Chapter 60

Disclaimer: I do not own Alien/Predator series or any characters and may not follow all customs and cultures found in Alien/Predator movies.

WARNING: Rated MA for intense and graphic sexual content. Viewer discretion is advised. Read at your own risk!

A'stea led Kaail out of the hideout, holding his hand the entire time they walked through the jungle at night. He tried to picture where she was taking him, somewhere in the eastern part of the jungle and far away from the city, which he appreciated very much. But still, he knew she was nervous but not in a worrying way . . . like she had a secret she'd been hiding and now wanted to show him that. He didn't know if he should be honored . . . or scared.

But now, they stopped at the edge of a lake that pooled from a waterfall a few meters away. He pondered on what she said earlier. Does she expect us to swim in that?

"Come on, Kaail. This is where we have to swim."

"Really? Why?" He sounded like a scared pup and A'stea wasn't having any of it.

"It's the only way to get where we need to go. I'm sorry if there isn't another way. I would have never suggested this if such one existed."

Kaail rolled his eyes and started to walk when he saw he was removing parts of her clothing until she only had a bra and loincloth that barely covered her thighs. He yelped like a kicked dog, causing A'stea to jump and turn around like a deer seeing headlights. "Why are you removing your clothes?!"

"I swim better without this . . . and why are you freaking out?" She expected Hish to be fine with this since they're not exactly known for being modest. Least of all, Kaail.

He turned his face away, embarrassed. At least you could have given me a warning.

A'stea slowly took steps into the cold water, pushing the initial urge to pull back. A few seconds and she dove into the lake and swam underwater. It was tranquil for that split second, calmness that swept around her. She swims to the surface and pokes her head at Kaail who still stood in his spot.

She pouts. "Are you coming?"

Kaail debated for a moment, still unsure. He did swim a little but not confident enough to go right in. He would have stayed there until A'stea turned around and swam towards the middle, preparing to dive underwater. She was going to leave him. Just get it over with! Grumbling, he follows her to the water, shivering a little. He kept his eyes on her as she turned her head, smiled, and dived into the water. Kaail does the same and they swam towards the bottom of the lake.

It was dark and cold, yet she led the way as if she knew the route too well. They swam until they reached the bottom and then glided across like a shark, watching for something. They kept going until they made it to a small dip in the lake bed that led into a dark tunnel. Kaail didn't like it but A'stea motioned with her hand towards it, smiling as much as she could without losing breath. She pushed forward and went through with Kaail close behind.

The tunnel seemed endless, going deeper and deeper, even Kaail had difficulty seeing where he was going. Not wanting to get lost, He swam harder, forcing his veins to pump whatever air supply he had to keep him going until he reached for her hand. It stunned her due to shock but she turned his head and smiled as best as she could. He smiled in return. Don't worry, Kaail. I'll guide you.

At last, they reached the end and they could see sparks of light. A'sta nodded that this was it and pulled Kaail with her as they passed the opening and swam to the surface. As soon as they broke through, they gasped for breath. It took a bit longer for Kaail to get his lungs back to normal as A'stea lets go of his hand and swim to the shore. But he wasn't prepared for the image he would see as he looked to his surroundings.

Beautiful . . .

They entered a cave that was dome=shaped and even the walls appeared smooth and uniform. A lake formed in the middle and surrounded an island with a tree of white drapes like silk under a hole in the ceiling that led the light of the stars through. Other plant life of color variety decorated the bare ground that he thought couldn't support life. Yet here it was . . . a small paradise underneath the planet and thriving as if the struggles of reality weren't real. It was paradise.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" She shook herself of excess water, waiting until Kaail got to her.

"I didn't expect anything like this."

"Me neither when I first found this. I come here when I needed to get away from reality and have time for myself. The only thing that kept me sane." She lightly holds a petal of a blue and yellow flower, gliding it over her skin.

"You call yourself sane. I've seen worse in you."

He regretted it in a split second. Her reaction wasn't what he wanted, seeing her lower her gaze to the water and her reflection in sorrow. Despite her being active and seemingly herself, he knew she was still hurting from the loss of her best friend. I'm such an asshole. He scratched between his dreadlocks nervously, contemplating what to say to not make things worse.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound like that."

A'stea sighed, closing her eyes. "I know what you mean."

"You're strong, moving forward despite everything."

"What can I do?" She turned to him, seeing his eyes flicker away for a second. "There's no time for grieving and in doing so it might hinder what matters now. We have many Hish counting on us to give them strength, to lead them in these dark times."

She goes to Kaail and stops in front of him. "What's done is done . . . and I know Fi'ka wouldn't want me to sulk around forever. We can't bring back the dead."

She lowered her gaze to her feet while Kaail stared down at her. How can she be this strong? He softly caresses his fingers onto her chin, getting her to look back. He saw through her facade that she was hurting a lot but she was right. They can't bring the dead back to life but only take care of those still living. It was one reality that no one can escape.

"You're right . . . But at least we have each other. And we will stay strong. I promise."

The corners of her lips grew into a small smile, happy to hear she had his support. She chuckles and holds his hand in hers when he moved it closer to her lips. "I have a gift for you."

He tilted his head. A gift?

"Stay right there for a moment."

A'stea goes to the tree and goes to the back of it, obscuring his view of her. He debated going and took a step forward.

"Don't move."

He froze in his spot, tensing as if someone shocked him. He listened to her command but his fingers twitched in anticipation, hearing her shuffle something hard that clang on the trunk and rocks on the ground. Metal? Earth? What is it? A'stea came around the corner once more but holding a leather wrapping the size of her forearm. At first, he was confused, especially when she smiled cheerfully. Must be good . . .

"It took me almost forever to make this but I hope it makes up for losing your spear and gauntlet." She brings the wrapping between them and hands it to him. "Open it."

Kaail was hesitant at first but reached for the small belt and pulled its free from the wrapping. He then unfolds the leather, revealing the item underneath and then studying it carefully. It was some sort of sickle with a dark shaft attached at the end of it like a handle.

I've seen this before . . .

He looks to A'stea for approval and grabs for it. He moves it around, getting more of a glance. It was light and yet Kaail could feel how strong and durable it was. He moves a few steps away and swings it around. The flow of it was almost perfect and precise, a weapon that was great for close and brutal attacks. "It's impressive. Where did you get this?"

A'stea turned away with a slight blush on her cheeks. "I made it from the Ri'ghar horn for the sickle and then used the tooth of the beast you slew on the mountain for the shaft and wrapped it in leather for good grip. Took me forever to shape the horn to the appropriate shape and length."

She pauses, taking a glance at him. "Do you like it?"

"You made this?" He asked. The look on her face was enough for confirmation. He swung it around once more. "How could I not like it? Especially if it was made by you. You keep surprising me." A purr escaped him before he could stop it.

A'stea's eyes widened and then her cheeks began to burn stronger than before. Despite her efforts to hide it, it wasn't lost on Kaail, noticing the change in her body posture. The twiddling of her fingers . . . her muscles quivering . . . and her honey scent thickening in his mouth. He was drawn to her like a magnet and he couldn't resist.

He steps slowly towards her, long forgotten that he dropped the sickle weapon on the ground. His heart pounding in his head strengthened when A'stea looks at him full of . . . something. She takes a sharp breath and looks down.

He pulls back. "I'm sorry. If you're not ready, then—"

"No."

His body tensed and a spark shoots up in every muscle fiber. He didn't expect her to answer with that. She was still grieving and he thought she needed time to adjust and move on . . . but not this fast. He stayed still as she came very close, inches from himself before touching his chest. She teased him by sliding her fingers into every crevice of his skin. It took him a great amount of strength not to claim her. He closed his eyes and held in a gasp when she pressed on his chest where his heart is. This was torture for him . . . but one that is welcomed.

But as quickly as it came, she stopped. He opened his eyes and saw the nervousness in her face. Her eyes were full of want though, pupils dilated to the rims and making them appear black. But instead, she turned around and kept walking until stopping at the edge.

Did I do something wrong? Had she changed her mind? Or was she truly not ready?

A'stea closed her eyes and held her breath to slow down her heart. This is way too fast . . . and I don't deserve this. I lost my best friend . . . because of me. How do I deserve this piece of happiness?

She opened her eyes and looked down at her reflection in the water. She looked pathetic, like a kicked puppy that was teased with food only to get kicked again. She bit her lip and was starting to turn away.

It's alright, A'stea . . .

She stopped and saw Fi'ka standing next to her. She knew she was dead and should be scared . . . and yet she was content. She watched as Fi'ka smiled, placing her hand on her shoulder. It's okay.

She disappears when a ripple of the water came but it left behind a certainty in A'stea. She can't doubt herself anymore and she needs to stay strong. Fi'ka is right . . .

With a deep breath, she reaches for the strap on her bra and unties it until it slips from her body. Her loincloth soon follows as it joins the small pile of clothing on the ground. Bare and exposed, she wraps her arms around herself and turns to look back at him. Her body was burning like a furnace as she waits for his reaction.

Kaail's eyes widened so largely that they were going to pop out of their sockets. There she was . . . naked and full of longing in her eyes when she looks at him. Her skin was soft and glowing even in the shadows. He wasn't certain it was an invitation but even if it wasn't, he was going to move quickly before she changed her mind. He unbuckles his loincloth and rips it off. His cock jumps excitedly, finally freed from its prison. He inhales deeply, taking in her sweet scent until he steps forward.

Her eyes looked down at his impressive figure. He's seen her share of seeing naked Hish males when treating them with S'aha but he was impressive, to say the least. His cock swayed back and forth when he walked and she felt a burning sensation between her legs. She turns around and waits until heading into the water. It wasn't as cold as before so she debated whether it was her body keeping her warm. Before long, she was in the water and Kaail followed suit, swimming faster to reach her.

She stops at the middle and waits for Kaail, anticipating his touch as he gets closer . . . until it finally happens.

Kaail reaches around her and pulls her to him. They gasped at the contact, feeling their skins run on each other . . . rough and soft coming together. A combination that sent sparks of pleasure in them.

A'stea held onto him as he spread her legs and put them around his hips. Their breathing hitched up a knot when his cock pokes at the entrance of her core. His face inches closer to her, their breaths mixed. He gives one look at her for confirmation, making sure she was prepared for this but enticing her with a deep purr. She gave him a straight answer, pressing her mouth into his roughly. He was gone after that and met her kiss as rough as she did, all while reaching between them and aligning his cock at her entrance.

With a thrust forward, he was inside her.

A'stea threw her head, moaning from the wave of pleasure. Kaail growled into her neck and stayed still, both getting accustomed to the new feeling sweeping inside them. He'd been with many females but this time, he was having difficulty holding his control and not go savage on her. No . . . This is different.

When it comes to this, he always wants to get it over with and be done with breeding . . . but not this time. This wasn't for breeding or producing the best offspring to be raised later as killers. He wanted to savor this moment.

After the initial shock of pleasure that went through her, she lowered her face back to him. Every time she moves, she could feel his cock moving inside her. This feels . . . phenomenal. The love in his eyes was clear and untainted, lusting for more. It drove her heart to beat faster.

"Kaail . . ." Her voice barely came out in a whisper.

Kaail pulled her closer and grazed his mandibles alongside her cheeks. His tongue lashed around her lips, tracing the outside for a moment. "A'stea . . ."

Both looked at each other and smiled, embracing one another before Kaail began to grind his hips, getting into a rhythm under the water. It wasn't long before A'stea moved her hips to meet his, moaning to her heart's content. He growled with each thrust, pumping harder and harder each time. When he moved to taste her nipples, she cried out and pulled on his dreadlocks. He roars onto her skin but doesn't relent in his pursuit for ecstasy, thrusting faster so he could hear her sweet moans. Their labored breaths mingling together as their hearts beat together as one.

Although the mating was rough, they enjoyed being with one another. This was their moment that they waited for . . . through the darkness and despair. A moment that was theirs . . . and theirs alone.

Nothing else existed.

Hi everyone!

I'm burning up again . . . in a way that can't be cured with a cold shower lol.

A beautiful moment between Kaail and A'stea and they deserve some bit of happiness, even during such dark times. I can't blame A'stea for feeling guilty of having such a moment when she lost Fi'ka but I have faith that her friend wants her to be happy . . . and they did. Not to mention she gave the gift that will play a great role in the future of this story and even in other ones too (if you know what I mean:)).

Now that they finally made the last connection of their relationship, it might be what they need to lift their spirits and get the Rebellion going. The great war between the sides is coming fast.

Who will win?

Find out when Chapter 61 comes tomorrow (unless changes are made and I'll post on Instagram)!

Thank you for the reviews (Anonymous-E, Mariah, and IanAlphaAxel)! They are very important for me and I hope I see more readers posting as well. All opinions are welcomed. I hope you keep on reading! ;)

And thank you for your support. :)

Happy Hunting! :))))