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  Not only could he feel her emotions now, he could feel her physical sensations. He was filling and being filled. And pleasure passed between them in a continuous loop. Her sensations heightened his as his strengthened hers. Faster and faster he pumped, desperate for completion, yet never wanting it to end.

  She suddenly arched and cried out sharply, her strong inner muscles massaging him as distinctly as any hand. Lost to everything but the pleasure, he threw back his head and closed his eyes. He drove into her one final time and released his seed in pulsing spurts.

  Aftershocks caused her to shudder and moan, or maybe she came again. He couldn’t tell which and didn’t really care, as long as she was satisfied.

  Carefully rolling them to their sides, he gave in to the creeping lethargy.

  “And I have to put up with this for the rest of my life?”

  His eyes flew open and she laughed.

  “Your sense of humor can be exhausting,” he grumbled.

  “Sorry, love. It’s a package deal.”

  “We all have our burdens to bear.” Despite his desire to savor the moment, his eyelids drooped.

  “Hey. I’m the one who’s supposed to be sleepy, and I’m ready to go again.”

  “Catnap,” he promised, and she gradually relaxed in his arms. Soon they were both sound asleep.

  SARA STOOD JUST OUTSIDE Wenny’s habitat three days later watching the cubs frolic through the grass. They ran and wrestled, growling playfully. Luppa was fully recovered from the brutality of General Alonov, and Wenny was thrilled with the company.

  While Sara and Xorran had been out in the forest searching for Luppa, Merella contacted Arrista. Only the news wasn’t good. Merella explained that Isolaund finally buckled to the Guiding Council’s pressure and sent Luppa to the labor pool. Merella had been tasked with delivering the cub, but she never made it to her destination. Alonov ambushed her in the corridor and snatched Luppa right out of her arms. Then he knocked Merella unconscious. The bastard was good at beating up females. When Merella woke up someone had carried her to her room and it was too late to inform Isolaund of Alonov’s bizarre behavior. Arrista told her sister what had happened on their end, and Merella agreed to allow Isolaund to believe the cub was dead. The bitch deserved that much at least for her callous behavior.

  “They both look wonderful,” Xorran said as he walked up beside her. “Why are you scowling?”

  “I was just thinking about Isolaund and all the other cubs she’s tossed away like garbage because they weren’t vicious enough to be useful.”

  He placed his hand on the small of her back, a gentle reminder that she wasn’t alone anymore. “Arrista insists that she had no choice, but I’m with you. Isolaund only cares about Isolaund.”

  Truer words were never spoken. “She might have saved Wenny, but Luppa is proof of her ruthlessness.” That bitch needed to die. Sara sighed at the blood-thirsty thought. Dwelling on the elf was a waste of energy. Sara had too much to be grateful for to let Isolaund taint her happiness.

  Xorran slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her to his side. “This was supposed to help with your preoccupation, not give you someone else to worry about. You’re turning into a helicopter parent.”

  She laughed at the human phrase. “Where did you learn about helicopter parents?”

  “We uploaded Earth’s entire internet to our database.”

  She’d known they had a lot of information on humans, but that was surprising. “You guys are thorough, aren’t you?”

  “Among other things.” He smoothly guided her away from the fence and deeper into the surrounding forest. “Did you enjoy talking with your brother?”

  “Brothers,” she corrected. “Jose was with Tim when Kage arranged the call. And yes, it was wonderful to talk to them.”

  “Are they horribly upset that you’re on another planet, in another star system?”

  She shrugged. “It’s a longer commute than Lunar Nine, but going off-world was unavoidable as soon as I volunteered for the battle born program.” They strolled through the trees for a moment in silence, content to be together. “Where are we going?”

  “Nowhere in particular. I just wanted to change your view.”

  She deserved that. She had been a little obsessed about the cubs.

  “Have you seen Arrista at all in the last few days?” His tone was casual, but an odd combination of emotions surged into her mind as he asked the question.

  “Once or twice in passing. Is there a problem?”

  “She’s latched onto Torrin, insists on ‘serving’ him.”

  She stopped walking and faced him. “That’s not good. Is Torrin taking advantage of her?”

  “Just the opposite,” he assured her. “Torrin has been avoiding her, but she’s persistent. It’s almost as if she’s...compelled to serve someone and Torrin just happens to be there.”

  “The Sarronti use a strict caste system, and Arrista is on the bottom rung. This is likely just culture shock.”

  He nodded, but still looked concerned about their new friend. “Can you spend time with her? See if you can help her accept her new reality.”

  Sara smiled. “Of course. I’ve had some experience with that sort of transition. I’ll do whatever I can.”

  “Good.” He took her hand and started walking again.

  Soon they came to a bend in the river. The clear green water flowed swiftly here, the rushing sound soothing. Turquoise grass lined both banks and tall, leafy trees created a tranquil, secluded feeling for the small clearing. Sara drew him over to a waist-high rock formation.

  If her mate was feeling neglected, she needed to give him some attention. “Give me your shirt.” His gaze narrowed, so she added, “Please.”

  Watching her closely, he removed his uniform top and handed it to her. “Now, do I get yours?”

  “Nope.” Instead she pulled off her shoes, and took off her pants. He followed every move she made, but said nothing else. She spread his shirt across the relatively flat bolder, then hopped up onto the rock. “Come here.” She crooked her finger and he quickly stepped between her thighs.

  “I like where this is going.” He caught her hips and slid her forward, but waited for her next directive.

  “I’m here for you, love, now and forever.” She accented the promise with a tingling wave of affection. “Do anything you want. I’m yours and yours alone.”

  THE END – For Now...

  Outcasts, Book Four

  Featuring Torrin and Arrista

  Coming Soon!

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