The Pridelands 1: Darren’s Surprise Read online

  Darren groaned, arching his back and offering himself up to Durai.

  Durai tilted his head back and released Darren’s mouth. They gasped for air.

  “I don’t suppose you have condoms handy, big guy.” Darren’s voice was harsh. He reached up to his face and knocked his glasses aside, letting them fall to the grass beside them.

  “What exactly is that?”

  Darren laughed. “I’m not sure how to explain it, but let’s just say it protects us both from any diseases or anything. I should have said something earlier when you, uh, you know. But it completely slipped my mind.” He looked embarrassed. His face was flushed red again. Durai ran the fingers of his right hand along one cheek, marvelling at the ability of his mate to change color.

  “I do not believe we have diseases that can be given to each other. But you are quite correct. We did not consider the possibility.” He frowned, not liking the thought that he may have put his mate in danger unintentionally. There was a lot he didn’t know about humans. He’d have to learn quickly if he wanted to keep them both safe.

  “Hey, no frowning. It was my fault anyway. You didn’t know.” Darren scrunched up his face, closing his eyes. “Okay, no condoms. Although I’m not even sure you’d fit in one anyway, judging by the size of the bulge that’s digging into me at the moment.” Darren wriggled, pressing into Durai, just the right amount of pressure.

  Durai hissed. He was hard, the frustration of not being able to release earlier had put him into a state of great need.

  He reached down, releasing his claws and slicing through the thick cloth at Darren’s waist. He repeated the gesture at the side of his loincloth, impatiently shredding both sets of clothing. He wanted them naked, needed them naked.

  “Jesus, you owe me another pair of jeans,” Darren gasped, sliding his leaking cockhead against Durai’s hip. His eyes glazed over, and he started to keen, low and gasping noises.

  “Yes, that’s it, Darren. Tell me what it feels like. Talk to me. Move for me.”

  Darren bucked his hips, grinding into Durai. He pressed down hard with his hips, determined to give his mate something to rub against. His little movements were creating the most delightful sensations for Durai. His own cock was dragged against Darren’s belly, again and again with every jerk of Darren’s hips.

  “Lube, lube, lube, lube…” Darren gasped. “We need, ah, oh God, lube. N-now.”

  Durai growled. “I don’t know what you’re asking for.”

  Darren’s eyes snapped open. He bared his teeth, looking entirely like a Leo. “I want you inside my ass in three seconds. Give me something slick, now!”

  Durai hissed back, out of control at the sight of his little human acting like one of his own people. He reared up, sliding back and pushing Darren’s thighs up and out at the same time. He didn’t even give Darren a chance to speak before he was licking along the man’s crack. He teased the puckered opening with the tip of his tongue, rasping a long swipe against the skin. Darren lurched. He tightened his grip on the man’s thighs, holding him in place.

  Narrowing his tongue, Durai pushed it into the opening, his nose pressed to Darren’s sac. His scent was strong here, going right to Durai’s head. He even smelled like vanil. It was almost enough to have Durai’s eyes rolling back in his head. He wanted more.

  Darren was mumbling, sending sighs and moans out through the forest. It was the most beautiful sound Durai had ever heard. He’d be willing to do almost anything to ensure he’d always have that melody in his life. He wouldn’t give up this man. He wouldn’t pressure him, but there was no way Durai was leaving him alone until they’d reached some kind of agreement. He’d willingly stay on Earth just to be with him.

  Just the two of them, up alone in this forest. Away from everyone else, all other concerns.

  He stretched the hole with his tongue, loosening the muscles that were quivering in ecstasy. Slowly, careful of his nail, he inserted one finger, feeling the heat of his mate suck him in. He wouldn’t last long inside Darren, the man was too consuming.

  “Now, now, please, I need you now.”

  Darren’s voice was thin and high-pitched. He was close.

  Durai gave one last swipe of his tongue, leaning back to survey his mate. Darren was flushed all over, his delectable body laid out for Durai’s pleasure. His eyes were closed and his head was thrashing on the ground. His cock -- his tasty cock -- was an angry red, weeping from the slit.

  He reached for that liquid, gathering it up, causing Darren to moan in either pain or pleasure, he wasn’t entirely sure, then he slicked up his hole with two fingers this time.

  Grabbing his own cock in hand, Durai panted, squeezing the base to prevent himself from coming too soon. He pressed his sensitive head to Darren’s ass, pausing.

  “Is this what you want?”

  Darren moaned.

  “Darren, I need the words. Is this what you want?” His voice was barely recognizable, he couldn’t hold back the rumbling purr.

  “Yes, damn it, yes. Fuck me. Now.”

  Durai held onto the slim hips of his mate, sliding Darren’s thighs up to either side of Durai’s waist. His cock bumped against Darren again, causing them both to moan.

  He pressed in, feeling the slight resistance. He wouldn’t accept that, this was meant to be. Waiting for Darren to relax, he continued to slide in, crooning soft words to his mate.

  Darren mewled, a sound very close to that a Leo would make. He’d make his human into a Felidae by the end of their courtship. He was destined to rule Durai’s pride at his side. He’d never been so proud of another person before. This man was more than he deserved, but he wasn’t going to challenge the gods or their decision to gift him with Darren.

  He bottomed out inside Darren, his testes resting against Darren’s skin. Pausing, he waited for Darren to open his eyes and look at him.

  “Look at me.”

  Darren sighed, lifting his lids. His eyes were glittering, smoky blue. Full of passion.

  “Now, feel.”

  He started to slide out, gratified by the widening of Darren’s eyes. The barbs that ringed the head of his cock caught in the folds of Darren’s skin, raking along sensitive flesh. Darren cried out, his eyes rolling back in his head. His cock started to jerk, jetting cream to land on his belly, the head flushed red.

  Durai purred, reversing the slide out and thrusting back in, harder than before.

  “My turn.”

  He rocked his hips, feeling the catch of his barbs on each outward motion. Leaning down, he captured Darren’s lips, crying his release into his mate’s mouth. His cock erupted, sending his cream deep inside his mate. Binding them, branding him as belonging to Durai. Releasing Darren’s lips, he roared, feeling the primal surge of emotions. He had the overwhelming urge to mark this man as his. His mate.

  Almost without thought, he turned his head, sinking his canines into Darren’s shoulder, jerking his hips as the last of his seed released inside his mate.

  He broke off, a part of him horrified at biting Darren without asking permission first, but the majority of him was glorying in the claim.

  Durai collapsed, catching himself on his elbows before he crushed his mate. His cock slipped out of Darren, and he fell to the side, pulling Darren with him until he lay on his back with his mate draped over his chest.

  They both panted for breath.

  “Whatever happens, I do not want to lose you,” he whispered, pressing his lips into Darren’s hair.

  “You won’t. I’m yours. All we need to do is figure out the particulars. But not now. I think I just died.”

  “You are not going to ask if your toes have fallen off?” He snorted, charmed by his mate.

  “No, I know they’ve fallen off this time. Along with my legs. I can’t feel my legs.”

  They were silent, content to lie together.

  “Can we do it again?”

  Durai opened his eyes, staring in shock at his mate. “Now?”

  “
Good God, not now. I can’t feel my arms either. I think they fell off.”

  Chuckling, Durai closed his eyes. “You will be fine. Another sound fucking will grow them back. I promise.”

  Darren’s slap was too weak to do anything but amuse him, but at least it proved to them both that his arms definitely hadn’t fallen off.

  Chapter Seven

  He didn’t know how long they’d rested, lightly dozing, but Darren was suddenly acutely aware of the furred mat he was resting his cheek on. That was simply incredible. His ass stung, a constant reminder of Durai’s cock pounding inside of him but he wasn’t sorry. He loved how Durai had made him feel, precious and cared for.

  Sighing, Darren shifted his legs, rubbing them against Durai’s.

  “It appears as if you’ve regained the use of your legs once more.”

  Darren laughed, tilting his head to peer up at Durai. “That was incredible. I’ve never felt like that before. I swear.”

  “I feel the same. We fit nicely together.”

  Blushing, Darren ducked his head to hide his reddened cheeks. They most certainly did fit well together. Although, that made him remember something.

  “Uh, Durai?”

  “Hmmm?” Durai stroked Darren’s back, smoothing his palm from his shoulder to his lower back. Darren arched into the touch.

  “Before, when we were, uh, you know. There was something that happened, and I just wanted to, uh…”

  Durai chuckled, running his hand lower to grasp Darren’s ass. Durai’s fingers teased his crack with light touches. “You wish to ask about the barbs?”

  Darren sat up, pulling away from Durai’s touch but needing to see his face for this discussion. “Was that what they were?”

  “See for yourself,” Durai purred, lowering his eyelids to peer at him intently.

  Swallowing hard, Darren let his gaze wander along Durai’s wide chest. Coming to his waist, he studied the play of muscles when Durai stretched gently. Reaching out to touch the furred belly, he let his fingers dance across Durai’s skin. Darren was breathing hard by the time he allowed himself to gaze lower.

  Durai was half-hard, his cock long and thick. It didn’t really appear all that different at first glance. Well, besides the fact that it was a different color, and that it was a hell of a lot bigger than anything Darren had ever had inside him before. He bent his head, studying the shaft. It was hairless, but that wasn’t what caught his attention. It was the small bumps that ringed the head of his shaft that fascinated him now.

  Darren reached forward, stroking the tips of his fingers along Durai’s cock, coming closer and closer to the barbs with every touch. Durai began purring again, his big body vibrating with the sound.

  Finally getting up his nerve, Darren ran his index finger over one bump, gratified when Durai gasped and his cock engorged with blood. The tip of his cock was wet from the liquid weeping from his slit. Darren firmed his grip, pressing against the barbs with his palm. Durai cried out.

  “I know what these did for me. What does it feel like for you?”

  Durai’s voice was rough when he spoke. “I do not think I can describe it. It is the most intense feeling, sending pleasure throughout my body.”

  “What are they for?”

  “It helps our women ovulate when it is their time to mate. But it definitely has the added bonus of driving us and our partners wild.”

  “Hmm, so you like it when I touch you like this?”

  “If you don’t do something more, now, I’m going to have to turn you over and fuck you raw.”

  Darren shivered, flushing when Durai chuckled. Determined to drive his mate wild, he lowered his head, licking up the fluid at the tip of Durai’s cock. It was spicy, the flavor bursting in his mouth. The big body under him tensed, Durai’s purr halting for a moment before starting again, even louder than before.

  He smiled, content. He flattened his tongue to give his mate as much pleasure as he could, licking along the head of his cock. The barbs felt weird against his tongue, smooth to the touch but raised beneath the skin. Darren brought his hand up to grasp Durai’s sac, holding it firmly. He tilted his head, sucking Durai’s cock, running his tongue against the barbs he could reach. Determined, Darren relaxed his throat, bobbing his head up and down, trying to take in as much as he could.

  Durai’s hands grasped the short strands of his hair, before palming his head and holding him in place. Darren moaned, vibrating the shaft in his mouth. He closed his eyes, letting his other senses take over. The spicy taste of Durai’s cock, the sweet smell of him, the feel of the barbs as they ran over the back of his tongue. All of it almost enough to make Darren lose himself.

  Durai’s cock bumped the back of his mouth. The man was growling now, almost inaudibly. The sac Darren was holding drew up. He rolled the testes with his fingers, wanting to give Durai as much pleasure as he could.

  Durai suddenly tensed, letting out a mighty roar. Darren pulled up, concaving his cheeks and holding just the head of Durai’s cock in his mouth. Salty jets of come filled his mouth, and he did his best to swallow them all down.

  Darren was suddenly flat on his back with Durai leaning over him. The Leo grabbed Darren’s shaft in one big hand, gripping it tightly. Darren was so hard with need that he knew this wasn’t going to take long. He whimpered, pushing his hips up into Durai. His mate pulled once, twice, on his cock before Darren released his seed, coating Durai’s hand and his belly with creamy white liquid.

  “You drive me out of my mind. I cannot get enough of you,” Durai whispered, his voice harsh.

  He lowered his body, covering Darren in a furry blanket. Darren widened his thighs, bringing his knees up to give Durai more room. He smiled up at his mate, bringing up one hand to curl into Durai’s hair. Pulling, he brought Durai’s mouth down to meet his own.

  He opened his lips for Durai’s tongue, letting the other man taste himself in Darren’s mouth. They both moaned, the sounds mixing together.

  They were interrupted by the baying of hounds. Suddenly, the weight was lifted off Darren and he was lying alone.

  Darren scrambled to his feet, his heart in his throat. “What the hell?” He shook his head to get rid of the lingering passion clouding his mind.

  Durai was crouched in front of him. How the heck had he moved so fast? A low, threatening rumble was coming from the big man. His claws were fully out, his own personal daggers. This was a man who had no need of weapons. Hell, he was a weapon.

  “Those are hunting dogs. I’d know that sound anywhere.”

  Durai flinched, not turning around, but Darren knew he had his full attention.

  “My dad’s brother lives close by in Fort Nelson. He hunts here all the time, and he’s a certified handler. Sometimes people bring dogs out here to hunt certain animals. They’re trained to pick up a scent and follow it.”

  “What happens when they find it?” Durai’s words were hard to understand, they were almost animalistic.

  Darren was silent.

  “What happens when they find it, Darren?”

  “The hunters come in and shoot it. Whatever it is, they kill it.”

  “Is this a game, then?”

  “It’s a sport. I don’t like it, I’ve never done it myself, and neither has Aaron, but I understand why some people do.”

  Durai turned so fast Darren couldn’t follow the movement. Suddenly his arms were in the uncompromising grip of an infuriated Leo. “This is why your people would not accept us? They would see us as sport?”

  “I-I, please, you’re hurting me.” He flinched.

  Durai visibly shuddered. Slowly, he uncurled his fingers. Brushing the backs of his hands along the livid, red marks on Darren’s arms, he grimaced. “I did not mean to. I would never hurt you.”

  “I know that. I’m fine,” he soothed. Reaching up, he threaded his fingers through Durai’s mane, pushing it back from his face. “I’m fine.”

  The dogs were going ape-shit now, barking and howling. They mus
t have treed something. He had a terrifying idea that he knew what it was. A coughing roar confirmed his guess, the sounds of an angry cougar.

  Durai twisted his ears. His mouth was a thin line, his tail was jerking madly.

  Suddenly the clearing was full of Felidae. They had come to their pride leader, and they were all as pissed as he was.

  “Aren’t you going to do anything?” Achan’s voice shook.

  Durai shook his head. “There are humans out there. We cannot afford to be discovered.”

  Aaron entered the clearing, followed by Morgan and Lev. “Trust me, you don’t want to be discovered by them. If there are hunting dogs, the hunters are close behind them. And the number one rule of any hunter? Carry a good rifle. They’ll take one look at you guys and it won’t be pretty. I know you’re fast, but against a bullet? I don’t want to see that.” He was breathing hard, his eyes wide with unshed tears.

  “This is what you meant before? This is what you hunt up here? These beings who look like us?” Lev’s voice was rough, the emotions clear. He turned on his mate, taking a step toward him.

  Darren wanted to interrupt but Durai grabbed his arm, holding him in place.

  The others were pacing back and forth, agitated. They obviously wanted to go, but they wouldn’t act without Durai giving them the go-ahead. He was sure of it.

  “We need to get back to the cabin. It is closer than the ship at the moment. We cannot be seen by the humans.” Durai turned, holding Khalid’s gaze. “Is that clear?”

  Khalid was literally shaking with rage. His mane was puffed around his face, his stripes standing out even more than normal. He turned his back on Durai, breathing deeply.

  Darren turned at Aaron’s whimper. Morgan had come up behind him, enfolding him in his arms. Morgan and Lev faced off on either side of Aaron.

  Aaron shook his head, burrowing deeper into Morgan’s embrace. “Not me, I’ve never, I swear. My cousins have, they hunt other animals up here, in the winter. But it isn’t in season yet. There aren’t supposed to be hunters here. I don’t understand. They aren’t supposed to be here. There are laws, rules in place. They are only supposed to hunt during season and it isn’t season.”