"We're headed there." Omen pointed ahead and spoke directly into my ear. "La Lei Rumoi."

  My eyelids hooded at the feel of his mouth against the shell of my ear. My toes curled inside my shoes and I bit the inside of my cheek to keep myself from sighing.

  I followed where he pointed, seeing the maze of sandbars that snaked around the mass of land like white veins in the aqua waters.

  The small island rose up out of the crystalline sea. Nestled in between giant, colorful trees and flowering vines were squared, sienna-colored structures with rooftop terraces that overlooked the surrounding ocean.

  Winding cobblestone streets zigzagged across the hillside, connecting one property to the next. As we flew closer, I spotted residents in loose-fitting robes that billowed around them with the salty breeze, as if setting the perfect scene for a tranquil getaway destination on a TV commercial.

  I suddenly wanted to lay out on one of those loungers and sip fruity cocktails all day.

  We landed smoothly on the beach and Omen unbuckled the straps holding us to the saddle.

  In a few maneuvers, my feet landed on the plush white sand, the air whipping around me and carrying the scent of exotic flowers in bloom and fresh, healthy greenery.

  "So," Omen drawled, tossing our bag over his shoulder after passing the reins off to another handler. "Remind me again of what couples do on a honeymoon?"

  When I glanced up at him, a knowing, cocky grin slanted his mouth. That alone told me he remembered exactly what I revealed to him about honeymoons.

  "Well," I feigned innocence, "they explore the local sights, meet new people, and have adventures."

  He canted his head, his ear flicking. "Is that all?"

  This cheeky bastard.

  "Yes," I lied.

  "You're sure?"

  "Positive."

  His white, button-down shirt rippled with the breeze when his hand captured mine. We headed for the stone steps leading off the beach and up into the quiet town.

  "I seem to recall one other thing couples do on a honeymoon..."

  I looked away attempting to hide the damn smile that I couldn’t suppress as it broke free.

  "Oh?" I eventually said.

  "Oh yes..." The low resonance in his voice, indecently filled with innuendo, sent my lower half into a tailspin.

  Were we supposed to be exploring the island, delighting in local cuisines and engaging in unique activities?

  Probably.

  Did we?

  Define unique activities...

  Because as soon as we reached our little square villa, Omen cornered me. Backed me up against the big, luxurious bed and tugged off all of our clothes in the slowest way possible.

  He explored my body in a way no other ever had. With new eyes, a deep curiosity, and an insatiable appetite for every part of me.

  I committed this to memory. The way he worshiped my body, held me close, dove into me the way gentle waves might roll against the shore.

  He was in no rush to get us to the finish line. We weren't in a speeding transport, late to an event, and no one was expecting us.

  This was the only place we were meant to be right now.

  I savored it.

  19

  OMEN

  "You live with two rodents?" My brow creased in confusion when Birdie thrust her com in my face to show me a picture of two extremely bug-eyed mammals in knitted sweaters.

  She slapped my arm and sucked her teeth as we lay there in bed. "Bill and Ted aren't rodents! They're my fur babies."

  She was tucked into my side, head on my chest while I lazily dragged the tips of my claws up and down her arm. Her skin sprouted little bumps whenever I did that and, for some reason, I enjoyed watching them form and the subsequent shiver Birdie always gave up.

  A soft gust of air blew in through the open terrace doors. We could see the glow of the pale blue moon stretching over the ocean just outside.

  The white sheet barely covered our nakedness, exactly how it should be. It was my new mission to keep every shred of clothing off Birdie as often as possible. Preferably on this island. Right within arms reach.

  "Can I ask a personal question?" she cautiously inquired.

  I grunted.

  "Why don't you and your father get along?"

  My first instinct was to tense up with the unwelcome mention of Rexer, but I forced myself to remain relaxed.

  "He saw a different path for me." My explanation summed it up as simply as possible. "Noda isn't a legitimate career in his eyes. And since I'm his only offspring..."

  "You're doing what you love." Birdie's fingers stroked their way through my chest fur. "He should be happy for you."

  My claws dragged through Birdie's hair, a small smile curving my mouth at how she viewed our exchange with uncomplicated clarity. "I'll be sure to tell him that next time I see him."

  "You better."

  Talking to Birdie was easy. She created a safe environment to open up. She pulled strands of my hidden thoughts about subjects I didn't discuss with anyone, especially if it involved Rexer.

  That thread at my core, the one she effortlessly plucked, was stronger now. I could feel Birdie invading my mind and soul with every sound she made, every unrestrained laugh, and each touch.

  Udonie.

  There was no doubt within me. Not any longer.

  "That's so strange," she whispered, listening intently while she pressed her ear to my chest. "Your heartbeat sounds... out of sync."

  "I have two hearts."

  She pulled back to glance up at me, curiosity lodged between her eyes before pressing her ear back to my chest. "Really?"

  A lock of her long hair drifted over her shoulder and I captured it, curling it around my index finger. "Really."

  "Do you need both of them or can you survive with only one?"

  My eyes narrowed, a hint of challenge in my tone when I asked, "Are you planning to steal one?"

  She patted my chest with her small human hand. "They're safe right where they are."

  "Good, since I do need both to survive."

  "Darn." She exhaled a disappointed sigh. "There goes my chance to sell a verkonie heart on the black market."

  I tugged on the lock of her hair wrapped around my finger. She had the strangest sense of humor sometimes.

  I could pinpoint the exact moment the effects of the ta-tek fruit kicked in. Birdie's eyes dilated, her hands brushed over my fur like it was the most interesting texture she'd ever touched.

  "Whoa..." Her lips O'd as she glanced all around us. "Why are all the colors brighter right now?"

  "That's the ta-tek."

  "Special powers," she whispered.

  "What?"

  "The vendor," she explained, holding out her hand and repeatedly curling and straightening her fingers. "He said ta-tek had special powers."

  My keen vision sharply enhanced and Birdie's hair suddenly had a dizzying amount of shades. From honey colored strands all the way to the darkest brown of expensive brisik ore.

  "Are we high right now?"

  "No." I grinned. "Ta-tek only alters your vision, allowing you to see a broader spectrum of color. Doesn't affect cognitive ability."

  Her gaze fell on me then, her hazel irises bursting with even more pigment than I naturally saw.

  "Your fur!" She gasped, sitting up and driving her fingers through my chest pelt. "I didn't know there were so many shades of purple."

  A low, appreciative grumble vibrated in my throat at the feel of her hands running against me. It wasn't long before the sheet was tenting over my lap.

  It only took her a few seconds to notice. The way her eyelids hooded and her nimble digits danced over my stomach, my abdomen, and pulled the sheet away...

  Fuck.

  I was hard enough to ram through a brick wall, never mind after she straddled my legs and teased her fingertips against the underside, from base to tip.

  My eyes rolled into the back of my skull and I had to shake myself, refocus, and refrain from grabbing her, dragging her onto my cock, and yanking her down on top of it.

  My urie extended, caressing her hand with a need she seemed to understand since she wrapped around me—as best she could, anyway—and stroked with an agonizing slowness.

  When she took me into her mouth?

  Fucking hell...

  Her beautifully silky lips stretched around me, the moan she let loose vibrating down my length. I felt it all the way to my balls.

  Every lick and swirl of her tongue ignited a wildfire that slid under my skin and intensified until I wanted to howl.

  Her eyes widened when she lifted off just enough to declare, "You taste like tangerines," before she latched back on with renewed enthusiasm.

  I didn't know what tangerines were, but I didn't care so long as it made her suck me like that.

  Her cheeks hollowed, creating a vacuum of sensation that pulled a growl from me.

  I reached down, slipping my claws through her wavy tresses, keeping them out of the way so I could have an unobstructed view.

  My groans mingled with the wet suckling sounds filling the room aroused me beyond measure and threatened to drive me into oblivion.

  The tentacles of my urie swelled and elongated, an extension of my will. They slid against her jaw, her throat, caressing her cheek with a hunger I wasn't sure I could control much longer.

  My cock popped free of her mouth, her hand working me. When a curious tentacle slid against her glistening mouth, her pink tongue darted out and lashed it, as if to say hi.

  The lewdness elicited a bone-deep, uncontrollable shudder.

  A verkonie female would never...

  It was vulgar, unusual, and... fucking exquisite.

  I couldn't stop myself when that same tentacle dove into her mouth, slid against her tongue, and twirled, stretched, and swelled.

  "Birdie," I moaned, my head dropping back against the pillow as a wave of heat crashed into me before I forced myself to open my eyes and eagerly watch every moment of this scene unfold.

  She hummed, recognizing the desperation in my tone, witnessing the fascination in my gaze. A flirtatious glint entered her eyes and she put on a show.

  Her hand, still stroking my cock, tilted it to the side so I could get an unimpeded view of her sucking my urie into her mouth with seductive ease.

  It grew, expanding to a size it'd never gotten before, filling her mouth just as good as my cock could.

  Six devils, she was amazing.

  My fangs thrummed, my gums feeling tender, my base temperature rising.

  Udonie fever.

  My body primed with the anticipation of piercing skin. All I wanted to do was fucking sink my teeth into supple flesh.

  Birdie's supple flesh.

  Frustration boiled in my veins, causing my teeth to gnash as a snarl ripped from me.

  That desire could fuck off right now.

  Her pulse raced, her eyes darted to mine, and her jaw slackened, allowing my urie to thrust and twist with wild abandon.

  My voice was thick, scraping the bottom of my vocal chords to muster sound when I grunted, "Enough."

  In two seconds, Birdie was under me, my mouth traveling down her body. My need to bury myself in her depths was staggering but I wanted to taste her, feel her slick against my tongue, her thighs against my face.

  "Yes, Sir," she playfully purred, her giggle turning into a raw moan when I gripped her thighs, draping her legs over my shoulders so I could have unfettered access to her pussy.

  That's what she called it. Pussy.

  I decided I liked this word.

  As I'd warned her from the beginning, my people didn't kiss on the mouth. Though after experiencing her human version, I wanted both in my life.

  Greedy fucker, at your service.

  Her nipples were tight, bronzed beads, a pair of beacons pointing skyward on the globes of her breasts which rippled with each shiver that quaked through her when my lips tugged at her clit.

  "Omen!"

  My hackles lifted with the unchecked flush of arousal that zipped through me when she cried my name.

  I flattened a palm over her abdomen as it dipped and quivered with every lash and flutter of my tongue. I buried my face against her wet, puffy lips, the plush feel of them addictive.

  Her scent called to every fucking instinct inside me that wanted to lay claim, ruin Birdie for anyone else, and possess her in every damn way possible.

  My long tongue explored her opening, the core source of her unique fragrance. I teased, licking the soft entrance. Her chest shook with her uneven breaths. She watched. Her colorful eyes fascinated and full of desire.

  The tip of my nose purposely bumped her clit as I slid my long tongue inside, twisting, curling, rubbing along the spongy interior. She clamped down, feeding me liquid heat.

  There was nothing quite like it.

  Her hips eagerly rotated, grinding on my face, begging for more friction, but I kept her pinned in place. Her heels dug into my back, her exciting impatience like a drug.

  "I need—" she choked out, an exasperated huff grunting from her, "more!"

  My sadistic side surfaced as I reveled in her sexual frustration and the intoxicating power it gave me. Right then, I controlled what she felt, how much, and when. I wanted her frenzied, rabid, ready to do anything to get the release she so desired.

  I withdrew my tongue, sliding it through her lips and twirling it around her clit, providing mercy. The languid exhale that deflated her chest once she finally got more of what she wanted, had my cock drooling into the sheets underneath me.

  So when I stopped? Her eyelids flew open, her glare unhinged, and she snarled at me.

  "If you don't—" she started to threaten, her eyes untamed with a dash of crazy, before I cut her off when I flipped her onto her belly.

  My hands grabbed the mounds of her perfect ass, one cheek in each hand, and my claws pressed into her flesh—just enough to leave marks.

  "What were you going to say, little bird?"

  She moaned, pushing her ass into my hands. When I smoothed my palm over her right cheek and gave it a smack, she nearly humped the bed.

  Scratch that.

  She did hump the bed.

  My amusement rolled in my chest. I gripped her hips, pulling her up and pushing her knees apart with my own.

  "You can't just manhandle me!" she protested, glancing at me over her shoulder. The way she bit her lip and tried to suppress her laughter said otherwise.

  Her playful nature only spurred me on.

  I bent forward, relishing the taste of her tantalizing skin as I trailed my tongue up the groove along her spine. She repeatedly contracted and relaxed, unable to keep her body from speaking to me. It spilled its secrets, revealing exactly what my touch did to her.

  She tried to push her hips back into me, but I had a grip on her. "Aht, aht..." I chided her.

  "Please," she begged and uselessly squirmed in my hold. "Omen, I'm literally dying!"

  My urie coiled around my cock, readying to reshape, frequently if necessary, to stimulate the most pleasure for Birdie's anatomy.

  "So impatient..."

  I said that as if I wasn't salivating to fuck her.

  I grasped the base of my cock, dragging it through her wet heat and positioning at her entrance.

  A ceaseless groan at the back of my throat resonated through the room as I guided her onto me, watching my cock disappear inch by inch into Birdie's squeezing pussy.

  "Yesss," she moaned, fisting the sheets as her cheek kissed the mattress.

  I slid back only to slam my hips into her. Her surprised cry snapped through the silence of the night. It didn't matter if the terrace doors were open. Let the island neighborhood hear how fucking sexy Birdie's moans could be.

  My urie swelled along the underside of my cock, since she was facing away from me. The inflated knot would rub mercilessly against that sensitive spot I'd discovered inside her.

  Immediately, her tone changed. Her body became malleable in my hands, her fragile bones and muscles bowing to my will.

  I took my fill, touching every part of her. Roaming my hands along her curved spine, groping, marking her with my claws, plucking her tempting nipples, and gliding over her soft belly.

  There was no part of Birdie I didn't caress, explore, and etch to memory.

  Her flesh obscenely rippled with every thrust, pitching my arousal to dizzying heights.

  Her thighs trembled like she was freezing, but I knew better. She was tumbling toward that release. It was my favorite part. I'd become a fiend for it.

  The air around me seemed to ignite as my shoulders tensed when the consuming heat of udonie surged in my veins. The fierce ache in my mouth was all I could fucking think about.

  Scorching heat suffocated the room, minimal sounds sharpened, Birdie's thundering heart beat like a drum against my ears, pulling me forward, beckoning me.

  Bite her, the fever demanded.

  Gaze pinned to her shoulder, my mouth watered. Fangs so sore I could barely keep my lips sealed.

  My jaw laxed, my mouth hanging open so the pressure on my fangs would ease.

  Nothing worked.

  They throbbed in tune with my frenzied pulse.

  My thrusts became relentless, as if I could fuck the pressure away. The meeting of our bodies a muted thumping thanks to the sound dampening my fur provided.

  I can't fucking take this any longer!

  I gripped Birdie, pulling her back against my chest, desperate to keep her on my cock as I trapped her in my arms and anchored her to me, my hips unable to stop thrusting in my insatiable drive for our release.

  Her body tightened, right on the brink, dragging me along with her. Her shoulder didn't have enough flesh on it to handle my bite. I'd hit bone. Damage her.

  I gnashed my teeth together, trying to push it back, suppress the staggering need to mark her.

  The only time my fangs would ever be used in this way. This singular instance when they'd fill with a non-lethal venom that would blend with her blood, a verkonie bond that would tether me to her.

  Forever.

  "Omen!" she cried my name, her back arching, her head pressing against my chest, her hands reaching up the sides of my face and winding into my mane.

  Her arm.

  Her arm was right below my jaw.

 

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