The Viper's bite

Chapter 9


Se’tra turned down the hall and began walking away from Ky’an’s door. Schemes and plots of harm ran through her mind as she turned down the hallway towards her room. He could not forget her so quickly; she would not let him.


“What harm are you planning in that head of yours Se’tra?”


Leaning against her door was the other Hunter that frequented the ship named Saks. He was smaller than Ky’an was and less subdued. They were friendly towards each other and traded off missions so each could have some down time. Saks always took pity on those bullied by others. He would see her as such if she could convey this feeling to him. Se’tra stared up into the dark brown eyes of her ray of hope.


“Why do you think I am planning harm Saks? I am not the one trying to cause hurt towards another.”


Saks chuckled and began looking at his claws. “Se’tra I know that you are horribly jealous of Ky’an’s mate Paula. It is all anyone talks about now. Well that and how much mating Ky’an is doing with her.”


“They are not mating.” He could hear the anger in her voice and smiled even wider.


“You know Ky’an better than anyone Se’tra. He gets what he wants and often. Paula will know that if not now, soon.”


She tried to push him away from her door. Saks growled at her but moved out of her way.

“You will never have him back Se’tra. You walked away from him remember. Ky’an never forgets.”


Se’tra smiled as she faced him. “Then he will never forget our time together.”


"If you say so Se’tra then I guess it is true.” Saks turned and walked away from her.


“Why are you here?”


Saks faced her. “Jake’her has returned and they are planning a feast for him.” He waved his hands in the air and rolled his eyes knowing the Elder was upset already about being around his clan, well some of them, most of them.


Se’tra knew she was not invited. Jake’her would never invite her for angering his precious Viper and trying to ruin his friendship with Grails. Olia already left ship because of her constant threats towards Se’tra were becoming physical. Her decision to leave Ky’an and be with a male that was more powerful was not the correct one she was starting to realize. She missed the endless nights with the Viper though they were few due to his constant defense of the clan. Se’tra would never forget them and she would make sure Paula never had them. Paula was not worthy of Ky’an. No one was worthy of him.


Saks noticed her faraway look and knew she was thinking of Ky’an. She still wanted him.


“I hear that Grails will attend with someone other than you.”


His words were enough to snap her out of her daydream and to the matter at hand.“Do you really think so?”


Saks narrowed his eyes. “Jake’her has requested it and you do not question the Elder.”


She knew when to remain silent. Saks maybe carefree but there was a point when his softness would end. Challenging Jake’her was a sure way to bring pain into one’s life. Saks turned and continued down the hall. Se’tra walked into her room and immediately rang Rah’fi’s room.

“Se’tra what do you want?”


“You need someone to go with you to your father’s feast and I am available.”


Rah’fi chuckled. “I hear”


Se’tra growled at his picture on the monitor. “I know Penia is visiting her Uncle and you should not be alone.”


“You just want to keep yourself in Ky’an’s thoughts seeing that all of his thoughts are of Paula.”


He heard her roaring curses directed at him and everyone else who continued to use the Ooman’s name as if she was welcomed here. Rah’fi chuckled at her anger.


“Even though I know Penia will be furious with you for attending this with me; I will go just to see Ky’an’s face when he sees you with me.”


Se’tra calmed and moved her hair from her eyes. “Good I will see you soon.”

She backed away from him as he approached her with a slow seductive walk. His grey eyes surveyed her body as if she were naked or was soon to be. Something primal invaded her body and begged her to tell him to take what he wanted. Paula whimpered as she moved back from him unable to take her eyes from his. He reached out his hand and moved the hair from her eyes to see her rising desire as he closed the distance between them.


“I told you never to open my door.”


“Sorry,” Her voice was breathy and soft.


“Paula you could get hurt and I would not like that.”

Her back touched the wall and his chest crushed into hers as he bent his knees and lifted her from the floor forcing her to hug his sides with her thighs. Her nails dug into his shoulders when the huge bulge of hard flesh beneath his loincloth began to grind into the wetness between her thighs.


“No I would not like that if you were hurt Paula.” His voice was deep in her ear. He moved against her again, placing the back of her knees over the crook of his arms, and placing the palms of his hands on the wall on either side of her waist.


She trembled and moaned when he moved hard against a certain spot. Ky’an released one of her legs and undid his loincloth. Paula let a cry of shock and fear fill the room. She looked away from the thickening flesh he thought would fit into her body. He reached down and ripped away the barrier of material keeping him from touching the wetness he could smell. He growled into her ear and then bit her neck. Her head pressed hard into the wall as she arched her neck and let cries of pleasure match the white-hot, prickling heat consuming her body and causing even more moisture to fall from her womb to the lips of her sex. He heard mentions of god and his name come screaming from her mouth as he continued rubbing his flesh against her.


Ford ran into his quarters startling Car’mek and Han’ni who were planning what Paula would wear to the feast tonight.


“Ford wha…..”


“San’i was not on the shuttle home. He switched places with one of his clan and is on the ship.”


He began ringing Ky’an’s room but received no answer. He turned to Han’ni.


“Keep trying to raise him I am meeting Grails and Saks at the room.” Ford ran out as Han’ni and Car’mek walked over to do as Ford said.


Her nails dug into the skin on his shoulders as he gripped her waist with his hands and held her still. At the first contact of the wide head of his hard flesh and her small, wet entrance he felt her tense and gasp. His eyes went to her face and saw her eyes squeezed shut and her body stiff anticipating pain. A noise at the door took his attention immediately from her and towards it. No one lingered at his door.

Paula felt him slowly set her feet on the floor and hold her up with one hand as he grabbed his loincloth. He steadied her against the wall and then retied the cloth. Smoke began to fill the room and the door slid open. Paula wanted to run into the other room.


“Stay there”


San’i and some of his clan walked into the room with weapons.


“You should have gone home San’i.”


“Not without giving her a parting gift Ky’an.”

Paula could barely see his bruised face in the smoke but she could hear the sounds of breaking bones as those with him engaged Ky’an. Two fell to the floor and did not move again. The other three ran out of the room seeing their clan members dead on the floor. San’i tried to run but Ky’an grabbed him.

The smoke cleared as Paula witnessed the deathblow given by Ky’an; a blow to San’i’s neck and the Yautja fell to the floor lifeless. She then noticed his eyes on her and he began walking towards her.


“Are you alright?”


Paula nodded. “Yes”


His touch was gentle. The hands that could kill at a moments notice held her face with the most delicate of touches. Paula stared up into his eyes seeing something different in them. He shielded the bodies from her sight as he lowered his lips to hers for the softest and sweetest of kisses. She held onto him knowing that if he let her go she would melt through the floor.

Grails, Saks, and Ford ran into the room as Ky’an slowly pulled his lips from hers.


“Stay here”


He turned away from her as Ford and Saks began removing the bodies from his room.

“Why does he wish to meet me?”


Ky’an watched her drying her body after the long bath spent holding her most of the time. He would never hold Se’tra just to have contact with her. He wanted to touch Paula all the time. He craved it. He needed it. He wanted her to want him to touch her.

What was he thinking as he watched her? Was he comparing her to Se’tra? Was she lacking? Why did she care? Paula reached for the white top still holding the towel to her body. He moved towards her.


“Jake’her wishes to see what has captured his Viper’s attention.”


Paula stared up at him. “I have only been here for a few days.”


“You trust me and that is everything to me Paula.”


Paula dropped the towel and turned to put on the top with her back to him. She quickly grabbed the bottoms knowing he was watching her. Why was she so nervous? Maybe she had that Stockholm syndrome where the captive falls in love with her captor. Maybe but once she met Se’tra she decided to help anyway she could. She did not care for him. She did not.

Paula slowly pulled up the long white skirt that hugged her hips. His hands rested on her hips.


“You want me.”


Paula trembled and closed her eyes. “I ...”


He turned her around. “Tell me you do not care for me Paula.”


“I do not want to see you hurt or sad but that does no….I mean… Ky’an.”


His pulled her hard into his solid white vest that covered his chest. His right hand traveled up into her wet hair holding her head still as he feasted on her lips greedily. Her arms slowly surrounded his neck and the kiss became a fight for supremacy when Paula began kissing him back. She suddenly found herself on the bed looking up at him.


“I will have you tonight Paula. I will know your moans, your screams, your taste, and your tears. I will have all of you, all of this Paula.” His hands roamed over her body with strength causing her to arch towards him and whimper.


“Ky’an …..”


His kiss silenced her moan as his hands found their way into her skirt.

Se’tra stared at the two of them sitting on Jake’her’s left, as was Ky’an’s place right beside Jake’her and Grails next to him. They and their mates were the only ones permitted to sit when the Elder sat. Then with a nod from Jake’her, the others took their seats at the table. She used to sit there beside Ky’an but she never realized how powerful he was until now. Rah’fi was so far down from his father if one did not know his father was Elder he would be over looked. Se’tra even noticed how beautiful Paula was. They had brushed her hair straight and it hung well past her shoulders framing her breasts that Ky’an purposely blocked from other’s view. They were for his viewing pleasure only. He took his time sampling strands of her hair between his fingers marveling at its thickness. He was touching her much too gently to be pretend. He was purring much too softly and deep to be fake. Se’tra’s heart began to beat faster seeing him smile at her and whisper in her ear.

The food came to the table as soon as everyone sat and soft music began. Jake’her was in a good mood so far. Even though his son and Se’tra showed, they could not dampen his happiness with Ky’an and Paula beside him. Jake’her smiled when he heard Ky’an purring at Paula and touching the soft brown skin on her arm with care. Paula softly touched his muscled chest feeling the muscles twitch under her touch. His Viper never showed such affection in public before; then again, his Viper was never in love with anything before.

Rah’fi leaned over to Se’tra while drinking his cup. “He is not looking your way Se’tra. He seems to be figuring out how fast he can get the clothing from her beautiful body.”


Se’tra growled at him.

Jake’her continued to smile at Ky’an and Paula. “It is good to see you so happy Ky’an it makes my heart warm.”


Ky’an touched Paula’s cheek before facing the Elder. “It is a good thing.”


There was grunting around the table. Paula smiled at those raising their drinks to her.


“I remember another time you were happy Ky’an.”


The Viper looked down the table at Se’tra. She smiled at him in the white. He was magnificent. He would always wear that damn Hunter’s vest when he was with her. How could she make him dress otherwise?


“You still love the planet Grent as I recall.”


“Are you speaking that fight for your honor?” A Yautja down the table yelled out.


Paula looked at the Yautja around the table laughing and speaking with Se’tra about the fight. She laughed loud and long at all the attention she received.


“Ky’an how many were after her?”


Ky’an picked up his drink and began drinking totally ignoring the question.


“He said there were many but that he would keep me safe.”


Paula looked over at Se’tra as she spoke. “Does that sound familiar Paula? Is he keeping you safe?”


“Why don’t you ask San’i that question?” Ky’an answered setting down his drink and not looking at Se’tra.


Se’tra glared at him. “You fought many for me I am better but not all your judgments are good.”


Paula frowned at her words as she picked up some fruit. Whatever she was trying to do, she was not going to let her do it. Females like her always went down hard, always.


“Our long and beautiful culture would be lost on this Ooman Ky’an. She knows nothing about our clan. What could she teach us, what could she teach you? We know each other Ky’an and we are good together. You remember that I know you do.”


Those at the table were silent more afraid of what Jake’her would do at that moment seeing his smile fading away.Ky’an said nothing and he continued eating.


Se’tra smiled and picked up her cup.“It is hard to compete with history Paula.”


Paula smiled and looked down the table at Se'tra.“That would depend on what kind of history it was Se’tra.”


Every face turned towards Se’tra to see her reaction to the words of Ky’an’s mate.Se’tra could feel heat coming to her face as anger filled her body when Saks began laughing.

Jake’her growled and there was silence around the table. “I do not wish to hear anymore talk about you and Ky’an; that nightmare is dead. That talk makes me unhappy and bad things happen when I am unhappy.”


Jake’her slammed down his fist on the table.


“Elder I have planned a short dance for you with the mates of the crew.” The lone female who was part of the committee that planned this celebration stood at the end of the table trembling with fear as Jake’her glared at her.

What was going on? Paula looked around the table seeing the females getting up and leaving. No one asked her if she wanted to dance. What did they assume because she was with Ky’an she would dance for him? She heard him purring first then felt his lips by her ear. Paula closed her eyes and let his purr and his words vibrate through her body.


“Dance for me and I will carry that rhythm through the night tonight until your senses ache, until you ache because of me inside of you.”


Se’tra watched them from her seat. Ky’an slowly ran his hands through Paula’s hair and let it fall down around her shoulders. She watched him kiss her gently as if she would break.What was he thinking? Was he thinking he was in love with Paula,an Ooman? Paula slowly got up from the table looking at Ky’an and walked over to Mya and Car’mek who waited for her. Ky’an and the others watched them walk away until they disappeared through the door.


Jake’her smiled and sat back. “I like her.”


“I did not hear a growl.” Grails said setting down his cup.The two bodyguards and the males left at the table chuckled.


Jake’her leaned closer to Ky’an. “Planning on much damage are we?”


Ky’an chuckled. “Your ears still work.”


Grails and Saks chuckled. Dev’er grunted. “He moved his chair closer so he could hear you.”


Jake’her growled at Dev’er sitting to his right. “I did not… anyway Ky’an I can see that she is full of spirit.”

His smile returned as big as ever.


“Yes elder she is full of spirit but soon she will be full of Ky’an.” Saks announced and chuckling and grunting filled the room.


The Viper smiled.

Se’tra had heard enough. She could not let this continue or she would lose him.A hand reached out and grabbed her as she stood.


“Where are you going?”


“I can be alone for some duties Rah’fi.”


She pulled away from him and walked down the hallway trailing Mya, Paula, and Car’mek.


~*~

“Han’ni will be laughing for weeks about this feast.”


“Why isn’t she dancing?” Paula asked not seeing her stand.


“Phi wants her to be careful, she lost their first child; this is their second attempt.”

They walked by a huge block of stone with downward spikes. It had to weigh over seven hundred pounds and stand ten feet tall. It attached to the wall with four metal cables.

“What is that?”


“A sculpture made for Jake’her by the children.”


“Does he like it?”


Mya began laughing. “He has been trying to knock it down for three months.”


Se’tra ducked into the hallway as they turned into the changing room. She looked at the sculpture with evil intent on her mind. She knew it would take Paula longer to find a costume because she was shorter and smaller. She would be alone walking back towards the hall.

~*~


“Ky’an can Paula dance?” Saks held the wagers for the males on the best dancer.


Ky’an stood in front of the crowding males to see the dancing. He smiled. “This is a different culture for her but I know she moves well.”


Saks grunted and changed his bet.


Grails looked over at Ky’an. “Mya moves well.”


Ky’an grunted at him and Grails chuckled.

Paula patiently waited for the female to mend the beautiful gown with the mutli-colored sheers. She was the only one left and told the others to start without her and received laughter from them as they ran out. She knew they would wait.


Se’tra could not cut the four cables holding the massive stone in place but she could dig the bottom one out of the wall causing it to tip and slam the spike into Paula as she walked by. She knew the Elder tried various methods to displace the stone and failed. Se’tra had revenge and jealousy driving her to see this task finished. She worked faster with the blade hearing Paula come out of the room and turn down the hall.

The females ran back into the hall smiling and laughing at their mates acting as if they were some other female. Ky’an looked for Paula among them as various colors swirled in the middle of the gathered males. Jake’her moved beside Ky’an.


“Where is she?”

Se’tra walked quickly towards the hall after hearing Paula cry out with pain as the seven hundred pound stone crashed into her. Se’tra pushed the doors open and walked into the hall with a smile on her face that Ky’an saw and ignored.


Paula leaned against the wall clutching her right side in pain. The wall broke the spike as it swung towards her. As it scraped down the wall it lost speed but there was still enough force to knock Paula to the floor. She closed her eyes, fought back her tears, and tried to regain her breathing.


Ky’an began looking around the room for Paula thinking she tried to escape the dancing. His instincts told him something was not right. The Viper began to move through the females with a growl that left no doubt he was not in a festive mood. Some of the other males and Jake’her began to follow him. Ky’an reached the doors as Paula walked inside.


She looked up at his angry face and smiled. “Were you coming to get me?”


His anger dissipated when she smiled up at him so sweetly. “I was coming to get you.”


He gently moved the hair from her beautiful face.Paula lost strength in her legs and fell forward into his arms with a cry of pain.


She held the soft sheet to her breasts sitting on the edge of the table waiting for Ky’an to apply the salve to the ugly bruise that hurt so bad.


“This will make pain go away and help you sleep.” His voice was quiet as he began gently applying the warm medicine. He felt her trembling and began purring to calm her. That was when something fell onto his hands. Moisture began to fall in huge drops onto the skin of his hands. He looked up at Paula’s turned down head. He gently lifted her chin and all he could hear was his heartbeat beginning to speed up as more tears ran down her face.

Uncontrollable rage filled his body and his muscles began to tighten. His breathing became deeper, heavier. His mind began to process the scene from the feast as he would if he were looking for a Bad blood and it locked on Se’tra and that smile he knew but ignored.


“Phi” The healer came over, saw the tears on Paula’s face, and took the container that Ky’an gave him. He knew the Hunter was going on the hunt as he walked from the Medical bay.


Grails, Saks, and Ford surveyed the damaged done by the stone trying to find out what happened to make it fall. Grails looked around the back of the sculpture where the cables attached to the wall. He saw one was out but that did not surprise him, it was his blade lying on the floor. He roared and began running down the hall. Saks and Ford were on his heels.

“Ford get Dev’er and Rah’fi and meet me at Se’tra’s room.” Ford turned left down the hall towards Dev’er’s room. Grails and Saks continued on knowing Ky’an would already be there.

Se’tra walked back to her room amidst talk about Ky’an’s mate injuries. She was angry Paula was not dead. That blow should have killed her. What did she have to do hire someone? Se’tra let a small smile cross her lips hidden underneath her mandibles as she slipped into her room and locked the door. She began to let her hair down and go over possible candidates for carrying out the murder.

Something crashed into her door hard enough to cause a dent. She backed away.


“Open this door now.” The growl was angry, very angry.


“What do you want?” She screamed back at Ky’an looking for somewhere to hide. She had nowhere to run.


He ran into the door again bending the ten-inch metal as if it were not there. His hand slipped inside and he opened the door. Se’tra began screaming as Ky’an stalked inside the room with deadly purpose. He grabbed her by the hair and threw her into the wall. She slammed face first and fell to the ground. He growled and advanced towards her struggling body trying to stand. Saks and Grails ran inside and tried to knock him off course. Ky’an threw Saks off and slammed Grails into the wall; and then reached for Se’tra again getting his hand around her neck and squeezing. Dev’er, Ford, and Rah’fi ran in as Se’tra began gagging. He wanted her to suffer.

Dev’er and Ford began prying his hand away from Se’tra’s throat and she fell to the floor in the fetal position couching and trying to breathe at the same time. Ky’an began to move towards her despite the combined strength of Dev’er and Ford trying to stop him. Rah’fi began punching him in the kidneys causing Ky’an to straighten and roar with pain.Dev’er growled and elbowed the Elder’s son in the face knocking him to the floor. He released Ky’an, gripped Rah’fi by the neck, and just as quickly let him go.


“You are not worth my time.”

The words of Dev’er penetrated the thudding sound of Ky’an’s heartbeat that filled his ears and he began to think clearly since the medical bay. He stopped fighting. Grails and Ford released him. Se’tra slid back against the wall covering her face with her hands.



“Why am I wasting my time on you?” Se’tra did not raise her eyes to look at him. Ky’an walked from the room causing the onlookers outside to scatter from his path.

~*~


Paula was aware that Ky’an carried her back to their room and that he undressed her carefully because even if she were hurt she would still lay naked beside him. He laid her gently on her left side in the bed, removed his clothing, and returned to her. He moved close to her, sliding down in the bed so that their foreheads touched as well as their bodies. He pulled the blankets over them and rested his hand on her thigh on top of the blanket.Ky’an closed his eyes and listened to her breathing softly.


“I heard roaring.”


She kept her eyes closed only having enough strength to speak these words to him. She felt him move even closer and slide down until his lips were at her neck.


“It is over now.”


Paula laid her cheek against his hair and interlaced her fingers with his that rested on her thigh. She drifted into sleep to the sounds of his soft purring.


~*~