by S. E. Smith
“No, you two are not going!” Hannah said with a fierce look at her mother. “We don’t know what is there. It could be dangerous. We’re talking about an alien world filled with god-knows-what, for crying out loud!” Hannah threw an apologetic look at Borj. “No insult intended.”
Borj bowed his head in acknowledgement of Hannah’s frustration. “I will make you apologize later…in bed. He told her before adding, in my living quarters with the doors barricaded against all intruders, including your parents.”
Hannah flushed. Borj would have happily continued what they started this morning but Hannah couldn’t get pass the nervousness that her parents would barge in again. Not to mention, she almost made love in her little sister’s bed. That just wasn’t right, even if Tink might not be using it anymore.
“Oh course we are going. We are all packed. Your father can write there and I want to see what type of power structures they have in place. We’ll spend time with Tink and her new hubby and help her with the babies. Oh, my…grandchildren. I can’t wait for you and Borj to have some. I am going to have so much fun spoiling them.” Tilly continued on and on as if Hannah never said anything.
Hannah threw her arms up in the air. THIS is why I don’t come home that often, she thought in frustration. At least with the animals it didn’t matter they if they didn’t listen to her. Hannah growled at Cosmos as he bit back a chuckle.
“I tried but they wouldn’t listen to me either.” Cosmos said in humor. “Your dad already parked the RV in the loading bay. He had their luggage in the lab thanks to RITA letting him in, as well.”
“I plead the fifth, dear.” RITA called out. “I was just following orders.”
“Hannah, Tink needs us.” Angus said quietly looking at his oldest daughter. He didn’t add he felt like she could use the moral support too. “Please let your mom and I go.”
“Oh, daddy.” Hannah whispered. She never could turn her dad down. “Do you two promise to try to be good? At least a little? No hanky-panky in the hallways? No giving advice on sex?”
Tilly looked at Borj who quickly shook his head. “Oh, I won’t say a word unless they ask me. I swear.” Tilly said with a pleased smile.
“Okay.” Hannah said doubtfully. Turning around to Borj, she bit her bottom lip. “You are totally screwing up my life. You better be worth it.” She said poking her finger into his chest.
Hannah packed her backpack again with her usual traveling items. A couple of cargo pants, some tank tops, two button up shirts to wear as covers, a hoodie, and extra underwear and socks. She also had her small bag of toiletries and her camera bags. Glancing around, she didn’t see anything she missed. Slinging the backpack onto her shoulder, she bit back the wave of panic threatening her. This was so far out of her comfort zone she didn’t even know where to begin.
“I will be there for you. You will love my world.” Borj brushed against her mind.
“I won’t be locked up.” Hannah whispered back fiercely. “I need space. I need to be outside. I need freedom.”
“I would never lock you up. You are like the delicate Ta’caras. I will protect you but not cage you, ku lei.” Borj assured her softly.
Hannah nodded even though she knew Borj couldn’t see. Straightening her shoulders, she reminded herself she was in control. This was her choice. She wanted to see where these strange and confusing feelings would take her. She bit back a smile when she remembered her wish just a few weeks ago. She wished to find a warrior who was strong enough and brave enough and honest enough for her to trust. Well, she found him or he found her depending on whose perspective you were looking at. What was funny was her doubt there was a man on Earth who could make her feel this way. Turns out, there wasn’t a human man on Earth but an alien one.
After many promises to Cosmos that additional visits were more than likely and extracting a solemn promise not to mention any of this to Tansy, Borj opened the portal. Tilly’s enthusiastic cry of wonder and Angus’ chuckle of amazement were lost on Hannah as more waves of doubt and uncertainty flooded her. She could not believe she was doing this. A cold sweat broke out over her body as she drew back. She knew once she made the final step there would be no going back. She would be committing herself to both a new world and to Borj.
Borj looked back and held his hand out for Hannah. He smiled gently, as if understanding her fear. It was the look in his eyes that gave Hannah the courage to know she was doing the right thing. Placing her trembling palm in Borj’s, she threaded her fingers through his and walked through the shimmering doorway after her parents.
“Oh, Angus! Look at these handsome devils. They are almost as cute as you.” Tilly was saying as she walked around the two guards stationed inside the room set up with the portal device.
Borj stood before his father and the council with a weary frown. The moment they returned the guards informed him he was to meet with the council. Borj insisted on escorting Tilly and Angus to the guest living quarters. He wanted to escort Hannah to his but she insisted staying with her parents until they saw Tink and made sure she was alright. Borj sent a message to J’kar that Tink’s parents and sister were waiting for her. J’kar’s growled let him know he must have interrupted him at a bad time. He brushed a hard kiss across Hannah’s lips before he left. He wanted her to know he would be returning for her and there would be no more delays in his claiming of her. Already he could feel the desperate edge building inside him. He could not, would not, be denied any longer.
“You returned with more family members than we requested.” One of the council members stated looking down at Borj with a frown.
“It was unavoidable. The female and her parents were both there. I have claimed the female called Hannah as my bond mate.” Borj said fiercely.
“Your bond mate?” Another council member said in stun surprise. “You have proof of this?”
Borj gave a sharp nod of his head and held up his left palm for all the council members to see. “The moment we touched, the mating marks appeared. She is mine.”
Several of the council members rose partially out of their chairs to see the mark better. Others whispered back and forth between themselves. Teriff looked on impatiently at the other members tapping his fingers on the curved table.
“He has a bond mate. The female had no choice but to be brought back with him. The council stated the mother was to be brought, she was. The fact her mate was brought as well is to be expected. Perhaps these humans need to have their mates to survive like the Prime. He followed his orders and returned. I call this meeting to an end.” Teriff said loudly bringing his fist down so hard on the curved table it vibrated loudly throughout the council chambers.
“But, what if these humans told others about the portal? What security measures are in place?” One council member voiced in an irritated tone.
“What about other females? Our males need a chance to acquire a bond mate. If word gets out that only the royal family has access there could be trouble.” Another voiced loudly.
One of the older council members voiced his concern. “What of the other clans? Once they find out we have access to a world where bond mates are possible they will attack.”
“How would they find out?” Another asked.
“The human male.” A tall, muscular council member said just loud enough for Borj to hear over the other councilmen’s loud voices.
Borj’s head jerked around to Te’mar. He was the newest member of the council. Te’mar inherited the position after his father was injured in an accident. His father decided afterwards to retire. Te’mar was their former Captain of the Guard and was very familiar with the other clans that made up the Prime world, especially the elusive Eastern Mountain clan. Te’mar looked grim as he stared at Borj. He nodded once briefly to let Borj know he had information he wasn’t ready to tell the others. Borj returned his stare. Something was up and he feared it meant danger to the human females.
Chapter 9
After another round of heated argu
ments, questions, possible solutions and veiled threats from Teriff to beat the lot of them if they didn’t finish up, the council finally adjourned for the day. Borj waited outside the council chamber doors for Te’mar. As much as he wanted to get back to Hannah, he knew her safety had to come first. He needed to know what Te’mar knew.
Teriff looked at Borj as he came through the doors. He had a frown on his face. Teriff nodded stiffly to several of the other council members as they left. Borj tried not to show the amusement he felt at the obvious impatience on his father’s face.
“Bunch of old men.” Teriff grumbled under his breath as two more council members slowly moved by them. “They have been on the council since before I was born. We need some more young blood like Te’mar.”
Borj looked at his father in surprise. This was the first time he heard him comment on the age of some of the other council members. One or more must have made him mad.
“What have they done now?” Borj asked with a straight face.
“As your brother’s mate says ‘they need to get laid’.” Teriff responded. “They want to have longer sessions to figure out what to do with this human male who killed the guards and escaped. We have some of our best trackers on the task. I say kill him and be done with it. It is only a matter of time before he is found. What would additional meetings to discuss it do?” Teriff growled out as he adjusted the front of his pants.
Borj was about to comment when Te’mar came out of the chamber. He looked grimly at both Borj and Teriff. He didn’t slow down as he moved towards his office further down the corridor. Borj and Teriff raised an eyebrow before following. Once inside, Te’mar moved to a small cabinet and poured an amber liquid into a small glass. He handed one to Teriff before pouring two more. He handed one to Borj before picking up the last for himself. He turned toward the long, narrow set of windows and took a deep gulp of his drink before turning around.
“The Eastern Mountain Clan has knowledge of the females but not the portal. The human male showed them the holovid of J’kar’s mate.” Te’mar said darkly.
“Where is the human male now?” Borj asked quietly absorbing the information and calculating the possible outcomes. None of them seemed good.
“He has requested protection from the Eastern Mountain Clan in return for giving them information about human females. Fortunately, there was nothing about the portal and he was unconscious when he was brought aboard the Prime Destiny.” Te’mar responded.
“Why didn’t they just kill him?” Teriff growled out. “Who gave you this information?”
Te’mar looked coldly at Teriff. It was true Teriff was his commanding officer and leader of their world but some things were best left unknown. His promise long ago held his lips tight. There were some things even he was not at liberty to share. He could answer the first question, though.
“They almost did. It was only when they were about to kill him that the holovid was played. They demanded he tell them of the female. He made a deal with them to show them where to find the females and give them more information on them in exchange for protection. You should know as well as I do how desperate the men of our world are getting. I have been to over sixteen mating ceremonies myself and never found my bond mate.” Te’mar looked at Borj. “Now that you have found yours, would you give her up?” He asked quietly.
“Never!” Borj said fiercely slamming his glass down before he broke it. “Never.” He said more calmly. “I have not totally claimed her yet but our bond is already strong. I can hear her thoughts and share her feelings. It is like I am finally complete.” Borj looked at Te’mar than at his father. “I don’t feel the emptiness and desperate ache anymore and I have not even claimed her physically yet.” He said quietly.
“Borj, are you alright?” Hannah’s soft voice brushed against his mind.
“Yes.” Borj whispered back. “I will be with you soon.”
Just as quickly, she was gone but not all the way. He could still feel the connection between them. It must have shown briefly on his face because Te’mar finished his drink and slammed his own glass down on his desk.
“This is what I mean. The men are desperate for a mate. The population of females is at a critical level. The few females that are old enough have already bonded with a male except for a small number like your daughter, Terra. Soon, the males will not care if she is their bond mate or not. One of them will just claim her.” Te’mar said darkly.
Teriff’s face flushed a deep red and Borj felt his own temper rise at the silent threat to their family. “Never! I will kill any male who tries to claim Terra without being her bond mate.” Teriff growled out dangerously.
Te’mar shook his head. “Your best bet would be to send her away someplace safe. Even the palace walls are no longer a safe place for an unclaimed female of age.”
Borj stood in the doorway watching as Hannah laughed at something Tink was saying. Tilly Bell was sitting on the couch with her ‘husband’s’ arm around her shoulder sipping on a drink. His brother, J’kar, had a dark scowl on his face as he tried to catch Tink who was moving around rapidly while retelling how she met J’kar in an animated voice. His mother was seated in one of the other chairs. He looked around but did not see his sister, Terra. Hannah looked up and smiled softly at Borj.
“How was your meeting?” Hannah asked curiously. “Your mom said she wasn’t expecting anyone else except my mom.”
“Yes, well…” Borj said with a sheepish grin. “After I explained that you were there and I had no choice but to bring you, they understood.”
J’kar looked at Borj in amusement as he finally caught Tink as she twirled by him and pulled her onto his lap. “Yes. It had nothing to do with the image you were carrying or the fact you refused to obey a direct order.” J’kar chuckled out.
Borj’s face flushed as he looked at Hannah’s parents and his mother. “I knew she was my bond mate the moment I saw her. I just didn’t expect our first meeting to be so painful an experience.” He said touching the fading bruise on his forehead.
Hannah just grinned with a non-sympathetic look on her face. “That’ll teach you to sneak around in the dark.”
Tilly laughed with delight. “You tell him, Hannah. Borj, you should see the frying pan. It is in much worse shape than your head.”
“You clobbered him with a frying pan? Man, that must have hurt!” Tink said in awe.
“Yes, but not as much as the knee did.” Hannah added without thinking.
“The knee?” J’kar asked with a frown.
Tink, Tilly, and Hannah all burst out laughing as Angus gave Borj a sympathetic glance. “Hannah has very good reflexes and her mother made sure all the girls learned basic safe defense.” Angus said with a slightly apologetic sigh.
Borj’s hand moved to rub the front of his pants in remembrance. “Yes, so I discovered the hard way.” There was another burst of laughter from the women at Borj’s response.
“What of the meeting, Borj?” His mother, Tresa, asked quietly as the laughter settled down.
Borj sighed heavily as he moved to pull Hannah up out of the chair she was sitting in long enough to sit before pulling her onto his lap. Hannah started to move but Borj wrapped his arm determinedly around her waist holding her to him. He was holding onto his patience by a thread. He knew she would not appreciate him throwing her over his shoulder but if he didn’t claim her soon that was exactly what was going to happen.
“Feeling a little frustrated and impatient, are we?” Hannah teased silently wiggling her ass just enough to feel something harden underneath it.
Hannah fought to keep the blush from her face as she felt Borj’s cock swelling to an incredible size under her. “I will show you how impatient I am soon, ku lei.” Borj replied with a dark promise.
Hannah froze as she absorbed what was happening. She was actually teasing Borj! This was so new to her she wasn’t sure what to think or feel. Analyzing it, she decided she liked it. She liked the sense of power it gave her to
know Borj reacted that way to her but she also liked the feeling coursing through her. There was that excited adrenaline rush she got during a dangerous photo shoot or when she knew everything was just right. Her sixth sense was telling her that this was right. Hannah looked at her mom and noticed she was watching her with a soft, understanding smile lighting her eyes. She looked to her dad and he gave her a wink and a small nod. Hannah’s lips curved as she blushed and inclined her head shyly.
“Borj?” Tresa asked again breaking into his thoughts. “The council?”
“Everything went as expected. Once I proved my claim on Hannah they understood I had no choice but to return with her. I also explained it would be unfair to expect their mother to be forcibly removed from her mate since we knew what happens when we are separated from our own.” Borj said quietly. He paused for a moment looking at J’kar before continuing. “There was also concern about the human male that was brought back. It appears he is under the protection of the Eastern Mountain Clan. He made promises of telling them of the human females.” Borj said darkly.
J’kar sat forward tightening his grip around Tink. “How did you learn this? I have not received a report from Lan yet.” J’kar responded harshly.
“Te’mar. He would not say what his source was but I believe him. He said Bachman was about to be terminated when the holovid was discovered. Once played, he used it as a bargaining tool…his life for more information on human females. Fortunately, there was nothing about the portal on it and he was unconscious when he was taken. Te’mar fears they will try to take the females and use them to find out how they came here and where their planet is.” Borj informed all of them.
“Oh, dear. That could be a problem.” Tilly said leaning back against Angus. “How secure are the portal devices and the room? Cosmos needs to be aware as well so he can set up additional security on his end.”