I woke up feeling very happy. I have never experienced something like this. Ever. The way Raj'ah was so gentle to me with every single strokes on my body was pure esctacy. I slowly turned my head, and found out that Raj'ah was not in bed. I shook my head and was about to get up when I felt a sharp pain on my lower area.

"Easy young one." I looked and spotted Raj'ah coming in with a tray of food. He placed it on the table and walked towards my bed.

"Are you feeling alright?"

"I'm more than okay, Raj'ah." I admitted.

"I feel wonderful and different at the same time."

Raj'ah lay down next to me and pulled me into his arms as I hissed in pain.

"Alex?" Raj'ah wondered worriedly.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm hurting a little bit but not very bad."

I saw Raj'ah grabbing a bottle, put some cream like consistency onto his hands and rubbed them together before he gently spread my legs apart. I watched him gently rubbing my area with the cream until I didn't feel any pain.

"I feel better...how did you get the lotion?"

"Rai'eka got it for me at the market."

I blushed. That will explain why Rai'eka was being very secretive while we went shopping for my new clothes..

I slowly got up and to my surprise, no pain. Pleased with the results, I looked at Raj'ah as he got up from the bed.

He scooped me into his arms carefully and took me to the tub.

He gently put me in, got undressed and joined me. The hot water feels great, and it is soothing the aches away from my lower area. We cleaned each other until we got hungry. We ate our breakfast, got dressed and left our room.

"We are going to see the Grand Elder and request you a chiva." I nodded.

If we are going to be lifemates, I have to pass the chiva on my own. But with some assurances, and more training, I would be one of the Yautjas...only in spirit instead of a human.

We left the dwelling and walked to the palace where the guards stopped us.

"Arbitrator Raj'ah, and Alex please come on in."

The guards stood aside and we walked into the palace.

"You have a request for me, my boy?"

Raj'ah and I kneel down on the floor in respect.

"Yes, Grand Elder." Raj'ah began. "I request for Alex to go through a chiva so that she can be one of us."

I can hear silence for a moment or two and heard a soft chuckle.

"You do realize the dangers are lurking around wherever she goes. Alex?"

I looked at the Grand Elder.

"Do you understand that you are putting your life at risk when you are doing the chiva?"

"I understand Grand Elder." I answered.

"I don't want you to do the chiva because of our customs, I want you to do the chiva when you are ready."

He does have a point. Raj'ah didn't force me into doing the chiva but we can't be lifemates if I don't take up this challenge. I am fully aware of Raj'ah's training will be very brutal but I can handle it.

"I'll do it. With all due respect Grand Elder, I want to take the chiva by choice. Even if I die during the chiva, at least I have honor."

Grand Elder Cetanu looked at me and Raj'ah for awhile and stood up.

"Fe'rah?" He called out to his healer.

"Please take young Alex to the gardens for awhile."

"Yes Grand Elder." She said and she took my hand and we left for the gardens.

"Raj'ah," The Grand Elder began.

"I hope that you didn't force Alex to do the chiva."

"No. I gave her a choice."

"I never gave you or Rai'eka a choice for your Chivas. Alex is not one of us, she is special and I owe her my life for that night. That is why she is temporary one of us."

"Unless she can complete for her chiva and she can be one of us for life."

Cetanu looked at Raj'ah and placed his hand on his shoulder.

"When will she start her training?"

"Tomorrow morning at dawn." Raj'ah said.

"Very well. Alex can compete for her first chiva."

Raj'ah smiled with pride through his mask together the two walked towards the gardens where Alex and Fer'ah are talking.

"Alex," Centanu began.

"Me and Raj'ah talked about your chiva and I accepted your request. Train her hard so that she can be prepared for any danger."

Raj'ah and Alex bowed to the Grand Elder before they left the palace. Unknown to the four, an unknown Yautja overheard what was going on.

"The ooman Loudte-Kalei is going to be trained for her first chiva."

"If she survives, she will be Arbitrator's lifemate."

"You know, Lar'ja." Another unknown Yautja said. "There is such thing as a broken spirit and a broken heart."