Savage King: New Worlds - Milly Taiden Page 0,38

the puncture marks he’d leave behind.

He listened to the elder as she retold the story of their world’s beginning. After knowing Wren’s story, he saw the similarities and understood something was changing on the planet, bringing the dark magic to the surface again. That would explain the kappies roaming where they normally wouldn’t and the reemergence of the water creature that took Wren.

Then he saw Wren sitting by herself, while the other two girls participated in meal preparation. She thought too much. Maybe that was the reason she had moments of extreme fear where her breathing became labored.

His eyes narrowed seeing a male walking directly toward his mate. As the man neared, Xenos recognized the pointed nose, the lighter complexion and hair. His body was strong and as big as any alpha’s. He wore confidence and casualness well. Something Xenos did not.

He listened to their conversation the best he could, but this height only sent him her laugh. And he didn’t even deserve that for leaving his mate. He just couldn’t take the chance of having the girls hurt if they were found with him. He was sure his tribe would kill him on sight.

No matter how hard he tried to keep running the other way, his body and mind pulled him to get his ass back to his mate. He’d snuck around the guards watching the outer perimeter of the village. He wanted so badly to be with her. His heart longed to be happy near her, but not even for her could he come home.

The group gave thanks to Mother for blessing the land with food and all their needs. The normal meal cleanup came next. Discarding the trash and leaving honors of sacrifice to the Mother.

Wren seemed to always be looking for someone. He didn’t know who, but jealousy hit hard when he thought about Haml sitting with her, touching her hand. Would he try to claim her? His tigron clawed at him. It would kill Haml, best friend or not.

The gathering of the elders was a new change from when his parents ruled. Iridia spoke with them a few times. Other than that, they remained in their places

Xenos’s sister showed the ladies a berm for them to stay the night. The mound was bigger than most, but there were three adults together. When the rest of the village had disappeared into their own homes, Xanos came down the tree and snuck to the back of Wren and her cousins’ pile of dirt. Using his magic, he made a quick entrance at the back side and entered, sealing the opening behind him.

The girls screamed when he first came in, but they calmed as he went to the front and closed that entrance, pushing the small torch more toward the center. When he turned, Wren was there, throwing her arms around his neck. He melted under her touch. Just the short time away had been too much. He squeezed her to him, breathing her in. Then he took her lips with a passion that couldn’t be denied.

He peppered kisses along her forehead and down her neck. He’d forgotten how good she tasted, how good she felt against him. Then she leaned back and punched him in the shoulder with the heel of her hand.

“What the hell were you thinking; abandoning us with these people?” Wren said, crossing her arms in front of her chest, drawing his eyes to her breasts. His look made her hotter than she should’ve been.

“I didn’t abandon you—”

“Okay, you ran away,” Wren clarified. “Better?” He cringed at the anger in her voice. He deserved that.

“Wren, these are the people I was taking you to.”

“Then why did they have to capture us? Why couldn’t you have introduced us; or at least let them know we were with you?”

“No,” Xenos said, grabbing her upper arms. “You can’t tell them you know about me. Have you said anything?”

Her eyes were filled with confusion. “No. I was too mad to think about you much less talk about you.”

Xenos let out a soft breath. “Good. Keep it that way. It’s safer for you.”

“Why is it safer?” Lilah asked. “Are we in danger right now?” She pulled her sleeves up as if ready to fight anyone who would challenge them.

“Not from anyone in the village. Only outside with the wild creatures.”

“Then why are you so concerned about us?” Wren asked.

“I’m not,” he blurted, frustration riding him hard. “Wren, I’m here to talk to you. I must tell you things, so