up. He wouldnt like to know I mentioned it. Zontas ears flattened and Kasan nodded slowly. Hed still try to figure out how to keep Aosh from making a serious mistake, however. I wish he could- Never mind. Can Max come to the archives tomorrow to continue the translation? Not on his own. Dont worry, Ill work with him. Kasan sighed. Zonta, you have training tomorrow, remember? I know; I double checked the schedule to see when you were busy this week. Training can wait. No, it cant. You postponed it last week and then forgot to set a time to make it up. You need to keep up with this as much as with your studies. Zonta frowned and Kasan flicked his ear. How are you going to help us with planning for Battles after your mating if you cant help us in Battle? Train tomorrow. You can study with Max the day after. Zonta grumbled, disgruntled. Kasan kept his encouraging smile until he turned to leave. He frowned as soon as Zonta couldnt see his ears anymore. Aosh, thinking about leaving. Yet another problem to deal with, but at least it was a

familiar one. It was hard to wrap his mind around Max working as an archivist, though. Kasan knew Max was smart, but thinking of him working wasstrange. Did Gisho even want that? And if he did, why was the thought so disquieting? Max as a working member of society, earning a place in the family, interacting with people every day - without Kasan. Kasan pushed open the door exiting the archives and frowned again. He felt. He felt left behind. Max was his consort. His. Kasan had barely had the time needed to exchange more than a few words with the little one ever since theyd mated. He didnt want to damn well share his consort with everyone else, this soon, when they hadnt even had enough time together yet. Kasan didnt want to chance losing Maxs interest before he was sure he had it in the first place. Which was unfair and selfish on Kasans part, if that meant keeping Max from something he took pleasure in. But Kasan couldnt help one last growl as he imagined it. Hed rather lock them both away for a week or two so they could make love, and talk, and Kasan could feed Max new foods just to see his eyes go wide in surprise over the tastes. While the rest of the world waited to continue until they got back, of course. Kasans ears slapped against his head and he blew out his breath. That was never going to happen. But at least for tonight, he could spend time alone with his consort. If he hurried. He jogged the rest of the way to his room. Waran and Quim were standing guard outside his room when he arrived; both their ears flattened for the briefest moment when they saw him. Max wasnt with them. Wheres Max?! What the hell did Waran think he was doing out here without Max? And if he had guard duty, what had he been doing down in the archives fetching Max? It was still mid-shift. Hes inside the room. Waran smiled as though Kasans claws werent slipping out. Dont worry; you dont need to take a break from your work just to check on him. Seamus will be taking over my shift early. Im still able to take your consort to Lastmeal. Im done, Kasan growled, cutting himself off when Warans ears drooped. Control, he

reminded himself. Max was safe; thats what mattered. You were supposed to stay in the room with him, Waran. Max needs looking after. If you had other commitments that kept you from doing your duty, you should have told Zonta. Warans ears went down further. His eyes glinted. Your consort didnt wish for anyone to be in the room with him, and Seamus felt that we should adhere to his wishes. He cleared his throat. After that, I asked if I could change shifts so I could remain nearby. I have not been neglecting my duties, Prince Kasan. Kasan scowled. Waran only used the title when he was annoyed. But the man should have known better. Tell Seamus to get off his ass and box me, next time theres a conflict. If Shorus ill health was affecting Warans judgment this way, maybe the man needed to take a few days off. Of course. Warans jaw was tense and angry. You can take the end of this shift off, if Seamus is spelling you. Ill go with Max to Lastmeal. Both mens ears quivered sharply. You- You dont have anything else to finish today? Waran asked slowly. Nothing that cant wait. Im going to spend the rest of the evening with Max. Waran and Quim exchanged a look and Kasan wondered what it was supposed to mean. And then why Quim was there at all. Wasnt Zerard supposed to be on shift with Seamus today? Or did he get caught up in the frenzy, too? Waran paused and then smiled, nodding. You know how it goes; the young ones are so easily overwhelmed. Quim was able to take over after Zerard left. We have it covered. And truly, if you have things you need to do, I would be happy to take your consort to the meal for you. It would be no trouble at all. I- Kasan opened the door and patted Warans shoulder as he passed. Thank you, Waran, but the only thing I need to do is spend time with Max. He shut the door on them, ignoring the determined look on Warans face. With a nasty consort like Shoru, Waran was unlikely to understand how happy Kasan was to simply be with Max. Who was fast asleep, as usual. Kasan smiled as he walked to the bed. Max was curled up in a small ball, taking a nap in a nest of pillows like some exotic baby bird. His head was partially buried under a black velvet pillow. He looked sweet. Vulnerable. Sexy. God but Kasan wanted him. Max? Max didnt move and Kasan shook his shoulder gently. His little one slept on, stretching once and turning over onto his back. He started to snore softly. You do sleep

with a will, dont you, Gisho? Kasan gently shook his shoulder again. Maxs face scrunched into a grimace. He kicked out once with a grunt and settled, his legs splayed wide. Grinning, Kasan reached down and cupped the now-visible bulge of Maxs testicles through the fabric of his loincloth. Max stopped grimacing, but he still didnt wake. Kasan leaned down and nipped at Maxs bottom lip. And then spoke more loudly. Max! Wake up, little one! If you sleep too much now, youll never get to sleep tonight! Max blinked his eyes once, seemed to register Kasan, and then let his lids drift shut again. Max! Another slow blink and then Maxs sleepy face brightened with a sudden, sweet smile. Kasan? It was the expression Kasan felt like hed been waiting all day just to see. Hello, sweetheart. Kasan brushed his fingers over Maxs small sac as he withdrew. Maxs smile faded and his face flushed. Uh. I- He glanced down at where Kasans hand was removing itself and clamped his thighs together. H-hello. They stared at each other until Max stumbled up out of the cushions with an awkward cast to his limbs, scooting them around self-consciously. Smiling again, Kasan stood back to let him up. Max shuffled about, trying unsuccessfully to scoot himself over the pillows and off the bed. He grumbled as he finally had to stand and walk. Kasan couldnt stop smiling, his eyes taking in everything about Max, from his tousled hair to the rosy tint to his cheeks. Maxs eyes shied away as he soon as he noticed. He immediately tripped on a large teal pillow. Kasan caught him with a laugh. Careful, Max. One day, youre going to fall and I wont be there to catch you. Max flushed was brighter. Yeah, been there, done that, he mumbled. He squirmed until Kasan let his feet reach the floor. Looking down at the top of his head, Kasan was reminded as though he needed a reminder of how small Max really was. The little one would have to go on tiptoes just to lick Kasans nipple. And no matter how thoughtful Waran was, he wasnt Zonta. He hadnt studied humans so that he was aware of their fragility, and their issues. Even on something as safe as the bed, Max seemed determined to injure himself. The walk back with Waran could have been a complete disaster. Kasan frowned just as Max looked up at him.

He had to keep him safe. You should have stayed with Zonta. Huh? Max tilted his head. Why? Zonta knows you, Zonta knows what you need, and Zonta is the person I asked to watch you. Max stared at him and Kasan wasnt sure what he expression on his face meant. Still feeling like a slave, Max muttered. Im safe. No. Kasan changed tactics when Maxs eyes widened. All right, yes, youre safe, but it was Zontas responsibility to make sure you were safe, Max. To protect you. Max struggled with something, his face scrunching up in a particularly cute manner. Kasan Thats not- Ugh, this is so frustrating! Max took a deep breath. I like that Kasan think of Max. He didnt sound as though he liked it. I just dont want to be some sex-toy alien-husband thing that has no life but to get passed around and get screwed, okay? I want to- I want to freaking do something. Max? I cant understand you. Dammit. Max began to pace, gesturing with his arms as he picked up speed. Max want to take care of Max. Sort of. Not that I wouldnt mind some help with the blobs and the big freaky cats, and the perverts, but I can at least pick what I want to do, and where I want to walk. Eventually. Right? Im not a stupid kid, Kasan! I just- I take care of me. Max, youre too small. Far too small. Max clenched his fists. Maybe youre too damn big. I might need help sometimes, yeah. Who doesnt need help when youre all big, lecherous mutants? ButI. Max struggled with something and Kasan sat down on the bed. He pulled Max onto his lap. Max glared at him, squirming again. It was rather adorable. Maxs finger poked Kasan in the nose. Max is not a toy. I didnt think you were. Max is not weak. Kasan hugged him around the back, reveling in the feel of his pert ass clenched on Kasans thighs. I know. Not many could survive an entirely new culture so soon after the loss of their family. I have every respect for your strength, little one. He rubbed Maxs back, trying to sooth him. Max can look after himself.

Kasans hand paused as he really thought about that. Should he be honest? Im sorry, Max. I dont agree. Max growled. Max is adult! Kasan wished he could make Max understand. I know that. But youre so ignorant about the Hinta, yet, Gisho. There is so much here that could harm you, and you are not even close to knowing what all the dangers are. Even one of the littles could injure you if they happened to catch you alone. I know you want to have more independence. Kasan thought thats what Max wanted, if he was reading it right. But you have a lot to learn, still. You need looking after. Youyou need help, still. You need me. Maxs eyes focused inwards, confused. Kasan sighed; the little one probably hadnt caught all that. Simpler might be better. Max, you cant look after himself. Thats bullshit, Kasan. Max stared up at him and bit at his lips while he half-glared. Yeah, I dont know what the hells going on, and maybe I trip over my own feet sometimes, but Im not an imbecile! And I hate Waran. Hes a creepy freaking bastard. And if you think I need to be taken care of all the time, you can- you can just do it yourself and stop running off everywhere so Im all alone in this stupid room all the time! Because Im telling you, if you leave me alone here one more time, Im going to get Androcles to slobber all over you. Maybe youll remember what a pet really is, then, huh? Androcles is a dog; Im a person. Not a dog. Which you should know. Dog saliva is nothing like mine, you big, honking- Max stopped, his voice cut off as Kasan gave into an urge and kissed him. Maxs tongue slid against his own, curling around it when Kasan sucked it into his mouth. Kasan could do this every moment for the rest of his life and never grow tired of it. They were both breathing heavily when Max pulled away. The little one grumbled under his breath, his fingers trembling. Just have to be good at that, dont you? I bet you do it on purpose, too. Just to drive me crazy. Because this is insane, you know that, right? Im an insane nympho now. Kasan rubbed his hand over Maxs back again, making soothing sounds. Max all hot and bothered was something hed been waiting for all day, but he wished the little one wasnt quite so upset. Dammit, he hated still not being able to understand him. Soon, Max. You can tell me everything soon, when you have the words. Although I wont compromise on your safety. You can hate me for it as much as you like. But its my duty to care for you, precious. And I enjoy doing it. Kasan smiled as he looked Max over and rubbed a dusty smudge off Maxs nose. Right now, that means I can help get you clean.

Kasan popped Max on the bed and walked over to the shelf with the cleaning oils. He picked out a new rag. Max sighed behind him. What, you kiss me and then thats it? I thought we were going to have sex? And why do we need the oils again? Not that you dont look really hot when you put the oil on your cock and- Max stuttered to a stop and then started grumbling again. Why cant you have non-perverted ways to clean people? Hasnt anyone here ever heard of a shower? Or even a bath? What did you say? Kasan walked back with the cloth, wondering as Max paused and looked at him with a struck expression. Kasan? Kyashin have big water to clean in? It was no effort to stop. Kasan barely registered that he had stopped. Big pool of water? To wash in? You want to wash in water? Totake a bath? The smile that lit up Maxs face had Kasans cock so hard it was awkward. Max wanted a bath? A bath? Yes! A bath! You have these? The oil dropped to the floor and Kasan had to pick it up quickly before it all poured out. Saliva pooled in his mouth. Max wanted to go to the baths. Max couldnt know what that meant. Probably. Did humans even bathe the same way? But what if he did? Kasan hadnt even dreamed theyd be taking a bath together for weeks yet, if not months, not with the state of Maxs nerves. But he looked so excited right now, the frustration from earlier erased entirely. MaxMax seemed to really want it. Max was looking forward to it. Wehave baths. But Max, how humans take baths? He had to be sure there was no miscommunication here. How do we-? Uh, we get clean? In water? That sounded the same, for part of it. Do you doanything else? What the hell else is there? Uh, clean hair? Use liquid, like cleaning oil? That anything else? Or more? Kasan swallowed, envisioning Max covered in oil, hair damp and shining. Yes, he said hoarsely. More. He could lay Max down on the furs and stroke him until he was incoherent, babbling in his human language non-stop, then fill him so slowly they were

both writhing with the need to come. And then they could do it again. Max shifted, staring into Kasans eyes. His pupils darkened, leaving only a thin circle of blue around them. His cheeks were pink when he spoke again. Kasan mean sex. Kasan smiled slowly. Max wasnt trying to step away from him. Yes. Maxs hand gripped the fabric of his tunic. Of course you do. Couldnt have something non-perverted in cat land, could we? Dammit, why are you all so- Kasan drew a finger down Maxs arm and the little one swallowed heavily. W-Want to know, humans have sex in baths? Yes. I- Uh. Max licked his lips. Yes. We have sex and bath. Sometimes. Kasan moved one step closer and the little one shifted his head to look up at him, still flushed. But Max stood his ground. This time? Kasan whispered. Sex and bath this time? Max chewed the lip between his teeth. His feet shifted again. He looked up at Kasan, down at his body, and then down at his own hands. Taking a deep breath, he straightened his shoulders. I- I dont know Those blue, beautiful eyes looked up through dark lashes. Y- Yeah. Okay. This time. Kasan grabbed Maxs hand before his consort changed his mind and tossed the oil back to the shelf. Max started sputtering before they even hit the door. Kasan, woah! What are you- Max tripped and fell against Kasan as they both paused to open the door. Kasan turned back, wrapped his arm around Maxs waist, and kept going. Waran called out as Kasan raced through the door. Kasan, wait. I needed to ask you- Ill be back after Lastmeal. Were going to the baths! He grinned as he glanced back, ignored their odd looks, and pulled Max along. He hadnt turned the corner before he realized that they werent going nearly fast enough, even if Max was scampering to keep up. Kasan picked up Max and chuckled when his consort smacked him in the chest. Dammit, Kasan, what the hell?

Shhh, Max. Dont worry. Well get there soon. In fact, here, hold on to my neck, well get there faster. Max glared at him. Where? Kasan pulled him in close and nuzzled his hair as he moved. The baths, Max. Were going to the baths. Max finally stopped squirming. Oh. Bath not in Kasans room? No. Very big baths, not here. Now hold on! Max did, a blush staining his cheeks as he wrapped his arms around Kasans neck. Kasan grinned and ran full out down the corridors. Theyd have to get to the heart of the citadel, where the springs came up, warmed in the bathing chambers. If he didnt want to waste their time together, he was going to get there as quickly as he could. A few cousins tried to hail him and he simply yelled out, Baths! as he passed. Most responded with a grin, some with yelled out suggestions. Aosh stared at him as he ran by, and did both. Maxs face was crimson by the time they arrived at the in front of the glided doors that separated the baths from the rest of the citadel. Putting him on his feet, Kasan watched Max carefully to make sure he hadnt changed his mind. He couldnt always understand his husband, but it was moments like this when he felt that somehow, he still knew Max. Max wasnt having second thoughts. His face flushed so brightly he glowed, but his eyes were clear, he wasnt chewing on his lip, and he looked at the door impatiently until Kasan finally opened it for both of them. Time to go take their first bath together. Chapter 25 - Bath-time The enormous bathing chamber contained dozens of naturally formed pools in golden stone, ranging in size from single person tubs to miniature lakes that could hold an entire family, cousins included. Small passages led out of the main area to smaller, more secluded, sections. Kasans ancestors had chiseled out bathing seats, benches, and small alcoves that had since been filled with whatever comforts a couple might need. Kasan preferred the smaller rooms to the side, stocked with furs and oils. He watched Max for his reaction, wondering what would catch his consorts fancy. The little one hadnt said a word yet. At least this time, Kasan knew that it wasnt other Kyashin intimidating his little Gisho; the baths were completely empty.

He hadnt thought about what might happen if there were others enjoying a hot soak, but it was probably for the best they were alone. Max could completely relax this way, away from everyone but Kasan. The last thing they needed was for someone to walk by when they were enjoying themselves in one of the alcoves and scare Max in the midst of playing. Not to mention that Kasan still wasnt too happy with the idea of anyone seeing all of Max. He could accept that it would happen some day that it had already happened with his brothers, the rats. It was a rare couple that made it through their years of heat without a few public displays. But he didnt really want it to happen today. He wanted to hold Max and play with him and revel in the little one when he was safe and happy and aroused. They could even talk. The shokan hunters didnt need him until their shift ended, there was no volunteering for Tiensa, and Shovak could wait. Now it was time for Kasan and Max to finally, finally have some time to themselves. Holy crap. Max stared around the baths with his mouth still hanging open. His eyes were rounder than normal. Max like? Hell yes, Max like! Wow. This is like something out of a Greek fantasy house. Just wow. Max almost tumbled into the water, loincloth and all, as he stared up at the ceiling and took a few steps forward. Watch where you walk, Max. Since the little one didnt seem attached to one bath more than another, Kasan steered him away from the edge of a deep pool and headed towards one that was a bit more shallow, with seats carved into the sides below the water level. It was the one his brothers usually preferred, big enough for the whole family, including the littles, to swim in while they soaked. The rough path there was slick enough to be a bit slippery, with steam wafting around them from the heated water. This beautiful, Kasan. Maxs eyes couldn't seem to stay still. He looked at everything, including the small hollowed rooms near their pool. The furs inside sparkled with droplets of condensed steam. Im glad you like it. We can come here at least once or twice a week. Any more would dry out his skin far too much, even with help from various oils afterward. Hed had plenty of time to itch himself into a rash when he was too young to be persuaded that moderation was a virtue. Hed learned his lesson since then. Do you want to bathe now? Max nodded after a moments thought. He gestured to the bath Kasan had led them to.

This one? Its a little deep for you, but not too much, I think. And theres plenty of places to rest on if you get tired of keeping your head out of the water. With a smile, Kasan shucked his loincloth and stepped into the pool, groaning in pleasure once he was chest deep and sitting down. The heat pressed against his skin like a massage. Max didnt join him. He looked hypnotized by Kasans loincloth on the ground, going so far as to toe it to the side. No clothes? His voice was a bit squeaky. No. Not unless you want your clothes wet. Max shifted uncomfortably, looking around the large, open room. He scrunched his eyes shut, took a deep breath, muttered something grumpy and soft, and burst into action. He stripped himself and stumbled into the water so quickly the water splashed around him in a fountain. Kasan wiped the water from his face before he found Max. The little one had to kneel on one of the benches just to keep his head out of the water, and he cheeks were more flushed than they should be. Was he going to be all right? Max? Too hot for you? If it is, we can move to a- No. No, Max good. Just wasnt expecting a naked bath room, is all. Max? Max good. He leaned his head back against the back of the bench, ending the conversation, and Kasan waded through the water and sat next to him. He might have thought Max hadnt even noticed except his entire body stiffened. There was movement underneath the wavy reflection of the water around his groin. Kasan almost reached down to check, but Max did seem relaxed right now. Theyd have time for that in a few minutes. Right now was time for other things. Right nowit was enough to simply be, quiet and comfortable with Max, with nothing else they had to do. It was surprising how relaxing that actually was. Kasan didnt tend to need to talk to fill the silence, but even so, he didnt often feel this complete. They sat there, saying nothing. Maxs hand brushed against Kasans when the water eddied around them and encouraged the touch. The steam deepened every moment the door remained closed. Maxs hair dampened and started to curl at the edges, framing his face. Kasan must have been staring more than he realized, because Max turned to look at him, one soft eyebrow quirking up as his blue eyes stared up. He was so damned beautiful.

Kasan swallowed and took an unsteady breath. Could he ask Max about joining? Was this the right time? They were alone, Max was at peace, and they were botharoused. Perhaps he should Max Hmm? Max smiled briefly. Yes? I wanted to know if- Kasan floundered, his throat refusing to let through air as Max blinked at him innocently. -if, ah Max blinked again, condensation gathering in glistening drops over his bangs and kissing his eyelashes. He was so damned perfect. Would he even want-? Ahcould you tell me about your family? Kasan closed his eyes. Coward. Buthe should wait. Wait until pleasure was foremost in Maxs mind, overshadowing the unpleasantness. Kasan had to remind him of what good there was between them, first. Then hed ask if Max wanted to join with him, forever. That would be best. He opened his eyes when Max prodded him in the chest. Max? You want know family? Maxs voice was uncertain. Other humans? Kasan nodded, and Max shrugged uncomfortably. He hesitated, biting his lip in that sexy way he had that made Kasan want to forget talking altogether so he could nibble on it, too. What want know? Kasan thought of what he didnt know: everything. Not even answers to some of the simplest questions. Have you ever seen a Kyashin before me, Max? Kyashin? You and Zonta and family all Kyashin? Yes, Kyashin like us. Max shook his head. You first I see. You know about us? Another head shake. The Infinitum Coalition? The Triad? Max shook his head again, chewing on his lip. So he had been as isolated as Kasan had thought. Nearly everyone had heard of the Kyashin, and Kasan couldnt even think of somewhere so backwoods as to not have at least heard of what had happened to the scientists of Infinitum. Their destruction had prompted the first galactic alliance to hunt down and destroy the damn Triad bastards. Everyone knew the story. It was the basis for most of the treaties that still existed today.

It was the reason galactic standard had been created as a language in the first place. It was the reason so many species no longer ignored what their planetary neighbors were doing; it was far too easy for tyrants and conquerors to decide to move on to your planet once they were done with those closest to them. So how could Max not know this? Max, what planet are you from? Kasan not know? Kasan shook his head and Max seemed to wilt a little. Yeah, thatd be too easy, wouldnt it. From Earth. That wasnt one Kasan was familiar with at all. Hed have to check with the archivists to see if any of them had heard of it. Far away? Max nodded slowly, sinking into the water and staring at it blankly. Yes. I- Yes. Far away. I think. You know where far away? Know how to get back home? Max shook his head mutely; he looked as forlorn as Kasan had ever seen him. There was no way Kasan could watch him, eyes bleak, without picking him up and putting him on his lap. Max startled, but when Kasan wrapped his arms around him and simply pulled him against his chest, the little one leaned against him and sighed heavily. Im sorry, Gisho. If the archivists knew of this Earth, maybe they knew where it was, as well. Or maybe Max might know something that could help them trace his path back home. How did you get to Kyashin, little one? Do you remember? If he could remember, they could find out how Shovak contacted slavers. Max looked up at him, shifting, the warm water making his thighs slide against Kasans. Kasan could see awareness blush into life on Maxs face. His consort spoke as though his face werent practically on fire. Ihow I go here? Do you know? Max shrugged oddly. In ship to new planet. Sleep in ship. Wake here. Kasan blinked. He hadnt expected that. Waityou dont know how you got here? Wake here. Butyou dont remember the Niandrin? Max looked at him blankly. The slavers Niandrin. They are large, like Kyashin. But gaunt and beaked. Their speech is like birdsong. Max shrugged again. Sleep in ship, wake here. Nono Nee-ahn-drin. Just... He

flushed and shifted on Kasans lap again. Just Kasan. Kasan notnot see Maxs ship? It was Kasans turn to shake his head. The Niandrin brought you to us, little one. I dont know where your ship is. Except he had a very good idea where it might be. If Max was in a ship, and the Niandrin were selling other humans, then they had to have the ship. Fucking slaving slime. Were your family on the ship with you? Max hesitated a long moment and finally nodded. Humans on ship. A small ship, yes? No. Big ship. Oh no How many people, Max? Ummany tens. Kasan clutched Max tighter before he could stop himself. That many? What had happened to them all? Were they already sold again? Hidden away? Or worse, dead? Max pressed his cheek against Kasans chest, seemingly content to stay there. His voice was a soft murmur. I wish I knew where they were. Just to know what the hell happened. Kasan blew out his breath, already feeling guilty. He didnt know what Max had said, but he could guess by the wistful tone in his voice. The little one missed his family. Of course he did. Kasan couldnt even imagine separation from every member of his family, all at once. Dammit. He wanted so badly to be able to produce the humans and bring them back for Max. The words to tell Max that theyd found them were on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn't say them. Raising the little ones hopes only to dash them if something went wrong was worse than cruel. It could break him. But not telling himwas he hiding something from Max that his consort had a right to know? Kasans tail swished under the water, uncertain what to do. He finally chose to say nothing. At least until they had people on Tiensa. A day wouldnt hurt either of them, and it might help Max feel a little more connected to everyone before he got the news. He tried to ignore that a day might have Max agree to join with him already, too. If his consort didnt know there were more humans nearby, he might be more willing to stay Were looking for them. Kasan blurted it out before his own selfish thought could finish. His ears went flat in shame. Forfor humans?

Nodding, noting how Maxs body grew stiff, wriggling now until Kasan let him go, Kasan frowned. We think we think the Niandrin found you and your family. Selling them. Were going to get them back. Max stared at him from the seat next to him on the bench, his head tilted, an unreadable expression on his face. You- you find humans? Well bring them here, as soon as we find them. I promise, Max. Well find them. You dont have to worry, we wont-- Kasan was cut off as Max launched himself, hugging Kasan around the chest. He looked up from Kasans midsection and pushed up to kiss Kasan once, clumsy but enthusiastic. Thank you. Another kiss. Thank you so much. He wrapped his arms around Kasans neck and pressed his face there. Fuck. Thank you so, so much. Max? Did he understand? We dont have the humans now. Not now. Were looking. I dont knowI dont know how many of your family we will find. Do you understand? Understand. Max paused and his finger went up to carefully press against the middle of Kasans lips in a lingering thanks. You help Max, yes? Kasan nodded and Max smiled. Max happy. Kasan nodded again and shook the water out of his face as Max pushed backward and flopped into the water, soaking him. And to his amazement, that was the last Max said about it. He didnt ask more questions, he didnt even seem angry that Kasan had attempted to withhold the information. The fact that they were attempting to retrieve his family was somehow enough for the little one. Kasan still didn't think hed ever fully understand him. If the same had been done to him, Kasan would have torn apart the offender. Which made him feel even worse that hed been contemplating doing this to Max. But it made him want Max even more. Such a loving, sweet Max splashed him full in the face, chortling as Kasan sneezed. Ha, now I know why you dont take a lot of baths. You look like a drowned rat. Kasan leaped for him and Max scrambled away, snorting a mouthful of water as he laughed. Kasan teased at catching him, grabbing his hips and legs and letting him slip away simply to feel that slick skin slide through his hands. And to watch him squirm, and laugh again. Hed never played with him before.

Kasan didnt want to push it; he was worried something might happen to frighten Max and ruin the moment. Letting Max make it to the edge of the bath and pull himself up onto the small seat embedded there near the top, Kasan stayed in the middle of the pool. Kasan held out his hands, weaponless. Peaceful. Max win. Max panted slightly, leaning back against the edge, grinning with a triumphant gleam in his eyes. Water sheeted off Maxs chest, following the lines of his torso. Kasan wanted to lick down the same path. Kasans cock thickened under the water. Maxs thighs were spread, his balls resting on warmed stone. The flaccid length of his cock lay half over his leg as though it were snuggling against his thigh. Kasan let him rest there, long enough to drink him in, and then he lunged. Snagging him by the waist, Kasan ignored Maxs startled yell and pulled him in tight. And then he dunked them both under the water. The second they surfaced, Max pushed his wet hair off his forehead, laughing. The look of him branded itself into Kasans brain. Max looked so at peace. That was what Kasan had been wanting to see, all this time. Max without the worry and fear that had dogged him since hed been Kasans consort. Kasan would be willing to come to the baths every damn day, if it made Max look like this. The dry skin would be worth it. Let down, Kasan. Max smiled as he said it. Kasan smiled back and slid one hand down to cup Maxs bottom. He pulled him in until Max couldnt miss his erection. Kiss first. That quickly, Max sobered. He squirmed. UhKasan. Kiss first. One long pause, and Max nodded and tilted his face up. Kasan pulled him up and rested his lips against Maxs. He licked the water from them, tracing the edge of Maxs lips and letting the soft warmth of them caress his tongue. He made little kisses along the edges of Maxs lips, dabbing away the water. But he didnt penetrate his mouth, even when it opened on a small sigh. Max finally opened his eyes on the third round of small, teasing licks. He looked so disgruntled Kasan chuckled. You dont like my kiss, Max? Kasan chuckled again at his flush, then lowered his voice. Would you like to get out of the baths now? Max licked his lips and glanced at the nearest alcove. His skin took on a rosier hue than the hot water left on it. Bath andsex?

Kasan nodded. Scooping Max up higher, he carried him out of the bath without another word. Maxs eyes dropped instantly as soon as the head of Kasans cock cleared the water, trapped between their bodies. Kasan? Water dripping down their legs, Kasan carried them both to the nearest alcove. Yes? Have to have sex? That gave him pause. Was Max having second thoughts? Kasan didnt want to take away that look from his face. God, it would hurt, but if Max didnt want to. There does not need to be sex, no. Not if Max does not want so. Max nodded, but his cock stiffened against Kasans stomach. Kasan felt a smirk hit his lips. Mmm, Max wants to. Max wouldnt meet his eyes. Kasan carried them all the way into the shadowy interior beside the baths, trying to be patient. Max finally nodded. Yeah. Sex issex is good. But here? Veryopen. No one is here, Max, Kasan purred. Max shivered, staring up at him. Kasan slid him down his body until Maxs feet touched the thick, dark furs carpeting the stone floor. There was enough light from the common room to shine through the doorway and illuminate the flush still on Maxs cheeks. Bottles of oil lined a small built in shelf along the wall. Just what he needed. Usually Kasan preferred a lover after the baths, but oils would be a necessity today. He didnt think Max had the proper saliva to help Kasans skin. Hopefully, the after-bath ritual would help Max get in the right mood without losing the joy hed found in the water. Max, can you rub oils into my skin? Oils? Max looked away from Kasans body to the bottle Kasan placed in his hand. His pupils dilated. The water dries my skin too much. I need oil after a bath to keep it healthy. Better for me. Max didnt move except to shift his stare back to Kasans chest. He swallowed heavily. Kasan smiled, encouraging, and stepped away. Glancing once at Max, Kasan carefully lay face down on the furs and waited. He thought if he wasnt looking at Max then his consort might be more comfortable. Kasan heard Max make his way over and kneel down next to his legs. Uh oil where?

Kasan smiled to himself, turning his head away so Max couldn't see. The little one was so sweet. Everywhere but my hair and fur. Max swallowed and Kasan could smell the earthy-flower scent of the oil as Max poured a bit out. O-okay. H-here goes. Maxs fingers slid tentatively over the balls of Kasans feet and paused as though the touch might be wrong. Kasan mmmmd against the fur. Feels nice, little one. Maxs fingers grew a little more confident, the oil spreading across the sole of one foot, over the top, in between his toes, and then the smoothing over the other foot just as gently. After they were coated, Maxs thumbs pressed in along the length of his foot in a wave that made his toes curl. Kasan hadnt even realized he was tense, but his feet were relaxing against the furs as the little ones hands went from one to the other and spread the oil and his touch along Kasans skin in a sensual glide. More oil drizzled up Kasans calves and Maxs fingers went to work there as well, the fingers and thumb digging in, pressing out the knots in this muscle and leaving something soothing and hot behind. When Max got above the knees, he hesitated. Kasan opened his mouth to ask if it was too much and then Maxs hands were moving up Kasans thighs. Softly stroking the oil along the outside of his legs, running just the tips of his fingers over the backs of them and then a stuttering dab at the inner edge of his thighs. Kasans tail twitched and brushed up against Maxs naked body, stroking it back. This was more than a massage. He heard Maxs breathing hitch. The scent of his arousal was just strong enough to catch over the scent of the oil. Kasan had been prepared for the touching. They both had almost no one left the baths without sex, not when couples usually did this with their tongues instead of the oils. But Kasan hadnt expected this. The feel of Maxs hands, caressing him with oiled hands while Kasan tried not to move, wasit was new. He was getting so hot, so quickly, he had to shift to keep his cock from hardening in a painful position against the fur. Max had never touched him like this before, not really. Not any time theyd had sex had Maxs hands been so focused on Kasan, with Kasan able to melt underneath them. Hed not really noticed; he was usually so hot to have Max that he didnt even care. But Maxs hands were working their way up this thighs now. He could feel each finger gliding over every subtle bulge of his muscles, working their way closer to where his balls lay against the floor. Nervous fingertips grazed the back of his balls with small, fine strokes that shouldnt have been strong enough to make his body react like this, but their

very lack of assurance made him quiver. Max wasnt a confident lover. Kasan knew that; he found it both endearing and erotic. Especially now. Gishos fingers made a slight foray to the front of Kasans sac as Kasan tried desperately not to move and simply let him explore. There was one small stroke of erotic intent, along Kasans seam, with fingers that shook. Soft and stuttering, they rubbed back and forth uncertainly. Kasan carefully spread his legs and felt Max move in closer. He knelt between Kasans legs and the outside of his thighs brushed against the oil and smeared it over them both. Kasan could barely keep himself still; he shifted his tail, wrapped it around Maxs back. Max ran one hand over it and Kasan buried his face in the fur and groaned. Max could arouse him like no one hed ever met. Max stopped where Kasans thighs met his ass and Kasan groaned again when Max hesitated and then skipped it entirely. With a small stumble, Max climbed up until he straddled Kasans back. Kasan? Hand? Kasan was far too focused on the little ones ass perched just above his own to understand what hed asked for a moment. His hand? The little one was going to ignore the rest of him and oil his hand now? His consort was going to kill him slowly. Kasan moved his arms to lay them on the fur. With a nervous sigh, Max moved from the base of Kasans hand to the tip, circling his thumbs over Kasans palms in small outwards circles, then moving to his wrist and forearms and pushing along the length of his muscles. Up to his shoulders and neck, where Max spent a very long time pressing in with his hands. And every time he moved, he rubbed himself against Kasans back while he tried to dig in deep. Kasan could feel Maxs thighs clamped around his back, knees not quite on the ground as the little one tried to press against Kasans muscles. There was no need for it; the oil simply needed to be rubbed into the skin lightly. But the feel of Max on his back, the inside of his thighs clenching over Kasan, was too enjoyable for him to say anything. Max finished with Kasans neck and started sliding down his back. Kasan could feel the press of his balls against his back if he concentrated, as well as the compact length of his cock. Then Max reached to push down on Kasans upper back and leaned forward enough that his erection was cradled in the indentation of Kasans spine. Kasan smiled into the furs as Maxs body started to rock in time with his hands. His hips worked his cock against the valley. Kasan tightened the muscles of his back to give the little one something better to thrust against.

The rocking thrust stopped. Kasan? Not good? Why would he think that? Very good, Max. Youre wonderful at this. Tight, Max muttered, and Kasan realized he was taking the tightened muscles entirely the wrong way. He deliberately loosened his muscles with a chuckle. When Max began working on his lower back, oil slippery and palms pressing out in rhythmic waves, Kasan felt his cock sliding along his ass. The feeling was comforting. Arousing. And very new. This wasnt a type of play he usually participated in, and definitely not one he would have found enjoyable, before now. But with Max He wouldnt mind the little one thrusting between the cheeks of his ass to come. Feeling Max pant against his back while he thrust, and hearing that lovely high-pitched cry as he came? That would be sexy as hell. But penetrationKasan had no real desire to experience that. Wasnt sure if the little thing could have done it or even wanted it although they could try it sometime if Max really wanted to. Kasan didnt think hed enjoy it half as much as taking Max, but hed be willing. Kasan preferred to be on top, though. Even toys that penetrated didnt excite him all that much. But with Max, anything might be possible. Max was simplydifferent. And he was touching his ass, now, and Kasans whole body burned hot. Max spread his hands open against the small of Kasans back, running them sensuously over the base of his tail and underneath. Kasans back arched against it, purring. Small hands kneaded his ass, sliding oil over them and slipping between his cheeks with an embarrassed shaking. Kasan hadnt been this turned on in his life. He moaned into the bed and Max finally stopped. There was an awkward scramble as Max slipped off of Kasans body. Kasan turned his head and watched while Max stood up and shifted from foot to foot. The front of Max's body was smeared and glistening with oil, his cock so erect it was weeping at the tip. He looked ready for sex. A-All done. Need turn around. Kasan didnt want to wait for Max to get his front. He wanted to touch Max now. Its all right. I can do this. Max frowned but Kasan slipped the oil from Maxs unresisting fingers and then poured it on quickly, slathering it over his chest and abdomen to ensure that the water wouldnt leave him uncomfortably dry and itchy. Maxs breathing grew heavy as Kasan slicked the oil over his cock, and down his balls. The front of his thighs. Kasan would swear the little one almost swallowed his tongue. It was immensely gratifying. Being touched, being watched, being wanted this much he

hadnt realized how it would affect him. He wanted to make Max come so hard the little one saw stars. Maxs turn. Maxs eyes popped and he swallowed. Im fine. N- No need- he stared at Kasans cock and his voice whittled away. Lie down, Max. Kasan kept his voice low, staring down into Maxs eyes, not moving. Max stared at him, chewing rapidly at his bottom lip. He looked down at Kasans cock, and with a needy groan he finally lay down in the same spot in the furs that Kasan had. The sable color contrasted with his pale skin, making it shine. While Kasan drank in the sight, Maxs toes curled around the fur near his feet like they were trying to burrow their way in. He put his arms up by his head, folding them under his face and hiding it, but Kasan could see red creeping down the back of Maxs neck and over the tops of his shoulders to highlight his shoulder blades. Golden hair dusted his legs and arms. It shone under the lights like small filaments of dark honey. Beautiful, beautiful Max, Kasan murmured. No, Im not. Beautiful, sexy Max. Kasan followed Maxs lead and started with his toes first. He gently lifted one foot, bending Maxs leg at the knee and examining it. It was so damned dainty. A nice arch to it, a little long for Maxs size, and the toes were long as well, with a soft curve. He licked the bottom of it, from the heel to the ball of his foot, and Max jumped, his body shivering. Hey! That tickles! Max squirmed wildly. Why n-no oil? Mmm, licking is better. How cute; Max was ticklish. He licked him again, drawing just the tip of his tongue over Maxs foot and smiling as the man writhed. Kasan licked his foot one more time it still smelled of the baths minerals - and then sucked on one toe after another. Max convulsed, laughing, and Kasan gave up for a moment making it a sensual experience. He licked more carefully using the entire pad of his tongue. Both feet done, he started working his way over Maxs legs. He nipped his way up, tasting every part of his calf, from the fleshy back that deserved a small bite just to see Max react, to the strong line of bone in the front that he licked up in one stroke. Maxs hips finally reacted when Kasan kissed the backs of his knees And Kasan purred under his breath when he started on his thighs. Kasan barely put his palms on the inside of Maxs legs and the man opened them like he was hoping for something more. Kasan didnt quite oblige him. He bathed every inch of the back of his thigh with his tongue, tasting the small glisten of oil. The mans legs were so slim, strong without the

bulkiness he disliked, and he savored the taste of his consort underneath his lips. And worked his way higher. As he licked delicately at the soft inside of Maxs thigh, he nudged them open further until he could see the taut smoothness of his balls drawn up against his body, his buttocks tightening, even though the little ones legs were soft and relaxed enough to allow Kasan to spread them even wider without effort. Kasan nuzzled up higher and pressed the fur down with his hand so he could get better access to Maxs sac. One lick down the dividing line in the middle of Maxs body, running his tongue down the back of it and back up towards Maxs ass. Max shivered violently, his hips slamming once against the floor. Kasans cock reacted with a needy bob of its own. He needed to touch that pretty, succulent little ass. Damn but he loved tonguing Maxs ass. His little Gisho reacted so beautifully, losing himself so fully that Kasan couldnt wait. He straddled Maxs legs and leaned over to lick the curve of his ass. Kasan was certain his cock was leaking the slightest bit he could catch the slightly bitter tang of it in the air. And even away from the direct heat of the baths, Maxs body was salty with sweat now. Kasan wanted to bite at the curving swells of his bottom, but settled for licking the salty moisture off his skin. With a satisfied hum, he tickled the bottom curve of his ass with the tip of his tongue. He caressed the soft flesh, gliding over the muscle as it tightened to thrust Maxs cock against the furs. When hed laved every inch, he cupped Maxs cheeks and pressed them apart to expose him. Max didnt make a sound other than a small moan. His head was still buried, almost like he was hiding from what his body was experiencing. A little shy, perhaps? Kasan dragged his tongue from the bottom and along the entire crevice that hed exposed, but he didnt like the angle. He wanted Max to feel morevulnerable. To know that Kasan would keep him safe, no matter what. And he wanted better access, where he could hold onto Maxs adorable, rosy cock. Kasan shifted back and slid his hands under Maxs hips, dragging them up until he had Max on his knees. Max looked back at him, his face finally leaving the safety of his pillowed arms, and wiggled. Kasan didnt let go of his hips. Kasan, what are youdoing? Maxs voice trailed off as Kasan smiled. The little one managed to get to his elbows, but Kasan laid a hand over the small of his back. Relax, Max. You can still stay there. Besidesit puts your bottom right here for me. Max flushed wildly as Kasan palmed both cheeks of his ass, his thumbs rubbing the soft inner flesh. His back arched where Kasan held it down.

Can you spread your legs for me, Max? Max looked back and bit his lip, but his legs finally moved. Kasan had to restrain himself from helping them along. It meant a lot that Max was participating. Kasan wouldnt take that from him. But seeing him on the deep fur, back arched, legs spread, his precious little ass wide open and his balls pulled in tight while his rigid cock swung beneath, Kasan was so hard and so ready that he had to bite his tongue to remind himself that this one was for Max. He was going to make him come first, and then they could be together. With that in mind, he reached down and took Maxs cock in his hand while slipping in to tease the small portal with his tongue. Kasan licked it, wiggling his tongue against the opening, making circles over it while he dragged his hand over the length of Maxs cock. With every movement of Kasans tongue, Max jerked, thrusting against his hand and mouth. The only sound was Maxs high pitched whimpering moans. When Kasan moved his hand from Maxs back it didnt even matter; his consort was arching into his mouth, now. He obviously liked the position. Kasan used his free hand to squeeze the cheek of Maxs bottom, licking at him with small, thrusting strokes that had Max thrusting his hips back at Kasan to meet them. Kasan could feel him getting closer, his consorts body tensing. The muscles that had been so relaxed with his massage were rock hard as his body gyrated against Kasans mouth. Kasan buried his face, closing his eyes and feeling the soft skin of Max against his lips and cheeks. He could smell Max, musky and salty, and the promise of bitter seed already hitting the air. Max was so close, Kasan knew just a few more strokes of his tongue would do it. Max twisted slightly and froze for a moment. Kasan didnt remove his mouth from his prize to return the look. Just a few more seconds. Max squirmed wildly. K-Kasan! Kasan slide his hand higher, clamping down on Maxs hip. A few more seconds and the little one would come. He just had to be patient. Kasan chuckled, the sound lost against Maxs skin, and then he stabbed in with his tongue, gripping Maxs cock tight, and felt the response of Maxs muscles against his mouth: the instant convulsive tightening of his small muscles, the heat from his release as it coated Kasans hand. But Max was squirming again the moment his release ended. That was unusual. Kasan kissed him gently on one cheek, patting the other. Shh, Max. Whats wrong? Aoshs voice echoed from the open doorway. Are you done with your consort now, or do I need to come back later? Chapter 26 - Screwing Up

Face still embedded between the cheeks of Maxs ass, Kasan growled under his breath. He gave Max one last comforting lick, then shifted to block Aoshs view. Aosh Max scrambled to his knees and flipped to face them both. His body shook with fine tremors, fluid leaking from his cock with one final, dribbling spurt. Kasan reached out to catch the last bit of seed but Max clamped his hands down over himself. Oh my GOD. Ducking behind Kasans body, Maxs skin took on an alarmingly red hue. What a lovely color. Aosh hummed appreciatively. Is that how a human looks when hes sated? Aosh! Kasan spun around, still crouching low and blocking Aoshs view. Unless this is an emergency, leave. Now. He heard Maxs soft litany of Oh my God oh my GOD oh my dear freaking GOD and turned back at once. The little one needed his attention; Aosh could go dunk his damn head until he soaked up more brains than he seemed to have. Emergency? No, no emergency. But I couldnt possibly leave. Very dirty business, hunting for a rogue shokan. I need a bath terribly. Max was still flushed and red, eyes scrunched shut. He hunched down, hiding his cock, and buried his face in his hands. The little one was so shaken it made Kasans chest ache. Aosh cleared his throat. Besides- Kasan flicked out his claws and yelled over his shoulder. I said leave, Aosh! Max shivered and Kasan leaned over him, purring gently against his skin. He stroked down his back with a careful, calm hand. The poor little thing seemed completely shocked. Poor thing. Max definitely wasnt ready yet to deal with a lot of other Kyashin, if a surprise like this was enough to upset him to such an extent. I cant leave, Kasan. I havent had my bath yet. Kasan turned in time to see Aosh smiling wickedly. His baby brother craned his neck as though trying to peer around Kasans body. And the scenery is so pretty today. I told you to get out! Kasan threw himself at Aosh. His brother dodged sideways but it wasnt enough to get out of Kasans way. Kasan caught him in gut with his shoulder, tackling him to the ground. They both hit the furs with a bone-cracking thud. A pained, wheezing grunt blasted from Aoshs lungs as Kasan landed on him. You never learn when to quit! Kasan rolled off and slammed his fist into Aoshs face. His brother bucked up, growling back as his eye immediately started to swell, and elbowed Kasan in throat. You never know how to take a joke! Choking, Kasan hit him again in response, catching his jaw and knocking Aoshs head

back onto the furs. He had his fist ready for another knuckle bruising smash, Aosh reaching out with his hard hands for Kasans ears, when Max whimpered. They both froze. Kasan snapped out with his fist. Son of a- Kasan ignored his idiot of a brother, hopping off to get back to Max. The little one watched them both with huge eyes. Hed scooted away a few feet, up against the wall, curling his body over his knees defensively. He was obviously terrified, and Kasans gut twinged. Damn it. Precious, shhh. Did we frighten you? You dont have to be frightened. Its over. He left Aosh on the floor. Hes frightened? From what? Nothing happened. Get the hell out, Aosh. Kasan focused on Max, ignoring the sounds of Aosh groaning and stumbling to his feet. Youre overreacting, Kasan. A bit of kissing and your consort will be happy to- Kasan slid to the side to block Aoshs view of his consort again and ran a hand over the little ones hair. Leave. Max and I want privacy. Kasan could hear Aoshs braids flip against each other as he turned away from them. All you had to do was ask. Get the hell out! Aosh hmphed once, irritated. Im going, curmudgeon. But I think youd better fill up your consort soon. Those cries of his are going to have people thinking you arent satisfying him nearly enough. And Im sure there will be more than just my humble self wanting to bathe after their shift on the hunt. Kasan growled again. Aosh and his damn perverse sense of humor - the quiet, sensual comfort that the baths had brought about was ruined now. Max would have to be reassured again, relaxed again. And if the latest shift was done, Aosh was right. Thered be more people here soon. Max and he would have to be quick if they wanted to find completion. Joining would have to wait for another day. Kasan cursed under his breath, feeling Maxs hair under his fingers as he pet his head. It was probably for the best. Max was still rather desperately trying to find his way; how could he decide on his future when he barely understood his present?

But stillKasan knew what he wanted. He had no rational reason for it, but that didnt stop his absolute certainty that Max was exactly who he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. And having to wait to begin the next stage of his life made him twitchy with the need to embrace Max. He desperately wanted to tell him what they could have. Seeing Max slowly relax against the wall as Kasan purred softly and ran his hands over his head and shoulders, he thought that at the very least, he could give him another taste and remind Max of what they could give each other. Without the heat driving them both. Kasans cock was still hard, Max was still as nude and alluring as ever, and they had privacy again. Kasan could show Max how he felt. Eventually, the little one would be ready to understand what that meant. Kasan leaned down and paused as Max peered up at Kasan through his fingers. The little one flushed, hunching against the wall. I hate that stupid bastard. Max stared at Kasans mouth for a long moment and groaned. I will never be able to look the pervert in the face again. Crap. Kasans ears flicked back. Stay calm, Max. Im here. Max shook his head, flushing. Doesnt matter, does it? Aosh saw us. Oh God Aosh SAW us. Maxs hands started to wave in between them, jerking. Aosh just walked in like he owned the damn place. And he saw me when I- When you had your tongue- And I was- And I SAW him right before I c-came. I came when Aosh was WATCHING US! Do you know what that means? I justI just put on a freaking sex show for Aosh! A little head petting is not going to make that go away, okay? Justgod. I need to get out of here and go hide in your room for a year, okay? Two years. Maybe a whole decade. You can bring me food and Ill live under the freaking bed. Crap. Max chewed at his bottom lip, cheeks still so bright they glowed. Kasan continued to run his hands over Maxs head and shoulders, making soothing grumbles in his throat. It didnt change the color of Maxs skin. Actually, it seemed to earn him more grumbles than anything else. Not now, Kasan! There is no way Im going to- Kasan stroked over his ear and kissed the top of his head. Max was so upset No, Kasan! Kasan leaned down and nibbled on Maxs earlobe. I am notuh Max moaned and leaned against him, tilting back his head so Kasan could lick down the line of his throat. As soon as Kasan pulled away, though, the little one was scowling at him again. Didnt he like that? Hed seemed to. D-Dammit, Kasan! I told you not to do that! I cant think when you start kissing me, so just stop! I need my brain!

What was Kasan doing wrong? Max, whats wrong, precious? Max shoved out with his hands, pushing Kasan back an inch or two, and got to his feet. With a frustrated yell, he started to wave his arms and stomped around the alcove, his gestures growing larger and wilder as he paced. What wrong?! Are you freaking kidding? This whole freaking sex planet is whats wrong! I think its getting better for one damned second and then Im in voyeurism 101! Why cant anything be normal here? And dammit, Aosh is such an asshole! Why didnt you beat him up like last time?! Kasan frowned, looking at the empty door and back at Max. Aosh? That was what had upset him so greatly, yes? Kasan stood up and reached out to stroke down Maxs arm as his consort stomped by. Max stepped back, scowling. Max? Aosh isnt coming back, precious. Youre safe now. Shhhh, calm down. He reached out again and Max stepped into his space, yelling up at him. Safe? Thats not the point! He saw us! I saw him seeing us! And I still came andand my body doesnt even care! I still want you inside me, like some kind of pavlovian sex slave! What the hell have you done to me, Kasan? I still want sex and I shouldnt even be hard andand look at me! Max gestured down to his groin, where his cock was already beginning to firm again. Kasan relaxed, a hard knot in his gut dissolving at the stiffening sign of Maxs arousal. The little one couldnt be frightened and aroused at the same time. It suddenly made so much more sense: Max was upset at the interruption. Or at Aoshs ill-thought-out teasing that was going to earn him a more thorough pummeling once Kasan had a free moment. If Kasan were furious at Aosh, wouldnt it make sense that Max was as well? Max, let it go. We can still- You guys are turning me into some freaking exhibitionist nympho now! It was so freaking nice and fun and no one was here and your body is so damned sexy its not even fair and we were going to- And now now its all fucking ruined! You need to kick Aoshs ass, Kasan! Max poked his finger into Kasans chest with a hard shove. The relief had a chuckle bubble out from Kasans chest. A grumpy Max was so damn cute to see, telling him off like this. Obviously, Kasan had better keep Max satisfied, and keep Aosh away, or he was never going to hear the end of it. Im very sorry, Max. Youre so right, its very upsetting to be interrupted like this. Wed better get right back to it, hmmmm? Wait, what do you think youre doing, Kasan? Max fell back onto the furs as Kasan gave him a gentle shove and knelt down in front of him. Dont even think about- Oh God.

Kasan wrapped his lips around Maxs cock and hummed. Max stopped talking. Purring softly, Kasan took it in, feeling his way with his lips, until his nose touched the curling fur that framed the evidence of Maxs manhood. Max whimpered beautifully. His hands clenched in a spasm over Kasans ears. With another deep moan, Max thrust his hips up once hard, banging against Kasans lips. Kasan lingered over the erection, licking at it inside his mouth. He twirled his tongue over the blunt head, licked up the bottom curves. A little suction and he could taste the sweet bitterness leaking from the end. Max mewled softly and Kasan licked his way free. Stroking Maxs hip, he took a moment to simply watch him. Maxs eyes were dilated and dazed already as they tried to focus on Kasan. His hips thrust up again and his brow furrowed as though confused about why there was no longer a set of lips around his adorable little cock. Kasan chuckled again, licking at the rounded head and earning another whimper. So eager. Don't worry, Ill- Bye, you two! Dont miss the Lastmeal! Aoshs voice echoed from the main bath room just before they could both hear the great door thump shut behind him. Max froze. His eyes cleared. His erection flagged. And he pushed Kasan away from him with a frantic squawk. Kasan muttered angrily under his breath as he sat back. Aosh, I am going to kill you. Max sat on the fur, pulling his knees up to his chest while he stared at Kasan. I cant believe I almost let you do that again. And when we just Dammit, youre like some, some super seducing sex-cat, Kasan! How can you always do this to me? I know, Aosh is an ass, little one. Ignore him, precious. We cant let him completely ruin the mood. Nice try, you bigseducer of humans. Im not letting someone else look at my ass, got it? Kasan rubbed his hand over Maxs head and grimaced as his consort glared at him. Max did not look amused. Kasan didnt feel too amused himself. It had been so lovely, and now Maxs mood was as tense and upset as it had ever been. The relaxed smiles and laughter, the near-flirting play, were wiped clean away. But he didnt want to let it go. Not yet, when theyd had it for such a short time. He stroked his finger down Maxs arm, barely touching the smooth skin, tracing the line of his bicep down to the soft skin on the inside of his elbow. Kasan! Stop touching me! I cant think when you Kasan moved his hand off Maxs arm and moved to his thigh. Gisho always mellowed so much more when he knew touches were moving towards his groin, the little sensualist. Surely it would help relax him and get his mind off of Aoshs stupidity? Ah, God thats No. No, stop it! You are

not doing this to me again! Sex in public is not okay, Kasan, got it? Not OK. No sex! Kasan paused. No sex? That couldnt be right. Max was upset because their sex was interrupted in the first place. Max? You heard me! No sex! Not in the baths, not against walls in public rooms, only in private, totally locked rooms withwith no mirrors! Max bit his lip, staring up at Kasans nipples, and his cock swelled. He swallowed once and glanced away. Okay, maybe a few mirrors, but locks! Got it? I need freaking locks! But Max, Kasans hand stilled, palming the outside of Maxs thigh. Maxs upset wasnt fading like it normally would. He hadnt been this upset for this long before, had he? Kasan could usually coax him out of it. Failing at that settled badly in Kasans gut. Precious, we have to have sex later tonight. Wouldnt it be nicer to do it now, when we can enjoy each other slowly? He leaned down and kissed the dewy skin next to his fingertips. Max stared, gulping. We can take it so wonderfully slow. He kissed a little higher up Maxs thigh, staring at the underside of the little ones fully erect member. And I can take you slow. Wouldnt you like that? He nuzzled in between Maxs legs, licking lightly at the root of him. Maxs breath came in heavy, broken pants. His legs made no resistance when Kasan opened his thighs. Oh God youre good at this, Max whispered. He licked his lips. His voice was a tentative squeak. No sex? Kasan could barely hear him, his nose nudging the little ones balls as he licked underneath them. Max whimpered and arched against him. Aosh wont bother us anymore tonight, love. And he isnt allowed in our room for the next fifty years. No like Aosh, Max panted. His hands crept down to cling to Kasans hair. Kasan chuckled, lapping at his balls. I dont like him either, right now. Kasan considered stopping. He could take Max now, grab their loincloths, and leave the baths. But Max was so.sweet. Dazed with lust, telling him no while he hung on to his hair and slathered himself against Kasans face with urgent little thrusts, his entire body flushed and luscious and open to him. Losing that fear and anger again. It made Kasans heart ache in his chest at how badly he wanted him. Every wrong thing, every upset that made Max babble, cemented how much he desired Max. Not for his body, butfor everything. Kasan so desperately wanted to stay with him, even once the heat ended. To listen to him rant and rail and then fall into bed before the anger even left his eyes. To see him panic over the least little thing and have him look at Kasan with that grateful trust that was just beginning to show in his eyes. Kasan took his lips from Max and stared at him. He smiled, nuzzling his thigh as Max grunted anxiously and pulled at his hair again, and then gave him what he wanted.

Maxs eyes glazed over the moment Kasans fingers touched his cock. Kasan moved up higher, so he could look into his eyes, kiss up his neck. Maxs hands held onto Kasans biceps and he moaned against Kasans mouth. Savoring the feel of Maxs skin, Kasan slid his hand down Maxs back. He cupped one cheek of his bottom and lifted his hips off the ground, grinding their bodies together. Max melted against him, head lolling back after a minute of their tongues caressing against each other. The door slammed closed again. Voices carried through the baths, giggling and a deep masculine murmur. Maxs tongue stopped moving within Kasans mouth. The little one sucked it back in and pulled his head away. Max stared at him in surprise, his eyes blinking rapidly. He seemed to pause to take stock: Kasans hand over his ass, his rigid member between their bodies, his hips thrusting as though Kasan were already inside of him. Someone giggled. N-No! Max stared at the open doorway, horrified, and pushed hard. Kasan let him go. Kasan couldnt keep from reaching for him almost immediately. He didnt want to lose their connection so soon. Not again! Shhh. No one will intrude, little one. We just need a little longer Max glared at him, gesturing to the sounds with one hand hed already freed. His voice was hoarse as he started and steadily grew in volume. N-No! Dammit, when will you stop being so freaking good at this, you jerk? People can just walk in and SEE US! Doesnt that bother you? Max wriggled underneath him, his bottom clenching within Kasans hand. Kasan, let go of my ass! Kasan squeezed his bottom once, kissing him gently, trying to help him calm. He didnt have to be so upset. They had no Aosh to intrude, no fighting, no one else would glance into the room uninvited, and they were naked and aroused. Why wouldnt Max stop being so upset? Wouldnt you like to continue, love? It would be very, very good. Kasan tried to kiss him again and Max poked him in the nose. Stop! Jeez, cut it out! God, Kasan, you dont freaking care about any of this at all, do you? We could justjust have a huge gay orgy in front of the world and thats probably just fine with all you cats, isnt it? Max, shhh. Im only asking- I am not getting plowed where everyone can see me, Kasan! Not here! Max no want! No want bath here! No want sex here! No want Kasan here! Kasan hands dropped. The only sound was Maxs heavy breathing and the muted whispers of the people in the baths who had stopped talking at the sound of Maxs

yelling. After a moment of painful tension, Kasan stepped away. Max barely seemed to notice. Im not a sex display, Kasan! And you SAID no one would come in, but they did and Ive never been so freaking embarrassed in my whole damned life and its with that freaking jerk wholl probably tell everyone that your tonguethat we Dammit! Max yanked at his hair and turned away from Kasan. Kasan forced his numbed lips to move. Max, I cant understand your words. You dont like sex now? Not like Not like sex now? Not like sex now?! Max gave a frustrated growl. No, I not like sex now! No SEX, no no NO sex, no Kasan, no NOW. Max not like! Max was breathing hard, his eyes wild, and the fierceness of the words had Kasans body flinch. The rooms beyond them had gone totally silent now. Kasan looked into his eyes and saw he meant what he said. Max wasnt babbling; he was terribly upset, but very clear. Whatever was going on in his head, he absolutely meant what he said. There was no room for seducing him out of his temper, not now. Something inside Kasan shriveled. Hed thought he enjoyed seeing Max angry at him, yelling up at him with that frustrated irritation on his face, but this Kasan didnt enjoy this. Not when Max said things like that. Not when Max meant things like that. Kasan took a deep breath. Its all right, Max. He tried to keep his voice soft. Understanding. No sex now. Kasan swallowed and took another step away. He tried to smile and wasnt sure if he had or not; his face felt numb. He was never, ever going to make fun of his brothers again when they moped around because their consorts were truly angry with them. It fucking hurt. Hed been thinking of joining, and Max was so angry he didnt even want Kasan right now. With a mumbled excuse, Kasan trotted out to the baths to escape the anger on Maxs face, ignored the subdued looks from the few people whod entered, and brought back their loincloths. Max took his from Kasan with a frown. Dont worry, little one. Youre safe. I wont bother you right now, yes? It cut his stomach like knives to see the look of relief on Maxs face. Ill take you back to our room. Max didnt move as Kasan started to wrap his own loincloth. Kasan Yes? Max bit at his lip, frowning. He reached out a hand to touch Kasan and paused half-way.

I not mean- Max actually looked worried. As though Kasan might yell at him. Kasan felt nauseous. Dont worry, little one. Its all right. When the heat doesnt call, you dont have to do anything you dont wish. Max frowned, biting at his lip. I not Kasan smiled again with stiff cheeks. Its all right. Im sorry Ioverstepped, little one. Im not angry, understand? He turned away and put the oil on the shelves. He heard Max wrapping up his own loincloth behind him. When Kasan felt the little one put an arm over his forearm, he took it and gently put it off. It didnt feel voluntary, more like Max did it because it was expected. And that hurt a bit too much at the moment. Ill take you back now. Max followed silently behind him as Kasan walked ahead. He didnt look at the guards at the entrance to the baths. Every corner Kasan paused, gesturing to Max which way they would go. If Kasan touched him, he might not be able to let go. And there was no way Max wanted that. So Kasan simply couldnt Max walked next to him, looking up, his mouth opening and then closing just before he looked away. Kasan, I not- Kasan turned to face him and he saw Max jump, startled. Orfrightened. Was he frightened? Kasans stomach writhed again. If the little one was frightened now, when Aosh wasnt around, it could mean that the earlier fear in the baths had nothing at all to do with Aosh. Kasan could have been the one to scare him all along. He stopped walking. Max? Max looked up, and Kasan could only glance at his set, unhappy face before he looked away. Are youafraid of me? What? No! No, I notafraid. Maxs face went blank as his words ended, the intonation ringing oddly. False. Kasan felt his claws come out, gouging into his palms. Kasan would never, ever hurt Max. Maxs expression didn't change. He barely seemed to hear him. Kasan crouched and held his shoulders until Max looked at him. I fought with Aosh, yes, but I will never hurt you, Max. You will always be safe with me. Do you understand? Maxs voice was soft and strange. I know. The ice that had crept over Kasans skin faded away. That sounded more like Max, more

like truth. Thank God. They stared at each other and then Kasan let him go and they kept walking silently until they reached his room. Waran and Quim looked quite happy to see them both. Kasan had to clamp his hands into fists to keep from reaching out for Max one more time. If Max was this angry at him, he wouldnt want Kasan near. Kasan knew many a time when Jolan or Nolluz had to spend a night in one of their brothers rooms because their consort was furious with them. Kasan wasnt going to impose on Max and stay when the little one couldn't even ask for that small boon. Hed get Zonta to stay with him instead. Max turned before he went into the room. Kasan, I- Stay out of the garden, Max. Zonta will be with you soon. He can take you to Lastmeal later. Max had his mouth open as Kasan closed the door on him. Waran stared at Kasan. I thought you were staying with him for Lastmeal. No. Ihave things to do. Im going to get Zonta on the box and have him come down. Hell enjoy that. Weve got it, Waran said, smiling, and waved him away. Whatever irritation there had been from before had faded while theyd been gone, obviously. You go and do what you need to; we can call Zonta. Hed need to be able to come right away. I dont want Max alone in the room. He might try to go out in the garden and its still not completely safe Quim can keep watch while I stay in the room until Zonta comes. Would that suffice? Its been quiet, now that everyone is hunting for the rogue shokan. That should befine. Max had done fine with Waran before, hadnt he? Even though Waran had left him alone in the room, he looked like he was trying to make up for his lapse now. Hed always been conscientious that way. Quim smiled at Kasan, all teeth. If theres any worries, or he gets upset for any reason, well call for you. Kasan shook his head. No. Zonta should be able to handle it. Unless he thinks Max needs me Kasan cleared his throat and sighed. Thank you, Waran, Quim. I appreciate this. Hey, no one knows better than I do about the difficulties one can have with a consort.

Warans smile radiated mockery at his own expense and Kasan felt a bit self-pitying to be as upset as he was. Shoru was an ass; Waran didnt even want a relationship with him. At least Kasan and Max had a chance. He could hold on to a chance. It was just going to take longer than hed first thought, and he had to get back in Maxs good graces again. It would take some time. He had to give Max time. Like he should have done in the first place after Aosh interrupted them. Dammit. Thank you, he said again, touching their lips. Waran smiled, and Kasan turned from him and walked down the hall, uncertain where he should go. A few corners and he still wasnt sure. He needed to check on the progress for finding Maxs people, and see when they would need him for the shokan hunt, make sure there werent any issues due to the frenzy, and Kasan punched the wall and laid his head against it, crushing his ears against the cool stone. God. Max. He swallowed, working to keep his claws from emerging completely. Hed led their yearly battle for over three years now, had to make split second decisions on a daily basis, but right now, he had no idea what to do. Kasan? What are you doing up here? I thought youd be balls deep in your consort by now. Kasan whipped around to see Aosh standing there with a confused twist to his ears. Aosh! Kasans hand whipped out and slammed into Aoshs gut. His brothers air left in a painful whoosh. He hit the floor a moment later when Kasans next punch lifted him off his feet. Aosh sat up and stared at his brother. His ears flattened as he rubbed his jaw. What the hell, Kasan? You upset him! He was so angry he wouldnt even consider, not even for a moment Dammit, Aosh, just stay the hell away from me right now. I dont even want to look at you. Kasan left him on the floor, wishing that knocking Aosh on his ass had rid him of the gnawing pain that was eating away at his chest. Aosh sat on the floor after he left, blinking in the empty hallway. Max was that bothered by it? he murmured. His ears lowered, slowly, and he sighed. Getting up slowly, he rubbed his stomach, wincing. Damn. He looked back towards Kasans room. I hope Zonta knows a good way to apologize to humans ~*~*~*~*~*~ Max stared at the closed door and stepped back, the blankness of it making the riot going

on in his head even worse. He was still so embarrassed by Aosh seeing themGod. Kasans tongue pressing into his ass, his dick on fire, his stomach almost tight enough to burst, and for some reason hed opened his eyes, looked to the side, and Aosh was there, leaning against the wall, and watching. And even that wasnt enough to stop Maxs lusting after Kasan, like some little human slut machine. Kasan could just do whatever he wanted and Max couldnt even stop him. No, Max didnt even want to stop him, not even when they were going to be a show for even more big-ass cats. Max had been so frustrated and furious that he couldn't get his body to do what he wanted even one freaking time and it had all just exploded. He didnt even remember exactly what hed said, only that hed been so horrified by being seen and what it might mean and Kasan not even giving him a freaking hug to help him through it and Hed upset Kasan. The big cat had drawn back from him entirely. Hed barely looked at him on the way back, wouldnt even touch him. No teasing brushes of his tail against Maxs legs, or his fingers running over Maxs hair or his ears. Not even one bit scoopingup hug. Kasan had just walked ahead without saying a word, his ears down and his face so reserved it was frightening. What had Max done? He hadnt meant to screw anything up. Aosh was the one who did shit like that! Max liked the damn baths! So he couldn't have said something that had ruined everythinghad he? What had he said? And Kasan thought Max was afraid of him! It kinda floored him that he wasnt. The question had thrown him completely off, because he should be afraid of this huge cat who wanted sex all the time, who wouldnt leave Max alone any time of day, and who continually put him through the most embarrassing events of his life. How could Kasan think he scared Max anymore? Shit, did the stupid cat not notice how much Max wanted Kasan, every time the big jerk touched him? Max even trusted Kasan to watch out for him, to make him feel happier, and safe, and toto damn well keep touching him and holding him and freaking caring about him even when Max panicked over something and said something stupid! He hadnt thought Kasan would ignore the fact that Max really needed some help coping with Aosh watching them both. He hadnt expected him to dump him off like Kasan couldnt even look at him anymore. Max swallowed and turned from the door, staring at the bed. Was Kasan going to come back at all tonight before they had to have sex? Or was he done with him? Max thought of his parents drifting away when he didnt choose the career theyd planned for him, his dates drifting away when they, like everyone else, didnt think he was macho enough.

Kasan couldnt do the same thing. He wouldnt give him away, or toss him away. He wouldnt. KasanKasan really seemed to care about him, even if he was a big sexobsessed maniac cat that wanted to touch him all the time and cuddle and talk to him and just be one of the nicest freaking people Max had ever damn well met. Max found it hard to breathe. Dammit, he didnt want Kasan to go away. He didnt know how to tell him, though. He was terrified even bringing it up. And he felt bad that whatever hed said had fucked everything all up anddammit! He shook his head and went to sit down on the bed, lying back on the pillows while he stared morosely at the ceiling. Kasan would come back tonight, right? They had to have sex, so that meant he had to come back. Max would just calmly and rationally ask him what the hell he thought he was doing, tricking Max into trusting him with his stupid ear touching and hugging and sex and then just walking away as though it meant nothing and Max really was useless and worthless and Why the hell did you leave? Grabbing onto one of the pillows next to him, he crushed it in his hands. Fuck. He wished Kasan were still here so he could tell him that he hadnt meant it the way it had come out, if hed said anything that made him that mad. Telling him no sex hadnt made him mad before! Why had it now? God, Max was so stupid. He was a damned linguist he should be able to say what he wanted to say when he wanted to say it, dammit! A soft scratching finally penetrated and Max dropped the pillow, startled. Dragging his feet, he went over, opened door for Androcles, and let himself be, yet again, sniffed all over. At least he wasnt licked this time. The oil must not taste too good. Androcles pawed at him, nearly knocking him over, and he went back to the bed. He didnt feel like playing right now. Androcles grumped at him with a huge, bass HUFF before it went to the other side of the bed and lay down, staring up at Max and tilting his head as he did it. What was Max going to do? Kasan justhad to listen to him. It made him nervous to think about that. Why the heck wouldnt Kasan listen to him? Well, hed just have to start listening again. Max would find some way to make him listen. And make sure Kasan touched him again. And smiled, like theyd just fucking been doing in the baths. That had been so great He had to listen. Max was sitting there, biting his lip and wondering if maybe the guards could help him find Kasan tonight so he could talk to him earlier, when they entered the room. They didnt knock, barely even glanced at him before checking out the entire room. Waran

smiled, and the other looked out the door before closing it behind him and stepping in as well. All alone, human? Something about the way Waran spoke made Max stand up. Defensive. What a shame Chapter 27 - To the Rescue? Max took a step back and licked his lips nervously. The two cats smiled at him, but their ears made the grins into something not so nice. He didnt want to think predatory, but it popped into his mind anyway. Their eyes had nothing but rage behind the thin pupils, like tigers in a zoo that were no longer behind bars. They were really freaking creeping him out. What- what want? Warans smile spread across his face until his fangs gleamed in the light. You, human. We want you. Me? Max backed up another step. They watched him like hed crawled out from a rock and pissed in their breakfast; there was no way they meant this sexually. And any other way Kasan wouldnt Keeping track of both of them as he retreated another step he held onto the thought. Kasan wouldnt. No matter how mad Kasan was at him, or how badly Max had screwed up, Kasan wouldnt toss him away. Or- or at least he would have told him. And all Kasan had said was stay in the room. That was it. He would have said something. Wouldnt he? What the hell were they here for? Go- go away. Max pointed at the door, but even he could see how badly his hand shook. Waran sneered at him. What, exactly, do you think youre going to do to make us leave? Kasans not here anymore, human, and youre pathetic. He and the other guard held their spears low and to the side, ready to jab out with them. And they were coming closer. Shit! Androcles stood up from behind the bed, growling, and both guards froze. What the hell- Max was so grateful to hear that terrifying growl that his knees almost gave out. Androcles jumped over the bed and down beside Max, his growling so loud that Max could feel it vibrating his breastbone.

Burying his hand in Androcles scruff, nearly shoulder level now, he tried again. Go away. No you here. They stopped, crouching lower. Their ears flickered. The other guard spoke first. Why isnt it attacking him? Waran growled back. Who cares. We knew the human was unnatural, didnt we? As long as we can still get him and the shokan doesnt poison him, it doesnt matter. We just need to get him away from it. Dont panic, Quim, its just one last obstacle. The two men separated, crouching lower as they adjusted their overhand grips on the spears. Max fell back onto the bed with a grunt as the dog shoved him with its head. Androcles lowered himself nearly flat, his tail twitching. His body tensed, the growl changing to something lower. Scarier. Is it guarding him? Quim whispered. Its in the way. Try to lure it to the side; Ill get the human. Its a fucking shokan! Waran growled again. So go for the side, then. You know they cant turn as quickly as they can charge you from the front. The cats spread farther apart; Androcles whipped his head from side to side, trying to keep track of them. They looked like they were going to kill him! Max stumbled off the bed, falling against Androcles. He had to help. No! Leave Androcles alone! He tried to get on front of Androcles but the dog blocked him, crouching in front of him every time Max moved. Waran stabbed out with his spear and pulled back. Androcles snarled, snapping at it. Waran repeated the motion, then again, while the other guard stood crouched and watching. Androcles was growing more irate, growling and snapping, the spear close to drawing blood every time. Max didnt know what the hell to do. He had no weapons, and they werent listening to him! Could he get out and get help? Max looked to the door, trying to figure out if he could make it past the other guard when Quim darted in and grabbed for him. Max kicked out at him and the cat caught him by the heel. Knocked off his feet by a strong yank, Max pounded at the hand with his other foot, yelling. Androcles whipped around and slashed at Quim. The bastard lost his grip as he flung himself back, spear up. Both guards stood still, spears pointing at them, panting heavily. Growling and snarling, Androcles crouched over Max, covering him with his body. Watching carefully. Max tried to crawl out from underneath and one large hind paw planted itself on his ass, pinning him until he stopped struggling.

The stupid dog wouldnt let him help! And now Waran and Quim were talking again. He couldnt catch everything they were saying, but he was sure it was something that would hurt Androcles. Dammit! Waran sidled around, trying to work his way behind them. When Max couldnt see him anymore he gave up and started yelling. Kasan! Kasan! Help! Waran laughed, a nasty snickering. Kasan help, he mimicked in a high, whiny voice, and laughed again. Androcles snarled at him, shifting over Max as he struggled to see both men at the same time. With one last growl, Androcles head darted down. He clamped his teeth over the back of Maxs loincloth and lifted him up into the air. Quim and Waran cursed as the dog charged towards the door, dragging Max with him. Max squealed before he could stop himself, scrabbling to reach up and hold onto Androcles muzzle and take the pressure off the hideous wedgie crushing his balls. He swung in an arc with each leap from Androcles, once, twice, and then almost slammed up against the closed door. Growling, with Max still in his mouth, the dog pawed at the door with his claws frantically, missing the trigger. A spear just missed them both as Androcles rolled to the side dragging Max along the floor. Maxs head smacked the ground and his vision went white for a second. Quim pulled his spear back from the door, turning to them. Be careful! You nearly got the human! Androcles looked around wildly, Max slapping against his body as the head moved. The sharp motion was like an uppercut to his brain. Androcles! Stop! Max felt the jolt as he leapt. Androcles skittered across the floor, slipping once and barely avoiding a spear in his side from Waran this time. They made it to the log that Androcles always used and Androcles started to climb, dragging Max up with him, scraping him against the wood. Max swung wildly, unable to get a grip and help, and saw both cats coming up behind them, spears raised. Androcles! Theyre coming! Get out of the way! Androcles yanked him up one last time, with a groaning fully-body twist, half-tossing Max above the dog onto a higher portion of the log. The moment Max grasped the bark, Androcles leapt down to meet the two men. Max scrabbled desperately, trying to hold on, or move up, but his head was swimming. He had to close his eyes and hang on with a deathgrip, and he wasnt strong enough. There was nowhere for him to put his hands, and the log was so huge. Hugging it wasnt going to keep him on long. He could feel his legs begin to shake against the stupid log after a few moments, listening to the snarling and snapping of Androcles underneath.

Nauseated, fighting to keep himself attached so at least Androcles didnt have to worry about him too, Max could feel when his arms started to go. They began cramping and he felt himself slide an inch. He hugged the big pole tightly and it did no good. He wasnt going to be able toMax lost his grip entirely, twisting off the log so that he fell to the floor with a sickening thud. Dazed, he looked up in time to see the fight, Androcles whirling back and forth between the two guards, and Quim standing right in front of Max. Max stood, but his balls pulled up as Quim whipped around to look down at him. The big cats eyes widened and then it was a blur. Androcles charged, Quim and Waran yelled out, and they all move so fast Max could barely follow it all. The spears were shining streaks, the cats and Androcles intermingling flashes of fur and flash and ears. He could tell Androcles was trying to get over to him, his body a blur of motion that never quite made it through Quims block. Max had to help him. He shifted, taking the first step to the door and help. Waran went for Androcles, drew his attention, and Quim suddenly snapped out an arm to grab him. Max cried out. He could just barely see it coming, the blur of motion that he knew he couldnt dodge. He wasnt going to be fast enough! Androcles flung himself Maxs direction, dodging Warans last stab as he shoved up against Max and pushed him out of Quims way. Max hit the floor and heard Androcles scream at the same moment. Quims spear was still quivering, buried in Androcles side, and Androcles gave another snarling scream as it was yanked out. Blood spattered over the floor; Androcles body hit the ground. Screaming, Max scrambled back to his feet and both cats slashed down again. No! You freaking bastards! He threw himself at Quim as the spear pulled back for another jab. Waran caught him around the waist before he got there, yanking him off his feet. He could feel the bare flesh of Warans chest, sweaty and hot, slam against his back as the cat anchored him there. Androcles snarled weakly, trying to get to him, and couldnt seem to get his back legs to work. Waran stepped away, into the middle of the room. Androcles! Oh god, there was so much blood! The dog dragged himself forward in an abortive, clumsy leap of his front paws, still snarling. Quim cursed, caught off guard, and lashed out sideways, catching Androcles against the side of his skull with the butt of his spear. All growling ceased, Androcles head collapsing against the floor. He stopped moving. No! You killed him! You killed him, you rotten, freaking, sons of bitches! You bastards, you fucking bastards! Let me go! Waran started towards the bed with Max. Quim kicked out once at Androcles head and turned to follow. Max struggled wildly, cursing, crying so hard he could hardly see. He was still

struggling, trying to bite the arm that was taking out something tucked into Warans loincloth, when the door opened. They all froze as large, red-headed cat walked into the room with a confused smirk. Hey, whats all the noise- Aosh! Max kicked out at Waran, Frowning, Kasans brother looked around, and then his eyes widened as he saw Androcles, lying prone and still behind them. Holy hell, it got in! Shit, Waran Ears flat against his head, Aosh came towards Max, looking for wounds. Is everyone all right? Did any of you get clawed? Were all fine- Waran started to say. They killed him! Max shouted, still struggling to pry himself out of Warans hold. Aoshs body relaxed. Yes, I see that, little one. How the hell did it get into the room, though? Max gaped at him. Androcles was bleeding out on the floor and Aosh was freaking happy? Help him! Androcles hurt! Aosh looked from the dog to Max and the other men, tensing up again. Whos hurt? Androcles! They hurt him! Androcles? Aosh looked at Quim and Waran and back at Max. Max, Im sorry, I dont know who that is. Help! Aosh made soothing gestures with his hands, frowning again. Max, calm down. Its all right, well fix everything, but you need to calm down. Waranhere, let him down. Hes only getting more upset. Aosh smiled ruefully. Trust me, Ive been able to see him doing that a lot lately. Waran fixed his grip over Max, shifting to put Max on the opposite side from Aosh. We cant let him down. He keeps trying to get to the shokan and it isnt completely neutralized yet. Besides, we need to take him to be checked by the doctor. He fell during the fight. Aosh paused, staring at the shokan who had started to shudder, growling and whimpering in turns. He looked back at Waran and Quim, eyes narrowing. Give Max to me, then. Ill take him out and get help while you take care of it. I have something to talk to him about,

anyway. Waran exchanged a glance with Quim and smiled. Id better get him checked, first. Quim can take care the shokan. Max cursed at them all, biting and clawing at Warans arm, trying to get him to drop him. Shit but he really is a little firebrand when hes angry, isnt he? Come on, little one, you need to calm down. Max? Aosh sighed, shaking his head. Here, Ill keep him from the shokan, but you really do need to let him down. Kasan doesnt like Max to get too upset. He knows me. Ill take him. Hes my responsibility, Waran said, tightening his grip. Max cried out as it bruised his ribs. Aosh frowned and his ears lowered. Waran, youre hurting him. Put him down. Aosh walked forward, watching both men carefully. Quim stepped to the side as Waran shook his head, still smiling. Hes fine, just highstrung. Aoshs ears flattened completely. He wants down, Waran. Let him go. Hes not- Max managed to sink his teeth into Warans arm and the guard cursed and cuffed him alongside the head. It made his head ring. He could just barely hear a growl welled up in Aoshs throat. Drop him right now, Waran. Quim stepped between them, holding up his spear, and Waran spoke as he wrapped a hand around Maxs mouth. Just walk away, Aosh. Aosh snarled. What the hell are you doing, Waran? The Elders will stomp you to little pieces if you hurt Kasans consort! Let him go! Quim raised the spear up and Waran looked between them both, suddenly earnest. Aosh, just walk away. We dont want to have to hurt family. Have you gone insane? Max is family! Let him go- Aosh watched the spear in Quims hand carefully, shifting his weight. Max could feel the growl in Warans chest, and he coughed as the arm around him tightened painfully again. He tried to scratch at him. This this abomination is not family! Its a human! Max wheezed as his breath was squeezed out before Waran relaxed his grip. What? Max is Kasans consort! It should never have happened! Kasan should never have happened! Waran snarled

again. Aosh stood very still, ears flat, his face twisted in disgust. Youre a purist, he whispered. Im a true Kyashin! So is Kasan! Quim growled and brought the attention back to him, closer to Aosh, spear still raised. Your brother is a disgrace. Out of the way, Aosh. This is too important to let family stand in the way. Family is whats important! Let him go right now, Waran. No. Step aside, Aosh. You dont have to do this. Im not letting you take Max. So be it. Quim started forward and Max kicked out with his legs. One foot caught the spear and turned it away just enough for Aosh to duck under and slam into Quim. They went down, cursing and punching. Max bit down on Warans arm again. Waran cuffed his head but he held on, digging in until Waran loosened his grip to really hit at him. The second the cats arm loosened, Max let go and fell to the floor. Aosh rolled off of Quim, kicked Waran in the knee and knocked him over, and yanked Max over. He nearly dislocated Maxs arm pulling him out of the way as Quim made a grab for him. Too dangerous, little one! Hold on! Max found himself upended over Aoshs shoulders, yelling as Aosh tried to dodge between the two men. Aosh tripped over one of the spears, almost eviscerated himself on Quims blade. He earned himself a shallow cut and a loss of balance. Catching himself on his hands and knees, Aosh cursed. Max wheezed against his back, the breath knocked out of him. It was only second, but by the time Aosh got to his feet, the men were too close for him to run from. Growling continuously, Aosh backed towards the door, and a spear stabbed forward. Aosh tried to dodge, but looking down his back, Max saw the tip of the blade plunge out the back of Aoshs thigh and Max almost vomited. Aosh collapsed as it was yanked back, but he tossed Max off of him. The world was a whirl of colors as Max rolled, flopping onto the floor.

Run for Kasan, Max! dont let them- Aosh screamed as Quim stepped on his wounded leg. Aosh shifted to the side desperately and the spear aimed at his chest bit into his side. Aosh! Max almost went back, realized he couldn't do a damned thing for him, and sprinted for the door. Waran caught him in three steps in the same hold as before, his arms pinned to his side. They turned to see Quim pull out the spear and bring it up to Aoshs neck. Quim, what are you doing?! Warans voice expressed the same shock Max felt. What does it look like? Hes family! You cant kill him. Quim didnt move the spear. He tried to stop us. He failed. Theres no need to kill him. Theyll already know who we are. Quim stared at him and then nodded, slowly. Max heaved a huge sigh of relief only to scream along with Aosh when Quim stabbed down suddenly. He ripped through the muscle in Aoshs other thigh, blood splattering the floor and Quim both. Quim! Hes not dead. But hes not a problem now, either. The man wiped his blade on a clean spot of Aoshs loincloth. Aosh spit at him, snarling. Waran swallowed loudly. Youyou shouldnt have tried to stop us, Aosh. I told you to walk away. Betrayer of family. Aosh snarled at him again. Warans body stiffened behind Max. Not me. Youll seesomeday. Im not the one whos betrayed the family. He turned from another curse of Aosh and lifted Max. Max struggled vainly as he felt the fabric of his loincloth come undone. Kicking out, he cried out as he was battered alongside his head again. He shook himself, still trying to struggle, staring at Aosh and the dark pool of blood growing around his body. Waran pulled the loincloth free and bound it around Max, tying his wrists behind his back and fixing them to his ankles. There was a small ripping sound, and then Waran gagged him so quickly Max couldnt make a sound. He was squirming, still looking at Aosh, and Androcles coming to awareness behind him he wasnt dead! - and then they put him in a heavy cloth sack. He couldnt move as he was tossed over a shoulder to slam painfully against the mans back.

He couldnt breath! His body was contorted, tied so he couldnt free his face, and for a moment, it pressed up against the fabric so tightly he thought he would suffocate. Even finally freeing his mouth didnt help, his breath coming in harsh, whining gasps through his nose. Aosh. And Androcles. They were both bleeding to death and Max Max was going to hyperventilate again. ~*~*~*~*~*~ Dammit. Aoshs arms spasmed as he tried to drag himself across the floor. He could hear soft, relentless scrabbling behind him as the shokan dragged itself behind him. The big animals always were persistent. If he couldnt make it to the doorway, and out to the summoning box, the thing would have him. It might have him even then. And then Max would die along with him, and Kasan would die soon after that. He wasnt going to let that happen, not by those kin-killers. Aosh pulled with one arm, one leg useless and the other making his whole body spasm if he tried to use it. The shokan was closer. It was a nightmare in slow motion, Aosh managing a fingers width of movement, the shokan closing, whining behind him. He could hear the thing's claws digging into the floor for a better grip, moving just barely faster than Aosh, even though the animal had been unconscious only minutes before. Aosh suspected hed already be dead by now if the thing wasnt severely injured. The first nanites tested on animals had been more aimed at healing than the heat, Zonta always said. The damned shokan was likely improving faster than Aosh. Aosh could be torn apart before he even got out the door. He was shocked that it hadnt killed Max couldnt think of how the animal and Max and the guards had all come together. Couldnt think of why Waran would do this. He was their cousin! Hed grown up with Kasan; how could he do this? And for Quim to attack him, and Waran to do nothing at all. He was dead to Aosh. Didnt matter what the Elders decided; Waran was dead to him. And now the bastard had Max, but they might not be able to retrieve the little one in time unless Aosh got help. Kasan could still smell the trail, if he got to it fast enough, but it had to be quick. Aosh had to keep moving. Drag, push, spasm, bleed, push. The scrape and heavy breath of the shokan was so close Aosh didnt know if hed be able to open the door in time to escape. He had to try and reach up high enough to touch the right panel on the door, before he was sliced open by claws.

He thought of Kasan, and the look on his little consorts face as he fought to get to Aosh, as small as he was, and he growled deep in his chest, gritting his teeth against the pain. He envisioned his hands with claws, digging his nails into the floor like hed like to do to Warans eyes. Pulling them out as he dragged himself forward. His head bumped lightly against the door as he managed the last bit, and he tried to pull himself up. His legs wouldnt work. The pain made him scream, but even screaming and straining, they collapsed before he could reach up high enough. He was going again, trying not to use his legs, when he felt the animal behind him. Hot air swept over his legs and he scrabbled for the door panel, wondering why the thing was dragging itself over him further. Going for his throat? Fur slid along his body, heavy paws, bumping painfully against him as the shokan dragged itself closer to his head. Aosh reached desperately one last time for the door panel, failing, and began to fall back when a large, blunt head stopped him. It inserted itself in between his arm and his body, keeping him upright, and with a growling whine, pushed him back up. He swallowed. The shock of not being maimed was like hed taken a step onto a lake and stood on the water. Wheezing from the pain, Aosh whimpered as his body was lifted until his hand could just touch the panel. He pressed and the door opened, both of them spilling out to the hallway. He lay on his back, staring at the shokan. Dark amber eyes stared back, looked down the hallway with a snarl, and then back at him. And as he watched, unable to move, it came back and began to push at his body again, moving him upright. He looked up at the summoning box and cursed it had been smashed. He couldnt use it. Hed have to make it all the way down the hallway. The shokan already seemed heading that way. Dragging itself along, keeping its head underneath Aoshs torso as Aosh wrapped one arm around his neck. They moved like a drunken, two headed snake, weaving down the hall on their bellies, the shokan moving under him to help him along. He didnt know what to think. It was a miracle. A fluke. He didnt care. The animal was going to help him get to Kasan, get help for Max, and that was all he cared about. He could figure out what they were going to do about it once he was there. It took too long to make it down the hall. Aosh slipped on the floor as he tried to move. Even holding onto the animal, it was agonizing pulling himself along. The floor was slick by the time his bare feet dragged over it; he was losing too much blood, too quickly, and if he didnt get to help soon, he wouldnt even be able to tell them what had happened to Max. Kasan wouldnt be able to find him, and then his body would start to die as the kouloc

took over when he couldnt connect with his consort, and then a week of agonizing pain until he passed. Aosh grit his teeth and held on, trying to move his legs and failing. The shokan whimpered and growled each time it moved, dragging itself on its front paws as well, but twice as fast as Aosh could have managed. It would have taken him too long to make it down the hallway just to the corner, and as it was, they were now past the corner and into a main hall. I need aid! The shokan jumped and Aosh nearly lost his grip. He found himself staring into amber eyes that looked like paintings of gods nemesis from old temple scriptures. The shokan growled, snorted at him once, and then started moving again. Well pardon me, but if we dont get help soon, were both dead, so Im yelling again. Aosh hoped it didnt bite him. I need aid! Kasans consort is in danger! I need aid! He listened for a reply that never came. Was it that close to last meal? He would have sworn there was another hour, at least. Where was everyone? The shokan growled again and Aosh looked at him, the muzzle with teeth bared the first thing he saw. Son of a bitch. Theyre all out looking for you. The animal ignored him and continued squirming on his belly down the hall; Aosh did the same. He was not going to die from that family betraying bastard Waran. His mind was fading in and out before he finally heard the voices. The animal bumped up against him where he lay on the floor, his grip having given out. I need aid! His voice wasnt strong, but it did the trick. He heard Kasans grumpy reply, muted, and then footsteps coming closer. The shokan pushed its head under his arm and he gripped the fur to pull himself a little more upright. They moved toward the voices, and Aosh was staring blearily ahead when a small group cleared the corner. Kasan was first, and he stopped dead, his ears flat and his claws out before Zonta and their father followed behind. Leero stepped out last, clearly swallowing a curse as he nearly bumped into everyone. Zonta took a step towards him before father pulled him back. Go get the antidote, the Lord King whispered frantically. We might have time yet, if we get it quickly. The poison might not have- Im not poisoned, Aosh said. It came out like a whisper. Everyone stared at him, not wanting to move with such a large animals teeth and claws

so near Aoshs head. Not a bad shokan, all things considered, Aosh said. He thought his words might be slurring, so he tried to pat the shokans head with his other hand to show what he meant. The animal lifted one lip to bare a fang at him but otherwise left him alone. What the hell is going on, Kasan whispered. Waran took Max. Kasans face was so still Aosh didnt know if hed heard him. He started moving slowly towards them both. Away from the shokan? Aosh finally let go of the fur and slid down to lie on the floor. No. I think the shokan actually attacked them because they were trying to take Max. It dragged me here to get help hell, it helped me open the damned door. Quim is the one who attacked me. And Waran watched him do it. They put Max into a sack and carried him off. Gotta find them. I think theyre with Uncle. Kasan got close enough to grab Aosh, while the shokan watched but didnt move, and he pulled Aosh away so quickly that Aosh screamed. His legs were on fire. Aosh could see Kasans face as he looked at Aosh's legs, and then Zontas face was above him, worried and pale, and he reached up to pat his cheek. You fret too much. Ill be fine. Always am. Kasan would look after Zonta. He always did baby him more, anyway. Don't be an idiot. Youre hurt! Kyoru put pressure on one of his legs as Zonta verbally smacked him. Kasan worked on the other leg while Aosh thought Leero ran down the hall to get help. Kasan didnt take his eyes off the shokan, but it had stopped moving, watching them, Aosh thought. It felt like the animals eyes were on him, in any case. What the hell are we going to do with a wounded shokan who might have just saved your life? Kasan muttered. Give him a nice steak, Aosh said weakly, and then father pushed down even harder and Aosh finally let himself lose consciousness. Chapter 28 - Meeting the Family Pet

As soon as Uncle Frodi arrived to help stabilize Aosh, Kasan bolted back to his room. Leero was raising the alarm, calling from box to box to ensure all the guards in the citadel and surrounding town were aware of what had happened, on the lookout for Waran and Max. The Elders and family would be called in. Anyone else who was free would be gathered to help search, but it could take hours; they were already out looking for the shokan. Kasan knew he didnt have any time to waste. He needed to track down Max now, while he still could. His claws flickering wildly in and out, Kasan reined himself back as he sped down the hall, avoiding the drying ochre streaks along the floor. Hed never find Max if he didnt slow down. His entire body tense with the effort, Kasan made himself pause every few feet, searching for Maxs scent as he drew closer to his own chambers. Nothing stood out. If Max had been taken down the corridor, the trail was muffled by the thick scent of blood. In the back of his thoughts he was aware the fluids smeared across the floor belonged to Aosh and the shokan, but knowing his consort was in danger, seeing the dark trail over the stone, his mind screamed at him that it could be Maxs blood. His little one could be this injured, bleeding as Waran took him away. His ears flattened against his head and he snarled. Tail lashing back and forth violently, he tried to find the clue that would lead him to Max. He arrived at his room without finding a trace. The blood was too strong an odor, Maxs bright tang too muted, and Quim and Waran had been over the hallways too often in the past hours. He couldnt tell which trail branching out from the hallway was the right one! His lips peeled back in another growling snarl when he saw his door. It was still open, the summoning box outside his room ripped off the wall entirely. Stalking inside, he found the bloody handprint streaking down the wall where Aosh had opened the door. Red droplets sprayed in a macabre pattern over the floor. The stink of spilled blood and fear was even stronger here, but Maxs scent was finally strong enough to overcome it and Kasan breathed it in. Even so small a connection with his little one soothed him enough to control his claws, just enough to think. He almost wished he couldnt. Thought only made his heart bleed in his chest. Theyd taken his Max. The little one must have been terrified. Attacked, kidnappedand Kasan had left him here so they could do it. So unable to cope with Maxs anger and unhappiness that hed abandoned his own consort. Kasan paced the room, the fur on his tail bristling. If anything happened to Max, he would kill them. He didnt care if the kouloc took him, he would find Waran and Quim before he took his last breath and eviscerate them. He had to find Max. Kasan scanned the floor, hoping one of the bastards had been careless enough to leave something behind, anything that would give him a clue to where they went, but there was nothing other than drying blood and the foreign smell of Quim and Waran.

Cursing continually under his breath, Kasan made his way out, scenting the air again, hoping something would pop out at him that hed missed. This might be the only chance he had! There were so many ways out of the Citadel it could take more time than he had to investigate them all. Max might not have that long either. Who knew what Waran was planning for him, if he was going to Shovak as Aosh had thought. And there was the heat, as well. Kasan desperately hoped that the little one couldnt catch the kouloc, as hed first thought, but if he were wrong? If the kouloc had infected the Kyashin and human genes for enough generations that it could infect pure humans, then Max might be infected now, too. Kasan had to find him soon. Prowling back and forth across the hallway, he had to push himself to the edge simply to catch the barest hint of Max. Quim and Waran were clearer, now, after such a strong essence of them in his room. Waran had eaten something with chera root in it. Kasan could detect a hint of it only in the most recent scent trail. It should be easier to follow, now that he knew what to look for. Picking his way carefully, Kasan started to hope hed made it in time. Scent never lasted long in the citadel, a defense mechanism built into the walls to keep ones enemies from tracking the family, if needed. But it wasnt dispersed instantly. If he only had a few more minutes, he thought he could find them. Tension grew in Kasans head with every few feet he gained. Where the hell were they taking Max? This wasnt leading to the usual exits. Fangs grinding against his teeth, Kasan continued to follow their scent for a few more turns of the hallway, and then he hit a well-trafficked area. With more bodies to work with, the citadel had already begun to do its job, swirling the signs of Waran and Quim into an incomprehensible mixture of odors. Swearing wildly, Kasan searched out the nearest hallways that might have fewer scents available to hide Waran from him. The first yielded nothing he could follow. Neither did the second, or the third. He hadnt found the exact path again by the time he searched half a dozen corridors. Kasan stood in the middle of a crossing, feeling the time slipping out of his hands like water, unsure which way to go. Hed lost them! Kasan continued searching, his claws fully emerged now as he imagined what was happening to Max while Kasan failed him. Enlisting the nearest guards helped not at all; no one had seen anything and no one could smell as well as Kasan could. Max was getting farther away every second, probably frightened out of his mind. Why had Waran done it? It made no sense! And when Max had been so terrified already, for him to have this happen on top of everything? Dammit, couldnt the universe give his consort some peace? The little one deserved some happiness. Hed been through so much

already. And Kasanhe couldnt lose Max like this. Not like this. Growling, the pain in his chest growing stronger with every step, Kasan hunted for Max up and down the hallways with a growing number of guardsmen and concerned cousins. Guardsman Niku arrived to help, saying something to Kasan about taking a moment to rest, but Kasan pushed him aside and continued searching. His cousin Emal stepped in front of him with the same request, his voice strangely muted as Kasan pushed it to the background. He had to find Max! He didnt need the interruptions. He needed to get to Max. Another cousin and one of his uncles moved into his space, blathering at him until he realized they were saying that his father was asking for him. When his first panicked thoughts must have shown in his ears, they reassured him quickly. Aosh was fine. His father simply needed to talk to him. Kasan looked around blankly, seeing dozens of his comrades and family working in teams, searching rooms and up and down the halls. Exactly as hed been doing. There was nothing that he could help with now that everyone else couldnt do just as well, not when the trail was this cold. Even still, Kasan couldnt help the agony that seeped in as he went back to Aosh. If he could move, keep searching for Max, then he was doing something for his consort. There was still hope. Without that, he didnt know how he was going to go on. His father was waiting by Aoshs side with Leero behind him when Kasan walked up. They were still in the hall, a number of people and supplies piled behind them now, although a few blankets had been slipped under Aosh to keep him off the cool floor. Uncle Frodi was tying off the last of the stitches had it really been that short a time? and his assistant gave Kasan a weary smile. Taking up a large portion of the wide hall was the shokan. At least half a dozen guards had their spears pointed at the beast where it lay on the ground, panting heavily. The pool of blood around it had grown. Kasan waited to speak until his father acknowledged him. What did you need? He was too upset to be polite. The trail is already cold. I need to get back out and keep searching. We need- Kyoru nodded even as he interrupted. How much time do you have until your heat calls? Kasan tried to slow his racing thoughts and pay attention. At least a few hours, but not past the end of late fifth, likely. The Lord King nodded, his face cold and remote. Kasan remembered the expression from the years right after his mother had passed. Some of the guards have already reported in to Leero. Waran hasnt been seen near any of the escape passages, and the guards are checking the Havens whose passages are unguarded. They can guarantee neither he nor

Quim came through the northeast entrance, but the south entrance has had enough traffic the guards werent sure. Theyre searching the town now and working their way through other areas of the Citadel. Thats all well and good, but I need to get back out and search! There was no need to ask me back here before we have any information. Kasans tail lashed at his own legs so hard it stung. The guards Leero spoke to on the box said you were becoming agitated, Kasan. Of course Im agitated! Well take the little one back, Kyoru said, reaching out for Kasans shoulder and holding it with a firm hand. But you must stay calm. I am calm, Kasan bit out, shrugging free. Zonta spoke quietly from the ground, holding onto Aoshs limp hand. You know if you get upset it will make it easier for the kouloc to multiply. Your heat will spike sooner. Please, Kasan. Kasan let out a long slow breath. Hed forgotten that, but how was he supposed to stay calm when Max was in danger? Everything Kasan could do felt so useless. He couldnt find him! And Max was so damn fragile; Waran could hurt him without even trying. And the last memory Max would have was Kasan forcing him into a situation he hated. Closing his eyes, Kasan tried to push aside the pain and regret and think. Waran the man wasnt stupid. For whatever reason hed done it, he had to have planned it carefully. Aoshs warning might have let everyone know the situation earlier than Waran would have expected, but what would he need? Some place not too far away, not too populated, where he and his consort could go Wait, wheres Shoru? He had to be out of his mind not to have thought of that first! Leeros leash, twined up and connected back into the collar, shivered as his chest vibrated with a deep growl. He was supposed to be convalescing with a relative, only theres no such person, no such address. Your father thought of that almost immediately; we had guards there reporting back before anyone else. They both had to be in on this, to arrange it so neatly. Leeros face twisted. I should have figured it out, he snarled, then shivered as Kyoru ran a hand over his head, rubbing one ear. You are not God. Dont expect more of yourself than is possible. Waran fooled everyone from the Elders to the youngest guard. Kyoru pinched Leeros ear lightly before he let go, ignoring the mans disgruntled wince. Kasan didnt say it, but he couldnt stop feeling that Leero was right. They should have

known. There had to have been something theyd missed. His father rubbed Kasans shoulder again. Stay here for the moment, Kasan. Get your breath back. Were doing everything we can to find your consort. You can join back in when you can keep your emotions under better control. Kasan wanted to snap back that he was as calm as he was going to damn well get when a pained growl echoed eerily in the hallway and everyone turned their attention to the shokan. Up close, the beast was huge. Kasan had been right when hed guessed the size, he thought, shivering as he watched its odd, amber eyes. It wasnt quite grown yet, but still enormous. Perfectly large enough to kill any one of them if it were healthy, and they were unlucky. They knew it had killed already. And it was beyond capable of killing an injured Aosh or Max. So why hadnt it? Kasan watched carefully, taking another deep breath, trying to distract himself. His father was right. The best chance to find Max needed time. If Kasan spiked too early, that was the end. But he couldnt think how to regain control when everything in him screamed for Max and the wet spray of Waran and Quims blood What about the shokan? What are we going to do with it? He could do something about that, at least. The Elders have been called. The circumstances are strange enough that we should all be involved. Kasan nodded, keeping an eye on it. His attention split when his uncle finished with Aosh, directing the assistant to pull free the IV. Working rapidly, Uncle Frodi gathered a few round metal hoops and quickly pierced them through Aoshs skin near the wound in his side and into the meat of his thighs. Kasan swallowed as Frodi started to pierce Aoshs left ear as well with small studs in a variety of metals. He knew the nanites would repair Aosh faster with the extra metal to use as resources, but the damage must be worse than hed thought if uncle was adding that many piercings. The hoops alone would take a week before they were eaten away and Kasan had only seen injuries severe enough to require the additional studs a few times in his life. Without the IV, Aoshs nanites cleared the drugs just as the last two studs were puncturing his ear. It flicked back and forth as though waving off a fly. He moaned softly, opening his eyes to stare blankly into the air. Taking another deep breath, Kasan knelt next to Aoshs head and pushed back a few of his braids from his face. Bleary, Aosh managed a grimace. Aosh, can you hear me? Frodi asked. Aosh nodded slowly. Good. You scared us there

for a while. You should be feeling some pulling where the stitches are, but nothing loose or sliding. Aosh blinked. Pain I know. I would have liked to keep the IV in longer but your nanites were already starting to eat away the needle. Do you need me to put you under again? Aoshs bruised eyes were clearing rapidly. Painll pass. m good. Frodi smiled in encouragement and started packing up his supplies. Kasans ears lowered as he waited for Aosh to notice him. Everything had gone wrong today. Hed been so infuriated with Aosh he would have sworn he didnt want to even think of him for a year. He shuddered to think that such bile might have been made up his last words. Im glad to see you awake, Kasan said, his voice hoarse. Aoshs ears quirked, then flicked again, unused to the studs. We werent sure Quim hadnt killed you, at first. Aoshs eyes brightened. Tha squickling isnt going to take me out. Zonta, his face tight and pale, squeezed Aoshs hand on the other side. Of course not. Thats reserved for the mate of one of your ex-lovers. Aosh laughed and instantly moaned in pain. He smiled instead. I amunforgettable. Can see where a mate would be jealous, he murmured. Kasan ran his hand over Aoshs hair again. He glanced at the still bleeding pile of fur laboring to breathe next to them both, taking up half the hallway. Aosh, we need to know more about what happened. Did Waran or Quim say anything? Give you any idea where they were they might take Max? Aoshs ears flattened. Just that Warans a purist, like Shovak. They didnt say where He frowned, his ears fluttering in distress. nothing about where they were going. The bag with Maxit was beige, rough weave, like a bakers grain sack. Might help, if they give Max to someone else. Kasan nodded, hearing Leero trotting off to pass the information through the nearest summoning box. Thank you, he whispered. The shokan whimpered again. Now we just need to figure out what to do about the animal. Dont kill him. Aosh looked over at it and his lips twisted into a smile. I owe him a favor. Kasans ears flattened. It shouldnt be left alive once it had killed a man, but it felt wrong to punish the shokan for helping Aosh. Maybe it wasnt actually trying to aid you-

Dont delude yourself. You saw what he was doing. Kasan stared straight into the shokans eyes, trying to figure out what went on inside its head. It could have killed Max, he said, voice soft. Aosh shook his head, staring the same direction. I would bet my own dick that he tried to protect Max. Zonta patted Aoshs hand nervously, biting his lip as he looked from the shokan to Aosh. You cant be sure- I can. You didnt see how determined he was to get both of us to Kasan. Maybe hes smart enough to realize he needed me to get out of the room, but there was no reason for him to do anything after that. The shokan could have left me there, bleeding out, and tried to escape on his own, but he didnt. He has no reason to help me, but I think he did want to help Max. The fact that Max didnt have a scratch on him says something, Kasan. Kasan couldnt look away from the shokan. It was growling under its breath, but it hadnt lashed out at anyone, even with the blood around it congealing against its fur. It had fixated on Kasan. He could feel its eyes like glaring knives. Its too dangerous to have around. Aosh cleared his throat and waited to speak until Kasans attention was back on him. Max likes him. What? Kasans resolve took a hit. Unless Im completely misreading what happened, Max had a name for him, like a friend. Ando-kees, I think. Aosh smiled a little at Kasans flattened ears. He likes the shokan. The little one even tried to get me to help when the shokan was injured. Kasan hmphed, watching the shokan again. If the beast had helped Max, that was all well and good, but it didnt mean it wasnt dangerous. Just the briefest moment of irritation, a quick slice with its claws, and Max would be gone. It seemed too great a chance to take. Except Max had already lost so much. What if Kasan found him and brought him back only to have his consort lose what might be, as bizarre as it seemed, a companion? Growling under his breath, Kasan twitched his tail back and forth, wavering. He was getting angry again, and he needed to damn well stop. This wasnt helping retrieve Max, and that was what he needed to focus on. He didnt have time to worry about what decision the Elders would make about the shokan when they arrived, or what effect it would have on Maxs happiness. He just had to find Max. Leero cleared his throat. Kasan, I think youre forgetting something important. He gestured to the shokan. Shokan never forget.

The old saying meant nothing to Kasan for a moment, and then his eyes widened. Shokan never forget hed heard that since he was small. It was a warning. If you harmed one, you had better make sure the animal was dead and its family unable to track the beast back to you, because it would hunt you down until either you were paid back in kind, or it was too injured to continue. The animals nanites would heal it faster than Aoshs would, if it was given some help. And if it could heal quickly enoughit would hunt down Waran for them. Its sense of smell was ten times better than his own, and most hunters would swear that shokan had other ways to sense their prey that Kyashin didnt experience. Even with the citadels defenses interfering with the scent, the shokan might be able to find Max. What about the Kyashin it killed? Zonta asked softly. Will it be safe to let it get near Max if it is hunting down Waran? The blood was all in Kasans garden. Aoshs ears swiveled back and forth between Zonta and Kasan. And considering we never found anyone reported missing, and no one was supposed to be in the garden, Id say there was a good chance that the shokan was protecting Max that time, too. Someone could have slipped over the wall to try and get in through the garden. A good point to take into consideration. Kasan turned at the new voice. His Aunts Nerin and Asha were coming down the hall, with most of the elders in the citadel and the rest of his brothers and their consorts. Kasan relinquished his place near Aosh so that the others could kneel next to him. The elders checked on him briefly, murmuring and patting his head and shoulders, and then turned all their attention to the shokan. Kasan watched his brothers for a moment as they hovered, blocking Aosh from view, and then turned to see what the Elders would decide. As long as the animal lived long enough to help find Max, he wouldnt argue the decision. Yet. Aunt Asha took a step away from the rest, standing near the guards still between them and the animal. Very interesting, she said. There arecircumstances, Kyoru said. It- She waved the Lord Kings explanation away impatiently. No need. Your voices echo down the corridors quite well. Oh She blinked as the shokans eyes centered on her. Tried to save my nephews consort, did you, beast? The shokan didnt make a sound, but its eyes were just as sharp as Ashas. It took Kasan a moment to figure out why they looked so similar. There was no hunger in the shokans gaze. Rage that reminded him of Aunt Ashas constant irritation with the world, if shokan could feel such a thing, but no hunger.

Ashas ears twitched sideways. The question is, was it a fluke, or are you as unique as Kasans human consort? Before any of them could move, Asha nodded to herself and walked past the guards and up to the shokan. Asha! Nerin tried to get to her, but Kyoru held her back with a quick clamp of his hand around her arm. Oh stop fussing. I can recognize a desire to kill by now, and this animal doesnt have it. At leastnot towards us. She crouched down held out her hand. While they all froze for fear of provoking it further, the shokan leaned forward and sniffed her gingerly. Aunt Asha and it stared at each other for a moment, and then she nodded. He wont attack us. Get away from him. Her sisters voice was hoarse, and Asha got to her feet with a huff and returned to the rest of the group. Nerin hugged her close and then yanked her ear. I dont care if you are an Elder, dont do that without warning us! The other elders nodded, one of Kasans mother-uncles opening his mouth to start in on her. Asha huffed again, turning her back on them all to stare at the shokan. Her back tightened. I watched a shokan die, once. On Tiensa. No one said anything. I dont know how they caught it. Used to put it in the ring to use in their blood sports. Our cells overlooked the pit. A good warning to what happened to slaves that dont behave. She crossed her arms over her chest and shook off her sisters hand when it rubbed down her head. Nerin wrapped her arm around Ashas shoulders instead. Asha grabbed her hand and held on tight while she continued looking at the shokan Ando-kees. It was more than an animal. It thought about its own actions. Even when they starved it, it wouldnt entertain them. Never even touched the slaves and whores to be disposed of for entertainment. It only attacked the gladiators who came at it first. And the jailers. Finally died when it hit puberty and there was nothing to mate it to. She glanced at back at them. Shokan think. Just look at its eyes. It thinks. Kyoru spoke first, his voice low and surprised. You never told me that. It hasnt mattered. If it affects our knowledge of the animal- Would it change how we treat them? Theyll still gut you faster than you can blink if you encroach on their territory. Well still tranquilize them and move them out of our

territory so that doesnt happen. But we dont hurt them, and they tend to leave us alone if we dont. Im only saying it now because it can affect how we treat this animal. She stared at its eyes again and nodded. Frodi, we need you to heal the shokan. The other elders all started talking at once and Kasan held his tongue. He wanted the shokan to live, right now, to go find Waran and Max. After thathe wasnt sure. The elders had to decide to let it live for now. Yes, yes, its big and frightening, Asha said testily as the others raised their objections. So is Tisu, and we dont kill him off. Tisu grunted when everyone looked at him, and all eyes went back to the shokan when it grunted in nearly the same low bass. A few more grumblings and they finally agreed that they would take care of it for now, and decide more later when they had time to examine the animals behavior. Uncle Frodi swallowed heavily, holding his bag as Asha waved him toward Ando-kees. Asha, I dont know I do. Heal it. Uncle Frodi took another step, up past the guards, and very, very carefully knelt down next to the shokan and started to examine it. The orange eyes lifted to meet Kasans again. Kasan didnt know if he trusted the thing, much less liked it as Aosh implied Max might, but it could be Maxs only chance. Kasan stepped past the crowd and knelt down by the beasts head, swallowing back an instinctive desire to recoil as it turned its head in his direction. They stared into each others eyes and he swallowed again. Tell me what to do to help. Chapter 29 - Funny Meeting You Here Max had nearly passed out so many times hed stopped thinking about anything but tucking his head against his shoulder and breathing. He couldnt vomit, couldnt hyperventilate. He had no breath to spare to moan in pain as he was bounced against a shoulder blade yet again and it pulled sharply at his bound arms and legs. No thinking about Kasan and Androcles and Aosh. Tears pricked his eyes and he blinked them frantically away. No crying! Crying meant stuffy noses and stuffy noses meant no more breathing. Max bit it back down. He couldnt tell how much time was passing as he struggled to get oxygen in through the far too small nostrils, mouthing his gag as he tried to breathe through it, too. He just wanted out. He wanted out and he wanted Kasan.

He didnt want to be a sack toy anymore. Inhaling again, Max tried to focus back on his breathing when the sounds around him changed. Hed heard doors open and close already, but now there were more of them. The stops were closer together. The murmurs between the two cats had gotten louder, or there were more cats around, and the sound added to the fear that he had to shove down into his already nauseated stomach. The urge to vomit surged as one very loud door opened, squealing, and Maxs sack was swung wildly. He tumbled inside the bag. His face hit the fabric and he rolled frantically to keep his nose free of the cloth. The small breath he managed to get choked in his lungs as the bag dropped and landed hard enough to jar his entire body. Max only had a moment to be thankful hed landed on his shoulders instead of his head when someone upended the sack and sent him rolling out of it. Everything spun. Rough stone scraped his bare skin. He ended up on his side, sucking in air desperately, eyes trying to take in everything all at once. He was in a small room, three of the cats in between him and a large open doorway, with a door that opened out on actual hinges. Thats it? Smaller than I imagined. Max stared up at the cat who spoke, blond with cold green eyes, and tried to remember him. Did he know him? What did they want? He looked around and saw nothing in the room with him that could give him a clue. The walls and floor were a dark brown stone, grainy with mustard and black speckles. Above them, the ceiling was stories high, dark stone going all the way up. He felt like he was in the bottom of a giant well. There was no furniture, nothing on the walls. He couldnt tell where the light was coming from until he saw small sconces up higher than he could reach, even if he were standing. The cats stared at him as he looked around, while he tried to pretend that they werent. Max wriggled his hands and feet, and there was no give in the cloth theyd tied him with. What were they going to do to him? Was there any trouble? Waran didnt answer. He glared at Max as though Max had done something wrong. Prince Aosh came in before we secured the human. Quim shrugged. I doubt he survived long enough to tell anyone. The blond barely scowled at Quim, but it was enough to scare Max into utter stillness. Thats not good. Youll have to explain yourselves to the elders later. Shovak and the others will want to hear. Max shivered. He heard Aosh. An ache somewhere low in his stomach lay over his own nausea like an oil slick. Kasan knew Aosh; what would he think when he came back into his room and found him there? And all the blood.

Max wanted to look at the ceiling and wish them all away like a bad dream but he was too frightened to take his eyes off of them. Lying on the cool stone, in pain, with the cats looming, Max was cast back to the first morning hed woken up. This was exactly like his worst nightmare, just without the sex. They could do anything they wanted to him and they barely glanced at his face, like he was less than human. God, Max wanted Kasan so badly! What was he going to do without Kasan? The last time a cat had been a bastard, Kasan had been right there, helping him, and now Max had to do it on his own and he was cold and scared as shit and he didnt know what to do! It looks like its panicking. Do you know if it can tolerate that? I dont want it to die before we get the samples we need. The blond looked to Waran. Idont know. I think it might have a weak constitution. Prince Zonta was concerned about its fragility when it was trying to escape during the greeting. And Aosh was worried over too much stimulation, as well. Ill leave you to undo the bindings then. That should keep it from injuring itself. We can use the argenta on it next time. They figured out the dosage? I thought they were still having trouble. Quim knelt down and yanked at his bindings. Max fought, biting down on the gag as the other two started to walk towards the open doorway, talking casually while he struggled. A minor problem. Shovaks been testing it on the little mongrel the last few weeks. Its nanites dont clear the drug out before we get it into the lab and strapped down. Long enough by far. We can set up a drip for the human after that point if needed. Max hit the ground with another painful thud as Quim yanked the last strip off his wrists. He whimpered. The pain as blood rushed into his arms and legs was excruciating. He couldnt control them at all, even to pull off the gag and get a little more air. Quim headed out after the others and the blond glanced back at Max once. This creatures contribution to the cause will be substantial. Maybe it will be enough to eliminate the stain of Shovaks failure. The elders will approve. Waran glanced at Max as well. Will we actually be able to take out the human strain? Now that well be able to determine what it is, of course we will. Do you doubt our dedication? Of course not, Waran muttered. The door closed behind them and their voices grew muffled, but not completely. Max could still hear the blond one talking. We can finally prove that the throwbacks are

caused by impurities, not purer strains. Quim, inform the science team that we have their specimen; theyll want to get started right away. Waran and I will need to speak to the Elders. The door closed behind them and left Max in the dim, empty room. He whimpered again. His limbs were boneless, clumsy streaks of pain attached to his body. Groping at his face with hands that were so clumsy he actually punched himself in the nose, Max finally pulled the gag away from his mouth and gulped down air. It tasted antiseptic, with hints of alien muskiness and plants. The sound of running water filled the room now that he wasnt so focused on trying to breathe or watching the cats to make sure they werent going to hurt him. Max forced his arms to move again, muscles screaming as he pushed off from the floor. He sat up, although it felt more like he was trying to balance on his ass. The roomno, it was a cell, wasnt it? The stone walls werent as polished as the walls of Kasans room. Guess they didnt need to waste the effort for a prisoner. And the floor was made of one solid piece, no blocks. The door, now that it was closed, was huge and heavy looking, some kind of dark, studded metal that looked like it was just waiting to open up into the next demon dimension. Good way to keep prisoners in, he thought. Just scare the ever-loving crap out of them so they dont even want to go near the damn door. Swallowing the painful lump in his throat, mouth barely able to work up the saliva, he just stared at the door for another minute. There was a small opening at the bottom, a wide, slim rectangle. Max wondered if it was for food. And what the hell was making that water sound? Max turned and looked to the back. The stone didnt change there wasnt even a pile of freaking hay to sit on and make things easier. But following the line of the back wall, a small canal was bricked into the floor, just a few inches separating it from the wall. Water flowed out from one side of the cell and left through another hole on the other side. It had to be one of the cat bathroomthingies. Seeing it made him think of Kasan all over again, showing Max the cats toilet in their bedroom. Or that stupid blond cat Leero showing him the other toilet just before everything went to hell. And the water in the baths just before theyd Max trembled, rubbing his arms. What was he going to do? There was no guessing, this time, wondering if the aliens were bad or good. He knew these bastards would hurt him. His body was already bruised, his wrists and ankles raw and red still. And Androcles. Max bit his lip hard. Knowing he could finally breathe now made it worse; he couldnt stop the few stupid tears that started to fall. Wiping them off his face roughly, Max glared back at the door. Androcles was just trying to protect him and theyd cut him down like he was nothing. So freaking fast, with those huge, broad bladed spears slicing in.

Stabbing into Aosh. Max had never seen something that violent. Fist fights, sure, but hed never- Hed never heard someone scream like that. And these sadists didnt even care. Taking a few deep breaths, he tried to keep his breathing from getting too fast and shallow. He couldnt lose it right now! He had to keep it together and stay awake and pay attention and then he could help when Kasan came. As long as the big cat could figure out where Max was. Max looked up, focusing on letting his breath go in and out rather than what had happened in Kasans room, and he stared at the faint lights from high up in the wall. The smell of antiseptic was blown away in small airy drizzles of damp earth and green, growing things. He thought the breezes were coming from one of the small openings in the stone high up near the ceiling; he could just make them out. He wished there was a window. At least with windows he might be able to tell where he was, not that he would know what Kasans house would look like, because the stupid cat had only let him outside a few times and how the hell was he supposed to find his way back to Kasan if he didnt even know what the stupid cats house looked like? He couldn't even see a way to get out of here in the first place. Max ducked his head and clamped his hands down over his face, working on his breathing again. No hyperventilating! He was not going to pass out simply because hed hyperventilated, dammit! He sat on the floor, breathing frantically into his hands. Sweat trailed down his neck and his back, then finally sneaked across his ass to the floor before Max felt like he could actually breathe without putting himself in danger like a moron. He wished it made him feel any better. This was freaking scary. What if he died? The big ass cats didnt seem to care one way or the other, so what if they killed him? What if he died and Kasan was still mad at him? He couldnt stand that. He didnt want to die. He was so frightened of it that his skin felt icy, even when he tried to rub his hands together for warmth. But to die without Kasan Max couldnt even imagine it. It didnt matter how long hed known the big cat; he wanted him here, right now. If he could just figure out how to stay alive for long enough, Kasan would find him. He paused as he realized he didnt doubt, even for a second, that Kasan would try, no matter how pissed he was. Even if Max had no idea what hed said. Even if Max smacked him in the head and said he wanted to sleep in a different room and only see Kasan for sex. Kasan wouldnt walk away because Max had disappointed him, or screwed up and made him mad. Max wasnt sure what the big cat would do, but he wouldnt just leave Max here. How would he find him, though? I dont even know where the heck am I! Nothing answered him. What if Kasan couldnt find him? What if Max had to get out or

no one wouldnt find him at all? What if the last thing Kasan remembered about him was that hed told him he didnt want him and didnt like him at all. His entire belly ached. God, I have to get out of here. Hey, human, can you hear me? Holy crap! Max tried to jump to his feet and failed. He yelped, slamming back down onto his ass with a painful bounce on his tailbone. He looked around his cell frantically. Guess thats a yes. Wasn't sure, with those puny little ears of yours. Jumpy little shit, arent you? The sound was easier to trace, this time. It was from the water. Swallowing, Max crawled over and leaned down over the water, looking into the barred opening where the stream emerged from the wall. The space was bigger than Max was wide and as he tried to peer into the shadows there, he saw an irritated set of golden brown eyes staring back at him. Wh-who are you? Shoru. Max looked blank and the cat grunted. One of the guards at the citadel. One of the few who wasnt an asshole. Whats your name, anyway? Max worked that through his head. A guard? He pulled back from the water, clenching his fists. M-Max. You g-guard me now? Why would a guard even be talking to him and asking about his name? A name implied Max was a person, which was more than the other bastard cats had thought. Could Max get him to help? Maybe if he told him about being kidnapped and Kasan? Oror was he wanting Max to be n-nice to him? He shuddered, unable to think that through. A loud, derisive snort blasted from the darkness. Guard you? Hell no. Im stuck here as much as you are, human. Oh thank god. Max knew that meant hed be no help, but it was better to have no help than to have to think about what you might have to do to get that help and it was something that you didnt want to do with anyone but Kasan. Max peered through the bars again. Why here? He thought he saw teeth gleaming as Shoru spoke. Keeping Waran alive, the little bitch. So he can play god with Shovak and the other nutcases. Dumb, fanatic fuckers.

Uh. Max had no idea what that meant. His arms were beginning to tremble as he tried to prop himself up against the wall to talk and he moved back to lie on the stone near the water, just listening to Shorus voice. Not understand. Nutcases anddum fanatic fuckers? Of course you dont understand. How could I forget. My luck always gives me goddamned flowers and what I really needed was a linguistically challenged moron to help me get the hell out of here. Fuck. There was a pause. Although you could do some good, if you can escape. No ones gonna believe a freaking word I say about Waran, not like they ever do, but theyd believe you. You got that stupid cute thing going for you. You could bring back help. I- Max couldnt understand the huge jumble of words, although help, he knew. Need help. Yeah, we fucking do. Max started shivering and he shifted, turning around to put his back on the ground. He tried not to notice the grime on the floor that was now covering his front in dark smudges, blending in with a few bruises he could see. It was disgusting, and it could be anything from plain dust to alien rat poop god, he didnt want to think of that, he realized, his stomach churning again. He felt a bit queasy. Here, human. Stand where I can see you for a second. Stand? Yes, stand. Over the piss-water where I can see you. Why? Because I want to jerk off to your scrawny ass, Shoru bit out. Dumbass question. Why the fuck do you think? So I can try to figure out if we can get out of here. Max scowled, slowly stood and shifted over, bracing himself over the water. He covered his dick with his hands, just able to see the cats eyes staring up at him. Thought I must have misremembered, but youre skinnier than the kid, even, the man muttered. Good. Look, theyll be coming back soon, human, and I can guarantee theyve got some nasty plans for you. Just lookin at what theyve done to that poor kid while Ive been here makes me wanna puke. As if on cue, a terrified whimper echoed in Shorus chamber down along the water. Max backed away. What the hell was that? What was the big cat doing to someone in there? Maybe hed been about to lure Max in closer to the bars and-

Oh stop cowering. Hes in the cell on the other side. Throwback kid; they keep taking him away andyou dont wanna know. Gimme a sec. Max heard the man move, his voice low as he moved away from the hole on Maxs side. Hey, shhh. Its okay, kid. Just a dream. No ones gonna hurt you right now. Go back to sleep, eh? Dream of kicking their asses. Itll warm you up. Go on, go back to sleep. There was a high-pitched murmur and Shoru grumbled. No, I cant stay nearby. We might have a way out of here; I have to see what I can do. Another murmur. Of course Im not gonna leave you here. Who else am I gonna get to help me kick Warans ass once Im outta here? Now go to sleep. You need to rest while you can, kid. Shoru was silent a moment and then Max heard him coming back. He glared out through the bars when Max stared at him. What? What happen to him? None of your damn business. You really wanna know, you can ask your precious Kasan when you get the hell out of here and all this shit is behind us. I- -dont understand. Yeah, I get that. How about I speak in stupid? You need leave. Get help. Hows that, dumbed down enough for you? Max didnt like this cat. His voice was angry, his eyes were so angry Max expected them to shoot deadly sporks at him. At least when he spoke in that exaggerated fashion, Max got it. But unless Shoru had some ideas, Max didnt know how to get out. You know way to leave? Shoru snorted derisively. Of course I do. You think Id waste my time with you unless I did? The damn purists dont keep this up for shit. Bunch of useless complainers, you ask me. S-sorry. What? Shoru sighed. This isnt one of the Havens that the family keeps up. I doubt they even know about it. Its old as shit, falling apart at the seams, and these assholes do fuck-all to fix it unless they have to. Or unless they inspect it, which they dont tend to. Look across the way. Across the way? Turn around, moron. Look at the bars on the far side. I can see em from here. Max looked down at the water, watching where it disappeared under the wall, and he finally noticed what Shoru was saying. It looked like part of the stone had crumbled from

the other side, weakening the structure, and two of the bars were missing. It looked big enough for him to fit through, barely, but would he be able to get out of the cell on the other side? I see. How leave room? How leaveoh. That other cells lock is busted all to shit. First cell they put me in, and they almost didnt notice. I should be so lucky. Dont worry. You can open it. Max swallowed, thinking about trying to escape, and exactly what that would mean. And how angry the other cats might be if they caught him. Guards? Theres none directly outside, that much I can tell you. But beyond that, I havent seen. Youll have to figure it out. Butwhat do? Not know where go, what do! He wanted to escape, but what good was it going to do if he didnt even know what to do after that! So what? Youre our best chance. Hell, youre Kasans best chance. No way hes finding a forgotten Haven. Kasan? Yeah, Kasan. Your mate? The first time he needs sex and you aint there, thats it for him, human. Done and over. Max worried his lip. He couldnt quite figure it out. Shoru cursed. No Max means no sex means no Kasan, got it? Kasan die. Max started to tremble. He hadnt thought of that. Sometimes Kasan and he had sex once a day, sometimes twice a day, but if Max wasnt there and they needed sex? Would Kasan really die? Aosh was gone, Androcles was gone, but Kasanno, he couldnt die. That stupid sex-enforcing STD, it couldnt really be that bad, could it? No sex, Kasan die? Yeah. Like every other person in the whole godforsaken planet. Max swallowed and looked at the broken bars again, fear wrapping itself around his throat and strangling him. Kasan could die because he couldnt find Max? Which meant that Max couldnt just sit and wait for him to come and rescue him. He had go find him. He couldnt let him die. If Kasan died, and Max never saw him again? Maxs throat constricted; he could barely breathe. Hey, calm the fuck down. You can get us out and it wont matter, right? Max swallowed, thinking of Kasan, and took a step toward the drain. Not right this second, you moron! You have to wait a minute. Wait until no one hears. These doors have been

loud as hell so far. If you just open it up right away, theyll hear and come running. Wh-what do? Shoru was quiet for a long minute before he growled out, Wait until I have sex. Max took a couple quick steps away from Shorus drain. He couldnt have heard that right. What? Sex. You know the word, right? Yes! Know word, but whatdont understand. He had to save Kasan, but there was no way He wasnt going to have sex just because big cats kept telling him that people were going to die otherwise! Kasan was the only one, dammit! Max saw a crooked, self-mocking grin through the hole in the wall. I gotta have sex to live, too, keerac, even if my mate is a self-righteous bigoted bastard who would have rather died than fucked me, if he knew I was a bit more throwback than normal. He should be coming soon; the next heat spike is close. Max still didnt catch it, except for the sex and mate, and he suddenly realized they were talking about Shoru having sex with someone else. Oh thank god. Stupid. He should have known that. All the cats had to have sex, right? Which meant this guys husband had to be one of the bad guys, to have him locked up like this. It made Max cringe. Look, dont sneak out until he comes in the cell. This time, Ill fight him. Make a lot of noise to cover you, right? Hell enjoy it, the fucker. The grin was more savage now. I gotta tell you, since I have to fuck him anyway, Im gonna enjoy fucking him over while he thinks hes fucking me over. Max swallowed. He didnt think hed feel the same way, butit was a good plan, wasnt it? If they had to have sex, at least he could get away, maybe, and get help? What a terrible thing to have to do, though. After I open door, where go? Shoru was quiet, the sound of the water and a soft, childish snore from the far room keeping it from being completely silent. I dont know, Shoru said slowly. I was unconscious asleep when they brought me in. I dont know where the tunnel back is. Try going down to find it. But if you cant find the tunnel, go up. Were underground. There should be access to the surface. This is under the forest, from what theyve let slip. You should be able to see the citadel. Justif you go to the forest, be careful. Shorus voice wasnt very confident.

Go down for a tunnel, or up to a forest, whatever the hell that was. Careful? What be careful of? The forest. Lots of shokan in the woods this time of year. Springtime, theyre real protective of their babies. More aggressive. His voice fell to a mutter. Course, youre kinda puny, and theyve never seen one of you before, so if you see one, dont run, dont meet their eyes, just back away slowly and maybe theyll leave you alone. If that doesnt workrun like hell and find someplace too small for them to follow. Shokan? Wild Androcles? Max thought of how big Androcles was getting and imagined meeting one in the wild. Crap! He was finding the tunnel! Okay. I- They both heard a door squeal at the same time and Shoru leapt away from the hole. Max could imagine him, standing in the middle of the room, crouching, claws out. Footsteps came closer, and then Shorus door squealed open and slammed shut. What, youre going to fight me? Warans voice echo from the other room. This was Shorus husband? Shit! Hey, I aint got anything better to do, so why not make your life shit, eh? Shoru sounded almost eager. Youre only going to make it harder on yourself, Shoru. Waran didnt seem sad about it. Hell, Ill make sure its harder on you. Same here, bastard. Why dont you try and see if you can take me without your damn gun, coward. I dont need a gun to deal with a throwback. Max heard clothing being shucked. Im going to enjoy the hell out of this. Fuck you, too, honey. Spitting and snarls erupted, like two REALLY big cats in a sack yowling in bass stereo. It made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. Max shuddered, scared for Shoru suddenly. He tried not to hyperventilate, and then realized this was it. He didnt know how long Shoru would last. Max needed to get out now, if he wanted to help Kasan and Shoru and anyone else at all. Sprinting to the water, Max grimaced as he stepped into it and crouched down. It didnt smell foul, like he would have imagined. Looked like a regular stream, actually, but the thought of what it was had his stomach roiling. He clamped his lips shut and sucked them

into his mouth. He didnt want ANY of this water touching his mouth. If he could have sealed himself in plastic, he would have. Shuddering again amidst the battle still raging, he grabbed the bars with both hands and inched his way through the hole, feet first. It only took seconds. The space had been wider than hed thought, rubbing against his skin but not even hard enough to take off skin. The other side was exactly the same as his own cell had been, except he was miserable and cold and ever more frightened than hed. He could still hear Shoru and his mate fighting in the next cell, and no one had stopped to see where he was or what he was doing. With a shiver, his dick shriveled up to next to nothing from cold and fear, he crept across the floor. Max looked at the door for a long moment. It looked exactly like the one in his cell, too. Dark, corroded, the bolts large and angry: a mouth into hell. He had to steel himself to even touch it, and with a jerky shove, he finally pushed. It didnt move. His heart kicked in and he shoved against it with a rush of adrenaline, pushing against the floor with all his strength. It slowly creaked open, light rushing in from the hallway. Oh thank god! Max clamped his hands over his mouth, freezing, looking frantically for anyone who might have heard. Shoru and his mate were still at it, Shoru making as much a racket as possible. It sounded almost like they were already done fighting and enjoying really violent sex. Max shuddered as he realized it was entirely possible. Even thinking about having sex with anyone but Kasan, who always made it good just by being Kasan, was abhorrent right now. He had to get out of here and bring back help. Max looked around frantically. There were only four more cells, three on the opposite wall, and one on the other side of Shorus. One door was at the end of the hallway, without the small opening at the bottom that all the cells had. He tiptoed past Shorus cell, pausing every time there was the smallest slow down in the noise, and then he froze as he heard a small gasp. Looking to the right, he saw light glint off a pair of lambent eyes, shining through the hole at the base of the door. It was the cell where Shoru had said there was another cat, hadnt he? Max held his finger up to his lips and the eyes blinked back at him before disappearing back into their cell. Max wasnt sure if that was a good thing or not. He swallowed heavily as he approached the door that hopefully led out. It was huge of course it was huge, stupid giants and he had no idea what was behind it. Hed just have to move really, really fast, and try not to think about how fast they could move. He knew that he could get under their legs, at least. They didnt seem to expect that when they ran at him. He drew in another breath and started to pull at the door, only realizing

just in time that the speed with which it was opening had nothing to do with some newly discovered super human strength and everything to do with the person who was pushing the door open from the other side. He slammed back against the wall and flinched as the door stopped an inch from his face. It would have crushed him if not for the small stone doorstop embedded in the floor by his feet. His blood was so loud he couldn't hear anyone at first, and he stared, wide-eyed, as the door nearly kissing his nose began to close. Water dripped down his body, a small puddle forming under his feet. Two large cats walked through without even glancing his way. He froze for a long moment before he realized they were heading to his cell, and then he realized the door was half shut already. They would see him the moment they looked back if Max didnt slip out now! He dashed for the closing door, shimmying out just before it crashed against the doorframe, breathing in desperate pants. He was at the very end of another hallway, but there wasnt a guard outside. He couldnt see anyone at all, just the empty hallway with a low ceiling, as dark and dim as his cell. Max was going to have to run, right now. Wet and cold, he sprinted down the hallway and paused as it ended, a tunnel leading off to either side. A quick peek around each corner confirmed that both directions were as devoid of people as this one. He randomly picked the left tunnel and jogged down it as quickly as he could. There were more openings now, doors and hallways, but none of them seemed to lead down to a tunnel or up to the forest. He didnt hear anyone, didnt see anyone either, but he took a few quick turns, in case the men checking his cell were already out looking for him. Could these stupid cats not live in a damned maze, just once? The air over his naked body and the constant worry that someone was about to walk out and see him had his nerves on the ragged edge. He had to get out of here! If he didnt get out, then theyd catch him and Kasan would die and no one would ever know what had happened to Androcles and theyd do things to Maxs body and. He just had to get back to Kasan. Max came to the end of a hallway again and turned left at random, feeling panic well up when it led to another series of blank tunnels and turns without anything but incomprehensible plaques on the walls to help figure out where he was going. He was going to die. Kasan was going to die. Shoru would die. The other cat in the cell would die. And all because Max was a stupid idiot who couldnt even read a sign! His breathing sped up and he stomped it back down. Shut up, shut up, shut up! His mind could just shut up! When he got out and found Kasan and had sex, then Kasan would come back and kick these bastards' asses. And help Shoru and the other one. That was all that was going to happen. Max wasnt going to get caught and no one else was going to die.

No dying, and lots of sex. Max and Kasan would go have celebratory sex and hed grab Kasan by the ears and kiss the shit out of him because the stupid big cat deserved it for all the crap he put Max through and Max didnt want to see that horrible sad look on his face, or go this long without feeling his hand over Maxs head or down his back or even touching his ass. He never wanted to be this frightened for someone ever again, not even himself. And Max had to hurry. He wasnt sure how much longer he had less than a day? before Kasan would want sex again. And if Max wasnt there Max started running faster, trying to catch himself before any corners. He looked up at the plaques that gave directions, but he couldn't stop long enough to try and remember them. Now he could hear angry voices coming and going, however, echoing around him as he second guessed himself and turned back so often that he was starting to lose track of where he was going. He could be going in circles for all he knew. In fact, he was pretty sure that the letters that looked like a cat humping a log were the same one as the sign three turns ago. Kasan, dont give up. God, Max was going to screw it up. He always screwed things up. He knew it, his parents had known it, and even Shoru knew it. He couldnt do this! He threw himself against a doorway as he thought he heard footsteps coming closer but it turned out to be another echo and he ran even faster to get away from it. Dammit, he was such a freaking wimp! Shoru had taken it up the ass during a catfight just so Max could get out, and now he was going to give up? And Kasan was going to be looking for him, but what if he came and Waran found him first? What if he was as nice to Waran as hed been before and Waran hurt Kasan? Kasan needed him. Breathing into his palms to stop the hyperventilating that was coming as sure as rain, he tried to keep it controlled. He had to do this! No panicking! Dammit, he wasnt going to panic. He wasnt! Leaning against the wall, he pushed through the fear and was rather amazed when he stopped it in time. His breathing slowed and the tingling buzz in his hands and feet dissipated. Okay, okay, he could do this. Justslow down a little, be careful, find a way out. He knew they were looking for him now, big basketball-player-sized cats that could come storming down the hallway to find him at any time, but he could stillFive basketball-player-sized cats stomped into the hallway from a side corridor and stopped dead, staring at him. Oh shit! Max flung panic to the winds and turned around, running so fast he was almost falling over. He heard the cats exclaim once before they were on his heels. They were going to catch him in just a few seconds. He couldnt outrun things with legs the size of ostriches!

Peeling off down a side corridor hed missed before, one darker than the others, he tripped and slammed onto his belly when he hit a set of stairs, just missing crushing his dick. They went up shit, up, not down! but the cats were coming behind him and he leapt up the steps so fast his muscles were burning through his skin. The stairway turned and he kept going. Coming out of the turn, he fell over a chunk of rubble. With a painful stumble, Max nearly went headfirst into a section of masonry. No! The entire tunnel had fallen in the middle of the stairs, huge piles of stone blocking his path from floor to ceiling. He turned; the cats were so close he could almost smell them. Max scrambled up, over a block of stone the size of Androcles, looking frantically for a way through. One of the cats leapt at him and he fell forward over the rubble with a yelp. The hand missed his foot by an inch. He ducked into a shadow between two small boulders of collapsed ceiling and fell into a depression. Scrabbling into it on his back, he looked up, saw another cats shadow loom over the previous mound of rubble, and realized he was seeing a pale glow out of the corner of his eye. There shouldnt be any there. He would have missed it if it werent for the cats shadow. There was an opening between the boulders. Max threw himself towards the gap at the base of the pile where he was hiding, squirming into it like a baby seeking the light. He felt fingers slip off his heel and he yelped again, pushing forward. It was tight, like a fist squeezing his body through a tube, but he squirmed madly, seeing the cats tossing blocks of masonry about like cheesy styrofoam at least in his imagination. It opened out a little after he pushed through, rough and claustrophobic, but it looked like two large rocks had sheared off in sheets when they collapsed and fell against each other like a tent. They created a small crawlspace underneath that he was moving through as quickly as he could. Could the cats get through this? Would they know where it came out? He crawled faster, bashing his head a couple of times and cutting his shoulder on a jagged rock pushing out into the little crawlspace. His knees burned where they scraped over the stone. He was panting and wheezing when he finally found an opening, as tight as the space that hed entered through. He writhed through it, taking off skin as he struggled with the irregular opening. With one last shout, he flopped onto the steps above him, floundering like a baby seal. Max stumbled to his feet, slipping and slamming into the wall before he righted himself. There was no one around, and dust was thick in the air where hed just kicked it up with his feet. It coated his skin, damp from sweat and sour with fear and maybe a little pee; hed been that scared. The staircase continued up, but he heard nothing. No one sounded as though they were coming down for him.

Maybe they were waiting for him up ahead like some creepy cat venus flytrap. Max shuddered and made himself move. He could do this. The stairs were too big, and there were too many, and how the heck was he going to find anything once he got out of this building, he didnt know, but he could do it. If the outside of Kasans home was the same as the inside, Max could find it, but otherwise No, it would work. The outside of Kasans house would look just like the inside, all golden and big and stone-like. Max had this. Dammit, he whispered, and shivered as it echoed far too loudly. Sweating heavily now the air seemed warmer Max stopped as he came to a door at the top of the stairs. It was large enough for three cats to enter at once and looked like it hadnt been opened in a long, long time. Dust was settled in front of it like a carpet, just like the rest of the staircase. Looking back, Max could see his footprints were the only ones in the grimy mess. Sowhere did the door go? Could he get out, or would it take him to more cats? Or what if there were no cats but just guard blobs like in Kasans garden? Or wild Androcles? Or bugs that might inject him with poisons and suck his innards out through a straw andMax cupped his hands over his face again, breathing carefully. He wasnt going to panic and screw this up. He washe was going to save Kasan. Thats what this was about. Not himself. He was going to save Kasan, because if he didnt do this, then Kasan would die and Max couldnt live with himself if Kasan died. Something was wrong with the world if Kasan wasnt in it anymore. Max stared up at the door and reached out to open it up. He tensed, his muscles tight. He didnt want to have to run again, but if he didnt open the door, hed never get to Kasan. He took a deep, unsteady breath, and pulled. Chapter 30 - Naked into the Wilderness The tall door opened with a newly-oiled smoothness. Shadowed sunlight seeped in and spread out as the gap between the door and its frame widened, but Max stopped pulling, listening hard. Maybe someone actually had oiled the stupid door and this was some kind of trap where theyd be waiting outside to snag him and take him back to the cell like a rebellious lab mouse. There was no way he was standing out in the open like an idiot just to find out. Hed keep it cracked like this and hide behind it until he knew for sure. The door continued its silent glide, opening toward him at a faster pace than before. It didnt seem to care that he wasnt freaking touching it anymore. Crap!

He took a quick step back, slamming his palms against the thick slab to no effect. Stop, you damn door! Max stumbled back again and flattened against the wall. The door rushed at him, blocking his vision and so huge he knew it was going to crush him before he could leap to the side. Max closed his eyes, apologized to Kasan, and braced himself to become the first human pancake in Kyashin history. A small rush of air poked his nose, but no door. A low, grinding thud clamored at his feet. And he was still there. Cracking open one lid, all he could see was the door. It had stopped? How? Max tried to hold his breath, quiet now that it might already be too late. This could be exactly like inside the prison, when someone had come in. But this time theyd know to look for him. Hed have to sneak out and run fast. Max listened for footsteps or talking, but the muted clamor from outside was masking anything quiet. A pungent earthiness swept in on the humid air. Twittering and a loud howl that sounded very far away trickled in with the smell. But no shadow moved past the small ribbon of light between the door and the wall. Nothing was coming in. Were they waiting? He squirmed sideways a millimeter and stopped, still listening. Anything? Had anything heard him? Max squirmed another toes length, and then another, inching toward the gap that led to freedom at the edge of the door. He finally noticed a small upraised stone in the floor that had caught the door and saved him from a painful, squashed death. Thank god for cat-invented doorstops. He had to gather a little more courage once he got to the doors edge. If anything was waiting for him, this would be it. One big swallow and Max peeked into the corridor. No one. Max melted against the wall, blowing out his breath and laughing shakily. Safe. No cats, no monsters. Just the forest. Something screeched, high-pitched and furious, and he clutched at the slab, staring out at the empty doorway and finding it not as comforting as it had been a few seconds before. The bright punch of the forest seemed to scramble his brain, too-bright colors dazzling his eyes. Holy crap, he whispered. He was on an alien planet. Not that he didnt know that, buthed been inside before. A building, a walled garden, hallways and kitchens and hordes of tall barbarian cats. That had been frightening. This was justthere.

Somehow, the fact that not one bit of it had ever interacted with Max, and probably didnt care about his existence one way or another, was scarier than anything hed run across yet. Everything about it screamed alien jungle just as loudly as the raucous calls he could hear. The sky was that too-bright blue hed seen above the walled gardens, so brilliant it looked painted on. Some of the plants were familiar colors. Ferns and a few bushes, and the trees had plenty of green leaves and brown trunks, even if they were large enough to make a rainforest feel the need to compensate. But a few trees had it reversed, with green trunks and leaves a dark and rather evilly glistening brown. The floor of the forest was oddly free from the normal detritus that he associated with woods. Very few leaves and twigs and more rock-strewn dirt in winding paths between emerging roots. And there was a bright pink tree, right in the middle of it all, heavy fruit hanging from the branches. The tree and its fruit were both as pink as the stupid blobs in Kasans garden, and even thinking about them made Max scan the forest, frantically keeping his body covered by the door. Shoru had said the forest had wild Androcles. Would they have wild pink blobs, too? Or blob herds? Oh God, he whimpered. But he had to go out. No cats had found him yet, but that didnt mean they werent on their way. And Kasan would need him soon. Max had to get his head out of his ass and get moving. With a tremulous breath, Max stepped out fully from behind the gargantuan door. A gust of wind that smelled like orchids ruffled his hair, but not the hair on his head. Max covered his dick with his hand automatically, feeling exposed and stupid about it because really, who the hell was going to see? Just because he felt absolutely vulnerable with everything hanging out, it didnt mean that anything bad had designs on his dick. Unless Kasans planet had bugs just as big as everything else? Max shuddered, images of every Animals that Kill episode hed ever seen running through his head. Hadnt there been one about some Amazonian flies that laid eggs in peoples bodies? He shuddered again. God, he didnt think he could take that. Although at least if the bugs matched Kasan, theyd be easy to see, the freaking ginormous bastards. Max stayed just inside the door frame, keeping his feet off the packed earth outside. He wasnt afraid, he reminded himself, he was just making sure there wasnt something about to jump out at him, like huge catmen or wild dogs or beetles the size of footballs. Max thought he heard the faintest scritch scratch to the right and froze. It grew louder, so faint that every time the wind blew, the sound of the leaves covered it up. Max tensed, adrenaline flooding his system. He backed away from the doorway, eyes glued to the right side of the door. What the hell was he going to do? He didnt have a weapon, hell, he didnt even have any clothes! Maybejust close the door and wait the thing out,

whatever it was? Max reached for the door to do just that. an ant the size of his pinky nail crawled into view. It pulled a leaf along behind it, scritch scratch. Oh justfuck! And now he was a stupid idiot. The ant ignored his outburst entirely and pulled the leaf in front of the doorway resolutely, pausing to change its grip a few times before it disappeared around the other side. Okay, so yeah, the stupid thing was big, but not too big, right? Earth had bugs that big. Max could do this. Just step out into the jungle and look around until he saw Kasans home. Then he could find Kasan andand tell him about Waran. And tell him about Aosh and Androcles. Clenching his fists, Max chewed on his lip painfully until he could keep from crying. Androcles had just been trying to save him and those fucking bastards had cut him down like he was nothing. And Aosh. Max couldnt believe hed fought Waran and the other cat like that, just for Max. The big cat had been such an asshole, and then to do that for him? Unless someone had found them right away, there was no way they could have survived. Maybe not even if they were found right away. There had been so much blood. Max gagged once before clamping down on his stomach muscles. Max had to tell Kasan. Kasan should know what they'd done. And Max had to say thank you, even if Aosh couldn't hear him say it any more. Max chewed on his lip some more, holding it inside. Get to Kasan first, get sexed up, and then he could freak out and fall apart. Kasan first. Maxs entire body quivered wildly as he took the first step out the door and onto the warm dirt. He looked around, turning his head to try and see every angle at once, twisting so fast it made him dizzy. If anything was there, it wasnt jumping out at him, and he couldnt see it, either. He checked the forest around him again, slower this time, looking higher. No animals, although he could hear they were around, and there sure as hell wasnt any yellow, stone skyscraper anywhere. The trees were so tall, their foliage so thick, that he couldnt see past the first few, except to see beyond them to more trees just like them. Max wanted to wrap his arms around his stomach and just quietly panic until someone found him. Except there was no guarantee that whoever found him would be a good guy. Or that they knew Kasan, even. Or that theyd come in time.

Max was feelingantsy. His cock was thinking of erections, a bit stiffer than it should be for a body part that had no protective gear on in a forest full of pointy things. Stupid anal loving nympho, he muttered. Staring up at the trees, starting whenever something exceptionally loud screeched near him, Max wondered where he going to go to get help if he couldnt figure out where to go. Hell, how would he even know if any cats he saw were good guys or bad guys? Hed only met a handful of them! What was he supposed to do if he saw one? Run away, or try to get them to help? Or find another town and hope they could understand what he said and help him find Kasan and And Max started hyperventilating again and smacked himself in the face to stop it. Kasan needs you. Straighten up, Max! He could get to Kasan, right? Yeah. He could. Totally. Humans could do anything. As long as Max could freaking find him. And soon. His ass was starting to feel empty. Max just needed something that might give him a clue. It wasnt dark yet, but he could see the shadows were longer. Late afternoon, if not evening. Max wasnt quite sure how long the sun lasted here; hed never been outside long enough to tell. But if he didnt think of something soon, it would be too dark to find anything but a tree when his face ran into it. Maybe if he climbed up one of the trees for a better vantage point? Max stumbled across the dirt. Wincing as his bare feet trod over sharp rocks and something slimy that he didnt want to even think about he made it to the nearest tree without scratching his dick to pieces on any of the lower hanging branches. The trunk was enormous, but it had branches sprouting at every angle, the lowest no higher than his knee. Heavy limbs jutted out from the trunk as far as he could, high above him, lost in the heavy green leaves. Climbing it was scarier than Max would have thought. He refused to reach up over his head at first, putting his feet on the branches that he could see. Touching anywhere he couldnt seem first seemed like a good way to get bitten by some hidden alien bug. They could be sitting on top of a branch like some evil chameleon, waiting to gnaw on some clumsy, human hand. At least everything seemed to run away from him. Max saw blurs streak through the air above him, making branches shake violently in the nearby trees when they landed. He could do this. He could really do this. Max made it up high enough that he could no

longer make out the ground, had a moment of pride at his skill, and then slipped. He scrabbled frantically, grabbed one branch as his feet slipped off a coating of slimy moss, and his body slammed against the trunk. Max screamed loudly enough that if there were any catmen looking for him, theyd know right where he was. The echo had just faded when his feet found the trunk again and he clung against the tree, panting in fright. Everything was silent, all the sounds that had echoed through the forest falling quiet. And in the silence, the naked expanse of his skin that had kissed the tree began to complain loudly. Max bit his lip and peeled himself away from the tree an inch to look down his stomach. Small scratches beaded sluggishly with blood along his chest and abs. But worse, the bark had scraped the side of his cock raw. Max whimpered, wanting to scream again when a breeze shifted the limb he was on and he hugged the tree tight. It smushed his dicks raw spot against the bark again. He had to breathe through the pain. Looking up, the pungent smell of the bark strong in his nostrils, Max had to force himself to lift up a foot to the next branch and start climbing again. Berating his own stupidity helped. Dummy. Those damn cats could have heard you. Real men dont scream. Or whimper. Tarzan never screamed when he scraped up his dick, did he? No, he didnt. Stoic and calm and swinging from the trees and that was it. A few large streaks shook the branches above him, diving to another tree, and he froze until their hooting died away. His voice was shaky as he climbed and talked to himself at the same time. His arches curled over the crumbling edges of the bark every time he stepped on a new branch. B-be like Tarzan. Thats the goal. Stoic and calm, like Tarzan. His ass got poked by a molesting twig and he cursed. He tried to shimmy and dislodge it but the stupid thing embedded itself in the fleshy part and wouldnt let go. Shaking, he let go with one hand and reached back to break it off. Max looked at the twig once he freed himself was that a thorn on the end? and tried to ignore the unpleasant throbbing in his dick. He never thought hed actually miss his ass-rope clothing. And come to think of it, Tarzan hadnt been naked, had he? Bet Tarzan wouldnt be so brave without his loincloth. Lucky bastard. Max kept climbing another few branches and had to stop to take a rest. Maybe he was high enough now? He held on tight, clinging to the nearest branches with a white-knuckled grip, and looked through the leaves. Trees surrounded him on all sides, but it was thinner up here. The branches were slighter, less foliated. And it was scary-ass high, he thought, looking down for only a second before he stuck to gazing around his own height.

Dammit, he still couldnt seeNo, wait, there was something there. Max looked above his head, found a slightly thicker branch that didnt look too precarious, and pulled himself up. If he could get away from the trunk along the branch, just a little bit, he thought he might be able to see something. Straddling it gingerly and leaning forward to hold on for dear life, he inched his way out. The air underneath his branch felt deeper than the ocean. And his body was complaining about new scrapes that were nearly impossible to ignore. Another warning to put in the human exploration handbook: treebark and bare testicals dont mix. Whimpering, Max squinted as he tried to make out the strange shape in the distance and ignore how much his body wanted to lie down and whine. That thing, it was definitely something that didnt seem natural. Too many straight lines. It looked almost like the golden glow when the sun was going down, intensified into one blockish space in the sky. Except the sun was low in the sky on the other side. That has to be it. Didnt it? Please be Kasans home. Max picked out a few trees along the straight path to the golden block that he thought he could remember: another disgustingly pink one with a strange trunk, two of the brown leafed giants that had grown together in a twisting pattern, and then another pink one that had bright green leaves decorating it in stripes all the way down. Then he shakily made his way back to the trunk and headed to the ground as fast as dick safety and not-looking-down-ever-again would allow. Max started running the second he hit the ground. He was doing it. He knew where to go that had to be Kasans home and nothing had bothered him and the catmen hadnt caught him yet. All he had to do was make it through the forest, go find Kasan, and have really quick, heavy, hot sex. Maxs dick twitched, he tripped, and then he yelped as he stepped on a freaking enormous thorn. He hopped on one foot to pull it out and kept running in between the tree trunks. It was almost like a path, very little growth and only a small vine that crept along the ground next to him. Ow, crap! Another thorn embedded itself in the same foot and he cursed again. Trying to stand on one foot to pull it out, he stepped on another sticker with his good foot and fell over onto his ass trying to avoid stomping the king of thorns into the soles of his feet. He pulled one long spike out of his foot, nearly as half as long as his finger, and then dethorned his other foot as well. Max made it another three steps before it happened again. And then again. He was

looking so freaking closely at the ground, he would swear there were no thorns, but every single time, his feet were finding them among the vines leaves. And they freaking hurt! After a few more minutes, he had to bite his lip as he tried to walk, doggedly taking another step, switching between watching the ground and watching the pink tree he could just see in the distance that told him he was still going the right way. Dont be a wuss, Max. Kasan needs you. You stop to pull out every stupid thorn, youre never going to get there and itll be too late, so deal with it! Max shuddered, not even wanting to think about what too late would mean. He had to stop for another thorn. He didnt want to, but they were so large, he couldnt leave them in or he might not be able to walk at all. He was sostupid! He was screwing this all up, and he couldnt. Kasan couldnt afford for Max to be a screw up this time. Kasan was counting on him to get back in time to take it in the ass. That is so dumb. Who goes to rescue someone and does that? His ass felt so completely empty though. Like it needed Kasan just to fill up the hollow place inside his body. He bit his lip. Yeah, bet that ones never been on the jacket cover of any action movies. Hero comes just in time to bend over for his boyfriend and save the day. His muttering startled a few insects near him and they flittered away in a swarm of iridescent yellow. An enormous swarm of iridescent yellow. Crap, these were the kind of bugs hed been worried about. They were like fat dragonflies, but almost as long as his forearm. For the next few minutes, he walked with a bad case of the heebie jeebies, whipping around every time he thought he felt something brush against his back or arms. It made him step on thorns even more frequently; his feet were giant hot knots of pain now. Theyd been stinging ever since the first poke, but they were starting to feel swollen, and scarily numb in a couple places. What did that? Poison? Venom? Was somethingoh god, was something getting into him? Max sat down on a giant coiled root and examined at his feet more closely. It was hard to tell in the shade, but he thought that a few of the punctures were already turning red. Max poked at his feet. Definitely puffy. But nothing seemed to be moving under his skin or something terrifyingly awful like that. Max glared at the trickle of vine along the path next to him. This was so typical. He wasnt even being stopped by the big-ass cats, but by a damn plant! How lame was that? Max bit his lip and looked ahead. The shadows under the trees were gray and dim creepy almost but he could see the bright pink tree that hed picked to help lead the way. If he could make it there, maybe he could rest his feet for just a minute. I am not going to screw this up. Glancing at his feet, he stopped to look at the ground more closely. No feet-harpooning vines grew around the roots. He thought a moment and checked the ground next to the trees on either side. No vines. Actually, the vines didnt grow near the trees at all. They were all on the open ground where the walking was

easiest. If Max tried hiking over the roots of the trees, maybe he could avoid them. As long as I dont have to keep taking the stickers out, thats gotta be faster. Maxs feet were clumsy with pain, making him trip constantly over pebbly shallows, roots emerging from the ground, and uneven humps and furrows. The rougher surface felt like someone was scraping the soles of his feet with a cheese grater every time he touched the ground. But he made it a few feet without stepping on a thorn, and then a few more, and after a dozen more he began to think that hed finally figured it out. Not in time to keep his feet from resembling a pincushion, but if Max could keep going, he could get to Kasan. Say he was sorry forfor whatever it was that had happened. Seeing Kasans withdrawn expression had felt so freaking awful. It was hard to remember what it was like, not feeling the warmth of that broad palm over his head when Kasan messed with his hair. Or what it had been like to go to sleep without all Kasans warmth right next to him. It was so hard to remember what it had been like, before Kasan. But what he did remember felt so damned alone. Im coming Kasan. Just wait a little longer. Max stumbled against a tree as his body he wasnt sure what to call it. The slight emptiness inside doubled. Tripled. He felt utterly, painfully hollow. What did thatdid that mean that Kasan needed sex now? Waswas Max already going to be too late? No. No. Aosh and Androcles andno. Not Kasan. No fucking way! Max pushed away from the tree and started to run, whimpering between breaths at the hot pain stabbing up his legs but still running. He couldnt be too late! He had to make it back to Kasan. Kasan wouldnt know where he was, or what had happened, and he thought Max didnt care about him. He thought Shit. There was no way Max was going to let him die because they couldn't have sex! That was stupid way to die. It shouldnt be real, to die from lack of sex. Just stupid, stupid, stupid. And he wasnt going to let it happen to Kasan, or himself, or either of them. Passing the bright pink trunk, Max hunted for the next road mark. And he could see it, up ahead. Two sinister freaking trees curling together right in the middle of a huge patch of the vines. He ran towards it as fast as he could, starting to feel the strain in his legs, then stopped dead as something slithered out from behind another tree in front of him. Three glistening, putrescently pink blobs, nearly twice the size of the one in Kasans garden. Max flung himself to the side against a bright pink sapling, scraping his ass on the bark. A citrus scent wafted around him from the tree at his back, a strangely familiar smell that his mind noted even while he was frantically trying to figure out what the hell

he could do. If he was really still, maybe they couldnt see him. They didnt have eyes, right? Maybe? Max didnt know what the hell they had to see with, but he was sure theyd spotted him when they stopped quivering for a moment, and then the outrageous, ridiculous spikes emerged and they glided right at him. Shit! Max spun around, sprinting back the way hed come, and tripped over a root. He would have yelled but he was so frantic to get back up and see how close they were that he didnt make a sound until he made it to his feet. Max looked behind him and theyd already covered half the distance, leaves crunching underneath with a rustling woosh. Max turned and ran. Shiiiiiiiiiiit! Watching his feet, leaping over the roots and rocks and trying to keep ahead of them, he tripped again and nearly went headlong into a tree trunk. Max shoved away, dizzy with the agony lancing his feet, and glanced back. They were even closer. The thorns on the path didnt seem to bother them at all. The freaking things were going to catch him! Could lose them in the forest, away from the flat ground? Big and blobby and fat, they couldn't move as fast where the trees were thicker, could they? Max turned, leapt off the root into the heavier shadows of the forest, and fell right into a bush. Swatting the leaves and twigs from his face, he scrambled through them, turned to look back again, and stumbled out right into a patch of the damned vines. Three thorns went into his feet as he fumbled through them and he collapsed against another tree. Get out get out get out! He tried to pull the first thorn free, sobbing as the it came clear, but the blobs were almost on him. One was oozing through the bush, some of the branches sliding through the damned thing and back out like it was made of jello. The other two were coming around on either side of it, slipping over the ground. They made no noise other than the rush of their bodies over roots and pebbles. Scrabbling backwards on his ass, trying to yank out thorns at the same time, Max looked around frantically for a weapon, a branch low enough for him to climb, anything! He ended up backed against a hollow in between ponderously huge roots, throwing handfuls of pebbles at them and shouting obscenities. They flowed over the ground until they had him penned in. All three slid down into the hollow. He could see his own reflection off the glistening flesh of the one in the middle, in between the spikes. The sound of its body was a smooth boulder rolling down to crush him. Maxs voice stuck in his throat, a low pathetic whimper barely making it out. Kasan Something huge and brown lunged out of the tree above him and Max screamed. His eyes couldnt track what happened next, blurs and streaks of motion whipping around the ground in front of him. Maxs body jerked when the ground shook from another

enormous creature landing next to him and suddenly he was in the air, pressure around his middle and hot breath over his skin. He screamed again. The forest swayed dizzily underneath. Max got an impression of pink blobs torn apart by a swarm of enormous caramel and cream animals the size of small elephants before the thing holding him took off through the trees. Max dry heaved every few leaps. He pounded at the muzzle in between heaving, kicking wildly and squirming inside the things mouth. You stupid, freaking, alienmonster! He twisted and scratched at its nose, a black leathery thing the size of Maxs head. The animal made an odd snuffling snort. It leapt down through the trees, gaining the ground and spitting Max out just before it let out an enormous sneeze. Its teeth clicked together audibly. Max landed with a thud, rolling ass over heels in a pile of soft dirt. He tried to stand before remembering the thorns still in his feet and cried out. The animal sneezed again and he huddled against the ground, then slowly turned his head an stared up at Androcles-zilla. Holy crap. For a bright moment he thought it was Androcles after more growth, before he remembered the cats spear gutting him. Androcles was gone, just like Aosh, or so damaged theyd need months to recover. The stupid wild Androcles wasnt even the same color, a completely different pattern over its fur. And it had to be nearly five times as big, too. A shaky hand began to slide one of the remaining thorns from his foot. He needed to be able to run, and even if his feet hurt so badly he didnt want to so much as walk, hed better freaking fly out of this place and away from the huge muzzle that was sneezing again over his head. His heart beat painfully fast. The intensely musky smell and huge teeth scared the crap out of him. It could probably leap thirty feet at once, with its size. How the hell was he supposed to escape a wild Androcles the size of aa triceratops? Max yanked out the first thorn successfully, biting his lip as hard as he could to hold back a whimper of pain, and then pried free the other just as the animal looked down. Max yipped as the thorn came out too fast and then stared up into huge, orange and black eyes and tried to see it as something he could escape instead of something that was soon going to have him for dinner. It wouldnt even have to chew. N-n-nice doggy. Max scooted away on his ass, hoping some kind of weapon would be visible out of the corner of his eyes, which was all he felt he could use. He didnt want to look away from the thing looming above him like a furred mountain. Why dont you go and eat some more pink blobs, huh? They t-t-taste m-much better than m-m-me. Max scooted back a few more inches and the orange and black eyes narrowed. Elephant-dog took a step forward and lowered its muzzle. Max held up his arms defensively in front of his face, swinging out. No!

The enormous nose snuffled over his arms, ignoring the smacks against it. Its mouth stayed closed; no teeth. Max opened his eyes only when he realized that hed closed them. The furred face was right in front of him, a huge frightening muzzled face that was nearly as broad as Maxs arms were wide. The things breath stank of something meaty and moved the hair on his head with every exhalation. Trembling, Max slithered back with shaking legs that could barely push him along in the dirt, sure the mouth would open and bite down over his head. The animals eyes narrowed and there was more sniffing as its head followed him. The noise of breathing was loud and heavy in Maxs ears. Unable to stop shaking, Max leaned back again, turning his head to the side when it followed and its nose made a wet path over his chest and down his legs as it checked him over. Oh god, please let me smell boring and like something completely unappetizing and disgusting. He yelped and scrambled away as it moved back up his legs and paused for a second at his crotch. Max backed into something warm and solid. Stumbling to his feet, he tumbled around and stood face to face with another enormous Androcles clone on steroids The breath stunk even worse. Maxs feet and the empty need in his ass were dull aches in the back of his mind while knee-shaking terror swamped him. Panting in high-pitched wheezes, Max shifted to the side, unable to take his eyes away from the dark amber eyes. He stopped when he hit something warm and furred with his shoulder. God, no. No. No, please dont be another one. I just want to go home. I want Kasan! Max finally turned his head and stared directly into another giants gaze, this one flatter and freaking scary. Spinning around at a sudden crash to his left, he wanted to cry as two more jumped from the trees. He was totally surrounded, and there was the sound of more leaping to the ground around him until he was in the middle of a freaking herd of vicious wild giant mutant alien dogs. His throat tightened up too much to keep his voice. I just need to get to Kasan, he whispered miserably. Why werent they killing him yet? They didntgod , they didnt play with their food like a cat, did they? His head swiveled from side to side, not wanting to see the one that crushed him between its teeth but unable to look away. None of them encroached on his small bubble of space. The ones directly around him looked at each other silently, not even a growl to break the tension, and then every head turned to stare at him in unison. He shivered. Max swayed on his feet as the hollow feeling inside intensified again. God, Kasan. They were going to kill him and Kasan would never even know what happened and hed die and How ab-bout if I j-just move p-past you all and you p-pretend Im not even here? Nothing jumped him as he spoke, although a few looked away to stare at each other again. Maybemaybe they really might let him go? Did they just hate the pink blobs and now theyd justlet him go?

Max took a step towards a small gap between two of the dogs and nothing happened. Another step, so he was standing directly between the teethy muzzles of two of the huge animals. But when he turned to sidle through, holding his breath and clamping his teeth together to keep them from chattering, one dog shifted and nudged him back to the center of them all with his head. Max tripped backward and fell over onto his ass. One of the dogs opened his mouth, pantinglaughing just like Androcles. Its not freaking funny! Maxs entire body felt bruised and scraped and aching and he was scared shitless and the stupid monsters were just laughing at him! Shut up! He rubbed at his face furiously. And Im not freaking crying, either! The dog that had knocked him back his fur so dark brown it looked like burnt chocolate padded over and crouched down. The mouth opened as Max stared, frozen. The tongue came out and Stop! Max turned away to keep his mouth free of a tongue the size of a life jacket and yelled as he was picked up again in a giant mouth. He tensed, expecting to feel it crushing him the next second. It maneuvered him around in its mouth, holding him around the middle, and the tongue slithered against his side. But as terrifying as it was to have all the teeth up next to him, it wasnt biting down. But it might. Any moment now and it was going to clamp down over his bones and slurp him up andjump into a tree? Maxs stomach lurched as it climbed up the trunk with him in its mouth. Huh? Let me go! It completely ignored him and started moving along the heavier trunks of the trees around them, leaping from one to another. Max could hear the others following, flowing around them on other trees. The spots where the teeth were touching his stomach were digging in a little but he barely noticed. He was too busy trying to control the urge to heave as his head swung every time the dog moved. Maxs view shifted from the ground to the trees to the other dogs over and over and he knew he was going to barf over all of them if it didnt stop soon. Max closed his eyes. Dont be sick. Dont be sick. Dont be sick. As nauseated and terrified as he felt, he couldnt get rid of the feeling in his ass. He needed Kasan so freaking much. By the time the dogs actually came back down to earth, Max was limp. He felt wrung out, aching, and ready to hurl, although hed managed to keep down his lunch. And he wasnt dead, not yet. He could still get away and get to Kasan, if he knew where Kasan was, or where he was, or where any freaking thing in the damn forest was. Maxs breath wooshed out of him as he was suddenly dropped on his ass. Dammit, will you stop that! There were a few seconds to flinch in case they were about to stomp him, and then a few more when that didnt happen, and then he had a moment to look where

he was. A sandy hollow, similar to where hed been trapped by the blobs, with roots forming a wall around three sides that was so huge it was almost as tall as Max. What the hell were they doing with him? Max looked up at the number of dogs ringing the shallow pit, lounging above him on the sides of the heavy roots. There was a sudden chorus of whines behind him whimpering, high pitched, and growing louder. Max whipped around, grinding his ass into the dirt as he did so. What hed thought was a shadow in the base of the tree roots was actually a large den. A small herd of dogs, smaller than Androcles when Max had first seen him, came charging out. He stared at them, only enough time to think hed been brought to feed them, and then they were on him. Knocking him over andlicking. Aaaagh! Stop it! Enoughha, no, stop that tickles! Aaaaah, stop! There had to be at least twenty of them, little fuzzballs clambering all over him. Max couldnt get up without hurting some of them and he was sure the adults would kill him for that so he finally gave up and let them assault him with their tongues. By the time they calmed down and were squirming happily near his body, rolling over as he tried to pet them to keep them from attacking him with their slobber again, Max was feeling safer, but he wished he knew what the hell was going on. Just once, just freaking once, cant something make sense? He stood up slowly and the puppies scattered, running around his legs with happy little yips. One of them went tumbling head over heels towards the sloping entrance to the sandy den, where a few elephant-dogs stood guard. One enormous bastard that would have given T-rex a run for his money very calmly pushed the puppy back towards the rest of them with its paw, licking it once before the little one scrambled back to the others to play. Once that started, however, the puppies went tumbling around in a giant ball of small teeth and ears and pudgy bellies. The dogs lounging at the top of the roots and the ones that blocked the entrance were all watching the area outside of the hollow or watching the puppies. Maybe they wouldnt notice if Max tried to leave? If he wasnt food and he wasntwell, he didnt know what he was or what he wasnt, but if they werent going to eat him, theyd let him leave. They had to let him leave. Kasan needed to have sex, and he needed Max. Max walked slowly toward the one side not blocked by the coiled bulk of the roots. He couldnt help talking as soon as he got near the three dogs lying in front of him. So, II appreciate the rescue and all, and, uh, you have a lovely home, but I need to get back now. I need Kasan, and he needs sex, so Ill have to be leaving now, understand? He smiled and tried to ease by one of them, a female, he thought, if only because the other one was really obviously not a female. Rather obscenely obviously not a female. A

non-male felt a bit safer to him, even if she was a little bigger. Max walked up close to her, his feet stinging fiercely with each step. She turned her head to watch him but didnt move. That was good. That had to be a good thing. If you could just excuse me. With a close-lipped smile, he took a step to the side of her to walk by. The female snorted and batted him gently back into the clearing just like she had the puppies. Grunting under his breath, Max tried to smile again. No, thats not where I need to be. I have to get to Kasan. He tried again and got batted back into the clearing another time. And a third time. Each time she was gentle; her claws never came out. But he had to get by! He glared at her. I am not going back in here I need to leave! Max moved to the side and tried to get past the male and got the same treatment, although this time the paw smacked him a little harder. I need to go! He stood glaring at them and realized that they werent going to let him out this way. Dammit! Max turned and headed across the clearing, dodging puppies this time they ignored him anyway, too wrapped up in wrestling to care and tried to see if he could find some way over the roots. They werent as tall as his head, he just needed to scramble up over one, in between some of the dogs around him. He made it to the top and then yelled as a mouth clamped around him and another dog jumped down and dropped Max back into the dirt on his stomach. Max rolled over and he stared up at the thing, this one looking, well, he would have said amused, if it was a person. He would freaking swear it rolled its eyes at him. Max scooted back and stood up. The dog wasnt even looking at him. The puppies had quieted while he was climbing out, and he glanced around as the lack of noise finally made an impression. More of the dogs had moved into the hollow and many of the babies were resting on the adults paws while they were being groomed. The one whod pulled him off the side settled down and Max startled, whipping back. It knocked Max over, holding him down on the ground with his forepaws, ignoring his yelling. And then it started licking him all over as well. What the- Hey, cut that out! Thats not- Im not a dog! Stop cleaning me, and dont lick there! I do not need to be licked there at all! There is a sacred, non-licking place for dogs! Will you stop- It flipped him face down and kept on licking.

Stop it! He could just barely make out more dogs slowly cleaning the other puppies and it suddenly struck him exactly what his situation was. You think Im a puppy? Are you freaking insane? Do I look like a damn puppy? It continued to clean him, grunting as it reached the end of his legs and began laving the wounds with a tongue bigger than both his feet put together. I am not a puppy! Max squirmed wildly and the dog pressed down on him to keep him still. I am a person! I need to leave, not stay in this stupid. Max felt like a useless idiot, face down, naked, and getting a tongue bath from Dinosaur Dog. Look, Im glad youre not eating me, okay? But you dont want me here. Seriously. Im boring as hell and Im much, much uglier than real puppies and cats and dogs dont get along anyway and Im an honorary cat now, understand? The bath continued to slime him all over his body. Come on, weve gotta have something else you can look at me as, right? A friend who can go off and visit Kasan on his own? You could do that, right? Tarzan was like that he talked to the animals and they didnt eat him or hold him hostage. The dog licked over Maxs back and the slurping sound of it completely grossed him out. His body twitched inside, feeling as open as when Kasan had just climaxed inside of him, but without the deeply satisfying feeling of fullness that went with it. Dammit! Let me go! How am I supposed to rescue Kasan if I cant get out of here? The dogs only answer was a grunt and a bit more pressure from his paws as he continued to hold Max down and clean him. Chapter 31 - Good Max Hunting Claws digging into his palms, Kasan watched the shokan panting on the ground. It was hard not to yell at the thing to get up and find Max, but he knew it was trying. It looked up at him with pained eyes and he swallowed. No, not it. He. If the shokan was helping them save Max, he at least deserved some acknowledgement beyond thing. And Ando-kees was trying; they could all see that. As soon as his wounds had stopped bleeding, Ando-kees had attempted to rise. His back legs had collapsed instantly, ripping open the stitches on one side. After sewing him back up again, Uncle Frodi finally added a few piercings, warily, watching Ando-kees for any sign that he was about to take a swipe with his claws. Kasan glanced at the scabbed wound on Ando-kees side, searching for the metal hoops that were already gone. Hed always known that shokan nanites were different, but hed never seen them in action before. Zonta used to blather on about it all the time, the Saviors using what they had on hand to try and combat the kouloc: medical nanites of

their own invention, barely more than a prototype themselves, better at healing than destroying the disease. Aosh usually tuned that all out until Zonta starting discussing the technology. A number of species that had caught the kouloc in the end had been used to try and perfect the nanites, but the shokan were the first one it worked on. Maybe only one in four couples made it through the heat, but it was better than none at all. And the tradeoff in rapid healing wasamazing. Kasan never actually witnessed a piece of metal dismantled by nanites so fast that is was visible to the naked eye. And hed never been more grateful to see anything in his entire life. When Ando-kees first collapsed, Kasan had nearly dropped to his knees with him. The big animal was their best chance at finding Max. But now, Kasan could already see Ando-kees gearing himself for another try. The stitches had absorbed along with the metal hoops, and if the healing was just far enough along. Ando-kees shook as he tried to regain his feet and Kasan held his breath along with the rest of the waiting men. There was an uncomfortable grunt, and the shokan wobbled, but he didnt go down. He took a step and kept his feet. Kasan met Leeros eyes and saw the same triumphant rage there that he felt in his own gut: now they could go get Max, and destroy Waran. They had brought in extra weapons, just in case, and most now had a spear in one hand and a long knife or shield in the other. Kasan glanced quickly at the others around them, making sure no one was there who shouldnt be. No guards with female consorts or mates they couldnt afford to lose anyone who had a chance at having children. Roto was watching Aosh. Tisu was guiding other groups through the city to keep searching. Nolluz was talking with their allies about some problem on Tiensa involving Maxs family. And Jolan and Ko were directing everything from inside the citadel. Theyd wanted to come, but father had claimed first right in hunting down Shovak now that his people had attacked the family again. Leero stood next to him on the other side of Ando-kees, red collar twisted up on itself and hanging down his bare chest. Zonta hovered behind them, clutching his spear awkwardly. Theyd all tried to get him to stay back, too, but Zonta had simply stared at them as they talked, and then stated that he was coming and hed accept whatever punishment they deemed necessary afterward. Kasan was farily certain that even if they locked him in with Aosh, hed find a way out. Better to have him with them, then, rather than unprepared and on his own. Kasan heard a sharp intake of breath and stared at Andro-kees again. Hed taken another step. The couple dozen cousins surrounding them held their breath. One more step, then another, then three steps without falling. Someone let out a quickly shushed cheer. Andro-kees managed a fourth with a heavy limp, back legs still not working properly, but he was stable. He could move. He could find Max. Everybody in the corridor quivered, trying to gauge where the shokan was going. It

stumbled once and they scattered. The thing might not have attacked anyone yet, but no one was comfortable around it. One irritated moment and a swipe of claws could gut them. Even the Elders, although they had approved, were cautious. Every man in the passageway had a vial of antidote to the shokans poison. It was probably the citys entire supply. Ando-kees slowly turned, falling once to lean against the wall, and trundled back the way hed first come from Kasans room. Kasan followed as closely as he could manage, backing off a couple feet when the shokan paused to glare at him before it started moving again. There was silence behind him for a few moments and then everyone else gathered their courage and followed. He glanced back. Mens faces just as grim as his own filled the corridor. He hoped they wouldnt all be needed. He hoped they could all be trusted more than Waran. Keeping pace with Ando-kees, Kasan stumbled himself, pain flaring through his veins. He shook his head as Leero opened his mouth to comment. Kasan wasnt down yet, justdamaged. Even thinking about how close he was to the heats edge brought Max to mind and he tried to banish the image. He couldnt think of what might be happening to Max or he couldnt function. How easily anyone could restrain the little one, or hurt him, made Kasan froth at the mouth. Kasan growled low, his hand shaking around the heavy spear. If those fucking bastards damaged one fingertip of Maxs, theyd find out that Kasan was tougher than all of them put together. He wouldnt leave them with so much as a strip of skin still attached. Keeping his eye on Ando-kees, Kasan tried to avoid looking down. The dried blood trail from Aosh and Ando-kees had been cleaned, but Kasan knew exactly where it had flowed over the floor. He didnt want the reminder. The shokan stopped at a corner, looking between the hallway ahead of them and the passage on either side. Kasan froze. Ando-kees lifted his head, scenting the air. Kasan couldnt catch even a hint of Maxs scent anymore, but seeing the beast looking brought the sweet smell to mind. It made his chest ache, remembering the strong smell of fear that had laid over it. The shokan shook out his broad head, fur fluffing around his ears. They flattened against his skull and the eyes narrowed dangerously. Kasan backed off as it growled. With a snarl, Ando-kees turned to the left and stumbled down another corridor, growling as he went, picking up speed. This wasnt the way to Kasans room; it wasnt where the blood trail had gone. Andokees had them. Hed found Maxs trail!

While everyone came after them, Kyoru sent off a runner to the nearest box to keep the Elders updated on their progress. There were a few hand-held boxes, but no one in Kasans group had them. Theyd be more useful to the search parties in the city, where permanent boxes were rare and communication would be more difficult. Leero made his way up to Kasan so that they trotted side by side, scanning the side corridors as they passed, just in case. The shokan paused at another intersection of corridors and picked another direction, then another, then they were on a long stretch headed into the residential quarters. Where the hell had Waran gone? Was this why they couldnt find him: he was hiding somewhere inside the citadel? Max will be all right, Leero said. Kasan nodded, gripping the spear tighter and ignoring the pain enveloping his body to keep up with Ando-kees. Well find him, Kasan. I let you down before- Kasan glanced at him while they moved. Dont be ridiculous. When have you let me down? Leeros ears were flat against his head, the too-bright green of his mid-heat eyes highlighted by the deep red of the collar around his throat. A flush covered him from his face down to the mounds of his chest. You would have died in that cell, if Max hadnt been brought to you. Thats Shovaks fault, not yours. And nowyoure newly mated. Im the one whos responsible for the guards when youre otherwise occupied, Kasan. Im the one who should have seen what Waran was, but I- I can never apologize enough for what my own negligence has brought to you and your consort. Leeros voice was a whisper at the end. He stared after the shokan like it offered salvation. Kasan whipped out a hand and slapped the back of his hand against Leeros chest with a meaty thump. Shut the hell up, Leero. Leero stared at Kasan, his face looking almost as feverish as Kasan felt. It is not your damn fault for anything but letting Max go when he pissed on you. Shovak is at fault. Waran is at fault. Im at fault. But not you. Leero blinked at him with too blank eyes. Leero? Kasan had to turn away for a moment to follow the shokan as it turned another corner, and Leero looked a little less dazed when he looked back at his face. Leero how long have you been in heat? Youre not close, are you? Dont you fucking dare come along on this if youre too close and-

Leero shook his head. No, its only been a few days. Ive got over a week, yet. He rubbed absently at the spot Kasan had slapped. And I know what Im culpable for, Kasan. Im responsible for my own actions. He turned his eyes to Kasan, not even looking where his feet stepped. I just wanted you to know that no matter what happens, Ill make sure Max is all right. Ill watch out for him, if he if he can survive without his mate. Kasan looked back behind the others behind them, wincing. He had to believe Max couldnt contract the kouloc or he might go insane. Thank you, he said, voice hoarse. He cleared his throat. Id rather you take care of father, first. He shouldnt be coming. Shovak might have something planned. Leero stared back at the Lord King as well; he got a questioning eyebrow quirked in his direction from the larger man jogging behind them, and then they both faced forward. Id never be able to stop him; hes too stubborn. But Ill stay close. Kasan was moving too quickly to thank him again. He wished he could take the undeserved guilt out of Leeros eyes, but he settled for nodding and following Ando-kees further into the residential area. If they were lucky, maybe Maxs disappearance had been discovered early enough that Waran hadnt been able to leave the area. If he and Quim had been thinking of stashing Max away until things died down, they wouldnt expect to be found, not with the citadels defenses in place. They wouldnt think to be careful about a shokan sniffing them out. Kasans lips compressed to the point of pain and he doggedly followed Ando-kees around another curving corner. What the hell! Someone had come out of their apartment and let out a shocked scream at the sight of Ando-kees. Kasan knew that the Elders had sent word out, but coming face to face with a shokan was shocking no matter how well prepared you were. One of the guards stopped to urge the man back into his rooms until everything had been taken care of, or go offer his services to some of the other search parties already in the city and other areas of the citadel. A few more women and men poked their heads out all the rooms were residential in this area and Kasan let the others field the questions. He was following the shokan, feeling a growing urgency to find Max and ensure that he was all right and unharmed. His belly burned acidly. They made a few more turns and Kasan suspected he knew where they might be headed. Someplace few people would look, that would be out of the way. He growled under his breath as the corridor they were on curved around to the right and Kasan saw the doors to one of the family storage rooms come into sight. Ando-kees headed straight for it. Weve fucking got him, Kasan, Leero snarled.

Kasan couldnt even nod; he was vibrating with the need to get to Max. They were almost there. There was only one exit from the storage room. Max was in there. But if Waran were cornered, he might be more vicious. He might try to hold Max hostagehe might be capable of anything if he didnt even care if Aosh were killed. Ando-kees stopped at the door, looking back at Kasan. He didnt paw it, but his impatience was clear. At least hed make a good distraction. Im going straight for Max. Kasan didnt need to say it; everyone had already figured out what their role would be, whether their trail led to a room or a hunt through the city. But somehow getting the words out, and hearing them, helped center himself. He would get Max out unharmed. Leero nodded. And Ill guard your back. The men piled up behind them and Kyoru stepped up next to Leero and put a hand on his shoulder. Well guard your back. Leero jumped at the touch of his hand, looking back up behind him. That wasnt what theyd agreed on. They arent getting a chance to harm another of my sons. Leero took a shaky breath his eyes were glowing green now with the dimmer light outside the storage room and nodded. We. Kasan tightened his hand over his weapons, and kept his voice low as he turned behind him. Keep a look out for the guard inside. He might not be involved, but dont take any chances. The others close enough to hear nodded he saw Niku and Davin near the front - and Kasan heard the order passed back to the others. As soon as they triggered the door, the heavy slab slid open. Andro-kees leapt inside. No one yelled out in surprise, and Ando-kees didnt act as though he saw another soul, so Kasan took a chance. Rather than scan first with Leero from the other side of the doorway, he simply went in low and silent, slipping to the side. He saw Leero and his father shift to the other side and knew the men would be coming in behind him. Andokees was already bounding down one of the aisles and Kasan tried to scan everywhere around him while he kept up. The broad desk in the corner was empty, and the brief glimpse of the aisles he had before he was running down one of them were empty as well. There was no sound other than his breathing, the shush of his loincloth against his legs, and the faint brush of bare feet against the stone floor behind him, his men spreading out to check the other aisles. Max was silent. Kasans claws emerged, digging into the haft of his spear as he imagined what it would take to keep Max that quiet.

Ando-kees turned a corner among the high shelves and Kasan followed, staying low, counting on Warans shock at seeing Ando-kees to give him warning when theyd found him. There was still no sound. Kasan couldnt smell them. And with no sound and no scent, Kasans hackles were rising. What was wrong? Why couldnt he smell Max? Even with the citadel trying to rid itself of the scent, there should be something with Max still in the room. Ando-kees couldnt have lost the trail, could he? Another corner and Kasan realized theyd reached the end of the room. Expecting Andokees to turn left or right, he wasnt prepared when the beast stopped dead. He had to throw himself backward not to run into it. He heard Leero and his father do the same behind him. Ando-kees didnt move, staring at the wall, blocking Kasans view. For a horrified moment, Kasan couldnt breathe, sure that the animal must have discovered Max. Max in some condition that he wasnt making a single sound, not even the soft sigh of his breathing, and thats whyHe shoved Ando-kees out of the way, slamming his shoulders against its side and ignoring the growl. His lungs started working again as he realized there was no small, broken body on the floor. Kasan shuddered as he struggled, gasping, unable to move as his heart tried to restart. Nothing but the wall. Thank God. Butnothing but the wall. Where was Max?! Ando-kees gave another growl and bumped Kasan out of the way so hard he stumbled and nearly fell onto his ass. The shokan sniffed along the edge of the wall and finally started a frantic digging at the floor with his nails. Pain flared in Kasans veins, coursing through his body, and Kasan bent over at the waist, panting his way through it. Leero and his father were at his side by the time the heat spike finished. Ando-kees was still digging at the wall. A few of the other men had made their way through the aisles and were making negative signals for finding anyone. What is it doing? Leero whispered. It acts like theyve gone through the wall. Ando-kees paused, looked over at them with a rather scornful expression, and went back to digging. Kasan stood behind him, staring at the wall, a suspicion growing in his mind that he didnt even want to contemplate.

The citadel was riddled with secret tunnels to various Havens, but there hadnt been a complete list of the havens for centuries. Every once in a while they stumbled over one, and the booksters worked on the mechanism for opening the doors. But that took weeks, sometimes even months, to do. If Waran had escaped into an unknown haven, he and Quim could already be out of the city with Max. Kasan didnt have weeks to figure out how to get through this damned thing. And the thought of what the purists might do to Max in the meantime. Shit! Kasan slammed his hand against the wall, pressing his head against it until his ears crumpled. Ando-kees continued scraping his claws against the stone, favoring one of his legs. The sound grated against Kasans ears. The men were collecting behind them, emerging from aisles up and down the room, still finding nothing. The shokans dedicated clawing made Kasan sure that there wouldnt be anything, or anyone, for them to find. He clenched his eyes shut as Ando-kees let out a small, mournful howl. The rhythmic scraping of his claws didnt let up for a moment. Turning his head, feeling his eyes tear at being so fucking close but stopped by his own damned home, he snapped at it. Stop it, you stupid beast! You cant- Kasan caught a whiff of Warans scent against the wall and his nose twitched. He hadnt detected it until he was up close to the stone, but it was definitely there. Bastard must have triggered the secret door himself; the citadel always did take longer to get the scent off the walls. Kasan inhaled again, eyes widening. It took longer to get the scent off the walls. Hes touched this section of the wall, Kasan murmured. His head snapped back and he turned, grabbing Leero. Here, put your hand right here. Dont move it! Leero laid his hand over the spot while Kasan pressed his face close to the wall and started to sniff in great bursts of air. He shouldered Ando-kees to the side again. It made a growling harrumph and then sat on its haunches and watched with flat eyes. Kasan, what are you doing? I can tell what hes touched. Theres still enough scent left! Leero leaned forward to sniff next to his own hand and shook his head. Glad we have your nose with us, he murmured. So am I. Another block of stone was bright with scent Here! I need someone to mark

this spot, too! His father stepped up and pressed a hand against stone. Kasan looked up to find him grinning fiercely. Kasan grinned back, just as feral; all he could think about was sinking his teeth into Waran and getting back Max. He had more of the family mark two other spots as he found them, finally stopping after he went over their section of the wall twice more. Ando-kees watched them all carefully, not growling at anyone who touched the wall, but narrowing its eyes at everyone else to keep their distance. Rui hunted down some sticky strip to mark off the four blocks of stone. One of Kasans cousins went to the box outside the door to keep the Elders and Jolan updated again and arrange for more help. If they had to leave the citadel and enter a Haven, who knew how many people they might have to be dealing with? Before theyd finished with the sticky, Zonta moved up to the blocks of stone, staring at it. Mumbling under his breath, he almost bumped into Leero without noticing until Leero got out of his way. Ando-kees tilted his head oddly to watch, nostrils flaring, and Kasan was glad Zonta barely even saw the animal. It might break his concentration. Baby brother hadnt yet deciphered the patterns to open any of the lost escape tunnels hed been too young when the last one was found but Kasan knew hed researched it. Most littles dreamed of finding one of the lost Havens and making it their secret hideaway. Zonta and Aosh had been worse than most, when theyd been small. Between the two of them, theyd probably researched more about this than all the archivists put together. With Aosh unconscious and injured, Zonta was the best hope they had. Can you get it open? Auburn hair curling in frazzled strands near his forehead, Zonta nodded curtly. His eyes hadnt lost the strained look theyd developed since hed seen Aosh bleeding all over the floor. What do you need me to- I need you to be quiet. Zonta answered before Kasan even finished the question. He sighed and rubbed his hands back over his ears once, closing his eyes. Please. Ando-kees turned his head to stare at Kasan and bared a fang at him before watching Zonta again. After a deep breath, Zonta stepped up to the wall and tapped at the blocks, one after the other, changing the order each time and pausing after each try. His ears flattened against his head the more attempts he made that failed. Kasans tail started lashing and he accidentally hit Zontas leg. Zonta tensed even more. Im going as fast as I can, Kasan. I know. It was just that Max was in trouble and he wanted to be after him now.

His father pulled him away. Son, stay calm, remember? Kyoru said softly. Kasan breathed deeply, doing his best to ignore the pain in his limbs and his gut, and worse, the thoughts of Max and everything that could happen while they were trapped behind this damned stone wall. Another minute passed, Zonta steadily working his way over the blocks as they all let him be. When another minute went by with no change, Kasan gnawed at his lip to keep from saying something, but he couldnt help it in the end. Zonta, how long- Most of the tunnel triggers in our citadel use a block only once, which means with four blocks, theres only 24 combinations. Since you were able to identify the triggers, it wont take long to check. Kasan caught the edge to his voice and swallowed. What about if we might have to touch a spot more than once? Then its over 200 combinations. Which means I dont have time to talk to you about it and lose my place, so please, Kasan, be quiet. Kasan waited impatiently but held his tongue, even when another wave of pain would have dropped him to his knees if not for Leero and his fathers support. When he heard the sliding grind that was the wall pulling back, at first Kasan thought it was his imagination. But Ando-kees flattened against the ground and Kasan crouched automatically in response. Zonta stumbled back, startled even if this had been what hed been trying to achieve. Kasan slid to the side. Ando-kees hadnt leaped through the doorway and Kasan was worried as to why. There was always the slight chance that someone was coming out, or lying in wait just inside the tunnel opening. He didnt have a chance to see anything other than the open corridor stretching on ahead of them, however, because Ando-kees suddenly leapt through the opening. He stumbled, his hind leg nearly collapsing, then righted himself and limped quickly down the passageway. Dammit, wait, beast! The animal ignored him and Kasan swore under his breath. Zonta, stay here and wait for the others. You can come in with one of their teams, but I need you to tell them where weve gone. We have to keep up with the shokan. But- Well box you if we can. Kasan heard his father murmur. Were not keeping you out. Just come with the next group of guards. Stay safe.

Zontas protests faded behind Kasan as he trotted forward to catch up with Ando-kees. That was the best they could do for his brother, keep him out of the main fight and leave him part of the clean up. Hopefully. If they were lucky, theyd be able to find a working box in the haven. Hand-boxes didnt work inside them, not well enough to reach anyone in the citadel. But there were always a few on the walls. It was whether they worked or not that was the issue. The tunnel sloped down, lights dimmer than those in the citadel. The floor wasnt as uniformly smooth, either. This had to be one of the earliest havens; all but the first few matched the citadel for color and polish. Kasan tried to see ahead past Ando-kees, but the tunnel had a slight curve that wove back and forth. There were no doors or side tunnels. Ando-kees moved quickly, but his first few bounds had slowed to a rapid, limping walk with pauses to sniff the air. Crude placards decorated the walls every few feet and Kasan read them quickly as they went past. Encouragement, advice about how to close the tunnel doors behind them if raiders were in pursuit, details about supplies and where to find them in the Haven. But no information that was useful. No actual map probably didnt have that until theyd made it into the Haven itself. And it wasnt as though they knew where Waran was holding Max. Theyd need the shokans nose for that. Ando-kees slowed and Kasan stumbled, pain putting a bob in his step. His father and Leero were right behind and caught him between them, helping him through it. You should go back and stay with Jolan, father, Kasan gasped out, trying to move he couldnt lose Ando-kees and the shokan wasnt stopping. With a wobble, Kasan managed a few steps, gritting his teeth until the pain ebbed to a dull burn. Worry about yourself and your consort, Kasan, not me. Im doing what I need to do. Kyoru let go so Kasan could continue under his own power. Kasan didnt try to argue again. He knew his father well enough to recognize the body language. Ears flat, teeth bared he wasnt going to change his mind. They continued in silence, long minutes of breathing and sweat and dust scented air. Kasan kept his eyes forward, banishing thoughts of Max in order to keep putting one foot in front of the other. His little one was down here somewhere. Theyd find him. They had to. Kasan had panted his way through two more nasty heat spikes by the time the tunnel finally led to the Haven. He only realized how lucky they were when they passed the massive door designed to seal it off from the citadel in case of slavers or invaders. If the purists had bothered to close this door rather than rely on the Haven remaining a secret, Kasan never would have made it through.

Swallowing, Kasan slowed to match Ando-kees pace. The scents of the place changed, now. People, food, a small hint of blood and urine. Ando-kees walked carefully, but he didnt pause as he followed his nose through the doorway and to the left. Kasan glanced right into the empty hallway and went after the shokan. A placard with a map was up on the wall opposite the entrance and Kasan tried to hiss at Ando-kees to stop so he could look at it, but the beast ignored him. Cursing, Kasan paused long enough to get an impression. He cursed again almost immediately. This wasnt one of the small emergency havens. This was one meant to house a good portion of the population. It was huge. He scanned for areas that they might need to know: dormitories, cells, kitchens and, most important, exits and entrances. He stumbled after Ando-kees, hearing the same annoyed cursing from the men behind him as they tried to pick up details from the map. He thought he heard someone pulling out a hand-comp to sketch it out. The corridor they were in now was as dimly lit as the tunnel leading to the citadel, but there were numerous doors and hallways leading off from it. Everyone was tense and growing tenser, keeping watch for anyone who might catch them unaware. The longer they remained undetected, the better it would be for Max. Kasan didnt want Waran or anyone else to think they could use him as a hostage. Following Ando-kees straight down the corridor as they crossed another side passage, Kasan turned to whisper to his father. I- There was a shout from the right. Everyone but the beast stopped. Three purists stood flat-footed in the middle of the side hallway, shocked. Two of them charged and the third turned to run. Shit! Kasan and Leero looked at each other and gave a quick nod. Kasan ran after Ando-kees with half the men, and Leero took the others to the side with Kyoru. They had to keep anyone from knowing they were there until they found Max! Kasan heard them meet each other, a short scream, grunts and scuffling, and he caught the iron tang of blood before he and the others were too far to sense any more. But Leero and Kyoru didnt come up behind them immediately. Kasans shoulders tightened and he focused on Ando-kees to keep himself sane. If they didnt catch that one whod fled, and if he somehow got word to Waran that they were here They had to find Max now. Kasan Davin stepped up to him with his consort, Mick. They kept him from stumbling against a wall that he hadnt even realized he was close to. Both their eyes were worried. You can rest here. Well find the little one. You dont have to-

I need to find Max. Kasan pulled himself free, barely, and stumbled again behind Ando-kees. Cant you go any faster? he muttered at the thing. It looked back at him and stumbled itself, barely picking up speed, but it was something. He could hear Niku murmuring to Davin and Mick behind him but he ignored it. Max was the only thing that mattered. As long as he stayed upright and moving, following Ando-kees, hed find Max. Eyes on the shokans feet, part of him noted the small details around them through a haze of pain. The walls were still rough and gouged, done speedily, early work when slavers were still a huge threat. The lights remained dim. The dust at the sides of the corridors disappeared with a wide clear space in the middle of the hallway. He knew some of his men would be making small streaks in the dust up close to the edges of the hallway, to mark the way for Father and the others when they came. But the lack of dust in the middle matched what Kasan was scenting in the air. This hall was well traveled. This wasnt simply a large Haven; it was a large Haven with a large number of people. Kasan couldnt even imagine how many people would willingly engage in betraying the family; he hoped most of them were outsiders. Not that it made them any less of a problem, but better that than they end up fighting members of their own families. And no matter what, they might have a real fight on their hands. More people meant it could take longer to get to Max. It meant more time for them to hurt Max. Better for them all if this place was empty as a tomb. Another spike of heat sliced through him and Kasan felt his spear slipping in his hand as he convulsed. He clutched at it, keeping his feet by sheer luck. He tightened his other hand and realized that hed dropped his knife. Niku picked it up and placed it back into his hand with another murmur about stopping. No. He had to focus, no matter that his body felt battered from the inside out. One single mistake could make the difference between finding Max, and finding Maxs body. Kasan dug his claws into his spear and knife, keeping them clamped in his hands, and controlled his growling, turning another corner. They came to another branching of tunnels and Ando-kees hesitated, head raised in the air, before taking the left fork. Kasan would never stop thanking his aunt for making them heal the beast, as long as he continued to lead them to Max. With the length of the tunnel leading to the Haven, he was sure they were already directly underneath the forest. Trying to go out of the citadel and finding the Haven from above would have been impossible at this time of year. The shokan had their litters early in the season and they were wildly protective and hyper-aggressive over the pups.

And the tosa made it worse. They were usually harmless, clearing the detritus off the forest floor, but if they ever ran across a shokan pup they would kill it if they could. The shokan tended to patrol the surrounding forest to ensure there werent any of the pink leaf-eaters too near their den. Trying to get a group of Kyashin through the forest in these conditions, dodging maddened shokan and hunting for a Haven that had been lost for hundreds of years impossible. Max would be lost without Ando-kees. Kasan tensed as they turned a corner and the shokan crouched down. He could hear voices approaching from the side: another passageway. The others behind him paused, noticing the shokan, but he didnt think they could hear the voices yet. He passed the word in a hissing whisper and they all crept up to the hallway, including Ando-kees. The large beast was hot next to Kasan, panting next to his face, and it stared forward before looking back at Kasan with its intense amber eyes. They took Max straight? he whispered. The thing stared forward again, bunching its muscles as though it were going to leap despite the group coming. Kasan made a quick decision and whispered to the men behind him. You five with me. The shokan looks like hes going to cross the corridor. If he does, follow. Im sure well be seen. If were lucky, theyll come after us and the rest of you can surprise them here. If they run for helpyou need to go after them yourselves. But I have to stay with Ando-kees and find my consort. They nodded, and sure enough, a few seconds after he finished, Ando-kees shot across the hallway, Kasan and the guards hed chosen right behind him. There was a startled break in the purists low conversation. His ears could pick up soft, rapid footsteps following. And then shouts as the purists were jumped when they rounded the corner, thinking they would be able to follow Kasan and get the jump on him. He tried to ignore the fighting behind him; Niku was with them. The old guard knew how to keep his head; hed make sure they made it through. He hoped the sounds were soft enough that no one else would know what was coming, though. With a jerk, he turned right as the shokan suddenly veered into a long, narrow side tunnel. This place smelled even more used. Lived in, and there were enough scents around, filling the air, that Kasan had trouble distinguishing any one individual. But they were closer. The scent was strong enough that he knew the guards behind him to could smell it, too. Kasan could hear his men breathing, but no one said a word as they crept down hallway after hallway. One last hallway and suddenly the shokan lowered his body to the ground, creeping forward now in a sinuous glide, the limp gone. Either he was ignoring the pain, or he had actually healed up already. The beast started towards an open doorway on the left hand

side. Kasan could hear the murmur of voices again. He gestured back at the others to let them know. And then he caught Maxs scent. Just a hint, but it was the first time since theyd left the citadel and the small hint of fear and sweat with it made Kasan see red. If theyd hurt him If theyd caused the smallest, most insignificant bruise The shokan slowed. They spread out, staying out of sight from the doorway, readying themselves as they drew closer. Voices echoed up the corridor either it was a very large room, or they were down another hallway - and Kasan focused on them as they crept forward. ...heat-blinded moron! You didnt even check its cage! Its not my damn job to maintain the cells! That was Waran! Kasan almost leapt in ahead of the shokan and caught himself only because he stumbled against it. Ando-kees glared at him and then carefully oozed around the corner. Kasan followed and saw an open doorway at the end of a short hallway. There was movement inside, more than the people currently arguing, but no one cried out. None of them had glanced down the hall yet. Ando-kees eased forward ahead of Kasan. The men and Kasan inched behind him. Dont look this way, Kasan thought. Just keep arguing. You will go find the Elders, Waran, and explain to them exactly how you managed to lose the human! No I damn well wont! Youre the one whos in charge of the cells! A competent Kyashin would have double checked all the cells before he took care of his heat, not try to make excuses after the fact! Are you calling me incompetent? You- There was a snarl and Kasan saw a streak as one body jumped on another. The other men in the room tried to intervene, focusing on the fight, and Ando-kees and Kasans men sprinted forward. Ando-kees leapt through the door with a screaming snarl. Kasan snarled just as loudly as he sprang after him. Everything was a focused blur. Ando-kees streaked past the fight, into a darker area with broken light globes. Kasan heard a scream and a small laser pistol discharged into the ceiling. Another man on the side was bringing up a laser pistol to bear as Davin and Mick charged him. Waran was turning from his fight with a blond cat

to face them. Two of the others with Kasan leapt at the blond, and Kasan went for Waran. Waran was trying to bring a gun of his own to bear just as Kasan slammed into him and brought them both to the floor. The pistol clattered to the ground. He could hear his men fighting, snarls and grunts echoing in the room, along with a shrill scream as Ando-kees roared, but most of his focus was Waran. Shocked, familiar eyes looked up at him, eyes that Kasan had trusted. They both snarled and went for the throat. Kasan took a punch to the side of his face, avoided one in the throat, and smashed Warans head against the ground. He let himself take the battering from Warans fists, welcoming the pain as he clawed at the mans skin until the smell of his blood was thick in the air. They rolled over once, Waran getting the advantage for a wild moment and then Kasan managed to slam his elbow in an arc against Warans head hard enough to stun him for a moment, getting a knee between his legs and snarling as felt it connect. Waran slumped back, dazed and gagging. Kasan slammed his hand against Warans throat, claws out and embedded in the skin. Just a little more pressure and he could rip out the bastards throat and bathe in his blood and Waran would never, ever hurt Max again. He almost did it. He wanted Waran to suffer. Pain slammed into him again, the heat searing his body. Kasan yanked his claws free just before his hands convulsed into fists as his muscles locked. He recovered before Waran realized what was happening. The room was quiet except for murmurs and a pained groan from the back. Shuddering, Kasan pushed himself off and grabbed the spear Davin handed him. He hadnt even realized hed tossed it away, so focused on getting his claws into Waran. Kasan clenched the weapon tightly. He couldnt kill him. Max wasnt in the room, so they still needed to find him and Waran knew where he was. Breathing in gasping pants, Kasan swiveled his ears. He could hear one of the guards giving a wounded man the antidote for shokan poison Ando-kees hadnt held back - but he didnt know if it would really matter. With the size of his claws, Kasan couldnt imagine the wound would be minor. But no one knew if the purist had a mate or consort who was innocent in this; they couldnt let the man die. Not until they knew. But there was no fighting, nothing that needed his attention but Waran. Wheres Max? Kasan snarled. Waran looked up at him, one eye swelling shut, blood running from both nostrils and out the corner of his mouth. It ran in rivulets down his body from clawed gouges in his torso and arms. His ears were going crazy atop his head.

Kasan pushed the spear up to the mans throat, pressing in against the soft flesh underneath his jaw. Waran and Shoru were in on this together; Shoru could give answers just as easily as Waran, when they found him. Kasan had no compunction about wounding him fatally. None at all. Where is my consort? Where is Max? Waran swallowed and looked to the side at the doors lining the room. For the first time, Kasan noticed the locks on the outside of the doors. They were cells! Maybe Max was silent because he couldnt hear them! Max? Max, are you there? Its Kasan. Youre safe now! A disembodied voice spoke as Waran clamped his lips shut. He aint with you? Kasans eyes snapped to the wall next to him, frowning at the familiar sound coming from the other side of the door. Shoru? And the prince wins a prize. Goody for you, dumbass. Now let me outta this shithole. Let you out Keeping the spear tight to Warans throat, Kasan looked up at the door and realized it was bolted from the outside. Youre a prisoner here? No shit. Kasan was so surprised he couldnt speak. Shoru snarled through the door. What, you think Im actually with this asshole? Like Id do something that stupid. There was a litany of incomprehensible grumbling curses that gave Kasan time to wrap his mind around Shoru being held prisoner. And before you go there, cause I know you will, Ive never been with Waran and whatever jack-assed, dick-brained plan he has to mess with you and yours. Fuck. Who gives a shit if youre a throwback or not, doesnt make you any more an asshole than every other bastard Ive met. Or any less, obviously. Kasan opened his mouth and nothing came out. He still thought Shoru was an ass. But if he hadnt kidnapped Max. So let me outta this damn cell already! There was a snarl and a thump against the door. Kasan focused more completely on Waran, noting the nasty little spark in his eyes as he glared at Kasan, even with the spear pressing in hard enough that a drop of blood was beading up. Kasan pivoted the spear, whipping it around in his hands to hit Waran in the head not quite hard enough to kill him. The man collapsed against the wall. Kasan nodded to Mick and they opened the door to Shorus cage. He stepped back, holding the spear, as Shoru came out. Kasan couldnt quite stand to think that Shoru had actually been innocent in all of this, not completely. Not yet. Shoru came into the light of the room and Mick sucked in his breath. Someone had

beaten the ever-loving shit out of the man. One of his ears was torn, his face was a wreck, and his chest looked more spotted with bruising than patterned fur. He walked with a careful limp, and watching him, Kasan didnt think that was from a fight. Shoru looked down at Waran and kicked the unconscious man in the side before spitting on him. See how much they believe your shit now, asshole. Kasan swallowed, shaking his head. Shoru wasntShoru wasnt part of this. And Waran had betrayed them allit was too much to deal with at the moment. He needed Max. Wheres Max? Kasan couldnt keep his voice steady. Shoru looked up from Waran with another less-than-casual kick in the side. He went to find you. Kasans stomach dropped to his toes. What? He escaped. Shoru spit on Waran again and kicked him viciously in the ribs. Kasan heard one of them crack. Skinny little rail, aint he? Buthe never found us. What had happened to Max? Shoru paused and snorted. Yeah, somehow I figured that one out. Kasan grabbed Shoru by the shoulder and ignored the mans wince as he spun him around. Where did he go?! The hell should I know? Shoru jerked back, ears flattened. Its not like I got out and held his hand for it! Just figured hed have a better chance outta the cells so I told him how to escape and he made a run for it. He was supposed to try for the citadel. If he didnt make it, its not my fucking fault! Kasan stared at him a long moment, while Shorus scowl got deeper and his ears went flatter. Hedtried to help Max. Kasan still disliked the man, buthed helped Max escape from the purists. Thank you, whispered Kasan. He reached out a finger and touched Shorus lips and Shoru stumbled back, his eyes popping wide. Hey, none of that shit! I mean it! he sputtered angrily. You dont like me, and I sure as hell dont like you any more than I used to, so back the hell off. Kasan nodded and stepped back, swallowing as he realized that if Max wasnt here, he could be anywhere in the haven now. Or out of it. Theyd been so close, dammit! They-

Shoru kicked Waran one last time, ignoring Kasan now, and walked over to the cell next to his. He turned the lock. What are you doing? Could Kasan have been wrong? Who-? Nobody you know. Dont worry, go get your damn consort. Anyone can see that your dicks about to fall off, its so swollen for that ass. Kasan growled under his breath. The door opened slowly and a small body hurtled out of the cell door at Shoru. Kasan almost shouted, stepping forward with his spear up only to find himself staring at a young throwback male who had wrapped himself around Shorus waist, whimpering. The little one had a thin, black tail that curled defensively around the youths thigh. Well fuck. Hey, kid, none of that shit now. Youre outta the cage, just like I said, right? These guys wont do shit to you like the last ones. Theyre assholes, but no worse than any other asshole. The boy seemed to be trying to burrow itself into Shorus skin. Fuck. Shoru sighed heavily and glared at Kasan as he put one hand over the smaller head nuzzling his waist. Look, see, one of them is just like you, and they dont beat him up or anything. Kasan blinked as a small, dark head turned to look at him. He winced as he looked into those eyes: total and utter distrust. The little ones back was covered with bruises and striped with scars. Kasan swallowed. Whatwhat happened to him? Kasan whispered. What do you think? Same thing that was gonna happen to your consort. These purist psychos take samples from his body to do their shit genetic testing, and then they beat on him when they get in a bad mood. Fuck, what do they do to him what a fucking stupid question. He turned down to the kid. See? Hes so stupid he doesnt even know people are that shitty. You got no worries with him. Why dont you let go and hang out with one of these bastards, eh? Theyll take care of you. The young Kyashin shook his head and buried his face against Shoru again. Oh for the love of- Fine, hold on like a fuckin chicken-shit lirling for all I care. See if it makes a difference. Shoru crossed his arms and stood there, glaring Kasan as though daring him to laugh at him. Kasan had no problem swallowing a smile. The sight of what theyd done to a little wiped any mirth from the situation. And theyd been planning that for Max? He shuddered, the pain in his body indistinguishable from the hollow ache in his chest.

Kasan looked down at Warans unconscious body and barely contained himself enough not to kick him as well. Dammit, Max was all alone now, among these insane monsters. He had to find him. Do you know which way Max went? he asked hoarsely. Shoru shrugged. Made it out the main door here, Im pretty sure. Thats the only way out. I told him to try for the underground tunnel back, but if he didnt find that, then Id guess hes still in the base, or he got out into the forest. Thethe forest? But- No. Not out with the shokan ripping apart anything that came near their territory. Max would have no chance. He was so helpless, and hed been counting on Kasan to take care of him andKasans tail began to puff out against his will. A low, whimpering growl started in his throat. The shokan came out from the shadows at the end of the room where it had been watching and Shoru seemed to see it for the fist time. Holy shit! He shoved the kid off him and back into the cell before turning to face the beast. Claws came out of his fingertips. Kasan blinked. He felt numb, disconnected as he stared at the claws. Youre a throwback, he murmured. Max was out in the forest. Do you see a fucking tail? Shoru snapped, eyes on Ando-kees. Just got the claws, and what the fuck is wrong with youwhy the hell is that thing not ripping you apart? His ears quivered up and then back against his head as he tried to figure it out. He wouldnt let the youngster out of the cell. He likes Max, Kasan said quietly. His chest burned as though someone had ripped out his heart. Max. Shoru looked at him. The shokan likes your consort, and thats why hes not killing you? You realize that sounds insane? Still true. Ando-kees walked up and sat next to Kasan, staring at Shoru. The boy peeked out from behind him and Shoru shoved him back into the cell again, arms held up defensively. With a soft whuff, Ando-kees made a small head bob and backed away a few steps. When it didnt make another move, Shoru finally started to relax. The small throwback peered from underneath one of Shorus elbows, still not saying a word, and wrapped his

arms around Shorus waist again. Shoru sighed and rolled his eyes. Kasan noted his jaw tightening as he looked down and patted one of the emaciated arms holding onto him. Here, wed better get you back to the citadel and get you some damn food, kid, or youll never grow. You dont want to be as short as Kasan, now, do you? The little one looked at Kasan and slowly shook his head. Okay, then cmon. Kasan looked at Ando-kees and found the amber eye trained on his own face. You can still find Max, cant you, beast? he whispered. He had to believe that. Kasan shoved the terror for his consort down into his stomach and stared at Ando-kees. He heard Shoru moving toward the doorway behind him. We dont have the rest of the base secure, Kasan pointed out hoarsely. I can find my way back just fine. Trust me, theyre not going to get the drop on me again. Shoru kicked Waran one more time and the unconscious man groaned. You guys can set him up in the cells, right? We still got at least a couple years before the heat ends. Kasan swallowed, nodding. He didnt turn to watch them go. Staring at Ando-kees, Kasan groaned as another spike hit him hard enough to have him stumble against the wall. The adrenaline had helped him fight off the pain for a few minutes, but this spike was hitting him like a falling tree. He sank to his knees. Kasan? Davin came over and he waved them off. He managed to grit out, Heat spike. Dont worry. But to be that bad, you need to- Need to get to my consort. Davin nodded slowly. The guards spoke amongst themselves as Kasan pushed himself up off the wall. They had all the men in cells by the time he managed it. The one left bleeding by Ando-kees had a bandage already around his abdomen. It would be up to his nanites to see if he healed well enough to survive. We can come back for these ones later, Mick said. We want you to knowWell help go into the forest to find Max, if he made his way there. We wont abandon him. Kasan nodded, shaky and grateful beyond words. Ando-kees seemed to take their words as a sign and finally headed out. Kasan supposed he should be thankful it hadnt left while he was trying to pick himself up off the floor. At the end of the hallway, Ando-kees paused and turned left, the opposite direction that theyd come from. Kasan caught a wisp of Maxs terrified scent and pushed himself forward. He had to believe Max was all right.

There was no other possibility. I cant believe they would do such a thing to a child, Davin murmured behind him to another guard. Kasan didnt respond, but the same horror was in his mind, too. Mistreating littles, betraying the family hed always thought the purist group was misguided and bigoted, but hed never thought they were insane until the last few days. He stumbled and instead of a Kyashin arm steadying him, Kasan fell against Ando-kees. He automatically reached out to grab hold and touched the fur on its back. It was surprisingly soft for being so bristly. The animal looked at him, made some strange kind of sound almost like a small yip and waited to move again until Kasan had recovered himself. Kasan sucked in his breath as he looked down the nearest wall, a corner before another corridor intersected their own. A small set of footprints marred the dust by the wall, side by side. He reached down to touch them. Max had been here; he must have been looking around the corner before he moved. Just keep being careful, little one. Well find you. He rubbed his fingers over the spot and stood up with a lurch as he heard voices. Ando-kees whipped his head around to stare at him. The voices were coming from around the corner, and even Kasan could see from the small scuff in the dust that Max had gone in that direction. And there were more voices than the seven of them could fight. Theyd have to hide. They started to creep back down the hallway, listening as the words grew clearer. Dont know why theyre taking so long to bring the little mutant. They sent Zoru. Oh fuck, youre shitting me! Why would they even do that? Hes Elder Seans son. So what? The other Elders know what hes like! I know the throwbacks are abominations, but theres no reason to beat on that kid as often as he does. Gonna kill him one of these days. And they think hed be safe to take the human to the lab? Fuck. You should of told me; wed better hurry and make sure the damn things okay. Kasan stumbled back down the hall, the others half-dragging him as they dashed down a side corridor and around another curve, holding their breath until the men had passed. Kasan cursed under his breath as he and the others came back out and followed Maxs

trail again. Any minute now, theyd reach the cells, find them empty of the prisoners they were supposed to have, and word would be out. And Waran might be freefuck! But they had to find Max. They couldn't stop to fight more people than they could win out against and chance leaving Max to these bastards. And if Max was up in the forest already no, hed be fine. He was small, and quick theyd all seen that in the Greeting room. Max just had to hide until Kasan found him. And more men would be coming soon from the family, might already be here helping clear out this nest of insanity. They were so close. Another corner, and then another, and then Andro-kees paused, his head swiveling back and forth as he searched the floor. Kasan looked down and caught another of Maxs footprints, the small imprint of a toe. And then another overlaid on itfrom the same foot had he come this way more than once? Kasan looked up at the placards on the walls, seeing directions back to the citadel and for the nearest exit up into the forest. He wished he or Zonta had taught Max to read. At least he might have been able to find the passage back. As soon as they found Max, Kasan was making sure the little one wouldnt be in danger from his own ignorance ever again. They turned, following Ando-kees, and this time there was no warning. A group of men came around the corner and they ran into them so fast that one of them literally bumped into Ando-kees and his surprised yell was cut off as Ando-kees batted him against the wall. They were fighting in the thick of things in seconds, battling a group of men the same size as their own. Kasan caught a glancing cut off his forearm when he was too slow to block it, and was almost gutted before Ando-kees knocked another attacker off his feet. The others took care of the rest, but not without a few more cuts and bruises. Kasan swayed on his feet, pain ripping through him again as the adrenaline pumped through his veins, and Mick came towards him, concerned. Kasan waved him away again. The five guards looked at him and pulled back to talk on the other side of the intersection. He wasnt sure they wouldnt try to force him to go back he knew hed nearly got himself killed, hed been so clumsy during the fighting. But he wasnt damn well leaving without Max! He leaned against Ando-kees. Im not going back, he murmured. He opened his mouth to say more and choked as men burst out from the side hallway separating them. They didnt seem to see Kasan, leaping around the corner and over the other fallen purists to attack the other guards. Shit! They must have heard them fighting! Ando-kees jumped into the fray, managing to get one purist from the back before they realized he was there, but then he had to leap back to avoid being gutted by a spear. Kasan tried to join them, but another stab of pain hit him so hard he dropped to his knees

before he could take a step. He planted his palms on the floor, trying to move, and almost died yet again as a purist got by Andro-kees and stabbed down. Kasan managed to roll in time to get his spear up and the man impaled himself. Kasan shuddered as he pulled the spear free. Ando-kees backed up and let him lean on him. They faced the few men who werent after the other five guards, bodies lying limply on the ground around them. Davin shouted, not visible through the mass of bodies. Kasan, just go! Not a chance in hell, Kasan shouted back. God, there were too many of them. Mick yelled back. Go! You cant fight them! GO! Kasan looked at the mass of bodies. If he and the others had been on the same side, they could have backed into a defensible space and held it until help came, but divided, he didnt see how they could succeed. Pull back, then! He yelled, pulling back himself. They were on Maxs trail still. He and the shokan might be able to make it. He couldnt leave Max out there alone, but to leave them like this. Of course! Kasan glared at the spot he knew that tone of voice. They werent going to pull back. Theyd keep at the purists to try and force them to stay and not to follow Kasan. And nothing Kasan was going to say could stop them. Damn those stupid, self-sacrificing idiots. Kasan closed his eyes, feeling the sting in them that he blinked away. But he had to rescue Max. He was his consorts only chance. Youd better not get your sorry asses killed or Ill come back and kick them down this whole hallway! Kasan yelled back. He heard a chorus of agreements, telling him the same thing, and then he and Ando-kees backed down the hallway as fast as they could. Only a few purists followed them probably didnt want to face a shokan and couldn't understand why Kasan was right next to it, unharmed. Andro-kees and Kasan backed around a corner and took two of the purists as they tried to follow. Both fell with a scream, bleeding. Another fell at the next corner. Ando-kees claws and Kasans spear blade were red. He wiped the blade clean on his loincloth as he continued to back down the hallway, but minutes later, there was still no one following down the hallway. Whatever courage their pursuers had had left them after losing men to a shokanor they left to get reinforcements first. Cursing, Kasan stumbled on with Ando-kees, picking up the pace. He couldnt keep thoughts of just how many people he loved were in danger right now; hed go insane.

He concentrated on moving as fast as he could, instead, following Andro-kees. After a number of turns, they tracked Maxs trail until they hit a staircase heading up to an exit into the forest. They followed it up just a few steps before it ended in an old cave in. Kasan swallowed the lump in his throat, looking at the rubble. Peering into the small area, Kasan could see a few smears along old dust where Max had crawled in. And gouges where other Kyashin had tried to drag him out. Had they succeeded? Max? Are you there? Its safe now. You can come out. Kasan didnt really expect an answer. He couldnt even hear breathing, so there was no reason why he should be disappointed that Max hadnt answered, but it still hurt. Androkees prowled at the base of the rubble, grumbling and growling, and Kasan despaired over what to do next. Did someone else have Max, or had he made it out? Standing there, swaying on his feet, Kasan tried to use his numbed mind to actually think, and he felt a thread of air snaking down through the jumble of rocks. It smelled strongly of flowers and dark earth. Someone had left the door open to the forest. It had to be Max. No one else would be that ignorant. Hed made it into the forest. Kasans skin felt like ice over the heat inside his veins. Max was out there, alone. Not being tortured, but the other shokan. We have to find another way up. Andro-kees looked at him and they both climbed down the stairs. Kasan looked at the small signs in the hallway and found another exit, only a few hallways down. They made it all the way up to the doorway outside without seeing another soul. There was no guard who would even find the doorway, from the forest side? and Kasan stared out into the woods. The air was thick with the smell of the forest, so thick that Kasan could barely smell the shokan next to him. They wouldnt be able to track Max until they found the other exit, but he thought he knew where it would be. Hed tried to keep track of the turns underground so he could pinpoint it above. Kasan took a deep breath and looked over at Andro-kees. It was just the two of them. All right, shokan. Lets go get Max. Chapter 32 - Lust and Love Maxs skin was so soft. Kasan could feel it under the pads of his fingers, along his stomach, and cushioning his groin as he thrust against him.

So good, Kasan murmured. Hearing it aloud erased the fantasy and brought him back to the searing agony pulsing through his limbs with every step. He groaned. The forest swam in front of his eyes. He felt nothing but the pain wracking his body from the tips of his ears to the scruffy, twig-tangled tip of his tail. He wanted Max back. Something scratched his shoulder and he swiped at it violently, snarling. His hand jerked to a halt as it passed and he stared, blinking frantically until he could see for a few crucial seconds. Deep brown bark came into focus, the torn remnants of his loincloth tangled between his hand and the thorny branch that had assaulted him. Hed done that, taken off his loincloth and ripped it. He- He had to mark the way, that was it. It had beenhow many minutes since the last time? It couldnt be long. He was sure it hadnt been long. Leaning against the tree, he ripped another strip from his loincloth with trembling hands. He struggled to recall the words for what he was doing and failed, but his fingers remembered how to tie the specific knot he needed from countless training exercises. Straight, he mumbled. Thats right. This would tell anyone who followed to go straight ahead. The first knot had been tied outside the door leaving the Haven, with a different knot telling a rescue party which way to turn. Theyd be coming, as soon as they had the Haven secure. So they could help him get Max home, where Kasan could press the little one against the mirror and watch every expression on his face as he entered him from behind. That shocked o of Maxs mouth was he took Kasan in completely was so fucking erotic. Kasan shook his head, his hair tangling around his face until he swiped it out of the way. The irritation was enough to keep thoughts of Maxs body at bay for a few moments. He didnt need to think about what to do with Max when he found him. He had to focus on finding Max. They hadnt lost the trail yet; there was still hope. Ando-kees had found where the little one had left the Haven, the stink of fear so strong it coated the air. Max had figured out how to get his bearings and headed straight for the citadel. The little one had never even seen the outside of the citadel, and hed figured out where to go. Smart, beautiful Max. Kasan stumbled, scratched his side against another tree, and pushed away to continue walking. He had to find Max. Keep him safe. Kasan shuddered, stumbling again as a scene replayed itself in his head. Max had veered off the trail, charging through bushes and up against a tree where three tosa had followed, moving oddly fast. Their remains painted the bark with garish smears. Shokan tracks

covered the ground, half concealed by pink sludge, all that was left of the tosa. That many shokan at once, Max helpless and trapped, with nowhere to run? Max would have been torn to pieces. And Kasan hadnt been there to protect him. Kasan had dropped to his hands and knees, calling Maxs name as though it would help, digging through the gore in the desperate hope that there was somewhere concealed where Max had hid, a hole hed crawled into, anything! Kasan swayed even now, nearly vomiting as he remembered the feel of pushing aside inches-deep slime and entrails, digging into the slick earth with his claws. Ando-kees whuffed at him and he steadied, the forest around them replacing the memory. He hadnt found Maxs body there. He had to remember that. Ando-kees had figured it out. Hed latched onto Kasans arm and dragged him away, ignoring Kasans curses and clawing. Kasan had been about to bite the beast when theyd emerged into another clearing and Kasan could smell Max again. Alive. Still terrified. And surrounded by shokan, which made no sense whatsoever but he didnt care. He didnt care if they dressed Max up in lace and made him their new king, as long as they didnt hurt him. His legs had given out when he hadnt seen a drop of blood. Max had still been alive when hed been in the clearing. That was all that mattered. Kasan hadnt even been able to protest as Ando-kees cleaned the tosa remains from his skin with long, slimy strokes of its tongue. His little one was still alive. But that had beenhours ago? Kasan was in no shape to track Max anymore. The shokan were keeping to the trees. Ando-kees was the only one able to leap from branch to branch to track them, coming down and climbing back up much more rapidly than Kasan could have, even when his limbs worked as they should. Kasan had to trust that the animal still had the trail. And that Max was still alive. The shokan would probably tear Kasan apart when they got there, but maybe he could buy Ando-kees enough time to get the little one out. Ando-kees would save him. Take him back to the others. Kasans vision faded to black as a wave of pain hit and he walked blindly into Ando-kees, breathing through it until he could see again. He knew the shokan wouldnt leave, even through the agony he could remember that. Hed fallen, writhing with the pain, more times than he could count, and it had stayed. Coming to his senses, hed always find Ando-kees standing next to him until he recovered enough to move again. Take im back t mfamily, Ando-kees. Kasan frowned, tried to speak again without slurring his words. He gave up and tore another strip from the loincloth for a knot. No

matter what, the others could find Max. If Kasan failed, if Ando-kees failed, his family wouldnt fail. Theyd find the little one and keep him safe. The kouloc hadnt mutated enough to infect a pure human, Kasan was sure of it. Kasan looked down and lurched to the side, stumbling against Ando-kees again as he nearly stepped into the morelenta. Damn vine. Had Max stepped on any thorns? Kasan remembered worrying over it, but his thoughts were too hazy to recall if it had actually happened or not. Kasan hated to think of those sharp points puncturing the vulnerable soles of Maxs feet. The poisoned thorns killed most animals outright. Kyashin and shokan were spared, though. Max would be too. If his poor, delicate feet had been hurt, his nanites would eliminate the morelentas toxin and the virus that went with it. It took days, though. Days and days. Hed be in pain the whole time. Needed someone to kiss it all better. Kasan could lick over the soles of his feet until Max melted. Max would squirm like he always did, cheeks turning that sexy pink color. And hed make those sounds, needy whines and desperate whimpering little grunts as he started grabbing at Kasans skin with his hands. Kasan could spread his legs so he couldn't get away and sink into hisKasan moaned, pushing aside the image only to have it replaced with another. Pulling Max onto his lap and impaling him. Bending Max over the nearest log, so high his feet couldnt even touch the ground, and holding his cheeks apart as Kasan watched his cock open up the most perfect ass in the world. Maxs lips around his cock, sucking hard. Maxs stomach, Maxs chest, Maxs cock, Maxs ass. Maxtelling him to stop touching him. Kasan lost his footing, almost falling into the small path between the roots where the vines lay in wait, and he panted against the pain in his head and the heat in his veins. The shokan stood up in the trees above when had he jumped up there? - staring down at him, eyes round and serious. Know wha thiss like, don you? Kasan muttered. Shokan had the heat, too. But they couldnt have Max. Max was his. Mine. Find your own. Max was his and no one elses. His consort. Made the best noises, especially when Kasan slid in slow, but he wanted to go fast, now. Hold Max tight, but no claws. He knew that. He had to keep his claws sheathed. But Maxs skin was so soft, Kasan wanted to taste it, one little bite while he sheathed himself. Revel in the smell of him. Get rid of Warans scent, and the forests, and the shokans. Fine a good place, safe. Needed Maxs body. Needed that hot, tight grip around Kasans cock again and again andKasan fell over a root and slammed against a tree trunk. He snarled, clawing wildly. Still growling, he keeled over, his feet blocks of molten lead. Lying on the ground, he moaned quietly, lungs heaving. Everything was so hot, fire in his veins. It interfered with his

vision, raced through his blood and poured into his cock. He wanted Max so much. He needed to find him now! Save him. Flip him over and spread that precious ass and sink in so deep that Max would never forget the feel of it. Wouldnt reject him ever again. No! A flock of birds gave a combined startled shriek and leapt from the tree overhead and Kasan grabbed at his head, yanking at his ears until the pain took away enough of the heat to clear his thoughts for a few seconds. No, you fucking bastard, be gentle! He couldnt do this! Kasan couldnt go feral now. Not now! Max was so little; Kasan could kill him if he lost himself in the heat! Kasan had a glimpse of Max, ravaged until he was broken and still. Kasan went so cold it even made the feel of his blood fade for an icy second before the heat rushed back in. He couldnt let that happen. If he couldnt keep himself in check, hed just walk off into the forest and get himself away from his consort. Max would be safe. Ando-kees would find Max and bring him home. Kasan stumbled again and grunted as something warm suddenly held him up. Blinking blearily, he stared at the shokan as it propped itself underneath his arm, keeping him from face-planting onto the forest floor. Find him. Not sure I can, but you find him, beast. The shokan made an odd growling yip and bumped him until Kasan started stumbling forward again. ~*~*~*~*~*~ Max was about ready to cry his eyes out. He didnt think it would have any more effect than anything else hed tried, but at this point, he was running out of options. And running out of time to get to Kasan. Max could feel it. He rubbed his hand over his face, shoulders bowed, and felt a tongue lick gently at the wounds on his feet. It continued until he looked up and met the dogs eyes. They were a little larger than Androcles when Max first found him: Great Dane size, still. They were also lined with an outline of black fur so precise that it made Max think of Egyptian pharaohs and their kohl rimmed eyes. And they frustrated the hell out of him. He scowled and pulled his feet away. Stupid dogs had finally grown annoyed with all his attempts to leave and assigned him a shadow: the one still trying to lick his feet. Cleopatra, hed been calling her.

Judas would have been more appropriate. Every time he found a way to escape, she gave warning and one of the huge ones would stop him. The only time she hadnt been involved was when hed completely lost it and raged at the guarding dogs, screaming and throwing stones. One of them had forcibly held him down while he struggled madly, still yelling. They hadnt let him up until hed raged himself into exhaustion, and not for a while on top of that, like they were proving a point. Max felt another lick and pulled his feet even further away. He would swear Cleopatra looked hurt. He glared. You want to lick my feet? Then get me the hell out of here! He realized he was yelling when several of the bigger dogs turned to look at him. Max pulled his knees in close to his chest and thumped his forehead against them. Dammit, he couldnt get free! And every moment he was stuck there, Kasan was dying. He could feel that Kasan needed him. Maxs ass felt empty. His entire body felt superheated. A gaping pit had opened itself in his stomach and the only thing that was going to make it go away was if Max found Kasan and they had hot, sweaty sex for the next few hours, and thenthen hed feel all right. Then he could stop thinking of Kasan walking him down the hall, refusing to touch him. So pissed that hed closed the door in Maxs face rather than stay with him. They hadnt even kissed. And now he might not ever see Kasan again and Max took a shuddering breath, looking at Cleopatra still sitting by his feet. Please. His voice was hoarse from yelling. Let me out. I need to find Kasan. She stepped in close, rubbed against his legs like a cat, and yipped softly. Thats not helping, he growled. She stood quietly, glanced behind him and back again. Max turned. There was a gap between the largest dog and the huge side roots of the tree. And the dog was facing to the side now, away from the small opening. If Max was fast enough, maybe he could-? If she didnt stop him again, that is. I suppose youre telling me that you wont say anything this time? As if she could understand him. She yipped at him softly and rubbed her head against his arm. Was that a yes? He stared at her, assessing. When she tilted her head but didnt do anything else, he carefully made it to a wobbling stand. None of the guards were paying attention, and Cleopatra simply sat there. Watching her carefully, he took a step towards the space, wincing as the sole of his foot met the ground. It still hurt to walk. Another step, and then another, and she trotted after him. But still no warning. Max was sure she could see where he was heading; that was

enough to set her off. She usually didnt even wait for him to get close before she shut him down. So maybe? Trying not to attract attention, he crept in a pained limp across the clearing. He was one step from the guard when Cleopatra ratted him out with a loud bark. A giant paw casually bopped him back into prison. I need to get to Kasan! Cleopatra yipped at him. Shut up, you stupid traitor! A few of the larger ones turned to face him and he swung on them. I am not a godamned puppy! Cant you understand that! Im a human being and I need to go and get fucked by my husband or hes going to fucking die, so get the hell out of my way! He ran at the one whod batted him back inside, ramming into it. It looked down at him as he elbowed it viciously. The huge animal snorted and nudged him back among the puppies, ignoring the punches it got in the process. Just like the last time hes attacked one. Max slumped to the ground on his knees and stared up into the air, screaming once. God fucking dammit! Let me go to Kasan! They all watched him, a ring of blank alien faces and orange eyes. Cleopatra came close and licked his shoulder. He shoved her away. She put her paws on his shoulder and knocked him to the side. He wasnt expecting it and went right over. Max growled, rolling to get to his knees, and she flopped on top of his back, knocking him sprawling onto his stomach. She was just large enough to make bucking her off a challenge. Get off! Face down on the ground, his eyes stinging as he tried to keep from crying like the useless bastard he was, he froze as she tensed on top of him, growling. He thought he was going to be bitten until he heard the same sound from the others, as well. Deep, bass rumbles that vibrated against his skin. The puppies scrambled back against hollow at the base of the tree roots, hiding. All the dogs faced to the side, the growling rising in tenor until the hairs on the back of Maxs neck were standing up. A few dogs shifted position to block his view entirely. Max tried to get up but Cleopatra growled loudly again and he stayed still. He couldnt get away if she savaged him first. But what the hell would threaten these things? And would it give him a chance to get away? Max twisted his head from where he was pinned but still couldnt move enough to see what was going on. The growling changed tempo again and slowed to a barely audible ripple in the air, just enough to have his skin crawling. The puppies stayed huddled back in the hollow and a couple of dogs leapt from higher

ground to stand right in front of them. Cleopatra got off of him. Max swallowed what was going on? And did he care? All the attention was on that one side. This was his chance! Max leapt up to run out in the opposite direction and tripped to a halt as all the dogs turned to stare at him. Cleopatra walked to him and chuffed irritably before putting herself between him and the others. Nothing moved at first, none of them made a sound, and then Max could see a smaller shape cautiously weaving between the dogs, heading his direction. He squinted, unable to make it out at first. There was a pattern on it that was blending into the dogs it had to navigate through; he couldnt quite figure out what it was until it walked out from behind the last dogs blocking his way. Bigger than Cleopatra. Furry. Limping. But so, so familiar. Androcles? It couldnt be. Androcles had been so badly hurt that he had to be dead. He couldnt be walking into the jungle just hours later as though hed hardly been touched! But Androcles continued limping forward, dark smears over his coat that Max thought might be blood. Androcles? Max whispered. He stepped towards him and Cleopatra blocked him with a small warning growl. Androcles paused and growled back. They stared at each other silently and then Androcles hung his head like hed been told bad dog. Cleopatra abandoned her position in front of Max and padded over. Max blinked as she twisted against Androcles, who looked nearly as surprised as Max felt. She made her way around Androcles body, brushing up against his sides, sniffing him over, and finally making her way to his head again where she nipped gently under the neck. Androcles shivered, then slowly ducked his head and rubbed it over her own with closed eyes, sighing. Max wasnt sure what the hell was going on, but it seemed to be calming the other dogs, too. They were going back to their original positions, hardly looking at Androcles and Cleopatra and more importantly, Max any more. Can we leave, then? Max blurted. Could he go and get Kasan now? And Aosh if Androcles was okay, maybe theyd found Aosh in time, too! Max could thank him, but more importantly, he could find Kasan! Androcles would be able to get him back home; he just knew it. Androcles had found Max way out here in the middle of the damned jungle, hadnt he? He had to know the way back to Kasan! As long as the damn dogs would finally freaking let him go! Carefully, Max took a few steps closer to Androcles. Androcles met him halfway; Max

felt tears coming to his eyes as he saw the dried, bloody smear still in evidence where Androcles had been stabbed. He closed his eyes to keep them at bay and grabbed the dog around the neck didnt even have to lean over anymore to do that and held on. God, I thought you were dead! Max gulped, trying to keep it together. If he freaking started crying now, he didnt think hed stop, and he still had to get to Kasan! Androcles yipped when Max let go, then licked him in the face. I know. I love you too, you big dumb dogasaur. Max swallowed and looked into Androcles eyes. Ive gotta get back to Kasan, okay? Find Kasan. Can you find him, boy? I need Kasan. Ka-san. Androcles licked him once more and turned back the way hed come. His back legs didnt look right, moving with a halting gait that wasnt quite right. Max followed, putting his hand on Androcles side, watching the other dogs nervously. The other animals stepped casually to the side to let them through. Maxs heart was in his throat as they moved between two of the largest ones. He looked down, trying to collect himself and still keep moving. His foot stepped right next to one of their paws, claw tipped and enormous, a few spots on the fur separating as it flexed its toes and dug them into the dirt. Max swallowed nervously, then squeaked in surprise as the paw came up and batted him in the ass, sending him stumbling forward. He glared at it and realized it was the one hed attacked the most when hed been trying to escape. It opened its mouth and did that panting laugh that Androcles had done in the past. Asshole, he growled. Androcles looked back at him but continued through until they were finally, finally outside of the dogs den. They made it a few more steps without interference, and a few more, until they slowly walked around an enormous tree trunk that Max knew would hide them from view. He bit his lip but couldnt contain himself. Were out! Androcles yipped at him. There was another yip right behind them and Max jumped, whirling around. Cleopatra stood a few inches behind them. You are not taking me back! She tilted her head, walked up close, licked him once, and then ignored him to rub over Androcles again. With a flip of her tail, she snorted and walked ahead of them both. Wait, what you are not coming with us! Androcles bumped him with his shoulder to move him forward and Max stumbled,

cursing. His whole body ached, but he wasnt having that stupid traitor come with them! She kept me from leaving. Androcles! There is no way shes coming! Cleopatra continued walking, looking back once and shaking her head. Androcles bumped him again. Dammit! Max wanted to protest some more. There was no way he wanted that other dog coming too, but he needed to get to Kasan right away. He didnt have time to protest if Androcles was going to lose his mind over somefemale dog. Ah shit. No. No, Androcles! Bad dog! You will not let her come just because shes a girl and youre a boy, got it? Androcles was limping rather quickly now and Max limped after him, bitching the entire time. The dogs back legs fumbled awkwardly, and Max bit his lip, shutting up. Cleopatra slowed until she was on the other side of Androcles. They waited until Max caught up, holding onto Androcles fur, and all three of them moved along the roots of the trees into the forest. The longer they walked, the more the anger that had kept him from panicking faded. Fear took its place. Something was really, really wrong. Max was so empty he felt like he could float away. He burned all over. It made the pain in his feet almost unnoticeable. His head was spacey and hollow, more like a balloon then a part of himself. And he had to trust that Androcles knew where he was going, because Max had no clue. But Androcles had to be heading the right way, didnt he? Why else would he come to find Max? Where else would he take him but Kasan? He lost track of time as they walked. The burning in his limbs grew along with the pain in Maxs feet. Cleopatra moved to his other side and Max leaned against her. He really didnt feel well. He was scared for Kasan, and he felt so completely out of it, and he needed Kasan. He wanted him so badly. He wanted Kasan to grab him and pull him up on his lap like hed done in front of the mirrors andand fuck him. Max remembered the orgasm that one had given him and groaned, sweating. Androcles barked, snapping Max out of a daze. Max swayed on his feet as Androcles walked away from him, slipping by two trees, rubbing his face over the bark. He barking harshly at Max as he paused. With Cleopatras help, Max made it through, maneuvering between the two large trunks and into a small, shadowed thicket, coated with a soft brown moss that felt cool and soothing against Maxs feet. He took a few steps, trying to find Androcles in the few seconds before his eyes adjusted to the shadows, and just saw the body on the ground in time to dodge it. But not without falling onto his ass with an inglorious thud. Shit! Max scrambled up, ready to bolt when he heard it moan. K-Kasan?

Kasan lay on the ground, nude and covered with sweat. He had an erection the size the Eiffel Tower, glistening, dripping fluids onto his stomach. Kasan! Kasan didnt respond. His eyes were closed. His face twisted into a pained grimace. Kasan! Max dropped to his knees. He reached out to touch him and stopped short of his skin. What if he hurt him? Kasan, please, Im here now. Still nothing. Wake up, Kasan! Kasan groaned quietly, turning his head toward Maxs voice. He let out a cry, his body writhing. His erection bobbed as he arched up and then slammed back into the moss, almost like hed had a seizure. Max stared at him, terrified. Why was he out here like this? There should be someone with him if Kasan was sick! Because Max didnt know what to do and someone else had to know. Why wouldnt he wake up? He had to be all right now! Max had made it! He had to! Kasan, you cant die. Im here! Im here now, we canwe can have sex, right? Im here. Not even a groan this time. Kasan twisted his head, but nothing else. Kasan, please, Im here now Androcles and Cleopatra padded carefully out of the thicket but Max barely registered it. Kasan? Please, you cant die now. Im here now. We can have sex. He reached out to touch his shoulder. Screw if it hurt him, as long as it made him wake up so he could tell Max what he needed! As soon as Maxs hand touched skin, Kasans eyes snapped opened, his breathing ragged and harsh. Oh thank God! He wasn't dead! Max made it on time! Unfocused eyes swung his direction, the brown so vivid it almost glowed gold. Kasan bared his fangs, growling deep in his throat. K-Kasan? One enormous arm swung out and caught him around the waist. Max eeped in fright as he was flipped in the air and shoved onto his back, moss cushioning the blow. He stared up at Kasan, shocked. Kasan, whats going on? What are you- Kasan didnt speak, crouched over him, blindly staring down. Max swallowed nervously as Kasan lowered his head to Maxs neck and inhaled.

At the first feel of Kasans breath against his skin, Max couldnt help himself. He arched back, giving Kasan access to his throat, and arousal rammed into him the second Kasans lips met his skin, sucking hard enough to bruise. God, Kasan Kasan moaned, mouthing Maxs throat frantically, sucking and licking up to Maxs face before latching onto his lips. Max could feel the weight of Kasans erection against his thigh, slippery and even hotter than the tongue that rampaged through his mouth. Max gasped for air as Kasan pulled back. Holy crap, Kasan. I dont- Arms wrapped around him. Kasan shifted him down until Maxs face was against Kasans chest. It smelled of forest and sweat, salty with a bitter tang. Then without another word Kasan grabbed Maxs thighs, pushed them up, splayed wide, and started to enter him. Max sucked in his breath at the sudden intrusion, shocked. His ass opened up like it was made of butter. He barely had time to draw another breath before Kasan thrust in all at once, still moaning harshly. The empty place inside Max disappeared in an instant, a relief so immediate and all consuming it was actually painful. Max choked for breath, whimpering with need and want and please, god, more as Kasan pulled out. Kasan thrust in again immediately, one smooth invasion that shoved sensation through Maxs prostate. Kasaaan! Max wailed as Kasan did it again, no pause to let Max adjust, just a hard, steady pounding that would have pushed him along the ground if Kasan hadnt been holding his legs so tightly. His entire body rocked as Kasan thrust in. Kasan bent so his face buried itself in Maxs hair. Max choked as Kasans cock went in deep. Too much sensation! The moss against his back, the heat slamming against his prostate mercilessly, the musky smell from Kasans body and Kasan, growling above his head in time with his thrusts. Max cried out as he was entered again, the blunt head pushing into his body until Kasans hips slammed against his ass. God, so big. What he needed, no more emptiness and cold and fear. Just Kasan curled around his body, his hips pinioning harder and harder. And Max still wanted more he needed more! His own cock was begging for release, hard as a rock where it rubbed against Kasans stomach. His hands clutched at the moss too cold! and back at Kasans arms, slipping until he ended up clutching at his own thighs, clawing at them to pull them wider and take Kasan in even deeper. Oh God Oh GOD! Kasan screamed like some kind of wounded panther as he came. Max screamed along with him, the orgasm wrenched out of him, shooting so hard some of his own semen landed on his cheek.

Panting, Max stared up through the v of his own legs into Kasans face. Kasan reached down and ran his fingers over Maxs cheek, licking them clean. Maxs belly tightened instantly. He couldnt believe theyd justKasan hadnt even waited to let Max hug him before theydIt was less than five minutes! Holy crap. Max squirmed, trying to shift, still bent nearly in half and feeling extremely vulnerable with his legs in the air and his backside still opened and full of Kasan. Kasan tightened his grip. His eyes narrowed. Kasan, I n-need to move, Max said, squirming again. Kasan growled, a threatening rumble in his chest and throat. Max could see the skin around his adams apple vibrating with it. Max went very still, staring into his face. Kasan? His eyes were still blank. They didnt glow as brightly but they were strangely fierce, and a little scary. And something about them was making Maxs cock start to sit up and take notice and he had no clue why! Kasan slowly pulled out. Max could feel himself clamping down as Kasan retreated, twitching. He frowned. Why wasnt Kasan staying inside of Max? He always stayed. Max hadkind of gotten used to cuddling afterward, still full, connected to Kasan. It felt wrong to be so empty so soon after sex. The sex had been so short theyd hardly had any time to be connected! Max stared up at Kasan who had propped himself up on his hands and knees on top of Max, still unspeaking. This wasnt fair! Max had finally saved Kasan and theyd had sex, but it was all wrong! He was feeling empty all over again, just like he had before. It wasnt supposed to be like this. It was supposed to make things better, not leave him wanting. Woah! Max clutched at Kasan as he was picked up, feet dangling and held against Kasans chest. He swallowed nervously, aroused again by Kasans body against his own. Kasan, what are you doing? Kasan clutched him tighter, scooping up his legs, and took a few steps toward the edge of the thicket. Max couldnt see where they were going, but Kasans lack of response was making him very worried. Why wasnt he better yet? This wasnt like him!

Max gasped as Kasan nuzzled his neck, nipping gently at it once. Then the world spun and Max was face down over a fallen tree. Moss coated the trunk even more thickly than on the ground, but it was still shockingly cold against his stomach after the heat of Kasan. Not funny, Kasan! Max pushed with his hands to push himself off the stupid thing but Kasans hand on his back stopped him. Kasan, this is cold! Max kicked helplessly for a second, unable to touch the ground. His pulse kicked up with a vengeance when Kasan growled again and pressed against him from behind. Oh, he said softly. He wasnt going to be left feeling so empty. Max swallowed, looking over his shoulder, and held very still as Kasan stopped holding him down. Broad hands palmed the cheeks of his ass and separated them. Max moaned, spreading his legs, and moaned again as Kasan entered him, going slower this time. Max could feel his own muscles giving way, letting Kasan in, every thick inch caressing him from the inside. Max expected Kasan to start pounding into him again once he hit bottom, but it never happened. Kasan kept his hands on Maxs backside, keeping him open and exposed as he pulled back slowly until he even the head of his cock was out completely. Max bit at his fists as Kasan pushed back in just as carefully, opening him up all over again. So freaking slow! And somehow, having his bottom open like it was, it was different. He felt more, right where Kasans cock pushed in, like the nerves there couldnt deal with the open air and the heat of Kasan at the same time without overloading. Max looked back again, about to beg Kasan to go faster, and saw Kasans face. He wasnt looking at Maxs face at all; he was watching himself sink into Maxs body with such concentration that Max flushed hotly. His own dick hit full mast instantly and he jerked, trying to thrust against the moss. Kasan tightened his grip over Maxs ass, holding him steady, and continued the slow, torturous thrusting. Kasan, please! Kasans cock slipped free again, the soft velvet tip resting against Maxs entrance a moment before pushing its way back in. Max keened, trying to move his hips back to get it in faster, or to push his own cock against the rock, but Kasan wouldnt let go. Kasan! I need to move! Kasan growled. I dont care if youre growling, I still need to move! Come on, Kasan! Please! Kasan didnt move his hands, didnt let him move, but he bent over and clamped his teeth at the nape of Maxs neck. How could he even bend that way? Kasan, don t you d-dare bite meshit! Kasan thrust in once, hard, and Max saw stars. Without letting go of Maxs ass or his neck, Kasan sped up, slamming in hard now. Max wanted so desperately to move he could taste it, but Kasan kept him still. Max could do nothing but take each thrust as it came, breathing out in screaming gasps, his whole body tightening at the pleasure rampaging through him.

He came before Kasan, screaming again. The rocking of his body against Kasan as his husband continued thrusting should have been awful. It was violent, his teeth were bruising the skin at the back of Maxs neck, the sound of his hips slapping against Maxs ass were loud and coarse. And some barbaric part of Max wanted that. He wanted proof that Kasan was alive and okay and that he wanted Max just as badly as Max wanted him. Max felt Kasan dig his teeth in, almost breaking the skin, snarling as he finally came, quivering. Max had never felt so complete and safe and desired in his whole damn life. With Kasan embedded in his ass, Max leaned his face on his arms and cursed as he felt tears come to his eyes again. He sniffed them back, then yelped as Kasan pulled out of him immediately and turned him around. Max ended up back on the mossy ground again with Kasan wiping at his eyes, looking worried. Oh jeez, dont look. Max tried to turn his head away but Kasan grabbed his chin and held him still, leaning down to lick gently at his lips once and pulling back, tilting his head. Kasans ears flickered back and forth and he kissed Max again, gently. Still kissing softly, Kasan spread Maxs legs and entered him again. He was still erect, and Maxs body welcomed him in easily, slick and hot. This time, however, Kasan leaned up and watched Max. Max flushed as Kasan stared down at him. What? He was embarrassed as hell that hed rather be filled up with Kasan right now than anything else, even after two bouts in a row. What did that say about him? Kasan made a kind of whining growl and kissed him again before moving his head and watching Max. His hips didnt move. What? What do you want? Kasan moved out an inch and back in and stopped, still watching. Are youyou want to know if I want to do it again? Youre asking now? Kasan tilted his head the other direction and did the small withdrawal and thrust, never moving his eyes from Max. Max flushed even more as he realized he wasnt getting any unless he said something. Kasan might not be all there, but every time they had sex, he seemed to regain a little more of himself. How many times was it going to take before he was all the way back? Maxs cock rose and Kasan stared down at it, slowly smiling. Like you didnt know you

can get me hot, Max muttered, squirming a bit. Why did Kasan have to be so freaking sweet, even when he was being a sex maniac? It was so- so him. Kasan leaned down and began kissing Max again, harder this time, finally moving his hips. Max reached up and hugged him tightly as the heat began to thrum through his body again. He spoke between kisses. Stupid cat. Dont you ever freaking do this again, got it? No dying- His breath caught in his throat as the thrusting sped up suddenly. Kasan moved his face over to Maxs ears, nibbling on them. - from lack of sex. Max didnt even want to think about how close it had been, Kasan lying there on the ground, not even reacting until Max touched him. Max could have lost him! If Androcles hadnt found him, Kasan would have died out here, all alone, in pain, when all he was doing was trying to find MaxNot allowed to get more than three feet from me, Max choked, clutching him tighter, feeling everywhere Kasan touched like it might be the last time he ever did. He couldnt lose him like that. Never fucking again. God I love you. Max choked as he heard what he said, eyes widening. He didntHe couldntKasan thrust again and Max closed his eyes, just feeling. Touching his skin all over, wanting to brand every hard plane of Kasans body with his fingers while he still could. It didnt matter what stupid weird shit his head was thinking right now. Max just wanted Kasan to fuck him until he couldnt even move. Then he could deal with everything else. Kasan grabbed his head and kissed him again, sucking at his tongue. Max reached up to bury his hands in Kasans long, black hair, and kissed him back until everything else went away. Chapter 33 - When the Cat's Away, the Guards Will Play Leaning against the corridor wall inside the Haven, Rui held Micks arm as Davin calmly bandaged it up. His ears flickered, cataloguing every sound for potential threat, but he made sure to watch Davins hands and nothing else. The limp foot visible out of the corner of his eye was bad enough; he might dishonor himself and run if he looked at the dead body that went along with it. Ever since the fight had ended, he felt disconnected from his own skin. His stomach was hot with the need to vomit. He sweat as though it were mid-summer. It didnt matter that all these men were purists. They were dead. What about their mates and consorts, now?

And their families! Ruis hands shook on Micks arm and he concentrated until they steadied. Before today, hed never seen a dead body, and now hed seen people killed. Hed killed. Rui shuddered. When his troop had come in, hed had no idea it would be this bad. Hed been excited about getting to do something, and checking out the ass of that shy new guard, Zerard, while they milled about in the storage room. Zerard had left ahead of them with Zontas troop, so Rui had been able to watch his backside all the way down the long tunnel into the Haven. And then everything had gone to hell. Thered been bodies on the floor, uncared for. Blood had been so thick it made the floor slick in places. And almost none of the boxes were still operational to call back to the Citadel. No one had any idea what was going on, or where Kasan and his men were, and the best they could do was leave trail sign in the dust along the edges of the floor and hope it survived. None of them had thought to bring something to mark the walls with. It hadnt been exciting any more. Rui had thought that was the worst thing hed ever seen, dead Kyashin splayed across the floor. But then theyd come across Micks team, on the verge of being overwhelmed by purists, and it had been nothing but terrifying movement and noise. His lieutenant Emal ordering them forward, bodies and skin blocking Ruis vision, and suddenly, hed been face to face with his first purist. Hed almost died right then. The other man had tried to gut him. Dodging with a wild yell, Rui had fallen back, but it was like all his training had drained out his ears. He should have died. If a blood-spattered Mick hadnt stepped in to help, Rui would have been spitted without even getting his spear up on time. By the time hed cleared the shock from his system, another purist had charged him. Ruis feet tangled with each other rather than steadied. Snarling, hed brought up his spear, knowing it was too late; the other mans blade was already too close. But someone had bumped into the man from the side, knocking his aim off. The other spear had cracked against the wall behind Rui, and the charging purist had impaled himself. Rui couldnt forget the feel of it, his arms slammed against his stomach as the spear jerked, feeling the blade go in. And another mans face right in front of his own, shocked, going slack already as Rui pulled back frantically. Rui had been staring at the dying man, still impaled, when Mick screamed as a short sword sliced open his arm. Davin charged by Rui with a vicious snarl to ram his spear so hard into the other Purist that it went clear through his stomach and out his back. Davin had kicked the man off, slicing him open further, and then defended his consort like a

maddened beast when anyone else tried to get near. Hed only let Rui help when Mick finally managed to get to his feet and hugged Davin around the chest with his good arm until he calmed down. And the purists body, the purist Rui killed, was still there on the floor, within touching distance. Staring at them with blind eyes. Why would they do this? They could have surrendered when Ruis troop showed up. No one had to die like that. Davin finished tying the knot on the crude wrappings and kissed Micks forehead. Some people need someone to blame when the world is fucked up. He ran a finger over the blade of his spear, smearing the blood there. Crap mates, boring jobs, no money its always someone elses fault. Never an accident, and sure as hell never their fault. Davin looked down at one of the bodies and spit on the floor next to the dead man. Rui flinched. Davins pupils were slits when he raised his head. People like thatthey lose every fucking speck of morality. They do anything and everything that keeps their damned delusions alive. Kidnapping. Murder. Betraying the family. He spit again. Fucking shit-for-brains, puss-ridden- Mick pulled himself up by his own spear, leaning on it for balance as he stroked Davins cheek. Rui looked aside uncomfortably as he heard the murmur that was probably meant to be private. Shhh, love. Shhhh. Its done now. You didnt have a choice. They would have killed us both. Shhhh. Davin leaned against his consort, jaw tight. His hands trembled over his spear and Rui wondered for the first time if Davin was as shocked by all this as Rui was. He stood there quietly next to the older couple. They were trying to kill us- Rui whispered, still unable to comprehend it. He jumped when Mick reached out and stroked his ear once, too. I know. Its senseless. But we lived. Mick tried to smile. As much as I wish none of you young ones had to be a part of this, Im very glad you showed up when you did. Rui swallowed, nodding. Davin pulled away from Micks embrace and raised his voice. We need to go. He paused, staring at the dead bodies no one had moved away yet. His ears calmed as Mick gave a covert brush of fingers against his hand. Kasans gone on ahead with the shokan but he cant have gone far. Its only been a few tics. Lieutenant Emal nodded curtly. He gave instructions to three of his own men. Two of the guards with Davin were too badly hurt to walk; theyd need help back to the Citadel. Everyone else silently gathered their gear and followed Davin and Mick down the hall past the small pile of bodies. Rui ended up just behind Emal and tried not to tremble when they turned a corner and dodged another pair of bodies. He averted his eyes at the

next one, breathing deeply as inconspicuously as he could. The next hallway split in three different directions and Davin stopped. Shit. His ears flattened. He examined the ground for any signs left in the dust. Emal crept up close, keeping his voice low. What do you think? Should we split up or take these one at a time? Davin gestured to the three areas. Ive no fucking idea. The Haven is crawling with purists. Emal snorted. I noticed. but Kasans close to the end. If we slow down to search every corridor one at a time, Id lay odds that he wont last long enough for us to find anything but a cooling corpse. Fuck, really? He looked out of it when we were searching the Citadel, but I didnt think hed fail that soon. Davin lowered his voice. Throwbacks go down quicker, Ive heard. Neither of them spoke, staring down the corridors. Micks fingers brushed against Davins again. Rui wished he were at the back of the group, unable to hear just how likely they were to fail. He liked Prince Kasan. Kasan was grumpy, but he was always nice with the littles, and since hed found his consort, hed been mellow. Even friendly. Kasan shouldnt die like this, wasting away in agony from the heat raging out of control. Davin tamped his spear on the floor and looked to Emal. We have more coming in to clean this damn place out, right? Dozens. Its a fucking warren, but as soon as they get all the search parties in from town, well have enough in here to take care of the rest of the fanatics. Then we should split up. We have the best chance at getting to Kasan. The others can take care of the purists. Standard signals if hes found, right side of the corridor floors still? The dust is even thicker on the edges around here; should work. Or we can always use a box. Emal nodded grimly and glanced at a broken piece of metal hanging from the corner If theres a box that actually still works in this relic. Of course. The lieutenant started splitting them up with minimal fuss. Rui ended up in Micks group

of nine, Davin taking the lead. Rui was feeling comfortable that at least they had enough to defend themselves when they turned another corner and were faced with three corridors yet again. Davin hesitated a moment and then picked two of the more experienced guards to lead. They split into threes. Rui went with Mick and Davin again. He ground his teeth at every intersection as they stopped to listen for the slightest sound, peering slowly around the corner before they padded out into the open. Rui started at his own footsteps, jumping and cursing at himself whenever his foot shuffled against the floor. He had to push the image of the dying purist out of his head or hed break down in a trembling heap. Hed never felt so terrified in his entire life. Part of him wished he was young again, when all he had to do to stay safe was hide in a corner and mewl for help until his mother came. Davin growled under his breath at yet another turn with multiple openings. They couldnt split up any further or theyd have no chance against any purists. Davin prowled the openings to the other corridor, examining the clear floor fruitlessly. Rui clutched at his spear and stayed out of the way. Nervously keeping an eye out behind them, he noticed a bright spot on the floor, only as big as a drop of water. If he hadnt been at just the right angle, he would have missed it. Rui skittered over and crouched down, looking back at the intersection where Davin and Mick were now staring at him. He could see a small trail of dried droplets with a different luster than the stone, barely discernable in the dim light. They went straight! Mick raised an eyebrow. Rui gestured them over and they all crouched down while he pointed it out. See the spots with the brighter shine? Right there, leading straight ahead. Its saliva. Shokan drool sometimes when theyre hunting and the saliva makes a sheen just like that on the rocks when it dries. Now Davin raised an eyebrow. Youre familiar with shokan? Rui flushed, shrugging uncomfortably. I grew up on the fringes. Mick and Davin glanced at each other and each took a step to the side, opening up the way for Rui. Were both city-bred. If you can tracktake the lead. Kasan needs all the help he can get. Which is how Rui ended up staring into the open forest with two more experienced men at his back, clutching his spear so hard he was surprised it didnt crack. Few went into the forest near dark, and no one without a death wish went out there soon after the shokan

whelped. Hed been taught that since he was just a little on his mothers knee. Stepping out into the forest right now was like slitting your own throat. But Kasan was out there, with a shokan that everyone swore hadnt attacked any of them. They could just see his trail sign in the fading daylight, pointing the way. Mick climbed up the steps to the outer door, panting. I marked it down in the hallway. Theyll know where to come looking for us, as soon as another patrol comes this way. Hopefully well have Kasan and his little one by then. Rui swallowed. How could Davin and Mick both be so calm? He rolled his spear in his hands and stared out at the forest again. Davin patted his shoulder. Come on, little tracker, fall apart later. We need you here now. Ears up, eyes forward, senses on. You can do this. Kasan needs us, and we need you to get us to Kasan. Rui swallowed again and took a step out into the forest, praying for all he was worth. At least Kasans signs were clear. And Rui could see the stumbling prints of his consort periodically as well. He was thinking they might have a chance when the tracks grew blurred and frantic, leading away from the citadel and through a slick patch of neon gore The tracks from the little one disappeared after that. Rui could see a point where theyd slid over the damp earth, scrabbling for purchase before the human lost his footing. But hed never fallen; a shokans print was in the way, and its next step was deeper, as though holding an extra weight. Rui hadnt realized they ever took a kill unbutchered back to their den. He had the urge to vomit all over again. There was no hope, now. The human would have been dead within minutes, once the shokan sunk their claws in. And even worse, Kasans cloth trail signs stopped soon after. Rui informed Mick and Davin in a subdued voice, tears pricking his eyes, before hunting around and picking up the trail by foot prints alone. It was significantly slower now, hampered by the dim light and the lack of clear signs, but Rui wasnt going to give up. Not now. They could at least find Kasan so he wouldnt die alone, with only an animal for company. None of them spoke after that. There seemed no point. Rui couldnt stop thinking about Kasan and his consort, though. So horrible. Kasan would be eaten alive by the kouloc as it raged out of control, and his consort.

The poor little thing. Shokan poison was supposed to be an extremely painful way to die, no matter how quick it was. Rui was circling a darkened patch of hard packed dirt listlessly, looking for another sign, when he heard the high-pitched voice of Kasans human. Kasaaaaan! You cant do that! Tails do not go there! You- How did you- Holy crap! They stopped walking, balancing on a large root. Three sets of ears swiveled to the left in the same moment, followed by sharp jerks of their heads. Hes alive? Davins voice cracked and he cleared his throat. A wide smile crept across his consorts face and they gripped each others hands tight. Are you rimming me with your TAIL? Oh. My. GOD! The humans tone was recognizable to anyone whod guarded Kasans door in the last few days. His voice seemed to grow more piercing the closer he was to climaxing. Hes alive! Davin kept beaming, staring at Rui and Mick with dazed eyes. Mick leaned against Davin, favoring his wounded arm but smiling broadly just the same. Rui gaped stupidly, his brain running in circles. How can he be alive? And having sex! The shokan should have killed him! How can he be- Kasan! A deep groan followed that they all recognized as Kasan. Rui shut up. Whatever the explanation, it didnt matter right now. Rui hadnt failed them; theyd found Kasan and his human, and they both still lived. He closed his eyes in a brief prayer of thanks, his lips finally relaxing into an amazed grin. They were alive! Kasan groaned again and Rui swallowed, staring around them nervously. They were alive for now. They still needed to make it out of the forest, at night, without running into any more shokan or their cubs. Rui would have sworn it was impossible, but if Kasan and his consort had found each other, miraculously escaping from an entire pack completely unscathed, surely all of them could find their way out of the forest intact? Kasan only needed toCrap! Kasan, wait. Wait, wait, wait. Nnnnnnng, fuuuuck yes -finish what he was doing first. Rui flushed, looking back to Mick and Davin. He wanted to sprint toward the sound and get the couple out of here as fast as possible, but moving slowly in the forest was too ingrained. You never knew where a predator might be hiding and only a wet-furred kitling attracted its attention by running.

With smiles twitching across their faces every time Kasans consort squeaked or moaned, they crept toward the sounds, scanning above and below. Rui was happy they could hear the little one, he truly was, but if they could, so could the local wildlife. And whatever strange happenings were going on with that shokan helping Kasan, they couldnt count on wild shokan acting the same. They crept between trees, made a number of turns around some brush too tangled to push through, and finally found a dark hollow under the canopy of two enormous trees, with enough brush to completely enclose it. Kasans low groan echoed out, confirming the spot. A tosa munched on leafy debris to the side. The silky pink skin glistened when a stray beam from the setting sun hit it as it glided along the ground, burbling quietly to itself in low tones. Mick tilted his head, ears questioning as Rui heaved a huge, relieved sigh. Rui nodded at the animal. Shokan never allow tosa too near the dens. It would be torn apart like those last ones we found. And if a tosa smelled one of the beasts, especially one of the cubs, it would posture and charge. Davins ear twitched once. He kept his voice low. So youre saying that were not next to the den and theres no shokan nearby for the moment. Well, its not fool proof, but a tosas sense of smell is pretty keen. Theyre not just for weed control, you know. All of us on the fringes kept a few around. Best early warning system that the shokan are expanding their territory. The trundling, unassuming little blob continued eating, ignoring them completely. It crossed the entrance into the shadowed thicket, where they could now hear two males panting in a rhythm that could only mean one thing. And then it stopped. The protective spikes emerged and it swiveled toward the entrance. Shokan! Rui crouched low automatically. What the- Mick fumbled his grip over his spear. Davin shoved him back and took up a protective stance at his side, back to back. Where is it? Davin hissed. I cant see anything! Rui heard his voice going up and choked before it got worse. Where was it? Could it be in the thicket with the prince and his consort? But theyd already be dead, then! They all jumped backward as the human let out a high-pitched God YES! at the same moment two shokan leapt down from the trees and promptly flipped and disemboweled

the tosa in a gory spray of pink slime. Ruis mouth dried up. His ears flattened and he crouched lower, shaking. Davin and Mick were next to him, as ready to defend as he was, but he couldnt take his eyes off the shokan. The animals werent full grown, although one was obviously already on his last growth spurt. The larger animal watched them carefully, clearly sniffing the air. Rui waited for the inevitable charge and blinked stupidly when it abruptly yawned, sat on its haunches, and cleaned itself as though it wasnt concerned in the least with three grown Kyashin and their spears. The smaller shokan growled. It looked female the dark marks surrounding the eyes were very noticeable in this one. When she took a step forward, still growling, the male stepped in front of her with a look until she ducked her head. He went back to cleaning with long slurps of his tongue. Sometimes I would give a hell of a lot for a citadel that let us use laser pistols, Mick said, swallowing heavily. Shhht! They waited for the attack, hands slick with sweat on their spears, and all three nearly dropped their weapons when the male finally stopped cleaning and moved. He stood up to his full height, stretching and yawning wide. His fangs were enormous. With a bored twist of his spine, he backed off, shuffling the female behind him as he stepped to the side and out of the way of the entrance to where they could hear Kasan and his consort still engaged. Rui had never seen shokan act like this. They didnt sit quietly; they ripped you apart! After another minute, with the sounds from Kasan growing louder, the shokan huffed and sat down on its haunches again. It shook out its head, pawed at the ground closest to the opening and looked back at them. They didnt move. Rui didnt think he could move even if he wanted to. Not if it meant getting closer to those teeth and claws. Another huff. It waved its head toward the entrance then stared at them hard, snorting. Its notits not gesturing at us, is it? Davin whispered. Another huff. Maybe it's the one who was with Kasan? Mick returned.

But theres two now! Mick tilted his head. Could it have found another? It does seem to be injured. Look at the back leg. Wait, yes! I would swear thats the remains of a stud in his leg. See the glint in the fur there? I think it might be thatwhat did Kasan call it?Ando-kees? They all jumped back with wide eyes as the shokan nodded its head. Ruis hands shook. Did it- Trick of the light, Davin said in a shaky voice. Rui nodded his head. But what if it really- The shokan huffed irritably again and backed away from the entrance another step. They looked at each other, swallowing. Davin shrugged. Weve got to go get the prince, right? If its letting us He shrugged again. Lets get in quick before it changes its mind. We can defend better from inside, if we have to. With light steps, they crept closer to the entrance, not daring to take their eyes from the two shokan for a moment. When they reached the entrance, the male let out a small, soft bark and they all jumped, fumbling for their spears. It sat back on its haunches, mouth open, tongue lolling, looking for all the world like it had done it deliberately to spook them. Rui would swear he saw it wink that them. Im losing my mind. They went into the shadows, Mick backing in last, keeping his eyes fixed on the shokan. He settled in quickly, guarding their backs. As soon as Ruis eyes adjusted to the nearly black shadows under the tree cover, he gulped. His pulse jumped. His hands began sweating even more heavily. No matter the stories that city-bred always told, Rui had never been exposed to a couple that couldnt find privacy in a proper way. Even with the knowledge of two shokan just outside the thicket, it was riveting. Kasan was on his back, knees bent and exposing the heavy weight of his balls as he thrust up into his consort. The humans pale skin was an erotic contrast to the darker flesh tones of Kasans hands where they gripped his hips and pulled him down. Rui could see the pale skin in between the vs of Kasans fingers, the little ones bottom swelling through the gaps in the tight grip. Hips thrust back, whimpering and pleading, the little man on top let out deep moan at another thrust. His back arched in a smooth curve, sweat glistening faintly in the dim

light like small pearls. Rui had a perfect angle to see Kasans cock disappear into the smaller body, except for the fact that Kasans tail was involved as well. As soon as hed imbedded himself, it curled up and looked as though it was tickling the sensitive, stretched flesh around Kasans cock. Kasan! Oh God, come on! You cant just- uhhhh Rui swallowed heavily and heard Davin do the same, watching the tail push at the entrance to Maxs body as though it would enter as well. The muscles gave, but the tail didnt have the proper strength to actually force its way in. The little one didnt seem to care, considering he was rolling his hips into the sensation and babbling. A deep breath, an adjustment to his loincloth, and then Davin elbowed Rui in the stomach. Check the area, he whispered hoarsely. Rui one nodded with a jerk, shivering when Kasan suddenly pulled the little one up and then back down to impale him again. Y-yeah. Ill make sure and- Damn but thats hot. His voice trailed off and he swallowed again, but finally looked away. Rui took the left side, Davin the right. They looked up as high as their vision could manage, up into the treetops, and all the hidden areas within the thicket. No threats. No shokan. But Kasan and his consort still werent done. And Rui was trapped, watching. He couldnt drag his eyes away, now. The musky scent of sex and male sweat was thick in the air. And Kasan kept thrusting, and thrusting, and thrusting. Ruis blood flashed suddenly with heat and he growled low in his throat, shaking as a sharp pain slashed through his groin and up his spine. Rui? Davin touched his arm and Rui yanked it away. Davin cursed when Rui met his eyes. Then he slapped Rui in the back of the head. Stop looking! he hissed. Rui shook his head. It felt fuzzy. Butwhat about- Davin cursed again. Shit. I should have known this could set you off! Rui stared at him and found his eyes drifting back to Max and Kasan until Davin smacked him again. Stop looking! Youre only making it worse! Rui stared pointedly into the shadows above the couples head. Worse?

Davin rolled his eyes. Welcome to adulthood, Rui. Your heat just started, courtesy of Kasan and his consort. The fight today probably didnt help. Or rather, did. Rui automatically shook his head, struggling to keep his eyes averted. He focused on a brown, dying leaf on the nearest bush. Im not due yet. Not for months. Sometimes it comes early, you know that. Especially with the kind of violence and sex you were exposed to today. Shit. He sighed. Rui caught him peeking at Kasan one last time before Davin met his eyes again. As soon as we get back, you get in touch with an Elder these kind of heats can go fast. You need to pick someone out today. Rui swallowed, shaken. But Hed wanted to get to know that new guard, Zerard, the one with the cute fold to his ears and the cuter ass. How was he supposed to find someone in a day? Its happening, Mick said gently from behind them. His ears were angled back toward them, but his eyes stayed focused outside on the forest. Kasan and Max moaned in the background and Ruis stomach rolled with molten heat. Im sorry its given you so little time, but you know we cant fight it. Accept it and find someone. Its not forever, yes? Rui nodded, closing his eyes, trying to ignore the sounds of Kasan and Max and completely unable to. Mick and Davin were quiet for a while and then Davin chuckled, glancing back at his consort. You should have bet with me in the pool, love, he whispered. Mick gasped on a half-giggle. Seriously? You saw? And he-? Penetration doesnt look possible. I told you it wasnt. Tail-play, on the other handoh yeah. Im cleaning up on this one. We can have that weekend upcountry that you keep wanting. Mick chuckled. Rui suddenly remembered the ongoing bet regarding Kasans sexual habits and he flushed. You werent allowed to enter the pool until youd fought in your first Battle, and that only after you mated. Which would mean this year for him, he supposed. Rui started to smile, too, but the moaning grew in pitch and speed and he squirmed instead, closing his eyes again. The slap of flesh meeting flesh in a vigorous fashion echoed in the little thicket and this time, their groans were echoes by Rui. God, they always went on for so long! And I thought guarding the outside of their bedroom was hard. Sweat began to trickle down his back despite the cooling air as the sun dipped below the horizon. At least theyll be done soon, Mick said.

Davin snorted. We wish. Buttheyre almost done. I can hear them. The panting paused with a half-roar and a high-pitched wuff from the human. Their breathing was heavy, although barely more than the guards. See. Now we can- Davin interrupted. Kasan almost never stops after one time. At least, not with women. Maybe with his consort hes different. The panting behind them slowed, ending with low murmuring from Kasans consort. Rui couldnt help but hope Mick was right, but he shook his head anyway. I had my shift this week when he had a heat spike. He doesnt stop at one with his consort. Or two, sometimes. He couldnt stop flushing. His groin had a stimulating heated buzz that was making it hard to think. Davin patted his shoulder carefully. Sorry, Rui. Maybe hell stop at two then, Mick whispered hopefully. They cant always- The human moaned again. He started to mutter Kasans name, ending with a surprised squeak of breath. Rui glanced behind him, his eyes widened, and he whipped back around. Davin snorted again. Yeah, I wouldnt count on that. With as close as Kasan was to missing the heat spike, this mighttake a while. Then how long? Micks grip shifted over his spear, still staring out into the forest. We need to get out of the forest. Its nearly dark. Itll take as long as it takes, you know that, love. Davin sighed as Kasan growled behind them and his consort squeaked again, then started to babble. Well need to take shifts keeping guard. It mightbe a while. Rui, try and ignore it. Take the post guarding the entrance first. Maybe looking out for the shokan canrefocus your attention. Rui nodded, shaky as his body did its best to ignore Kasan and his consort. Ill stay alert, he said hoarsely. I know you will. Davin turned his head and tapped Ruis lip softly. You found them, after all. Youll make it through this too. And Rui found the strength, somewhere, to stare into the darkness outside the thicket rather than what was going on inside it. Kasan!

Mostly. Chapter 34 - Truth and Consequences Kasan? Kasans ear flicked the voice away so he could sleep. Angry brambles were nipping at his skin, burning it with a hot sting that he knew would translate into a lot more pain once he fully woke. He wasnt going to give it a chance. Hed let go, just sink back into his dreams. Kasan! A small bundle of heat against his stomach startled. Growling audibly, Kasan curled around it and clung tightly, pulling it close. His thighs and back screamed at him for the small movement and he growled again. This kind of pain he knew. Hed had sex. A lot of sex. Or a really intense training session. Maybe both. He didnt care; Kasan didnt want to get up. Kasan, wed let you recover longer but theres a storm coming in. We need to move. Kasan? Can you hear me? Kasans partner twisted softly against his skin and he purred at her to keep still. The sex had to have been amazing if he felt this exhausted; he didnt want her to leave before he knew where to find her again. Kasan, get up. Kasan tried to snarl and it came out as a hoarse whisper. Hed had more voice left after hed finished an entire day of yelling orders at full volume. Its Leeros turn for morning shift today, he muttered. Go wake up him up. I'm sleeping in. Kasan didnt know which one of them was scheduled, but Leero could damn well take the shift. The man owed him a few mornings. Shit, he doesnt even know whats going on. Must think were still in the citadel, the voice murmured. Another voice grumbled back, low and indistinct. Yeah, thatd work. Hes going to give me hell over it later, though. There was a pause, just long enough that Kasan almost managed to get back to sleep. Kasan! Max is hurt! Max! Kasan sat up with a jerk, eyes searching wildly. His skull exploded with pain, blurring his vision, and every muscle howled in protest. The weight on his lap let out high-pitched yell, wriggling wildly.

Eeek, stop! Youre still inside me! Max, oh thank God, Max. He was right here. Oh my GOD, there are people here! Kasan, no! Stop hugging me and let me up! Do you hear me? Kasan, get out of me and Kasan closed his eyes, holding Max tightly, letting the familiar babble flow over him and soothe the pain. How could he have forgotten, even for a second? Not a woman, not ever again. And Max was here, not injured, and Kasan was going to kick someones ass as soon as he was done holding Max. Later, when he got tired of feeling the beautiful, petite body against his own. Which would likely be never, because because hed thought hed never feel it again. Kasan tensed, the tsunami of memory drowning him. His grip shifted against Maxs skin so that he could pick him up and run if he had to. Where the hell were they? And when had he found Max? Squinting, Kasan made out the small bower they were in, surrounded by trees too big to be anything but wild. Still in the forest somewhere. He let out a shaky breath as he recognized Rui and Mick facing away from him, with Davin closer at hand, watching carefully, ears alert but unafraid. No purists around, then. He didnt have to get his little one to safety. His little one. Max. Hed found Max and he wasKasan looked down and straight into a pair of frantic blue eyes. Slim thighs splayed wide over Kasans hips and he could smell the bitter musk of Maxs seed coating his own stomach. Delicate fingers shoved at Kasans chest and finally a fist doubled up and punched him ineffectively in the ribs. And Maxs lips didnt stop moving the entire time, releasing a stream of what seemed like frustrated curses. Max. Kasans voice cracked. Youre really here. God, Max- Kasan hugged him close, ignoring Maxs renewed sputtering, and breathed in deep until no other scent but Max existed. He curled over him, mouthing the firm curve of his sweet little ear. Kasans head pounded in time to his own heartbeat, his skin burning unpleasantly, and his muscles ached with a sharp, dragging pull as he held himself there. He didnt damn well care. As far as Kasan was concerned, hed never felt better in his life.

The last thing he remembered was a spike so bad it had brought him to his knees. Hed crawled for a few tics before collapsing across a bundle of roots that dug into his stomach. The shokan had bumped at him, a strange whine in its throat, and then there was pain and darkness and nothing else, until Max. Had he found Max? Orhad Max found him? Did it even matter? Max squirmed again, slapping out with his hands at Kasans chest. Shhh, little one. Kasan ran a shaky hand over Maxs head, still holding him close. Soon. Just give me a moment. He had come so close to losing him. Kasan, I'm truly sorry, but you need to pay attention to more than your consort. We have to move, now, before the storm hits. Max yelped at a much higher pitch and pushed even more frantically at Kasan. Kasan watched Davin ostentatiously not staring directly at them. He tried to remember when Davin and the others had come but got nothing of use. Darkness. Unrelenting, burning pain. The need to thrust. But Kasan had been deep into the forest when he collapsed. And Max had been taken by shokan, hadnt he? How did you find us? Did we How did we get away from the shokan? Davin frowned, still avoiding direct eye contact. Well, at least youre tracking better, he murmured. You can thank Rui for hunting you down, Kasan, but as for the shokan and Max, your guess is as good as mine. Now, though, we need to start thinking about the weather. The weather? Kasan looked at the sky in confusion and then Max wriggled again. Something tightened over Kasans cock. A rush of heat hit Kasan like lightening skimming over his skin and he shuddered. His hips bobbed once, making Max squeak adorably. Kasan lost interest in the clouds above them, nuzzling Maxs hair, stroking down his spine. He couldnt stop moving his hips again; he wanted to hear Max moaning and see his lips opened obscenely, cheeks flushed, pupils completely blown. God, Max was so beautiful. Kasan wanted to make himKasan? Kasan, can you hear me? Dammit, we dont have time for this again. There was a hand on Kasans arm, shaking him. Back off! Kasan snarled, pulling Max in close. His hands shifted, away from Maxs skin. He couldnt hurt Max if his claws had to come out. If anyone touched Max, he was

going to rake their skin until they had nothing left but sinew and bone. Shit. Someone sighed. Wait, it was Davin. Davin sighed. Kasan shook his head, shoving down the heat, trying to concentrate. Davin snorted. You know what, you cant get your mind off your consort, then lets do it that way. Max is in danger, Kasan. Did you hear me before? Theres a storm coming in; sounds like a bad one. We need to find shelter or get back to the Haven before it hits, so your consort can be safe. You want that, dont you? To keep him safe? Kasan nodded slowly, driving away the need to sink into his consort. Max was in danger; they couldn't do this now. Had to wait, clear his head. Move. Max needed him. You with me again? Davin asked. Kasan nodded, lips tight. Davin grunted in response. Good. Can you stand, or do you need help? Im good, he said roughly, testing his muscles. Every single one wailed in distress, but nothing felt unduly injured. The erotic quality of Maxs wild squirming, and the heat it produced, was harder to ignore than the pain. Now that he was trying to focus on something other than his consort, however, Kasan could hear the rush of the leaves over head and the dull roar from the trees somewhere further away, growing closer as the wind headed their direction. The night was dimmer than it should be; clouds had to be obscuring the moons already. The temperature would be dropping soon. Do you know how to get back to the Haven? Kasan asked. He knew he should get up and put Max on his feet already, but he couldnt quite bring himself to let go yet. His arms acted like they were operating with instructions of their own and refused to stop petting the little one and keeping him close. Although Max seemed very determined to get away now that they were awake. Something niggled at him, a spark of a thought, but it lasted only long enough for him to notice its existence before collapsing. The Haven? Havent a damn clue, Kasan. Rui might have a shot, but we were hoping that shokan of yours might be able to help. Kasan looked around the bower again and didnt see the big animal. Ando-kees? Where is he? Is he still here? Believe so. Mick called out, He is. Outside, still guarding.

Davins ears flickered. Has another one with him, too, and they both nearly make me piss myself. Oh, and Ruis gone into heat, just to make today even more special. Freaking let me go, Kasan! For the love of god, there are people here and youre still inside me, you stupid sex-fiend! Let! Go! Maxs volume startled them both. Kasan stopped stroking and realized rather suddenly why Max might be having trouble. Kasan was still partially erect and completely embedded in him. That might explain why every wriggle was giving Kasan the urge to thrust. No wonder the heat was so hard to ignore right now. Sorry, little one. I hadnt realized. Here. Calm down now, let me just there we go. Kasan eased the Max off, slipping out of his body with a painful sense of loss. The urge to bury his cock back inside Maxs warmth was unsettling in its intensity. Max shoved at him as soon as he was free, stumbling to his feet. His legs wobbled, but he stayed upright. Kasan drank him in. Pale dirt-streaked skin, long limbs, hair sticking out every which way, and that tiny little backside that he flashed at Kasan as he whirled around, as though he were trying to hide it from Davin. He had his hands in front of his groin again. If Kasan wasnt mistaken, Max was blushing furiously, too. He wouldnt look at Davin at all, staring at the trees, the ground, anywhere but the man watching them. Kasan grinned. Even something as mundane as the nervous clenching of Maxs backside was damned wonderful. He beamed wider when he heard Max still muttering to himself. It made Kasan want to grab him close, spread the cheeks of that adorable ass, slide in deep, andDavin cleared his throat and startled Max. The little one literally jumped, yelping sharply when he landed. He winced, limping a few steps as he regained his balance. Kasans smile evaporated. Max, whats wrong? He looked over his body and didnt see anything immediately obvious. He glanced at Davin, who shrugged, shaking his head. More of the fog surrounding Kasans head dissipated. Max had been missing for hours, and however Kasan had found him, it had still taken time. Kasan didnt know what had happened while hed been missing, or what Waran might have done to him. Kasan had been inside of Max and he couldnt even say whether the little one was injured or not! Disgusted with himself, Kasan looked Max again with different eyes. Dirt had streaked down his legs. His back was so coated it looked a different color, but there were no healing cuts or scrapes over his back or bottom, so nothing the nanites hadnt been able to heal in the hours since hed been taken. Which didnt mean the little one hadnt

been hurt, but Kasanwould have to deal with that later. Max, turn around. Max twisted his head to look back. What? No understand? Kasan twirled his finger Turn around, Gisho, please. His voice was hoarse again. Max bit his lip. He checked as though making sure Davin was still looking half-away and turned to face Kasan. He winced again, swearing, shifting on his feet like it hurt to walk. There was nothing left to see on Maxs front, either. Grime smeared over his belly and chest, but no bruising, no cuts or scrapes. Kasan couldnt tell if bones had been broken, but more serious injuries would have been dealt with first. If there were no marks on his skin, the bones should be healed by now, too. So why? Max took another careful step back and winced again noticeably. He blinked in the faded light and then flushed when he glanced at Kasans cock. Kasan could hear him start to mutter uncomfortably again. Kasan stiffened. Kasan hadnt woken up with Max. Kasan had woken up inside of Max. He swallowed. He couldnt rememberno, wait. Kasan looked rapidly around the hollow again, cataloging with new eyes. Ripped moss on the broken trunk of a tree, in the pattern small, clawing fingers would make. Swaths of soft leaves and dirt that had been shoved aside to expose the darker earth underneath. There, and another over there, and another just past Davin. No. No! He didnt remember this! He couldnt remember this! Except, he did. The darkness in his mind grew less opaque, shadows instead of solid black. He remembered holding someone small in his arms in an unyielding grip. He remembered his claws emerging along with the urge to bite and take. Thrusting into tight heat as hard as he could, over and over. One time blurring into the next in an unending fire of need. Kasan choked, finding it hard to breathe. He felt sick. Please, no. Not with Max. He was supposed to find Max and save him. Notthis. Kasan looked down at himself, shaking, seeing drying fluids on his own cock and finding evidence of more dried on his stomach and down his thighs, the scent of Maxs release still strong under the smell of churned up earth and crushed herbs.

When hed found Max, Kasan must haveKasan? What wrong? Max took a step forward and flinched. Kasan whined low in his throat. He hadnt meant to- He would never hurt Max! His soul shriveling, Kasan saw the remains of his seed over Maxs body, as well. And Max was injured. There was nothing on his skin. Whatever the purists might have done, it had healed already. Which meant Kasan was the one who had caused this pain. Even if he might have made Max release, hed hurt him. And with nothing visible? It must be inside. Kasan had taken the little one so hard that the nanites still hadnt repaired it. All his plans of protecting Max and hed been the one to hurt him this badly. Everything inside Kasan crumpled into hot agony, and what made it even worse was that he could feel the urge to take Max again already welling up from that low, dark place in his mind. How could Kasan fix something this heinous? Davins voice said something in the background but Kasan couldnt hear it. The pale face of his consort was just visible. He was alive, Kasan reminded himself, trying to keep from despairing entirely. The purists hadnt broken him beyond repair. Kasan wanted to hug him close, promise Max that no one would ever hurt him again, not even Kasan, but how could Max even stand to be touched after what Kasan had done? Max must have been so frightened. There was no way he could have fought off Kasan, no one to help him. Kasan snarled at Davin. Why didnt you stop me?! Davins ears flattened. He stared fully at Kasan for the first time. Stop you? From taking Max! What? Why? You werent hurting the little one or you know we would have held you down and let him finish on top. And however dangerous it was to stay here, you needed to finish until you at least came back from going feral. You know that. Davin shifted his hand over his spear nervously. Are you all right? Kasan shook his head, holding back another whimper. Davin didnt even understand! How much worse that must have been, Max trying to get away and help arrived and they hadnt interfered. Max couldnt ask them for aid; he might even have thought they were Purists. And Kasan barely had to flex his muscles to keep Max pinned. He hadnt even bruised him. Kasan had probably looked like any other Kyashin during sex, not violent and out of control like most ferals did.

They didnt know he was always careful not to hurt Max, not to thrust too hard. They didnt know that normal sex could injure someone as delicate as Max. They didnt know what Max sounded like when he came, the difference between that high-pitched little cry and a cry of actual pain. They didnt know Kasan must have torn Max up inside so badly that the nanites hadnt healed it yet. He was still in pain! And Kasan had promised he wouldnt hurt Max. The little one had trusted him. Kasan rocked, his ears flat against his head, drowning in the blue of Maxs eyes. No matter how bitterly he resented it, his erection rose between his thighs, half-firm and growing harder. Theyd have to have sex again soon. Multiple times, in all likelihood, to make up for the damage the Kouloc might have caused. Kasan couldnt be sure Max hadnt caught it. When hed thought that hed die before finding Max, hed hoped God, hed hoped that Max was free from the Kouloc. But they couldnt be sure. It had been designed to be hard to detect in the early stages, so it could spread more rapidly. Even if Kasan walked away right now and just let himself be consumed by the first animal he came across, no one would know if Max was safe until well after Kasan was dead, and then it would be too late. He couldn't allow that, not when he had a choice to ensure that Max would live. But Kasan couldnt even give the little one more than a few hours grace before they would have tobefore Kasan would have to use him, as though Max were a tool rather than his consort. Oh God. God, Im so sorry, Max, he whispered brokenly. Max tilted his head, uncertain. Why didnt he look more frightened? Davin cleared his throat again. Kasan? Are you back with us, still? Kasan shivered. He had to know. How many times? he rasped. Huh? How many times did I take him? His words were barely over a whisper. Ah, that. Four, when we were here. But youd already started before we found you. He cant even walk without pain, Kasan said. Davin turned to look and saw the same thing, another step as Max tried to shield his privates with his hand, another wince as the movement caused him pain. I cant believe I did this to my own consort. Davin looked between them, eyebrows furrowed as though he couldnt see what Kasan had done! Its all right, Kasan. Hes not badly injured. And trust me, when you took

him, he was definitely- Kasan shook him off. I hurt him, dammit. ThatsGod, Davin, look at him! I could have killed him! You didnt. Davins voice was soothing. Kasan ignored him. Davin didnt understand. Max is so fucking fragile and I just took him andI cant believe hes not running away from me screaming right now. Kasan realized his voice was getting louder as Max looked at him with wide eyes, glancing between him and Davin worriedly. His words dried in his mouth. He could barely force them out. I cant even tell him Im sorry in a way hell understand. Kasans voice broke and Max limped over to him. Kasan sat on the ground, unable to stop staring at the pale, concerned gaze of his consort. Max glared once at Davin and put his hands on one of Kasans biceps. Kasangood? Kasan choked. Max, shit, how can you even ask me that, after what I did? Max frowned, focusing on his face. Kasan didnt know what he saw there, but he leaned forward and hugged him. I dont know what that asshole said to make you upset, but its okay. Youre not going to die, now. Its okay, I can help. Kasan tried to pull back but Max hung on, shifting until he was standing in front of Kasan, one foot on either side of his legs, bending over to hug Kasan around his neck and rubbing his cheek against Kasans. Kasan could barely breathe. Max was touching him, voluntarily, and after what hed done. He couldnt understand. Max should be acting like he had after their first time together, huddling underneath that ridiculous pile of pillows, shaking and terrified. But he didnt even smell frightened. How could Max act like this? Davin cleared his throat. Kasan, we really do need to go. Max stiffened, flushing. Oh crap, Im freaking mooning him. He tried to stand and turn at the same time but his feet tripped over Kasans legs as he moved. He eeped as he lost his balance and fell into Kasans lap. Kasan wrapped his arms around him automatically and released him just as quickly. Max wouldnt wantMax latched onto one arm and wrapped it back around, pulling it between his legs. Right there, Kasan. At least hide my cock from everybody, okay? Davin gave them a small smile. He doesnt seem to be too traumatized to me, he said softly. Youre a good mate, Kasan. You arent the first to get a little rough when the timing is close, but you dont seem to have harmed the little one to the point he even

cares. Shaking his head, Kasan carefully put Max on his feet and stood himself. Davin didnt understand. Kasan had promised Max that the little one would be safe with him, and hed broken that promise. Whether Max was frightened right now or not, whether it would hit him later after they were out of danger, even whether he forgave Kasan or not was beside the point. Max shouldnt have to forgive him. Kasan shouldnt have done something to be forgiven for, not after hed upset Max so badly before the little one was kidnapped. Kasan was a callous bastard. One who was going to have to have sex again with Max, if his body was anything to go by, no matter what either of them wanted. The fact that he wanted Max so badly that his fingers curled with the need to hold him, even while he was disgusted with his own actions, made it even worse. Kasan good? Max asked hesitantly, looking up at him. Im fine. He placed his hand gently on Maxs shoulder and couldnt believe the bright smile he got in return. He thought of picking him up, hands hooked under the little ones thighs, and looking into Maxs smiling face as he took him against the nearest tree. WeWe need to get going, he choked. Had they done that already? Kasan shook his head, trying to erase the vivid image that might just possibly be a memory as well. Wheres Ando-kees again? Just outside. Kasan nodded and turned to Max, uncertain. If the little one was too badly hurt, he wouldnt be able to walk. Kasan wouldnt have thought hed want Kasans touch either, but Max wasnt acting at all as Kasan would have expected. Knowing that Kasan trusted Davin, and Rui, and Mick - that they werent Purists - shouldnt he be gravitating toward them? Theyd protect him, if Kasan lost control again. Max, do you want me to hold you? But maybe Max didnt know that? Maybe he thought no one would help him. Oror someone else? Davin can. If youre scared, or need help, Davin can protect you. Max looked at him blankly. IfIf Kasan isuhangry, Davin will help Max. Kasan pointed at the man. Davin, here, can help. Understand? Max raised one eyebrow, his face screwing up oddly as he looked between Kasan and Davin. Kasan help Max, he said, voice firm and asking a question at the same time. Davin snorted. Yes, he seems terribly traumatized and afraid. Shut up, Davin, you dont understand!

Davin sighed. I know it was close, Kasan, buttrust us? We wont let your little one get hurt if you go feral before we get home. Kasan ground his teeth. You did before! Hes more delicate than you know, Davin! Any sex at all, if Im not in control, can hurt him without my even trying! Davin stared at him a long moment. If you go feral again before we arrive home, well hold you down. Even if you look like youre being gentle, if you cant talk to us in a way so that we know youre still tracking, well hold you down for the little one to climb on top. Will that do? Kasan nodded jerkily. It would have to. He turned his attention back to Max, who was staring up at him fretfully, obviously more worried about Kasan than about how Kasan had treated him. How had Kasan ended up with a consort this damn sweet? Kasan gentled his voice. Up, Max? Do you want me to pick you up? Max smiled, his body relaxing. He held his arms up like a demanding child. God, yes! Pick me up. Kasan couldnt quite believe hed understood right. He slowly put his arms around Max, giving him enough time to step back if he wasnt uncomfortable. Max moved into Kasans embrace instead, leaning against his chest as Kasan picked him up. Shit but my feet are killing me like you wouldnt believe. Max looked up at Kasan and pointed a finger at him. Your forest sucks, Kasan. I am coming back in here with a freaking flame thrower and Im going to fry all those stupid thorny vines into oblivion. There was a long pause as Max continued to stare up at him. He reached up, nearly touching Kasans face before he withdrew his hands and clutched at himself instead. He moved his face into Kasans chest and lowered his voice. Im so glad youre okay Kasan. I couldnt have- If youd died, I couldnt have- Kasan felt something wet against his chest and realized Max was crying, hiding his face as he did it. Kasan could feel his own eyes sting and he looked out at the trees until he could control himself. He didnt understand. Max wasnt afraid; Kasan would smell it if he was, and besides, Max didnt hide what he felt. If he was scared, he looked frightened. And he didnt. He was letting Kasan hold him, clinging to him and weeping. Was he more upset about his kidnapping, or what Kasan haddone to him? God, Kasan just damn well wished he could make it all better. Kasan didnt know how long he would have stood, frozen, if Davin hadnt spoke. Kasan, the storm. We need to go. Kasan cocked his ears briefly and walked toward the opening between the trees. Now wasnt the time to wallow in his own misery. When Max was safe and everyone whod

hurt him had been beaten unconscious, then Kasan could try and think about this again. He could figure out how to atone for this. But he had to protect Max, first. Mick and Rui nodded to him, leading the way out of the thicket, with Davin taking the rear. Kasan swallowed, stepping carefully behind Mick. Hed never fully understood what going feral involved. Intellectually, yes. There were always stories of couples separated by illness or misfortune when the heat spiked. If they survived, what happened when they came together was the stuff of campfire tales. And none of the Kyashin in the stories were as delicate as Max. Kasan truly could have killed him when he was feral. A sharp bark came from the right as they walked out of the thicket. Kasan spun away from the sound, clutching Max to him in a protective crouch. Max peeked over Kasans shoulder. Kasan figured out what the sound was just as Max blurted out, Androcles? There was another bark and a small series of yips as the large animal walked closer, ignoring all of them except for Max. Androcles! Max squirmed and Kasan turned to let him down carefully so his body wasnt jarred any more than necessary. He reached for him again with an abortive shout when Max stumbled forward and fell against the shokan. It didnt even bare a fang at him. And Max wasnt showing any hesitation at all he rubbed the large animals head, hugging him around the shoulders. Max started babbling as his hands buried in the thick fur, saying some odd phrase over and over, good dog. And Ando-kees sat there and let him do it. He rubbed his head over Max for more, in fact. The beast tolerated Kasan, but Aosh had been absolutely right; it liked Max, and Max sure as hell like it. Kasan finally noticed the sounds behind him and turned. Mick, Davin, and Rui were watching the scene with open mouths. Rui seemed especially shocked. Hes petting it! A shokan! And hespetting it! And its letting him! How can he do that? Theyre friends, Kasan said quietly. Rui choked again, shaking his head. I will never, ever pet that thing. I dont care how friendly it is. There is no way. Ando-kees seemed to hear and turned their way, baring a fang at them, before he turned back to Max and rubbed over him again. Max stiffened. Oh God. Aosh! He whipped around, holding onto the scruff of Ando-kees neck with one hand. Kasan, Aoshwheres Aosh? Did hewas he okay? Did you find him?

Kasans throat closed up again. He recognized his brothers name. After all this, Max was already thinking of someone else. Kasan loved him so damned much. Aosh will be fine, little one. We found him in time. Maxs eyes looked too big for his face. Hesokay? Aosh good? Aosh is very good. Hell recover. Max nodded, but he was still tense. It was Waran, Kasan. You cant trust him, okay? Youve gotta- Kasan couldnt stop his growling. Waran wont ever hurt you again, Max. Kasan held up his hand and let his claws emerge. Oh, uh, guess you know about that already, huh? Im really sorry, Kasan. He was a friend, yeah? Max reached out, taking a wincing step toward Kasan, and suddenly there was a small, growling shokan between them both. Kasans claws came out further. This wasnt Ando-kees, and it was next to Max! He felt the others crouching, ready to spring, when Max growled back. Cut it out, Cleo! He shoved at it and Kasans heart leapt into his throat. The animal didnt attack, but bumped Max with its shoulder instead, keeping Max closer to Andokees. Max shoved at it again. Quit being such a jerk! I said cut it OUT! And Max smacked it in the head. Ruis indrawn breath was loud in the sharp silence. Ando-kees whuffed loudly, drawing the other animals gaze, and with great reluctance, she Kasan could see it was a she now, from the eyes drew back and let Max walk back to Kasan. She watched Kasan with a much colder look than Ando-kees, keeping her stare on him. Kasan waited until Max was out of striking distance and then grabbed him, retreating from the animal. Woah, Kasan, what the hell! You scared the crap out of me! Kasan couldnt stop himself; he nuzzled Maxs hair. The smell calmed him, reminding him that Max wasnt lost any longer. He needed the reassurance that Max was safe or he might go feral again before Max recovered. Sorry, Max. Kasan opened his mouth and paused as he caught Ruis stare. The young man was staring at Max as though he was the Dawn reborn. He hit it, Rui murmured. He hit it, and it didnt even snarl at him. It didnt touch him. He looked up at Kasan. Your consort can hit wild shokan. Kasan shrugged the best he could while still holding Max. He didnt understand it either. He didnt care. Kasan was simply glad they hadnt hurt Max. Ando-kees was looking at

him and Kasan didnt even pause when he started talking to him. Can you get us home, beast? I dont remember the way, and no one here is going to be able to track anything now, not until the suns up. Can you do it? It felt almost normal to talk to an animal, with what theyd been through today. Ando-kees looked them over disdainfully and turned with a small yip. The female followed him, monitoring Max over her shoulder as they moved. The pace was rather quick. Good. It was cooling off rapidly, now, and Max was starting to shiver. Walking, Kasan kept Max close to his chest and tried to keep up. Ando-kees had been almost preternaturally helpful about this. Kasan was going to have to re-examine much of what hed thought about shokan. Not that he thought hed ever be more than fond of the beast. But with Max in his arms, Kasan knew hed be grateful to it for the rest of his life. Ando-kees had a place to stay and free food for years. Ando-kees yipped again and sauntered through a set of bushes. Max snorted against Kasans chest. Max? Dont mind me, just follow the talking collie. He snorted again and Kasan realized he was amused. How he could retain his sense of humor at a time like this, when his body had been abused, was It was a miracle. Kasan hugged him tighter. Youre amazing, little one. You hang in there. Youll get through this. Max stared up at him but Kasan couldnt meet his eyes. If he thought too long about what hed done He was going to have to get Zonta, or someone, to come and be with Max during the days now, as soon as they got back. Someone who didnt frighten him, or make him remember what hed had to endure out here. Someone who could talk to him about what had happened when the Purists had Max, so Kasan would know who he had to destroy. Kasan cleared his throat, turning to Mick on his right. How did you make it through? You were outnumbered in the fight, the last I saw you. Reinforcements arrived when Rui came in with more men. Theres enough now to hold our own. Should be enough to clear out the Haven completely once they get the guards in from the city and send some of them along, too. Waran and the others wont get away. Kasan breathed a sigh of relief. Hed been worried Waran might have been let out of the cells before any of their own people could secure him. Did you hear anything about Shovak?

Nothing yet. Mick veered around a small bush. Ruis group hadnt encountered much before finding us. Communications are a bitspotty. And stop looking at Kasans bottom, Rui. Itll only make the heat go faster. Out of the corner of his eyes, Kasan could see Ruis head whip around, cheeks flushing. He adjusted his grip around Max to make sure his consorts backside was hidden. He didnt mind people seeing his own, and it was unavoidable in certain circumstances, but right now, thinking of them watching Max made his skin heat and his vision take on a red tinge. Kasan wanted to take the little one away from them all to claim him. Or lay him down on a soft patch of moss and take him no matter who was watching. Kasan panted, trying to ignore the hot, crackling pain growing in his body, and followed Ando-kees. He couldnt afford to let himself lose control. The storm, the cold he had to protect Max. He had to make sure he stayed with the others so they could protect Max from him. They hadnt walked long before it was clear that following Ando-kees was going to be a problem. The clouds were thickening above them too quickly; the light was almost completely gone. Ando-kees was steering them clear of the morelenta and their nasty thorns, but everyone had to step so carefully in the near darkness that they had slowed to a crawl. The temperature had dropped sharply again, icy now, and Max was shivering continuously in Kasans arms. Kasan was reminded of the tunics Max insisted on wearing and worried about a humans cold tolerance. Kasan was nude and uncomfortably but not dangerously cool. Maxs skin was rapidly growing icy outside of the shelter of the thicket theyd been in. What if this cold was enough to make Max really ill? Or even kill him? Kasan found himself obsessing about covering up as much of Maxs skin as he could. He wrapped himself around Max tightly, tucking up the mans legs inside the circle of his arms, and tried not to think about the still-growing, completely inappropriate urge to heat Max from the inside with his cock. Max seemed a little better, smiling weakly up at Kasan, but the shivering started again after a few minutes, despite that. Kasan swore, struggling to think of something he could do, looking for Ando-kees as though the beast might have the answers. Kasan could barely see the two shokan in front of him, now. He swore again. We have to stop. Davin was the one who answered. Is there a problem? Max is getting too cold. He doesnt seem able to take the drop in temperature. We need to stop and warm him up. Glancing behind him at the other two who still followed, Davins voice lowered. We

need shelter, Kasan. We can barely see now, and you know itll be worse in a few tics. And these shokan might be with us, but theres at least an entire pack of them that arent. I know, but Max needs shelter now. Davin looked at him a second and then started unwrapping his loincloth. He called out to Mick and Rui to do the same. As soon as they were nude, they handed the cloth over and helped Kasan wrap them around Maxs body and over his head until only the little ones face was peeking out, blinking with wide eyes and chattering teeth. They all shuddered unpleasantly at the cold, testicles drawing up protectively, but none of them were suffering like Max was. Kasan could have kicked himself. Why hadnt he thought of this? It was too dark for the others to see Max very well; it was Kasans job to protect him. This should have been the first thing he asked for when Max started shivering and instead all he could do was fight the urge to ream that perfect, pale bottom until Max lost control. Dammit, Kasan couldnt afford this! He had to think. Shelter. Thena fire. We can make a fire. Itll attract the shokan, Rui said softly. They bunched together around Kasan and Max, looking out into the blackness. They arent frightened of it. And the wood is wet this time of year. Hard to light. He sounded apologetic, as though it was his fault. Kasan nodded curtly, beating back the panicked worry for Max. He was not going to let the little one get sick now, not after all of this. We can move a little ways, now, with Max wrapped up. But if the Haven isnt close enough, Max willhe needs to stop soon. Kasan turned to keep walking the direction the shokan had gone and nearly fell over them. They both stood still, looking up at him, their eyes lambent in the last hint of light left in the gloom. Finally Ando-kees huffed and abruptly turned to the right, away from where theyd been heading. You know somewhere? Ando-kees barked back at him and Kasan didnt even hesitate. The animal cared about Max; hed be trying to help. It has to be close, beast, he said, stumbling behind the two. Max needs to get warm, now, or hes going to be in trouble. Kasan followed the sound of the animals periodic barks, loud enough to be heard over the rising wind. He lost the sight of his dark fur in the darkness constantly, readjusting his path to follow the barking. They hadnt gone far when the shokan stopped making noise. Kasan looked around and couldnt see him. He couldnt see almost anything. He only knew that Rui, Mick, and Davin were still with him from the hand on his back in brief acknowledgement, and Max from the loud chattering of his teeth. Ando-kees? Where the hell are you?

The animal yipped from his left and Kasan turned, reaching out blindly. It shuffled up next to him and bumped him gently forward until his hands felt a slick roughness. Not quite stone, but almost. He pressed and it moved in a rough slide. Kasan took another step and realized it hadnt been as dark as he thought in the forest, because suddenly it went from dark to completely black. The air became frantic eddies rather than raging bellows. Its a Haven! The men crowded behind him until they were all just inside the doorway. They needed the shelter, but they couldnt see. This couldnt be the same Haven Max had been held in. The lights werent still on, and the door had obviously been partially opened for some time. Kasan could feel dirt and plant matter under his feet as thickly as it had been outside. Kasans arms were vibrating with how hard Max was shaking now. Maybe we can find a room, with a stout door to keep the predators out while we warm up Max. He didnt walk forward. How in the hell were they supposed to warm Max up if they couldnt see? Wont be able to have a fire unless we find a room with the right ventilation, Davin noted. But if I remember right His hands left Kasans and Kasan could hear him fumbling to the left of the door, just inside. There was a series of crystalline clicks. Damn. Another bit of clattering, a few more curses, and then a soft glow filled the corridor going in. Davin peered around the doorway, grinning. Ha, got it! Havens were always built with a few spare lights at exits, just in case. Most of the others dont work, but weve got at least one. He smirked at his consort, Mick. And you thought my boyhood obsession with Havens was silly. Cute, not silly. Very, very cute. And obviously useful, Mick said with a matching smile. They were examining the hallway even as they spoke. From the look of it, there had been a false front to resemble natural stone at one time but it had been worn away over time and now a heavy, reddish brick was all that was left, very obviously not natural. The door was half off its hinges; Kasan was surprised it had moved at all. The hallway they stood in ended a few feet on, turning into stairs that led down into the deep black of the Haven. We need to get Max down there, out of the wind. Then Kasans thought was to make love to Max until he warmed him up, but he slapped it away. That wasnt going to happen. They had to- They had toHe swayed, trying to remember how they were supposed to get Max warm.

Mick came close, face calm and soothing even though his ears flickered with worry. Then well find a way to keep the little one warm. Nothing will happen to your consort, Kasan. Well make sure. Kasan nodded curtly and they trudged down the stairs, Davin holding the light and leading the rest of them after the shokan. The deeper they went, the more clear the damage was. It looked like nothing had been working here for centuries. Dirt and dead leaves coated the stairs, leaving them more like a slick, spongy slide than a staircase. Fungus grew in such profusion that they crushed some with every step. The resulting mash made their footing even worse. The smell filled Kasans nose with an earthy, moldy odor, choking him. When they reached the bottom of the stairs, with mushrooms growing from deep piles of detritus surrounding them, they all looked at Ando-kees. The animal didnt even pause, just turned down the hallway and led them to a door that was set into the wall, still closed. Davin waved Kasan back and Mick opened it while Davin held ready to protect them if anything had managed to hide inside. It was clean, an empty room with no decorations or shelves of any kind, just plain, dust coated floor and walls. But not so far from the entrance that they wouldnt be able to find their way back, if needed, even if the light died on them. Lets get him in, then. The shokan bounded inside. Davin and Mick started to close the door and paused. They exchanged a look. Leave it open? A crack. Dont know if it has locks, or how the air circulation is. Better not take a chance. We can close it later if we need to. I can stand guard, Mick said quietly. Youre wounded, you should rest, Davin corrected. The shokan ignored both of them and came over to where Kasan was already sitting down with Max. Kasan sucked in his breath at the icy wall freezing his back, but he could tolerate it. Hed have to take it. Ando-kees came up on one side, the female on the other, and Kasan grunted as the female climbed up onto his lap and flopped against Max from the other side. Ando-kees planted himself to the side where he could lean against the arm holding Maxs back. He leaned his head on top of the little one. And-d-drocl-cl-cles, Max struggled feebly inside his wrappings, blowing at the fur in his face, and Kasan carefully moved him until his face was cleared. But not too far. The animal was warm. Kasan pushed gently to keep Max tucked in between the three of them, a small ball surrounded by warmth from all side. With the animals helping, they might not even need a fire.

Rui came over and sat down next to Kasan, opposite Ando-kees. His eyes were a bit wild when Kasan looked at them, but he seemed to be taking deep breaths and focusing on Max and warmth. He leaned in from the other side, placing an arm across Maxs legs. Thank you, Kasan said softly. No need. Im happy I can help, Rui said, just as softly. He grinned sheepishly. And it warms me up, too. Mick and Davin huddled together by the door that was just barely opened. Keeping watch, neither willing to let the other rest while one was up. Kasan would have to make sure Rui and he took a shift too, so everyone had a chance to warm themselves with Max and the animals. As soon as Kasan could make himself let go. Micks soft voice broke the silence. How long do you have before youll need to be with your consort again? Kasan closed his eyes, holding onto Max and trying not to think about anything other than keeping him warm. A few hours yet, he said softly, hoping it was true. Mick nodded. Kasan could hold out that long. They would have to work on everything else later, make Max better later, make love later. Justkeep him warm, now. That was enough to focus on. Mick looked Rui over. And how are you doing, Rui? Things arentprogressing too quickly? Rui flushed vividly and ducked his head. No, he mumbled. Its- Im fine. No problem. Half-smiling, Mick leaned against Davin and they began talking quietly to each other. Rui settled in against Kasans side with small fidgets every few minutes. The shokan lay over Kasan like huge, heated rugs. And Max still shook. It seemed like far too long, but when Kasan was hot enough to be uncomfortable, Maxs shivering slowly eased. Max lay sleepily against Kasans chest. He turned his face and nuzzled Kasans chest, murmuring, and his eyes drifted shut. Thank God. A little rest, then, and they could keep going. Maybe find something in the Haven that could keep Max warm out in the forest. Feeling stupidly on the verge of tears, Kasan allowed himself one huge, relieved breath, and then he wrinkled his nose. Ando-kees had turned his head so that his snout faced Kasan. Kasans ears flattened as he realized that keeping Max warm was requiring Kasan to sit with the shokan breathing into his face when it smelled like the animal eaten feces.

Rotten, half-digested feces. Kasan tried to focus on something else. Maxs welcome weight in his arms. The fact that the little one was safe. Even the worry over controlling the prickling heat that still bit at his skin and boiled in his belly. Another breath and Kasan gagged at the smell. If he didnt need you, Id kick you out of the room, beast, he muttered. Kasan wasnt sure, but he would swear the narrowed, amber eyes and resounding huff were the shokan version of same to you, asshole. Chapter 35 - Haven or Hell Zonta had never found it difficult to focus before but he was finding it nearly impossible in the Haven. Watch your spear. Zonta tucked his spear in closer to his body with a quick twist and his ears flattened against his will. Being corrected like a kitling because he couldnt keep his mind on what his body was supposed to be doing. Shame at his own incompetence vied with rage, fear, and the constant anxiety that spiked higher with every new tunnel they found. He wanted to crush Warans throat between his teeth for what hed done to Aosh and Max, even though the very idea made him nauseous. Thered been so much blood Zonta, spear. Zonta flinched, tucking it close again. He wished desperately that the raw feeling in his throat would disappear, but he had swallowed back bile too many times today to think it was going to happen. The sour tang in his mouth wouldnt leave, and all he could smell, no matter how far into the Haven they went, was the coppery tang of Aoshs blood. He could still feel it on his hands as hed tried to clamp down on the gaping red wound on Aoshs leg, blood slipping between his palms no matter how hard hed pushed down. Zonta swallowed back the acid in his throat again with a soft, raw sound. He could have lost Aosh today. He might still lose Kasan. And little Max. Zonta could lose them all. Nothing he knew of helped. There werent enough people to search the Haven quickly, no matter how many times Zonta redid the numbers in his head. Not even with the town guard being pulled in and much of the Citadels as well. Zonta tripped and would have gone sprawling except for the hand that grabbed his arm. It was the same Kyashin whod been warning him to watch his spear, a broad and black haired man so like Kasan that looking at him physically hurt. Zonta forced himself to touch the mans lips briefly in thanks, hands shaking, and got a hand rubbed over his head in response. He bristled. He was not a child. If he were, he wouldnt be in this

hellish maze of corridors that were keeping them all from finding Max. The men silently creeping down the hallway ahead of them paused as they hit a crossed pathway. Everyone slowed until theyd glanced around the corners to ensure no one was there and then they waved everyone on. Zonta looked down the side hallway, too, they passed it, noting the subtle red streak on the wall: searched and cleared. At least they didnt have to split the group up again, then. Someone had already been through here. And thank god the others had listened about the markings. He took a steadying breath; at least that was something Zonta had managed to do right, no matter how little else. Zonta still couldnt quite believe so many had started to use the regulation signs, including Kasan. Hed actually had to point out that they couldnt keep using their standard markings if they were going up against family members who would know all the same codes. It seemed obvious to him, but it was hard to remember that most Kyashin didnt study history as much as he did. And no one had fought in an organized fashion against family for over a hundred years. None of them, including Zonta, were used to the idea of having all their secrets already known to the enemy. He catalogued the men in front and behind, remembering at the last minute to pay attention to where his spear was so it wouldnt trip up his neighbors. He couldnt stop himself when the fear grew too overwhelming. Zonta should have known that Waran was capable of this and instead hed trusted him. Hed commiserated with him over his consort! And now, he couldnt stop viewing the men around him with distrust. None of his family were here, none of the guards he was closer to. The only one he felt safer with was the young guard in the very back, Zerard. He was so newly ripened, skinny and small, that it was hard to view him as a threat. Everyone else, however, he was constantly rechecking and he hated it. He hated feeling this distrust of people around him. But nothing seemed out of place. All the men were nervous, their ears and eyes shifting constantly, but none of them paused more than the others, none of them suggested different routes than they were taking, none seemed to be watching the better fighters more than the rest of the group. They were all equally tense and on edge, but so was Zonta. They had to be with the family. So why was he still finding it nearly impossible to relax when some of the men were behind him where he couldnt see them? Zonta squeezed his eyes shut, frightened and so desperately furious it was strangling him. Hed trusted Waran. He even sent Max with Waran! How could that be the same man who had tried to butcher Aosh and taken Max?

He felt the blood again running over his hands and he tried to wipe the invisible stains off on his legs. If Zonta ever saw Waran again, he was going to make him hurt. He didnt have to rip out his throat; he could do worse. There were things he knew of from his readings, things that hadnt been done in hundreds of years. Zonta knew how to cause pain in dozens of ways that used to make him cringe. It still made him cringe. But how could he live with himself if he let Waran do this with no retaliation at all? Zonta could feel tears welling up and he blinked slowly, letting them trail down his cheeks rather than bring attention to them by wiping them away. He heard one of the men behind him whisper to one of the others, a pained, Why would they do this shit? The same agonized question echoed what was going on in his own mind. Some people are flat out crazy. You cant expect crazy bastards to act like anyone else. Zonta didnt think that satisfied the other man any more than it did himself. Hed been running his mind in circles over it to try and keep from thinking of Aosh and Max, and it didnt help. But he couldn't stop. How could so many people justify all this in their own minds? He had read the histories from start to finish; he knew that there had been periods where fanatics had gained power, or threatened what had been saved after the Saviors helped them all. But it was very different to be a part of it. It wasnt some esoteric construct when he had to see men carried back to the Citadel bleeding from vicious skirmishes with men who could have been their cousins, uncles, grandparents, siblings, even. He wished he could still achieve that emotional distance now, but it had gone up in smoke hours ago. Zonta had even started repeating some of the worst ones to himself to try and refocus his rage, but it wasnt working. The Nomad Raids. The Crimson Battalion. The Wasting, he muttered under his breath. They all turned a corner and he ignored the odd looks he was getting. He had to dosomething! And the Wasting was at least distracting. When their population was getting smaller because they hadnt realized how many children were needed to keep their numbers from declining. And then one of the nastier clans had begun experimenting on women to find a way to force multiple births. It had been sick. You dont harm women, ever. Zonta could feel his anger shifting at the thought and it was a good anger, one that wasnt so personal. Every single woman was precious; their race couldnt survive without them. Even now they had too many males born and not enough females. Every female tried to have at least four children before

their heat ended and they became infertile. Everyone knew it was needed, and everyone knew the sacrifice that the women made just to give their race a chance to survive. And no one but no one hurt a woman and survived. Just like no one harmed children. Or hurt another member of the family. Zonta clenched his fists. Why couldnt he stop thinking for just a moment? It hurt too much! He couldntA finger poked him in the back. Hurry up, Zonta, youre lagging behind. He glanced up and trotted forward until he caught up. At least the men behind him hadnt passed him; theyd merely pressed him forward. There had been whispering for a few minutes now but they all fell silent as they passed another hall. There was the red streak again, but the hallway was spattered with red stains going across the floor and up the wall. And Zonta had no way of knowing who it was from. It could be Purists. It could be Citadel guards. It could even be Kasan or father. He whined in his throat. How could people do this? This many people, all devoted to- to what? To destroying part of the population because they had a few genetic differences? To blame everything on them, simply because they were easy to pick out in a crowd? He knew they werent all family. He didnt need Kasans nose to smell the foreign scent of people not of the Kyashin, but to have so many betray them? Zonta shuddered. He took a deep breath and gripped his spear carefully, feeling compelled again to examine everyone at least once more. He watched the others and noticed how many of them seemed to be choking back vomit or tears as they went passed the bloodstained corridor. Good. If they this appalled them then they couldnt be part of it. He knew his own grip on his spear had become too tight as well and slowly relaxed it. He didnt know how to stop being so angry. If he could only find Max, at least, hed know what to do. They could contact Kasan and then they would both be safe. And Zonta could come back in here and let his rage out in a way hed never done before. But he they hadnt found anyone yet, so he had to hold it in, try to pay attention to what was around him when he was so much more used to paying attention to people that he should have known Zonta rubbing his thumb over the spears shaft, baring his fangs briefly before he brought his focus back. He had to be of help, not just another Kyashin that had to be controlled because he couldnt handle the betrayal and tried to run off to slaughter what Purists he could. There had been five cases of that already, that he was aware of. He wasnt going to fail Max and Kasan like that. He could do this. Even if he couldnt remember anything about his training in spear work except point it at

the enemy and thrust. Bringing his thoughts back could he not focus for five tics?! he crept along behind his groups commander. A few men in front of him had taken to the rear again to check on what markings they were leaving behind, leaving him close to the front of the group now. He watched nervously as the commander tilted his head to scent the air at the next crossed corridor. None of the guard could smell as well as Kasan, but if Zonta remembered right, the commander was better than average. He even had a hint of claws. The commander stopped and crouched lower. Zonta was copying the gesture as his mind tried to catch up, scanning the hallway ahead, crouching lower. The younger guards near him took longer to notice and crouched only when their more experienced counterparts yanked them down with admonishing hisses. The commander glanced up and down the corridors and sighed. Were going to have to split again, the commander said, voice pitched low. The two older guards right behind him turned like one unit and began directing everyone to one side or the other. They ended with two groups of six. Zonta didnt think theyd be able to separate safely after this, he thought, and was proven right less than ten tics later when they had another set of hallways that looked like it had three separate areas that could be checked. It was like a maze, and with so few people left they had to mark off corridors to be checked later. It drove Zonta mad; the more they had to do one at a time, the longer it took. And Max and Kasan didnt have that much time. Zonta was railing against the lack of anything even giving the faintest clue where Max had been when they found the room. Zonta regretted even thinking about wanting more evidence. The room was small with excellent lighting that had clearly been added recently. Two large, stone tables dominated the room. They looked old, like theyd been part of the original Haven but had to have been dragged from another room. There were straps on one, set up to hold a person down. They were close together for someone with smaller limbs and a slender form. Zonta couldnt look at them and turned his eyes away. He gagged as he ended up staring at the blades, shears, tongs, and other tools drying on the wall behind it. He went back to the table and only then realized that the stone itself wasnt naturally dark. It was stained, a dark, blackish red. It looked very much like old blood. Zonta couldnt control the low moan of pain. There was only one person that small in the Haven right now. What had they done to Max? Dear God, what had they done to him? So much blood

He was too small to lose that much blood all at once. Zonta stumbled forward past a stunned man in front of him and clutched at the table but he couldnt smell Max on it. It had been cleaned, the chemicals abrasive and harsh in his nose and mouth, and he wasnt as good as Kasan. He couldnt smell who had been here. How could they do something like this? He heard the hoarse whisper behind him and shivered. Zonta could feel a phantom tackiness under his fingertips as though they were covered in Aoshs blood once again. A growl grew in his throat, louder than it should be, and Zonta realized it was coming from all of them. Everyones ears were flat against their heads, pupils tight and small as they all stared at the table. Zonta felt paralyzed until one of the others cleared his throat. Theres nothing here. We should keep looking. Everyone turned as if they just needed the excuse. One by one, they slowly left the room. Zonta could see it the most in Zerard. The boy hadnt yet moved. He was shaking, not in rage but with tears streaming down his face as he stood facing the open doorway. Zerard? They hurt him. How could they hurt him like that? Zonta tried to comfort them both. Well find him. They cut him. Ive seen less blood after I cleaned a barrel of fish! It might not all be his. Some of it looksold. Zonta frowned, looking back. Some of it didlook old, now that he was letting himself look more closely. There was a slightly browner tint to the older stains, almost faded. But if it wasnt all from Max, then who? That makes it worse! Theyve done this to more than one! If its not Kasans consort it would have to be a child. How can someone do this, Prince Zonta? How? I dont know, he said softly, trying to look Zerard in the eye. He struggled to say something more meaningful. He was older; shouldnt he know what to say in a situation like this? Except there was nothing to say that would make things right again. There was nothing that made this less hideous in the light of day. Come on. The others are already moving. Zerard nodded jerkily and they both stepped out into the hallway. The others were already a ways down. Theyd halted when they realized Zonta and Zerard hadnt emerged but seeing them, they waved at them to hurry it up and started off again. Zonta could only concentrate on the space around him in fits and starts as he and Zerard

walked on. That disgusting, filthy room had twined its way through Zontas mind and was hiding behind his eyes. An entire group of people not only thought torture was acceptable, theyd dedicated a room for their abuse. How could that happen? How could this many people believe such an abhorrent action was acceptable even to contemplate, let alone perform? He ran his free hand over his face and part of him wished again that hed never forced his way into the Haven and left it to his older brothers. He wouldnt have to have this knowledge sitting like a chittering spider in the back of his mind. We should hurry; theyre getting too far ahead, Zerard said, voice quiet. Zonta glanced forward. He had to stop letting himself get so emotional that it caused him to space out like this. They both began a slow trot. The hallway was dead-ending into a turn ahead of them and the others looked like they were going to pause as soon as they reached it. Maybe they would luck out, he thought. Maybe theyd find out that the rest of the Haven had been cleared, and Max was already found. Zonta sucked in a shocked breath as the rest of the group reached the end and suddenly yelled out, ducking around the corner as though in pursuit of someone. Zonta and Zerard began to run, hearing strange voices echoing back from where the men had disappeared. And then a shadow sectioned of the wall in front of them opened up to reveal a hidden door. They scrambled to keep their feet and halt their headlong rush as three men sprinted out from it, cutting them off from the others. Zonta gaped. Uncle! Theyd found him! Uncle was staring at them in shock, breathing hard, his hair unkempt and his loincloth limp and bedraggled. The two next to him were large and much more menacing in appearance. Their oddly blunt features were so similar Zonta thought they had to be related. And theyd obviously been waiting for Zontas small group to pass by so they could escape behind them. Except Zonta and Zerard were now in their way. Zonta stared at his uncle and felt rage so bright it was blinding. The other two behind his uncle stepped to the front, partially protecting him. Zonta could barely speak. Yield. It was all he could force out of his throat before the other men were moving forward. They had the broader muscles of older men and they moved like theyd been in a guard somewhere for a long time. Zonta glanced at Zerards footing while he tried to adjust his own. Zerards training could only have started a few weeks ago; he was still using the basic stance they were taught the first month in. He shouldnt have even been included in this, except they were low enough on men theyd needed every warm body who had any training at all.

Zonta had only been with the guards a little over a year, now, himself, and he wasnt nearly good enough to win a fight against these two. Not even close; hed been skipping every few training rounds to forward his studies instead, and sweet talking the others into letting him get away with it. Backing away, Zerard doing the same, he knew he wouldnt live long enough to make up for that. Unless they ran. These men were trying to get away; they werent going to attack from the rear if they were concentrating on escaping themselves. If he and Zerard could get away and get reinforcements He scanned their faces quickly but there was nothing. Not a flicker of reserve; these men truly didnt care that they might be butchering family. He took another quick step back, whispering while trying not to move his lips. Run. Zerards ears flicked his way and he swallowed nervously, nodding. They both took a deep breath, started to turn, and the men sprinted forward the same instant. They were too close! There was no time to retreat. There was barely time to yell out for the others so they knew there were enemies behind them. Zontas mind tried to focus on what was important but he didnt know. Hed skipped too much and engaged in sparring too little. Scrambling, ears flat, he tried to disengage the spear coming at him. He managed to stop the first thrust, reading the mans body language just fast enough to catch it at the last moment, and one more time, but that was all the luck he had. His spear jerked from his hands and he dodged back frantically, taking in everything at once, looking for what to do to stop him. The mans cold face, smiling broadly enough to bare his fangs, froze him. The blade of the spear looked larger than it should, flat and steady, ready to gut Zonta in the next few moments. He could taste how it would feel, cold when it slid in, and then the hot pain that would hit after that moment of numbness, singing with the scent of his own blood. He barely dodged another dart of the spear and the edge slid along his forearm. Zonta thought it had missed for the briefest second until the burn of it flared over his entire arm. He stumbled and leapt to the side to avoid a spear to the guts but he was too close to the wall. He hit it and fell heavily to the floor, panting, struggling to roll away from the spear that had to be coming. His eyes caught Uncles first, still standing in the middle of the corridor, the mans face smaller and paler than ever. And not as firm as the mens. Zontas mind spat out facts faster than hed ever thought of anything in his life.

Uncle wasnt attacking with the others. He wasnt growling at them. He was hanging back. And while hed always disliked Kasan, hed never felt the same about Zonta. Uncle! Zonta tried to make it sound like a plea, hoping Uncle was too surprised to realize Zonta refused to say his name. He didnt think Uncle would help him, but he might pause. Zonta might have a moments grace, and if Uncle could stay these mens hands so that Zerard and Zonta lived another minute, Zonta would take it. And use it. Because he was hoping that the others had heard him and would come around the corner to ensure that Uncle didnt get away, if Zonta and Zerard could keep them here a few minutes more. Zonta jerked his head back suddenly, instinctively, and felt the air currents shimmy across his Adams apple from the blade that would have slit his throat. It wasnt going to work. The next stroke would have him. Hold! The spears froze. Zonta could hear Zerard panting in a wheeze to his left, along the same wall. He didnt know if the boy was injured; the smell of his own blood was too strong in his nostrils to tell. He couldnt quite believe Uncle had done it. It worked! If they could keep them occupied for just a while longer The two men didnt remove their eyes from Zonta and Zerard as Uncle came up behind them. He looked less pale and more gray, now that Zonta could see him better. Ill. His hand was steady when he put it on the shoulder of the man in front of Zonta, though. Not that the man seemed to care. His spear was still aimed perfectly in Zontas direction. Leave them. Theyre not important. Just two boys, barely ripe. The way is clear now. Zontas eyes widened before he could help himself and he quickly turned his head away. Unclehadnt told them who Zonta was. They could have taken him hostage, or killed him out of revenge for the destruction of this damned place, but Uncle hadnt told. Zonta loathed the man look what had happened to the family because of what he did! Why was he doing this? Zonta didnt want to feel anything for Uncle like hed used to, when Zonta was too small to see the petty little games Uncle played with Kasan as they grew older. He wanted to remember what came later, the jealousy when Kasan was named Battle leader instead of him, the sneers and taunts. And this, all of this.

A moment of compassion didnt wipe that away. One of the men spit on the floor. They were old enough to come in, werent they? Old enough to hold a spear properly. His weapon edged closer to Zonta. Because they are forced to by custom. Theyre family, and young, not old enough to be lost to our cause. They havent been corrupted fully. Leave them. The mans eyes were hard, and Zonta knew then it was not going to work. This Purist didnt care about anything but the fact that Zonta could be a threat. No. That was all the warning Zonta got before the man was thrusting and something slammed into him. He hissed, waiting for pain and hearing instead screaming and realizing that the spear hadnt hit him. There was another body lying in front of Zonta where it had leapt to get between him and the spear. It writhed, screaming. Uncle was yelling as well, cursing at the guard to stop. Zerard! Zonta scrabbled at the body, trying to feel where Zerards wound was but he was bleeding so heavily! Zonta could see the blood sprayed across the floor where the second guard had hamstrung Zerard as hed come to Zontas aid. Zerard let out another earpiercing shriek of pain as the second spear was pulled out of his gut from the front. Oh God, Zerards side, oh god. Zonta looked up into the furious eyes of the Purist, so horrified that he didnt know what came next. He couldnt figure out what to do! The man snarled at him and shoved Zerard over with his foot. He tensed to put more power into impaling Zonta as well when the family came back around the corner at a run, bloody and wild from their recent fight. Uncle and the other two didnt hesitate before turning to run the opposite way. Zonta didn't watch them go. He scrambled to his knees, crawling to Zerard. Hold on, hold on, hold on, oh God. There was so much blood. The wound was small but it must have hit something vital it was too much blood! Zontas hands shook as he yanked desperately at his own clothing, tearing it off, wadding it into a pad and putting pressure on the wound. It made Zerard scream. Im so sorry, Zerard, but I have to- why did you do that? You stupid kitling, why did you- Zerards eyes were glassy as he looked up at Zonta, panting too rapidly, like a small bird in ones hands. going to kill you, he croaked. Zonta almost didnt hear him as the others ran up.

They were going to kill both of us. You didnt have to bring it on sooner! Youre smarter. Famly needs you more. Zerard smiled with a sweetness made macabre by the blood spattered over his face, and Zonta couldnt breathe. No, what a stupidHow could he even think The family needs everyone, he whispered, but Zerard didnt look like he heard. The others crowded around, one pulling Zonta away while the other two took over trying to stabilize Zerard. Zonta pushed once to get back and was surprised by how easily he was pushed back down. Zonta, stop. Youre wounded. We need to take care of this, too. Zerard. I- He took the spear for me. I have to- I know. I saw. Gutsy for such a soft looking little guy. Hell make someone a good consort someday, I imagine. But right now, the others are more experienced at triage than you anyway, Zonta, so let them help him. Zonta wanted to argue, but he could already see them working more quickly and confidently than Zonta would have. He knew they had a better chance of helping Zerard live than he did. It galled, though. Zonta looked back down the hallway where Uncle had disappeared. Did you see? he whispered. The other guard nodded, focusing on Zontas arm and wrapping it up but blowing out his breath at the question. Yes. I saw. Well inform the others where your Uncle was last seen when we get Zerard back to the Citadel. Zonta started shivering. Uncle tried to stop them from hurting us. Hes willing to let Kasan die from the kouloc, andand what hes done to Max is. But he still tried to stop them. How could he- He wants Kasan to die, so how could he? It sunk in then, and it was nauseating that Zonta was still alive because of Uncles actions, while Kasan and Max might already beDont think that way. Well find Kasans consort. For all we know, someone else already has. And someone will catch your Uncle. The man finished tying up Zontas arm from a strip of his own loincloth and they both went over to look at the two frantically working on Zerards stomach and leg. Weve got him stabilized, barely. If it were safe, Id say bring the healers here, but

The man gestured to the blood covered hallway. It looked like theyd butchered a small herd around them. Weve got to get him back with as little jostling as possible. Carefully, they lifted him together, two of the largest carrying him between them as best they could. He was extremely pale, eyes blinking open only rarely as he stared around him and moaned in pain. And Zonta had a long time to think about someone believing so much in Zontas mind that he was willing to die to protect it. And how little Zonta had really done with that mind to deserve it. Chapter 36 Once More into the Darkness Rui, Davin, and Mick had been trying to make Kasan see reason for hours. It was too cold to go outside, theyd remind him. The storm was still raging. Max had only just stopped shivering. Kasan heard each and every argument, he even agreed with them, but after a few minutes, without fail all he could think about was taking Max away from them all to somewhere safe. A secure room in the Citadel, with the shokan guarding the doors. That would protect the little one. No one could hurt him there. Davin talked him back down every time Kasan spoke of it, but the thought seemed trapped in Kasans brain like a fly in amber. Davin forced him to walk out of the protection of the room and climb halfway up to the open door of the Haven before Kasan could finally understand what he was saying. The wind howled down the stairs. Debris slid down with it, mixed with small streams of water and adding to the centuries-worth already collected at the bottom. And the one thing that finally got through to Kasan was the icy rain that hit him in the face as he climb the stairs. It was sharp against his skin, almost sleet, and the chill was unmistakable. It still wasn't safe to take Max back out into the forest. However much Kasan wanted his consort safe, going outside wasnt the way to make it happen. Kasan shivered, head spinning. The urge to protect Max and get him alone gnawed at him, a driving compulsion that he couldnt overcome and barely wanted to admit to. Davin had tried to talk to him about it, but tales of men whod gone feral and the days of backsliding into instinctive behaviors that could follow were the last things Kasan wanted to hear. But this was obviously affecting his judgment. And he couldn't hurt Max again, so Kasan stood on the stairway and let the icy rain coat him until it dripped down his naked body. The colder he got, the more it cleared his head. He stayed until his teeth were chattering.

Once he reached the base of the stairs, Kasan headed for the lit doorway where Davin and Mick were watching, naked as well but for Micks bandage and Davins bruises. Davins ears quirked inquiringly and then he nodded. Kasans face likely said it all. Kasan walked past them silently and stopped once he entered the room. The bluish glow of the light gave the illusion of moonlight coating the room. Kasan had always felt calmer during the full moons, but it wasnt comforting any longer. He stared over at Max and felt more helpless than ever. Max was yawning to himself, still bundled up, cradled on top of Ando-kees enormous paws, curling against the beasts fur. He seemed so fucking fragile. How was Kasan going to keep him safe? He hadnt even saved him in the first place; Max was the one to find him! Kasan shuddered as a low heat spike made itself known. He didn't have much longer before he and Max would have to be intimate again. The pain and heat were a constant, low-level buzz now, with a few small peaks to rattle him. There wasnt enough time to wait around here for the storm to finish, not if Max was to have the best chance at surviving the next heat without more emotional trauma. Uncle Frodi had to examine Max and make sure that the injuries Kasan had inflicted were healing as they should. Maybe there was a reason he still moaned as though pain. Maybe the nanites werent as efficient at healing genetically pure humans. What if Kasans heat spiked, he made love to Max, and it injured him even more? The very thought nauseated Kasan. Hed done enough damage already. But he wasnt sure what to do. Yes, theyd made him see that trying to get back to the other Haven was untenable, but how else would they get home? This Haven looked like it was falling apart around them. Kasan doubted there was a straight path back home through here, even if theyd been willing to wander the dark hallways looking for it. It could take days to find your way around a Haven without a map, and that was in good conditions. He also couldnt help the niggling fear that Purists might, by some slim chance, have managed to find a connection to this Haven from the other one. It wasnt unheard of; there had been linked Havens before. Davin asked Mick how he was doing in a low voice and drew Kasans attention. He should remember his responsibility to them, as well, although it was hard to drag his mind away from Maxs needs. Micks arm needed seeing to. The nanites would have started the healing but infection wasnt unheard of. Rui was not going to last too much longer; he was flushed, eyes dilated, and vacillating between dazed lust and coherence. He looked like he should already have a consort under him. Not to mention all the family that had come to Maxs aid. They were still in the other Haven. They would be searching until they found Max or they dropped. Kasan knew that far too many were as dedicated and stupidly self-sacrificing as Niku and the others. They would put themselves in danger if they thought it would help them find Max quicker. Kasan had to get back and get word to the others that his consort had been

found. But he couldnt put Max in danger to do it! Even with the growing heat, he could barely tolerate the idea of making love to him again so soon after harming him. Kasan had to get Max to trust him again, if it was even possible. But if they couldnt go up into the jungle, he didn't believe his will power could outlast the storms. Kasan paced from one side of the room to the other, discarding one useless solution after another. His eyes were drawn to Max every time he passed by, and then to Rui when he reached the opposite wall. Rui was no longer allowed near Max. His heat had made him too volatile and unpredictable, at least as far as Kasan, with his own heat driving him, was concerned. Spear just out of reach next to him, Rui was completely stiff, trying to edge away from the female shokan who had plastered herself against his side as though shed adopted him. Kasan wished he could have enjoyed the sight. Well think of something, Mick said quietly. He leaned against Davin, holding the hand that wasnt carrying the light. I know, Kasan snarled back. He cursed as his tail hit the wall painfully hard. It was bruised already; he couldnt control the urge to lash it back and forth, no matter how close he was to solid rock. "He's sleeping finally," Rui said softly. Kasan glanced over and saw Max's slack lips, face filled with color, the twitching that had accompanied his dozing finally still. Max had been so miserable that the little one had been in and out of consciousness since they'd brought him down here. Kasan had been worried it was injury related until Davin persuaded him otherwise. He could only keep his calm by reminding himself that the nanites would help Max, even with this. They could repair damage from hypothermia; they should be able to help him with any other issues. Except the emotional ones. "Maybe the storm will pass soon," Mick offered. Kasan didn't do more than bare his teeth in the man's direction. Micks ears wilted. "Yeah, I suppose not," he said more quietly. Davin gave Kasan a growl back. "Mick's trying to help. Don't be a dick, Prince Kasan." Kasan flinched at the reminder of his title. Davin and most of the others only did it when they thought he was being particularly nasty. But better he snarl then jump on something and claw it to pieces. He was trying, dammit!

He prowled through the room again, avoiding everyone. A particularly loud gust of wind screamed down the staircase and into the hallway. Kasan checked to make sure it hadnt woken up Max. The shokan was taking good care of him; at least that was something. Max had two beings who could protect him now. Three if you counted the female. Kasan stopped pacing and looked at the shokan again. Theyd been almost preternaturally helpful up until now. And Ando-kees seemed so smart, almost as if he could understand what Kasan was trying to say. MaybeKasan quickly crouched down next to Ando-kees. We need to get back home. He felt ridiculous and desperate, but Ando-kees looked back at him and Kasan would swear those eyes were suddenly much more focused. The female shokans head came up and she pushed away from Rui to come near with an inquiring tilt of her head. Kasan felt like he could almost read her mind. He growled. Not your home. Ours. She whuffed at him and left, flopping back down on Rui. Her head thumped into the young mans lap. She bared her fangs at Kasan once she got comfortable. Dont anger her while shes so close to me, please, Rui said weakly. Kasan ignored him. Max needs help and the storm is too much for him. Too much for my naked ass, too, Davin commented. Shut up. Kasan took a deep breath. This was not stupid, not if it worked. We need to get back to the Citadel, beast. Do you know any way to do that without staying out in the forest for long? Max will get sick again if he goes outside. Ando-kees looked at him carefully then lifted up his head to look at Max sleeping on his paws. He nuzzled Max with his nose, snorting when a grumpy twitch of the lips was the only response. Ando-kees jerked his head to Max and back at Kasan. Hoping he wasnt losing his sanity, Kasan delicately picked up Max and cradled him against his chest. Max murmured under his breath and leaned toward him to soak up more warmth. Silently, Ando-kees got to his feet, stretching. He sauntered over to the female and rubbed his head against her. Then he let his claws out one by one and yawned right in front of Ruis face, showing his fangs. Rui looked ready to shatter he was so stiff. The female stood up without the fanfare. She bumped against Ando-kees in mid-yawn and Kasan heard the beasts teeth come together with a sharp, surprised clack. Kasan saw her give Ando-kees a strange look, almost like she was laughing silently, and then they both padded to the doorway, past Davin and Mick and into the darkness. In tandem, they looked back at them from the corridor. Their eyes made glowing points where they reflected Davins light.

I will be damned, Davin whispered. How- Never mind how. Should we follow them? They led us here and that worked out, didnt it? Kasan walked past Rui. Hurry up. The faster we can get to safety, the better. Davin and Mick jumped to their feet, grabbing their spears. The light bobbed in crazy patterns against the wall until Davin settled it on the two animals. Kasan stepped up behind them both and let Davin take care of the light and the lead. Rui and Mick fell in behind Kasan. Max didnt stir, finally in a deeper sleep instead of the previous dozing. It was amazing how Maxs ability to sleep through anything could make Kasan smile, even now. If they were lucky, Max wouldnt wake until they were home, and maybe not even then unless Kasan pushed him. Maybe he could even sleep through the next heat spike. That would be such a blessing that Kasan prayed for it briefly as he walked out the door. Kasan expected the shokan to head up to the surface, possibly leading to another shelter closer to the Citadel, but Ando-kees turned into the darkness instead, waiting for Davin to catch up. All of them stopped. The darkness loomed like a wall at the edge of the light. They want us to go into the Haven? Rui asked faintly, ears flat against his skull. He looked ill, sweating and shaky, and eyed the dark as though it could become solid and attack them. But we dont know the way. Wed be instantly lost. And what about the light? What if it stops working when were down there? We cant- Rui, protect Max. Always. We can trust them. Kasan hoped like hell he was telling the truth, because the gaping maw of darkness made his skin crawl as well. Ruis worry about the light was completely valid. They didnt know how long this one might last, and theyd already gone back up the stairs once to find another. There werent any remaining that hadnt broken or lost their power source. If their light failed, they were in serious trouble. But he had to remember how much the beasts protected Max. Ando-kees had found them this shelter for Max; Kasan had to trust him to get Max back home. Were following them, he said. Mick wrapped his good arm around Rui, murmuring comforting noises to him. Davin held the light higher, his ears flicking back and forth nervously. The beast had his head down, searching for something on the floor. The female stood behind him, watching but not helping. Ando-kees eventually found whatever hed been looking for and moved just out of the circle of light, waiting for them to catch up.

Kasan thought at first that Ando-kees was having problems seeing. Even for a shokan, the dark in an unlighted Haven would be impenetrable. It didnt take him long to realize that Ando-kees could see fairly well; this Haven was less secure than it should be. It was riddled with holes to the surface. Some areas had so much debris in the way that the ceiling itself must have collapsed. They had to climb over piles of rubble more than once, Kasan holding Max carefully in one arm. Shivering as a spray of water fell over his back, Kasan was fairly sure that without the storm they would have been able to see fairly well. The whistle of the wind rose and fell as they walked. Small unexpected gusts blew droplets into their faces, and he caught the tang of water and damp earth everywhere. Was this Haven older than the rest, or had something happened? Maybe it had been abandoned due to a lack of construction materials; Zonta claimed that had happened before, in the earlier years. It was comforting, on the one hand, because he was no longer worried about bad air being a problem. They wouldnt suffocate or run across a build up of gases if the Haven was this damaged. But open areas meant that it wasnt sealed from any creatures up top. Anything that hunted could come down here for a meal. They could be in danger from more than the small scavengers he could hear skittering ahead and behind them. Kasan mentioned the thought to the others and they walked on behind the two shokan more on edge than ever. The echo of the wind waxed and waned, sometimes screaming through the halls, sometimes whispering, but it never stopped completely. The smells tickled unpleasantly in Kasans nose. Fungus and sodden dirt were everywhere, clinging to their feet and between their toes like slime. The consistency was thicker where the water dripped down the walls, the fungus and mildew taking over in those areas, with even a few plants tucked into the corners. The one thing that Kasan counted as a blessing was the rain that made it down to them. Having freezing wet droplets spray against his privates, were his loincloth usually protected him, cleared his mind from the heat. At least for a little while. Kasan was just getting used to the noise and smells when it slowed to a stop. They continued moving through the winding passageways, not straight and precise like Kasan was used to, and the wind quieted behind them. The tiny scrapes and chittering of small vermin stopped after a few more turns. The soft huffs of their own breathing became an oppressive rhythm as they moved deeper, their light an island in the black. The dirt dried, then thinned, flattening out so they could feel the stone underfoot. The grains grew finer until it was clear they were walking through centuries of dust rather than accumulated dirt. And the damn stuff began to fly into the air whenever their feet made contact. Rui sneezed. The light was enough to light the way, but only just. The darkness was oppressive, and the visibility was getting worse. Every shuffle of their feet made the dust hang in the air so that he felt like he was moving through a choking fog. They began to slow, placing their feet with more care to avoid kicking even more into the air.

No one spoke. Kasan wished he could think of something to say, but all he could do was hold onto Max and follow Ando-kees, one step at a time, trying not to think about what could go wrong. He had no idea how the beast was picking out their trail but he didnt care, as long as it got them home. For all he knew, shokan could navigate a maze like this through smell alone. Kasan began to notice a downward slope as the path twisted to the left. He opened his mouth to ask Davins opinion when Ando-kees and the female stopped. Davin and Kasan exchanged a glance and carefully walked forward. The two shokan had stopped where the path widened out into a dark pit. What the hell was it? They all crowded up behind them, Davin holding up the light so they could see what they were dealing it. Kasan noted what looked like two steps heading down and was looking for the third when he realized that everything beyond that had collapsed to the floor below. Davins light showed just far enough down to highlight the debris and the lack of stairs. Kasan and Davin backed rapidly away from the edge and pushed Mick and Rui behind them. It might not be stable, Davin said quickly. Mick nodded. Rui stared at him blankly before slowly nodding, looking confused. He swayed once. Mick bit his lip and rubbed Ruis shoulders, talking softly to him. Kasan hadnt realized Rui was this far gone. Had the heat been progressing more rapidly since they started walking, or had it been this bad in the room and Kasan just hadnt noticed? He should have noticed. Rui was one of his men; he should be taking care of him. What were they going to do, now? Theyd been walking for what felt like hours, even if Kasan knew it hadnt been. But if they had to go back and find another way, who knew how long that could be! Max didnt have that much time. Kasan didnt have that much time. The shokan let out a half-growling yip and they all jumped back as it leapt into the air. It landed down on the stone floor, exactly where it had started, a handbreadth from the edge. Kasan yelled at him. Stop! Youll break off the edge! Ando-kees turned, snorted, and then leapt high and landed hard two or three more times before stopping with a see? look on its furry face. Did it- Micks eyes were huge. Was that its way of showing us thatits safe? Ando-kees reared up and slammed its front paws down on the very edge. Not even a

pebble fell to the floor below. I- possibly? Kasan looked down at Max, whose head lolled against Kasans chest. The shout hadnt woken him at all. Kasan rubbed his fingers against Maxs side where he held them. He wasnt sure why that it mattered whether the edge was stable or not; they couldnt exactly jump downBoth shokan disappeared over the edge. Shit! Davin held the light up high as though it could somehow find them even though they were well away from the edge. Dammit! Dont you dare leave us, you dumb beast! What were they supposed to do, now? They couldnt even find their way out of this Haven without the help of the shokan! Cursing loudly, Kasan crept forward to peer down into the gaping pit. Davin and Mick joined him; Rui hovered behind. With the light held up, they could make out the floor and the two shokan watching them from below. Most of the rubble had fallen down in two large chunks. It looked stable, and not as far down as Kasan had first thought. Davin held the light out further, leaning. We could jump that, he said casually. Although if theres no way into the Citadel, we could wander down there for days before we find another set of stairs back here. If there is one. Kasan wanted to growl how much he did not want to go down there, but he couldnt think of what else to do. Finding their way back might be possible through the dust, but once they got to the damaged areas up higher, he wasnt so sure theyd have clear tracks to follow. The urge to lay Max down and simply take him was getting stronger as well. They didnt have enough damn time to find another way. And the shokan might not care about Kasan, or Mick and Davin, or even Rui, but they cared about Max. They havent steered us wrong yet, he said through grit teeth. Kasan arranged Max carefully in his arms, bracing his head and neck carefully. Holding the rest of him tight and tucked in close, he let himself drop over the edge. Max barely twitched at the landing and Kasan breathed a relieved sigh. Looking back up, he eyed the distance. It wasnt a huge fall, but it would be farther than he could jump back out of. In the worst case, he thought he could make it out with his claws, though. Davin and Mick jumped next, landing neatly beside him. Rui was last, breathing in shallow bursts. Even with the small light in Davins hands, he wasnt doing well with the constant blackness and his building heat, staring behind them with wide eyes, ears flat against his head. His grip over his spear was white knuckled and ready to stab whatever fable came out of the darkness to attack them.

I hope you know where youre going, Ando-kees, Kasan muttered. The shokan yipped once, waiting for Davin and his light to catch up again and sniffing carefully along the floor. Kasan frowned as he looked down at the floor. Are thosescuff marks? he asked carefully. He hadnt noticed any tracks in the dust aside from their own before, although he hadn't been looking, either. The hair on the back of his neck went up as he began to scan the floor. The marks werent broad enough to be made by a large animal, but it wasnt a small one either. This was exactly the type of thing hed been worrying about after discovering that the Haven wasnt secure and sealed. If something this size came at them from the dark, it could do some damage if it had any proper claws or teeth at all. It could hurt Max. And it was heading in the same direction they were. Then he noticed something more and crouched down to examine it. Its shokan. Thats impossible, Rui murmured, shaking. It must be the females prints. A shokan couldnt survive down here, not in this dark. Maybe in the upper areas where they could get out, if they were using it as a den, but not down here. I know. Butcome and see. Its a third set. Smaller. Its probably days old. Maybe weeks. I cant tell how old the prints are with the air currents down here. But its definitely a shokan print. Its stumbling, like its blind from the dark. Maybe injured, too. It should be small enough not to be a threat, if it was still alive, but the claws would still be poisonous. Rui had started to fade out again and barely nodded, swaying where he stood. Kasan looked up at the floor above them where theyd jumped and then back down at the tracks, trying to find where they began. I think it must have fallen in. Bring the light over, Davin. The glow shifted and Kasan pointed out more tracks. Look, it starts here theres nothing anywhere else. If one became lost and fell in, that might explain it. And it would mean there werent more of them waiting in the dark somewhere, against all odds. They all looked up at the hole gaping in the ceiling. A smaller juvenile could never make it back up there, Mick said. The poor thing must have starved down here. Poor thing? I never met one before that I didnt think was going to try to gut me, and now its a poor thing? Davin asked. Any animal that would die down here in the dark, alone, would have my sympathy,

Mick said, shuddering. Kasan had to agree. It was oppressive. Ando-kees snorted and went to Davin to push him in another direction. Onward, huh? Ando-kees bumped Davin so hard he almost fell. Im going, Im going. Shit. The shokan led the way again down another corridor, everyone moving slowly again, Davin carrying the light high so the shokan could see farther down the corridors. They hadnt walked long, enough of a turn to put the broken stairs out of sight when there was a smell other than the dust hanging in the air: rotting meat. Kasan and Davin shared a glance it was probably the shokan that had been trapped down here. Kasan could admit that he was relieved to avoid running into yet another shokan, even if the stench was highly unpleasant. The smell was getting stronger, that cloying, sickly-sweet smell that made Kasan want to breath through his mouth, but he could taste it when he did. He nearly gagged. The tunnel was craggier now, rock instead of stone bricks, and as they went around another turn Kasan saw the light flash off of something to the right and called out for Davin to stop and bring the light closer. Were almost out! It was a map. Cruder than any Kasan had seen this had to be one of the earlier Havens but the metal sheet no bigger than a platter was fastened to the wall and had a map of the entire Haven. These were always set up near the entrance! Kasan looked around and saw the dark passage directly opposite, where Ando-kees was already waiting, and he smiled, hugging Max more tightly against his chest. Oh thank God, Max would be safe now. They were almost there! Mick and Davin smiled giddily at each other. Ruis was more pained but still a bright slash across his face. Kasan knelt down to address Ando-kees. Thank you, he said quietly. He grit his teeth as Ando-kees let out a long suffering whuff and merely turned to walk ahead of them down the passageway. He didnt care; the beast had done it and Max would be safe and Rui could get a consort before his heat grew too bad. Ando-kees could be as annoying as he wished. The smell of rotting flesh was stronger after a few steps but Kasan couldn't bring himself to mourn whatever poor beast had died there. They were so close! Davin and Mick pushed up behind the animals quickly leaving Kasan and Rui to catch up in much dimmer light. Max slept on, cuddled in Kasans arms. Kasan stroked his hand over his hip. Almost there, Gisho. Uncle can look you over and make sure youre well, and then wellwell figure it out. Well figure it out, Max.

Davin let out a strangled shout up ahead and Mick screamed. Kasan froze for a shameful second and then he and Rui sprinted forward, teeth bared. Kasan opened his mouth to tell Rui to stop to keep Max safe while Kasan helped Mick and Davin but Mick and Davin werent fighting anything. The tunnel dead-ended and they were standing at the back of it, looking down on the floor as the shokan stood on either side. I think youd best come see this, Prince Kasan, Mick said shakily. With Rui guarding the rear, Kasan trotted forward with Max and stepped between them. He blanched as he saw what was lying in a graying, rotting heap on the floor, up against the door: a dead Kyashin. Male, it looked like. What the- He took a step back, staring. How is that even possible? he whispered. Ando-kees growled at the rotting corpse and turned, clawing dust onto it with his back paws before he came up to Kasan and nuzzled Maxs leg. He turned and growled at the form again. Im not very fond of the smell, either, Davin muttered. Hackles up, Kasan stepped closer. Who the hell was it? And more importantly, how had he died? Rui, keep an eye out. Had the Purists killed someone? Did they have access to this Haven too? Looking the body over, Kasan frowned. The limbs were darker than they should be. Davin, bring the light closer. Theres something strange here. With the light, he wasnt any closer to figuring out who it was but he could identify the odd coloration of the dead mans limbs. The clothing wasn't the formal loincloth most of the guards and family wore in the Citadel. They were town clothes, long sleeved top and long pants, close fitted and dark. He even had shoes on, soft leather ones that laced up his calves. And some sort of mask that wrapped around his head, obscuring his face. Davin, take off his mask, would you? Kasan shifted his hold on Max while Davin grimaced and carefully peeled the dark fabric away from the face. Some of the flesh from the neck came with it and Mick started to gag behind him. Kasan stared at the mans features and frowned. His face was gaunt and gray, but Kasan still didnt think he recognized him and he knew nearly every adult male in the Citadel, hed thought. Davin, Mick, do either of you know him? Mick took a fortifying breath and peeked in quickly before turning away, covering his mouth. No, he said faintly. Dont know him, Davin said.

Rui hadnt been in the Citadel long enough to even bother asking. He looked him over more carefully and noticed something glinting around his waist. Whats that? Davin carefully took it out and began to swear. Kasan nearly did the same. It was small, an angular piece of metal, almost cube-like. A universal key. Kasan had never seen one in person but hed seen drawings. None of the Hinta had them; they didnt tend to use that sort of technology, especially with the Citadels tech restrictions. But some of the other clans did. They could be used to open almost every door in most cities that had been created before the Saviors all passed away. They were usually used to keep littles out of dangerous areas. Unless someone was visiting a city where the safety protocols had never been undone and technology was lower, like the Hinta and a few of the other clans. Then it was exceptionally useful to get into secured areas, especially for those few who were more disreputable and engaged in acts of thievery or worse. But the last time Kasan had heard of something like this happening, it had been halfway around the continent, not near the Hintas territory. So hes not Hinta, Kasan said slowly. What is a dead man who is not even from our clan doing in a Haven right next to the Citadel? What the hell did he want? Davin looked at the wall the man was lying against. Maybe he discovered the Haven and was looking for a way in where he wouldnt be detected. Ive heard that some of the professionals have done that before. Butwe have nothing someone would want. Even politically, were usually too far away from any of the clans to be caught up in some of their squabbles. Theres no tracks from in here, Rui said quietly, startling them. Theres only our tracks and that one smaller shokans, but none of these prints come from shod feet. He cant have come from inside here. Kasan looked quickly to confirm. So, hed come from the Citadel, then. A dead man who had to have been attacked inside the Citadel and died here in the Haven. He couldn't even think of what could have happened. And then Ando-kees kicked dirt on him again, making Kasan choke, and suddenly he could. Its the man we thought was eaten by the shokan, he blurted out. Davin and Mick looked at him and their eyes widened before backing away from Andokees. You think hekilled him? We- Kasan swallowed, his throat dry. We think someone was sent or hired to get to Max. Which means if it was this man he would have hurt Max. Kasans claws came out.

Mick stared at the corpse and then Ando-kees. And the shokan killed him. He smiled weakly. Good shokan. Nice boy. Ando-kees bared his teeth and turned away. He looked down at the ground, wondering when he was going to stop owing the creature, and saw two tracks next to each other. One was the set of tracks theyd spotted for the unknown shokan and one was from Ando-kees. And they both have the same oddly shaped toe that stood out a little in the track. Shit, its him. What? Davin looked around, confused. Those smaller shokan tracks, theyre from Ando-kees. Look, theyre the same tracks. The size is the only difference. He must have fallen down before his growth hit. This is how he got into the Citadel. No wonder no one saw him. Kasan couldnt see how the animal could have managed it in the pitch black, but the tracks didnt lie. They were both from Ando-kees. The shokan glanced back, shook his head, and reached up to bump a trigger plate in the wall with his nose. The door slid open with a roaring hiss as wind and rain coursed in. Kasan and the others immediately ducked their heads, shivering. Kasan stared at Andokees as the shokan hopped out the door and around a tree standing in the way. He found himself unnerved again by the eerie intelligence Ando-kees displayed. It was keeping Max alive, he had to remember that. Andthey needed to keep moving. The wind that rushed into the open doorway was less than in the jungle but still cold for an unclothed man. Kasan stepped out warily, unsure where they would be, but Ando-kees leapt ahead, female in tow. Kasans jaw dropped as he stepped around the large tree nearly blocking the entrance and spotted the small handhold on the side of it. He knew that handhold; there were more attached to that tree leading all the way to the top. Its my garden! Mick and Davin peeked around as well. Yours? Yes! That damn beast has been living in my garden! where Max had been before they ever knew the shokan was a danger. Dammit, how many things had Kasan missed when it came to protecting Max? He felt like he needed to have him locked in a room with guards round the clock! Shaking his head as they walked quickly along the path, Kasan didnt bother calling up

the walls. All the guards that were in non-essential positions had been pulled off to help look for Max. Kasan needed to get inside, get the word out, and get Max taken care of. He thought Davin might have said something but the winds rush through the leaves was loud enough to block it. He led the way, shadowed by the shokan, and it almost felt anticlimactic when the wall came in sight. Nothing else leapt out at them to surprise them. The door opened without a single flaw. The men and shokan scrambled inside and Kasan closed the door. They stood, shivering in the sudden quiet. Kasan didnt know what to feel. Hed been keeping the Citadel as his goal for so many hours now that he should have felt relieved but his room was no longer a place of safety. It smelled wrong, stinking of fear, and a small spike from his heat intruded and made him even more wary. The room hadnt been cleaned yet. There were still smears of blood on the floor leading from the middle of the room to the door; no wonder it smelled. The female sniffed around them and growled, rubbing up against Ando-kees and staying there, pressed against him. Davin, Mick, and Rui stood blinking in the light. My loincloth drawer is to the right. Help yourself. Rui nodded and opened a drawer, snagging a blue cloth for himself and tossing two more to Mick and Davin. He held up a red and gold one to Kasan and then draped it over his shoulders at Kasans nod. Kasan could put it on once Max was taken care of. He held Max close, trying to control himself as the adrenaline faded and his heat spiked in response. He had to get Max checked and get them both privacy as soon as he could. He wouldnt be brutal this time. He wouldnt let it be brutal ever again. He was going to ensure that he was so gentle with Max that the little one would never have to be afraid of what Kasan could do to him. Youre safe, now Max. I swear it. Youll always be safe now. Max blinked sleepily, rousing for long enough to smile and nuzzle against Kasans chest. Kasan leaned his head down to start nuzzling him back. So beautiful. And he smelled so good. Kasan purred, staring at him, then snarled as Davin cleared his throat. Shit. He shook his head to clear it and pulled back from Max. He couldnt get distracted; they were almost there! Right, he said hoarsely. He looked around and caught a glimpse of Ando-kees and the female walking across the room. They didnt seem to care about them any longer now that they were in the room, although the female glanced at Max a couple more times. Ando-kees set his claws on the curved beam leading to Kasans green house and clambered up to disappear into the small entrance at the top. The other shokan was right behind him. Kasan blinked after them and then looked at the pole, realizing that the gouges in the wood, deeper than Kasans claws could make, were in higher numbers than

one climb would provide. Youve been hiding in my greenhouse! That was Kasans sanctuary, a place he could do more with delicate plants. Hed spent hours up there as a child when thered been one too many snide comments from the other children, or someone gumming up his tail for the umpteenth time. No one could follow him up there without claws to help them. But Ando-kees was currently using it as a- what? A den? A wild animal had been in his garden. Hed been in Kasans sanctuary, hed been in his room, with Max, and Kasan hadnt even known. The guards hadnt known. None of them had a clue that Max was living with a dangerous predator with all the innocence of a child. Kasan shuddered. Mick and Davin behind him shuffled uncomfortably, although Kasan thought he heard a muffled but amused snigger from Davin. Shut up. Kasan wanted to put more heat into it, but it wasnt worth it. Max mattered, the heat mattered, and family mattered. And looking around the room with the old, rust colored stains of dried blood, Kasan knew that he couldnt be with Max here. It was too great a reminder of what had happened to Max and Aosh. Ive got to get Max checked out, he said, clutching Max tighter as another wave of heat hit. Mick needs to be seen as well. One of the Purists got him pretty damn good. You need to be seen, too, idiot, Mick said fondly, prodding one of Davins bruises. Davin had his arm around Micks middle and Kasan snapped out of his daze enough to realize that Davin didnt look that good either. Come on. Wed better get going. Rui was silent, swaying, following behind them as Kasan opened the door into the corridor. Kasan wasnt surprised to find the usual guards missing here too. Their manpower wasnt unlimited; everyone had been helping try to find Max. He shifted Max in preparation of using the box next to the door until he saw the broken pieces. Oh yes. Another remnant from Waran, the bastard. There must be one down the hall, Davin murmured. We can use that. Kasan nodded, all of them moving in unspoken consensus. Kasan was having a hard time calming himself and clutched Max so tightly his consort whined in sleepy distress. Kasan relaxed his grip and shushed him back to sleep. The halls were eerily quiet, without the usual people youd see traveling them this time of night. It felt more like the abandoned Haven than the citadel and Kasans ears were

bristling with tension, his tail stiff. His head couldnt help wonder. What if, somehow, there were more Purists than theyd thought? What if some had gotten into the citadel? What if they werent safe? He would have felt foolish beyond words if he couldnt hear the others adjusting their grips on their weapons, too, and couldnt see their ears twitching as he knew his were. He wasnt the only one unnerved by the silence. They carefully turned a corner and Kasan found a working box on the wall. He nodded at Davin, unwilling to break his grip on Max. Call on the command channel. Theyll know whats going on and they can spread the word the fastest. Davin nodded and Kasan scanned the hallway as he heard him reporting in. This is Davin, assigned to troop 4 of the assaulting force into the newly discovered Haven. I am back in the Citadel, section three, near Prince Kasans room. I am with Prince Kasan and he has recovered his consort. We need to know the situation. Is the citadel secure? Kasan nearly collapsed in relief as he heard a brief, startled hold on a moment and then a frantic scuffling noise. His brothers voice came on the box a moment later. Kasan? Jolans voice was so welcome. Im here, Kasan said, leaning in toward the box. Davin stepped aside. Damn its good to hear your voice! But how the hell did you get out in the residential quarters? Another Haven; the Purists dont seem to have found it yet. Connects to my own damn garden. And theres a dead man inside well have to deal with, too. Not Hinta. What the- Jolans voice cut off and he hissed like someone had jabbed him in the ribs. Fuck, Ko, all right! New Haven, dead man, not Hinta. Got it. There was a long silence and Jolans voice lowered. Youre still talking, and obviously walking, so I know you had to have found Max. Is he-? Hes fine, Kasan said quickly. His throat closed up and he closed his eyes, swallowing heavily. We found Max in time before theybefore they did any permanent damage. Hes okay. I dont- I dont know what they might have done to him, butI was feral when I found- when he found me. I- His voice broke and he swallowed again. He needs a healer. Hes hurt. And god how that hurt to say. Uncle Frodis down in healing station #2, Jolan said gently. Ill box down to him. Hell be there. Maxll be all right, Kasan. Just remember that you found him and youre both here. Everything else can be solved. I hope so, Kasan murmured. He swallowed again, trying to keep his mind on

everything else, on anything else. Whats the situation in the Haven? Chaotic, but weve got it contained, at least, came Jolans blunt reply. Kasan heard a faint thats an understatement in the background. Sounded like Ko again. We have to relay messages, as expected down in an old Haven, but theres a few working boxes so were still getting regular reports. However, the Purists are like insects. We think weve got them all and then more skitter out of some side room and theres another fight on our hands. Weve had to go room by room. Zonta had a run in with Uncle, the fucker. The Purists tried to gut him but one of the newbies took it in the side for him. I just heard from the guards at the entrance; theyre bringing them back in now. Jolans voice lowered. He couldnt stop Uncle and no ones seen the asshole since then. The bastard might have made it out into the forest. Andtheres been a few deaths. Kasan flinched at that. He wondered how many mates or consorts would choose to end it themselves rather than die slowly when their next heat spike hit. It was his or Leeros responsibility to inform them. Is Leero back yet? There was a long pause. No. He and father were separated from their troop during one surprise attack. No ones seen then in hours. Niku is heading up everyone else. Kasan sucked in a shocked breath. Father and Leero? Leeros a mean bastard and father is even sneakier than you when youre pranking someone. Theyll be all right, Jolan said. Kasan nodded to himself; hed make himself believe it. He had to. I need someone to inform the families. Max and I were not done. The heats building up again pretty damn fast. I dont know how long Ill be out of commission after Uncle clears Max. Oh, and we have another Shokan with us now, a female. Another one?! Well need to talk about this later with the Elders, but yeah. Theyre both in my rooms. I dont know how theyll respond to people, so leave any clean up or guard assignments for later, until I can help make sure we dont have some sort of incident. Jolan shook off whatever shock he felt. All right, Ill make a note: do not disturb big, giant predators in Kasans room. And as for the rest, his voice softened. Weve got it covered. We werent sure when wed have you back, little brother. Neera can inform the families who have lost people. So can Roto. Neeras been wanting to get more involved in the politics side of things, anyway. I think the Elders are looking at her for the future, to be honest. Kasan could easily see Neeras calm and Rotos compassion being a better fit for what

the left behind consorts and mates needed than Kasan could ever give. Maybe the elders would make that a permanent thing. Sounds good, he managed. His groin was tight and hot. Wheres Nolluz. Hesbusy. A chill crawled up Kasans spine. Maxs people? Dont worry about it, Kasan. Its not something you can affect right now, even if you werent in your current condition. Go, take care of yourself and the little one. He was quiet a long moment. Its good to hear your voice, Kasan. I would have missed hearing it. Kasan grunted out some reply and turned away from the box. Davin and Mick were leaning on each other and Rui was swaying in place now, flushed, pupils dilated. Max slept on in Kasans arms, oblivious and beautiful. We need to get to the healers, Kasan growled. They walked down the hall, leaning against each other, and slowly made their way through the Citadel. Chapter 37 - Lust in the Citadel Rui followed the others through the halls in a lust-filled daze. The familiar golden light was too bright to his eyes. The polished stone was slick under his feet and felt icy against his hot skin. His loincloth chafed horribly. His cock was so erect the slick head peeked over the top of it. His flesh burned down through to his bones. He blinked fuzzily at the males in front of him but none of them smelled right. He neededsomething else. They passed a doorway on the left that smelled promising and he turned. Maybe it would help? One of them men was it Mick? took his arm and led him back. Mick said something in a mumble. The sound was too low, muffled into an irritating buzz. The smell hadnt been thatgood; he could follow again. And they were heading toward more people. He knew that much. More people meant he could find someone who smelled just right. They could take away the unceasing, brutal heat. He could think of some who would be perfect. Like that blond girl from town, Nisha. Or Aosh. All the guards watched Aosh when he wandered by. Or Zerard. Ruis body shuddered, nearly having a dry orgasm thinking about him. Hed been so pretty when theyd met at the shift change. And gentle. What he wouldnt give for someone that bright and sweet. Someone who could

overshadow the memories of the Haven and the jungle and that awful, unending darkness. Zerards scent, the funny half-bend to one of his ears, the shy smile - Rui wanted him. Hed go find him. He moaned under his breath, palming his erection with his free hand. What was Zerards shift today? Or had he gone into the Purists Haven? He must have; everyone had. Rui could find him. Zerard shouldnt be in that Haven, not now. Kasan had Max, so they shouldit should be all finished now. Shouldnt it? Rui shambled behind Mick, trying to remember the way to the Haven again. Every thought was melting ice, slipping away with only streaks of purpose left behind. He had to find Zerard. They were goingsomewhereso he could find Zerard. They walked through an enormous doorway Rui was sure he should recognize. It was filled to capacity with shifting men and women, the sharp and bitter scents of medicine and fear in the air with the smell blood underlying it all. Rui bared his teeth, swaying once before he shook his head to try and clear it. He wasnt sure which way the other men had gone. Did they know where Zerard was? Had he been following them or not? He couldnt think! Two women appeared in front of him, mouths working. Rui stared blankly and wondered faintly why he couldnt hear their words. He just wanted them to leave him alone; hed find Zerard on his own. Rui moved to pass them and was stopped by another hand on his arm. Mick again. Mick smelled of blood, heavy dirt, and fungus. Not fear, though. Rui stared at Micks fingers, wondering at how soft the skin looked. Rui, dear, the healers are this way. They need to look you over and then well find you a partner right away. Rui? Davin, I need some help here. Hes very close. We need to hurry. Led by the arm in Micks grip, Rui followed them, nostrils flaring. Some of the men and women around him smelled good; he could have one of them. The one in pink smelled so ripe that her scent glowed. Except it wasnt Zerard and Rui wanted it to be him. He wantedthat smell. They walked faster and suddenly Ruis ears popped, as though theyd been stuffed with wool and hed just taken it out. Noise buffeted him. People rushed by with piles of supplies in their arms. Men moaned and cursed on blankets or pillows on the floor, bandaged, with metal loops and sutures. More men and women moved around them offering food and water and comfort. But none of them was Zerard. Someone yelled out Kasans name. Rui stepped back nervously as a small stampede of people surrounded them beaming and reaching out to touch him or the bundle in his arms.

Kasan finally had to push past them and Rui followed quickly, stumbling. Why wouldnt everyone get out of their way? Rui wanted them to tell him where to find Zerard but he couldn't seem to find the words. He fumbled silently after them, trying to find him by scent. Was he here? Yes, Max is fine, but he needs a healer. Kasans voice repeated a variation of the same phrases over and over again before it took on a deeper growl. I need you to move, please. We need to see Frodi; my consort needs to be looked at. Kasan was muttering under his breath after they pushed through. Where are their heads? They should be able to tell we need a healer without my repeating it over and over! They were worried about you, Mick chided. You cant blame the family for what they do when they worry. Yes, I can. Max needs help and they are keeping him from getting it with that shit. Davin snorted. You can be such a worry-bird. And you can be such an ass. They made it to a doorway into another room, #2 on the plaque at the side, and Kasan peered in. He was back out, cursing, before Rui caught up Kasan reached angrily for the nearest healer, realized it was a female, and gripped the arm of the male next to her instead. Wheres Frodi? He was supposed to be in room #2! The man yanked his arm free, growling at Kasan. I have no idea! Were too swamped to keep track of things like that! Kasan growled back, crowding him, and the woman stepped between. Kasan immediately backed down, giving her space. She rolled her eyes. Frodi was helping with surgery the last I saw him. We have it set up in the back there. But everyone is helping where its most needed so he could be at triage, or lesser wounds, or one of a dozen places! Start with surgery and go from there. Kasan mumbled a thank you and Rui followed him. He thought he might have caught a whiff of Zerards scent this way. Maybe. And Mick was leading Rui again anyway. They headed to the other side of the room where a series of curtains were set up in a near maze of small, isolated areas. Before they could enter, Zonta walked out from behind one, his shoulders slumped and his torso and loincloth covered in blood. Rui caught a glimpse of the man bandaged and lying on a pallet behind Zonta before the curtain closed.

Kasan reacted first. Zonta! Zontas head popped up. Kasan? Kasan! Youre all right! Is Maxwhy is he wrapped up like that? What happened to him? Zontas hands were already reaching for Max as he spoke, frantically looking for some sign of wounds. Rui stared at the curtain. What happened to Max? Kasan shouted. What happened to you? You need to get back in there for a healer to look at you! Zonta blinked then stared down at his chest and seemed to deflate. Not my blood, he said quietly, swallowing. Kasan probably responded but Rui was no longer listening. I need to go there, Rui said hoarsely, and tried to move. Mick wouldnt release his arm. I need to go there. Its Zerard. All right, Rui. I understand, but you need to- Rui yanked his arm free with a heavy jerk and darted behind Zonta, ignoring Mick and Davins protests, and then he was in. Zerards smell hit him like a mallet to the head; he swayed, stunned. Zerard lay on a pallet on the floor, very pale, naked except for the bandage around his abdomen and his calf. He looked over and stared in confusion before his eyes cleared. Rui, he whispered. Then he smiled. Im glad youre all right. Id wondered. Rui swallowed. He needed to talk, if he could figure out the words. What happened? Rui crept forward, taking in everything, including another strong inhalation of Zerards scent. He needed it so badly. If he could just. He heard Mick and Davin behind him, Zonta following behind, and a small oh, shit, this isnt good. One of them called out for Zonta, asking questions about Zerards injuries. Spear, Zerard said quietly. He smiled again. But my troop carried me all the way back. They were amazing. The healers said Ill recover with enough rest. Rui nodded, not really listening, and moved in closer. He was content to look at Zerard. Touch him. Or roll on top of him until there was no distance between them at all. So pretty. Zerard was hurt. Rui could smell the blood. Except under that he smelled so, so good. Zerards nostrils flared as he stared at Rui. Youre in heat. Rui nodded, swaying. I want you. Zerards eyes widened, his pupils dilating. Me? His voice was squeaky, but he didnt

move from the floor. But I havent been ripe for very long. Youre ripe enough, Rui growled. He could smell it. I want- Would you-? I need a consort. Iwould you-? Mick and Davin came up on either side of him. Rui, hes injured. Maybe if you had more time, he could heal a bit and it would be all right. But you can't wait, Rui. Zerards too injured. Zerard looked at them all and swallowed. You wantme? Rui nodded, falling to his knees next to him, still swaying. Youre so beautiful. And brave. And sweet. Want to know you; dont have time. Please- Mick reached out again, choking. Rui, Im so sorry, dear, but you have to find someone else. We can let your husband know about Zerard, so hell expect you two to be friendly while youre matedbut Rui, you cant. Zerards ears flattened and a small growl came out of his mouth. Yes, he can. Micks hand stilled. His ears jerked in surprise. Zerard? I want him to. Zonta came up behind them both and looked down at Zerard. He was silent a moment; Rui prepared himself to fight if they tried to take him away. He wanted Zerard! Instead, Zonta crouched down and brushed Zerards hair away from his forehead. It would hurt, Zerard, he said softly. You could do it, with help, but it will hurt, because Rui will have to move to get it done. Dont you want to think about it? Zerard gripped Zontas hand, eyes pleading. I know, but I can do it. They said Im stable, didnt they? The nanites repaired the worst, where the veins were cut, didnt they say that? Zonta nodded slowly. You could do it, yes. Are you sure, though? Im not exaggerating about the pain; there is no way this wont hurt. Zerard nodded back, looking up at Rui and Rui had never seen anything as wonderful as the want on his face. There was something else there, but all he could think was that Zerard wanted him. He was willing and he wanted him! Zonta swallowed and looked at Mick and Davin. I need to stay and help. Zerard got hurt helping me. I owe him. Could you get one or two more people to aid us? Someone to hold Zerards other leg, and two for Rui, to restrain him if he loses control?

Rui could tell Mick and Davin had backed away. He heard a murmur of assent behind him, heard Kasans voice talking with someone when they opened the curtain, but he never took his eyes off of Zerards smile, even when others trooped in and began touching him, taking off his clothes. He never took his eyes off of Zerard. ~*~*~*~*~*~

Warmth seeped into his skin, spreading down to his bones, and Max couldnt be happier. He felt like he hadnt been warm in ages. Although the smell could have been better. It smelled like the empty terrarium Max had forgotten about for a few weeks in the garage. He turned his face away and yawned. He could take care of it in a second. He wanted to enjoy the heat for a little while longer. Another yawn and he tried to stretch his arms above his head except they didnt move. Crap, caught in the covers; he hated that. Max pulled fretfully at his arms but he didnt put too much effort into it. He was still too warm and tired to bother. The covers were being really damn stubborn, though. What were they made of today, octopi? Max opened his eyes and smiled as the first thing he saw was Kasans face. Hey, he said softly. Kasan glanced down with a soothing half-purr and Max leaned his head back. He feltmuch better already. He almost fell back asleep until he realized that the pleasant rocking motion was Kasans stride. Max wasnt in bed; Kasan was carrying him. Why was Kasan carrying him? He looked around, disoriented. They werent even in Kasans room. He didnt know this place at all. Max was pretty sure that should scare him out of his own skin but he didnt have it in him. He was so tired, and hed been so freaking scared for so long. And Kasan had him. Kasan wouldnt let anything happen. He wasnt frightened when Kasan was around. But he still wanted to figure out what was going on. They were in a huge room, noises echoing through what seemed like a giant hotel lobby with tapestries on the walls and rugs underfoot. And there were a lot of people, as many as there had been at their wedding. They dwarfed Kasan and Max both, ignoring them to rush past in every direction. Most disappeared into areas cordoned off with large pieces of blue and red cloth. Something was going on. Max started to wake more, shaking off another layer of sleep. No one attacked them; they werent in danger. But Max noticed that most peoples ears

were flat against their heads or twitching like mad. Their shoulders were tense, their strides were quicker than hed seen before. And their voices were more clipped. He might not be able to understand what they were saying, but the cadence of the language was different today. How had Kasan and he gotten here, and what were they doing here? The last thing Max remembered clearly was Kasan, and Kasan had beenoh yeah, the sex fiend to end all sex fiends. Max closed his eyes and tried to breathe through the heat that instantly pooled in his belly. God, hed been. That had been insane and, well, amazing. Sex with Kasan was always amazing. How did he do that? Kasan had made Max beg him for more in front of a freaking audience. Max didnt even know how long those other cats had been there! Which washe wasnt even going to think about it. He couldnt; his face would combust into flames. But they were going to have words because Max was not a stripper, or a- a public sex-er, and these cats had someserious issues about watching Max have sex all the time. The next time Kasan and he had sex, there had better not be people watching. Max swallowed. The next time they had sex. There was going to be a next time they had sex. Max had really done it. Hed found Kasan. Kasan was freaking alive. Whore you kidding. Youd probably have sex with the jerk even if you were sex gladiators in a full coliseum of cheering cats and dogs, he mumbled. He would, if it kept Kasan was alive. When hed thought Kasan was dead, he just. He couldnt do that again. That had tonever happen again. If Max had to have sex in front of people every day for the rest of his life in order to keep Kasan alive he didnt freaking care! Or, not too much. Or well, yeah, hed care a lot but he was totally willing to do it because Kasan was worth it and Maxloved him. Max opened his eyes to peek up at Kasans face, just to prove to himself that Kasan was okay. God but Max was so stupid. How the hell could he love Kasan? He couldnt even really talk to him yet! And it didnt seem to matter. Kasan was sweet, and gentle, and he tried to be thoughtful even if he sucked at it. He was freaky protective and he had a hell of a temper but never let it out at Max. And his eyes sparkled when he smiled and he looked at Max. Really looked at him, and he seemed so genuinely pleased and proud over everything that Max did. Max had never, in his life, had someone so happy to see Max just being himself. Although Kasan was kind of crazy pushy about sex, but Max could sort of understand that if you lived on Extreme Sex Planet you might get a little crazy about sex and hey, everyone had their flaws, right? It all boiled down to something Max had never had, not with his parents, his friends, or his lovers: Max felt safe with him. Kasan wouldnt ever hurt him on purpose. On

accident, oh sure. Max hurt himself on accident all the time; he couldn't see how anyone else was going to avoid it. But Kasan tried so damn hard. And he cared about Max. Max wasnt sure how it worked for cats, how they felt, if Kasans behavior meant he liked Max just a little or felt something more but still. Kasan cared. Hadnt he come after Max? He must have, if hed ended up in the forest. And when it had grown so damned cold Kasan had held him close, kept him warm, and. He didnt really remember much after that. And Max should start thinking of something else soon, if he didnt want to start blubbering. Max looked around again. The stone of the walls had the same golden tones as Kasans room and the dining hall. The prison Waran had taken him to didnt. That stone had been different. Did that mean they were back now? Kasan had found the way back already? If they were home, why was Kasan so tense? Max could feel it in his arms and his chest, and see it in Kasans ears and the muscles of his face. He wasnt growling, but he wasnt happy. Were they not safe yet? Had Max been mooning over Kasan like a freaking tween while there were Waran-cats around them? What if they hurt Kasan? Maxs head jerked, cataloguing everyone around him frantically for a few seconds before he could relax. No, most were ignoring them, or smiling as they passed. They didnt look like they were dangerous. Aside from being alien cats who were a billion feet tall and could crush him like a pomegranate seed. Why was Kasan so worried? Max swallowed, unsure what it meant, Kasan. Kasan rocked him gently and continued walking. Shhh, Gisho. Almost there. Had he just jiggled him like a baby?! Not cool, Kasan. Max tried to lift his hand to point at Kasan he had to make sure Kasan knew Max was serious and finally realized why he hadnt been able to stretch before. He was wrapped up like a mini-cat mummy. Max sighed. He should be pissed off, probably, but like this was the worst thing that had happened in the last few days? Not even close. Kasan, let me out. He thought he knew why he was bundled up like this, a vague memory of Kasan and the others trying to warm him up, but it wasnt that cold anymore, and Max would kind of like to move. Kasan didnt look like hed heard him. Kasan. Hey, unwrap me!

Kasan flinched, his eyes dark. Shhh, Max, I wont hurt you. I swear. You dont have to be so afraid, little one. I swear I wont hurt you again. He didnt stop walking. Why wasnt Kasan stopping, not even to talk with him or find out what was wrong? There were all these cats Max didnt know and Kasan was acting weird and Max couldnt move. It was beginning to give Max the creeps. Dammit, let me out, Kasan. Just a moment, Gisho. They said Uncle Frodi is in triage now. Hell help you. Hell make it better. Max tried to head butt Kasans chest and gave himself an instant headache. Kasans pecs were made of solid cement. Max glared at them and wondered if he could get enough traction to bite him. Or maybe lick him. Kasan would let him out for licking, too. Licking would be like an invitation to insta-sex, wouldnt it? Of course it would. Kasan would turn around and find the nearest wall. Max would be out of this mummy-wear, and life would go back to normal with Kasan screwing Max against another wall. Max flushed. That had been pretty amazing. Insane, but amazing. And he wanted it. And licking would be a good way to get it. And even if he didnt want it, he could put up with it, if he had to. Oh who was he freaking kidding. He wanted to have sex right now just as much as Kasan always did. His dick was erect and rarin to go and that was after theyd had so much loud jungle sex that there were probably giant monkeys who needed therapy now. Because Max knew better than anyone that were just some things you could not-unsee. Like Kasans cock. Crap. He was doomed; the planet really had made him a nympho sex maniac, just like everybody else. His dick was giving orders and his ass was driving and he was just along for the ride. I blame you, Kasan. I will blame you for the rest of our lives and when we are eightyyear-old sex maniacs I will still tell you how much your fault this is, Max told him. And you cant even understand a word Im saying. Well you know what? Too bad! If you wanted to know just how much your fault this is you should have learned English, shouldnt you? Yes, you should have! And you want to know why? Because then I could say I love you and you would know and realize that thats all your fault too! Kasan stared at him, confused. Max? No, Im not saying another word. Thats all the talking Im doing. Im ignoring you now. Kasan glanced at him once more and then ignored Max like he couldnt even tell that he was supposed to be upset. He poked his head behind a bright crimson sheet-wall-thing.

Two men knelt there facing each other. Both had dark brown hair in a solid braid down their back and dark eyes, but Max didnt think they were too closely related. One was older and his features were less narrow, more like Kasans. He was putting small metal piercings along the length of deep wound in the others arm. There was blood smeared along his arm and coating the mans hands. Max swallowed. He really, truly didnt even want to know. I need you as soon as youre done, Uncle. The older cat didnt glance up from what he was doing and Max stared at his profile. He looked familiar. And its lovely to see that youre alive and well, too, Kasan. Youll have to wait. Max is hurt. Wait, this was about Max? What were they saying about him, then? The mans hands didnt pause but his ears twitched in Kasans direction. You can have the room two doors down. Ill be right there. Thank you, Kasan said hoarsely. He carried Max past the curtains and into another area enclosed in hanging fabric. It was curtained away from the general room, with enough space for three, maybe four cats to sit comfortably. A pallet was on the floor with a small closed box next to it. It was empty. They were alone. Maxs dick knew exactly what that meant and did a little cha-cha of throbbing to let Max know. Stupid dick. Still not speaking, Kasan sat cross-legged on the pallet and plunked Max in his lap like he weighed nothing. Max waited impatiently for Kasan to unwrap him and get started. Kasan rocked Max once in his arms and that was about as much patience as Max had. Kasan, get this crap off of me! Kasan rubbed his hand over Maxs head, then trailed his fingers of the curve of Maxs ear. Max shivered. Kasans hand stopped. He laid Max down on the pallet. And sat there. Naked but wearing a freaking red scarf. What was that about? And he left Max, the frustrated human sausage, lying next to him untouched. Kasan! Max writhed. He managed to roll himself over onto his stomach accidentally and his face flumped into the stupid pallet. Cursing, Max twisted his head wildly, trying to breathe. Kasan, help! He felt like a worm in a cocoon!

Gisho, what are you doing? Youll suffocate like that. Kasans hands shook as he reached down and turned Max onto his back. Max gave him the glariest glare he could muster up and Kasan finally, finally seemed to get it. Oh. The wrappings. Of course. Im so sorry, little one. You dont need these anymore at all, do you? Ill get them off. Max heaved a sigh as Kasan very quickly pulled off the thin cloth, unwinding it from around Max.I wish you could understand; its so close to spiking again that its hard not to take you right now, little one. But I wont. I swear Ill be gentle, Max. Maxs hands were free first and as he started helping unwrap his legs Kasan sat back, letting him finish. Max stretched the second he was done. Being bundled up like that was really claustrophobic. It was such a relief to be free. Such a drafty, kind of cold relief. Oh yeah, naked. Again. He flushed and grabbed at the pile of cloth hed just taken off, shoving a wad of it in front of his crotch. You know, just once, Id like to end up with more clothing as the day goes by. Thatd be great. Glancing up, he saw Kasan staring at him, pupils blown, and Maxs nipples pebbled. His ass clenched and felt slick. And it didnt hurt. Hed just had the most sex hed ever had in his life, all in a few hours of time. His ass should be so sore he wouldnt be able to sit for a week, but all it felt was slick and, well, empty. What the hell was up with the feeling empty all the time! He was not a car in need of more gas! although a little fill-up Crap! You are putting these terrible metaphors into my head, Kasan! Kasan didnt grin at him like he usually did. He flinched, hands dropping to his sides. Kasan? Kasan smiled weakly. Max stiffened, the hair on his neck standing up. Kasan, what wrong? Were those bad guys outside? Had Kasan been trying to- to fool them or something? Did Max and Kasan have to try and escape? Max had thought they were safe, out in the forest, but there had been the other cats with them. Maybe they hadnt been so good? He struggled again trying to remember. Cold and wind, and then darkness, but no matter how he tried, he still couldnt remember what else. What else had happened when hed been out of it? And Androcles, where is he? Ando-kees is in my room, Max. Nothings wrong. Youre fine. Uncle Frodi will make this better. So Androcles was good, and something was better. Well then what was the problem? Had

some people from the jail cell come in andWait! Kasan! Kasan jumped. It was such a surprise that Max almost lost his train of thought again Kasan, jumpy? What weirdness was that? Kasan, need help Shoru. In the- Dont worry, little one, hes already taken care of. A pause just long enough for Max to let him know he was using words that Max didnt know. Shoru is safe, Max. Waran is in a cell, Gisho. He wont hurt you again. Max nodded, leaning back onto the pallet. He squirmed again as he began to notice more about his own body. He was filthy. There was dirt on his knees, green and brown mossy smears over his stomach, and he thought he felt a leaf or two against his back. And dried semen was, well, everywhere. By the pulling sensation on his face as he frowned, he suspected there was even cum there. He didnt want to think how he had to look right now. No wonder Kasan hadnt tried to have sex yet. Who would want to have sex with the Swamp Thing? Shit, where did they keep that cleaning oil stuff? Kasan? Can I wash? Uh, bathing pool? Thats the right word, right? Max mimicked bathing himself and he though Kasan finally got it when he turned toward a small box next to the pallet. He looked through it quickly and pulled out a bright emerald bottle of oil and a small cloth. He offered both to Max and once again stepped back. Where was the pushy Kasan that Max knew? He wasnt getting in his space, or putting his hand in places they shouldnt be, nothing. Max looked around quickly. They were alone, right? Yeah, no other cats. And Kasan was right there, and Max still felt empty and, well, Kasan was standing within touching distance but he wasnt touching. And Max was pretty sure that he should be. He carefully wiped his skin off with the oil until he was feeling shiny and smooth this stuff really was awesome and then Max very deliberately cleaned his cock. Like he remembered Kasan doing, slowly stroking himself over and over. Kasans cock popped to attention like a soldier in the army of gay. Max smiled until he saw Kasans face. It was frustrated, not aroused. And then annoyed, which was weird beyond words. Kasan looked betrayed by his cock. That was usually Maxs department. Kasan was so big and ass-kicking and he could win Olympic medals in anal sex. Max had never thought hed see him look embarrassed. It was actually kind of cute. Weird, but cute.

Max handed over the cloth to Kasan and when the big guy looked like he was going to put it away, Max gestured to his body. Max was not the only one whod been rolling around all over the ground. Kasan hesitated and Max gestured again, as emphatically as he could manage when talking to someone a billion times his size. If you ever want sex again, clean off. I mean it. I will not just lie back and take it if youWell, I mean, I wouldnt have that much of a choice, because youre freaking strong as a wild mutant ox, but IdId complain a lot, Kasan. A lot. Youre ears would bleed. And I can still kick you where it counts, as long as youre lying down, and grab your tail and stomp on your toes and dont think I wont! Soclean up. Kasan quickly wiped down in the most unsexy way possible that was still pretty much sexy as hell, because this was Kasan. He was always sexy, even wearing half the forest floor as a body suit. And Kasans hand had been on his own cock, which could not be unsexy, ever. Would Max ever get to touch that? Their sex was always so fast and crazy and Max never got to. And the more he thought about it the more he wanted it. He could imagine wrapping his fingers around it and sucking the tip into his mouth. What would it taste like? Kasans mouth was honey and coffee, was his dick, too? Or something else? Max didnt even know what Kasans cum tasted like. Why did he even find that sexy? He shouldnt, he really shouldnt, but he really, really did. He wanted to make Kasan come and lick it off of him. That would bekind of awesome. Hed never thought touching some guys junk and licking his cum would be a good thing, not ever, but no guy before was Kasan. Kasan washe was special. Hey, maybe Max wasnt even gay. Maybe he was just Kasan-gay! Kasan turned around to tuck the oil in a corner and Max eyed his naked body. Those huge shoulders tapering down to his ass with the black furry tail swishing uneasily behind it. Max swallowed, harder than before. The emptiness in his ass grew deeper, like some phantom cock was pushing its way inside. As though wild Tarzan sex wasnt enough to keep his ass happy anymore. They had to do it again. Well, gay or not, he was definitely Kasan-gay. He watched Kasan take the red scarf from around his neck and only realized what it was when Kasan started to wrap it up into a loincloth. Okay, that made much more sense. More than walking around naked while wearing a scarf, anyway. Why would he do that, though? Max had come on to Kasan Kasan noticed that, right? Max didnt come on to just anyone and Kasan was the first guy ever that Max had made shown any interest in and what does he do? He puts on clothes!

You suck, Kasan. Max reached for the pile of rags next to them and put them over his shiny, clean dick. Not that Kasan seemed to care. And maybe Max sulked just a little bit, but in a manly way. Because he wasnt a cat denied his next catnip fix, for gods sake. He was a normal male, who was normally annoyed by his normal giant cat husband normally putting on clothes. Fuck. He thought he was justified in feeling denied. Nudity between them had almost never ended in non-sex. They had sex all the time. Sex was, like, Kasans hobby! Why werent they having it now? Max wanted it now. But when Kasan turned around with his loincloth all finished up, he didnt even come over, just stood there watching him from a few feet away. Max had saved him. Theyd had the sex marathon of the ages. Why was he acting this way? If they were home, and safe, and that wasnt the issue, then what? Had Maxhad he screwed up something? He knew hed messed up before. He always seemed to do that, but he thought hed fixed it. Hed fixed it; Kasan knew Max wasnt scared of him and Kasan was okay now and it was better. Max had fixed it. Max swallowed and patted the area next to him. Come on. Why dont you sit down here? Please, please sit next to him. It was beginning to scare him a little. Kasan stood near the edge of the curtain, staring at him with the fakest smile Max had ever seen, and didnt move. What the hell was going on? Why was he acting like this? Had the sex been wrong? Had Max pissed him off? Did Kasan notwant to want Max anymore? Kasan, what wrong? His voice did not quaver. It didnt! Kasan good? Shhh, Max. Dont worry so. Youre safe now. And Im doing well. Kasan good, Max. Whatever hed just said was so obviously a lie that Max wished hed understood it all. He would have be money it was the cat version of everythings fine, nothing to see here, move along, and was just as believable. He didnt know how to call the cat a liar in Hinta, though. Because Kasan looked, well, he looked so damned sad. WhatA small throat clearing outside the curtain was their warning before the older Kyashin from the other room walked through the door with a leathery bag in his hand. Seeing his face full-on, Max finally remembered him. He was familiar: the molesting guy! Hed been the one to feel up Maxs legs after that stupid room where hed climbed up the curtain and fallen! The man walked over to Kasan and wrapped his arms around him. That freaking jerk!

They hugged tightly then stayed close, talking in low tones. He was hugging Kasan and Kasan was letting him. Kasan was letting him and Kasan wouldnt even give Max a hug, or a kiss, and he was barely fuzzing the top of his head like he was supposed to because that wasthat was their thing. Max clenched his jaw, fighting back the panic welling up in his gut. Kasan better not be thinking about tossing him over. Max had saved him! Thatthat counted for something, right? He thought they were married; this asshole couldnt have him. Kasan mine! he blurted, before realizing just how stupid that sounded and biting his tongue. They both looked at him, Kasan surprised and the other one looked more amused than anything. Yeah, that was what Max lived for, his moments as cat comedy relief. Still feisty, the man chuckled. Thats a good sign. He doesnt look too damaged. I think - I hope - he escaped before the Purists were able to do anything to him, but- In the forest, he- Kasan stopped, his ears flat, and he closed his eyes. Max felt even worse. Kasan looked awful! What the hell was he saying?! He was hurt, Frodi. I took him without even waking from the grip of the heat, and he needs healing. Wethe Needs calling already. The man gripped his shoulder. Youre spiking now? Kasan nodded and the other man hugged him again quickly. Max really, really wished they would stop doing that. I dont even want to think about how close it must have been. Im just glad we didnt lose you. Now dont worry, Ill check him over, make sure hes as bandaged and healthy as I can make him before you need each other. He doesnt seem to be suffering too much, from what I see. How long do you think we have? Less than half an hour, if Im interpreting right. And hes limping. There was damageand he- I- Hes limping, Kasan said helplessly. Ill treat him carefully, Kasan. You know I will. I shouldnt need nearly that long to examine him. Kasan nodded morosely. I- I need to go find a room for us. Hell probably want privacy, so he can show youwhere it hurts. Kasan choked. Max felt like he was watching someone bleed out onto the floor. Ill be right back. But you need to stay with him! He cant be left alone. I know you wouldnt hurt him, Frodi, but I dont know if there are others here who might take him. Waran- Yes, I can understand why youd be cautious. Dont worry, he wont be left alone.

Kasan looked at Max, his lips tight. Stay, Max. Frodi willmake things better. Ill be back for you when hes done. He left the room without another word. What the hell? No! Kasan couldn't leave him! Kasan? Kasan! Where the hell are you going, Kasan? You cant just leave me here with some strange, molesting cat! Kasan! Max jumped up and cursed as pain radiated up from his feet. He fell back onto his ass trying to stand without using his feet. Ow, dammit! Kasan! Shhh, calm yourself, little one. Hell be right back. I wont hurt you. Lets see whats making you flinch like that, though. Theres got to be something there. Max glared at the man who was talking to him with a tone any human being could recognize, like Max was a three-year-old kid. The guy didnt even notice, his ears doing some kind of happy dance on his head. And who the hell even was he? The last time Kasan left him with a cat hed been kidnapped! And now hed left again and why wouldnt Kasan jump Max anymore!? Dammit, Kasan, who the hell did you leave me with? Im sorry, Max, I didnt understand that. Max watched him carefully, then pointed to himself. Max. Im pleased to meet you. Then he pointed to the guy and waited. That was clear enough, wasnt it? At least hed know his name. So he could yell it when he kicked him in the ankles. Of course. Im Frodi. Pleased to meet you, Max. Okay, with that out of the way. Frodi, whatwhat do youhere? Frodi blinked and then snorted a laugh. Kasan didnt even bother to tell you, did he? Poor boy doesnt have enough blood left in his brain, I imagine. Eh, dont worry, Im here to make it feel better. Max wasnt sure hed caught that right. Feel better? Feelgood? That did not mean what Max thought it meant, because if it did, he was going to quietly panic.except he was done panicking. Kasan wouldnt do that to him. He knew that. He knew it. And panicking was old Max, and Old Max was dead. New Max didnt panic until he knew what was going on, because New Max had made it through that damn maze of corridors and crazy cats and the giant forest and Aaaah, get away from my legs! Okay, so maybe he needed some practice still, but the damn cat had just come over and started grabbing! What the hell was he supposed to do? Max hunched at the side of the

pallet and looked around for places to run to. Like the curtained slit Kasan had walked out of. Frodi frowned at him, crossing his arms. How in the world does Kasan expect me to do this if you panic when he leaves? Max, I, ah, I need to see where youre hurt. Hurt? Pain? Like this. Frodi punched his own leg, making an exaggerated face and saying the cat version of ow. What? He pulled out a small vial from his bag. From the smell, Max would swear it was the same stuff Max had smeared on Kasans cuts. Frodi rubbed it over his leg where hed just smacked it. Oh thank freaking God! Healing! Kasan had brought him to a doctor. Maxs insides unclenched and he felt unaccountably choked up. Kasan didnt hate him; he was getting him help. Because he was always helping out Max that way, wasnt he? And Max had better make sure this Frodi looked Kasan over when he came back. Kasan could have been hurt too. and theyd rolled all over the dirt and leaves and Kasan had those nasty cuts from the thorns the other day that could get infected. Except. Max rewound his visual of Kasans back and ass in his head and frowned. Had he missed all the cuts over Kasan, or had he really seen smooth, golden skin and nothing else? No, he wasnt that oblivious. There hadnt been any cuts on Kasan. Max looked down at his own body, remembering the scratches and scrapes hed collected trying to escape in the forest and goggled. He didnt have any either, and he knew that bark had scraped up his dick like a cheese grater, butit was fine now. He looked over his arms and his legs quickly and the only thing that hurt were the bottoms of his feet. What the hell? HeNo, you know what? This was not panicking. New Max, no panicking. Because getting some super-powered healing? That was good, not worth panicking over. Maybe it was, like, another STD, to make up for the first one. Alien sex herpes and alien healing cooties. He could live with that. Max? Max. Max. Frodi waved his hand in front of Maxs face. Uh, what? Sorry, whatre you saying? Max flushed. Frodi smiled briefly and pointed to Maxs body. Ow? He held up the lotion. If they had doctors, then either not all cats could heal like this, or not everything healed. Like his freaking feet. My feet are killing me. Max planted his ass on the pallet and stuck his feet out. They were really tender now. He was pretty sure they were swollen, and standing on them when hed tried to go after Kasan had started them throbbing again.

It was like he could feel the prick from every thorn hed stepped on stabbing with cold needles. Frodi came over and made concerned, doctoring kinds of noises over Maxs feet, at least thats what Max hoped they were. No wonder youre hurting! Im betting that stings like mad, you poor thing. Morelenta is about as nasty as it gets. He grinned, patting Maxs thigh with a bit too much familiarity for Maxs comfort. Lucky youve got nanites now, eh? Theyll have it sorted in a few days but I have something you can use for the pain until then. He paused as if waiting for a response. Max tried to look as confused as possible, which wasnt hard because he had no freaking clue what the man had just said. Oh, right. Here, Max, for Maxs hurt. He put the previous lotion into his bag and grabbed a small jar of salve. When he opened the top, the scent was much sharper, like cinnamon and lemon. Put this on your feet, like this. Frodi dipped a finger into the balm and rubbed a small dab on the sole of Maxs left foot. It went tingly and hot almost immediately, the pain ebbing as the heat grew. The heat was strong, buzzing, almost hot enough to burn, but if it took the pain away, that was all Max needed to know. Here, Max, you do the rest. Frodi handed him the bottle and grabbed a tablet the size of a playing card out of the bag. Ill type out the instructions for Kasan. Not sure if you can understand enough yet, dear, and youll need this. Then he paused. Max, more hurts? More ow? He started gesturing and Max shook his head quickly. No, Max no hurt. And then very nonchalantly but faster than the speed of sound, Max pushed the fabric scraps that had fallen off back on top of his dick . Frodi went back to jotting something down on the tablet and they both jumped when the curtain was yanked open. Frodi, we need you! Abdominal stab wound; we cant get the bleeding to stop! Frodi nodded tersely and scribbled fiercely for another second on the tablet before he tossed it to Max. Max grabbed it and fumbled, nearly dropping the tablet and balm both. Give it to Kasan, Max! Now come on. I promised Kasan I wouldnt leave you alone. He can find you with me. He scooped up Max, dropped the fabric preserving Maxs dignity, and scrambled from the room. Woah, woah, woah! What are you doing? Wait, whats going on? Wheres Kasan! He said I was supposed to wait there! Max raised his voice to yell, looking around frantically as Frodi continued striding along so fast Max couldnt even see the room hed just come out of. What was he doing? Doctor or not, he wasnt supposed to take Max away! How would Kasan find him? Max shoved at him, struggling. Kasan!

The woman trotting next to them spoke up. Is he all right? Whats wrong with him? Frodi didnt slow down, tightening his grip. He doesnt understand whats going on, thats all. And he was just kidnapped by Waran, so I imagine hes somewhat unsettled right now. What if Frodi was actually another bastard cat, like Waran, only pretending to be nice! Or even just a jerk cat like some of the ones Kasan still talked to even though they scared the crap out of Max! Let me down right now, you bastard! Kasan! Help! Max tried to punch him in the face and missed completely. Frodi sighed. Like I said, a little unsettled. Shhh, Max, its all right, little one! Screw you, jerk! Kasan is going to kick your ass! Yes, Kasan, thats right, Kasan will be coming. Hell Oh thank God. There he is, see? Theres Kasan. Frodi stopped and pointed out Kasan sprinting toward them from across the room. Kasan was panting, claws out, and he snatched Max out of Frodis arms the second he was close enough. Max had no compunction about latching onto him like a baby freaking monkey. Everyone kept trying to take him! Kasans bellow hurt Maxs ears. What the hells going on, Frodi?! Dont you snarl at me! Hes still with me, isnt he? Max is frightened! Hes an adult; hell live, Frodi snapped. I have an emergency; lives take precedence over comfort, so shut up and listen. Your consort needs medicine applied. Check to make sure hes done it right; the directions are on the tablet. But what about- I dont have time, Kasan! Take him to a room or dont; Im needed elsewhere! The last was said over his shoulder as Frodi strode away, talking rapidly with the young woman at his side. Kasan growled after him but his arms were wrapped around Max and Max couldnt care less about Frodi. He was with Kasan again; whatever the hell was going on, he could figure it out as long as he was still with Kasan. Kasan nuzzled the top of his head and Max arched his head a little into it before he stopped himself. So he enjoyed Kasan touching him. So what? He could do that, now.

Its all right, Gisho. I have a room for us. Max and Kasan together, understand? Max nodded and Kasan sighed heavily. Itll be fine. Ill make sure its fine. We can do this. Ill be gentle this time; please, Max, dont be afraid. He stared intently at Max and Max didnt know what he wanted. What did Kasan want him to say? He didnt have a clue. So Max smiled and rubbed his hand over the smooth skin of Kasans chest before leaning his face on it. Max happy, he said softly. Kasan caught his breath, resting his face on the top of Maxs head for a long moment before he started walking. Okay, so Max hadnt screwed that one up. Something was still wrong, but Kasan didnt look like he was worried about the people around them. He wasnt watching them as he made his way through the crowd and out into a hallway. And he was holding onto Max so he didnt look like he was leaving again. Whatever it was that was bothering him, at least he wasnt still mad at Max. Max had just fought off giant cats, giant dungeons, giant trees, giant spiky slime balls, and giant dogs. He could do this too. As soon as he figured out exactly what it was. Chapter 38 Harder The first sign that things were not as they should be was when Kasan carried Max down an unfamiliar hallway. Max hadnt even realized his brain had actually memorized enough to even know what the outside of Kasans room looked like, but he knew it wasnt this hallway. There were too many doors. The walls were a darker golden tone, nearly beige, rather than the softer canary gold outside Kasans room. Max was squirming in Kasans arms because the emptiness of his ass was destroying his entire brain, but he wasnt so far gone that he didnt notice Kasan. And the moment they turned the corner and saw the lone guard standing in front of one of the many doors along the walls, Kasan wasnt comfortable. Max stopped moving, looking around them nervously. The tension was back in Kasans shoulders. His lips quivered; Max almost though he was going to snarl. Should Max be nervous? The guard didnt seem hostile. He didnt give Max the creeps like Waran had, and he looked a little familiar even, but everyone looked familiar right now. Red hair in a long braid; maybe he was making Max think of Zonta. Kasan stood a few doors away and called out. What are you doing here, Korosh? The man quickly put his spear on the floor and his hands palm up and out in front of him. Not my idea! The Elders want me here. Whatever hed said, Kasan didnt look that impressed. He actually looked up and down the hallway before angling his body so Max wasnt completely visible to the guy. And

why would they want that? The man snorted. Now I know for sure that youre spiking; youre brains gone to your dick. Korosh, Kasan growled out. Its to protect you and your consort, obviously. We know you need sex, Kasan. And if we know, well He looked disgusted and pained at the same time. If there are any Purists lying low in the Citadel, pretending they arent cowardly slime, they probably know what you need to do for the next hour, too. It would be easy for one or two people to take Max when youre vulnerable or distracted, and you know it. With most of regular guards still in the Haven, they thought you should have at least one keeping watch. And why you? Why arent you down there? Kasans ears were still flat and Max put a hand on his chest, looking at the other cat. What about him was disturbing Kasan? Kasans tail wrapped around Maxs foot, bristling, and Max rubbed it with his toes. The man cheerfully gestured down to his leg where Max could see a long gash with some piercings along it. Already done my part, not allowed back again yet. I wont be the best fighter if someone comes, but I can do the job. Im supposed to box Central every time two or more come down the hallway, just in case, even if they look like theyre hear for the heat. If you want to box them yourself to confirm? Of course I do. Dont move. Kasan backed away from the man and Max stared, unsure what was going on. As usual. They went one door down and there was another of those boxes on the wall. Kasan kept them both angled so they could keep their eye on the other cat. Max listened to him talking with someone else through the box for a minute before Kasan nodded and began to relax. Max could see a bright smile on the other mans face about the same time Kasan relaxed. See? Told you. Now youd better get a move on, hadnt you? Always good to start these things early. Foreplay is an important part of any heat. He grinned impishly but stopped when he was met by Kasans frown. Thank you for keeping watch. We appreciate it. Uh, anytime, Kasan. The man looked uncertain now. Is thereanything you need? No, we have it all, Kasan said softly. He quickly walked them both past the other cat and into the room. The door closed behind them with a soft thud. Finally! Max didnt have to be freaking naked in front of someone else for the first time in, oh, ever. The room itself was nice, but there was a similarity to the others Max was noticing. Golden stone everywhere. A large, brilliantly turquoise bed, one of the circular ones, with matching pillows. Not as many as Kasans but a nice amount. And this one even had a

few mirrors on the walls, too. Shelves were inset along the left wall with some bottles that Max would bet had something slippery in them. And a small room that Max was pretty sure led to their version of a bathroom. So, here they were. Not out in the forest of giant bugs but in a safe, not-filled-by-giantcats room. Well, a filled-by-one-cat bedroom, so Max thought probably everything but his ass was safe, judging by previous history, but Max could do that! He was all over the sex stuff now, totally used to it. He could have sex with Kasan all day, no problem. He wouldnt even break a sweat. Yeah, right. Max rubbed his hand over Kasans chest and stared at it, afraid to meet Kasans eyes. Hed been so frightened that Kasan would die, and the sex had been so frenziedwould it be like that again? Or would it be more like the sex before everything went to shit? Before Aosh and their fight and Waran, it had been It had been pretty amazing. Kasan had been so sweet at the baths, and for the first time, Max had felt like life might not be one giant round of frightening, overwhelming things. Hed even been able to touch Kasan during that massage. Just that one time, and the feeling of Kasans ass in his hands haunted him right now. Would he get to feel it again, or was it always going to be Kasan rushing them through the sex to the climax. Which was, okay, possibly the best climaxes that the world had to offer, but Max wanted to touch him again. Because after that once everything after had been so awful that Max could barely remember what it felt like, only the slide of skin under his fingers, and the give of taut muscles underneath it. And Kasan groaning, just a little. Max wanted that again. He wanted Kasan to. to look at him like he had then! Before Aosh showed up and Max had yelled at Kasan and Kasan had pushed him away. Max wanted that peaceful feeling back so much, but Max didnt think he was going to get it. Kasan had not relaxed since theyd closed the door. He carried Max to the bed, carefully set him down among the cushions, and then deliberately walked away from him. Max opened his mouth to call him back and quavered to a stop before hed formed an entire word. He drew his knees up and clamped his hands between his knees to watch. Kasan had come to get him; he should remember that. Whatever anger Kasan had at Max, hed still come get him. Max just wished he knew what that meant. Max swallowed uneasily as Kasan headed for the shelves. Kasan put down the jar of salve and the tablet hed taken from Max, neatly hiding them among the mass of bottles and other sex paraphernalia there. He braced his arms against the small shelf, leaning over, his head hanging low. Max could see his back expanding as he breathed in deep.

If only Max could figure out what the heck was wrong! Shouldnt it be better now? Kasan? In a moment, Gisho, Kasan said softly. With another deep breath, he picked up the tablet and started to read. His ears flattened immediately. Apply three times a day to the affected area as needed for four days! Restrict Shit. You arent even supposed to walk? Kasan whispered. He looked over at Max and his eyes were hot. I hurt you that badly? I can never He flinched, his body jerking sharply and his eyes were pained. Dammit. We cant wait any longer, Max. We have to go again. Just Ill the medicine... Kasan, please, whats going on? Shhh, little one. I swear this time will be different. Kasan palmed one of the bottles, Max couldnt see which one, and then looked back at the tablet and started muttering to himself. Dammit, Frodi, did you give him a dose already or not? Couldnt you have said? Looking at Max, Kasan paused and seemed to be wrestling with something before he nodded sharply and headed toward Max. Let me just check to see if Frodi applied any yet, little one, and then we can go on from there. Max bit his lip. The tone of Kasans voice and the way he was walking quietly towards Max, as though he were afraid Max would bolt, set off alarm bells. What was going on, and why the heck did Kasan think it would upset Max? Because if he did, it probably would. He scooted back a little on the bed. Kasan? What happening now? Sex. His voice was soft. Max swallowed, eyes dropping to Kasans crotch and realizing that the man was fully erect, bound up in the bright red loincloth. Max stared at him, swallowing. Sex wasnt bad. Why was Kasan acting like it was bad? He hadnt even acted like sex was a bad thing when it was a bad thing because it was with a complete stranger who was a freaking alien. Or when it was an exhibition and not sex. How bad was it when Kasan thought sex was bad!? Max examined Kasans face, his ears, his tail, and he still wasnt sure. Kasan was aroused; that hadnt been in question even before Kasan dropped the loincloth and continued walking toward him with his cock leading the way. But he looked so freaking tense.

Max? Max, sex now, little one. Im so sorry Kasans voice wobbled. Max felt his breath hitch, teasing the edge of hyperventilating and it pissed him off. He had finally started to want the sex! He didnt want other cats, but hed found Kasan and they were both alive and why was he letting Kasan freak him out? Oh screw this. Kasan had given Max scary sex, and exhibitionist sex, and rough sex. Hed never given him bad sex, had he? No. And Maxs ass felt so damned empty, and Kasan looked so unhappy that sex had to be better than feeling as bad as Kasan looked. They were alive and alone. Max wanted Kasan to come over and fuck him. Right now. Okay. O-kay? That mean? Yes. Yes, sex. Okay. Kasans eyes widened and he stopped his rather predatory walk towards Max. He swallowed visibly, the cords in his neck standing out as Max watched him. Max swallowed himself, feeling a strange quivering in the middle of his belly at actually saying the word. Not that he hadnt agreed to sex before, but something felt different about today. Kasan was so focused, and.not like his usual self. Kasan good? Not hurt? Kasan closed his eyes a minute and walked over so quickly it startled Max into flailing. Kasan picked him up into a massive hug. He buried his face against Maxs hair and mumbled against him. Am I good? How can you ask that when youre the one who was hurt? Max couldnt keep his eyes from going wide as Kasan simply held on. Maxs feet dangling above the ground, he patted Kasans head awkwardly. Uh, love you too? Oh how he wished that was what Kasan was saying. He didnt think it was likely, though. It was nice to feel like hed been, well, missed, at least. Hugging was good. Very good. Kasan didnt let go. Hanging in his arms, Max wasnt sure what to do until the flicker of Kasans ears near his face caught his eye. He reached out and rubbed one between his fingers. It was so alive. He could see the faint veins visible on the paler inner edge of the ears, feel it warm and flickering in his hand, and the fur was silky and smooth where it lay flat against the delicate skin of Kasans ears. Max stroked it softly, wondering. Kasan didnt move his face from Maxs neck, but as Max continued to stroke, Kasan began to purr against Maxs skin. It made the quivering in Maxs stomach move outward and fill up his spine like water in a tall glass. He shivered and Kasan pulled his face

away. Shhh, little one. I wont hurt you. Why did he keep saying that? I know. Kasan made a face Max wished like hell he could figure out, because it wasweird. Max was the one who got to make weird faces, not that he was doing it now, but if there was a weird face making thing going on where someone was quietly freaking out, then it should be Max doing the freaking out, shouldnt it? He was in a good freaking out place: married by aliens, kidnapped by aliens, adopted by aliens, and kidnapped by other aliens. That was worth freaking out over. Especially when he was reminded, briefly, that there really were giant flying bugs here. Kasan? Kasan cleared his throat and his arms loosed from Max, not enough to drop him, but he wasnt holding him like a human teddy bear any more. Max put his hands out and they landed on Kasans chest, the skin there hot. Too hot, and Max really wanted to explore that. And he could, couldnt he? They were back together again, and they were safe, and Max had not totally failed in saving Kasan. He looked down to better watch his hands stroking over Kasans chest, one set of fingers playing quietly with Kasans nipple. He watched it, giving himself something to focus on as Kasan merely held him, because this was still new. It was always wham, bam, thank you, maam before this. Or wham, bam...bam...bam thank you, maam. Max never got to touch. Not since hed realized that hed actually rather like to try and touch. A lot. And then he lost the opportunity because theyd been interrupted by stupid Aosh stupid, brave Aosh - and thenKasan hadnt wanted to touch him so much. His hand paused with his finger brushing the small nub of one of Kasans nipples, staring at the darker beige color of it, the flesh just barely wrinkled where it pebbled from the touch of his hands. I want to touch Kasan, he said wonderingly. He really, really did. He could see Kasans ass in his head, the big, muscular, golden ass that had felt fantastic. He licked his lips quickly, trying to control the need to cup his hands around something. He could feel his face getting hot, more because of embarrassment than lust. How do you admit to yourself that for days now, youd been lusting after a man a

crazy-huge alien man whod screwed you blind multiplte times a day, and youd only just realized that reallyyou lusted after him too? Not that he hadnt known, butit was different when you felt like the lust was coming from somewhere else, or forced on him, or, he didnt even know, poured into him against his will by the touch of Kasans fingers, his lips, his skin. It was so different right at this moment, actively sitting and thinking about Kasans body, and feeling it like a part or his own body. He couldnt even imagine himself without Kasan right now and the embarrassment of having this when Kasan couldnt possibly feel the same way how was Max going to bear this? How could anyone feel this way about someone else and not want to curl up into a ball because the other person was going to see Max so completely, totally over the moon for him? It was like some corny chick flick on late night tv. Max could call it Passions Goofy Stupidity. Next Kasan was going to be bringing him a dozen roses and an orphaned kid was going to show up on their doorstep for them to raise together. Crap. Max blinked as he realized that Kasan was staring at him. Max looked back up, putting his hand on Kasans chest again, expecting to see the familiar teasing, sexy look on Kasans face. But no. Kasans ears were down, like theyd been since Max had woken up, and Kasan looked uncertain. Okay, Kasan, what the hell is going on? Kasan sighed. Sorry, Max, Ill be quick. Not hurt Max. Of course you wontwoah! Max shook his head dizzily, staring at the floor. He was over Kasans lap. Face down over Kasans lap. What the- What was he-? Max stared at the floor, eyes going wide as Kasan put one broad hand over the small of his back, anchoring him there. Kasans muscles rubbed against Maxs belly and chest, slippery from the cleaning oil. Max could feel him shift, like his free hand was reaching back. No, there must be some reason for this. Something sexual, something fun, and something that went against all the porn that Max had ever seen that suggested that he was about to be spanked! He couldnt be spanked! Didnt Kasan realize that he had hands the size of shovels! Maxs ass couldnt take that kind of abuse! Maxs ass could barely take Kasans dick!

Kasan, what the hell are you doing? Maxs voice was so high he thought Androcles might hear it and come save him! This is for your own good, Max. Kasan, stop it! What are you doing? Whatever it is, I didnt do it! Dont you dare! I dont want- The words froze in his throat as he felt Kasans hand on his backside. Rather than smacking him, though, it was.prying apart the cheeks of his ass. Kasan held them open and leaned over. Max could tell he was looking. Oh god, Kasan was keeping him wide open and juststaring at him. Exposed and quivering, Max started to pant. He shifted and slid a little on Kasans oiled legs. The musky sweet smell from the oil was overwhelming. One finger rubbed up from his balls to swirl lightly over Maxs hole and he moaned. Oh God. What- God, what are you doing? he whimpered. He tried to tighten his buttocks but Kasans huge fingers were pushing his cheeks open no matter how much he clenched. Kasaaan. Kasans finger lingered for another second and then moved off. Im sorry, Max. I was hoping hed already taken care of this but youre still dry. You need your medicine, Kasans voice was an unhappy murmur and Max felt a finger against his anus again, cooler, slick. Max squirmed, but he stopped speaking. He could hear Kasans breathing pick up and it made his own heart speed up too. He flushed. He was not into bondage, and he was not into spanking, but now that he was completely trapped on Kasans lap he was really embarrassed and really, really turned on. How did that even work? He was such a freaking nympho! But, but, it wasnt his fault! Dang it, he wanted to see what Kasan was going to do! Because whatever Kasan did tended to feel really, really good. Max gasped as Kasans finger, slippery and large, slowly pushed its way inside until Max could feel Kasans knuckle against the cheeks of his ass. Uuuuuh, Kasan, youGod! And then it started to tingle. Kasan, wh-what? What kind of lube is that? Max squirmed, clamping down on Kasans finger, and the tingling grew to small sparks. Okay, ass-tingling lube wasnt what he was expecting at all! And it wasnt a sensation that Max was necessarily enjoying. Justweird. He wriggled, trying to push forward so Kasans finger wasnt so deeply embedded in his ass and he could try and adjust to whatever-this-was. Hush, Gisho, I wont hurt you. I promise. We need to do this. Max, love, you need to stop squirming so I can get this in far enough. Max, please, this is for your own good.

Kasans hand pressed more fully on his back, holding him still. Kasans finger pushed in deeper, spreading the strange sensation along with it, and Max arched back, gasping. Oh god, oh god, oh god. It felt like Kasan was stroking him inside, twisting his finger slowly back and forth. Max sucked in a huge gulp of air as Kasan drew it out so freaking slowly, so carefully. He thought he was done until Kasan brought the finger back, slick again. It went in faster this time, smoother. Max squeaked in surprise. Kasan! The sparks heating up as it went in. Kasan pumped slowly in and out until Max started panting in earnest now. God, oh God. Crap, how did Kasan do this? Asses shouldnt tingle like this! Kasan, what are you doing! Kasan curled his finger. Ah, no fair! No- God, yeah. Fuuuck. What the heck is this stuff? Murmuring, Kasan pulled out and rubbed his hand gently over the crease between Maxs cheeks, spreading the tingle there, too. Calm down now. Thats all, little one. That should be enough. Kasan picked him up and put him on his knees on the bed. Max braced himself but it was awkward. He couldnt stop squirming, and he didnt even want to know what faces he was making. But it was starting to get hot inside his ass! It was growing stronger, and he couldnt make it go away. And Kasan merely watched him with dark eyes as though he was waiting to see how it worked. Max couldn't stop flushing so red that he was burning inside and out now. Whatever kind of lube this was, he wasnt sure he liked it. N-not like, Kasan, he said, shifting from one knee to the other, and Kasan nodded back. I know. Im sorry, little one. It will make you feel so much better, soon, though. The pain will go away. He waited longer, just staring, while Maxs body started to really burn. His feet burned, his face burned, and his ass felt like it was empty and burning! And then, when Max thought he was going to lose his mind and was possibly, just maybe, whimpering like a freaking puppy, Kasan gently pushed him over onto his back. Max didnt say a word; he was too busy squirming against the sheets and wriggling his hips, trying to come to terms with the sensation in his ass. Kasan crawled over the bed on top of him, looking down, the smell of him so damned musky and strong and hotter than hell. Max squirmed again. The empty feeling inside his ass and the burning pins and needles made him want Kasan inside him now. Anything to make the feeling better! Kasan!

I know, little one, Kasan whispered. He leaned over and kissed Maxs chest, licking over his skin with small flicks of his tongue, and Max arched up into it. He reached up and grabbed at Kasans ears, trying to get his hair but stroking harshly over the ears every time Kasan licked him again. He couldnt control his own arms, he thought wildly, and Kasan was doing nothing more than licking! How the hell had he once thought he didnt want Kasan? God, Kasan was the best. Kasan was awesome. He really, really wanted Kasan. In his ass, right now, before it caught on fire! Kasan, do it now, Max panted. Kasan moved down his body and towards his cock. Kasans hand was on the bed next to Maxs head and the other was caressing his stomach. It was leaving a trail of faint tingling behind it, as well. Max arched into Kasan again, trying to keep hold of the dark strands of his hair. Kasan, please, just come up here and do it! Kasan moved lower and Max yanked on his ears. Kasan, now! Kasan stopped and looked at him. Max Oh god, he thought his heart was going to explode. Hed never felt like he wanted something in his ass so much! Please? Sex now? Kasan stared at him, his ears twitching, and he slowly nodded. Of course, Max, whatever you want. He didnt sound his usual confident self, though. Max had the brief thought that maybe he should be nervous but he just wanted something in his ass. It was freaking on fire! Max, Ill be gentle. You dont have to be afraid, little one. Max panted, writhing against Kasan and the sheets and he was about to stick his own fingers up his ass if Kasan didnt get started, but Kasan looked so upset. Max didnt want him upset but god, please, he had to have sex! Crap, what had worked last time? Why had Kasan been upset last time? Wait, yes! Kasan? Kasan looked down at him. Max good. Im good, Kasan. I am great. I am so perfectly wonderfully good and ready for you to please, please get in me! Kasan blinked once, groaned, and leaned down to kiss all over Maxs face. Max couldn't make out his words at all, but Kasan kept talking to him in between kisses, as his legs nudged between Maxs, pushing Maxs legs wide, as if Max wasnt already opening his legs like a freaking barn door already! So sweetlove you so much, Max. Never hurt you again. So beautiful Kasan? Max wasnt sure if he got the word out completely before Kasans cock began to fill him. Oh fuck, finally!

But he was going more slowly than Kasan ever moved, when Max wanted him to freaking get inside! But no, Kasan was being a contrary jerk and his cock nudged against the middle of Maxs ass, going so terribly slowly that Max could felt each shift of his muscles opening up to let Kasan come in. The thick length pushed carefully, stretching him until the enormous head popped through. It held him open, vibrating against the burn inside of him. It changed it, warping the burn to something so freaking good that Max lost his breath. He spread his legs as wide as they could go, trying to wrap them around Kasans hips, pulling on his torso with his hands as he did his best to urge him in deeper in faster but Kasan insisted on keeping it slow. Max whined pitifully. The burn moved deep in his ass, reaching for his spine. The pressure of Kasans girth as it sank into him was sending even more of the burn to Maxs dick. But Kasan was stopping. He wasnt thrusting in! He stayed there between Maxs legs, keeping Max only half-impaled, petting him. And the burn grew. There was steadily growing heat from the stetched and sensitive flesh that was wrapped around Kasans cock like some greedy mouth that would have sucked it all in if Kasan would just let him. Faster, Max said, gasping again as Kasan went in another inch. Kasan growled under his breath as he paused, then went in so little that Max could hardly tell he was moving. He pull with his legs desperately, arching up, and Kasan went in another inch with a short jerk. They both gasped. Kasan tried to pull out but Max growled low and bit at his chest. Faster! Kasan paused, his hips steadying. His voice trembled. Shhh, I know its hard. He slowly pushed all the way in. Oh fuuuck. Max was having a hard time thinking by the time Kasan was embedded fully. Hed never felt anything like it. The stretch from Kasans length was exactly what he needed, so freaking deep. God he loved feeling Kasan in so deep like this! But the tingling burn was spreading too, and when Kasan carefully pulled out and entered him again, Max yelped. The burnpulsed. Sparks from an anvil when the hammer came down. Kasan thrust in, and they spread. Maxs nipples burned, his belly boiled, and his ass, god, his ass needed more. Maxs nipples peaked and he started moving his hips desperately, trying to pull Kasan in tighter and closer and if he could just get him to thrust again! Kasan! Max wanted to come right now! God, hed never been this aroused, this fast! He gasped and writhed every time Kasan thrust in, so softly that Maxs body hardly moved. Every thrust was soft and gentle and careful.

Why was he doing that? Kasan was supposed to fuck him, like out in the forest! It was too slow; Max was going to burn up if Kasan didnt help him! Faster! Kasan stared down at him, his face tense as he moved, and his eyes were blank with incomprehension. Max tried to pull on Kasans body again. This is not the time to not understand, Kasan! Fuck! Me! Max shoved his hips against Kasans body, trying to shove himself onto Kasans cock faster. Kasan held his hips still, making shushing noises, and kept the same pace, slow and steady. I am going to kill you. You need to move! Oh god, yes, that. No, no, no, not so slow! Please, just a little more, please, god, Im going to die! Im going to die and then Im going to kill you, and then Im going to die again. Please, Kasan, please! Max moaned as he shoved himself against Kasan, whimpering for release, trying to get Kasan to move his cock faster, go deeper, go harder. He leaned up and bit Kasans skin; Kasan thrust in hard with a startled whoomph of air. Oh fuck yes! It was just what Max was looking for, the heavy body on top of him, Kasans cock splitting him wide and open and the burning spreading out everywhere, down to his toes. Max, dont. I dont want to scare you. Please, I cant control- Max bit Kasan again in the round fullness of his chest where Max had to smash his nose against the skin to get a good enough grip. Kasans body convulsed as he cried out and thrust in hard again, and Max keened out a small, high gasp and took it all, as far as he could. Kasan cursed under his breath. The next thrust was stuttering as though he were trying to slow himself down. Dont you dare! Maxs fingers slid on the sweaty skin of Kasans ribs. He wanted Kasan to go faster! Biting and licking Kasans nipple, sucking on it until he thought the skin would bruise, he finally got it. Kasan growled and groaned at the same time and began to thrust harder, his stomach rubbing against Maxs cock with the best friction freaking ever. Kasans hand shoved under Maxs hips, pulling him up against him even tighter as he thrust deep. Max could feel the breath shoved out of him every time Kasan thrust, the sound of their bodies a loud, heavy slap as their skin met, and he was so ready for it. Wanted to come so badly! He could feel that heat burning hotter than he thought it had in the entire time hed known Kasanso hot in his ass, so damn hot, and he wanted to come so badly he just needed it, needed it, needed it!

Yes! Oh crap, crap, yes! He convulsed around Kasan, shooting over their stomachs as Kasan shoved in hard, snarling, and held Max still while he pulsed into him. Kasan buried his face in the bed next to Maxs head, shoulders shaking. Maxs breath came in harsh, sobbing gasps as he lay open and pliant under Kasans body. Holy crap. He smiled a little. I will never, ever make fun of alien lube again. Holy crap. Kasan lifted up his head, eyes blurred, and tilted his head while he looked at Max. His lips twisted. Max smiled at him and he didnt care how goofy he looked. Kasans ears bobbed down and back up again like they couldnt make up their minds. His voice was soft. YoureMax not hurt? Oh crap, are you kidding? Im good. Max is soooo good. He worked on Kasans words and frowned. Wait, Kasan was asking if he was hurt? Wasthat why hed been so slow? Max thought back again to how Kasan had treated him just before all the shit had gone down, how hed told Max that hed never hurt him. He was still-? I know Kasan not hurt me, Max said quietly, still panting. He smiled, raising his hand to touch Kasans face. Kasan blinked and suddenly reached forward to pull Max in close again. He mumbled something against Max again that Max didnt catch. When he pulled back Max flushed. Kasan was still inside of him, just staring at him. Max wasnt sure what to say. That had beenreally good. Really, really good. Different. The odd burning was subsiding now but there was still enough to make Kasans presence inside his ass a bit more noticeable at this stage than it usually was. Max shifted uncertainly. Im so glad youre not frightened, Kasan whispered. His voice cracked. So glad. You are so amazing, little one. I have no idea what I did to deserve you. Kasan purred quietly and Max sighed. He loved that stupid sound. He shifted again. No, Gisho, dont move yet. I have to stay inside for a while right now. Max patted his face again, wishing he knew what the problem was. Kasan continued to stare at him and Max squirmed. Um, what do we do now? Usually he was kind of falling at this point and even if Kasan stayed inside for a while, it wasnt like Max cared when he was asleep, right? He didnt think there was an etiquette book on what to do when your alien husband needs to stay inside your ass for a while but your ass is tingly enough to keep you

awake. Maybe he could write it himself, because it looked like he was about to find out. Chapter 39a - The King and I Leero usually woke immediately to the slightest alteration in his surroundings. One minute there was nothing but the dark edge of sleep and the next, he was fully aware of whether he was in his own room, a new lovers bed, or some patch of ground where hed camped down after hiking around the mountain. It was a useful skill, not only in his dayto-day work but also in avoiding Kasan pranking him when the Princes brothers werent available to torment. So he was having a difficult time understanding why this time, his mind and body were failing him. He couldnt wake fully, trapped in a hazy half-sleep that was both comforting and irritating. And he had no idea where he was. His mind wouldnt settle on one point of sensory input, skipping from the sound of someone breathing to the scent of sweat and cleaning oil to the feeling of languor in every muscle. His eyes remained firmly closed no matter what he did. He couldnt remember falling asleep. The last time he had awareness hed been in the Haven looking for Max. Thered been fighting in the hallways, a group coming from either end of the hallway. Leero had been working desperately to keep the Lord King from getting skewered because every last man attacking them seemed determined to get to him, as though killing Kyoru would make the Purist cause succeed. And then And then Nothing. Nothing until this moment. What the hell happened to Max? And Kasan? And the Lord King? Throwing his mind back frantically now, one memory bobbed to the surface: the soft, masculine voice of Kyoru murmuring into his ear that Kasan had found Max and they were both safe. Oh thank god. Max safe, Kasan safe, and if Kyoru knew about it, he and Leero must have made it back to the Citadel, so the Lord King was safe, too. It was strange that the sheer relief over that actually made it easier to wake himself up a little more. Enough so that he realized something else just as important: his body no longer burned. As he wasnt dead, that could mean only one thing. His heat had ended. He had a consort now. The breathing next to him suddenly made sense. And cataloguing the new sensations he was becoming aware of, he realized that he was also naked, with the soft pressure of services collar still around his neck and an unfamiliar velvety blanket

underneath his bodyexcept the feel of the mattress underneath that wasnt completely unfamiliar. He knew it. He simply couldnt remember where he knew if from. With what felt like a monumental effort, Leero finally opened his eyes, staring at the far wall. It showed nothing more than a typical residential quarters, although larger than most, with a wall hanging made up to resemble a sunset above a few inset shelves. Leero recognized that hanging. That particular swirl of orange and crimson in the corner, the one that resembled a set of fangs, was unforgettable. So why couldnt he match it up with a particular person? It should be simple. Hed seen this, and hed seen it in a particular room. And that room belonged to? His mind refused to knock down the wall of mist between him and the information. Although he could remember that this hanging did not exist in Aosh and Zontas room. Which meant he wasnt lying next to Aosh or Zonta after having mated them. Thank God thatdisaster had been avoided. Leero shifted, looking down at the russet fur underneath him. He spread his hand over it, petting. The blanket was so soft and silky that once he started touching it, his fingers couldnt seem to stop. He rubbed his face against it and his nose twitched. It reeked of another male, of Leero, and of sex. And while the mans scent was another familiar smell, he couldnt identify it, either. It was right at the edge of his mind, like a word he couldnt quite remember. He couldnt remember! This was the man hed been spending the next couple of decades with, and he couldnt even recall his name. Leeros shoulders tensed up as he was reminded that the man was still there, too. Leero could feel the slight dip in the bed next to him, and the slow, steady breathing behind his head. He had just claimed a person he didnt even know, might not even like, let alone care about. Leero swallowed his disappointment. Yes, so he wasnt going to have some grand romance like Kasan was. Or like Tisu and Roto. Or Nolluz and Neera. Or probably like Aosh and Zonta and their consorts, because the entire family seemed unfairly blessed in their choice of consorts. It didnt matter. It wasnt even unusual; a lot of couples started out their mating previously unknown to each other, or near enough. It wasnt the end of the world. Finding someone Leero would be willing to join with after their mating hadnt been a practical wish. Or even likely. Hed live through his heats, his consort would live, and that was, after all, the important part. Leero lay still, swallowing painfully, because while being alive was the goal, hed harbored a small, faint hope that he could be alive and damn well happy with a partner who hed connected with. The chances of that happening now, with a stranger He shoved aside that type of thinking; it wasnt as though it would change anything. He

had a consort, so hed learn to coexist with him. Maybe it would be best if he could at least remember a little of last night. Starting out ones mated life by admitting that you have no memory of the event might not be the best way to go about it. Leero blinked slowly and worked through what he did remember. He and Kyoru had been in the Haven, searching for Max. That was the clearest memory he had. He remembered fighting in hallway after hallway, running and stumbling into battles that never seemed to end as Purists crawled out of the woodwork to attack in endless swarms. Theyd been separated from the others; he remembered that, too. It had been so damned hard to keep Kyoru from getting skewered. Leeros heat had been raging, worse after every attack until he was more a liability to the Lord King than a comrade in arms. Thered been one last attack. Leero remembered standing in the hallway, covered in blood that didnt belong to him, burning, falling to his knees. Hed spiked, badly and early. But what happened next? Kyoru talking to him? Helping him to his feet, he thought he remembered that, and Kyoru asking him where hed been hurt. The rest was a blur. He knew hed completed his heat, but he couldnt remember with whom. He couldnt remember making it back into the Citadel. He couldnt even remember the sex No, actually, that wasnt quite true. Leero flushed, staring at the wall and remembering, yes, a definite feeling of lips against his mouth and eyes that were so dark brown they were almost black. He remembered how frantic hed felt, desperate for a release. And with that, he stopped worrying about who his consort was and began to worry about exactly what his mating had been like. How many times had Leero heard stories of the quick matings that happened in the middle of some catastrophe or battle? They were generally rougher, sometimes violent. Extremely violent. It wasnt unheard of for a consort to be injured. What if hed hurt his consort? God, what if hed jumped some barely-ripe kitling? Even if his consort could forgive the poor beginning, Leero had a hard time imagining life with someone young and sweet who needed coddling. Leero didnt coddle, which is why Kasan should have known to keep Max-who-needed-coddling away from Leero before the Greeting in the first place. Leero had hoped for someone who could offer support when the burden of being the alternate War Leader grew heavy. He wanted someone who could match him, who wasnt intimidated when Leero was furious and lashing out. He wanted to have something to offer his consort, as well, and he didnt think he had anything to give to

someone, well, someone like Max. What could Leero give to someone that needy? It wasnt a responsibility he wanted to take on. But what if he had? Leero cringed, his ears flat. Only one way to find out. With a swallow, Leero rolled over in bed to see who he was stuck with. Kyoru stared back at him. Leero reached up and rubbed at his eyes before looking again. Leaning on one elbow, head supported on his palm and nude body sprawled elegantly beside Leero, the Lord King looked right back, with the addition of a slightly amused smile. Leero nearly strangled on his own tongue. Lord King? Hmmm? Kyoru reached out and brushed some hair off of Leeros forehead. A small shiver twisted through Leeros body; the touch felt far more familiar than it had any right to. IUh Leero looked around the room again. Yes, this was the Lord Kings room. The furry blanket was new. How he could have forgotten the damned wall hanging that hed stared at while drowning in lust during his heat, however, he couldnt even fathom. But he shouldnt be here. His service was supposed to be postponed for at least a few days after he mated. He should be with his consort, not here. How the hell did he find a polite way to make that clear to the Lord King? Kyorus mouth quirked up higher. I take it from your expression that you are somewhat confused as to why youre here? Leero nodded carefully. I know that Max was found- I thought you were aware enough when we heard the news, Kyoru said quietly. His hand ran over Leeros head again and Leero suppressed the urge to fidget. Kyoru was very tactile in ways that werent appropriate right now at all. Kasan sent word. He found the little one out in the forest. Max had already escaped by the time they got there. I suppose hes just as slippery to catch in a prison as he is in a greeting Room. Leero managed a smile, but Kyorus hand had drifted over to smooth down the velvet of his collar and Leero swallowed uncomfortably. He was getting an erection and there was simply no way to hide it. Consort. Leero should be focusing on his consort, not getting turned on by the Lord King and long fingers. My heat You cant remember? Kyoru sounded far more amused by that than sympathetic.

Leero shook his head. He worked to keep from grinding his teeth. He still wore the collar; he couldnt be too rude or demanding, as much as he very much wanted to demand that Kyoru tell him what was going on right now. We didnt make it out of the Haven before your heat spiked. You went feral after the last skirmish. Leero flinched. Kyoru said it so casually! Although you took down four men all by yourself; it was quite impressive. Make a good tale to tell during this years Battle. What happened? If he went feral, he would have attacked anyone. He could have abandoned Kyoru to hunt down another to take as a consort, or evenGod, had he taken one of the Purists? Was that why they werent together? His consort was being held somewhere? Kyorus hand began to rub his ears and Leero relaxed automatically. Dont worry, no one was harmed. I think youll be the talk of the guards for a while, though. I barricaded us inside a room and the guards heard you yowling halfway across the haven. Thats how they knew where to look. Kyoru chuckled. The fact that Leero hadnt abandoned his responsibilities to Kyoru lifted a huge burden Leero hadnt even realized was on him. And guards were good. If the guards had found them, hopefully that meant that at least his consort was someone he knew. Except that still didnt explain why he wasnt with his consort. He knew Kyoru liked to tease, but this didnt seem the time, so what the hell was going on? Wait, did I hurt my consort? Were they with one of the healers? Only a few Kyashin went so feral, so fast, that they would attack anything that moved. Had he been that far gone? Where ishe? Or sheis it a male or female? Male, Kyoru said. He seemed amused all over again. And no, you definitely didnt hurt your partner. Although you had to be held down at first. Things were a bit exciting for a while. Leeros body began to sweat. Hed had to be held down during part of his mating? God, how wild had he been? He needed to know. Collar etiquette be damned. Hed deal with the Elders if Kyoru called him on it. Please, Kyoru, wheres my consort? Do you know him? Kyoru leaned forward into Leeros space and smiled slowly. His tongue darted out and licked the tip of Leeros nose. Right. Here. Leero blinked at him stupidly. Kyoru continued to grin...no, to smirk, as he continued speaking softly next to Leeros head. Youre quite strong, you know. It took a fair amount of effort to keep you pinned. Leeros head was already beginning to shake. No, you said the guards found us. The

guards heard me. We didnt- Im not surprised they heard you. Youre surprisingly loud when you climax, Leero. I had no idea. Kyoru grinned again. Although I suppose well have a few years to explore that. Leero choked. This could not be happening. It was a joke. The Lord King was pulling one of his well-known pranks. You would never Kyoru raised an eyebrow and Leero halted. You topped during your first heat! Of course. Then how do you expect me to believe that were, that were mated now? I would have to bottom for it to even work, and no one ever bottoms during their heat! I would never bottom during my heat! Kyoru nodded solemnly, but his eyes still twinkled and his ears didnt match the nod at all. The urge is usually to top, yes, but its not necessary, simplya challenge to overcome. You werent happy about bottoming. At least until you had my cock inside you, and then I managed to change your mind. Leero scrambled upright, mouth agape. He didnt believe hed ever heard Kyoru use the term cock in his entire life, and the sudden use of it, combined with the fact that he was talking about Leeros ass made it all the more shocking. No and no and no again. He couldnt have. Leero suddenly frowned as a memory surfaced, not completely, but just enough to remember snarling, trapped on his stomach with someone on top of him as he was breached. He couldfeel himself arching against the large body covering his. He could almost hear the soft murmurs as he growled and fought. And he could remember how often the fighting resembled arching into the thick length pounding into him because it had felt so damnedgood Oh my dear god. Kyoru laughed out loud. Leero backed up on the bed, putting some space between them. Calm yourself, Leero. Kyoru sat up slowly, making no sudden moves. I wish it had gone differently; mating like this wasnt exactly what Id been hoping for. But there truly was no one else. It took hours before some of the guards came and helped me get you back to my room. But we- I- The Lord King was his mate! That meant Leero was his - Ill make a terribleconsort! Kyoru snorted. And whys that?

I cantI dont bottom! Kyoru shook his head, laughing again. I beg to differ. You bottom very well. Leero glared at him. You know what I mean. Leero didnt like to bottom. Hed tried it when hed ripened, almost everyone did, but he hadnt been all that impressed. And nowevery time his heat spiked hed be bottoming! I do, and again, dont worry. You enjoyed it quite a bit; the heat helps with that. Leero frowned. Would it really? He did seem to remember the feeling as so damn good he could barely stand it, but This is never going to work out, he muttered. I wouldnt say that. Its been quite a long time since I topped another male, but trust me, you have nothing to be ashamed of, Leero. Im not ashamed! The sex is not the point! I- Youre the Lord King! Im not even a close part of the family! Youve been one of us for years, Leero. Its just official, now. Kyoru smiled at him so fondly that Leero swallowed what he was going to say. Leero couldnt express what was wrong, because it was all wrong! Not only were the physical aspect of things impossible to deal with, Kyoru was Kasans father. He was the Lord King. And Leero had no desire to be a consort! Kyoru shifted closer so he could reach out and rub his hand over Leeros head. Leero felt the touch snake down into his belly again. He shifted back and felt a residual slipperiness in between the cheeks of his ass. He couldnt believe it when he felt heat on his face. He was blushing? He did not damn well blush! Kyoru smiled and licked the tip of his nose again. Dont worry. This will work out just fine. Jolan and the others are going to- My sons can keep their opinions to themselves. Theyre adults, even if theyve been working hard not to act like it lately. Kyorus voice suddenly dropped an octave into his I mean business voice and Leero hated that his cock noticed and wholly approved of that low, deep tone. Dammit! Leero wanted to protest how wrong this was, because of all the scenarios hed envisioned, this had never even come close. But it probably wasnt something Kyoru had

wanted either. Trapped in a room with a feral, the only option would have been to submit or top Leero himself. And Kyorus nanites were already fixed from his first heat. If Kyoru had bottomed, Leeros nanites wouldnt have been able to connect properly with Kyorus. Leero would be dead. Kyoru had made a huge sacrifice for him. Leero just wished he could feel grateful for it rather than wanting to punch Kyoru in the mouth to get rid of the wide grin on the mans face. Kyoru smiled again, inching closer. Well do well together, Leero. Trust me. Leero nodded shortly. Clamping his lips over any other words, he glanced down at his chest, wondering for a moment why the sight of it struck him as wrong. Waitwheres my mark? His adrenaline shot up as he searched frantically for it. Kyoru chuckled again, closing in. Leero felt a hand clamp over his ass. Where do you think it is, kitling? He patted it fondly and moved toward the end of the bed. Now, enough dawdling. Time to get up. And remember to wear something appropriately revealing. There were enough matings yesterday that were holding a mass Greeting this morning. Leero cursed out loud as he felt his face get hot again. And Kyoru started laughing again until Leero snarled and got up to try and find the bulkiest loincloth he could, hopefully one that might cover his entire ass. Maxs use of the winter tunics was looking more and more like a good idea.