Chapter 16

Before long, the remaining food supply was no longer safe to eat, forcing the two alphas to venture out for a hunt once more.

“Don’t look so down, Lila,” Damon encouraged as they journeyed together. “It’s only for a short time. Esteria will soon provide us with everything we need for several months.”

“But if it does,” Lilitha countered. “What if they treat us like Mainstry did? What if they kill you this time?”

“They won’t,” Damon assured her.

“But how can you be so sure…”

“They won’t,” he reiterated, a bit more forcefully. “No offense, Lila, but we know what we’re doing. We’ve been at this for a long time.”

His expression softened. “How are you holding up? Do you need a break?”

“No. I feel strong.”

Stronger than she expected, despite the slight ache in her back. They had been walking most of the night, hoping to reach their “Esterian home” in the next few days.

Lilitha ran her hands over her noticeably swollen belly. Her tunic kept riding up and her pants were uncomfortably tight around her hips. If it weren’t for Silus, she would have taken them off.

She left Damon’s side and quickened her pace to catch up with Silus.

“Silus,” she called out. He stopped and turned around. He extended his hand, and she took it. “You’re not planning to leave as soon as we get there, are you?”

“Not right away.”

She held his hand tighter as they continued walking. “Can’t you stay at least until our next delivery? Just to ensure we’re safe?”

“That could take months, Lilitha.”

“Can’t you spare a few months? Maybe you could stay until the baby is born. You could meet your grandchild.”

“No.”

“But why not?”

“Do you know how hard it already is for me to leave you? Let alone my grandchild. Do you want to break my heart?”

Lilitha bit her lip.

He sighed. “Alright. I’ll stay until the delivery but no longer.”

Lilitha squeezed his hand again. “Thank you.”

Their journey proceeded smoothly, and they soon arrived at their destination. Mateus took a deep breath. “Home. My favorite place. I love it here.”

Lilitha looked around. It was majestic. Towering, ancient trees that almost completely obscured the sky. She hugged herself, shivering slightly. It felt old—and somewhat magical. The distant sound of a waterfall and the hooting of owls in the treetops made her close her eyes to listen.

Mateus showed her around, pointing out where they would sleep, eat, and gather.

“It’s not far from the sea, you know? Can you smell it?”

Lilitha sniffed the air. He was right. The scent of salt, sea, and fish was faint but unmistakable. “Can we go there?”

“Sure. Not right now, though.” He placed his large warm hand on her belly. “The climb can be dangerous. We can go once the baby is born.”

They went to a cave filled with old baskets, frayed fabric, and an assortment of human belongings piled against the wall. A pile of bones was pushed into a corner, a skull perched on top, grinning at her.

Mateus inspected some blood-stained blades for sharpness. He picked up a club and swung it around his head, his muscles tensing around his neck, his pointed teeth and horns on full display. Lilitha could only imagine how many skulls he had crushed with such a weapon. With his bare hands. With his teeth.

She looked back at the skull, feeling a twinge of unease.

Just a twinge.

Mateus put the club back, his tail swishing behind him. “Everything looks good.”

He extended his hand. Lilitha took it, and they left the cave. Not far away was the feeding ground. A lump formed in Lilitha’s throat as she watched Mateus uncover the metal collars one by one. Most were buried under soil or overgrown bushes and grass. They were rusted and heavy.

Lilitha went over to help. The collars were attached to rusted chains, which were connected to stakes driven deep into the ground.

Mateus was particularly focused on the stakes, ensuring they were firmly in place. Lilitha tried to pull one—it didn’t move.

“Did you put these stakes in?” Lilitha asked.

“No. The humans did. But I make sure they hold.”

The humans did this.

The clearing was small, the trees pulled back, revealing the twinkling stars. Lilitha looked up, trying to imagine how the Diablons’ victims felt as they awaited their fate—how they would feel. Shaking her head, she helped find the rest of the collars.

When they were done, Lilitha stepped back. “So many.”

“Fifty,” Mateus confirmed. “Fortunately for us, humans breed like rabbits.”

“When are they due?”

“Two to three months. Sometimes sooner. Sometimes later. It varies. Depending on their numbers. Their fear. Their superstitions.” He shrugged. “Who knows what drives humans to make the choices they do.”

He paused. “You look worried.”

“Just thinking back to the last time.”

“It won’t be like the last time.”

“Okay,” she said, not entirely convinced.

Mateus reached out to cup her face, tilting it as he ran his fingers through her hair. Lilitha closed her eyes.

“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured.

He kissed her repeatedly, his lips soft and sweet against hers. Then he kissed her neck, the tip of her shoulder. He growled softly as he lifted her tunic. The moonlight glinted off one of the collars. Lilitha stared. She should stop him. This was not the place for such things, but she couldn’t make herself do it.

What did it matter? No one knew. The Diablons didn’t care. And if there was a God, He shouldn’t have created them in the first place. Lilitha clung to Mateus’s horns as he lowered her to the ground.

“I love you. I love you. Love you,” he whispered over and over as he kissed her down her abdomen. Lilitha wasn’t sure if he was speaking to their child or to her. “Do you think it can feel it?”

“Feel what?”

“You know…”

“Sex?”

He gave her a sheepish look.

“I’ve never really thought about it,” she admitted. “I think it’ll just know that we love each other. And if I feel good…”

Mateus moistened his lips, promising, “I can make you feel good.”

Lilitha’s laughter echoed as he leaned in, blowing a gentle breeze against her stomach.

In a swift motion, he was pulling off her pants and slipping off her shoes.

Before she could even part her thighs, he was inside her, so deep she couldn’t help but wonder if the baby ~could~ actually sense it.

Mateus was tender, even more so than usual, careful to keep his weight off her, his lips feather-light against Lilitha’s throat.

Suddenly, he pulled back, using his impressive strength to gather Lilitha into his arms as he settled onto his backside.

He slipped out momentarily, and Lilitha adjusted her position to allow him back in.

Resting her chin on his broad shoulder, she rolled her hips, her gaze fixated on the gleaming collar around his neck.

Mateus was panting, a sheen of sweat on his skin.

Lilitha reached up, cradling his face and bending his head forward so she could trace her tongue along his horns.

She playfully bit the tip, causing him to grunt and shudder.

Then, she pulled his head back, pressing her lips against his throat, her mouth forming a tight seal around his Adam’s apple.

His grunts and growls filled the air as he matched her rhythm, his fingers digging into her back.

She released his throat, and he lifted his head, his gaze so intense it was as if he wanted to devour her.

Then, he was kissing her, holding her close as he claimed her mouth, his tongue dancing with hers.

He jerked, then whimpered, then thrust his hips with a primal snarl.

Holding onto him tightly, Lilitha moved with him, his rhythm guiding her own.

She growled in response, sinking her teeth into Mateus’s shoulder as her body tightened around him, again and again.

It wasn’t until she opened her eyes that Lilitha realized she had closed them.

And there it was, that collar, gleaming brightly, watching her, judging her.

She turned her face away, burying it into the crook of Mateus’s neck.

For what felt like an eternity, they held each other, their breaths coming in ragged gasps, bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight.

A cool breeze rustled the treetops, lifting Lilitha’s bangs.

It cooled the sweat on her skin.

Mateus cupped her face, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips, his navy eyes locked onto hers.

“I love you,” he murmured against her lips.

“I love you more,” she replied.

He pulled her closer, and Lilitha held onto him tightly, her nose buried in his sweet-smelling skin.