Travlr (The Mating Games series Book 2) by Catty Diva Page B

jealous of her.
     

Chapter 2
     
    Preparing for the Hunt
     
    Travlr went home irritated about Narcissi for Lista and Razar’s sake. To have your own sister try to take your mate away was unfathomable to him. He thanked the gods that she was not his mate, at least he hoped and prayed she wasn’t. He’d not yet gone through the cleansing process but he just knew or maybe he wanted to know she wasn’t his. Fate wouldn’t be that cruel when he’d had to wait so long that it would give him someone like her. In his mind he was certain she would be the worst choice of all.
    Washing up before bed and flat out refusing to jack off, he put on PJs and went to bed. Narcissi was on his mind and not in a good way. It terrified him that there was any possibility that female could end up as his. Never in his wildest dreams would he have imagined Lista’s sister could give him nightmares, yet here he was. Sleep finally came for him but Narcissi chased him all night long. He just kept running faster so she wouldn’t catch him.
    When morning came he was crabby, that was unheard of for him. Everyone shot him uncertain looks and his brothers jumped out of his way. It made him feel like shit. His family was everything to him and he wanted to explain but it sounded weird unless you knew that female personally. He needed to get to the temple so he could be cleansed and prepared for the hunt tomorrow. Yesterday he’d packed his gear and went out to the desert to explore the area. It was after that when he’d gone to Razar’s to meet Narcissi. A shiver ran through him. That female had to be someone else’s, but that thought made him feel guilty.
    Dressed to work, he headed to the temple first to deal with the cleansing. It shouldn’t take more than two hours. “Wellness and health to you, Travlr. We are glad you have come for your mating cleanse early.” Judsl said as he led him into an empty room.
    “I’m sure you will be busy later.” Travlr said politely. This afternoon when most of the males in the hunt descended on the temple for their cleansing, he would be happy not to be a priest.
    Stripping naked, he put on the robe Judsl handed him before he followed him back out into the hall and went to the empty baths. The water in the first was red, this mineral would seep deep into his body to chase out all the impurities and sins. In ten minutes, he moved on to the next which was purple. Only the priests knew for sure what was in the holy waters but the smell gave away some of the ingredients. The next was blue, then white and he stayed in that one longer.
    The brown water and the black one after it reminded him of dirt and they smelled that way too. The last colored water was rainbow with multiple bright colors simmering in the water. A shower cleaned any remnants of minerals or miscellaneous materials off him. Last he was sprayed with a liquid and walked through a room with smoldering essences. It made him cough until he feared he’d puke. Nasty stuff but he hurried out when Judsl motioned it was time.
    “You’re ready for tomorrow. Good hunting, my friend.” Judsl smiled and smacked him on the back.
    Travlr was relieved he was finished. No matter how hard he concentrated, he could think of nothing more he needed to do. He decided to head over to Razar’s to find out how it felt when he first saw Lista. Razar was lucky to get such a good female. Travlr could only hope and pray he was given a female like her.
    Moving up the steps, he could smell food cooking. Razar cooked more than ever because Lista was with offspring. They hadn’t told anyone yet, but everyone knew. She smelled distinctly of young which Razar should know. Travlr said nothing, what was the point? Let them be happy thinking it was their little secret. Meanwhile the whole family knew and all were glad. Razar had taken the first steps for them all and they would all watch and learn from his mistakes. It began with mating and would continue with