In the Interim

In a blur, Aliana felt Chimera's powerful foreleg reach out and grab her around her shoulders, the girl barely getting a chance to gasp before she was being pulled off her feet and tucked up against the monochromatic brute's strong, virile form. He kept her hugged up against him, holding her much smaller body to his chest while he surrounded her with his body. Ali didn't know how to react or respond, her heart pounding in her chest from the sudden rush of shock and panic. When he'd grabbed her, she thought for sure he was attacking her for waking him up, but this was different—startlingly different from what she expected! Chimera was cuddling with her, protecting her, treating her like how she imagined he treated Viper. He must have been dreaming she was Viper, and a part of her genuinely worried what his reaction would be when he woke up and found her in his arms instead of his mate. Despite that fear though, Ali didn't dare move or try to wake him for fear of bringing that reaction on sooner.

Besides, she... really didn't want to wake him. Having her svelte, petite form nestled into the nooks of his body, feeling those taut, powerful muscles keeping her held and swaddled in amongst him, she felt safe, protected... and something else she couldn't quite place, but it had her heart racing in her chest the way it had whenever he intimidated her. Chimera blocked out the world around her with his head, completely engulfing her with his body, his coat, everything about him. His scent, rich and masculine and potent, filled her senses, and his coat was soft and warm, keeping even the most accurate raindrops from reaching her. For the first time since her purchase, Chimera made her feel well and truly safe with him.

Ali listened to the brute's slow, steady breathing as he slept, letting herself relax gradually into his embrace until she was no longer rigid with worry and instead actually allowed herself to ease into a state of comfort. Chimera had never been this gentle or caring with her before, and she didn't really want it to end just yet. He'd no doubt be in for a rude awakening when he saw who he was actually sleeping with, but until that moment, Ali found herself enjoying Chi's unconscious affections. She reached a trepidatious paw up to brush over his chest, nuzzling her snout into his fur until her cheek met his skin. Her body was exhausted after her work, and being held like this for the first time in her life felt like the greatest of luxuries.

Her eyes slowly drifted closed, lulled into total relaxation by the feel of his powerful heart beating just beneath her cheek and his rhythmic breathing breaking the steady sound of rainfall. It didn't take Aliana long to fall asleep in Chimera's arms like that, at ease and feeling safer than she'd ever felt before. She might come to regret it later when he woke up and saw her, but for now she allowed herself to savor this moment between them.

"Aliana"