Two of a Kind Ch. 03

His mate used both hands to stroke and caress him as he shifted and moved closer. He leaned over and ran his lips across Bashta's neck and shoulders, sucking and biting as he positioned himself against him, thrusting back and forth a few times against Bashta's ass.

Bashta moaned and arched as chills raced through him. Suddenly he felt teeth break the skin and bury into the muscles where his neck and shoulder met in a deep bite. His body went limp and would have fallen if Cavel's hands were not under his chest and stomach, holding him up. In that moment Cavel thrust his hips forward in one long, smooth stroke that drove a scream from Bashta as the pain of the bite and abrupt penetration flowed over and under the flood of pleasure they shared as they joined and their minds bonded again.

Reveling with the pleasure in both their heads and bodies they moved instinctively together. Pulling his mouth from that sensitive spot on Bashta's neck, Cavel began to lick at the bloody teeth marks, sucking on them as he moaned and panted. Bashta's back arched as Cavel's hips rolled forward, their bodies slapping together over and over. Their eyes were blind to the flames in the Temple rising into an inferno around them as they came closer and closer to completion.

Bashta found it first as Cavel brushed against his prostate again and again as he stroked in and out. He could feel the pressure building but he fought the bond and the sensations that were overwhelming him.

"Cavel... oh spirits. I... I don't know..." His voice broke and he shuddered.

"Shhh, let go," Cavel growled in his ear, "just feel. Let go for me, I'll catch you."

The small stinging nip to his ear from Cavel's sharp teeth sent him over the precipice. He cried out at the pleasure, calling Cavel's name as he climaxed. The rhythmic tightening of his body milking Cavel's rock hard length set him off just seconds later and their cries blended as their minds merged and their souls combined. Locked into a moment of time that seemed endless they strained together, feeling each other's bodies and minds explode with pleasure.

The flames above the Temple flared high, turning night into day until their bodies went limp after a final shudder of pleasure burst through them and they collapsed to the floor. Exhausted, Cavel rolled to one side. Bashta shuddered as he pulled out, then slid to the ground. He turned to face Cavel and snuggled into his chest.

He pulled Cavel's hand up to his mouth and nibbled on the pads of his fingers before kissing his palm and then sighing in contentment. "Just one hour and then we will go purify ourselves in the pools, okay?" Bashta murmured, already falling asleep.

"Of course, my love. Anything you want." Cavel tightened his arms around him as he too fell asleep.

***

The journey out of the jungle didn't take nearly as long as it did to find the Temple. With Bashta leading the men they made a straight line for the edge of the jungle. Cavel smiled in amusement as Bashta felt another flare of embarrassment when Piscel teased him about his ears again. They were wide at the base then flowed into a neat triangle. He thought they were sexy as hell; not to mention sensitive. Just a finger stroke down the backside was enough to have him quivering in anticipation, his cock hard as a rock for his mate. Cavel began to get hard himself just thinking about it and he blushed when Bashta turned back to glare at him.

"Do you think you can control yourself?" he snapped.

He was dressed in Piscel's spare clothes, the smallest of the jaguars with them. They hid quite a bit more than his breechclout had but the scent of Cavel's arousal was having an unfortunate affect on him and it was pretty obvious. His ears twitched in irritation and Saulle laughed.

His attitude toward Bashta was completely different after they came out of the Temple, transformed and fully bonded. Bashta could feel it to, that connection to Cavel's clan, their clan. It eased the tensions in the group and they fully included Bashta now where before there had been a distance, a separation of clan and not clan. Once Cavel told them of his plan to produce the antiserum there was quiet celebration and a renewed sense of urgency. They had hope now and that sped them on their way home.

Home.

Cavel smiled at the thought. They had left the jungle that morning and traveled along a dirt road until they came to a small town. From there they hired a couple of cars and made their way into the larger towns. Once they got to the airport they were one flight away from Fresno. From there it would be a forty-five minute flight on a small plane or a four hour drive home to Lone Pine.

Close to mountains, the small town was home to their clan. They owned a large tract of land that protected a trail up to a rugged wildlife area never visited by humans that was perfect for their clan when they needed space or room to roam.

Bashta wasn't excited like the other men. He had gotten quieter as they traveled into the human populated areas. His hands flexed and his claws kept coming out, puncturing the cloth covering his thighs as his agitation grew. When they got out of the car at the airport a plane was just taking off. His ears went flat to his skull and he cowered back from the loud roar of the engines as the plane sped skyward.

"Cavel, you better get over here," Saulle called.

Cavel ran around the car, dropping to his knees next to the distraught man. He concentrated on sending soothing waves of calm certainty through their bond to calm the rising hysteria he sensed. Bashta looked up at him, his eyes wide and filled with fear. Gathering him into his arms, Cavel stood up. He looked around, spotting an isolated bench near a fountain on one side of the entrance. Walking slowly toward it, the clan men gathered around them, blocking the view of the curious people gawking at the large group of Carthera.

Cavel sat them down, holding on to Bashta. His mate's rigid body refused to relax and he trembled against him. He stroked Bashta's hair, running his hands through the heavy strands without saying a word. He focused on calming the turbulent emotions he felt inside their bond, sending calm and sharing his own peace until Bashta finally shuddered and his body went limp. His arms unclenched and he laid his head on Cavel's shoulder and snuggled into his body. Cavel continued to stroke his hair as Bashta sought comfort by nuzzling his neck.

"I don't know if I can do this," Bashta admitted, letting Cavel feel his shame at his weakness. "I could barely stand to be in that... that car, even with the windows down. It scared me, going that fast without moving my own body. Now you say I have to get in one of those," his eyes cut toward the airplanes visible against the small terminal, "and trust that it won't come crashing down out of the sky."

"I know it's a lot to ask but it's the only way. We can't afford to travel overland, it would take too long. This way we will be home in mere hours; well... in Fresno, at least. We have more traveling, but it will be easier, I promise.

"You can do this, I know you can. You're strong, one of the strongest people I know. You are a black jaguar, an alpha of our clan. You may not know them in here yet," he tapped Bashta's head, "but in here you know them as well as I do." Cavel placed his hand on Bashta's heart. "You won't let them down."

Cavel could see the struggle in Bashta, the newfound bond with his clan, his trust and love of Cavel fighting his fear of the modern world around them and the idea of being encased in a metal object hurtling through the sky. Locking their eyes, Cavel tried to send him reassurance and love as he sat patiently holding him. "I'll be with you every step of the way," he assured him. "I'm not going to rush you into this." They would go when his mate came to terms with his fears, not a moment before.

"You won't let go of me? Not for anything?" Bashta whispered.

"Never." Cavel leaned down and brushed their cheeks together in an affectionate caress. Bashta's overwhelming fear was starting to ease when Saulle came hurrying up from the baggage area with a small package in his hand. He had checked their bags with the outside attendant while Cavel calmed Bashta. Their flight left in just three hours.

Saulle held out a small box. "I think this might help. The seer gave me these before we left. For the little one she said." He looked, licking his lips. "I'm sorry, I forgot about them before now."

Cavel opened the box. Nestled inside were two small capsules filled with a dark fluid. He looked at them and then up at Saulle. His eyes narrowed suspiciously. "What are those supposed to do?"

"Calm him down for the flight."

Cavel started to shake his head and Saulle stopped him before he could speak. "I can feel him broadcasting through the clan bond. If he gets any worse he's going to start affecting the humans around us. A bunch of humans broadcasting fear in an enclosed space? We don't need that kind of trouble."

"I'll take whatever you think I should," Bashta said quietly, before Cavel could speak. "He's right. The thought of just going in the building makes it worse. I don't know if I would be able to walk in there, even with your help."

He unclenched one fist from Cavel's shirt and held out his hand. Cavel carefully put one of the capsules in his palm. Taking a deep breath, Bashta daintily licked it up, swallowing the pill without water. He took a deep breath and Cavel hugged him. He wrinkled his nose at the smell of gas and fumes in the air. "Can we wait a little while longer before we go in?"

Cavel nuzzled him again. "Yeah, we can. Not too long, but long enough for you to relax." Cavel looked up at Saulle. 'Thank you,' he mouthed silently. Saulle smiled at him in return before joining the other men still standing in a loose perimeter around the bench.

The little food Bashta had managed to eat the past two days of traveling was barely anything. It was just a few minutes before the effects of the pill started flooding his body. Cavel watched him in concern, feeling their bond go fuzzy but was reassured by the lazy grin on Bashta's face and the way his mate nuzzled his neck. "Ready now, babe?"

"Mmhmm," Bashta murmured. His smile was lazy, curling across his face. "I feel funny, like I ate overripe fruit."

Saulle laughed. "That lady wasn't messing around. Glad she's on our side." He moved up beside Cavel as he stood up, helping him support Bashta. "Security is through the main doors and to the left."

The humans in the airport eyed them warily, especially Bashta and Cavel with their black jaguar markings. Their kind was rare and the security screeners eyed them suspiciously, but there were no hold ups as they moved toward their gate and flight home. Cavel barely got Bashta into his seat and buckled in before the smaller man curled up against him and fell asleep. Halfway through the flight Cavel woke him and fed him the other pill. He had to suppress his own unease on the plane; his jaguar side did not being contained. He curled around his mate and purred gently when Bashta twisted his hands in his shirt and snuggled closer in his sleep. Hours passed as he sat watching over his mate.

The plane was on the ground and pulling up to the terminal before Cavel gently shook Bashta awake. He was still confused as Cavel helped him stumble off the plane. The clan men all gathered in a large group and made their way down to baggage claim, the walk helped burn off some of the fog of the herbs in Bashta's system. Cavel left Bashta with Saulle to make a quick call while they were waiting for their bags. He closed his cell phone and made his way over to where Saulle was standing with Bashta right behind him.

"I'm taking Bashta straight to the clinic here. I've phoned Dr. Waddel to meet us there to begin the process to make the antiserum. I'll take Piscel with us and send him back with the first batches on the clan's helicopter. I need you to take the rest of the men home and get all the clan together at the hall. Can you do that?"

Saulle nodded; his face both hopeful and worried. "Do you think we made it in time?" His face turned toward their home, as if he could find a way to see their loved ones through the distance and know they were okay.

Cavel's expression tightened. "We won't know until you get there. I hope we are; I just don't know." He squeezed Saulle's shoulder. "Don't worry; the doctors will work as fast as they can."

***

The sterile white walls of the clinic and the smells of the antiseptic made Bashta wrinkle his nose. He looked over at Cavel and Piscel who both rubbed their noses as well. The place was empty, the silence broken only by their footsteps. The streetlights shining on the blinds covering the windows made them look orange, casting black stripes across the white floor.

"Wow, that's bad," Cavel said with a wince when he took a breath. "Has it always smelled this bad?" he asked Piscel.

"It's the transformation. Your nose is a lot more sensitive now," he answered.

Bashta sneezed and then did it again. He seemed to have some difficulty breathing as soon as they entered the building. Cavel looked at him worriedly, grabbing a handful of tissues off the check in desk they were bypassing. He handed them over to Bashta.

"Are you okay?" he asked after Bashta sneezed explosively again.

Bashta shook his head. "Something in here smells really bad."

An older man came out of a room at the end of the hall when he heard their voices. He hurried over to them. He stared openly at Cavel, taking in the mating marks, the spots running down the sides of his face and his ears. "I see congratulations are in order," he said, offering Cavel a nod of his head and looking curiously at Bashta. "This is your mate?"

"Yes, he is. Bashta, I would like you to meet Dr. Waddel. He treats the members of our clan when we have a serious injury or illness. He has always proven to be a great friend to us."

Dr. Waddel smiled at him and shook his head. "I do no more than give what I have been given in return." He looked at Bashta. "I was being attacked by a small pack of rogues while hiking in the woods one day and your mate and some of the men of the clan fought them off. They saved my life."

Bashta offered him a smile and then sneezed again. His voice was thick like his nose had become stuffy as he spoke, "I'm not surprised. My name is Bashta. I greet you, Dr. Waddel." He sneezed explosively and his ears went flat. "I'm sorry, but is there somewhere else we can go?"

"Something in the air is irritating my mate," Cavel said, his own nose twitching. "He has lived in the open environment of the jungle his entire life. The chemicals you use are a bit... strong for ordinary Carthera anyway but for him it's much worse."

"Oh!" Dr. Waddel exclaimed. "Please, come this way. I have a room set up with the equipment you asked. Maintenance recently came through and cleaned, the chemicals are most likely causing the trouble." He ushered them into the room he had come from.

"I called for some help. Dr. Pennelst is a colleague of mine; he should be able to make the antiserum here in the laboratory. I think you should know that it will take a few days though, not hours." Dr. Pennelst was walking forward, one hand extended when Cavel growled. He stopped mid-step and started at Cavel with wide eyes.

"A few days!" Cavel roared. Piscel slumped against the wall and Bashta took a few steps back. "What do you mean a few days? Our kitlings could already be dying."

"Producing a proper antiserum normally takes months, Cavel. We'll be working day and night as it is. You know I would never do anything to risk the lives of the kitlings." Dr. Waddel walked over to where Cavel was pacing in frustration, stepping between him and the frozen Dr. Pennelst. Bashta stood quietly, giving the very upset alpha some space. Piscel intercepted the doctor before he could get too close. He shook his head when the doctor looked at him.

Cavel continued to mutter as he moved angrily about the small room. One his third circuit Bashta stepped in front of him. Cavel jerked to a stop, his eyes flat and his eyes narrowed. He snarled in anger, his temper holding on by just a thread.

"Move!"

"You are not helping anyone this way," Bashta said quietly. Cavel snarled again. He took the last step between them and invaded Bashta's personal space. He pushed into Bashta's chest and glared.

"I said, move!"

"No," Bashta said calmly. "The kitlings need this medicine and they can't start making it until you calm down." He held his ground, looking deep into Cavel's eyes. He didn't push back at Cavel but didn't move back an inch either. "They need you calm. I need you calm."

Cavel shook his head, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides, "Days. They could already be dying. We don't have days."

"You don't know that yet. We haven't seen the kitlings. What we do know is that these men are here to help us and you are losing control. Get it back. Everyone is doing the best they can," he reminded him.

Reaching out, Bashta ran his hand down the side of Cavel's face. "I am scared too. I have already lost one clan to this plague, I don't want to lose my new one as well," he said softly.

Cavel's eyes closed and his shoulders relaxed as he finally accepted the calm Bashta was sending him through their bond. He reached out and pulled Bashta into his arms roughly, burying his face in his hair. Bashta could feel the tremors in his body but said nothing, rubbing his cheek comfortingly on Cavel's neck, combining their scents.

A few minutes passed as they stood comforting each other. Cavel took a deep breath and lifted his head. Piscel and the doctors avoided looking at his reddened eyes as he spoke quietly.

"I'm sorry, Bashta is right. I'm not being a very good alpha. I understand you will work as fast as you can to make a cure for my people. Thank you, Dr. Pennelst; we will be forever grateful if you can save our kitlings. I'm sorry if I frightened you."

Dr. Pennelst nodded. "Of course."

"What do we need to do?" Cavel asked.

"If you would just have your mate sit on the table; I have a few questions." Cavel led Bashta over to the paper lined exam table and stood next to him, one hand wrapped around the back of his neck.

The doctor held his pen over a clipboard. "You say you had the same sickness as the young of Cavel's tribe?"

"I didn't get the sores. My mother took me to a sacred spot to soak in some hot pools to heal an infected wound. Apparently the magic of the pools healed the plague as well but I was only suffering the beginning symptoms."

The doctors shared a look and then turned back to look at Bashta, their faces skeptical.

Cavel frowned at them. "I know humans don't believe in magic that they can't see and touch, but it is there. There are forces beyond our knowledge: gods, goddesses, avatars, objects of power. How can you treat people who are half animal and not believe in the magic that is inherent in our very nature?"

Dr. Waddel cleared this throat. "It's not so much that we think you are lying." Bashta stiffened and the doctor hurriedly continued, "It's just that we need to make sure they did have the exact same plague or the antiserum will not work."

Cavel grudgingly nodded, "Alright. A misunderstanding on both our parts." He would not back down further and apologize for castigating the doctors but they were used to Carthera patients.

A very touchy lot in general; when one was injured or sick they were much more sensitive, especially if it was a loved one. In this case Cavel's whole clan was at risk; his temper was understandable in the light of the fear of that loss but he had to try hard to curb it. Bashta could feel it through their bond, his iron control.