Cravr (The Mating Games Book 8) (6 page)

Since they sat beside each other on the couch, all Cravr had to do was turn slightly to claim her lips with his. It was almost like torture since he knew it would go no further and he wanted her desperately. His mouth devoured her, enjoying the sweet feast. Cravr had enjoyed no greater pleasure than holding Annie and feasting on her. Reluctantly, he pulled back, wishing more than anything that he could stay and that the task ahead of them, was already done.

“I’d better go, before I lose the will power to do so.” Annie blushed a lovely pink as she nodded. “Tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow.” She confirmed as he headed to the door to let himself out. His heart felt a stab of pain from leaving her, but he would be back tomorrow, and before the day was over, he hoped he would claim her.

Getting in the hover car, he felt hopeful that his future would soon be secure. Now he headed to Razar’s house to talk to his oldest brother. Pulling in to the driveway, he was relieved to see Razar was home. Before knocking, Cravr listened briefly because he had no wish to interrupt intimacies between his brother and Lista. The baby was crying, so any activities had been interrupted already. He knocked on the door, it was answered immediately.

“What gives, Bro?” Razar asked looking surprised to see him.

“I hoped for a brief talk with you.”

“I’m always willing to make time for you. What is on your mind?”

“Did father share our discussion with you?”

“About you mating Annie? Yes.”

“That helps. She has agreed to go to the Temple with me in the morning.”

“Congratulation, Cravr!” Razar smacked him on the back.”

“Thank you. I know Norvir is up next and I was unsure if I should give him a heads up now, or wait until our mating is approved.”

“Neither. Norvir is off world. You are aware of his position in land and water management?”

“Yes, it has given us much to tease him about.”

“His job is more important than you think. Norvir has gone to a seminar on conserving resources, allotting lands to parks, and working to avoid pollution such as Earth has experienced. He hopes to secure some specialists like land conservationist or climate control scientists to help him put programs in place that will protect our planet.”

“Okay, it does sound important, especially in view of planets like Earth that have destroyed their worlds.”

“I’ve heard in fifty years most of the planet will be unable to support life.”

“That is truly sad.”

“Norvir can be in the next game, as he was scheduled. No harm, we will still be well ahead of the plan to mate our brothers.” Razar observed.

“True, I hope all goes well tomorrow.”

“If you feel it deep in your heart, it will be fine.”

“I do feel it deep in my heart. Annie is the right one for me and no other will do.”

“Here’s wishing you the aid of the gods in what lies ahead.”

“I will go now so you and your mate can have some privacy.”

“Thank you. I will see you soon at our parent’s house. A party is being planned by our mother, for whoever Novir has convinced to come to Oison.”

“I hope our mom doesn’t scare them away.” They laughed together. Their mom could be overwhelming, but she was an incredible female. She accepted new people treating them like family. Not everyone knew what to make of her.

Cravr left sure that Razar would enjoy the quiet time with his little family. Next, he called the Temple asking for an appointment, he was given one at eight which would give him and Annie time to have breakfast in town. His plan was coming together, he hoped it all would. Once home, he tried to relax, but found it too hard to do. Shifting into his demon form, he took a run around the countryside, probably scaring human children.

His demon was big, one of the biggest ones. Eight feet tall and broad, he looked more primitive than some of the others, and he hoped Annie would accept him. His skin was pewter, and tough as metal. Eyes tinged with an iris color stared at the world around him, he was near Annie’s and he shouldn’t be. Faster than a speeding bullet, a saying from one of Lista’s ancient comics, he took off to his own house. Patience was hard on the male, but the demon found it even harder.

They both felt anxious, but tomorrow would change everything. He knew it and felt it in the pit of his stomach. Getting ready for bed, he was calmer because of the run he’d taken. Showered, dry, and nude, he laid down in bed counting little fluffy lambs, a suggestion Lista always made. It never worked, so he couldn’t explain why he continued to try it.

At some point, after tossing and turning for an hour, maybe more, he fell into a sleep that was restless and filled with weird dreams only half remembered on waking. Today was the day, Annie would finally be his. Getting ready quickly, he got in his car heading straight to her house. He arrived before the young male who would stay with Sylvia. They left half an hour later, to take the girls to the childcare center. Sally and Molly both ran ahead, opening the door and rushing into the center. They both had friends they were excited to see.

“You were right.” Annie admitted. “It was best to bring them here where they would see their friends.

They followed the girls in just to be certain everything was fine, which of course it was. Now it was time for breakfast, the girls would eat here. He took Annie to the only place in town that served food. This time they ordered from the breakfast menu as a young male fussed over them seeing to all their needs. They both ordered steak and eggs, but he wondered if Annie would have ordered it had she known it was all native ingredients.

The eggs were sized similar to ostrich eggs, but came from a native lizard. The steak was from a bovine, or at least that was how scientists had classified the large horned creatures. Cravr loved their meat, would Annie notice the difference? Would she be mad he hadn’t told her? The plates were brought out to them steaming and the food smelled good.

“This looks yummy.” Annie commented.

“It does.” Cravr cut his steak and blood pooled on the bottom of his plate.

“It looks like they forgot to cook yours.” Annie observed.

“No, I like it this way. Many of us are in touch with our primitive side. Our males like the added nutrients we get from the meat, overcooking removes.”

“Oh.” She said as she wrinkled up her nose watching him eat his nearly raw food.

“It is part of who I am. You will discover more in the Temple.”

“If you can eat it like that, I can deal with it. Just don’t expect me to convert to eating raw food.”

It made Cravr wonder if Annie would be one of the mates that craved raw meat during pregnancy and nursing. Since he wasn’t sure, he said nothing. Right now he just wanted to get through breakfast and take his mate to the Temple, where they were expected. Annie took small bites giving no indication of whether or not she liked it.

“How is your food?”

“It’s good but it taste different. Maybe a spice you use here?”

“No, our spices are from Earth. We’ve not begun to grow much here yet. You’ll get used to the food in time.”

They finished eating and they headed toward the Temple. It was a large building made entirely from native stone. There was a host of priests, nearly thirty of them lived here. It was acceptable for them to mate, but until that time, they lived here learning and serving others.

Kavan looked up from where he’d been working on his laptop. “Cravr, it’s so nice to see you. Is this your female?”

“Yes, Kavan, this is Annie. We are here so the gods can bless our union.”

“Annie, nice to meet you. Has Cravr told you much about what will be happening here?”

“He’s not told me much.”

Kavan went on to explain what the purpose of the test was. He didn’t go into much detail about how it was done. The priest led them to a room as he explained, leaving them to clean up first. Once they washed and drank a potion, they would enter the heated waters, and where they would see hidden secrets. Those would tell them if they were meant to be together. Not every ritual was the same, they were customized by the priest to the couple that was seeking the blessing. So far his and Annie’s ritual wasn’t starting out like Razar had described his. It made him wonder, would anything be the same?

It was weird that the first time he would see his mate naked was in the Temple shower. They looked at each other, both suddenly shy about undressing in front of each other. By the goddess, Cravr would start things. Pulling his shirt off over his head, he undid his belt. Unsnapping and unzipping his pants, he pulled them off grabbing his underwear to slide down with it. His cock popped out of his pants, long, thick, and unapologetic for its aroused state.

Annie stared, her eyes wide, and glazed with passion. “Mate, do you plan to shower dressed?” He asked his voice deep with his demon’s presence. Annie turned bright red and began to undress. Her shirt went off over her head and fell to the floor. She slipped her pants off, now standing in just her underwear.

Their eyes met, heat flared, but his mate was shy. Cravr turned so she could undress without his needy eyes on her. He heard the shower turn on and he turned back to see her naked body with water running all over it. Swallowing hard, he joined her. Washing fast, they moved on, holding back because Cravr knew if they touched, they would mate right here. This was not where he wanted to claim Annie. She probably wouldn’t like that as a first time either.

Once they were clean, Cravr found the potion and gave her the smaller bottle. It tasted foul, but it was necessary. The look on her face as she swallowed was priceless, but he held back his laugh. His mate would not appreciate it. Giving her his hand, he helped her into the heated pool. They sat quickly because dizziness came over them quickly. Cravr had no idea what to expect, these rituals were kept private and not shared.

“Do you see anything?” Annie asked.

“Yes, but it is cloudy. It will clear up soon and then we’ll know.”

Annie waited a while before talking again. “What do you see now?”

“You, I see you everywhere.” Cravr did, he saw their future and she was it for him.

Chapter 7

Family

Annie was pretty freaked out. Never in her life had she felt so dizzy or half sick. The potion had tasted nasty and it didn’t sit well in her stomach. Breathing deeply helped to keep her stomach from refusing the awful drink. Cravr’s presence was a calming influence and the more time passed, the calmer she got. Her mind whirled with pictures, scenes from her future maybe. Cravr was there, everywhere in each scene.

“I see you too. What does it mean?”

“It means we have the god’s blessings.”

Annie was skeptical, but she was willing to go along with it, if it meant they would be together. “What now?”

“We stay in here a few more minutes.”

“I can do that.” Annie said and she fell asleep.

“Annie!” Cravr shook her lightly.

“What?” She whispered struggling to wake.

“It’s time.”

“Time for what?”

Cravr laughed. “Time to go home.”

They got out, dried off, and dressed. Somehow, she had expected something more spectacular. It didn’t matter since the desired result had been received. Annie was a little nervous wondering what would come next. Cravr led her out of the room, to the hallway where the priest waited.

“Did you get the blessing you looked for?” He asked.

“I did. We thank you for your guidance.”

“You are welcome. I wish you many blessings.”

Cravr led her out of the Temple to the car. The whole experience was odd. In Annie’s world religious leaders told you what was in store. They never asked you what you saw. As they headed away from the Temple, she looked at Cravr from under her eyebrows.

“What happens next?”

Cravr smiled. “We go home and we mate.”

His meaning was clear and Annie tingled with anticipation. She’d seen Cravr naked and the male was fantastic. Hard muscled, covered with silky skin, tall, and broad shouldered. He was her dream mate and she wouldn’t stop now regardless of how nervous she was. Annie looked around in surprise.

“Where are we going?”

“Home, our home now, but it used to me mine. I hope you’ll love it. It was put together recently for me to bring my mate to.”

“Is it far?” She couldn’t get there fast enough. Annie felt like she’d waited all her life for Cravr and the mating they had committed to. He pulled into a yard, the house was twice as large as the one she and the girls shared. “It’s lovely.”

Cravr got out, then came around to help her out. He led her up the walkway and to a large stained glass and wood door. When he opened the door, he let her walk in ahead of him. Annie looked around, the house was beautiful and everything was new.

“I love it, Cravr. We will be happy here.” Annie was sure of it.

“Now that you’ve looked around, it’s time to talk then mate, Gorgeous.”

“Talk? Don’t I know everything now?”

“No, there’s one more thing to share. My people aren’t just as they appear. We have another form we can take?”

“Are you talking spiritually?”

“No, Sweetheart. I mean we can literally and physically change into something else.”

“But that’s not possible!”

“I assure you it is.”

“What do you turn into?”

“We call them demons, but not because they are. It’s what our enemies called our other form in primitive times. They are large primitive beasts, but I promise you, we are in control and he would never hurt you or anyone he loves. I planned to tell you in the Temple, but after I drank that potion, all I could think about was our mating.”

“I don’t know what to say. I’ve read about werewolves and similar things in the supernatural world, but I admit, I never believed in them. It’s hard to believe now.”

“You want me to show you.” It was a statement not a question.
Promise you won’t scream or run? He’s a predator and he might chase you. You could get hurt trying to escape.”

“Okay, I will stay right here.” Annie promised, but secretly she didn’t believe him. Even if it were true, how scary could he be? He’d admitted he would still be Cravr, he’d only look different.