Page 37 of Primal Call

Zee nudged her snout underneath Jasper's hand, interrupting his moment of contemplation. He sighed, but started to scratch behind her ears. "You're spoiled," he muttered.

She let out a contented huff.

Jasper was getting used to the sight of Vasz.

He was also getting used to something else…

A shadow fell over him, blocking out the light of the rising sun. Jasper looked up, and was greeted by the sight of a very large, very horned man.

"Morning," Kyral said. He had a pack slung over his shoulder, and in his other hand, he held out a ration pack. "Here."

Jasper took it. The packs were small, but they were dense with nutrients. As he unzipped it and began to eat, he was greeted by the unmistakable smell of roasted meat. "A carnivore one, again?"

Kyral was already sitting down and unwrapping his own pack. He let out a rumble of amusement. "It's good for you. Probably."

Jasper sighed. Still, even with the taste of overly salty and intensely flavored meat on his tongue, there was something undeniably pleasant about the morning. The two of them sitting side by side, breaking their fast together, the warmth of the rising sun, the sound of a contented alien beast at his side...

Jasper's mind kept drifting back to last night. The memory of Kyral's touch lingered on his skin, a warm ghost that refused to leave. He felt his face heat up just thinking about it.

It had been good — really good. Kyral's strength, his warmth, the way he had moved... It was all so different from anything Jasper had ever experienced. And the fact that it was with a Borraq? That only made it more confusing.

Jasper was trained to fight Borraq, not to fuck them.

The thought made him flush deeper in embarrassment. He'd never thought these desires of his would ever be real, always keeping them buried deep within himself. Now they were out in the open, making him feel exposed and vulnerable.

He couldn't help but glance over at Kyral. The Borraq was moving with practiced efficiency, packing up their gear and checking their surroundings for any signs of danger. Jasper's eyes traced the contours of Kyral's muscular frame, the golden skin taut over powerful muscles, the curve of his horns catching the morning light just so.

Even now, Jasper could feel an unspoken longing pulling at him, a desire for more than just physical closeness.

But he didn't dare voice it.

Kyral glanced back at him then, catching Jasper in the act of staring. Jasper quickly looked away, his heart pounding. He hoped Kyral hadn't noticed the way his gaze lingered.

But Kyral didn't say anything about it. Instead, a small smile played around his eyes before he turned back to his tasks—

Kyral winced, a low growl escaping his throat. The sudden wave of pain made him stagger.

Jasper was by his side in an instant. "Here." He guided Kyral to sit on a nearby rock. His hands moved with practiced ease, familiarity born from days of tending to this pain.

Kyral's muscles were tense, every line of his body taut with the effort to contain the agony. Jasper's fingers traced the tense muscles, his touch gentle but firm. "Relax," he murmured, "I've got you."

Kyral's eyes met Jasper's, and for a moment, they held each other's gaze. Trust and vulnerability passed between them unspoken. Then Kyral closed his eyes and exhaled, allowing Jasper to work.

Jasper’s hands moved in slow, deliberate motions, kneading the tight knots of muscle around the damage. He had learned where to press, how much pressure to apply, to begin to settle the screaming of Kyral's nerves. The alien's anatomy was different, but not so much that he couldn’t find the right spots.

Soon he felt Kyral’s body respond beneath his touch, muscles gradually unclenching. The sight made something warm bloom inside his chest. "It's okay," Jasper said quietly, more to himself than anyone else. His fingers worked deftly over Kyral's golden skin, each touch a promise of relief.

Kyral's breathing slowed as the pain began to ebb away under Jasper’s skilled hands. "It used to take an hour for this to stop," Kyral muttered, a hint of awe in his voice. "But with you... it's like magic."

Jasper flushed at the compliment. "I'm just doing what I can," he said, feeling strangely emboldened by this big scary alien warrior trusting him so completely.

Kyral opened his eyes and looked at him with gratitude. "Thank you."

Jasper nodded, trying to hide the warmth spreading through him at those words. "Remember," he said firmly, "massages are one thing, but you still need proper treatment. This gene wound... it’s only going to get worse."

"I know," Kyral replied, his voice tinged with frustration and urgency. "That's why I need to find this treasure — fast. Before Skarn finds it instead."

Kyral's gaze shifted to Jasper, his eyes intense and unwavering. "And the sooner we find the treasure, the sooner you can get your share and leave for a safer planet."

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