Page 21 of Alien Warlord's Fury

My hands clutched at his shoulders, needing something solid to anchor me as the world tilted. His arm wrapped around mywaist, pulling me closer until I was practically in his lap, the heat of his body burning through my clothes.

The kiss grew more intense, his mouth moving against mine with a hunger that matched my own. I could feel his heartbeat thundering against my chest, or maybe it was mine—impossible to tell where one of us ended and the other began. The silver on my skin brightened until it was almost painful, intertwining with the golden glow of his lifelines where our bodies pressed together.

Energy crackled between us, the cave filling with our mingled light.

Then, abruptly, Nirako pulled back. His breathing was ragged, his pupils dilated until only a thin ring of gold remained. He stared at me for a moment, something unreadable in his expression.

His tail swept once across the cave floor before falling still.

"The rain," he said, his voice rougher than usual. "It's lessening."

I blinked, struggling to process the sudden shift. One moment we'd been lost in each other, the next he was talking about the weather. My lips still tingled from his kiss, my body still hummed with the energy of our connection.

"What?" I managed, my voice embarrassingly breathless.

"We should prepare to move." He gently but firmly set me aside, creating space between us. "The sooner we reach Hammond's compound, the sooner we can free the children."

The abrupt change left me reeling. Had I misread everything? Had the kiss meant nothing to him?

But no—I'd felt his desire through our bond. It had been as real and powerful as my own.

"Right," I said, trying to match his sudden practicality. "The children."

I moved to the cave entrance, needing distance to clear my head. The acid rain had indeed slowed to a light drizzle, barely enough to be dangerous anymore. Soon we'd be able to continue our journey.

Behind me, I heard Nirako gathering our supplies, the soft sounds of him checking weapons and packing gear. I took a steadying breath, trying to center myself. The kiss had been incredible—earth-shattering, even—but maybe he was right to refocus us.

We had a task, one that couldn't wait for us to figure out whatever was happening between us. Children were suffering while we... what? Explored this bond?

Gave in to desire? I wasn't even sure what I wanted from him beyond the immediate physical connection.

"Your pack." His voice came from directly behind me, making me jump. I hadn't heard him approach—he moved like a shadow when he wanted to.

I turned and faced him, accepting the pack he held out. Our fingers brushed during the exchange, and even that slight contact sent a shiver through me. His eyes darkened momentarily before he looked away, focusing on adjusting his own gear.

"We should reach the edge of Hammond's territory by nightfall if we maintain a steady pace," he said, all business now. "The compound itself will be heavily guarded."

"I know," I replied, slinging my pack over my shoulder. "I've been there before, remember?"

His jaw tightened slightly. "I remember." Of course he did. He'd seen my memories of that place through our bond—the experiments, the pain, the children screaming.

"We'll need a plan to get inside," I continued, falling into the practical discussion with relief. This was easier than addressingwhat had just happened between us. "The main entrance is always watched, but there's a service tunnel that?—"

"We'll discuss approach strategies when we're closer," he interrupted. "For now, we need to focus on reaching the area undetected."

I nodded, swallowing the retort that rose to my lips. He was right, even if his dismissal stung.

The rain had stopped completely now, leaving behind the sharp, chemical smell that always lingered after acid storms. Nirako moved to the cave entrance, scanning the forest beyond with narrowed eyes.

"Stay close," he instructed. "The ground will be unstable after the rain."

I followed him out of the cave, blinking in the sudden brightness. The forest looked different in the aftermath of the storm—leaves glistened with deadly droplets, and small wisps of steam rose where the acid had eaten into the vegetation. The path ahead would be treacherous.

Nirako moved with confidence, testing each step before committing his weight. I mimicked his movements, grateful for his experience even as my mind kept circling back to the kiss we'd shared. Had it meant anything to him?

Or was it just a momentary weakness, something he already regretted? The thought sent an unexpected pang through my chest.

We traveled in silence for nearly an hour, picking our way through the hazardous terrain. The tension between us was palpable, a living thing that made each step feel heavier than the last.

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