Lisia's Journey (3 page)

When dealing with an alpha, a woman had to make herself clear. Lisia knew that

even that bold declaration probably wouldn‟t dissuade him. He was a
Shi’an
. His word

was taken as law. That kind of man didn‟t back away just because he faced opposition.

The large cat chuffed just once and pulled back. She felt the amusement rolling

from him. Annoyance and relief mixed within her. She was happy he was finally

backing off, but she wanted him to take her seriously. She knew he didn‟t. After dealing

with her brothers for years, she knew that superior male attitude all too well. He

thought he‟d be able to handle her with ease.

Arik led the way. The big cat took up position on her right side, between her and

the UDA soldiers. They kept their distance from the large feline who looked more than

ready to use those flashing white teeth and long claws.

She glared down at the cat. Why did the
Shi’an
have to be taking a run through the

forest now? She could have done without the complication of meeting a male obviously

looking for a mate. He glanced back at her and his jowls pulled back showing sharp

teeth in a feline smirk.

Arik led them out of the forest and into the city. The sight of the large round

marrohls
, multifamily houses, up close sent a thrill of excitement through her. Almost

immediately it was followed by a feeling of homesickness. The buildings looked almost

exactly like those on Deshra. The roofs of these buildings were brown instead of the

deep green of the houses in her clan, but the walls were all standard gray. Only the

color, the people and a few of the minor details were different. In that moment, the

differences didn‟t matter. Sadness and anger washed over her. She wanted to go home.

Arik led them to one of the large buildings. He called to several people and spoke

quietly with them. The men and women nodded and went quickly into the
marrohl
to

begin their tasks.

“This is where you‟ll be staying. They‟ll show you to the rooms you‟ll be using.”

Arik moved to the side of the entryway.

Lisia smiled. Relieved at the chance for even a few moments privacy, she moved

forward with the group of soldiers. She knew the
Shi’an
was still somewhere near her.

She could feel his amusement, but she didn‟t see him. As for Arik, she could also feel

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Rebecca Airies

his amusement, but not nearly as clearly as she could the
Shi’an
‟s. They could find her

funny if they wanted. She didn‟t care as long as she got into that building.

Arik reached out as she neared the doorway and stopped her from entering. “That

isn‟t where you‟ll be staying, Lisia, but nice try.”

She gritted her teeth and stepped out of the way of those behind her. Even half-

expecting a move like that, it still frustrated her. Macho males taking over as if they had

some kind of right. She hated that attitude.

“They‟ll be bringing my clothing here.” She crossed her arms over her chest. Her

voice sounded clipped and tight even to her own ears. It was a struggle not to just start

screaming. Only manners ingrained since she‟d been barely walking kept her from

letting her anger rule.

“And someone will bring them to you when they get here.” Arik turned and began

walking away from the building as soon as the last UDA man had entered.

She glared at his back for a moment before looking at the door so very close to her.

It was almost too tempting. She could rush into the building and find an empty room in

moments. Locking herself in would gain her a little time to think. It was the load of

lectures and explaining that would follow that held her back.

Firm pressure against her thigh drew her attention away from the tempting

prospect of zipping through that door. She looked down at the large black head of the

male in
Aridi
form. Apparently the
Shi’an
hadn‟t taken her obedience for granted. The

man obviously wasn‟t stupid.

“You know I don‟t need protection from them. I‟d be perfectly safe among them.”

Lisia took a deep breath and tapped her fist against her thigh. This insistence that she

not be with the UDA group was frustrating her.

The big cat tilted his head and looked pointedly in the direction Arik had gone. She

shook her head, but began walking slowly down the street. No sense in giving them a

false impression. She didn‟t always follow rules or orders no matter who was giving

them.

The big
Aridi
feline didn‟t leave her side. Arik waited for them at an intersecting

street. He raised an eyebrow as they approached at little more than a stroll.

“We still have a few streets to go before you get to your new home. Dragging your

feet isn‟t going to change things.” Arik propped a hand on his hip.

He looked so arrogant, so confident that she wanted to knock him on his ass. If she

thought she had much chance at succeeding, she might have given it a try.

“This isn‟t my home!” Her hands fisted at her sides. She didn‟t belong here and she

wasn‟t going to pretend that she was going to accept his dictates.

“You‟re going to have to take that one up with
Shi’an
Jarritt. I‟d say he‟s made up

his mind. I don‟t think you‟re going to have much luck changing it.” Arik laughed and

turned leading the way down the street.

14

Lisia’s Journey

He walked along a straight path, but finally turned left onto a side street and

stopped in front of a large home. This
marrohl
was almost on the opposite side of the

small city from the one where the UDA soldiers had been housed. The door opened as

Arik neared it. He stepped to the side and waited until she entered. She paced into the

well-lighted entryway. The large cat took the lead. He padded on almost silent paws to

the large central area shared by all the occupants. It all looked so familiar that she again

felt a pang of homesickness. There was an eating area with tables and an area off to the

side with hot and cold drinks. Chairs and large couches created a cozy relaxing area

near one of the larger fireplaces. People relaxed there even now. He didn‟t hesitate as

men and women called out greetings, but headed for one of the doorways leading off

the central hall.

She stopped, not sure where she was supposed to go now. He was heading for his

section. She wasn‟t giving him any ideas by just following him into his private territory.

The man already had some very possessive intentions. She wasn‟t going to encourage

them.

The door opened in front of the large dark-furred cat. He looked back and growled.

Stalking back to her, he nudged her thigh. His intent was obvious. He wasn‟t going

through that door until she did. She sighed and headed for the door. He stayed at her

side, his stride stiff, annoyance rolling off him.

The door opened again. She went through and this time she followed as he led the

way down a hallway and up a staircase to the upper level. He stopped at a door. It

opened. He looked at her and then into the room. Okay, that was clear enough. This

was to be her room. Judging by the lack of personal touches it looked to be a simple

guest room. The bed was covered in a dark gray blanket with silver trim. The pillows

looked as if they‟d never been used. A full-length mirror hung on the wall next to a

dark brown wooden dresser. The top of the gleaming piece of furniture was empty.

Other than a small table next to the bed, there was nothing else. The furnishings were

sparse.

Relief swept over her. She‟d half-expected him to take her to his rooms. Then she

would have argued very loudly until he listened. She was not going to stay in his room.

She walked into the room and waited until the door had shut with him on the other

side. Flopping onto the bed, she ran her hands over her face wearily. Why had her life

suddenly become so complicated? She wasn‟t mystified over how he knew she was

Aridi
. In animal form their senses were stronger than they were in human form. He

could have caught her scent on the slightest breeze. She didn‟t want this type of

entanglement although she knew his intentions were very likely honorable. That didn‟t

help. She didn‟t want any ties here so far from everyone and everything she knew.

* * * * *

Jarritt E‟Sain let the change roll over him as his door closed behind him. Leaving

her alone in the other room had been one of the hardest things he‟d ever done. He‟d

15

Rebecca Airies

wanted to bring her into his room and show her the truth. Every action, every step back

told him that she was resisting the pull. Denying the sexual hunger hadn‟t been as hard

as holding back his animal half‟s need to claim her and prove that her denials were

useless.

He‟d felt the draw of a possible mate before but there‟d always been something

missing. With her, he‟d had no doubts. The rush of her emotions hitting him had been

so strong and clear that he could almost read her mind. He didn‟t question it. Her looks

appealed to him, but were only part of the attraction.

The blue and green blanket on the bed large drew his eyes. She‟d look good there.

He couldn‟t wait until he could dispense with the formalities and get her into his room

where she belonged. He wanted to see her things with his in the closet and bathroom.

He‟d like to wake up beside her or even just sit and talk with her in the chairs in the

corner.

Shaking his head, he focused his thoughts. He needed to wash before he went after

some answers to the questions still plaguing him. A smile curved his lips as he thought

about her. The image of her face just after he‟d found her burst into his head.

Large gold eyes had popped wide open, seeming to dominate her oval face. Her

pink lips had dropped into a surprised „O‟. A honey-gold braid had fallen over her

shoulder as she‟d grabbed for his ruff to keep him from pressing closer to her. The end

of that braid had swung across one full mound, emphasizing the round swell of her

breasts against the tight blue material of her shirt.

At his first scent of her delicious pussy, he‟d wanted to press her to the ground and

fuck her until she couldn‟t think. The memory of the humans with her and the ones in

the city had pulled him back from his enjoyment of her curvy form. Caution, not

embarrassment, had ruled him. He wouldn‟t put her in a vulnerable position if they

were attacked. Stepping out of the spray, he glanced at the deep black tub as he ran a

thick cloth over his broad chest. He had definite plans for her and a long, uninterrupted

bath. First, he had to get some answers out of the woman. He knew almost nothing

about her and he wanted to know everything.

He dressed in a brown shirt and black pants. Stomping his feet into black boots, he

headed for the door. A smile pulled his lips upward as he thought about her reaction to

what he had to say to her. She‟d probably try to stall. She‟d balked every step of the

way and hedged her answers to each question. He‟d felt her irritation and distress. She

hadn‟t wanted anyone to even know she was
Aridi
.

Stopping in front of her door, he knocked when the door didn‟t automatically open.

He could have just opened it, but he wanted to give her a chance to cooperate. He heard

footsteps from inside the room. The door slid open and she stood to one side of it. Her

hair was still in a braid and she looked at him through narrowed gold eyes. Cautious

little cat.

“It‟s time to go talk.” He ran his eyes down her body, lingering on the sweet curves.

“And why should I go with you?” She cocked a hand on her hip and her chin rose.

16

Lisia’s Journey

“Because I‟m the
Shi’an
, Lisia, and I want my questions answered.” He took

satisfaction in her rounded eyes and her slight gasp.

Her momentary surprise didn‟t last long. Her eyes narrowed and her jaw clenched.

Anger rolled off her as well as a strong feeling he could only describe as determination.

“I don‟t feel like talking to you right now. I‟m not a member of your clan and I

don‟t have to obey your orders. Go away.” She stepped back and the door swished

closed.

His mouth tightened, but he wasn‟t angry. Her behavior did surprise him. He

hadn‟t expected her to be so blunt. Not just yet. She didn‟t even know how serious he

was yet. He‟d thought she‟d avoid a full confrontation until after he‟d revealed what he

wanted from her.

He keyed in the code on the pad at the side of the door. It swished open almost

silently. She‟d been walking across the room, but whirled around at the slight sound of

the door sliding into the wall. Those golden eyes narrowed even more and her lips