The Tiger's Forbidden Mate: A Paranormal Pregnancy Romance Read online

  Shawna put the gun against her shoulder for one last good shot. If she was lucky, she would land a solid shot to the creature’s belly, possibly killing it.

  She looked the wastewraith straight into its red eyes as it crawled toward her on all fours. The creatures were normally bipedal, but the trailer ceiling was too low for this one. That, and it knew that its belly was its weakness. Maybe the tales were true. They could read minds, she thought.

  The creature’s long, forked tongue snaked over the greenish-white teeth that were exposed, almost like a smile as it bore down on her. Shawna’s breath was coming in ragged gasps as she shakily held the makeshift pipe rifle to her shoulder, index finger on the trigger, waiting for it to get closer for one last sure shot.

  She pulled the trigger and her ears were deafened once more by the loud bang. She didn’t brace for the recoil properly that time. She felt a sharp pain in her shoulder and clavicle as the bone snapped. She tumbled and hit her head against the safe as she futilely dodged the wastewraith’s surge toward her.

  She saw stars and blackness as the side of her head hit the solid steel safe and that was it. At least I’ll be out when it eats me, she thought as she slid into unconsciousness.

  ***

  When she came to in a bed filled with animal furs, she sat straight up in surprise. She was in a cave surrounded by sturdy stone walls that seeped moisture. Her head swam at the sudden movement and she felt a wave of nausea wash over her as she swooned and laid back down onto the comfortable bed.

  “Where am I?” she mumbled. “Is this what the inside of a wastewraith’s stomach looks like?”

  “No, it isn’t,” a deep voice rumbled from the corner of the stone room. “I rescued you and brought you to my settlement.”

  “And you are?” Shawna asked as she swallowed another wave of nausea.

  “Winston. Winston Jarvis,” the stranger said as he stepped into the lamplight.

  Shawna was taken aback at how handsome the man was. He didn’t have any lesions, no weathering, nothing that even hinted that he saw one day of being outside in the blasted wasteland. His skin was a shade darker than hers and his eyes were a strange amber color. Around his wrist there was a bracelet made out of braided gold wire with two black beads on either end. She eyed the rare metal enviously as her scavenger’s senses started to tingle. Anything gold would fetch a great price, even earn her a place back into her old settlement.

  “Don’t stare at that,” Winston said. “You try to take it and I’ll kill you myself. I really don’t want to do that after all the effort I went through saving you from that wastewraith,” he said with a smile as he sat down on the bed next to her.

  “You’re not from Scavenger’s Landing, are you?” she asked.

  “No. This settlement is a good five miles away, hidden from your people,” Winston replied.

  “My people?” she asked. “What do you mean? You’re not raiders are you? Better not be selling me to the slavers; I’ll kill you all by myself if that’s what you’re planning,” she said as she struggled out of bed.

  “No to both those things,” Winston said as he continued to smile at her.

  She couldn’t help but feel her defenses lower at his charm.

  “So…what do I owe you for the save?” she asked. In the wastes nothing was free; even an act of goodwill came with a price.

  “I don’t know. I need to discuss it with my elders,” he said, completely enamored with her.

  “Honestly, I don’t know why you’re looking at me like that. I’m not that pretty,” Shawna said as she shifted uncomfortably.

  Her clavicle was throbbing with pain and her head was still woozy from the concussion. She did feel herself getting better, though.

  Winston handed her a stone bowl. “Here, drink this; it’ll help dull the pain and help you heal,” he said as he helped Shawna sit up.

  “Thanks,” she said as she took a sip of the tea. She made a face at the bitter taste. “What’s in this?”

  “Just a few herbs to help boost your healing, nothing more,” he said as he urged her to drink more. His jet black hair shimmered in the lamplight as he looked around for something to help prop her up. He grabbed another fur, wadded it up, and placed it behind her back. “There you go. You should be more comfortable now.”

  “Thank you,” she said before she gulped down the rest of the bitter tea.

  “You’re welcome,” Winston said as he took the stone bowl. “I shall go discuss with my elders what kind of repayment they wish of you, then you’d best be on your way. We don’t like outsiders here.”

  “I see. Well, I don’t have much on me, but I’ll do what I can, make up for it in labor if I must,” Shawna said.

  “We’ll think of something,” Winston said as he touched her hand. She felt a shock of attraction jolt through her body as his warm skin touched hers. “Rest up. I shall return with some food for you later.”

  She just nodded and settled into the bed. She was amazed at how soft the furs were. I wonder where they got these, she thought to herself. Also, I wonder if I could work for some weapons and ammo to keep me alive while I go find a new settlement to call home. Lone wolves and hermits didn’t survive long in the wastes, so she needed to find somewhere to call home. Banishment was another type of death sentence, just one with a chance of survival; a small chance, but a chance nonetheless.

  Shawna started to make up a list of supplies she needed to barter for in her head, but was constantly distracted by thoughts about Winston.

  She had just met him, but for some reason she was incredibly attracted to the man. Life was short and harsh in the wastes, so instant gratification was the name of the game, because nobody knew when their last day would be. Because of such a cultural thought process, two main laws needed to be put in place across the wasteland, and both amounted to “Don’t Be A Dick.” Stealing and outright coldblooded murder were the only two real crimes punishable by the law of the land. Other crimes, such as rape or assault, it was victim’s rights. The victim was expected to take matters into his or her own hands and dole out the punishment.

  She resolved that once he showed up with her meal, she would try her best to seduce him. She wanted him and she might not get another chance with the handsome, exotic person, and after all, she did owe him her life. The least she could do was sleep with the guy.

  Shawna began to feel a bit drowsy as the tea started to take effect. “Wow… This stuff is good,” she slurred as she felt her head swimming. “I hope they don’t load me off to the slavers…” she said as her head nodded forward. “Would be a shame if…” she drifted off with the thought unvoiced.

  ***

  She woke up a few hours later feeling refreshed and in less pain. She was always hardy when it came to healing, but it usually took a few days for a broken bone to knit, but her collarbone felt good as new after her nap. Interesting, she thought. I should ask for some of that tea before I leave.

  “I see you’re awake,” Winston said as he pushed the hide curtain aside while carrying a bowl of steaming stew.

  “Yeah. Thanks for the tea, I was wondering, before I go, can I barter for some weaponry and supplies, oh and maybe some of that tea?” she asked.

  “I’ll discuss it with my elders,” Winston said as he sat the tray down on the table next to the bed.

  “Thank you,” Shawna replied as she reached out and touched Winston’s warm hand, looking at him deep in his amber eyes.

  He cleared his throat nervously as she touched him, clearly feeling attraction to this stranger. “I… we… can’t—it’s forbidden,” he whispered.

  “No one will know,” she whispered as she drew him close for a kiss.

  He closed his eyes and clenched his jaw as their lips touched. She didn’t know that he had been observing her for quite some time as she wandered the wastes over the years, scavenging and trading.

  His job was to kill any one who got too close; it would be best that they remained as a myth to the h
umes for now, and he knew deep down that if the elders found out that he brought one to the cave, he would be punished harshly, but now he was about to break the most sacred taboo that his people had, but he couldn’t help himself. She was taller than most humes and was darker than most as well. She could almost pass as one of his tribe, and it intrigued him.

  Winston observed the humes, especially whenever Shawna was around, getting to know their habits and how they interacted. Over the course of his observations, he realized there were two distinct kinds.

  There were ones that Shawna belonged to, these people were the hardy, rugged survivors of the wastes, they were resistant to the ambient radiation, but their minds stayed sound. The ferals, or raiders, were not so lucky. The radiation enhanced their strength and speed, but at the cost of their rational minds. Within the ferals were the mutates and zombies, those that the hume colonies had cast out. Winston shared his reconnaissance with the elders, but they kept urging him to drop his fascination with the primitive people of the wastes and study to be the next tribe leader.

  His lips touched Shawna’s dry ones and he felt himself growl low in his throat as he drew her close to him. He hadn’t been able to find an acceptable mate within his tribe and that concerned his elders. He burned for release, not caring about how taboo this was. He already broke one by bringing her here, he had nothing left to lose.

  Her tongue probed between his lips as she felt his growl rumble as they embraced. She felt his hand reach under her tunic and caress her full breast as he pushed her down onto the bed. She let out a soft moan as his fingers found her sensitive nipple and gave it a tweak.

  “I shouldn’t be doing this,” he groaned, “but I can’t help myself… I’ve been watching you in the shadows for years now. I wasn’t allowed to talk to you, but when you needed help, I had to intervene.”

  “Really?” Shawna said as she looked at him with her bright green eyes.

  “Yes. When I first saw you, you were with your guardian, learning to shoot a pipe rifle. You seemed so different than the rest of your people, I couldn’t help but feel attracted to you. Over the years I shadowed you while you scavenged and traded, keeping to the shadows because I was forbidden to say anything to you,” he said as he caressed her cheek.

  “I…” was all Shawna was able to gasp as Winston brought his lips down on hers and kissed her fiercely.

  Their tongues stroked each other and danced around as they embraced. He lifted her tank top and quickly broke the kiss as he pulled the old, weathered shirt over her head and tossed it into the corner.

  Winston stopped kissing Shawna and started licking and nibbling her neck, sending jolts of lust through her body. Her nipples were standing straight up, demanding attention from her lover.

  His lips danced down her amber skin toward her full breasts causing her womanhood to seep dampness in response.

  “Have you ever…?” he whispered.

  She shook her head negatively. “John was protective of me after he found me,” she whispered.

  Winston smiled and started kissing the soft flesh of Shawna’s breast, then placed his hot mouth on her throbbing nipple, sending a gasp from her lips as the shock traveled through her.

  Shawna wrapped her hands in Winston’s raven locks as he suckled and nibbled at her breasts. All she could manage was gasps and sighs as he worked her body with his expertise. She squirmed under his ministrations as her body burned for him.

  She felt his hand untie the rope belt holding her trousers on and pulled them down around her full hips. She kicked them off as she felt his hand gently probe her moist folds. She let out another moan as his fingers dipped into her sex, tantalizing her with his gentle caress.

  His mouth moved from her soft breasts and he kissed her flat stomach as he moved down to the juncture between her legs.

  Her breath was coming in ragged gasps as he nuzzled the dark hair between her legs, breathing in her scent and committing it to his memory. He then flicked his tongue out and dipped it into her folds, tasting her juices.

  She gripped his hair as she felt his slippery tongue slide up one side of her sex and down the other, teasingly avoiding the throbbing area that so desperately needed attention.

  He ceased his oral ministrations for a moment. “Are you sure you’ve never...?”

  “Yes, and I can’t believe I … this feels just too good,” Shawna gasped.

  He grinned as he planted his lips on her throbbing clitoris and gently suckled at it causing Shawna to practically leap off the bed in response.

  She felt his lips and tongue work the sensitive area between her legs while she felt his long fingers worm their way inside of her soaking wet sex. She felt them pushing up against something deep inside her and she let out a groan as he licked her and fingered her simultaneously, feeling her orgasm building up to it’s inevitable peak.

  She gasped as the passion cumulated deep inside of her in a delicious tension as he worked her womanhood with his expert fingers and tongue.

  “Oh, Winston, please… I… I don’t… I…” she gasped as her release thundered over her. All she saw was bright white light as the intense pleasure blew through her body.

  Winston removed his clothes as she came down from her peak and he moved over her. Shawna looked at his muscular amber body appreciatively and caressed his firm muscles.

  “My, you’re impressive,” she said as she stroked his muscular chest.

  “Thanks,” Winston said as he took her hand and guided it to his manhood.

  Shawna’s eyes went wide as she felt the size of Winston’s cock. “That’s rather… that’s huge,” she gasped.

  “Are you worried?” he asked.

  “No. We don’t know if we’re going to be here tomorrow, so let’s enjoy today,” she said as she raised her hips off the bed and guided him into her.

  She let out a little yelp of pain as he pushed through what was left of her hymen and filled her up with his girth. Shawna gasped as she closed her eyes to enjoy the feeling of fullness deep inside of her.

  “Oh my god, this is so….” she managed to get out.

  Winston couldn’t reply, he was completely overcome by his own lust so he just began to move his hips, thrusting his cock deep inside of her.

  Shawna moved her hips in time with Winston, feeling complete and at one with this strange man. As they were connected, she felt as if she had known this man her entire life, that something that was missing had been finally found.

  Winston was fighting his own battle to keep his human shape while he fucked her. He didn’t want to scare her with his true identity as they made love, so he just kept himself in check while he felt her tight pussy grip him with it’s slick wetness.

  They rocked together in the dim room in the large cave system that housed Winston’s tribe. With each deep stroke, Shawna felt another orgasm build inside. She wrapped her long legs around Winston’s narrow hips and held him tightly against her. With each movement, he bumped her clit with his pubic bone, bringing her closer to her second peak.

  She was gasping and mewling as he fucked her. He felt his balls begin to tense as the familiar feeling of release began to build in him, but he had hoped he could control it for a little more, but not too long or the elders would come looking for him.

  The decision was made for him by Shawna’s body as she thundered toward another orgasm. He felt her muscles clench around his throbbing manhood and that was it. With a low groan he emptied his seed deep inside of Shawna as she cried out his name as her own release washed over her.

  They lay connected on the furs for a while, but then he slipped out and he rolled over next to her. “Did I hurt you?”

  “No, not really,” Shawna replied as she snuggled in to him. “Thanks.”

  “It was my pleasure,” he said with a smirk. “You know, if my elders find out, we’re both in deep shit, right?”

  “For someone who’s from an isolated settlement, you sure know your slang,” Shawna replied.

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nbsp; “I told you, I’ve been observing you and your people for quite some time,” Winston replied.

  Shawna startled as she heard growling from the other side of the leather curtain. “What the—?” she said as she scurried for a weapon.

  “Don’t… just …don’t worry, I’ll go talk to them,” Winston said as he got up and pulled his trousers on.

  “You don’t need to leave this room,” a deep voice boomed. “We know you are both in there. Winston, you have until the count of three for both you and the hume to get decent or we come in there regardless. This is more than what you are owed.”

  CHAPTER THREE

  “It’s Elder Conrad,” Winston whispered. “Get dressed.”

  Shawna nodded as she scrambled for her clothes while the elder counted outside. At the count of three, Shawna had only managed to pull her tank top on so she hid her naked lower half under the furs.

  “Winston, you have broken one of the Tiger Clan’s most sacred rules,” the snowy-haired elder announced. “You not have only brought a hume into our sacred caves, you sullied yourself upon her body. This is an utter disgrace, especially for the future leader of the clan.”

  “My apologies, Elder,” Winston said as he bowed. “I don’t know what came over me.”

  “You have been fascinated with these lesser beings for years now,” Conrad continued. “We have instructed you time and time again to drop your unhealthy obsession with these creatures and learn the lore of your own kind so you can step up and be the leader you have always been destined to be. Now, I fear it is too late. Our laws are absolute. There will be a trial in the morning.” Elder Conrad poked his head outside of the curtain. “The hume needs to be confined until we decide what to do with her.”

  While the elder was speaking, Shawna managed to squirm into her trousers and tie the belt back up.

  “Wait, what do you mean confined?”

  “You will be put in a cage until we decide what to do with you. Finding our cave generally means death, but since the executioner is biased…” Conrad said staring pointedly at Winston, “we will need to find another to do the job.”