Rowe (Primal, #1)

by Dylan Page

For my husband, my Rowe.

while Stephanie snuck in front of us, standing below my chin, and straightened her glasses.

“I’ll take the rear,” I said, not wanting Stephanie to lag behind, a tendency of hers while on hikes. It often put a considerable distance between her and the rest of the group, and in kayaks going downstream on a river, it wouldn’t be easy for me to backtrack to check on her. Sure enough, she was lingering on the bank, her purple sleeping bedroll clutched in her arms, her brows pulled tight together as she stared at the rushing water. I gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “You alright?” I asked her, brows raised. She’d been apprehensive about kayaking, but I was proud of her for pushing herself out of her comfort zone by agreeing to come along.

I’m pretty sure Stephanie had been bullied hard in high school. When I first met her, she was timid as hell, quiet, and stood even shorter than my five-foot-five. She was like a tiny mouse, and my heart immediately went out to her. Now that our first year of University was behind us, I could see how much she’d grown since September. Though she was still quiet and shy, she started to speak up more and push herself on our adventures rather than remain on the sidelines like she used to.

Lisa was the most gorgeous girl I’d ever met, and her confidence only boosted her allure to men.

Steph, still slowly munching away on her granola bar, chewed faster while removing only one of her many layers, choosing to keep herself covered. I figured being so tiny, she just got cold effortlessly.

“Yeah, but what about Steph?” I snapped, quickly tying my kayak in place before checking on my friend. The “choppier” waters hadn’t been as calm as we had been told, at least, according to our leader. We desperately tried to maneuver through boulders, white water, and even a ten-foot drop-off that had Stephanie upside down in the water. Though she’d learned how to right herself, she panicked, and it was only because I came down after her and managed to grab hold of her kayak, toting her along with me, that she didn’t end up seriously hurt. She’d lost her glasses, and after I went back to search for nearly half an hour, I managed to find them in a clear patch of water, not too far from the drop. They were a little scratched up, but at least she could see again. I helped pull her kayak from the water and tie it off while she sunk to the ground, hands shaking, her dark hair and clothes sopping wet.

Lisa still seemed furious, but I felt my anger ebbing away, though my nerves were still seriously rattled. “Look,” I said, “it’s getting late. We made it to camp, so let’s set up and get a fire going, yeah? It’ll help dry you off,” I added for poor Steph, who was shivering on the bank. I grabbed my things as well as hers, deciding she needed a few more minutes to snap out of her shock,

“Hey, you still buggin’ out over what happened?” I asked, settling at her side. “I-I think I’m okay.” She pulled off her oversized eyeglasses and tried again to wipe them clean, but it did nothing for the scratches over the lenses. I gently took them from her and dried them off on the hem of my t-shirt before handing them back. “I’ve got a fire going. How about we set up your tent, get you changed into something warm, and make some supper.” I circled my arm around her back, giving her a small hug. Steph’s big blue eyes slowly peered up at me, and she whispered, “You saved me, Kate.”

and I had a sinking feeling as we made our way through that we were being watched. But there was nowhere for someone or something to hide, so I simply discarded it as being unnerved by the quiet.

“She didn’t sleep.” Lisa yawned wide, looking like she’d had a hard time, too. “Said something to me about someone pacing around the campsite last night.” I instantly thought of my dream, of something prowling outside my tent so close that I could hear it breathing just over my head as it loomed over the domed canvas separating me from it. And… it had entered my tent… No, get a grip, Kate! It was just a dream! “Whatever, I just wanna get out of here as soon as possible. Where’s Steph?” “Where do you think?” Lisa nodded to where Jen had disappeared to. “She was packed and ready the moment the sun rose.”

The entire time we moved down the river, I couldn’t shake the feeling we were being followed, watched. It was like being hunted. Yet, every time I looked around, carefully scanning the hills and trees, I saw nothing.

gentle touch of his fingers as he stroked my head. Was he… patting me? Nervously, I peeked up at him, wondering what exactly he would do with me now that he was no longer interrupted by the others. But he just curiously stared back, his touch light, like he knew I was fragile. The longer I held his gaze, the more I realized he was human… but I couldn’t figure out this animalistic side to him. He made a soft sound, like a huff of air whistling from between his lips, followed by what sounded like a chirp.

And I got my answer when he suddenly reached out and scooped me up into his arms, cradling me close to his chest. I cried out in surprise, but all he did was take a seat, brows raised in shock at my little scream, and began inspecting my arms and legs, like he was looking for an injury or else… testing to see how much meat I had on my bones, perhaps? Oh God, would he eat me? Was this primitive man a hunter? Did he and his companions, who were returning by this time, believe in cannibalism? Despite how warm he was, I continued to tremble in his arms, for I had no idea how much longer I had to live. When his companions came closer, one, in particular, appeared to be much older than the one who held me, judging by the grey in his hair and beard. One, who looked very young, maybe around my age, made that same strange whistling sound at me, to which I just raised my brows and shrank back, wrapping my arms around myself. The big guy holding me flexed his arms, practically crushing me against his front, the pelt of warm bear fur soft on my cheek. He grunted at the others, speaking that odd, garbled language I didn’t understand. The older ones looked a little pissed, to be frank. Like finding me was a major inconvenience or something. His dark gaze was scrutinizing, clearly confused by everything about me, from my clothes to my size and hair. But after a little bit of back and forth between them all, the troop seemed to make a decision. The one holding me turned me around so that ...

My hands were shaking, and my grip on Muscles here was starting to slip as I fought to stay awake. When I yawned, unable to help myself, he suddenly straightened a little, his hand carefully pulling my head back a bit to see my face. I blinked hard, trying to peer back at him, but I felt like I was seconds away from passing out. He made that same little soft chirp sound to me, but all I could do was mumble back before slipping from him completely and falling to the grassy ground with a slight thud. The others all moved in, murmuring to each other, even poking my side as though checking to see if I’d died or something. But the sharp poke in my rib only made me groan from the jab, and a smack followed by a disgruntled groan had the hand poking me quickly retracting itself.

But every time this chick made that argument, the one holding me would let out an angry snarl and shake his head while snapping his strange words to her.

and Muscles held me out to her like an offering. I squealed and tried to clamber back against him, nervous about being seen as some sort of sacrificial animal they’d happened across. No way did I survive through all of this just to become breakfast.

As though he understood what I meant, he scooped me up once more and turned, carrying me toward the entrance to his own little tunnel. He squeezed into it, carefully nudging me to go ahead of him. I tried to move forward but smacked my head on the rocky ceiling, not realizing that it suddenly moved sharply up. I tried to reach, but the ledge was high enough that the tips of my fingers barely came close to the top. I needed another foot under my belt to reach that lip. I should, by all means, be making a run for it, but I also think I must have passed out beneath that tree in the woods and was having some sort of weird, trippy dream. Had I inhaled the spores from some magic mushrooms or something? Behind me, he said not a word as he came up and pressed both his hands beneath my bottom, easily pushing me upwards to reach the edge. I grabbed on and hoisted myself up, collapsing on the

“I can’t move anymore, big guy…” I sighed heavily. My body was so sore that it felt like it was screaming, begging me to just stop moving. He seized the back of my shorts, lifting me off the cold, rocky ground, and shifted me forward until I found myself lying on a thick bed of furs. I blinked, my eyes darting around the space through my half-shut lids. It was like a little cubby hole, just big enough for a bed, and I was lying right in the middle of it. He had an accumulation of furs, making the round space so incredibly cozy, soft, and warm that I wanted to cry. The ceiling wasn’t too high, but at the end, near our feet, a small hole that was several inches long let in the slightest ray of early morning light and fresh air. Huh, I guess maybe these guys slept during the day? Perhaps it was safer to move around in the dark? I mean, they certainly didn’t have trouble finding their way tonight. My companion moved around me, shifting the furs like he was trying to make it as comfortable as possible, though I found it perfect the way it was. He skimmed over my bare legs and arms, making small grunting sounds of disapproval. I bet I was a walking bruise after what happened in the river yesterday. It only made him move even more cautiously around my still form, like he was afraid he’d hurt me further.

He was definitely human… just bigger, more muscled, more… primitive. His face, mostly hidden behind a mane of thick, chocolate brown hair streaked with blonde from the sun, was actually quite pleasing to look at. I thought I could make out high cheekbones, and full lips hidden behind his bushy beard. I examined his clothing, the wrap around his waist made out of animal skin, though it was brushed with brown, yellow, and green colours, like he’d taken leaves from the trees, mashed them up, and created a dye so his clothing would blend with his environment. His skin was paler than I thought, like mine, but there was more of a tan undertone to it from spending his time outdoors. His massive, muscled arms had dotted black and brownish-red teeny tiny dots that encircled his biceps and wrists in rows so close together, that it almost looked like an inch wide band. His collarbone had a similar pattern. I wondered how high up we were? It felt like he’d climbed a considerable distance, but I was so out of it last night that I hadn’t been able to focus for longer than a few seconds. I moved over to the crack, hissing in pain at the soreness in my muscles. I paused to examine my body and was horrified at the sight. I had bruises covering my thighs and calves. Even my arms were mottled with dark marks, cuts, and red discoloration. I looked like I’d been seriously banged up. It was a miracle I didn’t have any broken bones… nonetheless, the back of my head was still tender from hitting ...

When I did, I bumped against his legs, and a thick, hard arm wrapped around my stomach and pulled me backward so my ass was pressed against his stomach. I glanced around to see him slowly coming to, rubbing his own eyes before gazing up at me with a tender look. It wasn’t quite a smile, but it wasn’t threatening either. As though yesterday had suddenly caught up to him, he sat up like a bolt, his expression and movements eager and excited, and he placed me in his lap, turning my face up to his. He studied me in the brighter light, turning my face this way and that. I remained limp, deciding the best way to deal with this guy was to be cautious, nonthreatening… I didn’t want to get my bones crushed like that other dude. Knowing how strong he was only added to how absolutely terrified and uncertain I was. Proceeding with caution seemed to be the wisest course of action. He turned my face toward the ray of golden light from what I realized was the setting sun and stared so intently into my eyes that I was a little taken aback by it. When I tried to look away, fearing that he’d not like me staring back at him so closely, he just moved my head again so that I had no choice. His eyes were a lovely shade of chocolate and caramel, swirled together, framed by long dark lashes. They were beautiful eyes, and apparently, he felt the same about my grey-green ones, because the corners of his mouth twitched up into the tiniest of smiles as he continued to gaze into them. He then checked ...

“Look,” I said to him, “I can’t keep calling you Muscles and stuff. I need a name.” He furrowed his brow at me, his fingers coming up to lightly touch my mouth, like he was curious about the sounds I was making. “Your name? Na-aaaaame…” I said loudly and slowly, drawing the word out. But he just continued to look puzzled. Okay, gonna have to dumb it down. I pressed my hand to my chest. “Kate. I am Kate.” When he continued to stare blankly at me, I kept going, pointing at numerous things. “Fur. Rock. Sun.” I pointed out the crack to the beam of light, then back to me. “Kate.” “Kaa…” he barked abruptly, making me jump. “Kate. Not Kaa. Not the snake from The Jungle Book. Kate. Kay-t,” I explained, slowly enunciating in hopes he could mimic me. “Kay,” he said, his voice rising in pitch to try to mimic mine. He stumbled over the “t” sound as he did his best to work his mouth to copy me. “Kayd… Kayd…” “Kate.” “Kayd.”

“Kayd,” he said and nodded, coming close again. I guess I was forgiven.

night that their faces had been incredibly expressive when they were arguing with each other, so I tried that now. Raising my brows high on my forehead, I pointed at him. He stared back, not catching on. Pressing my hand to my chest, I said, “Kayd…” using his way of speaking, then pointed again to him. I could see the lightbulb turn on in his brain, his eyes brightening, and he eagerly leaned forward, pressing his fingers to my chest, and murmured, “Kayd…” then to himself, “Rooow.” “Rowe?” I asked, elongating the sound of the ‘O’ in his name. He nodded eagerly, that tiny smile reappearing on his face. I returned it, carefully keeping my lips closed when I did. “Rowe,” I said, pointing to him, then back to me, “Kayd.” He seemed pleased by this revelation of naming each other. Still, as suddenly as we clarified our identities with one another, he grabbed me, holding me against his chest again, and moved to the ledge where he climbed down, making me feel like a baby monkey holding onto its mother. I wonder if he saw me as a pet? Maybe that’s what he was arguing with the others for? Did he want to keep me around like a cat or a dog or something? Was that a thing these people did?

He finally clambered through the opening and met the others, speaking that odd language of theirs as he excitedly pointed at me, then himself, and to me again. I caught my name, ‘Kayd,’ and his while the others listened intently. Then, one by one, they came right up and barked a simple sound in my face. “Rull!” “Grar!” “Woke!”

The one who looked around Rowe’s age, though his face was wider, his hair darker, was a little leaner than him. I raised my brows and pointed to him. “Grar?” His lips twitched. Okay… was that a yes? I turned to the other one, who looked to be the youngest in the group, only his eyes were actually hazel coloured instead of dark brown. He seemed more eager than the others, his gaze sparkling as he waited for me to respond. “Woke?” His smile was the broadest I’ve seen from any of them, though, I noted again, no teeth. Okay, so I think I was right in assuming these were their names. The others then dispersed, too, with Woke heading to one of the baskets of roots, leaves, and berries, grabbing a handful to chew, and Grar headed back to one of the skins that the other elderly male was working on by smoothing out the hide with a sharp-looking rock. Rowe followed Woke, reaching into the basket and grabbing a handful of food, too. Instead of eating it, however, he came back to me. Without warning, he grabbed my chin and forced my mouth open before shoving the food in. I gasped, coughing and choking at unexpectedly being force-fed. Alarmed, his eyes went wide as I keeled over, coughing up the strange tasting root that had lodged itself in my throat. He started panicking, yelling out at the others while grabbing my shoulders and giving me a rough shake, but that just made it worse. I could feel tears streaming down my eyes as I hacked, trying desperately to dislodge it. Next thing I ...

Finally, when my breathing more or less evened out, he brought me over to the basket of food and pointed as though he was too scared to try to feed me himself again. I studied the plants inside, not really recognizing any of them. Was it safe for me to eat any? I mean, I get that these guys did, and I was starving, but I wasn’t used to this kind of food, whereas they had visibly evolved around it. I decided on what looked like thimbleberries and reddish trailing blackberries. When Rowe noticed I was favouring those two berries in particular, he started rummaging through the basket, looking for more to give me. This time, he handed them over rather than attempting to feed me again. Now that I could breathe, I wanted to laugh about it, but I was afraid of showing my teeth around all the others.

Miss Mean Girl narrowed her eyes in my direction before she sauntered over to the angry male whom I assumed was perhaps her mate, for they were incredibly affectionate with each other in terms of how they sat together, heads close as they grunted and quietly communicated with only one another.

While I looked around, finishing up my breakfast, I could feel Rowe watching me closely. He chewed on the roots and other plants I’d avoided, leaving all the sweet stuff for me, which I thought was incredibly kind of him. When I finished, I was going to try to communicate about getting back to the river when he got up and headed to that back tunnel I’d been eyeing curiously. He looked back over his shoulder at me, and I had put together that he expected me to follow.

He ignored me and sat on the edge of the gently flowing water and cupped his hand in it. The next thing I knew, he was rubbing it onto my back. I cried out from the sting and tried to pull away, but it was like fighting against a band of steel that had been bent around my frame. Useless. Rowe cupped more water in his free hand and splashed it against my back. I clenched my jaw, squeezing my eyes shut as I did my best to bear the pain. It wasn’t until I heard soft, approaching footsteps that I opened my eyes to see the older woman moving towards us, the small bowl she’d been mashing that reddish, brown paste in clasped in her hands. Rowe pushed me down on my stomach over his lap,

Haara must be her name. I nodded, looking at her, and did my best to imitate the breathy sort of way they spoke it. Though it didn’t quite sound the same, they both seemed satisfied as they flashed their strange little smiles before she left us to return to the communal room.

“Kayd,” Rowe crooned in a deep rumble. “Yep. That’s me,” I said, feeling my cheeks flush from the odd look on his face. In a way, it helped how expressive they were with their faces, as I could pretty much put together what they were trying to say… and up till now, I felt like Rowe was treating me like a new puppy. But this look… this was different. I shivered in his lap and wished I had a warm fluffy towel to wrap myself in, looking away, anywhere but at him, deciding to stare out at the golden light of the setting sun. He wasn’t having it. He gently gripped my chin between his fingers and turned me back to him so he could keep staring into my eyes like… like he enjoyed what he saw. And by enjoy, I mean…

From a distance, there was an ear-splitting sound that reminded me very much of gunfire. I jumped about a foot off his legs from the unexpected blast. Before I could get a handle on what was going on, I could hear the others above start whooping and hollering at each other. Rowe grabbed me and raced for the tunnel, climbing it smoothly while I did the whole baby monkey imitation by wrapping my arms and legs around his body, holding on for dear life.

Rull made a final, resounding whoop that had me covering my ears as it reverberated in the enclosed space, and then ran for the ledge that led down, and outside. Woke, Grar, the mean guy who hated my guts, and Rowe followed, though my friend did cast me one last backward glance before he threw himself down after the rest. The only male remaining was the elderly-looking one, who then wandered over to Haara and gave her a comforting, sweet little headbutt. I noticed that everyone here, not just him, seemed to have the most tenderness with her. Though he gave the other two females a small headbutt as well, it was always Haara that I noted the group went to first and lingered by. I thought he would ignore me, but when he finished checking with the other women, I was surprised when he came my way and gave me a very gentle little nuzzle, too, before moving to the ledge that led to the passage out, sitting there like he was standing guard.

I recognized Rull immediately by the silver glint in his hair. He popped up first and headed right to Haara to greet her with that same affectionate headbutt I’d received earlier. The next one was Miss Bitch’s guy, as he scanned all of us, noting that I was sitting, still a little wet from my struggle in the pool, and that she was missing. At once, he headed off into their tunnel to find her. When Rowe appeared, he bee-lined right for me, plucking me out of his companion’s lap at once before settling on the ground with the others. As soon as I sat on his lap, he froze, reaching down and noticing at once that my hair was damp as well as my clothes. His brow furrowed, and he looked to the others. I could make out the puzzled expression on his face in the dim light, and I braced myself for whatever was about to happen as Haara spoke to him in low, deep whispers. Beneath me, I felt Rowe suddenly tense. Next thing I knew, he had passed me off to Haara and had stormed over to the bitch’s tunnel entrance.

Seconds later, the female’s mate came storming out of the tunnel, baring his own teeth at Rowe, snarling and snapping back. But Rowe wasn’t having any of it. He stood up completely straight, his head close to the ceiling, standing a good several inches taller than the other, and was practically spitting in his face. From the tunnel, the female appeared, and Rowe snatched at her at once. Though her mate tried to shove him off, Rowe hauled her towards himself, and everyone in the room was suddenly on their feet, joining in with the hollering and whooping. I remained where I was on the ground, my whole body trembling in fear at the way they all screamed, wishing I could just go, as I was noticeably causing problems for them all. Rowe had the girl by her throat and smashed her into the wall, her mate snarling and clawing at his back. Several others tried to make him drop her, but he was too focused, practically roaring in her face. I needed to go. I was upsetting the balance, and I needed to be rescued anyway and find my friends.

I shrank back, sensing the rage radiating off of Rowe. He was not happy. “I-I just thought… I mean, I need to leave. I can’t stay… I have friends, my family will be looking-” Before I could finish, Rowe had thrown me up over his shoulder, had turned around, and was climbing back up. “Rowe!” I called, “Stop it! I can’t stay! I need to leave!”

When we clambered up over the edge, I could make out the others in the room, though the two that hated my guts the most were gone, but the other three all chattered to Grar and Woke as they heaved themselves up. Rowe didn’t stop. He just moved to his private tunnel and shoved me none too gently inside. I had no choice but to crawl in and wait for him to hoist me up into his nook. He lifted me under my bottom until I could grip the edge and clumsily pull myself up over the side and into the furs. He came up behind me, the brightness of the moon giving the smaller space a little more light to see each other with.

If he understood or not, he didn’t care because he simply reached out, grabbed my arm, and hugged me to himself. “Stop moving me around like I’m a doll!” I grumbled into his chest, but he didn’t respond. He just lay back amongst his furs, constricting his limbs around me like he was worried I’d make a run for it while he slept. “Look, Muscles, I’ll be good tonight. Just-just stop throwing me around like a toy, okay? You’re gonna dislocate my arm if you keep doing that.” He rumbled deep in his chest. Yep. He was still annoyed with me. I tapped his arm and wiggled in his hold, trying to get a little more space between us. This was feeling a little too intimate, and I remembered the way he’d been staring at me by the pool. “Kayd!” he growled, giving me a little shake as I squirmed. “Rowe!” I snapped back, managing to turn my back to him. At least facing this direction I could breathe a little easier. What I hadn’t considered was that my butt would be pressing right into his pelvis, and with all my struggling for more space, I’d accidentally rubbed against him to the point where I felt him… uh, awaken.

At that, he lay on his side, resting his weight on his arm while leaning over me, studying my face as though wondering why I stopped moving. He gave me another poke, and I involuntarily spasmed again and glared at him. “Stop doing that!” I said to him, “I’m ticklish as hell.” “Dickless?” he muttered. “Oh, my lord… No! Ticklish!” I wiggled my fingers at him, trying to explain, and pointed to my sides. “I’m ticklish there. That’s why I spas-” Before I could finish, he copied me, wiggling his fingers and pressing them to my sides, his expression one of interest. “Stop! Stop it!” I shrieked, flailing in an attempt to get away. His mouth twitched, that little smile of his curling up on his lips as he kept going, holding me in place while he tickled me. My body jolted, pressing into him, pulling away and back, and I laughed. I tried holding it in, knowing my teeth would show if I did, but I couldn’t help it. Desperately, I turned my face away from him, involuntarily bursting out in a fit of giggles. “S-seriously, Rowe! You gotta stop! S-stop!” I gasped as I writhed in his arms. “You’re such… an ass!” I laughed as he moved his hand to my stomach. I didn’t realize I could be ticklish there, but apparently, I was. I pulled away from his fingers, which, unfortunately, had me brushing back against him.

his beard brushing against my skin, he whispered, “Kayd…” And pulled me back against him. “Uh, okay, whoa there, Muscles,” I said to him, all humour gone as I tried to pull away. “That’s not… we’re not… um, this ain’t a thing-” “Kayd,” he said again in a soft rumble, pulling me back to rub against him. “N-no, big guy. We aren’t doing that.” I said, reaching around to push against his stomach, hoping he’d get the message. All I could feel were rock-hard muscles beneath my palm, all flexed as he roughly pulled my ass against his front again, rubbing against me with a soft groan. One of his hands moved around and cupped me over my shorts. I let out a squeal at that, but he just pressed against me, using that as a means of continuing the act while also rubbing on me. At his strong touch, I felt my thighs close around his hand, like my legs were acting out of their own free will. The sluts. “Rowe, stop, we can’t…” I said, grabbing a fur. I tried extracting myself from his grip by sliding out of his grasp, but he wasn’t having it. With a soft hiss, his hand simply engulfed my pussy, and he dragged me right back, now rubbing against my clit over my shorts; the motion forcing my butt back against his cock. “Kayd,” he groaned loudly at that, and the next thing I knew, his teeth were at my neck, like he was nibbling at it without actually breaking the skin. His hand pressed harder, moving faster, and I couldn’t help but gasp as he moved it against me. I couldn’t stop myself from pus...

“Kayd…” I crinkled my nose from whatever was tickling it, swatting the hairs away. “Kayd?” “No…” I mumbled, trying to roll away, but found myself surrounded by a wall of muscle. Rowe! My eyes snapped open to find the hairs of the furs beneath me brushing against my face. That answered what was tickling me. As for the wall of muscle, however… I slowly peered up to find Rowe watching me, his lips curling up in that little smile of his that I actually found rather endearing. Then I remembered what he’d done last night, the touching and rubbing and… “Hey, Muscles.” I yawned, using the excuse to stretch to put some distance between us, and quickly got down to business, needing him to understand. I sat up on my knees, facing him as I gave him a stern look, hoping he’d comprehend how serious I was. “Look, I get that last night stuff happened. But we can’t be doing that. I need to get home. You understand? Hooooome.” I pointed to the hills. Rowe, however, was lying on his side unmoving. Then, he simply leaned forward and butted his head into my stomach, wrapping his arms around my waist, looking perfectly content to just lie here all day. I peered over at the sun streaming down through the crack of his nook, much higher than it had been yesterday when I woke up. I didn’t want to waste daylight. I had to take advantage of this and get out of here. “Hey, listen to me, big guy,” I said to him, giving his shoulder a little swat, to which he responded by giving my butt a little smack i...

“Listen, Rowe?” He peered up at me, his chocolate-caramel eyes so sweet and innocent-looking from sleep that I almost forgot how terrifying he’d been last night when he confronted the other female after learning what she’d done to me. I sighed, almost feeling bad for what I had to tell him. “I can’t stay here.” He blinked once, but I could tell he didn’t understand. I pointed to myself, then gestured around the nook, and shook my head. “I can’t stay.” I pointed again to myself, then to the hills. “Kayd, go. Go home.” I pointed again at his nook. “Rowe home.” Then again to the hills. “Kayd home.” He blinked again, only this time, his jaw clenched and his arms around my waist tightened. “Kayd hum. Hum!” he

growled, pulling me down into the furs. “Kayd hum jugra Rowe!” I sighed wearily, fearing that he’d react this way. “I’m really sorry, but I don’t belong here. Haara, Rull, Woke, Bhee, Grar…” I held his intense stare, “... Rowe… you are home. Not Kayd.” I shook my head. “No Kayd. Kayd home.” I pointed again out the crack toward the hills. Rowe looked absolutely livid. He snarled angrily, throwing a leg over both of mine and pinning me beneath him, though he held himself up enough to keep from crushing me. He burrowed his face into my neck, and next thing I felt were his teeth as he suddenly held on, not breaking the skin but definitely making a point.

He did, but he held me there for another minute until he finally let go, pulling back just enough to look me right in the eye and hiss, “Kayd hum jugra Rowe!”

“Kayd?” I apprehensively looked up at him, uncertain of what he was going to try to communicate to me now that he’d made it clear I wasn’t allowed to leave. However, all he did was nuzzle the spot he’d been holding in his teeth and then sat up. “Chomm,” he rumbled, the sound ending like a deep, buzzing hum. He got up, gloriously naked, uncaring, and climbed down over the edge of his nook. “Kayd? Chomm!” he commanded. “Yeah, yeah, hold your horses…” I muttered and swung my legs over the side. He reached up and helped me down, then gently pushed me first through the tunnel into the main room.

He glanced over at her and curled his lip, emitting a small growl at the sight of her. “Rowe!” I gave his arm a little shake. “Did you do that?” I pointed to him, then to her again. Understanding crossed his features, and he shook his head, pointing instead to Haara. The old woman was sitting with Rull and Bhee, munching away on some roots, looking completely innocent. For a moment, I couldn’t believe that sweet, elderly Haara was the one responsible for the injuries, but then I remembered how the woman had cowered from her when she came up from the pool, giving her a wide berth. Even now, she was casting the senior wary looks, like she was afraid she was gonna get her ass handed to her again.

“Bradha, Kayd!” I swear, he was scolding me as he lifted me up, seating me on the edge but still standing in the pool. He stood between my legs, one hand gripping the back of my neck in warning, telling me to stay in place. He was careful to avoid the wound on my back, but his firm grip was all the warning I needed from him to comply. I was evidently pissing him off by refusing to let him clean me himself.

Grabbing more of the juice from the fruit and mixing water with it, he scooped up some of the sudsy goo and began to vigorously scrub my legs with it, one on one side of his hip, then the other. When he went to massage it into my breasts, he narrowed his eyes at me, like he was cautioning me to be still. I could feel my pulse racing as I forced myself to sit like a statue while he began to clean my front. He was very methodical, like this was just a part of their everyday lives. However, I didn’t miss the way his little, or should I say big, soldier suddenly decided to give me a salute, rising up from the water when his hand went down to clean my private area. I felt a heavy blush creep over my cheeks as he cleaned me there, slowly rubbing around and between my folds, his eyes never leaving mine. In fact, they burned into me, that same intensity building, and he kept going even though I was undoubtedly clean by now. I licked my lips as he teased between my folds again, unable to stop the little sigh when he curiously began to circle his thumb over my clit. At my reaction to his touch there, he kept his eyes on me, noting every little sound I made, every time I shifted in my seat or blushed, and kept going. “Rowe, stop…” I whispered, placing my palm against one of his massive pecs. I’d meant to push him back, but for whatever reason, all I did was rest my hand there, my hips giving an involuntary little jolt when he pressed a little harder. “Kayd gwukh?” he raised a brow, l...

He let out a long, deep rumble in his chest, managing to look very pleased with himself without even having to smile. He kept watching, his dark eyes intent, fascinated as they moved over my body, noting how I shivered, how I reacted to every touch. The hand on my shoulder, which had been holding me in place this entire time, drifted slowly down, his fingers lightly running along the curve of my breast. He licked his lip as he watched it, his hand still moving, a finger or two sliding in ...