Fray

The water falling from the sky reminds me of home. It rains a lot on Rytaria, and the thunder in the sky makes me homesick as well. It's odd, even the smell is pleasantly familiar.

I didn't know this planet could be similar to ours, it's so different in every possible way. From the females to the blazing weather, Earth is very different indeed.

Most of the team of warriors I brought with me are becoming antsy around me as each cycle of the Moon comes to a close and the sun rises over the horizon. I don't blame them. This is taking a lot longer than we first suspected it would. Days have come and gone, and they have yet to glimpse a female. They're going mad with upset.

Of all of them, Locanas is the most persistent in asking me when we will pursue the den. He wants to break in and grab as many females as possible. If he had his way, we'd be on our way back to our home planet right now with a ship full of humans.

Wouldn't that be nice? No more waiting. No more wondering what if. No more torture.

I think of Soleil. I want her so bad that I consider all my options with a lot of debate. I could so easily snatch her. But would she agree? Would she fight me and hate me for stealing her away from her life? She might very well enjoy her existence here at the human den. I wouldn't want to take her against her will. It has to be her choice alone. If she so wished it, I would leave her here.

It pains me to contemplate such a horrible reality, but I have to look at it from all possible angles.

I begin to wonder as I stray, trailing around and avoiding the tents brimming with the warriors that sit around the edge of the trees. I rush, feeling drawn to the place where I typically see the sweet little female. I put my hands in the pockets of my long sleeved shirt. It is growing cold today. A staggering contrast to the past days when the sun was blistering. The fabric of our clothes is waterproof, so my skin is remarkably dry despite the rain. Not that it would be terrible if I caught a chill, we don't get cold easily.

I begin to walk away, thinking of Soleil again. She's so incredibly clear in my memories. I hope she will be there tonight to see me again. She always is, but I still worry she'll forget about me.

"Fray!" I still, my name being called demands my attention. At first, I expect it to be a warrior needing me for something trivial, but I realize it's not a deep voice at all. In fact, there's nothing remotely masculine about the tone at all.

It has to be Soleil. Panic surges through my system like a restart, I whirl around, rain pouring down my face. But I see her anyway, racing across the grass like a haunting dream. My heart soars, my legs weaken, my resolve strengthens. I don't know what to do, I silently stand there as she comes to me.

She's here. She's outside. She's sprinting my way.

I stumble forward with my jaw clenched as she gets nearer. I have to excessive restraint, but I already know it will be difficult when I catch a whiff of her tender scent. Soleil smells so delicate and yet overpowering at the same time. I'm not disappointed at all.

She's right in front of me, and I can't help reaching out and putting a hand on the side of her head, culling her cheek and her wet hair. Everything is wet because of the water falling from the sky. I don't even mind now.

"Thank goodness I found you." Soleil says, going into my arms. Her voice is sad, frightened. I pull her closer, volunteering myself to be her comfort.

I touch her shoulder, run my palm over her neck. I know I'm crowding her, probably frightening her a little with how touchy I am, but I can't stop myself. I have to know that she's real.

Soleil doesn't flinch away, doesn't protest. I just enjoy the moment of our first real meeting.

Her skin is so smooth, her flesh giving way under my hand. My firmness against her softness is surreal. My rough hands eat up her arms, they're so squishy and wonderful. I want to feel her all day.

"Calm down, Tarzan." She laughs, then sniffles, and I pause, wondering who this Tarzan is. That is not my name. Does she have me confused for someone? Is there a male in her life with that name. I halt.

"It's just a joke, he's from a movie, he's not real." Soleil clarifies, sensing my unease. I don't know what a movie is, but I relax. I feared the worst, that there was another male in her life.

Seeing her up close and feeling her, it's a whole new experience that I don't want to end. It makes me realize how much I want her, how I need her. I barely know this amazing being, but I want to worship her every day the way she deserves.

That worship starts now. I have to care for her.

"I need to get you out of the rain, sweet one." I say, looking around for a place to go and protect her from the weather. I lean over her slightly, trying to save her from the sky and the few gazes I detect already growing in curiosity.

I'm not shocked that there are a bit of males lingering, and now that they see my female they want to get a closer look. They're sneaking nearer. I have to get her into the woods before the news spreads, and we're flocked by a crowd of onlookers.

Not to mention she's shaking like a leaf. I didn't notice before, but she's got a wild look in her eyes. I think something happened, something upset her and made her flee. She found me as an escape. I am all to happy to help this perfect creature.

I haul her into my arms, her tiny, round figure so light that I'm shocked. She's so delicate. So enticingly feminine.

Soleil gasps, but wraps her soft arms around me to steady herself as I start walking into the trees quickly. I'm determined to take her away for a short while. Away from it all. Part of me takes her for selfish reasons. I want to have her alone, all to myself, no others to watch her and wonder what she feels like.

"Where are we going?" I chuckle at her question, glad she doesn't sound afraid. "Why am I asking? I'm so stupid. You can't even answer. Don't mind me, just being an idiot like usual."

My eyebrows furrow down at her. I'm confused why she would possibly degrade herself with such harsh words. They're anything but accurate.

"A joke, again. Jeez, you need to get out more." She muses, and now I feel like the dumb one. I still don't understand how that could be funny, but I believe she didn't mean it. I guess there are many things about our culture that are different.

I walk on for a long time, bringing her to the ship where she'll get fresh clothes and a protective roof over her precious head. I'm intent on pampering this female. In the back of my mind, I know it's the most primal side of me coming out that longs to take care of her, forever.

If she so chooses to come back with me to Rytaria, everything will be right again. I will be familiar with every danger that could be lurking around the corner, unlike here on Earth where everything is strange. I would be better prepared to protect her. I wouldn't be afraid of what could happen to my mate.

I scoff at myself. My mate? I can't think of her that way when Soleil hasn't agreed yet. It's preposterous.

After a long while of striding through the dense wood, the rain has lightened up, and I know that the ship is nearby. The small human female in my arms has hardly spoken the whole time, but she trustingly remains still against me. I grin, proud that I've made her feel safe, and happy that she no longer sniffles from her tears. She was crying before she left her den, but now she seems to be alright.

When we reach the ship, I don't slow and I don't even think about what I'm doing. I regret it as soon as Soleil catches sight of the ship.

She pales. I cringe.

How could I not have considered her feelings? She might be shocked. She's human. She's from Earth. I completely forgot that they had no idea that other life existed in the universe. I didn't even think it would cause adverse effects when she realized that I am not the same kind as her. Now I'm questioning myself.

It's not as if I could prepare her for the sight of a massive spaceship, but I certainly could have been much more delicate about it.

When she doesn't try to get away, or say anything concerning, I take that as an open invitation to continue. I put my hand to the key screen, letting it scan my palm and out towards my finger tips. It grants me entrance, the ramp lowering down slowly with a loud whirring noise. Soleil clings to me when I stomp up the metal ramp. Her eyes grow alert, glancing around frantically at the walls and windows.

I can feel her heart beating widely in her rib cage, hear the sound of her harsh breathing.

"Calm, sweet little female. You are safe." I try to ease her with a soft timber that I've never used before. Soleil's head turns to stare at me with eyes that once held wonder and trust, now they only show panic. I cup her face, making small sounds in an effort to calm her.

I have my own panic inside, wondering what I've gotten myself into, and if it's going to jeopardize everything that I've ever wanted.