Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 71832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
"Makana," April finally says. "You mentioned homes. How about you make a great home for him so that he doesn't have to live in a basket?"
A home for her creature? That's all she wants? "You sure? That seems too easy."
"You want me to change my mind and make it something difficult?"
Even I know when to shut my keffing mouth. "Easy it is."
She gives me a sly smile and taps a finger on my chin. "I'm glad we agree."
It's on the tip of my tongue to ask if she wants this next mission to be easy because she wants to touch me. But I am not a fool, and if I ask, she's sure to change it to some ridiculously complicated task that will require days of work, and my cock will suffer more than it already is. "I'll start on it first thing."
April caresses my face. "You can leave now, Valmir."
And just like that, I am dismissed. My needs, ignored.
But...am I pleased? Incredibly. I get up to leave, deliberately reaching into the front of my trou and adjusting my cock so the head is caught in my waistband, and I can walk without poking someone's eye out. She doesn't turn away when I adjust myself, and I sniff the fingers that I rubbed her with and give them a lick.
"See you tomorrow," I purr.
"Ugh, whatever." She waves a hand, dismissing me.
I'm going to lick this hand while I work myself with my other. Just as soon as I find a quiet spot alone on the too-crowded beach.
CHAPTER 9
VALMIR
The next morning, I am up early and digging through the supply cave for materials for Makana's cage.
Ironic that the rules of the tribe state I cannot build her a house yet — because of the snail-vasion — but I can build one for her creature. It feels like this is counter to all the rules of courtship, but April seems to delight in being contrary. I must admit, I do enjoy a challenge, and I like that she's so fierce and determined in what she wants.
So...a creature den. It must be portable, as I am aware of the upcoming snail-vasion. It must be bigger than a basket, since she seemed quite disturbed that her pet would live in it. It must have a bottom of some kind, as I am envisioning a trap set atop him, only for him to burrow away underneath and April weeping and distraught the next morning at his disappearance.
I do not like the thought of April weeping. At all.
I pull out rib bones and thigh bones, big leather hides that have been cured poorly and are of no use for clothing, and anything else I can think of. A cage of some kind, perhaps, but a very long one so he can stretch his legs.
I have vague memories about tall cages. About wanting to stretch my legs or lie down flat, and all I can do is stand, because there is no room for anything else. I will not do that to another creature. Once I've finished sorting through bones, I look for rope of some kind to tie it all together. Maybe leather ties if not the dried plant rope? He might eat that, as a herbivore. Devi would know. I should ask her, but then she would probably tell me there will be a herbivore-vasion and I will get nothing done.
Leather ties, I decide.
I take my haul out of the cave, and there's enough that it requires more than one trip. On the second trip, I run into Skarr, who seems astonished to see me.
"There you are, Valmir," he says. He looks me up and down, chastising and dismissive. "Not hunting this morning? How will your mate get fed if you do not hunt to feed her?"
Some days I enjoy speaking to Skarr. Sometimes, not so much. Today is clearly going to be one of those days where he tries my patience. "I imagine April is sitting by the campfire and talking with all the other females and eating that sludge they like in the mornings." I glance over by the fire and see a familiar face. "Your mate's over there right now."
"Of course she is." He puffs up with pride at the mere mention of his bland human female. "A wise hunter makes sure they have a full belly before they go out. And if she gets two meals instead of just one, all the better."
"Mmm." Funny how my mate is "starving" if I am not out hunting, but his is clever for doing the exact same thing. I wonder if Skarr was hit on the head before they shoved him into a stasis pod. I shake my head. "No hunting today. My task is to build a home for her creature. It will let me become one step closer to our mating."