Goliath's Mate (G-Force Federation Book 3), page 7
“Come off it and get your mind off sex for one damn minute,” he snapped, still staring in Camara’s face. “What are your other symptoms?”
Camara stared at him for a few seconds and thought about lying to Allack. “Hot and cold flashes, I can’t keep anything down, and a host of shit I don’t feel like listing.”
“Fuck… fuck,” Allack chanted and started pacing around his office.
“What?” Camara said, getting worried. “What the hell is wrong with you? Am I dying or something?”
“I knew one day your wild ways would get your arse in trouble. Fuck, for a smart person you can do some stupid shit sometimes.”
“Will you tell me what the hell you’re talking about?”
“You found your mate.”
“When?” Camara asked, confused. “When the hell did I do that?”
“On Uras, you blasted idiot.”
Camara stared at his best friend for a few seconds and then burst out in laughter. “That’s a good one, Allack.”
“I’m not joking, you bloody idiot,” he yelled.
“Calm down, Allack.” He stopped laughing and looked at his friend, who seemed very worried. “I didn’t find my mate. Like I said it’s a stomach ache and it will pass.”
“No, it won’t,” Allack said in earnest as he stopped pacing and looked at Camara. “If you don’t go to your mate soon, you’ll die.”
“Stop with the doom and gloom shit, Allack. I don’t plan on dying anytime soon.” He shivered. “I didn’t find my mate, so you could be wrong.”
“Fuck, stop taking things so lightly.” Allack’s voice cracked, and it stopped anything that Camara was going to say. “Cam, you have to remember who you came in contact with when you were on Unas.”
“I came in contact with a lot of people on the planet.”
“But you kissed only one person.”
“Yeah, so?”
“Fuck, did you pay attention to the mating process growing up in school?”
“Barely,” Camara answered.
He had a grasp on his ability to remember everything he saw and heard, but he only used it when things were important to him. Mating was never on his list of things he wanted to remember since he’d decided he didn’t want to have a mate.
“The mating process is different for many of us—some by scent, pheromones, or body liquids.”
“Like a kiss?”
“Yes. Once the omega finds their mate, their body goes through the process of preparing for a child with their alpha mate. If they don’t consummate their mating in a certain amount of hours, then both will start experiencing symptoms that will be detrimental to their health. I’m not sure what happens to the alpha, but the omega experiences pain and false heat cycle symptoms.”
The federation gargoyle came to his mind. “Fuck,” Camara said, running hands through his hair. “If you’re right and that’s a big if... What can I do in the meantime?”
“Suppressants, lots of them,” Allack said. “But that can only last so long. Finding your mate is a good place to start. Even if you guys don’t consummate your mating right away, the more you two interact, the less pain you’ll both be in.”
So, he’ll be in pain too. Damn, what a fucked up way for us to live. Camara sighed, hating that Allack could be right. Fuck a mate. So not something I want right now.
“It’s the Federation Admiral, isn’t it?”
Camara gave a sharp nod, and Allack groaned before flopping down in the chair in front of his desk. “Fuck the very thing we’re running away from and you end up being the mate of an Admiral.”
“Hey, I don’t want this—I don’t want to be fucking mated to anyone.”
“So, how do you want to play this?”
“Keep this between us. I don’t want the rest of the crew to worry about me. And I’ll start taking my suppressants again. To keep Cassius out of my business, I’ll find a way to get some more.”
“What are you going to do?”
Camara raised a brow and Allack picked up on what he was thinking.
“Don’t tell me you’re going to ask your…”
“As much as I hate to say it, I can trust him. He hasn’t betrayed us yet.”
“Fine,” Allack said, sighing. “I wish we hadn’t gotten tangled with him.”
“You and me both,” Camara agreed. It was his companion who convinced him that he would make a good bounty hunter and a terrible criminal. Camara didn’t want to agree, but the man was right. “It’s only temporary, or so I keep telling myself.”
“You realize you won’t be able to fuck anyone…”
“Please don’t remind me,” Camara drawled. “And like I said, I think it’s just a stomachache. You’re overreacting.”
“You’re in so much damn denial,” Allack said, sounding exasperated.
“I’m not,” Camara told him. “I just can’t worry about a mate right now, not when we have a job to finish.”
“Fuck the damn job,” Allack yelled as tears welled in his eyes and his lips trembled. “I don’t want to lose you—I can’t lose you, Cam. You’re…”
Camara stared at the man who was like a brother to him, they’d been together through thick or thin, building their crew and making a name for themselves as omegas who took no shit from anyone. To see Allack that worried broke something inside of him. Camara guessed if the situation was reversed he would feel the same way. He got up and walked over, kneeling in front of him.
“I know this might sound hollow but you’re not going to lose me. No matter what.”
“You don’t know that, Cam.”
“I do,” Camara assured him. “I promise once we find the weapon, I’ll go find the Admiral and do the whole mate thing. But you have to promise me one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“You’ll come with me.”
“What about the rest of the crew?”
“We’ll take them too,” he said smiling. “I’m sure being an admiral’s mate will give me some room for negotiation.”
Allack stared at him for a few seconds before speaking. “I’ll do it on one condition.”
“All right, I’m listening.”
“Don’t get yourself killed looking for this guy and the weapon. I won’t have you sacrificing yourself, Cam.”
“Fuck you drive a hard bargain.”
“I’m not losing you when you’ve brought so much into my life, Cam. You’re all I have left in this fucked up world. I have no regrets walking away from my sire or our clan.”
Camara reached up and pressed their foreheads together. “I know what you gave up for me, Allack. And I promise after we finish this job, I’ll go see the big oaf.”
“It wasn’t only for you, Camara. I needed my sire to see me as more than a bargaining chip. I told you how he planned on mating me off to some old arse bastard to be on the Federation council. I hate him, Cam.”
Camara nodded. “I know.” He brought Allack’s fingers to his lips and kissed the tips. “You’re more than my brother, Allack, and I would do anything to keep you safe.”
“I know.” They were silent for a few minutes, staring at each other.
“All right, enough of that,” Camara said. “Let’s go shopping. I’m dying to get some new sexy lace undies.”
Allack rolled his eyes and stood. “Fine, but don’t overdo it.”
“Yes, mother. I’ll be a good little boy and listen to every word you say.”
Chapter Five
Goliath dragged his fingers through his hair, walking into the clothing store.
He was hoping to find a gift for his mother since he’d been forced to take some time away from Nijara. Apparently, he was getting on the crew’s nerves, growling at everyone he came across until his Captain and vice-Captain banded together and asked his mother to get him off the ship for a few days. Admittedly, he’d been a bit irritated, but he didn’t think he was that bad.
It wasn’t his fault people weren’t doing their jobs correctly.
Not wanting to be bothered, Goliath decided to take a shuttle to Krion 526 where he knew he’d get some rest and maybe find someone to fuck for a few days, which hadn’t happened yet. No one seemed to catch his interest or got him in the mood.
A sweet and enticing scent floated under Goliath’s nose as a pleasant and calming feeling wrapped itself around him. Goliath’s cock jerked in interest, and his heart started thumping in his chest. He licked his lips, feeling the sharp points of his fangs brush against his tongue.
“Are you sure you want this one?”
“Yeah, I think it will look good on me, don’t you think?”
Goliath scanned the shop when he heard the sexiest voice known to man. He was surprised when he saw AstaFallen and Allack Creastalon shopping as if they didn’t have a care in the world.
Goliath took the time to observe AstaFallen, who was dressed in a pair of black leather pants and square heeled thigh-high boots that gave some height to his short stature. He also had on a white tunic loosely wrapped over his sinewy body.
The word that came to Goliath’s mind was sexy, yet it was something he didn’t want to explore.
Neither man seemed to be carrying a weapon and Goliath knew he could use the moment to approach both men, but couldn’t find it in himself to do it. When the men turned, Goliath ducked behind one of the larger columns and continued to watch them.
“We’re supposed to be getting supplies, Cam. Not shopping for new clothes.”
“Clothes are supplies, too. I need new threads, Allack. I’m running out of fucking clothes, man.”
“Stop getting into fights, dammit.”
“It’s not my fault,” AstaFallen defended.
“You’re not being serious? The same man who attacks first and asks questions later says it’s not his fault. It’s that denial thing again, isn’t it?”
AstaFallen rolled his eyes. “Well, if…” AstaFallen started but stopped. It seemed something distracted him as he looked around the shop.
“Are you all right?” Creastalon asked.
Goliath could have sworn AstaFallen’s gaze quickly landed on him before he looked at his friend.
“Um… yeah, I just thought about something I might like to take a big bite out of.”
AstaFallen licked his lips and Goliath cleared his throat, telling himself not to let the actions or words affect him. Creastalon looked at him as if he knew something was up with AstaFallen but didn’t call him out on it. Goliath clenched his fist, bothered for some reason at their closeness.
“What kind of trouble are you trying to get into now?” Creastalon asked. “If you’re planning on fucking someone, let me know now so I can go back to the ship.”
“Dude, I’m not that hard up, yet.”
“If you say so, but you have that hungry look in your eyes.” Creastalon chuckled.
“If I look hungry it’s because I’m starving for food,” AstaFallen grumbled.
“If you say so, but I’ll let it go for now. Let’s continue our shopping, I’m sure you’re itching to visit your favorite store.”
AstaFallen’s eyes brightened hearing that, and Goliath had to admit he was curious.
“Can I buy anything I want?” AstaFallen asked. Even from his position, he could see excitement blazing in the man’s eyes.
“If I told you no, you’ll find a way around it, anyway. So, sure.”
“You’re such a good friend, Allack.”
“No, I’m just a pushover when it comes to you.”
“Or maybe you like wearing them just like I do,” AstaFallen waggled his eyebrows making Creastalon blush.
“Shut up and let’s go.”
AstaFallen nodded, and they went about making their purchase. Goliath continued to watch them as they walked out of the shop and was shocked when AstaFallen turned and looked in his direction with a smirk on his face. He winked before turning around and leaving the shop with his friend.
Goliath moved out of his hiding spot and went to the shop window, watching as they strolled through the market. Goliath’s eyes trailed down AstaFallen’s body stopping at his hips and ass loving the way it swayed enticingly causing him to lick his lips. He groaned as his cock started to fill in his pants. What an enticing sight? The memory of their kiss came back to him and Goliath started panting as sweat beaded on his brow.
Fuck, what the hell is going on with me? I’m acting like a horny teenager. And why the hell was I hiding from them instead of going up and talking to them?
Taking deep breaths he calmed himself down and walked out of the store not sure where the hell he was going, only to find himself on the hanger bay. He looked around, trying to find AstaFallen’s ship. Walking around he looked at the names of the ships, smiling when he found the Newton, which he knew was registered under AstaFallen’s name. It was being refueled, and crates were being loaded on it by one of the bay workers.
Grabbing a worker’s hat hanging on the hook, Goliath put it on and grabbed a com-pad, pretending he belonged there. Goliath wondered if it even made sense since no one seemed to notice him or cared that he was walking around unchecked. Goliath walked onto AstaFallen’s ship, looking around the medium class ship that was small enough to fit in one of the Nijara’s hanger bays.
Seriously, what the hell am I doing?
Taking a deep breath, Goliath found AstaFallen’s scent and followed it to what he assumed was the man’s private quarters. It was smaller than his quarters on the Nijara. Where Goliath had a kitchen, dinning, and living space separated from his bedroom and office, AstaFallen’s was all in one except for the bathroom.
He wasn’t sure what he was looking for—maybe evidence to prove his suspicions about his sire’s death or what the man was really up to. Goliath was almost certain AstaFallen and his crew were not normal bounty hunters. They got away with too much. As far as Goliath knew no one else seemed to want to rein in AstaFallen’s behavior.
What he was doing was not the behavior of a Federation Admiral. But Goliath didn’t seem as if he could stop himself from snooping around the bounty hunter’s ship.
Goliath walked around AstaFallen’s room and stopped in front of his closet and was tempted to open it but told himself not to, he was already breaking enough rules. He walked over to the man’s desk, looking for the controls to bring up the com-screen. Typing in something that resembled a password. He wasn’t surprised when it didn’t work.
Sighing, he relaxed in the chair, trying to picture the type of captain AstaFallen was. He didn’t seem like the serious kind. With a crew filled with omegas and betas, he wasn’t sure how they’d worked efficiently for so long without an alpha to guide them. While omegas in his clan were able to join the Federation and rise in ranks, they would never be in charge of their own ship and crew.
Goliath snapped his head up when he heard footsteps. Putting everything back the way it was, he hurried over to the door and looked out quickly to make sure no one was there. Moving quickly, he got off the ship and into the bay, getting rid of the hat and com-pad, making his way to his hotel.
Fuck, what the hell did I think that would accomplish? I’ve turned into a crazy stalker.
Shaking his head Goliath went to his room and flopped on his bed taking a deep breath moaning when the sweet scent hit him. Sitting up quickly, he looked around as his eyes widened seeing AstaFallen in his room.
“How did you get in here?”
“I guess the same way you got on my ship?”
“You saw me?”
AstaFallen walked over to him and straddled his legs. Goliath didn’t move or push him away, he simply stared at the man. Why would he when his cock was nestled nicely against AstaFallen’s pert ass?
“You’re not that hard to miss in a crowd, big Daddy.” AstaFallen smiled.
It shocked Goliath when he felt the sharp blade pressing into his neck.
He’s craftier than I thought.
“Did you find what you were looking for?”
“I wasn’t looking for anything in particular,” Goliath lied.
“Pity. Here I thought I caught your interest,” AstaFallen said, quirking a brow. “I’ve only met you twice and each time I can’t help but want to touch you. I have to tell you it’s pissing me off.”
“Are you planning on killing me?” Goliath asked, gazing up at Camara’s green eyes that seemed to grow darker.
“And have the bloodstains of an admiral on my hands?” Leaning in, Camara brushed his lips against Goliath’s, who gasped. “I’d rather do other things than kill you.”
“Funny I was thinking the same thing.”
AstaFallen swiped his tongue in his mouth, pulling them into a kiss. Goliath went to wrap his arms around AstaFallen’s waist but stopped when the man got up. “I wish I could stay here and ride you all night, but I have to go.”
“Where are you going?” Goliath asked stupidly.
Why the hell do I care?
“My admiral, if I tell you then I’ll really have to kill you.” He walked over to the door and stopped looking at Goliath over his shoulders. “Wait for me, Goliath Rauganon, I’ll come to you when I’m ready.” With that, he was gone leaving Goliath completely confused about what the hell just happened.
“Wait for him, for what?” Goliath knew he should run after the man but his cock was straining so hard against his pants he couldn’t move. “Fuck, now I’m in the mood.”
Camara leaned against the wall, breathing heavily. He slid down the wall, holding his knees to his chest, fighting everything inside of him that told him to go back and finish the mating process. He arched his back, stopping his wings from coming out.
“Not now,” he whispered, wincing when his canines dragged against his tongue.
He’d scented the alpha gargoyle while he and Allack were in the store and saw his large shadow hiding behind the wall, he’d found the action somewhat cute. When he and Allack had made it back to the hangar bay, he’d seen the admiral walking off his ship trying to blend in with the workers, but his height and posture made it obvious that he didn’t belong there. Camara told Allack that he’d forgotten to get something and followed the man to his hotel.
