Chapter 32

Flame.

Fire.

No fury.

Burning heat that burned brighter every hour.

A real blaze started that early morning, as dark bags rimmed my eyes with exhaustion from the pleasure all night. The embers remained and I could feel it in my heart, confirmed through every orgasm shared, finger tips tracing every part of my body.

Raygar often pressed a finger to my lips in the final hours. I wasn't meant to be moaning that much. I had gone from silent lover to a budding vocal woman, consumed with heat for more of his skill.

I was hungry for it because I had never experienced something so mind blowing before.

We both showered and Raygar dragged me out naked, to show the light bruising off on my body – to which I did not find painful.

We've entered Skye's office, standing before his desk, Raygar is in his robes – looking disconnected and uninterested in me, but fully focused on Skye.

I am staring at my feet, hoping I look broken – to avoid the fact I was terrified the moment I looked up, Skye would see every stark truth hidden in my pulsing eyes.

That I just had the best sex of my life and it was the first time trying it and hopefully not the last.

Now I guess I know why Lemeri and the Helpers spoke of the act regularly around me, casually or otherwise.

However, now, was the moment of truth.

"Skye," Raygar drawls his name, as Skye ends a brief call with the Elders, "What you asked for has been completed – total obedience from the worm. I promise you. So, did you sleep well last night?"

"What do you think, I can never sleep well after war – Ruselly helped me, as she always does – good sex is the only reliable distraction after a war as bloody as that one," Skye chuckles, he seems happy enough though – but a moment later I also feel his gaze on me, as the silence of a moment feels like a tear in my chest as I piece a few things together. He fucked someone else last night? "Ryder," Skye speaks my name gently, "…look at me…"

Look at me.

Raygar said that line to me, at least four times last night – and every time was sexier than the last.

Those moments of explosive eye contact – reminded me of mere hours before.

I had never experienced so many feelings on Genesis in one night. Physically, mentally, spiritually too I guess.

I felt changed now.

I raise my eyes – and I know the lie will be there but I just have to obey and prove Raygar right.

I felt I owed him this.

Because after last night – I knew he was a friend.

And always would be.

The love he showed me in his gentle finger tips and everlasting patience, in every act, in every change, in every mistake – I would never forget Ray's handling of me.

Skye's blue eyes lock onto my brown ones, and he asks quickly, "Did you enjoy yourself?"

"Ryder is a natural whore – she rides hotter than the surface of the sun," Raygar adds in a little reference for Skye's favoured descriptions of me, "You'll be pleased with her progress."

"Then I'd like to see it," Skye, out of all the things Ray has said so far – seems to take this opportunity as a challenge, "Ryder," Skye looks at me, "Come and apologise for making a mess in my steam room," he pushes back his seat, and pats his lap.

I freeze, not 100% sure what he means, "My m-mouth?" I stutter, my voice husky.

Raygar quickly leans over to give me some advice, "Fuck him, worm," I turn to hold Ray's gaze, to read his eyes – but he looks at me without emotion, only tilting his head a tiny fraction to the side, letting me know he's not totally ice-cold. I see his eyes steady on me, a little too long, so he quickly adds, "I have a Dominion to police," Ray blinks a few times and turns, swiping his robes with him. He departs swiftly.

I stare at my feet a few more seconds, as I hear Ray leave the room – and I feel my brain start to catch up quickly with what I must enact now.

Total obedience.

Raygar did teach me that; but in a completely opposing way to what I first would have predicted.

I thought he'd be cruel, but he instead tried to show me through kindness, how submission could not only be enjoyed, but used – as distraction, a coping mechanism and… hopefully… manipulation. We both fell into a game last night that we both enjoyed – probably more than we both would have guessed.

Before Skye can scold me, I lift my head and I walk around the desk.

Without looking at his face I reach for his pants and I jerk down the metallic band, freeing his cock.

It's not hard yet – um…

So I spit on it.

I had to get it wet, that should do the trick.

As the globe of spit lands on his shaft – Skye snatches my neck and pulls my head up, "What do you think you're doing?" Skye snaps, "Spitting on me – is that what Raygar taught you?"

"Skye," I hold his wrist with one hand, "I am the doing the best I can," I add, catching his attention with a pleading whisper.

"And I know I'm being cruel but it's the only way you'll learn," Skye matches my whisper back, letting down his tough guard for a moment. He pulls my head inward and kisses me out of the blue.

One hand clenches my hip and pulls me onto his lap, where his cock is finally starting to rise.

After Skye's lips bruise mine for a few hard seconds, I gasp as he pulls back– as if restraining himself.

"Go ahead," Skye sits back, gripping the arms of his chair instead, as I look into his face and see a moment of vulnerability.

Was he nervous?

"Alpha Skye, have you ever been with a worm?" I can't help but ask a little sultry – and I ask it with a small smile, but I don't expect him to answer so seriously.

"Never have I allowed myself to fully venture outside my superior species – beyond a mouth of a slave worm. But you do work the same down below," Skye answers, while I line up on top of his cock and I slowly sit down so I'm comfortable, "And hurry up – I have to go to a meeting with the Elders in ten minutes."

I place my knees as comfortably as I can, as I press my hands on his shoulders and rise up to fall back down – attempting to find a pace. I'm a little slow, a little awkward, his cock isn't even in properly, "I'm just tired," I whisper, all while avoiding Skye's face. I stare anywhere but at his lips or eyes as I try to ride faster – but it's more difficult than it seems.

I'm not turned on enough, and every thrust is a little too tight, "Fuck," I let out a curse, as I sit up, Skye's cock has only inched in a quarter of the way – I can't make myself take the rest of him in.

"…I know you're trying – obedience is all that matters – not the success of your seduction," Skye boldly interrupts, sounding a bit more at ease as he swipes up my chin in his hand, "Like I said. I know I'm being rough on you, and expecting a lot. You need to learn quickly. You will. Next time."

"Let me try again," I reply without hesitation, hopefully so I can prove to myself I know what I'm doing.

"Obedience is all that matters," Skye repeats himself in my ear, "Get off me."

I quickly stand up and pull away, while Skye also rises, fixes his metallic pants and then pulling his robe closed.

"I'll remain in my cage," I suggest.

"No," Skye growls, turning to me slowly, "Come follow me today."

I glance up, worried.

"Yes, sir," I whisper my obedience.

"Listen and look pretty," Skye licks his lips, "Ryder Lunette. Yes, you still have a position in my army," I say nothing, I just think of Fyre and I must keep in my rage – or I will not be obedient for much longer. Skye sees my restraint and my un-comfortability, as his eyes roam over me, "I asked you to prove what Ray said – for Ray's ears. You didn't have to do a thing just now – although I enjoyed your adorable struggle. Raygar is many things, you see, but a good liar is not one of them," Skye speaks arrogantly, far more knowing than I gave him credit for. My eyes widen in a bit of a panic, as Skye blinks slow, leaning back against his desk, "My younger brother will do anything to delay and distract."

"Delay what?" I dare to ask, since Skye is the one who raised it.

"He's mission soon from Wolf Dominion – into a Rogue Master, which involves lengthy time outside of our territory, on long trips," Skye speaks boldly once more, "Still loyal, still my brother, still a bad liar – but away from here, doing what he does best. Combat. As a spy. A new year is beginning, Ryder – a new year of reign over Genesis. Mila will be away on similar missions, separate from Ray. Vastian will be in the labs – where he uses his brain for its best use… war tactics and weaponry. I will defend here and discuss with the Shades how to best rule rouge underground cities. I know you don't understand me, so I'm asking you to listen carefully today and learn."

"…you want me to… learn…" I speak carefully, "…may I ask you… Skye… why do you want me to know anything?"

Skye lets loose, "Because I know a sharp brain when I see one – and Vastian also thinks highly of your intellect, as unharnessed as it is. The key to ruling better is sight beyond the ruler – I have to acknowledge everything I assume is corrupt to some degree. I'm very smart, Ryder, but I'm not trustworthy all the time, especially when I have my fits," I open my mouth to question that, but Skye holds up a finger in the air, warning me not to interrupt, "I am about to tell you the truth. I've had fits and seizures since I was a child. I don't know how I'm still alive but every time I wake up I remember something else. Back in the Ryer Valley I seized, and I sleep walked – I was not kidnapped or abducted by another Dominion. I woke up into the middle of the sand dunes, in the middle of nowhere – a long trek to return home, but I remember something. First you must know, Zrot was killed in battle – my beast was slaughtered. And so, I think it helped me remember this fact in particular; a memory," Skye whispers the last part, thinking inward, "I don't like wolves."

Uh –

Um.

What?

"Excuse you?" I even squeak, unsure if Skye has lost his damn mind!

The Alpha of the Wolf Dominion just rejected his whole Kind in that sentence.

"It was only a feeling," Skye holds my gaze, speaking calmly, "But it wasn't quiet dislike. It was also fear. I want to ask you a question. What do you fear about Wolf Beasts?"

"That I'll be eaten?" I answer the obvious.

"What else? Because I feared I would never conquer them. Do you understand that fear?" Skye asks me this, more quietly, as he self reflects at the same time.

"No," I whisper, "I don't."

"Alpha Skye," Both Skye and I freeze as Vastian suddenly enters the room, "That's enough reminiscing about strange feelings, don't you think?" Vastian has a look of genuine worry on his face, "Do you want to see a doctor for any head trauma – are you sufficiently hydrated? Perhaps the grief of losing Zrot has disabled your intuition, your sense of danger?"

"I am changed but I am not deranged," Skye chuckles even as he faces his brother confidently, "I don't morn Zrot as deeply, as much as I loved my first, I have another beast who is loyal to me, if not bonded. Xrat is a second."

"What does that mean?" I ask, really wishing to know.

"He is bonded to you first, Ryder," Skye glances to me, "And me second – I can't switch those ties, relax. But I can borrow his mind if need be."

Phew.

I'm happy with that.

I'm okay with that.

"The Elders are waiting," Vastian reminds Skye, "You're late."

"They can wait," Skye answers patiently yet again, "Come along, Lunette."

"Yes, Alpha," I murmur and follow him, while Vastian looks at me funny.

"You're bringing the worm to this meeting? Really?" Vastian asks Skye, as they walk together and I walk behind.

"She's just a worm," Skye drawls back, "Why, are you scared of her? Are they scared of her?"

"No, but she has a mouth Skye," Vastian looks back at me.

"That's exactly why she's coming along," Skye has an ulterior motive in mind.

I don't know what he wants.

But I don't feel safe.

Although… I am intrigued.