CHAPTER 13:
Of Peaceful Days
It had been two months since the Ade'k'ra residents had returned to the homeland where their clan resided. Iliana had adapted to the atmosphere but the heat still got to her, especially when the bright suns were high in the sky with blazing rays. Kantra, however, loved it and practically basked in it half-naked making his mate envious. Their children had fortunately adapted to the planet instantly due to their father's dominant genes which both parents were glad for. Kahet's and Leitjin's skin had developed into a deeper tone from the sun exposure, making the brothers happy that their skin texture looked more like their father's. Kantra had taken his family throughout the land to see the varying homes and wildlife but hadn't taken them into the city yet. Kahet kept poking his father about it and he agreed that they'd go their last week there but for now. . .
"We're going to a beach today" Iliana giggled quietly onto her mate's warm neck. "Cool water to soak your chin up to and relax. The kids can't wait but I'm glad they're asleep. It took forever to get them into bed yesterday."
"They went on and on, didn't they?" Kantra chuckled lightly and wrapped his arm around her. She smiled as he nipped at her cheek softly, "I'd rather stay in bed but. . ."
"We have an hour before they wake" she said smiling as she pulled off one of the warm gray pelts off of her. "It's hot again. I hate being sweaty in the morning."
Kantra watched his mate fumble with their sheets while he had no problems whatsoever. He felt bad that her body didn't adapt quickly like his due to her being human but chuckled mentally at it whenever she got enraged about it. Looking to the side, he saw his daughter sleeping on her side with her back facing him in her crib. Despite the many rooms his home held, Iliana was adamant about not parting with their daughter. Aloun'Da was used to waking up to them in their bedroom on the Ade'k'ra so he'd agreed. He liked picking up his toddler and tickling her once she was wide awake and happy anyway. Kantra felt at peace in the universe as he lay in his bed on his homeworld, surrounded by his wonderful family. Sighing blissfully, he looked to his mate and rolled his eyes at her fumbling.
"Why can't the blankets be frozen? That would be bliss" she mumbled as she settled on wrapping a thin blanket over her nude body. He cuddled up against her making her sigh depressingly, "You're comfortable, it's not fair. And you're warm too!"
"Stop complaining" he scolded playfully and nipped at her bare shoulder gently. She pouted in which he chuckled, "We only have one more month."
"The kids love it here, it's free unexplored territory to them" she laughed and wrapped an arm around his athletic waist. "We'll have to pry them off the walls when it's time to go. But for now, I'll sweat my head off chasing after them. Hmm, I really can't wait to see your oceans."
"They're like Earth's but they hold more dangerous creatures" he said cautiously as she listened and nodded. "So make sure the children don't try to swim or walk past the borders. If at all, stay near the shore only."
"You'll be looking after them too" she pointed out and grabbed one of his lower mandibles playfully. Kissing its soft skin, she grinned, "I don't want you on the sand flexing your muscles to single females along with your younger brothers like trophy males."
"Jealous, my dear?" he preened impishly and pressed his forehead against hers. She gave him a small glare as he chuckled amusingly.
I love teasing her, he thought.
"Ahem, you are an attractive male with high status" she pointed out and looked into his eyes, "Who wouldn't want you? I practically stayed in your arms every time you touched me when we met. You finally put me out of my misery when we first mated in that motel. I wouldn't be surprised if females asked you to mate with them a minute after meeting you."
How he drove me insane with his innuendos when we were alone back then, she thought.
"They'd probably find me too emotional and ask that I go on more hunts, which I won't" he said, grinning like a rascal. He flexed one of his arms so she could see his rippling tight biceps as he said, "You're the only female I'll be flexing to until I'm an old man and can't move anymore. You can then stare at me while I give you flirty looks as an alternative."
"I don't know how you still drive me insane but I love it" she laughed and pressed her lips against his mouth. He opened it and rumbled his chest against hers as his tongue brushed past her lips and over hers. Her body melted against his kiss and she leaned back onto the bed as he gripped her dreadlocked hair and pressed her soft body under his. His tongue ran gently over hers while his teeth nibbled on her top lip, stirring a small moan from her. After a few seconds, he let go of their kiss to bite her right cheek softly as he gently pulled on some of her locks. Her hand caressed his broad chest as she kissed his cheek in return and smiled, "I love you, Kantra."
"Aloun'Da's asleep, you know" he suggested seductively in her ear. Parting her legs with one hand, he grinded his bare hips against hers and nipped at her exposed neck softly. Tracing a sharp claw down her bare side which gave her body a good shiver, he purred, "Join me, Iliana. I'm ever so ready for you, my star."
"It's early in the morning" she tried to reason with him but whimpered when his thumb teased one of her nipples and his fingers cupped her breast. "Kantra, we should get ready-"
"Why not have our own fun before the children wake?" he purred teasingly and fondled her round breast with his warm fingers while his tongue traced over her throat in circles as he licked it slowly. "Our own happy time?"
Is his appetite ever satiated?, she wondered but already knew the answer.
"You always make something nice sound sexual" she scolded gently as his teeth nipped over her throat and neck in small firm bites. Slumping back into her bed, she murmured, "Oh, that feels good. Aw hell, I always give into you anyway. There's no way I can ever deny you, my body's fully dependent on your touches already."
"I'll never pressure you, Iliana" he said, looking at her seriously. She smiled at his usual thoughtfulness and wrapped her arms around his neck. Hugging him in appreciation, she kissed his firm shoulder.
"Just don't make me sore that I can't walk" she smirked and placed her leg over his waist to keep him in place as her lips traced over his neck while her sharp nails raked his chest teasingly. "Besides, once you're like this, it's very hard to say no to you."
"Excellent" he purred as her nimble touches grazed his skin pleasingly while he watched her curiously. Her hazel eyes trailed over his chiseled chest giddily while her claw-shaped fingernails traced the contours of each muscle on his abdomen. He purred softly at her gentle strokes over his skin, she knew every inch of his body and what made him purr like a pup. Making eye contact with him, she smiled and kissed his warm neck eagerly while his chest vibrated against her fingertips. Leaning down, he whispered in her ear, "You've no idea how badly I need to be inside you every day, despite our years together. You're very hard to resist, Ana."
"Am I? If so, it's because of our unwavering affection" she grinned and kissed each of his mandibles softly. Kantra parted her legs from under him and traced his finger over her warm opening and teased her clit with his thumb. One of her legs moved to the side to allow him better access as her hips arched towards his hand pleadingly. Her head rested against the pillow as his teeth bit her neck hungrily while one of his fingers slipped inside her moist opening in one motion. Biting her bottom lip to quiet the intruding sensation, she sighed, "Oh, that feels wonderful."
He traced his tongue down the valley between her breasts to nip at her flat stomach gently as her nails trailed down his arm to caress his skin. Her hips bucked against his hand while his fingers became covered in her juices and he inhaled her aroused scent easily as it filled the room. Oh, how her sweet scent put his body in instant need for relief! Purring in satisfaction, he withdrew his fingers causing a small moan from her and licked them clean in front of her. She blushed lightly at his arousing actions and sat up to meet his chest. Kissing it eagerly, she pushed him back onto the bed on his backside as she straddled his chest and climbed on top of him. His arms wrapped around her waist and he pressed her body over his tightly.
"I like it when you try to get dominant" he growled huskily and traced his tusks over her neck delicately. The sharp points sent shivers down her spine as she grinded her hips against his aching member. Biting her neck with his sharp teeth firmly, he said, "I'd hate to have a submissive mate who listens to my every whim."
"I'd hate to have a male who doesn't argue with me" she smirked as his teeth clamped down sharply on another spot on her neck, "You're going to leave a mark."
"Good, then everyone can see who you belong to" he purred as his mouth reached for hers and his hands cupped her breasts to stroke them. She kissed him deeply as her hands ran over his large forehead and into his thick dreads. Pulling some of them under her grasp, he hissed, "Unless you want me to mate you in a manner that'll have you screaming bloody murder and leave you off your feet for days, I'd suggest you let go."
I don't want my daughter traumatized if she sees anything, she thought in a flick of embarrassment. He got lucky this time.
"But I like pulling them" she groaned in fake disappointment and placed the tip of one of his dreads in her mouth to trace her tongue over it slowly while maintaining eye contact with her mate. Hearing him purr at her teasing display, she said, "Is that better? Did my caresses please you, my Kantra?"
"Cocky female" he groaned roughly from her provocative position. His hands squeezed her breasts causing her to yelp in surprise. He teased the erect tips of her nipples in which she bit her bottom lip to stop any loud sounds from being uttered. Her hips pressed down on his as her eyes closed in pleasure and in a deep purr, he asked, "You're ready for me, aren't you, Iliana? Do you want me inside you?"
She nodded meekly as her fingers reached between her thighs to stroke his throbbing manhood. Kantra growled and grabbed her hips to lift her onto his member in one swipe but didn't enter his entire length into her. Iliana cried softly from the sweet relief of being impaled by his large size but groaned when he held her barely halfway down his length with his strength. She dug her feet into the sheets as she tried to lower herself entirely onto him but his hands didn't budge an inch.
Curse his strength!, she thought in agony.
"You're such a tease" she groaned as he smirked at her and waved one of his upper mandibles playfully. "Kantra."
"Tell me what I want to hear" he demanded mischievously while she sighed in aggravation. In a nonchalant tone, he said, "I'm not going inside you until you say it."
Damn him and his self-control!, she thought furiously.
"Oh, you son of a-" she began and he pulled out of her slowly. Placing her palms on his chest instantly, she gave in, "Okay, okay! You're the best male within the La'u-Yun clan and no one will ever match your honor as Arbitrator. Your name will be feared by all Bad Bloods as you hunt them down."
"And?" he grinned, wagging his brows in which she hit his chest softly in protest. "Keep going."
"No! You can't keep torturing me like this" she groaned in a whine as her body urged to be ravished by his. Kantra simply kept on grinning and held her in place while she wriggled to move her hips against his. He trilled at her movements to pleasure herself but she couldn't do much against his strength. She glared at him as she stopped and he gave her another impish smile.
"Not until you finish, my lovely" he purred and pushed into her completely but quickly reversed the motion in a second. Her disappointed groan only made him trill in pleasure. "Say it and I will ravish you then."
He's such a tease in bed, she thought but gave in. But so handsomely wicked.
"I've been a very bad female, Arbitrator Kantra" she smiled deviously and leaned down to kiss his broad chest with her soft lips. Nipping at his muscled torso, she said, "I would think a punishment's in order from such a respectable male like you, don't you think? I need to be taught a good lesson by my powerful and oh so tempting man."
"Very much so, my beautiful mate" he trilled in delight and thrust his mate down his entire length in one movement. She cried out from the pleasurable intrusion and dug her nails into his hips while her back arched instantly as she adjusted to his size. He sat up and caressed her face with his own as he asked gently, "Does it hurt?"
"I can handle anything you throw at me" she mumbled and rocked her hips against his while breathing unevenly as a small moan escaped her lips. She pushed him back onto the bed and placed her hands on his stomach to keep herself steady. He made small movements into her as she adjusted to his size. Smiling at being able to mate with him again, she smirked, "Including your manliness. I'll be fine, Kantra. I love it when you're rough, it's natural for you."
"Feisty" he growled gleefully as he watched her hips move up and down his length while her head bobbed in the same manner. Oh, how he enjoyed seeing her take control of their mating as his body felt pleasure tickles from her movements on him. She moaned quietly as her knees dug into the sheets and parted her legs more to give both of them a better position as she slid down his length. He watched her enticingly with lustful eyes as he trilled, "Enjoying yourself?"
"Liking it?" she smirked in return while he caressed one of her bouncing breasts in his hand. She smacked his hand away playfully, earning her a small growl. Pointing a finger at him while she wiped her sweaty forehead, she panted, "You can look, but not touch."
"Pauk that, we're mating together this time, last time you wouldn't let me touch you" he hissed quickly and grabbed her waist to thrust faster into her body. She placed her hands over his and bit her bottom lip firmly to silence her pleased cries as she rode his stiff length. Her hips swayed back and forth over his as he pulled her hands to bring her upper body on top of his on the bed. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he pushed faster into her warm core and traced his claws down her back to leave small scratches on it. She inhaled deeply from the pleasure as her teeth nibbled over his throat hungrily and her arms wrapped over his damp neck to hold him closer. His mouth nibbled on her ear as he purred roughly, "You like that, don't you?"
"Harder, damn you" she panted and kissed him quickly in a frenzy of pleasure. He bit her neck sharply but she knew he'd never bite down on one of her major arteries or break any skin near those areas. He pushed faster into her in sync as his tongue licked her neck causing her skin to tingle from excitement. His movements always rocked her to the core while his caresses felt like heaven on her skin. No matter how he moved or what he did, he always had the same effect on her body. A waterfall of pleasure on her body and mind.
He can be gentle when he wants and wild like an animal at other times, she thought giddily.
"We'll wake Aloun'Da if I do" he reminded but drove faster into her while digging his claws into her soft bottom to add force to his movements. She whimpered and bit his shoulder while his own teeth nipped at her exposed neck. Her tight walls contracted against his member and a few seconds later, she cried out softly and dug her teeth into his skin as she climaxed. Oh, how she wanted to cry out his name from the wonderful mating he'd given her. Iliana sighed in passionate relief as her body felt exhausted from the wonderful euphoria he'd placed her in. Kantra felt her come over his member and he plunged faster into her until he reached his own. He growled loudly and Iliana tried to cover his mouth but groaned as she felt him come inside of her and smiled at the feeling. Kantra nipped at her lips and she kissed him as he finished his last thrusts into her. She rested against him while he withdrew from her and he turned to his daughter's crib to luckily find her still asleep.
Kantra panted and pulled at Iliana's locks softly while she caressed his damp chest with one hand. He nibbled on her cheek playfully in the form of a kiss and rumbled his chest in content. Iliana smiled happily and kissed his chin in return.
"Once again, you were marvelous" she sighed blissfully as she regulated her breathing. Slyly, she whispered, "Next time, you can choose the position."
"With pleasure" he trilled and nuzzled her face with his. Chuckling, he purred, "Tonight, while the children play, I'll take you over and over on the table outside in the balcony."
"I said position, I'm not about to get caught naked with you by the neighbors" she whispered in a hiss as she blushed at the thought. "It's too daring and naughty."
"It's our balcony, no one will see us and if they do, well, we'll show them what mating is all about" he trilled amusingly and nipped at her red neck. He'd really gotten into a bitten frenzy today. "And see, the pups are still asleep."
"I guess I owe you a backrub?" she pouted making him chuckle deeply. "No fair."
"Oh, I'll want more than a backrub, my dear" he laughed evilly and she dug her face into his neck. "The modesty must go, Iliana."
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"This is wonderful" Zia chuckled as she splashed her feet in the cool water while sitting on a thin white blanket. She didn't know what to bring for her first time at an alien beach so decided to take the essentials most people did on Earth, just in case. Darpek splashed at her and laughed happily while he stared at the water curiously. She wasn't going to let her little one out of her sight, especially since Aru'Dre had gone off to play with the older children and her mate was somewhere basking like a turtle.
"Much better than this heat" Iliana sighed as she drank a cold drink from a hollowed out brown round shell. Kantra grew the fruit from their home's trees and she used the sweet pink fruit from inside for food while he let the tough shells dry outside in the sun so they could use them as cups or bowls. Aloun'Da reached out for her drink from where she rested in her mother's lap, wearing a pink summer dress Iliana had brought from Earth. She loved to dress up her only daughter in dresses while Kantra complained she was cute enough already. Her green eyes brightened when she drank happily from her mother's cup while Iliana rubbed her back. The toddler then settled back against her mother's chest and watched her brothers play around the beach.
"Mama" she called to her, pointing to Kantra, who was watching over the two boys near the shore. Her hands curled out towards her beloved father but Iliana kept her close. Realizing she couldn't leave, she whimpered with a quivering bottom lip, "Daddy."
"You'll play with him later, princess" Iliana soothed and kissed her cheek. Aloun'Da pouted as her mother chuckled, "We'll have our fun, okay?"
"Pretty" Leitjin smiled, looking over the sea curiously. Kahet wadded into the water cautiously but Aru'Dre came up from behind and pushed him into it. His warm body hit the cold water while Aru'Dre laughed proudly at his prank but soon cried out when Kahet threw a small black slug-looking creature from the water onto his face. Aru'Dre ran around wildly in circles until he ripped it away frantically and dived in after a cackling Kahet.
"No fighting, go play!" Iliana ordered the two children who growled but listened.
The entire family had gathered on the shore of the beach that lay near Nak'Aru's and Bai'Kar's home. Iliana had visited their home months ago and was surprised to see a house practically the size of a mansion standing while using two intertwined trees as the sturdy foundation. Badru had now designed his entire home and only needed to furnish the inside of it and add belongings he would permanently keep within it. Now, Kantra could sleep past sunrise and stay in bed with his mate instead of having his windows thrown pebbles at. Iliana had gotten angry when the first one shattered before dawn one day and had frightened their daughter. Kantra then prepared his own assembly of hand-sized rocks to throw at his imposing brothers and that had been the end of it.
Kahet and the other children then played on the sand with a ball while others built sandcastles, after Zia had shown them how. Leitjin decided to play with his father in the powder blue water since the other boys got aggressive and began to wrestle in the water. Iliana had been surprised at the pale water that closely resembled Earth's and it was surprisingly neutral, not acidic in any way. If at all, it was cleaner! Kila helped Sri'shan build a sandcastle while Sau'Nak, Aru'Dre, and Kahet threw a ball to each other in the water. Their fathers had scolded them after they soaked Zia and Darpek from all their splashing and had made them calm down.
"No fair" Aru'Dre grumbled as he threw the ball at Sau'Nak. "I want to wrestle."
"Let's go to the other side" Kahet suggested and waddled over to his father. He poked his back as he pointed to the right side, "Can we play over there so we don't soak anyone?"
"Very well, but don't wander from my sight" Kantra nodded and let the three boys pass by happily. "Be careful and don't play rough."
"Hunters are meant to be rough" Aru'Dre scoffed smugly, puffing out his brown chest. His uncle gave him a firm look and he looked down, "Yes, Uncle Kantra."
"Go play then" he said, ushering the boys back to their game. He grabbed Leitjin so he could dunk him into the water, "Why don't you play with them, son?"
"They're aggressive, I like playing quietly" Leitjin said, looking down and away from his father. "They're stronger than me."
"You'll be strong in time, you're the youngest from those three" his father assured and squeezed his son playfully. Leitjin growled and groaned from the open affection, but laughed anyway.
"Thanks, father" he smiled appreciatively and hugged him back. Kantra smiled at his youngest boy and dropped him into the water playfully when he let go. "Dad!"
"I enjoy having my entire family together" Bai'Kar purred in content as she watched each individual while sitting down. She passed some fruit to her mate who growled at Badru, who kept throwing hot sand on his green legs.
"Badru! Do that again and you'll lose that hand!" Nak'Aru barked angrily as he brushed the bothersome sand away. "Act like an adult, you're 32 years old!"
"But it's fun!" his son cackled but ran off before his father could throw a dagger at him. Running through the pear colored sand, he smacked the back of Nak-De's head, who'd currently been drinking from a cup while talking to a random attractive female and spilled it over her. The potential breeder walked off angrily while Nak-De sulked from embarrassment and then roared at his younger brother.
"I'm going to kill you, Badru!" he roared and chased the younger male around the shore. Ani-De stood next to Kila and Sri'shan while watching the exchange while grinning. Nak-De ran by him and yelled, "Wipe that smirk off your face or I'm kicking your ass too!"
"Nak-De! Children are here!" his mother reprimanded him and hissed, "Calm down and go play with your nephews."
Nak-De stopped in his rant and stared in his mother in disbelief. Instead of arguing, his yellow eyes narrowed at Badru and he stomped off to kick sand onto Aru'Kar, who was happily basking on his stomach in the nude. The sun made their skin more vibrant from the natural sunlight and he wanted to get as much as possible before leaving.
"What the hell is wrong with you? I'm relaxing here!" his older brother barked and punched his leg. Nak-De growled back but sat down next to him grumpily. Aru'Kar sighed and said, "There's many females out there in the universe, don't worry."
"As long as they don't hear about my slippery fingers" he grumbled as his brother wiped the sand off of him. "Damn sibling."
Aru'Kar began to sit up but Zia yelled, "You better put on a loincloth, Aru'Kar!"
Grumbling, he listened as Sali'ah laughed at him from Zia's side. The males had worn simple loincloths to the warm environment while the females wore tube tops wrapped from behind and long skirts. Nak-De kept grumbling for a minute before standing and pointing at Iliana.
"Training, now!" he told her while she stared at him in blank confusion. "Are you deaf? Get up!"
"Look what you did, now he's pissed at me!" Iliana scolded Badru, who gave her a sugary smile. Handing an unhappy Aloun'Da to Sali'ah, she pointed at him, "That's not going to work on me, brother."
"Nak-De, relax!" Sali'ah ordered her brother but he yanked Iliana who instantly kicked him in the stomach. He released her from the force of her kick but reached for her again. Iliana ducked and grabbed a handful of sand which she threw into his eyes. He hissed instantly and both present toddlers giggled at their uncle.
"All right, you win!" he barked and wiped at his stinging eyes. He stopped his attacks and pointed to where he thought Iliana was, which was way off. "Quick thinking, that's good. Now, if you'd kindly push me in the direction of the water."
Grinning at his change in attitude, she turned him around and pushed him in the right direction. He walked crookedly towards the shore blindly and accidentally plowed through the children's sandcastle. They stared at their creation in devastation with open mouths and threw their tools at their uncle's back.
"Who did that?!" he demanded instantly with a growl.
"You ruined our castle!" Kila shouted angrily at her brother. "I should kick your big butt into the water!"
"You couldn't even hit me if both my hands were tied" he mocked and headed quickly into the water to wash his face. Kantra stared at his younger brother while Leitjin hung from his back with drenched long black hair that covered most of his face.
"You have no way with children" Kantra laughed while his brother clicked his throat in annoyance. Then in a brotherly tone, he said, "I hope you'll help rebuild it. They worked hard on it."
"I teach pups, I don't coddle them" he growled after he got his sight back. Looking at his older brother, he admitted, "I admire you, I don't think I'd be able to handle all that yanking and begging. I'm more of a male that will let the mother do all the raising and coddling."
"It's not bad, I like being needed" Kantra shrugged and dunked Leitjin in the water again who laughed happily. "Besides, they're my legacy, I'll give them everything they will possibly need. They'll remember me, not my rank and honor."
"Spoken like an honorable sire" his brother nodded and looked back to the shore, "I've always admired you since childhood so I might as well listen. But if they throw sand at me like your mate, they're getting spanked."
So she's the one who blinded him, he thought humorously.
"They're not my pups, but Sali'ah will beat you if touch hers, not to mention Sau-Trul" Kantra informed as Nak-De left to return to the shore.
Sri'shan and Kila were gathering more sand when Nak-De brought them a pail full of it. They smiled at him quickly and began rebuilding their ruined fortress. The two didn't even scold him about it as long as he kept gathering sand. Nak-De sighed in defeat and sat down next to them to help.
"You look like an overgrown pup" Badru said, coming back to his older brother. Patting Nak-De's head, who growled back, he grinned, "Need help there, big boy?"
"Does your brother have a death wish?" Sau-Trul asked his mate while watching the group. She sighed and patted his thigh gently.
"Just be glad he's not poking fun at you" she said simply. "He's the crazy one in the family. Probably missing a chromosome or something."
"Sali'ah, that's not nice" he warned, looking at his mate. She burst into laughter and ate a piece of fruit with a grin on her face.
"You knew that when you chose me as your mate, it's too late to back out now" she said defiantly and raised her chin. "I say things however I see fit. If I didn't, you'd still be single."
"Now I know where Kantra gets his stubbornness from" Sau-Trul stated, trying to rile her without giving much away. Looking at Iliana with his ruby eyed gaze, he asked, "Is your mate this way as well?"
"You don't know the half of it" she laughed, remembering his usual antics.
"I am not like Kantra, I taught him all he knows about attitudes and. .damn it" she began and then clicked her throat in irritation. She hit her mate's arm but pressed her cheek against it afterwards, "Must you always challenge me?"
"If I didn't, you'd grow bored of me" he pointed out simply but smiled at her.
"Ah, the beauty of yautja bonding" Zia said, smiling at Iliana. "It takes a while to understand but once you know it, you wonder how you lived without it."
"Are you speaking on the mental or sexual aspect of it?" Iliana asked in which Sali'ah curiously looked over with a grin.
"Both lead to the same solution" she answered coyly making the other women laugh.
"Why am I with the females?" Sau-Trul suddenly spoke up as he looked around the beach like a lost nomad. "I just realized that!"
"My brothers will probably be scared of you and my father's grouchy, take a pick" Sali'ah stated and grinned, "Unless you want to choose Badru over us."
"Uh. . ."
"We like to talk" Zia informed him with a smile.
"We have food too" Iliana enticed, holding out a food dish.
"And we're not scared of you" his mate finished with them.
". . .Pass the fruit please" he sighed but asked politely.
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"All right, time to go!" Aru'Kar yelled to all of them while waving a wooden stick.
"What're you, a harvester?" Nak-De mocked him, which in turn got his head hit by said stick. "Ow! You pauk-de!"
"Uncle Nak-De cursed!" Sau'Nak told his mother instantly.
"My ears, my innocent ears!" Aru'Dre wailed sarcastically.
"You, once we return to the Ade'k'ra, you're on double shift for classes for a week" Nak'Aru reprimanded his son who nodded grumpily. "Now, watch your language in front of the pups. I don't want them using filthy language until they're old enough."
"Nak'Aru!" Bai'Kar scolded him for his last sentence. He simply shrugged and ushered her so she could tend to their daughter, who was throwing sand at Ani-De. The medic did the same as the two fought and their mother quickly put an end to it.
"Yes, father" Nak-De responded, feeling like a pup again who disappointed his sire. Then tried to bargain, "I built a sandcartle or whatever the heck it's called, don't I deserve compensation?"
"They were family so. . .no" his father said simply and left to rejoin his mate who was scolding Kila for dirtying both her swimsuit and clothes. Ani-De quietly sneaked away before he could get yelled at as well and rejoined his twin as he left.
Kahet played in the water while holding Aloun'Da, who giggled happily as their mother watched them. Kantra was trying to dry Leitjin who kept wriggling away and throwing himself back into the cool water again. Aru'Dre watched him and did the same which made Aru'Kar groan in annoyance.
"I am not a male who deals with these things!" he groaned and called out to his mate to come instead.
"Throw the ball, Sau'Nak!" Aru'Dre called to his cousin who'd already gotten dressed. Unlike Aru'Dre, the boy listened to everything his parents told him and obeyed. Sau'Nak sighed and threw it quickly. His younger cousin caught it carefully and yelled, "Careful, you'll pop it!"
Aru'Dre threw it at Leitjin who grabbed the ball and hit his father on the head with it. Iliana laughed at her mate's irritated expression while water dripped down his face and grabbed the ball to give it to Kahet. She picked up Aloun'Da who whined instantly and reached for the water but Iliana took her out. She whimpered and splashed at the water desperately with her small fingers.
"Daddy!" Aloun'Da cried to her father instantly. Kantra smiled and scooped his tearful daughter up from Iliana who shook her head.
"I'll take care of her, you get the boys" he told her as his daughter clung onto him while drying her watery eyes. Kantra purred to her so she would get calm as Iliana kissed her daughter's forehead and left to look after the boys.
"No fair, I get three, you get the baby" she scolded with a grin as she walked away. Kantra simply gave her a grin himself as he turned away.
He left with the whimpering Aloun'Da who waved goodbye to her mother while biting her little claws. Iliana returned it with a fond smile and turned to look at the three boys.
"All right, time to leave unless you want the water monsters catching you" Iliana said and clapped her hands to catch their attention. The three boys stared at her in skepticism.
"There's no water monsters" Aru'Dre scoffed and splashed Kahet. "If so, Grandma would've warned us."
"Don't splash me!" Kahet growled and splashed him back.
Guess I'll have to use a scare tactic, she thought. They like scary stuff now anyway.
"That's before the sun goes down" she said in a darker voice. "But once it does, the border protecting this section from the rest of the ocean is taken away. That's when all the large monsters come here to swim and look for food, especially young prey."
"R-Really?" Leitjin asked, nervously. He moved closer to his mother and forgot about being a clever seven year old. He didn't want to get eaten.
"Yes, that's why we have to hurry and leave before they come in to feed" she said, looking over the horizon for emphasis. "Unless you want to see them up close. Not even Young Bloods can stand up to them."
"Um. . .maybe we better go" Kahet said, eyeing the water cautiously. "I don't want to be sea food."
"Me neither, I'm out of here!" Aru'Dre yelled and ran fast towards the shore. Once upon it, he grabbed the sand happily, "I'll never kick you again for being itchy!"
Iliana sighed in victory and led the boys to shore so they could get dressed. Badru then headed towards the water, in which Leitjin stopped his uncle quickly by grabbing his leg.
"No, uncle! The monsters will eat you!" he cried to him. Badru stared at him confused.
"What monsters?" he asked, looking around.
"You know" Iliana told him and made hand gestures so he could follow along. "The monsters that come out at dusk to feed onshore and if little boys don't get out, they'll be eaten."
"Oh! Those!" Badru recalled, slapping his forehead. Looking at the children, he explained eerily, "I had a friend who never believed the tale and stayed here once when we were pups. The next morning, all they found was the bone necklace he carried around his neck. They never found his body."
"Eh!" Leitjin whimpered and grabbed his brother's arm. Aru'Dre also grabbed him in return.
"All right, I'm not a toy!" Kahet said quickly and took them both away by their arms. Iliana sighed and looked at Badru.
"Thanks, they really didn't want to leave" she smiled at him in relief. "Good story."
"I didn't lie, it was true!" Badru said, surprising Iliana. She then looked over the coast suspiciously and walked backwards. Badru burst out laughing and wrapped an arm around her shoulders while his gold eyes twinkled merrily. Thrilling amusingly, he said, "Just kidding! You believed it, didn't you?"
Iliana glared but laughed in return. A minute later, she yelled, "Nak-De! Badru's insulting your teaching skills!"
Nak-De turned around instantly from where he stood talking to his twin. Badru stared at Iliana and said, "Good one. You're learning! Now, if you wouldn't mind stepping aside so I can run for my life. . ."
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A week later, Kantra had gathered his family on a high grassy hill while the second orange sun hovered by itself over the orange-lilac horizon. Eventually, the sky would stay a deep maroon color throughout the night until sunrise when it would return to its light red-orange color. Kantra sat on the cool grass while Iliana cuddled up to his side and had her arms wrapped over his waist. Kahet trained with his small weapons nearby while Leitjin watched him in awe. Aloun'Da kneeled on the ground while yanking grass into her hands to throw around.
"Aloun'Da, respect nature" Kantra instructed his daughter in his fatherly tone. Her mahogany colored face stared in puzzlement while her green eyes blinked. "Never harm something that doesn't harm you."
"What if it's on accident?" Iliana asked him and rested the back of her head against his upper arm. "What happens then?"
"You apologize for your behavior and move on" he stated simply as his daughter walked over clumsily to sit by them. Kantra tickled her sides playfully making her squeal happily as she squirmed away from him. With a smile, he added, "One must remain courteous."
"Hmm, that's funny, you came after me like a madman on fire when I hit you on accident" she chuckled and grabbed her daughter into her lap. Aloun'Da purred happily to her mother who tickled her nose in return as she stopped her laughter.
"I was pissed off at the entire universe! You can't blame me" he laughed at her questioning glance and grinned smugly, "I was an exception!"
"No, you weren't!" she objected, pursing her lips and furrowing her brows. "Crazy hunter man."
"That you love with an undying devotion" he pointed out cheekily and squeezed her shoulders in a hug. She laughed and leaned up to kiss his cheek tenderly.
"Always, handsome man" she agreed fondly while chuckling.
"Father, look!" Kahet called out and Kantra listened. His son threw his small hunting knife into the bark of a tree nearby and embedded it there. He smiled excitedly at him, "I aimed and did it!"
"Good, the more you sharpen your skills, the more ready you will be when it comes time for your Chiva" his father nodded impressively. Looking at his younger son who sat by himself, he asked, "What about you, Leitjin?"
He hesitated as he looked over one of his brother's sharp knives in his hands, "I don't know, I get nervous sometimes when I hold them."
"You'll learn in time, son" Kantra assured while Leitjin looked down bashfully.
I hope so, Leitjin thought. Because the Hunt doesn't appeal to me much like it does to Kahet. I don't really like it.
Aloun'Da wiggled out of her mother's arms to walk over the field on her own. Kantra nuzzled his face against Iliana's neck as her fingertips reached up to trail over his neck. Pulling one of his dreads playfully, he rumbled his chest softly against her back.
"What is your fascination with my hair?" he asked and yanked her locks in return. She smacked his hand afterwards and he grinned, "See, you don't like it."
"I do it because I like your hair, it's cool looking" she laughed and pulled another lock. "It looks nice and shiny with your clasps only while humans have to style it constantly throughout their entire lives. I don't like the whole procedure but it still looks nice."
"I see. . .so where's our food?" he asked, changing the subject and letting her indulge with her study over his hair. "I'm hungry already after training with Aru'Kar today."
"You? I trained with Nak-De and still haven't eaten" she pointed out and smiled up at him, "So, now that we each have gotten stronger, do you think I could take you on? I could barely stay steady and level-headed in a fight with you years ago."
"Maybe in a few years" he smirked in which she slapped his leg. "Ow! You really hate being undermined, don't you?"
"Next week, underneath the tree, sundown" she declared instantly and he sighed but nodded. "Don't go easy on me either."
"But I could hurt my petite mate and I adore her" he teased making her growl slightly. Squeezing her form against his, he laughed, "You got a sparring match, despite my disapproval since you are a female and my mate!"
"It's not like you've never broken the rules" she stated and smiled in content. "You're a rebel, dear."
"Am I? Is that why Sau-Trul didn't believe me at first about being an Arbitrator?" he grinned, faking confusion.
"That and all the name calling you did" she laughed as she watched her daughter bring back flowers in her little hands. Iliana grabbed her as she settled into her mother's lap. "What's that you got there, princess?"
"Mama, Daddy" she giggled and gave the flowers to her parents eagerly. Iliana looked at the assortment of miniscule flowers ranging in colors from fuchsia to a sky blue. She smelled the faint sweet scent of them and smiled, "Thank you, sweetheart. I love them, so does your father."
"Very true" he chuckled and placed a flower stem underneath one of the black clasps tying her locks. Iliana smiled at his gesture as he purred to her, "The flowers pale in comparison to all of you", then to Aloun'Da, "Thank you, my little one".
"Daddy" she purred softly as he tickled her chin. He purred in return and hugged her tiny body gently against his.
"Look, the stars have come out!" Leitjin yelled and looked at the stars with his human eyesight. Just like Earth, Iliana watched the similar white glittering stars over the maroon sky peacefully.
I wonder if Earth is one of them, she thought. Am I looking at the star of my planet here while other humans may see this planet as one out there?
"I'm hungry!" Kahet called to his mother as he put his weapons away in a satchel.
"Me too!" Leitjin added as he stood up eagerly for his meal.
"Mama!" Aloun'Da included quickly and pointed to the basket they'd brought.
"Give the children what they want, my star" Kantra grinned at her as she stood up.
"Are you one of those included?" she teased as she placed Aloun'Da into his arms, who instantly cuddled up to her father. He stretched his mandibles towards Iliana eagerly making her sigh, "Fine, but don't eat all the food this time!"
"I never make that promise" he pointed out as Aloun'Da hugged him. "You knew that when you bonded with me."
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End of Chapter 13. Thanks for reading and for my last reviews, they're always appreciated. So the family's still on the planet and they'll be there for one more chapter before returning to the Ade'k'ra as the story finishes. I'm still not sure whether to start the sequel after this or finish my other story on hiatus. If you have a choice, you can leave it on a review as I try to reach a decision.