Page 48 of Valka

“I’m not sure. But it should let go before morning.”

“Morning? We’re like this until morning?” she asked.

“Yes.”

She started to complain again, but then realized exactly what he’d said. “Why aren't you sure how long the swelling takes to go down?”

He seemed hesitant to tell her, but also knew he’d promised her no lies or deception. “It has never done this before.”

“Why? Is it some kind of mating thing where it only happens in certain circumstances?”

Katva shook his head. “No. It happens each time. It is to guarantee that if a female is ready to be impregnated, it will be me that will do so.”

“What if I’m not ready to be impregnated?”

“Then we try again next time,” he said, smiling brightly.

“But this has never happened before.”

“None of it has happened before,” he said, watching her face closely for clues to her understanding of what he was telling her.

“So, you’ve never…”

Katva shook his head very slowly.

“But, why not?”

“Not enough females. Only those to be bought. I didn’t want one that didn’t want me.”

“You wanted to be wanted and appreciated.”

“Just as you do,” he said.

“Aws, Katva!”

“Are you sorry that you chose me?”

“Never. I could never find you anywhere else, so I’m even glad that I went through what I did to bring me to you.”

“Forever?” he asked.

She shook her head. “Longer.”

“Come, let’s go to our furs.”

“How? We’re connected.”

“I can carry a little female like you with no problem. Just hold still.”

“Oh, I am not moving one bit,” she promised as he shifted her slightly so he could get them out of the pool.

A deep shiver shot through her, making her moan. “Well, maybe I’ll shift just a little.”

Katva carried them to their furs, where they lay touching and kissing and stroking until finally he was able to pull freeof her body and start the process all over again, and again, and again.

Chapter 14

Two weeks later.