Hunter 2
"First Day"
Shortly after my blood oath…
Silently the Elders left the platform and once they did, Garv approached me. I refused to get up from my respectful kneeling position. My chest crushed in on itself like a black hole. Here I had poured out my soul and spilled my own blood before the High Eldress to show her and all the others that I was much more than just an Ooman female and would do whatever it took to earn my place. But…she did not care. I remained Ooman in her eyes and probably to all the others as well. No matter what I said or did on this platform, it changed nothing in their minds. True…I was more than an ordinary Ooman but I was less than they were and it tore out my guts. I wanted to cry right there.
Garv looked down at me from my knelt position, "Are you alright?"
I couldn't respond. Fearful I'd break into shamed tears if I even glanced at him, I bit my lip to keep quiet. Noting I seemed relatively undamaged, Garv squared his broad shoulders and faced the warriors before him.
"Remove yourselves from the platform!" he shouted loudly.
Tapping their spears smartly the warriors dispersed at his command. The new leader made a motion with his head toward his second in command, Fire Blood. Nodding in acknowledgement Fire Blood marched after the warriors bellowing insults and orders like his new position demanded.
"You heard him you limp rod bastards! Get your asses off the platform! Move!" he roared.
Garv's attention returned to me when they had left and we were alone. He didn't speak and I wouldn't look at him. I felt so unworthy…so low. Very slowly, he reached down and with little effort on his part lifted me to my feet. Legs feeling like steel beams I stood stock still, my head tipped down. Garv rattled softly and elevated my chin with a claw so I could look upon his masked face. Tears were wetting my eyes but I didn't want to cry in front of him. That would make me even more unworthy.
"You are Predator. Every fiber of you." He said quietly.
My throat became taut, "Only to you…"
He rattled consolingly and looked at my slit palm, "You honored me deeply with that oath. I will never forget it…but you could never bring me dishonor."
I tried to smile but it still hurt my heart.
Putting a strong arm across my back, my new mate led me across the platform, "You were undeniably brave to stand up to the High Eldress like you did. Not many warriors would have the gumption to do that."
"I don't think I made much of an impression on her." I stated dejectedly.
"Don't be so sure Little Fighter. The High Eldress doesn't usually allow warriors to speak without her permission but she let you make your oath…I think she was more impressed than you think." Garv said.
"Garv…" I began.
"Yes?"
"Why don't you call her by her name?" I inquired.
He hissed lightly, "It's just not proper respect. If you don't show the respect deemed to an elder, especially a female elder, you could lose your head. Females are of higher status than any male."
At once, my curiosity began to numb my dejected state. I tilted my head, "Really? I didn't know that. Why is that?"
"Females are our means of propagating our race and making it thrive. They birth our offspring so in a way we males will achieve a round about immortality. As long as our blood flows through the veins of our offspring, we never really die. Our females are the most treasured members of our clan and must be treated with the utmost respect. Any male who does not do this dooms his honor to eternal damnation. Females also carry the choice of accepting or rejecting mates. Males must fight for females…but if the female doesn't want them, then the fight is in vain. However, if a high ranking female desires a male then he must comply whether he desires her or not." He explained seriously.
I thought on that a moment then asked, "What if two females want the same male? Do they fight too?"
Garv rolled his head in a so-so manner. "Sometimes they do. More often than not, they come to an agreement of whether to share the male or decide if he's worth the effort. The only way there is bloodshed is if the females are the jealous, possessive type AND the male is worth it. We males never come to an agreement. Our only agreement is that one of us will die. To us every female is worth a fight. That doesn't suggest they're not meaner though."
"That's hard to believe." I stated.
He shook his head, "Believe it Little Fighter. Our fiercest fighters are ALL females. I'd rather fight a whole dozen male opponents than one of our females. They can be utterly brutal and ruthless."
I gave him a funny look, "If females are as brutal and ruthless as you say, then…why didn't the High Eldress kill Fire Blood? He said her name but she didn't kill him. She even seemed to dislike the fact you chose him as your second."
Garv barked a quick laugh his shoulders shaking, "That is a different situation. Before she became our High Eldress, Fire Blood had a great pining for her and he STILL does. I swear he tried everything to get her to be his mate. He probably killed well over fifteen opponents for her acceptance, but she rejected his every advance. Rest assured, Fire Blood is stubborn as Hell and won't accept her rejections for an answer. Then she became High Eldress, which made her even more unattainable but he still desires her. He'd take her even if he had to choose between her and having every female on the planet!"
I smiled at the story, "Poor Fire Blood. Will she ever accept him?"
Garv shrugged, "The fact that she doesn't simply kill him makes me wonder if she feels something for him, but probably not. Who can say with a female? At least he's got plenty of other females who want him."
"How many does he have?" I inquired with curiosity.
He thought a moment, "I think he's up to thirteen by now."
"My! He's a busy guy! Did they all agree to share him?" I commented.
My Predator mate chattered, "Yes. Some of the females chose him but he fought for a good portion of them and they seem to get along well."
After a moment of silence, I remembered something, "Garv, where are we going? I mean…I've always lived with Hunter. What happens to his trophies and possessions and…"
Garv nodded in understanding, "His dwelling will fall to his eldest offspring…or the eldest living offspring. Hunter's trophies will remain untouched as a shrine to his honor. You will live with me now as my mate. Is there something of yours in Hunter's dwelling that you want?"
I shrugged, "Just a few weapons and my clothes. It's not much."
He clicked, "We can retrieve those before we go to my dwelling."
"You've…you've never taken me there before." I admitted.
A bemused rattle vibrated behind his mask, "No…no I haven't. But you will live there with me for the rest of your days if you wish it."
I smiled, "As long as you're there I wish it."
We walked down the path that led to Hunter's dwelling and Garv pointed, "That is where Fire Blood lives."
Looking with interest, I noted the dwelling didn't look any different from any other structure. Suddenly without any warning the steel door, which was supposed to open automatically, dented outward toward us!
"What in the world!" I shouted.
As a precaution, Garv put himself in front of me and stared over at the dented door. Then a thunderous enraged roar shook the very walls of the dwelling from within. A terrible squeaking groan of ripping metal pierced the air as the steel-like door suddenly exploded outward and with it a bloodstained Predator! Tumbling across the ground the Predator finally came to a stop near us, face down in the dust. I was dumbstruck until I saw Fire Blood storm through the demolished metal doorframe, his mandibles wide in a terrifying roar of rage! His yellow and red toned eyes were flashing as he descended upon the other Predator before us.
Garv calmly backed away with me as Fire Blood roughly seized up the smaller warrior by his dreadlocks and hauled him to his feet roaring and shrieking. The wounded Predator was so dazed by the initial attack he could hardly fight back as Fire Blood bashed his face with an iron fist. I winced as the unfortunate being's mandibles snapped like twigs beneath the giant warrior's relentless punches, spraying luminescent blood and spittle everywhere. Finally, after turning his opponent's face into a green pulpy mess, Fire Blood bent the Predator's back against his knee and slammed a huge elbow into his rib cage. The resounding cracking snap of bone left little doubt that the ribs and back had split simultaneously. I winced again almost feeling the breaking of my own bones.
Massive chest heaving with dimming rage Fire Blood dropped the dead body to the ground and kicked it for good measure before turning toward us. "Garv…Little Fighter."
"Fire Blood." Garv responded with a calmness that didn't seem possible considering the violent death we'd just witnessed. "What was that all about?"
Fire Blood glanced back at the body of the warrior he'd just killed and snarled, "The worthless Hacnikt was trying to mate my females!"
Garv eyed the corpse, "Did you know him?"
"Never laid eyes on him that I can recall. Just a limp rod Young Blood thinking with the wrong head!" Fire Blood shook his long dreadlocks with a hiss.
"Ah. Did your females accept his advances?" Garv asked with an almost humorous tone.
"Of course not! Why would they?" Fire Blood insisted venomously.
Garv rattled, "What the Cho't was he thinking?"
"Well it's a mistake he won't make again…ever! No one touches my females but me!" Fire Blood growled.
"Fire Blood," a crooning voice purred from the doorway. "Are you coming back?"
I peered over and saw three tall, muscular female Predators of varying heights and skin patterns standing provocatively against the busted doorframe. Barely clothed in little more than skimpy thong undergarments and various pieces of jewelry they purred at their mate. They seemed to all be about the same height as their gigantic male, but he was exceedingly broader. The smallest one who stood just a hair taller than Garv possessed exotic green speckling over a light buff undertone and had elaborately decorated dreadlocks tipped with silver spikes. The second tallest had unusual patterns of large reddish blotches that seemed to blot out her lighter tinges beneath and her dreadlocks were bundled together in a high ponytail by a metal band of gold. Finally, the tallest one who probably stood a shade taller than Fire Blood, bore thin, wavy stripes of blood colored red across her body and her thin dreadlocks hung to her lower back. They each wore a unique mask of silver. I thought they were regal and beautiful beings.
Fire Blood raised his spiked brow, his eyes slitting with amorous lust for his mates. "For you…of course," he rumbled.
"I can see that you'll be busy for awhile." Garv chattered.
The towering Predator nodded, "That's just those three. When Jet'rikna and her two sisters get back from hunting I'll REALLY get to work!" He inclined his head funnily at me, "Care to join us Little Fighter? I have plenty of energy for another."
My eyes widened. Garv immediately slit his eyes growling with protective jealousy, "Don't make me kill you Fire Blood."
Fire Blood laughed deeply, "Alright then. Perhaps another time."
"Never while YOU live. If you're still alive tomorrow, I'll need to speak with you when the suns reach peak." Garv commanded seriously.
"Very well," he conceded.
Then the towering hunter turned from us and swaggered over to his awaiting females, undoing his belt as he approached. Rattling and purring the females sprang forward and grabbed him in various places. They then pulled him inside with such aggressive enthusiasm it resembled an attack. Honestly, I'd never seen Predators get amorous with one another and I didn't know how to react. Fire Blood certainly didn't care as he was forcefully hauled back inside.
Garv growled lightly but soon let the previous comment of his perverse second in command go as he led me down the path and on to Hunter's dwelling.
……………………………………….
When we reached the dwelling a lump of memory caught in my throat. The only home I'd ever known now desolate. It hurt; the memories. In my mind's eye, I could see Hunter sitting out in front of the dwelling sharpening his weapons before we left on the fateful hunt. For most of my young life I'd resided with him under the same roof. He always took care of me and never failed to teach me how to survive on this alien world. Hunter was the only father figure I'd ever known and his death hurt me just as deeply as any parents' passing. But that part of my life was over. I now would live with my mate Garv and adapt to the new life and challenges it presented to me.
Blinking back fresh tears, I straightened my back, putting my shoulders behind me and strode into the dwelling. A chilling silence filled my ears. The only noise came from Garv and me, but the emptiness consumed us. Hunter's trophies hung impressively before us, reminding me instantly of his boundless courage and skill.
I shook my head to banish my soft emotions. 'Just get your weapons and clothes and leave' my mind nudged.
Silent, I walked over to my little corner of the dwelling. A comfortable pile of furs was my bed. On the wall next to my bed furs hung my hyek-va skull and various other smaller heads of creatures I'd slain over my life. On the wall also hung my custom-made wrist blades, which I wasn't allowed to take along on the last hunt since I wasn't a true hunter but merely a decoy. I lifted the wonderful weapon and cradled it as a mother holds an infant. The wrist blades held special significance to me since Hunter himself made them for me so they'd fit my tiny wrists. He didn't have to…but he did. Hunter even taught me how to wield them. He didn't have to…but he did.
"What do you have there?" Garv inquired from behind.
I faced him and held the gauntlet out to him, "My wrist blades that Hunter made me."
"The ones you used to kill your hyek-va." Garv remembered instantly since he'd witnessed the fateful slaying that earned his respect and love for me.
Smiling I nodded, "Yes. They are special to me." I paused a moment. "Well, I guess everything in this corner is mine."
Garv knelt to help me but I touched his thick arm, "No…I can get it. You are the leader. It wouldn't look becoming of you to carry my belongings."
He rattled, "You forget…I am leader and can do whatever I please."
……………………………
An hour later back at Garv's dwelling…
Carrying my various possessions Garv led me through the automatic door of his home. His dwelling resembled all the others in design; simplistic, yet high-tech and well considered like the ships. Cautiously I entered, unsure of what to do with myself as I stood at the door.
"Come." Garv encouraged, leading the way.
I followed him slowly, taking in every thing around me. Skulls, weapons, and trophies of his lined the walls of the hallway we traversed. Hunter's dwelling didn't have such a passage but I liked the arrangement of it. At last, the hallway ended and I trailed Garv as we entered a larger space of the dwelling. Sparsely furnished it seemed to be an indoor training room and a place to work on weapons over in the far corner. Hunter had a separate dwelling all together for such activities.
To confirm my suspicions Garv waved a free hand about the room, "This is where I train and spar. I will have to make a place for your weapons so they are readily available to you."
I shrugged my shoulders, "That's ok. I can do that."
He turned and rattled, "Very well. Come…I must show you our room."
My mind spun for a second. "Our room?" Never in my life had I shared a room with anyone. I only entered Hunter's sleeping quarters maybe three times but each time was very brief and besides that, I always slept alone in my own little corner of the dwelling. I honestly wondered where I would sleep.
"Yes. Our room. Is that alright?" Garv inquired.
I nodded but with a confused bobbing of the head. "I've…never had my own room before…or had to share one."
He acknowledged the comment and made his way up a stone-like stairway that led to an upper level of the dwelling. I followed, clutching my possessions to my chest. When we ascended the upper-most step, a door hissed open before us to reveal a spacious sleeping area dominated by a massive circular bed draped with various furs of beasts. Not much else besides a few weapons, skulls, and exotic looking paraphernalia studded the room. More than enough space for several persons. I smiled beside myself. It wasn't fancy but it looked more than comfortable to me.
"Do you like it?" Garv asked me.
"Very much Garv." Totally naïve I held up my sleeping furs a bit, "Where do I sleep?"
Garv turned sharply and cocked his head in a very confused pose, "What do you mean?"
I gave him a befuddled look, "Which…which part of the room do I sleep in?"
Shaking his head in utter perplexity Garv clicked, "Well…you're my mate. You sleep in…my bed."
"But it's your bed. I wouldn't take it from you!" I interjected, totally missing his meaning.
Garv clicked again and chattered in bewildered laughter, "You really don't…you don't understand do you? I mean you and I SHARE the bed. We sleep together."
I think my eyes got wide with disbelief at the statement, "I…sleep WITH you!" I'd never been allowed to do such a thing…EVER! For that matter, I'd never been asked …EVER!
"Do…you not want to sleep with me?" Garv asked almost concerned.
"No…I mean…YES! I DO want to! It's just… I've never…" I stammered. At that moment, I felt stupid, ashamed, and awkward. I knew nothing. I was a child again, learning everything that these beings did as naturally as breathing. My head fell with embarrassment, "I'm sorry…"
Very gently, Garv reached over and took my wrist, leading me to the edge of the bed. He sat and I sat close to him. "You have NOTHING to be sorry for Little Fighter."
"But…I don't know anything! How can I be your mate if I don't even know what's expected of me!" I blurted out with frustration.
Garv shook his head, "That's what I find so desirable…you're pure, untouched. I know it's confusing and…for you…a little frightening. But don't worry my mate. I will teach you everything and you must teach me as well."
"Teach you?"
"Yes. I don't know everything about you. We must…teach each other."
I looked at the floor, "I understand."
Garv looked at me through his mask a moment and sighed, "Tonight, we will sleep. You need to get used to this before we…" he stopped with a hesitant tone.
"Mate?" I guessed.
He clicked to confirm, "As much as I would like to…I will not force it without your approval."
"But I WANT to be a good mate to you Garv. I WANT to please you and honor you! I'm just…afraid I won't be able to." I admitted still frustrated at my own naivety.
Garv rattled softly and lifted my chin to look at him, "Just having you here as my mate pleases and honors me. Don't ever doubt yourself. I know I made the right choice when I chose you. Now… rest Little Fighter."
I felt tired and sore and sleep sounded rather good. Rising from the bed slowly I realized something: I slept nude. Though I had no real reason to be modest, the vulnerability of being naked before another person struck a deep ingrained chord within my mind. How different was I from a Predator female? Would I not be able to live up to his expectations? Was I repulsive? Hesitating, I stood very still, unsure how to proceed.
"What's wrong?" Garv inquired rising.
Quickly I decided I'd just sleep with my clothes on, "Nothing Garv. I'm just tired." Walking around to the opposite side of the bed, I lay down on the soft furs and rested my head on the soft 'pillow', staring up at the ceiling.
My eyes wandered over to the other side of the bed at Garv. He was removing his armor and mask for rest. Silent I watched him shed the armaments and reveal his well-muscled, broad, striped back. I couldn't help but feel attraction for his body build. It was a strong, powerful build that made me feel awed and safe in his presence. Shaking his arms Garv took off the mesh lacing his body and stood only in a leather loin garment. He glanced back at me a second.
"You're…sleeping in your clothes?"
"Umm…yeah."
"Won't that be uncomfortable for you?" he asked with concern.
I shrugged. "I'm fine."
Consenting Garv sat down on the bed making it sag deeply and then he laid back breathing contently in silence. I gave a small smile and closed my eyes to force sleep.
……………………………….
Garv tried to keep his breathing down to mask the earnest burning desires of his body. More than anything, he didn't want to sleep. All he wanted was the gorgeous female next to him. He wanted to take her in his arms and ravage her with pleasure. He wanted all of her, wanted to make her feel ecstasy as no one had ever given her. She was pure and untouched like a rare jewel. Every fiber of him roared to give in and seize her. But he would not this night. She was chaste…but inexperienced. Perhaps even overwhelmed and frightened. This treatment was all new to her and to suddenly force her into the raw act of mating without warning could overpower her. He must be patient and wait until she is ready. It is her choice…not his. Females held the power of mating and honor dictated he obey. His body still yearned.
