Panter's Pride:
Hunted
by T. S. Hubbard
Disclaimer It's still mine. Note: Panter's Pride must be read first, as this is book 2.
Thanks to Thorie for volunteering to proofread yet another story.
Email address: thubbar2@insight.rr.com.- comments welcome.
Chapter Eleven
Alesia leaned on the pommel of her saddle as she looked out on the sea of moving humanity. The amount of travel time had been steadily increasing for the past several days, frequently picking up more new recruits along the way. The growing number of military had them scrambling at first for provisions but for some odd reason they kept running into herds of animals that shouldn't be in the area at this time in the season. They were careful to only take the animals that were unable to keep up with the herd due to age or injury; there was no need to wipe out an entire group to keep everyone fed. They'd had suspicions of divine help but couldn't swear by it. Most thanked the goddess for her assistance anyway. Thira had started sharing her beliefs with her lately introducing her to what she had tried to abandon so long ago. Alesia noticed that she seemed much calmer since she'd told them about what had happened to make her loathe humans so much. Panter had waited for as long as she possibly could before ordering the camp packed for travel. She'd left their tent as one of the last to be stored. Even with accelerated healing capabilities, Thira was still in extreme discomfort as they departed heading for Tylan.
Her eyes swept the area. The small rise she was on gave her a clear view of the troops along with the surrounding vicinity as they marched by. Her sharp eyes caught the sight of her partner riding along side Panter and Tera deep in conversation, their horses kept at a brisk walk. Clucking at her mount she kneed it into a trot. Alesia slipped between two units, she absentmindedly returned their salutes while carefully making her way over to join the women. Several smiles greeted her as she arrived at their side.
"Things look good for now," she reported. "Everyone's still moving at a decent pace. I think we'll be able to keep going till dusk at least if we eat in the saddle" She lifted a brow at Thira silently inquiring how she was holding out. A crinkle around her eyes let her know everything was fine. "So what were you talking about?" she inquired deftly pulling everyone's attention to her and away from Thira.
Panter tapped the hilt of her sword. "How I came into possession of this"
Alesia brow furrowed. "I thought you stole it from your family. Didn't you tell me the eldest male was supposed to have it?"
Panter rubbed the back of her neck. "Well, I kind of glossed over that a little. When I told you that only the male received it that wasn't quite the truth. When my mother met my" She ran her palm down the side of her chin, dropping her hand to her thigh. "I suppose you'd call him my Father but he wasn't my biological parent" Panter shrugged. "Anyway, my mother brought it with her, seems she actually had taken it with her when she's split from her clan. She never did tell me why she'd left just that there had been little choice at the time. Any information I have about anything dealing with the clan is second hand" She exchanged a long look with Thira then resumed her story. She ticked a few points off on her fingers. "She told me no males ever received the goddess's gift, that the sword had a purpose but couldn't tell me what that was, she just knew without a doubt she needed to take it with her when she left. My "father" took a liking to it and decided it was no woman's weapon so took ownership of it immediately. She also said something I've never really understood"
"What was that?" Tera asked some of the lingering questions she'd had finally being answered.
"That it was easier to conceal one bird among many than to hide a snake among the rocks" Panter shrugged. "Never could figure out what it meant" No one spoke as they all mulled over the saying trying to figure out what it could possibly mean.
"Your mother was telling the truth when she said no males received the gift," Thira said breaking the silence. "I was surprised to hear that you were raised by mostly humans. Tell me, were there a lot of unusual incidents as you grew up?"
Panter's brows knit as she considered her past. "Now that you mention it, yea there were. I guess I was just a klutz"
Thira shook her head. "No, you really weren't. That's a normal course of growing up, particularly while we are trying to adapt to the increased strength we have. What might be a light blow to us might kill the person we hit unintentionally. It was a risk for you to grow up in that kind of environment, makes me wonder what your mother could possibly have been thinking to allow it"
"What makes clan surroundings any better?" Panter asked puzzled. Alesia and Tera leaned forward in their saddles interested in hearing the reply.
"First you're surrounded by your own kind. Elders would have been available to address any concerns you might have had. There would be others to help teach you how to use the gifts you had and assist you in the shifting process. Then you would have learned our history and been accepted by the goddess as one of her own far earlier in your life" Thira paused shifting in her saddle, being careful not to visibly wince as the ache flared up in her shoulder at the sudden movement. It was at the stage of healing that was mostly muscle pain as it knit itself back together.
Alesia broke in. "But wouldn't your father's still be human?"
Thira took a moment to retrieve her water container, taking her time she drank several mouthfuls of the cool liquid. Stopping the top she slung it back over its hook on the side of the saddle. "When we choose our mates regardless of the sex, the union must be blessed by the Goddess. With the blessing the spouse changes, they are no longer fully human. Their strength increases slightly along with their reaction time. This is only done to try to keep them from harm and to be better able to help defend the clan"
Tera met Panter's eyes surprised at what she'd just heard. "The goddess blessed our union" She turned to Thira "Did this happen to me also?"
"Is that when you received your markings?"
"Yes, we were told that they marked us as her chosen. She didn't say anything about me being changed in any other way"
Thira frowned. "Perhaps she thought she didn't need to. Had anything happened before you married that was unusual?"
Tera started to say no but paused. A small silence ensued as she met Panter's gaze as they both remembered something had happened.
"When you got kidnapped" Panter's nails bit into her palms as she remembered the fear that had enfolded her when Tera had been taken from their very bed.
Thira's stiffened in shock, the abrupt motion causing her horse to sidestep in response to the uncertain signal it received. "Kidnapped?"
"My cousin was afraid he would loose the title of Regent if I returned so he arranged to have us drugged. He planned to abduct me to make sure I wouldn't be in any position to be a threat"
"By killing you I would assume" Thira finished.
Tera nodded in agreement. "Yes, by killing me. We were staying in a room at Raven's Claw at the time"
Panter broke in. "They came through our bedroom window when they knew we had eaten and drank the food that had been left for us. The drug was strong enough to affect me; it slowed me down so I could only grab the last man that attempted to exit the room back through the window. We got enough information from him to find where Tera had been taken" Panter's voice was heavy with regret. "We'd just fully bonded when they took her from me"
Thira's head jerked back as if she'd just been slapped. "What!!" She stared at the Regents in horror. "They're lucky their drug affected you. If it hadn't you would have easily torn them apart. I'm sure you could feel the rage your mate being taken caused. If you'd been lucid anyone coming near her non the less actually touching her would have prompted an attack on your part"
Panter eyes grew dark as she remembered the absolute terror that had seized her when her mate was taken. That feeling had been swiftly overwhelmed by the burning rage that followed. The true animal side of her had longed to sink its claws into anyone remotely being part of the ones that had taken her partner. "Your right, I did feel as if I could have killed them all with no regrets at all"
Tera reached over and took Panter's hand in hers. "Everything turned out the way it was meant to. We're together and married, I'm happy with how my life has turned out so far"
Panter squeezed her hand carefully as her eyes caressed her face. "I thank the Goddess everyday that she saved you for me. If you'd died, I don't think I'd be here today"
Tera and Alesia grew sober as they realized that what Panter said might have come to pass if the Goddess hadn't stepped in.
Thira watched the feelings flash across her companion's faces in puzzlement. "What do you mean if she'd died?" Her brows drew together. "What did the Goddess have to do with it?"
Tera turned back to Thira. "When Panter found me, my cousin went crazy"
"If he wasn't already," Alesia murmured. She quieted at the look she received from Tera.
"He stabbed me in the chest" She paused "I'm sorry I don't know anything about what happened until I woke up in the infirmary"
Thira looked over at Panters still face. "What happened then?"
Panter bit her lower lip. "I watched Tera fall to the floor" Her eyes slid shut as she relived the moment her heart had abruptly stopped in her chest at the sight. "I wanted to kill him for that, I went right for his throat" Her voice trailed off as the memory of how his blood tasted suddenly flooded her mind.
Alesia picked up the story when she saw Panter was unable to continue.
"When Panter went for him she seemed to shift with every step she took. By the time she reached him she was in full shift. She" her voice cracked.
"She mauled him. I don't blame her at all, if I could've I'd have done the same thing" Her voice had risen slightly as she spoke, unconsciously trying to defend her friend from the judgments of others. "She turned from him and shifted back to human before she reached Tera. Seeing the agony on her face as she cradled her close, I knew instantly she was dead"
Panter broke in. "I pleaded with the Goddess to save her" she rubbed her thumb over the back of Tera's hand. "And she did. She used my body to heal her" She smiled faintly. "It hurt like hell. It was if she was using my own gift of healing. I think she did, Tera healed remarkably fast after that. Far quicker then a normal human could ever do"
Thira eyes widened a little. "Maybe that's why she never said anything. After you'd healed so quickly perhaps she though that you understood that you'd already been changed"
Tera met Panters gaze. "It makes sense" She smiled. "Suddenly I feel a lot more confident about this war we're being forced into"
Panter nodded. "I feel a little better about the situation too. But we're still going to be extremely careful in how things are done"
Thira grew quiet as she allowed her horse to drop back from the group. She watched Alesia as she continued to talk to the Regents. She envied her relationship with them; friends had proven to be a source of unreliability to her at one time. The one true downfall of their clan was the way everyone seemed to vie for power in the pack. The constant battle for the alpha role in the clan was tiring, that was one of the main reasons she'd agreed so quickly to leave and go after the traitor. She studied the way Panter related to the others. She seemed sure of herself enough that there was no hint of trying to take control of the situation like their kind normally would.
Thira's eyes softened as she turned her gaze back to Alesia. Her hair had been pulled back into a braid again. She traced the way it draped over a strong shoulder and ended at the middle of her back. Her eyes slipped half closed as she remembered the smell of it as she buried her face into the silkiness of its length as they slept. Thira's unconsciously straightened in her saddle as her breathing grew more rapid. A low growl vibrated her chest as her gaze lingered over the form of her mate. The twinge of pain her movements caused was pushed dismissively from her awareness. She was so involved with watching Alesia she failed to see Panter start and turn in her saddle as she looked back towards her.
Panter noticed the way Thira was acting. When she moistened her bottom lip as she leaned forward in her saddle Panter knew what was going on.
She moved closer to Tera. "I think we need to make it an early stop tonight while we are still relatively safe"
Tera turned with a surprised look. "Why, we're making good time. We could easily travel for another few miles"
Panter grinned faintly. "Take a look at Thira"
Tera glanced over her shoulder. She flushed, as she saw what Panter meant. She hastily considered several options. Tera kept a smile from forming on her lips as she turned to an unaware Alesia.
"We're going to make camp early tonight"
Alesia frowned and started to protest. It died off, as she understood the Regent was speaking not her friend Tera. "Yes, ma'am" She rode off to spread the word down the line and to set up the watches for the night.
Panter waved Tera on as she dropped back to talk to Thira. She remained silent, as Thira slowly grew aware of her presence next to her. Panter watched, as the intense look slowly cleared from Thira's amber eyes.
Thira clenched her jaw as she noticed Panter next to her, studying her as if she were an unusual specimen. "Did you want something?"
Panter tilted her head. "We're stopping early tonight" A corner of her mouth lifted as she met Thira's gaze head on. "It would be a good time to get any unresolved issues dealt with before we're in the middle of a battle" She nudged Donum into a canter to catch up with her own mate.
Thira's frowned as she pondered Panter's words. Her lips parted in a feral smile, as she understood. Tonight, hurt or not she was determined to make Alesia her true mate. She'd been fighting the urge for far too long. She pulled her horse around and urged it into a fast trot to catch up with Alesia and see what could be done to hurry things along.
********************
Alesia ducked into their tent with their meal. She smiled as she saw Thira curled up comfortably on their bed. Her steps gradually came to a halt as she sat up to reveal that she was nude. Alesia's breath caught as she slowly traced the sleek muscled curves on display. She hastily set the bowls of food aside before she dropped them. Her knees weakened at the heated gaze that met hers. Alesia licked at suddenly dry lips. "Are you sure your healed enough for this?"
Thira eyes narrowed as she rose from the fur strewn bed surface. She moved noiselessly over to circle Alesia's rigid form. She leaned close and inhaled Alesia's scent with a surge of pleasure. Her mouth opened slightly to draw the odor deep into her lungs. "I think we've both waited long enough," She whispered softly. "Don't you?"
Alesia shuddered as Thira's breath hit the back of her neck. Her hands moved to her tunic and unloosened its bindings. Helpful hands relived her of the garment when it was finally removed. It seemed as if little time had past before she was standing naked in front of Thira. Alesia moaned as her back met firm smooth skin when Thira pulled her against her bare body. She leaned her head back as eager lips pressed against her neck, light nips making her moan in pleasure. She turned in Thira's arms and pulled her mouth to hers. Alesia tightened her grip on the back of Thira's head as their kiss deepened.
Thira's chest rumbled with a low-pitched growl as the feel and taste of Alesia flooded her senses. She pulled Alesia's hips into hers as her grip tightened. She forced herself to move back, the smoky look of passion in Alesia's dark eyes had her gasping as her control over herself weakened.
"Bed" she rasped. Thira moved them both over to the soft surface. Gently pushing Alesia flat she moved to hover over her prone body, relishing the fire that danced over her body as their skin brushed. Her body arched as her leg slipped between Alesia's. A moan leaked from her lips as Alesia nails dug in, pulling her hips closer. Wetness coated her thigh making her gasp; her lips parted exposing her fangs. Her nails gripped the furs beside Alesia's head in desperation as she lowered her head and met Alesia lips with hers. When the kiss ended she moved her lips to Alesia's neck pressing light nips and kisses down its length. She hissed as Alesia's leg pushed against her mound, the pleasure causing her to go still.
"Alesia" her name came out as a deep rumble.
Thira licked the gathering sweat from Alesia's throat. She pulled back a little and cupped a breast in one hand. Bending her head she circled the tip, she avoided the nipple entirely until Alesia pleaded for her to stop teasing. She nipped the nipple gently before sucking it into her mouth. She played with the other breast, squeezing its nipple between her fingers as she nursed at Alesia's breast. She moved to the other breast making sure it wasn't neglected in any way.
Thira pressed openmouthed kisses against Alesia's quivering stomach. The smell of Alesia's wetness filled her awareness. The sweet scent of her made her mouth water for want of a taste. Hands gripped her head as she slid down between Alesia's legs. She pressed a kiss against Alesia's mound; she ignored the fingers pulling her hair as she took her first taste. Thira gripped Alesia's hips as she savored the feast before her. She let Alesia's hips go and dug her nails into the surface of the bed not wanting to hurt her mate by accidentally clawing her. She used her upper body weight to keep Alesia as still as possible. Thira drew her tongue up through the wetness lightly flicking Alesia's clit at the end of the stroke. She continued the motion, as Alesia's halting gasps got louder. She forced herself to pull away not wanting Alesia to come yet. Sliding back up over her sweat-covered body Thira seized her lips in a rough kiss.
Pulling Alesia's lower lip between her teeth Thira bit lightly, she groaned as Alesia's body surged up into hers in response to the faint pain. Licking the swollen lips Thira leaned back. Heavy lidded eyes met with her burning gaze. Pushing her hips into Alesia's, Thira's breath caught in her throat as their mounds met. Reaching between them Thira spread their lips, the next push causing their clits to brush together. Thira's upper body twisted as a rush of pleasure slammed into her at the movement. Her face reflected the desire she felt as her eyes slid shut. They quickly fell into a slow rhythm not wanting it to end to quickly. Hands gripped and slid on sweat slicked bodies as they moved together. Thira grasped the covers on either side of Alesia as she thrust herself against her. Her head dropped forward as the muscles stood out in vivid relief on her body as the effort to hold back her climax taxed her restraint.
She opened her eyes to watch Alesia beneath her. Alesia's lips were drawn back in pleasure as her body surged up to met Thira's, her own muscles firm against her slick skin. The guttural cries of need that came from her lips arousing Thira even more. Thira's vision blurred then sharpened throwing everything into vivid relief.
"Alesia, come with me" she pleaded, not wanting to leave her mate behind.
"Thira, I…" Alesia's voice faded, as their movements grew frantic with need.
The growing pleasure grew too much and at last it snapped. Their release had them both arching and crying out. Thira's roar echoed throughout the tent as she came, her head thrown back. Her body shook in response to the weakness that clasped her afterward. She collapsed into Alesia's arms panting wearily. Thira purred at the kisses that were pressed against her temple. She forced herself to move so she could look at Alesia. Raising her hand she pushed the damp hair from Alesia's eyes. She followed her jaw line lightly with her fingertips as Alesia's breathing finally quieted.
"I love you" Thira whispered before pressing a tender kiss against swollen lips. She gently touched her lower lip. "I didn't hurt you, did I?" Her head lowered as sudden wetness filled her eyes at the thought of injuring her mate. "I'd never want…" A warm hand forced her to meet loving brown eyes.
"No, nothing you could do in our bed would upset me" Alesia drew Thira closer. Her grip tightened briefly as Thira's hip brushed against her. "In fact, the only thing that would upset me is if you stopped right now" Cat like eyes met hers in full understanding.
Heat rushed through Thira's body at the hungry gaze that met hers. Her lips parted and her fangs flashed in a wild grin. Her eyes narrowed as she scented the body beneath hers, the mix of their scents making her growl in satisfaction. She seized Alesia's lips in a deep kiss as she moved herself against her again. Awareness' of the outside world fled as they immersed themselves in each other's bodies.
Continued...