18 comments/ 162116 views/ 163 favorites Centaur's Reluctant Mate Ch. 01 By: AMY_Monaco Thayer watched, hidden by the thickness of trees as the young woman knelt down by a small bush and started to pluck the berries. Her gown was plain, a dull blue against the lush green of the grassy hills. It was a shame her long blonde hair was bound in a braid. It made him itch to run his fingers through it. A woman's hair should flow loosely over her back so that it could catch in the wind. No matter, once she was a part of his camp, she would keep her hair loose. It was the way of the females. Just for second, he felt doubt. He knew the people of her village told stories. Stories of how dangerous centaurs were, how they raped their women and pillaged their homes, burning them to the ground, of how they killed mercilessly. How far from the truth, Thayer thought with disgust. But one thing was true about centaurs. They captured their maidens to take as their mates. Thayer charged forward, intent upon his target. Rose barely had time to react to the thundering gallop. As soon as she looked up, she saw a centaur charging for her. Larger than a stallion, his body was covered in chestnut horsehair, yet the human part of him was tanned from the sun, muscled with broad shoulders and thick arms. His face -- a striking one of chiseled features and deep chestnut brown eyes focused on her as he gained more speed. Rose's scream was cut off when he scooped her up into his arms. She instinctively fought. Her basket was dropped and she pummeled him with her fists, but to no avail. "Be still." He demanded, his voice so deep it made her shiver. Fear shot through her. She'd hear the stories of women being taken captive by these creatures, never to be seen again. Raped and then killed, the gossips said. "Don't hurt me." Her voice shook and she hated it. "Please, let me go!" "I won't hurt you, Rose." He didn't miss a beat; he just kept on galloping, this time in the direction he came from. She gasped. "How do you know my name?" But before he could answer, she lifted her fists and started swinging. "Let me go! This is kidnapping!" "Obviously," He smirked with humor. The man -- centaur -- actually was laughing at her. This only angered her more. But he swung her onto his back and at his speed, she could do nothing but hold on for dear life. "Where are you taking me?" "Home." "My home is in the other direction." She said angrily. He didn't bother to answer. They traveled a long time, or what seemed to her to be a long time. Through her fear and anger, she was unable to locate where they were exactly. But she did know he led them up toward the mountains into a thick forest across the river. Her captor had slowed down, giving her a chance to think. She had thought centaurs to be dirty, rough creatures, yet her captor moved with a grace unknown to creatures this size. The hair on his head he work in short waves and for some odd reason, she felt the urge to run her hands through it. He turned, as if sensing her watching him and grinned. Rose quickly looked away, blushing. The man was too handsome and it irritated her for noticing. He broke into a momentary cantor and the sudden movement rubbed against the apex between her legs. Rose gasped and clutched onto his hard waist. A slow throbbing began between her legs one that was increasing as her captor continued to vary his pace, causing more jerking movements. She grew strangely wet between her legs and a sudden jolt sent shock waves through her. Her thighs tightened on him and she arched forward. The muscles beneath her hands clenched, as if he too was affected by his actions. Soon, they arrived into a clearing where dozens of longhouses were scattered. Rose's back went up when she found herself scrutinized. The blush on her cheeks grew hotter when everyone in the camp started to watch them. There were many human females than she'd guessed, many standing or sitting in groups and whispering to each other now. The others, the centaurs were all male. Her captor continued into the camp until he stopped in front of an aging centaur with a white beard and weathered face. Though he looked old, he possessed just as many muscles as the younger centaurs. Rose wasn't sure if to dismount, so she remained where she was. Behind the old man, a female human, with a head of graying hair came out of her long house. "You bring a human female into our camp, Thayer." The aging centaur said. Thayer, she repeated to herself. Was that her captor's name? "Aye, Polonius." Thayer said, his chest rising proudly. The aging centaur nodded slowly, eyes searching Rose's, before returning his gaze to Thayer. "And you achieved it without armor." "I did." Rose was confused. Did this mean something? Polonius nodded again and rested his hand on Thayer's shoulder. "Is she a maiden?" Rose blushed even redder and Polonius gave her a small smile. "Let her be your mate. You have my blessing. Allow my mate to attend your bride when she is ready." "Mate?" Rose asked. Thayer turned toward his home, anxious to get her alone. Their journey back to his camp had been a test of his will. He'd lost count of the times he wanted to stop running and just take her. How he longed to bury his cock inside her warmth. It had been torture to feel her wet pussy rubbing against him and then to hear her soft gasps when she noticed. But she was a maid, he told himself to be patient. He pushed aside the thick leather covering the entrance of his long house. Rose quickly dismounted and rushed toward the exit, but he grabbed her just in time. "I want to go home. Let me go!" His grip was firm on her arm and he brought her close. "This is your home now, my love." "This is not my home and I am not your love. And I will not be your mate. I could never marry a centaur! It's wrong!" Rose shouted. She saw something flash in Thayer's dark eyes. "Yet it is a centaur who can make you wet." He said in a low voice. He propped her onto a bed several feet up from the ground so that she lay level to his body. Angered by her words, he tore her gown and the material fell away, leaving her naked before him. "I could hear every little gasp coming from your lips, my love." He said huskily. "Let us see if it is a centaur who can make you cry out in pleasure." His kiss was punishing, his lips slanting over hers as she tried to push him away. But it was no use, he was too strong, too big. His tongue invaded her mouth, dueling with hers. Her inexperience only seemed to fuel his desire. One hand cupped her face, holding her to him as he claimed her with his mouth. He smelled of sandalwood and the forest and something distinctly him. It made her dizzy, confusing her. She shouldn't want this, yet her body reacted to him, wanting him while her mind protested. Thayer's other hand reached for her breast, filling his hand with her softness. She arched to him, gasping as his thumb brushed against one hard nipple. His kisses descended down her neck, leaving a hot trail on her skin. "So soft," He murmured. His mouth moved lower and captured a nipple into his mouth, suckling. Rose cried out. He moved between her, rubbing his erect cock against her belly. He knew he was much larger than a human. With that thought, his fingers caressed her inner thighs, soon finding her wet feminine folds. "No!" Rose gasped, even as she sought to push her hips to him. He spread her legs wider, opening her to him. He slid a finger up and down her wet pussy, marveling at her softness. "Relax, my love. You will like it." He cooed, as he explored her. "We s-shouldn't be doing this." She clung to him. "I've never lain with a man. You'll kill me." "Never." He vowed. "You will soon adjust to my size. Ah, you're so wet for me, Rose. Your musk is intoxicating. Feel how it arouses me." He rubbed his cock against her, letting the head of his staff run along her pussy. He groaned, but steeled himself. She wasn't ready yet. "I know you are a virgin, I have watched you for some time to be sure. You have not allowed any man to touch you even while the others sneak away to taste passion." Rose moaned when he slid a thick finger into her. His deep voice, her words were a mesmerizing spell on her. She could do nothing. She didn't want to do anything but feel the pleasure he was giving. Slowly, he entered another. "Did you lay in bed at night dreaming of when you would taste your first cock?" He asked, his fingers sliding in and out of her, stretching her further when he added another finger. By the gods, she was tight. He regretted that it will be painful for her the first time. And perhaps the second. "Did you dream of what it would feel like to have a cock buried inside of you? Taking you deep?" "Please -- what are you doing to me?" She stared into his eyes, hers clouded by her desire and confusion, his by barely controlled hunger. "Oh!" She cried out when his thumb touched her engorged clit. He felt her inner muscles rippling around him as she felt her first orgasm. He pulled his hand out quickly and mounted her, pushing into her with one swift thrust. The pain was sharp and Rose cried out. The pain only seemed to spur on her orgasm and she shuddered around him. Thayer was panting, sweat beaded his forehead. "Are you all right?" She could only nod, though she felt so stretched by his size. He slowly withdrew and pushed back in and all she could do was gasp. Rose watched him, riding out the waves of her release even as it started to build again. With each thrust, he buried himself deeper into her. Soon, he was buried to the hilt in her wet warmth. He found her lips, capturing them in a torrid kiss as he pounded into her. She took all of him sooner than he expected and this made him harder. The sound of their flesh slapping together filled the longhouse, along with their pants and groans. "Thayer." She whispered, feeling her inner muscles clench around his long hard cock. She felt so full and he moved so deeply within her she could feel him touch her womb. He moved steadily, controlling his rhythm. Her legs wrapped tightly around him and he reveled in the feel of their sweat covered bodies felt against each other. She felt so good around him, just as he expected. He watched her now, hair spread all over the sheets, her eyes closed and her wet lips parted with each soft moan. Suddenly, her entire body became tense. "Come for me, my love." He demanded hoarsely. "That's it, come for me." As Rose bucked, her nails digging into his back, Thayer pounded into her. With a deep groan, he emptied himself into her. Drawing every ounce of strength he had left, Thayer carried her to the soft cushions on the ground so he could lie with her. He caught a glimpse of his seed sliding down her pale thigh and felt pride. He hoped they had conceived a child. With that thought, he rested his palm on her belly and looked at her. Rose was staring at the ceiling. He brushed her cheek and she turned to him. "You've had me now. Take me back." Thayer frowned. Those were not the words he expected to hear. "Our union has been consummated. You belong here now." "This union isn't valid in my village." "No, but I have taken your virginity. If you return to your village, you will be ruined." He knew enough about human society to know the basic rules. "You are mine, Rose. You cannot leave." "You cannot keep me here." "I can." Thayer got up. Rose did, too, grabbing a blanket to wrap around her nakedness, her vulnerability. Thayer's frown deepened. "Do not hide yourself from me as you would a human husband. I am your mate." "I could never accept you as my mate!" He stepped closer, drawing up his height. "Because I am a centaur?" "Because you are overbearing and arrogant." "As my mate, you are to stand beside me, grace my home and be the mother of my sons. If you run, I will find you." The way he said it made her pause. Suddenly it became all too real. She was no longer safe within the confines of her village. She was here, mated to her captor, bedded and no longer a virgin, the only dowry she had to a husband -- a human husband. "I hate you." She whispered. Thayer's face hardened. He turned toward the door. "I will send Polonius's mate to tend to you. Do not fight it, Rose. Your place is here now." To be continued... Centaur's Reluctant Mate Ch. 02 Rose refused to cry, lest Thayer know the satisfaction of his power of her. Her mind frantically searched for a solution. There had to be a way to escape. She couldn't stay here, forced to live with a centaur and be his slave. This was absurd. Unreal. "Hello there." Called a soft voice. The older woman she'd seen earlier entered the longhouse carrying a tray of food. Her graying hair was left loose over shoulders and she wore a fine gown of green that looked expensive. Rose wondered at the beauty of such a gown. Did they make their clothes here? In her village, it was rare to find a gown as beautiful as this woman's, even in the shops that sold ready-made ones. "You are Polonius's mate?" The older woman, with her lined face and kind smile nodded. "My name is Kate. Thayer tells me your name is Rose." Rose nodded. Kate set down the tray and took a seat herself. "I felt the same when I was brought here." And then she laughed softly. "When I was kidnapped." "Did you hate him? Polonius, I mean." Kate nodded, her eyes sparkling fondly. "For a long time. I couldn't understand why it was me he wanted to keep here. I tried to escape, but each time he found me." "And after that?" "I realized I loved him. Polonius, like many other centaurs are strong-willed and protective. You feel alone now, but you aren't. Almost every female here was taken from her home and they have found happiness and have grown to love their mates." "Well, I won't love Thayer. He's too pig-headed." Rose muttered. At this, Kate chuckled. "Much like my Polonius when I first met him. Eat, you must be hungry. And here, a gown for you to wear." Beside the food was a neatly folded dress made of a beautiful spun cloth of blue. The embroidery at the neckline was delicate and intricate. She longed the put the dress on now, desperate to cover her vulnerability and make a run for it. But she needed her energy, so she ate the thick stew, along with the fresh bread smeared with butter and the bowl of cut fruit. "You will find life here isn't so bad. Owen brought home his own mate just a sennight ago. Her name is Helena and she hails from one of the northern counties. You two will have much in common." "What do the women do here?" "The same as we would have done in our former homes. We cook, tend the children, we gossip and create beautiful things to wear. The men do the hunting and protect us from danger." "Danger? From wolves?" "Wild animals, other humans." "Well I refuse to be Thayer's sex slave." "Hmmm, yet your blush tells differently." Kate said with a tiny smile. "Centaurs are lusty creatures, as I think you know." It looked as if she was going to say more, but didn't. "Instead, Kate stood up. "Welcome to our camp, Rose. You will be happy. Thayer will see to that." After finishing her meal, Thayer had not yet shown up. Rose slipped on the gown quickly and went to the entrance of the longhouse. The sun was beginning to set outside, casting a warm glow over the earth and everything in the camp. She frowned. There were houses everywhere. She was surrounded. Which meant the best time to escape would be at night. Still no sign of her captor. Suddenly feeling exhausted, but first, she searched the room quickly, her gaze landing onto a table where several weapons lay. She grabbed one of the daggers and as she slipped under the furs on the cushions, she put the knife under her pillow. She dreamt of him. Of Thayer coming to her, his hands wrapping around her, bringing her body against his. In her dream, she sighed, loving the warmth he brought, the safety she felt in his embrace. When he kissed her, Rose found herself responding to him, wrapping her arms around his neck, raking her fingers through his thick hair. He groaned and brought her closer, his hands caressing her bare skin. Her nipples hardened, became sensitive as they rubbed against the hard planes of his muscled chest. His mouth was hot, his lips and tongue brushing against her jaw, her earlobes, the hollow of her neck. He tasted her as if she were a sumptuous dessert. Rose let out a tiny moan as he brought her legs up, wrapping them around him. His erection nudged the entrance of her sopping wet pussy and she arched to meet him. He responded with a soft chuckled. She went still when he slid into her. This wasn't a dream. Her eyes shot open. Her scream was muffled by his insistent kiss. She twisted her head away and moaned when he buried himself to the hilt. There was no pain this time, but he was huge and he stretched her so much she had to keep from crying out. "Please, I don't want this." "You liked what I was doing a minute before." He said. He was holding her upright as she straddled him. His heavily muscled arms held her up and brought her down hard on his cock. Her soft whimper made him smile wickedly. "And you like it now." Her body betrayed her once more as he pumped in and out of her, and she found herself moving with him, meeting every thrust, returning his heated kisses. "You were made for me, my love." He whispered. "You were made to fit my cock." "No." She gasped. He suddenly slowed down, drawing out each thrust so that her inner muscles squeezed his staff each time he pulled out. One of his hands lowered to find her clit. "You are my mate, Rose." He circled her clit. The heat inside her began low in her belly, coiling tightly. She wanted to scream at him for taking his time, taunting her. She was weak from it, knowing that it was he who could finish this. Yet she shook her head as he said this. He stopped moving altogether, his strength allowing him to hold her over him so only the tip of his staff was inside of her. She moaned. "Please," She whimpered. "Please what?" "I..." "Do you need this?" He thumbed her clit and she nodded. "Or this?" He slid his cock an inch deeper, then pulled away again. "Or perhaps you wish me to come inside you as you cry out your release." "Please, Thayer." She begged. "I need you." His teeth were clenched, his damp forehead rested on hers now as he panted. "Tell me I am your mate. Tell me and I will finish this." "Thayer..." "Tell me!" He slid an inch deeper into her. He was throbbing. "I am yours!" He thrust into her to the hilt. She came at once, her release flooding his cock and he could hold back no longer. He slammed into her twice before she felt him spill inside her. Thayer lay her down gently, felt his heart swell when she curled into his arms, her eyes closing. But her peacefulness was short-lived. As soon as she gained her breath, she pulled away from him, covering herself with a blanket. "Come back here, Rose. We are both tired and I wish for you to sleep in my arms." Thayer said wearily. She glared at him. "I told you not to touch me anymore, Thayer. I meant it." He arched an eyebrow. "I recall that you were begging me to take you only a moment ago." "I wasn't in control." She retorted. "Will you let me leave now?" "You must trust my judgment, Rose. You belong with me." "Trust?" She nearly laughed. "You wish me to trust a centaur who's kidnapped me, forced me to his bed and then keeps me prisoner?" "Aye, I ask that you trust me. As I have trusted you last night not to use this on me." Thayer lifted the knife from under her pillow. Rose turned pale. He gave her a questioning look. "I-I was using it as protection." He tossed the knife to a table and sighed. "You do not need to arm yourself against me. I would never harm my own mate." "I don't know that. For all I know, you might plan to..." her mind searched for a reason. "You could be planning on eating me!" Thayer threw his head back and laughed. The booming sound filled the room. It made his eyes light up and he grabbed her by the blanket and pulled her up against him. "My love, you are amusing. Eat you?" He let out another laugh. "Why, is that what you are thinking?" He ripped the blanket from her hands and pushed her back on the bed. "If I promise to do just that, will you sleep in my arms?" She frowned and struggled against him, while his hands pinned her down. "I don't understand. I don't see how this is at all funny -- " His spread her legs and his mouth closed over her. Her eyes flew to him and she gasped. She felt his tongue lick at her most private place. "Thayer, what are you doing?" He chuckled. "I'm doing just what your feared, my love." * * * When Rose woke the next morning, she was alone. She sat up and found that her dress was tossed onto a stool. She donned it quickly and performed her morning ablutions. A tray of food was waiting for her. Outside, she heard the noises of a lively camp. There were the muffled sounds of logs being chopped and hammers and metal. "They return!" Someone shouted from outside. Grabbing a roll from the tray, she went to the door and threw open the flap. It wasn't sunny out, but the day was bright. A young colt came galloping toward the center of the camp. "They return!" He shouted happily again. Rose watched as a large group of centaurs, all armed with weapons and carrying bulks of what looking like dead animals on their backs. "They return from a hunting excursion." Rose turned. Thayer was polishing his sword as he nodded toward them. She watched as people came out of their homes, most of them women and children coming forth to greet their husbands and fathers. One particular young woman with dark hair, who looked no older than Rose, ran forth and into the arms of a centaur sporting a deep scar on his cheek. The centaur lifted her easily into his arms and kissed her thoroughly, uncaring of who watched. "The one with the scar is Xavier, my cousin. His mate is Laura." Laura certainly looked happy to be back in her mate's embrace. Then to her surprise, Xavier bent down to scoop his young son into his arms. The colt, like his father sported dark hair and a cleft chin. "Their son, Xander." This was the similar scene for many others. All the women seemed to be genuinely happy to see their mates and the men appeared to be loving and warm. Rose broke a piece of the bread and popped it into her mouth. Two of the centaurs broke from the party and started toward them. Without thinking, she stepped closer to Thayer. Like Thayer, the two centaurs possessed dark chestnut hair, though the one with the widest shoulders she'd ever seen kept his long, to just above his shoulders. His expression was fierce, though she somehow knew he wasn't dangerous. At least, not to her. The second centaur was younger, his eyes gleaming with mischief and humor. Even now he grinned at Thayer and Rose. "Rose I want you to meet my younger brothers, Callum and Soren. Brothers, this is my mate." "Welcome, sister." Callum said with a slow smile, though it didn't touch his eyes, which held a guarded and haunted look in them. Soren, the youngest, smiled broadly. "Rose, that's a pretty name. Is she rosy down in her - " Callum chucked Soren on the head and the younger centaur blushed. "I meant no offense, sister." "You must forgive Soren. He's anxious to get his own mate and seems to think of nothing else but women." Thayer explained, glaring at his brother. Soren smiled sheepishly. "That's all right. It's nice to meet you." Rose didn't know what else to say. Callum seemed content to remain silent, though he watched her behind the curtain of his heavy eyelashes, as if judging her worthiness as Thayer's mate. There was something about the second brother that piqued her curiosity. Callum was more heavily built, his chest and hips slightly wider, though there wasn't an ounce of fat on him. He possessed brooding eyes and a sensual mouth. Were all centaurs handsome and built like Thayer? Soren may be the youngest, but already he was filling out into a similar build as his brothers. She felt Thayer's hand drape over her shoulder. "Join us for supper." Soren offered. "We're not good cooks, but we can roast a decent deer." "The man is just mated, Soren." Callum said, slightly exasperated. "Let him have time with his mate." "I was being nice." "I'll join you for supper another time." Rose offered. Soren nodded eagerly and then mumbled something about seeing to the meat. "Will there be a ceremony?" Callum asked. Thayer nodded, looking down at Rose. "In two days. The first night of autumn." Callum nodded. "We shall attend. Soren, Xander, and I will prepare the bed, then." As Callum left, Rose turned to Thayer. "What did he mean by that?" "All unions must have the final blessing of the centaur's family. The night of the ceremony, a centaur takes his mate in front of the camp." "You mean you will...in front of the entire camp?" Thayer shook his head. "The young colts aren't allowed. Only the full-grown and the elders. It is the way of my people. When I take you, it indicates that this union has been consummated. My coming inside of you signifies the growing of life in your womb." "Then why did Callum say he and Soren needed to prepare?" "If a union is blessed by the centaur's family, his brothers, cousins or closest friends will help build a bed in which you will lie on when I make love to you. Once the mating is completed, the new bed will be moved to our home. The old one will go to my first-born son, until one day, when he is of age, he is built one by his siblings when he takes a mate. The new bed will stay with us until we die, then we are buried with it." Just the thought of Thayer touching her made her ache between her legs. But she couldn't stay here. There was no way she would let him touch her in front of everyone. Tonight, she thought. Tonight, when everyone was asleep, she'll leave. Thayer watched the troubled look shadow Rose's eyes. He knew all of this was overwhelming and new to her. But he was patient. By the gods, even now he was throbbing for her. Memories of last night came back to him. Every little sigh, the scent of her, the taste of her was embedded in his mind. How he wanted to bury his big cock in her and -- "What do I do with my time here?" Her voice broke his thoughts. He lifted her for a long, deep kiss, one she was reluctant to respond, but eventually melted into. "All centaurian brides are exempt from chores until after the mating. The women usually like to prepare their new home. I will have Laura come to visit you. She will help you adjust to your new life. It is usually the centaur's family that guides the new brides. From my family, Xavier is the only one who is mated right now. I am proud to say I am now to be mated." Rose went back into the longhouse and searched the room. There were beautifully carved tables and shelves containing books and kitchenware. Rugs covered the ground, there were the dozens of pillows and cushions occupying most of opposite end of the longhouse, along with the raised bed. In the center of the home, there was a fire, still blazing. It was a bit cluttered, with armor tossed into one corner, a sword left on another table and what appeared to be scrolls and more documents scattered haphazardly over a desk. "Don't count on being mated to me, Thayer." Rose murmured. "I'll be halfway home by dawn." Centaur's Reluctant Mate Ch. 03 Rose clung to Thayer as he gripped her by the hips, moving her over the length of his cock. She closed her eyes, concentrating on how he filled her so perfectly. She'd gone to him willingly that night, knowing this would be her only chance to experience this ecstasy before she returned to her village. She wanted Thayer to think that if she were accepting him now, he would trust her, thus making her escape easier. She felt him swell inside of her as he quickened his thrusts. She stiffened as everything shattered inside of her. Thayer grinded his hips to hers as he emptied himself in her the second time that night. "Ah, my Rose." He murmured, cuddling her into his arms as he closed his eyes. He brought her back to his chest as he nuzzled her neck. She took a deep breath, taking in his sandalwood scent mixed with the musk of their lovemaking. "I love the way your body is flushed after my loving." "Hmm..." One of hands strayed down to her flat stomach, caressing lightly in circles over her belly button. "I cannot wait to see your stomach swell with my son." He whispered, rubbing the palm of his hand over her belly. The desire he was igniting mingled with the realization of his words. She turned her head to him. "Son?" He smiled lazily. "You do not think that there wouldn't be a child after what we've done?" "But, I -- " Of course there would be a babe, how silly of her to overlook this fact. Maybe she will be lucky and not get pregnant. "Is that all I'm good for? A breeder?" She asked dryly. He chuckled into her hair. "Among other things." She started to get up, struggling from his hold, but he was too strong. "I am only teasing, Rose. We value our mates for more than their ability to give us babes." He kissed her temple, moving his lips down to her jaw line, raining kisses down the smooth line of her neck and shoulders. Rose couldn't help but let out a sigh as one of his hands slid over her damp body, the other kneading her thighs apart. "I like the way you are kind to everyone you meet." He nibbled on her shoulder, sending shivers up her spine. "I like how you sigh my name..." One hand cupped her breast, teasing the nipple until it hardened under his calloused palm. "I adore the way you throw your head back when you come." As he said this, the hand that was kneading her thighs slipped up to the thatch of hair between her legs. Damp from a moment ago, he parted the blond curls. He teased her mound until it opened for him, wetting his fingers as he explored the delicate folds. "I want you to come on my hand." He said huskily. She lay her head on his chest, her hands clutching the arms that kept her tightly against him. "Oh, Thayer..." She moaned, thrusting her hips toward him as a thick finger slid into her. "Yes..." "You're always so wet for me, my love." Another finger joined the first. He moved his hand steadily, the pull and sucking sound filling her ears, as did Thayer's heavy breathing against her ear. Timidly, she reached behind her and touched his arousal. He sucked in a breath as her small hand wrapped around him, exploring the size of him, the velvet skin. "That's it, my love." He urged, as her hand touched the base of him, pulling up to run over the swollen head of his staff. He continued his ministrations, thumbing her clit, as he pumped his hand into her. Thayer shuddered as she too touched him eagerly. They brought each other over the peak together, muffling their cries with a heated kiss. "Sleep, my love." He said. Rose was too exhausted to protest. *** She woke in the middle of the night. The fire had died down to a small blaze, causing the shadows to dance over the walls of the longhouse. Beside her, Thayer was fast asleep, his face relaxed and sated from their passion. Ever so slowly, Rose slipped from his arms and glanced back to see if he had awakened. She grabbed her dress and tiptoed to the shelf where she hid one of his daggers. If she was going to escape, there would be no time to don the dress until after she was well out of the camp's perimeters. Rose glanced back one more time at the sleeping figure on the cushions. She couldn't deny that Thayer gave her intense pleasure. But she wasn't meant for a life here. As she slipped out of the longhouse, she tried to push away the feeling of guilt and sadness. She ducked behind the longhouse as she spotted one of the centaurs on night guard. She searched the camp for the best way to leave. Several torches were kept lit throughout the night, a small blessing, Rose thought. Otherwise it would have taken a long time to adjust to such darkness. Her heart pounded as she avoided the guards. A small thrill shot through her as she ran from the camp, hiding herself in the edge of the thick forest. "Ow!" She nearly fell forward. In the moonlight, she lifted her foot. She must have stepped on a sharp rock. She berated herself for not remembering slippers. With the sole of her foot throbbing, she donned the dress, clutching the dagger. She prayed there were no wolves or coyotes about. As if on cue, an eerie howl sounded from the distance. "Please, no wolves." She whispered. She looked at the forest ahead of her, dark and so quiet. The fear of the unknown heightened her senses, and as her heart continued to pound, she found herself hesitating. She turned to look at the camp one last time, lit by torches. She wondered if Thayer had noticed her absence yet. If he did, she'd need to leave now. Forcing her legs to move, she rushed into the forest. She kept a straight path, her footsteps making soft crunching noises on fallen leaves and cool grass. A loud rustle in a bush nearby made her stop. She lifted the dagger in alarm. "Who's there?" Another rustle, this time from behind. She whirled around, yet saw nothing. The trees grew thicker here, so the moonlight was barely there to offer guidance. She kept going, repeating to herself there was nothing to fear. Then she felt something flutter over her bare ankle. "Ah!" She swiped at it, refusing to dwell on what it must have been. Cockroach? A passing rodent? She shivered. She should have planned more thoroughly, she thought, hearing another loud rustle. *** Thayer's eyes open. Without bothering to turn, he already knew Rose was gone. He stood up, taking his time to don his metal wrist guards and strap a large knife to his belt, just in case. He'd give her another five minutes or so. He'd known she was planning to run. Let her think she was getting away successfully. The forests were full of creatures unfamiliar to a young woman who'd grown up sheltered in a village. Pretty soon she will be begging to return to the centaur camp. Thayer had just stepped outside when he saw Callum and Soren approach. Both were wearing metal breastplates, intricately carved with their family's symbols. Cuffs of metal similar to the ones Thayer wore guarded their arms. On their backs, quiver and bows. "What is the matter?" "We just had word there are slavers entering our lands. A group of us are going to make sure they do not trespass further." Thayer let out an oath. "Rose has run away. I was just going to get her." Callum arched an eyebrow. But it was Soren who voiced the question. "Why did she leave?" His youthful face did not hide the hurt and confusion he felt. "She thinks she can still go back to her village. I thought to teach her a lesson by letting her get lost in the Black Forest for awhile." "You must find her before the slavers do, brother." Callum said gruffly. "Soren, tell the others that Thayer's mate is missing. We will keep an eye out for her. You better hurry." Thayer didn't need any further direction and headed for the Black Forest. Callum followed close behind. Their eyes adjusted immediately to the darkness and they moved gracefully through the trees, dodging fallen tree trunks and boulders gracefully even at the speed they moved. They turned right, sure that this was where Rose would have gone, for this was the direction her village was. Time passed, yet there was no sign of his mate. "Damn it." "She must have gotten lost." Callum said, listening quietly to their surroundings. The urgency to find her was acute now. The thought of nomadic slavers coming upon Rose made Thayer's heart clench. The slavers were rough beings, traveling from one place to another, luring strays into their camps, kidnapping others, forcing them to be sold as slaves on the market. They took mostly young girls, bred them to be sold as sex slaves. The younger the better, for they could be trained in the arts of seduction as well as bring in the price of a virgin. He knew that the slavers wouldn't hesitate to take Rose, with her shining blond hair and clear blue eyes. Such beauty would bring in a hefty price. "I'm going to continue down this path. I want to make sure she didn't make it down the mountains toward her village." Thayer said, though he sensed he wouldn't find her along this path. But he had to be sure. "I will travel northwest." The brothers parted. *** Rose winced as she stepped on another sharp pebble. This time she stopped walking and slumped against a large boulder. She winced in pain and frustration. Her feet were sore and bleeding from lack of protection and she was utterly lost. She was starting to regret leaving the warmth of the longhouse. She jumped up at the sound of rustling leaves. There was no breeze, so it couldn't have been the wind. A hungry animal? Thayer? She strained to hear something -- anything -- a voice, a growl. But there was nothing. "Is anyone there?" She asked, swallowing her fear. Her hand shook as she lifted the dagger up, ready to stab anything that charged forth. "Come out where I can see you." Silence. "Thayer?" A loud rustling and then footsteps sounded. "Thayer will have to train you." Said a deep voice came from behind. She whirled around and nearly fell on her bottom. Callum came out from behind the boulder and she exhaled. "You won't kill anything holding the blade like that." "Oh, Callum -- I thought it was a wild animal. I was so scared, I thought -- " "You should have thought of this before you ran away." His tone made her feel like a little girl again, like when she was five and her father scolded her for breaking a porcelain bowl. She met his disapproving frown with the lift of her chin. "I didn't ask to be kidnapped and mated to your brother, Callum. He can't force me to be his, just because it suits him." "Ah." Callum stepped up to her and she was forced to lift her gaze to meet his height. "He didn't consider my feelings when he took me. I don't think any of you consider the feelings of the women you take. Doesn't it occur to you that you could be taking her away from a loving family or a husband and children? Her friends?" "We are careful to take unwed females only." "What about her life? I was content to live in my village. I had friends there." Callum said nothing for a long time. Instead, he started to walk. She didn't hesitate to follow. "You observed our women. Yes, we took them from their homes. But every female you saw is given the freedom to leave. We do not force them to live here in unhappiness." His voice became flat as he said this and he was no longer looking at her. "Well I refuse to be mated to a man who doesn't really care for me. He only wants me for my body." Callum paused. "Is that what you think, sister?" Rose bit her lip and they walked in silence for a while. "How come you aren't mated yet?" He turned to her, but didn't meet her eyes. "I was mated. Once." "Was?" "Her name was Katerina. I took her and like you, she fought me. After some time, she started to give in. She seemed to accept life with me and soon, she gave me a son. We named him Antony. I loved my family. I loved her. And she was happy. At least I thought she was." There was pain in his voice and her heart went out to Callum, for she could see it in his eyes as well. "What happened?" "Our son was several years old then. One day she realized she was no longer happy. She was disgusted with what she came to accept as her life. In her village, she had been a wealthy man's daughter. In the centaur camp, she was mated to a mere blacksmith." Callum let out a sardonic laugh. "All that I provided was not enough. Her son was not enough." He swallowed hard. "I returned from a hunt to find her gone. And my son? His throat was slit." Rose gasped, covering her mouth with his hand. Bile rose to her throat and she fought to contain her shock. How could a woman kill her own child? "This was three years ago, but the image of my son lying on the ground in his own blood haunts me everyday. So does my mate's betrayal." He shook his head in remorse. "I do not understand how a woman could harm her own child. Perhaps it is a human trait? To hurt those who are unknown to you?" "No," She whispered. "Not a child. Never a child." This time Callum looked at her. "Then you should consider the child that grows in your womb. If you give birth to a colt, your people would kill it without a second's thought. In the centaur camp, he will be raised by its father, taught the skills every centaur is learnt." Rose had to blink back her tears now. "Listen well, sister. No centaur takes a maiden without some sort of affection on his end." "You still call me sister? After I've run away from your brother?" "You have a good heart." Callum said. From the story he just told her, this meant a lot. The fact that he'd known the ultimate betrayal and could forgive her for running away from Thayer meant something. "You are not safe with your people. They would not hesitate to punish you for being with a centaur." No, they wouldn't. Punishment was the least they would do. "Thanks, Callum, for finding me." He tipped his head. "Come, mount my back. Your feet have suffered enough. We must return to the camp immediately. Slavers approach these borders." Rose had forgotten about the pain. She mounted Callum's back. "Slavers? I didn't think they traveled these parts." "Occasionally. We have parties spread out to make sure they do not get too close to our camps." "Will they capture the centaurs?" Callum shook his head. "They would try to kill us and take the women as slaves. And perhaps the children to use as entertainment." "Is Thayer with the look-out party?" "He is searching for you. And I must warn he is not happy." Centaur's Reluctant Mate Ch. 04 Rose paced the longhouse. Occasionally, she looked toward the doorway, straining to listen for Thayer's return. It had been more than an hour and still the centaurs hadn't returned. Now with each passing minute, she got more nervous. Thayer was going to be furious. She lay on the cushions that made up their bed. Their bed. When did she start thinking of it as being hers, too? The doorway lifted as Thayer entered. Rose immediately sat up, eyes wide with worry. Thayer met her gaze silently and held it for a long moment before he turned to take off his armor. Outside she could here soft voices of others returning to their homes. Thayer's silence only made her more nervous. "I had to do it, Thayer." She saw his jaw tense. "Then why did you come back?" He asked curtly. "I'm not exactly sure." He didn't look at her, nor did he answer. His back and shoulders were stiff and his dark eyebrows were drawn together in a frown. Nothing but the crackling of the fire filled the silence. She watched him take his time unlacing his wrist guards, then lay down his weapons on hooks on the wall. "Are the slavers gone?" "We made sure they did not move further into our lands. You must be disappointed that my brother found you before you could reach the village." "Yes." "And what would you have done then? Marry a human man, give birth to his children and then turn your head the other way while he ravishes his mistress?" "Not every man is like that." Was her retort. "I have witnessed enough to know what goes on." "Well, obviously I'm not in my village. I'm here. So what you said isn't going to happen." "Yes, and how unhappy you are." He said, his voice oddly devoid of emotion, so she was unable to tell if he was still angry. The comment made her stop. She wasn't unhappy. She was...she shook her head. She wasn't sure what she was right now. She shifted under the furs. Thayer stood where he was, his back slightly to her, lost in thought. "Go to sleep, Rose." "A-aren't you coming to bed?" She asked in a small voice. "I will join you later." Almost reluctantly, she settled under the covers and closed her eyes. And waited. But a minute later, she heard the flap of the doorway lift. When she turned her head, Thayer was gone. *** Once outside, Thayer let out a shaky breath. The relief of seeing her safely at home was a great weight off his shoulders. Callum had informed him of her safe return, but Thayer had to see her for himself. The fear he'd felt of her possibly being captured by the slavers had been overwhelming. Thoughts of her being raped, beaten, starved -- by the gods, he was grateful she was safe. What was he going to do with her now? All centaurs had trouble with their mates in the beginning, but Rose seemed determined not to accept him. A part of him wanted to march right in there and make love to her, possess her until she was soft and warm against him, sighing his name as she was doing earlier. Just the thought made him hard. Thayer cursed. Didn't she know she held so much power over him? Just a single thought of her aroused him. He'll give her time, he decided. Let her adjust to this life, adjust to him. If a few days of celibacy meant gaining her affection, then so be it. *** "Oh, this will look lovely on you." Laura said with a bright smile. The dark haired beauty and wife of Thayer's cousin, Xavier held up the silky white robe Rose was to wear for the ceremony the next evening. "With your blond hair in the moonlight, you'll simply glow." "Is that good?" Rose asked dryly. They were sitting outside of Thayer's longhouse on low stools, making the last stitches to her ceremonial robe. Laura filled their silences with friendly chatter about camp gossip and what will happen during the ceremony. Laura laughed. "Of course it is. The better you look with it on, the more your mate will want to take it off. I'm sure your anxious for Thayer to do that." Rose tried to ignore the heat tinting her cheeks. "I guess you'll be there to watch when Thayer...well, you know." "There's no need to be shy about it. Although, I don't blame you. I was thinking the same thing when I first came here. But it's one of their traditions. It will become more normal for you when you see it happen to others. It's always an exciting event." "So Thayer just strips me and takes me right in front of everyone?" Laura made a last stitch into one of the sleeves. "At midnight, we all gather in the center of the camp. Torches are lit and you kneel on the bed Thayer's family has built. As he makes love to you, the elders repeat sacred words drums are beaten. The ceremony is really very simple, so you needn't be frightened or anything." "Mother!" Xander, Laura's five-year-old son came galloping toward them, a wide smile lighting his face. "Sigard is going down to the river with Jayden and Father said I could go if you said I could. Could I go, please? We're only going to be gone for an hour or so. Sigard said he had something to show us and we'll take a knife with us to protect us, if you want. And Jason says you must answer now or we'll be late!" He was talking a mile a minute, as any boy his age was wont to do. Laura smiled. "Go then. But be careful." "Thank you, Mother!" Xander was already on his way, but turned abruptly to place a quick kiss on his mother's cheek before he was off. "Children are so wonderful." Laura said, her voice just saturated with happiness. And then she looked at Rose with a knowing smile. "Pretty soon you will have one of your own." Rose shook her head. "Well, no...I hadn't thought to have one so soon...I mean, yes, it's possible..." Laura reached over to squeeze her hand. "Oh, just think how perfect it would be if you are with child now. We could raise the babes together." Rose's eyes flew to Laura's stomach. "You mean you're..." "Yes." Her companion nodded. "Xander doesn't know yet, but I have a feeling he won't mind. He's been after me to give him a brother for a year now." "Don't centaurs father daughters?" "No, not anymore. They haven't for many centuries. It's a shame, really. Many would like to have daughters to dote on. Now come on, we must finish this and then start to gather flowers to lay at your bed." *** He didn't touch her that night. Rose found herself feeling disappointed as Thayer made himself comfortable on their bed. She lay on her side and watched him close his eyes. "Laura helped me make my ceremonial robe today." She said conversationally. Thayer made a noncommittal noise. She inched closer to him, snuggling under the warmth of her covers, hoping to get even warmer if Thayer would just touch her. She missed his arms around her. "She says that the flowers we gather today will go on the bed and be scattered in our home." She deliberately said 'our home' to see if he would react. He didn't. "Laura's carrying. She is really excited." "Xavier told me." "Oh." Why wasn't he looking at her? He couldn't be that exhausted. She shifted under the furs. Her pillow suddenly felt too lumpy and she tried for several positions to get comfortable in, but to no avail. Suddenly, Thayer's large muscular arm wrapped around her waist and brought her up against him. Without opening his eyes, he asked, "Is this better?" She held her breath. Up close, the smell of him became stronger, the heat from his body was better than the furs that covered her. The feel of his naked skin against hers made her want to touch him, explore the hard planes of his chest and flat stomach, to place her lips at the hollow of his throat. "Yes, thank you." She whispered and forced her eyes to close. *** The air was filled with excitement and tension the next evening. It was the night of the mating ceremony. Laura, being Rose's closest relative now helped her into the silky white robe. With a comb carved intricately from wood -- a gift from Thayer -- Rose's hair was brushed to a shine and left unbraided. There would be no adornments on her. Two must unite as one in their natural states, Laura explained. Her stomach churned in anticipation and nerves as she was led to the center of the camp, where the crowds were already gathered. Four large torches were lit, forming a square. In the center a canvas tent was pitched, with four smaller torches. This offered light enough to reveal a silhouette of the bed inside, newly built by Thayer's family was set. Rose turned to Laura. "I thought..." "We are not allowed to mention it until the woman sees it herself. Your accepting what you thought a public mating indicates your willingness to stay." Laura stopped at the entrance of the tent, pulling the flaps back for Rose to enter. Fresh linens covered the mattress and Rose was told to climb up and kneel on it. As Laura left, Rose exhaled in relief. This was much more preferable than having everyone see her, though their silhouettes would be visible. Thayer entered and from the height of the bed, she was at eye level with him. Under the glow of the outdoor torches, Thayer looked fierce, enhanced by the fire that burned in his dark eyes. Thayer stepped forward until their bodies were only inches apart. Rose was breathless now, and the coolness of the night air, the scent of Thayer's body so close became an intoxicating blend to her senses. Her skin became sensitive against the silk of her robe and her nipples hardened. "Let Thayer claim Rose as his mate for life..." said a voice from somewhere outside. Rose couldn't seem to focus on anything but the centaur before her. The crowds watching them no longer mattered. The beating of the drums seemed to synchronize with the thudding of her heart. Words didn't seem necessary between them. Thayer lifted his hand to cup her face, caress her as it moved down to her shoulder blade. A finger hooked into the collar of her robe and he tugged. The weightless material slipped from her body, unveiling her pale, flawless nakedness. By the gods, she was beautiful. His own heart beat uncontrollably, and he'd barely touched her. He closed the distance between them. Her hardened nipples rubbed against his chest and he groaned softly. Tilting her face up, he kissed her, watching her eyes flutter close as she melted into him. Two days of celibacy had him aroused immediately. His cock was so hard, he felt ready to explode, but steeled himself to concentrate on her. His Rose. His staff stood tall and proud, rubbing itself against her soft stomach. He tasted every inch of her, making love to her with his hot mouth, his tongue; his hands kneaded her tense muscles, urging her heat to fuse with his. He arched her back as he took one nipple into his mouth, suckling hard, biting gently until she cried out. "Thayer! Please..." She whimpered. The sound of his name on her lips encouraged him and he worshipped her other breast with equal fervor. "It is bound in sacred Centaurian law. Let no other centaur make love to his woman..." said the voice, each word augmented by the steady beating of the drums. Thayer thrust his tongue inside her mouth, his hand going down to her pussy. She was dripping wet for him, her feminine folds already blossomed to welcome his hungry cock. She moaned when his finger slid deep within her. Her inner muscles suckled tight on his finger and he could imagine with incredible detail what it will feel like to bury himself in her, to feel those muscles close around his staff again and again. Her small hand cupped his staff by the base and he thrust forward. She broke away from the kiss to look down at what she was doing. "That's it, yes....ah..." He groaned as her hand moved over him. He closed his eyes, panting. "Enough!" He said hoarsely. He kissed her roughly and then turned around, pushing her onto her hands and knees. He pushed her thighs apart, exposing her wet slit to him and everyone who was watching. It glistened in the torchlight. Her musk was all he could smell now. Rose turned to see what he would do. He leaned over her, his erection resting against her swollen sex. "The ceremony will be completed when I take you from behind, as a Centaurian man would a filly." His voice was so deep, it only served to enhance her arousal. She fisted the sheets on the bed, arching her bottom to meet him. She was breathing hard and dizzy with wanting. "As centaur enters the maiden, she becomes one of us..." "I am ready to explode, Rose." Thayer said, his breath hot against her ear. "Feel what you do to me. Every minute of every day I long to plant myself deep within you." He rubbed himself against her, but didn't penetrate. She made noises of frustration. One of his handa came around to cup her mound, the other to knead her breasts until she was moaning. "Take me, Thayer." He pulled back and this time, he positioned the head of his cock at her opening. She held her breath, waiting. "Rose," "Please..." She whimpered. "Rose," The words seemed to be forced from him. "Rose, if don't want this...I won't take you." To be continued... Centaur's Reluctant Mate Ch. 05 He pulled back and this time, he positioned the head of his cock at her opening. She held her breath, waiting. "Rose," "Please..." She whimpered. "Rose," The words seemed to be forced from him. "Rose, if don't want this...I won't take you." She tried to push back so that he would enter her, but he held her firmly. "I do want you, Thayer..." "I mean, if you do not wish to stay as my mate...I won't take you here and I will return you to your village." He murmured. "Give me the word and I...I will stop this, my love." She couldn't think straight and her body was humming for release. This was her chance to get away...yet she no longer wanted to leave Thayer. Somehow, sometime during the past couple days she realized she couldn't ever leave him. She realized she could be happy here, even happier than she would have been in her village. Her heart swelled and she squeezed the hand that held her tightly to him. She turned to look back at him. Through eyes that were heavy with desire, she met his fiery gaze. "I love you, Thayer. I don't wish to leave." He buried his cock deep within her and she cried out. The drums grew louder, but she didn't notice. His mouth took hers just as his body branded hers. Their lovemaking was rough and fast. Again and again, he pounded into her, gripping her hips in place so that she met every deep thrust. Her tight, dripping pussy took his entire size, his swollen balls slapping against her bottom. The first spasms began to take her and she shouted his name. As her orgasm threatened to finish him, he slowed down, drawing out each thrust until he gained his breath and his control. When Rose's body began to relax in his, he drew her face up for a slow, sensual kiss. This time, he began with leisurely strokes. As he drew close to climaxing, he reached for her clit and flicked it gently, rhythmically. He quickened his strokes, feeling her inner muscles squeeze his staff. "My love, I'm going to come." He groaned. She barely heard. Rose was lost in her own release now and Thayer let go. He pulled her up so her body was pressed against his. He quickly drew her thighs closer together so that her inner muscles were tighter around him. "Gods take me -- Ah, Rose." The pleasure-pain of his powerful release was blinding. He released a loud growl as the first spurt of his seed spilled in her womb, and it felt like an eternity before it came to an end. The drums had come to an abrupt stop just as he came and the crowds remained silent outside. They both collapsed onto the bed. *** Thayer lifted his sleeping mate into his arms and covered her with the discarded robe. His body was gloriously exhausted from their mating ceremony, yet he felt a new strength deep within him. He said nothing as he left the tent and passed his brothers and cousin. He knew they would move the bed, keeping the soiled sheets on the bed as proof of their mating and bring it to their home. And to complete the night, a Centaurian male would take his bride down to the river to bathe her. Rose woke to find herself snuggled in Thayer's arms. They weren't in the coziness of their home, but in the middle of the woods. "Where are we going?" She mumbled sleepily. Thayer smiled at her. "I am taking you to the river, my love. After the mating ceremony, we bathe in the moonlight before going home." She was set down on her feet, standing before the glistening river. Without needing words, Thayer led her into its shallow depths. She shivered against the cold of the water, but was soon warmed by Thayer's hands and body. They made love again, taking their time to build their pleasure. Towels were draped on a low tree limb and they dried each other before heading home. There, their new bed awaited them. Rose stared at it as she entered the longhouse. Thayer came up behind her and she turned to meet his kiss. "That bed will also be where you give birth to our children." He murmured softly. She smiled. "I hope I shall be doing that very soon. I love you, Thayer." "And I love you, my Rose."