Chapter 20
Sasha tracked Jaron’s progress across the room. It required tremendous restraint to walk away after seeing Luna with her body plastered against his. They spoke, heads closer than they needed to be, in her opinion. Her every instinct demanded she rip the other female apart. Jaron belonged to Sasha.
Finally, he moved from Luna. Took him long enough to set her aside. Now he spoke with a dark-haired female who was clearly comfortable touching him freely. A snarl slipped past Sasha’s locked lips. Possessive jealousy had her curling her fingers to prevent her claws from releasing.
“That’s just Faye. She and Jaron are close like family.”
Sasha returned her attention to the couple in front of her. As soon as she’d recognized the half-Argoran, Sasha headed directly for him. Arak was the only face she recognized in the room overflowing with male hormones and hard eyed soldiers.
Beside him, his Chosen, Sylvie leaned forward and met Sasha’s gaze directly. She was from Earth and now made her life here on Enotia. “Faye treats him like a brother.”
If Sasha had a brother she wasn’t sure she’d hug him as close as this Faye hugged Jaron. Of course, what did she know? She was the last person to claim knowledge of what normal families did or didn’t do.
“I’m not concerned,” Sasha lied, her ire on a slow build as she angled away from Jaron.
Arak and Sylvie exchanged a glance. Arak slid his arm around Sylvie and pulled her right onto his lap, cuddling the diminutive blonde without hint of embarrassment. They were mated, the mingled scents giving Sasha a pang of envy.
Her inner cat snipped at her control, wanting Sasha to seek out Jaron. The need to stroke and touch him was there. Not the false desperation caused by additives. True desire. Sasha crossed her legs and pretended to adjust her borrowed pants.
Sylvie patted Arak’s chest. Something about the Earth’s woman’s scent bothered Sasha. She couldn’t put her finger on why.
“You should see the pranks they play,” Sylvie mentioned.
No thanks. Sasha rubbed her hands on her thighs. “I’m only here long enough to answer any questions from the Jutak Unit Leader. After, I have something very important to take care of.”
Namely tracking and punishing Orland for what he’d put her through.
“Move over, lovebirds.”
Sasha jolted on a hiss when a brash red head plopped herself on the lounging couch joining them. She wiggled about until Sylvie almost tipped off Arak’s lap. His reflexes had him catching Sylvie’s hips.
Sasha waited for someone to protest, but they only smirked. Kyele came up behind the newcomer, one hand trailing over her long red gold locks. His gaze however was on Sasha.
“Are you finding everything meets your needs?” he asked.
Sasha relaxed as much as she possibly could surrounded by a group of strangers. “Yes. Thank you.”
He tipped his head toward the redhead. “This is my Chosen Joni.” He said it as if the idea still surprised him.
Joni smiled at Sasha. “We didn’t think Jaron would ever bring a woman here.”
“He..I’m…” Sasha wasn’t sure how to explain her relationship with Jaron.
Kyele tugged the ends of Joni’s hair. “You are causing her distress.”
Joni rolled her eyes. “Everyone’s acting like she didn’t survive weeks with The Collector. I’m fairly certain that makes her a bad ass.”
For some reason this made the fierce Jutak grin. “I believe you may be right.”
Sasha decided then and there that she liked this Joni. “I am bad assed.”
Joni stared and her amber colored eyes grew speculative. “What does it take to be a Bounty Retriever?”
“No!” Kyele spoke before Sasha could say anything.
Joni tipped her head up, grinning from ear to ear at the panicked expression he wore. “I’m only asking, tough guy.”
Kyele folded his arms over his broad chest and glared. “Do not think to fool me, little Earthling.”
“Joni would make an excellent Bounty.”
Sasha jerked around and came face to face with Jaron. How had he managed to sneak up on her? Jaron slid onto the small square of the seat she sat on, their thighs smashed together. She pushed back, he pushed more until she gave in on a huff.
He smirked and faced the others. “Joni has the tenacity needed.”
Kyele’s glare transferred to Jaron minus the edge of affection. “It is too dangerous.”
Joni whipped out a knife and flung it toward Sasha in a no look pass. Sasha caught the hilt inches from the side of her face. Jaron was on his feet, Kyele dropped his head and sighed while Sylvie yelled, “Joni, I can’t believe you did that.”
Sasha tossed the weapon back, laughing. This woman was a kindred spirit. Joni leaned forward, close enough to the edge she could fall on the floor if she teetered. The knife ended back in a sheathe buckled at her hips, a match on the other side.
“What do you want in trade to teach me how to do that?” She hefted a thumb over her shoulder. “Kyele refuses to show me.”
Probably for good reason. Still Sasha’s blood pumped in her veins at meeting a female open and honest in her ferocity. “It takes a bit though not impossible to do.”
Arak and Kyele’s voices rose in protest. Joni stood and pulled Sasha to her feet. “We’ll settle this on the fancy new course Torkel designed.”
“It is for Jutak warrior training only, Joni.”
She ignored her Chosen and smiled at Jaron. Sasha resisted a possessive snarl. “As Team Leader, you can approve access, right Jaron?”
If Sasha thought Jaron would deny whatever Joni was requesting she was wrong. He shifted on his feet and glanced from her to Sasha. “What are you proposing, Joni?”
The redhead shrugged. “Sasha and I against you and my Ky on the course. If we win, Sasha can show me the knife throwing trick.”
Kyele groaned and ran a hand down his face. Sylvie stood with Arak and linked their arms. “For once I’m glad I can’t be drawn into Joni’s mischief.”
Sasha’s nose twitched and the answer came to her after one strong sniff. Sylvie was with child.
Kyele fisted his hands on his hips and straightened. “Do not, Jaron.”
The threat in the order was evident. Jaron’s slow smile filled with wicked humor. “What do you say, kitten? Open to a challenge?”
Not sure what they proposed, Sasha could tell by the glint in Joni’s eyes it would be well worth it. She offered Jaron a sassy look. “Whatever it is, I’m sure Joni and I will beat you both and not break a sweat.”
***
The new training course had been designed to improve their skills for missions based in the outdoor elements. With Sylvie and Faye expecting, Torkel went out of his way to minimize the Unit’s need to be far from home.
In the months since completion, only members of Team Three had managed to complete it in its entirety. The course extended over a large portion of the land that had been cleared for this purpose. It consisted of a multitude of climbing rigs, a wall of netting and various pits of dirt if one took a rough fall.
Most of it was familiar. The danger came in the intricacies of some of the riskier sections. Torkel’s mind had created a complexity in even the basic parts of the training course.
Jaron held back a snicker as Sasha’s gaze widened. She’d changed clothes and a snug pair of black leather pants on loan followed the curves of her round ass. A black tank revealing the tight muscles in her arms was tucked into the fitted waist. Her feet were smaller than Joni’s, but luckily Sylvie had a pair of black boots that worked.
She’d lost weight with their time in The Collector’s lab but remained tight. Sleek. His body ever receptive to Sasha responded and his cock hardened. She looked Jaron up and down as if measuring him for competency. Her gaze halted at the bulge between his thighs.
“This looks interesting.”
He wasn’t sure if she referenced the course or his arousal. Jaron winked anyway.
Joni came to stand beside Sasha in matching leather pants and tank, her hair up in a tight bun. “If it helps neither Jaron or Kyele have ever finished.”
It was true. Heat burned Jaron’s cheeks and he shot Kyele a pure look of payback. This was his fault. All he had to do was show Joni how he caught the blades she threw at him. Instead, he teased her about it being a natural extension of his training and skills.
Kyele grimaced then smoothed all expression from his face. “Remember, I have been away from Enotia on assignment much of these last weeks, little Earthling.”
Joni waved his words off. “Blah, blah. Just you remember no smoky ghost thing. Keep it fair.”
Jaron was pleased to see streaks of red on Kyele’s cheek. It was always good watching how Joni brought out this side of his teammate. Kyele was much more agreeable with her in his life and though Kyele might disagree, he was less of a risk taker. Joni had brought Kyele a sense of stability he’d been lacking, but needed.
“This should be fun,” Arak offered, joining them.
Those not busy gathered outside by the rear door of the facility to watch. It was a relaxed crowd, the air buzzing with friendly excitement. In truth, Jaron didn’t mind the challenge. He was more interested in watching his kitten tackle the course than winning.
“Has anyone explained the rules to the females?” Torkel approached with Faye at his side.
To Jaron’s surprise, Torkel gave in easily to the request to use the course. He’d yet to speak with Sasha about The Collector, but admitted to Jaron the friendly competition today would be a stress reliever for the whole Unit. They’d been worried since his disappearance.
“Sasha and I are going against Kyele and Jaron. Boys against the girls. First team to finish wins. Easy.” Joni cocked her hip to the side and blew imaginary dust from her fingers.
“She’s right.” Sasha’s eyes sparkled with warmth. She walked toward Jaron, stopping directly in front of him. Her fingers teased the buttons of his uniform shirt. “We’ll see you at the end.”
This flirtatious side to Sasha was temptation for Jaron. Among other aspects of her personality. He caught her fingers in his hand, thumb caressing the pulse at the base of her wrist. “Do not discount my years of training.”
This close to Sasha, Jaron was reminded of how much he desired her. How much he adored and wanted her in his life.
“I’ve heard all about the mighty Jutak warriors during my recent confinement.”
That she could make a joke out of their imprisonment lit a fuse to Jaron’s desire. He kissed her, light and quick. His other hand dropped to cup a firm cheek and pressed her close. He rubbed the ridge of his shaft against her mound. A rough groan signaled his need to release her.
Sasha lifted her head, lips dewy. “Tricky. I won’t be distracted though.”
Her hips swiveled as she spun around and conferred with Joni. Heads dipped together, one red streaked with gold and one with curls as dark as midnight. Sasha slanted a look at him and licked her lips. Jaron had a fleeting moment of worry.
Maybe more than a moment.
“Let’s get this started. Cowboy up, Kyele.” Joni clapped her hands together.
Jaron wasn’t the only one frowning at her last phrase. He walked with Kyele until they stood next to Joni and Sasha at the starting point.
“If I agreed to teach you the trick with the knife, would you give this up?” Kyele asked Joni.
Now he appeared worried. Joni didn’t bother glancing in his direction. “Nope.”
Jaron thought he heard ‘stubborn little earthling’ under the cheer of the others as Torkel yelled, “Go!”
Sasha and Joni took off running. Jaron shared a look with Kyele, feeling relaxed and happy for the first time in weeks. “Are we letting them win?”
Personally, he didn’t care. Though he admitted his competitive drive started to kick in.
“No.” Blunt and simple. Like Kyele.
Jaron chuckled. “Good. Because I’m slightly scared of what else Joni might ask Sasha to teach her and I cannot guarantee it would all be legal.”
Fear flashed in Kyele’s eyes, but was gone in an instant. Then they both raced to catch up. Sasha glanced over her shoulder, spotted him gaining and put on a burst of speed, elbows and legs churning. Jaron’s smile stretched from ear to ear. If he’d wondered at her complete recovery, this laid it to rest.
Slower yet no less determined, Joni hit the first climbing wall at full speed. Kyele winced as his Chosen’s curse rang out loudly. Sasha’s claws scraped over the protruding nodules placed far enough apart to stretch muscle. The two scrambled up. Their lack of skill and finesse didn’t hinder their progress.
They disappeared over the top as he and Kyele reached the bottom. Jaron didn’t slow his pace, his leap clearing half the distance to the top. Kyele matched his action and they made it over faster than the females.
At the first mud pit, Sasha had her legs about the black cable suspended from a platform as she shimmied up. Joni did well, side by side on the matching cable. There were three other swaying lengths of black. Jaron grabbed one with a grunt as he hefted his weight, hand over hand, relying on his upper body strength to increase his speed.
Adrenaline pounded and his heart thundered. The thrill of the chase added to his euphoria.
At the top of the platform a wired bridge extended across to another platform that required one to jump from board to board to reach ground again. From there, the course difficultly would soar. Jaron exchanged glances with Kyele. His team mate’s scarred cheek twitched and the corner of his lips curled. “We will crush them on the next obstacle.”
***
Sasha questioned her haste in agreeing to this. Unused muscles strained and tugged in a reminder she wasn’t at her peak level of fitness. The first few obstacles had been easy, she and Joni managing with encouraging smiles for one another. Unfortunately, in no time at all Kyele and Jaron caught up and passed them.
In their favor, both males now struggled. Mud streaked Jaron’s face and matching stains dotted the legs of his pants. His boots were covered in brown clumps. She and Joni were probably a sight. She’d turned back when the other female had slipped and fallen in the mud.
The same fall had also caused Kyele to return in a dizzying blur of smoke, check his Chosen for injury and disappear again. Joni’s grin split her face, gold eyes glittering as she sat sprawled in the muddy puddle. “I love him so much.”
The heartfelt sentiment triggered Sasha’s budding love for Jaron. Her heart flowed with emotion. Was this what other people experienced when they met the other half of their soul?
Mate, her inner cat roared. And this time, Sasha believed. Jaron was meant to be her mate.
“Hurry, Sasha we’re getting behind.” Joni rubbed her filthy hands on her pants, leaving behind streaks.
Sasha pushed her confusion to the back of her mind to be dealt with at a later time. Agility was required on the next structure. If she and Joni excelled, they had a viable chance of catching up to Jaron and Kyele. Joni nibbled her bottom lip, doubt wavering over her face.
“Are you worried?” Sasha wondered if the Earth female wanted to call it done.
Joni snorted. “Are you kidding?” Sasha frowned, her translator not providing the right context for the question. Joni narrowed her gaze on the back of her Chosen. “We need to up our game. You in?”
Without question, Sasha had no desire to quit. “What are you thinking?”
Instead of answering, Joni removed her top, revealing an undergarment Sasha had never come across before. The cups covering her breasts were made of a lacy peach material almost transparent. Joni flexed miniscule biceps. “This will slow Kyele down for sure.”
“Ahh, I see.” Sasha wanted to laugh and a muffled chuckle did escape. Then she decided to follow suit and whipped her own top off. Unlike Joni, Sasha hadn’t liked the skimming undergarment she’d been given and wore nothing underneath. Her breasts bounced with her action.
Joni laughed outright, tears glimmering in her eyes. “Oh, my God. This is perfect.”
They ran through most of the course, pretending not to hear the choked groans from the men who stopped mid-run to stare. Wind breezed through the strands of Sasha’s hair as she gave herself up to the sheer joy of the moment. She jumped, leaped and rolled, uncaring of how dirty she got. At her side, Joni did an admirable job of keeping up.
Kyele and Jaron fell behind. If Kyele edged close, Joni spun, flashed her breasts and did a shimmy. Each time he tripped and fell.
When they reached sections too hard for the Earthling, Sasha knelt and allowed Joni to climb on her back as she used her Argoran strength to power through. Slowly a rising tide of cheers came from behind them as they veered around the end and headed back. Only two more hurdles to finish.
Sasha tackled the obstacle with the same energy she’d taken on the others. Her hands gripped the black bars above her head and swung her legs forward. The momentum propelled her up. Joni cried out behind her.
Then Kyele roared. “Joni!”
Sasha dropped instantly and turned. Joni lay on her side, one hand braced on the grass as she tried to stand. The ground beneath Sasha trembled as she shifted and raced back, her claws tearing up the green in jagged tufts. Kyele got there before her, gripping Joni’s shoulders. A team of black clad soldiers tore through the course, several dropping to their knees around the two.
Sasha shifted, completely nude since she’d ruined the leather pants in her rush to get to Joni. Hovering around the broad shoulders blocking her view, she hoped Joni was not seriously injured.
“I’m fine, Kyele. Just pregnant.”
Everyone went still around them.
“You are with child?” Kyele’s voice was a stunned murmur.
He helped Joni to her feet, his hands running over her body. Dr. Maku came running out much to Joni’s dismay.
“I’m really not hurt. I got light headed, but that’s normal since I’m having a baby.” She continued to protest.
Sasha relaxed. The Jutaks backed off and she had a clear view of Joni with her hair falling about her face. The other female met Joni’s gaze and laughed. “We almost won, will you still teach me?”
There was only one answer. “Yes.”