Reading Online Novel

Viper's Hope (Anguis Defenders Book 1)(32)



"Viper I can tell that besides the new refugees you have something else disturbing you." His sire, Adder said.

"I have mated." Viper stated bluntly not one to mince words.

His father's eyes widened.

"How is that possible? I didn't think there were any un-mated females aboard the ship."

"She is one of the human females. But she has rejected me." Viper stated dejectedly as he stared at Hope's image.

"I am shocked that you found a mate amongst this other species. How is it that she has rejected you?"

"I found her while scouting one of the crash sights, and her scent called to me." His sire grunted knowingly at Viper's first impression of Hope, after all he was mated. "She didn't understand, and attempted to escape as I slept and well, I went feral."

Adder nodded grimly as Viper explained everything to him. With more than a bit of shame, anger and sorrow Viper admitted how he mounted his sweet little subeo. Hope was so small he didn't know how she withstood him.

"I have promised her I will not touch her." Viper finished painfully.

"This is most unusual and unfortunate. I am sorry my son."

"I have not given up, but I am not sure what to do."

"In mating we act on instinct, it is our way." Adder shook his head making Viper wonder if there was an interesting story behind his own mating. "Show your subeo your better self and if things do not straighten out by the time you reach Anguis Minor, we'll put our heads together. Do you know if you are compatible?"

"I would assume." But of course Viper had no idea if young were in their future.

He probably wouldn't know for a while, if ever, females were not in their fertile season yet. Besides Hope wasn't interested.

"I will see you in six days." Viper signed off, and the comm went blank.

Viper had to go find Hope. This talk of mating made him desperate to see and be near her. He found himself exceedingly frustrated that he had almost no memory of mounting Hope. It was a cruel twist of fate, especially if he was going to be denied the pleasures of her affection again. Maybe it was for the best he was ignorant of most of the details. She'd been unwilling. If he'd been lucid, it would no doubt haunt his dreams.

The sleep cycle was in a few hours and Viper found himself at the guest quarters faster than he realized. The door opened, and he saw Hope laughing with her friends. Her smile was positively radiant. Her blue eyes twinkled freezing Viper in the doorway.

"It is night time are you sleepy?" Viper asked when he found his voice.

"Not really."

She didn't understand he was trying to ask her to join him, without begging. He did have his pride. The last thing Viper wanted was to look weak. If Hope refused to come with him he'd probably have to ask Ophidian to sedate him. The need to have her close was already gnawing at Viper's gut making his skin crawl. Viper had heard mated males describe the stabbing need, but it was worse than anything they could begin to even explain.

"Should I come back later?" Viper hesitated to ask but did.

"Go with him it's late and this crazy day has worn me out." The male, John Paul said then looked at Viper and winked his eye.

Tara, shoved John Paul in the arm.

"Only if you want to Hope. But I'm sure we'll be fine. Right?" Tara eyed Viper sounding confrontational.

It would take time getting used to humans speaking to him so openly, but this was better than the screaming from earlier. Viper had met many species, this was just another one that he'd need to learn the customs of. However he did have more impetus to adjust than he'd had with other races since Hope was human.

"You will have anything you desire. We are just across the hall." Viper bowed formally to the human female placing his knuckles to his forehead.

"Fine I'll see you guys tomorrow." Hope said to her friends then stuck her pink little tongue out at them.

She was a funny female. Viper wanted to laugh when she crossed her eyes at them, making a silly face.

He wanted to thank Tara and JP for aiding him by kicking Hope out of their room. Viper felt his tension ease as Hope walked across the hall with him and entered his quarters. He had to remind himself not to touch her shoulder though his fingers itched to reach out to her.

"Have you eaten?" Viper asked even though he saw that they had when Acris visited, but he didn't know what else to say at the moment.

"Oh my!" Hope declared and stopped.

Viper almost ran into her back.

Viper looked around their room with a smile. There was new bedding with colorful pillows, along with comfortable seating for two near the entertainment console. The walls were decorated with several pictures of the best views on Anguis, but also impressive ones taken of Hope's blue planet. On the dining table and by the bed were vases of flowering plants collected from the arboretum. Viper wanted to embrace Acris, he didn't care if Basilisk ripped his head off for doing it.