“Into a what?” Mia felt like her heart had stopped beating. She watched Vek leap up and prowl around in circles.

He shot her a look that melted her bones. “Won’t…hurt you.” He sprinted away, moving agilely over the rocks. He headed toward the mouth of the closest cave.

He disappeared inside, and a second later, a roar echoed from the confines of the cave.

The sound was so angry, so alone, so afraid. Mia pressed her clenched fist to her aching chest.

“A mating frenzy,” Thorin said. “It happens to certain species that have more primal animal instincts. It usually hits at specific times through their life, but it’s different for every species.”

“What triggered this?” she asked.

“The scent of the Neralla, maybe?” Thorin answered, his gaze heavy on Mia. “Or the presence of his mate. The one person who ignites his beast within. I don’t know enough about his species to be sure.”

Regan had told Mia that Thorin’s beast rose to the surface at times. He clearly knew what he was talking about.

“What’s going to happen?” Mia asked.

A muscle ticked in Thorin’s strong jaw. “It’s going to get worse. His body will be on fire, and without some release…”

Mia’s heart knocked hard against her ribs. She grabbed the gladiator’s arm. “What?”

“Most likely, he’ll slip into a coma.”

She gasped. No.

Galen cursed, running a hand through his dark hair.

Mia swallowed, realization dawning. “So he needs…sex?”

Thorin nodded. “And a lot of it. Usually a mating frenzy lasts for several hours.”

“What if we contain him?” Galen suggested. “Sedate him?”

Thorin shook his head. “The overload of hormones in his body needs to be purged. He’d still end up slipping into the coma.”

“A coma?” Mia repeated in disbelief. She pressed her hands together, terrified for Vek.

“And he’ll be in agony until that happens,” Thorin finished, a sympathetic look in his eyes.

Mia straightened, her thoughts racing. “I’m going in.”

Galen stepped in front of her, blocking her way. “Mia.”

Harper joined the imperator. “Mia, you don’t have to do this.”

“He could hurt you,” Galen continued.

Mia shook her head fiercely. “Vek would never hurt me. He’s mine.” A sense of rightness filled her. He needed her help. No one in her life had ever really needed her. Her family were all composed, smart, and highly competent. None of them had ever asked her for help or needed her to do anything for them.

Galen looked into her face, that one, ice-blue eye staring at her like he could see right through her.

“Harper, grab Mia and Vek’s gear, and take it up to the cave. I doubt that Vek will tolerate a male near him or Mia right now.”

Mia gave Galen a shaky smile. “Thank you.” She set her shoulders back and walked up to the cave entrance.

She stood there for a second, hesitating, and another deep roar echoed from inside. Oh, Vek.

Harper appeared, dumping blankets, pillows, and packs at Mia’s feet. She cleared her throat. “Mia, you don’t—”

“It’ll be fine.” She looked at her friend. “If it was your man in there, what would you do?”

She saw the answer in the woman’s eyes. Harper had fallen in love with Raiden, and Mia knew the woman would do anything to save the man she loved.

“Vek saved me. He stood up for me. But I won’t pretend this is all about him,” Mia admitted quietly.

Understanding echoed on Harper’s face. The woman reached out and gave Mia a tight hug. “You’re hiding a gladiator’s courage in that small body.”

“I’m making this up as I go. I just know I’m not abandoning him.”

As Harper left, Mia turned, blocking everything out except Vek. She crouched and scooped all the gear into her arms and stepped into the cave.

Inside was nearly pitch black. She set the blankets and pillows down on one side, and then reached into a pack and felt around until she pulled out a small travel lantern. She touched a button and a golden glow filled the space. It didn’t illuminate the entire cave and she stared into the darkness at the back of the cavern.

She wondered how far back it went. And where was Vek?

She heard a low growl.

The sound raised the hairs on the back of her neck, but Mia pressed her lips together and made herself walk forward.

Vek needed her.

She pulled in a deep breath and reached up. She opened the buttons on her shirt and shrugged it off. Her breasts were so small that she hadn’t bothered with any sort of bra or support. Then, she quickly undid the fastenings on her trousers and let them slide down her legs.

Wearing only her panties, she stepped forward. “Vek?”

There was a predatory silence. Heavy and weighted. She swallowed, her skin tightening. She knew something hungry was watching her from the darkness.

She saw a slide of something in the shadows, and forced herself to stay still, even though some deep, old, instinctual part of her brain wanted her to run.

Then he stalked out of the darkness. His hot golden gaze on her.

He was naked. Her gaze was drawn to his large, muscled body. She took it all in—his ripped muscles, his strong arms, his powerful thighs. The huge cock that made her heart trip. He was wild, primal, fierce.

He came in close, and she smelled him—man and musk. He circled her, making low growling sounds in his throat. An electric tingle spread over her skin.

“Pretty,” he drawled.

She trembled. As he crossed back in front of her, she saw that his markings were the darkest she’d ever seen them. A black the same color as deepest space.

He stepped up close, his chest brushing hers. He leaned down, and she felt his nose touch her cheek, then slide over her skin. He breathed her in, and she felt his breath panting against her skin.

Mia tilted her head back to give him better access. He growled and pulled her onto her tiptoes, his tongue licking along her neck. She shivered, spiky sensations racing through her. She went damp between her thighs. Then he scraped his teeth down her skin and she cried out.

“Mia.” A guttural, hungry growl.

Sweet relief filled her. He knew who she was. “I’m here, Vek. For you.”

He lifted his head, and his mouth landed on hers. His tongue swept into her mouth, devouring her. Like he wouldn’t survive if he didn’t get enough of her.

Vek let out an untamed growl, his big hands sliding up and down her back. Mia felt his thick cock brushing against her belly. She reached between them and circled her hands around it. God, he was so big. He groaned, rocking his hips against her. She stroked him, marveling at how hard he was.

“You like that?” she asked.

“Yes.” His hips bucked against her touch.

She saw the veins and muscles straining under his blue skin. “Touch me, Vek.”

His big hands cupped her breasts and she choked back a cry. Just one rough touch and her body was going up in flames.

Then he stepped back and slid a hand into her short hair, cradling her skull in his big palm. “Mia.” A strained sound. “Can I have you?”

Everything in her, every cell, vibrated with need. With the sense of rightness that was growing stronger every second.

“You can have me, Vek. I’m all yours.”

Another untamed growl. He dropped to his knees and then gripped her panties. With one violent flick of his wrist, they were torn off. As the silky fabric fluttered to the ground, his arms wrapped around her. He surged upright and lifted her into his arms. As he carried her over to the pile of blankets, she felt the brush of his cock against her thighs.

Mia’s breaths were coming fast now, anticipation clawing at her.

Vek lowered her down and pushed her onto her back with a big palm pressed to her belly. He was staring at her, his gaze focused, and his chest heaving. He stroked his hands over her, touching her everywhere—her breasts, down her sides, across her belly, down her legs. He touched her like he was memorizing every part of her skin. Then he leaned down and pressed an opened-mouthed kiss to her belly. She writhed, her fingers sliding into his hair.

Then she felt his hand traveling up her thigh. His fingers delved between her legs, and she rocked against his touch.

She looked into his face and gasped. A set of fangs had descended in his mouth. His normal white teeth were still there, but there was also a pair of black, glistening fangs. They looked like they were made of obsidian.

“Vek?”

His lips parted, and she saw two golden drops of fluid form on the end of the fangs.

Before she could wonder what it was, he kissed her again. A glorious taste filled her mouth. Oh. Oh, God. Her belly contracted, desire racing through her. She still tasted Vek, but she realized the fluid mixed with her desire and enhanced it—like drinking a glass of exquisite wine.

She surged against his big body. “Vek, I need you.”

He crouched over her, his gaze never leaving her face. Then he sat back, his hands circling around her thighs. He tugged her closer, making her gasp, until her legs were splayed over his hard thighs.

He paused, his gaze traveling over her, an unsure look on his face.

Mia reared up and brushed her fingers against his cheek. She had to remember that this was his first time. “Take me, Vek.”

That was clearly enough to reassure him. He circled his cock and brought it between her thighs. She felt the broad head brush through her folds. Oh, God. She tensed, and reached out, her hands gripping the blankets beneath her.

Vek thrust inside her. She made a strangled sound, and felt the burning sting that accompanied his entry. She was stretched so far, she could barely stand it.

Any uncertainty he’d felt was gone. With a deep groan, he pushed forward, lodging himself deep inside her. He was following instinct now, and he started thrusting into her, over and over.

Mia’s breasts bobbed with each thrust. She was pinned between the fabric beneath her and the hard man above her. He gripped her bottom, lifting her up to meet the hard drive of his cock. He was making a wild snarling sound that mingled with Mia’s cries. Her body was alive with fierce need, a massive rush of sensation drowning her.

“Vek. Vek!”

He slammed relentlessly into her. She felt his muscles tensing, and knew his release was getting closer. He reared forward, his chest close to her, covered in a sheen of perspiration.

“Touch my clit,” she panted.

He reached down, his thumb brushing the swollen nub between her legs. Pleasure crashed into her and she grabbed his shoulders, her nails sinking deep.

Mia’s orgasm sucked her under, bigger and wilder than anything she’d experienced before. As she rode out her release, she watched Vek’s body stiffen. He thrust deep one last time, buried to the root, and threw his head back.

As his release hit him, his roar echoed around the cave.

* * *

Vek sucked in air. It brought him a hit of Mia’s sweet scent, mixed with the muskier smell of sex.

Need was still riding him hard, flames that had been doused for a second rising again to lick his insides. For a moment, he’d felt sated with her sweet body.

Now he needed her again.

He looked down at her, and saw her eyes were closed. He froze. Had he hurt her? But then he saw her lips curve into a very pleased smile.

Her eyes fluttered open, and when she saw him, her smile widened.

Pride filled Vek. He’d given her pleasure. He could see that. He’d pleasured his mate well.

And for a blissful moment, he’d found a pleasure he’d never experienced before.

But now, he could feel the fire growing inside his gut again. He shifted off her, feeling unsettled. He pushed to his feet and paced across the rocky cave.

He hated being out of control. It reminded him too much of the drugs, of the Srinar, of being helpless.

“Vek, it’s okay. You’re in a mating frenzy.”

He turned to look at her. She was sitting among the blankets, her legs tucked beneath her, her pretty breasts bare. His cock twitched.

“Mating frenzy?”

She nodded. “Apparently it’s normal for some species, yours included. Thorin said it will wane…in a few hours.”

Hours. Vek growled, his hands curling. He started pacing again. He couldn’t withstand hours of this.

“You’re…turned on again.” Mia’s gaze was on his hardening cock.

“I can’t control it.”

“So don’t,” she whispered.

“I will not hurt you, Mia.” He’d been rough with her already, and he worried he’d get wilder and rougher yet.

“I’m tougher than I look, babe.”

He shook his head. It was his duty to protect her, even from himself.

“I want this, too.” She pushed up to her knees. “I had all my choices taken away from me for a long time. I choose this.”

Vek gritted his teeth together, fighting the growing need.

As he watched her, she turned onto her hands and knees, her up-tilted ass pointed in his direction. He growled, his gaze moving over her smooth, pink buttocks. Blood thundered through him, his heart a fierce drumming in his chest.

All thoughts raced out of his head. All that was left was hunger. He strode across the space, and dropped to his knees behind her.

He shaped the globes of her ass, and Mia pushed into his touch. He kneaded her flesh, staring at the contrast of his big, blue hands against her smooth, creamy skin.

Mia made a mewling sound, and he slipped his hand between her thighs, stroking her folds. She was pink and swollen from taking his cock. He couldn’t believe that her small body had accepted him. Before, when he’d taken her for the first time, he’d watched her body receive his big cock with amazement. It had felt so good. So tight and warm. He shuddered. He wanted to slide inside her again.

He leaned over her and stroked her spine. She was so seemingly delicate, his Mia, and yet she’d survived the Thraxians and the Srinar. She was fighting for her friends. And now, she was fighting for him.

Beneath her smooth skin, there was nothing delicate about her.

He lowered his head, and scraped his fangs over the nape of her neck. She pushed back against him, crying out again.

He smoothed the sting with his tongue, and then he moved his mouth down her back, kissing his way down along the knobs of her spine. Finally, he reached the pretty curve of her ass again. He kissed the soft flesh.

“Vek!”

He bit gently and she jerked.

“I need you inside me.” She was looking back over her shoulder and he saw need blazing in her gaze. “Fuck me, please.”

Her raw words were fuel to the flames. He gripped her hip with one hand and with the other, he brought his cock up. He paused to watch the big head pressed between her legs, then he surged forward.

“Yes!” She thrust back against him.

Vek started pounding into her, the sound of flesh slapping against flesh echoing in his ears. He felt her body clamping down on his cock, and he ground his teeth together.

“You’re. Mine. Mia.” He punctuated each word with a hard thrust.

He worked himself inside her, fucking her as hard as he could. The cave faded around him and there was only Mia, and her hot, tight body.

He felt her muscles tighten, saw her hands clenched on the cushions. She was getting close. He kept humping, pistoning inside her, driven by the vicious need within, and the hot pleasure of her body.

Suddenly, she stiffened and screamed. Her body clamped down on his cock so hard that Vek lost his rhythm, plunging into her with broken, uneven thrusts.

She shoved her ass against him, his cock so deep. Pleasure hit him, and he covered her with his body. He nudged her head to the side and sank his fangs into the curve of her neck.

It instantly threw her into another orgasm. As he filled her with his seed, his vision dimmed.

“Mia. My Mia.”