Conri (5 page)

Sarai’s brain went on overload. Had she given Kellen
any signals that she was interested? What prompted his unsolicited advance? And
how in the hell was she going to get him off of her? She managed to get her
hands between her and Kellen and pushed, hard. Kellen stumbled back.
“Oh, feisty.”

He stepped towards her again and Sarai let her little
bit of training kick in. She side stepped him and brought up her knee,
remembering what Lilly had told her.
Shifters
 
are
stronger than you, faster than you. They
can smell your weakness before you even know it. If you get the chance to
connect keep attacking
.

Sarai didn’t want to keep attacking; she just wanted
to let Kellen know she was not interested. She caught him in the abdomen and the
wind gushed out of him. “Kellen stop, I’m not interested in you like that.”

“You could have said that instead of kneeing me in the
gut.” He bent over, holding his stomach. Sarai stepped to him, her hands
outstretched.

“Kellen, I’m so sorry, I just...” Without pretense he
grabbed her arms, slammed her against the wall and wrapped a hand around her
throat.

“Did you seriously think a kick from a mere human
would hurt?” Sarai couldn’t scream
,
her larynx was
nearly squashed. Maybe as a doctor she should have come up with a more
technical term than “squashed” but right now her brain was stuck on the whole
oxygen deprivation thing.

“I’ve been sliced with swords, punched on by males
twice my size, nearly starved and whipped. A little kick from a tiny female human
felt like a mosquito bite. And speaking of biting, I will bite you if you
scream. One
tinsy
weansy
bite from me will be poison to your blood and you will die before I enjoy the throes
of passion.” Sarai shook her head.
 
“What’s that, I can’t hear you?”

“Don’t.” She said on a rush of wind as he released his
grip a fraction on her neck.

He smiled and it was so cruel. “See, here’s the thing.
Females have the pick of the litter in this pack. Since their survival rate is
so low and males outnumber them three to one and King Conri is stuck in the old
days of honor and choice. The problem is who wants a second rate warrior, never
to live up to his brothers glory?”

Kellen growled at her, but Sarai noticed he didn’t
extend his canines. “Everyone is so hung up on the
females
choice- females choice- females…” He mimicked a gag, “Males are stronger, and
we should have rule over the females. But it is forbidden to take what is
rightfully ours as stronger males; punishable by death. But you- you are human.
No males want a human. Well except for Flynn- but he’ll do anything that walks.
You are free game. So I guess I will just have to make....”

A ferocious growl resonated so loud through the hall
that Sarai closed her eyes. A heartbeat later and she was soaring through the
air, end over end until someone caught her in mid tumble. She landed softly to
the sounds of vicious growls and snaps mixed with pathetic whimpers and
screeches. Sarai looked up at her savior- Lilly?

“Hey Lady.”

“What?” Oh her throat hurt.

Lilly inclined her head as she set Sarai on her feet.
An immense white leopard with perfect gray patches that swirled into deep black
dots stood with its back to her. His tale flipped frantically as his majestic
head bore thick long incisors; wide open and ready to strike. His terrifying
screams or roars or whatever they were, was directed at a cowering smaller
leopard. The smaller leopard lay on its back, its paws in the air, not fighting
but trying to protect its neck.

The giant Leopard, more magnificent than she
remembered, seemed to stand taller than her memory served. Sarai grabbed onto
Lilly as the Leopard king reared up, batting the smaller leopards paws away and
struck- fast and hard at the smaller leopards throat. The scream of the smaller
leopard fell silent as the leopard king gave a small shake of its captor, the
smaller leopard- Kellen- fell still.

“It was a warning shake. He didn’t kill him.”

“He looks dead.” Sarai whispered.

“He’s defeated, he knows it. He also knows that Conri
just gave him an ultimatum, fully submit or die now.”

“What did he choose?”

“He isn’t dead right?” Lilly said, raising her brows
and smirking.

Sarai looked at Lilly. “What does that mean for
Kellen?”

“It means,” Sarai jumped at Conri’s voice. “That
Kellen has been stripped of his status. He is now the lowest of the Omegas,
never to be able to work his way out of servitude. And if he defies me
again...” Conri looked down at a naked Kellen gasping around four small
puncture wounds in his neck, “He will be thrown to the mob.”

Lilly and Kellen shivered. Sarai wanted to ask what
the mob was but apparently the clothes Conri had been wearing were synthetic
made. Because the towering man stood before her naked as the day he was born.

She turned her eyes upward, because down would not
have been low enough.

*

“My apologies Sarai.
I forget
my modesty when I change forms.” A pair of pants flew by and Lilly giggled.

“You’ll get used to it. Modesty is not something we
practice here. It is so inconvenient to pack extra clothes and animal pelt is
hard to come by.”

“I am decent.”

Sarai locked eyes with the King, “Thank you for saving
me.”

Conri didn’t respond but Sarai noted that his eyes
were bleeding from sapphire to crystal and back to sapphire. “Is that a
response to your anger?” Sarai pointed to his eyes.

Conri slowly shook his head. “Lilly get Flynn and Core
to come collect...”

“They are otherwise engaged.” Sarai interrupted.

Conri raised a brow, “Your comrade I assume?” Sarai
only nodded.
“Hmm. Very well.
Lilly please fetch Dahne
and Luke. They will suffice. Oh, and also get Leigha.”

“Leigha?”
Lilly and Sarai asked
at the same time.

“Yes. Leigha expressed interest in Kellen.” Conri
looked down at Kellen when he made a strangled sound. “I think it will be good
for her see why he has fallen so far.”

Sarai was watching Conri. The muscles in his jaw
worked when he looked at Kellen. The bite marks on Kellen’s neck hadn’t even
begun to heal. He didn’t seem to be having trouble breathing, but he stayed on
the ground- in a fetal position.

The muscles on Conri’s stomach flexed and relaxed as
he bent down. Kellen whimpered like a child when Conri leaned close to him.
“You ever defy my law again and not only will I throw you to the mob, they will
be under strict orders not to kill you.” The low growl he used was more
intimidating than if he had yelled. And Kellen dry heaved at the threat.

It was only a moment later when
Dahne
,
Luke and
Leigha
arrived. Leigha cringed and glanced
away for a split moment. Dahne growled low and menacing while Luke didn’t
react. The three gathered Kellen off the ground, Luke man-handling Kellen into
nondescript clothing.

“You’re a disgrace.” Leigha said quietly. She looked
at Sarai, “I’m so sorry.” The woman reached for her, “Please do not think this
is how males of worth normally act. This never happens.” With that Leigh
followed the rest of the males away.

“Lilly?”

“Yes
Mi
’ Lord.”

“Please see Sarai to her room and see she gets
anything she needs.” Conri seemed exhausted; not physically, but mentally. He
shook his head and glanced at Sarai. He nodded once and excused himself.

Once in her room Lilly hopped on Sarai’s bed. She
kicked off her shoes and crossed her legs yoga style. “What happened?”

“I don’t even know.” Sarai responded as she rubbed her
neck. “He just attacked, unprovoked.”

Lilly cringed. “It’s against pack law to attack a
female.” Lilly whispered.

“But I’m just a human. He said the law didn’t apply to
me.” Sarai stripped off her shirt and jeans and began dressing in comfy night
clothes.

“Technically,” Lilly drew the word out and then
blotted her lips together. “He’s right- pack law doesn’t apply to humans….”

“But?”

Lilly shook her head. “A female as our guest is still
under protection.” Lilly looked away but Sarai didn’t press the subject. “Lost
some of your modesty?” Lilly teased.

“We’re both girls.”

Lilly nodded, “Fair enough. Look, what happened with
Kellen is nearly unheard of. A male attacking a female hasn’t happened since
the King’s father was King. The male was given to the mob, an example made of
him.”

“What is the mob?” Sarai couldn’t resist asking.

Lilly shook her head, “For another time. Just know that
it is a very bad thing. And if you are handed over to the mob, you have been
given a death sentence.” She said quietly.

Sarai nodded and went a different direction, “How long
have you guys been having female birth problems?”

“Since the King was a boy; since before I was born.”
Lilly shrugged.

They were quiet for a moment and Sarai climbed into
her bed next to Lilly. She stretched across, propping her head up with her arm.
Lilly stretched out too, her back against the head board and looked down at
Sarai quizzically.

“He seems to have bad mood swings.”

“Who?”

Sarai looked up at Lilly, “Conri.”

Lilly shrugged. “He is a very passionate male. His
love for his pack runs deep. He…. It’s hard to explain. But know that as long
as you are a guest of his. You will be safe- now.” She added as an after
thought.

Sarai smiled. “Will you stay with me? I don’t much
feel like sleeping alone.”

Lilly slid low in the bed. “Sure. But hands to
yourself.” She chuckled and rolled to face Sarai. “It’s going to be ok, you’ll
see. Give it time and things will get batter.”

Sarai was not sure what Lilly was talking about. But
instead of starting a conversation she wasn’t sure she had the energy to finish
she nodded and closed her eyes. “I’m sure you’re right Lilly.”

Sarai woke to the brightest light streaming in through
her opened curtains. It was the first time since she arrived here four weeks ago
that the light had come through this bright. She jumped onto her bed and looked
out the window. It had stopped storming! It was snowing but it was only light
flurries.

Sarai sped through her shower and
daily maintenance. She threw on a pair of skinny jeans and a long sleeved
sweater tunic. She slipped her feet into a pair of flats and threw open her
door.

She ran, full speed down the hall
and took the one turn into the Guards dinning hall. Flynn, Core,
Dahne
,
Leigha
, Lilly and Stella
were the only ones at the table. She smiled so wide Stella sat up straight.

“What’s up
Rai
?”
Stella asked cautiously.

“It’s stopped snowing. Well at least
enough for us to probably navigate our way home.”

Flynn and Stella looked at each
other. He slowly shook his head and tapped his wrist. Stella’s shoulders
slumped and when she looked at Sarai, Sarai felt a foreboding in her stomach.

“I’m not going
Rai
”

“I’m sorry what? I thought I heard
you say…”

“I did. King Conri has offered me
residency here and I have accepted.”

“But
…
 
but
… Why? You know this thing with
Flynn is passing. We don’t belong here
Stel
!”

Both Flynn and Stella flinched.
Flynn wrapped an arm around Stella and either nuzzled her neck or whispered in
her ear. Sarai suspected the latter as Stella nodded.

“You can go if you want Sarai. I am
sure they can figure out a way to get you home. But I’m staying here. I think I
belong here.”

“You think! This isn’t something you
‘think’ about. You have to know. Stella, “Sarai took a step forward- pleading
with her friend. “We can go home. Remember home?”

Stella jumped up form her seat, “And
what’s back there for us
Rai
? An empty apartment! We
are each others only friends. We go ‘home’ to nothing. This is where I belong.
And if you’re smart this is where you belong too!”

Sarai turned, not sure what she was
going to do. What did Stella think the end game was? Leave everything behind.
Disappear into the wilderness and live happily every after? Humans can’t live
with Leopards, they don’t belong. But Sarai didn’t get two feet before she ran
smack dab in the rock-solid chest of Conri.

“I’m sorry,” Sarai said as she
placed her hands on his chest out of reflex. His chest was warm, so warm. Her
fingers flexed
and
 
before
she thought about it her nails
dug into the flesh that was behind the thin shirt. Her breath caught and she
dropped her hands. She took a step back and locked eyes with Conri in just
enough time to see his eyes swirl from sapphire to cerulean, to blue and settle
into Chrystal blue.

“So I see Stella has broken the news
to you.” Sarai could only nod. “She has chosen to stay. And I am sure you have
seen that the weather to, has broken. You are free to choose now; will you stay
or….”

“I… I…” Sarai glanced at Stella. Her
friend did look happy. And Flynn did genuinely look smitten with her. She
couldn’t just leave her friend to fend for herself. If anything, Sarai had to
stay to make sure her friend truly was safe. The decision was made whether she
liked it or not, “I’ll stay.”

Conri’s lips twitched as Stella
squealed. He stepped to the side just in time for Stella to tackle-hug her from
behind. She stumbled forward and it was Conri’s strong arm around her waist
that kept her on her feet.

“
Ohhh
Sarai!
Yay!”

Sarai turned to hug her friend but her eyes were
locked onto Conri’s. For the first time in the month that she had been here,
she saw genuine contentment plastered across his chiseled features.

*

The long conversation she had with her boss at the
hospital had been grueling. Never had she told so many lies in her life. As a
matter of fact she had never really told a lie; at least not of that magnitude.
Giving her resignation was the hardest thing she thought she would ever do. She
loved her job and telling her boss that she had decided to take permanent
residency in a different state, was just plain awkward. Of course her boss had
offered to write a letter of recommendation if she sought employment. And
having to pretend she would be eternally grateful for his kindness had felt so
false to her.

It had been two weeks since that difficult
conversation. And in that time she and Lilly had worked her skills in the ring.
Lilly was a finesse fighter; at least that’s what she told Sarai. Sarai liked
what the repetitive movements did to her muscles. She was starting to see the
small changes in her structure. In the evening’s she joined in on any
festivities after dinner with the guards and Conri.

By week eight Stella’s shoulder was almost healed and
she had the mobility that most could only get with physical therapy. It was
near the end of week eight when Conri approached her after dinner and what
started the events that changed her stay with the leopards.
 

“Good evening Sarai.”

Sarai started at Conri’s voice. “You startled me.”

“My apologies.”

“It’s ok.” She said as she marked the page in the book
she had been reading. “What are you doing in the library?”

“It is my library, am I not allowed frequenting it?”

Sarai chuckled. “Of course you are, but that’s not
what I meant. In the two months I have been here, I have never seen you in
here.”

He stared at her for a moment and she tried really
hard not to squirm under his scrutiny. “I heard you enjoyed weekday afternoons
in the solitary of the library. I thought I would come see what the fuss was
about.”

“No fuss.”
She responded, her brows
furrowed.

“I didn’t mean
…
 
what
I meant was…” Sarai smiled as he
fumbled over his answer.

“Do you find the quiet to your liking?” Sarai teased.
His eyes bore into her and Sarai couldn’t ignore the tightening in her stomach.
Desire speared through her and she looked away in hopes he wouldn’t see it.

“Sarai?”
His voice was so
quiet, so gentle that the sounds melded and twisted into a molten flow through
her entire body. He groaned or growled or purred so low she wasn’t sure she’d
heard him at all. She slowly looked up and sure enough Conri’s eyes were the
deepest sapphire she had yet seen.

So many things clicked into place that she felt like
an idiot for not seeing it before. She put her book down and slowly stood.
Conri didn’t move, didn’t even give her enough space to stand, so when she was
on her feet her chest was pressed against his.

His growl sent a shiver down her spine but then she
realized it wasn’t a growl at all, but rather a purr; the leopard king was
purring- for her. She rose onto her toes and ran her fingers through his black
hair, it was so soft. It was human hair but it was still the softest hair she
had ever touched. Conri tilted his head into her hands, his eyes never leaving
hers and his expression not changing. He didn’t reach for her, but also didn’t
move away.

Sarai raised her other hand and Conri lowered his head
so she could start at the crown of his head and scrape her nails all the way to
the base of his skull. His entire body quivered and for a split second his
midnight black hair water-
falled
into stark white
fur; but as quickly as it was white it was back to black.

Molten ardor simmered in the core of her body and
Sarai gasped. Conri inhaled deeply and he reached for her. His hands hovered
over her hips, not touching. Her hands slid from the back of his neck to cup
his chin. She rose to the tops of her toes, balancing unsteadily.
 
Sarai watched, enraptured, as his eyes
kaleidoscope; white, cobalt, azure, indigo back to blue and on and on.

“Beautiful,” She said and he crashed into her, his
hands grabbed onto her hips desperately as if she might turn to vapor and
disappear; nails dug in, almost hurting but not. Someone groaned, or growled,
or signed or purred but both of them opened their mouths at the same time. Two
tongues battled it out; fighting for the upper hand and Conri fisted a hand in
her hair as if she would try to escape.
 

A loud crash from one of the upper levels of the
library had the two jumping apart like two caught teenagers. Conri sniffed the
air and Sarai stood stock still. He glanced down at her and a small smiled
played at his lips, “To be continued.” He whispered. He leaned down and placed
a chaste kiss on her forehead and was ten paces away before Sarai opened her
eyes.

The moment he was out of the library Sarai let out a
heavy breath. She plopped back in her chair and eyed her book. Suddenly reading
about adventure didn’t hold quite the luster. She double checked the dog-eared
the page and tucked the book under her arm. Maybe she would ask Lilly for an impromptu
training session.